[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M RENEE SHAW THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IN PERSON, NO EXCUSE EARLY VOTING BEGINS THURSDAY IN KENTUCKY AS WE MOVE CLOSER AND CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER FIFTH.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE, PRESIDENTIAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT WITH STATE SENATORS DAMON THAYER AND REGGIE THOMAS AND OUR NEXT HALF HOUR.

FIRST, CONGRESS.

THERE ARE CONTESTED RACES IN FOUR OF OUR SIX U.S. HOUSE DISTRICTS.

IN DISTRICT THREE IN LOUISVILLE, CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION HE FACES A REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER, MIKE CRAVEN.

Mr. CRAVEN DID NOT MEET OUR CRITERIA TO APPEAR TONIGHT.

CONGRESSMAN McGARVEY MET OUR CRITERIA AND ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION.

YOU CAN SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS KET.

SEND AN E-MAIL TO KY KET.ORG OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.ORG/KY TONIGHT OR CALL 1-800-944-4664.

454-7605.

>> WELCOME CONGRESSMAN McGARVEY.

YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS SHOW MANY TIMES AS A STATE SENATOR IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU IN THIS CAPACITY.

I WANT TO REVISIT WHEN YOU MADE YOUR INITIAL BID IN 2022 HE TOUTED THE BIPARTISAN RECORD YOU HAD IN THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE AS A REASON FOR WHY VOTERS IN THE THIRD DISTRICT SHOULD SEND YOU TO WASHINGTON.

YOU SAID YOUR CAMPAIGN THAT I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE NOTION THAT WE CAN'T GET THINGS DONE.

MANY QUESTIONED WHAT HAS GOTTEN DONE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS?

AND AS A FRESHMAN WHAT CAN YOU SAY YOU HAD A HAND IN DELIVERING DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN KENTUCKY?

>> I AM STILL ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVES WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

WHO BELIEVES WE CAN USE GOVERNMENT FOR GOOD.

I HAVE NOT LOST THAT.

IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT IN WASHINGTON.

MY TERM WHEN I'M DIPLOMATIC I SAY IT'S HISTORIC.

THINK ABOUT IT WHEN IT STARTED WE DIDN'T ELECT A SPEAKER ON THE FIRST BALLOT.

IT TOOK 15 VOTES TO EFFECT A SPEAKER THAT IS FORESHADOWING TO THE FACT THAT THE REPUBLICANS AND THE EXTREMISTS OUSTED THE SPEAKER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 247 YEAR OF THE HISTORY OF YOUR REPUBLIC.

WE NEARLY DEFAULTED ON THE DEBT CEILING.

MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE TRIED TO DEPOTS ANOTHER SPEAKER.

THERE'S BEEN A CHALLENGING BACKGROUND I'M ON TWO COMMITTEES WHERE I THINK BIPARTISAN HAPPENS.

THE VETERANS AND THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE.

I WAS THE FIRST FRESHMAN DEMOCRAT TO PASS A BILL HELPING OUR VETERANS GETTING THE EDUCATION BENEFITS THEY NEED AND DESERVE THEM.

AND I PASSED A BILL TO HELP THE AMERICAN DREAM BE POSSIBLE FOR EVERY AMERICAN INCLUDING OUR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES.

THEY DON'T STILL HAVE THE BARRIERS THAT NOT EVERYONE HAS.

SO I WORKED WITH ONE OF THE CHAIRMEN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE OUT OF NEW YORK AND PASSED A BILL THAT WAY.

TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES TO HELP OUR VETERANS AND WORKING ON THOSE THINGS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO IN CONGRESS IS FUNDING AS WELL.

I'VE BROUGHT BACK MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE THIRD DISTRICT TO HELP WITH EVERYTHING FROM INFRASTRUCTURE TO NONPROFITS WITH GRANT MONEY FOR NEW SOURCES OF MAKING SURE OUR ENERGY REMAINS CLEAN AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

BUT, YES, IT IS A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT.

>> Renee: YOU ARE THE LONE DEMOCRAT IN KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION HOW ARE YOU WORKING WITH YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN THE STATE AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO DELIVER?

>> I DON'T WANT TO GET THEM IN TROUBLE BUT THE KENTUCKY DELEGATION GET AS LONG.

WE GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES AND I HAVE POLICY DIFFERENCES WITH OUR REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

BUT THAT ON CERTAIN THINGS WE ARE HERE TO HELP KENTUCKY.

I'VE CO-CHAIRED THE BOURBON CAUCUS WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO KENTUCKY.

AND ALSO IT'S HELPING FOSTER BIPARTISAN.

AND I CHAIR IT WITH BARR AND WORKED WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR DELEGATION.

SENATOR RAND PAUL AND I COSPONSORED THE BRIE BREONNA TAR NO KNOCK BILL.

WE WORKED ON LEGISLATION.

ALL SORTS OF ISSUES IMPORTANT TO KENTUCKY WITH THE MEMBERS OF OUR DELEGATION.

>> Renee: WHAT DO THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TELL YOU?

YOU HAVE BEEN BACK IN THE STATE FOR SOMETIME ON THE RECESS PERIODS AND BEYOND WHAT DO YOU HEAR FROM THEM TOP OF MIND FOR THEM THAT THEY WANT TO SEND YOU BACK TO WASHINGTON TO ADDRESS?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE JOB IS THE FACT WE GET TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME AT HOME.

AND GET TO GO BACK AND FORTH.

WHEN I WAS IN THE STATE SENATE WE WERE CITIZEN LEGISLATORS WE ARE MORE FULL-TIME IN WASHINGTON D.C. WE COME HOME A LOT.

LOOK, PEOPLE TALK TO ME A LOT RIGHT NOW IN PARTICULAR WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT JOBS AND THE ECONOMY.

MAKING SURE THAT THOSE GOOD JOBS IN LOUISVILLE IN PARTICULAR CONTINUE TO EXIST.

WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT EDUCATION RIGHT NOW.

I IMAGINE PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF AMENDMENT 2 AND THE FACT THAT AMENDMENT IS LIKELY GOING TO TAKE PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS AWAY FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUT IT TOWARDS PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

IT IS NOT AS MUCH A FEDERAL ISSUE BUT I HEAR A LOT ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW.

WE HEAR ABOUT HEALTHCARE, THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND NOT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

AND ONE THING I CONTINUE TO HEAR ABOUT BECAUSE WE ARE IN KENTUCKY, IS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

THE FACT THAT NO WOMAN OR GIRL IN KENTUCKY CAN RECEIVE AN ABORTION EVEN IF SHE IS THE VICTIM OF RAPE OR INCEST.

PROJECT 2025 THAT YOU SEE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS SEEKING TO IMPOSE A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN WE STILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT THAT ISSUE.

>> Renee: I WANT TO GET TO ONE AND WE'LL TAKE THOSE IN PIECES I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY, WAGES AND LABOR AND MORE THAN JUST THE MIDDLE CLASS.

ONE OF THE CRITICISMS OF THE HARRIS-WALZ CAMPAIGN IS THAT THE VICE-PRESIDENT FOCUSES AND TOUTS ON HER PLAN TO BUOY THE MIDDLE CLASS.

THERE IS NO TALK OR VERY LITTLE TALK I WILL SAY OF INCOME INEQUALITY.

FOR THERE TO BE A MIDDLE CLASS THERE HAS TO BE A LOWER CLASS.

THOSE IN POVERTY WHAT IS SHE MISSING THAT YOU WISH SHE WOULD SAY AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES IN THE DISTRICT WHICH YOU SERVE THAT REALLY WANT TO HEAR THAT MESSAGE WHAT SHOULD BE SAID AND WHAT WOULD YOU GO BACK TO WASHINGTON TO FIGHT FOR?

>> I THINK WE ARE WORKING ON INCOME INEQUALITY.

WE ARE WORKING ON A TAX CODE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

ONE THING IN THE NEXT CONGRESS, PEOPLE ARE THAT TALKING ABOUT THIS YET BECAUSE IT'S NOT TOP OF MIND BUT REGARDLESS OF WHO THE PRESIDENT IS AND WHO IS IN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE, THE TRUMP TAX CUTS WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF 2025.

