LITERACY MONTH AND WE'VE GOT KENTUCKY STATE TREASURER ALLISON BALL HERE TALKING WITH US ABOUT HER WATCHDOG ROLE AND WAYS SHE IS EMPOWERING WOMEN OF ALL AGES TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURES.

AND WE ARE UNAPOLOGETICALLY ABOUT WOMEN TODAY.

A PUN YOU'LL GET LATER ON IN OUR PROGRAM WHEN WE TALK TO SHARON PRICE OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL ABOUT HOW THE SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY IS CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN IN THE BLUEGRASS.

THAT'S NOW ON CONNECTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR CONNECTIONS TODAY.

I'M RENEE SAW.

APRIL IS NATIONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH, AND KENTUCKY STATE TREASURER ALLISON BALL JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT HER EFFORTS TO BOOST MONEY MINDFULNESS IN TEENS AND WOMEN OF ALL AGES.

TREASURER BALL, WHO IS IN HER SECOND AND FINAL TERP, WILL ALSO TALK TO US ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE, THE RECORD AMOUNT OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY HER OFFICE HAS RETURNED WHILE SHE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE, AND MAYBE SHE JUST MIGHT DISH ABOUT HER FUTURE POLITICAL PLANS.

SO WELCOME TREASURER BALL.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU, TOO.

>> Renee: WE WERE TALKING BEFORE WE STARTED RECORDING, THE LAST TIME WE SAW EACH OTHER OVER A YEAR AGO, SHORTLY BEFORE THE WORLD CHANGED.

>> YES.

>> Renee: SO IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU IN PERSON.

>> IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU IN AMERICAN PERSON.

IT'S AMAZING IT HAS BEEN A YEAR.

>> Renee: FEELS LIKE SIX YEARS AND FEELS LIKE SIX DAYS.

YOU'VE HAD SOME CHANGES SINCE I HAVE LAST SPOKEN TO YOU IN PERSON.

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER.

>> 24 WEEKS PREGNANT RIGHT NOW.

EXPECTING BABY NUMBER TWO.

A LITTLE GIRL.

>> Renee: LITTLE LEVI IS INCREDIBLY EXCITED, RIGHT?

>> HE DOESN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND.

HE IS TWO AND THREE QUARTERS.

HE DOESN'T GET THE CONCEPT.

WE KEEP TELLING HIM BABY SISTER IS COMING AND IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT.

AND HE SAYS TO THE DOOR?

>> Renee: THIS WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER DISTINCTION AS THE ONLY CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER TO HAVE GIVEN BIRTH TWICE WHILE IN OFFICE.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

I THINK IT'S NEAT FOR THE COMMONWEALTH THAT MORE WOMEN WHO ARE HOLDING ELECTED OFFICE AND TAKING LEADERSHIP ROLES AND HAVING FAMILIES.

>> Renee: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN WAS IN THE SAME SITUATION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE OF THE THINGS YOU'VE WRITTEN ABOUT AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE CONFERENCE THAT'S COMING UP IS ABOUT WOMEN WHAT, THREE MILLION WOMEN HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BECAUSE OF THESE COVID CHANGES AND BECAUSE THEY'RE OFTEN THE PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN OR MAYBE EVEN ELDERLY PARENTS AND SO THEY'VE HAD TO MAKE A CHOICE.

SO WHY IS THIS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR YOU?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS CARE ABOUT WOMEN AND THEIR PROGRESS AND POTENTIAL AND LEADERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITIES.

IT'S SOMETHING I THINK ABOUT ALL THE TIME.

THIS LAST YEAR HAS HIT ME PERSONALLY IN THE SAME WAY IT HAS HIT SO MANY OTHER WOMEN.

I HAVE A TWO-YEAR-OLD SON AND WE HAVE HAD TO BALANCE BABYSITTING AND WORKING AND I FELT THIS VERY MUCH PERSONALLY AND IT'S SPURRED ME TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHER WOMEN ARE GOING THROUGH AND LIKE YOU JUSTED MENTIONED, THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPACT ON WOMEN IN THE LAST YEAR.

I THINK THE NUMBERS ARE AT 1985 LEVELS OF WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE.

SO THAT'S, YOU KNOW, 30 YEARS THAT HAS BEEN WIND OUT IN A YEAR.

AND VERY HOPEFUL AND ENCOURAGED WE ARE GOING TO SEE THAT COMING BACK BUT I THINK WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN AND EMPOWERING WOMEN AND CHEERING WOMEN ON AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AS THEY COME BACK.

>> RIGHT, AND A LOT OF WOMEN, FORTUNATELY OR UNFORTUNATELY, OCCUPY THOSE JOBS THAT PUT THEM ON THE FRONT LINES, WHETHER THEY'RE HEALTHCARE WORKERS OR EDUCATORS, OR IN THE GROCERY STORE.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF WAYS THAT, LIKE A DOUBLE WHRAMY ALMOST.

>> THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

NOT JUST ARE THEY ECONOMICALLY IMPACTED BUT THEY'VE GOT MORE STRESS, THEY'VE GOT MORE PRESSURES, MORE DEMANDS, YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT POINT ABOUT WOMEN HAVE BEEN HIT PRETTY HARD IN THE LAST YEAR.

EVERYONE HAS, BUT BEING A WOMAN MYSELF, I REALLY FEEL THAT AND I CARE FOR THE OTHER WOMEN AROUND.

>> Renee: HOW HAVE YOU ADAPTED?

>> WE'VE HAD TO DO THE LEVI IS WITH MY HUSBAND PART OF THE DAY AND WITH ME PART OF THE DAY AND GRANDPARENTS COME IN.

SO WE'VE HAD TO DO THE BALANCING ACT BECAUSE I'VE GOT A DEMANDING JOB, AN IMPORTANT JOB AND IT HAS TO CONTINUE.

IT HAS TO GO ON AND BE DONE WELL.

SO I HAVE BEEN IN THE SAME BOAT AS SO MANY OTHER WOMEN ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO BALANCE ALL THESE THINGS.

>> Renee: AS IF IT WASN'T HARD ENOUGH, RIGHT?

>> AND BEING PREGNANT, TOO, HAS ITS OWN CHALLENGES.

YOU JUST BALANCE AND DO THOSE THINGS.

BUT I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT WOMEN HAVE SUCH POTENTIAL AND SUCH STRENGTH AND LIVING THROUGH THIS, I CAN SEE THAT IN SO MANY WOMEN AROUND ME.

>> Renee: SOME OF THE GOOD THINGS COMING FROM COVID, WE ARE FOCUSING ON RELATIONSHIPS MORE.

WE ARE ON THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER.

BUT THERE IS ALSO SOME, YOU KNOW, WE CALL IT MANA FROM HEAVEN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, A LOT OF MONEY COMING INTO KENTUCKY $2.4 BILLION THAT WE TALKED ABOUT JUST THE OTHER NIGHT ON KENTUCKY TONIGHT AND WHAT MIGHT BE LEFT OVER AND WHEN THEY DECIDE HOW TO USE THAT MONEY.

MONEY FOR SCHOOLS, CLOSE TO $2 BILLION.

BUT AS THE WATCHDOG, AS YOU SAY YOU ARE, WHICH I'VE OFTEN SAID YOU AND AUDITOR HARMON OFTEN USE WATCHDOG.

WHO IS THE GREATEST WATCHDOG HERE.

>> AUDITOR HARMON SAYS HE'S AT THE BACK END AND I'M AT THE FRONT END.

>> JUST DIFFERENT POINTS.

TELL US HOW THE STATE TREASURE'S.

MONEY.

>> WE WERE INVOLVED IN THE TRANSFERS AND KEEPING AN EYE ON THAT AND A TOUCH POINT FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO WE ARE OFTEN THE IN BETWEEN PERSON TO TELL COUNTIES WHAT THEY CAN DO, JUST DIRECT THE STATE ON WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH IT.

WE ARE ACTUALLY STILL WAITING ON DIRECTION ON THIS, YOU KNOW, OVER $2 BILLION THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE GETTING OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

SO WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FIND OUT WHAT ALL THAT MEANS.

AND WE HELP THE COUNTIES TO KNOW, BECAUSE A LOT OF ACCOUNTABILITY ASPECTS TO THAT.

SO WE ASSIST IN THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND THERE IS ALSO JUST AN OVERSIGHT ROLE.

I KNOW LAST YEAR ONE OF OUR BIG THINGS WE HAD TO KEEP WATCHING WAS PPE PAYMENTS BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF FRAUD... >> Renee: THE PPE, NOT PPP.

>> PPP AS WELL.

BUT PPE MASKS AND HAND SANITIZERS AND JUST CLEANING ITEMS AND THERE WERE A LOT OF FRAUDULENT COMPANIES TRYING TO GET MONEY FOR THOSE ITEMS.

WE HAD TO PUT IN GREATER SECURITY MEASURES IN THE TREASURY TO MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, ARE THESE LEGITIMATE COMPANIES.

ARE WE ACTUALLY GETTING WHAT WE ARE PAYING FOR.

SO IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING YEAR OF HAVING TO BE QUICK ON YOUR FEET AND IT'S BEEN TOUGH, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

>> Renee: THE OTHER FLAW OR AREA THAT REALLY HAS COME TO LIGHT, YOU KNOW, THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN FRAUGHT WITH A SYSTEM THAT COULDN'T KEEP UP AND THEN FRAUDULENT CLAIMS.

I MEAN SO MANY PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE GOTTEN LETTERS PERSONALLY SAYING, YOU FILED FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED WITH THE SAME COMPANY FOR 15 YEARS.

SO HOW IS THE TREASURER'S OFFICE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS.

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

BECAUSE WE DON'T RUN U.I.

IT'S RUN BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WE DO ISSUE CHECKS AND DIRECT PAYMENTS TO PEOPLE'S BANK ACTS.

