VETOES A FLURRY OF LEGISLATION PASSED BY THE REPUBLICAN-LED LEGISLATURE, A JUDGE HEARS EVIDENCE IN THE CHALLENGE TO KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS, A BILL THAT WOULD LET ALL ATTORNEYS CARRY GUNS IN COURTROOMS DRAWS HOSPITALS START LIFTING RESTRICTIONS AS KENTUCKY GETS T ZERO COUNTIES IN THE RED ZONE, THE SPRING MEET BEGINS AT KEENELAND WITH SNOW OUT THERE, AND "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 GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR MELISSA PATRICK, REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

BILL ESTEP, SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

HE SAYS HE'S HARD WORKING, BY THE WAY.

AND JOINING US REMOTELY, JOE SONKA, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

ALSO TONIGHT, A BILL THAT WOULD HELP INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES COMPETE WITH PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS APPARENTLY STALLS OUT AFTER HEAVE LOBBYING INCLUDING AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND SENATOR RAND PAUL BOTH ANNOUNCE RAISING BIG MONEY FOR THEIR AHEAD OF THIS YEAR'S RACES AND NEXT.

A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

In KNOWING FULL WELL IT MAY NOT MATTER, GOVERNOR BESHEAR TOOK OUT HIS VETO PEN AND GOT VERY BUSY THIS WEEK.

THERE WERE EIGHT VOICES ISSUED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, APPARENTLY ONE THURSDAY, ANOTHER 11 TODAY.

JOE, I THINK WE'RE AT 20 AND COUNTING, AND LET'S GO THROUGH SOME OF THEM HERE.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED THE SENATE'S PRIORITY BILL SENATE BILL 1 WHICH WOULD TRANSFER A LOT OF POWER FROMMAL SCHOOL COUNCILS AND CUPBOARDS TO THE SUPERINTENDENTS, RIGHT?

>> Joe: YEAH, THE SCHOOL COUNCILS THAT ARE MADE UP OF TEACHERS AND PARENTS DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THAL SCHOOL CURRICULUM, WHEN IT COME TO THE HIRING OF PRINCIPALS, THIS WOULD NOW MOVE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT WHICH THE -- [INDECIPHERABLE] THE BILL ALSO ATTACKED LANGUAGE THAT GOT INTO THE WHOLE OF THE CRITICAL RACE THEORY DEBATE WHERE THERE IS CERTAIN LANGUAGE ON RACE IN THE CLASSROOMS AND ALSO CERTAIN REQUIRED HISTORICAL TEXTS THAT HAVE TO BE USED IN HISTORY CLASSES.

SO GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S VETO MESSAGE SAID THAT, HE NOTED THAT THE SHIFT GREAT COUNCILS GIVES THE PARENTS LESS VOICE IN THOSE DECISIONS, AND HE ALSO CRITICIZED THE VOTE FOR SINGLING OUT JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

LIMITING HOW MANY TIMES THEY CAN MEET AND ALSO REMOVING SOME POWERS AWAY FROM THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT.

>> Bill: BILL, SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE LONG BEEN POWERFUL FIGURES IN RURAL KENTUCKY, AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A SHIFT TOWARD MORE OF THAT, RIGHT?

>> Bill Estep: THERE WAS A TIME WHEN SUPERINTENDENTS CONTROLLED THE HIRING AND THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION REFORM ACT, WHICH WAS PASSED IN 1990, ACTUALLY CREATED THESE SCHOOL COUNCILS AND GAVE, ALLOWED PARENTS TO HAVE A SEAT ON THOSE AND TEACHERS AND GAVE MORE POWER THE THOSE CONSTITUENCIES SO THIS IS KIND OF WALKING THAT BACK FROM WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BEFORE THAT WAS PASSED.

>> Bill: AND AGAIN, THE LANGUAGE ABOUT TEACHING HISTORY IS KIND OF FOLDED INTO THAT SENATE BILL 1.

>> Bill Estep: THAT'S A PART OF IT.

>> Bill: BESHEARSAL VETOED THE BILL THAT WOULD FUND THE CHARTER SCHOOLS.

HE SAYS THE BILL WOULD TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM KENTUCKY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> I'M AGAINST CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE WRONG FOR OUR COMMONWEALTH.

THEY TAKE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AWAY FROM THE ALREADY UNDERFUNDED PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND OUR TAXPAYERS DOLLARS SHOULD NOT BE REDIRECTED TO FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES THAT RUN CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> Bill: JOE, A CHARTER SCHOOL VOTE WAS CLOSE IN THE HOUSE.

