IN THE HANDS OF GOVERNOR BESHEA WHO CAN NOW MAKE LINE ITEM VETO WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET AND WHAT'S NOT.

TAX REFORM WILL START WHITTLING AWAY AT THE STATE INCOME TAX, BUT THERE WILL BE NO $500 REBATE CHECKS FOR KENTUCKIANS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE CLOSER TO REALITY BUT STILL HAVE TO CLEAR A HURDL SWEEPING ABORTION RESTRICTIONS ARE PASSED.

DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE CHILLY WEATHER.

APRIL REALLY IS here AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER AMANDA MCLAREN, EDUCATION INVESTIGATING REPORTER FOR THE AND RYLAND BARTON, CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF FOR KENTUCKY PUBLI RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND R ALSO TONIGHT, THE U.S. HOUSE VOTES TO CAP THE COST OF INSULIN, BUT MOST OF KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VOTED AND LOUISVILLE OFFICIALS CALL FOR FEDERAL MONEY TO REMOVE TOLLS FROM BRIDGES THERE AFTER IT LOOKS LIKE THE FIX AT THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY WILL BE TOLL-FREE.

SO WE HAVE A LOT TO UNPACK toni LET'S START WITH THE STATE BUDGET THAT DETAILS HOW THE TAX DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT.

AFTER LOTS OF LEAN YEARS THERE'S NOW A HISTORIC SURPLUS AND THAT HAS GIVEN LAWMAKERS FLEXIBILITY.

REPUBLICANS SAY NEW INVESTMENTS AND RAISES ARE SIGNIFICANT IN THIS PLAN.

THE DEMOCRATS SAY IT STILL FALLS SHORT OF MOVING THE STATE AS FAR FORWARD AS IT COULD.

>> BUT I STILL THINK THIS BUDGET IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

WE'VE BEEN GIVEN A ONCE ONCE IN A GENERATION DIDN'T YOU HERE IN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE RECORD SURPLUSES NOW.

>> WE HAVE TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET AND MAKE A DECISION ON HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE PUT AWAY FOR A RAINY DAY.

AND WE PUT A LOT AWAY FOR A RAINY DAY BECAUSE, AS WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE HAD SOME RAIN OCCURRENCES.

>> Bill: SO THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY BEING SPENT HERE INCLUDING SOME MAJOR RAISES.

THERE IS MONEY BEING PUT BACK.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS IN THAT FINAL SPENDING PLAN AND WHAT ISN'T.

RYLAND.

>> Ryland: BIG TICKET ITEMS ARE RAISES 4 STATE EMPLOYEES.

THERE'S MONEY TO OVERHAUL THE STATE PARK SYSTEM, A LOT MORE MONEY INTO THE STATE'S RAINY DAY FUND WHICH I THINK THEY ENDED UP WITH $250 MILLION MORE DOLLARS IN THERE.

IT WAS ALREADY ONE OF ITS A HIGHEST LEVELS THAT IT'S BEEN.

THE BOTTOM LINE, KENTUCKY HAD A LOT OF MONEY TO PLAY AROUND WITH THIS TIME.

THERE'S MORE THAN A $1 BILLION SURPLUS LAST YEAR, EXPECTING POSSIBLY EVEN LARGE EARN THAT THIS COMING -- AT THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, AND THEN ALL THIS FEDERAL MONEY THAT'S BEEN COMING IN THROUGH FEDERAL COOVER RELIEF AT IT AID, INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, AND SO PROPOSE LEADERS OF THE LEGISLATURE HAD A LOT MORE MONEY TO PLAY AROUND WITH THIS TIME AROUND, AND IT'S REFLECTED IN THAT THEY INVESTED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT INITIATIVES.

HOWEVER, THEY STILL LEAVE ABOUT $1 BILLION ON THE TABLE.

THAT'S WHAT DEMOCRATIC CRITICS ARE POINTING OUT.

AND REALLY THEY ENDED UP USING SOME OF THAT EXTRA ROOM THAT THEY HAD TO PROVIDE THE STATE AND TAXPAYERS WITH A TAX CUT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BILL THAT'S PASSED SO FAR IS A -- IT WOULD REDUCE THE STATE'S INCOME TAX FROM 5% DOWN TO 4.5% STARTING NEXT YEAR AND CREATES A PATHWAY FOR THAT TO BE LOWERED EVEN FURTHER IN FUTURE YEARS, SO THESE TWO THINGS ARE REALLY INTERTWINED TOGETHER.

