[♪♪] >> Bill: THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE ADJOURNED WITH LAST-MINUTE BILLS PASSING AND OTHER PROPOSALS LEFT DANGLING.

A LAWSUIT CHALLENGES ONE OF THE NEW LAWS TO TAKE EFFECT IN JANUARY.

THE STATE SENATE CONFIRMS A NEW KENTUCKY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.

MOORE HEAD STATE UNIVERSITY GETS PRAISE FROM WASHINGTON FOR SPACE EXPLORATION.

AND HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND AND COUNTING DOWN TO THE DERBY.

COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: 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 ARE AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

SARAH LADD, HEALTH AND POLICY REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

AND SYLVIA GOODMAN, CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

ALSO TONIGHT A UNION VOTE BEING WATCHED BY AUTOMAKERS AND WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH, INCLUDING HERE IN KENTUCKY.

AND AN UPDATE ON KENTUCKY'S AUTHORIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

A LOT TO DISCUSS.

WE WILL A DIVE RIGHT IN TO WHAT DID AND DID NOT HAPPEN AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WRAPPED UP ITS 2024 SESSION.

WE HAVE A TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET AND MORE THAN 100 NEW LAWS GOING ON THE BOOKS.

SOME OF THE BILLS DID NOT MAKE IT.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY IT WAS A GOOD SESSION.

>> ACTUALLY, IT'S PROBABLY THE BEST SESSION FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, BECAUSE WE WERE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS GOING THROUGH SOME TOUGH TIMES WITH COVID AND OTHER THINGS.

BECAUSE OF GOOD MANAGEMENT, WE HAD A LOT OF EXCESS MONIES.

>> Bill: SO A LOT DID HAPPEN IN THE 60-DAY SESSION.

SARAH, WHAT IN THIS SESSION WILL CHANGE THE LIVES OF SOME KENTUCKIANS?

>> QUITE A FEW BILLS WILL CHANGE THE LIVES OF KENTUCKIANS.

JUST TO RUN THROUGH A COUPLE THAT I WATCHED ON THE HEALTH SIDE OF THE THINGS, ETHAN'S LAW WHICH EVERYBODY REMEMBERS THE DOG WHO CAME UP TO GIVE HIS NAME IN ADVOCACY FOR THAT BILL.

AND THAT WILL MAKE IT A FELONY ON FIRST OFFENSE IF YOU TORTURE A DOG OR A CAT AND IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HELP CHILDREN BECAUSE PLENTY OF DATA SHOWS IF YOU ABUSE ANIMALS YOU CAN ABUSE PEOPLE.

THAT IS ON THE BOOKS NOW.

KINSHIP CARE BILL LAW.

BASICALLY ALLOWING PEOPLE WHO ARE CARING FOR A MINOR RELATIVE TO GET CHILDCARE BENEFITS.

SO THAT IS EXTRA MONEY TO HELP WITH THAT SITUATION.

WE HAVE A NEW LAW DIRECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO EXAMINE CHILDCARE SHORTAGE ISSUES THROUGH ZONING CHANGING ZONING SO MORE CAN OPEN.

WE HAVE THE MOMNIBUS BILL WHICH DOES A LOT FOR MATERNAL HEALTH AND A NEW VAPING PRODUCT REGULATION.

A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.

>> Bill: WE'LL TAKE SOME OF THOSE ONE BY ONE IN A MOMENT.

AUSTIN, THERE IS A LOT OF SPENDING ONE-TIME SPENDING IN THIS BUDGET FOR A LOT OF PROJECTS.

>> YEAH, IT WAS A NOVEL SESSION IN THAT REGARD.

THEY'VE SPLIT OUT ONE-TIME SPENDING IN A SEPARATE BILKER HOUSE BILL 1.

MORE THAN $2.7 BILLION OF IT.

AND A LOT OF IT WAS ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND SPECIFIC TO CERTAIN REGIONS PROJECTS LIKE NORTHERN KENTUCKY THEY ARE SPENDING $135 MILLION TO MOVE NKU CHASE LAW TO DOWNTOWN COVINGTON.

