[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT: THE 2024 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

A TWO-YEAR BUDGET IS THE BIG ITEM DURING THIS 60-DAY SESSION.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS ALREADY RELEASED HIS PLAN.

WE EXPECT TO SEE THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLAN, SOON.

WILL THE STATE SPEND SOME OF THE MONEY IN THE SO-CALLED “RAINY DAY” FUND?

WE’LL DISCUSS THAT, AND OTHER ISSUES RELATING TO EDUCATION, CHILD CARE, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND MORE.

WE’RE JOINED IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO BY SOME OF THE LEADERS OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY: STATE SENATOR ROBERT STIVERS, A REPUBLICAN FROM MANCHESTER, AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT; STATE SENATOR GERALD NEAL, A LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT, AND SENATE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER; STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID OSBORNE, A REPUBLICAN FROM PROSPECT, AND SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE DERRICK GRAHAM, A FRANKFORT DEMOCRAT, AND HOUSE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER.

WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.

YOU CAN SEND THEM BY X — FORMERLY TWITTER -- AT KYTONIGHTKET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO KYTONIGHT@KET.ORG OR USE THE WEB FORM AT T KET.ORG/KYTONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE ESEEN EACH OTHER SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW YEAR.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT AFTER THE GOVERNOR GAVE HIS ADDRESS LAST WEEK.

BUT WE'LL DO A DEEPER DIVE SINCE THE BILL HAS BEEN FILED, LEADER GRAHAM YOU FILED THAT LAST WEEK.

NOW THAT YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE YOU PROBABLY KNOW THE MOST ABOUT IT WE ASSUME.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT AFTER HE GAVE HIS STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS?

>> WELL, JUST TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION, EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO AS I'VE SAID TO OPENING DOORS TO OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

PRE-K. WE ALSO ARE IN THE BUDGET THAT IS TALKED ABOUT OR WRITTEN IN THE BUDGET.

>> Renee: IS IT STILL $172 MILLION EACH YEAR?

>> IN TERMS OF PROTECTING MEDICAID, IN TERMS OF THE FEDERAL SPENDING RETURNS TO THE PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

STRENGTHENING THE INFRASTRUCTURES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT THAT AS WELL IN TERMS OF OUR HIGHWAYS PARTICULARLY IN THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY.

AND IN THE WESTERN KENTUCKY.

AND INCREASING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO ME HERE IN OR IN FRANKFORT STATE EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE STATE.

AND COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR THEM.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS ASKED US TO TAKE ON AND TO ALSO SUPPORT.

AS A RESULT, OF HIS BUDGET, THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH IN HIS SPEECH, HE HIGHLIGHTED COOPERATIVE SPIRIT BETWEEN HIS OFFICE AND KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND I HOPE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN TAKE ON THE CHALLENGES THAT THIS COMMONWEALTH IS HAVING AS WE PREPARE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> Renee: Mr. PRESIDENT WHEN WE TALKED AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS BOTH YOU AND THE SPEAKER PUT THINGS IN THREE BUCKETS THE THINGS WE AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR ON.

THE THINGS WE CAN BE CONVINCED OF AND THE THINGS WE JUST WON'T DO.

I WANT IT GET MAYBE MORE WHAT YOU CAN BE CONVINCED OF.

YOU SAID ON TUESDAY NIGHT, WEDNESDAY NIGHT THAT YOU AGREE WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE THINGS, OF COURSE, AND THE DISASTER RELIEF CONTINUING RECOVERIESTS FOR EASTERN AND WESTERN KENTUCKY AFFECTED BY THE NATURAL DISASTERS.

WHAT CAN BE STILL BE CONVINCED OF?

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND DAYCARE.

I'M NOT A BIG SUPPORTER OF UNIVERSAL PRE-K BUT WE KNOW WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN OUR DAYCARE OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE THAT IS A HUGE IMPEDIMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

SO I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS WE NEED SOMETHING IN THAT REALM.

IT'S WHAT I CALL WHAT'S IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

THAT'S ONE THAT I THINK THERE'S POTENTIAL OF TALKING ABOUT HOW WE GET TO A DAYCARE MODEL.

NOT A UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND THERE'S STUDIES ON THE USES AND BENEFITS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPOSURE.

SOMETIMES I THINK IT'S BETTER TO LET THE CHILD BE THE CHILD.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE HOW MUCH.

I THINK WE AGREE THAT GOOD WATER, GOOD SEWER, GOOD ROADS, IT BECOMES A MATTER OF DEGREE.

MAYBE MORE, MAYBE LESS.

BUT SEEING WHAT HE WANTS TO DO, THERE'S SOME REAL OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE ABILITY TO DRAWDOWN FEDERAL FUNDS AS WELL.

THE OTHER I WILL TAKE A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH, THE GOVERNOR DID A LOT OF ADVERTISING AND TALKED ABOUT HOW WE'VE REDUCED PEOPLE'S TAXES.

THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE THINGS MOST DISAPPOINTED WITH HE DOESN'T WANT TO CONTINUE THE MANTRA LET'S REDUCE PEOPLE'S TAXES.

BECAUSE BUDGET HE HAS PROPOSED PROBABLY WON'T ALLOW US TO HIT TRIGGERS EVER TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN ON KENTUCKY TAXPAYERS AND WORKING PLACE PEOPLE.

>> Renee: LEADER NEAL ABOUT THAT POINT, THE GOVERNOR TOUTED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL ABOUT LOWERING KENTUCKIANS TAXES.

BUT, YET, IN THE WJ THAT HE PRESENTED AS PRESIDENT STIVERS POINTED OUT DOESN'T MAKE ROOM FOR THAT.

IS THAT DOUBLE SPEAK?

>> NOT REALLY I THREE WHAT HE IS DOING IS PUT OUR OPTIONS ON THE TABLE.

THEY WERE SOUND, RATIONAL THINGS WE NEED IN MY JUDGMENT AND I THINK IT'S UP TO US TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND SEE WHERE WE END UP.

YOU KNOW, WHAT STRUCK ME ABOUT THE BUDGET THAT HE THAT HE PUT ON THE TABLE WAS IT WASN'T EXTREME.

IT WAS VERY FUNDAMENTAL AND BASIC THE THINGS WE CAN USE AND LAID DOWN THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN TAKING CARE AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE GIVEN THE MONEY WE HAVE IN THE TRAJECTORY OF OUR ECONOMIC REALITIES IN KENTUCKY AT THIS TIME.

SO I THINK ALL THOSE THINGS ARE DOABLE.

BUT I AGREE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHAT IT MEANS.

THERE'S ISSUES WE DISDEGREE AGREE ON.

UNDERNEATH WE HAVE A OPPORTUNITY HERE.

AND I THINK IN MY OPINION AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THAT WE NEED TO LOOK VERY CAREFULLY HOW WE LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A DEBATE AND DISCUSSION WE CAN HAVE.

>> Renee: SPEAKER OSBORNE WE ARE WAITING FOR THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO FILE THEIR BILL IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO?

>> I WOULD THINK WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK TO 10 DAYS MAYBE TWO WEEKS.

WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BE FILING IT PRIOR TO NOW, BUT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, THERE'S CHANGES IN THE PERSONNEL NUMBERS THE PERSONNEL CABINET MADE CHANGES IN SALARY NUMBERS WHICH HAS AN DOMINO EFFECT IN TRYING TO BALANCE THE NUMBERS.

WE HAD TO GO BACK AND HAD BUDGET TAF RECALCULATE THOSE THINGS TO GET THE NUMBERS RIGHT.

AS I'VE SAID, WE WILL FILE THE BUDGET WHEN IT'S READY.

>> Renee: SO WHAT YOU ELUDED TO A LOT OF STATE WORKERS WHO REACH OUT TO ASK ABOUT WHAT COULD BE IN IT FOR THEM.

THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED 6 AND 4.

