[♪♪] >> Bill: KENTUCKY IS REBUILDING AGAIN AND ADDING UP DAMAGES FROM 14 TORNADOES AT LEAST AND OTHER SEVERE STORMS.

>>> GOVERNOR BESHEAR ISSUES MORE VETOES AND CONSIDERS OTHER BILLS THAT CAME FROM THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS DESK.

>>> THE KENTUCKY SENATE GATHERS INFORMATION AHEAD OF A FIRST-EVER CONFIRMATION VOTE FOR AN EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.

DETOURS FOR PROPOSED NEW PROGRAMS.

>>> A CHILLY START FOR THE SPRING MEET AT KING LAND AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE TESSA DUVALL, POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

MARIO ANDERSON ANCHOR AND REPORTER FORESPECTRUM NEWS ONE.

AND RYLAND BARTON KENTUCKY BASED SENIOR EDITOR FOR NPR.

MITCH McCONNELL VOWS TO SERVE OUT HIS TERM HE WILL FIGHT ISOLATIONISM WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND KENTUCKIANS HOPE THE CLOUDS MOVE OUT AHEAD OF MONDAY'S ECLIPSE.

LET'S BEGIN WITH A TORNADO AND SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK THAT HIT THE COMMONWEALTH TUESDAY.

ONCE AGAIN, 10 KENTUCKY IS DOCUMENTING DAMAGE, REBUILDING AND DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF A DISASTER.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR TOURED THE STATE IN THE DAYS THAT HAVE FOLLOWED.

>> THIS IS ONE THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN MORE LIVES.

I CREDIT SO MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS.

FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS TO OUR NEWS MEDIA ESPECIALLY OUR METEOROLOGISTS AND WEATHER CREWS FOR GETTING THE WORD OUT THERE.

AND FINALLY FOR KENTUCKIANS BEING SO WEATHER AWARE.

WE CANNOT GET NUMB BECAUSE WE HAVE A WEATHER EVENT EVERY COUPLE MONTHS AND WE HAVE TO TAKE EVERYONE SERIOUSLY.

>> Bill: MARIO, TUESDAY LOOKED OMINOUS ATED OF TIME.

IT WAS A TOUGH DAY IT WAS A DESTRUCTIVE AND DEADLY.

>> THE GOVERNOR CONFIRMED THERE WAS ONE DEATH IN CAMPBELL COUNTY AS RELATED TO THE STORM SITUATION GOING ON AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONFIRMED 14 TORNADOES IMPACTED OUR STATE AND GOING FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY STARTING EARLY TUESDAY MORNING AND TRAVELING ACROSS OUR STATE.

ALSO A LOT OF STRAIGHT LINE WINDS CAUSED DAMAGE ACROSS MANY COUNTIES.

MULTIPLE EF1 AND 2 CONFIRMED TORNADOES IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS.

STRONG STORM AND STARTED EARLY IN THE MORNING AND THERE WAS A PAUSE FOR A FEW HOURS WHEN LOTS OF RAIN AND SUNSHINE.

AND BY THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING TUESDAY IT FIRED BACK UP.

AND MORE DAMAGE HAPPENED.

>> Bill: IT'S INTERESTING IT WAS IN THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE WE WERE RIGHT ON THE EVE OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUPER OUTBREAK IN KENTUCKY IN 1974.

WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED THIS WEEK.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

PEOPLE WERE PREPARING THE REMEMBRANCE EVENTS AND LOOKING BACK TO THAT SUPER TORNADO OUTBREAK.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED THE WEEK BEFORE, THANKFULLY NOT SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THAT LEVEL BUT REGARDLESS A BIG DAY AND WE WILL REMEMBER THIS DATE HERE IN KENTUCKY OF APRIL 2 WHEN TORNADOES HAPPENED IN OUR STATE.

>> Bill: IT WAS A WIDESPREAD EVENT AS WE SEE THESE IMAGES OF WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DAY.

>> YES.

WIDESPREAD AND THESE INSTANCES SEEM TO HAPPEN MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY.