LOUISVILLE GOT $100 MILLION FOR REVITALIZATION.

MOUNTAIN PARKWAY GOT PART OF A POT OF MONEY THAT IS $300 MILLION.

THEY REALLY WERE ABLE TO SPEND FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

YOU KNOW LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE OVERALL ECONOMIC CLIMATE THAT IS RUNNING HOT THROUGHOUT AMERICA AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

AND, OF COURSE, THE STATE LEGISLATURE WILL CREDIT THEIR OWN GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF MONEY HERE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Bill: AND YOU WERE MAKING A NOTE SYLVIA THAT THEY HAVE POSITIONED THE KENTUCKY FOR ANOTHER CUT IN THE INCOME TAX.

BY CHANGING THE MOVING THE GOALPOST A LITTLE BIT AND CHANGING THE RULE.

>> EXACTLY.

SO THEY REALLY TOUTED WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO CUT THE INCOME TAX THEY WOULD DO SO THEY HAD TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVE SPENDING WAS UNDER CONTROL AND REVENUES WERE HIGH ENOUGH AND THEY HAD ENOUGH IN RESERVES.

THEY ARE MOVING THE GOALPOST BY ALLOWING THE ONE TIME EXPENSES TO NOT COUNT TOWARDS THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT THEY ARE SPENDING.

THE ARGUMENT IS THEY WON'T HAVE TO SPEND IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR IT WOULDN'T MATTER IF THE REVENUE WAS DOWN BUT IT'S MOVING THE GOALPOST AND IT COULD ASSURE ASSUMING REVENUES STAY SOLID WE WOULD HAVE ANOTHER INCOME TAX CUT IN 2026.

>> Bill: THERE HAD TO BE FRUSTRATION THEY DPTD'S GET TO MAKE THE LAST CUT.

>> THERE WAS SOME IF YOU WERE CALLED THE GOVERNOR PRIMARY, THEY WERE JUST FIGHTING EACH OTHER OVER HOW QUICK THEY WOULD GET IT TO ZERO.

AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

WHEN IT DIDN'T HAPPEN SENATE REPUBLICANS IN PARTICULAR HEY THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT WE DREW OUT AND THIS IS THE FORMULA WORKING.

BUT IT ALL SEEMS CERTAIN THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET DOWN TO 3.5% JANUARY 2026.

AND THE QUESTION I HAVE IN MY MIND, IS WILL THERE BE A STOPPING POINT BEFORE ZERO?

I DON'T KNOW.

CERTAINLY REPUBLICANS WON'T SAY THAT NOW.

BUT WHEN DOES THAT BECOME TOO MUCH FOR THEM?

I'M NOT SURE.

>> Bill: WE HAVE TO WATCH THAT REVENUE.

AND THE CYCLES OF THE ECONOMY, RIGHT?

>> IF WE HIT A RECESSION WE COULD BE A LONGTIME COMING ON THE NEXT TAX CUT.

>> Bill: AS WE TALK ABOUT THE PACE OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT REALLY BOGGED DOWN THE SESSION THIS YEAR AS SOMETIMES HAPPENS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT THAT THEY DID PASSOVER THE GOVERNOR'S VETO.

>> I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS BILL FOR SIX MONTHS NOW.

THEY FIRST INTRODUCED BULLET POINTS ON IT BACK IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT SINCE BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A MASSIVE BILL.

IT INCREASES PENALTIES ON A NUMBER OF CRIMES.

IT ADDS THIS THIRD STRIKE VIOLENT FELONY OFFENDER STATUTE.

IT ADDS THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL THE MOST DISCUSSION IS THE BAN ON STREET CAMPING WHICH THE HERALD LEADER CALLED IT A BAN ON PUBLIC HOMELESSNESS.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS BESHEAR FELT HE HAD TO VETO IT ON MORAL GROUNDS HE FELT IT WOULD CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS IN THIS BILL REPUBLICANS SAID IT'S MAINE TO ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME IN THE STATE BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT DOPTS HE AHAVE TO DO WITH VIOLENT CRIME.

