[♪♪] >> Bill: SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL IS OKAY AFTER ANOTHER FALL AND RYE ASSUMES THIS SCHEDULE.

KENTUCKY GETS EXTRA INFLUENCE IN WASHINGTON TWO CONGRESSMAN WILL SHARE POWERFUL COMMITTEES AND A LEXINGTON G.O.P.

ACTIVIST IS LIKELY TO CO-CHAIR THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR GETS A NATIONAL ROLE AND SAYS HE SUPPORTS ANOTHER CUT TO KENTUCKY'S INCOME TAX.

MORE CITIES TALK ABOUT WHETHER THEIR EMPLOYEES CAN USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

MAKING THE BEST OF A FRIDAY OF 13TH IN DECEMBER, COMMENT IS NEXT ON 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 JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR REPORTER FOR WHAS11 IN LOUISVILLE.

ALEX ACQUISTO REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND JOE SONKA ENTERPRISE STATE HOUSE REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

ALSO TONIGHT, STATE NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS ARE STILL RUNNING WAY BEHIND AND LOUISVILLE COMMITS TO LONG-TERM POLICE REFORM.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL DOING WELL AFTER TRIPPING AND FALLING IN WASHINGTON.

HIS OFFICE SAID HE HAD A CUT ON HIS FACE AND SPRAINED A WRIST NOT SERIOUS THAT LEFT HIM HOSPITALIZED AFTER WHICH HE HAD FREEZE UP SITUATIONS IN FRONT OF REPORTERS AND CAMERAS.

JOE, YOU KNOW, McCONNELL IS 82.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE A SCARY SITUATION LIKE THIS, OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SOME INITIAL CONCERNS?

>> YES, ESPECIALLY AFTER HIS REALLY BAD HEALTH YEAR IN 2023 WHERE HE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS IN PUBLIC.

AS FAR AS THIS YEAR, I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THERE'S BEEN AN INCIDENT IN PUBLIC.

SO OBVIOUSLY THAT BRINGS UP HIS HEALTH AGAIN AND HIS AGE.

AND WHILE HE'S OKAY, OF COURSE, THIS ALSO REMINDS PEOPLE OF HIS AGE.

AND THE FACT THAT HE'S RUNNING OWE IS UP FOR REELECTION IN 2026.

HE HAS NOT SAID WHETHER HE IS GOING TO RUN AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR ANNOUNCEMENT EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill: HE IS STEPPING DOWN FROM LEADERSHIP AND SAID TO BE GOING ON A POWERFUL COMMITTEE AS CHAIRMAN.

AND THERE IS THAT SPECULATION OUT THERE THAT McCONNELL WON'T SEEK ANOTHER TERM.

JOE SAID HE HASN'T SAID THAT BUT WE CONTINUE TO GET HINTS IF HE MIGHT BE INTERESTED.

ANDY BARR OF LEXINGTON LEARNED THIS WEEK HE WILL NOT BECOME CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE THAT HE WANTED IN THE HOUSE.

DOES THAT FURTHER INCREASE HIS INTEREST MAYBE IN A SENATE RUN?

>> REVERSALLY THAT IS THE SIGNAL WHEN THEY GET THAT KIND OF POSITION THEY ARE BOWING OUT AT THAT POINT.

LOOK, FOLKS ARE PREPARING RIGHT NOW.

YOU MENTIONED ANDY BARR HE WILL LIKELY BE THROWN HIS NAME IS THROWN IN THE RING.

YOU HEAR ABOUT DANIEL CAMERON.

AS SOMEBODY WHO LOST THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE IN 2023 BUT YOU'VE SEEN HIM MAKE APPEARANCES ON FOX BUSINESS.

HE IS STILL IN LOUISVILLE AND ATTENDS EVENTS.

SOMEONE THAT SENATOR McCONNELL HAS HAD A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH A PROTEGE OF HIM.

HE COMES BACK INTO THE FOLD.

AND THOMAS MASSIE HE DID NOT GET THE ASSOCIATION OF AG POSITION FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP BUT HE HAS COME BACK IN THE NEWS RECENTLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE JANUARY 6TH INFORMANTS THAT THEY CLAIM WERE ON THE GROUND THERE AT THE CAPITOL DURING THE RIOT.

