[♪♪] >> Bill: THE LEGISLATURE GETS READY TO MAKE POLICY AS THE FILING DEADLINE APPROACHES AND SOME LAWMAKERS MAKE OTHER POLITICAL PLANS.

>>> A GROUP SAYS TOO MANY LAWS ARE BEING RUSHED THROUGH IN FRANKFORT AND CALLS FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY.

>>> IS A WORSE CHILDCARE STORM BREWING IN KENTUCKY?

ADVOCATES URGE A LASER FOCUS ON THAT ISSUE.

>>> A GROUP IS LOCATED TO FIND A STATE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.

WE'VE MADE IT TO DECEMBER AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON DEBT.

KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALIST WILLS TONIGHT ARE, MONICA HARKINS, ANCHOR AND REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

SYLVIA GOODMAN, CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

AND AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, KENTUCKY'S REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN IS STEPPING DOWN AFTER EIGHT YEARS AND A RENEWED ATTEMPT BY THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS TO UNIONIZE THE TOYOTA GEORGETOWN PLANT.

FRANKFORT IS GETTING READY FOR THE INAUGURATION DECEMBER 12TH AND THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINNING JANUARY 2.

THERE IS A LOT OF BUZZ THERE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT IS TO ENACT A STATE BUDGET.

AUSTIN, THE GOVERNOR RELEASED A PROPOSAL DURING HIS SUCCESSFUL REELECTION CAMPAIGN HE WILL DELIVER A BUDGET ADDRESS.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THE REPUBLICANS GOT OUT IN FRONT OF HIM AND RELEASED THEIR BUDGET BEFORE HE MADE THE ADDRESS?

>> YES.

IT'S BEEN KIND OF A RELEASE WAR, IF YOU WILL, OVER THE PAST COUPLE BUDGET CYCLES.

AS YOU SAID, REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIGGERED IT WHEN THEY RELEASED THEIR BUDGET WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUCKING TRA ITION DID.

BUT THEIR WHOLE POINT THERE WAS WE ARE THE RELEVANT GROUP.

THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE.

THAT'S WHERE THE BUDGET STARTS.

AND BESHEAR TOOK OFFENSE TO THAT.

AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF WHAT COLORED HIS RELEASING BITS OF THE BUDGET DURING HIS CAMPAIGN THROUGH HIS OFFICIAL STATE BULLYPULPIT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WITH BOTH OF THESE BODIES' BUDGETS TO LOOK FOR IS GOING TO BE THE CONTRAST BETWEEN SPENDING AND FEW GALT.

FRUGALITY.

REPUBLICANS ARE FOCUSED TO MAKE SURE ENOUGH MONEY IS SETUP TO HIT THE NEXT TRIGGER TO LOWER THE INCOME TAX.

AND BESHEAR IS GOING TO I THINK, PUSH FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AT HERE'S WHAT WE COULD SPEND THAT MONEY ON.

WHETHER THE UNIVERSAL PRE-K OR TEACHER RAISES AND THE PRIORS HE HAS LAID OUT.

>> Bill: IS ANYBODY HEARING THEY MAY RUN THROUGH THE TRIGGER AND CONSIDER LOWERING THE NEXT NOTCH DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE LAW THEY PASSED SAYS YOU DON'T DO THAT?

>> SO FAR EVERYBODY IN LEADERSHIP, EVERYTHING WE'VE HEARD FROM CHAIRMAN McDANIEL IN THE SENATE AND CHAIRMANPY INDUSTRY IN THE HOUSE POINTS TO NO.

THAT IS NOT TO SAY IT CAN'T HAPPEN.

STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED AND THERE'S BEEN PRESSURE IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY I REMEMBER THIS YEAR, CANDIDATES WERE FALLING OVER THEMSELVES TO SAY I'M GOING TO CUT IT HARDER AND FASTER.

BUT I THINK NOW THAT THE DUST HAS SETTLED ON THAT, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY FOR NOW IS PRETTY SET ON THE FORMULA LAID FORTH IN HOUSE BILL 8 FROM 22.

