♪ ♪ >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS THAT HE WILL GIVE.

MOMENTARILY HE WILL BEGIN FROM THE KENTUCKY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBER.

IT IS A JOINT SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY SENATE AND KENTUCKY HOUSE.

THIS IS HIS SECOND SPEECH SINCE HE HAS BEEN INAUGURATED AND TAKEN THE SECOND TERM IN OFFICE HE GAVE HIS BUDGET ADDRESS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS AND WE WILL DISSECT HIS SPEECH BEFORE AND AFTER, TALK ABOUT WHAT WE EXPECT AND HAVE ANALYSIS FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AFTER THE SPEECH.

AND I'M GLAD TO BE JOINED BY AMY WHEN IT CLIFF, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND CONSULTANT PARTNER WITH McCARTHY STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, SHERMAN BROWN, WE SHALL SAY, WHO IS HER PARTNER AND DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST WILL JOIN US ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SPEECH.

SO, AMY, WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE GOVERNOR OR WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WE WE WILL HEAR FROM THE GOVERNOR TONIGHT.

>> TIGHT LIPPED, WHICH IS TYPICAL FOR THIS GOVERNOR.

THEY KEEP A LOT UNDER WRAPS UNTIL WE HEAR.

I THINK WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR WHAT IS WE WILL WE HEAR ANYTHING DIFFERENT FROM THE BUDGET ADDRESS, FROM THE INAUGURAL SPEECH, RIGHT?

WE KIND OF KNOW WHAT WE'VE HEARD ALONG ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REALLY PUSH FROM THE GOVERNOR.

AND WHAT HIS BUDGET PRIORITIES ARE.

ARE THERE GOING TO BE ANY LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES IS WHAT I'M GOING TO BE LISTENING FOR TONIGHT?

>> Renee: WE ALWAYS SAY THE BUDGET IS THE MORAL DOCUMENT.

IT DEMONSTRATES AND PUTS THE VALUE TO WHAT YOU VALUE.

SO IF HE HAS ALREADY GIVEN THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, WHAT MORE WOULD HE ADD TONIGHT?

>> PERHAPS HE PUTS A LITTLE MORE MEAT ON THE BONE WITH SOME OF THESE TOPICS, RIGHT?

EXACTLY HOW IT'S GOING TO GET DONE.

I THINK HE HAS TALKED IN LARGER TOPICS BUT MAYBE HE SHARES WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ABOUT EXACTLY HOW HE WANTS TO SEE THOSE PLAY OUT IN THE BUDGET AND MAYBE IN TANDEM WITH SOME PIECES OF LEGISLATION TO IMPLEMENT THESE POLICIES.

>> IT WAS UNPRECEDENTED FOR THE GOVERNOR TO GIVE HIS BUDGET ADDRESS.

I THINK IT WAS DECEMBER 18, AND WE CARRIED THAT LIVE ON KET AND TO DO THAT BEFORE YOU DO YOUR COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS, HOW IS THAT REALLY RES RESONATED IN THE HALLS OF THE STATE CAPITOL?

>> I THINK IT HAS BEEN HELPFUL.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KNOW BEFORE SESSION WHERE THE GOVERNOR LANDED ON HIS BUDGET PRIORITIES.

I WOULD SAY IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO SOME OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS AS THEY PUT THE FINAL TOUCHES ON THE HOUSE BUDGET THAT WE HOPE TO SEE NEXT WEEK.

I'M PARTICULARLY GLAD THAT WE ARE BACK TO IN PERSON, THAT WE HAVE NOT DONE AWAY WITH THAT TRADITION OF THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH IN FRONT OF A JOINT SESSION OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

SO GLAD TO SEE THAT BACK TONIGHT.

>> Renee: IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE THE POST-COVID ENVIRONMENTS AND ROUTINES WE ARE SO USED TO.

WE WILL SEE THE GOVERNOR MOMENTARILY.

THEY DO SOME PROCEDURAL THINGS TO GAVEL THE MEMBERS IN.

THAT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

AND THEN WE WILL GET TO THE SPEECH WHEN HE TAKES TO THE PODIUM.

WE ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE SPENDING SOME OF YOUR EVENING WITH US AS WE PROVIDE THIS COVERAGE LIFE HERE ON KET.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SPEECH, WE WILL HAVE ANALYSIS FROM THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AND ALSO AMY WHITT CLIFF AND SHERMAN BROWN WILL BE HERE TO GIVE US ANALYSIS AS WELL.

THE REPUBLICANS, THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE SPEAKER HAD A MEDIA AVAILABILITY AFTER CHAMBER SESSIONS TODAY.

DID THEY SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT THEY EXPECT FROM THE GOVERNOR TONIGHT OR ANY AN ADVERTISE PAER TO COMMENTS THEY MIGHT HAVE SHARED.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT WHAT THEY EXPECT OR IF THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SPECIFIC FROM THE HOUSE SIDE WE KNOW THE CRIME BILL IS COMING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT.

PRESIDENT STIVERS SPOKE A LOT ABOUT ENERGY POLICY.

I THINK WE WILL SEE A LOT OF ENERGY POLICY AND LONG-TERM ENERGY POLICY FOR KENTUCKY COMING OUT OF THE SENATE, AND THEN I THINK IT'S ALSO ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR HOW THEY STARTED THE JOINT CONSERVATION ISES AND HOW THEY WILL BE WORKING TOGETHER ON THE BUDGET AND MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS A LITTLE BIT TO SPEND AND THEY KNOW THAT BUT ALSO SPENDING WISELY.

AND STILL KEEPING THAT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET IN TACT.

>> Renee: WE EXPECT THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO DROP THEIR BUDGET PLAN NEXT WEEK.

>> THAT'S WAS WE HAVE HEARD EARLY NEXT WEEK: I THINK THERE WERE SOME LATE NUMBERS THAT CAME IN THEY HEARD ON PERSONNEL, ONCE YOU CHANGE ONE NUMBER IN THE BUDGET, IT WILL KNOCK EVERYTHING ELSE OFF.

THERE WERE SOME FINAL TOUCHES THAT CAME IN.

>> Renee: RIGHT D. THEY SAY IF THEY'RE ON AGREEMENT ON ANYTHING THEY HEARD THE GOVERNOR SAY HE SUPPORTS SO FAR?

>> THEY WERE HESITANT TO SAY AGREEMENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THE PAPERWORK SO IT'S HARD TO TALK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU SEE WHAT IS BEING PAID FOR VERSUS ONE TIME AND HOW MUCH IF ANY WAS COMING OUT OF BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNOR SAID HE IS NOT TOUCHING THAT.

WE'LL SEE.

>> WE KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS FROM PROGRESSIVE GROUPS AND COALITION TO DIG INTO THE RAINY DAY FUND TO SUPPORT PUBLIC INVESTMENTS.

RIGHT NOW WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS BEING CALLED INTO JOINT SESSION.

THOSE ARE THE PROCEDURAL ACTIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, AND WE'LL JUST LISTEN IN FOR JUST A MOMENT.

>> THE ABOUT THE OF THE SENATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, THE PRESIDENT!

>> Renee: AMY, I LIKE SEEING ALL OF THE PROCEDURAL PROTOCOLS, RIGHT, OF THEM BEING OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED AND GAVELED INTO JOINT SESSION AND THEM WALKING DOWN THE AISLE.

>> TRADITION.

>> IT IS TRADITION.

>> Renee: YOU MENTIONED IT EARLIER HOW IT IS NICE TO GET BACK TO THE ROUTINE OF SEEING THIS AND, OF COURSE, HERE THIS IS THE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS WHO IS GREETING BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AS HE WALKS DOWN THE AISLE.

THERE IS A PHRASE THAT WE HEAR A LOT, THE COMMITTEE TO WAIT UPON THE GOVERNOR.

WE MAY NOT HAVE HEARD THAT AT THE VERY BEGINNING.

WE MAY HAVE BEEN IN OUR COMMENTARY BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, AIMY?

>> SO A CEREMONIAL GROUP THAT BASICALLY ESCORTS THE GOVERNOR IN FOR HIS STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

I THINK WE'LL SEE SOME FOLKS TONIGHT WHO ARE PART OF THE COMMITTEE TO WAIT UPON THE GOVERNOR THERE THIS MAY BE THEIR LAST STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

MANY PEOPLE IN THE CHAMBER TONIGHT, THIS IS THEIR LAST STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

MANY MEMBERS ARE NOT FILING FOR REELECTION.

THIS MAY BE LAST ONE THAT THEY HERE.

>> Renee: 15 MEMBERS, I BELIEVE LAST COUNT, FILING DEADLINE IS JANUARY 5.

SO LET'S LISTEN IN AS THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

>> THE SENATE CALLS TO ORDER THE FIRST JOINT SESSION OF THE 2024 COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WILL THE MEMBERS PLEASE STAND FOR THE INVOCATION TO BE DELIVERED BY Dr. JOSH K. SMITH, PASTOR OF EAST BARBERVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH, REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO BE LED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> LET'S PRAY.

>> HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COUNT IT A PRIVILEGE TONIGHT TO BOW IN YOUR PRESENCE.

FATHER, WE THANK YOU, LORD, FOR EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT THAT COMES DOWN FROM ABOVE.

TONIGHT I PERSONALLY THANK YOU NOT ONLY FOR LIFE, BUT I THANK YOU FOR ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH YOUR SON, MY SAVIOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

FATHER, I PRAY YOUR BLESSINGS UPON THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

MAY YOU BE WITH THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY AS THEY MEET DURING THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FATHER MAY YOU GIVE THEM WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT TO LEAD, TO GOVERN, NOT FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF POLITICAL CAREERS, BUT FOR THE GOOD OF EVERY CITIZEN OF THIS GREAT STATE.

FATHER, BLESS TONIGHT, BLESS THESE PROCEEDINGS, WE PRAY IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> Renee: AND THERE YOU HAVE IT.

WE JUST HAD THE INVOCATION AND THE OFFICIAL CALL TO ORDER AND NOW WE WILL WELCOME THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY SOON INTO THE CHAMBER.

AND YOU ARE WATCHING THE PROCEDURAL ACTIVITIES TO BET TO THAT POINT.

WE SAY THAT THEY'RE IN RECESS ESSENTIALLY BECAUSE WHEN THE CHAMBERS RECESSED EARLY TODAY, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, THEY DID SO SO THEY COULD GAVEL IN FOR THIS OCCASION AND THEY WILL OFFICIALLY ADJOURN.