HE WANTS TO CONTINUE TAX BREAKS FOR HIS BILLIONAIRE BUDDIES WHILE THE CHILD TAX CREDIT HAS ALREADY EXPIRED.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN WORK ON.

I THINK WE CAN GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AROUND THE IDEA OUR WORKING POOR WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THE WORDS WORKING POOR THEY SHOULDN'T EXIST BUT OUR MIDDLE CLASS AND WORKING POOR NEED HELP.

THEY NEED A BREAK.

AND SO YOU HEAR TALK ABOUT INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE.

YOU HEAR TALK ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A FAIR AND JUST TAX CODE THAT BENEFITS ALL AMERICANS AND CONTINUES TO LIFT ALL OF US UP.

THAT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE.

AND YOU SEE THAT AS A GOAL OF THE HARRIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO HAVE AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FROM THE BOTTOM UP AND THE MIDDLE OUT.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT TARIFFS.

THIS MAYBE FOR YOU AND YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN THE KENTUCKY FEDERAL DELEGATION MY AGREE, THE U.S.

SENATORS RAND PAUL AND MITCH McCONNELL THEY ARE NOT FOR DONALD TRUMP'S PLAN ON THE HEFTY TARIFFS ON EMPORTS.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THESE FREE TRADE REPUBLICANS?

WHO ARE AGAINST TRUMP'S PLAN?

AND THEY TOUT THAT LOOK AT ALL THE JOBS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED BECAUSE OF THE EXPORTS THE U.S. ENGAGES IN?

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT.

>> .

>> MOST ECONOMISTS ARE SAYING DONALD TRUMP TARIFF PLAN IS GOING TO COST THE AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY AN ADDITIONAL $4,000 PER YEAR.

TO SAY JUST WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BLANKET TARIFFS ON EVERYTHING WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT IS NOT THE RIGHT APPROACH BUT TYPICAL OF A DONALD TRUMP APPROACH.

NOTHING HE SAYS USES FORETHOUGHT OR AFTER THOUGHT.

HE IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT POLICY AND WHAT ACTUALLY HELPS PEOPLE.

HE IS WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HELPS HIMSELF.

THAT TYPE OF BLANKET STATEMENT THE FACT IS HE MIGHT DO IT.

AND I THINK IT THAT TYPE OF JUST BLANKET PLAN WOULD HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT THAT COULD HURT MOST AMERICAN FAMILIES.

>> Renee: IF DONALD TRUMP IS ELECTED TO A SECOND TERM IN THE WHITE HOUSE, HOW WOULD DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHETHER THEY ARE IN THE MINORITY OR THE MAJORITY, DEAL WITH THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

WILL YOU BE THE OBSTRUCTIONISTS OR FIND WAYS IN WHICH YOU COULD WORK TOGETHER?

>> IT DOES MATTER IN THE MAJORITY OR THE MINORITY.

AND I WILL START WITH THAT.

BECAUSE YOU SEE IT IN FRANKFORT BUT IT'S MORE PRONOUNCED IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOW MUCH THE MAJORITY CONTROLS THE FLOW OF LEGISLATION.

AND SO LOOK AT WHAT PROJECT 2025 IS.

WHERE THEY HAVE THINGS LIKE A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN.

WHERE THEY HAVE THINGS LIKE A HEALTHCARE PLAN THAT WOULD RIP HEALTHCARE AWAY FROM ONE MILLIKEN KENTUCKIANS.

THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE IN THE MINORITY THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE EXTREME FROM GOING THROUGH.

IN THE MAJORITY THEY WILL STOP THE EXTREME THINGS GOING THROUGH AND WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATS IS THE WILLINGNESS TO GOVERN.

LOOK WHAT HAPPENED IN THE RECENT AGGRESSIVE BEEN A PART OF.

WE HAD TO SAY OKAY WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T DEFAULT ON OUR COUNTRY'S DEBT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHICH WOULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC IMPACTS AND WE WORKED WITH REPUBLICANS ON THAT.

WE WORKED WITH SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON WHEN MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE TRIED TO KICK HIM OUT OF THE SPEAKERSHIP.

WE ARE GOVERNING.

WE WANT TO DO THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO NEXT CONGRESS WE HAVE NOT PASSED THE FARM BILL YET.

WE HAVE NOT PASSED A BUDGET YET.

WE KNOW THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SIGNIFICANT TAX REFORM THAT CAN HELP THE MIDDLE CLASS AND THE WORKING POOR IN THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE WILLING TO WORK ON THOSE THINGS.

THE OBSTRUCTION HAS COME FROM DONALD TRUMP AND HIS BRAND OF EXTREMISTS.

I HOPE WE ARE IN A PLACE TO PUSHBACK AGAINST THAT AND CONTINUE TO GOVERN.

IT WILL BE HARDER WITH HIM AS PRESIDENT.

>> Renee: WHEN WE THINK HOW KAMALA HARRIS BECAME THE NOMINEE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR PRESIDENT, THERE WAS A LOT OF CONSTERNATION AND CONVERSATION AROUND THAT.

HAD SHE NOT BEEN VICE-PRESIDENT AND THE HEIR APPARENT IN THIS RACE, DO YOU BELIEVE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BEST CHOICE?

TO BE THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE WHO WOULD YOU HAVE PREFERRED?

>> YOU ARE ASKING ME THAT QUESTION AND, OF COURSE, THAT IS A WONDERFUL HYPOTHETICAL.

SHE WAS THE NUMBER TWO.

SHE IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT.

SHE'S BEEN A PROSECUTOR.

SHE WAS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CALIFORNIA.

SHE WAS A UNITED STATES SENATOR.

SHE WAS THE CLEAR CHOICE TO ASSUME AND BE THE NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND I THOUGHT WHEN JOE BIDEN STEPPED ASIDE I THINK HE MADE A WONDERFUL AND SELFLESS DECISION WHERE HE PUT HIS COUNTRY BEFORE HIMSELF.

>> Renee: AND YOU CALLED FOR THAT TO HAPPEN?

>> IT WAS A REALLY HARD THING TO DO.

I THINK HE IS A REALLY GOOD PERSON.

I THINK HIS RECORD IS A REALLY GOOD RECORD AS PRESIDENT.

LOOK AT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, THE CHIPS AND MANUFACTURING THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WHICH IS BENEFITING HOW MANY KENTUCKIANS WITH EVERYTHING FROM THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER.

>> Renee: IS SHE THE RIGHT LEADER AT THIS TIME?

>> I THINK SHE IS.

SHE HAS A RECORD, TOO.

SHE HAS A VISION.

I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW HER SINCE BEING IN WASHINGTON.

AND INTERVIEWED HER IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE CAUCUS THIS PAST WINTER.

SHE IS REALLY SMART.

SHE IS REALLY CARING.

SHE HAS A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR, TOO WHEN YOU ARE AROUND HER.

SHE IS ALSO TOUGH.

SHE IS A GOOD LEADER.

LOOK AT HER CHOICE FOR VICE-PRESIDENT.

WHEN SHE WENT THROUGH THAT PROCESS SHE MADE A CHOICE FOR WHO SHE THOUGHT WOULD BE BEST AND STEP IN AND DO THE JOB ON DAY ONE.

SHE IS ABLE TO GO TO BAT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND I THINK IT WAS SUCH A CLEAR CHOICE THAT IS WHY YOU SAW THE PARTY COALESCE AROUND HER.

>> Renee: AND HOW REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IS ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES YOU HEAR YOUR CONSTITUENTS TALK ABOUT AND INDEED WE HEAR THAT ACROSS THE STATE.

YOU SUPPORT MAKING THE RIGHT TO AN BORINGS BY CODIFYING ROE VS. WADE.

IS THE NATIONAL PLATFORM BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON ABORTION RIGHTS THAT THAT SHOULD BE GUARANTEED A RIGHT AT ANY STAGE DURING A WOMAN'S PREGNANCY?

SHOULD THERE BE LIMITS?

>> THE SUPREME COURT WHEN THEY IGNORED AND OVERTURNED PRECEDENT TAKING AWAY RIGHTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY FROM WOMEN.

THEY TOOK AWAY ROE VS. WADE THE LAW OF THE LAND.