6 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 25 AND ET CETERA.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

YOU GOT THE PERSONNEL NUMBERS THAT INTIMATES THAT YOU ARE LOOKING THE THAT?

>> THAT HAS BEEN A GREAT PIECE OF INFORMATION TO HAVE.

IT'S ONE WE'VE BEEN HOPING FOR, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

IT IS A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED ISSUE THAN JUST GIVING A SET PERCENTAGE INCREASE.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF COMPRESSION AND COMPACTION IN OUR STATE PERSONNEL CABINET AND OUR PERSONNEL FIGURES.

WE NEED TO BE MORE THOUGHTFUL HOW WE GIVE THE RAISES.

EVERYBODY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE NEED TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE OUR STATE EMPLOYEES.

BUT AS PART OF THAT WE NEED TO MAKE ENTIRE PAY SCALE MORE COMPETITIVE UP AND DOWN THE RANKS.

WE HAVE SO MUCH COMPACTION THE WAY IT'S BEEN PIECEMEALED OVER THE YEARS.

THAT IS WHY THIS PERSONNEL REPORT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO SHOW US WHERE THOSE PROBLEM AREAS ARE.

>> Renee: THE GOVERNOR, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, ADDRESSED THAT SALARY COMPRESSION WHICH MEANS THOSE COMING IN NEWER ARE MAKING AS MUCH IF NOT MORE THAN THOSE WHO HAVE SENIORITY AND YEARS OF SERVICE.

IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT YOU WOULD CORRECT?

AND DOES IT ALIGN SO WHAT HE'S OFFERED?

>> CORRECT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT LINES UP WITH HIS PROPOSAL.

BUT, YES, IT DOES CONSIDER MANY OF THE SAME THINGS AS FAR AS HOW TO REWARD LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES, REWARD SENIORITY, UNDERSTAND THAT TODAY'S HIRING ENVIRONMENT IS DIFFERENT IN MANY CASES THAN IT'S BEEN.

WE UNDERSTAND THE COMPETITION FOR WORKFORCE.

AND THAT HITS STATE EMPLOYEES AS MUCH AS ANY EMPLOYMENT SECTOR.

>> Renee: CAN YOU TELL STATE WORKERS TONIGHT YOU GOT SOMETHING GOOD COMING TO YOU?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE VERY THOUGHTFUL.

I WILL NOT PUT A NUMBER ON IT AT THIS POINT.

BUT I DO THINK IT IS A THOUGHTFUL BUDGET.

AS WE HAVE CONTINUED TO SAY WE'RE PROUD OF THE BUDGET WE PRODUCED OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE LAST SIX YEARS.

AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE A SIMILAR BUDGET PROCESS TO WHAT YOU'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST FOUR BUDGETS WE'VE PASSED.

>> Renee: ANOTHER QUESTION COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR RETIREES.

WHAT SAY YOU ON THAT?

>> IT IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO ADDRESS.

I THINK EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE PRESSURES OF INFLATION.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE TALK ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING IN GENERALITIES.

COST INCREASES FOR TEACHERS, KTRS RETIREES AND IT HAS TO BE LOOKED AT IN A DIFFERENT VAIN.

KTRS RETIREES THEY PREFUND THE COLAS WHEN THEY PAY INTO THE PENSION SYSTEMS THAT IS CALCULATED INTO THE CONTRIBUTIONS.

THE KERS COLAS ARE NOT CALCULATED NOT PREFUNDED.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET COST OF LIVING INCREASES IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY IT IS NOT APPLES AND APPLES BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AND THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE THAT HAS BEEN PUT ON EVERYBODY SPEND'S ABILITY.

>> Renee: IF YOU WANT TO SPILL TEA ABOUT THINGS YOU ARE FUNDING GO AHEAD.

>> I WON'T LIKELY DO THAT.

>> Renee: I HAVE TO ASK.

>> BUT AS HAS BEEN NOTED, YOU KNOW WE HAVE FOR THE ENTIRE TIME THAT WE'VE BEEN WRITING THE BUDGETS WE HAVE MADE A COMMITTED FOCUS ON EDUCATION.

EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

WE CAN CERTAINLY HAVE THE DEBATE AS LEADER GRAHAM AND I CERTAINLY HAVE OVER THE YEARS ABOUT WHETHER IT IS ENOUGH OR WHETHER IT SHOULD BE MORE.

BUT IT IS NOT DEBATABLE THAT WE'VE COMMITTED RECORD FUNDING EVERY SINGLE YEAR TO EDUCATION.

I WAS INTERESTING BLUEGRASS INSTITUTE RELEASED A STUDY TODAY THAT SHOWED THE EVOLUTION OF DOLLARSTH EDUCATION OVER THE LAST NOW 35 YEARS.

AND ON INFLATION ADJUSTED DOLLARS THE AMOUNT OF STATE DOLLARS SPENT ON PER PUPIL IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, 1990 WAS $7,000 THIS IS INFLATION ADJUSTED IT'S NOW $17,000.

WE'VE SPENT TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES MORE IN INFLATION ADJUSTED DOLLARS ON EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN TODAY AND YET WE ALSO SAW AS WE KNEW WAS THE CASE, THAT TEACHER PAY HAS LAGGED BEHIND ON THAT.

IT IS ACTUALLY LOST SOME INFLATION ADJUSTED DOLLARS OVER THAT SAME PERIOD OF TIME.

SO WE KNOW THAT THERE IS ADMINISTRATIVE BLOAT.

AND I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RESET IN THAT.

>> Renee: AND THAT STUDY WE REPORTED ON ON THE 6:30 PROGRAM ALSO FOUND IT DIDN'T CORRELATE THE HIGHER FUNDING DID NOT CORRELATE TO BETTER STUDENT PERFORMANCE.

>> CORRECT.

>> Renee: AND I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THAT I WILL BEGIN WITH THE EDUCATOR.

THE BLUEGRASS INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS IS A CONSERVATIVE LEANING THINK TANK.

Dr. GAREN WAS THE A FOR OF THE REPORT EXAMINING FUNDING FOR K-12 EDUCATION AND THE OUTCOME IT IS PRODUCED AND YOU HEARD THE SPEAKER GIVE A GOOD SUMMARY OF THAT.

WHEN YOU HEAR THOSE REPORTS WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE DIRECTION FOR FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY SHOULD BE?

>> FIRST OF ALL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TEACHERS WHO ARE HAD IT THE CLASSROOM WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF TURNOVERS.

TEACHERS WHO ARE LEAVING.

WHO ARE QUALIFIED, WELL QUALIFIED.

AND HAVE BEEN IN THE SYSTEM FOR A WHILE.

AND BECAUSE OF MANY THINGS, PART BEING PAY EQUITY OR PAY HAVING THE IDEA OF HIGHER PAY, BUT ALSO THE PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE SEEING WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

A LOT OF THAT IS SOCIAL IN TERMS OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE HAVING TO DEAL WITH.

THE PANDEMIC REALLY MADE IT EVEN WORSE.

BUT, I WOULD THINK AND AS THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, I KNOW THAT THAT IS A VERY CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATION.

AND THEY ARE ALSO VERY PRO PRIVATE PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS AND VOUCHERS AS WELL.

SO WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT AS WELL.

BUT PUBLIC EDUCATION IS WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THE CONSTITUTION SAYS WE HAVE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AND IN ORDER FOR US TO CONTINUE TO HAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WE'RE DOING REALLY WELL IN OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BRINGING NEW JOBS.

THE WAY THIS COMMONWEALTH CAN PURSUE BRINGING MORE PEOPLE IN TO INVEST IN KENTUCKY IS BY SHOWING THAT WE'RE WILLING TO INVEST IN EDUCATION NO MATTER WHAT.

BECAUSE EDUCATION IS THE KEY THAT OPENS THAT DOOR.

I SAY THAT ALL THE TIME.

FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

AND SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND WE ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE MAJORITY PARTY IN TRYING TO COME UP WITH IDEAS THAT WE CAN PUT INTO PLACE THAT ADDRESSES ALL THOSE ISSUES THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION IS DEALING WITH.