THANKFULLY THIS WASN'T MORE DAMAGING LIKE WE SAW IN DECEMBER OF 2021.

THE TORNADO OUTBREAK THAT STRETCHED FROM FAR WESTERN KENTUCKY INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

AND I THINK WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THESE STORMS MAKE PEOPLE MORE AWARE OF HOW TO BE SAFE DURING TORNADOES TO FIND COME UP WITH A PLAN TO BE SAFE.

BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.

AND IT'S -- THEY ARE SO DESTRUCTIVE.

EVEN THESE F1 TORNADOES THEY ARE TEARING ROOFS OFF AND THERE'S POTENTIAL FOR DEADLY HARM HERE.

SO AND IT'S THANKFULLY THEY WEREN'T STRONGER BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THE TIMES THEY ARE.

>> Bill: IT GIVES YOU TIME TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND HOLES IN YOUR PERSONAL PLAN OR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S PLANS.

WE HEAR OF AREAS WHERE THEY HAD THE CHALLENGES WITH TORNADO SIRENS GOING OFF.

THERE WERE A COUPLE OF AREAS THAT DID NOT GET A WARNING.

AND SO EVERYBODY GOES BACK AND LOOKS THE WHAT COULD BE DONE BETTER.

>> SOMETHING THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE TO BE REDRAFTING THAT PLAYBOOK OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY LIKE THAT.

FOR ALL FOLKS ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BASEMENT OR IF YOU DO, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET IN THERE?

IF YOU DON'T WHAT SAFE PLACES CAN YOU FIND TO TRY AND SHELTER IN THOSE INSTANCES.

IT IS A TIME TO REFLECT AND MAKE SURE ALL THE PLANS ARE CHECKED OFF.

>> Bill: TESSA, GOVERNOR BESHEAR NOTED THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCUMENTING DAMAGE EVEN IF KENTUCKIANS ARE IN A POSITION TO COVER THE DAMAGES THEMSELVES OR THEIR INSURANCE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT, THE STATE STILL WANTS TO PUSH FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AND NEEDS TO KNOW THE MAGNITUDE OF WHAT WENT DOWN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT KENTUCKIANS HEARD A LOT OVER THE YEARS GIVEN THE PAST TORNADOES AND FLOODING DAMAGE THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE STATE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN VOCAL ABOUT PROVISIONS IN THE BUDGET THAT RELATE TO SORT OF DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE SAYING THAT THEY WOULD LIMIT THE STATE'S ABILITY TO ACT QUICKLY IN THESE INSTANCES AND REQUIRE THE NEED TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION IN THE MIDST OF A DISASTER TO KEEP RESPONDING.

AND HE SAID I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THESE PROVISIONS ARE STILL IN THERE.

IT'S NOT SMART POLICY MAKING AND YOU KNOW THE STATE HAS A RAINY DAY FUND AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE RAINY DAYS.

LET'S USE IT.

>> Bill: MARROW, BESHEAR MADE AID POINT CHANGES BY THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS EMERGENCY POWER LEAVE THE STATE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HANDLE THINGS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AS A GOVERNOR HE WANTS TO MOVE SWIFTLY AND PRECIOUS MOMENTS AND MINUTES AND HOURS WHERE WE HAVE TO BE RESPONDING IMMEDIATELY.

GETTING ALL 138 LAWMAKERS TO COME INTO FRANKFORT TO VOTE HE WANTS WIGGLE ROOM TO MAKE THE DECISIONS AS THE GOVERNOR BUT THE LEGISLATURE HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION AND WE SHALL SEE WHAT THEY DO AS WE PROCEED FURTHER.

>> Bill: THE NEW LAWS CAME OUT OF THE COVID RESPONSE.

WE ALL NOW WAIT AS FOLKS CLEAN UP AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THOSE DAMAGE ESTIMATES IN AND FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT KENTUCKY'S BEEN THROUGH WITH THE TORNADO OUTBREAK.

>>> THE LEGISLATURE RETURNS TO FRANKFORT NEXT WEEK THEY WILL BE CONSIDERING OVERRIDING VETOES.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY THEY WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER.