WHICH SHOULD BE THE LAW OF THE LAND NOW.

ROE VS. WADE SHOULD BE THE LAW OF THE LAND.

AND THAT'S WHERE IT WAS.

THAT'S WHERE IT SHOULD GO BACK TO.

AND WE KNOW THESE DECISIONS ARE BEST LEFT BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER PHYSICIAN.

>> Renee: AT ANY TIME DURING THE -- >> THAT'S -- ROE VS. WADE NEEDS TO BE THE LAW OF THE LAND WHERE THESE DECISIONS, AGAIN, ARE BEST LEFT BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER PHYSICIAN.

>> Renee: YOU KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE OFTEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC POSITION OF ABORTION RIGHTS EXTENDING TO THE NINTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY.

YOU WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT WHERE YOU ARE ON THAT ISSUE?

>> I THINK THESE ARE SCARE TACTICS BY A PARTY THAT IS PUSHING FOR A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN EVEN AS EARLY AS 15 OR SIX WEEKS WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW YOU ARE PREGNANT.

WHAT THEY CAN'T POINT TO IS WOMEN WALKING INTO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE IN THE NINTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY AND SEEKING TO HAVE AN ABORTION IN A WILLY-NILLY FASHION THAT NOT HAPPENING.

THEY ARE USING IT AS A SCARE TACTIC BECAUSE THEY DON'T TRUST WOMEN TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN BODIES.

>> Renee: YOU DON'T SUPPORT THAT.

>> .

>> THE WOMEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR BODIES WITH THEIR PHYSICIANS.

>> Renee: YOU'VE PROPOSED STORAGE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND RIFLES WHAT APPROACHES ARE YOU WILLING TO CONSIDER TO GAIN BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR GUN SAFETY AND REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE.

>> WE WANT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WORKED ON INNED STATE SENATE ARE EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS.

>> Renee: WHICH YOU TRIED IN KENTUCKY.

>> AND GOT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT HERE AS WELL.

WE KNOW THAT OVER HALF THE GUN DEATHS IN THIS COUNTRY AND IN OUR STATE ARE DEATH BY SUICIDE.

WE KNOW WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WE CAN DO.

I'VE JOINED THE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION TASK FORCE WE DON'T DO IT IN THE LIMELIGHT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOU DON'T SEE US ON THE SUNDAY TALK SHOWS WE ARE ASKING MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHERE CAN YOU MEET US ON THIS ISSUE.

I MAY WANT TO GO FURTHER WHAT WE SHOULD DO, BUT I WANT TO MAKE PROGRESS BECAUSE IT WILL SAVE LIVES.

ONE OF THE MORE FRUSTRATING THINGS WE'VE SEEN IS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE TALK TO AND LISTENING TO EACH OTHER AND SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AND THEN WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO CAN YOU SUPPORT IT?

AND THEY SAY WELL IF THE NRA IS AGAINST IT I HAVE TO BE AGAINST IT, TOO.

IT'S FRUSTRATING.

AND IT'S SAD.

I WAS IN THE WESLEY HOUSE THIS MORNING OFF PRESTON HIGHWAY IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY THEY HAVE A HEADSTART PROGRAM.

KIDS 0-5 AND AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING PROGRAM TO HELP KIDS OUT.

ON THE DOOR WERE THE INSTRUCTIONS ON A POSTER WHAT TO DO IN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENT.

THIS IS THE WORLD OUR KIDS ARE GROWING UP IN.

WHERE ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS ARE HAPPENING IN OUR PRESCHOOLS.

WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

BECAUSE DOING NOTHING ISN'T WORKING.

>> Renee: I WANT TO REVISIT A TERM YOU USED OR A SERIES CRISIS AVERSION, RIGHTS RETENTION AND PEOPLE NOT CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS, EXPLAIN?

>> I MEAN LOOK WE KNOW PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE AND SUICIDE AND GUN VIOLENCE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CRISIS, THEY MIGHT NOT STAY THERE.

BUT WHEN THEY REACH THAT LOWEST POINT AND THEY ARE SO CLEARLY A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS THAT A COURT OR A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL SAYS YOU ARE A DANGER TO YOURSELF RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT, THE TEMPORARY REMOVAL OF A FIREARM.

BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT FIREARM AT THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU REACH YOUR LOWEST POINT YOU MIGHT NOT USE IT.

AND IN THAT INSTANCE, YOU CAN STILL GET THE FIREARM BACK.

BUT IT COULD PREVENT SUICIDE.

I'M ON THE VETERANS COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW.

THE SINGET MOST AT RISK GROUP FOR SUICIDE ARE WHITE MEN OVER 50 WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY AND HAVE A FIREARM.

WE WANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S RIGHTS AND WE WANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE AND WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN A SENSIBLE, COMMON SENSE, BIPARTISAN WAY, WE CAN SAVE LIVES.

>> Renee: ALONG THE LIVES OF GUN VIOLENCE WHEN YOU SPOKE WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN YOUR DISTRICT ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS, THERE WAS CONVERSATION ABOUT YOUTH CENTERED VIOLENCE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM STAKEHOLDERS THAT COULD INFORM THE PUBLIC POLICY THAT YOU MIGHT PROPOSE IN WASHINGTON OR ADVOCATE FUNDING FOR TO DEAL WITH SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT LEAD TO THE VIOLENCE, THE ROOT CAUSES?

>> WE HAVE TO WORK ON ROOT CAUSES.

AND WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS MORE.

>> Renee: WHAT ARE THE ROOT CAUSES?

>> I THINK WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ROOT CAUSES THERE'S NOT ONE ROOT CAUSE.

IF THERE WAS ONE WE WOULD GO TOWARD ATTACKING IT.

THERE ARE MANY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ONE OF THE ROOT CAUSES WHEN PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A STABLE ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.

EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE.

ARE ROOT CAUSES.

WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THESE THINGS.

WHAT TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT ARE YOU GROWING UP IN.

EDUCATION CAN BE ONE OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME MAKE SURE WE'RE PROPERLY FUNDING EDUCATION.

POVERTY IS ONE OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME.

AND SO I THINK WE CAN HAVE A MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO THIS BUT WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT IN THAT WAY.

WHERE, LOOK, YOU KNOW WHAT?

YOU CAN'T JUST TALK ABOUT GUNS.

YOU CAN'T JUST TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH YOU SHOULD TALK ABOUT GUNS AND YOU SHOULD TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH BUT THERE'S ALSO TALK ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME AND HOW WE ATTACK THOSE.

TALK ABOUT THEM IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY CONTEXT THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND AGREEMENT.

EVERYONE I KNOW WANTS TO LIVE IN A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS THESE CAN MAKE ALL OF US BETTER AND SAFER, AND RETURN DIVIDENDS ON OUR INVESTMENT WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS.

>> Renee: ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS YOU'VE HEARD OR THE ADVICE FROM CRAIG GREENBERG OR THE POLICE CHIEF WHICH HAVE THEY SAID WOULD BE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS THAT CURRENTLY AREN'T BEING DISCUSSED?

>> YOU KNOW, ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL WE HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY.

I CAN TELL YOU SINCE HE HAS TAKEN HIS ROLE AS CHIEF I HAVE NOT SAT DOWN WITH CHIEF HUMPHREY AND TALKED ABOUT THIS.

I WILL.

I MET WITH CHIEF HUMPHREY BEFORE HE WAS CHIEF.

IT'S HIS SHOW AND WE ARE LOOKING TO SIT DOWN WITH THEM.

WE HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY.

MOST OF WHAT WE CAN DO IS TRY TO LOOK FOR GRANT MONEY AND COMMUNITY FUNDED PROJECTS WHERE WE CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT.

WE HAVE BIG IDEAS.

SOME OF THEM CAN BE SEEMINGLY SMALL.

WE JUST ANNOUNCED I GOT A COMMUNITY FUNDED PROJECT FOR LIGHTS UNDER SOME OF THE OVERPASSES ON I65 IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

NOT ONLY IS THIS GOING TO BE WELCOMING AS YOU ARE COMING INTO THE CITY AND DOWNTOWN WE WANT TO GET MORE PEOPLE DOWNTOWN IN LOUISVILLE.

