[♪♪] >> Bill: EDUCATION BECOMES A HOT TOPIC IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

CAMERON PROPOSES A CATCH UP PLAN FOR STUDENTS AND BESHEAR CALLS FOR DOUBLE-DIGIT RAISES FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

THE BUSES ROLL AGAIN IN LOUISVILLE AFTER LAST WEEK'S TRANSPORTATION MELTDOWN.

A PLANNED CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL EVENT IS CANCELED IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY AFTER IT DOESN'T APPEAR ON DONALD TRUMP'S SCHEDULE.

AMONG THOSE KEEPING AN EYE ON SPORTS BETTING WILL BE THE FOLKS AT THE KENTUCKY LOTTERY.

AND EARLY TASTE OF SEPTEMBER IN AUGUST BEFORE THE HEAT RETURNS.

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 SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE CHRIS OTTS, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

MARK PAYNE, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS REPORTER FOR LINK NKY.

AND JESS CLARK EDUCATION REPORTER FOR LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA.

ALSO TONIGHT A FORMER KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S ORGANIZATION GETS A $3 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO HELP BATTLE RURAL OPIOID ABUSE.

AND THE LATEST ON THE VOTE BY U.P.S.

WORKERS ON A NEW CONTRACT.

LET'S BEGIN, THOUGH, WITH THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

EDUCATION BECAME A FLASHPOINT THIS WEEK WITH REPUBLICAN NOMINEE ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON PROPOSING A CATCH UP EFFORT FOR KENTUCKY STUDENTS WHO FELL BEHIND DURING COVID.

AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR THE DEMOCRAT SEEKING REELECTION, PROPOSING AN 11% RAISE FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

AN INTERESTING PART OF CAMERON'S ANNOUNCEMENT WAS AN APOLOGY TO EDUCATORS FOR ANY PERCEPTION THE REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT VALUED THEM IN THE PAST.

>> I'M SORRY.

SORRY FOR ANY PERCEIVED COMMENTS FROM ANYONE WITHIN THIS PARTY THAT HAVE MADE YOU FEEL LESS THAN VALUED OR HAVE LED YOU TO HAVE SERIOUS MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ON THE TOPIC OF EDUCATION.

>> Bill: WELL, WAS THAT AN APOLOGY OR A CLARIFICATION?

WAS CAMERON DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM THE LEGISLATURE OR FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEV VIP OR BOTH?

>> WELL, BILL I AM NOT A POLITICS REPORTER BUT I THINK IT'S OBVIOUS TO TRANSLATE THAT HAS HEY I AM NOT MATT BEVIN PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE ME AS MATT BEVIN.

I DO NOT WISH TO MAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS AN ELECTORAL ENEMY OF MINE.

>> AND YOU KNOW, HE'S NOT DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

BUT IT COULD POTENTIALLY CREATE AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC BETWEEN HIM THE LEGISLATURE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS.

THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE HAS PASSED POLICY AND THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS FIND UNPOPULAR.

I THINK THE CHARTER SCHOOL BILL AND THE CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING BILKER THE TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT THE SUPREME COURT FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THESE POLICIES HAVEN'T BEEN POPULAR WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS THAT TEND TO VOTE DEMOCRAT.

CAMERON IS GOING TO HAVE TO TOW A LINE BETWEEN THE VOTING BASE WHICH ARE REPUBLICANS AND SOME OF WHO WANT SCHOOL CHOICE.

AND PUBLIC TEACHERS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS ARE VERY DEFENSE USING TAX DOLLARS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

GOING BACK TO THAT ROSE VERSUS THE COUNCIL FOR BETTER EDUCATION DECISION IN THE LATE 1980s.

IT ALSO POTENTIALLY PITS CAMERON AGAINST THE ONCE OF THE LEGISLATURE REGARDING SCHOOL CHOICE.

I THINK IF CAMERON IS ELECTED GOVERNOR AND WORKS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS HOW WILL THE LEGISLATURE REACT?

WITH REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITIES THE LEGISLATURE IS FLEXING ITS POWER STEAMROLLING THE BRANCHES OF KENTUCKY GOVERNMENT THEY ARE DOING WITH THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BY OVERRIDING THE GOVERNOR'S VETOES.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF CAMERON DIDN'T RUBBER STAMP A BILL THAT COMES THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AROUND SCHOOL CHOICE.

WOULD THEY TURN AGAINST HIM?

