LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OVER AFTER DOZENS OF CLASHES BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN-LED LEGISLATURE AND THE STATE'S DEMOCRATIC GOVE NO KNOCK WARRANTS, ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN, LIABILITY PROTECTION FROM COVID LAWSUITS AMONG THE BILLS PASSED IN THE FINAL FRENZY IN FRANKFORT.

THE LEGISLATURE PUTS MORE MONEY IN A RAINY DAY FUND, WHILE SOME OPPONENTS SAY IT'S POURING RAIN RIGHT NOW.

AND A MOVE TO UNIONIZE KENTUCKY TEACHERS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

A CHILLY START TO APRIL AND EASTER WEEKEND, AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR DANIEL DESROSIERS, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERA LAURA CULLEN GLASSCOCK, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF THE KENTUCKY G AND JOE SONKA, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

ALSO TONIGHT, SOME OF KENTUCKY COUNTIES HAVE SOME OF THE LOWES VACCINE RATES IN THE COUNTRY, AND APPARENTLY POLITICS IS A MAJOR FACTOR.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS A FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION TO HELP THE STATE DEAL WITH ICE STORM DAMAGE AND A REQUEST FOR HELP WITH FLOOD DAMAGE IS ABOUT TO GO OUT.

BUT FIRST, GOVERNOR BESHEAR ISSUED 27 VETOES AFTER LAWMAKERS WENT ON BREAK THEY RETURNED AND NEARLY ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL.

LAWMAKERS ALSO DECIDED TO ALLOCATE ABOUT HALF THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING TO KENTUCKY FROM THE LATEST COVID RELIEF ACT.

REPUBLICANS HOPE TO COME BACK T FRANKFORT AND DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE OTHER HALF.

MINORITY DEMOCRATS THINK THE GOVERNOR SHOULD MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

>> THIS BILL SAYS THAT THE GOVERNOR CANNOT APPROPRIATE ANY OF THOSE FUNDS UNLESS GETTING APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

WE ARE, AS I POINT OUTED OUT NUMEROUS TIME BY VIRTUE OF THE CONSTITUTION, JUST A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE.

AS OF MIDNIGHT TOMORROW, OUR DUTY ENDS UNLESS WE'RE BALD CALLED BACK INTO SPECIAL SESSION UNTIL WE RECONVENE IN THE FIRST TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY IN JANUARY.

SOMEONE HAS TO EXPEND THESE FUNDS.

>> WE ARE THE ONLY ENTITY THAT CAN MAKE THE LAW.

WE ARE THE ONLY ENTITY THAT CAN APPROPRIATE.

SO UNLESS THERE'S SOME OTHER TYPE OF OFFSHORE ACCOUNT THAT THIS MONEY IS GOING TO FLOW INTO, IT IS ULTIMATELY THE LEGISLATURE'S PREROGATIVE TO APPROPRIATE SAID MONEYS.

>> Bill: LET'S DISCUSS THE SESSION.

FROM BEGINNING TO END, IT HAD A LOT TO DO, DAN, FROM AT LEAST OBSERVING FROM AFAR, TO DO WITH WHO RUNS THE SHOW IN FRANKFORT.

YOU KNOW, IT STARTED WITH A BILL RESTRICTING -- BILLS RESTRICTING THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS.

IT ENDED WITH THIS FLURRY VETOES FROM GOVERNOR AND OVERRIDE THOSE VETOES FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

WAS THERE A BIG TOUCHING WAR?

>> Daniel: YEAH, YOU COULD CALL IT TOUGHING WAR IF ONE SIDE WAS THE CHESS TEAM AND THE OTHER WAS THE FOOTBALL TEAM.

THE LEGISLATURE CLEARLY HAS THE POWER IN THIS SITUATION.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE SUPER MAJORITY IN BOTH CHAMBERS AND THEY HAVE THE ABILITIES TO SET THE LAW, AND SO PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY CONTROL THAT MANY SEATS THEY CAN GET THEIR TOP PRIORITIES DONE WITH A WAY WHERE BESHEAR CAN'T REALLY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

AND IS ON WE HAVE SEEN LAWSUITS, AND SOME OF THAT STUFF WILL BE SETTLED IN THE COURT, BUT THAT'S RATHER NARROW IN TERMS OF THE POWERS THAT IT'S DEALING WITH.

IT'S DEALING WITH A VERY SPECIFIC ISSUE OF EXECUTIVE EMERGENCY ORDERS, PARTICULARLY WITH COVID-19.

THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER AREAS WHERE THE LEGISLATURE IS JUST CHIPPING AWAY AND CHIPPING AWAY AND CHIPPING AWAY AT THE EXECUTIVE POWERS THAT I H. IN A WAY THAT BESHEAR MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO CHALLENGE THOSE TYPES OF THINGS IN THE COURT.

AND SO I THINK WHAT WE REALLY SAW HERE WAS THE LEGISLATURE COME OUT AND THE REPUBLICAN-CONTACT LENS LEGISLATURE SAYING WE'RE THE BOSS HERE.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC PERCEPTION, THE LEGISLATURE NOW GOES HOME.

THE GOVERNOR CONTINUES TO BE VITE QUIZ I WILL BE.

>> Daniel: YEAH, AND THAT'S PART OF IT, SLIGHT THEY'RE A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE.

HE'S VIZTIBLE WHOLE TIME.

BUT EVEN STILL THEY KIND OF SHOWED THEIR AUTHORITY IN THAT THEY CAN TINKER WITH WHAT HE'S ABLE TO DO WHEN THEY'RE NOT THERE, AND THEY ALSO PASSED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO MAKE IT THEORY MYER FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE THAN A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE.

SO IF THE VOTERS APPROVE THAT, WE MIGHT BE SEEING MORE OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE ADVANTAGE OF THE GOVERNOR BEING THE VISIBLE ONE MIGHT START TO SLIP AWAY.

>> Bill: A LONG WAY WHEN THE GOVERNOR SAID HERE ARE THE PRIORITIES AND THE LEGISLATURE JUST RUBBER-STAMPED EVERYTHING.

>> Daniel: IF WE'RE LOOKING AT A POWER MOVE, THE LEGISLATURE IS STARTING TO TAKE SOME OF THAT POWER BACK THEY GAVE OVER TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BACK WHEN THE DEMOCRATS WERE FULLY IN CHARGE.

>> Bill: JOE, AS WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WILL BECOME LAW, WHAT WON'T AND WHAT IS IN LIMBO, THE HOUSE DID OVERRIDE THE VOTES TO OVERRIDE THE VETO ON THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL.

THAT CERTAINLY WAS A HOT TOPIC.

>> Joe: YES, IT WAS AND IT HAD TWO OF THE CLOSEST VOTES OF THE ENTIRE SESSION.

THIS IS THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL TO SET UP A TAX CREDIT SYSTEM, SETTING UP EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS WHERE PART OF TUITION TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND SOME OF THE HIGHEST POPULATED COUNTIES COULD BE USED.

SO IT PASSED 48--- 47-1 VOTE AND OVERRIDE GOT THE BARE BUNDLE MINIMUM TO OVERRIDE BESHEAR'S VETO.

51 VOTES.

THE REPUBLICANS WERE TRYING DO GET THAT OVER THE FINISH LINE AND THEY USED AS A CARROT THE PROMISE OF FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FUNDING, AND THAT IS WHAT GOT REPRESENTATIVE REGINA HUFF, SHE WAS THE SWING VOTE, SHE VOTED AGAINST AT THIS TIME FIRST TIME AND QUOTED VOTED FOR THE OVERRIDE AND SHE SAID SHE DID THAT BECAUSE OF THE PROMISE THERE WAS GOING TO BE A BILL THE NEXT DAY, FINAL DAY FUNDING FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED BUT AT LEAST FORE ONE YEAR.

>> Bill: LAUREN, THERE YOU GO.

IT IS ONE YEAR KINDERGARTEN FULL FUNDING, RIGHT?

>> Laura: THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE ARE SOME SUPERINTENDENTS WHO ARE A LITTLE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE FUNDING FOR THE KINDERGARTEN.

A NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALREADY HAVE FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

THEY FUND THE BALANCE THAT THE STATE DOESN'T COVER OUT OF THEIR OWN COFFERS.

AND WDRB REPORTED THAT IN HENRY COUNTY, OLD HAM, SOME OF THE AREAS AROUND LOUISVILLE, THE SUPERINTENDENTS ARE RECOGNIZE, WELL, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THIS FIRST YEAR.

TO THEM IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO OVERSHADOW SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE HAVE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNT AND THE SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> Bill: AND MANY SCHOOLS GO AHEAD AND DO THE FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN OUT OF THEIR OWN BUDGETS.

ALL RIGHT.