THERE IS MORE PROCEDURAL ACTIONS THAT COME AFTER TO OFFICIALLY CLOSE THE BUSINESS FOR THE DAY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

>> Renee: AND WE KNOW THAT TODAY HAS BEEN SOMETIMES A TENSE DAY BECAUSE OF THE BOMB THREAT THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE KENTUCKY SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE AND OTHER STATES ACROSS THE NATION.

SO SOME UNCERTAINTY TODAY.

>> A LITTLE BIT ON EDGE TODAY.

I WAS OVER IN THE ANNEX WHEN THAT OCCURRED.

I THINK EVERYBODY IS ON GUARD AND WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP A SAFE CAPITOL.

HATS OFF TO OUR KENTUCKY STATE POLICE WHO HANDLED IT BRILLIANTLY AS ALWAYS.

>> Renee: THEY ALWAYS DO.

YOU ARE WATCHING THE GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY, THE FIRST LADY AND OTHERS AND THE COMMITTEE WHO ARE WAITING UPON THE GOVERNOR AS HE WALKS DOWN THE AISLE, TO ISSUE HIS COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS, STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS.

HIS SECOND ADDRESS IN HIS SECOND TERM AS WE TOLD YOU JUST MOMENTARILY HE GAVE HIS BUDGET ADDRESS ON DECEMBER 18.

AND SO TONIGHT WE WILL, PERHAPS HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT HIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS FOR THIS 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND THOSE ARE THE JUSTICES OF THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT.

>> ALSO LOOKING TO SEE IF WE HAVE ANY OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS IN THE ROOM TONIGHT BECAUSE WE HAVE SEVERAL NEW ONES.

THIS WOULD BE THEIR FIRST-- THAT LOOKS LIKE RUSSELL COLEMAN,.

>> Renee: ATTORNEY GENERAL COLEMAN THERE AND JONATHAN SCHELL, THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.

>> ALLISON BALL.

>> Renee: AND MARK METCALF IS THERE AS WELL, THE NEW STATE TREASURER.

THEY WERE JUST SWORN IN THE OTHER DAY.

AT THIS TIME WE ARE GOING TO YIELD THE PROGRAM OVER TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

>> THANKS FOR SHARING IT WITH ME TONIGHT PRESIDENT STIVERS, SPEAKER OSBOURNE, MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT, OUR ADJUTANT GENERAL AND FORMER GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR, FORMER FIRST LADY JANE BESHEAR.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN, WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE RECOVERING TONIGHT AND WITH US TONIGHT.

[ APPLAUSE ] FIRST LADY BRITTANY BESHEAR, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR FAMILY AND ALL KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

I LOVE YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND TO ALL OUR KENTUCKY FAMILIES WATCHING FROM HOME, GOOD EVENING AND EVERYBODY PLEASE BE SEATED.

TONIGHT I'M SPEAKING FROM THE HOUSE CHAMBERS.

GRATEFUL FOR THE INVITATION FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO OFFER THIS IMPORTANT ANNUAL REVIEW.

IT'S A NEW YEAR!

AND EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT.

MANY OF YOU ARE EXCITED THAT I'LL BE SERVING AS YOUR GOVERNOR FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND THE REST ARE EXCITED THAT I AM NOW TERM LIMITED.

[LAUGHTER] [ APPLAUSE ] REGARDLESS OF YOUR PERSPECTIVE, IT DOES GIVE US A CHANCE TO PUSH POLITICS ASIDE AND TO MOVE THIS COMMONWEALTH FORWARD TOGETHER.

TONIGHT, I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT THANKS TO THE STRENGTH OF OUR PEOPLE AND OUR RED HOT ECONOMY, THE STATE OF OUR COMMONWEALTH IS STRONGER THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN!

[ APPLAUSE ] OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH SO MANY HARD TIMES TOGETHER.

AND NOW WE ARE GETTING TO THE GOOD TIMES TOGETHER.

WE'VE ARRIVED HERE BY READ LEADING WITH KINDNESS, COMPASSION, AND EMPATHY FOR ONE ANOTHER.

THAT'S WHAT MY FAITH TEACHES ME TO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSELF.

IT'S THAT GOLDEN RULE AND THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN THAT HAVE GUIDED US AND SHOULD GUIDE US.

IT IS THOSE WHO HAVE STEPPED UP, SET POLITICS AND DIVISION ASIDE JUST TO HELP EACH OTHER BECAUSE THAT'S WHO WE ARE AS KENTUCKIANS NO PANDEMIC, NO FLOOD, OR TORNADO OR ANY OTHER CHALLENGE WILL EVER CHANGE THAT.

HOW WE DEALT WITH THESE HISTORIC CHALLENGES WASN'T RED OR BLUE.

IT WASN'T R OR D. IT WAS JUST US.

TEAM KENTUCKY, WHERE EVERYBODY MATTERS.

TONIGHT, WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN EMBRACE A NEW ERA AS AN ECONOMIC AND A MORAL LEADER IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND WE'LL TAKE THE TIME TO HIGHLIGHT THE AMAZING STORIES OF THOSE WHO ARE HELPING US TURN THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF PROGRESS INTO DECADES OF PROSPERITY.

AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRIGHTER DAYS, I WANT YOU TO HEAR ABOUT OUR GOOD SAMARITANS, OUR HELPERS, OUR HEROES ARE ON WHO ARE OUT THERE DAY IN AND DAY OUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

AS POET LAUREATE SILAS HOUSE DESCRIBES IT, THOSE WHO CARRY US.

FIRST, LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR RECORD SETTING ECONOMY.

WE ENTER 2024 AFTER SECURING THE BEST FOUR-YEAR PERIOD FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN OUR HISTORY.

WE SET A RECORD FOR PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT, MORE THAN $28.7 BILLION, THE MOST SECURED TOUR THE TENURE OF ANY GOVERNOR.

TOGETHER WE CREATED MORE THAN 51,200 NEW JOBS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES AND SOME OF THE HIGHEST WAGES WE EVER SAW LAST YEAR.

WE AVERAGED $26.67 AN HOUR BEFORE BENEFITS.

I SAY WE BECAUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS A TEAM SPORT.

IT TAKES BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES, ALONG WITH SO MANY HARD WORKING LOCAL OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS LEADERS.

BECAUSE OF OUR WORK, BECAUSE OF ALL OF OUR WORK, THE EYES OF THE WORLD ARE ON KENTUCKY AND WHAT WE ARE DOING.

[ APPLAUSE ] FORD AND ITS PARTNER ARE BUILDING THE TWO LARGEST ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY ON PLANET EARTH IN GLENDALE KENTUCKY, THE LARGEST SINGLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

IT IS HAS CEMENTED OUR STATUS AS THE EV BATTERY PRODUCTION CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES AND THAN ENSURES OUR FUTURE AS AN AUTOMOTIVE LEADER WITH A CHANCE TO BE THE AUTOMOTIVE LEADER.

AS OF LAST MONTH, THEY HAVE HIRED APPROXIMATELY 400 KENTUCKIANS AND THEY'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

BEGINNING THIS YEAR, BLUE OBELESK PLANS TO HIRE 2,000 MORE PEOPLE TO WORK IN HARDIN COUNTY.

AMONG THOSE HELPING ARE JAMIE AND RYAN.

THEY'RE BOTH WITHER HUGHES TONIGHT RYAN GREW UP IN E TOWN AND HAD DREAMS OF BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER EVEN DRAFTED BY THE NEW YORK YANKEES.

HE STARTED HIS... WE'RE CLAPPING FOR THE YANKEES TONIGHT?

HE STARTED HIS CAREER WITH FORD, AND HE HAS NOW COME BACK HOME TO LEAD AS A PLANT MANAGER.

JAMIE IS PART OF THEIR HR TEAM AND HAS HELPED BRING ON ENGINEERS, PRODUCTION AND MAINTENANCE SUPERVISORS AND SHE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL SHE PROVIDES INCREDIBLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES TO 5,000 KENTUCKIANS.

THANK YOU, JAMIE, RYAN, ESCION AND FORD FOR LEADING US INTO THE FUTURE.

NOW LET'S LOOK TO HENDERSON.

THEIR PLANT INDUSTRY OPENED THE CLEANEST GREENEST RECYCLE PAPER MILL IN THE COUNTRY WITH OVER 320 JOBS PAYING ALMOST $40 AN HOUR.

TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR OUR WESTERN KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

TONIGHT WE HAVE GLOBAL C.E.O.

BRIAN McFEELY HERE WITH US.

BRIAN SEES WHAT OTHERS SEE MORE CLEARLY EVERY DAY.

KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE IS SECOND TO NONE AND THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO DO BUSINESS.

BRIAN, THANK YOU AND THANKS TO EXECUTIVE GLOBAL CHAIRMAN ANTHONY PRATT FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN US.

IF YOU THINK ONE KENTUCKY PLANT IS GREAT, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO WITH TWO, THREE, MAYBE EVEN FOUR.

[ APPLAUSE ] TONIGHT WE ARE ALSO JOINED BY MATT VANDERPOOL, THE NEWEST INSTRUMENTATION SUPERVISOR.

MATT IS FROM HENDERSON.

AND HE IS MAKING SURE THAT PRATT IS ROOTED IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

HE SERVES AS HENDERSON' COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHAPTER PRESIDENT AND SPONSORING TWO STUDENTS WHO WILL START IN THE SPRING.

THANK YOU AND THANK PRATT FOR ALL THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR PEOPLE.

[ APPLAUSE ] CREATING THIS ECONOMY.

MAKING THIS HAPPEN TAKES ALL OF US MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER.

I WANTED TO THANK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR COMING TOGETHER TO PASS LEGISLATION NEEDED TO SECURE MAJOR PROJECTS LIKE AESC'S $2 BILLION, 2,000 JOB EV GIGA FACTOR.

IT SHOWS WE ARE ON A ROLL AND HIGHLIGHTS THE SITE PREPARATION, THE WORK THAT IT TAKES TO LEAD THE COUNTRY AND SPEED TO MARKET AND TO SECURE THESE WINS.

YOU, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, RECOGNIZE THIS WORK AND INVESTED IN THE LAST BUDGET SESSION, PROVIDING $200 MILLION FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AS WELL AS A CLOSING FUND TO KEEP US COMPETITIVE.

IT IS PAYING OFF.

WE NOW HAVE INVESTMENTS IN OVER 85 COUNTIES, STRETCHING FROM FULTON TO PIKEVILLE, AND THE CLOSING FUND HAS BEEN CRITICAL IN LANDING PROJECTS LIKE ASCEND ELEMENTS WHICH IS CREATING OVER 400 GOOD PAYING JOBS IN HOPKINSVILLE.