THE GOVERNOR ISSUED SOME AND IS CONSIDERING OTHERS.

LET'S GET UP-TO-DATE WHAT HAS BEEN SIGNED AND VETOED.

HE VETOED HOUSE BILL 581, THE FILLING STATION BILL.

>> IT HAS TO DO WITH LOCAL FILLING STATIONS SO GAS STATIONS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS HE VETOED THAT BECAUSE HE SAID IT INTERFERES WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING, ESSENTIALLY.

HE FULL DISCLOSURE SIGNED A LOT OF BILLS INTO LAW AND VETOED SEVERAL.

WE GOT A LOT THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE NOT QUITE GONE THROUGH ALL YET.

BUT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE MOMENTUM.

>> Bill: WHAT SOME THAT YOU HAVE SEEN?

>> HE ALSO VETOED HOUSE BILL 7 WHICH WOULD RELATES TO AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES ON THE ROADWAY AND SAID WE NEED MORE STUDY MORE TESTING MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED TO MAKE SURE THIS IS GOING TO BE SAFE BEFORE IT'S FULLY FLEDGED ON OUR ROADS.

HE ALSO SIGNED A HOUSE BILL A CHILD PROTECTION BILL THAT HAD A LAST-MINUTE FLOOR AMENDMENT THAT WOULD REQUIRE AGE VERIFICATION FOR ADULT ENTERTAINMENT WEBSITES FOR POLITE TERMINOLOGY.

WHEN LAWS LIKE THIS HAVE BEEN PASSED THE WEBSITES HAVE BLOCKED ACCESS INSTEAD OF COMPLYING WITH THE LAW OR VIEW PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO UPLOAD PROOF OF THEIR AGE WHICH IS AN ID TO THE WEBSITES.

AND THAT SOME OF THE FINES THAT CAN BE ASSOCIATED WITH IT WOULD BE PROBLEMATIC FOR THESE COMPANIES.

WE'LL WAIT-AND-SEE IF THAT HAPPENS IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: HE SIGNED ETHAN'S LAW THAT WILL TOUGHEN THE KENTUCKY'S ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS.

>> DOGS AND CATS ONE OF THE 189 BILLS THAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED AND GIVEN TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE BUDGET BILL HAS THREE OR 400 PAGES GOING THROUGH EVERYONE AND IT TAKES TIME.

AND IT HITS VARIOUS FORMS OF THE STATE AND INDUSTRIES AND ALSO PROTECTING ANIMALS ACROSS OUR STATE.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR LINE ITEM VETO OVER THE BUDGET HE CAN STRIKEOUT WHAT HE DOESN'T LIKE.

TESSA HE CAN'T ADD TO IT AND THAT MIGHT BE MORE WHAT THIS GOVERNOR WOULD WANT TO DO.

BUT HE CAN SORT OF GO THROUGH THE BUDGET WITH A SCALPEL AND IS IT MORE DELICATE WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES THAT HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET A SUSTAINED VETO ON THAN IT IS THE ENTIRE BUDGET WHICH OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED.

>> THE BUDGET THAT PASSED OVER SEVERAL BILLS HAD REALLY BROAD SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

A LOT OF DEMOCRATS VOTING FOR IT.

SO I WOULDN'T EXPECT LIKE A FULL VETO.

TO YOUR POINT IT WILL BE LINE ITEM THINGS THAT WE SEE IN THE BUDGET.

BUT I DON'T BELIEVE WE'VE SEEN ACTION ON THAT JUST YET, BUT, YES TO YOUR POINT, HE PROBABLY WISHES HE COULD INSERT TEACHER RAISES AND UNIVERSAL PRE-K. >> Bill: AND THE BUDGET IS ALWAYS A RUSHED PROCESS.

SO THE GOVERNOR AND HIS ADMINISTRATION MAY SPOT SOME MISTAKES THAT HE WOULD WANT TO CORRECT IN THIS SPENDING PLAN.

>> THE GOVERNOR WILL SPOT THEM OR THE HERALD LEADER WILL HAVE.