IS THERE A CHANCE THAT THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH VOTES OVERRIDE THAT VETO?

>> Joe: WELL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DOZENS OF OVERRIDES NEXT WEEK THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE CLOSE BECAUSE OF THE SHEER SIZE OF THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.

THIS IS ONE THAT'S GOING TO BE THE EXCEPTIONS.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE WITH 51 VOTES.

IN ORDER TO OVERRIDE THE VETO THEY NEED EXACTLY 51 VOTES.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE AN ADDITIONAL TWO REPUBLICAN MEMBERS WHO EITHER WORKED THERE OR WERE SICK THAT DAY.

REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD WHITE HAS BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A MONTH.

WE DON'T KNOW IF HE'S GOING TO RETURN NEXT WEEK, BUT IT LOOK LIKE IT WILL BE CLOSE, BUT AT THIS POINT I THINK THE ODDS ARE PROBABLY IN THE REPUBLICANS' FAVOR TO GET OVER THE LINE.

>> Bill Estep: BILL, IT'S WORTH MENTIONING AS JOE SAID, THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW ISSUES THAT DIVIDE REPUBLICANS THIS SESSION.

THEY WERE UNIFIED ON A LOT OF THINGS.

THE VOTE HERE WAS 51-46.

WE'VE GOT A 75-25 MARGIN IN THE HOUSE SO THAT SHOWS THAT I LOT OF REPUBLICANS CROSSED OVER.

PART OF THE ISSUE IN THE REPUBLICANS FROM RURAL DISTRICTS, COUNTIES WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS AND THERE'S A LOT OF THOSE COUNTIES IN TRULY KENTUCKY, THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYTHING DONE THAT HURTS THOSE SCHOOLS.

>> Bill: A LOT OF STAKEHOLDER IN THIS DEBATE CERTAINLY, AND THE GOVERNOR MADE REFERENCE, JOE, TO FOR PROFIT.

WELL, THAT WOULDN'T BE THE CASE MOST OF THE TIME.

RIGHT?

I MEAN, THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF THAT FOR SOME OF THOSE CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> Joe: YES.

EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE PUBLIC, THEY WOULD BE PRIVATE GROUP THAT WOULD BE CHARGED WITH OPERATING THEM.

SO IT'S OBVIOUSLY A CONCERN OF DEMOCRATS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCATE THAT PEOPLE MAYBE NOTE HAVE THE BEST OF INTENTIONS INTENTIONS ARE GOING TO BE RECEIVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND WHETHER THERE'S ENOUGH OVERSIGHT FOR THEM TO DO A GOOD JOB.

>> Bill: THAT'LL BE THE ONE THAT WE CLOSELY WATCH IN TERMS OF OVERRIDES IN THE WEEK AHEAD.

MELISSA, GOVERNOR BESHEAR ALSO DID A VETO ON THE OMNIBUS ABORTION BILL.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

WHAT OBJECTIONS DID HE LIST?

>> Melissa: SO ONE OF MAIN THINGS IT DID WAS TO BAN THE MAILING OF ABORTION MEDICATIONS, WHICH IS HOW MOST WOMEN IN KENTUCKY HAVE AN ABORTION IF THEY CHOOSE TO HAVE ONE.

IT ALSO SETS HIGHER STANDARDS FOR JUDICIAL BYPASS, SO YOUNG LADIES WHO DON'T WANT PARENTAL CONSENT, THE STANDARDS ARE HIGHER FOR THEM TO GET THAT APPROVAL FROM THE COURTS, AND STRENGTHENS THE PARENTAL CONSENT RULES.

AND INCREASES REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

ONE OF THE OTHER BILL THAT WAS ADD TO IT WOULD BAN ABORTIONS AT 15 WEEKS, WHICH LINES UP WITH THE MISSISSIPPI LAW THAT'S UNDER -- IN THE SUPREME COURT RIGHT NOW, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, AND SO THE REASON THAT THAT WAS DONE WAS THAT IF THAT LAW HOLDS UP IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, THE KENTUCKY LAW ALREADY WILL HAVE ONE THE IN BOOKS AND READY TO GO.

>> Bill: IN HIS VETO MESSAGE, WHAT DID THE GOVERNOR SAY?

>> Melissa: SO HIS MAIN REASON FOR VETOING THE BILL WAS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST AND THAT THE -- THE WAY THE PARENTAL CONSENT RULES ARE NEWLY WRITTEN, THAT IF A YOUNG LADY WAS -- HAD BEEN RAPED BY HER FATHER, SHE WOULD STILL NEED HIS APPARENTLY CONSENT.

