Williams Criticizes Beshear Over Prayer

{Kentucky}...Republican gubernatorial candidate David Williams has criticized Democratic Governor Steve Beshear for not getting involved in whether ministers should be allowed to lead public prayers at athletic events. In an email that surfaced Friday, Kentucky Department of Education attorney Amy Peabody advised the Bell County school district that she believes allowing Christian prayers over a loudspeaker at the beginning of football games is unconstitutional. She advised the district to "cease this activity immediately." Williams called on Governor Beshear to denounce this attack on prayer at public functions and lead the efforts of state government to defend citizens' rights to voluntarily pray anywhere they choose. Beshear spokeswoman Kerri Richardson said the governor has no power over positions taken by the Department of Education, which is overseen by a commissioner selected by members of an autonomous state board. Richardson says Williams should also know the Department of Education is an independent department that does not answer to the governor.