SESSION HAS ADJOURNED AFTER PASSING A HEFTY STATE BUDGET AN OVERRIDING A SLEW OF VETOES FRO GOVERNOR BESHEAR.

THERE ARE NEW LAWS ON ABORTION, SCHOOL CHOICE, HOW HISTORY IS TO BE TAUGHT, AND A PATHWAY TO ENDING THE STATE INCOME TAX.

STATE POLICE GET A BIG PAY BUMP, AND LAWMAKERS RAISE THEIR OWN PAY.

ANOTHER CAR BATTERY PLANT WILL POWER UP IN BOWLING GREEN AND BRING THOUSANDS jobs.

ON THIS EASTER WEEKEND HEADING TOWARD TAX DAY, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON K. GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR AUSTIN HORN OF THE LEXINGTON HE DEBORAH YETTER FROM THE COURIER AND MARK VANDERHOFF REPORTER FO WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT, MORE JOCKEYING AMONG POTENTIAL CANDIDATES IN NEXT YEAR'S STATEWIDE ELECTIONS, AND KENTUCKY HAS ANOTHER RUN-IN WITH SEVERE WEATHER, THIS TIME LESS DAMAGE AND NO DEATHS.

BUT FIRST, THE 2022 REGULAR SESSION THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS IN THE HISTORY BOOKS.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS REPEATEDLY OVERRODE THE GOVERNOR WHO ISSUED MORE THAN TWO DOZEN VETOES.

THEY SAID TIME AND AGAIN, WE MEANT TO DO that THE ISSUES ARE WIDE-RANGING, ONE NEW LAW ALREADY UNDER LEGAL CHALLENGE EFFECTIVELY SUSPEND ABORTIONS IN THE STATE.

THE DEBATE BEFORE THE VOTE ON THAT WAS TENSE.

>> THE ABORTION OF A BABY IS PLAIN WRONG, AND I PRAY THAT GOD WOULD HAVE MERCY ON ANYONE THAT WOULD TAKE THE LIFE OF A CHILD.

>> THIS BILL HAS NO EXCEPTIONS FOR THE VICTIMS OF RAPE AND INCEST.

I PRESENTED TO YOU AN AMENDMENT TO FIXED THAT AND 68 YOU WERE WILLING TO PUT YOUR NAME ON THAT BOARD SAYING YOU DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THOSE WOMEN.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, THE OMNIBUS ABORTION BIM IS NOW LAW.

IT IS SWEEPING.

AND ALREADY WE ARE SEEING SOME REACTION.

>> Deborah: YES, IT'S EFFECTIVELY BROUGHT ABORTION SERVICES IN KENTUCKY TO A HALT, BOTH PROVIDERS SUSPENDED SERVICES WHEN THE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT AFTER THE OVERRIDE VOTE WAS FINAL, SAYING THAT BECAUSE OF THE SWEEPING NATURE OF THE LAW AND ALL THE COMPLEX RULES AND REGULATIONS, THERE'S NO WAY THEY COULD COMPLY WITH THEM AND OPERATE WITHIN THE LAW.

SO BOTH EMW CLINIC IN LOUISVILLE AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD ARE FOR NOW HAVE STOPPED PROVIDING ABORTIONS BUT THEY HAVE BOTH FILED LEGAL CHALLENGES IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN LOUISVILLE TRYING TO GET THE LAW TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED WHILE THEY APPEAL ON IT CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS.

>> Bill: AS OF RIGHT NOW NO RULING ON THAT.

>> Deborah: NO, NO RULING.

THEY WENT TO COURT THURSDAY AND THEY'RE AWAITING SOME KIND OF RULING OUT OF FEDERAL COURT.

>> Bill: MARK, YOU DID A FOLLOW-UP STORY ON THIS AT THE CLINICS, RIGHT?

>> Mark: YEAH, I WENT TO ONE OF THE LAST TWO CLINICS IN THE STATE, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY CAREER THAT I'VE BEEN INTO A CLINICAL BEFORE, AND IT WAS QUIET.

IT WAS EMPTY ON A DAY THAT IT WOULD NORMALLY BE FULL AND BUSY.

AND THAT JUST REALLY SHOWS THE IMPACT OF THIS BILL AND I ALSO SPOKE WITH ADDIA WISHNER THE KENTUCKY RIGHT TO I. LIEU OF AND I ASKED IF THIS WAS A VICTORY.

SHE WAS HESITANT TO DECLARE IT SO BECAUSE SHE KNOWS AS DEB INDICATED A JUDGE MIGHT TEMPORARILY BLOCK THIS LAW.