IT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY THING AND HAVING THE LIGHTS UNDER THE OVERPASSES, IS GOING TO MAKE IT SEVERE THERE.

WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM ON THOSE ISSUES.

THE MAYOR WAS THAT THAT PRESS CONFERENCE AND FINDING WAYS WE CAN HELP.

>> Renee: THE STATE OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THE COUNTRY HAS SEEN A RISE IN PARTISAN ANIMOSITY AND PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGEROUS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

GRADE FOR US THE POLITICAL WELL-BEING OF THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW AS A PUBLIC SERVANT AS YOU ARE, HOW WILL YOU COMMIT TO BRIDGING THOSE PARTISAN DIVIDES, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS ELECTED PRESIDENT EVEN IF IT'S NOT YOUR PERSON?

>> WELL, DEMOCRACY SHOULDN'T BE A PARTISAN ISSUE.

BEN FRANKLIN WAS ASKED WHEN HE WALKED OUT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION Mr. FRANKLIN WHAT TYPE OF GOVERNMENT HAVE YOU GIVEN US?

HE SAID A REPUBLIC IF YOU CAN KEEP IT.

IF YOU CAN KEEP IT.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS PARTISAN TO ME.

THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO AGREE.

WE'VE HAD MAJOR DISAGREEMENTS IN OUR COUNTRY SINCE ITS INCEPTION BUT IT'S HOW WE DISAGREE.

WHEN YOU SEE WHAT DONALD TRUMP AND HIS SUPPORTERS DID ON JANUARY 6 OF 2021 IN STORMING THE CAPITOL TALK TO THE CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS LIKE I HAVE.

LOOK AT THE VIDEO ON THEIR CELLPHONES.

SEE THE ATTACKS AND THE THREATS THEY MADE AGAINST THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THAT IS NOT DEMOCRACY.

AND TO STAND UP AND CRITICIZE IT IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

TO ME THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO AS AMERICANS.

TO SAY THAT IS NO WHO WE ARE, THAT IS NOT WHAT WE WANT TO BE OR GOING TO BE.

THE FACT WE HAVE A PRESIDENT AND A VICE-PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE WHO REFUSE TO ADMIT THE RESULTS OF THE LAST ELECTION IS SHOCKING AND IT IS SADDENING.

THE SECRETARIES OF STATE SAID THEY WERE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND THE FEDERAL COURTS THE JUDGES APPOINTED BY DONALD TRUMP SAY THEY WERE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN ISSUE.

WHAT I COMMIT TO DOING IS TO LIVING UP TO WHAT BENJAMIN FRANKLIN IS TO KEEPING THE REPUBLIC.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE DEMOCRATS WIN OR THE REPUBLICANS WIN.

THAT MEANS AMERICA WINS.

>> Renee: THE DEMOCRATS ARE ALSO ACCUSED OF THEIR HEATED FIERY RHETORIC CALLING DONALD TRUMP A FASCIST, DO YOU AGREE THAT THAT LANGUAGE HAS A PLACE IN THE POLITICAL DISCOURSE PARTICULARLY DURING A VERY HEATED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S POSSIBLE AT ALL TO CALL THE DEMOCRATS' LANGUAGE HEATED WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT THE RALLY DONALD TRUMP HAD ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

WHEN IT COMES TO TERMS LIKE FASCIST DO NOT LISTEN TO THE DEMOCRATS.

LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED FOR DONALD TRUMP IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION LISTEN TO THE GENERALS WHO WORKED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT.

LISTEN TO JOHN KELLY WHO SAYS HE IS A FASCIST AN AUTHORITARIAN THAT HE ADMIRES DICTATORS.

AND THE ARTICLE OVER THE WEEKEND HE DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS BY THE FAMILY THAT IS GRANTING SECURITY CLEARANCE, THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE MOST SENSITIVE DOCUMENTS THAT OUR GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY PRODUCES.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT PARTISAN.

THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

THIS IS NOT FIERY RHETORIC WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TRUTH.

WHEN YOU ARE THEING OUT WHAT SOMEONE IS SAYING AND WHAT THEY ARE SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

AND THEN WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED FOR Mr. TRUMP SAID ABOUT HIM.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO POINT OUT WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THIS ELECTION AND THE FACT THAT THE CHOICE COULDN'T BE MORE CLEAR OR STARK.

>> Renee: WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE GREATEST THREAT TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY?

>> SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'VE SEEN FROM DONALD TRUMP LIKE JANUARY 6.

LIKE SAYING HE IS GOING TO PUT LIZ CHENEY IN FRONT OF A WAR TRIBUNAL.

CALLING DEMOCRATS THE ENEMY WITHIN.

USING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY AGAINST OUR OWN CITIZENS.

THESE ARE GRAVE THREATS TO THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE.

THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.

AND I HOPE THAT A WEEK FROM TOMORROW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SUPPORT THAT.

>> Renee: WELL, CONGRESSMAN McGARVEY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK AFTER WHICH AND OT OTHER SIDE WE WILL TALK WITH DAMON THAYER AND REGGIE THOMAS ABOUT ALL OF THIS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND SOME OF THE STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES WE'RE KEEPING OUR EYE ON AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

STAY WITH US.

>> .

>> WELCOME TO THE NEWSHOUR.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY EDITION.

WELCOME TO WASHINGTON WEEK.

>> OUR TOPIC TONIGHT... >> AS YOU LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2024 ELECTIONS.

>> IT IS HISTORIC.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE WELL-INFORMED IF YOU WANT A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON ANYTHING.

>> WE HAVE A RIGHT TO ASK SERIOUS QUESTIONS.

>> WE'RE LIVE TONIGHT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

YOU HAVE A STARK CHOICE.

>> IS THAT NOT A PART OF WHAT KENTUCKY SHOULD BE CONSIDERING?

>> THIS IS IMPORTANT TO KENTUCKY VOTERS.

>> NOW, TO A DEVELOPING STORY.

I ENJOY GOING TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND I LOVE WATCHING THE SHOWS THAT WILL TAKE YOU INTO THE COMMUNITIES THAT I HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT.

I DIDN'T KNOW ALL THE BEAUTY OF THE AREA DOWN AT MAMMOTH CAVE AND I MOO HUSBAND AND I USED THAT AS A BASIS TO VISIT SOME OF THESE PLACES.

IT'S SPARKED OUR INTEREST AND WE'VE BECOME GREAT TOURISTS AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH BECAUSE OF KET.

THIS WEEK ON KENTUCKY LIFE WE VISIT HARRODSBURG AS IT CELEBRATES ITS 250TH ANNIVERSARY.

WE GO TO THE MONARCH A SPACE FOR MUSICIANS TO CREATE AND LEARN.

EXAMINE WHY GROWN-UPS ARE REDISCOVERING A POPULAR TOY FROM THEIR YOUTH AND WE'LL VISIT A NATIVE DON FLUTE GATHERING IN HARRODSBURG.

JOIN US FOR KENTUCKY LIFE.

SATURDAY 8, 7 CENTRAL ON KET.

>> THE NEXT FEW YEARS MIGHT BE ROUGH.

THERE WILL BE UPS AND DOWNS.

>> FROM THE LAST ELECTION TO THE PRESENT ONE.

>> I WONDER ABOUT THE AMERICAN DREAM.

HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD GO FROM RAGS TO RIPS.

>> THE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES OF AMERICANS.

>> I -- I WANT THE VALUES TO BE WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE VOTING FOR NOT THE PERSON.

>> A FRONTLINE SPECIAL PRESENTATION AMERICAN VOICES 2024.

TUESDAY, 10, 9 CENTRAL ON KET.

>> EACH WEEKNIGHT KENTUCKY EDITION WILL TACKLE MAJOR ISSUES IN KENTUCKY INCLUDING EDUCATION, THE ECONOMY, AGRICULTURE, HEALTHCARE, POLITICS AND IT WILL INTRODUCE US TO POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND PEOPLE IMPACTED IN KENTUCKIANS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WANT VIEWERS TO FEEL BETTER INFORMED AND MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> KENTUCKY EDITION WEEKNIGHTS 6:30, 5:30 CENTRAL ON KET.