>> Bill: SYLVIA, THANKS FOR COMING WE APPRECIATE IT.

NOW THAT BESHEAR IS ABOUT TO BEGIN A SECOND TERM AND THE LEGISLATURE MAINTAINS THE SUPER MAJORITY, I LIKE THE TERM AUSTIN USED A RELEASE WAR, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT BOTH SIDES TRY TO CONTROL THAT NARRATIVE HEADING TOWARD THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> I THINK IT MEANS A LOT.

BESHEAR YOU DURING HIS CAMPAIGN TRIED TO PAINT PICTURES LIKE AUSTIN WAS SAYING ABOUT ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES WE COULD HAVE WITH THAT EXTRA MONEY.

THE HUGE RAINY DAY FUND WE'VE SAVED UP.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS BESHEAR WOULD LIKE TO DO.

LIKE THE 11% TEACHER RAISES LINE UNIVERSAL PRE-K THAT WOULD TAKE A HUGE PORTION OUT OF THAT FUND.

AND WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO REACH THAT TRIGGER FOR ANOTHER INCOME TAX BREAK.

SO THAT NARRATIVE THAT BESHEAR IS TRYING TO PUSH OF POSITIVITY IS TEMPERED BY WHAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE TRYING TO SAY WE WOULD LOWER TAXES.

IT IS A QUESTION OF WHO HAS THE POWER HERE AT THE END OF THE DAY.

BESHEAR'S PROPOSAL IS JUST A PROPOSAL.

>> Bill: AND IT CAN BE DIFFICULT AT THE HOLIDAYS TO GET THE PUBLIC TO FOCUS ON ANYTHING BUT THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND CELEBRATIONS, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE MOVING VERY QUICKLY TOWARD THAT SESSION.

>> I DO THINK THEY ARE THINK BEING MONEY.

I'M DOING MY HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND I'M LOOKING AT WHAT IS IN THE WALLET.

THAT IS STILL GOING TO BE SOMETHING FRONT OF MIND.

WE TALK ABOUT THE NARRATIVE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND THAT'S BESHEAR'S LIKABILITY STANDPOINT.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE THIS ONE PARTY MAN.

I WANT TO BE ONE FOR EVERYONE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY LIKE WE'VE SAID HERE THIS MOMENT IS THE LEGISLATURE BUILDS THE BUDGET.

BESHEAR REALLY DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER TO DO SO IN ANYWAY.

I HAVE SAID IN MY REPORTING IT IS A WISH LIST.

>> Bill: GOOD TERM.

AUSTIN, IT APPEARS THE STATE COURT OF APPEALS HANDED THE GOVERNOR A VICTORY IN SIDING WITH BESHEAR ON THE RIGHT OF THE GOVERNOR TO LEGALLY CHALLENGE THE LEGISLATURE ON ITS INITIATIVES AND TO SPEND PUBLIC MONEY TO DO THAT?

>> AND ONE POINT BEFORE WE MOVE ON.

THAT SYLVIA AND MONICA HIT ON WAS IMPORTANCE OF THE NARRATIVE.

IF THERE'S ONE THING WE LEARNED FROM THIS PAST ELECTION IS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS MORE CONTROL OVER THE NARRATIVE RIGHT NOW THAN THE LEGISLATURE.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS A LOT OF THE ACTUAL POWER, LIKE MATERIALLY WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MONEY AND PASSING LAWS AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.

BUT I'M GOING TO BE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW CREATIVE AND IN WHAT DIFFERENT WAYS THE LEGISLATURE TRIES TO TAKE THAT STORYTELLING POWER AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR.

BECAUSE IF YOU TALK TO REGULAR PEOPLE, I MEAN, SO MANY PEOPLE THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS MORE POWER THAN HE ACTUALLY DOES.

>> Bill: BUT, HE ALSO WILL HAVE THE INAUGURATION AND ITS SPEECH.

THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS AND A BUDGET ADDRESS.

>> GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

I MEAN HE'S SHOWN TO BE REALLY DEFT AT ATTRACTING THE CAMERAS AND SPREAD HIS MESSAGE.

ON THE COURT OF APPEALS RULING, WHICH THEY RULED UNANIMOUSLY AGAINST THE LEGISLATURE'S BILL TO TAKE THE POWER AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR TO USE STATE FUNDS TO CHALLENGE LAWS THAT THEY PASS.

IT'S META, BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR IS CHALLENGING A STATE LAW THAT IS ABOUT THAT VERY SITUATION.

I WOULD EXPECT THIS LAW TO BE STRUCK DOWN IF THEY TAKE IT TO THE SUPREME COURT.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY IT CAN'T.

BUT WITH THE UNANIMOUS RULING FROM THE COURT OF APPEALS, THAT'S REALLY NOT A GREAT SIGN FOR THE BILL.

>> Bill: SO WE'LL WATCH ON THAT.

>>> CHILDCARE IS LIKELY TO GET ATTENTION IN THE SESSION.

FEDERAL COVID ERA SUBSIDIES ARE RUNNING OUT AND SOME ARE PREDICTING THAT COULD BE TROUBLE.

TWO-THIRDS OF KENTUCKY COUNTIES ARE CHILDCARE DESERTS AND IT IS GROWING MORE EXPENSIVE WHERE IT IS AVAILABLE AND TERRY BROOKS FROM KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES TOLD ME THIS WEEK IT IS A TOUGH CHALLENGE AND MORE CLOUDS ARE GATHERING ON THAT.

MONICA, THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE IT WOULD APPEAR THAT CHILDCARE AND CHILD ADVOCATES AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AGREE AT LEAST THAT IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A DIFFICULT ISSUE.

AND I THINK, TOO, THERE IS THINGS IN PLACE THAT ARE TRYING TO HELP BUSINESSES AND THE STATE AND THE EMPLOYEE BE SUCCESSFUL.

THE EMPLOYEE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS GOING TO NEED TO BE BROUGHT UP AGAIN.

THAT IS A MATCHING PROGRAM WITH THE STATE, THE EMPLOYER TO BENEFIT THE EMPLOYEE.

BUT WE FUND HICCUPS IN THAT.

THE LOWEST INCOME FAMILIES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE BILL WAS WRITTEN.

SO WE TALKED TO THE SPONSOR OF THAT INITIATIVE AND SHE, HERSELF, SAID WE NEED TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT STATE MONEY AVAILABLE FOR THESE FAMILIES.

WE'RE TALKING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS SOMETIMES UPWARDS OF A THOUSAND DOLLARS IF THEY HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHILD FOR CHILDCARE THAT THEY FAMILY DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR.

AND THEY DON'T THOUGH ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: IN THESE CASES WITH COUNTIES AND 79 OF THEM WHERE THERE'S ALMOST NO CHILDCARE AVAILABLE THAT IS PROBLEM?

>> HOW DO YOU ASK FOR STATE FUNDING WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO SEND YOUR CHILDCARE.

THE CHILDCARES THEMSELVES THE CHILDCARE CENTERS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EMPLOYEES SOMETIMES TO STAFF THEIR CENTERS.

SO IT'S THE SAME ISSUE THE MOMS AND DADS GOING TO WORK TRYING TO SEND THEIR KIDS SOMEWHERE AND THAT SAME CENTER HAS MOMS AND DADS WITH KIDS AND MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY BE ABLE TO EMPLOY THAT BUSINESS.

>> Bill: A WIDE RANGING I GOT TO DO WITH TERRY BROOKS AND ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF MENTAL HEALTH FOR STUDENTS HOW CAN THEY LEARN IF THEY ARE FACING EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES?

>> I'M CONVINCED AS A FORMER EDUCATOR AT KY AND A GRANDPA THAT THAT'S AN ARENA IF WE WANT TO SEE THE READING SCORES CHANGE, LET'S TAKE CARE OF THOSE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FIRST.