CAMERON MOVED TO LIKE COURT PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS IS AN INTERESTING CHOICE AND IT COULD CREATE AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC.

>> Bill: HE IS MAKING OVERTURES TO PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS BUT HAS TO KEEP AS A MARK IS SUGGESTING HERE, THE LANES VERY OPEN TO THE PROPONENTS OF SCHOOL CHOICE?

>> RIGHT.

SCHOOL CHOICE HAS A LOT OF ADVOCATES IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND HONESTLY IN SOME DEMOCRATIC AREAS ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AREAS THERE ARE A LOT OF DEMOCRATS WHO ALSO SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SO IT IS INTERESTING HE HASN'T LEANED INTO BEING PRO SCHOOL CHOICE IN THE WAY THAT I HONESTLY ANTICIPATED THAT HE MIGHT.

SO THAT'S BEEN VERY INTERESTING.

AND I THINK HE IS BEING VERY, VERY CAREFUL TO COURT TEACHERS.

>> Bill: WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT CAMERON'S CATCH UP PLAN SPECIFICS OF IT.

IT WOULD INCLUDE SPECIAL INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN WHO FELL BEHIND DURING COVID DURING THE SHUTDOWNS AND THE REMOTE LEARNING.

AND WE KNOW THAT THAT IS QUITE A CHALLENGE OUT THERE.

>> RIGHT.

IN KENTUCKY AS ACROSS THE NATION WE SAW OUR TEST SCORES DIP IN READING AND MATH BECAUSE OF THE LARGELY BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO ALL THE DISRUPTIONS OF THE PANDEMIC WHETHER THAT'S REMOTE LEARNING BEING DIFFICULT FOR SOME FAMILIES TO ACCESS OR JUST NOT VERY YOU KNOW, EFFECTIVE.

OR WHETHER THAT'S ALL THE OTHER DISRUPTIONS OF COVID, DEATHS IN THE FAMILY ET CETERA.

OUR TEST SCORES ARE DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING IN KENTUCKY.

CAMERON HAS SEIZED ON THIS AS PART OF HIS CAMPAIGN.

AND HE IS CALLING FOR A 16-WEEK SUMMER TUTORING PROGRAM.

AND PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE THOSE LOWER TEST SCORES.

IT WOULD BE A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM.

I DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT MORE DETAIL.

HE HASN'T PROVIDED A LOT MORE DETAIL ABOUT IT.

EXCEPT THAT IT IS INSPIRED BY SIMILAR PROGRAM IN TENNESSEE AND ARIZONA.

THOSE PROGRAMS WERE A LITTLE CONTROVERSIAL BECAUSE THE TUTORING PROGRAM WAS TIED TO ANOTHER STATE LAW THAT REQUIRED SOME THIRD GRADERS TO BE HELD BACK IF THEY WEREN'T ON GRADE LEVEL FOR READING BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE.

BUT THAT PART IS NOT IN CAMERON'S PLAN AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: MORE OF A HAMMER IN OTHER STATES WHERE IT LOOKS LIKE IN THIS CASE THIS IS AN INCENTIVE FROM CAMERON?

>> YES.

YES.

>> Bill: WELL, BESHEAR MEANWHILE, CAME RIGHT BEHIND CAMERON AND CALLED ON THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS AN 11% PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS.

AS WELL AS FULL FUNDING FOR PRE-K AND TRANSPORTATION.

AND HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL OUT CAMERON WHILE ANNOUNCING HIS EDUCATION PLAN.

>> DANIEL CAMERON HAS HAD SUCH A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHERE'S HE BEEN?

RIGHT?

WHY WASN'T HE PUSHING FOR TEACHER RAISES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS IF HE CLAIMS HE CAN GET IT DONE?

WHERE HAS HE BEEN ON OTHER PLANS OUT THERE?

>> Bill: SO MARK HERE WE GO.

WE'RE SEEING THE CANDIDATES ENGAGE EACH OTHER NOW ISSUE BY ISSUE AND HERE THEY ARE ON EDUCATION.

>> YES, EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE A BIG ONE.

THEY BOTH RELEASED THEIR PLANS THIS WEEK.

BESHEAR HAS CALLED FOR A RAISE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS IN THE PAST 5% I THINK IT WAS IN HIS BUDGET IN 2022.

THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO ARGUE THAT THEY HAVE PROVIDED RECORD FUNDING FOR SCHOOLTEACHERS THROUGH THE STATE'S SCHOOL FUNDING MECHANISM SEEK FUNDING AND THAT GAVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THE OPTION TO GIVE TEACHERS RAISES.

BUT TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE SAID THAT THAT FUNDING HASN'T KEPT UP WITH INFLATION.

BUT WITH BOTH OF THEM RELEASING THEIR PLANS THIS WEEK, THIS IS GOING TO BE HUGE THROUGHOUT THIS RACE.

>> Bill: JESS THE SPECIFICS OF THE PROPOSAL FROM BESHEAR AGAIN AN 11% HIKE FOR ALL SCHOOL PERSONNEL, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

11%.

SO THAT'S A BIG NUMBER.

YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN RAISES FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL TEACHERS OR OTHER STAFF IN THE LAST BUDGET.

SO THE LEGISLATURE GAVE AN 8% RAISE TO ALL OTHER STATE EMPLOYEES EXCEPT FOR TEACHERS.

AND THAT WAS RIGHT AFTER THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC AND SO A LOT OF TEACHERS WERE VERY UPSET ABOUT THAT.

BESHEAR'S PUSHED FOR TEACHER RAISES IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

BUT THIS IS BIG.

THIS WOULD BE AN 11% RAISE.

SO THERE'S THE RAISE, THERE'S ALSO THE CALL FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K FOR ALL FOUR-YEAR-OLDS.

THERE'S ALSO EXTRA FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS FULLY FUNDED TRANSPORTATION WHICH IS INTERESTING ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF ALL THE BUSING ISSUES THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

SO IT'S AN EXPENSIVE PLAN IT'S $1.1 BILLION A LOT OF THAT PRICE TAG COMES FROM THE COST OF UNIVERSAL PRE-K.

SO IT IS A HUGE INVESTMENT.

CAMERON'S PLAN IS ABOUT $100 MILLION.

SO THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PLANS IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH FUNDING THE TWO GUBERNATORIAL FOR RALE CANDIDATES WANT TO SPEND.

>> Bill: AS WE SEE THIS ROLLING OUT, CHRIS, EDUCATION HAS USUALLY BEEN A PART OF KENTUCKY'S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGNS BUT WE'VE ALSO MADE EFFORTS IN THE STATE TO TRY TO KEEP EDUCATION OUT OF POLITICS.

OR POLITICS OUT OF EDUCATION.

>> I WASN'T HERE AT THE TIME BUT IN THE 90s THERE WAS A BIG EDUCATION REFORM LAW THAT I BELIEVE SUPPOSED TO AIMED AT MAKING THE TAKING THE POLITICS OUT OF EDUCATION.

WELL OBVIOUSLY LAST SEVERAL YEARS IT HAS NOT REALLY CREPT BACK IN BUT RUSHED BACK IN.

AND TO BE HONEST, PEOPLE HAVE DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT HOW WE PERFORM THIS VERY IMPORTANT PUBLIC FUNCTION.

IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT IT IS AN ISSUE IN ELECTIONS.

>> Bill: AND A HUGE PART OF THE STATE BUDGET.

AND KENTUCKY HAD AN ELECTED SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION UNTIL THE 1990s WHEN WE MOVED INTO THIS COMMISSIONER SYSTEM AND WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.

THERE'S A NEW DEVELOPMENT ON THAT.

MARK, CAMERON GOT THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE THEY OFTEN SIDE WITH G.O.P.

CANDIDATES BESHEAR HOPED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WOULD GO FOR HIM AGAIN AS THEY DID IN 2019.

THEY FLIP-FLOPPED BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS A SURPRISE THEY ENDORSED CAMERON THEY HAVE FOCUSED ON REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

LAST YEAR THEY ENDORSED I THINK IT WAS EVERY STATE HOUSE CANDIDATE BUT TWO THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THAT WERE REPUBLICAN, OF COURSE.

THEY HAVE NOT ALWAYS ENDORSED REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

AS YOU MENTIONED BESHEAR IN 2019 AND IN 2015 THEY ENDORSED FORMER DEMOCRAT -- DEMOCRAT AND FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL JACK CONWAY.

>> Bill: FREEDOM FEST WHICH WAS TO BE HELD ON THE PROPERTY OF FORMER CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR ERIC DETERS IS CANCELED.

DETERS MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER IT BECAME CLEAR IT WAS NOT ON FORMER DONALD TRUMP'S SCHEDULE HE WOULD NOT BE ATTENDING THAT EVENT.