IT REQUIRES BOTH PARENTS, IF POSSIBLE.

AND THAT THE PARENT THAT'S NOT ABLE TO BE REACHED TO GIVE LIKE 48 HOURS TO REACH THAT PARENT.

SO IN ESSENCE, THE RAPIST WOULD HAVE TO GIVE CONSENT FOR THE ABORTION.

AND THEN HE ALSO SAID IT'S LIKELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> Bill: IT RALLY POSITIONS KENTUCKY TO CAREFULLY WATCH THAT SUPREME COURT CASE TO SEE WHAT PARTS OF OF L. ARE UPHELD.

JOE, THE SENATE ALSO VETOED STATE BILL 23 WHICH WOULD BAN TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM TAKING PART IN SPORTS.

>> Joe: YES, THAT WAS A REALLY EMOTIONAL ISSUE, AND THE GOVERNOR VETOED THAT AND HE WAS PRAISED BY GROUPS LIKE THE ACLU AND THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN WHO HAVE SAID THAT THIS WOULD HURT TRANSGENDER YOUTH WHO ARE ALREADY AT RISK AND MARGINALIZED.

BUT HE ALSO FACED THE SWIFT CRITICISM, INCLUDING SOME THAT HE MAY FACE IN THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR AND YOU HAVE PEEP LIKE REPUBLICAN KELLY CRAFT AND SENATOR MAX WISE BOTH QUICKLY TWEETING OUT CRITICISM OF BESHEAR FOR THOSE VETOES, SAKE THAT HE WAS PART OF THE WOKE LEFT NOW BY VETOING THAT BILL.

SO THAT'S CERTAINLY AN EMOTIONAL HOT BUTTON ISSUE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PROBABLY SEE IN CAMPAIGNS AND POLITICAL RHETORIC FOR THE COMING YEAR.

>> Bill: TAX REFORM IS ALSO ON TALKED ABOUT AND SOMETIMES ACTED ON, AND A BILL, HOUSE BILL 8 WOULD LOWER THE STATE'S INCOME TAX AND WOULD EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE SALES TAX.

THAT ALSO RECEIVED A GUBERNATORIAL VETO.

>> Bill Estep: THERE WAS SOME CRIT TIMM FROM GROUPS AS THIS WAS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT IT WOULD SORT OF SHIFT THE TAX BURDEN TO POO PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY BUT THEY BUY THINGS, SO BY PUT CUTTING THE INCOME TAX AND RAISING SALES TAX YOU POTENTIALLY SHIFT SOME OF THAT TAX BURDEN TO POORER PEOPLE.

BUT BESHEAR TALKED ABOUT THE IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE, THE IMPACT OF EXPAND SALES TAX ON THINGS LIKE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AS THE REASON FOR VETOING THAT.

>> WILL: >> Bill: THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME SIMILARITY IN THE THINKING OF THE GOVERNOR WITH HOUSE BILL 7 WHEN HE ALSO VETOED, ADDING MEW REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO THOSE RECEIVING PUBLIC BENEFITS.

WHAT WAS THE GOVERNOR'S REASONING ON THAT?

>> Melissa: SO HE WENT THROUGH A LIST OF REASONS ON THIS BILL, BUT THE RED TAPE, THE INCREASED REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS GENERALLY WILL DECREASE ACCESS TO THESE BENEFITS.

IT CREATES BARRIERS TO PEOPLE GETTING THEM.

AND SO THAT WAS ONE OF HIS MAIN REASONS.

HE SAID IT ADDS ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS TO THE CABINET, THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, AND ALL OF THE OVERSIGHT WILL REQUIRE THE CABINET TO DO MORE ADMINISTRATION THAT COSTS MONEY, AND IT'S UNDER FUNDED.

THERE'S NO MONEY FOR ADDED -- FOR THEM TO DO THAT.

UNFUNDED.

IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT THERE ARE -- IT POTENTIALLY VIOLATESSAL FEDERAL RULES WHICH COULD INFLUENCE SOME OF THE FEDERAL UNDER IFING THAT WE GET FOR OTHER PROGRAMS.

SO A LAUNDRY LIST.

>> Bill: AGAIN, ABOUT 20 BILLS VETOED.

WE'RE GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS HERE.

JOE, THE GOVERNOR VETOED AN ELECTION SECURITY BILL PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, RIGHT?

