[♪♪] >> Bill: CONGRESSMAN AND AND ENTER THE OPEN RACE FOR THE U.S. SENATE HOPING TO REPLACE MITCH McCONNELL.

BARR'S MOVE SETS IN MOTION WHAT COULD BE A CROWDED CONTEST FOR HIS HOUSE SEAT IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS REQUEST A DELAY FOR REAL ID ENFORCEMENT.

CHURCHILL DOWNS GETS READY FOR THE DERBY AND PAUSES A BILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION.

HEADING TOWARD DERBY WEEK IN THE COMMONWEALTH, 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 GUESTINGS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE MARCUS GREEN, REPORTER FOR WBRB IN LOUISVILLE.

HANNAH PINSKI, POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE COURIER JOURNAL AND AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT LOBBYISTS SPEND $9 MILLION TRYING TO INFLUENCE LAWMAKERS IN THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BUT LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE POLITICAL NEWS OF THE WEEK, REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR'S JUMP INTO THE U.S. SENATE RACE.

>> I'M ANDY BARR AND I'M RUNNING ARE NOT THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO HELP THIS PRESIDENT SAVE OUR COUNTRY.

[APPLAUSE] >> Bill: IT WAS A VERY POURLY KEPT SECRET AUSTIN YOU BROKE THE STORY AHEAD OF IT BUT ATTENTION GETTING WHEN BARR MADE IT OFFICIAL HE IS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.

>> YEAH, IT WAS IN RICHMOND ON TUESDAY.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BARR, I THINK, HAS TO WORK AGAINST A LITTLE BIT IS PERHAPS A PERCEPTION HE IS A LEXINGTON UPPER CRUST LAWYER GUY AND BEING IN RICHMOND IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH TO LEXINGTON BUT IT'S NOT LEXINGTON.

IT WAS WELL ATTENDED FOR AN EVENT.

IT WAS A WELL PUT TOGETHER EVENT, THE BRANDING WAS NICE.

AND THE LOGO WAS CRISP TO WHATEVER EXTENT THAT MATTERS.

HIS SPEECH WAS, I THINK, VERY ENERGETIC IT WAS VERY LONG WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE WATCHED BARR HAVE COME TO EXPECT.

AND IT KIND OF IT HIT ALL THE ISSUES THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT OF A REPUBLICAN RUNNING IN KENTUCKY FOR ANY OFFICE.

TO RATTLE OFF.

IT WAS A GRAB BAG OF EVERYTHING.

I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING AND IS A LINGERING QUESTION FOR HIM, WHAT IS THE SET OF ISSUES TWO OR THREE THAT YOU ARE REALLY GOING TO HAMMER IN ON YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH.

IT WAS A 16-AND-A-HALF MINUTE SPEECH MOST PEOPLE ARE ONLY GOING TO HEAR OR RETAIN ABOUT 20 SECONDS OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AS A CANDIDATE.

WHAT IS THAT SET OF THINGS?

>> Bill: ONE POLITICAL CONSULTANT ONCE TOLD ME YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO PUT IN A SENTENCE WHY YOU ARE RUNNING.

HANNAH WHAT STRIKES YOU?

>> THE ONE THING THAT STRIKES ME IS HOW MUCH HE MENTIONED TRUMP IN THE SPEECH AND SPOKEN TO CUTTING TAXES ENDING D.E.I.

PROGRAMS, PROMOTING COAL THOSE ARE THINGS BARR SAID THAT HE SUPPORTS AND WOULD SUPPORT IF ELECTED IN THE SENATE.

I AM THE IDEAL CANDIDATE BECAUSE I CURRENTLY WORK IN THE HOUSE AND I WORK WITH TRUMP LOOK AT ME I'M ALREADY ADVANCING HIS AGENDA.

AND HE SEES HIS POSITION AS AN ADVANTAGE GOING INTO NEXT YEAR'S PRIMARY.

>> Bill: DOES HE HAVE TO BE IN LOCK STEP WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP?

