WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THE KENTUCKY PRIMARY IS A WEEK FROM TOMORROW, AND TONIGHT WE CONCLUDE OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE U.S. HOUSE AND SENATE WITH THE TWO DEMOCRATS RUNNING IN THE 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

ONE OF OUR GUESTS, STATE SENATOR MORGAN MCGARVEY OF LOUISVILLE, IS QUARANTINED DUE TO COVID EXPOSU ACCORDING TO OUR RULES, UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES HE IS ALLOWED TO APPEAR BY SKYPE.

IN FAIRNESS, WE EXTENDED THE SAME OFFER TO OUR OTHER GUEST, STATE REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA SCOTT, WHO IS ALSO APPEARING BY SKYPE.

YOU CAN ASK THEM A QUESTION OR TWITTER AT KYTONIGHTKET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO KYTONIGHT@KET.ORG.

OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.ORG/KYT.

OR YOU CAN GIVE US A I CALL AT 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF OUR GUESTS JOINING US BY SKYPE.

I WANT TO BEGIN BY ALLOWING TO YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF STATEWIDE TO THE VIEWERS OF KET BUT ALSO TO THOSE VOTERS IN THE 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, I'LL BEGIN WITH YOU.

WHAT ARE OUR VOTERS IN THE 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TELLING YOU THEY WANT OUT OF A NEW REPRESENTATIVE FOR THAT AREA?

WHAT IS IT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR?

>> Rep. Scott: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION, RENEE.

AS I'M TALKING TO PEOPLE, WHETHER I'M AT AN EVENT OR GOING DOOR TO DOOR OR ON THE PHONE WITH FOLKS, WHAT I'M HEARING OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS THAT PEOPLE DESPERATELY NEED TO US ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF POVERTY AND MATE WHAT IT MEANS FOR FOLKS LIVING IN POVERTY AND HOW WE CAN TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM.

PEOPLE ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN HEALTH CARE, HEALTH CARE ACCESS, HEALTH CARE JUSTICE.

OF COURSE WE KNOW THAT'S ON THE TOP OF MANY MINDS THIS TIME WITH THE LEAKED DOCUMENTS RELATED TO OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE AND ABORTION ACCESS.

AND PEOPLER DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT RACIAL JUSTICE AND MAKING SURE WE DON'T ALLOW 2020 TO GO TO THE WAYSIDE WITHOUT US ACTUALLY HONESTLY AND DIRECTLY ADDRESSING ISSUES OF RACIAL JUSTICE EVERY SINGLE LEVEL AND FROM EVERY ASPECT.

>> Renee: STATE SENATOR MORNING McGARVEY, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

AND WHY DO YOU THINK YOU ARE THE BEST SUITED AND BEST FIT TO REPLACE CONGRESSMAN JOHN MAR YOUTH TORT 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT?

>>> >> THANK YOU FOR BEING SO ACCOMMODATING.

FULL TRANSPARENCY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED MY WIFE NOT JUST CONTRACTED COVID, SHE IS ACTUALLY SICK AND GOT SICK OVER THE WEEKEND AND WE FEEL WE'RE BACK IN THOSE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC WHERE THE KIDS ARE HOME FROM SCHOOL, OUR YOUNGEST IS NOW OLD ENOUGH TO BE VACCINATED, HOME FROM DAYCARE, AND HERE WE ARE.

SO APPRECIATE YOU ALL LETTING US DO THIS TONIGHT.

I THINK BACK TO HONESTLY ABOUT 11 YEARS AGO, AND 11 YEARS AGO WE WERE PREGNANT, ABOUT 20 WEEKS PREGNANT WITH OUR TWINS.

FOUR WEEKS LATER MY WIFE'S WATER BROKE, AND DAYS AFTER THAT SHE GAVE BIRTH, AND SHE GAVE BIRTH TO OUR BABIES 14 WEEKS PREMA COMMUTER.

ONE WEIGHED A POUND AND A HALF, ONE WEIGHS A POUND AND 15 OUNCES.

AND WE SPENT 99 DAYS IN THE NICK u DOWNTOWN AT NORTON.

AND WE WATCHED THOSE MEDICAL BILLS MOUNT UP.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, AS YOU'RE WATCHING THE MEDICAL BILLS MOUNT UP, WE HAD TO FIED THE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO GET THEM THE CARE THEY NEEDED TO SURVIVE.

ANYBODY WHO HAS SLEPT IN A HOSPITAL CHAIR KNOWS YOU SAY A LOT OF PRAYERS, YOU MAKE A LOT OF PROMISES, RIGHT?

AND ONE OF THE PROMISES THAT WE MADE WAS WE GET OUT OF HERE, WE GET TO TAKE OUR BABIES HOME, THEN WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE IN THIS SITUATION.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD BE, BUT A FEW MONTHS LATER A STATE SENATE SEAT OPENED UP.

AND I CAMPAIGNED THEN SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'M GOING TO GO TO FRANKFORT AND I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR US, I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR PEOPLE, I'M GOING TO STAND UP FOR OUR VALUES, AND I'M GOING TO DO IT WHILE BUILDING COALITIONS TO ACTUALLY GET BIG THINS DUNGS.

IN MY VERY FIRST SESSION I PASSED THE FIRST INSURANCE MANDATE IN 21 YEARS, MANDATING THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES PROVIDE PREMATURE BABIES THE TYPE OF CARE THEY NEED TO SURVIVE SO THAT OTHER FAMILIES GOT THAT CARE IN THE FUTURE.

I DIDN'T STOP THERE.

I GOT ELECTED DEMOCRATIC LEADER OF THE STATE SENATE WHEN MATT BEVIN WAS THE GOVERNOR.

I LITERALLY LED THE DEMOCRATIC EFFORTS ON CAN FROM EVERYTHING TO WHETHER A WOMAN CAN GET BOOKS TO WHETHER TEACHERS CAN KEEP THEIR PENSION BUT I DID IT WHILE BUILDING COALITIONS TO GET BIG THING DONE.

I'VE BEEN IN THE SUPER MINORITY EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE BUT I PASSED 18 BILLS INTO LAW AND I'VE INFLUENCED MANY EARS OTHERS, AND THESE JUST AREN'T LITTLE THINGS.

I'VE PASSED LAW PROTECTING VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

I PASSED THE FIRST EVER SOLELY BENEFITING OUR HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES MAKING SURE SIMMONS IN LOUISVILLE CAN MAKE MORE BLACK TEACHERS.

AND THEY CAN GET ACCESS TO TUITION GRANT MONEY.

I PASSED A LAW PRESERVING MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN KENTUCKY NOW THAT I'M RUNNING FOR CONGRESS, I'M TAKING THE EXACT SAME MESSAGE I USED TEN YEARS AGO TO WASHINGTON, TIME GOING TO GO TO ARE THE WANT WITH I'M GOING TO STAND UP, I AM GOING TO FIGHT FOR US, FIGHT FOR PEOPLE, DEFEND OUR VALUES IN WASHINGTON, AND I'M GOING TO DO IT WHILE WORKING TO BUILD COALITION WOULD BE TO GET BIG THINGS DONE AND BRING SO MANY OF THE CHANGE WE NEED TO SEE IN THIS COMMUNITY, IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, I WANT TO GO BACK TO YOU TALKING ABOUT STATE LEGISLATIVE RECORDS.

YOU BEAT A 30-YEAR INCUMBENT FROM YOUR OWN PARTY AND YOU'VE HELD THAT SEAT IN LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON COUNTY FOR THREE TERMS.

WHY IS IT NOW THAT YOU'RE CHOOSING TO RUN THIS RACE?

>> Rep. Scott: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION, RENEE.

I'M RUNG NOW BECAUSE I LOVE LOUISVILLE AND I LOVE KENTUCKY AND I KNOW THAT WE DESERVE TO HAVE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REPRESENTING US WITH THE FOUNDATION EQUITY, FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE IN OUR CORE, AND I'M THAT PERSON.

I ALSO KNOW NOW IS THE TIME BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT WE, THE PEOPLE, IT'S ABOUT US COMING TOGETHER AND SAYING THAT WE WANT TO SEND SOMEONE FROM KENTUCKY TO WASHINGTON WHO IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SEEN.

WE HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER IN KENTUCKY THAT PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR, THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL ACROSS OUR COMMONWEALTH, INCLUDING RIGHT IN THE 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE EVERY SINGLE DAY, IN APPALACHIA AND WESTERN KENTUCKY AND WHEREVER WE MAY BE, AND I AM HONORED TO BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT FOLKS ARE PUSHING FORWARD TO SAY ELEVATE THAT PLATFORM, SEND A DIFFERENT MESSAGE ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY TO DC.

NOW IS THE TIME TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE SEEN IN YEARS NOW -- I'VE BEEN THERE FOR SIX YEARS AND WE'VE SEEN WITH THE 2020 RACIAL JUSTICE UPRISING WITH THAT PEOPLE WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT, THEY WANT ACTION, THEY WANT FOLKS TO STAND UP, TO SPEAK OUT AND TO SHOW UP UNASHAMEDLY WITHOUT RESERVATION BECAUSE THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE'S GOING TO FIGHT FOR THEM AND BE THAT CHAMPION.

