UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN TO DEAL WITH FRAUD.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SIGNS NEW BILLS INTO LAW WHILE ISSUING VETOES FOR SOME OTHERS.

KENTUCKY BUCKS A NATIONAL TREND AND BECOMES THE ONLY RED STATE TO EXPAND VOTING OPTIONS.

SENATOR MCCONNELL TRAVELS THE STATE AND ACKNOWLEDGES INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BUT OPPOSES WHAT HE CALLS A WHOPPING TAX INCREASE PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

HEADING INTO A WARM APRIL WEEKEND, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON K. 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 JANET PATTON, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

PHILLIP BAILEY, NATIONAL APPLICABLE CORRESPONDENT FOR USA today AND RYLAND BARTON, CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND RICHMOND.

ALSO TONIGHT, THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY STARTS ITS ROAD TO RECOVERY WITH THE KENTUCKY DERB NOW THREE WEEKS AWAY.

AND HOW WILL KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS DRAW UP DISTRICT LINES TO ACCOUNT FOR THE SHIFTS IN POPULATION NOW THAT THE CENSUS NUMBERS BE OUT SOON?

BUT FIRST, THE UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUE HAS BEEN GRINDING SINCE THE START OF PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

A BIG PART OF THE PROBLEM IS SO MANY CLAIMS ARE FAKE.

NOW THE STATE HAS SHUT DOWN ITS SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH HACKS AND FRAUD.

RYLAND, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DRAMATIC STEP BUT THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION SAID IT REALLY NEEDS TO TAKE THIS PAUSE TO SORT THINGS OUT.

>> Ryland: IT'S A DRAMATIC STEP AFTER A LOT OF DRAMA WITH KENTUCKY'S UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH LOTS OF OTHER STATES ACROSS THE NATION HAVE ALSO HAD DRAMATIC YEARS WITH UNEMPLOYMENT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND BASICALLY THE SYSTEM IS NOT BEEN EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THIS MASSIVE INFLUX OF PEOPLE MAKING UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

SO, YEAH, ON THE FRAUD ISSUE, THIS IS -- THE STATE BELIEVES THAT THERE IS SOMETHING LIKE 300,000 UNEMPLOYMENT ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED IN SOME WAY, AND NOT ALL OF THOSE ARE ACTIVE ACCOUNTS.

THEY'RE ESTIMATING MAYBE ABOUT 25,000 MIGHT BE ACTIVE.

AND SO WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PAUSE RIGHT NOW.

ON TUESDAY THE SYSTEM WILL OPEN BACK UP, AND PEOPLE WILL BE REQUIRED TO REREGISTER BASICALLY SWAPPING IN AN EIGHT DIGIT PIN CODE FOR THEIR FOUR-DIGIT PIN CODES.

SUPPOSEDLY A LOT OF WHAT CAUSEDS THESE SECURITY ISSUES WERE PEOPLE USING SIMPLE PINS LIKE 1, 2, 3, 4 THAT HACKERS ARE ABLE TO ACCESS AND VITAL INFORMATION WAS CHANGED SO EVEN A BANK ACCOUNT WHERE SOMEBODY WOULD WANT THEIR BENEFITS TO BE DEPOSITIONED HAS BEEN CHANGED AND THAT'S US WHATTED THE PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST WEEKS AND MONTHS.

>> Bill: PEOPLE DO HAVE TO REREGISTER AND GET THIS NEW PASSWORD SET UP BUT NOT REFILE THEIR CLAIMS, RIGHT?

>> Ryland: RIGHT.

AND THIS IS GOING -- IT'S STILL GOING TO BE A DID I GO ORDEAL AND THERE'S A LIMITED WINDOW FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER, IT'S ANOTHER HURLED THAT THE STATE'S GOING TO HAVE TO TRY AND CROSS TO KIND OF GET EVERYBODY ON THE SAME PAGE TO UPDATE THEIR INFORMATION IN ORDER FOR THE STATE TO KIND OF GET BACK ON SOLID FOOTING.

>> Bill: JANET, SO MANY OF THE WORKERS TRYING TO GET UNEMPLOYMENT ARE IN THE RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.

THEY NEED HELP IN PAYING THEIR OWN BILLS RIGHT NOW, BUT THESE FAKE JOBLESS CLAIMS HAVE JUST BEEN RELENTLESS.