>> Bill: DEB, THE STATE IS NOW REQUIRED TO CERTIFY PROVIDER TO DISPENSE ABORTION PILLS AND THERE CAN BE NO TELEHEALTH REGARDING ABORTION, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: RIGHT, THESE MEDICATION ABORTIONS, WHICH A WOMAN TAKES A COUPLE OF DRUGS TO TERMINATE A PREGNANCY, ARE A MAJOR FOCUS OF THIS BILL, AND IT REQUIRES THE STATE TO CREATE A FAIRLY EXTENSIVE REGULATORY SYSTEM TO CERTIFY, REGISTER AND MONITOR ANYONE WHO MANUFACTURES, SHIPS OR DISPENSES THESE MEDICATIONS.

AND IT ALSO REQUIRES PATIENTS TO VISIT A DOCTOR IN PERSON TO OBTAIN THE DRUG EVEN THOUGH THE FDA ALLOWS PEOPLE TO OBTAIN THIS BY MAIL THROUGH TELEHEALTH VISIT IN STATES THAT PROMOTE IT, WHICH KENTUCKY DOESN'T.

>> Bill: ALL LIVES EYES OH A U.S. SUPREME COURT COURT CASE OUT OF MISSISSIPPI, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

MEANWHILE THE BILL ALSO PROHIBIT ABORTIONS AFTER 16 WEEKS WHICH IS WHAT THE MISSISSIPPI LAW DOES, AND THAT'S WHAT'S BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT RIGHT NOW.

AND MANY PEOPLE ARE PREDICTING IT WILL LEAD TO DISMANTLING ROE V. WADE, THE '73 CASE THAT LEGALIZED ABORTION IN THE U.S. >> LET'S NOT FORGET THAT CHEYE HAS A TRIGGER LAW THE MINUTE ROE V. WADE IS YES, SIR TURNED, ALL ABORTIONS IN KENTUCKY, ALL OF THEM WILL BE ILLEGAL.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO WE'LL FOLLOW ON THAT.

AND SENATE BILL 1 SURVIVED A VETO IT.

GIVES MORE POWER TO SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.

IT ALSO GIVES GUIDELINES ON HOW HISTORY IS TO BE TAUGHT.

AUSTIN, THAT ONE WENT THROUGH SOME LEGISLATIVE ACROBATICS IN RECENT DAYS.

WHEN THE FIRST VERSION WOULD HAVE CHARGED TEACHERS WITH CRIMES OR EVEN HAILED JAILED THEM IF THEY DIDN'T TEACH HISTORY IN ACCORD AN WITH THE LEGISLATURE'S GUIDANCE.

>> Austin: I THINK ACROBATICS IS THE RIGHT WORD FOR IT.

IT DODGED A BULLET IN THE PROCESS, AND THE BULLET IS TEACHERS WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH CLASS A MISDEMEANORS FOR TEACHING HISTORY OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS OF THIS LAW.

THERE WERE CERTAIN WAYS THAT YOU NEEDED TO TEACH ABOUT RACIAL DISPARITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY COULD HAVE HAD THEIR LICENSE TAKEN AWAY FOR FIVE YEARS.

THAT GOT CLEANED UP IN A SEPARATE BILL, HOUSE BILL 44 WHICH WAS PASSED, BELIEVE, ON THE LAST DAY.

THE SPONSOR MAX WISE SAID IT WAS NOT INTENTIONAL FOR THE PROVISION THAT LED TO TEACHERS POTENTIALLY GETTING JAILED TO BE IN THAT ORIGINAL BILL, BUT IT WAS CLEANED UP AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE.

>> Deborah: IF I COULD JUST SAY ONE THING, IT'S HOW THE LEGISLATURE WORKS IN ITS FINAL DAYS.

THIS DRAFTING ERROR CAME BA ABOUT BECAUSE THEY CRAMMED TWO BILLS INTO ONE AND IN DOING SO DIDN'T REALIZED THEY INADVERTENTLY CHANGED A SECTION THAT WOULD MAKE TEACHERS SUS EP I WILL BE TO THESE PENALTIES.

BUT YOU SEE THAT SO MUCH IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THEM FOLDING ONE BILL INTO ANOTHER OR SOMETIMES MULTIPLE BILLS INTO ANOTHER.

>> Bill: THINGS GET HASTY TOWARD THE END.

THEY WERE RACING THE CLOCK AND THE LOCK AND STORMS THE OTHER NIGHT.

SO THIS BILL IS LAW.

THIS WAS THE SENATE'S HIGHEST PRIORITY EDUCATION BILL, SENATE BILL 1 SO IT DOES MAKE CHANGES, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: YEAH, IT DOES.

THAT'S THE -- UNDER THE SENATE WAS THE ORIGINAL ONE THAT REDUCES POWER OF SITE-BASED DECISION MAKING COUNCIL AND MORE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.