IF HE HOPES TO GET HIS ENDORSEMENT?

>> IN SHORT, YES.

I MEAN, FULL STOP, YES.

I DON'T THINK WE'VE SEEN ANYBODY REALLY VEER SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE PRESIDENT WHEN IT COMES TO POLICY OR EVEN STYLE REALLY.

AND CONTINUE TO GET HIS ENDORSEMENT.

THAT'S WHY WE'VE GOT ANOTHER CONGRESSMAN WHO HAS A HISTORY OF CHAFING WITH TRUMP UP NORTH, THOMAS MASSIE.

I THINK IT'S WIDELY PERCEIVED ALL OF THESE CANDIDATES AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM DANIEL CAMERON IN THE RACE THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL, HE IS HUGHING CLOSELY TO TRUMP AND TO NOT HUGH CLOSELY TO TRUMP IT WOULD BE VERY RISKY AT THIS POINT FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

>> Bill: BARR ANTICIPATES A TOUGH CAMPAIGN AND SAID AS MUCH IN THE SPEECH.

AND DANIEL CAMERON RELEASED A POLL SHOWING HIM IN THE LEAD AND BUSINESSMAN NATE MORRIS HE CALLED BARR A CAREER POLITICIAN AND McCONNELL LACKEY.

IT CAN BE TOUGH COMBAT AND INCOMING ARROWS.

>> OBVIOUSLY ALL THREE MEN HAVE DIFFERENT STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES.

CAMERON HAS THE BEST NAME ID FOR RUNNING IN THE 2023 GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE FACT THAT HE LOST THAT TO ANDY BESHEAR.

YOU HAVE BARR WHO HAS $5 MILLION OF CASH ON HAND FOR HIS CAMPAIGN.

THAT SHOWS HE HAS STRONG FUNDRAISING SKILLS AND THEN AGAIN ASKING THE QUESTION OF DO PEOPLE KNOW AND RECOGNIZE HIM OUTSIDE OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND LEXINGTON.

AND NATE MORRIS WHO HAS NOT ANNOUNCED A RUN BUT WE ARE EXPECTING ONE.

HE CAN FUND HIS OWN CAMPAIGN.

HE IS PANDERING TO THE TRUMP CAMP BY BEING ON DONALD TRUMP JUNIOR'S PODCAST.

HE WAS IN A WHITE HOUSE RELEASE PRAISING TRUMP'S TRADE PLAN AND WILL PEOPLE KNOW HIM OUTSIDE OF THE POLITICAL CIRCLES HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: AUSTIN TALK ABOUT THE POLL THAT CAMERON RELEASED AND CAN HE SIT ON POSSIBLE LEAD HE MAY HAVE IN EARLY POLLING?

>> YES, IT WAS CONDUCTED RIGHT BEFORE THE NEWS ABOUT BARR RUNNING BROKE.

BUT IT HAD CAMERON AT 44% AND BARR AT 18%.

A LOT OF UNDECIDEDS IN THERE.

THE BIG QUESTION TO ME AND A LOT OF OBSERVERS LOOKING AT THIS, IS THAT 44% COMPRISED OF DANIEL CAMERON FANS?

OR IS IT COMPRISED OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HEARD OF HIM BEFORE, AREN'T NECESSARILY IN LOVE WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM.

BUT KNOW THAT HE IS A SOLID REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AND KNOW FAR LESS ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE ASKED ABOUT.

I DON'T KNOW.

I COULD SEE ARGUMENTS EITHER WAY.

AND IT'S WORTH MENTIONING AN X FACTOR WE REPORTED TODAY SCOTT JENNINGS A "CNN" COMMENTATOR A PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL TIED TO THE McCONNELL NETWORK HERE.

HE IS POTENTIALLY CONSIDERING A RUN FOR THIS SEAT AS WELL.

I THINK THAT WOULD DEPEND ON A TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

BUT ONE THING WE KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS THAT HIS LOVE LANGUAGE IS TELEVISION.