IN MY BUDGET PROPOSAL, I'M ASKING THAT WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER AND REUP THESE GOOD PROGRAMS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO BUILD A TOP 10 ECONOMY WITH GOOD JOBS FOR ALL OF OUR PEOPLE, SO LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN TOGETHER.

AS OUR ECONOMY IS GROWING STRONGER, SO ARE OUR PEOPLE.

WE HAVE GROWN MORE RESILIENT THANKS TO THE KENTUCKIANS WHO ARE HELPING US REBUILD AFTER TORNADOES DEVASTATED THE WEST AND HISTORIC FLOODING RAVAGED THE EAST.

JUST OVER TWO YEARS AGO, THE DEADLIEST TORNADOES IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY TOOK THE LIVES OF 81 KENTUCKIANS.

TOGETHER WE MOURN EACH ONE LOST AND WRAPPED OUR ARMS AROUND EACH OF THOSE FAMILIES.

AND JUST SIX MONTHS LATER, EASTERN KENTUCKY WAS HIT WITH THE DEADLIEST FLOODING IN MY LIFETIME WHICH TOOK THE LIVES OF 45 KENTUCKIANS.

IN BOTH AREAS, WE CAME TOGETHER TO LIVE UP THOSE FAMILIES.

WE COMMITTED TO BE THERE I STEP OF THE WAY AND TO REBUILD BETTER THAN BEFORE.

[ APPLAUSE ] THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING.

SO FAR WE SECURED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING AND RAISED MILLIONS MORE IN DONATED FUNDS FOR EACH REGION, REBUILDING ROADS, BRIDGES, WASTE AND WASTE WATER SYSTEMS AND BUILDING NEW HOMES FOR FAMILIES WHO LOST EVERYTHING.

WE HAVE ALREADY PLEDGED $21.6 MILLION TO BUILD AND REPAIR 300 HOMES WITH THE HELP OF NON-PROFIT PARTNERS IN THE WEST.

175 OF THEM ARE COMPLETED, UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR APPROVED TO START CONSTRUCTION.

WE HAVE PROJECTS IN CALLED CALDWELL, CHRISTIAN, FULTON, GRAVES, HOPKINS, MARSHAL, OHIO AND WARREN COUNTIES.

IN THE EAST, WE HAVE NOW ANNOUNCED SEVEN SITES FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON HIGHER GROUNDS.

THEY INCLUDE SKY VIEW IN PERRY COUNTY, CHESTNUT RIDGE IN OL OLIVE BRANCH, NEW HOPE AND WAY LAND IN FLOYD COUNTY AND GRAND VIEW AND THE COTTAGES OF THOMPSON BRANCH IN LETCHER COUNTY.

EACH SITE GIVES US A CHANCE TO START ANEW, REBUILD STRONGER AND IMAGINE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT BRING REVITALIZATION AND NOT JUST REBUILDING.

THESE HOMES ARE NOT JUST A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME.

THEY'RE SYMBOLS OF HOPE.

AND WE COULD NOT BE MAKING THIS PROGRESS WITHOUT LEADERS LIKE PASTOR STEVEN BOYKIN PRESIDENT OF THE HOPE INITIATE AND LEAD PASTOR OF HIS HOUSE MINISTRIES WITH US HERE TONIGHT FROM GRAVES COUNTY.

PASTOR PROPOSAL AND HIS TEAM ARE LIVING THE WORD.

AND THEY'RE RELENTLESS IN WORKING TO BUILD THE NEXT HOME AND THE NEXT HOME AND THE NEXT HOME AFTER THAT.

THEY HAVE HELPED SO MANY FAMILIES LIKE JACKIE, HER SON AND HER MOM TAMMY WHO ARE ALSO HERE WITH US WILLY'S HOME WAS DESTROYED BY THE TORNADO BUT THE NEXT MORNING, THE FAMILY BEGAN WORKING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON HER OWN NEEDS, JACKIE WENT TO WORK AT THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER SET UP TO TAKE CARE OF HER NEIGHBORS.

TAMMY WORKED IN BOTH THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND THE TOY DRIVE EVEN THOUGH SHE RECENTLY HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH AND WASN'T SURE SHE WOULD EVER WALK AGAIN SO WHETHER THEIR NEW HOME WAS BUILT WITH FUNDS FROM THE TEAM WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADO RELIEF FUND, THE HOPE INITIATIVE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS ACCESSIBLE TODAY, WE CELEBRATE WITH THE WILLIE FAMILY THAT NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE A NEW HOME, BUT AFTER MANY SURGERIES, TAM TAMMY IS ABLE TO WALK AGAIN.

TO PASTOR BOYKIN, JACKIE, KIR AND TAMMY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRENGTH AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUDDY.

THANK YOU FOR SPENDING IT HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE HAVE ALSO SEEN LEADERS IN THE EAST FOLLOWING THE FLOODS.

LEADERS LIKE SCOTT McREYNOLDSS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE OUT OF PERRY COUNTY.

AFTER THE FLOODS, SCOTT AND HIS TEAM GOT TO WORK BUILDING HOUSES FOR PEOPLE LIKE THE WHITE FAMILY, WHO ARE HERE WITH US TONIGHT WILLIAM, CHEYENNE AND THEIR SON KALEB WERE LIVING IN TROUBLE SOM CREEK.

THEY HAD JUST SAVED ENOUGH TO START MAKING THEIR HOME THEIR OWN AND WILLIAM STARTED TO PUT NEW FLOORS IN AS THE FLOOD HIT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY WATCHED AS THEIR HOME WAS WASHED AWAY.

BUT THANKS TO SCOTT AND HIS TEAM, AS WELL AS SO MANY GENEROUS DONORS TO THE FLOOD RELIEF FUND, WILLIAM, CHEYENNE, KALEB AND THEIR NEWEST EDITION, MAGGIE, HAVE THEIR NEW HOME, AND BEST OF ALL, THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT FLOODING EVER AGAIN.

LET'S THANK SCOTT AND THIS FAMILY FOR EVERYTHING THEY'RE DOING.

[ APPLAUSE ] PASTOR BOYKIN AND SCOTT ARE JUST TWO AMONG SO MANY PEOPLE NON-PROFITS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE COME TOGETHER TO HELP THEIR NEIGHBORS IN NEED AFTER THESE UNIMAGINABLE NATURAL DISASTERS.

BECAUSE OF THEM, WE ARE KEEPING OUR PROMISE TO HELP THESE FAMILIES REBUILD.

AS PART OF KEEPING THAT PROMISE, IN MY BUDGET PROPOSAL, I ADDED $75 MILLION TO THE EASTERN KENTUCKY SAFE FUND TO CONTINUE REBUILDING EFFORTS.

AND ADDED ANOTHER MILLION DOLLARS OF THE TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND.

OUR COMMUNITIES NEED THESE ADDITIONAL FUNDS AND WITH THE RECORD SETTING ECONOMY, WE CAN AND WE SHOULD BE THERE FOR THEM.

[ APPLAUSE ] TO OUR FAMILIES IN THE EAST AND THE WEST, WE WILL BE THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY BY WORKING TOGETHER AND BY LEADING WITH OUR KENTUCKY VALUES OF FAITH, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MARCH FORWARD TOGETHER WITH EACH ONE OF YOU.

OUR COMMONWEALTH'S FUTURE GROWS BRIGHTER EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS.

LOOK, OUR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES SHOW UP FOR OUR KIDS EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND THAT INCLUDES THE TOUGHEST DAYS.

WHEN THE TORNADOES HIT WESTERN KENTUCKY, I VISITED TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE.

AS I WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD, THERE WAS A MAN DRIVING A BIG PICKUP TRUCK.

HE STOPPED AND I JUMPED UP AND WE TALKED FOR A MINUTE.

HE WAS AN EDUCATOR AT MUHLENBURG COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL.

A TEACHER FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

VOLUNTEERING WITH THE CLEANUP EFFORT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK TO HAUL THE DEBRIS OUT OF HIS TOWN.

WAIT AS A SPECIAL MOMENT TO MEET ONE OF OUR AMAZING TEACHERS WHO IS DOING EVEN MORE TO HELP HIS COMMUNITY.

HIS NAME IS MATTHEW OATS AND HE IS RIGHT THERE.

HE IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT MATTHEW WAS A FOURTH GENERATION COAL MINER BEFORE BECOMING A PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHER.

MATTHEW'S WIFE JAMIE, WHO IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT IS A THIRD GRADE TEACHER AT MUHLENBURG COUNTY A TEACHER FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

THEY BOTH GREW UP ATTENDING THE BUB SCHOOLS THAT THEY NOW TEACH AT.

[ APPLAUSE ] BUT TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR TWO KIDS, MATTHEW AND JAMIE OATS ARE BOTH WORKING TWO JOBS.

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT.

IT'S FAMILIES LIKE THE OATS WHO NEED US TO STEP UP RIGHT NOW AND PAY OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES CLOSER TO WHAT THEY DESERVE.

OUR EDUCATORS ARE DIFFERENCE MAKERS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

LET'S SHOW THEM THAT WE APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO BY FUNDING AN 11% RAISE FOR EVERY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE DON'T JUST NEED TO.

WE HAVE TO.

SEE, WE HAVE FALLEN BEHIND.

KENTUCKY RANKS 44th IN STARTING TEACH PAY AND 40th IN AVERAGE TEACHER PAY.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AND GET THIS DONE FOR OUR EDUCATORS, ESPECIALLY WHEN OUR NEIGHBORS ARE FIGURING IT OUT.

THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR OF TENNESSEE SIGNED A BILL LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE THEIR TEACHERS THE LARGEST PAY RAISE IN THEIR STATE'S HISTORY.

INDIANA IS LOOKING TO DO THE SAME.

FOLKS, THAT'S OUR COMPETITION.

NOT EACH OTHER.

WE CAN CHOOSE TO BEAT INDIANA OR BEAT UP ON EACH OTHER.

OUR COMPETITION TO THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH ARE SHOWING US THE WAY BUT THIS BUDGET OPPORTUNITY IS OUR CHANCE TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO GET IT DONE IN THIS SESSION.

AND WHILE WE ARE AT IT, LET'S FULLY FUND STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] IF WE WANT MORE BUS DRIVERS, LET'S PAY THEM MORE.

AND LET'S PROVIDE THE SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEED.

AS FOR OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS, IT IS TIME TO PASS UNIVERSAL PRE-K FOR ALL THE OUR KENTUCKY FOUR YEAR OLDS.

WE ARE RIGHTFULLY CONCERNED ABOUT LEARNING LOSS.

SO LET'S ADDRESS IT WHERE IT BEGINS.

IN THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR ONLY 46% OF KINDERGARTENERS WERE CONSIDERED KINDERGARTEN READY.