FINDING PARENTS WHO DON'T SHOW UP TO THE CHILD'S COURT HEARING A LOT OF THINGS LIKE THAT.

DESTRUCTION OF RENTAL PROPERTY THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS GINORMOUS BILL THAT PASSED WITH A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

>> Bill: MORE THAN 70 PAGES.

AND IT THERE WAS CALL FOR IT TO BE BROKEN INTO PIECES INCLUDING BY THE GOVERNOR BEFORE HE DID HIS VETO.

>> YEAH.

HE SAID THERE WERE PARTS OF THE BILL I COULD NOT ONLY LIVE WITH BUT I LIKE.

FOR EXAMPLE HE SUPPORTED ADDING A STATUTE ON CARJACKING TO BETTER TRACK THE CRIME.

AND THERE WAS A MOTION THAT DEMOCRATS MADE IN THE HOUSE, I BELIEVE, TO SPLIT UP THE BILL.

WHEN IT CAME TO THE FLOOR.

BUT THAT WAS STRUCK DOWN.

AND YOU KNOW, THERE ARE ELMS OF THIS BILL THAT HAD BEEN PROPOSED IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

PART OF THE BILL WOULD LIMIT THE AMOUNT THAT CHARITABLE BAIL FUNDS CAN SPEND THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN PREVIOUS YEARS AND HASN'T MADE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PROCESS.

I THINK IN SOME WAYS THIS BILL IS A WAY TO COMBINE A LOT OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT ARE A PRIORITY FOR VARIOUS REPUBLICANS AND PUSH IT ALL THROUGH ALTOGETHER IN ONE SESSION.

>> Bill: LITERALLY PIGGY BACK.

SARAH, THE SO-CALLED MOMNIBUS BILL DID PASS YOU REFERRED TO THAT.

IT GOT PIGGY BACKED ON TO ANOTHER BILL AND THERE WAS A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE IT DID MOVE THROUGH ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

SO IT STARTED OUT BEING 100% SUPPORTED PEOPLE WERE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

AND THEN IT PICKED UP SOME SORT OF CONTROVERSIAL BAGGAGE.

IT PICKED UP PART OF THE BILL THAT PROVOKED SOME DEMOCRATS TO WALKOUT OF A COMMITTEE MEETING AND THAT BILL PITCHED PERRY NATAL PALLIATIVE CARE TO ABORTION WHICH IS ILLEGAL IN MOST CASES ONCE THAT GOT TACKED ON ALLIES FELT IFY ABOUT SUPPORTING IT AND THE CLEAN MOMNIBUS AS SUPPORTERS SAY, THEN GOT MOVED ON TO ANOTHER BILL ENTIRELY.

SO NOW HOUSE BILL 10 MOMNIBUS PASSED UNDER SENATE BILL 74 WHICH IS ALSO MATERNAL HEALTH RELATED IT WILL LOOK AT MATERNAL MORTALITY IN KENTUCKY AND TRACK WHAT TYPES OF INTERVENTIONS HAPPEN IN HOSPITALS DURING BIRTH.

LIKE C SECTIONS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> Bill: IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE BILL AS WELL?

>> IT IS.

SO THAT FATALITY REVIEW TEAM WILL HELP KENTUCKY MONITOR WHO IS DYING DURING CHILDBIRTH AND WITHIN A YEAR AND WHAT THE COMPLICATIONS WERE OF IT.

MOMNIBUS IN THE ORIGINAL FORM IN THE FORM THAT PASSED UNDER THE SB74, PROBABLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING IT DOES IT MAKES PREGNANCY A QUALIFYING CONDITION FOR SPECIAL INSURANCE ENROLLMENT.

THAT WILL INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO GET PRENATAL CARE THAT HELPS PEOPLE HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES IN BIRTH AND ESTABLISHES THE PSYCHIATRY CALL THIS LINE, SO IF A PROVIDER IS TREATING A MOTHER WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION THAT PROVIDER CAN CALL AND TALK TO A MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT AND HOPEFULLY INTERVENE AND GET MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR THAT PREGNANT PERSON AS WELL.