[♪♪] >> Renee: WELCOME BACK TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" TO DISCUSS THE MANY RACES ON THE KENTUCKY BALLOT WE'RE NOW JOINED BY STATE SENATOR DAMON THAYER A REPUBLICAN FROM GEORGETOWN AND THE SENATE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER.

AND STATE SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS A DEMOCRAT FROM LEXINGTON AND THE SENATE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR.

YOU CAN SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X FORMERLY TWITTER AT PUB AFFAIRS KET.

SEND AN E-MAIL AT KET.ORG OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.ORG/KY TONIGHT OR CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME GENTLEMEN.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> Renee: AND THIS COULD BE, SENATOR, YOUR LAST APPEARANCE ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" IN YOUR OFFICIAL CAPACITY?

>> IT COULD BE.

BUT THERE IS A LONGTIME BETWEEN NOW AND NEW YEAR'S EVE.

>> Renee: THAT IS TRUE.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, NOT TO MAKE A HARD PIVOT BUT I WANT TO EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES IT WAS YOUR CAUCUS MEMBER IT IS A COLLEAGUE OF YOURS.

>> HE SAT BEHIND ME.

>> JOHNNY TURNER OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL.

>> DEVASTATING BLOW TO OUR CAUCUS.

AND OUR INSTITUTION.

>> JOHNNY WAS A GOOD SENATOR FOR THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: NOW, MAKE A TOUGHER PIVOT FROM THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE THERE'S LOTS OF INTERESTING STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES TOO.

WE OFTEN DON'T GET A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THOSE BUT WE WILL.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT NOVEMBER FIFTH AND YOUR GUY TAKING PERHAPS A SECOND TERM AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

>> I THINK DONALD TRUMP IS GOING TO CARRY ALL SEVEN OF THE SWING STATES.

MIGHT PICK UP A PURPLE STATE OR TWO IT WILL BE AN ELECTORAL BLOWOUT.

>> SENATOR THOMAS?

>> WELL, AS SENATOR THAYER AS KNOWN GOING BACK TO MAY AND WE'VE DONE NUMEROUS PUBLIC EVENTS I SAID BACK IN MAY AND I WILL SAY IT TONIGHT, DONALD TRUMP WILL NOT CRACK 60% IN KENTUCKY.

HE WILL PROBABLY CARRY KENTUCKY BUT HE WILL NOT GET 60% IT WILL BE A CLOSER ELECTION.

>> Renee: WHY DO YOU SAY THAT?

>> I SAY THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS WHO ARE NOT OPEN ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS BUT WILL SAY QUIETLY, THEY CAN'T SUPPORT HIM.

THEY WON'T SAY IT PUBLICLY BECAUSE THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BACKLASH, ABOUT THE WRATH THEY MIGHT RECEIVE.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS AND I TRAVEL THIS STATE, WESTERN KENTUCKY EASTERN KENTUCKY NORTHERN KENTUCKY WHO ARE NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP.

>> Renee: YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

HE IS NOT GOING TO CRACK 60%.

>> YOU WILL NOTE HE DID NOT DISPUTE MY ASSERTION THAT DONALD TRUMP WILL WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

AND MADE THAT ASSERTION THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO CRACK 60% IN KENTUCKY.

MY NUMBER FOR DONALD TRUMP IN KENTUCKY 62%.

AND I WOULD TAKE THE OVER TO USE A SPORTS BETTING TERM.

THE FIREFIGHTERS UNION, THE TEAMSTERS, "USA TODAY", WASHINGTON POST, TAMPA TRIBUNE ALL DECLINED TO ENDORSE KAMALA HARRIS.

>> Renee: THEY DECLINED TO ENDORSE.

>> I ANYONE BUT THAT IS A DEFEAT FOR KAMALA HARRIS.

THESE ARE PAPERS THAT ENDORSE JOE BIDEN FOUR YEARS AGO AND HILLARY CLINTON EIGHT YEARS AGO THAT CAMPAIGN IS COLLAPSING.

I HEARD A RUMOR TO QUOTE ONE OF MY FAVORITE EAGLE SONGS WITCHY WOMAN THERE IS A RUMOR SHE IS MOVING RESOURCES FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO VIRGINIA TO A PURPLE STATE I CANNOT CONFIRM THAT IT IS A RUMOR.

BUT THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THAT CAMPAIGN IS HAVING A MELTDOWN AND TRUMP IS HAVING THESE RALLIES AND MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IN THE HEART OF DEEP BLUE MANHATTAN AND THE PLACE IS PACKED TO THE RAFTERS.

I THINK HE'S GOT ALL THE MOMENTUM.

AND ALL THE POLLS SHOWS THAT HE IS IN THE LEAD IN THE SEVEN SWING STATES OR WITHIN THE MARGIN OF ERROR HE IS POLLING NOW BETTER THAN HE DID WHEN HE WON IN 2016 AND BETTER THAN HE DID IN 2020 WHEN JOE BIDEN WON.

>> Renee: THE WIND IS OUT OF HER SAILS?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO SENATOR THAYER'S COMMENT KAMALA HARRIS IS GOING TO WIN AT LEAST SIX OF THE SEVEN SWIK STATES.

AND SHE HAS BEEN LEADING IN THEM ALL ALONG.

THE ONLY SWING STATE THAT IS A TOSS UP, RENEE, IS ARIZONA.

SHE IS GOING TO WIN NORTH CAROLINA.

>> Renee: WHY THE RESOURCE SWITCH TO VIRGINIA?

>> I HAVE NOT HEARD THAT RUMOR AT ALL.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT RUMOR IS OUT THERE.

I AM CONFIDENT IN SAYING SHE WILL CARRY NORTH CAROLINA.

AND I BELIEVE SHE WILL CARRY GEORGIA AS WELL.

I WILL TELL YOU, RENEE, THE STRONG EARLY VOTING SHOWING IN GEORGIA IS OVERWHELMING.

I'VE SEEN IT PERSONALLY.

SO I KNOW FROM WHENCE I SPEAK.

>> Renee: BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S MORE DEMOCRATS COMING OUT.

REPUBLICAN NUMBERS HAVE BASKETBALL HIGHER THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

>> I WILL TELL YOU THERE IS SUCH A MOMENTUM AND SUCH A STRONG FEELING ABOUT HER THERE IN GEORGIA SHE WILL CARRY GEORGIA AS WELL.

SHE WILL WIN SIX OR SEVEN SWING STATES HE IS TALKING ABOUT HER MOVING RESOURCES FROM NORTH CAROLINA, JUST A RUMOR WHAT TRUMP IS WORRIED ABOUT CAN HE CARRY HIS OWN STATE.

HE MAY NOT CARRY FLORIDA.

THERE IS A SURGE GOING ON IN FLORIDA AND YOU LOOK AT THE POLLS NOW HE IS VIRTUALLY TIED IN FLORIDA.

IF SHE CAPTURES FLORIDA WHICH SHE MAY ON ELECTION NIGHT IT'S GAME OVER.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT FANTASY LAND MY COLLEAGUE IS LIVING IN.

ALL SEVEN SWING STATES ARE AT THE LEAST TOSS UPS RIGHT NOW.

AND MANY OF THE POLLS SHOW PRESIDENT TRUMP WITH THE LEAD.

FLORIDA IS NOT EVEN A SWING STATE ANYMORE.

AND THE SURGE IS OCCURRING IN EARLY VOTING AMONG REPUBLICANS, RENEE.

RIGHT NOW, DONALD TRUMP HAS A 100,000 VOTE LEAD IF YOU CONSIDER REPUBLICANS, VOTING FOR HIM IN ARIZONA IN THE EARLY VOTE IN ARIZONA.

100,000 MORE REPUBLICANS HAVE VOTED EARLY.

THE MOMENTUM WITH THE EARLY VOTE IS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

AND I DON'T SEE -- >> Renee: UNLESS THEY ARE VOTING FOR KAMALA HARRIS.

>> I DON'T SEE THEM VOTING FOR KAMALA HARRIS.

ONE OF US IS GOING TO BE VERY WRONG COME NEXT WEDNESDAY MORNING.