INSTITUTING UNIVERSAL PRE-K THE RIGHT WAY MEANS INVESTING IN BOTH PRE-K AND OUR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS.

THAT'S WHY MY BUDGET PROPOSAL PROVIDES RECORD FUNDING TO HELP IN THE TRANSITION TO SERVE BOTH YOUNGER CHILDREN AND TO PROVIDE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

FUNDING BOTH TOGETHER COULD BE TRANSFORMATIONAL F. WE PASS UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND OUR CHILD CARE PLAN, AN ADDITIONAL $34,000 KENTUCKY CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE PRE-K SERVICES AND THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL CHILD CARE SPOTS WILL OPEN UP.

SO WHERE IS THE APPETITE FOR THIS?

WITH 34,000 SETS OF PARENTS A YEAR AND THOUSANDS MORE THAT CAN'T FIND CHILD CARE.

DOING THIS PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY, SERVING THAT MANY OF OUR CITIZENS AND OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS EVERY YEAR WOULD NOT ONLY MAKE US MORE COMPETITIVE, IT WOULD BE A TRUE LEGACY OF THIS SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SEE, I BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT.

I BELIEVE MORE NOW THAN EVER BEFORE, BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED AND SO MANY OTHER IMPORTANT AREAS.

LIKE BUILDING SAFER ROADS, BRIDGES AND WATER SYSTEMS AND MOVING AHEAD ON SO MANY MEGA PROJECTS ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

WHEN IT COMES TO INFRASTRUCTURE, WE ARE TRULY IN OUR EISENHOWER MOMENT.

LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE DOING TOGETHER.

WE ARE BUILDING A COMPANION BRIDGE WITHOUT TOLLS.

WE ARE FOUR LANING THE ENTIRE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY.

AND WE ARE PUNCHING I-69 FORWARD SO FAST, INDIANA JUST DID A LING TO CATCH UP.

WE HAVE NOW SECURED FEDERAL FUNDING TO MAKE SURE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET GETS TO EVERY HOME AND EVERY BUSINESS IN KENTUCKY AND FAMILIES ARE GETTING CLEAN DRINKING WATER, MANY OF THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME.

LOOK TO PENDLETON COUNTY.

ONE OF THE HOMES BELONGS TO TOM AND LORI WHO COULD NOT BE WITH US TONIGHT BECAUSE THEY OWN A RESTAURANT IN BUTLER CALLED THE KENTUCKY MILLSTONE.

THEY EACH BAKING CLASSES THERE AND WORK TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

LIKE WHEN A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE BURNED DOWN AND THEY HOSTED A DONATION DRIVE AT THEIR RESTAURANT.

BUT FOR 34 YEARS TOM AND LORI HAVE BEEN HAULING WATER TO THEIR HOME BUT THANKS TO THE CLEANER WATER PROGRAM, WE WERE ABLE TO BRING PUBLIC WATER DIRECTLY TO THEIR HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND WHAT THIS CLEANER WATER PROGRAM MEANS.

IT IS LIFE CHANGING AND IT'S SOMETHING WE OWE TO ALL OF OUR PEOPLE.

THAT WHY I'M PROPOSING THAT WE INVEST ANOTHER $500 MILLION IN GRANTS TO OUR COUNTIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO CONTINUE THIS VITAL WORK FOLKS, THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

CLEAN DRINKING WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT AND THIS ONLY BUILDS ON A PROGRAM WE ALL CREATED TOGETHER.

TO BUILD THIS BETTER, STRONGER KENTUCKY I'M ALSO SEEKING $300 MILLION TO SPEED UP THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY IN THE EAST AND THE I-69 RIVER CROSSING IN THE WEST AS WELL AS $50 MILLION TO HELP REPAIR LOCAL BRIDGES REMEMBER, THOSE ARE THE BRIDGES THAT GET OUR PEOPLE TO SCHOOL, TO WORK, AND TO CHURCH.

WE WILL KEEP MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER BY STRENGTHENING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NAT KEEPS OUR FAMILIES HEALTHY, SAFE AND CONNECTED AND BY MODERNIZING THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT OUR BUSINESSES RELY ON TO SUCCEED.

THESE INVESTMENTS ARE OUR PATHWAY TO PROGRESS.

THEY HELP OUR COMMUNITIES BRING IN NEW INVESTMENTS AND CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

OUR FUTURE IS ALSO BRIGHTER THANKS TO THE HEALTHCARE HEROES IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

HEALTHCARE IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

I'VE SPENT MY ENTIRE PUBLIC CAREER WORKING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR OUR PEOPLE.

FROM KEEPING US SAFE DURING THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC, TO CARING FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS, OUR HEALTHCARE HEROES HAVE MORE THAN PROVEN THEIR WORTH THESE LAST FOUR YEARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND IN THAT TIME WE HAVE SEEN SOME AMAZING PROGRESS.

WE PROTECTED HEALTHCARE ACCESS FOR NEARLY 100,000 KENTUCKIANS BY REMOVING GOVERNMENTAL ROAD BLOCKS.

WE RELAUNCHED AND EXPANDED THE STATE INSURANCE MARKETPLACE CALLED KINECT AND EXPANDED MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR NEW MOMS, BOOSTED OUR WORKFORCE WITH DENTAL AND VISION COVERAGE AND CAPPED THE COST OF INSULIN AND INVESTED IN HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE.

ONE IMPORTANT STEP WAS SECURING THE FIRST HOSPITAL IN WEST LOUISVILLE IN 150 YEARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE CANNOT MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER UNTIL ALL OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DRIVE TWO HOURS OR TAKE TWO BUSS TO SEE THEIR DOCTORS.

THAT'S SOMETHING DA RIS ARECOGNIZED HAD HER OWN COMMUNITY.

SHE WAS WORKING AT A NORTON HEALTHCARE CENTER WHEN SHE NOTICED WEST LOUISVILLE FAMILIES DIDN'T HAVE A RELIABLE PLACE TO GET THEIR HEALTHCARE.

SO SHE GOT TO WORK ON THE IDEA OF STARTING A COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR BUT SHE HAD BIGGER DREAMS.

A HOSPITAL IN THE WEST END IT WAS HER PITCH THAT GOT THE BALL ROLLING ON WHAT WE NOW KNOW AS THE NORTON WEST LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL.

TODAY KARENZA WHO IS HERE WITH US HAS BEEN NAMED CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF THIS STATE OF THE START CARE CENTER THAT IS RECEIVING THE FINAL TOUCHES AS WE SPEAK.

KARENZA VIEWS THE NEW FACILITY, AS, IN HER WORDS, A COMMUNITY-BASED HOSPITAL WITH NO WALLS.

THAT'S PRETTY SPECIAL.

SHE IS WITH US TONIGHT ALONG WITH RUSSELL COX, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE NORTON HEALTHCARE.

RUSS, WE KNOW THAT KARENZA IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF OUR HEALTHCARE HEROES GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MOVE OUR COMMONWEALTH FORWARD TOGETHER.

THANK YOU BOTH.

I ALSO WANT TO TALK A MOMENT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

ADMINISTRATION HAS TREATED MENTAL HEALTHCARE THE SAME AS PHYSICAL HEALTHCARE.

SO WITH YOUR HELP AND WITH YOUR FUNDING WE LAUNCHED THE 988 CRISIS HOT LINES THAT HELPS KENTUCKIANS FACING MENTAL HEALTH DISTRESS OR SUICIDE RISK WITH TRAINED COUNSELORS THAT CAN LEP N. KENTUCKY WE WANT OUR PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT IT'S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY.

AND THE 988 HOT LINE IS AVAILABLE TO HELP 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR, SOMEONE IS THERE TO HELP YOU IF YOU NEED THAT HELP.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE, WILL YOU FIND DEDICATED AND COMPASSIONATE KENTUCKIANS LIKE HALEY JOHNSON.

HALEY IS A 988 CRISIS COUNSELOR FROM LEXINGTON AND ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE HIRED THERE TO ANSWER CALLS.

HALEY HAS BEEN THERE FOR KENTUCKIANS IN SOME OF THEIR DARKEST HOURS.

SHE TAKES THE TIME TO TALK TO THESE INDIVIDUALS AND TO MAKE REFERRALS FOR SERVICES AND EVEN MAKES FOLLOWUP CALLS TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE FOLKS KNOW SOMEONE CARES.

HALEY IS WITH US TONIGHT.

I WANT TO THANK HALEY AND ALL OUR MENTAL HEALTH CARE HEROES FOR THE AMAZING CARE YOU ARE PROVIDING FOR ALL OUR PEOPLE.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] TONIGHT LET'S COMMIT TO MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER ON OUR PEOPLE'S MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

TO DO THAT, WE MUST FULLY FUND MEDICAID, INCLUDING EXPANDED MEDICAID, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO CARE FOR MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION OF OUR KENTUCKY NEIGHBORS.

WE SHOULD FURTHER FUND THE EXPANSION OF THE MICHELLE P. AND SUPPORTS FOR COMMUNITY LIVING PROGRAMS THAT HELP OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE ARE SEEING MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR US, MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR PEOPLE THAN AT ANY TIME IN MY LIFE.

THAT MEANS WE KNEAD ALL OF OUR PEOPLE TO BE HEALTHY ENOUGH TO BE A PART OF THIS FUTURE AND THE PROSPERITY IT WILL BRING.

SO LET'S CONTINUE TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR ALL OF OUR PEOPLE.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ALSO HAVE TO THANK THOSE TREATING ADDICTION AND HELPING THOSE IN RECOVERY.

ACROSS THE NATION, THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC CONTINUES TO DEVASTATE COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES WITH FENTANYL TAKING A DEADLY TOLL WE HAVE LOST TOO MANY PARENTS, CHILDREN, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.

ALL ARE CHILDREN OF GOD TAKEN FAR TOO SOON.

WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO BOOST ACCESS TO TREATMENT WHILE REDUCING THE STIGMA OF ASKING FOR HELP.

IN 2022, WE SAW THE FIRST REDUCTION IN OVERDOSE DEATHS SINCE 2018, ONLY ONE OF EIGHT STATES TO RECORD A DECREASE.

COMBATING THIS EPIDEMIC TAKES COMMITMENT, A COMMITMENT WE HAVE EMBRACED BY INCREASING TREATMENT BEDS BY OVER 50% IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT WE NOW HAVE MORE TREATMENT BEDS PER CAPITA THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

IN LARGE PART, THERE IS THANKS TO SO MANY WHO ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING OTHERS RECOVER.

AND IT'S DUE TO THE AMAZING WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE ADDICTION RECOVERY CARE OR ARC.

