Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear says he will not call a special legislative session to address county clerks who have refused to issue marriage licenses since the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo urged the governor to summon members of the General Assembly back to Frankfort to pass legislation on the issue.
In response, Beshear said it was “time for everyone to take a deep breath,” and that the legislature could take up the issue during the regularly-scheduled session in January.
Clerks in Casey and Rowan Counties say that their religious convictions prevent them from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Both clerks are denying marriage licenses to all couples to avoid being accused of discrimination.
Four couples, represented by ACLU Kentucky, are suing Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis for refusing to issue marriage licenses to them.