HE, OF COURSE, WERE WAS DRILL GRILLING LAWMAKERS DID F.B.I.

HAVE STAFF ON-SITE.

AND OF COURSE, THAT IS JANUARY 6 PARDON IS A BIG TOPIC SO HE MIGHT COME BACK INTO THE FOLD.

>> Bill: WE WILL BE WATCHING AND WISH THE BEST FOR SENATOR McCONNELL AND A QUICK RECOVERY FROM THE SETBACK HE HAD THIS WEEK.

CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE WILL BE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE.

AND THAT IS AN EXPANSIVE ROLE IT INCLUDES DEALING WITH ENERGY AND HEALTH POLICY.

ALEX, THERE IS A LOT GOING ON THERE.

>> THERE IS.

I BELIEVE "POLITICO" SAID IF ANY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE HAS THE WIDEST RANGE OF INJURIES DIRECTION, HEALTH POLICY, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND COMMUNICATIONS.

IT'S SIGNIFICANT TO BE THE HEAD OF THE COMMITTEE BUT YOU HEAVILY GET TO INFLUENCE WHAT THE COMMITTEE CHOOSES TO DEVOTE IGHTS RESOURCES TO.

AND WITH THIS APPOINTMENT IT MEANS FIVE OF KENTUCKY'S FIVE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS 2 ARE THE HEAD OF COMMITTEES AND THAT IS CON GWEN SHALL FOR SURE.

>> Bill: HE COULD BE IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERESTING HEALTHCARE DECISIONS.

>> IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO REPEAL THE OBAMACARE ACT THEY TRIED TO DO THAT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE COMMITTEE WHERE THAT HAPPENS.

ONE OTHER ISSUE TO LOOK FOR DEALS WITH MARIJUANA.

GUTHRIE ON THAT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN A CRITIC OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S EXAMINATION OF WHETHER TO RESCHEDULE MARIJUANA.

IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DECIDES THEY WANT TO PICK THAT UP AND GO FORWARD THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING TO LOOK FOR IN THAT COMMITTEE.

>> Bill: CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER WILL REMAIN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT COMMITTEE SPENT TIME PROBING PRESIDENT BIDEN IN RECENT YEARS BUT THE COMMITTEE HAS BROAD AUTHORITY AS WELL TO LOOK INTO MATTERS LIKE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS AND THE CHALLENGES FOR LOCAL PHARMACIES.

AND SO THIS WILL BE SOMETHING, JOE, THAT WILL BE A CONTINUATION FOR COMER BUT YOU WOULD IMAGINE LIKELY DIFFERENT APPROACH THIS TIME?

>> PROBABLY WON'T BE AS TOUGH ON THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE AS HE WAS TO THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE.

BIDEN'S FAMILY.

IN THAT ROLE, I WOULD EXPECT HIM OBVIOUSLY TO TRY TO WIDEN THAT NET OF WHAT HE IS LOOKING AT AND PARTICULARLY LOOKING AT THOSE TYPE OF COMPANIES THAT YOU MENTIONED.

>> WE'VE CONGRESSMAN COMER GRILL PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS PBM'S WHICH THEY HAVE MALIGNED FROM FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF PRETTY MUCH DEALING WITH WHERE DRUG PRICES GO UP AND DOWN.

THEY ARE THE MIDDLE MEN BETWEEN THE PHARMACIES THEMSELVES AND THE MANUFACTURERS.

JAMES COMER HAS NOT HELD BACK ON THEM.

I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF THAT DIDN'T COME BACK.

>> Bill: HAS HEARD A LOT FROM THE LOCAL PHARMACIES.

>> INCLUDING HERE IN THE RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

CASEY CROSBY OF LEXINGTON HAS PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT TO BECOME THE CO-CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

THAT CAN BE ANOTHER CENTER OF INFLUENCE FOR A KENTUCKIAN?

>> SURE ENOUGH AND FOLLOWING UP, LAURA TRUMP, DONALD TRUMP'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW IT'S SIGNIFICANT TO HAVE HIS ENDORSEMENT.

