CASES AND DEATHS KEEP CLIMBING.

A CONGRESSMAN FROM THE STATE TESTS POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR GIVES AN IMMEDIATE PAY RAISE TO SOCIAL WORKERS AND DECLARES THE NURSIN SHORTAGE AN EMERGENCY.

EDUCATION GROUPS EYE THE STATE'S RECORD BUDGET SURPLUS AS A CHANCE TO INVEST IN SCHOOLS.

A DRAMATIC WEEK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUIS INCLUDING THE DEPARTURE OF THE SOME WEATHER CHALLENGES HEADING INTO THIS DECEMBER WEEKEND.

"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

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 JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR MORGAN WATKINS, CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNA JESS CLARK, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR WFPL IN LOUISVILLE.

AND MARK VANDERHOFF, REPORTER FOR WLKY I ALSO TONIGHT, LEXINGTON JOINS LOUISVILLE IN A RECORD NUMBER O HOMICIDES FOR THE YEAR AS LEADERS IN BOTH CITIES SCRAMBLE FOR ANSWERS.

AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOOKS INTO WHY IT ISSUED NO WARNINGS WHEN TWO TORNADOES HIT THE BLUEGRASS REGION THIS WEEK.

BY THE WAY, AS WE HUTT THEAIRE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, SO MANY PARTS OF THE STATE ARE UNDER A TORNADO WATCH YET again.

A LOT TO DISCU FIRST LET'S GET YOU UP TO DATE ON THE COVID SITUATION, AS CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS KEEP CLIMBING.

MARK, WE SAW SOME ENOUGH TOUGH NUMBERS AND MILESTONES THIS WEEK AS PEOPLE ARE HOPING TO GET TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S AND IS THIS IS A TOUGH TIME TO GET TOGETHER AND CERTAINLY EVEN TOUGHER TIME TO BE APART.

>> Matt Erwin: IF POSITIVITY RATE KEEPS GOING UP.

IT WAS 11,000.

NOW IT'S 11,500.

FIRST WE HAD THE DELTA VARIANT.

NOW WE'VE GOT OMICRON VARIANT.

IT JUST SEEMS EVERY WEEK IT'S SOMETHING NEW.

>> Bill: JESS, WE HAVE SEEN SCHOOLS SCRAMBLE WITH THESE RISING NUMBERS.

SOME HAVE REIMPLEMENTED MASK REQUIREMENTS.

WE GOT WORD TOWED THAT A DISTRICT IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY IS MOVING TO NTI DAYS FOR THE REST OF THIS SEMESTER.

>> Jess: BARB INDEPENDENT IS MOVING TO NTI.

ANOTHER SEMESTER, ALL WEEK YOU'VE SEEN SCHOOLS WHO IS COUNTIES ARE IN THE RED ZONE SAY, OKAY, MASKS ARE MANDATORY NOW.

A COUPLE ARE STILL STAYING OPTIONAL BUT YOU GET THE SENSE THAT SCHOOLS ARE REALIZING CASES ARE RISING AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: AND IT'S ALWAYS A TOUGH DECISION FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY GET SO MUCH PUSHBACK.

>> Jess: THEY DO.

DECISIONS AROUND MASKING HAVE BECOME SO HIGHLY POLITICIZED, SO MUCH TO THE POINT WHERE YOU'RE SEEING ALONG WITH CRITICAL RACE THEORY, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, A DEBATE THAT'S EMERGED ABOUT HOW WE TEACH ABOUT RACISM IN SCHOOLS, PARENTS MOBILIZED ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY, ON MASK ISSUES, THEY TEND TO BE CONSERVATIVE, HAVE BEEN COMING TO SCHOOL BOARDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT HAS BECOME FAIRLY HEATED, AND YOU EVEN SAW IN JEFFERSON COUNTY THEY HAVE STOPPED HOLDING PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR IN PERSON BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL OF VITRIOL.

THAT HAPPENS AT THOSE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

AND SO, YEAH, YOU DEFINITELY HAVE -- AND IT'S NOT JUST IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

ULTIMATE, I'VE TALKED TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS IN OTHERS PARTS OF KENTUCKY TO SAY WHEN THEY'RE MAKING THESE DECISIONS, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE PARENTS GET VERY UPSET.

>> Bill: AND YET YOU HAVE THESE PARENTS SAY THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HEARD.

THEY ELECTED THOSE BOARD MEMBERS.

>> Jess: THAT'S TRUE.

YOU DO HAVE SOME FIRST AMENDMENT CONCERNS.