AUSTIN HORN HAD A GREAT STORY THIS WEEK POINTING OUT A MISTAKE WHICH LAWMAKERS ADMITTED AS A MISTAKE AND THIS VERSION OF THE BUDGET WASN'T AVAILABLE UNTIL LATE ON THE LAST NIGHT BEFORE THE VETO PERIOD.

BUT THIS MISTAKE INVOLVES $200 MILLION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO A DIFFERENT AGENCY.

WHICH IS DEPENDENT ON A DIFFERENT BILL PASSING THAT BILL WAS CHANGED AND SOME WIRES GOT CROSSED NOW THERE IS A $200 MILLION MISTAKE IN THE BUDGET.

WE'LL SEE IF THE GOVERNOR I IMAGINE THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE NO MATTER WHAT THEY WILL BE TRYING TO FIX THAT BUT WE'LL SEE IF THE GOVERNOR POINTS OUT THAT MISTAKE BEFORE TO EXCISE THAT.

AND MAYBE THAT WILL BE A VETO THAT IS ULTIMATELY SUSTAINED BY THE LEGISLATURE WHICH IS RARE THESE DAYS BUT IT WAS UNDER REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN.

THE LEGISLATURE TAKES PRIDE IN OVERRIDING THE VETOES.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR HAS OTHER BILLS TO CONSIDER.

WE DON'T YET KNOW WHAT HE WILL DO ON THE CRIME BILL.

HE HAS SAID HE AGREES WITH SOME ELEMENTS.

BUT HAS CONCERNS ABOUT SOME THINGS LIKE THE CRIMINALIZATION OF HOMELESS CAMPING.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

HE DID MENTION THIS PAST WEEK HE WOULD LIKE TO DO A LINE ITEM VETO WITH THE CRIME BILL WITH HIM SERVING PREVIOUSLY AS ATTORNEY GENERAL HE KEEPS HIS EYE ON CRIME AND HOW TO ADDRESS THAT IN OUR STATE.

THERE ARE PROVISIONS THAT CRIME BILL THAT ARE SOME CONSIDER CONTROVERSIAL AND THE GOVERNOR STATED THEY ARE CONTROVERSIAL.

SO WE SHALL SEE IF HE JUST VETOES THE ENTIRE BILL AND IT GOES BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THEY MAY LOOK INTO OVERRIDING AFTER THAT.

>> Bill: TESSA, HOW QUICKLY DO THEY DO THE OVERRIDES THEY MOVE FAST?

>> THE GOVERNOR VETOED ONE BILL WHILE THEY WERE STILL IN SESSION AND THEY OVERRODE IT THE NEXT DAY.

TO RYLAND'S POINT THEY LIKE WHAT THEY PASS AND THEY WANT TO SEE IT BECOME LAW.

I THINK THEY WILL MAKE FAST WORK OF IT.

>> Bill: WILL THERE BE OTHER THINGS THE LEGISLATURE GIVEN UP ITS ABILITY TO OVERRIDE A VETO POTENTIALLY PASS ON THAT LAST DAY, THEY KNOW THE GOVERNOR'S LIKELY TO SIGN.

>> YEAH.

THERE'S CERTAINLY BILLS THAT WILL BE PASSED THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS THEY ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT GETTING VETOED AND SO THEY ARE SORT OF A SAFE BET.

THAT REALLY CONTROVERSIAL OR POTENTIALLY DIVISIVE STUFF THAT THEY WANT TO GET DONE BEFORE THE VETO RECESS TO SAY NO WE GOT IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

>> EKU WANTS TO START A COLLEGE OF OWES PATHIC MEDICINE THAT WILL HELP WITH THE PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS AND MURRAY WANTS TO START VETERINARY MEDICINE AND WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY HAS WANTS DOCTORAL PROGRAMS.

AT THIS POINT THOSE SAILED THROUGH THE HOUSE.

EASTERN AND MURRAY STATE'S DID.

BUT NO ACTION IN THE SENATE?

