Kentucky governor vetoes bills shifting executive powers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s Democratic governor has vetoed Republican-backed bills seeking to shift authority from his office. Gov. Andy Beshear summed it up Monday as an attempt at “playing switcheroo with executive powers.” House Speaker David Osborne says Kentuckians elected Republican supermajorities to serve as a check on the governor’s authority. Two vetoed bills would shift authority to Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. Another would give more power over state money to Treasurer Alison Ball. Another vetoed bill would allow the state fish and wildlife board to appoint its own commissioner and set the salary. Lawmakers can consider overriding the vetoes later this month.