WHILE KENTUCKIANS WILL BE KEEPING SOME MORE OF THAT MONEY, IT IS ALSO, IT'S A COSTLY ENDEAVOR, AT LEAST AT THE LAST MEASURE.

IT WAS $1.4 BILLION.

>> Bill: KENTUCKIANS DO NOTE GET THAT $500 SURPLUS CHECK THAT WAS A REBATE CHECK THAT HAD BEEN DISCUSSED.

>> >> Austin: NO, THAT WAS DISCUSSED WITH SENATOR CHRIS MCDANIEL.

HE HAD A BIG KIND OF PROPOSAL ROLL-OUT BUT THAT DIDN'T END UP IN THIS BUDGET.

I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY HE HAD A STRONG HAND IN DEVELOPING THE WAY THE TAX CUT WORKED, THOUGH.

IT HAS A LOT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND, AND THERE'S IT'S A LITTLE MORE CONSERVATIVE WHEN THE BUDGET -- NOT THE BUDGET -- THE TAX RATE ON THE PERSONAL INCOME GOES DOWN.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, YOU'VE BEEN INCHING LOOKING THROUGH THE BUDGET.

THERE ARE OTHER GOODIES IN THERE FOR LOTS OF LOCALITIES AND PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE.

>>> UH-HUH YEAH, NI WE CAW THE, QUOTE/UNQUOTE, SLUSH FUND, THE $10 MILLION GO AWAY, BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF SPECIFIC KIND OF PROJECTS THAT GOT A LOT OF MONEY.

OVER $4 MILLION FOR THE MANCHESTER CITY TOURISM COMMISSION, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FOR GREEN UNIFICATION, A PIPELINE PROJECT IN LINCOLN COUNTY.

SO A LOT OF THINGS HERE AND THERE.

EVERY TIME YOU READ IT, YOU KIND OFCH CA SOMETHING NEW.

THERE'S $15 MILLION FOR SEWER IMPROVEMENTS IN RED RIVER GORGE, WHICH WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT OVER THERE.

AND ONE THING TO REALLY HIT ON IS KIND OF THE UNANIMITY THAT WE'VE SEEN IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT WORKER RAISES.

THAT'S 8% THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR, AND THEN AN AGGREGATE 12%.

THEY'RE GOING TO DO A STUDY ON THAT JUST TO MAKE SURE WHO GETS WHAT EXACT PERCENTAGE BUT THEY'RE STOWING AWAY 12% WORTH FOR THAT.

>> Bill: IT WAS ESSENTIALLY CLOSE TO A 20% RAISE, RIGHT?

FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

>> Austin: AND A LOT OF STATE EMPLOYEES WOULD SAY THAT'S VERY MUCH DESERVED, AND THERE'S EVEN AN EXTRA BUMP FOR PEOPLE LIKE SOCIAL WORKERS AND JUDICIAL EMPLOYEES AS WELL.

>> Bill: ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IS ALSO FUNDED IN THIS BUDGET.

>> Mandy: IT IS.

BESHEAR'S ORIGINAL BUDGET, IF YOU REMEMBER, IN CHARGE HE CALLED IT HISTORIC, A GAME-CHANGER.

HE GOT LITTLE PIECES OF WHAT WE WANTED BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE WHOLE PIE.

AND FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN IS ONE OF THOSE.

>> Bill: MANDY, AS WE MENTIONED THERE IS APPLECI BUDGET FROM DEMOCRATS AND EDUCATION LUPUS GROUPS LIKE THE KEA CLAIMED THERE IS NO MONEY THAT IS SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR TEACHERS' RAISES.

INSTEAD, THE LEGISLATURE SAYS YOU HAVE SOME EXTRA MONEY FOR TRANSPORTATION AND A LITTLE EXTRA SEEK MONEY, BUT YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS ABOUT TEACHER RAISES.

>> Mandy: EXACT.

BESHEAR'S BUDGET CALLED FOR AT LEAST 5% RAISES ACROSS THE BOARD FOR TEACHERS.

THAT DIDN'T WASH OUT IN THE FINAL BUDGET, BUT I THINK THERE IS RECOGNITION AMONG TEACHERS THAT ALL STATE EMPLOYEES, LIKE THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY THAT RAISE FROM STATE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVEN'T HAD IT IN A DECADE.

