COURT UNANIMOUSLY STRIKES DOWN THE STATE SCHOOL CHOICE LAW.

WITH TAX CHANGES COMING, KENTUCKY REPORTS MORE STRONG REVENUE FLOWING INTO FRANKFORT.

WITH ABOUT A DOZEN REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR IN THE RACE ALREADY, FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN'S NAME KEEPS POPPING FLU HITS STATE HARD AND SOME NE POLLING EMERGES ON ATTITUDES ABOUT THE COVID PANDEMIC AND VA HEADING INTO THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON.

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 TESSA DUVAL, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD- SARAH LADD, HEALTH AND POLICY REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY LANTERN.

AND JOE SONKA, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

ALSO TONIGHT, CONGRESSMAN JOHN YARMUTH SAYS GOODBYE IN WASHING AND SOME COLLEGE STUDENT JOURNALISTS ROOT OUT THE COSTS OF BRINGING A PERSONALITY TO THEIR CAMPUS.

BUT FIRST, THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT RULES THE STATE SCHOOL CHOICE LAW THAT WAS PASSED LAST YEAR IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

JOE, THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNT ACT NARROWLY PASSED THE LEGISLATURE, AND NOW THE STATE SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY STRUCK IT DOWN.

>> Joe: ALL SEVEN SAID THAT THERE WAS A SECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION THAT CLEARLY PROHIBITS AND STATE FROM RAISING FUNDS FOR NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND, OF COURSE, THIS BILL HAD DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR TAX CREDITS OF UP TO $25 MILLION A YEAR TO GO TO THOSE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY COUNT TO HELP -- TO HELP KIDS WITH THEIR SCHOOL COSTS AND TUITION, INCLUDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

SO THIS IS KIND OF BEEN HANGING IN THE BALANCE FOR TWO YEARS SINCE THE LEGISLATURE PASSED IN IT 2021, SO NOW A LOT OF THE SCHOOL CHOICE VICTORIOUS KIND OF BACK TO SQUARE ONE ON WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO ON THIS ISSUE.

>> Tessa: ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE SAW THE SUPREME COURT SAY WAS IT'S IMMATERIAL IN YOU'RE CALL THIS A TAX CREDIT OR AN APPROPRIATION.

EITHER WAY, THE MONEY IS GOING DIRECTLY TO THESE PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THESE INSTANCES P INSTANCES.

SO THE WORKAROUND THE LEGISLATURE THOUGHT IT WOULD COME UP THE COURT SOUNDLY REJECTED.

WE'RE SEEING THAT DEMOCRATS ARE PRAISING THIS RESULT.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING THAT THE AG WAS SLAPPED DOWN IN HIS HANDLING OF THIS AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR, OF COURSE, HAS ALSO SPOKEN OUT FAVORABLY ABOUT THIS RULING AND, OF COURSE, WE HAVE SEEN THAT HE'S TALKED A LOT ABOUT TEACHER RAISES AND PRE-K AND IS SORT OF USING THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY LET'S INVEST IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT WE HAVE INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON PRIVATE CHARTERS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

>> Bill: AND SO PROCEED OPPONENTS SAY THE COURT GET OUT WRONG AND SAY THE CONSTITUTION DOES NO RULE OUT OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS, BUT GOVERNOR BESHEAR WHOSE VETO OF THE MEASURE WAS OVERRIDDEN, SAYS THE COURTED'S RULING IS CORRECT IN THIS CASE.

>> BUBBLE DOLLARS CAN ONLY GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS HERE IN.

PUBLIC DOLLARS.

IT IS THAT SIMPLE.

AND IT WOULD TAKE A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, A STATEWIDE BALLOT QUESTION OR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THAT.

SO THIS ARGUMENT, THIS ISSUE OUGHT TO BE DONE.

RIGHT?

WE CAN'T SEND PUBLIC DOLLARS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOLS, NOR SHOULD ANYONE TRY.

THE ANSWER, LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE ISSUE SHOULD BE DONE.