AND I GUARANTEE YOU KIDS WILL BE MORE ABLE THEY WILL HAVE MORE CAPACITY TO LEARN.

>> Bill: MENTAL HEALTH OBVIOUSLY CAME REALLY INTO THE SPOTLIGHT DURING THE COVID ERA AND WE SEE THAT THE REMNANTS REMAIN AND THOSE CHALLENGES REMAIN OUT THERE.

>> THEY DEFINITELY DO.

I KNOW A LOT OF KIDS ARE STRUGGLING AND PARENTS ARE STRUGGLING WITH HOW TO COPE WITH THAT AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT.

AND SCHOOLS ARE, TOO.

I MEAN HOW CAN JUST LIKE TERRY SAID HOW CAN A CHILD LEARN WHEN THEY ARE DEALING WITH EMOTIONAL ISSUES, POTENTIAL STUNTING FROM VIRTUAL SCHOOLING ALL OF THESE THINGS.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, SCHOOLS ARE TRYING TO EMPLOY COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, THOSE ARE ALREADY TOUGH INDUSTRIES THEY ARE TOUGH POSITIONS TO FILL.

IT'S A DEFINITELY AN ANG PROBLEM AND ONE THAT THE LEGISLATURE I HOPE WILL TAKE UP.

>> Bill: YOU HAVE DECEMBER 15TH CIRCLED ON THE CALENDAR FOR A MEETING BECAUSE WE'RE HEAR BEING A CRIME BILL THAT MAYBE A HIGH REPUBLICAN PRIORITY.

WE KNOW IT WAS A PRIORITY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON IN HIS RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

WHAT AREAS DO WE EXPECT THIS TO COVER?

>> I KNOW DEFINITELY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HOW WIDE REACHING THIS IS.

I THINK ONE AREA THAT WE LIKELY I WOULD SAY COULD BET ON IS SOME OF THESE CRIMES AND MAKING THEM HIGHER PENALTIES.

BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS A LOT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FENTANYL THERE IS A THREE STRIKES LAW THAT THEY ARE IMPLEMENTING WANT TO IMPLEMENT, RATHER.

AND A COUPLE THINGS ABOUT RAISING PENALTIES.

AND REALLY PUTTING SOME MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS AS FAR AS WHAT CHARGES THAT ARE ALREADY SANCTIONED UNDER LAW AND GIVING THEM HARSHER PENALTIES I THINK COULD BE SOMETHING.

>> Bill: ARE SOME OF THESE ISSUES LOUISVILLE-CENTRIC?

WE'RE UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAY BE ADDRESSED IS PEOPLE SLEEPING ON PUBLIC STREETS.

AND YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THE OPPONENTS SAYING THAT REALLY CRIMINALIZED HOMELESSNESS?

>> I MEAN THIS BILL WAS FIRST PRESENTED BY A GROUP OF LOUISVILLE AREA REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS.

AND IT DOES IN MANY ADVOCATES ARE TELLING ME THAT IT COULD CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS THEY CALL IT STREET CAMPING.

AND BANNING THAT GIVING PROPERTY OWNERS MORE RIGHTS TO REMOVE THOSE PEOPLE OFF OF THEIR PROPERTY.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT ALSO TOUCHES ON A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.

LIKE REINTRODUCING MADELINE'S LAW WHICH WOULD PUT MORE RESTRICTIONS ON BAIL FUNDS.

IT IS A HUGE WIDE REACHING BILL THEY ARE PACKING IT IN THERE AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE FINAL VERSION YET.

THERE COULD BE MORE IN IT.