WHEN YOU SHUT DOWN PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU ARE -- I WAS TAJ TO A FIRST AMOUNTED EXPERT EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND, YOU KNOW, PARTICIPATING IN PUBLIC COMMENT IS A PART OF OUR PITUITARY DEMOCRACY.

WE HAVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT SO WE CAN LISTEN TO EACH OTHER BUT YOU HAVE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE TRYING TO BALANCE THOSE CONCERNS WITH REAL LEGITIMATE SAFETY CONCERNS.

>> Bill: MORGAN, IT'S REALLY A SYMPTOM OF THE LARGER POLITICAL DIVIDE THAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS REVEALED OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, THE IN NATION AND HERE IN KENTUCKY.

EVEN THE VACCINATION RATES HAVE SOME CORRELATION TO THE POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

IT HAS BEEN AN EYE-OPENING TIME NO MATTER WHERE YOU FALL ON THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM TO SEE THE DIFFERENT PROTECT TIFFS AND HOW PEOPLE RESPOND.

>> Morgan: NO QUESTION.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S A REPORTER IN KENTUCKY OR FROBEL IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY AT THIS POINT DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT HASN'T HAD INTERVIEWS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS OR DOCTORS OR NURSES OR TEACHERS OR PARENTS, WHOEVER, WHO ARE SAYING, LOOK, YEAH, WE'VE BEEN PERPLEXED BY THE FACT THAT A LOT OF THESE CONVERSATIONS AROUND, YOU KNOW, SAFETY MEASURES, VACCINES, ET CETERA, POLITICS COMES INTO IT, AND NOT -- THERE ARE -- THERE'S A NOTE INSIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ON SOME LEVEL AT LEAST ARE BASING THEIR DECISIONS ABOUT SOME OF THE STUFF LIKE WHETHER TO GET VACCINATED, WEAR A MASK, WHAT HAVE YOU ON HOW THEY IDENTIFY POLITICALLY.

>> Bill: THERE HAVE BEEN SOME WHO HAVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD GET THE VACCINE IF THEY WEREN'T BEING TOLD TO.

THAT THEY FEEL THEY'RE BEING FORCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INTO IT.

>> Morgan: SURE.

I MEAN, GOVERNMENT'S INVOLVEMENT ON PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PANDEMIC.

IT'S BEEN CONTROVERSIAL BEFORE THAT, BUT DEFINITELY EXPLODED INTO THE NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS WITH THIS SITUATION.

AND, YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THERE'S PLENTY OF AMERICANS WHO DON'T LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO, PARTICULARLY BY THE GOVERNMENT.

>> Bill: MORGAN, REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE OUT OF BOWLING GREEN TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID THIS WEEK.

HE SAID HE'S THANKFUL HE WAS VERY FULLY VACCINATED.

HE SAID HE HAS MILD SYMPTOMS AND IS KEEPING ALL OF HIS OFFICES OPEN.

>>>NO YEAH, HE PUBLICALLY IN THE PAST HAS SAID, YEAH, I GOT VACCINATED.

I'M SURE PLENTY OF PEOPLE COKE COLAS POINT IN HIS CASE HE IS THANKFUL HE GOT THE VACCINE.

WHAT THEY SAY, TALK TO ANYONE IN HEALTH CARE.

THE VACCINES ARE DESIGNED, IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES WHO DO GET A BREAKTHROUGH CASE, YOU WONT END UP WITH A SEVERE KAISER AT LEAST YOUR LIKELIHOOD IS MUCH REDUCED AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE CASE FOR HIM.

>> Bill: MARK, THE PANDEMIC HAS UNCOVERED ANOTHER CHALLENGE AND THAT IS THE NURSING SHORTAGE, AND IT IS QUITE SEVERE IN KENTUCKY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR DEA DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY ON THAT THIS WEEK.

HE SAID KENTUCKY WILL NEED 16,000 NURSES BY 2024.

>> Mark: THE DEMAND IS JUST INCREDIBLE, AND SO MANY NURSES LEAVING KENTUCKY TO GO TO OTHER STATES WHERE THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY.

THEY CAN EVEN GET BONUSES IN SOME OF THESE OTHER STATES.

SO WHAT BESHEAR IS PROPOSING IS ALLOWING A LOT OF THESE NURSING SCHOOLS TO KEHL EXPAND THEIR ENROLLMENT SO THEY CAN GET MORE NEW NURSES COMING OUT OF PIPELINE.