SO I THINK THERE IS POTENTIAL THERE LIKE SCOTT JENNINGS WHO IS THE KEY DEFENDER OF THE TRUMP AGENDA ON TV RIGHT NOW FULL STOP TO POTENTIALLY GET SUPPORT FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> Bill: MARCUS, BARR AND CAMERON HAVE BOTH SHOWN RESPECT FOR SENATOR McCONNELL IN THE PAST CAMERON WORKED FOR HIM.

AFTER 40 YEARS IN THE SENATE, IS McCONNELL GOING TO BE THE TARGET OF THE KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS WHO WANT HIS JOB?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF HE WILL BE A TARGET, BUT IT IS AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC GIVEN THE LOYALTY REQUIREMENTS OF THE CANDIDATES TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND McCONNELL HAS BEEN A CRITIC ESPECIALLY RECENTLY ON THE TRADE POLICIES AND TARIFF POLICIES AND APPOINTMENTS.

WHETHER OR NOT SENATOR McCONNELL WILL BE CALLED OUT BY NAME OR MADE A TARGET THERE MAYBE SLIGHT NUANCED ILLUSIONS TO HIM THAT MAYBE AREN'T CALLED BY NAME.

BUT IT IS FASCINATING THAT MITCH McCONNELL AND HIS POSITION ON THE PRESIDENT MAYBE PART OF THIS RACE GOING FORWARD AMONG REPUBLICANS.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE QUESTION IS HOW BIG?

IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATEMENTS THAT NATE MORRIS IS MAKING RIGHT NOW EVERY STATEMENT HE IS MAKING ON THE RACE IS NEGATIVE ON McCONNELL.

IT'S BASHING HIS RECOVERED.

ANDY BARR I WAS EXPECTING HIM TO BE MORE NEGATIVE ABOUT MITCH McCONNELL IN THIS LAUNCH.

BUT HE IS ADOPTING THE STRATEGY OF SAYING THIS RACE IS NOT ABOUT MITCH McCONNELL THIS RACE IS ABOUT THE FUTURE.

AND SORT OF BETTING THAT VOTERS WON'T REALLY CARE AS MUCH IN A YEAR FROM NOW AND IT MIGHT FEEL LIKE BEATING A DEAD HORSE ALMOST NOT TO USE PERHAPS A ROUGH ANALOGY.

BUT, I THINK THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION WITH MORRIS ON ONE SIDE AND BARR ON THE OTHER.

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE IF THE REPUBLICAN FIELD IS SET AND WE WILL BE WATCHING JENNINGS TO SOMETHING IF SOMETHING IS FORTHCOMING.

KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT WON A U.S. SENATE RACE SINCE 1992 THAT WAS WENDELL FORD'S FINAL VICTORY.

AND STATE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER PAMELA STEVENSON IS IN THE RACE ARE OTHERS CONTINUING TO TAKE A LOOK?

>> THE BIG NAME TO LOOK IS ROCKY ADKINS THE SENIOR ADVISER TO "GOVERNOR'S AWARD IN THE ARTS."

HE ALMOST BEAT HIM HE GOT A SECOND CLOSE PLACE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR.

LIKE YOU SAID IT'S BEEN A LONGTIME SINCE A DEMOCRAT MADE IT CLOSE.

THE LAST CLOSE RACE WAS EARLY DANIEL AGAINST JIM BUNKING.

ALTERNATE HISTORY IF GOVERNOR PAUL PATTON HAD NOT BEEN EMBROILED IN A SCANDAL OF SORTS HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN THE NOMINEE AND MOST AGREE HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WON.

>> Bill: LOOKING AT THAT RACE THAT YEAR.

HOW MUCH OF A POLITICAL HIGH WIRE ACT IS THIS FOR BARR TO BE MAKING THIS CHOICE TO LEAVE A SAFE, RELATIVELY SAFE HOUSE SEAT AND MAKE HIS FIRST STATE-WIDE RACE?

>> I THINK BEING A LIFER IN CONGRESS IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ISN'T FOR EVERYBODY.