>> I EXPECT THIS TO BE A HUGE PRIORITY AND LIKE SYLVIA MENTIONED IT'S INTERESTING THAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE PRESENTING THE BILL WERE LOUISVILLE REPUBLICANS, SUSAN WHITMAN AND BOWMAN WHO ARE RELATIVELY NEW.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THEY ARE ALSO BOTH I WOULD ARGUE RELATIVELY VULNERABLE TO CHALLENGES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP OF BESHEAR ON SORT OF SUPERIMPOSED ON THE HOUSE DISTRICT MAP, THOSE ARE TWO DISTRICTS THAT HE WON BY, I THINK, MORE THAN 20 PERCENTAGE POINTS IF NOT IT'S IN THE HIGH TEENS AT LEAST.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THESE LEGISLATORS TO RUN ON AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT THEY CAN PASS LIKE A BIG CRIME BILL.

AS WE SAW IN '22 WITH THE MAYOR'S -- BILL'S RUN AGAINST GREENBURG.

>> Bill: THAT WAS A SUCCESS.

>> IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL RUN IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND HE RAN ON CRIME NOOF DO WE EXPECT GUN ISSUES TO BE IN THE MIX?

>> YEAH, AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF IT COMES IN THE BIG BILL WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OR ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL BILL.

WE KNOW THAT SENATOR WESTERFIELD IS TALKING ABOUT CRISIS AVERSION AND RIGHTS RETENTION IF I RECALL.

BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TOPIC OF RED FLAG LAWS.

TAKING AWAY GUNS FROM THOSE WHO MIGHT BE INCOME PACETATED BUT THE REPUBLICAN ARGUMENT IS MAKING SURE THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT IS NOT INFRINGED ON AND SENATOR WESTERFIELD BELIEVES THIS TIME AROUND THAT HE BELIEVES THIS TIME HIS VERSION IS THE WAY AND CAN APPEASE ALL FOLKS.

ESPECIALLY FOLLOWING THE OLD NATIONAL BANK SHOOTING, WHICH OF COURSE, CAPTURED THE NATION, I WOULD ARGUE.

>> Bill: AND WE'LL GET SOME PREVIEW OF THAT IN SOME TESTIMONY IS COMING UP BEFORE THE SESSION BEGINS.

THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS RELEASED A STUDY INDICATING MORE AND MORE BILLS ARE BEING FAST TRACKED IN FRANKFORT.

THE LEGISLATURE SAYS LESS THAN 5% OF BILLS WERE RUSHED THROUGH 25 YEARS AGO AND THE STUDY SAYS IT'S 32% IN THE HOUSE.

AND 24% IN THE SENATE.

THEY ARE CALLING FOR NEW RULES AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO WEIGH-IN ON ISSUES.

>> I WAS NOT ALONE.

THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO FELT THE SAME WAY.

THAT SOMEHOW LEGISLATION WAS BEING A LITTLE BIT MORE RUSHED THAN WHAT IT USED TO BE.

AND THAT MORE IMPORTANTLY, CITIZENS WERE NOT ABLE TO SEE OR READ THAT LEGISLATION AS IT IS RUSHED THROUGH.

>> Bill: SYLVIA YOU COVERED THE NEWS CONFERENCE.

THE LEAGUE SENT ITS REPORT TO EVERY LAWMAKER ON WHAT IT CALLS PROCESS MANEUVERS IT SAYS ARE RUSHING THINGS THROUGH AND DENYING THE PUBLIC A CHANCE TO BE HEARD?

>> YEAH.

THEY DID SEND IT TO EVERY LAWMAKER AND WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING RESPONSES.

HONESTLY, I DON'T THINK THIS REPORT WAS SURPRISING TO A THE LOW OF JOURNALISTS AND PEOPLE OF THE PUBLIC WHO CLOSELY FOLLOW THE SESSIONS.

A LOT OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION HAS BEEN USING SOME OF THE FAST TRACK MEASURES.

THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THREE READINGS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR.

AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT THE FINAL VERSION OF THAT BILL THAT WE SEE IN THE READINGS.

THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT MANEUVERS GOING ON AND THIS REPORT PUTS NUMBERS TO IT IT SHOWS THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE BASED ON COMPARED TO 1998.