JOE, YOU GET NO SENSE THAT THAT IS THE CASE, RIGHT?

>> Joe: YEAH, WELL, IT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THE RULING STATED EXPLICTY IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS YOU HAVE TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.

EVERY REPUBLICAN I'VE TALKED TO IN THE PAST MONTH, EVERY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS IN THE PAST MONTH IS GUN SHY TO PUT ANY TYPE OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR CONSIDERING THAT THEY GOT SMACKED DOWN ON THEIR TWO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IN NOVEMBER, SO EVEN IF THEY DID PASS SOMETHING THIS YEAR, VOTERS WOULDN'T VOTE ON IT UNTIL THE END OF 20 II SO IT WOULD BE A LONG WAY SO I REALLY DOUBT THAT WE SEE THIS PASS OR REALLY ANY OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS PROBABLY THIS SESSION.

SO IT'S KIND OF BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD IN A LOT OF WAYS.

>> Jonathan: AND IT.

>> Bill: SCHMIT WAS SUCH A CLOSE VOTE.

ONE VOTE THAT THIS GOT IN THE HOUSE.

>> Joe: THE ISSUE WAS GETTING ALL OF THE EUROPE REPUBLICANS ONBOARD.

THEY THE TO SWEETEN THE POT ON THE BILL.

EVERY TIME HER WERE SCHEDULE COMMITTEE VOTES AND REALIZED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES WITH EVENTUALLY THEY ADDED FULL FUNDING OF FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IN ORDER TO GET VOTES.

THEY LIMITED IT TO SORT OF HIGH POPULATION COUNTIES.

SO THEY DID THAT ENOUGH TO JUST GOT THE BARE MAJORITY BOTH TO PASS IT AND TO OVERRIDE BESHEAR -- >> Bill: LET'S TULANE PLAN IS WHY THAT'S THE CASE, WHY RURAL LAWMAKERS HAVE LESS.

>> Joe: PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUCH VITAL PARTS OF RURAL ECONOMICS FOR THE TEACHERS AND A LARGE PART OF THE ECONOMY, AND THANK YOU THE ARGUMENT IS ANYTHING THAT UNDERMINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS GOING TO UNDERMINE YOUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK THAT HAS A LOT OF WEIGHT IN RURAL AREAS WHERE YOU HAVE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATOR WHO ARE ON A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES WOULD BE EK 3MLY CONSERVATIVE BUT THIS IS ONE WHERE THEY -- THEY PAUSE AND REALLY LOOK AT THE ISSUE.

>> Bill: TESSA, DO YOU AGREE THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE LINE ON THIS ISSUE?

>> Tessa: I MEAN, WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOP THAT THEY'RE DID NOT DONE.

WHAT THE NEXT STEP LOOKS LIKE, I DON'TATELY THINK WE NECESSARILY KNOW BUT THEY'RE NO GIVING UP SCHOOL CHOICE.

IT'S HUGE PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICANS IN KENTUCKY BUT ELSEWHERE AROUND THE COUNTRY AS WELL.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH AND SEE.

AS FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHERING FOR THE HOLIDAYS WE ARE, OF COURSE, WATCHING NEWS ABOUT FLU, COVID, RSV.

DOCTORS HAVE BEEN STRUG FOR EXAMPLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH VARIOUS RESPIRATORY ISSUES AND, SARAH, FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THERE IS REPORTING THAT MANY KENTUCKY HOSPITALS ARE NEAR THEIR CAPACITY.

SOME ARE FULL, AND MORE FULL NOW THAN AT ANY POINT DURING THE PANDEMIC, SO IT'S A COMBINATION OF THINGS GOING AROUND AND IT SPELLS A LOT OF TROUBLE.

>> Sarah: THAT'S RIGHT.

SO IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS OF COVID, PARTICULARLY IN 2020, WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A FLU SEASON, AND THAT WAS THANKS IN PART TO PEOPLE WERE STAYING AT HOME, THEY WEREN'T HOSTING HOLIDAY PARTIES, THEY WEREN'T REALLY GOING TO THEM, THEY WEREN'T TRAVELING, THEY WERE MASKING.

