Ky Senators Complain About Statue Removal Contract

Republican lawmakers in Kentucky have complained that a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was removed from the state Capitol without bids by a firm with political connections to the governor.

Kentucky state Sens. Stephen Meredith and Paul Hornback argued during a legislative committee hearing Tuesday that the presence of the 15-foot statue in the rotunda was not enough of an emergency to justify a no-bid contract.

They said other companies should have had a chance to compete for the job.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said he had no role in awarding the $225,000 contract to American Industrial Contractors of Lexington.