>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS SCHEDULED TO BE IN IOWA THAT DAY AND THAT IS A BIG CAMPAIGN DAY.

IT IS A CAMPAIGN SEASON FOR THE RUNNING FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.

DETERS HOSTED THE EVENT LAST YEAR.

HE DIDN'T HAVE PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT HE HAD DONALD JUNIOR AND ERIC.

SO I'M NOT SURE IF THEY BACKED OUT AS WELL.

EITHER WAY IT IS A VERY LARGE EVENT AND IT IS NOT HAPPENING THIS YEAR.

>> Bill: DETERS IS HE GOING TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE POSSIBILITY OF CHALLENGING THOMAS MASSEY?

>> HE SAYS HE IS AND I THINK IT WILL BE THE MOST INTERESTING RACE IN THE STATE IF HE RUNS AGAINST MASSEY NEXT YEAR IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

>> Bill: AND CAMERON BECAUSE OF THE TENSION DECIDED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE GOING TO THAT EVENT.

OR IT APPEARS IT WAS BECAUSE OF THAT TENNION?

>> YEAH, I MEAN IT GOT NEGATIVE PUBLICITY.

REPRESENTATIVE MASSEY CALLED OUT ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON FOR SIGNING ON TO ATTEND THAT EVENT AND HE PUT PRESSURE ON CAMERON TO BACK OUT BECAUSE OF RACIAL SLURS THAT Mr. DETERS USED ON HIS YouTube PAGE AND CAMERON EVENTUALLY BACKED OUT.

>> Bill: SO THAT'S ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

WE ARE REPORTING IN REALTIME TONIGHT ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES INVOLVING JCPS ALL SIDES AGREE THAT LAST WEEK WAS A TRANSPORTATION MELTDOWN.

UPSET PARENTS ATTENDED A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK.

SOME REPUBLICANS CONTINUED THEIR PUSH FOR A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND TODAY FRIDAY, THERE WAS A STAGGERED REOPENING OF THE SCHOOLS AND THEY GOT THE BUSES ROLLING AGAIN.

JESS, HOW HAS IT BEEN GOING?

>> I WOULD SAY BETTER THAN LAST WEDNESDAY BUT STILL PRETTY BAD.

I WAS JUST TEXTING WITH A PARENT WHOSE CHILD HER 10-YEAR-OLD WAS STILL NOT HOME BY 8:00 P.M.

SO THERE ARE STILL PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DELAYS.

I THINK THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TODAY AND LAST WEDNESDAY IS THERE'S NOT THE PANIC THAT THERE WAS LAST WEDNESDAY BECAUSE LAST WEDNESDAY PARENTS DID NOT EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN SO THEY WENT HOURS WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THEIR KIDS WERE AND THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL COULD NOT TELL THEM WHERE THEIR CHILDREN WERE.

SO IT WAS VERY SCARY.

TODAY THERE IS BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND PARENTS AND THE DISTRICT.

SO THAT'S HELP ASSUAGE A LOT OF THOSE FEARS.

BUT IT IS STILL A PROBLEM.

SOME OF THESE ROUTES ARE JUST THEY ARE TOO LONG THEY ARE NOT POSSIBLE TO COMPLETE IN THE TIME THAT THEY NEED TO BE COMPLETED IN.

AND SO THAT'S LED TO SIGNIFICANT DELAYS.

AND THAT'S STILL WITHOUT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

WITH JUST MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS YOU ARE STILL SEEING PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DELAYS.

>> Bill: CHRIS YOU HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE LAST WEEK IS IT ANY CLEARER WHAT IS LEADING TO THESE ISSUES?

>> WELL, JUST TO GO OVER WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK AND THIS IS A BENIGN STORY COMPARED TO WHAT OTHER JCPS PARENTS ARE DEALING WITH.

MY DAUGHTER IS IN SECOND GRADE AND SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO GET HOME THE SCHEDULED TIME IS 6:00 P.M. THAT IS AN ISSUE WE ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT.

BUT THAT'S WHAT WE WERE FACING.

IT'S 7:55.

AND HER BUS STOP IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET SO WE CAN SEE IT FROM OUR FRONT WINDOW AND WE'VE BEEN WATCHING WAITING FOR THAT YELLOW BUS TO PAY UP AND SHE COMES IN THE BACK DOOR PANTING AND SWEATING.