IT'S CERTAINLY FOR HAL ROGERS WHO HAS BEEN IN THERE FOR 40 PLUS YEARS.

BUT IF THAT'S NOT YOUR GOAL, I THINK RIGHT NOW, WAS THE CORRECT TIME FOR ANDY BARR TO MAKE A JUMP AT THIS.

MITCH McCONNELL WAS IN THE SEAT FOR SO MANY YEARS, RAND PAUL HAS BEEN IN HIS SEAT FOR A LONGTIME.

IT'S NOT EVERY CYCLE THAT IS A SEAT THIS BIG COMES OPEN.

>> Bill: BARR'S DECISION TO COUPLE INTO THE SENATE RACE CREATES AN OPEN HOUSE RACE IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

NATIONAL DEMOCRATS ARE EYEING THE SEAT FOR A TURNOVER.

BUT REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THEY CAN HOLD IT.

I THINK ONE OF THE ARTICLES SAID THEY SCOFFED AT THE IDEA THAT DEMOCRATS COULD TAKE THE SIXTH.

HANNAH, IT COULD BE A COMPETITIVE RACE, A RELATIVELY PURPLE DISTRICT.

WE KNOW CANDIDATES ARE EYEING IT FROM BOTH PARTIES.

RYAN DOTSON JUMPED IN MINUTES AFTER BARR'S ANNOUNCEMENT WE EXPECT OTHERS?

>> SOME OTHER NAMES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA GORDON, SENATOR AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE AND THEN FORMER STATE SENATOR DAMON THAYER ALL ARE NAMES THAT HAVE COME UP AS POTENTIAL CONTENDERS.

ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WE HAVE CHERLYNN STEVENSON, AND SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS ARE NAMES THAT COULD RUN FOR THAT SEAT.

IT IS GOING TO BE A CROWDED PRIMARY THERE.

I MEAN THE SEAT HASN'T BEEN OPEN IN A DOZEN YEARS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IS THIS DISTRICT COMPETITIVE.

AND WHO DEMOCRATS END UP PUTTING UP FOR THAT SEAT.

>> Bill: OTHER NAMES AUSTIN?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST ONE THAT HAS BEEN FLOATED AROUND BY A COUPLE PEOPLE IS FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE ALLISON GRIMES SHE IS A LONGTIME POLITICAL FAMILY IN KENTUCKY AND COULD RAISE MONEY A NAME THAT PEOPLE KNOW.

I'M NOT CERTAIN THAT SHE IS INTERESTED.

I TRIED TO REACH OUT AND HAVEN'T GOTTEN A RESPONSE.

BUT I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE AT LEAST TALKING ABOUT AT THIS POINT.

>> Bill: YOU HEARD THE NAME ZACK DIMBO.

>> A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR IN LEXINGTON.

AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING TO LOOK OUT FOR AS WELL.

AND THIS IS AN OPEN SEAT.

I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR ANY RANDOM PERSON THAT NOBODY HAS HEARD OF THAT MIGHT HAVE A LOT OF MONEY OR CONNECTIONS TO MONEY.

THIS IS A TRULY OPEN SEAT THAT I THINK COULD BE COMPETITIVE FOR JUST ABOUT ANYBODY.

>> Bill: WE SHALL SEE.

KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE IS DOWN-PLAYING HIS DIFFERENCES THAT AUSTIN REFERRED TO WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO LAST MONTH SAID THAT MASSIE SHOULD FACE A PRIMARY CHALLENGE IN LEXINGTON, MASSIE SAID HE GETS ALONG WELL WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> I GET ALONG GREAT WITH THE PRESIDENT'S CABINET.

I WAS HERE WITH ONE OF HIS FORMER MEMBERS GIVING A SPEECH AND I TALK TO THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET LIKE ROBERT KENNEDY FOR INSTANCE AND THOSE FOLKS.

I HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

I THINK WITH THIS PRESIDENT, YOU KNOW, THE STORM COMES AND THE STORM PASSES.