WE TALKED ABOUT HOW SHE'S SMASHED FUNDRAISING RECORDS.

ME IS THE SITTING TREASURER.

AND THE PART OF HIS STATEMENT THAT I FOUND WAS KEY WAS WHEN HE SAID SHE HAS BEEN WITH ME SINCE THE BEGINNING.

WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT LOYALTY HAS BEEN TO DONALD TRUMP, ESPECIALLY IN THIS SECOND OR THIRD RUN BUT SECOND TIME GETTING THE NOD.

>> Bill: WE WILL BE WATCHING THAT AND, OF COURSE, INAUGURATION DAY ON JANUARY 20TH.

NOW, WHILE THE REPUBLICANS ARE GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION RIGHT NOW, OBVIOUSLY WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION COMING IN, GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS CONTINUING TO WIDEN HIS NATIONAL FOOTPRINT.

HE IS IN LINE TO LEAD THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION.

THAT FURTHER FUELS SPECULATION ABOUT HIS POSSIBLE RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2028?

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG TEST FOR "GOVERNOR'S AWARD IN THE ARTS."

WE KNOW HE HAS DONE WELL HERE IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE THE BIGGEST HOLE THEY HAVE POKED IS WHO CAN YOU BRING WITH YOU?

AND THIS WOULD BE A BIG TEST OF THAT CONCEIVABLY.

WE KNOW 2026 THERE'S A LOT OF GOVERNOR'S RACES THAT WILL BE HOTLY CONTESTED.

SIX BATTLEGROUND STATES WILL BE UP FOR GRABS YOU WILL GET A TEST OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S MESSAGING AND HOW HE RECRUITS AND HE RAISES MONEY AS WELL.

>> WHEN YOU RUN THE GDJA ONE OF YOUR ROLES IS FUNDRAISING AND THAT IS A GROUP THAT CAN TAKE UNLIMITED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM CORPORATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE GOAL OF EYEING A PRESIDENTIAL RUN IN 2028 IT MIGHT BE A GOOD WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH DEEP POCKETS.

THAT IS A WAY TO MAKE INROADS.

AS WE KNOW THROUGH GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S TWO TERMS, IT SOMETIMES HELPS TO GO TO DIFFERENT COUNTIES AND HANDOUT A BIG CHECK FOR A BIG ROAD PROJECT OR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT AND AT THE SAME TIME IF HE IS GOING TO OTHER DEMOCRATS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND SAYING HERE IS A LOT OF MONEY THAT I RAISED FOR YOU THAT IS A WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS THAT YOU MIGHT NEED IF YOU RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

>> Bill: AND COLLECTS IOU'S WHEN YOU WRITE THE CHECKS AND GET THEM IN POSITION.

>> IT'S INTERESTING TOO, THE CURRENT CHAIR IS ALSO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN A RED STATE.

THEY ARE CLEARLY TRYING TO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT IN THE WAKE OF THE 2024 ELECTION.

>> Bill: TO THAT POINT AND BACK ONS FRANKFORT JOB BESHEAR ANNOUNCED FOR A HALF PERCENT CUT IN THE INCOME TAX A MARQUEE REPUBLICAN PROMISE.

BESHEAR SAID THE ECONOMY IS STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE CUT BUT HE DID ISSUE CAUTION.

>> ONE CONCERN THAT I HAVE IS WHILE I'M GLAD THERE ARE GUARDRAILS THE TRAIN ONLY MOVES ONE DIRECTION AND AT SOME POINT WE WILL HIT A POINT WHERE WE CAN'T PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT PEOPLE EXPECT FROM GOVERNMENT IF WE LOSE TOO MUCH REVENUE.

BUT I BELIEVE WITH OUR BOOMING ECONOMY THAT THIS NEXT INCOME TAX CUT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO AND STILL PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

>> Bill: JOE, MAYBE TO THE FRUSTRATION OF REPUBLICANS HERE BESHEAR IS ONBOARD WITH THE CUT TO THE STATE INCOME TAX, WHICH IS THE REPUBLICAN PRIORITY.