THE DRIVER HAD DROPPED HER OFF YOU KNOW, DOWN THE STREET LIKE OUT OF WHERE WE COULD NOT SEE DROPPED HER OFF ON THE WRONG BESIDES OF A BUSY STREET SO WE COULDN'T CROSS THE STREET AND THERE ARE NO SIDEWALKS SHE RAN ACROSS THE LAWNS TO GET HOME.

I'M THANKFUL TO KNEW WHERE SHE WAS.

SHE HAS NO PHONE OR SMART WATCH OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE HAVE AN AIR TAG NOW.

BUT JCPS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS SO FRUSTRATING IS THEY ARE NOW LOOKING AT IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY THROUGH AN APP WHERE YOU CAN SEE WHERE YOUR KID'S BUS IS.

IT IS AMAZING THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE FIVE OR 10 YEARS AGO.

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE YOUR KID IS IS LIKE 1950s TECHNOLOGY.

YOU CALL AND HOPE SOMEONE ANSWERS NO ONE ANSWERS.

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IS THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH BUS DRIVERS.

IT IS A LABOR ECONOMIC STORY MORE THAN ANYTHING.

THAT'S WHAT NECESSITATED CHANGING ALL OF THE SCHOOL TIMES, CREATING A WHOLE NEW SLATE OF BUS ROUTES WHICH ARE LONGER TRYING TO PACK MORE THINGS INTO IT.

AND FRANKLY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM JUST BOTCHED THE EXECUTION OF THIS PLAN.

WHETHER IT WAS FEASIBLE OR NOT.

>> Bill: JESS, WHEN THEY ADD HIGH SCHOOLERS MONDAY, WILL IT WORK?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

I WILL SAY TODAY I'VE HEARD FROM PARENTS THAT HAD DELAYS SIGNIFICANT DELAYS LAST WEEK THAT EVERYTHING WENT WELL.

SO THERE HAVE BASKETBALL IMPROVEMENTS.

BUT I THINK YOU KNOW, IT'S A PRETTY TENUOUS SITUATION I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN MONDAY.

BUT I AM SURE THAT IT WILL -- WE WILL HAVE DELAYS.

IT CAN ONLY GET WORSE FROM WHAT IT WAS TODAY.

>> Bill: WE'LL KEEP WATCH.

SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTING TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SENATE BILL 150.

FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS RELEASED GUIDANCE HOW TO COMPLY THE VERY DAY BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED.

JESS, TEACHERS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY NAVIGATE THESE NEW RULES, RIGHT?

>> YES.

AND THESE NEW RULES ARE TRICKY.

THE LANGUAGE IS VAGUE.

SO IN FAYETTE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, THEY CHOSE THE LOOPHOLE THAT KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAID WAS IN THE LAW.

SO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CENSORING WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT SEXUALITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

BUT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLTEACHERS WILL HAVE TO.

NOT THAT A LOT OF DISCUSSION WAS HAPPENING ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR STD'S OR HUMAN SEXUALITY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

BUT THOSE THINGS ARE NOW ILLEGAL TO SPEAK ABOUT IN GRADES 5 AND LOWER.

SO TEACHERS WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY HAVE A HEALTH CLASS HOW DO I TEACH THIS HEALTH CLASS ABOUT HUMAN ANATOMY?

HOW DO I TALK ABOUT THIS?

SO YEAH, THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST.

I THINK IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION BECAUSE THE LAW IS VAGUE WHICH MEANS SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES ARE VAGUE BECAUSE THEY DRAW UPON THE LAW AND THAT MEANS THE GUIDANCE IS VAGUE.

IT PUTS TEACHERS IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

>> Bill: STATE-WIDE EDUCATION NEWS THE KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY AND JESS IT LOOKS LIKE THEY WILL BEGIN IN EARNEST THE SEARCH FOR A NEW COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER JASON GLASS HAS DECIDED TO RESIGN BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT TO IMPLEMENT SENATE BILL 150.

IN ADDITION TO BANNING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR MINORS.

THE MEASURE REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO FORCE STUDENTS TO USE BATHROOMS THAT MATCH THE GENDER ASSIGNED TO THEM AT BIRTH.

THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX AS SOME PEOPLE CALL IT.

AND SO GLASS SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT.

HE QUIT.

I MEAN HE'S FACED -- HE'S HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

JUST TRYING TO TOW THE LINE BETWEEN MAINTAINING POLICIES THAT PROTECT ALL STUDENTS AND THEN ALSO TRYING TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK IT JUST CAME TO A BREAKING POINT.