AND THERE WILL BE TELEHEALTH AND ULTRASOUNDS AND MORE STUFF IN THE BILL.

>> Bill: AMONG SIGNIFICANT ACTIONS BY THE LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE BILL 2 WHICH PUTS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT FOR THIS FALL ON SCHOOL CHOICE.

ONE THING THAT DOES GUARANTEE THERE WILL BE A CAMPAIGN AGAIN THIS YEAR IN KENTUCKY ON THE STATE-WIDE BASIS, RIGHT?

>> OH, YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE A THE MOST EXPENSIVE CERTAINLY AND PROBABLY THE MOST TALKED ABOUT CAMPAIGN COME NOVEMBER.

WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE MONEY ON BOTH SIDES.

WE KNOW THERE WILL BE ENERGY ON BOTH SIDES.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE HOW THAT AFFECTS LEGISLATIVE RACES, WHO RUNS ALONGSIDE THE AMENDMENT AND IN WHAT AREA.

DOES IT HELP REPUBLICANS IN, SAY, THE LOUISVILLE SUBURBS WHERE PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

DOES IT HELP DEMOCRATS IN MORE RURAL AREAS WHERE PEOPLE DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE AS MUCH.

IT WILL BE AN ALL OUT BATTLE.

>> Bill: ONE TO WATCH.

>> DEFINITELY.

>> SENATE BILL 2 WAS THE SCHOOL GUARDIAN ISSUE AS WELL THAT IS TO SUPPLEMENT THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OUT THERE, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY.

SO ESSENTIALLY DISTRICTS HAVE SAID THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS NOT GIVING THEM THE FUNDING TO PUT THOSE SCHOOL STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICERS SRO'S INTO SCHOOLS AND THEREFORE THEY CAN'T HIRE THEM THEY DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO DO SO.

THIS IS THE SOLUTION THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE COME UP WITH.

ESSENTIALLY, SCHOOLS CAN HIRE OR ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS HAVE VETERANS OR RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE ABLE TO CARRY GUNS AND OTHER WEAPONS, ON SCHOOL PREMISES TO WALK AROUND.

THEY DON'T HAVE ALL THE AUTHORITY OF AN SRO THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO ARREST SOMEBODY THE IDEA IS IT WOULD MAKE PARENTS AND STUDENTS FEEL SAFER IN AN EVENT WERE TO HAPPEN.

THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS EVEN FROM REPUBLICANS THAT ARE VETERANS NECESSARILY DO THEY HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO WORK WITH KIDS.

WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS TAKE THEM UP ON THE OFFER BECAUSE IT'S OPTIONAL.

SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS I'M SURE WON'T AND SOME WILL.

WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT.

>> Bill: AND BILLS APPEARED TO HAVE MOMENTUM UNTIL THEY DIDN'T.

AUSTIN ONE OF THOSE WAS THE OPEN RECORDS BILL.

MOST ASSUMED IT HAD THE SUPPORT TO PASS THERE WAS LOUD PUSHBACK AND IT DIDN'T GET CALLED?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE THE WORD LOUD AND NOT IN A BAD CONTEXT.

THE PUSHBACK WAS JUST MUCH LOUDER AND MUCH MORE FORCEFUL THAN THE ACTUAL ADVOCACY WHICH WAS HAPPENING MORE BEHIND THE SCENES.

YOU HAD THE GOVERNOR DEFENDING IT, HE NEVER SAID EXPLICITLY THAT THAT HE WAS GOING TO SIGN IT OR WASN'T GOING TO VETO OR ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

THERE WAS REALLY A STRONG LEVEL OF PUSHBACK ACROSS THE POLITICAL HORSESHOE.

YOU HAD PEOPLE ON THE LEFT WHO DIDN'T LIKE IT.