>> YEAH.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT 0 POINT OUT HERE THAT THIS TAX CUT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NO MATTER WHAT BESHEAR'S POSITION ON IT IS THERE WILL BE ENOUGH VOTES TO OVERRIDE IT IF HE DID CHOOSE TO VETO IT.

BESHEAR VETOED THE ORIGINAL BILL THAT CREATED THIS TAX CUT TRIGGER MECHANISM THAT ALLOWS THEM TO DO THIS EVERY YEAR ONCE THEY MEET THE TRIGGERS.

AND ALSO THEY LIKE TO HAVE SOMETHING TO FIGHT HIM ON AND HOW DARE YOU AGREE WITH ME ON THIS TAX CUT THING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S THEIR IDEA.

AND IT CAN GO THROUGH WHETHER HE APPROVES OF IT OR NOT.

>> THE GOVERNOR CAN PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT HE DECIDES TO TOUT THAT HAS BEEN PASSED BY REPUBLICANS AND WHAT HE HAS VETOED AND IS AGAINST WHEN IT COMES TO REPUBLICANS.

THERE IS NO SECRET ABOUT THAT.

IT WAS INTERESTING THE WAY HE MANAGES TO WORK BOTH SIDES OF THIS.

HE SAYS LISTEN OUR ECONOMY IS BOOMING WOO CAN DO IT FOR NOW.

BUT IF WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE PUBLIC EDUCATION IS AT RISK BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GETTING THE REVENUE THAT IS WHERE WE DRAW THAT LINE HIS WAY TO WORK THE MIDDLE GROUND MESSAGING.

>> Bill: AND SETUP AS A GUARDRAIL.

ALEX, YESTERDAY, BESHEAR ANNOUNCED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ALLOW STATE GOVERNMENT WORKERS TO TAKE SIX WEEKS OF PAID LEAVE FOR BIRTH, ADOPTION OR FOSTERING A DEAL OR DEALING WITH A QUALIFIED MEDICAL CONDITION.

SIGNIFICANT?

>> VERY SIGNIFICANT.

AND SORT OF ANOTHER EXAMPLE TWO OF BESHEAR TAKING AN IDEA THAT INITIALLY THIS IS A PRODUCT OF A BILL THAT SENATOR BLEDSOE FROM LEXINGTON FILED.

SHE IS A REPUBLICAN IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S REGULAR SESSION EARLIER THIS YEAR.

IT NEVER MOVED.

I THINK HER PROPOSAL WAS TO ALLOW FOUR WEEKS.

AND THEN MY FIRST THOUGHT WHEN BESHEAR MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT I WONDER IF THIS IS GOING TO WRANGLE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE HE CAN TAKE CREDIT FOR ENACTING LIKE THIS AT THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL WHEN THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO AND DIDN'T.

IT'S BIPARTISAN, BUT STILL THE NAME.

GAME IS TAKING CREDIT FOR THINGS.

>> Bill: AND YOU REMEMBER WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA HE DID IT BY EXECUTIVE ORDER THEN THE LEGISLATURE CAME BEHIND HIM.

THERE IS, AGAIN, THIS PROPOSAL THAT THERE BELIEVE.

WILL THERE BE A NEED FOR THAT BILL TO PASS THE LEGISLATURE NOW?

>> POTENTIALLY.

AND AGAIN YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO BE LESS LIKELY TO DO IT NOW THAT HE DID IT.

HARD TO KNOW IF EGO IS INVOLVED.

THEY COME BACK INTO SESSION THE 7TH.

POTENTIALLY.

>> Bill: SOME KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS THIS WEEK CRITICIZED THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE GOVERNOR FOR ALLEGEDLY USING PUBLIC MONEY FOR SURGERY FOR TRANSGENDER INMATES.

THAT STIRRED UP DISCUSSION.

>> IT DID.

AT A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK, THERE WAS TALK OF PROPOSED DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS WHICH ARE WRITTEN AND FORMED INTERNALLY.

THEY ARE VETTED THROUGH A SERIES OF METHODS AND THEN ADOPTED.

SOME OF THESE THAT BASICALLY OUTLINED 10 PAGES OF HOW TO TREAT AND ACCOMMODATE TRANS AND INTERSECTION INMATES WRANGLED REPUBLICANS SOME DATE BACK TO 2021.