>> Joe: YES, SENATE BILL 216, THIS IS A PRETTY WIDE-RANGING ELECTION SECURITY BILL.

IT, OF COURSE, WAS CODIFIED INTO LAW EXISTING PRACTICES WHERE YOU CAN'T HOOK UM VOTING MACHINES TO THE INTERNET.

IT LETTERS SET UP THE PROCESS FOR HAVING ALL PAPER BALLOTS, INCREASE THE AUDITING PROCESS IN THE ELECTION, BUT BESHEAR IN HIS VETO STATEMENT REALLY PICKED OUT ONE SENTENCE FROM THE BILL THAT WASN'T REALLY ELECTION SECURITY-RELATED.

IT WAS BASICALLY ONE SENTENCE THAT IF YOU ARE A LEGISLATOR RUNNING FOR POLITICAL OFFICE, YOU'RE RUNNING FOR THE LEGISLATURE IN AN OFF ELECTION YEAR, YOU KNOW LONGER HAVE TO FILE A QUARTERLY REPORT WITH THE KENTUCKY REGISTRY OF ELECTION FINANCES.

HE'S GIVING YOU MONEY ON YOU'RE SPENDING AND YOU ON HAVE TO FILE AN NEWSCHANNEL REPORT.

BESHEAR SAID THE ONLY REASON HE DID THAT WAS BECAUSE IT LESSENED THE TRANSPARENCY IF ELECTIONS.

E WAS CRITICIZED BY SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS TO REALLY CAMPAIGNED HARD FOR THIS BILL AND SAID THAT THE BIPARTISAN THING TO DO TWO OF TO PASS IT WHEN SO MANY DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE VOTED FOR IT.

>> Bill: SO THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T OBJECT TO MOST OF THAT BILL, JUST TO THAT ONE REPORTING PERIMETER.

>> Joe: YEAH, JUST THAT ONE SENTENCE.

>> Bill: IS THERE A CHANCE THEY COULD GO IN AND REMOVE THAT AND RE-PASS THAT BILL QUICKLY AND REALIZED THAT HE WOULD NOT VETO IT IF HE AGREED WITH THE OTHER PROVISIONS?

>> Joe: WELL, TECHNICAL WHEN THE LEGISLATURE COMES BACK NEXT WEEK, IF THEY COWAIVE ALL OF THEIR RULES AND DO WHAT THEY WANT.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THEY CARE ABOUT IT THAT MUCH TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS OR WHETHER THEY'LL JUST OVERRIDE IT AND RETURN TO THE ISSUE NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill: BILL, THEY POINTED OUT THAT THEY CAN DO THAT IF THEY WANT BEVERAGES THEY CAN DO, YES.

>> Bill: HOUSE BILL 334 WOULD REORGANIZATION THE ETHICS BRANCH -- THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COMMISSION.

IT WOULD SPREAD THOSE APPOINTMENTS OUT AMONG ALL THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES, AND THE GOVERNOR WOULD ONLY APPOINT TWO OF THE SEVEN MEMBERS.

THE GOVERNOR OBJECTS TO THAT, VETOED IT.

JOE?

>> Joe: THE GOVERNOR HAS RALS APPOINTED ALL FIVE MEMBERS TO THE COMMISSION.

THERE WAS SOP TALKING CHANGING THAT WHEN GOVERNOR BEVIN EVER BEVERN BASS GOVERNOR.

THEY JUST GOT AROUND TO DOING IT RIGHT NOW.

SO NOW IT WILL BE GOVERNOR BEA WITH TWO APPOINTMENTS, AND THE OTHER FIVE WILL BE THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WHO ALSO HAPPEN TO BE REPUBLICAN.

SO THE MAKE-UP OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION IS DEFINITELY GOING TO CHANGE.

>> Bill: THERE WAS ALSO A VETO ON HOUSE BILL 248 WHICH SAYS ONLY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN SPEND TAXPAYERS' MONEY TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONAL OF ITEMS PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BILL.

>> Bill Estep: GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THIS WAS A BLATANT ATTEMPT BY THE LEGISLATURE TO SHIELD UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAWS THAT THEY PASS BY MAKING ONLY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL COULD GO TO COURT TO CHALLENGE THOSE.

THE GOVERNOR COULDN'T SPEND MONEY TO DO THAT.

WHAT THIS IS REALLY RELATED TO, I THINK, IS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BILLS -- YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN THIS RUNNING FEUD BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC ABOUT HOW MUCH POWER HE WOULD HAVE, AND THE LEGISLATURE'S MOVED TO LIPPETT THAT.