AND SO I THINK THAT ON OUR SIDE AND THE GOVERNOR'S SIDE HE IS WANTING TO WORK BUT WE ALSO MUST LOOK AT THE FACT THAT TEACHERS ARE LEAVING FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT.

>> Renee: PRESIDENT STIVERS, TO BRING UP ANOTHER REPORT DONE BY THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY A MORE PROGRESSIVE LEANING THINK TANK LOOKS AT ECONOMIC FACTORS AND EDUCATION AMONG THEM THEY REPORTED A FEW MONTHS BACK THAT THE WEALTH DISPARITY, THE FUNDING DISPARITY BETWEEN WEALTHIER DISTRICTS AND POORER DISTRICTS WAS WIDENING.

AND THERE NEEDED TO BE SOME KIND OF EQUITY TO HELP BRING UP THOSE POORER SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

DID YOU BUY THAT REPORT?

AND DO YOU THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WORTH EXAMINING AND ADDRESSING IN THIS SESSION?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN ADDRESS IT IN THIS SESSION.

BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE LOOKED AT IN FUTURE YEARS.

AND I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THAT AS TO THE CONCLUSIONS.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE REAL CONCERNS WITH GOING OUTSIDE THE SEEK FORMULA AND THIS IS WHAT WE'VE SAID ALL ALONG GOING OUTSIDE THE SEEK FORMULA, TO APPROPRIATEIATE DIRECTLY PAY RAISES TO TEACHERS.

BECAUSE I -- >> Renee: WHICH IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS WANTING TO DO?

>> YES.

REPRESENTATIVE GRAHAM EVERYBODY AROUND HERE KNOWS AND WE AGREE ON THE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT NO MATTER WHERE IT IS.

ESPECIALLY IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND THERE HAS TO BE A LOT OF THOUGHT ABOUT MAKING IT SAFE, OFFERING THE SERVICES.

BUT HERE'S WHERE I THINK WE ALSO AGREE ON HAVING TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH SALARIES.

THERE'S NO DOUBT WE'VE GOT TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH SALARIES.

BUT IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT WHAT JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLTEACHER OR GO TO THE WEALTHY DISTRICTS AND I DON'T MEAN TO PICK ON THEM, YOU TAKE AN OLDHAM COUNTY, AND WANT THEIR PAY SCALE IS VERSUS ANOTHER COUNTY IF YOU LIVE AN 11% INCREASE OUTSIDE THE SEEK FORMULA THAT IS GOING TO SKEW AND MAKE A BIGGER DIFFERENTIAL BECAUSE THE PAY SCALES ARE DIFFERENT.

MAKING IT MORE RIGHT FOR LITIGATION TO SAY IT IS AN INEQUITABLE FUNDING SYSTEM.

WE'VE ALWAYS SAID WE WANT COMPETITIVE SALARIES.

BUT YOU'VE GOT TO SHOW US HOW TO DO IT INSIDE THE SEEK FORMULA SO WE DON'T HAVE THIS TYPE OF DISCUSSION.

BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT AND I'M ONE OF THEM THAT BELIEVE WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF HAVING A 1980 SOMETHING CASE THAT WAS DONE BY BURKE COMES WAS THE LEAD COUNSEL SAYING IT'S INEQUITABLE.

>> Renee: THE ROSE DECISION AND YOU LEADER NEAL YOU KNOW THIS WELL, THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION REFORM ACT OF 199 ON THE CASE REPORT SAID THAT THE GAPS NOW BETWEEN THE WEALTHIER AND POORER DISTRICTS ARE AS WIDE AS THEY WERE BEFORE THAT REFORM ACT IN 1990.

SO WHEN YOU HEAR THAT AND ALSO WHAT PRESIDENT STIVERS WAS TALKING ABOUT THERE IS ANOTHER CONCERN THAT TEACHERS IN DISTRICTS THAT ARE POOR THEY ARE NOT BEING PAID AS MUCH SO THEY ARE GOING TO A FAYETTE COUNTY THAT IS 40 MILES DOWN THE ROAD OR OLDHAM COUNTY IF IT IS NOT TOO MUCH OF A COMMUTE.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND 11% FOR ALL SCHOOL PERSONNEL THE RIGHT APPROACH?

>> LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY.

IF WE WANT TO GET TO A PARTICULAR OBJECTIVE WE CAN GET THERE.

WE CAN SIT DOWN AND WE CAN PUT SOMETHING THAT IS CONSTITUTIONAL, THAT ACTUALLY SERVES THE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FROM THE ANALYSTS THAT YOU MENTIONED, YOU WILL FIND THAT THEY ARE SAYING WE ARE ABOUT TO 2008 LEVEL IN TERMS OF FUNDING TEACHERS.

THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MOMENT.

JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THERE ARE 500 TEACHERS SHORT IN TERMS OF PERSONNEL.

IF YOU LOOK AT US IN TERMS OF OUR SURROUNDING STATES, WE'RE NOT COMPETITIVE WITH RESPECT TO HOW THEY ARE TREATING THEIR TEACHERS HOW THEY ARE GOING FORWARD.

AND I UNDERSTAND IT IS A TOUGH QUESTION.

IT IS A TOUGH QUESTION WHENEVER YOU DO THIS.

I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING WE ARE IN AN UNPRECEDENTED, UNPRECEDENTED POSITION RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE FUNDS THAT WE'VE HISTORIC FUNDS THAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE CAPACITY.

BUT ALSO BECAUSE WE ALSO ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND IT PORTENDS TO BE GREATER GOING FORWARD.

WE ARE IN A GOOD POSITION.

SOMETIMES WE TEND TO BE OVERLY CONSERVATIVE IN OUR APPROACH TO THINGS AND DON'T LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE.

AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE SERIOUS LOOK AT THAT.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL ABOUT NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY.

WE'LL FIND THE MECHANISM.

WE'LL FIND THE COMBINATION.

WE'LL FIND THE FORMULA IF WE HAVE THE WILL TO GET THERE.

>> Renee: HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE RAINY DAY FUND PARTICULARLY FOR EDUCATION?

>> ANALYSTS THEY GET TO THOSE NUTS AND BOLTS.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE HAVE A TON OF MONEY IN RAINY DAY FUND AND WE SHOULD RETAIN A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE FUND.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE SO MUCH ROOM IN THAT FUND WE HAVE SO MUCH IN TERMS OF NEED, WE HAVE SO MUCH THAT WE HAVE NOT ADDRESSED OVER THE YEARS, THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY SHOOTING OURSELVES IN THE FOOT IN MY OPINION BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ADDRESSING LAYINGS FOUNDATION WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MEET THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE TO DO THAT AND WE CAN'T KEEP PUTTING IT OFF.

WE NEED TO DEAL WITH IT AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT.

WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO DO THAT.

THE ONLY THING WE NEED IS THE WILL.

I'M SURE WE CAN GET THERE IF WE HAVE THE WILL.

>> .

>> Renee: IS THERE A WILL TO DIP INTO THE RAINY DAY FUND?

>> FIRST OF ALL, OLDHAM COUNTY WAS BROUGHT UP TWICE HERE SO I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO CHIME IN ON BEHALF OF THE TAXPAYERS OF OLDHAM COUNTY WHO PAY ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAX RATES OF ANY SCHOOL TAX IN THE STATE.

AND THEY ARE A SEEK LOSER.

AND THE WAY IT ALL METES OUT.

AND THE OTHER THING THAT IS DISPROPORTIONATE IN THE SEEK FORMULA AND I DISAGREE WITH ROBERT DOING EVERYTHING THROUGH THE SEEK, IS THE SEEK FORMULA ONLY ALLOCATES STATE DOLLARS.

IT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE DISPROPORTIONATE USE OF FEDERAL DOLLARS TITLE IX DOLLARS THAT DRAMATICALLY CHANGE BUDGETS.

