STATEMENT BY LT. GOVERNOR THELMA STOVALL
MARCH 20, 1978

            The 1978 General Assembly is now in the past, the failures and accomplishments of which are left to the judgment of history.

            In January I had great hopes for the potential of this legislative session.  There was much to be done for the commonwealth and its people, and I was eager to do my part in seeing legislation enacted which would enhance Kentucky's image as a forward-moving, progressive state.  There was much good legislation which materialized during this session to continue that image.

            Through a maze of the most dubious parliamentary maneuvers, the legislature allowed itself to be used by the misguided and plunge itself into action which I consider regrettable.

            The 1978 session of the General Assembly wasted valuable time and energy in using many tactics, within or without, the boundaries of the rules adopted by the legislature, to pass a measure which in itself amounts to legislative folly.

            The highest court of Kentucky has held, that a state can act but once upon a proposed amendment to the federal constitution.  When the General Assembly has acted to ratify an amendment to the federal constitution it may not change its position, for reasons that are perfectly clear.  Successive legislatures, as in the case before us, could make it impossible for the federal machinery of government to be certain of ratification or rejection.

The simple statement contained within the Equal Rights Amendment, reads:  "Equality of rights under law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.  It carries only the promise of equal treatment and protection under the law.  No one should seek more, and no government should afford less.

            Kentucky would suffer from the distortion of the Equal Rights Amendment as publicly has been announced.

            It has been my experience over the years that I have held public office [that] times occur which put on trial the personal convictions and public commitments of public officials.  Every elective official is faced sooner or later with the prospect of acting for political expediency, acting from conscience and law, or avoiding the issues by not acting at all. 

            When the people vote to elect their leaders, they expect them to act, and act decisively.  The whole purpose of life is action, and for a public official the action must be measured by positions of trust and responsibility.

            I have always held that to sacrifice conscience for political expediency is to forfeit the public trust which is inherent in public office.

            For this reason I have decided this day on what I consider a necessary course of action.

            Section 89 of the Constitution of Kentucky provides:

"Every order, resolution or vote, in which the concurrence of both Houses may be necessary, except on a question of adjournment, or as otherwise provided in this constitution, shall be presented to the governor, and before it shall take effect, be approved by him; or, being disapproved, shall be repassed by a majority of the members elected to both Houses, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in case of a bill."

            In the absence of Governor Julian Carroll from this Commonwealth I am, according to the Constitution, Governor.

            I have asked for and received from Jack Hall, Chief Executive Assistant to Gov. Carroll, House Joint Resolution 20, in accordance with my Constitutional duty in the absence of the Governor, I am acting today to veto this resolution.