THEY CLAIM THAT BESHEAR IS TRYING TO USE TAX DOLLARS TO ALLOW THESE TYPE OF PROCEDURES AT CLEARLY THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOT IN FAVOR OF.

MORE THAN LIKELY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADULTS HERE.

IT CAME OUT AND SAID THAT HE IS NOT IN FAVOR OF SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS IN THIS WAY FOR INMATES FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

AND SO ACTUALLY THE DOC HAS ASKED ATTORNEY GENERAL COLEMAN A REPUBLICAN HIS OPINION ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY ACTUALLY DO HAVE TO FUND THEM.

IT'S VERY INTERESTING.

BUT IT SORT IS EASY FODDER FOR THE PARTY IN POWER TO SAY LOOK THE GOVERNOR IS DOING THIS HOW DARE HE DO THIS BEHIND OUR BACK SORT OF THING.

>> AND BIGGER PICTURE THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE GOVERNOR KIND OF PLAYING TO, I GUESS DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS.

HE SPECIFICALLY SAID THAT FOLKS WHO ARE LGBTQ INMATES IN CORRECTIONS THAT THEY DO HAVE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF BEING TARGETED FOR THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.

HE DID MENTION THAT.

AND MENTIONED SPECIFICALLY GETTING THEM CARE BUT AT THE SAME TIME DRAWING THE LINE OF THOSE WHO ARE CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS B FELONS SHOULD NOT BE GETTING SERVICES PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYER THAT A REGULAR LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN WOULD NOT.

>> Bill: DOES IT LOOK LIKE SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE ITS WAY TO THE SESSION OR MAYBE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S INTERVENTION SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON HIS OPINION.

>> I THINK SO, TOO.

>> HOW QUICKLY IT COMES OUT.

I'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF TEXTS FROM REPUBLICANS.

THEY ARE POUNCING ON THIS THERE IS NO DOUBT.

>> I THINK REGARDLESS OF THE AG'S OPINION THEY WILL DO SOMETHING MORE THAN LIKELY AGAIN BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A FLASHY ISSUE IN RECENT YEARS.

WHETHER IT IS JUST HOW INTERNAL REGULATIONS ARE PROMULGATED.

I THINK THEY WILL TRY TO DO SOMETHING.

>> Bill: WE'LL KEEP WATCH.

FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER THAYER IS LEAVING THE SENATE AT THE ENDS OF THIS MONTH AFTER 22 YEARS.

HE CITES THE INCOME TAX CUT AS A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT FOR REPUBLICANS IN RECENT YEARS.

THAYER IS HINTING AT A RETURN TO POLITICS MAYBE THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

IT DEPENDS HOW THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES LOOKS.

>> SAY CONGRESSMAN COMER IS IN IT AND SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS HOW DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR DECISION.

>> WELL, CONGRESSMAN COMER WOULD BE A VERY STRONG CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

IF HE DECIDES TO RUN I SAY HE IS THE FAVORITE.

>> AND YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T.

>> I PROBABLY WOULDN'T RUN AGAINST HIM.

BUT IF IT'S SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS I WOULD RUN AND I WOULD WIN.

>> Bill: THE GAUNTLET IS THROWN DOWN THERE.

>> WE HAVE TO TEXT HIM AND HE SAID QUOTE AS KENTUCKY AS KENTUCKY'S TOP VOTE GETTER I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE ALWAYS DESERVE A CHOICE AND IN THE 2027 ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR THEY WILL HAVE ONE.

>> HE POINTS THAT OUT A LOT HE GOT MORE VOTES.

>> HE DOES.

HE IS USING THAT ALL THE TIME.

>> Bill: THAT WAS BIPARTISAN HE NEEDS TO GET THROUGH A PRIMARY IF HE INTENDS TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR MIGHT BE MORE DIFFICULT.

>> DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> Bill: SO THAYER, IS HE JUST LEAVING FOR THOUSAND?