AND PEOPLE ON THE FAR RIGHT WHO REALLY DIDN'T LIKE IT.

SENATOR JAY WILLIAMS WAS A BIG OPPONENT OF THE LEGISLATION AND THE MEDIA IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS PERSONAL TO US.

I'VE FILED PLENTY OF OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS FOR PEOPLE'S PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS BEFORE.

AND A LOT OF IT I WILL SAY A LOT WAS FUELED BY A NOTION THAT AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST REQUIRES THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO GO INTO A PERSON'S PHONE, PERSONALLY I'M WILLING TO BE PROVEN WRONG.

I HAVEN'T HAD THAT EXPERIENCE WHEN I REQUEST.

IT'S USUALLY THE AGENCY GOES TO AN OFFICIAL AND SAYS HEY DO YOU HAVE RECORDS ON THIS AND IT'S UP TO THE OFFICIAL TO DISCLOSE.

>> Bill: IT APPEARS THAT WILL BE REVISITED THEY ARE GOING TO STIVERS SAYS THEY WILL TALK ABOUT IT AND MAYBE COME UP WITH A NEW VERSION.

>> AUSTIN MENTIONED JAY WILLIAMS I TALKED TO HIM AND HE SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH HE WAS AN OPPONENT TO HB509 IN ITS CURRENT FORM HE COULD SUPPORT IT IN A DIFFERENT FORM WE NEED TO KEEP UP WITH TECHNOLOGY.

LIKE AUSTIN SAID IT'S UP TO OFFICIALS TO HAND OVER THE RELEVANT RECORDS AND THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT OFFICIALS ARE NOT DOING THAT.

I'VE GOTTEN INTERESTING RECORDS SOME OFFICIALS ARE DOING IT WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO.

BUT THAT IS ALWAYS A CONCERN THEY ARE NOT DOING IT AND NOT SHOWING WRONGDOING WHEN THEY NEED TO.

>> Bill: THE ANTI-DEI EFFORTS SEEMED TO LOSE MOMENTUM BEFORE THE FINAL COUNTDOWN.

IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED BIG CHANGES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY.

DID IT LOSE STEAM WHEN IT APPEARED THE OFFICES MAY BE CLOSED AND JOBS LOST?

OR DID IT BREAKDOWN OVER THE LANGUAGE OF THE COMPETING BILLS?

>> I THINK IT WAS MOSTLY OVER LANGUAGE.

I'M SURE THE JOB LOSS HAD SOME ROLE TO PLAY.

FOR SOME SPECIFIC SENATORS OR REPRESENTATIVES THAT WAS A STICKING POINT.

BUT REALLY, IT SEEMED TO BE AN ISSUE OVER THIS SUBBED IN LANGUAGE.

THE SENATE HAD A MUCH MORE MILD VERSION OF THE BILL THAT FOCUSED ON THESE REQUIRED DIVERSITY STATEMENTS AND APPLICATIONS.

VERSUS THE HOUSE VERSION BANS ON DEI INITIATIVES OUT RIGHT.

AND SO I THINK THAT WAS A STICKING POINT IN THE SENATE THEY SEEMED TO STRUGGLE OVER THIS.

AND SENATE LEADERSHIP SAID WHEN THEY TRIED TO GO TO THE HOUSE TO HAVE A BACK AND FORTH THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT AND THEY DECIDED THEY COULDN'T PASS IT IN THE CURRENT FORM THEY HAD CONCERNS ABOUT CONSTITUTIONALITY, ALTHOUGH WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE CONCERNS WERE.

THEY HAVE BEEN SILENT ON THAT.

BUT WE HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM THAT SAME LEADERSHIP THAT THEY EXPECT TO REVISIT IT.

WE'LL SEE IF THEY END UP DOING THAT, THOUGH.

>> AND JUST ONE SIDE POINT LIKE SYLVIA WAS SAYING I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS NOTION THAT ALL REPUBLICANS IN FRANKFORT ARE IN CAHOOTS ALL THE TIME AND MARCHING TO THE SAME BEAT.