AND SO I AM INTERESTED TO HEAR SOME LEGISLATORS RESPOND BECAUSE THERE IS A SENSE AMONG THEM FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM THEM THIS IS ALWAYS HOW IT'S BEEN BUT THE NUMBERS PUT IT INTO QUESTION.

>> Bill: DID THE LEAGUE SEEM TO THINK THE REPORT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> I THINK THEY HOPE TO DO WOULD.

EARLY ON IN THE SESSION WE WILL SEE RULES INTRODUCED AND PASSES OF RESOLUTION AND THEY ARE HOPING THERE MIGHT BE TIGHTENING UP ON THE RULES.

>> Bill: IT USED TO BE WE SAW THE PREFILED BILLS WEEKS OR MONTHS BEFORE THE SESSION.

SO WE HAD A ROADMAP AS REPORTERS AS TO WHAT WAS COMING UP.

BUT MONICA, THAT ALSO GAVE OPPOSITION A CHANCE TO GALVANIZE.

IS THAT PART OF THE MIX HERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT PREFILING OPTION IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE SUPER MAJORITY THE REPUBLICANS WANTED TO SEE.

BECAUSE I'VE TALKED TO DEMOCRATS THAT HAVE TOLD ME WE ALSO USE THAT PREFILE FUNCTION TO SEE WHAT THE OTHER SIDE IS WORKING ON.

AND IT'S LIKE GOING TO CLASS.

SOMETIME IT IS REQUIRES A LITTLE BIT OF STUDYING BEFORE YOU GO IN.

AND TAKE THE TEST.

I THINK THE PREFILE GOING AWAY IS ALL PART OF THIS LACK OF TRANSPARENCY MOVE THAT WE'VE SEEN WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHO IS RUNNING AND WHO ISN'T.

A LONGTIME CANYON BRANCHER LEAVING TO RUN FOR THE LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL AND THAT CAME AFTER DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE JOSIE RAYMOND MADE THE SAME DECISION TO LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE WITH HOPES OF JOINING THE COUNCIL.

AND DANNY BENTLEY ANNOUNCED HE WON'T SEEK REELECTION.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE DEPARTURES OUT THERE?

AUSTIN?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS A MIXED BAG.

SOME PEOPLE IT'S JUST THEIR TIME TO LEAVE PUBLIC OFFICE.

BUT WITH KEVIN BRANCHEDDER BOTH RUNNING FOR LOUISVILLE COUNCIL.

I THINK IT WILL TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH KEVIN HE CAME UP HE HAS BEEN THERE FOR A LONG, LONG TIVMENT HE SORT OF CAME TO PROMINENCE AS A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WHIP BACK IN 2016, 2017.

AND IT IS A DIFFERENT REPUBLICAN CAUCUS THAN IT WAS.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT LESS MODERATE, I WOULD ARGUE AND THERE'S MORE MOUTHS TO FEED.

YOU HAVE 80 MEMBERS.

NURSING HOME'S ONE OF 80.

YOU ARE NOT IN LEADERSHIP IT'S DIFFERENT.

WITH JOSIE RAYMOND YOU ARE ONE OF 20 IN THE DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CAUCUS.

AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET LEGISLATION PASSED.

YOU REALLY DON'T.

AND LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL, YOU ARE ABLE TO SORT OF IN THE PARTY THAT RULES THE ROOST AND YOU CAN GET YOUR PRIORITIES AND SEE THEM COME TO FRUITION.

>> ON THAT I THINK IT'S INTERESTING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CHANGING MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODY IN FRANKFORT BUT LOOKING AT LOUISVILLE METRO COUPLE THAT MAKEUP IS CHANGING AS WELL.

THE PERSON WHO IS LEAVING COUNCIL THAT BRANCHER DECIDED HE WOULD LIKE TO RUN FOR HIS SEAT, HE WAS ON THE ORIGINAL AFTER THE MERGER HE WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS.

THEY ARE A RARE BREED THEY ARE THE UNICORNS OF THE COUPLE THEY HARDLY EXIST WE'RE SEEING A COMPLETE OVERTURN OF COURAGE MEMBERS RIGHT NOW, TOO.

