GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner is challenging several COVID-19 related executive orders issued by Governor Andy Beshear.
Commissioner Ryan Quarles is joining a lawsuit alongside Evans Orchard and Cider Mill, a fifth generation family farm-owned agri-tourism destination in Georgetown.
The venue offers an orchard, a 96,000 square foot playground, and a converted barn facility that can be rented for weddings and other events.
Quarles and the owners claim in the lawsuit that several of Governor Beshear’s executive orders are in violation of the processes outlined by Kentucky’s Administrative Practices Act and the state constitution.
The Evans family says they've lost about 80 percent of revenue since the restrictions went in place.
Gov. Beshear’s office released this statement about the lawsuit:
At a time when states to our south are reporting over 8,000 new COVID-19 cases each day, the parties bringing this lawsuit want to eliminate the public health guidance and requirements that are keeping Kentuckians safe. All businesses have to follow the same rules and guidance for outdoor weddings and other activities. We are confident in the legality of these rules, and have identified numerous legal issues with the suit, including that it was filed in the wrong place. If the parties here won and the virus spread because the facility was not following proper guidance, it could threaten the reopening of our economy and public schools.
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