THIS IS KIND OF ANOTHER PIECE OF THE EFFORT TO LIMIT THE GOVERNOR'S POWERS A LITTLE BIT.

HE WENT TO COURT TO CHALLENGE THE REORGANIZATION OF THE STATE FAIR BOARD, FOR INSTANCE.

HE CHANGED SOME OF THE LAWS LIMITING HIS POWERS.

SO THIS IS KIND OF THAT -- A PIECE OF THAT CONTINUING CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THEM.

>> Bill: REPUBLICANS HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY CAN AND WILL EASILY OVERRIDE VETOES FROM THE GOVERNOR.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS INDICATED YESTERDAY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL TAKE UP OVERRIDE VOTES FOR ALL OF VETOED LEGISLATION.

>> I THINK WE WILL TAKE STEPS, THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION WE'LL HAVE WITH THE HOUSE NEXT WEEK, TO OVERRIDE THE VETO OF SENATE THE BILL 1.

AS TO THE SPORTS TRANSGENDER ISSUE, I THINK THAT SAME DISCUSSION WILL BE THERE.

>> Bill: AND, JOE, THE LEGISLATURE ALSO OVERRODE THE VETOES OF THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN.

IS IT LIKELY THAT THEY WILL TURN BACK THE GOVERNOR'S OBJECTIONS TO MOST OR ALL OF THESE BUMS EVER BILLS IN THE WEEK AHEAD?

>> Joe: I'D SAY IT'S LIABLE THAT JUST ABOUT ALL OF THEM WILL BE -- WILL RECEIVE ENOUGH.

LAST YEAR IT WASN'T 100% BUT IT WAS ALMOST 100%.

THAT CHARTER SCHOOL BILL IS GOING TO BE CLOSE.

THERE COULD ALSO BE LINE ITEM VETOES IN THE BUDGET WHERE THEY MAY LET SOME STAND.

AND THERE MAY BE SOME CASES WHERE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE VETO STATEMENT POINTS OUT SOME TECHNICALITIES OR SEVERE DEFICIENCIES IN THE BILL THAT MIGHT BE WORTH SCRAPPING THE OVERRIDE PROCESS AND RETURNING TO THE ISSUE NEXT YEAR, BUT FOR CERTAINLY MOST OF THEM WILL BE OVERWRITTEN BY PRETTY LARGE MAJORITY.

>> Bill: BILL, WE HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN A SHIFT IN THE BALANCE OF FOR IN OUR CAREERS.

>> Bill Estep: YEAH, THIS REALLY STARTED, THERE WAS A TIME MANY, MANY DECADES WHERE THE GOVERNOR WAS VERY, VERY POWERFUL, THE LEGISLATURE WAS IN CONTROL OF THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU HAD THINGS LIKE LOWY 91 SHOVING THROUGH THE SALES TAX INCREASE IN THE LATE '60s AND THE LEGISLATURE DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT BUT HE FORCED THEM TO DO THAT.

HAPPY CHANDLER DOMINATED THE LEGISLATURE, OTHERS.

JOHN Y.

BROWN IN AROUND 1980, THE LEGISLATURE START TAKING BACK THAT I LOT OF THAT POWER 37 GREG STUMBO AND OTHERS REFER TO IT AS THE YOUNG TURKS AND THEY TOOK BACK SOME POWER.

>> Bill: PAUL WAS THE LAST ONE WHO HAD AN INTIMIDATION FACTOR.

ONE OF THE VETOES THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALREADY OVERRIDDEN, MELISSA, IS SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 150 WHICH ENDED THE COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THE GOVERNOR SET OFF ALARMS THAT KENTUCKY MIGHT LOSE OUT ON SNAP BENEFITS.

THE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAID NO.

IN FACT, PRESIDENT STIVERS SAID IT WAS FRAUDULENT TO OPERATE UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY THAT THROUGH A TO GET FEDERAL BENEFITS.

>> Melissa: I KNOW.

I STILL HAVEN'T ASKED THE GOVERNOR WHEN WE THIS IS ABOUT THAT ACCOMMODATE, BUT BASICALLY THEY'RE BOTH RIGHT AND THEY'RE USING THEIR WORDS TO PLAY POLITICS A LITTLE BIT.

IN ORDER TO HAVE COVID, THE EXTRA ALLOTMENT OF COVID SNAP BENEFITS, FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME YOU NEED BOTH A STATE AND A FEDERAL COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY, AND THAT'S ENDED, AND THE GOVERNOR'S IS NOT ALLOWED TO CALL ANOTHER ONE, SO THAT CAN'T HAPPEN.