BUT THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE HAVE LEGITIMATE DIFFERENCES.

LIKE THAT'S REAL.

THAT IS NOT LIKE A PLAY ACT THAT THEY ARE DOING FOR US JUST TO LIKE SEEM LIKE THEY ARE HOLDING UP AN INSTITUTION.

LIKE THEY DO HAVE DIFFERENCES.

SB6 WAS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT.

>> Bill: AND DEI MAY OR MAY NOT BE A HOT TOPIC IN JANUARY.

>> WE'LL SEE.

THESE THINGS CHANGE WITH THE SEASONS.

AND THERE MIGHT BE A NEW REALLY BIG CONSERVATIVE HOT BUTTON SOCIAL ISSUE TO ADDRESS THAT OVERTAKES DEI.

>> Bill: DAVID YATES TRIED A MANEUVER CALLED A DISCHARGE PETITION AND ATTEMPT TO GET A VOTE ON EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S ABORTION BAN AND IT DID NOT SUCCEED.

WE KNOW IT WAS AN ISSUE IN THE PAST GOVERNOR'S RACE.

BUT THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE RULED THAT YATES WAS OUT OF ORDER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO SENATOR YATES FILED A BILL BACK IN JANUARY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION TO ADD EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST TO KENTUCKY STRICT ABORTION BAN.

AND THAT BILL DIDN'T GET ASSIGNED TO A COMMITTEE.

YATES USED THIS POLICY MANEUVER THIS RULE 48 BASICALLY DISCHARGE PETITION TO FORCE A VOTE ON THE FLOOR.

BECAUSE HE SAID HE WANTED LAWMAKERS TO GO ON RECORD WITH THEIR OPINIONS IF THEY WERE SCARED TO PUT A VOTE OUT THERE ABOUT ABORTION HE WANTED TO FORCE THEIR HAND.

SO, YEAH ON THE LAST DAY OF SESSION, HE CALLED THIS PETITION, THE CHAIR THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE RULED THAT IT WAS OUT OF ORDER BECAUSE HE NEEDED TO CALL IT WITH A DAY LEFT TO THE SESSION.

THE RULE DOES SAY YOU CAN CALL IT THE NEXT SUCCEEDING LEGISLATIVE DAY WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Bill: STIVERS SAID THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TIME TO DO THE LEGAL READINGS.

>> THERE WASN'T READINGS FOR IT.

WHEN SENATOR YATES CHALLENGED THE RULING THE BODY DID SIDE WITH THE PRESIDENT ALONG PARTY LINES.

SENATOR SOUTH WORTH VOTED TO CALL IT TO THE FLOOR BUT IT DID FAIL.

THE BILL'S DEAD.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE BILLS LIKE THIS COME UP IT IS NOT STRICTLY A PAR SIN ISSUE WE'VE SEEN REPUBLICANS TRYING TO GET THE EXCEPTIONS ON THE BOOKS.

>> Bill: AND SENATE PRESIDENT TOLD ME TODAY HE DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER THAT WOULD PASS HIS CHAMBER OR FAIL?

>> YEAH, I THINK THERE'S POLITICAL REASONS WHY REPUBLICANS DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO VOTE ON ABORTION RIGHT NOW.

WE SAW IT IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, DANIEL CAMERON WENT BACK AND FORTH ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE WOULD SIGN A BILL WITH EXCEPTIONS.

I THINK THERE IS A SENSE THAT REPUBLICANS COULD GET PRIMARIED BASED ON THEIR VOTE THERE AND IT MIGHT BE HARDER IN THE GENERAL.

I THINK THERE'S POLITICAL REASONS WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON IT.

I WILL NOTE I'VE HEARD THE ARGUMENT THAT YATES DID NOT ACTIVELY PURSUE A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT WHICH YATES HAS NOT DISPUTED.

I WILL ALSO NOTE HOWEVER I WENT THROUGH EVERY SENATE BILL AND THERE ARE ONLY TWO THAT I FOUND THIS YEAR THAT DID NOT GET A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT ONE WAS YATES' BILL AND THE OTHER CRASS THE CROWN ACT BANNING DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AGAINST BLACK HAIR.