AND I AM CLEAR THAT I AM THAT PERSON TO DO THAT WORK.

>> Renee: I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING YOU SAID WHEN YOU LAUNCHED YOUR CANDIDACY LAST SUMMER, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, YOU QUOTED CONGRESS M'M PRESLEY A DEMOCRAT FROM MASSACHUSETTS WHO IS NOTED FOR SAYING THAT PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE PAIN SHOULD BE CLOSEST TO THE POWER, DRIVING AND INFORM POLICY MAKING, AND YOU SAID THAT QUOTE IS WHAT DRIVES SHE'S A MEMBER OF THE SQUAD, A PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS OF HOUSE.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT LOUISVILLEANS WANT A CONGRESSWOMAN PRESLEY OR SOMEONE LIKE ALEXANDRE OH PASH I DON'T CORTEZ TO REPRESENT THEM IN LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY?

>> I'M CLEAR THAT PEOPLE IN THE 3rd CONGRESS A DISTRICT WANT CONGRESSWOMAN ATTICA SCOTT TO REPRESENT THE 3RD DISTRICT, WHETHER I'M A PART OF THE BLACK CAUCUS, THE SQUAD OR THE WOMEN'S CAUCUS OR THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS, PEOPLE WANT TO SEND ME TO WASHINGTON, DC, TO DO EXACTLY WHAT COORDINATING WOMAN TALKS ABOUT WHICH IS BRINGING THE PAIN CLOSER TO THE POLICY MAKING TO TURN OUR PROPHECIES INTO POLICY, TO TURN OUR LEGWORK AND BEING ON THE FRONTLINES FOR JUSTICE INTO LEGISLATION.

AND I'M TALKING ABOUT ALL KINDS OF JUSTICE, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRANS JUSTICE, BE LGBTQ RIGHTS, WOMEN'S RIGHTS, RACIAL JUSTICE ECONOMIC JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL ADJUST.

I KNOW I AM THE PERSON PEOPLE WANT TO SEND TO WASHINGTON, DC, TO TRACY THOSE ISSUES.

>> Renee: SENATOR McGARVEY, ARE YOU HOW WILL YOU EL STRAIGHT THE ISSUES YOU JUST LAID OUT WHETHER IT'S INSURANCE OR OTHER MATTERS THAT YOU HAVE WORKED OR TO STATE LEGISLATIVE FRONT?

WILL YOU PUSH 2 DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO GO FOR MORE PROGRESSIVE IDEAS OR WILL YOU TRY TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO AND TO FIT IN AND NOT STAND OUTED?

>> Senator McGarvey: WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN SAY IN GOVERNMENT ARE "I DON'T KNOW" AND -- GOING INTO COMMUNITIES DOING REAL WORK, LISTENING AND OF THE CONTRACTING POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES.

THAT'S WHAT I'VE DONE IN FRANKFORT.

I HAVE PUSHED.

I HAVE MADE BIG CHANGES.

AGAIN, WHETHER IT WAS TACKLING THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, THE FIRST TIME SOMEBODY HAD DONE THAT IN 21 YEARS, WHETHER IT'S MEETING MY CONSTITUENT WHITNEY AUSTIN AND SITTING DOWN WITH HER THE DAY SHE CAME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER SURVIVING A MASS SHOOTING IN CINCINNATI, HER HAIR WAS LITERALLY STILL WET FROM WASHING THE BLOOD OUT AND SITTING DOWN WITH HER AND FIGURING OUT POLICIES THAT WE COULD CHAMPION TO ACTUALLY PASS SOME COMMON-SENSE GUN REFORM LAWS IN KENTUCKY.

SO I AM GOING TO BE PUSHING.

I AM GOING TO BE PUSHING TO MAKE SURE THAT LOUISVILLE AND THIS COUNTRY ARE DOING IMPORTANT WORK, MAKING SURE EVERYBODY HAS HEALTH CARE, WORKING TO END GENERATIONAL POVERTY BE WITH WORKING TO MAKE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR EVERY AMERICAN SO THAT EVERYBODY HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE.

AND WHILE PUSHING, I'M GOING TO WORK ACTUALLY TO GET THESE THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.

>> Renee: I WANT TO TALK NOW ABOUT ELECTABILITY.

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, I WANT TO COME TO YOU.

YOU RECEIVED SOME CRITICISM FROM BREONNA TAYLOR'S MOTHER LAST YEAR, AND REPORTEDLY CONCERN FROM OTHER BLACK RESIDENTS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CANDIDACY.

DO YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT, INCLUDING AND PERHAPS ESPECIALLY FROM MINORITY COMMUNITIES, THAT SHOULD YOU BEST SENATOR McGARVEY THE IN PRIMARY, YOU COULD MAINTAIN THAT SEAT FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE FALL?

>> Rep. Scott: YES, I KNOW I'LL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THIS SEAT IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

I'M ON THE SAME BALLOT AS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO SAY THAT THERE IS NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO AN ABORTION AND THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ALMOST EVERY DAY SINCE THAT LEGISLATION PASSED AND THAT BECAME ONE OF OUR BALLOT AMENDMENTS FOR 2022.

I KNOW THAT I HAVE THE SUPPORT OF BLACK COMMUNITIES AND OTHER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO I HELD A CONVERSATION WITH FOLKS FROM OUR LATIN X COMMUNITY VIRTUALLY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT AND HOW COULD WE BEST ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES TOGETHER IN WASHINGTON, DC.

I KNOW THAT I HAVE THE SUPPORT OF FOLKS WHO ARE MY NEIGHBORS HERE IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE.

I LIVE IN THE PARKLAND NEIGHBORHOOD AND I'VE BEEN THROUGH ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE MULTIPLE TIMES OVER YEARS.

THIS ISN'T NEW FOR ME.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN DOING.

AND IT MATTERS FOR SO MANY PEOPLE THAT I SHOWED UP ON THE FRONT LINES OF JUSTICE WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T USED TO SEEING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL LOCK ARMS WITH THEM AND BE WITH THEM ALMOST EVERY SINGLE DAY AND GET TEAR GASSED AND ARRESTED ALONG WITH THEM.

AND THAT MATTERS.

THOSE ARE FOLKS THAT I'M TALKING TO THAT ARE WHEN I KNOCK ON THE DOORS OR MAKE A PHONE CALL OR SHOW UP AT AN EVENT.

THEY NEED TO KNOW, THEY DESERVE TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY CAN TOUCH AND FEEL AND CALL AND EMAIL AND TEXT WHEN THEY HAVE AN ISSUE OR A CONCERN, AND THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT I'M WORKING EVERY SINGLE DAY TO EARN THEIR VOTE BECAUSE WE ARE A PEOPLE OF HAD POWERED CAMPAIGN.

THIS IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE CASTING THEIR VOTE AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE PEOPLE WILL CAST THEIR VOTE FOR ME ON MAY 12, 13, 14th OR 17th.

>> Renee: SENATOR McGARVEY, FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE YOU ARE THE HAND-PICKED HEIR APPARENT TO JONGMAN JOHN YARMOUTH ARE DISILLUSIONED BY THAT, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE FOLKS FOLKS?

>> Senator McGarvey: WHEN I RAN FOR THE STATE SENATE, YOU REMEMBER THIS, RENEE, I.

IT WAS ACTUALLY A SITUATION WHERE WE ONLY HAD FLEE DAYS TO GET IN THE RACE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SUPREME COURT RULED.

THREE DAYS TO GET IN THE RACE.

LEARN THEN I WAS IN A FOUR-WAY PRIMARY.

WHEN YOU WANT TO RUN FOR AN OFFICE, GET IN, GO GO, START BUILDING SPOTTER.

I GOT IN THAT RACE.

I IMMEDIATELY STARTED KNOCKING KNOCKING ON DOORS.

I KNOCK ON MORE DOORS THAN MY OPPONENT AND WON THE RACE.

WHEN JOHN MAR YARMOUTH ANNOUNCED HE WAS RETIRING FROM OFFICE I GOT IN.

I BUILT SUPPORT IN EVERY CORNETT CITY AND IT COMES FROM THE WORK I'VE DONE.

YOU TALK ABOUT PUSHING THE STATUS QUO.

I GOT SUPPORTED FROM LEADER JONI YEN KINS BECAUSE WE WORKED TOGETHER AND WE PUSHED THINGS AND WE HAD PASSED LANDMARK DRUG REFORM IN KENTUCKY, MAKING KENTUCKY THE FIRST STATE IN THE SOUTHEAST-TO-A STATEWIDE NEEDLE EXCHANGE, ACTUALLY TREATING ADDICTION AS A DISEASE, FURTHERED THAT WORK BY PROVIDING FUNDING, INCLUDING IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WITH FOR FAMILY RECOVERY SUPPORT.

WORKING WITH PEOPLE LIKE SENATOR JELLIED NEAL AND PAMELA STEVENSON MAKING SURE STUDENTS AT HBUC HAD GRANT MONEY.