WITH US TODAY WE HAVE TIM ROBBIN'SON, FOUNDER AND C.E.O.

OF ARK, ESSENTIAL PART PARTNER IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST ADDICTION.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE WORKED WITH ARC TO TRANSFORM THE COLLEGE IN SPRINGFIELD INTO A CROWN RECOVERY CENTER, 575 BED DRUG TREATMENT AND RECOVERY CAMPUS.

TO DATE, OVER 7,000 CLIENTS HAVE WALKED THROUGH THEIR DOORS.

THIS FACILITY IS HELPING TO LEAD THE WAY, TO HELP KENTUCKIANS GET BETTER AND THEN TO FIND THEM A GOOD JOB.

AND THERE ARE SOME LIKE JOSEPH BENTLEY WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE PROGRAM AND ARE NOW JOINING THE ADDICTION TREATMENT FIELD.

JOSEPH, WHO IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT, FACED ACTIVE ADDICTION FOR 20 YEARS HE ENTERED CROWN RECOVERY CENTER SOON AFTER IT OPENED AND HE WAS THEIR FIRST CLIENT TO OBTAIN HIS G.E.D.

[ APPLAUSE ] SO WHAT DID HE DO?

HE BEGAN HELPING OTHERS TO GET THEIRS.

HE ALSO STARTED WORKING THERE AND WORKED HIS WAY UP TO BECOME A PROGRAM MANAGER WHERE HE IS ONCE AGAIN HELPING OTHERS THIS FALL JOSEPH IS STARTING COLLEGE.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, SPENDING MORE QUALITY TIME WITH HIS FAMILY JOSEPH, WE SEE YOU.

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL THE GREAT THINGS YOU ARE GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE.

[ APPLAUSE ] TONIGHT WE ARE ALSO JOINED BY DEBBIE AND WALT RAINS, SADLY, DEBBIE AND WALT LOST THEIR SON ZACH TO ADDICTION.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THE DEPTH OF PAIN THAT COMES WITH LOSING A CHILD.

BUT DEBBIE AND WALT HAVE TURNED IT INTO PURPOSE.

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE WORK THEY'RE DOING TO EDUCATE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ADMINISTERING NARCAN.

FOLKS, THE ANSWER TO HOW MANY TIMES YOU SHOULD BRING SOMEBODY BACK WITH NARCAN IS EVERY SINGLE TIME.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IS SOMEBODY'S SON OR DAUGHTER, THAT'S SOMEBODY'S ZACH.

THEY ALSO HAVE BEEN HELPING TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM BY SPEAKING WITH THEIR INMATES BEFORE THEY'RE RELEASED.

DEBBIE, WALT, WE LOVE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUR FELLOW KENTUCKIANS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT WITH US.

EVERY KENTUCKIAN ALSO DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND OUR COMMONWEALTH IS STRONGER THANKS TO OUR BRAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR SOLDIERS.

FIRST, LET ME START BY SAYING WE HAVE THE BEST NATIONAL GUARD IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY!

[ APPLAUSE ] FROM THE TORNADOES TO THE FLOODING AND EVERY MAJOR WEATHER EVENT IN BETWEEN WE HAVE SEEN OUR GUARD LEAVE THEIR FAMILIES NOT KNOWING IF IT WOULD BE FOR A DAY, A WEEK, A MONTH OR LONGER, TO GO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS.

OUR GUARD WITH ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS CONDUCTED 1400 RESCUES DURING THE FLOODING ALONE.

THAT'S 1400 KENTUCKIAN IS THAT ARE ALIVE TODAY BECAUSE OF THEIRS AND OTHERS WORK.

NO MATTER THE DIFFICULTY OR THE OBSTACLES, WE SEE THE VERY BEST OF WHO WE ARE THROUGH OUR NATIONAL GUARD.

SO TONIGHT WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR GUARD WITH US.

I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF MASTER SERGEANT RUDY PARSONS AND HIS CANINE COMPANION CALLIE.

TOGETHER THEY ACHIEVED A HISTORIC MILESTONE.

SEE CALLIE IS THE FIRST LIVE FIND SEARCH CANINE IN THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, A PROGRAM SERGEANT PARSONS STARTED.

THEIR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE DURING NATURAL DISASTERS AND THE RECENT MINE STRUCTURE COLLAPSE HAS SHOWCASED THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO OUR CITIZENS IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.

I ALSO WANT TO COMENT CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER TOO, KRISTIN BEARD, AVIATOR WITH OUR AVIATION MEDEVAC UNIT.

SHE IS ALSO AN OFFICER WITH THE LEXINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVING AS A PILOT IN THE AIR SUPPORT UNIT.

CHIEF BEARD'S DUAL ROLE IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF SOLDIERS THAT MAKE UP OUR NATIONAL GUARD.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR SERVICE.

WE ARE HOPE OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF YOU, THE BRAVE.

[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN AT HOME AND THOSE SERVE AGO BROAD.

LET'S TAKE A MINUTE TO PRAY FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

THANK YOU.

THOSE WHO SERVE IN THE ARMED SERVICES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT LIVE OUT THEIR VALUES IN THE TOUGHEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

FOR THOSE WHOSE SERVICE REQUIRES THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, IT IS A DEBT WE CAN NEVER FULLY REPAY.

FOR THEIR BOUNDLESS LOVE AND SELFLESSNESS, THEY ASK ONLY THAT WE REMEMBER THEM.

SO TONIGHT WE ONCE AGAIN REMEMBER THOSE LOST IN SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITY, STATE AND COUNTRY.

IT HAS BEEN HEART BREAKING SINCE 2022 WE LOST A KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE MEMBER SERVING ON THE SOUTHWEST BORDER AND ANOTHER GUARDSMAN WAS SEVERELY INJURED.

WE LOST TWO ACTIVE DUTY MARINES, ONE SERVING ON A NATO MISSION IN EUROPE.

WE LOST NINE SOLDIERS FROM FOFORT CAMPBELL, WHO WERE LOST IN A HELICOPTER TRAINING MISSION AND ANOTHER FIVE FROM FORT CAMPBELL IN A HELICOPTER CRASH OVER THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA.

SINCE 2022, WE HAVE LOST EIGHT KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

THEY ALL SERVED THEIR FELLOW KENTUCKIANS HONORABLY UNTIL THE VERY END AND I KNOW THE COMMONWEALTH JOINS BRITTANY AND ME IN HONORING THEM.

TONIGHT, WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE SAVANNAH AND PAISLEY CHAFINS WITH US.

PAISLEY LOST HER DAD AND SAVANNAH LOST HER HUSBAND WHEN WE ALL LOST PRESTONBURG'S POLICE OFFICER IN 2022 AS HE RAN TOWARDS DANGER TO PROTECT HIS COMMUNITY.

JACOB WAS A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT, A SERGEANT IN THE NATIONAL GUARD, AN E.M.T.

AND U.S.

MARSHAL.

JACOB WAS SELFLESS AND IS HISSED EVERY DAY BY HIS LOVED ONES.

TODAY I WAS BLESSED TO SPEND A LITTLE TIME WITH PAISLEY AND WITH SAVANNAH, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT PAISLEY KNEW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE YOUR DAD'S SERVICE AND SACRIFICE, AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT SHE IS, THE LEAST WE CAN DO TO HONOR JACOB IS TO ENSURE THAT PAISLEY HAS A BIG BRIGHT FUTURE FILLED WITH LOVE, HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS.

THANK YOU, SAVANNAH AND PAISLEY FOR BEING HERE AND LETTING US SHOW YOU HOW MUCH THIS COMMONWEALTH LOVES YOU.

WE WILL ALWAYS WALK WITH YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] SAVANNAH ALSO SAT BEHIND MY DESK TODAY AND WHILE SHE CURRENTLY PLANS TO BEING A DOCTOR, SHE LOOKED PRETTY HOME AT BEING GOVERNOR.

SADLY THE SAME TIME WE LOST JACOB WE LOST PRESTONBURG'S POLICE OFFICER FLOYD AND WILLIAM PETRI AND A CANINE.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR SACRIFICES NOR THE SACRIFICE OF SHERIFF DEPUTY CONNELLY WE LOST IN 2023.

OUR COMMITMENT IS TO REMEMBER THEM AND TO LIFT UP THEIR FAMILIES.

AND TO MAKE SURE WE DO EVERYTHING HERE IN FRANKFORT WE CAN TO SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT'S WHY MY BUDGET ONCE AGAIN INCREASES THE PAY FOR OUR KENTUCKY STATE TROOPERS AND OFFICERS.

WE ARE ALSO PROPOSING A RAISE IN THE TRAINING STIPEND.

WE PAY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME LET'S ADD CERTIFIED PART TIME LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTERS TO THAT FUND.

FURTHER REQUESTING $35 MILLION TO FUND GRANTS FOR BODY ARMOR TO BETTER PROTECT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS ON THOSE DAYS WHEN THEY RUN TOWARDS DANGER.

ON THAT NIGHT IN FLOYD COUNTY, WE WOULD HAVE ALSO LOST A STATE TROOPER, TROOPER BILLY BALL, BUT, FOR THE MOST RECENT, MOST MODERN BODY ARMOR.

LET'S MAKE SURE EVERY SINGLE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS THE VERY BEST PROTECTION.

TONIGHT WE HAVE BEEN REMINDED OF THOSE IN OUR GREAT COMMONWEALTH WHO MAKE US SO STRONG, WHO ARE HELPING US BUILD THAT BETTER KENTUCKY.

DURING THE INAUGURATION, JUST OVER THREE WEEKS AGO, WE ALSO HEARD FROM OUR VERY OWN TYLER CHILDERS WHO REMINDED US THROUGH HIS UNIVERSAL SOUND TO USE OUR TIME TO FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER THE MOST.

FOR ME, AS A DAD, AND AS GOVERNOR, THAT MEANS WORKING TIRELESSLY TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD FOR OUR FELLOW KENTUCKIANS FOR MY CHILDREN, FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN.

TO ME, IMPROVING LIFE RIGHT HERE AT HOME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOCUS WE CAN HAVE.

AND THESE NEXT FOUR YEARS ARE OUR CHANCE, KENTUCKY'S CHANCE TO BE THE DIFFERENCE, THE ECONOMIC AND MORAL LEADER IN THIS COUNTRY.

THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO PUSH AWAY THE DIVISION, TO PROVE THAT WE CAN GOVERN WITHOUT NAME CALLING OR SCAPEGOATING, TO DO IT WITHOUT ANGER, WITHOUT FEAR AND WITHOUT HATRED.

THAT WE CANNOT ONLY TALK ABOUT OUR COLLECTIVE FAITH, WE CAN LIVE IT JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED WHEN WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER.