WE HAVE FAR MORE SOCIALIZATION NOW AND FAR LESS MASKING, AND SO WE'RE SEEING -- WE'RE SEEING MORE FLU IN THE COMMUNITY.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CDC MAP OF THE COUNTRY AND THEY RANK STATES BY THE LEVELS, GREEN IS THE SAFEST.

PURPLE IS VERY HIGH.

KENTUCKY IS PURPLE AND IT'S ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL OF STATES THAT ARE IN THAT HOO VERY HIGH LEVEL.

IN THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 10th WE HAD ALMOST 30,000 CASES.

SO WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF FLU.

AND A COUPLE WEEKS OUT FROM THANKSGIVING WE'RE ALSO SEEING AN INCREASE IN COVID, DEATHS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS THERE, AND IN THE POSITIVITY RATE.

AND WE'RE ALSO SEEING RSV.

SO YOU'VE KIND OF GOT THESE THREE I WANT H. RESPIRATORY ISSUES KITTING KENTUCKIANS HARD AS WE LOOK TOWARD CHRISTMAS, AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE THAT I HEAR OVER AND OVER AND GET VACCINATED.

>> Bill: AND WE HAVE ALL KIND OF EVIDENCE THAT THE PUBLIC IS JUST TIRED OF HEARING THE MESSAGE.

THEY'RE TIRED OF TAKING THE PRECAUTIONS.

THE FOUNDATION FOR A HEALED KENTUCKY PROVIDE SOME INSIDES ON THAT AS TO WHY PEOPLE ARE REALLY AT THIS POINT HITTING THE WALL WITH COVID AND OTHER ILLNESS FATIGUE WEEK RIGHT?

>> Sarah: YEAH, I'VE HEARD REPEATEDLY FROM PEOPLE AND FROM DOCTORS, PEOPLE ARE TIRED AND THEN DOCTORS SAY THAT THEIR PATIENTS ARE TIRED OF AND AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW.

THE FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHY KENTUCKY DID PUT OUT A POLL.

RESEARCHERS WITH THE INSTITUTE FOR POLS RESEARCH 234 CINCINNATI CALLED 855 KENTUCKY ADULTS BETWEEN CAN YO 29th AND DECEMBER 4th AND ASKED THEM ABOUT THE PANDEMIC AND ABOUT VACCINES.

NOW, MORE THAN EIGHT IN TEN OF THE PEOPLE THEY TALKED TO SAID THAT COVID WAS NOT VERY LIKELY TO IMPACT THEIR HOLIDAY PLANS.

WOMEN AND PEOPLE WHO WERE FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED WERE MORE LIKELY TO SAY COVID WOULD IMPACT THEIR PLANS.

RESEARCHERS ALSO FOUND IN THIS SURVEY THAT MOST -- MOST KENTUCKIANS FELT THAT THE PANDEMIC WAS OVER AS IT RELATES TO THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, AND SO THAT WAS THE KIND MINDSET THAT THEY WERE GOING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH.

>> Bill: IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH ALL ALONG.

BUT WE ARE AT THIS POINT NOW AGAIN WITH THE FATIGUE WHERE THE MESSAGING MAY BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

RIGHT?

>> Sarah: MESSAGING HAS BEEN IMPORTANT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

I KNOW PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE REALLY PUSHED VACCINATION AND EDUCATED PEOPLE AND DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL HAVE GONE INTO THE COMMUNITY AND TRIED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THAT.

WE HEAR, I HEAR FROM PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE PUBLIC SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED IN THEIR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS SO THERE'S A PUSH FOR DIVERSITY THERE AS WELL, BUT ALSO JUST A PUSH FOR PATIENTS AND TO EDUCATE WITHOUT BEING DEFENSIVE OR FRUSTRATED.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK POLITICS.