>> Janet: YAW I DON'T THINK -- I THINK YOU COULD MAKE A STRONG CASE THAT THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HAS BEEN ONE OF THOSE HIT THE HARDEST BECAUSE OF THE SHUTDOWN AND THEN IN THE CAPACITY LIMITS THAT WERE PUT ON THEM, THEN THEY JUST HAD TO LAY SO MANY PEOPLE OFF, SO IT KIND OF MAKES SENSE THAT THEY THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF UNEMPLOYED RESTAURANT WORKERS WHO HAVE FILED AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, BUT WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS SAID IS THAT THEY'VE GOT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAKE CLAIMS THAT THEY JUST CAN'T WADE THROUGH THEM ALL TO FIND THE REAL ONES, AND I THINK YOUR STATION REPORTED THAT A LOT OF RESTAURANTS, LIKE RED STEAK BARBECUE WAS ONE YOU CITED, HAVE HAD FAKE CLAIMS.

THEY'VE NOT LETTERS SAYING PEOPLE HAVE FILED A CLAIM FOR UNEMPLOYMENT THAT NEVER WORKED THERE.

>> Bill: AND SO THAT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING FOR THE BUSINESSES AND OBVIOUSLY THE STATE.

>> Janet: RIGHT, FOR ALL SIDES.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE BEEN SITTING THERE WAITING ON UNEMPLOYMENT FOR MONTHS NOW, YOU WANT SOME WAY TO GET SOMEONE WHO TEP YOU, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO BE COMING SOON.

>> Bill: PHILIP, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE POLITICS AND REALLY THE OPTICS OF ALL THIS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS GOTTEN MIXED REVIEWS AND, OF COURSE, WE ALL KNOW HAS HAD SOME HIGH PROFILE BATTLES WITH THE LEGISLATURE, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, AT LEAST IN THE POLLING THAT WE HAVE SEEN PUBLICALLY, A MAJORITY HAS OVERALL APPROVED OF HIS HANDLING OF THE COVID SITUATION.

BUT HOW CAREFULLY DOES HE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE OPTICS OF THIS UNEMPLOYMENT DRAMA THAT CONTINUES?

>> Phillip: LOOK, GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS BEEN GIVEN A LOT OF CREDIT STATEWIDE AND NATIONALLY, BILL, FOR HIS HANDLING OF COVID CRISIS, BUT AS THE PANDEMIC FADES, AS THE HEALTH AND POLITICAL STORY, THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO BE PUNISHED FOR HISN'S BASIC MISMANAGEMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM, WHETHER THAT'S BASED UPON IT WILL BEING AN OUTDATED SYSTEM BEFORE HE GOT THERE OR NOT.

SHUTTING THE HOLE WHOLE SYSTEM DOWN IS A START BUT IT'S ALSO AN ADMISSION THAT IT'S GOTTEN OUT OF CONTROL AS KENTUCKIANS HAVE REPORTED THEIR BENEFITS ARE BEING STOLEN.

SO IT'S BECOME A REAL NIGHTMARE.

WHAT'S WORSE POLITICALLY IS THAT IT HURTS PEOPLE ACROSS DIFFERENT PROJECTS DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE IN LOUISVILLE, EASTERN KENTUCKY, WESTERN KENTUCKY.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT POLITICAL PARTY YOU'RE A PART OF IT.

GOES TO A CORE REPUBLICAN ARGUMENT ABOUT GOVERNMENT BEING BUSTED.

POLITICALLY SPEAKING, THIS STRIKES AT THE SHORE OF IS ANDY BESHEAR COMPETENT?

IT'S SOMETHING TO THAT REPUBLICANS ARE BOUND TO REMIND VOTERS ABOUT IN 2023.

I CAN ALREADY SEE A KENTUCKIAN WHO MAYBE NEVER GOT THEIR BENEFITS AT ALL AND HAD TO LEAVE THEIR APARTMENT OR HAD TO MISS CERTAIN IMPORTANT PAYMENTS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BEING FEATURED ANY REPUBLICAN COMMERCIAL ATTACKING GOVERNOR BESHEAR, SO HE'S RIGHT TO GET AHEAD OF IT NOW AT BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM FOR HIM.

>> Bill: JANET, I LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION IS THAT THEY WERE DEALING WITH ANTIQUATED EQUIPMENT AND METHODS.

>> Janet: RIGHT.

AND THE GOVERNOR ASKED FOR A LOT OF MONEY TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS WHICH DATES -- I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR BACK BUT INTO OLDER SYSTEMS.

THEY HAD TO BRING PEOPLE OUT OF RETIREMENT JUST TO CHANGE CODING.

AND I DON'T THINK HE GOT ALL OF WHAT HE WANTED, SO IT'S GOING TO BE TRICKY.