SO AS THE CLOCK WAS TICKING TOWARD THE SESSION'S ADJOURNMENT, THAT SCHOOL CHOICE BILL DID LEAD TO FIERCE DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO REGULATIONS FOR FAMILIES, HOUSE BILL 563 SAYS, EH, WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT LATER.

DISCRIMINATION, FINE.

NO BACKGROUND CHECKS, FINE.

IT IS VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT THE HOW OF GRANTING TAX CREDITS FOR THE SUPER WEALTHY AND CORPORATIONS.

>> BUT WE DON'T HAVE SCHOOL CHOICE WHERE I LIVE, AND WE DON'T HAVE SCHOOL CHOICE WHERE MOST KENTUCKIANS LIVE, AND SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY, AND LET'S NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IN THE STATE, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM WHOSE FAMILY HAPPENS TO BE BELOW 175% OF THE REDUCED LUNCH LEVEL NOW HAS A PLACE TO GO FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> Bill: SO THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL WILL BE LAW NOW, AND THE POINT, LAURA, WAS MADE THAT THAT MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> Laura: IT DOES, AND IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE BOTH REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND AND REPRESENTATIVE McCOY ARE CORRECT.

IT DOES SET UP TAX BREAKS FOR WEALTHY FOLKS AND IT DOES GIVE LOWER INCOME FAMILIES OPPORTUNITY, BUT REPRESENTATIVE McCOY HIMSELF SAID IN A LOT OF RURAL AREAS THERE IS NO SCHOOL CHOICE.

MANY KENTUCKY COUNTIES HAVE ONLY ONE HIGH SCHOOL, FOR EXAMPLE, SO YOU CANTS GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

BUT THE BILL DOES ALLOW STUDENTS WHO LIVE IN HIGHER POPULATION COUNTIES, COUNTIES WITH 90,000 OR MORE PEOPLE, READ THAT JEFFERSON, FAYETTE, KENTON, WARREN, IT DOES ALLOW THEM TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, INCLUDING RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS, AND THERE IS -- THERE ARE SUGGESTIONS RECORD HINTS IN THE LANGUAGE THAT THIS LEND UP IN COURT.

IN HIS VETO MESSAGE, GOVERNOR BESHEAR CITED THE PROHIBITION IN THE THE CONSTITUTION HAS ON FUNDING RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS, AND THEN THE BILL ITSELF HAS LANGUAGE THAT GIVES PARENTS OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS STANDING TO BE INVOLVED IN LAWSUITS IF THEY SHOULD BE FILED.

>> Bill: JOE, I ALSO THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR, WHILE INDICATING THERE IS LIKELY LEGAL ACTION, HE ALSO INDICATED IT'S UNCLEAR WHERE THAT MIGHT COME FROM.

>> John: YES.

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WON'T COME FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ITSELF.

IT MAY WELL INTERVENE AFTER SOMEONE ELSE FILES A LAWSUIT, BUT SO FAR WE DON'T KNOW WHO THAT IS, BUT I WOULD EXPECT THAT IF THAT COMES, IT WILL PROBABLY COME SOON.

>> Bill: DAN, AS YOU LOOK AT ALL THE POLITICAL OPTICS OUT THERE, THIS ALSO CAUGHT MY EYE AT LEAST.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS DID A SORT OF CEREMONIAL SIGNING.

THERE WAS A SMALL CROWD.

THIS WAS MEDIA THERE OF THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL WHEN HE BASICALLY CERTIFIED THE OVERRIDE, SOMETHING THAT'S NORMALLY JUST DONE QUIETLY.

>> Daniel: YEAH, I THINK IF WE HAVE SEEN ONE TREND FROM SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS, IT'S THAT HE DEFINITELY ENJOYS PUBLICITY, AND I THINK THIS WAS NOT EXAMPLE OF THAT.

IT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO WATCH HIM BECAUSE HE WAS NO NECESSARILY ONE THAT A LOT OF US HAD OUR EYES ON WHEN HE WON ELECTION BACK IN 2019, AND ARGUABLY HE'S USED HIS PLATFORM IN THE WAY TO MAKE A NAME FOR MIMS A LOT OF THAT WAS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND COMING UP WITH A NEW VOTING SOLUTION FOR HOW PEOPLE CAN VOTE DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND HE GOT A LOT OF PRAISE FOR BEING BIPARTISAN IN THAT.

NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE KIND OF THE MORE CONSERVATIVE SIDE OF MICHAEL ADAMS COME OUT.