HOPEFULLY IF THEY FINISH COUNTING THE VOTES BY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

THEY JUST ANNOUNCED A JUDGE ISN'T GOING TO START STOP LET THE VOTE COUNT STOP IN NEVADA FOR THREE DAYS AFTERWARDS.

WHICH IS ALREADY GOING TO START THROWING SOME DUBIOUS NATURE INTO THIS ELECTION LIKE WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST.

BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT POLLS MY COLLEAGUE IS LOOKING AT.

AND I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR HIM.

TO SAY THAT THE ONLY STATED THAT IS A TOSS UP IS ARIZONA, I CHECKED MULTIPLE POLLS EVERYDAY BECAUSE I AM A JUNKIE, I ADMIT IT.

AND ALL THE MOMENTUM IN THE POLLING AND IN THE EARLY VOTE SEEMS TO BE FAVORING REPUBLICANS RIGHT NOW.

>> Renee: BEFORE YOU COMMENT, SENATOR, I DO WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING YOU SAID DUBIOUS NATURE LIKE WE'VE HAD BEFORE.

DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU DISCOUNTED THE RESULTS OF 2020 ELECTION.

>> I DO NOT DISCOUNT.

I AM NOT AN ELECTION CONSPIRACY THERRIST.

THERE WERE PLACES WHERE THEY KEPT COUNTING THE VOTES DAYS AND DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION AND THAT PUTS INTO QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF THAT VOTE.

THAT IS WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ONE OF THE REASONS WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE ELECTION CONSPIRACY THEORISTS WHEN YOU HEAR A JUDGE SAY YOU CAN DROP-OFF YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT UP UNTIL ELECTION DAY AND THEY CAN COUNT THEM FOR THREE DAY IT IS DISCOUNTS WHAT THE TRUE MEANING OF ELECTION DAY IS.

AND THAT'S WHY SO MANY PEOPLE QUESTION THE ELECTION RESULTS OF 2020.

I DON'T.

I DO THINK THERE WERE SHENANIGANS IN PHILADELPHIA, ATLANTA, MILWAUKEE.

AND I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN STEPS TO CLEAN UP THE ELECTION PROCESS IN A LOST THOSE PLACES.

BUT IT DOES TEND TO PUT A SHADOW OVER THE ELECTION RESULTS WHEN YOU HEAR THE RESULT FROM TODAY'S JUDICIAL RULING WHERE A FEDERAL JUDGE OVERRULED A STATE JUDGE ON THE BALLOTS IN ARIZONA.

>> Renee: SENATOR THOMAS?

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER.

I WILL ASK YOU THIS QUESTION BECAUSE I'VE ASKED IT OF A NUMBER OF YOUR COLLEAGUES.

ARE YOU WILLING TO ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER FIFTH?

A SIMPLE YES OR NO QUESTION.

BECAUSE WHEN WE HAD IT CONTESTED IN 2020 THERE WERE 61 LAWSUITS FILED.

60 OF THEM THROWN OUT.

THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS ACCEPTED THAT WAS LOCAL RACES ONLY ARE YOU WILLING TO SAY TONIGHT THAT YOU WILL ACCEPT THE RULES OF THE 2024 ELECTION?

>> YES, I WILL.

WILL YOU IF DONALD TRUMP BECOMES THE 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

>> ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT A QUESTION.

>> WE HAVE OUR FIRST AGREEMENT HERE TONIGHT.

>> Renee: WELL, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO AGREE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2.

DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT AMENDMENT 1 CITIZENS NOT BEING ABLE TO VOTE.

WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT SHADE OR HOWEVER THE KIDS.

>> DO YOU THINK NUMBER ONE IS NECESSARY?

ONE OF YOUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES ON A PROGRAM WE HAD A FEW WEEKS BACK SAID THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE WAS CRAFTED IN ORDER TO BUOY SUPPORT FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NUMBER 2.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT.

>> Renee: EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE WHY THAT WOULD WORK.

>> THERE'S THIS THINKING IF YOU CAN GET PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY ARE SO ANTI-IMMIGRANT, THAT THEY THINK THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH OUR IMMIGRATION POLICY, AND THAT WE'RE HAVING MORE AND MORE FOREIGNERS COME IN AND VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

IF YOU CAN GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT, THEN YOU WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME OUT AND WHILE THEY ARE COMING OUT, THEY WILL ALSO VOTE ON THOSE PARTISAN ISSUES THAT FALL IN LINE WITH THAT THINKING.

SO I THINK THAT'S WHY AMENDMENT ONE WAS ADOPTED.

IT WAS JUST TO WHAT I MIGHT CALL ENCOURAGE THE VOTE FOR PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT A CERTAIN PARTISAN POINT OF VIEW.

>> I WOULD RATHER TALK ABOUT THE REAL ISSUE ONE IS ON THE BALLOT.

IN A LOT OF STATES THEY ALLOW NON-U.S.

RESIDENTS TO VOTED.

AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO LET THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT WHAT IS CURRENTLY PART OF STATUTE TO BE ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION.

IT IS.

>> Renee: IT'S NOT HAPPENING IN KENTUCKY.

>> BUT IT IS HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES.

AND HERE IN AMERICA, WHAT HAPPENS IN OTHER STATES, SOMETIMES CAN BLEED OVER FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE INTO OUR STATES.

AND THERE WAS A DESIRE TO PUT THAT ISSUE ON THE BALLOT AND PUT IT TO BED ONCE AND FOR ALL IN OUR CONSTITUTION THAT WE DON'T ALLOW NONRESIDENTS OF OUR COUNTRY TO CHOOSE OUR ELECTED LEADERS.

THAT IS A SIMPLE FORM OF BEING AMERICAN.

AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM IF PEOPLE WHO ARE LEGAL IMMIGRANTS GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND BECOME AMERICAN CITIZENS.

I WOULD STAND UP AND CHEER FOR THOSE WHO GO THROUGH THE LEGAL IMMIGRATION PROCESS.

AND I STAND NEXT TO THEM WITH PRIDE ON THE DAY THEY GET TO MAKE THEIR FIRST LEGAL VOTE IN AN ELECTION.

BECAUSE THEY ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THEY SHOULD CHOOSE WHO SHOULD LEAD OUR GOVERNMENT.

>> Renee: SOME WOULD SAY IT IS A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM SINCE THE PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST.

>> SOMETIMES IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET AHEAD OF THE PROBLEM.

PEOPLE CRITICIZE KENTUCKY BECAUSE WE ARE THE 45TH STATED SOMETHING THIS IS AN INSTANCE WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECOMES ONE.

WHY BE REACTIONARY I THINK IT IS A GOOD STEP BY US AND I PREDICT IT WILL PASS WITH 70% OR MORE OF THE VOTE.

>> Renee: DO YOU PREDICT THE SAME FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2?

>> NO, BECAUSE THE OPPONENTS TO ISSUE 2 THE DEFENDERS OF THE STATUS QUO WHO DON'T WANT US TO JOIN 48 OTHER STATES WITH PARENTAL SCHOOL CHOICE ARE ON SKATING THE FACTS AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE AMENDMENT DOES AND THAT CONFUSES PEOPLE.

AND THE EASIEST THING TO DO IS VOTE NO ON A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT AND THE OPPONENTS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MUDDY THE WATERS TO CONFUSION PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT IT DOES.

I THINK WE'VE HAD A GOOD CAMPAIGN TO TRY TO GET IT PASSED BUT IT IS A TOSS UP AND IT COULD GO EITHER WAY.

IT TAKES 51% OF THE VOTE FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BE ADOPTED AND I'M HOPEFUL.

>> Renee: OUR CRITICS LIKE YOU SENATOR THOMAS TRYING TO MUDDY THE WATERS IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE AMENDMENT DOES OR DOES NOT DO?

>> I WOULD NOT SAY I'M A CRITIC OF AMENDMENT 2.

I AM ONE WHO PURPORTS TO FAVOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND WHAT IT REALLY MEANS.

>> Renee: BUT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR AMENDMENT 2?

>> ABSOLUTELY I'VE BEEN ENCOURAGING PEOPLE WHEREVER I GO VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 2 BUT THE REASON I WANT TO GET TO THIS IS BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE CONCEPT OF FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE FUNDED BY TAXPAYERS FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES.