>> Bill: RYLAND, IS THE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION WILL IMPROVE SOON, THAT THIS TEMPORARY PAUSE WILL WORK AND THAT THEY CAN GET ON WITH THINGS?

>> Ryland: IT WILL DEFINITELY IMPROVE AS FEWER PEOPLE ARE FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT, AS THE PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO ABATE HOPEFULLY, BUT ALSO THE STATE IS OPENING UP 13 CAREER CENTERS AROUND THE STATE.

THESE WERE CAREER CENTERS, SOME OF WHICH WERE SHUTTERED DURING THE BEVIN ADMINISTRATION, AND, YOU KNOW, NOW PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO GET SOME IN-PERSON HELP WITH FILING UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS, WHICH HAS BEEN A REALLY HUGE HARD PART OF THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE, THEY CAN'T FIND A PERSON TO TALK TO, WHETHER IT'S ONLINE OR IN PERSON OR OVER THE PHONE OR ONLINE.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT'LL -- THAT'LL HELP SOME OF THE PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY IN MORE RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> Bill: WE'LL BE WATCHING OF COURSE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS BUSY THIS WEEK SIGNING SOME BILLS IN PUBLIC AND VETOING SOME OTHERS.

ONE THAT GOT ATTENTION WAS THE BIPARTISAN ELECTION BILL THAT WIDENS ACCESS FOR VOTERS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT COMES AT A TIME WHEN OTHER STATES ARE TIGHTENING VOTER RESTRICTIONS.

GEORGIA LOST BASEBALL'S ALL-STAR GAME OVER ITS NEW VOTER LAW.

BARBER AND REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS PUSHED TOGETHER FOR THE NEW LAW.

>> THIS YEAR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS FOLLOWED SUIT WORKING ACROSS PARTY LINES TO ENACT THE MOST REFORM OF OUR ELECTION SYSTEM SINCE 1891.

THIS IS A TRIUMPH OF BOTH POLICY AND PROCESS.

>> MUCH OF THE COUNTRY HAS PUT IN MORE RESTRICTIVE LAWS THAT KENTUCKY LEGISLATORS, KENTUCKY LEADERS WERE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER TO STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY, AND TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE.

>> Bill: FILM, KENTUCKY'S ELECTION LAWS ARE STILL STRICT, GETTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT IS STILL GOING TO REQUIRE AN EXCUSE, BUT THIS IS THE START OF SOME REFORM, AND AS WE NOTE THERE, IT IS BIPARTISAN.

>> Phillip: WELL, A LOT OF PEOPLE, BILL, INCLUDING FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON BEING TOP AMONG AMONG THEM STILL HAVEN'T GIVEN KENTUCKIANS THE APOLOGY I SAID THEY WERE OWED FROM LAST YEAR.

BUT, LOOK, KENTUCKY -- YOU KNOW, POLITICS IS THE ART OF THE POSSIBILITY, AND IT WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN YOU AND I ON THIS PROGRAM, WE DISCUSSED 239 ELECTION CHANGES UNDER COVID-19 WOULD REMAIN PERMANENT, SO TODAY IS BETTER THAN YESTERDAY IN TERMS OF ACCESS GIVEN THE NEW LAW HERE IN KENTUCKY ESTABLISHES THREE DAYS OF IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO FIX THEIR ABSENTEE BALLOT IF THERE'S A PROBLEM OF WI MISMATCHED SIGNATURE WHICH BEFORE WAS 39 TIME AND WASN'T COUN HALTED.

COUNTIES CAN OFFER -- CAN CAST THEIR BALLOT.

AND WE HAVE A DROPBOX NOW WHERE PEOPLE CAN TURN IN THEIR ABSENTEE BALLOT.

BUT POLLING SHOWS THAT RURAL KENTUCKIANS, REPUBLICANS WANTED EARLY VOTING, THEY WANTED THESE VOTE CENTERS, RIGHT?

SO IS IT AS MUCH AS THEY WANTED?

ABSOLUTELY NOT BUT IT'S CERTAINLY BETTER THAN WHAT IT WAS PRE-COVID EVEN IF THERE WERE SOME THINGS TAKEN OUT.

OBVIOUSLY, I THINK THAT KENTUCKY SHOULD PROBABLY GET KUDOS FROM ALL THE FOLKS NATIONALLY WHO WERE TRYING TO LAMPOON OUR STATE FOR VOTER SUPPRESSION.

>> Bill: WAS THIS EASIER TO GET DONE BECAUSE OF THE HAVE OF THE VOTER VETERANS EXPERIENCE OF LAST YEAR AND GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE REPUBLICANS HAD SUCH A GOOD YEAR, INCLUDING McCONNELL'S OWN STRONG VICTORY?