WE ARE THE LAST STEP IN THE PROCESS AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN CATCHING FRAUD AND THAT'S STEPPED UP MORE IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, I THINK, THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR.

IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR, OF COURSE.

THIS HAS BEEN A YEAR OF FRAUD.

PEOPLE THINK THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CHANGES AND THEY'RE JUST LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE STOP CHECKS AS SOON AS WE HEAR ABOUT SOMETHING.

I'VE HAD THREE PEOPLE IN MY OFFICE THAT HAVE HAD FRAUDULENT CLAIMS TAKEN OUT IN THEIR NAMES.

WITHIN THE OFFICEth.

THAT TELLS YOU HOW WIDESPREAD IT IS AND RAMPANT.

>> Renee: AND HOW BOLD PEOPLE ARE.

THERE HAS BEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR NAMES TAKEN OUT AS A CLAIM.

AND SOME OF THAT IS JUST THE MASSIVE VOLUME YOU ARE ALWAYS GOING HAVE AN INCREASE IN FRAUD WHEN YOU HAVE A MASSIVE VOLUME BUT IT'S JUST THE YEAR.

SO WE ARE THE LAST STEP AND WE ARE ABLE TO CATCH THEM AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH U.I., TOO, TO PUT GREATER MEASURES IN PLACE, STRICTER OVERSIGHT AND TRYING TO ASSIST THEM IN MAKING SURE THESE THINGS GET CAUGHT.

>> Renee: HOPEFULLY THE SYSTEM IS GOING TO IMPROVE.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES ARE GOING TO REOPEN, SOME OF THEM, THAT SHOULD HELP WITH PROCESSING SOME OF THE OUTSTANDING CLAIMS FOR A YEAR OR MORE.

>> ANY TIME YOU CAN DEAL WITH PEOPLE THAT IMPROVES, AND THEN WE'VE MOVED A LOT MORE TO ACTUALLY ISSUING CHECKS SO GOING OLD SCHOOL, BECAUSE WE ARE ABLE TO CATCH FRAUD MORE IF WE ARE ISSUING A CHECK SO WE'VE ISSUED WAY MORE CHECKS IN THE LAST YEAR THAN WE HAVE IN THE WHOLE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE.

>> Renee: INTERESTING SHOUT OUT TO THE OLD WAY OF DOING THINGS, ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFERS CAN GET YOU.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE THE PAPER TRAIL.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SHIFTING ALL OF IT TO CHECKS SO WE CAN KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON IT.

SOMETIMES THE OLD SCHOOL WAYS WORK.

>> Renee: IS YOUR OFFICE STAFFED ENOUGH HAVING TAKEN ON ALL THIS ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT HAS COME TO YOU ON THE FLY, ESSENTIALLY?

>> WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT ALL THE TIME.

CAN WE DO THIS?

CAN WE FIGURE OUT HOW TO HEADACHE THIS HAPPEN?

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE SMARTER IN HOW WE DO THINGS AND OVER THE LAST YEAR WAVE' BECOME MORE EFFICIENT BECAUSE WE'VE HAD TO BE.

BUT IT'S DEFINITELY PUT PRESSURE ON US TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE DO IT AND I'M REAL PROUD OF MY TEAM BECAUSE WE HAVE.

>> Renee: YOU HAVE BEEN QUITE VOCAL ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY ORDERS WHEN IT COMES TO COVID AND PARTICULARLY ON THE MASS GATHERINGS AND YOU ACTUALLY PRESENTED TO A LEGISLATIVE PANEL LAST FALL ABOUT A REPORT.

BUT YOU WERE SAYING THAT THE THERE WERE TAXPAYER MONEY WAS BEING ABUSED BY THE GOVERNOR.

BUT WAS THERE A MONEY AMOUNT THAT YOU ASSIGNED TO THAT OF HOW MUCH WENT TO WASTE IN THAT AREA?

>> SURE, YEAH, A BIT OF A BACKSTORY EXPLAINING WHAT THAT WAS ABOUT.

ONE OF MY ROLES AS WATCHDOG IS TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER IS PAID FROM THE COMMONWEALTH IS CONSTITUTIONAL IN LINE WITH THE LAW AND REGULATIONS, NOT JUST THAT IT'S CORRECT WITH FRAUD.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT AND YOU MENTIONED MASS GATHERINGS, IN PARTICULAR WAS THE CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED CHURCH GATHERINGS, PEOPLE OF FAITH.

AND WE BEGAN TO GET REPORTS OF POLICE OFFICERS BEING USED TO CONDUCT SURVEILLANCE, SOMETIMES EVEN TO INTIMIDATE PEOPLE, THREATEN THEM WITH ARREST, THREATEN THEM WITH QUARANTINE.

DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE BEGAN TO BE CONCERNED THIS IS A STATE EXPENDITURE THAT IS ON CURING RIGHT NOW.

THAT WAS OCCURRING RIGHT THEN.

IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

WAS THE STATE POLICE BEING USED THIS WAY, WERE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS BEING USED THIS WAY.