THE TEACHERS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY ON HOLD 15 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD FROM OLDHAM COUNTY ARE MAKING 15, 20,000 MORE THAN OLDHAM COUNTY TEACHERS ARE BECAUSE OF THE ABILITY TO LEVERAGE FEDERAL DOLLARS I DO THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE IN CERTAIN CASES PARTICULARLY IN THE SUBURBAN AREAS THAT ARE FACING THAT CRUNCH FROM THE LARGE URBAN DISTRICTS GETTING A LOT OF DIFFERENTIAL DOLLARS.

I DO THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO STEP OUTSIDE THE SEEK FORMULA FROM TIME TO TIME ESPECIALLY TO ADDRESS TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS WHICH GETS TO THE ACTUAL BOTTOM LINE OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO I THINK YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY REGARDING RAINY DAY FUND YOU HEARD ME SAY ALL ALONG WE ARE GOING TO END THIS FISCAL YEAR WITH MORE MONEY IN THAT FUND THAN WE NEED.

SO THEREFORE I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE VERY, VERY THOUGHTFUL INVESTMENTS HISTORIC INVESTMENTS ONE TIME DOLLARS THEY NEED TO BE FOR ONE TIME ISSUES.

>> Renee: LIKE WHAT?

>> INFRASTRUCTURE, PAYMENT OF PENSION DEBT, I KNOW IT'S NOT A SEXY THING TO SPEND MONEY ON BUT WE'VE MADE INCREDIBLE PROGRESS IN PAYING DOWN OUR UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

WE ARE STILL $30 BILLION UNFUNDED IN OUR PENSION SYSTEMS.

>> Renee: WHEN THE TIER ONE AND TIER TWO PEOPLE GO WHO IS CONTINUING TO PAY?

>> IT CONTINUES TO BE THE STATE.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO COMMIT 15% OF OUR GENERAL FUND TO PENSION SYSTEMS.

AND THAT IS NOT AN EXCITING THING TO SPEND MOAN ON.

BUT -- MONEY ON BUT IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO PAY THAT DEBT DOWN.

AND YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR IF WE CONTINUE TO PAY THAT DEBT DOWN IT DOES FREE UP MONEY.

IT FREES UP THAT DEBT SERVICE THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO BE SHACKLED WITH.

>> Renee: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT A COUPLE EDUCATION ISSUES.

SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> PEOPLE HEAR US TALK ABOUT BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUNDS AND RAINY DAY FUNDS AND ONE TIME EXPENDITURES PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS IN THE REALM OF THEIR OWN DAILY LIFESTYLE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE A ROOF EVERY YEAR.

THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR.

THAT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE TIME EXPENDITURE FOR SOMETHING YOU HAVE IN THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

WE DON'T AND YOU SHOULD NEVER BECAUSE ALL THE ECONOMISTS LEFT OR RIGHT LEANING USE ONE TIME DOLLARS THAT SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO PAY YOUR MONTHLY ELECTRIC BILL.

THAT IS A RECURRING EXPENSE THAT COMES THROUGH AND YOU ARE BURNING YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT BECAUSE YOUR INCOME IS NOT SUFFICIENT.

SO WE SHOULD NEVER USE ONE TIME DOLLARS TO PAY RECURRING EXPENSES.

AND I DON'T DISAGREE WITH DAVID ON THAT.

I'M SAYING YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU GO OUTSIDE THE SEEK FORMULA TO START APPROPRIATING LARGE SUMS OF MONEY FOR TEACHER PAY RAISES BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO SKEW PLACES WE CAN ARE IN THE REALMS OF TRANSPORTATION.

>> AND YET, WE ARE IN A SITUATION NOW WHERE WE ARE MAKING A MAD DASH TO ZERO IN TERMS OF INCOME TAX PAYMENTS.

IN OTHER WORDS, SOMEWHERE YOU TALK ABOUT RECURRING FUNDS AND BEING ABLE TO REPLACE FUNDS THAT IS WHERE THAT IS.

SOMEWHERE THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE COVERED OR ELIMINATED AND YOU WILL NOT DO THE THINGS.

IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ONE TIME DOLLARS FACT OF THE MATTER AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE IN A PROCESS THAT THEORETICALLY COULD END UP PUTTING STRICTURES ON OUR ABILITY TO DEAL ARE RECURRING FUNDS.

THERE A CONTRADICTION HERE.

NOT NECESSARILY THAT WOULD BE THE OUTCOME DEPENDS ON THE DECISIONS WE MAKE AND DO THE THINGS IN CERTAIN WAYS WE MAKE SURE WE CAN DEAL WITH THE RECURRING COSTS.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD STRANGLE OUR CAPACITY TO ADVANCE OUR STATE BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME PHILOSOPHICAL PIECE THAT DOESN'T ADDRESS WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MOVE INTO THE FUTURE.

>> Renee: COUPLE OF EDUCATION ISSUES.

SCHOOL CHOICE.

SO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THAT.

WOULD THAT COME FROM THE HOUSE?

>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT CHAMBER IT WILL START IN.

BOTH CHAMBERS ARE WORKING ON A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD DO THAT.

I THINK THERE'S SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT IN OUR CAUCUS CERTAINLY.

>> Renee: IT'S BEEN A CLOSE VOTE IN THE PAST.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

AND I THINK THAT IT'S OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT ONE THAT IS GOING TO HAVE OVERWHELMING 90-10 SUPPORT.

BUT I DO THINK THERE ARE 60 VOTES IN THE HOUSE TO PASS IT.

AND I DO BELIEVE WE WILL PASS IT.

>> Renee: WHAT SAY YOU Mr. PRESIDENT?

SAME?

>> IT'S VIRTUALLY THE SAME IDEA.

>> .

>> Renee: DO YOU CARE TO COMMENT ON PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON SCHOOL CHOICE LET THE VOTERS DECIDE?

>> LET ME SAY THIS IN.

THE RURAL AREAS ACROSS KENTUCKY THE MAJOR PLYER WITHIN -- EMPLOYER WITHIN THOSE SMALL COMMUNITIES ARE THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION.

AND THINK ABOUT TAKING PUBLIC DOLLARS AND APPROPRIATING MONEY TO PAROCHIAL OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST PAROCHIAL OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THAT IS A CHOICE FOR PARENTS TO MAKE.

>> Renee: AND YOU MADE THAT CHOICE.

>> I MADE THAT CHOICE AND I MADE IT IN TERMS OF LETTING PEOPLE KNOW.

BUT MY WIFE AND I WE MADE THAT DECISION TO PUT THEM IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

BUT TO TURN AROUND AND GIVE PUBLIC DOLLARS OF WHICH THE TAXPAYERS HAVE PAID INTO OUR BUDGET AND INTO OUR REVENUE WOULD BE WRONG AND IT WOULD GO AGAINST ALL THE THINGS IN WHICH THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY ESTABLISHES THAT WE MUST HAVE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND IT MUST BE PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC IN TERMS OF TAXES THAT PUT INTO OUR TREASURY.

SO THAT IS THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE.

AND RENEE, IT'S OLD HISTORY TEACHER THE FACT OF THE MATTER AND I USE THIS SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN THE COUNTRY WAS ESTABLISHED AND A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WAS PUT IN PLACE, THE ONE THING THAT THE FOUNDING FATHERS SAID WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IN ORDER TO PRESERVE OUR DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AND TO ALLOW THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT TO OPERATE.

BECAUSE WE CAN EDUCATE PEOPLE TO KNOW HOW A GOVERNMENT IT IS A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT WORKS.

AND IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO NOT ONLY LEARN, BUT ALSO TO THRIVE IN AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM THAT WE'VE CREATED.

>> Renee: LEADER NEAL?