TOGETHER WE PASS MEDICAL MARIJUANA WHICH IS GOING TO BRING RELIEF TO SO MANY ACROSS THIS COMMONWEALTH.

WE FINALLY GAVE OUR PEOPLE WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR IN SPORTS BETTING AND BOY, DID WE LEARN THEY REALLY WANTED IT.

AND SPEAKER, WE SOLIDIFIED OUR PLACE AS THE THOROUGHBRED CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AFTER PASSING HHR.

THOSE WHO WERE HERE KNOW THAT PASSING EACH OF THESE MEASURES TOOK BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

IT TOOK US POFLG FORWARD TOGETHER WITH THIS NEW YEAR COMES NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRESS TO BUILD THAT BETTER BETTER KENTUCKY.

THAT'S WHAT OUR CHILDREN DESERVE.

CHILDREN LIKE THOSE WE HAVE MENTIONED TONIGHT, BIRTHDAY BOY KIRI, CALEB, MAGGIE AND PAISLEY.

WE OWE IT TO THEM AND ALL OUR CHURN TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN CHASE THEIR DREAMS NO MATTER HOW BIG THEY ARE RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

SCRIPTURE REMINDS US OUR GOD IS MERCIFUL AND TENDER.

HE WILL CAUSE THE BRIGHT DAWN OF SALVATION TO RISE ON US.

WE ARE WALKING INTO THAT BRIGHT DAWN AND WE ARE DOING IT TOGETHER.

AND REMEMBER, LIFE IS SHORT.

SO DO GOOD THINGS AND BE KIND TO EACH OTHER.

GOD BLESS THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> Renee: AND SO THAT WAS THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS, HIS THIRD SPEECH SINCE HE WAS RE-ELECTED AND OFFICIALLY TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE.

OF COURSE WE HAD THE INAUGURATION ON DECEMBER 11, I BELIEVE IT WAS AND THEN THE NEXT WEEK ON THE 18th, HE DELIVERED HIS BUDGET ADDRESS ON KET AND TONIGHT THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS ABOUT 44 MINUTES LONG WHICH IS A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF TIME TO SPEAK.

HE STARTED AT 7:11 AND FINISHED ABOUT 7:54ISH.

AMY JOINED BY SHERMAN BROWN, McCARTHY STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST.

I'LL ASK YOU FIRST, AMY.

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A REHASH.

WE HEARD A LOT OF THE BUDGET PRIORITIES AGAIN.

OF COURSE THIS IS THE TIME WHEN, AS GOVERNOR THAT YOU GO IT TO TALK ABOUT THE GOODNESS, RIGHT.

IT IS THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE GOVERNOR HAS AND A LOT OF GOVERNORS HAVE, TALKED ABOUT PERSONAL STORIES, AND SO WE SAW SOME OF THOSE GUESTS.

I WOULD SAY SHARED GOOD NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF THE STRUGGLES THAT KENTUCKIANS KENTUCKY TO HAVE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG ADDICTION.

THERE WERE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED LIKE TALKING ABOUT CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH HAS BEEN NOTABLY AN IMPORTANT KEY ISSUE FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

INTERESTING THAT WE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

>> Renee: BUT THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF AN ODE AND HOMAGE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, RIGHT, HE ENDED THE SPEECH BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE FALLEN OFFICERS WHO HAD HELPED PROTECT COMMUNITIES IN OUR COMMONWEALTH AND SO SHERMAN BROWN, YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS THIRD SPEECH THAT WE HAVE HAD SINCE HIS SECOND TERM.

>> ON THE CRIME SIDE OF THINGS, TALKING ABOUT THE BODY ARM ARMOR, AND THE FOLKS WE HAVE LOST AND KIND OF FOCUSING THERE.

I ALSO THINK, YOU KNOW, WHAT I HEARD AND WATCHING THIS AS HE TALKED ABOUT OPPORTUNITY.

I MEAN HE STARTED OFF WE ARE STRONGER THAN EVER.

THAT'S WHERE THE COMMONWEALTH IS.

TALKED ABOUT THE BIPARTISANSHIP AS AMY SAID, HE RAN ON THIS.

THIS WAS HIS ENTIRE SECOND CAMPAIGN WAS ALL ABOUT THINGS WE CAN DO TOGETHER MOVING FORWARD TAKING THE NEXT STEP AND HE TALKED ABOUT THE LEGISLATION PASSED THAT DID TAKE DEMOCRATS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE THE SENATE TO PASS WITH HHR, SPORTS WAGERING.

>> Renee: MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

>> SO LOOKING AT THESE AS OPPORTUNITIES WHERE THERE IS SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> HE DID USE THE TERM WE, SPECIFICALLY KIND OF NEAR THE TOP OF THE SPEECH TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TALKING ABOUT HOW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS A TEAM SPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGED IT TAKES THE LEGISLATURE TO PUT SOME OF THE POLICIES IN PLACE.

TO ME, WE HAVEN'T HEARD A LOT OF THAT IN PREVIOUS SPEECHES.

I NOTED THAT SPECIFICALLY.

>> Renee: WE HEARD IT A LITTLE BIT IN HIS BUDGET ADDRESS.

HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEN BUT IT WAS PROBABLY THE FIRST NOTABLE TIME.

>> CORRECT.

AND I THINK, TOO IT'S INTERESTING HE TALKED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN TENNESSEE WITH EDUCATION AND WHAT GOVERNOR BILL LEE HAS DONE THERE AND HOW THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE TEACHER PAY IN TENNESSEE.

I'M PRETTY SURE TENNESSEE HAS CHARTER SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL CHOICE, SO TENNESSEE HAS MADE A LOT OF GREAT STRIDES THAT I THINK KENTUCKY COULD BENEFIT.

SO I THINK THERE IS THINGS THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM TENNESSEE AND SOME OF THE OTHER POLICY ISSUES.

>> Renee: WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ALSO EXTEND OUR WELL WISHES TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN WHO HE ACKNOWLEDGED AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF HIS SPEECH TONIGHT.

GREAT TO SEE HER JOINING US IN PERSON THERE AND WE STILL WISH HER ALL THE BEST IN HER RECOVERY.

SO WHAT ELSE DID WE GATHER FROM?

IT SEEMED LIKE WE HEARD A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS FROM THE INAUGURATION SPEECH AND AS AMY SAID, SHERMAN, IT WOULD PROBABLY BE AN EXPANSION OF SOME OF THE IDEAS HE PRESENTED THEN, YOU KNOW, ABOUT REBUILDING FUNDS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING TEACHER PAY AND UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS WHAT THEY THINK OF THOSE IDEAS.

ARE SOME OF THOSE IDEAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL IN THE REPUBLICAN DOMINATED STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> FIRST OF ALL HE IS GOING KEEP TALKING ABOUT THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE IMPORTANT TO HIM.

THAT'S THE OPPORTUNITY, AS AMY SAID, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE POSITIVE, TALK ABOUT YOUR AGENDA, WHAT HE WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD.

I THINK UNIVERSAL PRE-K NOT JUST THE GOVERNOR BUT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN HER INAUGURATION SPEECH TALKED ABOUT THIS AND SPECIFICALLY TIED IT TO THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE WHICH I THOUGHT WAS BRILLIANT LOOKING AT TEST SCORES WHERE WE ARE IN THE STATE SO YOU CAN PAY FOR IT NOW OR YOU CAN PAY FOR IT LATER AND THE OTHER PIECE OF THIS HE TALKED ABOUT TRANSPORTATION.

AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT DOES NEED THE LEGISLATURE BUT IT'S THINGS HE IS WORKING ON AND TALKING TO HIM WITH AND CALLED IT OUR EISENHOWER MOMENT.

A TERM HE HAS USED SEVERAL TIMES IN ALL THREE OF THOSE SPEECHES AND BEFORE.

BUT AS FAR AS ANYTHING DEAD ON ARRIVAL, I THINK HE IS GOING TO KEEP HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS.

PRESIDENT SURVIVORS SAID THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING MORE.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT THOSE TALKS BECOME.

AND HOW THAT GOES AS FAR AS LEGISLATION AND WHAT WE SEE, YOU KNOW, OVER THE NEXT 58 DAYS.

>> Renee: WE HAVE WITH US NOW FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS AND HOUSE PRESIDENT DAVID OSBOURNE.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU FROM AFAR.

OFTEN TIMES I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF YOU SO THIS IS DIFFERENT FOR BOTH OF US.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

I WANT TO ASK YOUR RESPONSE AND REP ACTION TO WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR.

SPEAKER OSBOURNE, SINCE IT'S IN YOUR HOUSE, I'LL ASK YOU FIRST.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

YOU ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER FROM US.

USUALLY YOU ARE SEVERAL MYSELF DOWN THE ROAD SO GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

A WELL DELIVERED SPEECH.

LOTS OF VERY TOUCHING STORIES.

WHICH YOU WOULD EXPECT IN THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

I CAN'T SAY THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE IN THE SPEECH, WHICH YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT, ACTUALLY IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION.

SO I THINK IT WAS VERY, A VERY GOOD SPEECH AND NOW IT'S TIME FOR US TO GET DOWN TO WORK.

>> Renee: SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SIR, THANK YOU, SIR, WHAT ARE I DON'T ARE INITIAL THOUGHTS.

>> MY INITIAL THOUGHT IS THAT RENEE THIS IS THE IF FIRST TIME YOU HAVE LEFT US HANGING OUT ON A LIMB LIKE THIS BY OURSELVES.

YOU ARE GENERALLY HERE WITH US.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, AS THE SPEAKER SAID.

IT IS A TYPICAL SPEECH GIVEN BY A GOVERNOR THAT IS GOING TO PAINT THE LANDSCAPE AS POSITIVE AS CAN BE.

AND THERE ARE THINGS THAT HE HAS SAID TONIGHT THAT I BELIEVE WE WILL AGREE WITH.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO BE CONVINCED OF AND THEN THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE PROBABLY WON'T DO.

BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE ANY PERSON, ANY INDIVIDUAL IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR CASE TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND WHY SO LET ME ASK YOU FIRST, SENATE PRESIDENT, WHAT DO YOU AGREE WITH AND LET'S START THERE AND THEN WE'LL GET WITH THE CONVINCED OF AND GO DOWN TO THE AND WON'T DO.

LET'S START WITH THE AGREE WITH FIRST, SIR.

>> I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING IN THE AREA OF ASSISTANCE TO THE TWO PLACES THAT WERE STRICKEN BY BOTH TORNADO AND FLOODS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS FAIRLY EASY AND THAT WE AGREE WITH.