22 YEARS IS A CAREER IN FRANKFORT IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT?

>> HE ELUDED TO IN INTERVIEWS TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ASK ME WHY I WOULD BE LEAVING IN MY PRIME AT THE HEIGHT OF THIS INFLUENCE THAT HE HAS ON THE STATE.

HE CLEARLY STILL HAS THAT DESIRE FOR KENTUCKY POLITICS BUT POSSIBLY A DIFFERENT FORM.

HE SAYS HE IS GOING TO CONSIDER A RUN FOR GOVERNOR BUT HE WILL LOOK AT WHO ELSE IS RUNNING.

AND HE DIDN'T RULE OUT THAT HE WANTS TO BE IN THE CONVERSATION FOR SENATE IF SENATOR McCONNELL CHOOSES NOT TO RUN.

>> Bill: THE SIXTH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IF BARR WERE TO BE INTERESTED IN THE SENATE SEAT.

>> HE IS NOT DENYING.

>> Bill: AND TO THIS NARRATIVE OF HIM MAYBE TRYING TO BROADEN HIS APPEAL, HE ALSO INDICATED TO YOU, HOW MUCH HE ENJOYS LOUISVILLE?

>> HE SAYS I LOVE LOUISVILLE.

I GO TO SHOWS AT THE PALACE, I GO TO THE YOUNG CENTER, HE HAS BEEN ON BOURBON AND DISTILLERY TOURS.

HE IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A CONTINGENT OF REPUBLICANS WHO ESSENTIALLY WANT TO RUN THE STATE ALMOST IN SPITE OF LOUISVILLE.

HE MENTIONED HOW VOTING FOR BRINGING THE 200 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF INVESTMENT TO DOWNTOWN THERE WERE FOLKS IN THE ROOM SAYING THEY ARE DEMOCRATS THEY DON'T VOTE FOR US WHY SHOULD WE GIVE THEM MONEY.

NO, YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND AS THEY GO THE STATE GOES.

AND AS SOMEONE OBVIOUSLY REPRESENTS GEORGETOWN TO SAY THAT ABOUT LOUISVILLE AS A REPUBLICAN, IS AN INTERESTING PLAY HERE.

IT'S ALMOST PROVIDING A SNEAK PEEK INTO A POTENTIAL RUN IN THE FUTURE.

>> Bill: HE ALSO SEEMED TO BE LEANING INTO THE MAYBE LOUISVILLE WILL TREND MORE REPUBLICAN IN THE FUTURE.

>> HE WAS HE SPECIFICALLY WAS LOOKING AT THE METRO COUNCIL RACES THIS PAST NOVEMBER.

WE KNOW THAT THEY FLIPPED I THINK IT WAS THREE SEATS IN THE LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL RED AND HELD ON TO FOUR.

IT IS NOW A 14-12 DEMOCRATS.

THAT IS NOT MUCH.

SO HE IS SEEING THINGS TREND IN THAT WAY MORE CONSERVATIVE.

JEFFERSON COUNTY IS TRENDING MORE CONSERVATIVE.

THE WHOLE STATE HAS.

SO HE'S LOOKING THE THAT CLOSELY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

JOE, LOUISVILLE POLICE ARE COMMITTING TO REFORMS.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS CONSENT DECREE WITH THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND HOW WITH THE CHANGE IN THE ADMINISTRATION THINGS MIGHT CHANGE BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN WORKED OUT UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD.

>> YEAH.

THINGS STILL ARE IN FLUX.

THE FEDERAL JUDGE HAS TO APPROVE OF THE SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE DOJ AND THE CITY.

BUT THEN THERE'S THE QUESTION OF WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO DO ONCE HE IS INAUGURATED.

HE HAS BEEN A VOCAL CRITIC OF POLICE REFORM EFFORTS.

AND HE WAS IN HIS FIRST TERM WE LOOK AT THE EXAMPLE OF BALTIMORE WHERE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CAME IN AND THEY TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE CONSENT DECREE THERE IN THE BALTIMORE.

AND IT WAS THE FEDERAL JUDGE WOULD BLOCKED THAT AND SAID YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BACK OUT OF IT.

THE QUESTION IS: WILL THEY TRY THE SAME THING IN LOUISVILLE?