>> I THINK IF YOU MAKE A POLICY DECISION TO TAKE TAXPAYER MONEY AND DIVERT THAT TO THE SO-CALLED CHOICE SYSTEMS THEN YOU ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY COMPROMISING YOUR ABILITY TO DEAL WITH THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC SYSTEM WHICH WE ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY BOUND TO DEAL WITH.

SO I THINK YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH LEADER GRAHAM THAT IF PARENTS WANT THEIR KIDS TO GO TO VARIOUS OTHER SCHOOLS THAT'S FINE I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THAT.

BUT WE SHOULD NEVER, NEVER, COMPROMISE THE NEEDS OF A PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

AND I THINK THAT GOING INTO THIS DIRECTION NECESSARILY AND ABSOLUTELY TAKES AWAY FROM OUR CAPACITY TO DO SO.

>> Renee: MAKE A HARD PIVOT TO TALK ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING TOMORROW.

WE'LL START WITH THE LEADER ONE OF THE OTHER LEADERS IN THE SENATE, SENATOR YATDS WHO IS YOUR MINORITY WHIP IS GOING TO FILE OR HAS FILED OR WILL BY THE TIME THIS PRESSER HAPPENS TOMORROW MORNING, A BILL TO CREATE LIMITED EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S TRIGGER LAW FOR SURVIVORS OF RAPE AND INCEST AND NONVIABLE PREGNANCIES AND HEALTH OF A PREGNANT WOMAN.

YOUR TAKE ON THE NECESSITY OF DOING THIS NOW AND NOT WAITING?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A MORE FUNDAMENTAL POSITION ON THAT.

AND MY POSITION ON THAT IS THAT A STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE DIRECTING A WOMAN HOW SHE CONTROLS HER BODY AND HER HEALTH CHOICES WITH RESPECT TO THAT.

I KNOW IT IS A COMPLEX ISSUE.

BUT I DON'T THINK THE STATE SHOULD BE DOING THAT SORT OF THING.

THAT IS BETWEEN A WOMAN, HER DOCTOR AND HER GOD.

YOU KNOW, WHEN THE STATE COMES IN AND BEGINS TO MANDATE HOW AN INDIVIDUAL IS TO HANDLE THEIR CHOICES IN LIFE AS IT RELATES TO THEIR HEALTH, AS IT RELATES TO THE THINGS THAT ARE PERSON PERSONAL TO THEM WE'RE OVERREACHING.

>> Renee: PRESIDENT STIVERS IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY YOU ARE QUOTED AS BEING OPEN TO THIS DISCUSSION?

HOW DO YOU FEEL BECAUSE THIS COULD COME BEFORE A COMMITTEE MAYBE IF IT IS ASSIGNED TO ONE.

AND BE ACTED ON IN THE SENATE?

>> IT WILL BE ASSIGNED TO A COMMITTEE.

LET'S START WITH ONE PREMISE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS.

ALWAYS SAID THERE'S NO EXCEPTIONS IN THE LAW.

THERE IS.

ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

>> Renee: FOR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

>> SO WHEN PEOPLE WALKOUT AND SAY THERE'S NO EXCEPTIONS THAT IS BLATANTLY WRONG.

NOW, HERE'S WHERE I THINK PROBABLY 97% OF THE POPULATION WOULD AGREE.

LATE TERM ABORTIONS.

A VIABLE CHILD THAT IF TAKEN FROM THE WOMB AT SEVEN-AND-A-HALF, EIGHT MONTHS COULD LIVE, LATE TERM ABORTION.

I HEARD A YOUNG LADY TESTIFY SHE DID THIS BECAUSE OF ECONOMICS.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE AGREE WITH THAT.

WHERE IT BECOMES TOUGH IS WHEN YOU START MOVING BACK IN-BETWEEN THOSE POINTS IN TIME.

ABOUT VIABILITY, HEALTH OF THE MOTHER, WHY THE MOTHER IS PREGNANT AND I SAY THAT LOOK, EVERYONE OF US AROUND HERE UNDERSTAND THE TRAUMA DON'T UNDERSTAND WE KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE TRAUMA WHERE THERE IS AN ACT OF INCEST OR RAPE.

THAT'S TOUGH.

THAT'S WHERE IT GETS HARD TO DECIDE WHEN YOU THEN HAVE A WOMAN AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD DISAGREE WITH THIS, THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES FOR THIS WOMAN WHATEVER HER DECISION IS, WE SHOULD MAKE SURE SHE HAS AND ANYBODY WHO PERPETRATES THAT TYPE OF ACT ON A WOMAN SHOULD BE SWIFTLY PUNISHED AND HARSHLY PUNISHED.

BUT IT'S REALLY TOUGH WHEN YOU GET TO THAT VIABILITY OF A CHILD.

AT WHAT POINT?

VERSUS THAT BALANCE OF A WOMAN WHO IS NOT EVEN IN A RAPE OR INCEST SCENARIO.

THEN IT GETS TOUGHER WHEN YOU HAVE THAT.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

AND AGAIN, UNDERSTAND YOU ARE TALKING TO FOUR MALES HERE.

WE CAN'T COMPREHEND.

WE CAN ONLY EMPATHIZE.

BUT THAT BECOMES A VERY DIFFICULT CHOICE FOR REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN EITHER CHAMBER.

AND SO THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE.

>> Renee: SPEAKER OSBORNE?

>> WE DO CONTINUE TO HAVE CONSIDERABLE DEBATE OVER IT.

IT COMES UP FREQUENTLY IN OUR CAUCUS DISCUSSIONS.

>> Renee: THE WHIP HAD FILED THIS MEASURE SIMILAR MEASURE.

>> SO IT IS AN ONGOING DISCUSSION.

WE'VE YET TO REACH CONSENSUS ON WHAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF DOING AS A CAUCUS MOVING FORWARD.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS.

I'M WITH ROBERT I'M NOT SURE WHERE WE WILL END UP ON IT.

>> Renee: THERE IS ANOTHER BILL TO CONSIDER FROM YOUR SENATE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN WHITNEY WESTERFIELD THE SENATE BILL 34 THE ALPHA ACT THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR REQUIRE PREGNANCY SUPPORTS WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDCARE AND TUITION ASSISTANCE HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO DO WHAT YOU MENTIONED.

SO HOW DOES YOUR CAUCUS FEEL ABOUT THAT MEASURE?

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN SENATE BILL 34 SO I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE DETAILS.

IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WRAP AROUND SERVICES FOR THAT YOUNG WOMAN AND MAYBE OLDER WOMAN, BUT THE WOMAN, THOSE SERVICES NEED TO BE PROVIDED AND ASSISTANCE.

THIS IS A TOUGH TIME.

>> Renee: IT IS A HALF A MILLION PRICE DAK 551 MILLION.

>> THAT IS NOT HALF A MILLION.

>> HALF A BILLION.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE SO HIGH I CAN'T SAY IT RIGHT.

HALF A BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> THE SERVICES IN THE QUANTIFY INDICATION OF THE NUMBERS I HAVE NOT SEEN.

DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS GOING TO FILE IT.

I HAVE NOT READ THROUGH IT.

>> Renee: HE MENTIONED THAT THE BILL REQUEST FORM WHEN IT CAME OUT LIKE IN THE FALL WE ASKED THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES DO YOU CHAIR TO CHIME IN ON THIS ABOUT SUPPORTING PREGNANCY SUPPORTS WE'LL CALL IT FOR SHORT.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AND THE HOUSE COULD GET BEHIND?

>> I KNOW THIS.

OUR CAUCUS IS VERY STRONG IN TERMS OF A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

AND THAT IS WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO, PHYSICAL AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTHCARE.

AS A FATHER OF TWO DAUGHTERS, I WANT MY YOUNG LADIES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON THEIR OWN ABOUT THEIR HEALTHCARE, BUT ALSO ABOUT WHAT DECISIONS THEY WANT TO MAKE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR BODIES.

AND SO I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PRO-CHOICE.

BECAUSE OF THE FACTORS THAT GO WITH IT.

EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT STORY IN TERMS OF WHY THEY MAKE THAT DECISION.