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE WHAT OTHER COMINGS AND GOINGS THERE ARE AS THE DEADLINE TO FILE APPROACHES ON JANUARY FIFTH.

SO THESE INCUMBENTS KNOW WHICH WHO IS UP AGAINST THEM.

>>> REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN MACK BROWN IS STEPPING DOWN AFTER SERVING SINCE 2015, SYLVIA, WHILE CHAIRMAN REPUBLICANS HAD A GOOD RUN.

>> THEY DID.

RIGHT AFTER MACK -- BEFORE MACK BROWN TOOK THE CHAIRMANSHIP, MATT BEVIN WON THE GOVERNORSHIP.

DURING HIS TENURE AS THE CHAIRMAN THE VOTER ROLLS SWITCHED OVER TO REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.

LIKE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE SUPER MAJORITY CAME ABOUT IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

HE HAS HAD A GREAT RUN.

BUT THE CAVEAT IS, OF COURSE, THE GOVERNOR.

DURING HIS TENURE, MATT BEVIN LOST TO BESHEAR AND BESHEAR KEPT THE SEAT AND GREW HIS MARGINS.

THERE IS THAT LITTLE BIT OF A CAVEAT TO IT AS WELL.

>> Bill: WHERE DO THE REPUBLICANS GO FROM HERE?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

DECEMBER 9TH IS THE DATE TO WATCH ON THAT.

THAT'S WHEN I THINK THE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE VOTES OR THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, SORRY.

SOME NAMES TO LOOK FOR, I THINK FORMER REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT BEN VENUETY HERE IN LEXINGTON MIGHT BE ONE TO WATCH.

>> Bill: FORMER STATE REP. >> BOTCH HUTCHISON A DONOR IN EASTERN KENTUCKY IS A CAR DEALER IS ANOTHER ONE TO WATCH.

I CAN'T SAY WITH CERTAINTY THAT I KNOW WHO IT'S GOING TO BE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT CHAIR THAT PERSON WANTS TO BE.

DO THEY WANT TO BE SOMEBODY WHO SETS A PROACTIVE VISION AND REALLY PUTS OUT PRESS RELEASES AND GETS IN FRONT OF CAMERAS?

OR PLAY THE MACK BROWN ROLE AND SOMEBODY WHO IS A LITTLE MORE OF A MOVER AND SHAKER BEHIND THE SCENES.

WE'LL SEE.

>> Bill: REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE IS RUNNING HE HAS $2 MILLION IN THE BANK.

A SAFE SEAT, RIGHT?

>> I THINK SO.

HE DIDN'T REALLY GET MUCH CHALLENGE FROM EITHER A PRIMARY OR A GENERAL LAST TIME.

AND TWO MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY AND THAT SCARES OFF PEOPLE AND THE POLITICAL COMPOSITION OF THE SECOND DISTRICT IT IS A TOUGH ROW TO HOE FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> Bill: STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE BOARD ABOUT TELLING US ABOUT THE CHOSEN FIRM WHILE THE CONTRACT IS BEING NEGOTIATED.

SYLVIA THAT FIRM HAS ITS WORK CUT OUT FOR IT, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FIND A COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE WHO WILL BE HIRED BY A BESHEAR APPOINTED BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THEY HAVE TO BE THEN CONFIRMED BY THE REPUBLICAN STATE SENATE.

>> OH, IT IS AN UPHILL BATTLE I DO NOT ENVY THEM.

YOU HAVE TO FIND SOMEONE THAT FITS BESHEAR'S PRIORITIES AND THEN ALSO IS WILLING TO TAKE THE JOB.

FRANKLY IT IS A DIFFICULT JOB.

WE SAW WITH JASON GLASS HE LEFT BEFORE THE END OF HIS CONTRACT.