WE FOUND ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SAY IT WAS COMING FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND DIRECTED TO HAPPEN.

IT IS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL USE OF TAXPAYERS DOLLARS.

WE DID NOT TAKE THE FURTHER STEP BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SO MASSIVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW EXACTLY, HOW MUCH WAS BEING SPENT ON THIS BECAUSE ALL WE NEEDED TO KNOW WAS, IS THERE AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL EXPENDITURE AND THERE WAS.

SO THAT NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT TO THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY NEEDED TO KNOW THIS WAS HAPPENING AS A WATCHDOG, IT'S OCCURRING UNDER MY WATCH AND I NEED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL EXPENDITURE.

I DIDN'T WANT TO STRIP MONEY AWAY FROM KSP.

THEY'RE JUST DOING THEIR JOB.

I DIDN'T WANT TO STRIP MONEY AWAY FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEIR THEY'RE FRONT LINES.

WE NEEDED THEM.

I WANTED THIS TO BE SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR ADDRESSED AND TOOK CARE OF AND THE LEGISLATURE IF NEED TO.

UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES I WOULD STOP A PAYMENT.

BUT IT REALLY WASN'T APPROPRIATE IN THIS INSTANCE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO STRIP MONEY AWAY FROM KSP OR HEALTH DEPARTMENTED WHEN THEY'RE JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS.

>> Renee: THERE WERE DEMOCRATS WHO WERE CRITICAL OF THIS, SAYING WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE STATE TREASURER SAYING THERE IS FRAUD AND ABUSE IN THE SYSTEM BUT NOT OFFERING A DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT SUBSTANTIATED THAT ALLEGATION.

>> IF WE WANTED TO, WE COULD SPEND LOTS OF MONEY AND TIME FIGURING OUT EXACTLY HOW MUCH OF SOMEONE'S SALARY IS GOING TO THIS BUT IT WASN'T NECESSARY.

WHAT WE FEEDED TO KNOW WAS, IS THIS AFN UNCONSTITUTIONAL EXPENDITURE.

IT IS AND I'M NOT INTERESTED IN CLAWING BACK SALARY.

IF I WAS INTERESTED IN CLAWING BACK SALARY, THEN YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO DO THAT BUT REALLY IT JUST NEEDED TO STOP.

>> Renee: ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THAT WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF COVID-19.

>> I AM.

I GET A SENSE THAT PEOPLE ARE MOVING OUT OF THAT.

I THINK THE VACCINATIONS ARE HELPING A LOT.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE BEING SMART ABOUT HOW THEY DO THINGS.

SO I DO THINK WE ARE STARTING TO COME TO AN END AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

WE THEY'D TO BE SMART AND CAREFUL.

>> Renee: AND MITIGATION MEASURES.

YOU ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THOSE BEING IMPLEMENTED?

>> WITH WISDOM AND JUST DISCRETION ON HOW YOU DO THAT.

OF COURSE I THINK WE SHOULD BE WASHING OUR HANDS AND, YOU KNOW, WHERE APPROPRIATE, WEAR A MASK.

BUT WE ARE STARTING TO COME TO CLOSER TO THE END OF IT AND I'M ENCOURAGED BY THAT.

>> Renee: APRIL IS FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURES OR FORCED TO CONFRONT THEIR FINANCIAL PRESENT DURING ALL OF THIS TIME AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR OUR YOUNG POPULATION AND FOR WOMEN OF ALL AGES IS PRETTY EXTRAORDINARY AND YOU HAVE BEEN REALLY A NATIONAL ADVOCATE FOR VNL LITERACY, SETTING UP COMMISSIONS AND THINGS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A FOCUS THIS.

TELL US ABOUT THIS.

LET'S START WITH THE YOUNGER FOLKS FIRST.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THAT AREA?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE DONE WHILE I HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE IS MAKE SURE THERE IS A HIGH SCHOOL REQUIREMENT ON FINANCIAL LITERACY.

THAT IS THE LAW, FRESHMAN CLASS, THE FIRST GROUP OF STUDENTS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS.

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ADD ADDITIONAL THINGS FROM THE OFFICE.

ONE THING HAPPENING THIS MONTH RIGHT NOW IS THE FINANCIAL LITERACY BEE.

IT'S LIKE A SPELLING BEE AND WE WANTED TO TIE IN A LITTLE BIT WITH SPRING BREAK, NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME TIME AS SOMEONE'S SPRING BREAK BUT IT'S A GREAT CHANCE FOR KIDS TO GO ONLINE AND THEY COMPLETE ABOUT FOUR LESSONS SO IT'S NOT A LOT.

BUT IT'S ENOUGH TO TEACH THEM SOME THINGS.

AND THEY GET A CHANCE TO WIN A $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP.

IF YOU ARE A FIRST PLACE WINNER, YOU HAVE TO WRITE AN ESSAY ON WHAT YOU LEARN AND SECOND PLACE IS 6,000 AND THIRD PLACE IS 4,000.

THEY GO INTO A 529 ACCOUNT SO THEY'RE INVESTED.