AND WE'RE ON GOOD TERMS AT THE MOMENT.

>> Bill: AND HANNAH YOU NOTE THAT TRUMP AND MASSIE SCUFFLED BEFORE.

>> IN IN THIS YEAR'S SCUFFLE IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT MACY'S FUNDRAISING SURGED AFTER TRUMP THREATS HE HAS STRONG SUPPORT.

IN 2020 HAD OBJECTIONS TO A PANDEMIC AID BILL AND TRUMP SAID HE WANTED TO EVICT MASSIE FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THAT YEAR HE DID DRAW A PRIMARY OPPONENT MASSIE EASILY DEFEATED HIM.

I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING IF THERE'S SOMEONE PRIMARYING MASSIE HOW WELL THEY FARE AGAINST HIM.

>> Bill: MASSIE SEEMS TO TAKE THE POSITION THAT THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

>> YEAH, AND HE THINKS A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK CORRECTLY THAT HE IS INDESTRUCTIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTORATE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

HE IS A CONTRARIAN BUT THE PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP TO VOTE IN REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS WOULD SAY THOSE PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP SKEW FURTHER TO THE RIGHT.

BUT REGARD BUILDING, THE ELECTORATE DOES SEEM TO BE LOYAL TO MASSIE.

>> Bill: DERBY WEEK ALWAYS EXCITING IN KENTUCKY AND THIS YEAR THERE HAVE BEEN EXTRA CHALLENGES BECAUSE OF THE FLOODING.

THE FESTIVAL ROLLS ON AND MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG IS PROUD OF THE EFFORTS IN THE DERBY CITY.

>> WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE THAT THIS PARK AND PARKS ALONG THE RIVER THAT OUR ROADWAYS FACED JUST OVER A WEEK AGO, IT IS AMAZING WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WATERFRONT PARK RIGHT HERE, IS READY FOR THE FESTIVAL, IS READY FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN JUST A DAY OR TWO.

>> Bill: MARCUS, IT TOOK HARD WORK TO GET LOUISVILLE READY TO SHOW OFF FOR DERBY WEEK.

>> IT IS REMARKABLE THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

I WAS AT THE WATERFRONT WITH THE MAYOR WHEN HE MADE THOSE COMMENTS.

THE WATER HAS BEEN UP ALL OVER COVERING THESE LAWNS AT WATERFRONT PARK WHERE A LOT OF FESTIVAL FOOD STALLS AND BALLOONS AND THEN THE AREAS WHERE PEOPLE GO COVERED IN WATER.

THE WATER'S RECEDED AND THEY HAVE THE LAWN IN GOOD SHAPE.

REAL TESTAMENT TO THE CREWS AT WATERFRONT PARK AND LOUISVILLE EMPLOYEES WHO MADE THAT HAPPEN.

>> Bill: IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EUPHORIA ABOUT THEDER WI WE KNOW THAT CHURCHILL DOWNS PRESSED PAUSE ON A BILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION.

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS IN THAT?

>> CHURCHLE ANNOUNCED A $1 BILLION EXPANSION PART OF MODERNIZING THE TRACK THIS SET OF PROJECTS WAS GOING TO INCLUDE PERMANENT SEATING IN THE INFIELD.

AND SOME CONSTRUCTION ALONG THE FIRST TURN OF THE RACETRACK.

BUT THIS WEEK, THE RACETRACK OPERATORS SAID WE'RE GOING TO PAUSE THAT AND HOLD OFF AND CITED PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TRADE AND TARIFF POLICIES THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST OF THE WORK.

EVERYTHING IS EXPENSIVE.

PLAN SOMETHING PAIR LOUSE.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THEY ARE GOING FORWARD WITH AN INDUSTRY REVENUE BOND AT METRO COUNCIL NEEDED FOR THE CITY TO SIGN OFF ON THAT BOND PROCEEDS WHICH CHURCHILL WOULD USE.