>> Phillip: RIGHT.

THE LACK OF COMPETITIVENESS AND ONE PARTY RULE ACTUALLY MADE THIS POSSIBLE GIVEN IN 2020 DEMOCRATS DIDN'T COME CLOSE TO WINNING ANYTHING IN KENTUCKY, AND GUESS WHAT?

POLLING AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, SHOWED THAT THESE RURAL KENTUCKY ENDS EVERRANS GOTTEN TO LIKE LONG LINES EITHER.

IT WAS 80% OF KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS TO FAVORED ERL VOTING.

I THINK 70s% FAVORED A CENTRAL VOTING LOCATION IN EACH COUNTY.

WITH WHAT NEITHER PARTY LIKES, BILL, WE'VE SEEN THIS IN GEORGIA, IS LOSING.

THEY ALL WANT TO CHANGE THE RULES ONCE THEY LOSE.

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE IF DONALD TRUMP HAD WON GEORGIA IF THEY HAD TAKEN ON THESE RESTRICT RULES.

BECAUSE GEORGIA IS A ONE-PARTY STATE IT WAS MUCH EASIER TO GET THROUGH.

I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SEEING KENTUCKY GET A LOT OF CREDIT OTHER STATES WON'T.

AL WHAT BE INTERESTING IS ANOTHER STATE IN IN WHICH ONE PARTY MIGHT HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OF THE LEGISLATURE, THEY MIGHT SAY LET'S MAKE IT EASIER FOR OUR FOLKS TO VOTE ESPECIALLY WHEN WE KNOW IT WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE ELECTION PROCESS ANYWAY.

WHAT IS YOU CANS IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE EFFORTS TO HURT ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

>> Bill: SENATOR McCONNELL HAS BEEN TRAVELING THE STATE IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO AND HE HAS REACTED TO A LOT OF ISSUES.

HE, OF COURSE, HAS A NATIONAL FOOTPRINT AS THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER.

THE CORPORATE PRESSURE IN GEORGIA OVER THE VOTING LAW THERE AND THE MOVING OF THE ALL-STAR GAME OFF THE THAT STATE DREW THESE COMMENTS FROM THE SENATOR.

>> AND I FOUND IT COMPLETELY DISCOURAGING TO FIND A BUNCH OF CORPORATE CEOS GETTING IN THE MIDDLE OF POLITICS.

MY ADVICE TO THE CORPORATE CEOS OF AMERICA IS TO STAY OUT OF POLITICS.

DON'T PICK SIDES IN THESE BIG FIGHTS.

>> Bill: SO, JANET, THERE YOU HAVE SENATOR McCONNELL BASICALLY TELLING CORPORATE EXECUTIVES TO BUTT OUT OF POLITICS.

>> Janet: UNLESS THEY'RE CARRYING CAMPAIGN RESCUES CONTRIBUTIONS, APPARENTLY, BECAUSE THIS IS THE MAN WHO SPEAR THEY HAD CITIZENS UNITED DECISION THAT MAKES CORPORATE MONEY EQUAL SPEECH, SO WE GET UNLIMITED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM CORPORATIONS.

I GUESS THEY GET TO SAY SOMETHING, TOO, RIGHT?

>> Bill: AND PHILLIP, McCONNELL DID A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION OF HIS COMMENTS IN THE DAYS AFTER THAT, RIGHT?

>> Phillip: RIGHT.

THE I THINK IT WAS NEXT DAY SENATOR McCONNELL SAID I THINK I WAS A BIT INARTFUL IN THAT COMMENT.

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT TO SAY IS SOME OF THESE COMPANIES DON'T APPEAR TO BE TREADING TIGHTER GEORGIA LEGISLATION WHICH DOES EXPAND ACCESS IN SOME PARTS BUT CERTAINLY IS MORE RESTRICTIVE BEFORE IT WAS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP LOST GEORGIA.

THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT SENATOR McCONNELL REALLY CREATED FOR HIMSELF.

HE'S THE ONE WHO CREATED THE MONEY MONSTER, THE MONEY MACHINE OF UNLIMITED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

HE'S THE ONE WHO SORT OF IS THE BRAIN CHILD OF ALL THAT.

WHAT HE DIDN'T ANTICIPATE, THOUGH, THAT A LOT OF REPUBLICANS BOTH IN GEORGIA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY DIDN'T ANTICIPATE WAS A LOT OF THESE COMPANIES WERE GOING TO SORT OF BE MORE SOCIALLY LIBERAL, WHETHER ON LGBTQ ISSUES, ISSUES OF RACIAL JUSTICE, AND IT'S NO JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE APPEALING TO THEIR CUSTOMER BASE.