>> Austin: AND PRINCIPAL HIRING IS ONE THOUSANDS OF RESPONSIBILITIES THAT IT SHIFTS.

>> Bill: MARK, LIBRARIES WILL NOW BE MORE UNDER DIRECT CONTROL OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT WHO WILL APPOINT THEIR BOARDS.

SOME OPPONENTS OF RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THAT MIGHT AFFECT LIBRARY OFFERINGS.

>>> >> Matt Erwin: YEAH, SO RIGHT NOW WHEN YOU HAVE A BOARD OR THE COUNTY MINIMUM WAGE EXECUTIVE APPOINTS THE BOARD MEMBERS BUT IT GETS A LIST FROM THE STATE LIBRARIAN, AND UNDER THIS NEW LAW, THE WAY IT WILL BE DOWN NOW IS THE STATE LINER DID GIVE THEM THELESS BUT IF THE STATE EXECUTIVE DOESN'T LIKE THE LIST HE CAN EVENTUALLY APPOINT HIS OWN PEOPLE, AND CRITIC SAY THE CHANGES, DANGERS OF THERE ARE MANY.

FOR ONE YOU HAVE A SITUATION IN BIKEVILLE WHICH CAUSED THE LAW IN THE FIRST PLACE WHERE YOU COULD HAVE POLITICIZED BOARDS THAT WANT TO TAKE AISHA LEESCH SYSTEM'S FINANCES OR IN THE CASE OF PIKEVILLE THEY ACTUALLY WANT TO TAKE OVER THE BUILDING, AND YOU ALSO HAVE A SITUATION WHERE POLIT SIDEBOARD MIGHT REMOVE CERTAIN CONTENT FROM THE LIBRARY SHELVES.

IMAGINE NOT BEING ABLE TO GET YOUR FAVORITE LIBERTARIAN BOOKS OR CRITICAL RACE THEORY BOOKS.

>> Bill: AND THOSE CONCERNS WERE VOICED, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: A LOT OF PEOPLE TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL.

THERE WAS QUITE AN OUTCRY.

IN FACT, THERE WAS SO MUCH PRESSURE THAT THE HOUSE DIDN'T SUMMON THE VOTES TO OVERRIDE IT.

IT HAVE WOULD FAILED EXCEPT THEY THE BROUGHT IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO MUSTER A FEW MORE VOTES TO OVERRIDE THE VETO.

>> Austin: THE SHERIFF PHILLIP WHEELER TOOK A PRETTY NOTABLE VICTORY LAP IN THE SENATE AFTER THAT WAS PASSED.

>> Bill: A PICTURE WITH THE VEEP V. >> Annie: THE NIXON DOUBLE VS. >> Bill: THE BAN ON FEMALE GIRL ATHLETES PLAYING WOMEN SPORTS WAS VETOED AND OVERRIDDEN AND WILL BECOME LAW.

THAT FOLLOWED MORE TENSE DEBATE.

>> IT FAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD AND YOU ARE INTENTIONALLY DESTROYING THAT VILLAGE FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN TO GO HOME AND SAY, YEA, WE DID THIS.

>> I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW THOSE ATHLETES WHO HAVE WORKED THEIR BUTTS OFF ARE SITTING OUT THIS SAYING, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?

ESPECIALLY THOSE YOUNG LADIES.

WHO FINALLY GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE IN AUBURN JUST LIKE THE YOUNG MEN.

THE ATHLETE WANTS A FAIR PLAYING FIELD.

THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT ALL THIS OTHER SOCIAL STUFF.

>> Bill: MARK, THIS ISSUE WAS DIVISIVE AND IT WAS VERY HEAVILY DEBATED.

>> Mark: YOU HEARD SENATOR DOUGLAS TALKED ABOUT A FAIR PLAYING FIELD.

I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT BOTH SIDES TRIED TO FRAME THIS AS AN ISSUE OF FAIRNESS WITH PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO BILL SAYING IT'S NOT FAIR FOR SOMEBODY WHO WAS BORN WITH A BIGGER HEART OR MORE LUNG CAPACITY OR MORE MUSCLE MASS TO COMPETE AGAINST SOMEBODY WHO HAD LESS OF THOSE THINGS, WHILE THE MEME PEOPLE OR OPPOSED TO BILL SAY IT'S NOT FAIR TO TAKE A GROUP THAT'S ALREADY AT RISK AND FURTHER JEOPARDIZE THEM BY TAKING AWAY SOMETHING FROM THEM THAT THEY PROBABLY REALLY NEED.