THE JUDGE IS A TRUMP APPOINTEE SO WE DON'T KNOW HOW HE WOULD REACT TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TRYING TO DO THAT.

EVEN IF THERE ISN'T A FULL POLL OUT THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THE DOJ WILL TRY TO CHIP AWAY AT THAT IN A SUBTLE WAY.

TYPICALLY IF THE CITY IS NOT FOLLOWING THE REFORMS OF THE CONSENT DECREE, THEN THE DOJ CAN TRY TO HOLD THEM IN CONTEMPT.

THE QUESTION IS IF LOUISVILLE ISN'T DOING WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO WOULD THE TRUMP DOJ PUSH THEM AND TRY TO HOLD THEM IN CONTEMPT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REFORM UNER THE CONSENT DECREE IT'S NOTHING RADICAL THAT THEY ARE BEING FORCED TO DO.

IT IS A QUESTION OF HOW COMMITTED THE CITY IS TO MAKING THE REFORMS.

AND HOW WILLING THE DOJ IS GOING TO BE TO PUSH THEM OR CONTINUE THE CONSENT DECREE.

>> ULTIMATELY YOU ARE RIGHT IT'S ON THE FEDERAL JUDGE AND THE INDEPENDENT MONITOR TO DECIDE IF THE REFORMS ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

CAN YOU SUSTAIN THEM GOING FORWARD.

BOTTOM LINE, THE DOJ UNDER DONALD TRUMP IS EXPECTED TO HAVE THEIR THUMB ON THE SCALES HERE.

THE QUESTION BEING, THOUGH, IS HOW QUICKLY LOUISVILLE CAN GET OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND MOVE FORWARD.

THE MAYOR AND THE POLICE CHIEF ARE CONFIDENT THAT THEY GOT MORE CONCESSIONS THAN ANY OTHER CITY.

WHY?

THEY HAD THE LEVERAGE NOVEMBER 5TH KNOWING OTHER CITIES ARE WAITING IT OUT AND WE WANT TO DO IT BUT UNDER OUR TERMS.

>> IT TRULY IS UNIQUE THERE IS AN AUTOMATIC EXPIRATION AFTER FIVE YEARS UNLESS THE DOJ SAYS.

THE CONSENT DECREE IS PAST WHAT PEOPLE EXPECTED THEM TO GO.

>> THE BURDEN OF PROOF SHIFTS AND UNIQUE TO THIS AGREEMENT.

>> Bill: THE HERALD LEADER LOOKED INTO NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS AND SOME FACILITIES HAVE GONE MORE THAN TWO YEARS SINCE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, RIGHT?

>> THIS IS REPORTING FROM MY COLLEAGUE WHO HAS BEEN REPORTING ON THIS ISSUE SINCE 2018.

HE'S WRITTEN ABOUT CHRONIC STAFFING SHORTAGES IN A LOT OF THESE NURSING HOMES WHICH INCLUDES SHORTAGES OF INSPECTORS.

IN 2023 HE FOUND THAT, I BELIEVE, THREE OUT OF FOUR NURSING HOMES HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN MORE THAN TWO YEARS.

SOME NOT SINCE 2020.

THAT BACKLOG IS BEING PLOTTED THROUGH BUT HE REPORTED HOW SOME OF THOSE CONDITIONS ARE STILL CHRONIC.

INCLUDING, YOU KNOW, HORRIBLE CONDITIONS OF RESIDENTS OF THESE NURSING HOMES BEING LEFT IN SOME OF THEIR OWN WASTE.

BEING ASSAULTED.

SO IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING HE HAS WRITTEN ABOUT THAT THE STATE HAS RESPONDED TO BUT KENTUCKY IS LAGGING 80% OF NURSING HOMES ARE PRIVATELY OWNED IT'S STILL A PROBLEM.

>> Bill: A BIG CHALLENGE.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE ROLLOUT OF KENTUCKY'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM AND HOW SOME CITIES ARE BANNING EMPLOYEES FROM CANNABIS CONSUMPTION.

THIS WEEK RICHMOND LEADERS DECIDED TO DELAY A DECISION BUT HEARD FROM THE POLICE CHIEF WHO EXPRESSED HIS CONCERNS.