HE'SEC FOGGY GOING TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS FOR THESE NURSING SCHOOLS TO EXPAND THEIR PROGRAMS, BUILD NEW CAMPUSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND HE'S ALSO FORGE AN ADVISORY BOARD SO HE CAN GET MORE IDEAS SO WE GO ORGANISM OUT EXACTLY HOW TO BUILD THE NUMBER OF NURSES UP IN THE STATE, AND HE'S TALKED ABOUT INCLUDING NURSES IN HIS PROPOSAL FOR HERO PAY WHERE THEY WOULD USE FEDERAL CITRUS MONEY TO GIVE BONUSES TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS LIKE NURSES.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SINCE THE SUMMER, THE NEED TO GIVE NURSES A BONUS, NOT JUST TO ATTRACT NURSES TO KENTUCKY BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THE ONES THAT WE HAVE.

>> Bill: SO THERE'S AMPLE REASON TO BELIEVE THIS HAS LEGISLATIVE BACKING AND THAT OF THE GOVERNOR.

>> Mark: I HAVE A FEELING THIS WILL PASS.

>> Bill: JESS, DOESN'T THE CAREER PIPELINE LIKE A YOUNG PERSON DECIDING TO BECOME RAY A NURSE COME SOME TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL WHEN THEY PICK A DIRECTION AS TO AREAS OF STUDY OR THEIR STRENGTHS THAT THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON?

>> JENNIFER: >> Jess: NAW, IT DEFINITELY DOES THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE SOME SCHOOLS INCLUDING JCPS START KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ACADEMY OF LOUISVILLE ARE THESE KIND OF ORGANIZATION OF DIFFERENT KIND OF TRACKS THAT YOU CAN DO BASED ON DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS.

ONE OF EM THIS IS HEALTH SCIENCES.

AND SO IF YOU GO TO A CERTAIN SCHOOL, I THINK IT'S THE ACADEMY OF SHAWNEE, YOU CAN STUDY HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING BEGINNING IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Bill: WELL, WE ALSO KNOW, BASS THOSE WHO ARE RETIRING, THEY'RE LEAVING THE SCENE SO YOU'RE LOOKING NOW AT WHAT'S COMING UP, SO TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID IS GOING UNUSED HERE IN KENTUCKY, AND A BILL PRE-FILED BY THE HOUSE EDUCATION CHAIR REGINA HUFF WOULD REQUIRE STUDENTS TO FILL OUT THOSE FEDERAL FINANCIAL FORMS SO THEY KNOW WHERE THEY STAND, AND THE SCHOOLS UNDER THIS BILL WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ASSIST THEM.

>> Jess: RIGHT.

THIS IS IF YOU HAVE A KID OR IF YOU HAVE I DO NOT BEEN TO COLLEGE, YOU PROBABLY HAVE HEARD THIS TERM, THE FAFSA OR SOME PEOPLE SAY FASA.

IT'S THINK FORM THAT YOU FILL OUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO COLLEGE OR YOU THINK YOU MIGHT WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE, UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES LOOK AT AND SEE HOW MUCH FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR BASED ON YOUR FAMILY'S INCOME.

AND SO A LOT OF TIMES THIS IS A STUMBLING BLOCK FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE MAYBE FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO DON'T OF PARENTS WHO HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE, AND SO THE GOAL WITH THIS BILL IS THAT ALL SENIORS WILL GRAUD HAVING FILLED THIS OUT SO THAT THAT IS ONE BARRIER THAT'S REMOVED FOR THEM AS THEY, YOU KNOW, GO FORWARD FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Bill: AT LEAST THEY WOULD KNOW WHERE THEY STAND.

>> Jess: AT LEAST THEY WOULD KNOW HOW MUCH FEDERAL FUNDINGY THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR.

>> Bill: THERE'S A BILL PRE-FILED IN CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

THAT CAME UP LAST MONTH WHEN THE SUPREME COURT MADE STRICT RESTRICTIONS ON IT AND VERY FEW OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACTUALLY DO PADDLING AT THIS POINT, BUT THERE IS A PROPOSAL TO BAN IT ENTIRELY.

>> Jess: RIGHT.

THIS IS THE PROPOSAL FROM STEVE REILLY.

HE'S A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE.

AND HE HAS BEEN SPEARHEADING THIS EFFORT FOR THE PAST COUPLE YEARS.

HE SPONSORED BILLS, TOO, COMPLETELY BANCORP RAL PUNISHMENT.

HE'S A FORMER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR HIMSELF.

YEAH, I THINK IT STILL SURPRISES PEOPLE THAT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS LEGAL IN KENTUCKY SCHOOLS.

IT'S STILL VERY RARE.

THE LAST FULL SCHOOL YEAR BEFORE THE PANDEMIC IT WAS USED A RECORDED 284 TIMES.