>> Austin: I THINK SOME IMPORTANT CONTEXT HERE IS SENATOR KAREN BERG IN LOUISVILLE HAS A TRANS CHILD SO SHE'S SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE TO SOME EXTENT AND ALSO SENATOR DONALD DOUGLAS IN JESSAMINE COUNTY IN LEXINGTON HAS A PRE-PRIMARY OPPONENT WHO IS VERY CONSERVATIVE.

AND ONE EXTRA NOTE IS CRITICISM THAT WAS OFTEN LOBBED AT THIS BILL WAS THAT THERE WAS NO EXAMPLE OF THIS HAPPENING IN KENTUCKY, AND THEY REALLY JUST -- THEY COULDN'T THINK OF ONE, BUT IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS WE HAD A UK SWIMMER SORT TRIES TO CONSERVATIVE MEDIA FAME WITH AN INTERVIEW ON TUCKER CARLSON ABOUT HOW SHE TIED THE TRANS SWIMMER AT PENN, LEAH THOMAS, AND THAT'S RILEY GAINES AT UK AND SHE WAS THERE IN THAL CAPITOL.

>> Bill: AND AND KHSSA HAS ITS OWN RULES BUT THIS WILL THE STATE LAW.

>> Deborah: OPPONENTS OPPONENTS SAID THIS IS A AISHA BILL IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM.

IT HAS PRETTY GOOD GUIDELINES.

NEVERTHELESS THE LAWMAKERS PROCEEDED WITH THIS WI A PRIORITY ITEM, THE REPUBLICANS.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, HOUSE BILL 7 PASSED WITH CHANGES THAT WILL PUT MORE REQUIREMENTS ON THOSE WHO GET PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR VETOED IT.

HE CALLED IT UNFAIR AND UNFUNDED IN TERMS OF PERSONNEL NEEDED TO DO THE EXTRA COMPLIANCE CHECKS, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: YEAH, THIS BILL LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE PRETTY PRICEY, AND THE ESTIMATE BY THE STATE IS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO GET THE SYSTEMS IN PLACE AND THE STAFF, HIRE THE STAFF THEY NEED JUST TO ANSWER PHONES, TO HANDLE NEW PAPERWORK, TO DO THE MONITORING THAT'S REQUIRED.

IT IMPOSES SOME PRETTY EXTENSIVE NEW RULES FOR THINGS LIKE MEDICAID AND FOOD STAMPS AND OTHER BENEFIT PROGRAMS THAT HELP KENTUCKIANS.

AS BESHEAR SAID HELP THE ECONOMY.

THE MEDICAID GOES TO DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS.

THE FOOD STAMPS GOES TO GROCERS.

HE CALLED THE BILL CRUEL AND ALSO CALLED IT STINGY AND CITED IT, BUT THEY OVERRODE THE VETO.

IT'S ANOTHER PRIORITY OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS.

>> Bill: AND SPEAKER PRO-TEM DAVID MEADE HAS CHAMPIONED THAT IN RECENT YEARS.

HE SAYS THERE ARE THOSE WHO GAME THE SYSTEM.

>> Deborah: YEAH, AND LAWMAKERS GENERALLY TEND TO REPORT THESE SORT OF ANECDOTAL EVENTS OF PEOPLE SELLING THEIR BENEFIT CARDS OR PERHAPS LOADING UP THEIR CARTS WITH SODA, BUT OVERALL ACTUAL RESEARCH SHOWS FRAUD IN THESE PROGRAMS IS PRETTY LOW.

PEOPLE USE IT TO BUY FOOD.

OR GET HEALTH CARE.

>> Bill: MARK, THE STATE INCOME TAX WILL BE LOWERED BY HALF A PERCENT, AND THAT COULD PAVE THE WAY TO EVENTUALLY DOING AWAY WITH THE STATE INCOME TAX, RIGHT?

THAT'S THE GOAL OF THE REPUBLICANS.

>> Mark: RIGHT, YEAH, THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

YOUR INCOME TAX RIGHT NOW IS 5% SO IF YOU'RE CUTTING IT A HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT, IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST TEN YEARS TO GET DOWN TO ZERO.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF STOP GAPS IN PLACE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A 10% GENERAL FUND RAINY DAY FUND.

SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF SAVINGS.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF REVENUE COMING IN.

HATES TO BE AT LEAST WHATEVER YOU'VE PROJECTED FOR YOUR GENERAL FUNDS, PLUS A LITTLE BIT EXTRA.

AND THEN FINALLY, LAWMAKERS ACTUALLY HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON IT BEFORE THAT HALF PERCENTAGE POINT TAX CUT COMES INTO EFFECT.