WORKING WITH ACT ADVERTISES AND ORGANIZERS LIKE HIR HESHIN MAKING SURE 175,000 KENTUCKIANS GOT THEIR VOTING RIGHTS RESTORED.

WORKING WITH MEME FROM LEGAL AID TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS STOOD UP WITH ME WHEN I GOT IN THE RACE, AND THEY SAID WE'VE WORKED WITH HIM, WE KNOW WHAT HE CAN DO, WE KNOW HE WILL LISTEN, WILL SHOW UP, IS ACCESS INLAND AND GET THINGS DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS HE HAS DONE UNDER REALLY TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES IN FRANKFORT.

SO I WAS GLAD TO GET IN THE RACE.

I WAS GLAD TO GET THAT SUPPORT.

AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK I HAVE BUILT OVER MY TEN YEARS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> Renee: NOW THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT WHO YOU ARE LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU STAND FOR.

WE'VE GOTTEN SEVERAL QUESTIONS.

WE'LL BEGIN WITH YOU, SENATOR McGARVEY, FROM MATERS DOUBTER NECESSITY LEXINGTON ASKS WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON SUBMETERING FOR PEOPLE A BIG AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR UTILITIES THAT THEY'RE NOT USING?

>> Michael: SO ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE WORK ON IN FRANKFORT IS THE NET METERING LAW.

WE TRIED TO WORK TO GET A PRO COMPROMISE ON THAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WEREN'T ABLE TO GET THAT PASSED BEFORE THE RECEIVES TOOK OVER THE HOUSE AND THEN SUCCESSFULLY FOUGHT TO HAVE A BAD NET METERING LAW PASSED BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO, I THINK WE NEED TO BE FOCUSING ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

I THINK THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT.

THE UN REPORT FROM EARLY APRIL SAID IT'S NOW OR NEVER.

S A KENTUCKIAN I GET INDIGNANT ABOUT THIS.

WE POWERED THE LAST ENERGY REVOLUTION.

WE PAID FOR IT HAD.

PAID FOR IT IN THE LIVES OUR MINE% WEEP NEED TO BE ON THE FOREFRONT OF POWERING THE NEXT ENERGY REVOLUTION AS WELL, AND AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS THIS IS SOMETHING I'M GOING TO WORK ON.

AND WHETHER IT IS SPENDING CENTRAL FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES ARE REDUCING OUR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS OR WHETHER IT'S A MORE ELEGANT SOLUTION LIKE WE SEE SO OFTEN THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY WITH THE RURAL COULD OPS AND INCENTIVE FINALIZING THEM TO MOVE AWAY FROM COLE-FIRED UTILITIES BY FORGIVING THAT DEBT THEY'VE INCURRED IF NECESSITY USE TO TOWARD GREEN RENEWABLE ENERGY, I THINK THERE'S THINGS WE CAN DO TO MAKE THIS BETTER.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

>> Rep. Scott: THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I'VE ACTUALLY TESTIFIED BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION MULTIPLE SOMETIMES AS A GRASSROOTS BASED ORGANIZATIONER, AS A MEMBER OF LOUISVILLE COUNCIL AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO HOLD OUR LOCAL UTILITY COMPANIES AS WELL AS THOSE ACROSS THE STATE ACCOUNTABLE FOR OVERCHARGING PEOPLE, AND WE SEE THAT OFTEN, BUT ALSO HOLDINGS THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHEN THEY HAVE AN OVERDUE BILL, FOR EXAMPLE, OR WHEN THEY ARE WANTING TO INCREASE THEIR RATES UNNECESSARILY ON PEOPLE WHO CAN'T POSSIBLY AFFORD TO PAY THOSE RATES.

I'VE USED MY POSITION AND VOICE TO STAND UP FOR FOLKS WHO ARE MY NEIGHBORS AND FOLKS ACROSS KENTUCKY WHO ARE CONSIDERED MY NEIGHBORS AS WELL.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ADDRESS ISSUES LIKE KNOX COUNTY AND MARTIN COUNTY NOT HAVING CLEAN DRINKING WATER.

WE'VE SEEN SOME MOVEMENT IN THE LEGISLATURE AND AT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH LEVEL ALONG THAT PATHWAY BECAUSE IT'S BEEN LITERALLY DECADES.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE WORKED TO DO RIGHT HERE IN LOUISVILLE IN THE 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, WHETHER IT'S THE SOUTH END ALONG CAN BE OR IT'S THE WEST END WHERE WE HAVE OVER A DOZEN CHEMICAL COMPANIES ALONG THE RUBBER TOWN CORRIDOR THAT ARE POLLUTING OUR AIR ON OCCASION, AND SO WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES COMPREHENSIVELY AND HOLISTICALLY, HOLDINGS THESE CORPORATIONS ACCOUNTABLE AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR ENDS MEET AND PAY THEIR BILLS, AND WE HAVE TO PAY PEOPLE A LIVING WAGE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO PAY THEIR BILLS, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> Renee: I DO WANT TO GET TO SOME WORK AND WAGE ISSUES IN JUST A MOMENT BUT FIRST THIS QUESTION FROM ROBERT COUPLING IN RUSSELL COUNTY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD TAKE TO CONVINCE CONGRESS TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

AND PERHAPS, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, WOULD YOU GO FURTHER TO BE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AS WELL THAT WOULD BE LEGALIZED?

WOULD YOU BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THAT?

FOR BOTH?

>> Rep. Scott: OH, YES, I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ON MY POSITIONS AS IT RELATES TO MARIJUANA.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA, RECREATIONAL MARIJUANAY, EXPUNGE PEOPLE'S RECORDS.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND TO HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN UNJUSTLY INCARCERATED BECAUSE OF MARIJUANA POSSESSION WHEN IT'S LEGAL IN OTHER STATES.

WE HAVE TO GO FURTHER.

WE CANNOT STOP AT MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WE HAVE TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, MEDICAL IS AN ISSUE OF CHRONIC PAIN, ALLEVIATING THAT CHRONIC PAIN, ADDRESSING SOME OF THE ILLNESSES THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

WE HAVEN'T SHOULDN'T WANT PEOPLE TO SUFFER WHEN WE HAVE THE POWER TO ADDRESS THAT SUFFERING, AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULDN'T TO HELP TO WHEN I GET TO CONGRESS.

I THINK TO THE QUESTION, WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR CONGRESS TO PASS EVEN JUST STARTING WITH MEDICAL IS FOR PEOPLE TO GET OFF OF THEIR HIGH HORSE AND THINK THAT THIS IS SOME RELIGIOUS ISSUE THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO LEGALIZE BECAUSE WHATEVER THEIR FAITH TELLS THEM ABOUT LEGALIZATION OR, YOU KNOW, THEY THINK THAT THIS IS SOME ISSUE AROUND PEOPLE ABUSING MARIJUANA.

LISTEN, THE ISSUE IS THAT OUR PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE ASKED FOR LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

IT'S TIME FOR CONGRESS TO ACT, STOP THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF AS POLITICIANS AND START THINKING ABOUT OUR PEOPLE, AND THAT'S THE ENERGY THAT I WILL TAKE TO CONGRESS.

>> Renee: SENATOR McGARVEY, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA AND DECRIMINALIZATION OF IT SEQUEL?

>> Senator McGarvey: YES.

YOU KNOW, ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVE RACH ROBERTS, I WROTE THE LET'S GROW BILL WHICH STANDS FOR LEGALLYIZE, EXPUNGE, TREAT AND TAX MARIJUANA AND LEGAL INEZ MARIJUANA IN KENTUCKY.

IT'S SOMETHING WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD DO.

LET'S TALK ABOUT MEDICAL SINCE THE QUESTION ADDRESSED MEDICAL.

WE SHOULDN'T BE MAKING CANCER PATIENTS CRIMINALS WHO ARE USING CANNABIS SO THAT THEY CAN EAT.

THIS IS ACTUALLY ONE OF REASONS I'M RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

WE'VE SEEN THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL.

THE THE HOUSE -- GOT TO GIVE THE HOUSE SOME CREDIT ON THAT.

THE STATE SENATE HAS STOPPED IT.

THEY'VE STOPPED IT FOR THE SEVERAL YEARS.

THE HOUSE HAS PASSED IT TWICE EVEN AND WE CAN'T EVEN GET A VOTE.

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN FEDERALLY IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IS ONE OF THOSE.

IT IS SOMETHING WE'VE GOT TO DO.

THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, ABSOLUTELY IN LEGALIZING MARIJUANA AND EXPUNGEMENT OF IT, NOT TO MENTION THE REVENUE IT CAN GENERATE FOR STATES AND FOR THE COUNTRY.

I'VE BEEN IN FAVOR OF IT ON THE STATE LEVEL.

I'M GOING TO PUSH FOR IT ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHERE I THINK WE WILL HAVE MORE PROGRESS THAN WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: LET'S SATISFYING WITH A AND TALK ABOUT ABORTION, AND REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA IS TO THE SCOT, OUTLIED THIS YEARLY IF WE NEXTED SENATOR McMcCONNELL SAID A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN IS, QUOTE, POSSIBLE WHEN HE WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT ON A TALK SHOW THIS PAST WEEKEND.