>> RIGHT AND THE WKU BILL ALL UNANIMOUS OR NEAR UNANIMOUS FOR ALL OF THOSE BILLS.

AND SO ALL THREE OF THEM HAVE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE SENATE.

THAT NOT EVEN COMMITTEE HEARINGS ON THESE WHICH WERE WELL SUPPORTED IN THE HOUSE.

SO WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE SENATE INSTEAD THERE IS A JOINT RESOLUTION THAT IS SPONSORED BY MEMBER DAVID GIBBONS AND WHAT IT DOES IT DIRECTS THE COUNCIL ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION TO DO A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON EXPANDING GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY AT THESE COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSITIES YOUR WESTERN KENTUCKY, EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITIES LIKE THAT.

AND THIS IS TIED TO FOR THE NEED IN THE WORKFORCE, YES, THERE IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT KENTUCKY DOES NEED VETERINARIANS.

BUT IS THIS THE BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT IT THAT IS WHAT THIS STUDY GETS INTO.

>> Bill: AND PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS.

RYLAND IF YOU HAVE THESE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE KNOWN SHORTAGES IT IS INTERESTING THAT THE SENATE IS SORT OF PUTTING THE BRAKES ON THIS.

WE HEAR OF THE TERM FROM YEARS AGO, MISSION CREEP SOME CONCERN THAT SOME OF THE UNIVERSITIES ARE GOING OUTSIDE MAYBE WHAT THEY WERE SETUP AND INTENDED TO DO.

HOWEVER THEY'VE ALL GROWN AND GROWN THEIR PROGRAMS OVER THE YEARS.

>> RIGHT.

THESE UNIVERSITIES LOOKED DIFFERENT WHEN THEY WERE FOUNDED.

A LOST THESE REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES WERE SOME OF THEM CREATING THEM AS TEACHER COLLEGES TO HELP TEACH MORE PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE HOW TO TEACH.

YEAH, IT WOULD BE A CHANGE FOR HOW THE UNIVERSITIES WORK.

YOU CAN SEE THERE IS A LOT OF FOLKS EXCITED IN THE REGION AROUND THOSE ISSUES.

ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AROUND THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A VETERINARY SCHOOL THAT CAN HELP THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY IN THE AREA THAT IS FOLKS GET EXCITED ABOUT.

NONE OF THE BILLS WOULD HAVE MEANT THESE PROGRAMS WOULD START NEXT YEAR.

THERE IS A HUGE FUNDING ELEMENT AS WELL.

THAT IS A LITTLE BIT OF THIS.

THERE'S JUST -- THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE STUDYING PROCESS AND EVEN A BILL THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, THE DISCUSSION HAS GOTTEN STARTED THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF THIS HAPPENING AND WHO KNOWS WHAT IT COULD LOOK LIKE IN FUTURE SESSIONS.

>> WITH THE VETERINARY SCHOOL IN PARTICULAR THERE IS CONCERN THAT IF A UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY TAKES UP CREATING THIS PROGRAM, IT COULD JEOPARDIZE THE RELATIONSHIP THAT KENTUCKY STUDENTS HAVE WITH OUT OF STATE UNIVERSITIES.

THE WAY IT WORKING NOW THEY ARE SEATS SAVED FOR KENTUCKY GRADUATES TO GO TO AUBURN OR TUSKEGEE TO STUDY VETERINARY MEDICINE.

IF KENTUCKY HAS ITS OWN PROGRAM, DO THOSE SCHOOLS HOLD ON TO THE SEATS AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE NUMBER OF VETERINARIANS IN KENTUCKY AND THE NUMBER OF KENTUCKY GRADUATES AND STUDENTS WHO CAN GO ON TO BECOME VETS.

>> Bill: MARIO THAT INSTITUTION LEANED ON ITS ALUMNI BASE TO GET BEHIND THIS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

AND GO COLONELS.

BUT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN SINCE HE HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY NAMED THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY AND HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO PUT DOLLARS TOWARDS THE WORK OVER HAPPENING IN RICHMOND AND THE AFFILIATE CAMPUSES ACROSS THE STATE.