THAT'S OUT OF MANY, MANY STUDENTS.

IT'S STILL VERY RARE.

AND IT'S ONLY IN ABOUT A DOZEN COUNTIES.

>> Bill: A LOT OF HOOPS TO JUMP THERE NOW IF A SCHOOL DOES WANT TO EMPLOY IT UNDER THIS ABOVE BY THE BOARD OF OF EDUCATION.

>> Jess: RIGHT.

IT'S VERY RESTRICTIVE.

IT'S FAIR TO SAY IT WOULD BECOME EVEN MORE RARE, BUT THIS BILL FILED BY RILE WOULD BENNETT COMPLETELY.

>> Bill: REDISTRICTING IS THE E LOOSE IS I HAVE MYSTERY.

THERE ARE MAPS THAT ARE UNSEEN BY THE PUBLIC.

SO MANY NOW ARE MAKING SUGGESTIONS TORE HOW TO DRAW UP THE LINES INCLUDING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.

MORGAN, IT APPEARS REDISTRICTING WILL HAVE TO BE DONE IN REGULAR SESSION ALONG WITH THE BUDGET AND ALL OF THESE OTHER HUNDREDS PROPOSALS COMING UP, AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAID THAT THEY WANTED A SPECIAL SESSION TO DO THIS IN, BUT GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THIS WEEK THEY NEVER ASKED HIM TO CALL ONE.

>>MODERATOR: RIGHT.

LEGISLATORS, ESPECIALLY IN LEADERSHIP, HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR A WHILE NOW, I TALKED TO SEVERAL REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO SAID FOR AT LEAST A MONTH THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ESSENTIALLY SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO ALL THIS AT ONCE, BUT BASICALLY REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN LEGISLATURE HAS SAID THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR WANTED TO SEE THE MAPS IN ADVANCE OF THE NEW DISTRICTS, AND BASICALLY THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO SHOW HIM THOSE.

THEY SAY, ON ITS OUR POLICY, IT'S OUR PREROGATIVE TO MAKE, AND YOU SHOULD JUST ESSENTIALLY CALL A SPECIAL SESSION BECAUSE WE NEED ONE.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS SAID, LOOK, NO ONE HAS REACHED TOUTS ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION SO, OF COURSE, HE HASN'T CALLED ONE BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN KNOW COMMUNICATION.

YEAH, AT THIS POINT IT'S LOOK, INC. LIKE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION BY THE END OF THE YEAR CONSIDERING WE'RE ALREADY A WEEK INTO DECEMBER, AND SO THAT MEANS PROBABLY IT'S GOING TO BE A TOP AND VERY EARLY PRIORITY WHEN THE SESSION BEGINS THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY BECAUSE THE FILING DEADLINE IS THAT WEEK AS WELL.

THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO DELAY THAT.

THAT'S WHEN CANDIDATES NEED TO FILE TO RUN BECAUSE CANDIDATES DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE YET.

>> Bill: YOU THIS DO YOU THINK THEY MITE PLATE IS THE HAIR ON MOVING THE FILING DEADLINE SO IT WOULD ON BE LEGISLATIVE SEATS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THE DEADLINE OR IS IT FOR EVERYBODY?

DOES SOMEBODY HAVE A EXTRA COUPLE WEEKS TO THINK ABOUT RUNNING OR COUNTY JUDGE OR MAYOR?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I'LL ASK THAT.

>> Mark: THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ALTERNATIVE THEORIES ABOUT THE WHY GOVERNOR CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION.

ONE IS HE WANTED A GUARANTEE FROM REPUBLICANS THAT HE WOULD PASS THEIR HERO PAY BILL, AND HE NEVER GOT THAT GUARANTEE.

THE OTHER IS HE MAY BE PROTECTING THE 3rd CONGRESSIONAL A DISTRICT IN LOUISVILLE.

THE LONGER HE DELAYS REDISTRICTING, MORE IT COMPLICATES THE DECISION MAKING FOR CANDIDATES, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IN PARTICULAR, WHO MIGHT BE THINKING ABOUT RUNNING.

>> Bill: MARK, WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE MAPS.

WE DON'T GET TO DO THAT, BUT WE HEAR THINGS.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING RIGHT NOW ABOUT HOW THOSE MAPS MAY LOOK?

I KNOW THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS MET OUT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY THIS WEEK.