BUT WE CAN HAVE ONE MORE MONTH, A PHASE-OUT MONTH, AND THE GOVERNOR HAS APPLIED FOR OR THE STATE HAS APPLIED FOR AND BEEN APPROVED FOR THAT AND KENTUCKIANS WILL GET THEIR BENEFIT AT THE ALLOTTED TIME THIS MONTH.

>> Bill: THERE WERE ALSO BILLS THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED, OF COURSE, IN FACT, HE SIGN MOST OF THE LEGISLATION OR WILL ALLOW MOST OF IT TO BECOME LAW, IT APPEARS.

A BILL THAT WILL PUT SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS IN EVERY SCHOOL.

AL ALSO A PORCH PIRATING BILL WAS SIGNED.

>> Bill Estep: THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THOSE.

AND GIVEN WHAT'S HAPPENED IN SCHOOL SECURITY, THERE WAS SUPPORT FOR MORE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AS WELL.

>> Bill: MELISSA, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE KIND OF LOST IN THE SHUFFLE RIGHT NOW, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE LIGHT ON THOSE TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS WITH ALL THE RAPID FIRE LEGISLATION WE SAW THE IN CLOSING DAYS, AND NO THE TWO DAYS THAT ARE LEFT.

THE HOUSE PASSED A BILL TO TRY TO PROTECT INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES BY LETTING PATIENTS PICK WHERE THEY CAN GET THEIR MEDS BUT IS HAS STALLED IN SENATE AND THERE WAS HEAVY EFFICIENT PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS, THE PBMS AS WE CALL THEM.

>> Melissa: RIGHT, AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE LOBBY AND -- CAME FROM ALL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, AND THEY STAY IT'S GOING TO RAISE COSTS AND RAISE PRICES, AND THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT THE LAWMAKERS JUST AREN'T WILLING TO LET HAPPEN.

BUT ONE OF THE -- THE KEY PROVISIONS OF THAT THAT AFFECTS KENTUCKIANS IS THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO ORDER THEIR MEDICINES THROUGH THE MAIL.

THEY WANT TO GO TO THEIR PHARMACIST AND BE ABLE TO PICK THEM UP.

AND SO BECAUSE THIS BILL DIDN'T PASS, THINGS STAY THE SAME.

SO IF YOU HAVE COMMERCIAL INSURANCE AND YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY REQUIRES TO YOU GET YOUR MAIL ORDER MEDICINES, THEN THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO WITH SOME EXEMPTIONS LIKE FIRST-TIME ORDER OR ANTIBIOTICS OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT OUR PARTICIPANTS IN MEDICAID, THAT RULE DOESN'T APPLY.

OUR PBM, OUR ONE MEDICAID PBM DOES NOT REQUIRE THEM TO DO MAIL ORDER.

I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT IF YOU -- IT WOULDN'T HURT TO CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND ASK IF THERE'S AN OPT-OUT AND THAT YOUR INDEPENDENT PHARMACY WILL HELP YOU DO THAT.

>> Bill: ANOTHER BILL THAT GOT ATTENTION AFTER THE LEGISLATURE LEFT TOWN FOR THIS VETO PERIOD WAS ONE THAT WOULD ALLOW ALL ATTORNEYS, BILL, TO PACK HEAT IN COURTROOMS.

JUDGES AND CROSS PROSECUTORS CAN DO THAT NOW.

THIS WOULD MEAN DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, ANYBODY WHO IS IN THERE TO ARGUE A CASE -- RIGHT?

BRING YOUR GUN.

>> Bill Estep: PROSECUTORS CAN ALREADY CARRY GUNS IN COURT, CARRY CONCEALED SO THIS WOULD ALLOW OTHER ATTORNEYS, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS.

THERE'S BEEN IS ON THE FEARS RAISED ABOUT THAT, THAT A DEFENDANT, YOU KNOW, A PERSON SITTING AT A COUNSEL TABLE WITH THEIR LAWYER COULD TAKE AWAY THE LAWYER'S GUN AND USE THAT TO TRY TO ESCAPE OR SOMETHING.

SO THERE'S BEEN SOME CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT IT.

BUT, YEAH, IT HAS PASSED.

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR SIGNED A BILL THAT SAYS RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS COULDN'T BE SUBJECTED TO STRICTER RULES THAN OTHER BUSINESSES OR ORGANIZATIONS.