IF YOU ARE A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL AND YOU WIN THIS SCHOLARSHIP, IT WILL BE MORE MONEY BY THE TIME YOU GRADUATE SO IT'S GOING TO BE AT LEAST $10,000 AND IT COULD BE MORE.

IT IS GOOD INCENTIVES TO LEARN A FEW THINGS THAT WILL BE GOOD IN THEIR LIFE.

I HOPE KIDS WILL TALK TO THEIR PARENTS ABOUT IT AND IT WILL BE A FAMILY LESSON WHERE PEOPLE LEARN TOGETHER.

>> Renee: AND FAMILIES WHO HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT SAVINGS WILL BE INCENTIVIZED BECAUSE JANE OR JOHN IS NOW PART OF THIS PROCESS.

THAT'S REALLY COOL.

THE WHOLE FAMILY ASPECT IS REALLY ENCOURAGING TO SEE.

AND THE FINANCIAL LITERACY, YOU KNOW, HAVING THAT REQUIREMENT.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF US WOULD BE LIKE, I WONDER IF YOU COULD AUDIT THE CLASS.

YOU THINK ABOUT THE THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED THAT ARE BASIC.

>> ABSOLUTELY AND IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO GET BETTER IN THIS AREA AND ALWAYS SOMETHING YOU CAN LEARN.

>> Renee: KIDS DON'T USE A CHECKBOOK ANYMORE.

>> NOT VERY MUCH.

>> Renee: THE THINGS BEING TAUGHT ARE ESOTERIC THAT WE LEARNED.

>> THINGS CHANGE.

PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF DOING IT BUT THESE ARE ALL GREAT THINGS TO LEARN.

>> Renee: AND YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF GREAT WORK IN HELPING THOSE WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ALSO SAVE AND INVEST AND SO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STABLE ACCOUNT.

>> ONE OF MY FAVORITE PROJECTS.

THAT WAS LAUNCHED EARLY IN MY FIRST TERM.

WE WERE THE SEVENTH STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE AN ACCOUNT LIKE THIS AND IT'S A SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

SO IT GOES HAND IN HAND WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY AND IT ALSO JUST CREATES MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

SO IT'S STABLE KENTUCKY.

I ALWAYS SAY GO TO STABLEKENTUCKY DONT COM.

WHAT IS WONDERFUL ABOUT THEM.

WITHOUT THIS ACCOUNT YOU CAN ONLY SAVE UP TO $2,000 WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING YOUR BENEFITS.

IT LIMITS WHAT SOMEBODY WHO FALLS INTO THIS COMMUNITY CAN DO WITH THEIR MONEY.

IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE ACCOUNTS, YOU CAN SAVE $15,000 A YEAR.

AND IF YOU ARE EMPLOYED, YOU CAN SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $12,700.

YOU CAN REALLY START TO HAVE A NEST EGG.

YOU CAN HAVE MORE DIRECTION OVER YOUR LIFE.

IT'S JUST A GAME CHANGER FOR FOLKS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Renee: AND WE ALL NEED TO HAVE SOME CUTIONZ BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU FINANCIALLY OR HEALTH WISE OR OTHER THINGS.

YOU MAY HAVE TO DIP INTO.

>> IT THIS LAST YEAR, TOO, WITH SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS GETTING STIMULUS MONEY WHERE THEY WERE NOT ELIGIBLE BEFORE, THIS HAS BEEN A WAY FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THOSE DOLLARS.

I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL WE HAD THIS IN PLACE.

WHO WOULD HAVE KNOWN WE HAD THIS IN PLACE THIS YEAR FOR WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

>> Renee: GOOD FORETHOUGHT THERE.

>> IT WORKED OUT.

>> Renee: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE WOMEN NOW.

YOU ARE DOING A BIG CONFERENCE IN JUNE THAT IS FREE.

STILL A VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITY.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

WE ARE DOING A CONFERENCE CALLED SMART WOMEN, SMART MONEY.

AND IT IS A WOMEN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE FOR THE WHOLE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

JUNE 4.

IT IS FREE.

THE FIRST FRIDAY OF JUNE.

AND I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE A TREMENDOUS TIME FOR WOMEN TO BE INSPIRED AND EMPOWERED AND TO LEARN TOOLS.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN ALL DAY FINANCIAL LITERACY CONFERENCE.

SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A KEYNOTE SPEAKER.

A PANEL OF EXPERTS.

WE ARE GOING HAVE A PANEL OF ENTREPRENEURS WHO HAVE STARTED BUSINESSES THEMSELVES.

SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAVE JUST DONE SIDE HUSTLES GIVEN THEM EXTRA MONEY AND THEN GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF NUTS AND BOLTS REAL LIFE THINGS HOW DO YOU PLAN FOR REREQUIREMENT HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE OR EDUCATION.

IF YOU WANT TO BUY A HOUSE.

THE BASICS OF BUDGETING.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THERE IS ANOTHER TREASURER WHO HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20 YEARS AND HAS TOLD ME THIS WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO DO AND I BELIEVED HIM.