SO BEST CASE SCENARIO WE'LL SEE ZERO IN TEN YEARS, BUT I HAVE A FEELING IT WILL TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER, AND THEY'VE ALSO GOT TO MAKE UP FOR ANY POTENTIAL LOSSES OF INCOME, SOME NEW TAXES ON SERVICES.

THIS IS ALL PART OF THE CONSERVATIVE PHILOSOPHY OF TAXING CONSUMPTION RATHER THAN PRODUCTION SO YOU'VE GOT TAXES ON SERVICES LIKE COSMETICS MEDICATE SURGERIES, EXCLUDING INJURIES.

>> Deborah: LOBBYISTS?

>> Mark: LOBBYISTS WILL NOW BE TAXED.

HERE'S ONE EVERYBODY CAN GET BEHIND.

>> Bill: COULDN'T LOBBY THEM OUT OF THAT.

>> Mark: HERE'S WANT YOU EVERYONE WILL GET BEHIND.

TELEMARKETERS WILL BE TAXED.

>> Austin: IT'S HARD TO OVERSTATE HOW BIG OF A DALE DEAL THIS IS.

WE'RE SANG A SEA CHANGE IN KENTUCKY'S TAX STRUCTURE.

>> Kelsey Cooper: AND REVENUE.

>> Austin: 40% OUR REVENUE.

IES THAT A HUGE CHUNK, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EFFORT TO SO THE SEND SOME WARNING SMOKE SIGNALS ABOUT THAT, BUT I GUESS WE'LL SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT OVER THE YEARS.

>> Deborah: SOME PEOPLE SAID WE'RE GOING TO BECOME KANSAS WHICH WAS FORCED TO GO BACK AND REINSTATE SOME OF THEIR TAXES BECAUSE IT LEFT THE STATE IN SUCH A DIRE SHAPE.

>> Bill: THE LAW DOES PROVIDE TRIGGERS, RIGHT?

IF CERTAIN REVENUE THRESHOLD ARE NOT MET, THEN IT DOES NOT GO DOWN THE NEXT TIME.

>> Mark: THOSE ARE THOSE TRIGGERS THAT I WENT OVER, AND THE STATE HAS TO HAVE GOOD FINANCES FOR THESE TAX CUTS TO TAKE EFFECT, SO IT'S UNLIKELY THAT WE'D BE IN THE SHAPE OF KANSAS.

AND THE IDEA, TOO, IS THAT WHEN YOU FREE UP THOSE DOLLARS, THEY GET REINVESTED IN THE ECONOMY, SO YOU'VE GOT A STRONGER ECONOMY, YOU'VE GOT MORE INVESTMENTS, MORE JOB CREATION, AND SO I THINK WITH THESE STOP GAPS, A DIRE SITUATION IS PROBABLY FAIRLY UNLIABLE.

>> Bill: THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOFTY ENTHUSIASM FOR THE STATE BUDGET IN A LOT OF CORNERS.

THE GOVERNOR AND MOST LAWMAKERS EXPRESSED PRIDE IN BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE BIG RAISES FOR STATE POLICE AS WELL AS MOST STATE EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING SOCIAL WORKERS, AND TODAY THE COUNCIL ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION PASSED TWO RESOLUTIONS COMMENDING GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND THE LEGISLATURE FOR PASSING A STATE BUDGET THAT INVESTS TENS OF MILLIONS IN PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH AND CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS.

I MEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS BEING SAID ABOUT THIS SPENDING PLAN.

>> Deborah: YEAH, I THINK IT GOT -- ESH BA ACKNOWLEDGED HE WAS VERY FAVORABLE ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS IN THERE FOR RAISES.

HIS ONE CRITICISM THAT IT DIDN'T INCLUDE RAISES FOR TEACHERS, AND THAT LAWMAKERS ALSO GAVE THEMSELVES A RAISE WHICH HE ATTEMPTED TO VETO BUT THAT WAS OVERRIDDEN.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT, AUSTIN.

THE GOVERNOR DID VETO THE RAISES FOR LAWMAKERS THEMSELVES, WHICH IS 8%.

HE ALSO GETS A RAISE AS TO THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

AND NOW HE IS ALSO RAISING THE SPECTER THAT LAWMAKER COULD EARN MORE MONEY IF VOTERS APPROVE AN "A" THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SESSION STARTING AFTER THAT IS RATIFIED, IF IT IS.

>> Austin: THAT'S AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC.

ON THE FLOOR WHEN THESE BILLS WERE INITIALLY CALLED, THE ARGUMENT WAS THIS IS A RAISE FOR OUR LOYAL LRC WORKERS WHO HAVEN'T GOTTEN A RAISE IN A LONG TIME.

THESE ARE NON-ELECTED PEOPLE WHO WORK BEHIND THE SCENES WORKING ON BILLS AND ALL THAT SORT OF STUFF.