I THINK THE QUESTION NOW BECOMES IS HOW AND HOW MUCH AND WHAT WE DO I THINK VERY MUCH THAT WE ARE ABOUT DOING INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE KNOW THAT WATER AND SEWER, ESPECIALLY MORE SO IN THE RURAL AREAS NEEDS TO BE DONE.

BROADBAND ROADS, CONSTRUCTION, GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, THOSE THINGS ARE THINGS WE NEED I THINK WE ALL AGREE ON NEED TO GET TO AN END POINT.

THE QUESTION BECOMES HOW DO WE GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

THOSE ARE ONES THAT I CAN TELL YOU THAT I THINK WE ARE VERY MUCH IN AGREEMENT WITH.

THEN AS YOU GO THROUGH YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO GO ON WE CAN.

>> Renee: SURE.

I'LL ASK THE HOUSE SPEAKER WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM THE GOVERNOR THAT YOU AGREE WITH?

>> I AGREE WITH PRESIDENT STIVERS.

I THINK THAT BY AND LARGE WE ALL ACKNOWLEDGE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO WITH REGARDS TO INFRASTRUCTURE WITH REGARDS TO FUNDING OF THE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO EAST AND WEST KENTUCKY.

I THINK NOW WE ACTUALLY GET TO GET DOWN TO THE ACTUAL ANALYSIS OF HOW WE GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B. I KNOW LEADER GRAHAM ACTUALLY FILED THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET TODAY, SO WE WILL NOW GET TO START DIGGING INTO THE PARTICULARS ABOUT HOW HE ACTUALLY FUNDS SOME OF THESE THINGS; WHERE THE PRIORITIES ARE WE HEARD MANY OF THE SAIMENT THINGS TONIGHT THAT WE HEARD IN THE BUDGET ADDRESS BUT WE HAVE YET TO SEE THE SPECIFICS AND NOW WE GET TO DIG DOWN INTO THOSE THINGS AND SEE WHERE WE CAN COME TO AGREEMENT FROM A BUDGETING STANDPOINT.

>> Renee: SPEAKER OSBOURNE, I'LL COMPRESS MY QUESTION TO YOU NEXT.

IS UNIVERSAL PRE-K SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO BE CONVINCED OF OR SOMETHING THAT YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ENTIRELY.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SENTIMENT FOR IT IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE PRESENTATIONS AT OUR CAUCUS RETREATS TALKED ABOUT IT EXTENSIVELY AMONGST OUR CAUCUS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN THE CHILD CARE PROFESSION, CHILD CARE SURVEYS.

AND I JUST DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SUPPORT FOR IT IN OUR CHAMBER.

>> Renee: Mr. PRESIDENT, I'LL ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION.

AND IN YOUR CAUCUS, WHERE DOES UNIVERSAL PRE-K FALL OUT.

>> I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH THE SPEAKER ON THIS.

WE GENERALLY AGREE ON MOST THINGS.

I THINK THERE IS A STRONG DESIRE TO LOOK AT HOW CREE WE CREATE DAYCARE AND FOR THE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE THE SENTIMENT OF DOING UNIVERSAL PRE-K IS PROBABLY NOT THAT STRONG BUT I THINK THERE IS A STRONG SENTIMENT AND STRONG FEELING IN BOTH CHAMBERS TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

YEAR ABOUT AND JUST ON A SCHOOL YEAR, LOOKING AT SUMMERS, SECOND SHIFTERS, WEEKEND WORKERS.

THERE IS A STRONG SENTIMENT THERE MAYBE THERE COULD BE A CONSENSUS REACHED ON HOW WE DEAL WITH PROVIDING QUALITY ACADEMIC.

>> Renee: FINALLY I'LL ASK YOU AND START WITH YOU, Mr. PRESIDENT, RAINY DAY FUND, BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND.

DO YOU SUPPORT DIGGING INTO THAT FOR ANY OF THE CAUSES THAT ARE ON YOUR PRIORITY LIST?

>> WELL, WE DON'T RNLG BUDGET IN SILOS.

WE BUDGET IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WHOLE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FOCUS AND HOPE TO MAYBE HEAR THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT, SINCE HE CAMPAIGNED ON RIS REDUCING THE IMPLICATIONS OF TAX BURDENS WE WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SOMETHING AND NOT LOOK AT RECURRING EXPENSES VERSUS RECURRING REVENUES AND IF WE CAN GO INTO ONE TIME EXPENDITURES TO STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY, TO STRENGTHEN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, THEN THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE CAN LOOK TO DO BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FOCUS ON REDUCING THE TAX BURDEN TO THE KENTUCKIANS THAT WE HEAR, SEE AND KNOW ARE WORKING.

>> Renee: Mr. SPEAKER, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

DO YOU AGREEY WITH THAT?

>> COMPLETELY DEGREE WITH PRESIDENT SURVIVORS ON THAT.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE BUDGETS THAT WE HAVE WRITTEN OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS THAT HAVE LED US TO THIS HISTORIC BUDGET RESERVE AND I I DON'T SEE ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE APPROACH THAT WE TAKE TO BUDGETING.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE CREATED A BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND NOW THAT IS.

(BARKING).

>> WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

>> Renee: RIGHT.

>> THAT IS ROBUST.

ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY AND I DO THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE USES FOR THAT.

BUT ONE THING THAT IS A NON-STARTER IN THE HOUSE IS CREATING RECURRING EXPENSES OFF ONE TERM EXPENSES OFF A BUDGET TRUST FUND THAT WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND WORK AND EFFORT IN CREATING.

>> Renee: SPEAKER OSBOURNE, PRESIDENT STIVERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I THINK WE HAD OUR CANINE CUE TO WRAP IT UP AND I HOPE WE WILL SEE YOU SOON BACK AT MY PLACE IN LEXINGTON AT 600 COOPER DRIVE FOR A LONGER CONVERSATION ABOUT THE 24 SESSION.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

NOT SURPRISING.

THE SAME REACTION WE EXPECTED AND HAVE HEARD IN PREVIOUS PRESS CONFERENCES.

THEY HAVE HAD SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH KEEP TO HARMONY ON THAT.

>> VERY CORDIAL AND THAT'S THE TRADITION OF WHAT TONIGHT IS.

YOU ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO SHARE WHAT HIS THOUGHTS ARE ON THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH THAT WE JUST ENDED DAY TWO OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND NOW THE WORK IS REALLY IN THE HANDS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

WE WILL START TO SEE THE PACE QUICKEN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

FRIDAY IS THE FILING DEADLINE SO WE WILL KNOW WHO IS RUNNING AGAINST WHO AND WHO HAS OPPONENTS AND WHO DOESN'T.

A KEY DATE IN THAT CALENDAR.

BUT OVERALL, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WAS A GOOD SPEECH.

I WILL SAY CALLIE WAS THE HIGHLIGHT, THE CANINE SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG, NO SURPRISE FOR ME.

WE WILL SEE THE LEGISLATURE PUT THEIR HEAD DOWN AND GET TO WORK.

>> Renee: YEAH, AND WE HAVE HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN THE BUDGET WILL BE THE PRIORITY AND A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES THAT REALLY OCCUPIED A LOT OF OXYGEN IN THE LAST 23 LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS SHERMAN BROWN, THEY HAVE BEEN SETTLED FOR THE MOST PART.

WE WILL SEE IF ANY OF THAT CROPS BACK UP.

>> UNTIL THEY'RE NOT.

>> Renee: UNTIL THEY'RE NOT UNTIL LIKE DAY 52?

BUT THERE IS ALWAYS THE LINGERING QUESTION ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FIRST FLOOR AND THE THIRD FLOOR AND I'VE ASKED YOU THIS QUESTION A THOUSAND TIMES.

IS IT BEST POST INAUGURATION AND DO YOU NOY IF THERE HAVE BEEN CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THOSE ENTITIES.

>> I DO KNOW THE CONVERSATIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE.

I KNOW SPECIFICALLY THE CONVERSATIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH PRESIDENT STIVERS AND THE GOVERNOR AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET.

CLEARLY THEY HAVE NOT SEEN ALL OF THE BUDGET IN ITS FORM, AS WE HEARD REPRESENTATIVE GRAHAM, LEADER GRAHAM FILED THAT TODAY.

SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO DIVE INTO THAT.

I HAVEN'T SEEN IT SO I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHERE ALL OF IT IS.

BUT THE OTHER PART IS ON THE HOUSE SIDE, YOU KNOW, AND WITH SPEAKER OSBOURNE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT CONVERSATION-- I DON'T KNOW WHO HAS TALKED ABOUT.

I DO KNOW THE ADMINISTRATION TALKED TO STAFF ABOUT THE BUDGET.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT DETAIL THEY GOT INTO AND HOW THAT WORKED.

>> Renee: SO SOMEONE WHO MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME MORE INSIGHT IS THE HOUSE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER DERRICK GRAHAM JOINING US WITH THE SENATE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER.

Mr. GERALD MILL.

WE APPRECIATE YOU GENTLEMEN GIVING US A NEW MOMENTS TO TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH AND REPRESENTATIVE GRAHAM, SHERMAN BROWN WAS JUST TALKING AND YOU MA I HAVE HEARD HIM ABOUT, YOU KNOW, YOU HAD FILED THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET BILL TODAY.

CAN YOU PROVIDE ANYMORE CONTEXT OR INSIGHT INTO THAT OTHER THAN WHAT WAS JUST REVEALED BY THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF?

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT WHAT HIS GOAL IS AND WHAT HE IS WANTING US TO DO IN TERMS OF-- AND LET ME JUST SAY THIS.

AS WE WERE LISTENING TO THE GOVERNOR, I WROTE DOWN FIVE WORDS THAT I THINK REPRESENTS EVERYTHING THAT HE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT JOB.

HE IS A JOB CREATOR WHAT IS I SAID LAST YEAR WE'VE GOT 51,000 NEW JOBS HERE IN KENTUCKY BUT THOSE WORDS THAT I TALKED ABOUT WAS STRONG, OPPORTUNITY AND INVESTMENT, WORKING TOGETHER AND OUR ECONOMY.

AND I THINK HE HAS DONE ALL OF THOSE THINGS IN THE TIME THAT HE HAS BEEN GOVERNOR AND HE HAS CONTINUED TO DO THAT AND WHAT HE HAS DONE IS LAID A ROAD FOR TO US CONTINUE TO USE TO BUILD UP KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY AND OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM AND I THINK HE WAS ON, FOCUSED ON THOSE TWO THINGS BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT.