IF A DRAFT OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OPINION OVERTURNING ROE VERSUS WADE BECOMES FINALIZED AND THE GOP ATTACKERS CONTROL IN WASHINGTON, YOU BOTH AGREE, AS WE'LL PROBABLY HEAR THROUGHOUT THE REST OUR CONVERSATION IN THE 36 MINUTES REMAINING, OH A LOT OF THESE i, AND SO I'M CURIOUS ABOUT WHERE YOU ALL PERHAPS MAYBE DIFFER OR ARE SIMILAR ON THE OVERTURNING POSSIBILITY OF ROE V. WADE AND HOW LATE IN A WOMAN'S PREGNANCY SHOULD ABORTION RIGHTS STILL BE LEGALIZED?

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, I WILL ASK YOU FIRST.

>> Rep. Scott: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION, RENEE.

IT'S HEAVY.

THERE ARE FOLKS I'M TALKING TO WHO ARE TERRIFIED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ROE V. WADE, EVEN PARTS OF IT BEING OVERTURNED BY THE SUPREME COURT IN JUNE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID THAT THEY'RE SCARED.

THEY ARE SCARED.

AND THAT TOUCHES MY HEART BECAUSE THIS IS PERSONAL.

MY MOTHER HAD AN ABORTION, AND THOSE ARE DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE FOR A PERSON WHO IS PREGNANT THEMSELVES OR WITH THEIR FAMILY OR HOWEVER THEY MAKE THEIR DECISIONS.

IT'S NOT A POLITICIAN'S BUSINESS AT ALL.

WE SHOULD NOT BE IN THE BUSINESS OF DECIDING WHAT SOMEONE DOES WITH THEIR BODY.

WE SHOULD NOT BE IN THE BUSINESS OF TAKING AWAY PEOPLE'S HUMANITY.

WHAT WE ARE ZIEG SAYING TO PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY TO WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT AND WANT AN ABORTION WITH THESE LAWS IS THAT YOU ARE NOT FULLY HUMAN.

WE ARE GOING TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU.

WOMEN CAN DECIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR US.

YOU DO NOT NEED THAT IN THE HANDS OF POLITICIANS.

WE DON'T NEED ROE OVERTURNED.

WE NEED ROE TO BE CODIFIED INTO LAW.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE THE WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT I CAN'T WAIT TO GET BEHIND AND TO SUPPORT.

I KNOW THAT THE SENATE IN DC WOULD BE VOTING THIS WEEK, PROBABLY THURSDAY, ON THE WOMEN'S HEALTH PLEX ACT.

I DO HOPE THAT THEY DO THE RIGHT THING.

IT'S PRETTY LATE FOR MITCH McCONNELL TO BE PONTIFICATING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY, MAYBE WE'D BE ABLE TO CODIFY ROE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED YEARS AGO, NOT NOW WHEN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

IS CRYING OUT AND LITERALLY GOING TO HIS FRONT DOOR TO DEMAND JUSTICE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED A LONG TIME AGO, AND I'VE MADE IT VERY CLEAR, RENEE, THAT I SUPPORT A PERSON'S RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE.

I SUPPORT THEIR RIGHT TO AN ABORTION.

I SUPPORT THEIR FULL HUMANITY AND DIGNITY.

THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ME.

AND I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT ELSE THERE IS TO SAY BECAUSE THIS SHEWED SHOULD NOT BE A DECISION THAT'S IN THE HANDS OF POLITICIANS.

I'M DISGUSTED THAT IT HAS COME TO THIS POINT WHERE IT'S IN THE HANDS PEOPLE WHO ARE OFTEN BEHOLDEN TO CORPORATE INTERESTS OR CORPORATE DONORS.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, DO YOU FAVOR ANY RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION ACCESS?

LATE TERM ABORTIONS?

IS THERE A LIMIT IN WHICH A WOMAN'S GESTATION PERIOD WHERE YOU BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD NOT BE LEGAL?

>> Rep. Scott: I BELIEVE THAT'S A QUESTION THAT'S UP TO THE PERSON WHO IS PREGNANT THEIR MEDICAL PROVIDER, WHETHER OR NOT IT'S SAFE FOR THEM TO HAVE AN ABORTION.

I DON'T WANT TOKE AWAY SOMEBODY'S HUMANITY BECAUSE I DECIDED WHAT I THINK IS BEST, AND I'M NOT A MEDICAL PROVIDER.

I'M NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

THAT IS IN THE HANDS OF MEDICAL PROVIDERS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND TRAINED FOR YEARS AND PROVIDED SERVICES FOR YEARS WHO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND THE PERSON WHO IS PREGNANT.

>> Renee: SENATOR McGARVEY, YOUR POSITION TO ON THIS ISSUE, SIR.

>> Meteorologist: RENEE, WE TALKED ABOUT THE TWINS AND A LITTLE BIT OF OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THAT.

ONE PART OF THAT STORY I DON'T TELL TOO OFTEN IS WE WENT TO OUR 24 WEEK EK CHECKUP AND THE DOCTOR SAYS EVERYTHING LOOKS SO GOOD, DON'T COME WALK FOR A MONTH MONTH.

THE NEXT DAY HAWAII'S WATER BROKE.

WE WERE SITTING THERE IN THE HOSPITAL AND THEY SAID WE CAN'T CARE FOR YOU HERE.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THEN THEY GAVE US COLD MERCILESS PERCENTAGES OF WITH THAT WAS LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

THEY SAID, BUT ONLY ONE OF YOUR AMNIOTIC ZACKS HAS RUPTURED.

-- SACKS HAS RUPTURED AND YOU CAN DO A SELECTIVE REDUCTION, CALL IT ABORTION IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES.

YOU CAN HAVE A SELECTIVE REDUCTION AND YOU WILL SAVE THE LIFE OF ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN IF YOU DO THAT.

BUT YOU CAN'T DO IT HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET YOU TO A STATE WHERE THAT'S ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.

I THINK II TOO OFTENY WE ILL TRIVIALIZE THESE INCREDIBLE PERSONAL DECISIONS AS CHOICES WHEN THEY ARE REALLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT WE DECIDED?

I'VE TALKED ABOUT MY TWINS FOR A LONG TIME.

I KNOW YOU'VE SEEN THEM ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE.

I KNOW I WAVE TO THEM MOST OF THE TIME I'M ON MY PROGRAM EXCEPT TONIGHT WHEN THEY'RE IN THE ROOM WATCHING A DIFFERENT PROGRAM SO THEY DON'T GET UP AND DISTURB US DURING THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS A DECISION THAT IS BEST LEFT TO A WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR.

I THINK OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE IS A TERRIBLE AND HORRIFYING DECISION THAT WILL HAVE AWFUL CONSEQUENCES FOR WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY.

I AM BE A VOTE TO CODIFY ROE.

I THINK ROE GETS IT RIGHT.

I WILL BE A VOTE TO REPEAL THE HEIDIMAN.

I HAVE STOOD UP ON THE FLOOR OF THE KENTUCKY SENATE, I HAVE LED THESE FIGHTS AS DEMOCRATIC LEADER.

I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN CONGRESS, AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BE ESPECIALLY VIGILANT RIGHT NOW.

W. AS WE SAW IN A WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE, I THINK IT WAS THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR OF MISSISSIPPI, HAS INDICATED THEY MIGHT COME FOR BIRTH CONTROL NEXT, INCLUDING IUDs, BECAUSE THOSE ACTUALLY PREVENT PREGNANCY AFTER THE MOMENT OF FERTILIZATION.

THIS IS SCARY STUFF.

AND IT IS A MAJOR SETBACK ON SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT FOR WOMEN FOR DECADES.

>> Renee: LET'S MOVE NOW AND TALK ABOUT WORK AND WAGES.

I'M SORRY FOR THE HARD PIVOT THERE.

BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN THIS ECONOMY.

WE KNOW INFLATION IS AT A 40-YEAR HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH WAGES ARE RISING, IT'S NOT RISING FOR MANY TO THE LEVEL TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD FOOD AND GAS AND ENERGY PRICES, AS ONE CALLER ALLUDED TO EARLIER.

I'LL GO TO YOU FIRST, SENATOR McGARVEY, ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK, WHAT YOUR PLATFORM INCLUDES WHEN IT COMES TO -- AND I'LL USE THE TERM PERHAPS OF YOUR OPPONENT -- ECONOMIC JUSTICE, AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE IN TERMS OF LABOR UNION PARTICIPATION, AND IF THAT SHOULD BE BOLSTERED IN ORDER TO BRING SOME OF THAT CHANGE ABOUT.

>> Senator McGarvey: I THINK EYE CRAZY THAT IN THE WEALTH NESS COUNTRY ON EARTH WE HAVE KIDS KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL HUNGRY.

THAT'S WHY FOR YEARS I HAVE COSPONSORED OR SPONSORED A MIHM MINIMUM WAGE BILL OF $15 AN HOUR HERE IN KI.