IN CAMPAIGN 2023 THE FILING DEADLINE FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE IN KENTUCKY IS COMING IN JUST OVER 2 WEEKS AND WE'RE HEARING A LOT OF RUMBLES OUT THERE.

JOE, THE FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN GOING TO JUMP INTO THAT CROWDED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY?

>> Joe: I'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT OF CHATTER GOING BACK TO LAST YEAR THAT BEVIN WAS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING.

IT THIS SUMMER I TALKED TO STATE AUDITOR MIKE HARMON WHO IS ALSO RUNNING TO GOVERNOR AS A REPUBLICAN.

HE SAID HE HAD TALKED TO MATT BEVIN AND HE THOUGHT THIS THERE WAS A 50/50ANS CHANCE HE WAS GOING TO GET.

THIS WOOKIEE UPPED THE ODDS TO 95% SAYING HE HEARD THAT MATT BEVIN IS POLLING.

SO THIS IS REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE IF YOU TALK TO REPUBLICANS, THEY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEY CAN WIN A GENERAL ELECTION AGAINST ANDY BESHEAR IF IT'S CRAFT OR A CAMERON OR A QUARLES.

THEY FEEL VERY CONFIDENT.

WHAT THEY DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT AND THEY'RE KIND OF TERRIFIED ABOUT IS 23 MATT BEVIN DOES GET IN THIS RACE, YOU HAVE 12 REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

HE COMES OUT WITH 25% OF THE VOTE BASS A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW WHO HE IS AND THEN HE IS THE NOMINEE, AND THAT'S THE TYPE OF SCENARIO THAT ANDY BESHEAR WOULD LOVE AND IT WOULD KEEP REPUBLICANS UP AT NIGHT.

SO THE QUESTION IS WHETHER REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO TRY TO PUSH A BILL IN THE SESSION THAT GOES BACK TO THE RUNOFF THAT WE USED TO HAVE FOR GOVERNOR WHERE YOU HAD TO GET SOMETHING LIKE 40% IN ORDER TO TO GO ONTO THE GENERAL OR ELSE THERE WAS A RUNOFF.

THAT GETS INTO ALL TYPES OF DICEY ISSUES BECAUSE THE FILING DEADLINE IS JANUARY 3rd, AND IF THEY WANTED TO PASS A BREAK GLASS IN CASE OF BEVIN BILL, THEY COULDN'T DO THAT UNTIL FEBRUARY, SO YOU'RE GETTING INTO LEGAL ISSUES ABOUT WHETHER YOU COULD GO THAT LENGTH AND PUSH BACK THE FILING DEADLINE.

>> Bill: BECAUSE THEN YOU HAVE CHANGED THE RULES FOR AN ELECTION THAT PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY FILED FOR.

>> Joe: UWE CHAINED THE RULES AND THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE RIPE FOR A LAWSUIT, AND THINK OF A FEW PEOPLE WHO MIGHT FILE SUCH A LAWSUIT.

>> Bill: TESSA, DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE CANDIDATES WILL KICK UP THEIR EFFORTS AFTER IN THE COMING WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR?

CLEARLY, THE ELECTION FOR 2023 IS ALREADY OFF AND RUNNING.

>> Tessa: IT'S BEEN SO OFF AND RUNG FOR SO LONG I THINK THEY'RE PROBABLY SURPRISED THE GOVERNOR WASN'T ON THE BALLOT.

I THINK, YES, ONCE WE'RE PASSED THE HOLIDAYS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS 2023 HAS ALREADY BEGUN BUT IT'S GOING TO KICK UP A NOTCH FOR SURE.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY -- WE'LL SEE IN THAT REMAINS THE CASE BUT CURRENTLY A DOZEN REPUBLICANS -- >> Joe: 13 IS UNLUCKY.

>> Tessa: MAYBE FOR THEM BUT NOT FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR.

YES, THE REPUBLICANS REALLY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DIFFERENTIATE THEMSELVES IN THIS CROWDED FIELD.

YOU'VE GOT A COUPLE OF LIBERTY ALIGNED CANDIDATES IN THERE.