BUT IT CAN BE A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW WHEN YOU HAVE JUST SURVIVED TWO YEARS OF PANDEMIC TEACHING AND IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT JOB.

>> Bill: NOT A DIME IN THERE FOR PRE-K AS WELL.

>> Mandy: THERE IS NOT.

BESHEAR HAD CALLED FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K WHICH ESSENTIALLY MEANS THAT ALL FOUR-YEAR-OLDS IN KENTUCKY WOULD HAVE A SPOT IN PRE-K.

RIGHT NOW IT'S SORT OF LIMITED BASED ON YOU WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE A DISABILITY OR COME FROM A DISADVANTAGED HOME.

AND BY ESTIMATES, THERE'S ABOUT 34,000 FOUR-YEAR-OLDS RIGHT NOW WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM THAT.

AS YOU MIGHT REMEMBER, SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS COMMENTED EARLIER IN THE SESSION THAT HE WAS NOT A FAN OF PRE-K, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT PLAY OUT IN THE FINAL VERSION OF THE BUDGET WHERE THAT MONEY IS NOT THERE.

BUT I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT REPRESENTATIVE JOSIE RAYMOND, IN PARTICULAR, HAS LOOKED AT BESHEAR'S PLAN FOR PRE-K AND IT HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT.

SO IT WASN'T PERFECT TO BEGIN WITH, AND I THINK MOVING FORWARD THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE PLANNING AND COLLABORATION TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS WHAT'S GOING TO PUT KENTUCKY ON PAR WITH THE NATIONAL MODEL.

>> Bill: MAYBE A DISCUSSION FOR A FUTURE TIME.

WE'LL SEE ON THAT.

THE POLITICS OF THE BUDGET, AND THAT IS THE STATE'S BASIC DOCUMENT, THE SPENDING, BUT THAT HAS BEEN INTERESTING.

FORMER REPUBLICAN HOUSE SPEAKER JEFF HOOVER CALLED THE LACK OF DIRECTED RAISES TO TEACHES, QUOTE, THE BIGGEST SMACKDOWN AND SLAP TO PUBLIC EDUCATION IN STATE HISTORY.

THAT'S FROM A FORMER REPUBLICAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AUSTIN.

HE CALLED PUBLICALLY FOR TEACHERS RAISES.

>> Austin: RIGHT, THAT GOT A LOVE THE LOT OF ATTENTION, AND I THINK REPUBLICANS' RESPONSE WOULD BE THAT THEY DID RAISE ZEKE FUNDING OVERALL BUT, OF COURSE, DEMOCRATS WOULD SAY IT'S STILL MUCH LOWER THAN IT WAS DECADES AGO IF YOU ADJUST FOR INFLATION.

SO THAT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION AND THAT STEAMED TO BE KIND OF THE MAIN THING THAT DEMOCRATS AND A FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WHO IS A REPUBLICAN WAS HAMMERING THEM ON THE BUDGET.

>> Mandy: HIS CHILDREN ARE BOTH TEACHERS.

>> Bill: AND IT WAS POINTED OUT THE FACT THAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES NOT HIRE TEACHERS, THAT THAT'S DONE AT A LOCAL LEVEL, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE THE ONES MAKING THE RAISES FOR SOMEBODY THEY DON'T EMPLOY AND CAN'T HIRE AND FIRE.

>> Ryland: RIGHT.

AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THAT AND HOW THAT REALLY ROLLS OUT, YOU HAVE 171 DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE, AND EACH ONE OF EM THIS HAS THEIR OWN KIND OF PAY DECISIONS TO MAKE.

YEAH, MAYBE IF SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO PROVIDE RAISES, THEY WILL, BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE A PATCHWORK OF DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO PROVIDE THOSE RAISES VERSUS TRYING TO KIND OF CREATE SOME UNANIMITY.

I JUST THINK THE POLITICS OVER THIS SORTS OF ISSUES, ESPECIALLY EDUCATION ISSUES IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE VERY INTERESTING AMONG REPUBLICANS.

WE SEE A LOT OF -- THERE'S A LOT OF NUANCE AMONG REPUBLICANS ON HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND I THINK ESPECIALLY RURAL REPUBLICANS LIKE JEFF HOOVER WILL REALLY BRISTLE WHEN THESE KINDS OF ACTIONS TAKE PLACE.