IT WILL BE REALLY INTERESTING HOW THE BOARD MOVES FORWARD.

I THINK EVERYONE CAN AGREE IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WANTS THIS POSITION AFTER WHAT'S HAPPENED THE LAST IS IT THREE COMMISSIONERS NOW?

WHO HAVE LEFT IN KIND OF POLITICAL TURMOIL.

SO IT WILL BE I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH SEARCH.

>> Bill: WE WILL BE WATCHING STARTING MONDAY ON THAT.

CHRIS, WE KNOW WITH THE WORKFORCE ISSUES THE CHILDCARE IS ONE OF THE MAJOR PARTS OF THE CHALLENGE.

AND YOU AND SOME OF YOUR WDRB COWORKERS INVESTIGATED KENTUCKY'S NEW CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

WHAT DID YOU FIND?

>> KENTUCKY HAS A NEW WAY OF HELPING PEOPLE WITH CHILDCARE.

IT WAS PASSED IN 2022 AND IT'S JUST NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED THIS SUMMER.

CALLED THE EMPLOYER CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP AND IT RELIES ON EMPLOYERS TO BE THERE IS THIS IDEA OF PUSHED BY THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OTHER BUSINESS GROUPS THAT EMPLOYERS SHOULD BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO THE CHILDCARE ISSUE SINCE EMPLOYERS ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE THE MOST TO GAIN FROM WORKERS BEING AVAILABLE IN THE WORKFORCE.

SO WHAT THEY DID IS SAY IF EMPLOYERS COMMIT TO SAY PAY $300, $400 A MONTH FOR A WORKER'S CHILDCARE THE STATE WILL ALSO CHIP IN 300, $400 A MONTH.

IF YOUR CHILDCARE BILL IS $1200 A MONTH, SUDDENLY IT'S NOW $400.

THE ISSUE WITH IT IS NOT IMPLEMENTATION.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT IS HOW MUCH TAKE UP THIS PROGRAM IS GETTING AND IT'S NEW SO IT'S VERY SMALL.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE WHICH IS THAT KENTUCKY ALREADY HAS A LONGSTANDING PROGRAM THAT HELPS LOW INCOME PEOPLE PAY FOR THEIR CHILDCARE THAT DOESN'T RELY ON EMPLOYERS.

AND BECAUSE YOU CANNOT LAYER THE TWO PROGRAMS, THIS NEW EMPLOYER PROGRAM THAT THEY'VE COMMITTED $15 MILLION PUBLIC DOLLARS TO IS NOT GOING TO HELP ANYONE WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE LOW INCOME PROGRAM.

SO IT'S REALLY A MIDDLE AND UPPER INCOME BENEFIT THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS CREATED.

TURNS OUT, THAT WAS NOT NECESSARILY THE IDEA WHEN IT WAS PASSED.

AND IT MAYBE SOMETHING THEY GO BACK AND LOOK AT.

THE OTHER BIG ISSUE I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT KENTUCKY BENEFITED FROM HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FEDERAL CHILDCARE FUNDING THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THAT MONEY IS STARTING TO DRY UP AND EXPIRE.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN IN THE CHILDCARE COMMUNITY ABOUT RAISING PRICES AND WHAT ELSE THEY CAN DO TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

SO IF THERE IS ANY CHILDCARE MONEY THAT THE STATE IS COMMITTING, OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE ARE ASKING WHAT'S THE BEST USE OF THOSE DOLLARS?

GIVEN THAT FISCAL CLIFF THAT IS COMING.

>> Bill: LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE WILL START INVESTIGATING THEIR OWN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS AGAIN.

>> YES.

PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST PUZZLING THINGS THAT GREG FISHER DID IN HIS TENURE AS MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE WAS TO DECIDE THAT THE INVESTIGATIONS OF POLICE SHOOTINGS NEEDED TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT AND SO THEREFORE WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN KENTUCKY STATE POLICE WHICH IS NOT EXACTLY KNOWN AS A BASTION OF TRANSPARENCY TO HANDLE THOSE INVESTIGATIONS WHEN OFFICERS IN LOUISVILLE ARE INVOLVED.

MAYOR GREENBURG IS REVERSING THAT POLICY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SPORTS BETTING IS ABOUT TO ROLL OUT IN THE STATE AND THE KENTUCKY LOTTERY IS AMONG THOSE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE HOW THAT MAY IMPACT THINGS.