BUT BESHEAR REALLY PUT THEM ON THEIR HEELS BY LINE ITEM VETOING THE SPECIFIC LINE THAT SAYS "THIS RAISE ALSO APPLIES TO LAWMAKERS."

SO THEY COULDN'T LUMP THEMSELVES TOGETHER WITH THE EMPLOYEES.

THEY HAD TO VOTE SPECIFICALLY TO GIVE THEMSELVES A RAISE.

NOW, SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON THE FLOOR WERE QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT THAT'S A RAISE FOR THE LEGISLATORS WHO HAPPEN TO MAKE IT TO THEIR SEATS AFTER THIS ELECTION, BUT THERE AREN'T TOO MANY TITLE CONTESTED RACES IN EITHER CHAMBER REALLY THIS YEAR.

>> Deborah: SO IT'S GOING TO BE MOST OF THEM.

>> Austin: REALLY.

>> Bill: KSP DOES GET THAT $15,000 A YEAR RAISE.

THEY'RE SAYING IN LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE STATE POLICE SAY THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN RECRUITING AND RETENTION.

>> Deborah: YEAH, THEY'VE BEEN CHRONICALLY SHORT IN RECRUITING AND KEEPING PEOPLE IN THE STATE PLACE+ BECAUSE THEY GET IN AND THEY DON'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY SO THEY GO TO OTHER AGENCIES THAT PAY MORE, SO THEY'RE HOPING TO STOP THAT EXODUS.

>> Bill: SEVERAL LAWMAKERS WON'T BE BACK.

WE LEARNED AT A RIGHT AFTER THE SESSION, THE HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP CHAD McCOY OR BARDSTOWN IS RETIRING FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

HE WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2016.

HE NOTED THAT HE NEVER PLANNED TO BECOME A CAREER POLITICIAN, WHICH WAS INTERESTING, BUT IT WAS A SURPRISE THAT THAT CAME RIGHT AFTER THE SESSION ADJOURNED.

>> Austin: YEAH, McCOY IS RELATIVELY YOUNG AND HE KIND OF ASCENDED THE LEADER IN A REALLY QUICK FASHION.

HE WAS ELECTED IN 2016 AND BECAME MAJORITY WHIP IN 2018.

AND HE'S NOT THE ONLY YOUNG LEGISLATOR WHO HAS CALLED IT QUITS.

OVER IN THE SENATE YOU'VE GOT REPUBLICANS MATT CAST LYNN AND WIL SCHROEDER TO HAVE ALSO HUNG IT UP.

>> Bill: MARK, WHY ARE THEY LEAVING?

Y.

>> >> Mark: I THINK THEY ALL HAVE THEIR DIFFERENT REINS.

I SAW SENATOR CASTLIN AND SHE SAID HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING TIME TO THE FARM.

HE'S GOT HIS OWN BUSINESS.

HE'S A FARMER.

I THINK SENATOR HORN BACK IS PROBABLY THE SAME WAY.

SAN ANTONIO PARROT AND KERR HAVE BOTH BEEN IF N. THERE.

THEY'VE PUT IN THEIR TIME.

A LOT OF THESE FOLKS FIGURE I'VE PUT IN MY TIME.

IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.

IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB.

OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN CRITICIZE THEM FOR WANTING THE POWER OR THE MONEY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT YOU COULD PROBABLY MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAN YOU CAN HANGING OUT IN FRANKFORT.

>> Bill: ALL THIS WEEK SEEMED TO BE, AND FOLLOW ME ON THIS, A PREVIEW OF THE CAMPAIGN 2023, THE ELECTION NEXT YEAR IN TERMS OF THE ISSUE SET.

YOU HAD GOVERNOR BESHEAR TOUTING THIS JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WE'LL TALKING ABOUT IN A MOMENT MOMENT, 2,000 JOBS IN BOWLING GREEN AREA.

THE LEGISLATURE DOUBLE YOU CAN DOWN ON SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE ISSUES IN AND HIS VETOES OF THOSE BILLS.

IS THAT THE PALETTE FOR WHAT'S LIKELY TO BE WHAT THE CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT NEXT YEAR?

>> Austin: I THINK YOU'RE PROBABLY RIGHT ON THAT FRONT, AND THERE'S A GOOD AL CROSS COLUMN ON THIS SCORE AS WELL.

WE SAW THESE REALLY HOT BUTTON CONSERVATIVE SOCIAL ISSUES PUT TO THE FOREFRONT WITH THE TRANS SPORTS BILL, THE ANTI-CRT BILL, ABORTION, AND THESE ARE ALL BILLS -- >> Deborah: CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> Austin: CHARTER SCHOOLS, EXACTLY.