AND THIS HAS JUST HAPPENED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

EVEN THIS YEAR WITH SENATE BILL 11 CHANGING A MAJOR PART OF THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION REFORM ACT FROM 30 YEARS AGO.

AND THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT'S SLOWLY BEEN CHANGING.

>> Bill: IF THIS TOOK ON ANY POLITICAL ENERGY LATER IN THE YEAR, HAVEN'T THE DEMOCRATS SORT OF SORE R. FORFEITED THEIR CHANCE TO MAKE ANY INROADS IN THE HOUSE SEATS BY NOT FILING A LOT OF CANDIDATES?

>> Austin: TO RYLAND'S POINT, THERE'S A LOT OF POLITICAL POWER BEHIND THIS ISSUE.

WE SAW IN 2019.

BUT YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT, THE DEMOCRATS LEFT A LOT OF SEATS UNCHALLENGED.

THEY DON'T HAVE A SUCCESSOR FOR SENATOR DENNIS PARROT IN E-E'TOWN.

THEY DIDN'T RUN NIB I BELIEVE IN KILLIAN TIMONEY'S DISTRICT HERE IN LEXINGTON.

SO THOSE KIND OF SWING PLACES, THEY DIDN'T REALLY FIELD ANYBODY.

THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE WITH THE WAY REDISTRICTING WENT THIS YEAR.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR CAN ONLY LINE ITEM VETO THE BUDGET ITEMS.

HE CAN'T ADD TO IT.

SO WHAT DOES HE DO?

CAN WE REALLY AFFECT THE FINAL PRODUCT MUCH?

>> Ryland: NO MATTER WHAT, WE CAN'T REALLY RIGHT, AS WE HAVE SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE.

IT'S VERY EASY TO OVERRIDE A KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S VETO.

YES, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE BUDGET DOCUMENT HE CAN'TED ADD TO IT.

HE CAN ONLY REMOVE FROM IT.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HE FIND WITHIN THERE THAT HE TAKES ISSUE WITH.

I THINK VERY MUCH CONNECTED TO IT IS THE TAX PLAN THAT REPUBLICANS PASSED.

AND I'M SURE HE WILL FIND PARTS OF THAT OR LOTS OF IT THAT HE TAKES ISSUE WITH.

BUT THERE ARE VERY FEW BILLS WHERE THE OVERRIDE VOTE WOULD BE VERY CLOSE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Austin: I'D EXPECT HB 8, THE TAX CUT BILL, TO GET VETOED.

BESHEAR HAS EXPRESSED HIS DISPLEASURE FOR IT BEFORE.

BUT THE BUDGET BE, WE'VE GOT TO POINT OUT, THAT IT'S RECEIVED GENERAL SUPPORT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

THE DEMOCRATS FOUND THINGS THEY DIDN'T LIKE, OF COURSE, BUT THEY VOTED FOR IT.

>> Bill: WE'LL BEGIN TO SEE THE INCOME TAX SUNSET SLOWLY WITH THIS PASSAGE.

ALL RIGHT.

THERE WERE LONG, INTENSE DEBATES OVER CHARTER SCHOOLS IN KENTUCKY.

THOSE PUSHING FOR THEM SAY STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS DESERVE A CHOICE.

BUT TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPPORTERS POINT OUT THAT MONEY WOULD FOLLOW THE STUDENT.

>> CHARTER SCHOOLS WHO HAVE A IFFY RECORD WITHOUT THOSE CONTROLS ARE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES WHICH NO ONE CAN SEEM TO ANSWER FOR ME OR ANYONE ELSE AS A PANACEA OR A PREDICATE FOR CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM JUST DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYWHERE, MR. PRESIDENT, IN STATUTE RELATED TO OUR CURRENT MODEL OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT WE REQUIRE A REVIEW AND CLOSURE OF A FAILING PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT'S FAILING TO EDUCATE THE STUDENTS.

YES, CHEATERS ARE HELD TO A DIFFERENT, -- CHARTERS ARE HOLD THE A DIFFERENT STANDARD.

IN SOME CASES IT'S A HIGHER STANDARD.

>> Bill: AMANDA, HOW WILL THE CHARTER SCHOOL INLAND BILL HOLD UP AND HOW WILL IT ROLL OUT FATALITIES TO OVERCOME WHAT'S EXPECTED TO BE A VETO FROM THE GOVERNOR?