>> Mark: WELL, ONE SOURCE TOLD ME REGARDING THE 3RD CONGRESSIONAL A DISTRICT THAT WEST LOUISVILLE HAS ACTUALLY LOST POPULATION, SO THEY COULD STILL KEEP WEST LOUISVILLE IN THAT 3rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHICH YARMOUTH IS LEAVING, AND THEN THEY COULD ADD SOME PRECINCTS IN EAST JEFFERSON COUNTY, WHICH WOULD MAKE AT A LITTLE EASIER FOR A REPUBLICAN TO WIN THAT DISTRICT.

>> Bill: THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL WATCH.

MARK, SPEAKER OSBORNE TALKED ABOUT LEGISLATIVE ISSUES IN LOUISVILLE TODAY.

WHAT SEEMS TO BE HIS HIGH PRIORITY?

>> Mark: WILLIAM HE COVERED A LOT OF GROUND AT THE GREATER LOUISVILLE, INC.

LUNCHEON.

THAT'S OUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN LOUISVILLE, BUT I'D SAY TWO HIGHLIGHTS.

BUN WAS TAX REFORM.

HE SAID THAT THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST CHANCE IN MODERN HISTORY THAT KENTUCKY HAS TO TACKLE TAX REFORM, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SUCH A GOOD CUSHION WITH OUR FINANCIAL RESERVEs THAT SOMETIMES TAX REFORM DOESN'T WORK AND YOU DON'T END UP GETTING AS MUCH REVENUE AS YOU HOPED, SO THAT REVENUE CUSHION WILL REALLY HELP.

THE OTHER THING HE TALKED ABOUT WAS THE WORKFORCE ISSUE.

HE WAS TALKING TO BUSINESS LEADERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THAT WORKFORCE ISSUE, AND HE HAD TWO INTERESTING IDEAS.

ONE WOULD BE BRIDGE INSURANCE.

HE SAID THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID OF LOSING THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE, SO THIS BRIDGE INSURANCE WOULD KEEP THEIR COVERAGE WHEN THEY LOSE MEDICAID WHILE THEY'RE WAITING FOR THEIR WORKFORCE -- ORE WHILE THEY'RE WAITING FOR THEIR WORKPLACE POLICY TO KICK IN IF THEIR WORKPLACE HAS A POLICY.

THE OTHER IDEA HE HAD, HE SAID A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN'T GOING BACK TO WORK BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE CHILD CARE, SO HE SAID THAT THEY'LL BE LOOKING A WAYS TO MAYBE PAY FOR CHILD CARE SO THAT PARENTS CAN GET WALK TO WORK.

>> Bill: MORE MONEY BRINGS A LOT OF OTHER DISCUSSIONS INTO THE SUBJECT.

>> Mark: IT SURE DOES.

IT WAS AMAZING SOME OF THE THINGS HE WAS TALKING ABOUT TODAY.

>> Bill: JESS, WITH THIS BUDGET SURPLUS, MORE THAN BILLION DOLLARS AND STRONG NUMBERS COP IN TOWARD TEN OF THIS YEAR AND THE FEDERAL MONEY WILL BE ALLOCATED BY THE LEGISLATURE, DO YOU GET A SENSE THAT EDUCATION WILL STAND TO GET SOME FUNDING AND MAYBE ALLEVIATE SOME OF THESE CONCERNS ABOUT UNEQUAL FUNDING OF OUR SCHOOLS THAT HAS RETURNED OUT THERE?

>> Jennifer: YEAH, I THINK THERE'S A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE THAT SCHOOLS WILL SEE MORE FUNDING ACROSS THE STATE THIS YEAR.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN LOOKING AT RE-FORMING THE WAY THAT THE STATE FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED FORMULA THAT EMERGED IN THE '90S.

EARLY '90.

AND BASICALLY THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DISTRICTS THAT HAVE LOWER TAX BASES TO BE ABLE TO RAISE LOCAL FUNDS GET MORE FROM THE STATE AND MORE URBAN DISTRICT THAT HAVE A HIGHER TAX BASE GET LESS FROM THE STATE SO THAT YOU'RE KIND EQUALIZING STATE FUNDING, BUT SOME PREMIUMS PROBLEMS HAVE EMERGED OVER TIME, AND THE RUMBLINGS HAVE BECOME LOUDER AND LOUD ARE THAT WE MAY BE APPROACHING A MOMENT WHERE THE STATE IS GOING AGAINST THE ORIGINAL ROSE DECISION, AND THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH FUNDING OVERALL BEING SPENT ON K-12 EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: AND DO YOU REACH CRITICAL MASS AND THERE'S ANOTHER COURT CASE, YOU KNOW, THAT COULD BE REVOLUTIONARY LIKE THAT?