HE'S GETTING PUBLICITY FOR THAT SCHOOL CHOICE BILL, HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE GEORGIA ELECTION LAW ON TWITTER.

I THINK THAT FOR SOMEONE WHO IS AS AMBITIOUS AND AS NAKEDLY AMBITIOUS AS MICHAEL ADAMS IS, HE'S THINKING ABOUT WHERE IS THE REPUBLICAN BASE AND HOW CAN I INGRATIATE MYSELF WITH THE REPUBLICAN BASE, ESPECIALLY IF I HAVE MY EYES ON OTHER SORTS OF POLITICAL -- >> -- >> Bill: AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS PLANS MAY BE FOR 2023, BUT IF HE DOES RUN FOR RE-ELECTION, WHICH HE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR, IS HE CONCERNED ABOUT A PRIMARY?

>> Daniel: I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW I THINK THERE WAS TAUB WHEN THE PANDEMIC WAS GOING ON BUT I THINK HE HAS ENOUGH NAIN NAME RECOGNITION AND POTENTIAL MONEY THAT THAT THAN THE WOO BE A THREAT.

HE IS LOOKING DOWN THE LINE.

HE'S A RELATIVELY YOUNG GUY AND HE PROBABLY HAS SOME AMBITIONS.

>> Bill: OTHER EDUCATION AND/OR LEGISLATION, THE RETIREMENT SCENARIO, JOE, FOR FUTURE TEACHERS WILL BE DIFFERENT.

THEY'LL HAVE TO WORK MORE YEARS.

AND THE DEFINED PENSION BENEFIT FOR FUTURE-HIRES STARTING NEXT YEAR GO AWAY.

>>> >> Joe: YEAH, THAT STARTS NEXT JANUARY AND NEW TEACHERS WILL BE IN A HYBRID PLAN THAT'S PART OF THE DEFINED BENEFIT AND PART DEFINED CONTRIBUTION.

THE STATEWIDE FUTURE UNION WEEK THE KEA AND ALSO JEFFERSON COUNTY TEACHERS UNION, THEY WERE PRETTY NEUTRAL ON THIS.

THE ONLY GROUP THAT REALLY CAME OUT FORCIBLY AGAINST IT WAS THE 120 STRONG GROUP, WHICH PROBABLY NOT VERY COINCIDENTAL CAME OUT AS A -- JOINED A NATIONAL UNION, THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, SO THAT GROUP IS REALLY KNOWN AS KIND OF A GRASSROOTS PROTEST GROUP SINCE THE SEWARD BILL AND DEALING WITH THE SICKOUTS, AND NO THEY'RE MORE OF A FORMAL -- NOW THEY'RE MORE OF A FORMAL UNION THAT COULD BE A MORE AGGRESSIVE ALTERNATIVE THAN THE OTHERS.

>> Bill: LAURA, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, THAT GROUP, KENTUCKY 120 ALSO KNOWN AS 2020 STRONG, MAKING THAT ANNOUNCEMENT -- 120 STRONG MAKING THAT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT JOINING THE AFT.

WILL THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND THIS NEW GROUP PEACEFULLY COEXIST OR DO THEY FIGHT FOR MEMBERS OR WHAT HAPPENS GOING FORWARD?

>> Laura: YEAH, THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN, I THINK.

AND WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE SHOW, TODAY'S GOOD FRIDAY.

A LOT OF OFFICES WERE CLOSED SO WE COULDN'T CALL PEOPLE AND GET COMMENT ON THAT.

BUT THE ORGANIZATIONS, THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS AND 120 STRONG HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER IN THE WEEK, AND THEN AFTERWARDS RELEASED A PRESS RELEASE IN WHICH THEY SAID THAT MEMBERS OF 120 STRONG AND AFT CAN ALSO MAINTAIN MEMBERSHIP IN OTHER PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH I AM READING TO BE THE KEA, AND SO ANOTHER THING THAT'S INTERESTING, TOO, WITH THE AFT IS THEY REPRESENT NOT ONLY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS BUT OTHER PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND STAFF, AND SO THERE COULD BE A PUSH ELSEWHERE IN THE STATE, MAYBE, IF AFT TAKES OFF TO BRING IN OTHER PEOPLE INTO THE UNION FOLD.

>> Daniel: I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT THERE ARE BENEFITS TO THE KENTUCKY 120 UNITED GROUP TO BE A PART OF A LARGER ORGANIZATION.