>> Mandy: YEAH, IT DOES OVERCOME THAT, IT IS GOING TO PUT AN END TO THIS SORT OF ONE OF THE MOST PROLIFIC WILL THEY OR WON'T THEY STORIES FOR THE REPUBLICANS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO FINALLY GET CHARTER SCHOOLS IN KENTUCKY UP AND RUNNING, AND THAT FUNDING WOULD HONESTLY START BEING DIRECTED TOWARDS CHARTERS ALTHOUGH THEY WON'T BE OPEN IN THE FALL, BUT THE MONEY WILL START FLOWING THERE WHEN IT'S READY.

THERE ARE SEVERAL PROVISIONS TO IT IN A ALREADY CONTROVERSIAL BILL, MADE IT MORE CONTROVERSIAL, INCLUDING THE PROVISION FOR JCPS AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY TO BE REQUIRED TO OPEN AT LEAST OR TO -- EXCUSE ME -- AUTHORIZE ONE CHARTER SCHOOL BY JULY 2023, AND THAT IS A VERY SHORT TURNAROUND.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO OPEN A SCHOOL THAT IS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO PLANNING A SCHOOL, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THOSE APPLICATIONS ARE.

>> Bill: IF SCHOOLS ARE LEFT COMPETING FOR STUDENTS, SOME ADVOCATES SAY THAT'S A GOOD THING, AND I KNOW THERE IS SUPPORT.

THERE'S SOME SUPPORT IN LOUISVILLE'S WEST END FOR CHARTERS, RIGHT?

>> R. >> Amanda: THERE IS.

I WOULD SAY THE LOUDEST VOICES OH THAT ARE A COALITION OF BLACK PASTORS WHO THERE ARE PIECES OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP THAT ARE PARTIALLY CONTROVERSIAL AS WELL.

THEY MAY NOT SPEAK FOR EVERY FAMILY IN THE WEST END, BUT THEY DO SPEAK FOR SOME ABOUT WANTING SOMETHING RIGHT NOW THAT'S GOOD FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

OF COURSE, ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT, MARTY POLLIO AND JCPS IS ABOUT TO OVERHAUL THE ENTIRE STUDENT ASSIGNMENT PLAN WHICH WOULD, IN THEORY, BE DOING THAT, BE MAKING THOSE CHOICES FOR FAMILIES IN THE WEST END.

>> Bill: HERE'S ANOTHER INTERESTING THING.

THE LEGISLATURES ALSO GAVE SURVIVER POLLIO MORE HOUR AND NOW THIS WOULD TAKE AWAY HIS ABILITY TO INFLUENCE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CHARTER SCHOOLS, RIGHT?

>> AMANDA:.

ONE THING I FORGOT TO DISCLOSE I AM A FORMER CHARTER SCHOOL TEACHER.

>> Bill: INTERESTING.

>> Amanda: YEAH, IT'S BEEN INTERESTING FOR ME TO WATCH REPUBLICANS HAVE SORT OF THIS INCOHERENT STRATEGY WHEN IT COMES TO JCS BECAUSE ON THE ONE HAND SENATE BILL 1 SHIFTS SO MUCH POWER TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND THAT IS FOCUSED DIRECTLY ON GIVING MARTY POLLIO MORE POWER.

AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY'RE OVER HERE AND PASSING A CHARTER SCHOOL BILL THAT WILL MAKE THINGS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR HIM.

>> Bill: IT'S INTERESTING.

ALL RIGHT.

HERE'S THE QUESTION.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE NO MARGIN FOR ERROR IN A VETO OVERRIDE HERE, RIGHT?

IT WAS 51 VOTES FOR THE IT IN THE HOUSE.

>> Ryland: IT'S 51 VOTES AND IT WOULD TAKE 51 VOTES FOR A VETO.

THEY THEY HAVE NO MARGIN FOR ERROR.

ONCE AGAIN, THE POLITICS AROUND THIS FOR YEARS HAVE BEEN INTERESTED AND COMPLICATED.

THAT'S THE WHOLE REASON THAT CHARTERS WERE LEGALIZED IN 2017 AND YET NEVER FUNDED BECAUSE THERE'S STILL LIKE A LOT OF HOLD-OUTS, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT IT, AND THERE ARE STILL ARE EVEN AMONG REPUBLICANS.

SO WE WILL SEE.

THERE WERE A COUPLE PEOPLE ABSENT FOR THAT VOTE AS WELL.