>> Jess: IT'S POSSIBLE.

I THINK WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT A STATE TASK FORCE CAME UP WITH FOR REFORMING THE SYSTEM WOULD ESSENTIALLY JUST MOVE MONEY AROUND, AND SO I THINK THAT'S MAKING EVERYONE PRETTY NERVOUS NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF DISTRICT YOU'RE IN, WHETHER IT'S RURAL OR URBAN, BECAUSE IF YOU DO NOT PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE SYSTEM AND YOU MOVE MONEY AROUND, THAT MEANS THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE WINNERS AND THERE ARE GOING TO BE LOSERS, AND SO I THINK THERE'S A GENERAL CONSENSUS AMONG EDUCATORS AND EDUCATION OFFICIALS THAT IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO THIS, CHANGE THE WAY THEY FUND EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY, THERE HAS TO BE MORE FUNDING PIPED INTO IT OVERALL.

>> Bill: AND AGAIN, WHEN THE RECEIPTS ARE STRONG, GOOD TIME TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION MAYBE.

MORGAN, GOVERNOR BESHEAR MADE AN IMMEDIATE MOVE TO INCREASE THE PAY FOR, SO WORKERS.

WE'VE HAD 600 OR SO OF THEM TO LEAVE THEIR JOBS THIS YEAR.

HE JUST RECLASSIFIED THEIR JOBS AND GAVE THEM A RAISE.

>>MODERATOR: WHICH DEFINITELY SHOWS HOW SEVERE THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SITUATION WITH OUR SOCIAL WORK STAFF.

A LOT OF LOW MORALE, A LOT OF ISSUES -- I MEAN, IT'S A HARD JOB.

IT HASN'T GOTTEN ANY EASIER IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM THAT'S STEMMED I THINK EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SO, YEAH, BASICALLY HIM MAKING A BIG MOVE THIS WEEK TO TRY TO KIND OF MAKE -- HELP THOSE PEOPLE, MAKE THEM WHOLE ON SOME LEVEL WITH ALL THE STUFF THAT THEY'VE BEEN DEALING WITH AND TRY TO KEEP THEM AROUND AND STEM THE BLEEDING.

>> Bill: HE INDICATED THIS MAY BE THE BEGINNING OF AN EFFORT.

HE HOPES THE LEGISLATURE WILL DO SOME OTHER THINGS AS WELL TO MAKE THOSE, JO MORE PALATABLE.

>> Morgan: YEAH, SOCIAL WORKERS.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FAMILIES OF AND KIDS, TALKING ABOUT JOBS.

IZED BE SURPRISED IF THAT DOESN'T GET SERIOUS DISCUSSION.

>> Bill: MARK, IT LOOKS LIKE KENTUCKY WILL BE ENTERTAINED STATES WITH SPORTS BETTING.

THE OHIO LEGISLATURE PASSED THINK IT WEEK.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE GOVERNOR THERE MAY SIGN IT.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY STATE REPRESENTATIVE ADAMCATION CABEIG SAID HE WILL RENEW THE PUSH TO GET THAT DONE IN KENTUCKY.

>> Mark: HE'S PROBABLY SEEING HERE WE GO AGAIN.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A BUNCH OF KENTUCKY MONEY GO TO A BORDERING STATE WHERE IT'S LEGAL ACROSS THE BORDER.

OHIO'S GOT ONE OF THE MOST EXPANSIVE PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS GOING TO SET A NEW STANDARD FOR OTHER STATES THAT WANT TO DO THE SAME THING.

MONTH, A LOT OF SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL COUNTIES, SAY, HEY, LET THE OTHER STATES HAVE IT.

WE DON'T WANT IT IN OUR BACKYARD BECAUSE WITH GAMBLING COMES SOCIAL ILLS.

WE'VE GOT CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE VULNERABLE.

AND WE DON'T WANT THEM SPENDING THEIR MONEY ON THIS.

WE'VE GOT OTHER PROBLEMS THAT WE NEED TO TACKLE.

>> Bill: KOENIG NEEDS SUPPORT WITHIN HIS OWN CAUCUSES.

>> Mark:, AND YOU YEAH, AND THAT SPEAKS TO AN INTERESTING DINE NICK IN FRANKFORT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT'S DEMOCRAT VERSUS REPUBLIC.

THIS IS URBAN VERSUS RURAL.

>> Bill: SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS TO BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HOW TOUGH THIS HAS GOTTEN.

THIS WOULD SAY IF THE MEETING IS GOING ON, PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO SPEAK.

>> Jennifer: IT'S VERY INTERESTING.