I DON'T BELIEVE IN VOUCHERS.

I DON'T BELIEVE IN TAKING PEOPLE'S PUBLIC MONEY THEIR TAX MONEY AND TRANSFER TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS FOR PRIVATE PURPOSES FOR PRIVATE BENEFIT.

I THINK THAT'S CONTRARY TO SOUND PUBLIC POLICY AND TO THE HISTORY OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BENEFIT ALL CHILDREN.

AND ALL CHILDREN, RENEE, CANNOT GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE THE ABILITY TO ACCEPT CHILDREN BASED UPON THEIR ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS OR BASED UPON THEIR FAMILY HISTORY.

AND IF YOU ARE DISABLED OR IF YOU HAVE SOME KIND OF A HEALTH CONDITION, OR THERE ARE A HOST OF REASONS THAT I WILL NOT GET INTO, IF YOU DON'T FIT THE MODEL THAT THESE PRIVATE SCHOOLS WANT, YOU CAN'T GO THERE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TURN AROUND, ALLOW THAT PRIVATE SCHOOL TO KEEP THAT VOUCHER SEND THAT CHILD BACK TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL AND HARM OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO THE POINT THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO START LOSING JOBS AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN THOSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A DISASTER AS WE'VE SEEN IN STATES LIKE ARIZONA, LIKE FLORIDA, TEXAS AND TENNESSEE.

>> WELL, TO BE FAIR, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED ON THE BALLOT SAYS NONE OF THAT ABOUT SCHOOL VOUCHERS OR EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY, OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS NONE OF THAT IT DOESN'T SPELL THAT OUT AT ALL.

>> RENEE IT IS A VOUCHER AMENDMENT.

IT DOESN'T USE THE WORD VOUCHER BUT IT'S THERE AND ANYONE READING THAT LANGUAGE UNDERSTANDS THAT IT IS A VOUCHER AMENDMENT.

AND BUT YOUR POINT IS WELL TAKEN IN THIS RESPECT AND I GIVE YOU A LOT OF CREDIT.

THERE IS A LOT OF GAPS IN WHAT WILL BE DONE.

IT TALKS ABOUT SEVEN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE TON AMENDED AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

IN ESSENCE, A VOTE SUPPORTING THAT AMENDMENT WHICH, AGAIN, I'M ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO VOTE NO MEANS WE ARE GIVING THE LEGISLATURE A BLANK CHECK TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO REGARDING OUR PUBLIC MONEY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT IS A DANGEROUS IDEA, RENEE.

>> Renee: OH, REGGIE THERE YOU GO AGAIN.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY MUDDYING THE WATERS AND NOT TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT AMENDMENT 2.

IT IS NOT A VOUCHER BILL.

IT JUST WOULD ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO DEAL WITH ISSUES OF SCHOOL CHOICE NO ONE HAS EVER TALKED ABOUT A VOUCHER BILL IN KENTUCKY.

WE PASSED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS FOR THE CHILDREN OF LOW INCOME WORKING FAMILIES LIKE THE ONES YOU PURPORT TO REPRESENT TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOL.

WE USE PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS FOR PROGRAM CALLED THE KENTUCKY TUITION GRANTS.

THAT HELPS KIDS FUND PRIVATE SCHOOLS LIKE TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY AND GEORGETOWN COLLEGE.

ARE YOU OPPOSED TO USING PUBLIC MONEY FOR PRIVATE COLLEGES IN KENTUCKY?

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT NOW FOR DECADES.

IF YOU WANT TO FILE THAT BILL GO AHEAD AND BE CONSISTENT.

BECAUSE IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE CONSISTENT BE CONSISTENT.

THIS ARGUMENT IS FALSE.

IT'S SPECIOUS YOU ARE SAYING NO PUBLIC DOLLARS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

SPECIOUS MEANS IT SOUNDS TRUE BUT IS IN FACT ABSOLUTELY FALSE.

AND THAT IS A WRONG CLAIM THAT YOU AND THE DEFENDERS OF THE STATUS QUO WHO ARE AFRAID OF COMPETITION FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND BY THE WAY, SINCE REPUBLICANS TOOK OVER THE SUPER MAJORITY IN THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY WE HAVE YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR PUT RECORD FUNDING IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THIS REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY IS A PRO PUBLIC EDUCATION SUPER MAJORITY, RENEE.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT THE CONSTITUENTS OF KENTUCKY ARE GOING TO EVER LET IT BE ANYTHING BUT THAT.

AND IF LET'S SAY THIS WOULD LEAD TO A VOUCHER BILL.

IT STILL HAS TO GET THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

PEOPLE HAVE TO VOTE YES OR NO.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS ON IT.

THAT'S THE PROCESS.

THIS JUST GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A BILL LIKE THIS TO BE DEBATED AND POTENTIALLY PASSED AND IF SO, IT WOULD WITHSTAND CONSTITUTIONAL MUSTER.

BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AND WE'VE NEVER TALKED ABOUT VOUCHERS.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS WHICH ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHICH, BY THE WAY ARE WORKING IN OUR BIGGEST DEMOCRAT CITIES WITH RACIAL MINORITIES BENEFITING THE MOST IN PLACES LIKE BALTIMORE, NEW YORK CITY WHERE MICHAEL BLOOMBERG ONE OF OUR NATION'S RICHEST LIBERALS IS BEHIND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT DEMOCRATS IN KENTUCKY THAT MAKE THEM SO ANTI-SCHOOL CHOICE WHEN DEMOCRATS IN INNER-CITY AMERICAN CITIES ARE FOR IT AND THEIR KIDS ARE BENEFITING FROM IT?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY KENTUCKY HAS THIS NEGATIVE ATTITUDE WHEN 48 OTHER STATES INCLUDING OUR BIGGEST CITIES OFFER THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS.

>> Renee: CAN YOU ANSWER THAT SENATOR THOMAS.

>> ARE YOU FOR DEFENDING KTG?

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE SENATOR THAYER IS FINISHED.

>> ANSWER MY QUESTION.

I WILL GLADLY DO SO SENATOR THAYER.

FIRST OF ALL LET'S UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS IT TALKS ABOUT FUNDING COMMON SCHOOLS WITH PUBLIC MONEY.

TALKING ABOUT K-12 SCHOOLS.

IT SAYS NOTHING ABOUT PUBLIC MONEY FOR COLLEGES.

I AM ALL IN FAVOR OF USING THE KENTUCKY TUITION GRANTS THAT YOU TALK ABOUT KTG I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS KENTUCKY TUITION GRANTS STUDENTS WHO WANT TO GO TO TRANSYLVANIA OR CUMBERLAND COLLEGE CAN USE SOME OF THAT MONEY TO FUND THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION.

THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT THAT.

AND YES, WE SHOULD PROVIDE MONEY FOR CHILDREN KENTUCKY STUDENTS WHO WANT TO FUND THEIR EDUCATION IN THOSE SCHOOLS.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.

TRANSYLVANIA IS IN MY BACKYARD.

>> YOU ARE INCONSISTENT THEN.

>> READ THE CONSTITUTION.

>> ALL WE'RE SAYING IS LET'S CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION -- >> Renee: LET HIM FINISH.

>> BE CONSISTENT REGGIE.

>> I'M READING THE LAW WHICH APPARENTLY MAYBE SOME OTHERS ARE NOT.

THE LAW REFERS TO COMMON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR ALL STUDENTS USING PUBLIC DOLLARS.

THAT IS K-12 DOLLARS.

WHEN YOU GO TO TRANSYLVANIA YOU ARE BEYOND GRADE 12.

LET'S LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE AND APPLY THE LANGUAGE AS WHAT IT MEANS.

NOW, GOING BACK TO THE POINT OF SCHOOL CHOICE AND I SEE WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

YOU HEAR ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE AND WHY IT IS A FALLACY.

WHEN YOU ARE IN COUNTIES LIKE BELL COUNTY OR HARLEN COUNTY, THERE'S ONLY ONE SCHOOL.

THERE IS NO SCHOOL CHOICE THERE.

IF YOU BANKRUPT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THOSE CHILDREN GO NOWHERE.

THEY GO NOWHERE.