AND WE'LL SEE IF ANYBODY'S MIND CHANGES AS WELL.

>> Austin: I THINK WE HAD ONE REPUBLICAN NOT VOTING, REPRESENTATIVE LAWRENCE WHO COULD HAVE VOTED WAS REPRESENTATIVE WHITE WHO IS IN THE HOSPITAL.

SO THERE'S A POTENTIAL -- >> Bill: HE POTENTIALLY COULD RETURN, AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

>> Austin: HE COULD.

YOU HAVE MAYBE MORE OF A CUSHION THERE, BUT I WOULD GUARANTEE THAT BOTH SIDES ON THIS ISSUE ARE WORKING THE VOTES PRETTY HARD TO TRY AND GET SOME PEOPLE TO FLIP.

>> Mandy: HE WAS THE ONE THAT I THINK IT'S THE IMPORTANT POINT OF THIS BECAUSE HE IS SICK.

HE WAS REMOVED FROM THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, AND THAT ALLOWED THE VOTE TO EVEN MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE AND GET TO THE FLOOR.

SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO WATCH WHAT HAPPENS WITH HIS VOTE.

>> Bill: ANOTHER BILL SAYS KENTUCKY STUDENTS WILL BE EXCUSED FOR BASICALLY A MENTAL HEALTH DAY.

>> Mandy: YEAH, I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE -- EVERYBODY AGREES IT'S A POSITIVE STORY COMING OUT OF THIS SESSION.

THE BILL WILL REQUIRE ALL LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO SET SOME SORT OF POLICY RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH EXCUSED ABSENCES.

AND I THINK IT'S GREAT THIS BILL IS REALLY PUSHED BY TWO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, ONE FROM LOUISVILLE AND ONE FROM JOHNSON COUNTY.

AND I THINK WHAT THEY HAVE SAID IS THIS WILL MAKE CLEAR THAT OUR MENTAL HEALTH IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH.

>> Bill: ANTI-ABORTION ADVOCATE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL SESSION.

THE NEW RESTRICTIONS INCLUDE A BAN ON ABORTION AFTER 15, WITH PREGNANCY AND MEDICAL ABORTIONS WILL HAVE MUCH TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS.

>> Mandy: YES.

THIS BECAME SORT OF A HODGEPODGE OF ABORTION-RELATED MEASURES FOR THIS SESSION, AND THERE IS A LOT TO IT.

MEDICATION ABORTION IS A BIG PIECE OF IT, EVEN THOUGH THE FDA RECENTLY APPROVED DELIVERY THROUGH THE MAIL OF MEDICATION ABORTION PILLS.

THIS WOULD FORBIDITID THAT IN KENTUCKY.

RIGHT NOW HALF OF ALL ABORTIONS IN THE COUNTRY ARE DONE THROUGH MEDICATION ABORTION, SO THAT COULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, WITH THE ADDITION OF SENATOR WISE'S BILL AND TO THIS ONE, THAT WOULD PROHIBIT ABORTIONS AFTER 15 WEEKS.

THAT PUTS OUR LAW IN LINE WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MISSISSIPPI RIGHT NOW AND BEING DECIDED UPON AS WE SPEAK BY THE SPEAKER.

SO IF ROE FALLS, KENTUCKY IS ESSENTIALLY AN ABORTION-FREE STATE.

>> Bill: RYLAND, AN EFFORT TO CLOSELY MONITOR STATE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WON'T BE AS AGGRESSIVE AS THE HOUSE SPEAKER PRO-TEM DAVID MEADE HAD PUSHED FOR.

>> Ryland: THE BIG PART OF THIS BILL WOULD HAVE ESSENTIALLY CREATED A WORK REQUIREMENT SIMILAR TO WHAT FORMER REPUBLICAN MATT BEVIN ATTEMPTED TO CREATE BUT IT WAS ULTIMATELY STRUCK DOWN BY FEDERAL COURTS.

THERE'S STILL A WORK REQUIREMENT ELEMENT IN IT.

IT DIRECTS NOW THE HEALTH CABINET TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO CREATE A WORK REQUIREMENT.

SO TAKES A STEP REMOVED FROM THAT.

ALSO AFFECTS -- MAKES PEOPLE UPDATE THEIR INCOME OR CHANGE IN ADDRESSES MORE QUICKLY IF THEY'RE GETTING SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD ASSISTANCE, AND A VARIETY OF OTHER KIND OF WELFARE-RELATED THINGS.