THAT'S IN RESPONSE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS AND CLOSURES DURING COVID IN 2020.

THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AN THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL THAT THEY PASSED LASHED ON THE HIM OR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DID FOR THAT, SENSATION HIS ACTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC TELL A DIFFERENTIATOR STORY.

BESHEAR NOW CLAIMS THAT HE CAN CLAIM HE SIGNED THE BILL TO PROTECT CHURCHES.

THIS WILL BE INTERESTING.

>> Bill Estep: IT WAS A LITTLE BIT UNUSUAL THAT THEY PASSED IT, AND HE SIGNED IT, AND THEY STILL USE IT AS AN OCCASION TO CRITICIZE HIM.

IT WOULD DEFINE CHURCHES AS ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT YOU COULDN'T SHUT DOWN DURING A PANDEMIC.

>> Bill: JOE, REDISTRICTING RIGHT NOW THE CASE IS GOING ON BEFORE A CIRCUIT COURT.

SEVERAL STATES HAVE SEEN THEIR MAPS REJECTED AND THROWN OUT.

OHIO AND NEW YORK BOTH COME TO MIND.

JUDGES TOLD THEM TO STARTOVER EVER OVER.

A RULE THAT THEY HAD GERRYMANDER THEIR DISTRICTING.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THAT KENTUCKY CASE?

>> Joe:AL WELL, WE HAD THREE DAYS OF TESTIMONY IN FRANKLIN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, AND JUDGE WINGATE'S COURTROOM, AND HE REALLY HAD A LOT OF QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND STATISTICS AND IT WAS MAYBE HARD TO FOLLOW, BUT YOU HAD THE DEMOCRATS PLEAD WITNESS, A HARVARD POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR, REALLY TRYING TO USE A FISCAL STIMULATION AND MODELS TO SHOW JUST HOW EXTREME THE PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING WAS, ESPECIALLY THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP AND THE FIRST DISTRICT, DAVID KILMER, GOES ALL THE WAY FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY TO FRANKFORT, AND THAT TOOK UP REALLY A LOT OF THE TESTIMONY.

YOU HAD ONE INTERESTING PART I WILL NOTE, THAT'S RIGHT SURE HOW WINGATE IS GOING TO RULE ON THIS.

IT WILL BE WELL AFTER THE PRIMARY, YOU BUT IT'S A MATTER NOT AFFECTING THIS YEAR'S ELECTION, BUT WINGATE, AFTER ONE OF THE WITNESSES WAS SAYING IT'S NOT THAT SPLICING THAT FRANKFORT WAS -- IN THE 1st DISTRICT CONSIDERING HOW MANY YEARS THAT 1st DISTRICT HAS GONE AROUND THE SOUTH AND USHERED CURVED UPWARD AROUND THE THE WEEKEND DISTRICT.

WINGATE SAID I LIVE IN FRANKFORT COUNTY AND WE WERE ALL SHOCKED THAT IT HAPPENED.

HE SAID LATER HE SAID THAT AT SOME POINT YOU'RE JUST -- [INDECIPHERABLE] YOU HAVE TO GET THOSE BIG POPULATION CENTERS OF OWENSBORO AND BOWLING GREEN IN THAT 1st DISTRICT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MEANS THAT WINGATE IS GOING TO RULE THAT IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BUT HE CERTAINLY LET HIS OPINION KNOW THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY.

BUT THAT OPINION IS NOT GOING TO COME UNTIL AFTER THE PRIMARY.

SO IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT THIS ELECTION.

>> Bill: THE MAY 17th PRIMARY IS ON.

THE U.S. SENATE CONFIRMED JUDGE KE TAJI BROWN JACKSON WOULD BE ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT THURSDAY.

SHE'LL BE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO EVER SIT ON THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT.

BOTH OF KENTUCKY'S U.S.

SENATORS, MITCH McCONNELL AND RAND PAUL, VOTED AGAINST HER NOMINATION.

AND CAMPAIGN REPORTS ARE COMING IN.

BILL WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR RAISED $1 MILLION ALREADY THIS YEAR, HIS TOTAL IS $2.5 MILLION IN THE SIX MONTHS SINCE HE UNDERSTAND FRO HE'LL RUN AGAIN IN 2023.

HOW DETERMINED IS HE IN THIS CAMPAIGN THAT HE BE FINANCIALLY COMPETITIVE WITH REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER?