I THOUGHT WHAT BETTER YEAR THAN THIS YEAR WHEN WE HAVE SEEN WOMEN JUST HAVE SUCH A DISPARATE IMPACT ECONOMICALLY.

WHAT BETTER YEAR THAN TO FOCUS WOMEN AND INSPIRE AND EMPOWER, GIVE THEM TOOLS AND I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> Renee: IS THIS THE FIRST YEAR?

>> THE FIRST YEAR.

>> Renee: THIS IS AWESOME.

>> WE TRIED TO DO IT LAST YEAR AND WE WANTED TO DO IT IN PERSON.

THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PLAN BUT AS THE YEAR PROGRESSED, IT BECAME CLEAR IT WAS NOT A DOABLE OPTION.

IT BECAME MORE APPARENT TO DO IT VIRTUALLY AND IT WOULD BE BETTER.

THE WHOLE STATE CAN GET INVOLVED.

>> Renee: AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE TRAVEL AND THE HOTEL AND ALL OF THAT.

AND YOU CAN GET IN IN AND OUT AS YOU WANT.

DIP AND WEAVE, I GUESS IN SESSIONS THAT YOU FIND MORE INTERESTING AND ONES WHERE YOU WANT TO TAKE A LUNCH BREAK.

THAT'S THE GLORY OF DOING VIRTUAL STUFF.

IF THERE EVER WAS A SILVER LINING TO THAT,.

>> AND THAT'S A REAL THING, TOO.

ALSO WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT BEING VIRTUAL, PEOPLE CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND CAN COMMENT AND THERE IS A LITTLE MORE ANONYMITY IF YOU ARE DOING IT FROM YOUR COMPUTER.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO RAISE YOUR HAND IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEEL EMBARRASSED.

YOU CAN PUT IT IN THE CHAT.

>> I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE.

>> Renee: PEOPLE WILL BE MORE CANDID.

NOW THAT NO ONE KNOWS IT'S ME, CAN I REALLY ASK A QUESTION THAT CAN I GET A SOLID ANSWER ABOUT MY SITUATION.

THAT'S GOING TO BE FUN.

I'LL HAVE TO MAKE SURE I REGISTER FOR THAT AS WELL.

THAT'S JUNE 4, I THINK THE REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 23.

MAKE SURE YOU GET PART OF THAT AND HAVE YOUR LITTLE ONES THERE.

THAT'S A GOOD SUMMER ACTIVITY.

>> A GREAT SUMMER ACTIVITY.

WE ARE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE SOME OF THE HIGH SCHOOL GROUPS TO SEND YOUR GIRLS TO THIS BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAY IS IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY AND IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.

SO YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT A CHANCE TO LEARN THINGS.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.

YOU CAN STILL LEARN SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T KNOW.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

FINALLY IN THE MINUTE AND A HALF WE HAVE REMAINING, I MENTIONED AT THE VERY BEGINNING, THIS IS YOUR SECOND AND FINAL TERM.

YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED THIS BEFORE.

YOU ARE YOUNG, AMBITIOUS, YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF GOOD STUFF IN THE STATE TREASURER'S OFFICE.

WHERE DOES THE ROAD TAKE YOU AFTER 2023?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I GET ASKED ABOUT GOVERNOR.

I GET ASKED ABOUT CONGRESS SOMETIMES.

I GET ASK ABOUT OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.

MY ANSWER IS THAT I'M PRAYING ABOUT THE THAT.

I LOVE SERVING THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

I THINK I'VE DONE WELL IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.

I LOVE GIVING BACK.

BUT IT'S DEFINITELY A FAMILY DECISION AND DECISION SIGNIFICANTS THAT HAS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

REALLY PRAYING ABOUT IT.

I WILL BE RUNNING FOR SOMETHING NEXT SO STAY TUNED.

>> AND IT MAY BE FRANKFORT.

IT MAY BE WASHINGTON?

>> WE'LL SEE.

AS THINGS OPEN UP AND AS GOD DIRECTS, WE'LL SEE.

>> Renee: AND WE SHOULD SAY THAT YOU, OUT OF BOTH OF YOUR ELECTIONS, YOU WERE THE HIGHEST VOTE GETTER OUT OF THOSE ELECTIONS SO MAYBE THAT BOTH WELL FOR FUTURE RUN AS WELL.

>> I HOPE SO, YES.

>> Renee: IT'S A PLEASURE.

WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE THIS DATE.

EVERY YEAR WE GET TOGETHER AROUND THE SPRING TIME, LET'S DO IT AGAIN.

IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE SPEAKING WITH YOU AND GOOD LUCK AND WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR BABY NUMBER TWO.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Renee: YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND WATCHING OUR KENTUCKY STATE TREASURER ALLISON BALL.

MAKE SURE YOU SIGN UP FOR THE CONFERENCE, WOMEN, SO YOU CAN BE EMPOWERED FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE.

STAY WITH US.