BUT WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME IS THAT IT IS AND I DON'T WANT TO GO DOWN THIS PATH BUT IT IS SO IRONIC THAT THE PARTY THAT IS ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT LESS GOVERNMENT IS INVADING ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS DEALING WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS OR INDIVIDUAL SITUATION IN WHICH THEY HAVE PUT THEMSELVES IN.

I'VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD THAT.

HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THE RIGHTS TO MAKE DECISIONS ON YOUR OWN.

THEY USE THAT IN TERMS OF THE GUN LOBBY HAS ALWAYS USED THAT TERMINOLOGY WHEN IT COMES TO GUNS.

BUT, YET, THEY DON'T RESPECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO DECIDE ABOUT HER HEALTHCARE.

>> Renee: I WILL GIVE YOU ALL AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THAT.

I WILL ASK A POLITICAL QUESTION ABOUT IT.

THE POLITICAL CALCULUS OF NOT ACTING ON IT IN AN ELECTION YEAR WHEN YOUR MEMBERS ARE UP SOME OF WHOM ARE NOT RETURNING BUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO PROPOSED WAS SOUNDLY REJECTED.

PEOPLE WOULD SAY THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR PART OF HIS VICTORY COMES FROM HADLEY DUVAL FEATURED IN THAT AD TALKING ABOUT BEING RAPED BY A GRANDPARENT AT AN EARLY, EARLY PRETEEN AGE.

IS IT A LOSING ISSUE FOR REPUBLICANS?

>> WELL, DEPENDS HOW YOU DEFINE LOSING.

TO THIS AND I RESPOND TO REPRESENTATIVE GRAHAM, WHEN YOU KNOW THAT AT 8 MONTHS THIS CHILD CAN LIVE AND IS VIABLE OUTSIDE THE WOMB, I REALLY HAVE A HARD TIME SAYING THAT THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL DOESN'T THINK THAT THE LEGISLATURE OR LEGISLATIVE BODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK FOR WHAT IS A VIABLE, LIVING BEING.

AND SO I CAN THINK OF MY DAUGHTERS OR MY SONS THAT IF IT GOT TO THAT POINT, I'D SAY HAVE THE CHILD I'LL RAISE IT.

THAT'S ME.

AS TO THE POLITICS, THIS IS A DEEP PERSONAL ISSUE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ISSUE.

SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE JUDGMENTAL.

THIS IS GOING TO HAVE TO COME DOWN TO YOUR PERSONAL CONVICTIONS.

AND IT'S NOT A POLITICAL CALCULUS.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT A POLITICAL CALCULUS, ELECTIONS ARE WON ON MULTIPLE ISSUES NOT A SINGLE ISSUE.

DOES IT HURT YOU?

DEPENDING ON THE AREA YOU ARE IN.

DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF CAMPAIGN YOU ARE RUNNING.

SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT IT HURT THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE MORE THAN HE FLIP-FLOPPED ON THE ISSUE.

SO THE ISSUE IS IN THIS SITUATION VERY PERSONAL TO EACH AND EVERY PERSON AND I'M NOT GOING TO TELL THEM.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK INSIDE YOUR HEART AND YOUR SOUL AND MAKE A DECISION WHAT YOU THINK YOU NEED TO DO AND I WILL NOT BE JUDGMENTAL NO MATTER WHAT THE DECISION IS.

>> AND YET, THE STATE, IS DOING JUST THAT.

THEY ARE MAKING A CALCULATION, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT I THINK SHOULD BE DONE AS OPPOSED TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS THE BODY.

I THINK IT DOES GET DICEY WHEN YOU GET TO THE QUESTION OF VIABILITY.

THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

BUT WHAT IS THAT POINT?

WHO KNOWS.

WHERE SHOULD THAT POINT BE?

AT SOME POINT, AT SOME POINT IT'S NOT RATIONAL AND NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE STATE TO TELL SOMEONE TO COMPROMISE THEIR HEALTH FOR INSTANCE BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE OUTSIDE THE STATE SAYS THIS IS HOW YOU ARE GOING TO DO THIS.

NOW, WHERE DO YOU FIND THE DIVIDING POINT HERE?

AND IT'S PROBLEMATIC.

SO YOU KNOW, I GUESS IT'S EASY FOR ME TO SIT HERE AND SAY WELL, THE STATE SHOULDN'T BE INVOLVED.

BUT AT SOME POINT THE STATE SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED AT LEAST IN TERMS OF THAT ARGUMENT.

AND IT GIVES ME MAJOR CONCERN WITH RESPECT TO THAT.

IF YOU ASK ME PERSONALLY WHERE I STAND ON THAT?

I HAVE ALL KINDS OF RESERVATIONS ABOUT THIS QUESTION WHEN YOU GET TO THE QUESTION OF VIABILITY.

I'M HESITATING PERSONALLY MYSELF.

BUT HERE IS THE STATE.

A COLLECTIVE GROUP OF PEOPLE MAKING SOME JUDGMENTS AND IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE VARIOUS STATES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THEY ARE GOING FROM ZERO TO WHATEVER THE NUMBER IS.

SO THIS IS A TOUGH QUESTION.

GRANT TED.

BUT I THINK IT'S ONE THAT WE SHOULD BE VERY SLOW TO EXTENDING CONTROL OVER A PERSON'S DECISION MAKING OVER THEIR HEALTH AND OVER THEIR BODY.

>> Renee: WE'LL SEE IFER IN YATES PROPOSED BILL ACTUALLY DEFINES VIABILITY.

THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE DEFINITIONS, RIGHT?

SO WE'LL SEE IF THAT HAPPENS ONCE IT'S FILED.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS A TOUGH PIVOT FROM WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

LET ME GO BACK TO THIS QUESTION ABOUT THE ABORTION PILL.

THIS IS FROM JIM M. ASKING ABOUT THE ABORTION BILL.

SO I THINK WE'VE DISCUSSED THAT WE'LL MOVE ON AND GO BACK TO THE HAZARDOUS TIER 3 EMPLOYEES QUESTION FROM BOIL COUNTY.

ASK SENATOR STIVERS WHERE THEY STAND ON CONVERTING HAZARDOUS TIER 3 STATE EMPLOYEES TO HAZARDOUS TIER 2 STATE EMPLOYEES?

>> THERE'S ONGOING DISCUSSION ABOUT THE COST AND BENEFITS OF THAT PPOB IS DOING AN ANALYSIS TO SEE WHAT THE IMPACT.

>> Renee: THE PUBLIC PENSION OVERSIGHT BOARD.

>> JIM ANY HICK AND TJ JOHNSON CHAIR THOSE THAT COMMITTEE FOR US.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS AN ABSOLUTE REJECTION OF THE IDEA.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A CONSTANT AWARENESS OF THE STRIDES WE HAVE MADE IN PAYING DOWN OUR PENSION LIABILITIES OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

SO EVERYTHING WE DO THAT IMPACTS THE UNFUNDED LIABILITY, AFFECTS THE ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS OF OUR PENSION SYSTEMS WE LOOK AT IT WITH A WARY EYE.

>> Renee: SO THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED I WILL PUT THIS INTO THE LANGUAGE PEOPLE WILL YOU HAD, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED FOR STATE POLICE TO BE RETURNED BACK TO THE DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN INSTEAD OF THE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION THAT IS WHAT THAT MEANS?

>> SENATOR NEAL TALKED ABOUT BEING RESPONSIBLE AND HOW WE'VE BEEN RESPONSIBLE AND ALL THIS MAYBE IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE DWRAM, I CAN'T REMEMBER.

THAT IS WHERE YOU HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE WHAT YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE AND WHAT SPEAKER OSBORNE SAYS, BECAUSE THEREFORE MANY, MANY YEARS PEOPLE DIDN'T LOOK AT ACTUARIAL SOUNDNESS.