YOU'VE GOT YOUR SOFTER MAINSTREAM ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS.

AND THIS IN A FIELD OF A DOZEN THEY'VE GOT TO SAY, HERE'S WHY I'M DIFFERENT AND WHY I SHOULD BE OUR PARTY'S NOMINEE.

THEY'VE GOT TO GET TO WORK ON THAT.

>> Bill: SO THEY'LL BE FIGHTING AMONG THEMSELVES BUT ALSO TRYING TO KEEP SOME FOCUS ON DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND, OF COURSE, WE KNOW OF HIS POPULARITY AND HIS FOLKS REMIND US OF THAT AND MAJOR JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT AND SO FORTH, BUT HAVE THEY POSSIBLY FOUND AN AREA OF ATTACK ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WITH THE PROBLEMS IN THE STATE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW OR HAS HIS ADMINISTRATION GOT OUT IN FRONT OF THAT?

>> Tessa: WELL, I WOULD I THINK YOU COULD SAY ANY TIME THERE ARE ALREADY RIOTS AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, STAFF MEMBERS BEING HARMED, A YOUNG GIRL WAS ASSAULTED IN STATE CUSTODY, THAT'S NOT AHEAD OF THE PROBLEM.

SO, YES, I THINK REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE FOUND A SOFT SPOT, A WEAKNESS WHERE THEY CAN LA'EL GO AFTER ANDY BESHEAR.

JUVENILE JUSTICE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT NORMALLY GETS A LOT OF HEADLINES.

THERE'S NOT USUALLY A LOT OF LEGISLATION ABOUT IT, AND CERTAINLY IT'S NOT A KEY ISSUE IN GUBERNATORIAL RACES.

BUT THESE ARE CHILDREN WHO ARE IN STATE CUSTODY WHAT SOME OF THE THING THAT ARE -- BEING DONE IN THESE CENTERS AND HAVE BEEN FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW, TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM UNIQUE TO THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION, BUT IT CERTAINLY HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED IN THE THREE YEARS THAT THAT HE'S BEEN IN OFFICE.

SO, YES, I THINK IT'S CLEAR JUST GIVEN THE HEARING THAT TOOK PLACE IN FRANKFORT, THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT REPUBLICANS LEADERS HAVE HELD, THEY DO FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE HE IS VULNERABLE.

THE THING IS THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED SOME CHANGES THAT ARE BEING MADE.

A COUPLE WEEK AGO THERE'S GOING TO BE A GIRLS-ONLY FACILITY.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO SEE YOUTH BEING HELD ON SORT OF SEVERITY OF THEIR CHARGES, HOUSED TOGETHER WHICH IS GOING TO CREATE ALL KIND OF OTHER LOGISTICAL ISSUES.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY CAUSING A LOT OF THESE ISSUES WITHIN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE FACILITIES IS UNDERSTAFFING, AND I THINK THAT UNDERSTAFFING IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE VERY LOW PAY THAT A LOT OF THESE YOUTH WORKERS ARE GETTING, AND SO UNTIL THAT IS ADDRESSED, STAFF IS OVERWORKED, MORALE IS LOW.

THOSE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO SAFETY ISSUES.

>> Bill: SO THAT PUTS IT BACK IN LEGISLATURE'S COURT YET AGAIN.

THERE WAS TESTIMONY THIS WEEK FROM THE STATE JUSTICE SECRETARY KERRY HARVEY ABOUT THE STATE INCARCERATING SERIOUS JUVENILE OFFENDERS ALONGSIDE THOSE CONVICTED OF MUCH LESS SERIOUS OFFENSES.

HE INDICATES THAT'S GONE ON FOR A LONG TIME.

>> Tessa: RIGHT.

THE STATE HAS HAD A REGIONAL JUVENILE DETENTION SYSTEM I THINK ESSENTIALLY SINCE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE HAS SET UP 24 YEARS GO ON, SO THAT IS WHAT THIS PROPOSAL SEEKS TO ADDRESS, IS THAT YOU'RE MOW LONGER GOING TO TO HAVE A YOUTH THAT IS CHARGED FOR A GUN CRIME, AGRICULTURE VATED ASSAULT, EVEN MORE SERIOUS MURDER/MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES, ALONG WITH A KID WHO IS IN THERE FOR A MISDEMEANOR, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE.