IN A LOT OF PLACES LIKE DELTA'S HEADQUARTERED IN ATLANTA.

COCA-COLA IS 234 ATLANTA.

SO A LOT OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, NOT JUST THEIR REGULAR FACTORY WORKER EMPLOYEES BUT EVEN PEOPLE AT THE HIGHER EXECUTIVE LEVEL, THOSE FOLKS OF HAVE HAVE HAD A MORE SOCIALLY LIBERAL VIEW OF THINGS.

NOW THAT THERE'S A CORPORATE CONSEQUENCE, YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE A LOT OF LIGHT OF LEANING CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS THINKING THEY WILL GIVE TWICE ABOUT GIVING DELTA A FUEL TAX BREAK.

EVEN RAND PAUL MADE A COMMENT ABOUT COCA-COLA AND MLB AND BOYCOTT CAN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND TALKING ABOUT WOKE A COLA ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ONE OF THE THINGS I PROPOSED OR ASKED SENATOR PAUL WAS WE HAVE RAY NEW COCA-COLA BOTTLING PLANT IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY THAT RECEIVED TAX INCENTIVES.

ARE WE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO PULL THOSE INCENTIVES AWAY FROM A COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY?

WHICH IS SEPARATE FROM THE COCA-COLA BUSINESS BUT IT'S CERTAINLY THE BOTTLING COMPANY FOR COKE COALA.

THIS IS WHAT POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN GOING DOING, FOR DONATIONS GIVING ASSISTANCE TO THESE COMPANIES.

ARE THEY GOING TO CHANGE WHEN THEIR COMPANIES GOTTEN TO SHARE THEIR POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES OR HAVE A MORE LEFT-LEANING PERSPECTIVE?

>> Bill: RYLAND, McCONNELL ALSO REFERRED TO WHAT HE CALLED A WHOPPING TAX INCREASE WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT HIS OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL.

WHILE THE SENATOR ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> Ryland: YEAH, IT'S REALLY HARD TO ARGUE AGAINST, YOU KNOW, ANY SORT OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL BESIDES ANGER AGAINST THE COST OF IT.

I THINK EVERYBODY CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF NEED FOR IT, ESPECIALLY HERE IN KENTUCKY, WITH THE GLARING NEED BEING THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE CONNECTING COVINGTON TO CINCINNATI.

AND -- BUT, YEAH, McCONNELL OPPOSES PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLAN BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WANT TO RAISE TAXES ON CORPORATIONS, AND ALSO THERE'S SOME TALK OF TRYING TO REDUCE THE ULTIMATE PRICE TAG OF INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.

REALLY THIS IS -- THIS IS MITCHELL McCONNELL'S COMFORT ZONE, CRITICIZINGS DEMOCRATIC SPENDING.

IT'S KIND OF A RETURN BACK AWAY FROM THE -- A LITTLE BIT OF THE CRAZY DONALD TRUMP POLITICS WHERE HE CAN FOCUS ON FRYING TO, YEAH, TRYING TO -- TRYING TO -- AGRICULTURE EVER ARGUING AGAINST DEFICIT SPENDING.

ALTHOUGH IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT DURING THE DONALD TRUMP YEARS McCONNELL SUPPORTED A MASSIVE TAX CUT ON BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ENDED UP SIGNIFICANTLY RAISING THE NATIONAL DEBT AS WELL.

>> Bill: LET'S TURN TO THE LEGISLATURE NOW AND SOME OF WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON IN FRANKFORT THIS WEEK, WHICH HAS BEEN BUSY BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIGN OR VETO LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE WITHOUT ANY THREAT OF IT BEING OVERRIDDEN.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED SOME LAWS THAT MOVED THIS MONEY, THAT'S COMING FROM WASHINGTON, JANET, AROUND TO BE SPENT.

NO REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR THAT LEGISLATION IN WASHINGTON, BUT THE REPUBLICANS HERE IN KENTUCKY ARE DECIDING HOW IT WILL BE SPENT.

>> Janet: THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS WAS THE PACKAGE THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR AGREED ON BEFORE THEY HAD TO ADJOURN THE LEGISLATURE, SO IT SPEND ABOUT HALF OF THE MONEY THAT WASHINGTON IS SENDING KENTUCKY AND GIVES IT TO A LOT OF THINGS THAT AREN'T TEP TERRIBLY SEXY LIKE $300 MILLION FOR BROADBAND AND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN, REOPENING A MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE AND SOME WATER SYSTEMS.