NEXT IS A CONVERSATION ON HOW ONE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY IS CELEBRATING WOMEN IN THE BLUEGRASS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

SHARON PRICE OF COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL JOINS US NEXT ON CONNECTIONS.

WE HAVE ANOTHER FUN SEGMENT COMING UP AS WE CELEBRATE GIRL POWER.

WE ARE UNAPOLOGETICALLY WOMAN.

YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS AS OUR NEXT GUEST, SHARON PRICE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL JOINS TO US TALK ABOUT HOW THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY COVERS LEXINGTON FAYETTE, NICHOLAS AND BOURBON COUNTIES IS HELPING TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND POWER OF WOMEN IN THE BLUEGRASS.

SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> SO HAPPY TO BE HERE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FUN.

>> Renee: NORMALLY WHEN WE HAVE YOU ON WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DEEP STUFF LIKE POVERTY ERADICATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HEAD START AND YOU HAVE DONE WONDERFUL WORK IN ALL OF THOSE FIELDS.

BUT TODAY WE ARE TAKE CAN A DETOUR FOR A FEW MINUTES.

>> WE ARE.

WE HAVE DECIDED IT IS TIME TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FUN.

I'LL TELL YOU, UNAPOLL APOLL-- UNAPOLOGETICALLY WOMAN WAS LAUNCHED TO CELEBRATE WOMEN ACROSS KENTUCKY MAKING POWERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MAKING NO APOLOGIES FOR IT, FOR THE IMPACT THAT THEY MAKE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND WE THOUGHT IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FUN AND CELEBRATE WOMEN IN THE PROCESS.

>> Renee: IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR WITH COVID, WITH THE RACIAL AND SOCIAL UNREST THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST YEAR, SO MUCH THAT PEOPLE NEED A LITTLE UPLIFTING AND THIS IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

SO TELL ME WHAT MAKES A WOMAN UNAPOLOGETIC EITHER IN HER PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR OR GOALS.

WHAT IS IT?

>> IT IS A WOMAN WHO WALKS IN HER OWN TRUTH AND MAKES NO APOLOGIES FOR IT.

AND IT COULD BE WOMEN WHO WORK IN NON-PROFITS LIKE I DO.

IT COULD BE JOURNALISTS LIKE YOU.

IT COULD BE SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN A LEGAL SYSTEM.

IT COULD BE ARTS, SPORTS, WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY'RE DOING, IT COULD BE THOSE MOMS WHO HAVE HAD TO PIVOT AND TAKE A STEP BACK AND BECOME TEACHERS IN THE HOME AND WHILE THEY'RE DOING ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND KEEPING THE P.T.A.

RUNNING AND ALL OF THAT.

WOMEN ARE DOING PHENOMENAL WORK AND WE ARE GOING TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT THAT IS AND CELEBRATE THAT.

>> Renee: TELL US WHAT IS IN THE WORKS.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CELEBRATE THESE WOMEN?

>> SO THESE WOMEN ARE GOING TO BE CELEBRATED ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS.

MOSTLY MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA, THAT KIND OF THING, DIFFERENT NEWS PLATFORMS.

WE HAVE HAD SOME OF THAT GO ON.

WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE THESE WOMEN INDIVIDUALLY AND AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN UNAPOLOGETICALLY WOMAN OF THE YEAR SNEAKER BALL.

>> Renee: SNEAKER BALL.

>> SNEAKER BALL.

WOMEN HAVE TO WEAR THESE SHOES THAT ARE NOT SO COMFORTABLE ALL THE TIME.

NOW IT'S TIME TO DRESS UP, LOOK GREAT AND BE COMFORTABLE AT THE SAME TIME ROCK IT OUT AND CELEBRATE TOGETHER.

>> Renee: YOU ARE PLANNING ON THIS BEING AN IN PERSON EVENT.

>> WE ARE PLANNING ON THIS BEING AN IN PERSON EVENT NEAR THE END OF THE YEAR AND HOPEFULLY COVID IS GOING TO GIVE US A BREAK WITH EVERYBODY GETTING VACCINATED AND ALL OF THAT SO WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND HAVE A FUN TIME.

>> HOW ARE WE TO HELP RECOGNIZE THESE WOMEN.

>> AND YOU WILL BE SURPRISED WHEN YOU SEE SOME OF THE WOMEN THAT ARE GOING TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS.

I'M GOING TO SAVE THAT FOR-- >> Renee: WE DON'T GET A LITTLE SNEAK.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO BE SURPRISED BECAUSE I WAS SURPRISED.

OH MY GOD, I NEVER THOUGHT WOMEN WERE DOING THIS.

I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND THEN WHEN YOU SEE IT, YOU ARE LIKE YES, WE ARE KICKING IT.

>> Renee: CAN YOU TELL US THE PROFILE, MAYBE THE BACKGROUNDS OF SOME OF THE WOMEN OR SOME PEOPLE THAT STOOD OUT TO YOU AS WELL?

I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT PERSON.

>> I WILL NOT BE SAYING ANY NAMES.