>> IT WITH TROUBLE ME IF WE HAD POLICE OFFICERS WORKING THE STREETS WITH THC IN THEIR SYSTEM.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT.

>> NOT ONLY FROM THE SAFETY ASPECT FROM A LIABILITY AS WELL.

>> Bill: JOE, THIS TEAMS TOUGH FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS YOU HAVE A POLICE CHIEF SAYING HE DOESN'T WANT HIS OFFICERS ON THE STREETS USING CANNABIS BUT THE CITY COMMISSION HAD CONCERNS ABOUT BANNING A SUBSTANCE THAT A DOCTOR MIGHT PRESCRIBE.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW THAT KENTUCKY HAS PASSED, EMPLOYERS STILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO DRUG TEST WHOEVER THEY WANT.

SO THAT WOULDN'T BE ANY DIFFERENT FROM FOR A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAN A NORMAL EMPLOYER.

BUT MOST CITIES MOST AREAS AROUND THE STATE, BUSINESSES, WILL BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE THEIR LICENSED NOT MADISON COUNTY, BUT RICHMOND DID OPT-IN TO ALLOW THOSE BUSINESSES.

AND ALSO NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU ARE LEGALLY ALLOWED TO USE MARIJUANA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AS LONG AS A DOCTOR HAS CORRECTLY PRESCRIBED IT TO YOU.

>> Bill: WE'RE WATCHING THOSE CITY BY CITY DECISIONS.

KENTUCKY SENATE DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCED HER LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

GERALD NEAL CONTINUES AS FLOOR LEADER.

REGINALD THOMAS CONTINUES TO SERVE AS CAUCUS CHAIR AND DAVIDIATES OF LOUISVILLE HAS BEEN NAMED THE WHIP.

NO WOMAN IN EITHER REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC SENATE LEADERSHIP.

>> RIGHT.

I THINK THE CRITICISM IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT A CRITICISM IS IDEALLY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAKEUP IS SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE POPULATION OF KENTUCKY.

I'VE TALKED TO A COUPLE PEOPLE SINCE LEADERSHIP WAS APPOINTED ON BOTH PARTIES WHO SAID REPUBLICANS I BELIEVE ONLY HAVE ONE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN MILES ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

SO MAYBE NOTHING TO BE GLEANED FROM IT.

BUT, YEAH.

NOT VERY MANY WOMEN.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY COMMUNITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM HAS GIVEN LAWMAKERS A DOZEN STEPS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN RESPONSE TO A SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION CALLING FOR REVIEW.

THE PRESIDENT RYAN QUARELS SAYS IT'S NO TIME TO STAND STILL AND HE HAS BEEN ON THE JOB ABOUT A YEAR.

SAYS HE WANTS BOLD ACTION GOING FORWARD.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF SCRUTINY ON KTCS ON AUDITS BUT HE IS LOOKING TO MAKE IT THE SOLE PROVIDER OF DUAL CREDIT COURSES IN THE STATE AND POSSIBLE AREAS OF MERGERS.

>> TOYOTA WILL INVEST A BILLION DOLLARS FOR A NEWED ADVANCED PAINT FACILITY IN GEORGETOWN.

2027 WHEN THAT IS TO OPEN.

CHICK-FIL-A INVESTING IN KENTUCKY.

THE CHAIN WILL BUILD A DISTRIBUTION FACILITY IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

SAID RAIL SERVICE WAS A BIG ATTRACTION.

ALSO THIS WEEK WAS THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADOES OF DECEMBER 2021.

ELEANOR BROWN MOORE THE FIRST WOMAN TO OWN A PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM HAS DIED.

ELLIE WAS MARRIED TO JOHN WHITE BROWN JUNIOR AND THE YEARS BEFORE HE BECAME GOVERNOR.

THE TWO WERE ACTIVE IN SAVING THE DOWNTOWN YMCA AND PROJECTS IN LOUISVILLE AS THE OWNER OF THE KENTUCKY COLONELS SHE WON THE ONLY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THAT TEAM.

SHE WAS 84.

THAT IS COMMENT HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

IS