THESE ARE THINGS KENTUCKY REALLY NEEDS, AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.

WHAT IT LEAVES IS ABOUT $1 BILLION IN MONEY, AND IT IS WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE, THE LEGISLATURE BASICALLY HAS SAID YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DISCUSS BEFORE YOU CAN SPEND THAT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO PLAY BY THAT RULE OR NOT.

>> Bill: WHETHER HE TRIES TO GO TO COURT AND ASSERT CONTROL OF THE MONEY OR CALLS THE LEGISLATURE IN AND LETS THEM ALLOCATE, SO WE WILL SEE.

RYLAND, OTHER BILLS SIGNED OR VETOED.

THE NO-NO KNOCK LIMIT BILL WAS SIGNED IN LOUISVILLE WITH BREONNA TAYLOR'S MOTHER PRESENT.

>> Ryland: RIGHT.

THIS IS THE BILL SPURRED BY THE DEATH OF BREONNA TAYLOR LAST YEAR IN LOUISVILLE, AND IT DOES NOT GO AS FAR AS MANY PEOPLE IN THE PROTEST MOVEMENT THAT ROSE UP LAST SUMMER WANTED.

THEY WANTED AN ALL-OUT BAN NO KNOCK SEARCH WARRANTS, AND WHAT THIS DOES IS IT LIMITS THEM.

THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO BE ALLOWED IN CERTAIN VIOLENT CASES INVOLVING ALLEGED VIOLENT CRIME AND ALSO ONLY BETWEEN THE HOURS BETWEEN 6:00 A.M. AND 10:00 P.M.

IT CREATES MANY OTHER IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE SEARCH WARRANT PROCESS THAT ARE KIND OF LOST IN THE DISCUSSION SOMETIMES REQUIRING A LOT MORE OVERSIGHT OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS, SO WHEN THE POLICE OFFICERS ACTUALLY APPLYING FOR AIR WARRANT REQUIRING SUPERVISOR WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, ALSO REQUIRING A PROSECUTOR TO REVIEW IT, DISCLOSING WHETHER OR NOT THEY'VE SHOPPED AROUND TO HAVE THIS WARRANT APPROVED TO DIFFERENT JUDGES, AND ALSO CREATING ALFONSO OFFICERS WHO LIE ON THEIR AFFIDAVITS.

CREATING PENALTIES FOR OFFICERS WHO LIE ON THEIR AFFIDAVITS.

THESE ARE CENTRAL TO THE CASE OF BREONNA TAYLOR, AND REALLY IN THE END THIS IS -- IT IS A BIT OF A COMPROMISE BILL, ALTHOUGH IN THE END I THINK YOU NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REASON THAT THE BREONNA'S LAW FOR KENTUCKY, THE VERSION SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA SCOTT ISN'T PASS IS BECAUSE SHE IS A DEMOCRAT AND THE REPS IN LEGISLATURE DECIDED TO PASS THEIR OWN VERSION OF THIS BILL.

ATTICA SCOTT WAS VERY VOCAL ABOUT NOT REALLY BEING INCLUDED IN THE PROCESS UNTIL THE VERY END, ALTHOUGH SHE DID END UP VOTING IN FAVORITE BILL SAYING THAT IT MOVED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Bill: IF THERE WAS THAT PUSH FOR MORE, FOR A COMPLETE BAN.

>> Phillip: RIGHT P. I THINK THIS IS WHAT PROGRESSION OF ARE GETTING USED TO OR GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN THAT THIS REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY HAS TAKEN OVER.

IN THE VOGTS ISSUE IT WAS WHO IS FINDING THE REPUBLICAN WE CAN WORK WITH, THAT WOULD BE SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL A DANIELS, A HANDFUL OF OTHER LAWMAKERS, AND THERE WERE CONVERSATIONS OR AT LEAST THERE WAS ATTEMPTS TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN PRESIDENT STIVERS AND REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, P. I KNOW HE SHOUTED HER OUT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE IN A STATEMENT.

MORE AND MORE FOR PROGRESSION OF RATHER THAN GETTING WITH THAT THEY WANT THEY'RE GOING OVER TO FIND WHAT CAN WE COMPROMISE ON WITH CERTAIN REPUBLICANS.

I THINK THERE WILL BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT CHANGE MAKE-UP HAVE FRANKFORT TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS IN A MORE EVEN CONVERSATION FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, BUT CERTAINLY THERE I WAS STRONGER BILL OUT THERE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT WAS PUSHING FOR THAT BASICALLY GOT IGNORED THE ENTIRE TIME.