THAT'S VERY, VERY CLEAR WHAT THEY GET OUT OF IT.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT WOULD TEACHERS GET OUT OF OF IT.

WHAT TYPES POWERS WILL THIS GROUP HAVE.

NORMALLY THE WAY THAT I UNIONIZING PROCESS WORKS IS THAT MEMBERS HAVE TO TAKE A VOTE, RECOGNIZE THE UNION, THERE'S COLLECTIVE BARGAINING INVOLVED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THIS ORGANIZATION WILL ACTUALLY DO FOR YOUR AVERAGE EVERYDAY TEACHER, AND YOU CAN'T FORGET THAT KENTUCKY IS NOT NECESSARILY A HUGE UNION STATE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY UNION FRIENDLY WHO MIGHT NOT BE SO EAGER TO GO AND JUMP INTO A UNION RIGHT NOW PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY ALREADY HAVEKEA.

>> Bill: AND BRINGS BACK A 30 OR 40 YEAR OLD ISSUE IN KENTUCKY ABOUT PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATIONS AND WHETHER SCHOOL BOARDS OBLIGATED TO TALK WITH THEM IN A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING A SORT OF SETTING.

IT COULD BE INTERESTING GOING FORWARDS.

JOE, JUST TALKING ABOUT THE -- WRAPPING UP THE EDUCATION ELEMENT OF THE SESSION, WHICH WAS QUITE IMPORTANT, BRIGETTE OBAMA REAMS OF THE PRITCHARD COMMITTEE TALKED NEE FOR THE WKYT KENTUCKY NEWSMAKERS PROGRAM THIS WEEKEND, AND SHE SAID IT WAS A MIXED BAG FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

THEY DID -- FOR EDUCATION.

THEY DID OPPOSE THIS SCHOOL CHOICE BILL.

SHE SAYS THERE IS SOME MONEY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND, OF COURSE, WAS VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THE FUNDING FOR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

>> Joe: AND THEY ALSO GET $127 MILLION IN SCHOOL RENOVATION AND CONSTRUCTION, AND THAT WAS PART OF THE BILLION DOLLAR PLUS AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT CAME IN FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT IN THE FINAL DAY OF THE SESSION.

I BELIEVE THE LAST FEW DAYS OF THE SESSION THE TOTAL IS $1.3 BILLION, AND THE BULK OF THAT IS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

>> Bill: JOE, SOME OF THE FEDERAL MONEY IS BEING SHIFTED TO PAY UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

DOES THAT KEEP EMPLOYERS FROM HAVING TO PAY?

AND DOES THAT BRING SOME ISSUES IN ABOUT HOW THE FEDERAL MONEY CAN BE USED?

>> Joe: YES.

SO THAT'S $575 MILLION THAT GOES TO PAY BACK THAT BIG UNEMPLOYMENT, FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LOAN THAT WE TOOK OUT DURING THE PANDEMIC, SO THIS IS GOING TO BENEFIT EMPLOYERS, PARTICULARLY THEIR TAXES, SO THIS WILL LOWER THE AMOUNT OF UNEMPLOYMENT TAXES THAT THEY'RE PAYING, AND SO THAT WAS REALLY PUSHED BY THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS ONE OF THEIR BIG PRIORITIES THE SESSION.

BUT THERE ARE GROUPS LIKE THE KENTUCKY SENATE FOR ECONOMIC POLICY -- KENTUCKY CENTER -- THAT SAY, WAIT A SECOND, HA AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT CAME WITH CERTAIN EULLS RULES AND YOU CAN'T USE THAT FUND TO OFFSET TAX CUTS.

SO I THINK IN THE WEEKS TO COME WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE GUIDANCE FROM THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT ON WHAT THOSE FUNDS CAN AND CANNOT BE USED FOR, AND THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE ONE OF THOSE AREAS THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

>>> >> Bill: MAY BE MORE CLARITY.

DAN, ANOTHER PORTION OF THE STIMULUS CEREMONY GOING TO GO TOWARD EXPAND BROADBAND ACCESS IN KENTUCKY.

>>> >> Daniel: AND THIS HAS BEN A PUSH FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.

WE HAD THE BOONDOGGLE THAT WAS THE KENTUCKY WIRE PROJECT.

THIS IS ABOUT GETTING INTERNET ACCESS RIGHT TO PEOPLE'S HOUSES.