CONVERSELY IN FAYETTE COUNTY WHERE WE ARE TONIGHT DOING THIS PROGRAM YOU TODAY IN THE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE 67 SCHOOL CHOICES 67.

ENGINEERING WE HAVE A CHOICE FOR YOU.

YOU WANT TO DO ARTS WE HAVE A CHOICE FOR YOU.

YOU WANT TO DO FOREIGN LANGUAGE WE HAVE A CHOICE FOR YOU.

YOU WANT TO DO MATH.

WE GOT A CHOICE FOR YOU.

WE GOT CHOICES FOR ANY STUDENT IN FAYETTE COUNTY WHO WANTS TO PURSUE WHAT THEIR PERSONAL INTEREST.

I DIDN'T MENTION THE ARTS YOU CAN DO THAT.

SO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN COUNTIES LIKE FAYETTE COUNTY JESSAMINE COUNTY HAVE CHOICES AND BELL, HARLEN, THEY HAVE NOT.

>> Renee: ANSWER THAT CRITICISM?

>> IT'S HARDLY GOING TO AFFECT RURAL SCHOOLS.

THIS IS REALLY ABOUT FAILING SCHOOLS IN OUR URBAN AND SUBURBAN PARTS OF THE STATE.

LOOK AT OUR TEST SCORES.

REALLY THEY ARE NOT ALL THAT GREAT.

IN THE STATE'S WHERE WE HAVE SCHOOL CHOICE NOT ONLY DO THE RESULTS GET BETTER FOR STUDENTS, BUT IT LEADS TO HIGHER TEACHER PAY.

THIS SHOULD BE ABOUT THE STUDENTS.

AND 95% OF KENTUCKY STUDENTS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

NO SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE BANKRUPTED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE RECORD FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THIS IS ABOUT GIVING A SMALL BUT IMPORTANT PERCENTAGE OF KIDS A CHOICE OR THEIR PARENTS A CHOICE TO HAVE A DIFFERENT KIND OF EDUCATION JUST LIKE THOSE IN 48 OTHER STATES HAVE.

AND I WOULD PAUSE IT ONE MORE TIME IT IS INCONSISTENT TO SUPPORT USING PUBLIC DOLLARS FOR KIDS TO GO TO PRIVATE COLLEGES, BUT NOT TO LET THEM TO ALLOW THEM TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>> Renee: OKAY.

>> WE WILL PUT A PIN IN THAT CONVERSATION AND REMIND OUR VIEWERS LAST WEEK WE SPENT AN HOUR AND SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR TO THAT ON SEPTEMBER 16TH AND SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR TO THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO ON-LINE AT KET.ORG/KY TONIGHT AND SEE WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

I WANT TO BRING SOMETHING TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE WE WON'T GET TO THE STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES BUT THE SUPREME COURT RACE AND A STORY BY JOE SONKA POSTED TODAY THAT AN INDEPENDENT GROUP CRITICIZED BOTH CANDIDATES IN THE RACE FOR EITHER ACCEPTING OR TOUTING PARTISAN ENDORSEMENTS SAYING THIS COULD UNDERMINE THE PUBLIC'S CONFIDENCE AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY AS IT DID IN A SUPREME COURT RACE FROM 2022.

WE HAVE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT CANDIDATE PAMELA GOODWINE AND AARON I SO.

PEOPLE PEOPLE CAN SAY WHERE THE CANDIDATES MAY FALLOUT.

I WILL LET YOU SENATOR THOMAS ADDRESS THE CRITICISM THIS WATCHDOG GROUP LEVELED AGAINST THE CANDIDATES IN THIS RACE.

>> LET ME SAY THIS.

I AM A LAWYER.

JUDICIAL RACES SHOULD NOT BE PARTISAN.

WHEN YOU GO BEFORE A JUDGE AND YOU HAVE A CASE, THAT RULING SHOULD BE MADE BASED ON THE RULE OF LAW.

I KNOW JUDGE GOODWINE WELL AND SHE HAS PROVIDED GREAT SERVICE IN FAYETTE COUNTY AND AS A COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE.

I AM NOT AWARE OF COMMENTS SHE HAS MADE THAT WOULD BE PARTISAN.

>> Renee: PARTISAN ENDORSEMENTS.

THE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION SHE HAS HAD.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

IF I CONTRIBUTE TO HER CAMPAIGN THAT THE RACE IS PARTISAN?

I MEAN, AGAIN, AS EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A D AND R BEHIND OUR NAME BECAUSE WE ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS DOESN'T MEAN BECAUSE WE PROVIDE A CANDIDATE WITH CAMPAIGN FUNDS THAT SOMEHOW THE CANDIDATE IS PARTISAN.

I THINK THAT IS AN UNFAIR.

>> Renee: DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I WILL AGREE WITH PART OF WHAT SENATOR THOMAS SAYS.

I THINK ENDORSEMENTS ARE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT.

I AM NOT A FAN OF THE KEA BUT I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR RIGHT TO ENDORSE IN A JUDICIAL RACE IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

AND LOOK, PAMELA GOODWINE IS A DEMOCRAT AND I SO IS A REPUBLICAN.

YOU WILL SEE DEMOCRAT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE KEA ENDORSE GOODWINE.

THIS BRINGS UP A POINT THAT WE ARE GOING TO DISAGREE ON.

I THINK LIKE OTHER STATES OUR JUDICIAL RACES SHOULD BE PARTISAN.

BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S ONE THING THAT TELLS THE MOST ABOUT A CANDIDATE'S IDEOLOGY AND THAT IS THEIR PARTY AFFILIATION AND THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY DESERVE TO KNOW WHETHER THE JUDGE IS GOING TO RULE FROM A CONSERVATIVE POINT OF VIEW, CONSERVATIVE BY THE BOOK BY THE CONSTITUTION OR BY A LIBERAL POINT OF VIEW.

>> Renee: OR INDEPENDENT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?

>> THAT'S FINE, TOO.

BUT WE SHOULD MAKE THE RACES WITH PARTISAN LABELS LIKE THEY DO IN OTHER STATES.

AND I'M VOTING FOR AARON IZZO BUT I DISMISS THE WATCHDOGS NANNY STATISM WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN'T EXPRESS THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT AND TELL PEOPLE WHO THEY ARE ENDORSING IN A RACE.

WHETHER I AGREE WITH THE DPORMT I -- ENDORSEMENT I THINK THEY SHOULD EXERCISE THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT.

>> Renee: DO YOU SUPPORT IT.

>> NO.

JUDGES SHOULD BE AS IMPARTIAL AND UNBIASED AS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE JURY TRIALS THAT THE JUDGES DO THEY MAKE SURE THAT THE JURY AS IMPANEL SECOND A PARTIAL AND INDEPENDENT JURY GOING TO MAKE THE DECISIONS BASED UPON THE EVIDENCE.

JUDGES SHOULD DO THE SAME AND MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON THE RULE OF LAW.

I AM A STRONG BELIEVEER IN THAT.

AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT GO ANY OTHER WAY OTHER THAN MAKING DECISIONS ON THE RULE OF LAW.

THAT IS WHY OUR SUPREME COURT HAS COME UNDER CRITICISM IT IS MORE POLITICAL.

>> Renee: THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

>> OUR STATE SUPREME COURT HAS MADE QUESTIONABLE DECISIONS TOO TO BE FAIR.

>> Renee: BEFORE THE SAKE OF TIME, I KNOW WE WON'T GET THE ANSWERS IN COMPLETE.

>> WE MIGHT GET OUR ACT TOGETHER.

>> Renee: I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE IT ON THE ROAD IT WOULD BE INTERESTING.

NECK WEEK ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" IT IS ELECTION EVE AND WE'LL HAVE A PREVIEW SHOW WE DO THIS ALL THE TIME.

JOIN US FOR THAT.

AND JOIN US EACH WEEKNIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL FOR KENTUCKY EDITION WE ARE BREAKING DOWN THE ISSUES AND THE CANDIDATES RACES EVERY SINGLE WEEKNIGHT MONDAY-FRIDAY AND BILL BRYANT AND A TEAM OF JOURNALISTS WILL BE HERE FRIDAY NIGHT ON "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

TAKE GOOD CARE UNTIL YOU SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.