SUPPORTERS OF IT SAY THAT THIS IS GOING TO MAKE THE SYSTEM RUN BETTER AND TRY TO ROOT OUT WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE, BUT ADVOCATES OR OPPONENTS ARE SAYING THAT THEY'RE WORRIED A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET KICKED OFF THEIR BENEFITS.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, K GETS $22 MILLION TO HELP RIGHT ITS FINANCIAL SHIP AND THEY HAVE A NEW BOARD OF REGENTS.

>> Austin: RIGHT, THEY GET $23 MILLION AND THEN COME.

THANK YOU IT'S 38 TOTAL WHICH IS MORE THAN THEY ASKED FOR.

BUT, OF COURSE, THEY FOUND AN EXTRA $7 MILLION THAT THEY WERE MISSING AFTER THE INITIAL KERFUFFLE.

BUT A COMPLETELY NEW BOARD OF REGENTS, AT LAS A COMPLETELY NEW GOVERNOR-APPOINTED BOARD WHICH INCLUDES FORMER REPUBLICAN ERINER FLETCHER AND SOME AREA PEOPLE AS WELL.

WE'LL SATISFY HOW IT WORKS.

THE BOARD ALSO GETS TERMINATION AUTHORITYOVER ANY EMPLOYEE AT KSU, WHICH KINDS OF STRUCK ME AS A WEIRD THING TO ADD IN THERE.

>> Bill: IT'S NOT WITHOUT PRECEDENT TO PUT A FORMER KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ON THE KSU BOARD.

THAT'S BEEN DIDN'T YOU IN PAST.

SOME ISSUES ARE HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND SPORTS BETTING.

THE HOUSE APPROVED SPORTS BETTING.

IS THERE A CHANCE THAT IT GETS A SENATE VOTE?

>> Ryland: THERE'S A CHANCE.

THEY HAVE ENOUGH READINGS AT LEAST TO GET TACKED ONTO ANOTHER BILL AND MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IN THE THE LAST TWO DAYS OF SESSION ON APRIL 13th AND 14th.

BUT THIS IS KIND OF FOLLOWING THE SAME TRACK THAT IT HAS THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BOTH OF THESE, WHERE THERE'S MUCH MORE SUPPORT FOR IT UNTIL THE HOUSE.

SENATE HAS TYPICALLY BEEN A LITTLE BIT MORE CONSERVATIVE ON THESE ISSUES.

OBVIOUSLY THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL HAS REALLY BEEN WHITTLED DOWN OVER THE YEARS, AND TO TRY AND GAIN SOME MORE SUPPORT, AND IT PICKED UP A COUPLE NEW SUPPORTERS THIS YEAR, BUT IT'S STILL UNCLEAR.

SAME DEAL WITH THE SPORTS BETTING.

AND WE'LL J KIND WAIT AND SEE IF IT MOVES IT.

JUST DEPENDS ON HOW MANY REPUBLICANS IN SENATE THEY CAN GET ONBOARD.

>> Austin: THE WORD FOR SPORTS BETTING IS "LONG SHOT."

REPRESENTATIVE KOENIG, THE SPONSOR ON THE BILL, IS GETTING SOME TIME TO SEE IF HE CAN GET THE VOTES.

THE LEADERSHIP IN THE SENATE HAS SAID THEY WILL BRING IT UP IF THERE'S THE VOTES.

BUT THEY'VE SAID IT'S A LONG SHOT, AND THE WORD FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS DEAD.

>> Bill: I HEARD THERE WAS SOME TALK TODAY, SO WE'LL SEE IF THAT COMES BACK AROUND.

AUSTIN, WE'RE JUST -- IT'S OVER SIX WEEKS AWAY FROM MAY PRIMARY AND VOTERS ARE GETTING SOME MORE FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF EARLY VOTING.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'S REALLY SORT OF TEN DAYS NOW WHEN YOU COMBINE THE IN-PERSON WALK-IN VOTE THAT YOU CAN DO IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE OR THE EARLY VOTING THAT WILL BE SET UP AT SOME LOCATIONS, NOT AS MANY AS PRECINCTS BUT LOCATIONS AND COUNTIES.

>> Austin: THAT'S RIGHT, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS HAS BEEN KIND OF A BIPARTISAN, IN THE MOLD OF SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S SORT OF WORK TOGETHER ON THE LAST ELECTION'S BILL.