IT'S THAT LAST MILE, MAKING SURE THAT THE UNDERSERVED RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE ABLE TO GET INTERNET ACCESS, AND IN A LOT OF WAYS THIS IS ABOUT BRINGING KIPP TO THE 21st CENTURY WHERE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE SAW HOW VITAL IT IS FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE INTERNET ACCESS RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: IF THERE IS MORE MONEY COMING FROM WASHINGTON IN THIS NEW ACT THAT MAY BE PASSED HAVING TO DO WITH INFRASTRUCTURE, IS KENTUCKY GOING TO LOOK BACK ON HAVING SPENT IN MONEY OLDER ON AS AN INVESTMENT THEY SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR OR DO YOU DO THAT NOW?

>> Daniel: I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK BACK WITH REGRETS BECAUSE WE HAVE PLACES THAT JUST DON'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS IN GENERAL SO YOU NEED TO GET THOSE PEOPLE UP TO JUST THE BASIC LEVEL, AND THEN THERE'S LOTS OF ROOM FOR INVESTMENT TO BRING IT INTO THE FUTURE, RIGHT?

WE CAN TALK ABOUT 5G.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT MUCH, MUCH, MUCH, MUCH MORE EXPAND INTERNET ACCESS.

SO I THINK THE MORE MONEY YOU CAN THROW AT BROADBAND INTERNET, THE BETTER OFF THE STATE WILL BE ON THIS FRONT.

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE REST OF THE MONEY.

JOE, HOW IS THAT DANCE GOING WITH FIGURING OUT, YOU KNOW, IS THE LEGISLATURE CALLED BACK IN?

WILL THERE BE LEGAL ACTION TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR TO ALLOCATE THE REST OF THE FEDERAL MONEY?

>> Joe: IT'S INTERESTING WEEK A FEW WEEKS AGO THE GOVERNOR SENT A PROPOSAL TO LEGISLATORS FOR HOW THEY SHOULD SPEND THAT $2.6 BILLION FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, AND HE GOT ABOUT HALF OF IT.

WHAT THEY PASSED THE FINAL DAY PRETTY CLOSELY REBELLED WHEN HE WANTED ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND A BIG BACK THE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT LOAD.

WHAT HASN'T BEEN -- LOAN.

WHAT HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED IS THE REST OF WHAT BESHEAR PROPOSED.

HE PROPOSED IT BACK IN JANUARY, AND HA WAS DIRECT PAYMENTS TO HOUSEHOLD, DIRECT PAYMENTS TO BUSINESSES, DIRECT PAYMENTS TO NON-PROFITS WHO WERE HURT BY THE PANDEMIC.

AND THERE WAS EVEN A BILL THAT HAD WHAT HIS PLAN THAT DIDN'T GET TOUCHED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SESSION.

SO THE QUESTION IS WHETHER A SPECIAL SESSION IS GOING TO BE CALLED AND WOULD LEGISLATORS PASS SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND IF THE SPECIAL SESSION ISN'T CALLED, WILL BESHEAR TRY TO DO THAT ON HIS OWN.

IF HE DOES TRY TO DO THAT ON HIS OWN, THEN HE'S GOING TO HAVE ROBERT STIVERS AND DAVID OSBORNE AND A LOT OF REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS VERY FURIOUS BECAUSE THEY WERE ADAMANT THAT NONE OF THOSE FUNDS COULD BE SPENT UNLESS IT WAS EXPLICITLY APPROPRIATED WITH THEIR AUTHORITY.

>> Daniel: AND THAT I HAVE HAVE THEY'VE BEEN KIND OF KILNY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S GOING TO BE A SPECIAL SESSION.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAY IT'S TOO EARLY TO SAY.

I THINK PART OF IT THEY WANT TO WATER TO MORE FEDERAL GUIDANCE AND THEY ALSO WANT TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS LIFE STARTS TO SLOWLY COME WALK TO BACK TO THE NEW NORMAL, AS THE STIMULUS MONEY BEGINS TO HIT, THERE'S A QUESTION ABOUT HOW'S THIS GOING TO WORK?

THEY HAVE UNTIL 2024 TO SPEND MOST OF THIS MONEY, AND SO AS LONG AS THEY CAN GET IT SPEND BEFORE THEN, DON'T HAVE TO GIVE IT BACK, AND SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CAUTION AMONG THESE REPUBLICANS LAWMAKERS.

>> Laura: I'M SORRY, BILL.