AND WHAT THE IMPACT WAS AND I GAVE PAUL PATTEN CREDIT FOR THE FORD PLANT BECAUSE THAT WAS THERE.

AND ALSO DURING PAUL PATTEN ADMINISTRATION THEN BUDGET DIRECTOR RAMSEY SAID WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE A COUPLE YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WAS A CATASTROPHIC MISTAKE.

BECAUSE YOU NOT ONLY LOSE YOUR CONTRIBUTION, YOU LOSE 30 YEARS OF ACTUARIAL COMPOUNDING TO PAY FUTURE YEAR OBLIGATIONS.

ANYTHING YOU DO WILL RIPPLE NOT JUST THIS YEAR BUT IT WILL RIPPLE FOR 30 YEARS OUT.

SO YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE SUCH AN UNFUNDED LIABILITY.

NOT SAYING WE CAN'T, NOT SAYING WE CAN.

BUT YOU HAVE TO DO THE ANALYSIS FIRST.

>> Renee: ANY OTHER COMMENT ON THAT BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY?

THIS IS A BIG ISSUE ON A LOT OF PEOPLE'S MINDS PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO LIVE IN MORE URBAN AREAS IT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER THE STATE AND THE NATION.

PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN UNVEILED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS BACK IN THE FALL WHICH SEEMS LIKE A YEAR AGO NOW.

AND IT HAD SEVERAL COMPONENTS TO IT AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT I THINK IT WAS SUSAN MILES WHO SAID IT MAY NOT BE ONE BIG BILL IT COULD BE BROKEN DOWN INTO PARTS.

THERE WAS A WIRE STANING PROVISION THAT GOTTEN PUSHBACK.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND AND WHERE DO YOU SEE IT GOING?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A PRIORITY FOR THE HOUSE AND TO YOUR POINT, RENEE, CRIME IS SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS EVERY CITIZEN OF THE COMMONWEALTH IN EVERY AREA OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

IT'S MORE PRONOUNCED IN SOME AREAS THAN OTHERS.

BUT PUBLIC SAFETY IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY VALUES AND CHERISHES AND SOMETHING WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING AS A GOVERNMENT TALKING ABOUT GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES ONE OF OUR BIGGEST RESPONSIBILITIES IS MAKE SURE OUR CITIZENS ARE SAFE.

THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT AS IT'S BEEN COINED IS THOUGHT WELL THOUGHT OUT BILL.

IT'S BEEN DONE IN A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

CONSIDERABLE INPUT FROM LOCAL MAYOR'S OFFICE FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS, FROM THE F.B.I., GENERAL COLEMAN HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE WHEN IT'S ALL DONE.

AS OF RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 16 DIFFERENT COMPONENTS IN IT THE WIRETAPPING PROVISION HAS BEEN PULLED OUT.

BECAUSE IT WAS CONTROVERSIAL.

AND THERE'S OTHER ISSUES THAT IT'S HARD TO GET CONSENSUS AROUND BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS.

BUT I DO THINK IT WILL BE A PRIORITY FOR US.

THE BILL IS GOING TO BE FILED TOMORROW, I BELIEVE MAYBE FILED TODAY.

AND JERRY BAUMAN IS THE LEAD SPONSOR ON IT DOING A GREAT JOB OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER ON A SENSITIVE ISSUE.

>> Renee: LEADER NEAL YOU ARE FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY SO YOU KNOW THIS WELL.

IS IT AN OVERSIMPLIFIED NARRATIVE THAT VIOLENT CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL?

FIRST RESPOND TO THAT AND IF YOU'VE SEEN THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLAN DO YOU THINK IT'S IN STEP FOR WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS?

>> WELL, I THINK WHATEVER IS DONE SHOULD BE DATA-DRIVEN.

IF THE OBJECTIVE IS LAID OUT CLEARLY AND IT BRINGS YOU THE RESULTS THAT ARE CALCULATED TO MAKE A BETTER SOCIETY, UPLIFT PEOPLE AND MAKES SENSE IT'S FINE.

BUT WHEN YOU GOT A BILL THAT SAYS YOU DO THREE STRIKES AND OF VIOLENT CRIMES AND WHATEVER THE DEAL IS AND YOU END UP WITH THE DEATH PENALTY OR SOMETHING OF THIS NATURE, I TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW DOES THAT MAKE IT SAFER?

>> THE THREE STRIKES DOES NOT DO THE DEATH PENALTY.

>> YOU HAVE A DEATH PENALTY PROVISION IS THAT NOT IN THAT BILL?

>> THERE IS A DEATH PENALTY PROVISION BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE THREE STRIKES.

THE THREE STRIKES AGAINST VIOLENT OFFENSES IT SAYS THAT YOU DON'T GET TO PAROLE OUT IF YOU'VE GOT THREE VIOLENT OFFENSES.

>> IF YOU HAVE A DEATH PENALTY PROVISION IN THE BILL, THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE THAT MAY MAKE SOMEONE FEEL GOOD, AND SOMEONE MAY SAY THAT IS JUSTICE.

BUT IT HAS CONSEQUENCES.

FOR INSTANCE SOME YEARS AGO WE WERE DEALING WITH THIS QUESTION WHETHER YOU INCARCERATE SOMEONE OR PUT THEM ON DEATH ROW THAT IT COSTS MORE TO PUT THEM ON DEATH ROW AND EVENTUALLY THAT IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T GET THE RESULT THE SAFETY PART OF THAT IS REMOVE THE PERSON FROM SOCIETY.

WHY EVEN GO THERE?

MY POINT IS IS THAT THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH.

THERE ARE OTHER PARTS I DO AGREE WITH I COULD LOOK AT.

BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO TAKE SOME OF THE PARTS OUT.

I HAVE TO SCRUTINIZE IT CAREFULLY.

>> Renee: PRESIDENT STIVERS YOUR THOUGHTS?

AND DOES THE SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT RIVAL PUBLIC SAFETY BILL DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN SET OF IDEAS HOW TO ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME?

>> YOU SEE SOME OF THE BILLS FILED BY VARIOUS PEOPLE, NO MATTER WHAT PARTY YOU ARE IN, THERE ARE DIFFERING OPINIONS.

WIRETAP, THE WIRETAP IS SUCCESSFUL NOW.

YOU GOT TO GO TO FEDERAL COURT AND REQUEST IT.

SO IT'S UNDER TITLE 3.

I DEALT WITH IT BECAUSE I DID A LOT OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF SERIOUS HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH BEFORE YOU CAN GET THAT.

I'M NOT OPPOSED TO WIRETAP.

SOME OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ARE.

BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL TOOLS IN GETTING REALLY AT THE ORGANIZED CRIME BE IT GANG OR SYNDICATED, RACKETEERING, THAT'S WHERE TO ME IS A REAL PROBLEM.

THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY ABOUT CRIME BILLS, YOU KNOW, A STATUTE IS BLACK AND WHITE.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

AND IF YOU SEE SOMEBODY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THEY EITHER DID OR THEY DIDN'T DO IT.

THERE'S MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WHAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT, THAT'S JUST A MANIFESTATION OF THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM.

TO SAY THAT WE DISAGREE ON HAVING QUALITY EDUCATION, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY AROUND THIS TABLE THINKS WE SHOULDN'T HAVE QUALITY EDUCATION IT'S WHAT IT SHOULD BE.

THAT IS AN UNDERLYING PROBLEM IN A LOT OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND WHY SOMEBODY SHOWS UP IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

SAME THING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

BIGGER ISSUE MAYBE OVERALL IS DRUGS.

DRUGS ARE AN ISSUE.

LET'S STOP DRUGS COMING INTO THE SYSTEM.

BECAUSE THEN YOU HAVE THAT TYPE OF MANIFESTATION OF A PROBLEM AND WINDS UP BEING A PUBLIC SOCIETAL PROBLEM.

>> Renee: ARE WE GOING TO SEE A PROPOSAL FROM THE SENATE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS?