WE SHALL SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

AND PRESIDENT STIVERS HAD SENATE BILL ONE THAT WOULD ALLOW RESEARCH ENDOWMENT FUND FOR THE UNIVERSITY.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT GETTING BEHIND THAT BILL.

>> Bill: HE ENCOURAGED MORE COOPERATION AMONG THE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

>>> WE WILL OUR FIRST EVER EDUCATION COMMISSIONER CONFIRMATION COMING UP.

THE SENATE HAS BEEN WORKING TO GATHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE KENTUCKY BOARD'S CHOICE FOR AN EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.

THAT IS LAWRENCE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT ROBBY FLETCHER.

AND FLETCHER HAS BEEN SEEKING FACE TIME WITH THAT IS FACE-TO-FACE TIME WITH SENATORS.

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW THAT WOULD REQUIRE SENATE CONFIRMATION FOR THIS POSITION AND THAT CAME AFTER THE PREVIOUS EDUCATION COMMISSIONER JASON GLASS WAS A POLITICAL BOOINGBY MAN FOR A LOT OF LAWMAKERS WHO SAW HIM AS SORT OF SYMBOLIC OF WOKE EDUCATION FOR HIS PRO LGBTQ INCLUSIVE STANCES.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THIS PICK TO GET THAT CONFIRMATION.

SO, YEAH, THAT MEANS SITTING DOWN WITH LAWMAKERS AND TALKING ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS AND LETTING THEM KNOW WHO HE IS AND HIS PHILOSOPHY AND TRYING TO PUT ANY CONCERNS THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO REST.

SO HE CAN GET THAT CONFIRMATION HE NEEDS TO DO THE JOB.

>> DAMON THAYER DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS A NO VOTE ON FLETCHER BUT HE IS PERSUADABLE.

HOW DO YOU EXPECT THIS TO UNFOLD IN THE LAST COUPLE DAYS OF THE SESSION?

DOES IT HELP, RYLAND, THAT FLETCHER COMES FROM A RURAL DISTRICT?

>> I THINK IT DOES.

AND THAT'S WHAT SOME SENATORS FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY POINTED OUT SAYING THEY ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT HE IS FROM THE REGION AND IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO BE IN FAVOR OF HIM.

I DO THINK THAT NO MATTER WHAT, THIS IS A MOMENT FOR THE SENATE TO FLEX THEIR MUSCLES.

HEY HERE IS THIS NEW LAW WE CAN REALLY SHOW THAT WE'RE APPLYING SCRUTINY HERE AND NOT GOING TO JUST RUBBER STAMP THE GOVERNOR'S NOMINEE FOR THIS PARTICULAR POSITION.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF THAT GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SENATOR THAYER SAID HE ALSO WANTED AN EXHAUSTIVE LOOK AT ANY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL HAD MADE.

AND YOU KNOW, SO THAT SORT OF SPEAKS TO HOW THIS PROCESS IS ALSO POLITICIZED MORE.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT LAWMAKERS MAY BE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION AND TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IT WAS ONE DONATION FOR $250 TO AN EASTERN KENTUCKY DEMOCRAT.

>> AND A BIG TALKING POINT IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE THEY WANT A SENATE CONFIRMED EDUCATION COMMISSIONER THE REPUBLICANS DID.

THAT WAS DISCUSSED MONTHS AGO AND FOLLOWED THROUGH NOW.

AND WE SHALL SEE HOW THE PROCESS GOES.

>> Bill: IT APPEARS SOME OF THE LAWMAKERS ARE TIRED OF ALL THE POLITICS THE BACK AND FORTH.

SENATOR WESTERFIELD IS LEAVING HE TOLD THE HERALD LEADER HE OFTEN FEELS LIKE HE IS OUT ON A SKINNY BRANCH OF THE G.O.P.

ALL BY HIMSELF.

AND TALKED ABOUT EXTREMISM IN POLITICS.

>> AND HE HAS BEEN MAKING THOSE POINTS FOR A WHILE.

HE HAS BEEN VOCAL ABOUT BEING ANTI-TRUMP FIRST AND FOREMOST.