>> Bill: THE SENATE PUT THE BREAKS ON EKU'S COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE AND PROPOSALS FROM WKU.

THE HOUSE EASILY PUSHED THOSE ALONG.

WHY DID THE SENATE WANT TO SLOW THINGS DOWN?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION PASSED EASY IN THE HOUSE.

AND THEN DIDN'T GET COMMITTEE HEARINGS ONCE THEY GOT TO THE SENATE SIDE AND IT GOES BACK TO WHAT AUSTIN WAS SAYING THERE IS A REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING.

SO THIS IS JUST SOMETHING WE'LL PROBABLY SEE COME UP IN THE INTERIM AND MAYBE WE'LL GET LEGISLATION ON IT NEXT YEAR AGAIN.

>> Bill: THERE IS A LAWSUIT FILED BY SOME RETAILORS WHO SAY THAT HOUSE BILL 11 WILL CAUSE THEM TO CLOSE THEIR STORES.

THAT SELL VAPING PRODUCTS.

THEY CALL IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> SO THIS HOUSE BILL 11 BASICALLY IT'S BANNING THE SALES OF SOME VAPING PRODUCTS.

AND SO THAT BY ITSELF WILL LIMIT WHAT CAN BE SOLD IN VAPE SHOPS AND IT WAS CONTROVERSIAL FOR A COUPLE REASONS.

THERE WAS A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN THAT PEOPLE WOULD TURN TO SMOKING CIGARETTES AND THE ECONOMY CONCERN THAT PEOPLE WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS.

YOU WILL HAVE TO SHUT DOWN STORES.

AND THE NEW LAWSUIT FILED SAYS THIS VIOLATES THE STATE CONSTITUTION BECAUSE IT DEALS WITH TOO MANY TOPICS BECAUSE THE BILL SAYS VAPOR PRODUCTS AND OTHER PRODUCTS AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT COVERS HEMP AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND THESE SORTS OF THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE COME UP.

THEY ARE SAYING IT'S TOO BROAD.

>> Bill: Dr. ROBBY FLETCHER WILL BE THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER HE IS THE FIRST THAT HAD TO WIN THE SENATE CONFIRMATION.

SENATORS STRUCK A POSITIVE TONE ABOUT THE NEW COMMISSIONER.

>> FROM THE PREVIOUS EDUCATION COMMISSIONER, I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS ONE BEING ABLE TO WORK ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

WITH US AS WE GO FORWARD AND I'M VERY EXCITED ONCE AGAIN THAT WE ARE BRINGING A KENTUCKIAN INTO THIS POSITION.

>> Bill: LITTLE DIG AT JASON GLASS THE PREDECESSOR TO FLETCHER AS THE COMMISSIONER.

>> YES.

WHO WAS A KENTUCKIAN OR IS A KENTUCKIAN, THAT IS AN IMMUTABLE CHARACTERISTIC.

BUT, YEAH, I MEAN THEY REALLY WANTED TO TURN THE PAGE ON JASON GLASS.

THEY DIDN'T LIKE HIM THAT THEY RAN AGAINST HIM IN A PROXY GOVERNOR RACE AFTER HE HAD LEFT ALREADY.

PEOPLE WERE STILL TALKING ABOUT HIM.

BUT ROBBY FLETCHER INHERITS SORT OF A CLEAN SLATE.

HE GOT NEAR UNANIMITY IN THE SENATE THERE WAS ONE VOTE AGAINST.

AND HE DOESN'T HAVE TO SORT OF BEG FOR MONEY FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS.

WE'LL SEE NEXT YEAR WHEN IT COMES TO THESE HOT BUTTON SOCIAL ISSUES THAT USUALLY HAVE TO DO WITH K-12.

WE'LL SEE.