ARE YOU MAKING THE CASE TO HELP BUOY UP THAT SYSTEM?

WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESS FOR PSYCHIATRY SERVICES THEY ARE NONEXISTENT IN THE STATE YET WE TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN HARDEN OUR SCHOOLS BUT SOME SAY WE NEED TO HEARTEN OUR SCHOOLS AS WELL.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION HOW WE PUT MONIES INTO THE MENTAL HEALTH AREAS IN ALL FACETS NOT JUST SCHOOLS.

>> Renee: AND ARE YOU HAVING THE DISCUSSIONS NOW AND WE COULD SEE SOME RESOURCES FINANCES GO TOWARD THAT?

>> I THINK IT VIRTUALLY EVERY CAUCUS IS TALKING ABOUT AND THE GOVERNOR HAS TALKED ABOUT HOW WE GET HELP IN THE MENTAL HEALTH AREA.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

IF WE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL I DON'T REMEMBER THE BILL NUMBER OF THIS SCHOOL SAFETY ACT BY THE LATE JOHN CARNEY AND MAX WISE.

>> SENATE BILL ONE AND HOUSE BILL ONE.

>> THANK YOU.

THERE WAS A CALL FOR SOME MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND WAS A COUNSELOR FOR EVERY 250 KIDS AND WE'RE LAGGING BEHIND THERE AND MAYBE NEED MORE THAN THAT RATIO BECAUSE THAT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO.

>> IT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE REREINSTITUTED THE SCHOOL SAFETY TASK FORCE THIS YEAR.

WHEN WE GOT WE PUT THAT TASK FORCE BACK TOGETHER TO REEVALUATE THOSE THINGS.

THERE WERE CERTAINLY IT WAS A GOOD BIPARTISAN BILL WHEN WE PASSED IT.

BUT THERE WERE THINGS WE COULDN'T GET CONSENSUS AROUND AND WE COULDN'T AFFORD IN THE BUDGET.

THERE WAS THINGS THAT WORKED AND THINGS THAT DIDN'T WORK.

I THINK HAVING THAT CONVERSATION BACK LOOKING BACK AT WHAT WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE AND THE PLACES WE'VE FALLEN SHORT WE HAVE INCREDIBLE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES IN CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND MULTIPLE LEVELS BOTH AT THE CABINET IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND CONTINUE TO TRY TO FIND WAYS TO BUILD WORKFORCE IN THOSE AREAS.

BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL KNOW THAT IT'S THERE AND WE DO HAVE FUNDING TO PUT BEHIND THINGS THAT MAY MAKE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS IN THOSE AREAS.

>> Renee: ANY OTHER COMMENTS YOU HAVE ON THAT?

>> OTHER THAN THE FACT OF HAVING TAUGHT SCHOOL FOR 27 YEARS AND DEALING WITH STUDENTS WHO WERE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN TERMS OF THEIR PROBLEMS THAT THEY WERE HAVING A LOT OF THAT WAS MENTAL ILLNESS.

A LOT OF THAT WAS COMING FROM A VERY DIFFICULT FAMILY LIFESTYLE.

AND IF WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE MORE COUNSELORS IN THE SCHOOLS FROM K-12, IN TERMS OF DEALING WITH THAT, AND BRINGING PEOPLE IN WHO WILL WORK WITH THESE STUDENTS TO TRY TO GET THEM TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE INVESTMENT SHOULD BE.

BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS STARTS WHILE THEY ARE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OR IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

BECAUSE IT CAN BE KIDS WHO ARE COMING FROM PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS AS WELL.

WE KNOW THAT MENTAL ILLNESS IS ON THE RISE THROUGHOUT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS AS WELL AS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.

BUT I THINK THAT'S ONE WAY THAT WE COULD INVEST IN HELPING THOSE KIDS WHO ARE GOING DOWN THE WRONG PATH AND BRINGING THEM IN AND GETTING GIVING THEM WHAT THEY PROBABLY NEED IN TERMS OF COUNSELING.

AS WELL AS TRYING TO INCORPORATE THEM TO TRANSITION INTO TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT FROM WRONG.

>> Renee: AND THE THREE MINUTES WE HAVE REMAINING ALMOST I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

SO THIS BECOMES IN 2025 DOCTORS CAN LEGALLY PRESCRIBE MEDICAL CANNABIS TO PATIENTS WITH THE SEVEN QUALIFYING CONDITIONS AND WE HEARD FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR THAT HE WANTS TO EXPAND THAT LIST TO 21, TO INCLUDE AILMENTS LIKE PARKINSON'S DISEASE, SICKLE CELL, AND ARTHRITIS, ANY APPETITE FOR THAT?

>> FOR ME?

>> Renee: FROM YOU?

>> I DON'T VOTE FOR THE BILL IN THE FIRST PLACE NEVER MIND EXPANDING IT.

>> RESEARCH SHOWS THAT SOME OF THOSE THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT IS A WAY IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING SOME OF THOSE ISSUES THAT YOU'VE ASKED US ABOUT IN TERMS OF MARIJUANA.

SO I THINK WE SHOULD GO WITH THE RESEARCH.

THOSE WHO HAVE RESEARCHED AND PROVIDED US WITH INFORMATION THAT SAID THIS DOES PROVIDE SOME HELP TO THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM ALL OF THOSE ISSUES THAT YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT WE NEED TO FOLLOW WHAT THE MEDICAL PEOPLE ARE SEEING CAN HELP THOSE WHO NEED THAT HELP.

>> Renee: WE'RE WAITING FOR THE U.K. STUDY THAT THE END OF THE ONE-YEAR CYCLE OR CLOSE TO IT.

>> $2 MILLION APPROPRIATED FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY WHO HAS BEEN PICKED OUT BY THE NIH NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH TO DO OTHER STUDIES ON OPIOID ABUSE TO COME WITH A LIST.

SO I THINK YOU NEED TO SEE THAT LIST.

I WASN'T SUPPORTIVE OF THE BILL BECAUSE ALL THE TYPES OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE AND USE AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE STUDIES COMING OUT HOW ADVERSE IT CAN BE TO YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

I HAVE NO APPETITE.

DIDN'T A YEAR AGO AND DON'T HAVE IT TODAY.

>> Mr. SPEAKER?

>> I DID VOTE FOR IT.

AS DID THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE.

BUT I THINK BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT EXPANDING THE CONDITIONS, WE KNEW WHEN WE PASSED THAT BILL IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND THE SENATE FLOOR, STEVE WAS THE SPONSOR, ACKNOWLEDGED THERE'S HUGE ADMINISTRATIVE HOLES IN THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED.

ONE REASON IT DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION.

BEFORE WE START TALKING ABOUT DRAMATIC EXPANSION, LET'S TALK ABOUT FIXING THE ADMINISTRATIVE HOLES THAT WE KNOW EXIST ALREADY.

AND THEN I AGREE WITH DEREK.

LET'S LET SCIENCE TELL US LIKE WHAT SHOULD AND SHOULDN'T BE INCLUDED.

AND I THINK WE CAN MAKE SOME REASONABLE DECISIONS ALONG THAT WAY.

BUT I'M MORE INTERESTED IN GETTING THE VERSION THAT WAS PASSED IN AN APPROPRIATE FORM THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH CAN ADMINISTER IT JUST FOR THE LIMITED NUMBER OF CONDITIONS THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED.

>> AND THE ESTIMATE I DID VOTE FOR IT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD AND I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO THAT.

I THINK WE SHOULD FOLLOW THE RESEARCH AND THIS IS A DOOR OPENER FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE RELIEF FROM THERMALDIES MEDICAL MALADIES SO I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING.

WE ARE DOING IT CAREFULLY GOING FORWARD CAREFULLY IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO IT THAT WAY.

>> WE'LL GET TO THE CHILD TO FAMILY PAID LEAVE AND OTHER ISSUES.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING I I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT ON KENTUCKY EDITION.

TAKE GOOD CARE.