HE CERTAINLY GARNERED A LOT OF VISIT RECONTROL FROM VITRIOL FROM THE LEGISLATURE AND THEN, OF COURSE, NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE TO BE WILLING TO TAKE THE JOB THEY HAVE TO FIT BESHEAR'S PROFILE AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

AND THEY HAVE TO DO THAT FINAL HURDLE.

I'M DEFINITELY INTERESTED TO SEE WHO COMES FORWARD.

>> Bill: IN WASHINGTON U.S. REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE SANTOS WAS THE SIXTH MEMBER EXPELLED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MASSEY THE ONLY KENTUCKY VOTE AGAINST THE EXPULL SON THAT WAS AN INTERESTING VOTE.

>> YEAH, I THINK IT SIGNIFIES WHERE MASSEY IS IN A PRETTY DIVIDED REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

WE'VE SEEN THEM HAVE TROUBLE GETTING TO PASS A LOT OF THINGS.

AND THIS VOTE WAS PRETTY EVENLY SPLIT ON THE AYES AND NAYS WITHIN THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND MASSEY WAS THE ONLY NAY IN KENTUCKY.

THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF SORT OF HIS MORE MAVERICK STREAK AND SOMEBODY WHO I THINK FOCUSES ON HE'S ALSO RULE CENTRIC, TOO AND TALKED A LOT ABOUT DUE PROCESS IN HIS EXPLANATION FOR NAY.

>> Bill: THERE IS A PUSH TO UNIONIZE THE GEORGETOWN TOYOTA PLANT WITH CLOSE TO 8,000 WORKERS PART OF A NATIONWIDE PUSH TO ORGANIZE NONUNION PLANTS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT DURING THE TEAM KENTUCKY BRIEFING.

>> I DO WANT TO COMPLIMENT TOYOTA FOR HAVING AN ATTRACTIVE WAGE AND BENEFIT PACKAGE AND KNOW AT THE UAW IS OUT THERE COMMITTED TO THEIR MEMBERS AND THEIR ONE GOAL IS CREATE A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR AUTO WORKERS.

>> Bill: BESHEAR IS WALKING A NARROW PATH.

HE KNOWS HE HAS THE NONUNION PLANTS THAT EMPLOY A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE STATE?

>> I THINK NARROW PATH IS THE RIGHT WAY TO PHRASE IT THERE.

HE'S GOT TO PROVE HIS DEMOCRATIC BON FIDS FOR BEING PRO UNION IF HE WANTS TO CONSIDER A HIGHER OFFICE, A NATIONAL OFFICE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE THE MATERIAL CONCERNS ABOUT FORD BEING OUT X BILLION NUMBER OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THE UAW CONTRACT AND THAT SORT OF PUMPING THE BRAKES, PUN INTENDED ON THE FORD BATTERY PLANT FOR THE EV PLANT THERE IN GLENDALE.

TRICKY BALANCE TO TOW.

>> Bill: JCPS IS CONSIDERING DOING AWAY WITH SNOW DELAYS TO WRESTLE WITH TRANSATION ISSUES?

>> IT IS A TRAININGLED WEB AND THEY DECIDED THAT IF THERE'S BAD WEATHER IT TANGLES THE WEB MORE TAKE THEM AWAY WE WILL DO A SNOW DAY OR AN NTI DAY.

BUT HOPEFULLY THEY WILL GET IT FIXED BEFORE WE HAVE A SNOW DAY.

>> IT'S ALL THE WAY OR NOTHING AT ALL BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO DELAY THE DRIVERS LATER.

>> Bill: WILD PIGS NOW ARE A GROWING CONCERN IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

A REPORT SAYS KENTUCKY IS THE 14TH BIGGEST FERAL HOGG PROBLEM IN THE COUNTRY.

WILD HOGGS CAN WEIGH UP TO 400 POUNDS AND RUN UP TO 30-MILES-PER-HOUR AS FAST AS AUSTIN.

THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE PUT UP A WEBPAGE ABOUT THE CONCERNS AND URGES PEOPLE TO REPORT THEM AND THEY WILL TRY TO TRAP THEM.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.