FRANKFORT, KY - The Republican Party of Kentucky (RPK) Communications Director Andy Westberry, issued the following statement regarding the Beshear Administration’s new administrative regulation, 501 KAR 6:410, which allows for incarcerated criminals to receive tax-payer funded gender surgeries:

“It’s appalling that the Beshear Administration wants to force Kentucky taxpayers to pay for transgender surgeries for convicted criminals, especially with the litany of issues that Kentuckians are currently facing. Commissioner Crews’ refusal to answer the most basic questions from lawmakers was, at best, troubling, and her reasoning why she wasn’t prepared to discuss the new regulation was, at worst, nonsensical and disingenuous.

“Republican legislators gave the Beshear Administration plenty of notice about their serious concerns regarding the new regulation. The Beshear Administration’s attempt to hide behind a last-minute legal process was nothing more than a bad-faith effort to avoid addressing a deeply unpopular and politically toxic issue.

“What was more troubling was Governor Beshear’s response to the committee hearing. Suppose Beshear’s spokesperson’s statement that he is not in support of taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for inmates is true and not a weak attempt at damage control; why did Beshear’s staff seek legal guidance on the last business day before the hearing? Why didn’t the administration request this opinion before implementing these policies and procedures in 2021?  

“Andy Beshear’s administration is out of control. The facts show the regulation is deliberate, reflecting his support for using Kentucky tax dollars on these treatments for convicted criminals. His politically motivated response and attempt to deflect attention after lawmakers highlighted the issue are both desperate and comical.”