AND HOW MUCH DOES HE ALSO KNOW THAT THINGS GOING ON NOW, LIKE HIS VETOES, VETO MESSAGES, ARE THINGS HE MAY BE ABLE TO USE OR MAY BE USED AGAINST HIM THIS YEAR?

>> Bill Estep: A GOOD POLITICS IS ALWAYS LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD TO SEE.

IT'S LIKE A CHESS GAME.

WHAT DO I DO TODAY, WHAT DO I DO THAT AFFECTS WHAT HAPPENS DOWN THE ROAD?

BESHEAR A START SMART GUY.

HE KNOWS HOW SOME OF THIS WILL PLAY OUT.

HE IS DETERMINED, DESPITE THE STATE IS TRENDING VERY RED, I MEAN, THE LEGISLATURE -- THE HOUSE IS VIVE/FIVE THERE'S A WIDE MARGIN IN THE SENATE.

ALL THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OF REPUBLICANS.

BUT HE SEEMS DETERMINED TO TRY TO HOLD ONTO THE JOB, AND HE'LL NEED A GOOD BIT OF MONEY TO TRY TO DO THAT.

HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO HIS OPPONENT IS GOING TO BE.

POTENTIALLY THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT KELLY CRAFT.

SHE COULD DROP A LOT OF THEY ARE OWN MONEY IN THE RACE.

BUT IT'S LIKELY ANY REPUBLICAN HOE WHO WINDS THE NOMINATION, WILL BE PRETTY WELL FUND.

>> Bill: IT'S INDEMNITYING ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON STIRRED THINGS UP BY MAKING A COMMENT HE HASN'T DECIDED WHAT HE'LL RUN FOR NEXT YEAR SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL WATCH.

>> Bill Estep: THEFIELD IS NOT-- MIKE HARMON THE STATE AUDITOR IS ALREADY IN.

THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT KELLIE CONTRACTING, RYAN QUARLES, THE AG COMMISSIONER.

BUT, YEAH, CAMERON DID I.

THROW A WREN IN SOME OF THAT BY NOT RULING A RUN.

>> Bill: REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATOR RABID PAUL RAKED IN MORE THAN THREE TIMES WHAT HE HAD RAISED IN 2015 AND 2016 BEFORE HIS LAST RE-ELECTION.

HE'S WIDELY EXPECTED TO FACE DEMOCRAT CHARLES BOOKER WHO HAS FAR LESS MONEY BUT HE'S TRAVELING THE STATE AGGRESSIVELY AND TRYING TO MORPHED AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW.

>> Bill Estep: HE IS WORKING HARD, BUT THE FACT IS THAT AN INCUMBENT SENATOR HAS A TREMENDOUS ABILITY TO RAISE MONEY AND RAND PAUL HAS DONE THAT.

>> Bill: MELISSA, THE WE HAVE SURPASSED 15,000 COVID DEATHS WITH BUT COVID NUMBERS COMING DOWN, A TREND WE WERE HOPING TO SEE WHEN THE DELTA SPIKE HAPPENED AND THE ROMNEY SURGE WAS RUNG THROUGH.

SOME HOPPERS NOW ABLE TO REMOVE SOME RESTRICTIONS.

>> Melissa: WELL, IT'S ALL GOOD NEWS RIGHT NOW OTHER THAN EVEN THE DEATHS, AS MANY AS WE HAVE, HAVE FINALLY STARTED DROPPING.

WE'RE HAVING ABOUT 19 A DAY NOW.

BUT ALL THE NUMBER ARE GOING DOWN.

AND HOPEFULLY WE WON'T HAVE ANOTHER SURGE.

AND IF WE DO, I HOPE THAT EVERYONE'S WILLING TO PUT THAT MASK BACK ON FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

>> Bill: BILL, THERE ARE CALLS FOR THE LONDON MAYOR TO RESIGN AFTER A REPORT FROM THE STATE AUDITOR.

>> Bill Estep: THERE'S A STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE THAT DID A SPECIAL EXAMINATION OF EXTENDING BY THE CITY COUNCIL AS IT RELATES TO THE TOURISM COMMISSION, SOME NEGATIVE FINDINGS THERE.

CITY AND THE COMMISSION HAVE MOVED TO FIX A LOT OF THOSE PROBLEMS, BUT STILL YET THERE WAS A CALL THIS WEEK FOR THE MAYOR AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO RESIGN.

>> Bill: TUNE IN MONDAY FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW WILL BE HOSTING A DISCUSSION ON THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IT CERTAINLY IS AN INTERESTING TIME IN THAT SPACE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.