WE HAVE TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE NATIONALLY.

WE HAVE TO PEG IT TO INFLATION SO THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE PAID A ACCIDENT WAGE IN THIS COUNTRY, THAT PEOPLE HAVE HEALTH CARE.

YES, I THINK UNIONS DO A WONDERFUL JOB OF PROVIDING GOOD-PAYING JOBS WITH GOOD BENEFITS SO YOU CAN WORK, YOU ARE IN A SAFE WORKPLACE, YOU CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF, YOU CAN RETIRE, YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY.

THAT'S WHY I AM PROUD TO BE ENDORSED BY EVERY SINGLE LABOR UNION THAT HAS ENDORSED IN THIS RACE, EVERYBODY FROM OUR TEACHERS TO OUR AUTO WORKERS TO OUR TEAMSTERS AND STATE BUILDINGS AND TRADES.

WE HAVE TO HAVE AN ECONOMY THAT IS WORKING FOR EVERY FAMILY IN THIS COUNTRY.

NOT JUST REFLECTIVE OF THE DONALD TRUMP-STYLE ECONOMY WHICH GIVES TAX BREAKS TO THE WEALTHIEST CORPORATIONS AND THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS.

I THINK 2 UNIONS BUILT THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THIS COUNTRY AND I THINK WE CAN HAVE POLICIES IN PLACE LIKE A CHILD TAX CREDIT THAT RESTORES THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT'S WHAT I FOUGHT FOR IN FRANKFORT.

IT'S WHAT I WILL FIGHT FOR IN WASHINGTON.

>> Renee: SENATOR McGARVEY, BEFORE I GO TO REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, AS WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY JOBS THAT ARE STARTING PAY AT $15 AN HOUR, SO WOULD A FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE THAT WOULD MANDATE THAT, IS THAT REALLY A SYMBOLIC JEST COMMUTER?

AND FOR THOSE WHO WILL SAY THAT IT WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THOSE WHO ARE MEETING THAT WAGE THE MOST, SUCH AS THEY'LL BE FORCED TOCK TO PART-TIME OR THERE WILL BE OTHER REDUCTIONS IN BENEFITS TO MAKE UP FOR THAT, WHAT IS YOUR RETORT?

>> Senator McGarvey: THERE'S NOTHING SYMBOLIC ABOUT RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT'S GOING TO HELP REAL PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING ERR DAY TO PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

KEEP IN MIND, THOUGH, A MINIMUM WAGE IS A FLOOR.

THAT FLOOR NEEDS TO BE HIGH ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE CAN GO TO WORK, WORK 40 HOURS A WEEK AND BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY.

THERE'S NOTHING SYMBOLIC WITH RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE AND THEN PEGGING THAT RAISE TONIGHT FLATION SO IT CONTINUES TO INCREASE.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, YOUR TAKE ON RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE AND WHAT OTHER IDEAS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT HOW TO BOLSTER THOSE WHO ARE AT THE LOWER RUNGS OF THE ECONOMIC LADDER?

>>> >> YES, RENEE, I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.

I CERTAINLY KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO GROW.

A HOUSEHOLD WHERE PEOPLE WERE PAID POVERTY WAGES.

I GREW UP IN THE PROJECTS HERE.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE IN POVERTY AND EITHER NOT HAVE HEALTH CARE OR HAVE HEALTH CARE THAT WASN'T ROBUST ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF ME AND MY FAMILY.

THESE ARE REAL ISSUES THAT PEOPLE FACE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

IT'S WHY I ASKED A MEMBER OF LOUISVILLE COUNCIL THE PRIMARY SPONSOR OF THE BILL TO RAISE THE POVERTY MINIMUM WAGE TO $7.25 AN HOUR, AND THAT BILL PASSED, AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT, A COUPLE YEARS LATER, THE STATE SUPREME COURT DECIDED AFTER THEY ASKED 4 A RAISE FOR THEMSELVES, TO STRIKE DOWN THAT RAISE, AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO CAME NEE AFTERWARDS AND SAID, THANK YOU FOR THAT, BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY FOR A U CAN YEARS BEFORE THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THAT MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE.

WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS FROM MANY DIFFERENT ANSWERING ELSE.

IT'S ANOTHER REASON I WAS A PRIMARY OF BAN THE BOX, THE SECOND CHANCES LEGISLATION ON METRO COUNCIL TO REMOVE THE QUESTION FROM JOB APPLICATIONS THAT ASKS WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE HAS A FELONY CONVICTION.

YOU CAN ASK THAT QUESTION IN AN INTERVIEW AND SOMEONE CAN EXPLAIN WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED WHEN THEY WERE 19 YEARS OLD AND THEY MAY HAVE WRITTEN BAD CHECKS INSTEAD OF CENTERING THAT APPLICATION BE THROWN IN THE TRASH AND THEM NOT EVEN HAVE A CHANCE FOR AN INTERVIEW.

THEY COULD BE AN AMAZING EMPLOYEE.

YES, I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE, AND WE KNOW THAT AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF $7.25 AN HOUR, THAT $15 IS JUST THE BEGINNING, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE FULL BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS WHO WE CLAIMED AT THE BEGINNING OF AND AT THE HIGHT OF PANDEMIC WERE ESSENTIAL WORKERS, THAT THEY ARE PAID AN ESSENTIAL WORKER WAGE AND THAT THEY ARE PROVIDED WITH CERTAINLY WORKER SUPPORT.

I KNOW BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER WAS A AN ESSENTIAL WORKER AT IT PHARMACY AND SHE GAVE OUT COVID TESTS AND WAS THERE WHEN THEY GOT THEIR FIRST COVID PATIENTS, AND IT WAS A TERRIFYING TIME BECAUSE AT THE TIME THEY DIDN'T HAVE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

SO WE'VE GOT TO -- AND COVID IS NOT OVER.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE WHILE WE'RE INCREASING THEIR WAGES.

SO ALL OF IT IN MY OPINION HAS TO GO TOGETHER, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I KNOW ABOUT PERSONALLY BECAUSE I'VE BEEN IMPACTED BY IT, AND IT'S THE KIND OF ENERGY THAT I WANT TOO TAKE TO ARE THE WA DC TO SAY, THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE 3RD CONGRESSIONALLAL DISTRICT, THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AND OUR COUNTRY DESERVE DIGNITY AND RESPECT AT WORK, AND THAT INCLUDES BEING PAID A WAGE THAT REFLECTS THAT DIGNITY AND THAT RESPECT.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, TANGENTIAL TO THAT POINT WE DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WEST END, TIFF FINANCING, TAX AND INCREMENT AP FINANCING, AND THE EMPOWER OF THE WEST END.

CAN SPEAK TO THAT?

24 COMES FROM MARIEL GARDNER.

>> Rep. Scott: I CERTAINLY CAN.

SO IN 2021 THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THE WEST END TIF TAFF INCREMENT FINANCING BILL.

IT WAS DONE AT THE 11TH HOUR, WAS NOT DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHY NOW YOU SEE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPENT THE PAST YEAR PUSHING BACK AGAINST THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT THAT WAS LEFT OUT OF IT, AND IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I FILED A RENT CONTROL BILL THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION BECAUSE PEOPLE IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE SAID, WE'RE TERRIFIED THAT THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO GENTRIFICATION, THAT OUR RENTS ARE GOING TO SKYROCKET, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE PUSHED OUT OF OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD THE RENT.

SO IT'S ONE OF REASONS WHY I FILED THAT BILL.

BUT IT'S ALSO WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE OF UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME AND FILE UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME LEGISLATION WHICH WE NEED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED THAT THEY -- WE JUST DON'T HAVE NOT ONLY THE WAGES BUT A GUARANTEE THAT EVERY SINGLE MONTH PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME KIND OF INCOME COMING IN TO HELP THEM MAKE ENDS MEET.

SO THAT'S ALL CONNECTED TO THE WEST END TIF BECAUSE IT LEFT OUT THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY.

OFTENTIMES USUAL SUSPECTS, THE STATUS QUO, THE ESTABLISHMENT ARE THE ONES THAT LEGISLATORS WITH A LOT OF PRIVILEGE AND POSITIONS TO GO WHEN THEY ARE MAKING THESE DECISIONS BUT THEY DON'T GO TO THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE IN AND THE WORK AND WORSHIP AND ARE RAISING THEIR FAMILIES IN THE WEST END AND ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY THOSE DECISIONS.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN.

I UNDERSTAND THE FEAR BECAUSE THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT WEREN'T ANSWERED, AND TO THIS DAY STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ANSWERED.

AND WE NEED A RELL RECKONING AROUND WHAT THIS WEST END TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT IS GOING TO DO AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE HONESTLY INCORPORATE THE VOICES OF RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN OFF.

WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU HAVE NO VALUE AND THAT YOUR VOICE DOESN'T MATTER.

WE CAN'T KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH GOVERNMENT IN THAT WAY.