THEY ARE PAUSING IT AND GOING FORWARD WITH THE MONEY TO DO THAT WORK.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A SIDE DRAMA THIS WEEK DISCUSSION ABOUT CITY OWNERSHIP OF THE TRACK AND PAYMENTS TO THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE MAYOR BACKED UP SOMETHING HE SAID EARLIER.

>> AS PART OF THIS EFFORT TO GET THE MONEY CHURCHILL DOWNS HAS TO GO TO THE CITY AND ASK FOR APPROVAL OF THESE REVENUE BONDS.

AND THE CITY HAS OWNED LAND SINCE 2002.

A LOCAL INCENTIVE THAT DEAL WAS BEING RENEGOTIATED AS PART OF THIS REVENUE REQUEST.

AND IN DOING SO, THE CITY AND CHURCHILL DOWNS AGREED TO CHANGE ONE STREAM OF PAYMENTS THAT HAD BEEN COMING TO JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, JCPS WAS GETTING THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IT WOULD HAVE GOTTEN.

THE CITY SAID WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THAT AND GIVE THE MONEY TO METRO GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE'RE PROVIDING POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.

THAT CAUGHT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT VERY MUCH OFF GUARD.

THERE WAS A LOT OF PUSHBACK AND THE MAYOR UNDER THE COVER OF THIS PAUSE IN THE CONSTRUCTION SAID WE'RE GOING TO PULLBACK THIS ORDINANCE AND FIND A SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR THE CITY AND EQUITABLE TO BOTH PARTIES.

>> Bill: EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT GREENBERG WILL RUN FOR REELECTION?

>> THAT IS THE BELIEF.

LOUISVILLE'S MAYORAL RACES WILL BECOME NONPARTISAN.

THE MAYOR HAS BEEN UP FRONT WITH HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REPUBLICANS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND TOUTED WINS THAT ARE BIPARTISAN.

HE'S MADE A CLEAR DISTINCTION THE WAY GREG FISHER WORKED WITH REPUBLICANS IN FRANKFORT.

CRAIG GREENBERG IS TRYING TO CAST HIMSELF IS THE MAYOR FOR ALL OF LOUISVILLE AND MOVING AWAY FROM PARTY IDENTITIES AS HE CONTEMPLATES A NEW TERM.

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE ON THAT AND THAT COULD BE INTERESTING.

ALSO EVIDENTLY TARIFF RELATED TOYOTA CONSIDERED MOVING PRODUCTION OF THE RAV-4 TO GEORGETOWN.

NO COMMENT FROM TOYOTA BUT THERE'S SPECULATION IT WOULD BE A WAY TO AVOID TARIFFS.

>> TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY REVISING THE POPULAR RAV-4 S.U.V., THE NEW VERSION WAS GOING TO BE MADE OUT OF THE COUNTRY BUT BECAUSE OF TARIFF CONCERNS THERE'S DISCUSSION WITHIN TOYOTA ABOUT MOVING THAT PRODUCTION TO GEORGETOWN ACCORDING TO REPORTING BASED ON ANONYMOUS OR UNNAMED SOURCES.

IT GIVES A LITTLE BIT OF A GLIMPSE HOW THIS TARIFF SITUATION IS AFFECTING DECISION MAKING.

>> Bill: MORE THAN TWO DOZEN LAWMAKERS SAY KENTUCKY IS NOT READ FOR THE REAL ID DEADLINE OF MAY 7 WHEN THE TSA STARTS TO ENFORCING HAVING A REAL ID TO BOARD DOMESTIC FLIGHTS.

>> KENTUCKY WAS LATE TO THE GAME WE DIDN'T IMPLEMENT REAL ID UNTIL 2019 THEN WE HAD THE COVID YEAR THAT SET US BACK AND THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET HAS DONE A GREAT JOB SETTING THE OFFICES UPSTARTING FROM SCRATCH ON THE REGIONAL OFFICES.

BUT, AGAIN, WE ARE NOT READY TO -- WE ARE NOT REAL ID COMPLIANT YET.

>> Bill: THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE EARLY 2000'S AFTER 9/11.