FROM EDUCATION CHAIR REGINA HUFF.

YEAH, ESSENTIALLY IT SEEMS VERY MUCH AUTOMATED A JEFFERSON COUNTY, AS MANY BILLS OFTEN ARE, BUT ESSENTIALLY IT WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

RIGHT NOW THE BOARD IS ABLE TO GO TO WRITTEN COMMENTS, THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU CAN GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT IS THROUGH EMAIL, AND THAT'S LEGAL UNDER THE STATE OPEN MEETINGS LAWS.

BUT THIS BILL WOULD CHANGE THAT.

>> Bill: WELL, IT WAS AN EVENTFUL WEEK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE.

MORGAN, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A NEW PRESIDENT.

>>MODERATOR: >> Morgan: THEY ARE.

IT WAS PRETTY MASSIVE NEWS YESTERDAY.

WALKERS EARLIER IN BECOME THERE WAS ALREADY A GOT LOT GOING ON AT LOUISVILLE.

OUR SPORTS STAFF WAS ALL OVER WHETHER OR NOT WE WERE GOING TO LOSE THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR TO ANOTHER JOB AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WEDNESDAY NIGHT WE HEARD WE MAY LOSE THE PRESIDENT, TOO, THAT TURNED OUTED TO BE THE CASE.

THE PRESIDENT NEELI BENDAPUDI IS LEAVING FOR PENN STATE.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR UofL IS GOING TO MEET ON MONDAY TO NAME AN INTERIM PRESIDENT AND ALSO AN INTERRUPT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BECAUSE WE DID LOSE THEM, TOO, ONE IN ONE BECOME.

B.I.G.

WEEK.

>> Mark: I GOT A CASE WHIPLASH FROM VIPS.

HE WAS GOING TO LEAVE, THEN STAY, THEN WENT TO FLORIDA STATE, THEN SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> Bill: HAD TO HAVE PERMISSION TO LEAVE HIS CONTRACT.

>> Mark: YEAH, YOUR HEAD WAS SPINNING.

THEN BENDAPUDIY EXIT WAS SWIFT.

>> BILL: LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON HOMICIDES.

>> Mark: LOUVRE WAS UP THERE 170.

YOU WE'RE NOW UP TO 180.

THEN ON WEDNESDAY LEXINGTON SURPASSD 1 FLOUR THAN LAST YEAR WHEN THEY HIT 135.

IT'S NOT JUST LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON.

THERE WAS AN ARTICLE OUT TODAY THAT SAID AT LEAST 12 MAJOR MPT AREAS HAVE SURPASSED RECORDS.

IT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

IN LOUISVILLE THEY'RE DEFINITELY WRINGING THEIR HANDS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO BUT I'LL TELL YOU ONE IS CALLED GROUP VIOLENT INTERVENTION WHERE THEY GO TO KNOWN CRIMINALS AND THEY SAY, LISTEN, WE NEED TO YOU GET OFF THIS PATH, WE'LL GIVE YOU THE RESOURCES TO DO IT, AND IF YOU DON'T WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING WATCHING AND YOU PUT YOU BACK IN JAIL.

IT'S AN APPROACH THAT'S WORKED IN OTHER CITIES.

THE THEY'RE ALSO FUNDING YOUTH VIOLENCE OR ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAMS.

YOUTH PROGRAMS AT RECORD AMOUNTS.

>> Bill: THERE'S A POLITICAL ELEMENT TO THIS OBVIOUSLY, MAYORAL RACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND CERTAINLY IN THE BIGGER CITIES.

>> Morgan: OH, YEAH, THE COURIER-JOURNAL JUST COSPONSOR A POLL IN NOVEMBER, AND A QUARTER OF THE PEOPLE, THE RESIDENTS POLLED IN THAT PUT PUBLIC SAFETY AS THEIR NUMBER ONE ISSUE.

THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE A LIST OF 10 AND THAT EASILY FAR AND HAVE BOO TOPPED THE LIST.

PLENTY OF PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

POLITICIANS WILL BE TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: SPEAKING OF GUNS, REPUBLIC CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSEY SENT OUT A TWEET WITH HIM AND MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY HOLDING GUNS IT.

WENT VIRAL.

HE GOT CRITICISM BUT HE SAID LEE WOULD NOT APOLOGIZE FOR DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM IT.

>> Morgan: RIGHT.

THOMAS MASSEY IS VERY PRO 2nd AMENDMENT KINT GUY AND HE WAS BASICALLY, LOOK I'M NOT GOING TO APOLOGIZE FOR THIS INNING.