BUT WE STARTED OFF WITH ATTICA SCOTT, AND SERENA BAYINGLY.

>> Renee: FASHION DESIGNER FROM HONDURAS.

>> AMAZING SHE CAME FROM THE SWEAT SHOPS OF HONDURAS AND SHE IS DOING HER THING AND MAKING NO APOLOGIES ABOUT IT.

AND SO RENEE, LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.

YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED AND YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED.

SO YOU WILL BE AN UNAPOLOGETIC WOMAN WHILE OTHER PEOPLE ARE BEING CONTACTED RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE BEING CONTACTED IN PERSON.

>> WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WOMEN DOING ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

YOU MAKE NO APOLOGIES FOR WHAT YOU DO.

YOU HAVE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS THAT OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT SHY BACK FROM AND YOU DO IT IN STRIDE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AND SO YOU NEED TO BE CELEBRATED FOR THE HARD WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING.

>> Renee: THAT'S REALLY SWEET.

I HOPE SOMEONE IS NOMINATING YOU.

>> WELL I DON'T THINK I'M IN THE RUNNING.

YOU CAN'T HAVE THE EVENT AND BE A CONTENDER.

>> Renee: THAT GETS MESSY.

>> IT DOES BUT THERE ARE SO MANY WOMEN DOING SO MANY AMAZING THINGS RENEE, I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT.

>> IT'S NOT JUST LEXINGTON, RIGHT?

HOW MANY DIFFERENT COUNTIES HERE ARE YOU GETTING THESE NOMINATIONS?

>> SO FAR WE HAVE NOMINATIONS FROM ABOUT 15 DIFFERENT COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY WITH WOMEN DOING ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

I GUESS I WILL GIVE YOU A SNEAK PEEK.

ONE OF THE WOMEN THAT HAS BEEN NOMINATED AND SELECTED IS A MIDWIFE AND I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.

ALL OF THE WORK THAT SHE IS DOING I GUESS IF SHE IS NOT CONTACTED BEFORE THE SHOW, SHE WILL KNOW.

>> Renee: I THINK IT'S REALLY AWESOME BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE THINK OF ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN HIGH PROFILE PLACES.

RIGHT.

MAYBE IT'S A JOURNALIST OR MEDIA PERSON.

THE FACT THAT YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING WOMEN OF ALL DIFFERENT STRIPES DOING ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT WORK.

YOU ARE GOING TO SEE TRUE DIVERSITY IN THESE WOMEN BECAUSE WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL EVERY DAY, RIGHT.

BUT THE WORK THAT THEY DO IS PHENOMENAL AND WE LOOK THE WAY THAT WE LOOK AND WE ALL LOOK DIFFERENT AND WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE ALL OF US.

>> PEOPLE WOULD SAY THIS IS NOT IN LINE WITH YOUR MISSION HAVE YOU GOTTEN FEEDBACK THAT ISN'T POSITIVE ABOUT WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

>> WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE ASK US WHY WE ARE DOING THIS BUT COMMUNITY ACTION HOLDS ITSELF TO A PROMISE THAT WE CARE ABOUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

AND WOMEN ARE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND WOMEN GET THINGS DONE.

AND IT'S NOT THAT WE ARE DOING ANYTHING AGAINST ANYBODY ELSE.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE WOMEN THIS TIME AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A FUN TIME DOING IT.

>> Renee: DID YOU DETERMINE THE DATE AND VENUE?

>> THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT.

I'LL GET BACK TO YOU.

>> Renee: YOU'LL HAVE TO COME BACK.

>> BECAUSE MAYBE MORE DETAILS CAN BE RELEASED THEN.

SHARON PRICE, THIS WAS REALLY FUN.

>> Renee: I'M I'M SO GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> Renee: CONGRATULATIONS ON ELEVATING AND LIFTING WOMEN WHO PROBABLY NEED A LITTLE BOOST RIGHT NOW.

>> I AGREE.

>> Renee: REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY DO, IT'S AWESOME THAT YOU ARE TAKING THE TIME TO DO IT.

SO HAPPY TO DO IT.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT, I THINK YOU CAN GO ON THE COMMUNITY ACTION WEBSITE.

>> AND MY FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> Renee: CHECK IT OUT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS GREAT EVENT COMING YOUR WAY AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND THOSE WOMEN WHO ARE WAITING TO SEE IF THEY'RE NOMINATED.

HOPEFULLY WILL YOU LEARN THAT, TOO.

THANK YOU FOR THOUGHT NOMINATION.

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT SHOW ON CONNECTIONS.

OUR CHANGES TO ALLISON BALL FOR BEING WITH US AS WELL AS SHARON PRICE.

YOU CAN ALWAYS FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER TO KEEP UP WITH HAPPENINGS IN MY WORLD AND MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW US MONDAY NIGHT ON KENTUCKY TONIGHT TO GET THE ISSUES THAT REALLY HIT HOME WITH YOU.

TAKE GOOD CARE.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND I'LL SEE YOU REAL SOON.