AND AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE WHEN I HAVE TALKED WITH YOU AND THEN ON THE PROGRAM IS THAT EDUCATION IS THE KEY THAT OPENS THE DOOR TO OPPORTUNITY.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN EDUCATION, PUBLIC EDUCATION SO THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE ARE SEEING TODAY WE CAN ALSO DO BETTER AND BRING IN MORE BUSINESSES AND HAVE AN EDUCATED WORKFORCE THAT WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU CAN INVEST IN EDUCATION BUT ALSO IT'S A WAS I IN WHICH YOU CAN BRING IN NEW JOBS TO KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: LEADER KNEEL, I WANTED ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION.

80% OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS DOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS.

THEY HAVE SUPER DUPER MAJORITIES AND WE JUST HEARD THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE PRESIDENT TALK ABOUT THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT DAYCARE.

WHEN YOU THIS I ABOUT THE EDUCATION INITIATIVES THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED, WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AND LET ME FIRST SAY THAT THE THINGS THAT WERE OUTLINED BY LEADER GRAHAM, I AGREE WITH.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT LOOK, THE KEY WORD IS DO WE DO THIS TOGETHER OR DO WE JUST DO THIS BECAUSE WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SOMEONE LOOK BAD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

I DON'T THINK WE ARE DOING THAT THIS TIME AROUND.

THEIR WE ARE DOING THIS TOGETHER.

I'M NOT EXPECTING THAT EVERYTHING THE GOVERNOR PUT ON THE TABLE TO HAPPEN BUT I WILL POINT OUT THAT EVERYTHING HE PUT ON THE TABLE IS DOABLE.

AND I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE AN UNPRECEDENT OPPORTUNITY NOW TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT WE HAVE DELAYED INVESTMENT IN FOR YEARS SUCH AS IN EDUCATION WE ARE FUNCTIONING NOW AT 2007 LEVEL BY SOME INVESTIGATIONS OF THAT TYPE OF INVESTMENT BUT NOW WE ARE IN AN UNPRECEDENTED POSITION OF HAVING RESOURCES, AN ECONOMY THAT'S BOOMING, WE HAVE INVESTMENTS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF KENTUCKY IN TERMS OF JOB CREATION HAS DEMONSTRATED 592,000-- THE 352,000 THAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THINGS.

WE BETTER NOT MESS THIS UP.

I DON'T EXPECT US TO MESS THIS UP.

I THINK THE OTHER POINT WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THOUGH, IS THAT WHAT THE GOVERNOR PUT ON THE TABLE NOT ONLY ARE THEY DOABLE BUT THEY'RE NEEDED.

THESE ARE VERY BASIC THINGS HE TALKED ABOUT.

I MEAN SURELY WE WANT OUR EDUCATION AS LEADER GRAHAM HAS POINTED OUT TO BE THE TOP EDUCATION INITIATIVES IN THE COUNTRY.

AT ONE TIME WE WERE UP NEAR THE TOP.

NOW WE ARE DOWN LOW IN TERMS OF, FOR INSTANCE, TEACHER SALARIES.

WE HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH OUR SURROUNDING STATES AND THE UNITED STATES.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT OUR PEOPLE WHO GO OUT AND RIIVELG THEIR LIVES RISK THEIR LIVES PROTECTING US, WE HAVE TO GIVE TRAINING STIPENDS TO BEEF UP THEIR RANKS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE ACTUALLY GIVING APPRECIATION FOR THEIR WORK BY WHAT WE CONTRIBUTE IN TERMS OF THEIR INCOME.

WE CAN GO ON AND ON AND ON WITH THIS BUT ALL THESE THINGS ARE DOABLE.

I DON'T THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO LET MOST OF IT GO.

THESE THINGS ARE REASONABLE.

THEY'RE USEFUL AND THERE IS A LOT THAT WASN'T SAID TODAY THAT I THINK WILL BE ADDRESSED SO I THINK WE HAVE AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK WE'LL STEP UP TO THE PLATE THIS TIME, AT LEAST I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL.

>> Renee: FINAL QUESTION TO BOTH OF YOU STARTING WITH YOU LEADER NEIL.

WHAT WILL THE TRADE-OFF BE?

SO WOULD DEMOCRATS GO ALONG WITH A SCHOOL CHOICE, SOME OPTIONS THERE IN ORDER TO GET SOME UNIVERSAL PRE-K THAT YOU DESIRE?

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DO THAT KIND OF BARTERING?

>> THAT'S A HYPOTHETICAL.

THE REALITY IS THAT THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

TWEE HAVE TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

WHEN IT GETS TIME TO MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THIS OR WHAT IS IN AND WHAT IS OUT, WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT CRITICALLY AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

SO AGAIN, I WANT TO POINT OUT WE HAVE UNPRECEDENTED FUNDS, WE HAVE UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY AND THESE THINGS ARE NEEDED AND I THINK IT WILL MAKE KENTUCKY STRONGER AND I THINK WE WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE FOR MOST PART.

>> Renee: LEADER GRAHAM, I'LL GIVE YOU THE FINAL WORD SIR.

>> WE COME INTO OFFICE WE TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE IN TERMS OF OUR CONSTITUTION HERE IN KENTUCKY.

AND THE ONE THING THAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS IS THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO APPROPRIATE MONEY FOR.

AND HAVING BEEN IN THE CLASSROOM FOR 27 YEARS, I KNOW WHAT PUBLIC EDUCATION CAN DO FOR EVERYONE FROM KIDS WHO COME FROM THE PROJECTS TO THOSE WHO COME FROM MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES.

EDUCATION, AS I HAVE ALWAYS SAID, PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE KEY FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH TO THRIVE AND TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS AS GOVERNOR HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: WELL, LEADER GRAHAM, LEADER NEIL, YOU HAVE AN INVITATION IN YOUR INBOX TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION IN MORE DETAIL IN FULL MONDAY NIGHT AND I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE YOU THEN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Renee: SO AS WE WRAP THINGS UP HERE FROM OUR CAPITOL ANNEX OPERATIONS, OUR FRANKFORT BUREAU FOR KET, I WANT TO GO BACK TO SHERMAN AND AMY WITH QUICK THOUGHTS WITH WHAT YOU HEARD FROM BOTH SETS OF LEADERS.

STARTING WITH YOU, SHERMAN.

>> FIRST OF ALL, STARTING WITH PRESIDENT STIVERS, AND SPEAKER OSBOURNE, I THINK THE THINGS THAT I HEARD WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT IS WHAT WAS THINGS THAT THEY COULD WORK ON TOGETHER.

THINGS THAT ARE DOABLE.

THE RECOVERY EFFORTS, WHAT AND HOW.

DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS WHICH YOU ALSO HEARD FROM LEADER GRAHAM AND LEADER NEIL.

INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT, THEY JUST ROLLED THROUGH THEM BUT THEY'RE HUGE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WATER, SEWER, BROADBAND, TRANSPORTATION.

TRANSPORTATION ALONE, TALKING ABOUT THE BRIDGES, TALKING ABOUT I-69.

MOUNTAIN PARKWAY.

>> Renee: CLEAN WATER.

>> CLEAN WATER, BROADBAND BEING CROWS TO $2 BILLION OF INTERNET COMING TO FOLKS IN EVERY HOUSE AND LOOKING AT THAT STATEWIDE.

THESE ARE BIG DEALS, WATER, SEWER.

FOR ME, THOSE WERE HUGE AND THEN WHAT I THINK I HEARD FROM LEADER GRAHAM HE WAS TALKING ABOUT, THE TONE.

SIMILAR TO WHAT I SAID, THE OPPORTUNITY AND BIPARTISANSHIP ARE THE THINGS I MENTIONED.

HE HAD FIVE.

ONE OF WHICH WAS WORKING TOGETHER AND OPPORTUNITY.

HE TALKED ABOUT BEING STRONG AND LOOKING FOR THOSE LEGISLATIVE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO AND THAT ARE DOABLE AND I THINK, YOU KNOW,GERALD NEIL, THE SHARPEST DRESSED LEGISLATURE, FOR ME, LISTENING TO HIM AND TALKING ABOUT THESE ARE ALL REALISTIC.

LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT THAT THEY'RE NOT REALISTIC OR CAN'T BE DONE.

IT'S WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE.

THAT'S WAS WE ARE GETTING INTO AND WHAT AMY SAID EARLIER,AS WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS, THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS BUT WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT AND SOMETIMES IT'S PRIORITIES.

DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE AGAINST SOMETHING ELSE OR THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE WAY TO GET IT DONE.

IT'S JUST WE ARE TRYING TO-- MAYBE WE ARE ALL TRYING TO GET TO THE SAME PLACE AND HOW WE GET THERE COULD BE SOMETHING SO IT GOES BACK TO YOUR QUESTION OF WOULD YOU TRADE THIS FOR THIS.

IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

>> Renee: WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT THEY END UP DOING.

FINAL WORDS, AMY.

>> I THIS I WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE FROM THE LEGISLATURE IS A STRONG PUSH TO CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK THEY HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, CONTINUE TO SEE HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR ECONOMY, GET MORE PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

I THINK THE CHILD CARE POLICY ISSUE IS A KEY ONE.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR TRIED TO TIE THAT WITHIN UNIVERSAL PRE-K.

I THINK WE HEARD FROM LEADERS THAT'S PROBABLY A NON-STARTER.

BUT I THINK THE REASONING BEHIND THE INTEREST IN CHILD CARE TIES DIRECTLY INTO THAT WORKFORCE.

AND THE REASON UNIVERSAL PRE-K DOESN'T NECESSARILY SOLVE THAT ISSUE IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE LOTS OF PARENTS WHO ARE WORKING SECOND SHIFT, WEEKENDS AND SO HAVING THAT PRE-K OPTION DOESN'T REALLY HELP SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE HIVE-- THERE IS PROBABLY NO EASY WAY TO SOLVE IT BUT IT'S CRITICAL IF WE WANT TO GET MORE PEOPLE, EMWOMEN, BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE TYPICALLY THOSE CHILD REARING RESPONSIBILITIES ARE GOING TO FALL MORE TO THE MOTHER AND KEEP FEMALES OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.

>> Renee: A LOT TO TALK ABOUT OVER THE NEXT 58 DAYS.

WE ARE JUST IN DAY TWO OF THE KENTUCKY GERM GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2024 SESSION.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE ON KENTUCKY EDITION TOMORROW NIGHT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 STEN AND COMMENT ON KENTUCKY ON FRIDAY.

MONDAY NIGHT AT 8 CLOCK EASTERN WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HEARD ABOUT TONIGHT I'M RENEE SHAW.

FROM ALL OF OUR CREW HERE IN FRANKFORT AND LEXINGTON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING AND WE'LL RETURN YOU TO THE PROGRAM ALREADY IN PROGRESS.

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