THEY ALSO MIGHT WANT TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT'S IN THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, TOO, BECAUSE IF THERE'S MONEY APPROPRIATED FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS LIKE, SAY, THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE, THEN MAYBE THEY DON'T NEED TO APPROPRIATE MONEY IN THAT DIRECTION, RIGHT?

SO THEY COULD HOLD ONTO THE MONEY, SEE WHAT OTHER MONEYS COME FROM THE FEDS, AND THEN DECIDE HOW TO SPEND THE MONEY THAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

>> JONATHAN: >> Bill: IT REALLY IS INTERESTING.

RIGHT NOW IT'S A TALE OF TWO CAPITALS AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN WASHINGTON VERY MUCH IMMATICS HOW FRANKFORT CAN PROCEED.

JOE, THE NO KNOCK WARRANT BILL GOT THROUGH.

THIS IS -- IT SETS SOME LIMITS.

IT IS NOT A BAN.

AND THIS SAYS THAT THERE WILL BE LIMITS ON HOW THOSE CAN BE USED AFTER THE DEATH OF BREONNA TAYLOR.

>> Joe: YES, IT'S NOT AN OUTRIGHT BAN BUT IT DOES HAVE A LOT OF LIMITATIONS ON HOW AND WHEN AND WHO CAN USE IT, ONLY IN CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY, ONLY BY CERTAIN TYPES OF TRAINED POLICE FORCES, ONLY IF THOSE WHO GET THE WARRANT GET IT -- GET PERMISSION FROM CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE, SO THAT DID PASS, AND THAT I THINK WAS ENOUGH BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO PASS IN TWO CHAMBERS WITH A LARGE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY WHERE THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE PULLS A LOT OF WEIGHT, BUT THAT DID PASS IN THE LAW.

THERE WERE CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE BILL WHERE CERTAIN RURAL AREAS, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A VIDEO BODY CAM, AND THERE'S NOT THE REQUIREMENT THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIALIZED, TRAINED FORCE WHO ACTUALLY MAKES THE RAID.

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU DID HAVE AN EFFORT TO GET THE LOUISVILLE CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD TO HAVE SUBPOENA POWER FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE OVERSIGHT, AND THAT BILL KIND OF EXPLODED ON THE LAST DAY AND WILL WAS HOPE THAT IT COULD PASS BUT THIS FELL APART.

>> Bill: LAURA, YOU PAID ATTENTION TO ON THE SOCIAL JUSTICE BILL, SENATE BILL 10.

>> Laura: IT CREATED THE COMMISSION ON RACE AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY, AND THAT COMMISSION IS HOUSED IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND WHAT IT WOULD DO IS IT WOULD STUDY AND MAKE POLICY, PUBLIC POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ON ISSUES LIKE HOUSING, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AREAS OF SOCIETY WHERE WE KNOW THERE ARE RACIAL INEK QUITS FOR PEOPLE.

SO THAT -- INEQUITIES FOR PEOPLE.

THE COMMISSION DID PASS, AND IT WAS SPONSORED, THE BILL WAS SPONSORED IN THE SENATE BY ALL MEMBERS OF LEADER L. LEADERSHIP, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, SO I'M NOT SURPRISED IT PASSED.

WE'LL SEE WHAT WORK COMES OUT OF THAT COMMISSION.

>> Bill: AND, DAN, BUSINESSES AND HEALTH CARE FACILITIES WILL GET SOME PROTECTION FROM LIABILITY SUITS ARISING OUT OF COVID-19.

>> Daniel: YEAH, THATS EVER THAT WAS A TOP PRIORITY FOR SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS AND ALSO GROUPS LIKE THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THEY MADE THIS TARGET THERE NEEDS TO BE PROTECTIONS FOR BUSINESSES THAT TRIED TO STAY OPEN DURING THE PANDEMIC AS WELL AS FOR THE MANUFACTURE PLANTS THAT TRANSITIONED TO LIKE THE BOURBON DISTILLERS MAKING HAND SANITIZER.

THAT SAID, THERE WAS A LOT OF OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.

REPRESENTATIVE CHAD McCOY WHO ENDED UP VOTING FOR IT CALLED IT A VERY, VERY BAD BILL, AND SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR DOES WITH IT BECAUSE HE HAS THE ABILITY TO VETO THIS BILL, AND IT WILL BE -- HE HAS NOT REALLY SIGNALED WHERE HE STANDS ON IT.

>> Bill: THE LEGISLATURE PUT MORE MONEY INTO A RAINY DAY FUND.