BUT, YEAH, WE FOUND OURSELVES IN THE LEGISLATURE WHERE SOMEONE LIKE WHITNEY WESTERFIELD IS OFTEN CALLED A RHINO A REPUBLICAN IN NAME ONLY.

WHICH HE'S FAR FROM.

HE IS SO ANTIABORTION THAT HE DOESN'T SUPPORT EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

THAT IS A VERY CONSERVATIVE STANCE.

HE QUITE OFTEN VOTES IN LINE WITH HIS PARTY BUT HE HAS SHOWN THIS SESSION THAT HE IS WILLING TO GO OUT BY HIMSELF EVEN WHEN HE KNOWS HE IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE VOTES HE IS GOING TO MAKE A POINT.

WE SAW THAT WITH HOUSE BILL 5 WHERE HE HAD FILED SEVERAL FLOOR AMENDMENTS TO TRY AND SOFTEN PROVISIONS OF THIS ANTICRIME BILL.

AND HE WITHDREW THEM.

HE IS LIKE I DON'T HAVE THE VOTES BUT I'M STILL GOING TO MAKE MY POINT AND TALK ABOUT THIS.

AND AND WE'D LIKE TO I THINK A LOT OF LAWMAKERS VOTE PURELY ON THE POLICY.

BUT AS HE DISCUSSED WITH LINDA, THERE IS A LOT OF POLITICAL PRESSURES AND ELECTIONS TO WIN AND THAT CAN INFLUENCE THE VOTES PEOPLE CAST.

>> Bill: WITH SO MANY DEPARTURES IS IT JUST NOT AS MUCH FUN FOR THE LAWMAKERS AS IT USED TO BE?

>> I THINK THAT IS RIGHT.

IT'S VERY HARD RIGHT NOW.

THE POLITICS HAS GOTTEN NASTY A LOT OF LAWMAKERS SAID THAT.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THERE IS A LOT MORE VACANCIES OPEN ELECTIONS AND LEGISLATIVE SEATS GOING ON THAN HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.

AND KENTUCKY THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THERE'S BEEN THIS MANY VACANCIES.

I THINK THAT THAT NOT AS MUCH FUN.

IT'S THE POLITICS OF THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THAT LAWMAKERS FEEL LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH REALLY ANGRY CONSTITUENTS OR A LOT OF REALLY ANGRY COLLEAGUES AND THEY DON'T HAVE AS FRIENDLY OF A RELATIONSHIP BEHIND THE SCENES AS THEY ONCE USED TO ENJOY.

SO IT'S LITTLE DIFFERENT TIME RIGHT NOW.

AND ESPECIALLY FOR A CITIZEN LEGISLATOR WHO DOESN'T MAKE ALL THAT MUCH MONEY.

>> Bill: THAT'S RIGHT.

LET'S SWITCH FROM FRANKFORT TO WASHINGTON WHERE SOME OF THE SAME KINDS OF DRAMA GO ON.

RYLAND, SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL SAID THIS WEEK ON RADIO THAT HE WILL SERVE OUT HIS TERM.

IS HE DAMMING SPECULATION BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE KENTUCKY NOW REQUIRES A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL A SENATE VACANCY.

>> DAMPENING SPECULATION AFTER HE SAID HE IS GOING TO STEP DOWN FROM THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AFTER THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

THAT RAISED SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW LONG HE IS GOING TO STAY IN THE SENATE AND AT ONE POINT ARE WE IN THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW.

AND YES, HE IS TRYING TO STILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AS A LAWMAKER AND THE REPUBLICAN LEADER IN THE SENATE BECAUSE HE HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO RIGHT NOW.

AND HIS FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS TRYING TO GET MORE REPUBLICANS ELECTED TO THE SENATE.

>> Bill: AND HE SAID HE WOULD FIGHT ISOLATIONISM WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> AND THAT GOES BACK TO THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IT IS AN ODD TIME RIGHT NOW.

WHERE MITCH McCONNELL HISTORICALLY LONG SERVING LEADER FOR REPUBLICANS HE IS ON THE OUTS.