AND SO THE HOPE IS THAT BY PUTTING YOUTH WITH MORE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS INTO A NUMBER OF FACILITIES WHERE THEY CAN AMP UP THE PHYSICAL SECURITY OF THE SECURITY OF THE BUILDING, STAFF THEM BETTER, MAYBE EVEN PAY THE PEOPLE WORKING IN THOSE FACILITIES A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE OF THAT ADDED RISK, THAT THAT IS THE PLAN FOR NOW.

THAT'S HOW THEY ARE GOING TO SEPARATE OUT AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

>> Bill: WITH JUST OVER TWO WEEKS UNTIL LAWMAKER ARRIVE 234 FRANKFORT, THE FRESH NUMBERS SHOW TAX RECEIPTS CONTINUE TO ROLL IN.

IT MAN'S THE LEGISLATURE IS SET TO BRING DOWN THE STATE INCOME TAX.

IT PRESERVES OPTIONS FOR SPEND SPENDING LAWMAKERS DO CHOOSE TO GET IN AND USE SOME OF THE UNANTICIPATED REVENUE.

JOE, WE KNOW THE STAGE IS SET FOR SOME DRAMA IN FRANKFORT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR PUSHING FOR MONEY TO BE USED FOR PRE-K AND FOR TEACHER PAY AND RECRUITMENT.

THERE'S A BILL FILED TO BOOST STATE RETIREE PENSIONS.

BUT THERE IS ALSO, OBVIOUSLY, A DESIRE ON THE PART OF THE YOU HAVE BEEN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO TAMP DOWN EXPECTATIONS IN THIS 30-DAY SESSION.

>> Joe: YEAH, GOVERNOR BESHEAR RAN ON ALL THESE PROMISES OF TEACHER RAVERS AND HE WANTS TO ADDRESS THE TEACHER SHORTFALL.

BUT REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY'RE JUST NOT GOING TO OPEN UP THE BUDGET AND DO A HUGE REVAMP AND SPEND A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS SESSION.

SO BESHEAR MAY WANT THAT, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE ABOUT 20% OF THE SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WHO BELONG TO YOUR PARTY, IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET YOUR AGENDA THROUGH, SO THAT'S -- ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES AND THAT'S THE CASE HERE.

>> Bill: ALSO, MANY REPUBLICANS WHO REMIND PEOPLE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PENSION DEBT TO PAY DOWN, STILL A WEIGHT AROUND THE NECK OF STATE GOVERNMENT, BUT A LOT OF THE SURPLUS AT THIS POINT IS BEING BANKED AWAY, RIGHT, IN RAINY DAY FUNDS.

>> Joe: YEAH, THEY PASSED HOUSE BILL GO THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS A LONGTIME GOAL OF REPUBLICANS, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REALLY THE LANDMARK BILLS THAT THEY'VE PASSED TO MEET THEIR GOAL AND AGENDA.

AND THAT SETS UP A SYSTEM WHERE YOU LOWER THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX EVERY YEAR BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE TWO THINGS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LARGE RAINY DAY FUND AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CONSIST SUR DIFFERENT SURPLUS, REVENUE OUTPAYSING WHAT YOU'RE SPENDING.

IF NOSE THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS YOU NEEDED THE TO DO, YOUR GOAL OF TUTTING TAXES, THAT'S AN SIN OF TO KEEP MUCH SAVED AND KEEP SPENDING DOWN SO YOU HAVE THAT SUR MUST.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL BE HOLDING A BIG CHAMBER DAY THE WEEK THE SESSION OPS THEY'RE PUSHING EXPANDnd BETTING AND SPORTS BEATING AND ALSO NOTING THE STRENGTH OF QUESTION AND ECONOMY AND THE WORKFORCE ISSUES THAT CONTINUE TO BE OUT.