WE'LL SEE WHAT KIND OF STANCE HE TAKES ON THOSE AND YOU KNOW, BECAUSE HE DID THREAD THE POLITICAL NEEDLE HE GOT APPROVED BY A BESHEAR BOARD AND REPUBLICAN SENATE.

>> Bill: LEARNED FROM GLASS' EXPERIENCE HE NEEDS TO KEEP A PULSE OF THE LEGISLATURE IN MIND.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED A STEPPED UP TIMETABLE FOR QUALIFYING BUSINESSES TO GET READY FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

SARAH THOSE BUSINESSES CAN START THE APPLICATION PROCESS EARLIER?

>> RIGHT, THIS COMES OUT OF A REPUBLICAN HOUSE BILL THE LICENSURE PROCESS WAS GOING TO START IN JANUARY AND PEOPLE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO BUY PRODUCTS.

SO INSTEAD IT WILL BE JULY 1-AUGUST 31 AND IT WILL BE THROUGH A LOTTERY SYSTEM WHICH BESHEAR HOPES WILL HELP BIG BUSINESSES NOT HAVE A MONOPOLY THERE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

BECAUSE OF OUR SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE OF FOREIGN OWNED AUTO MANUFACTURING A REASON FOR KENTUCKIANS TO WATCH A UNION VOTE IN CHATTANOOGA.

4300 WORKERS ARE VOTING.

SEVERAL REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS IN THE SOUTH SIGNED A LETTER SAYING IF A SUCCESSFUL UNION DRIVE COULD STOP JOB GROWTH.

INTERESTING TO WATCH HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> YEAH, LIKE YOU SAID WE HAVE FOREIGN AUTOMAKERS LIKE TOYOTA WHO ARE BIG HERE.

AND BESHEAR HAS PLAYED IN THIS REALM IN THE PAST VISITING THE PICKET LINE IN LOUISVILLE.

SO THOSE POLITICS WILL BE INTERESTING.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

IN WASHINGTON, MORE HED STATE UNIVERSITY WAS HONORED THE SATELLITES WERE ABLE TO CONNECT NASA SYSTEMS TO A LANDER THAT REACHED THE MOON IN FEBRUARY.

PLAYING A BIG ROLE IN THE COMMUNICATIONS INVOLVED AND CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS CONGRATULATED MOREHED SAID.

>> AN EXAMPLE OF THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT MOREHEAD STAYED IS DOING IN A PART OF THE COUNTRY NOT KNOWN FOR SPACE INNOVATION.

>> I'M PROUD OF THE WORK BEING DONE.

TO BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE SPACE WORKFORCE.

>> Bill: IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE A UNIVERSITY CARVE OUT A UNIQUE NICHE LIKE THAT, RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY?

>> ANYTIME YOU SEE KENTUCKY LEADING AND BEING PART OF THE FRONTLINE ON ANYTHING, YEAH, GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION IS COOL.

>> GO AND CHECK IT OUT.

IT'S AWESOME.

>> IT REALLY IS.

IT IS SOMETHING TO KNOW THAT WE'RE PART OF.

>> Bill: AS WE MENTIONED THE THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE EVENTS TAKING PLACE THIS WEEKEND AND WE COUNTDOWN TO THE DERBY.

GEORGE ATKINS, JR. KENTUCKY'S STATE AUDITOR MAYOR AND CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR HAS DIED.

ATKINS PLAYED FOR U.K. ATKINS WAS A YOUNG HOPKINSVILLE MAYOR WHEN HE RAN STATE-WIDE FOR AUDITOR IN 1975.

HE RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR GOVERNOR IN 1979 AND LIEUTENANT IN 1983.

BUT HE WAS A TOP OFFICIAL IN JOHN WHITE BROWN'S ADMINISTRATION AS BOTH FINANCE SECRETARY AND SECRETARY OF THE CABINET.

VISITATIONS ARE HELD IN LOUISVILLE AND HOPKINSVILLE FOR GEORGE ATKINS WHO WAS 82.

EARTH DAY IS MONDAY, SOME OBSERVANCES ARE PLANNED ALL AROUND KENTUCKY.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.