THAT'S WHY WE SEE EVERYWHERE PEOPLE RISING UP AND PUSHING BACK.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT BEING SILENCED ANYMORE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU BEFORE I GO TO SENATOR MCGARVEY FOR HIS PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME.

YOU'RE A PRO OPPONENT OF THAT AND IF YOU WERE TO GO TO CONGRESS I WOULD BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THAT AS YOU JUST SAID.

MANY PEOPLE SAY THEY BELIEVE THAT WOULD DEFEAT INCENTIVE TO WORK, YOUR RESPONSE.

>> IT DOESN'T DEFEAT THE INCENTIVE TO WORK ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE OR UNEMPLOYED AS IT IS.

WE'RE ALREADY PAYING PEOPLE POVERTY ANGST.

IN THE 3rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT I SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND OUR EMPLOYEES.

I HELP TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO GET PEOPLE TO WORK WHEN I SERVED ON LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL, AND WE MEET FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

WE CAN'T CLAIM THAT PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE AN INFUSION OF INCOME EACH MONTH DON'T WANT TO WORK WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE JOBS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS OR WHEN IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET TO WORK BECAUSE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MAY NOT BE AS ROBUST AS WE NEED IT TO BE.

WHAT THIS WILL DO, THOUGH, IS SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK BUT CAN'T FIND A JOB OR PEOPLE WHO ARE PAID POVERTY WAGES BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T RAISED THE MINIMUM WAGE.

IT WILL SUPPORT THEM TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES, TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES, AND TO REINVEST THAT MONEY INTO COMMUNITY.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE PAY PEOPLE MORE MONEY.

THEY REINVEST IT INTO COMMUNITY TO MEET THE NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE TO PUT OFF FOR YEARS BECAUSE THEY WERE PAID POVERTY WAGES.

>> Renee: SENATOR MCGARVEY, YOU'RE TAKE ON BOTH UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME AND THE WEST END TIF.

>> Senator McGarvey: THANKS, RENEE.

I'LL START BY SAYING WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

ONE OF THE REASONS I'M RUNNING IS I THINK WE NEED TO END GENERATIONAL POVERTY, AND I THINK WE HAVE TO DO THAT IN REAL WAYS.

THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, WHICH PUTS MONEY IN THE HANDS OF FAMILIES.

IT'S PUTTING MORE MONEY IN HANDS OF FAMILIES THAN UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME.

THE UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PLAN THAT I HAVE SEEN RIGHT NOW WOULD ACTUALLY LOWER THE PAYMENTS TO OUR SENIORS WHO ARE ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND WHO ARE ON THAT FIXED INCOME ALREADY.

THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY GOING TO HELP END GENERATIONAL POVERTY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HELP EVERYBODY IN THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

SO WE NEED TO DO THINGS LIKE HAVING EVERYONE HAVING HEALTH CARE, MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO SOMETHING LIKE UNIVERSAL PRE-K WHERE EVERY THREE-YEAR-OLD CAN START GOING TO SCHOOL, MAKING SURE THAT SCHOOL GOES BEYOND JUST K THROUGH 12 AND EVEN INTO A FREE COMMUNITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE, REALLY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS LIKE THAT BECAUSE WE STILL KNOW THAT EDUCATION IS THE BIGGEST DISRUPTER OF POVERTY.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE WEST END OPPORTUNITY PARTNERSHIP.

WE KNOW THAT DECADES OF POLICIES HAVE LED TO A LOT OF THE PLIGHT ALL OVER THIS STATE AND INCLUDING IN WEST LOUISVILLE.

THOSE POLICIES HAVE TO BE UNDONE, AND THEY HAVE TO BE AFFIRMATIVE UNDONE.

BY LISTENING, BY GOING TO COMMUNITY FORUMS, BY GOING TO PEOPLE'S DOOR STEPS, BY JUST EVEN ATTENDING ZOOMs WHILE WE WERE STILL IN QUARANTINE.

IT'S OBVIOUS WE NEED TO DO MORE, TO GET MORE BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, TO ENCOURAGE MORE HOME OWNERSHIP, TO REVERSE THE DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF THINGS LIKE REDLINING, RIGHT?

THE WEST END OPPORTUNITY PARTNERSHIP, AFTER IT WAS INTRODUCED, THERE WERE MEETING HELD ALL OVER THE COMMUNITY.

IT WAS LED BY SENATOR GERALD NEAL WHO IS THE ONLY REPRESENTATIVE IN FRANKFORT 40 ACTUALLY REPRESENTS ALL NINE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE WEST END OPPORTUNITY PARTNERSHIP, AND I KNOW THE BILL WENT THROUGH REVISION AFTER REVISION YOU CANNING THOSE CHANGES THAT WERE COMING DIRECTLY FROM THE COMMUNITY.

INCORPORATING THOSE CHANGES.

FROM HOW MANY BOARD MEMBERS THERE WERE TO WHO SHOULD BE ON THE BOARD TO WHO WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE BILL.

THERE IS A PROVISION IN THE BILL THAT SAYS THIS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR GENTRIFICATION OR DISMACE PLACEMENT.

BUT THIS IS TO ENCOURAGE HOME OWNERSHIP AND INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN CHANGE, COMMUNITY-LED CHANGE BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY, OF THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE WEST END TIF HAS NOT GONE INTO EFFECT YET.

THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE UP UNTIL NOW, AND IT'S A TOOL.

IT'S A TOOL THAT I HOPE IF USED CORRECTLY CAN ENCOURAGE MORE HOME OWNERSHIP, MORE BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, THAT IT CAN HELP PROVIDAL CAPITAL INTO A COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS IT.

IF IT IS USED INCORRECTLY, THEN I'M GOING TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO STAND UP AND SAY SO AND SAY THAT EITHER WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD OR PERHAPS SOMETHING ELSE DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS, BUT I HOPE THAT THIS, THIS BOARD THAT IS MADE UP OF THE COMMUNITY, THAT IS SELF-PERPETUATING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY CAN LEAD AND HAVE SOME REAL CHANGE THAT BRINGS MORE BUSINESSES.

WE KNOW ABOUT FOOD DESERTS, THAT MORE COMMUNITY-OWNED GROCERY STORES, MORE THINGS THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO HELPING MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, I BELIEVE YOU WANTED TO CHIME IN HERE.

>> Rep. Scott: YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH, RENEE.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I EMBRACE UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME IS THAT IT COMES FROM BLACK COMMUNITIES, AND IN PARTICULAR STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA AND THE FORMER MAYOR OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA REALLY ADVOCATING FOR UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME, AND NOW HE WORKS FOR THE GOVERNOR OFFAL CALIFORNIA AND PUSHING THAT AT A STATEWIDE LEVEL.

THEN WE'VE SEEN IN MISSISSIPPI I'VE ABOUT AN ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH THE BLACK WOMEN JACKSON, THERE'S A UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME MOVEMENT WHERE THEY SHARED THE DIFFERENCE OF WHAT IT MAKES FOR FAMILIES WHO CAN AFFORD CHILD CARE NOW AND AFFORD TO GET A CAR NOW.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LIFT UP THOSE INITIATIVES THAT COME FROM COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MOST DIRECTLY IMPACTED.

AND AS FAR AS THE WEST END TIF IS CONCERNED, IT'S ONE THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BENEFIT THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE AND GET NOT ONE OF THE LEGISLATORS IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE WERE THE SPONSORS OF THE WEST END TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT BILL.

THAT'S -- AN OF THE AGENCY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ELECTED TO SERVE IN FRANKFORT AND WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT KIND OF POLITICS THAT ERASES PEOPLE'S VOICE AND THEIR AGENCY AND THEIR POLITICAL POWER.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT SUPPORTED THAN ONE OF US WHO SERVES THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONES THAT WERE THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL BUT WE WEREN'T.

>> Renee: I WANT TO PIVOT NOW TO SOMETHING SENATOR MCGARVEY MENTIONED EARLIER.

THAT'S FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND I WANT US TO TALK ABOUT THAT IDEA ALONG WITH COLLEGE LOAN DID IT.

WANT TO PICK UP FIRST THERE, SENATOR McGARVEY, WHERE YOU MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO ABOUT COMMUNITY COLLEGE, FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WHAT'S YOUR IDEA THERE?

>> Senator McGarvey: I THINK IT'S OUTDATED TO THINK THAT SCHOOL SHOULD JUST BE K THROUGH 12.

GOING BACK TO THE IDEA EDUCATION IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE DISRUPT POVERTY.

WE SHOULD LOOK AT EDUCATION BEYOND K THROUGH OBVIOUSLY 2 STARTING WITH UNIVERSAL PRE-K AT AGE THREE AND GOING UNTIL AN AGE 20 WHERE YOU HAVE FREE COMMUNITY, FREE VOCATIONAL, FREE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD A WORKFORCE THAT CAN HANDLE NOT JUST THE JOBS OF TOMORROW, HONESTLY THE JOBS OF TODAY.

WE SEE THIS NEED IN KENTUCKY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB IN RECRUITING $7 BILLION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT.

WE COULD -- WE'RE POISED TO HONESTLY BECOME THE ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY CENTER OF THE COUNTRY.