AND THESE ARE ALL BILLS THAT BESHEAR VETOED, AND THOSE ARE VETOES THAT ARE LIKELY TO GET BROUGHT UP IN 2023 BECAUSE KENTUCKY'S A CONSERVATIVE STATE, GENERALLY PRO-LIFE, ALSO BREAD AND BUTTER CONSERVATIVE ISSUES LIKE TAX CUTS THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT.

NOW, BESHEAR ON THE OTHER END OF THE COIN, HAS AN ECONOMY I BELIEVE ON FIRE.

FIRE IS THE WORD THAT HE USES.

>> Mark: I'VE NEVER HEARD HIM SAY THAT.

>> Austin: YEAH, IT'S A REAL NOVEL PHRASE.

>> Bill: THERE WAS THIS MAJOR BATTERY PLANT ANNOUNCEMENT AND VISION TO BUILD A PLANT WITH 2,000 WORKERS IN THE BOWLING GREEN AREA, AND THE GOVERNOR SAYS KENTUCKY'S BECOMING A NATIONAL AUTOMATIC AUTOMOTIVE LEADER.

>> RIGHT NOW KENTUCKY IS THE NUMBER ONE PRODUCER OF CARS, LIGHT TRUCKS AND SUVs PER CAPITA WITH MORE THAN 525 AUTOMOTIVE-RELATED FACILITIES EMPLOYING OVER 100,000 KENTUCKIANS AND SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS ENDURING LEGACY OF THIS HARD WORK IN KENTUCKY'S MANUFACTURING EXPERTISE SHOULD BE A SOURCE OF IMMENSE PRIDE FOR OUR PEOPLE.

AND AS THE INDUSTRY ADVANCES, KENTUCKY IS THE GOING TO LEAD IT.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, IT IS OOH A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> Deborah: IT'S HARD TO OVERSIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS.

IT'S A $2 BILLION INVESTMENT IN THE BOWLING GREEN TRANS PARK.

IT'S 2,000 JOBS INITIALLY, AND IT'S A PRETTY WELL REGARD COMPANY APPARENTLY, IN VISION WITH GLOBAL JAPANESE-BASED COMPANY THAT HAS A REPUTATION FOR BEING ENERGY SUFFICIENT AND RELYING ON THINGS LIKE HYDRO AND SOLAR AND TRYING TO GET OFF FOSSIL FUEL IN TERMS OF ITS PRODUCTION.

>> Bill: MARK, YOU MAKE THE POINT THAT IT GEOGRAPHICALLY POSITIONED WELL, THAT PLANT NEAR BOWLING GREEN.

>> Mark: YEAH, YOU'VE GOT TO REMEMBER THAT ENVISION SUPPLIES BATTERIES TO NISSAN WHO HAS A BIG PLANT IN TENNESSEE, SO YOU KNOW TENNESSEE WAS GUNNING FOR THIS.

ENVISION ALSO SUPPLIES MERCEDES WHO LAST THE PLANT RIGHT DOWN 65 IN ALABAMA.

THEY WERE PROBABLY GOING FOR THIS.

AND KENTUCKY GOT IT.

WE'VE GOT TWO NOW.

THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF PARTS SUPPLIERS AND ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES.

IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO COMPETE WITH KENTUCKY IN THIS.

>> Bill: BACK TO CAMPAIGN 2023 JUST A MOMENT BECAUSE IT KEEPS GETTING OUR ATTENTION NOW.

ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON'S NON-ANSWER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ABOUT WHETHER HE MIGHT RUN FOR GOVERNOR AS A REPUBLICAN OR RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

HE WAS NOT CLEAR ON WHAT HE MIGHT DO.

IF HE DOES NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION, WE STARTED HENRY NAMES HEARING NAMES QUICKLY AND MARK YOU HAVE SOME INDICATION THAT THERE'S AT LEAST ONE CANDIDATE READY TO GO.

>> Mark: I HEARD IN DANIEL CAMERON MAKES AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR GOVERNOR, THEN RUSSELL COLEMAN HOSE THE FORMER ATTORNEY, U.S. ATTORNEY IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY WILL ANNOUNCE A BID FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I THINK THIS WILL BE AN INTERESTING RACE BECAUSE HE COULD EASILY GET ALL THE VOTES IN LOUISVILLE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.

I THINK WIL SCHROEDER COULD GET AT A LOT OF VOTES IN NORTHERN I. KENTUCKY AND I THINK WHITNEY WETTER FIELD COULD LOCK DOWN WESTERN KENTUCKY SO WE MIGHT HAVE A REAL PRIMARY ON OUR HANDS.