I'M NEVER GOING TO DELETE IT IS WHAT HE SAID.

THE REASON HE GOT A LOT OF PUSHBACK IN PARTICULAR IS BECAUSE THIS POST CAME LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER THE FATAL SCHOOL SHOOTING IN MICHIGAN, THE LATEST IN A VERY LONG LINE OF FATAL SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN THIS COUNTRY BUT HE MADE A REFERENCE IN AN INTERVIEW THAT I LISTENED TO WHERE HE SAID IT'S LIKE GHOSTBUSTERS.

YOU DON'T CROSS IS THE STREAMS.

YOU HAVE CHRISTMAS, YOU HAVE FAMILY AND GUNS AND IT TRIGGERED THE LEFT WAS KIND OF HIS TAKE ON IT.

>> Bill: MORNING, GOVERNOR BESHEAR DID SEVERAL INTERVIEWS THIS WEEK TALKING ABOUT 2021.

HEE TALKED ABOUT THE ECONOMY, THERE WERE MORE JOBS ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEK INCLUDING A SOLAR FACILITY UP IN NORTHEASTERN KENTUCKY, 500 JOBS I THINK THERE.

HE.

APPEARS WHO TO BELIEVE THAT'S HIS STRONGYES ASSET, JOB CREATION.

>> Morgan: DENIAL.

HE'S STILL RIDING HIGH OF FORD MAKE PAGE MULTI-BILLION DOLLARETIC SWEPT AND BINGED TWO ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY PLANTS IN KENTUCKY.

THAT WAS HUGE.

IT'S A RECORD BREAKING YEAR OVERALL.

HE'S DEFINITELY PUSHING THIS EVEN AS WE HAVE THE PANDEMIC STILL GOING ON, HE'S SAYING, LOOK, THERE ARE GOOD THINGS HAPPENING, REBOUNDING.

THERE'S BRIGHT TIME AHEAD.

THAT'S A HUGE PART OF HIS MESSAGE RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: AS WE FACE TOUGH WEATHER GOING INTO THIS WEEKEND THERE WERE EF-1 TORNADOES IN SCOTT COUNTY THIS WEEK.

THERE WERE NO WARNINGS AND JEFFERSON COUNTY.

THE WEATHER SERVICE IS TRYING TO EXPLAIN NO WARNINGS.

>> Nancy Tate: THEY REALLY HAVEN'T GIVEN AS YOU REASON SO THAT IS ONE INVESTIGATION WE'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING, BILL.

>> Bill: AND A WARRANT TASK FORCE APPOINTED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON HAS GIVEN ITS RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING MORE TRAINING WITH MORE TRACKING OF THOUGH WARRANTS.

>> Mark: YET CRITICS SAY THAT I LOT OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TEETH.

THERE ARE SOME ON THAT TASK FORCE WHO WANTED TO GO A LOT FURTHER.

THEY WANTED TO PLACE NEW LIMITATIONS ON SEARCH WARRANTS.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMBERS WERE VERY RESISTANT TO.

>> Bill: JESS, WHAT WILL YOU BE WATCHING AS THE LEGISLATURE APPROACHES?

RAY COUPLE OF EDUCATION ISSUES.

>> Jennifer: EVER.

>> Jess: DEFINITELY ONE THING I DEFINITELY HAVE MY EYE ON IS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO DO ABOUT SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

THAT'S BEEN A VERY HOEFT TOPIC ATALEL SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S LEGISLATION THAT REQUIRES EACH SCHOOL TO HAVE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AS FUNDS PERMIT, AND THIS LEGISLATION WOULD STRIKE THAT AND REQUIRE EVERY CAMPUS TO HAVE ONE, SO THAT'S GOING TO BE TOP OF MIND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Bill: A LOT OF THINGS YOU'LL BE LOOKING AT WHEN THEY GET TOGETHER THERE IN EARLY JANUARY.

THE NATION HAD TO SAY GOODBYE THIS WEEK TO FORMER LONGTIME KANSAS SENATOR BOB DOLE.

FLAGS WERE LOWERED HERE IN KENTUCKY FOR DOLE WHO CAMPAIGNED IN THE BLUEGRASS STATE IN HIS UNSUCCESSFUL RUNS FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

BOB DOLE WAS 88 YEARS OLD.

AND THIS WEEK MARKED IF 80th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR.

WE'RE MINDFUL OF THE KENTUCKIANS WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY THEN AND NOW.

YOU BE SURE TO TUNE IN MONDAY NIGHT NOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW WILL HOST A DISCUSSION ON CITY AND COUNTY ISSUES.