BUT KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS AGAIN YOU HEARD THE SENATOR SAY KENTUCKY WAS LATE TO THE GAME AND CANNOT BE READY BY THE DEADLINE.

>> YEAH.

AND I BELIEVE IN THAT LETTER THE SENATOR SAID ONLY 40% OF KENTUCKY RESIDENTS ARE COMPLIANT WITH REAL ID'S.

AND I MEAN HE POINTED TO LONG WAIT TIMES AND LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR APPOINTMENTS AS THE REASON WHY KENTUCKY NEED IT IS TO BE POSTPONED AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR ALSO POINTED OUT HE WOULD SUPPORT POSTPONING THE DATE AND POINTED OUT THE FACT THAT 15-YEAR-OLDS IN KENTUCKY ARE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR A DRIVER'S PERMIT YOU COUPLE THAT WITH THE REAL ID.

>> Bill: AND THE EYE TESTS.

>> IT'S ALL THE PERFECT INGREDIENTS FOR A STORM.

>> Bill: THAT IS WHAT HE SAID.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, AUSTIN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A REAL ID IF YOU ARE JUST GOING TO DRIVE.

>> NO.

IT'S ONLY TO FLY AND ENTER FEDERAL BUILDINGS.

WHICH, I THINK IT'S OVERRATED THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOUR AVERAGE PERSON DOES THAT.

>> Bill: ALSO FROM WASHINGTON FEMA DENIED SOME KENTUCKY COUNTIES REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM THE FEBRUARY FLOODING BUT THIS AFTERNOON PRESIDENT TRUMP APPROVED THE APRIL REQUEST A BROADER REQUEST AND THAT WORD BROUGHT A LOT OF RELIEF TO COUNTY LEADERS.

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE COUNTIES AFFECTED.

I THINK IT IS NOTABLE THE MESSENGER ON THIS AND THE MESSENGERS.

IT WASN'T FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AT LEAST THE INFORMATION ON THIS.

IT CAME FIRST FROM CONGRESSMAN COMER WHO REPRESENTS FRANKLIN COUNTY.

ONE OF THE COUNTIES MOST AFFECTED BY THE FLOODING.

>> DATA CENTERS IN THE NEWS AND IN OLDHAM COUNTY THERE IS A PAUSE SUBJECT YOU FOLLOWED CLOSELY WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE?

>> SO, KENTUCKY FOR YEARS HAS BEEN A DESERT IN THE GROWING INDUSTRY OF BUILDING THE TECH CAMPUSES TO HOUSEWARE HOUSES FULL OF COMPUTER SERVERS AND THE EQUIPMENT THAT PROCESS COMPUTER DATA QUICKLY.

STARTING LAST YEAR KENTUCKY PASSED TAX INCENTIVES AND THAT SET THE STAGE FOR FIRST THE DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED IN LOUISVILLE IN JANUARY.

AND THEN A DEVELOPMENT IN OLDHAM COUNTY.

THE DEVELOPMENT IN OLDHAM COUNTY HAS BEEN MET WITH A LOT OF PUSHBACK IT'S PROPOSED IN AN AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL AREA.

AND WHAT I FIND FASCINATE SOMETHING THAT THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE TAX BREAKS THIS IS A GROWING INDUSTRY, KENTUCKY IS GOING TO GET SKIN IN THE GAME.

BUT THE OLDHAM COUNTY CASE IS A TEST CASE OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN THEY ARE PROPOSED FOR RURAL AREAS.

BECAUSE THE PEOPLE IN OLDHAM COUNTY VERY MUCH HAVE THWARTED THIS THEY FORCED VERY LITERAL CHANGES IN HOW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THEY GOT IT OFF THE AGENDAS OF THE COMMITTEES AND BOARDS IN OLDHAM COUNTY.

THEY HAVE CREATED A MORATORIUM WHICH HAS BEEN GRANTED ON NEW DATA CENTER PROJECTS.