FOR FOLKS HERE IN LOUISVILLE WHO ARE PART OF THAT PROTEST MOVEMENT AND SAW POLICE DEPARTMENT I HAVE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT THAT SHE PUT ON THE LINE.

SHE PARTICIPATED IN THOUGH THOSE PROTESTS AND WAS RITA DURING THESE PROTESTS HERE'S A FEELING OF HERE IS THE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN BREONNA TAYLOR SHOT BY POLICE, AND THIS AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGISLATOR VOTING FOR WHAT THEY ARE FAMILY AND OTHERS WANTED, AND SHE WAS COMPLETELY ININ ORDER.

>> Bill: IF I AM, POLITICS TAKES NO TIME OUT ON THE NATIONAL OR STATE LEVEL, AND ONE ISSUE WE CAN SEE RIGHT ON THE HORIZON RIGHT NOW, WEEKS OR MAYBE A FEW MONTHS AWAY, ALREADY HEARING SOME SPECULATION ABOUT HOW DISTRICT LINES MAY BE REDRAWN IN KENTUCKY, THE CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE LINES WHEN WE GET THE NEW CENSUS NUMBERS IN.

IT'S PURELY A POLITICAL PROCESS HERE IN KENTUCKY.

SOME STATES DO THESE NON-PARTISAN COMMISSIONS TO RECOMMEND OR IN FACT SET THE LINES, BUT NOT HERE.

>> Phillip: RIGHT.

SUNS THE TRUMP TAKEOVER EVER ISN'T 2016, KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS HAVE FRETTING WITH THE GOP CHANGING THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP, BASICALLY SPLITTING LOUISVILLE UP AND GETTING REDUCE NUMBER RID OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN YARMOUTH, A POLITICAL IMPORTANT GURU, DAVE WATSON SHARED AS A HIS HYPOTHETICAL MAP AND IT GIVES YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THAT NEW MAP COULD LOOK LIKE POST SINIS.

THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS THAT I TALKED TO IN BOTH IN WASHINGTON AND HERE IN KENTUCKY SCOFFED AT THAT MAP.

THAT'S NOT ANYTHING WE'VE SEEN, BEEN PRESENTED, BUT IT'S ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE THE LEGISLATURE MAY TAKE A BITE AT LOUISVILLE.

BUT HERE'S THE THING TO REMEMBER.

WHAT IS THE BIG CITY?

THERE'S A BIG BLOCK OF DEMOCRATIC VOTES OUT THERE.

AND IF YOU START MESSING WITH THE 3rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO START MESSING WITH ITS SECOND 2ND, THE 60TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND ALL THE OTHERS.

SOME OF THESE MAPS PEOPLE ARE FLOATING OUT, THESE HYPOTHETICAL ONES, YOUR PUSHING ONE INTO ANOTHER DISTRICT SO THEY HAVE TO VOTE AGAINST EACH OTHER.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF MAINSTREAM REPUBLICANS BOTH IN KENTUCKY AND IN MAIN WASHINGTON AND HERE, IT'S BETTER TO HAVE LOUISVILLE -- BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF CONTRIBUTE WORST BIG DONORS, POLITICAL FOLKS WHO HAVE ACCOMPLISH FUTURES AHEAD OF THEM IN LOUISVILLE WHO ARE SAYING WE WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN CHANGE THOSE MAPS AROUND AND MESS WITH THINGS A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK, BILL, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE DEBATES THAT'S BEEN DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE COVID FIGHT BUT IT'S FAST APPROACHING AND IT'S GOING TO BE VERY CONTENTIOUS EVEN THOUGH IT'S GOING TO BE MOSTLY BEHIND THE SCENES BUT I THINK WE SHOULD ALL PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THOSE MAPS WILL BE LOOKING.

>>> LIKE.

>> BILL: >> Bill: IT WILL BE A PROCESS.

QUICK ANSWER.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ENDORSED SENATOR RAND PAUL FOR HIS 2022 RE-ELECTION BID.

HE'LL BE SEEKING A THIRD TERM.

IT COMBS AS DEMOCRAT CHARLES BOOKERY APPEARS TO BE TO CHANGE PAUL.

>> Phillip: THIS WILL BE THE WOKE VERSUS LIBERTY ELECTION.

YOU CAN BET PAUL WILL BE YOU RUNNING ON THE CULTURAL GRIEVANCES.

CANCEL CULTURE, THE MOP MOB.

I THINK BOOKER WHO IS RUMORED TO HAVE MET WITH DEMOCRATS.