MAYBE THE WORLD.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A WORKFORCE THAT IS TRAINED FOR THOSE GOOD, HOPEFULLY UNION JOBS THAT KNOW HOW TO POWER THE COUNTRY MOVING FORWARD.

AND SO I THINK THIS IS ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING WE CAN AND SHOULD DO ON THE EDUCATIONAL FRONT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS COULD HEAR ALL OF THAT.

MY SCREEN WENT OUT A LITTLE ON MY END.

>> Renee: WE HEARD UP.

YES, WE GOT ALL OF THAT.

THANK YOU, LEADER McGARVEY.

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE OOH FREE COMMUNITY AND AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE TUITION OR ATTENDANCE?

>> Rep. Scott: THANK YOU.

I TAUGHT A JEFFREY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE HERE IN THE 3rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN LOUISVILLE, AND I KNOW WHITES LIKE FOR MY STUDENTS TO STRUGGLE AND END UP DROPPING OUT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD THE TUITION, AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT FOR ANYONE WHO HAS THE KIND OF ASPIRATIONAL SPRIGGS AND THE HOPES AND DREAMS OF PURSUING THEIR EDUCATION, THEN TO HAVE THOSE DREAMS SHOT DOWN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE FLEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT, WITH THAT FREE COLLEGE MODEL CAN LOOK LIKE WITH BEREA COLLEGE, AND ITS COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENTS AND THEM WORKING FOR THEIR EDUCATION.

SO WE HAVE A MODEL RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMONALITY THAT WE CAN LOOK AT.

I ALSO WANT TO GET TO YOUR SECOND QUESTION, RENEE, WHICH IS ABOUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

I WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN MY FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE.

AS I MENTIONED, I GREW UP IN THE PROJECTS OF -- TERRACE, AND MY PARENTS, THEY DIDN'T GO TO COLLEGE.

THEY COULDN'T AFFORD TO GO TO COLLEGE.

BUT I WAS ABLING TO GO.

AND THEN I WAS SADDLED WILL LITERALLY DECADES OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT THAT KEPT ME FROM BEING ABLE TO THRIVE.

I WAS SURVIVING BUT NOT THRIVING.

AND THAT'S HARD, WHEN YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO THRIVE BUT YOU'RE SURVIVING BECAUSE EVERY SINGLE MONTH YOU HAVE THIS HEAVY BURDEN ON YOUR SHOULDERS, AND I WASN'T ALWAYS ABLE TO MAKE MY PAYMENTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I DIDN'T GET PAID AT MY NON-PROFIT JOB FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

THE LAST THING I WAS THINKING ABOUT WAS THE STUDENT LOAN, AND SO I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE.

WANT US TO CANCEL STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE OPEN UP THE PATHWAYS FOR PEOPLE TO PURSUE THEIR EDUCATION BECAUSE WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THIS SOCIETY IS SAID THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN EDUCATION IN ORDER TO GET THE JOB THAT'S GOING TO PAY YOU WELL, THAT YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY, THAT IF YOU WANT TO PURCHASE A HOME, YOU CAN DO SEE, IF YOU WANT TO PURCHASE A CAR, YOU CAN DO SO, BUT INSTEAD WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS SADDLED PEOPLE AND WE'VE SEEN REPORT AFTER REPORT AFTER REPORT THAT TALKS ABOUT BLACK WOMEN CARRYING THE HIGHEST BURDEN OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT, AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT CANCELING THAT DEBT.

WE'VE GOT TO MOVE FORWARD IN A 1-800-THAT'S DIFFERENT, THAT REALLY LIFTS -- WAY NEACE DIFFERENT AND LIFTS UP OUR COMMITMENT TO BEING PASSION COMPASSIONATE, OUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE WE CAN ALL THRIVE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AND ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU WOULD BE FOR CANCELLATION OF THE DEBT IN FULL.

DOES DOESN'T MATTER WHAT AMOUNT.

WE'VE HEARD PRESIDENT BIDEN SAY MAYBE 10,000 WEEKENDS $10,000 TO $50,000.

YOU'RE SAYING IN TOTAL.

>> Rep. Scott: I'M SAYING TOTAL BECAUSE I KNOW 1-800-WAS LIKE.

$10,000 DIDN'T TAKE ME LITERARY 25 YEARS TO PAY OFF MY REGION POINT WOULD HAVE TAKEN TEN YEARS.

$50,000 WOULD HAVE TAKEN MY TEN YEARS.

STILL A DECADE FI OFF MY STUDENT LOANS AND I STILL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO THRIVE FINANCIALLY.

SO WE NEED TO CANCEL STUDENT LOAN DEPARTMENT.

WE NEED TO HAVE A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION THAT PEOPLE CAN PURSUE IF THEY WORK FOR IT, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE THEY DO THE BEREA COLLEGE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT EXAMPLES AND MODELS THAT ALREADY EXIST IN OTHER COUNTRIES FOR FREE HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, THOUGH, THE UNIVERSAL DEBT WOULD ALSO DISPROPORTIONATELY BENEFIT THOSE WHO ARE WEALTHY SINCE HALF OF THE OUTSTANDING DEBT IS ODE BY PEOPLE WITH GRADUATE DEGREES, SO YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT.

>> Rep. Scott: MY RESPONSE TO THAT IS I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I DON'T IGNORE THE PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET, WHO KNOW THAT THAT STRUGGLE IS REAL.

YES, YES, I REAR YOU COMPLETELY THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FINANCIALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY.

THERE ARE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE TO GET A STUDENT LOAN BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR OUR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, AND THOSE DEBTS NEED TO BE CANCELED BECAUSE WE'RE SETTING PEOPLE UP FOR FAILURE OTHERWISE AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP PEOPLE IN THE SAME CYCLE OF POVERTY OR BARELY BEING ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET IF WE DON'T TAKE ACTION NOW TO ADDRESS THIS OVERWHELMING STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

>> Renee: SENATOR McGARVEY, YOUR TAKE ON WHETHER THAT'S UNIVERSAL STUDENT LOAN DEBT CANCELLATION OR A VARIATION LIMITS.

WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

>> Senator McGarvey: THANKS, RENEE.

LIKE MOST PEOPLE OUR AGE, WE KNOW WITH THAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE TO BE PAYING STUDENT LOANS LONG AFTER GETTING MAYOR, LONG AFTER TRYING TO BUY AND I A HOUSE AND HAVING KIDS WHEN YOU SHOULD BE SAVING FOR THEIR EDUCATION INSTEAD OF PAYING OFF YOUR OWN.

I THINK WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE SEEN STUDENT LOAN DEBT PRIMM A GENERATION OF STUDENTS.

AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO LOOK AT CANCELING STUDENT LOAN DEBT FOR ESPECIALLY PEOPLE LIKE NURSES, PEOPLE LIKE TEACHERS.

I THINK WE NEED TO ALLOW CHANGES IN LAW, ALLOWING FOR STUDENT LOAN DEBT TO BE DISCHARGED IN RUPTSY.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE GOING AFTER PREDATORY LOANS FROM FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES, AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THE WAYS TO REDUCE STUDENT LOAN BURDENS ON EVERYBODY.

YOU WHEN THE WHEN I LOOK AT THIS, I DO PREFER MORE TARGETED PROMISE, AND I HAVE A HARD TIME SUPPORTING -- POLICY, AND I HAVE A HARD TIME USING HARD-WORKING PEOPLE'S MONEY TO PAY FOR GET INCURRED BY SOMEBODY WHO WENT TIE PRIVATE OR IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL AND IS A WALL STREET INVESTMENT BANKER FOR EXAMPLAR RIGHT NOW.

THE OTHER THING YOU WHEN WE TALK ABOUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO PINT OUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CURING THE SYMPTOMS AND NOT THE DISEASE.

THE DISEASE IS THAT COLLEGE COSTS HAVE SKYROCKETED AT A TIME WHEN YOU NEED ADDITIONAL EDUCATION MORE THAN ALMOST AT ANY POINT IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY.

I KNOCKED ON A WOMAN'S DOOR FRIDAY ON OAKS DAY.

SHE IS A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AT MIDDLETOWN ELEMENTARY.

SHE WAS COMING HOME AND SHE SAID -- SHE SAID, I ALSO WORK PART-TIME AT TARGET BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO DEFRAY THE COST OF MY TWO DAUGHTERS WHO ARE IN COLLEGE.

NOT JUST THE GIRLS WHO ARE TAKING STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND ARE WORKING BUT THE MOM WHO IS A TEACHER WORKING A SECOND JOB SO SHE CAN HELP HER KIDS SO THEY'RE NOT AS CRIPPLED BY STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AFFORDABILITY OF COLLEGE IN THIS COUNTRY, PARTICULARLY FOR OUR STATE UNIVERSITIES, AND BOTH ON THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT MAKING COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE ACROSS THE BOARD IF WE ARE GOING TO GET MORE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO INTO COLLEGE SO THEY'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

PELL GRANTS, THAT I WAS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.