THE CONTROVERSIAL ONE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS IS STILL GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

BUT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS BACKED OFF THEIR SUPPORT FOR T JUDGE EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDED IT DOESN'T GET APPROVED AT THE AGENCY THAT HE APPOINTS.

SO I THINK OLDHAM COUNTY IS SOMETHING TO WATCH BECAUSE IT SHOWS HOW THE SORT OF LOCAL POPULISM CHANGED THIS WHOLE NARRATIVE AND THIS DIALOGUE AND WE MAY SO SEE MORE IN OLDHAM COUNTY.

>> YOU DID AN INTERESTING PIECE ON A FATHER AND SON SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE AT THE SAME TIME THAT IS WHIP JASON 19 MISS AND HIS FATHER AND THEY TALKED ABOUT POLITICS AND FAMILY.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE THE TWO OF THEM INTERACT TOGETHER DURING THE INTERVIEW THAT IS SOMETHING WE DON'T GET TO SEE DURING SESSION.

I THINK IT WAS COOL TO HEAR HOW REPRESENTATIVE THEM MISS TALKED ABOUT HOW HE HAD SWORN HIS FATHER IN AND EMPHASIZED HOW FAMILY IS IMPORTANT TO BOTH.

AND WHAT IS INTERESTING TO POINT OUT THEY DO HAVE DIFFERENT LEGISLATIVE STYLES PER SE.

REPRESENTATIVE NEMIS HE IS THE MAJORITY WHIP SO HE IS FOCAL ON THE FLOOR.

AND SENATOR NEMIS IS A TRUSTED ADVISER IT IS INTERESTING DYNAMIC BETWEEN THE TWO.

>> Bill: A GOOD READ FOLKS CAN CLICK ON.

LOBBYISTS SPENT CLOSE TO $9 MILLION TRYING TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION IN THE 2025.

SESSION.

WHAT WERE THE LOBBYISTS TRYING TO BUY FOR THEIR CLIENTS?

>> IN SHORT, EVERYTHING.

I THINK THE BIG TREND OVER THE PAST YEAR IS WE SEE THE TOTAL SPENDING NUMBER GO UP.

IT IS NOT A FEW BIG DOGS PUSHING IT UP IT'S THE VOLUME.

THE BREADTH OF COMPANIES THAT I THINK ARE COMING TO REALIZE THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS WHERE A LOT OF STUFF HAPPENS.

AND THAT'S NOT REALLY CRACKED INTO THE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS VERY MUCH BUT THE ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE LEANING INTO THEIR LOBBYING EFFORTS.

>> >> Bill: THE FUNERAL FOR POPE FRANCIS IS SATURDAY.

KENTUCKIANS WHO MET THE POPE AND OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN INTRIGUED BY THE NEWS.

>> I MEAN, IN LOUISVILLE FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS A VERY CATHOLIC COMMUNITY AND THERE'S BEEN SPECIAL MASSES AND A LOT OF OUTPOURING OF CONDOLENCES FOR THE POPE.

IT'S JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT IN A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES ITS CATHOLIC TRADITIONS, WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IT'S FELT DEEPLY IN THE AREA.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY GREW IN 2024 GAINING ALMOST 38,000 PEOPLE.

THE DAILY BEYONDER REPORTS 80% OF THE GROWTH CAME FROM INTERNATIONALMYIATION AND THE REST FROM OTHER STATES.

KENTUCKY HAD MORE DEATHS THAN BIRTHS LAST YEAR.

AND THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES LEWD WARREN, MADISON, BOON, JESSAMINE AND SCOTT.

LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE ANNOUNCED IT WILL BECOME LINDSEY WILSON UNIVERSITY ON JEWEL FIRST.

THE JULY FIRST.

IT REFLECTS THE MISSION, CHARACTER AND DIRECTION OF THE SCHOOL.

AND MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED IT'S LAUNCHING A DOCTOR OF ENGINEERING PROGRAM AND SPACE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND INTEGRATED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AT MOREHEAD STATE.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD DERBY WEEK AHEAD.

[♪♪]