C.E.O.

MARY TOLD ME IN AN INTERVIEW RUNNING ON WKYT SHE BELIEVES IT WILL ALL WEEK OUT.

WE'VE HAD SO MUCH MONEY THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO SPEND ON ENTERTAINMENT OF ANY KIND.

SO THAT'S ALL COMPETITION FOR US.

SPORTS WAGERING IN PARTICULAR WE'RE DEFINITELY KEEPING AN EYE ON THAT.

BUT FORTUNATELY WHEN WE'VE CONSULTED WITH OTHER LOTTERIES, WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS NO, IT REALLY DOESN'T IMPACT THE LOTTERY.

>> Bill: MARK, YOU KNOW THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH ENTERTAINMENT MONEY OUT THERE, RIGHT?

THERE WILL BE MORE COMPETITION?

>> YEAH, I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE COMPETITION, TOO BUT I ALSO THINK THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BET ON A SPORTS GAME MIGHT NOT BE SPENDING MONEY AT THE GAS STATION ON A LOTTERY TICKET OR MIGHT NOT BE GOING TO THE HORSE TRACK.

THERE COULD BE MORE MONEY THERE.

>> BILL I HAVE A NUMBER FOR YOU.

$8.2 BILLION IS WHAT SPENT AT KENTUCKY HISTORICAL HORSERACING FACILITIES.

THE PLACES THAT LOOK LIKE SLOT MACHINES.

THERE'S A LOT OF DEMAND FOR GAMBLING IN THIS STATE.

SO I THINK THAT THERE'S PROBABLY ENOUGH MONEY TO GO AROUND WITH THIS NEW FORM OF GAMBLING.

AND WHAT THE EXECUTIVES IN THE INDUSTRY HAVE SAID IS THAT IT'S CHURCHILL DOWNS SAID IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION BUT IT DOES HAVE TIE-INS GETTING PEOPLE IN THE DOOR THAT THEY FIND HELPFUL.

>> Bill: U.P.S.

EMPLOYS 26,000 PEOPLE IN LOUISVILLE.

DOES IT APPEAR THIS LABOR AGREEMENT THAT IS IN THE WORKS IS GOING TO MEET WITH FAVOR?

>> ASK ME AGAIN ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN WE'LL KNOW WHAT THE NATIONWIDE VOTE IS APPROVED OR NOT.

MY GUESS IS THAT IT WILL BE APPROVED.

IT OBVIOUSLY HAS THE STRONG ENDORSEMENT OF ALL THE UNION LEADERSHIP.

THERE'S SIGNIFICANT RAISES FOR U.P.S.

WORKERS IN THIS CONTRACT.

BUT THERE'S NO POLL OF U.P.S.

WE HAVE NO SCIENTIFIC SO WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEY ACTUALLY FEEL ABOUT IT OTHER THAN ANECDOTES.

ON TUESDAY WE WILL SEE.

>> Bill: FORMER GOVERNOR FLETCHER WHO IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR HEADS UP FLETCHER GROUP IS GETTING A GRANT OF $3.3 MILLION ANNOUNCED BY MITCH McCONNELL PART TO ADDRESS OPIOID ABUSE IN RURAL AREAS.

MARK THERE WILL BE AN INTERNATIONAL UFO SYMPOSIUM IN COVINGTON.

>> IT'S HEADQUARTERED IN CINCINNATI.

THEY WERE IN THE LIKE EARLY 1990s AND I KNOW THAT FROM WATCHING X FILES AS A KID.

THEY MOVED AWAY AND BACK AND NOW THEY ARE HOSTING THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE KENTUCKY SIDE OF THE RIVER.

AND THERE'S BEEN NEW DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING TESTIMONY IN CONGRESS THAT SHOWS THAT THERE MIGHT BE LIFE OUT THERE.

SO I'M SURE THERE'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING BUZZ AROUND IT.

A DANA WOULD SAY THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE AND SO ARE LIES.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR IS UNDERWAY IN LOUISVILLE THE EXHIBITS AND CONTESTS AND RIDES AND LIVE MUSIC VISITORS ARE EXPECTED FROM 120 COUNTIES AND BEYOND.

THE STATE FAIR RUNS THROUGH AUGUST 27 AT THE KENTUCKY EXPOSITION CENTER IN LOUISVILLE.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.