IT WILL NOW BE CLOSE TO $1 BILLION.

IT ISN'T BEING SPENT OR RETURNED TO TAXPAYERS.

IT'S GOING INTO SAVINGS FOR THE STATE.

DEMOCRATS SAY THIS IS A RAINY DAY.

>> Daniel: YEAH, AND THIS IS THE DIVIDE.

THERE'S A TON OF MONEY COMING IN RIGHT NOW.

IN SOME WAY THE LEGISLATURE HAS GOTTEN A LOTTERY.

IT'S GOTTEN A WINDFALL AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO RAISE TAXES ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS ARE REALLY FEELING THEY HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS RIGHT NOW.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEND THAT MONEY BEFORE THEY HAVE MORE KNOWLEDGE.

>> Bill: LAURA, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER OF 2022 ON ABORTION.

>> Laura: THAT'S RIGHT.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE WOMEN THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION IN KENTUCKY, SO THAT'LL BE, AS YOU SAY, ON THE BALLOT IN 2022 WHICH IS A BIG ELECTION YEAR.

WE KNOW IF ELECTION SENATE, RAND PAUL'S SEAT IS ON THE BALLOT, U.S. HOUSE, SO IT'S LIKELY WE WILL SEE A LOT OF CONSERVATIVE TURNOUT, PEOPLE WHO GO TO THE POLLS SIMPLY TO VOTE FOR ABORTION AND THEN WHO STAY TO VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE TICKET.

>> Bill: DAN, MIXED NEWS ON THE VACCINE FRONT.

OUR DEATH TOLL HAS TOPPED 6,000 BUT AFTER PEOPLE SCRAMBLED TO GET APPOINTMENTS EARLY ON, NOW IT THERE SEEMS TO BE A CEILING ON PEOPLE WILLING THE GET TO VACCINE.

>> Daniel: WE'RE ZITTING A PLATEAU, GETTING MOO THAT RISKIER PHASE WHERE YOU NEED TO FIND PEOPLE AND GET THEM CONCERNED TO GET THE VACCINE WHICH IS A CHALLENGE WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO GET UP TO 70 OR 80% OF THE POMLATION VACCINATED.

>> Bill: WHAT SHOULD WE LOOKING FOR.

>> Daniel: THE MOST IS HOSPITALIZATIONS AND ICU BECAUSE WE'VE TARGETED THE OLDER PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE THAT TEND TO BE MORE AFFECTED BY THIS VIRUS SO EVEN IF WE SEE SOME SIMONS OF A SURGE IF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND ICU COUNTS STAY LOW THAT MEANS PEOPLE ARE GETTING A LITTLE IS YOU CAN AND NOT BADLY SICK.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.

>> Bill: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHIFTING REQUIREMENTS.

OWENSBORO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED MOW MORE ROUTINE TEMPERATURE CHECKS.

LAURA, QUICK ON THAT, THAT'S A CHANGE.

>> Laura: YES.

EARLIER THIS WEEK THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUED NEW GUIDANCE SAYING THAT ASYMPTOMATIC STAFF AND STUDENTS NO LONGER HAVE TO BE TESTED OR NO LONGER HAVE TO HAVE THEIR TEMPERATURE CHECKED IN ORDER TO ENTER BUILDINGS OR RIDE THE SCHOOL BUS.

>> Bill: AND PRESIDENT BIDEN DECLARED A FEDERAL DISASTER BEFORE CENTRAL AND EASTERN KENTUCKY TO HELP DEAL WITH ICE STORMS.

WE AWAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FLOOD REQUESTS AS WELL.

AND WE'LL BE WATCHING THAT.

JOE, AN INTERESTING SESSION.

IT'S FINALLY IN THE BOOKS.

>> Joe: THANK GOODNESS.

>> Bill: HE'S TRYING TO GET SOME REST.

MAYSVILLE IS MOURNING THE LOSS OF MAYOR COULD THE RELL WHO DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.

THE COULD THE RELL WAS ELECTED MAYOR IN NOVEMBER 2018.

HE PROMISED MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNOR P COT RELL ALSO RAN AN AN PEEK STORE.

AND APPALACHIAN COMMISSION REWARDING $9.4 BILLION TO GRANTS IN PROJECTS IN SEVERAL-DAYS STATES INCLUDING KENTUCKY.

TO DEAL WITH SUBSTANCE ADDICTION.

THE COMMISSION'S PARTNERS INCLUDE UNIVERSITIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SOME PROGRAMS