>> Austin: THE TALK 61 AUTOPSIED STORES SCORES THE DEEP BENCH CANDIDATES THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE.

WE HAVE TWO CURRENT CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS THAT ARE ATTORNEYS, MICHAEL ADAMS AND ALLISON BALL.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Bill: LOUISVILLE POLITICS QUICKLY, DEB, THE CANDIDATES ARE FOR LOUISVILLE MAYOR APPEARED AT A FORUM ISOLATED HOSTED BY THE COURIER-JOURNAL THIS WEEK.

DID ANYBODY SAY ANYTHING THAT RESONATED?

>> Deborah: I DON'T THINK IT WAS ANYTHING TERRIBLY SURPRISING 1 FOUR REPUBLICANS AND 6 DEMOCRATS SHOWED UP.

IT'S A CONTRACTED CROWDED FIELD AT THIS POINT AND THEY'RE TRYING TO ESTABLISH NEMESIS THE REPUBLICANS FOCUSED MORE ON THINGS LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY, THE ECONOMY, MAYBE BEEFING UP POLICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE DEMOCRATS SPOKE MORE TOWARD WAYS TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT UNDERLIE A LOT OF WASTE WHAT'S GOING ON IN LOUISVILLE.

AND ALSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BUT TALKING ABOUT EQUITY AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS AS A WAY THAT MIGHT HELP.

>> Bill: IT WAS DAGE 72 WEDNESDAY THE WHEN TORNADO AGAIN HIT KENTUCKY.

THERE WERE POWER OUTAGES, PART OF LOUISVILLE GOT HIT REALLY HARD.

WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME VIDEO.

DEBBIE, I KNOW YOU WERE USHERED INTO A FREEZER AT A RESTAURANT, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: THAT'S TRUE.

>> Bill: AND YOU'RE OKAY.

MARK, DESCRIBE, I KNOW YOU HAD SOME RELATIVES WHO ARE FAMILIAR WA THAT PART OFCH TOWN THAT WAS HIT.

>> Mark: RIDE RIGHT I HAD RELATIVES IN GLENN MARY WHERE THE ENTIRE ROOF WAS JUST RIPPED RIGHT OFF.

IT WAS ALMOST LIKE SOMEBODY CAME AND JUST PEELED IT RIGHT OFF THE TAUPE OF THE HOUSE.

AND WE SAW STUFF SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SAW IN WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADOES WHERE IT'S SO STRANGE THAT THE WIND COULD JUST DESTROY ONE HOUSE OR PEEL THE ROOF OFF ONE HOUSE AND THEN SEEMINGLY NOT DO A THING TO THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR.

IT'S JUST -- IT'S JUST BIZARRE.

>> Bill: AND UNFORTUNATELY SOME OF THOSE AREAS THAT WHERE AUSTIN HIT OUT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY WERE AGAIN UNDER WARNINGS, ALTHOUGH THIS TIME NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THE KIND OF PROBLEMS THEY HAD IN DECEMBER.

>> Austin: RIGHT.

THERE WERE STRONG WINDS AND SOME WARNINGS AS YOU SAID, BUT FORTUNATELY THAT AREA WASN'T PARTICULARLY HIT.

>> Deborah: THANK YOU THEY CONFIRMED FOYER TORNADOES IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: I THINK TEN IS THE UPDATE TODAY.

BY DAY'S END I THINK THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAD GONE IN AND FOUND TEN.

THERE WERE LOW LEVEL, THOSE EF-1s.

MONDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN KENTUCKY'S MAY PRIMARY.

YOU CAN DO THAT OR CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION AT GOVOTEKY.COM.

KENTUCKY NATIVE AND LENGTHILY COUNTRY MUSIC STAR LORETTA LYNN CELEBRATED HER 90th BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK JUST AS HER MOST MOST FAMOUS SONG GOES, THE COAL MINE AREAS DAUGHTER WAS BORN IN A LOG CAB ANYONE BUTCHER HOLLER.

SHE HAD HER FIRST HIT IN 1960 AND MANY MORE AFTER THAT.

THIS WEEK THE GRAND OLE OPRY HELD THE SPECIAL CELEBRATION.

AND ALSO 75 YEARS AGO TODAY, BASEBALL'S COLOR BARRIER WAS BROKEN.

JACKIE ROBINSON BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO PLAY PRO-BASEBALL, AND FORMER KENTUCKY GOVERNOR HAPPY CHANDLER WAS BASEBALL COMMISSIONER AT THE TIME AND APPROVED ROBINSON G8 A SPOT ON THE BROOKLYN DODGERS.

THE PAPER SIGNED IN KENTUCKY IN A CABIN IN VIR SALES.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.