AND IT USED TO REALLY HELP DETAMPA BAY THE COST OF COLLEGE WITHOUT AS MUCH STUDENT LOAN DEPARTMENT.

WHEN I GO TO CONGRESS I'LL TRUE TO REVITALIZE THOSE PELL GRANTS SO, PASS BUDGETS THAT ARE PUTTING MORE MINE INTO OUR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES SO THAT'S NOT GETTING PASSED ON AND PUTTING REALLY AS A TAX INCREASE ON THE BACKS OF OUR WORKING AND MIDDLE CLASS CITIZENS.

>> I WANT TO GET TO POLICE REFORM BUT FIGURES WE HAVE THIS QUESTION FROM EVAN STONER, JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA.

WILL YOU SUPPORT A BAN ON MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TRADING STOCKS?

SENATOR McGARVEY.

YES OR NO?

>> Senator McGarvey: YES.

>> Renee: WHY?

>> Senator McGarvey: I DON'T TRADE STOCKS.

IT'S REAL EASY FOR ME TO SAY YES.

BUT, LOOK, I THINK THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO TRS THEIR GOVERNMENT, AND WHEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE MAKING DECISIONS, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC DOESN'T HAVE.

IT JUST LOOKS BAD.

SO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, IT'S A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF YOUR DISTRICT IN CONGRESS, AND IT SHOULDN'T BE TOO MUCH TO ASK TO GIVE UP INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TRADING STOCKS.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, YOUR POSITION.

>> Rep. Scott: MY ANSWER IS DEFINITELY YES.

THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PRIVILEGE, A WHOLE LOT OF PRIVILEGE THAT GOES WITH BEING AN ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO IS TRADING STOCK AND HAS INSIDER INFORMATION SO THAT YOU CAN BENGAL FINANCIALLY FROM THAT FIRED H. INSIDER INFORMATION THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T HAVE.

THAT'S SHAMEFUL.

WE SHOULD DEFINITELY BAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BEING ABLE TO TRADE STOCK.

>> Renee: SO LET'S MOVE RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE GOT JUST ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND SOME CHANGE.

POLICE REFORM.

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, BLANKET QUICK QUESTION.

ARE YOU FOR DEFUNDING THE POLICE?

>> Rep. Scott: I AM DEFINITELY FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ALLOCATING MONEYER WHEN IT NEEDS TO GO.

I AM NOT A SUPPORTIVE OF MAINTAINING THE STATUS COQUO FOR POLICING WHICH WAS CREATED TO KEEP BLACK PEOPLE ENSLAVED, AND I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO EXPERIENCE VIOLENT POLICING WHETHER IT'S BEING TEAR GAS WITH MY CHILD OR BEING ARRESTED WITH MY CHILD.

WE CAN'T SIT BACK AND SAY, THAT'S OKAY.

WE'LL JUST KEEP GOING THE WAY WE ARE US BECAUSE IT'S WORKING FOR SOME PEOPLE.

POLICING AS IT EXISTS IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT WORKING FOR A WHOLE LOT OF US, AND LOUISVILLE'S BUDGET IS 50% OF LOUISVILLE'S BUDGET GOES TO POLICING WHEN WE HAVE ISSUES AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOME AND IS MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE, WHETHER IT'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, GROCERY STORES IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE SO THAT WE CAN GET FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

WE'RE NOT MEETING THOSE NEEDS BECAUSE HALF OF OUR BUDGET GOES TO POLICING, WHICH IS A SYSTEM THAT IS NOT WORKING.

WE NEED TO IMAGINE COMMUNITY SAFETY IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> Renee: SO WHAT SHOULD THE PERCENTAGE BE THAT GOES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEN, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT?

>> Congregation: WOULDN'T SAY THAT THERE IS A PERCENTAGE.

I WOULD SAY THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FIRST AND FOREMOST LOOKING AT WHAT ARE THE SPEEDS, SOCIAL SERVICE, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, HOUSELESSNESS NEEDS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS, AND THEN FROM THERE ALLOCATE MONEY ACCORDINGLY.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE -- I DON'T AGREE WITH SITTING BACK AND SAY 25% OF THE BUDGET SHOULD GO TO POLICING.

NO, LET'S MAKE SURE WE'RE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE FIRST AND THEN SEEING HOW DO WE ALLOCATE MONEY TO COMMUNITY SAFETY.

COMMUNITY AND SAFETY CAN LOOK DIFFERENT IN MANY DIFFERENT PLACES.

IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO AS WE SEE WITH POLICING TODAY.

>> Renee: SO, SENATOR McGARVEY, WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHT?

MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO?

REVISE POLICEING?

WHAT DOES POLICE REFORM LOOKING IN YOUR VIEW?

AND 52 ARE YOU FOR DEFUNDING THE POLICE?

>> Senator McGarvey: THANKS, RENEE.

NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD ME THEY WANTNER COMMUNITY TO BE LESS STAY OF.

IN FACT, EVERYONE I'VE EVER TALKED TO AGAIN THE OTHER DOORSTEP IN COMMUNITY FORUMS, ON THE STREET, IN EMAIL, PHONE CALLS, IN THE LEGISLATURE, EVERYONE WANTS THEIR COMMUNITY TO BE SAFE AND THEY WANT TO BE SAFE AND FEEL STAY OF IN THEIR HOME.

-- FEEL SAFE IN THEIR HOME.

I THINK WE NEED TO RECOGNIZED THAT NOT EVERYBODY FEELS SAFE OR THAT NOT EVERYBODY FEELS THAT THEY ARE PROTECTED AND SERVED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE'VE GOT TO CHANGE THAT.

WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT BY FULLY FUNDING PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THAT INCLUDES HAVING MORE SOCIAL WORKERS, HAVING MORE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.

P. HIGH.

OFFICE IS 234 DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY SOMETIMES I'VE SEEN SEVERAL POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE GATHERED AROUND MERELY TRYING TO DEAL WITH SOMEONE WHO IS HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AT THAT TIME.

THAT COULD BE BETTER HANDLED BY A POLICE OFFICER AND A SOCIAL WORKER OR SOMEONE FROM THE AGENCY THAT KNOWS HOW TO BETTER DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS.

BUT IT ALSO MEANS MAKING SURE WE HAVE BETTER TRAINING, BETTER RECRUITMENT, AND BETTER RETENTION POLICIES FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT MEANS FULLY FUNDING PUBLIC SAFETY BECAUSE WHETHER I'M IN PRIVATE LIFE OR WHETHER I'VE BEEN IN GOVERNMENT 1 I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU PUT IN BETTER TRAINING, BETTER RECRUITMENT, BETTER RETENTION WITH LESS MONEY.

I THINK WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB, AND I THINK WE CAN'T JUST STOP AT A BUDGETARY QUESTION.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS FROM A REFORM PERSPECTIVE.

I HAVE BEEN LEADING THE FIGHT IN FRANKFORT TO GET OUR CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD IN LOUISVILLE SUBPOENA POWER, MEANINGFUL SUBPOENA POWER BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY NEED TO BE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER.

I THINK THEY SHOULD GO TOGETHER AS ONE.

AND IF ELECTED TO CONGRESS, I WILL SUPPORT THE GEORGE FLOYD AND POLICING ACT JUST AS A SUPPORTED BANNING NO-KNOCK WARRANTS IN KENTUCKY AND WORKED WITH, AGAIN, ACTIVISTS AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE TO TRY AND GET A VERSION OF THAT BILL PASSED, THE GEORGE FLOYD POLICING ACT BANS A LOT OF THE WORST PRACTICES WE SEE AND I THINK IS A MEANINGFUL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, REAL QUICKLY, DO YOU SUPPORT THE GEORGE FLOYD POLICING ACT?

>> Rep. Scott: I DEFINITELY SUPPORT THE GEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT JUSTICE, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, RENEE, THAT WE NEED A FULL BAN ON NO-KNOCK WARRANTS.

THE BILL THAT PASSED IN 2021 WAS STYLES.

IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS BAN.

THAT'S WHY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WE NEED TO FULLY BAN NO-KNOCK WARRANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE DON'T NEED TO SEE MORE FAMILIES HARMED BY THAT DANGER, AND WE HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE TRAINING THAT POLICE OPPRESSIVE.

WE ALL SAW THE MANUAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT EXPOSÉ ON THE STATE POLICE TRAINING PROGRAM THAT USED QUOTES FROM HILARY TO FRAIN POLICE OFFICERS.

WE SAW IN 2022 DAVID MCATEE MURDERED AT HIS OWN SMALL BUSINESS.

WE HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH POLICING.

WE CAN'T KEEP COATING IT WITH SOME BLANKET LANGUAGE AROUND REFORM BECAUSE REFORM ISN'T ENOUGH.

WE'VE NEED TO UPEND SYSTEMS THAT AREN'T WORKING.

>> Renee: THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA SCOTT AND SENATOR MORGAN McGARVEY.

WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

JOIN US NEXT MONDAY NIGHT AS WE PREVIEW THE MAY 17th PRIMARY FOR YOU WITH POLITICAL OBSERVERS.

I'M RENEE SHAW.