THIS HAS 4 BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AS WELL.

>> Bill: SOME DID I GO DEPARTURES ARE COMING.

SENATOR MARY LOU MARZIAN WILL NOT LEVEL.

DEMOCRATS JONI JENKINS AND SUSAN REST WESTROM EDUCATION CHAIR WITH REGINA HUFF,AS FORGY KERR.

LEAVING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

>> Austin: REPRESENT McKENNEDYS AS WELL.

I THINK WE HAVE SEEN MARY LOU MARZIAN HERSELF SAID THIS WAS A CONSCIOUS THING TO TAKE A VERY SORT OF LOUD AND NOT AFRAID TO BATTLE WITH REPUBLICANS VOICE OUT OF THE HOUSE CHAMBER.

>> Bill: AMANDA, ANOTHER MATTER THE LEGISLATURE ADDRESSED SOME MORE RELIEF FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY SCHOOLS HIT SO HARD BY TORNADOES, INCLUDING SOME EXCUSED CLOSED DAYS FOR THOSE SCHOOLS.

>> Mandy: YES.

I BELIEVE THEY'RE GETTING '5 DAYS WAIVED, SO SENT -- 15 DAYS WAIVED SO TIME YOU MISSED IN DECEMBER WITH YOUR ENTIRE LIFE WAS THROWN UPSIDE DOWN, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO IS THAT IT SUMMER AND MAKE UP.

>> Bill: IN WASHINGTON SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL REGISTERED HIS OPPOSITION TO THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT WOULD RAISE TAXES ON WEALTHY AMERICANS.

IT CUTS THE DEFICIT OVER TEN YEAR'S.

McCONNELL SAID THE PLAN WOULD MAKE INFLATION WORSE.

HE WAS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL OF DEFENSE SPENDING.

HE SAID IT SHOULD BE MORE.

AND ALSO IN WASHINGTON, THE U.S. HOUSE VOTED THURSDAY TO CAP THE COST OF INSULIN.

IT WOULD BE $35 A MONTH, WHETHER YOU'RE COVERED BY PRIVATE INSURANCE OR BY MEDICAID.

ALL OF KENTUCKY'S REPUBLICAN MACHINES OF CONGRESS VOTED AGAINST IT IN A STATE WITH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF DIABETES.

CONGRESSMAN ROGERS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT BUT SAID THAT HE SIMPLY OBJECTED TO THE WORDING OF THE BILL.

>> Ryland: RIGHT.

AND THIS IS TO ALL REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST IT.

KENTUCKY DOES HAVE A CAP ON INSULIN PRICES, ALTHOUGH IT'S LITTLE MORE LIMITED BY THIS AND THE FEDERAL LAW, AND IF IT WERE TO PASS, WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPANSIVE THAN WHAT KENTUCKY HAS ONBOARD, BUT IT'S STILL NONETHELESS PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE, THE DEMOCRAT-LED HOUSE SO THE SENATE WILL NOW CONSIDER IT.

>> Bill: RYLAND, WFPL RADIO REPORTING OFFICIALS CALLING FOR FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO END THE BRIDGES.

IF THE BRIDGES ARE GOING TO BE TOLL-FREE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY, THE COMPANION BRIDGE BY THE BRENT SPENCE AND THE FIX, THEN SHOW SHOULD LOUISVILLE.

>> Ryland: THEY CAME UP WITH THIS PLAN TO BUILD THESE DUAL BRIDGES ARE BUILD A COMPANION BRIDGE THERE CONNECTING LOUISVILLE TO SOUTHERN INDIANA AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING $4 TO $7 PER CROSSING, AND THEY SAY WITH ALL THIS INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY COMING IN, LOUISVILLE SHOULD GET A PIECE OUT OF THAT, SO SOME LOUISVILLE CITY COUNCIL OR METRO COUNCIL PEOPLE ARE PUSHING FORE THAT.

MAYOR AGREEING FISHER CAME OUT AND WAS ASKING FOR IT LAST MONTH.

GREG FISCHER.

>> Bill: BOURBON NEWS, BARDSTOWN BOURBON WILL WEST $28 MILLION TO INCREASE CAPACITY BY 29,000 BARRELS.

BY THE WAY, THE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAID 6 SPIRITS FACILITIES ACROSS KENTUCKY NOW EMPLOY MORE THAN 5300 PEOPLE.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.