, LEADERSHIP IN THE SENATE DEMOCRATS NATIONALLY, HE IS BASICALLY GOING TO RERUN HIS 2020 APPEAL FROM THE HOOD TO THE HOLLER.

PAUL DOESN'T OF THE POWER, BILL, OR INFLUENCE IN WASHINGTON THAT McCONNELL WIELDS, OBVIOUSLY SO I SUSPECT HE'LL TALK A LOT MORE ABOUT THESE ISSUES, LIKE SAID THE MOB, CANCEL COUNCIL, LIBERTY FREEDOM, HIS JOUST WITH DR. OFF.

Y. BOOKER ISN'T AFRAID TO DISCUSS THOSE CULTURAL ISSUES, EITHER.

HE'S PROUDLY A MANT LEFT.

AND HE REGULARLY TAKES SWIPES AT PAUL VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

HE ISN'T TRYING TO SNEAK TO THE MIDDLE.

RATHER, I THINK, BOOKER IS GOING TO RELY ON THE COMMON GOOD, WHAT ISSUES BIND US ALL TOGETHER, KIND OF THE RAINBOW COALITION KIND OF A CAMPAIGN.

THE TROUBLE IS KENTUCKY DEMOGRAPHICALLY ISN'T AT A PLACE WHERE GEORGIA IS HEADING.

IT CERTAINLY ISN'T WHERE GEORGIA VIRGINIA SAT.

>> Bill: COVID NEWS.

COURT RULINGS GOING BOTH WAYS, GRANT.

ONE IN THE GOVERNOR'S FAVOR IN WEEK AND HE LOST HUH RULING THIS EVENING.

>> Janet: THAT'S RIGHT.

IN SCOTT COUNTY A JUDGE RULED NOR THREE BREWERIES AND SOME RESTAURANTS THAT WANT AN INJUNCTION AGAINST ENFORCING SOME COVID RESTRICTIONS THAT'S EXPECTED -- THAT'S ALREADY BEEN APPEALED, EXPECTED TO GO TO THE STATE SPEAKER.

>> Bill: CONVENED KEENELAND'S IN FULL STEAM IN LEXINGTON.

THE DERBY IS COMING SOON.

ARE RESTAURANTS AND THE HOSPITALITY ACCIDENT RECOVERING?

>> Janet: THAT'S RIGHT STARTING TO.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE IN THE COMING WEEKS, SOMETHING I'M WORKING ON THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE TALKED ABOUT NEXT WEEK A LOT IS A LABOR SHORTAGE, IRONICALLY.

>> Bill: THE HORSE RANGES WORLD LOST AN ICONIC FEMALE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH THE DEATH OF ALICE CANNED CHANDLER.

>>> >> HE WHAT IS THAT SON.

HE SHE ALSO FOUNDED HER OWN MILL RIDGE FARM AND DID A LOT OF GROUND SPEAK BREAKING THINGS IN HER 95 YEARS.

>> Bill: FOR INSTANCE IF I AM BEING REMEMBER AFTER HIS DEATH AT 99 WAS AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY WITH QUEEN ELIZABETH AND WAS HERE FOR HORSE PARK OPENING.

>> James: HE WAS HERE IN 1978 WHEN THEY HAD THE FIRST HORSE PARK, AND I I BELIEVE HE AND THE QUEEN STAYED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR.

>> A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE WILL TAKE UP TO OPIOIDS CRISIS NEXT WEEK WHICH IS ONGOING.

THE CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE IS ON IF YOU CAN GIVE US A QUICK ANSWER ON THAT.

>> Ryland: SURE.

WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OFF PANDEMIC.

THE OPIATE CRISIS CONTINUES TO RAVAGE THE STATION DEMARCUS IF ANYTHING IT'S EXACERBATED THE PROBLEM IN SOME PLACES WE'VE SEEN.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF -- A LOT MORE DEATHS ABOVE AND BEYOND THE STATE'S NORMAL RATE OF DEATHS, SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT NEXT WEEK, AND, YEAH, WE'LL SEE IF LAWMAKERS' ATTENTION IS SHIFTED BACK TO IT.

>> Bill: IS THE AND THE PEGASUS PARADE IS GOING TO BE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

A SIGN OF THE TIMES, KENTUCKY'S LARGEST NEWSPAPER HAS PUT ITS BUILDINGS UP FOR SALE IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

THE 74-YEAR-OLD COURIER-JOURNAL PROPERTY ON BROADWAY LISTED FOR $17 MILLION.

THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER TOLD SHOULD ITS LARGE BUILDING DOWNTOWN IN 2020.

TUNE IN MONDAY AT 8, SEVREN CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW-A DISCUSSION OF THE