AND THERE'S THIS FROM THE PARTY LEADER OF REPUBLICANS THE FACT OF THE LEADER BEING DONALD TRUMP TO YOU KNOW A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THE MEDDLING IN FOREIGN CONFLICTS EVEN WHEN THAT COMES TO DEFENDING UKRAINE FROM RUSSIA.

AND THERE IS A BIG DIVISION GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MITCH McCONNELL SAYS HE'S HARKENING BACK TO THE OLD SCHOOL VERSION OF REPUBLICANS WITH SAYING HE IS A RONALD REAGAN TYPE OF REPUBLICAN WANTS TO ASSERT THE UNITED STATES' POSITION IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW.

BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS VERY MUCH IN QUESTION RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF AGREEMENT ON THAT.

EVEN WITHIN KENTUCKY BECAUSE MITCH McCONNELL AND RAND PAUL ARE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THIS ISSUE.

>> Bill: THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE OLD NATIONAL BANK IS NEXT WEEK ON APRIL 10TH.

IT TOOK THE LIVES OF FIVE PEOPLE AND THAT BANK WILL CLOSE NEXT WEEK IN OBSERVANCE.

>> AND SEVERAL REMEMBRANCE EVENTS HAPPENING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND THE BANK IS GOING TO BE HOSTING A BLOOD DRIVE TO HELP IN THAT PART OF THE STATE.

AND THEN ALSO REFLECTING ON THE LIVES LOST AND THE SURVIVORS INCLUDING OFFICER NICHOLAS WILT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO IS STILL RECOVERING AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE HEAD.

>> AND THAT CLOSURE WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY.

RYLAND U.P.S.

IN ITS WORLD PORT WITH THE HUGE EMPLOYMENT BASE IN LOUISVILLE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE POSTAL SERVICE?

>> YES, A BIG DEAL.

SOMETHING THAT FEDEX HAS THIS CONTRACT RIGHT NOW IT EXPIRES IN SEPTEMBER IT IS THE COUP-FOR-U.P.S.

TO BE PICKS THIS UP.

THIS IS GOOD FOR LOUISVILLE WHICH HAS THE HUGE PRESENCE OF U.P.S.

WITHIN IT.

AND IT'S GOOD FOR THE COMPANY IT IS A LOT OF BUSINESS GOING FORWARD AND IT'S TAKING BUSINESS AWAY FROM A DIRECT COMPETITOR FOR U.P.S.

>> Bill: THIS ECLIPSE WILL BE SOMETHING IF WE CAN SEE IT IF THE CLOUD COVER MOVES OUT.

SCHOOLS ARE CLOSING AND SOME DISMISSING EARLY BECAUSE OF THE SHOW IN THE SKY BUT IT DEPENDS ON THE CLOUDS, RIGHT?

>> FINGERS CROSSED FOR A CLEAR DAY.

>> Bill: AND FOLKS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROTECT THEIR EYES.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THAT ECLIPSE.

>> SOME OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF CLOSING THEIR DOORS THEY DON'T WANT A LIABILITY SITUATION KIDS NOT LISTENING TO THE RULES WITHOUT THE PROTECTION.

HOPEFULLY WE ARE SAFE AND SOUND WHILE ENJOYING THE ECLIPSE.

>> Bill: AND SOME CASES THERE HAVE BEEN THOSE WHO HANDED OUT PROTECTION AND IT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW CASES THAT GLASSES THAT ARE NOT PROTECTIVE.

IT'S GOOD POLICY WHERE YOU GOT YOUR GLASSES FROM AND GOOGLE IS EVERYTHING GOOD ON THAT.

HAVE THEY PUT OUT A NOTICE.

THIS IS A SPECIAL TIME FOR THE REGION THE HEARTLAND WHERE THE ECLIPSE CAME OVER IN 2017 AND WE'RE GETTING IT AGAIN.

WE ARE THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE.

>> Bill: WE EXPECT TRAVELERS AND VISITORS LET'S WELCOME THEM TO KENTUCKY THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.