THE THE CHAMBERS A CEO HAD THIS TO SAY IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ME THAT AIRS THIS WEEKEND ON WKYT.

>> OUR ECONOMY HERE IN KENTUCKY IS GOING WELL EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THAT RECORD INFLATION, THE -- ISSUES AND EVERYTHING THAT HAS ISSUED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THE THING THAT REALLY CONCERNS MOST BUSINESS LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE REGARDLESS OF SECTOR ARE OUR ISSUES WITH WORKFORCE.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT TWO OPEN JOBS FOR EVERY ONE PERSON LOOKING AND SO WHEN YOUD ASK BUSINESSES ALL ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT KEEPS THEM UP AT NIGHT, IT IS WORKFORCE.

>> Bill: AND YET, TESSA, IT IS HARD TO DEAL WITH KENTUCKY'S JOB PARTICIPATION RATE BECAUSE A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS ARE RETIRE.

>>> >> Tessa: YEAH, I BELIEVE KENTUCKY HAS ABOUT THE SEVENTH LOWES.

PARTICIPATION RATE, AND IT CAME UP IN THE GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK WHICH HE OFTEN KICKS OFF WITH JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND ONE THING HE SAID, WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO NEED MORE PEOPLE TO MOVE TO THE STATE TO FILL ALL THESE JOBS, WHICH I THINK WAS INTENDED TO SAY, I'M BRINGING SO MANY JOBS HERE, BUT THE REALITY IS, YEAH, THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE NEEDED TO FILL A LOT OF THE POSITIONS WE HAVE.

>> Joe: ANOTHER ISSUE THAT THE CHAMBER SUPPORTS HA YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE A BILL ADVANCE THE IN SECTION NEXT YEAR DEALS WITH THE BENEFITS CLIFF WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAY WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER JOB OR WORK MORE HOURS OR -- BUT THEY DON'T BECAUSE WHILE THEIR INCOME WOULD LIFT A LITTLE BIT, THEY WOULD LOSE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE, THEY WOULD LOSE ALL THEIR BENEFITS THAT THEY NEED, SO THEY WOULD BE WORSE OFF, SO EXPECT LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THAT.

QUESTIONABLE WHETHER IT'S GOING TO PASS OR NOT BECAUSE THAT WOULD TAKE A GOOD DEAL OF FINDING THE FUNDS IN ORDER TO CREATE THE INCENTIVES FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY WAITS ANOTHER MAJOR DECISION FROM THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT ON WHETHER THE ABORTION BAN TRIGGER LAW WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT WHILE IT'S BEING FULLY VETTED IN COURT.

THAT COULD COME NEXT WEEKS.

SARAH, THAT WOULD NOT BE A FINE RULING BUT IT WOULD DECIDE THE ISSUE FOR A TIME.

ARE PROVIDERS READY TO DEAL WITH WHATEVER DECISION COMES COUN THE FROM COURT.

>> Nancy: YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'VE HEARD CONSISTENTLY SINCE ROE V. WADE WAS OVERTURNED IS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION THAT PROVIDERS ARE FACING WHEN IT COMES TO TREATING MISCARRIAGE PARTICULARLY.

I'VE HEARD CONSISTENTLY FROM PROVIDERS THAT THEY'RE CONFUSED ABOUT THE LEVEL OF CARE THEY CAN GIVE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, AND THE MAIN ONES I HEAR ABOUT ARE MISSED MISCARRIAGES WHICH ARE BASICALLY MEANS THE FETAL HEARTBEAT HAS STOPPED BUT NOTHING HAS PASSED SO THAT THERE'S AN INTERNING NEEDED.

OTHER TIMES -- INTERVENTION NEED.

OTHER TIMES A PERSON MAY BE HEMORRHAGING OR BLEEDING HEAVILY BUT AN ULTRASOUND DOES STILL SO A HEARTBEAT.

SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION AS WHAT CAN YOU DO TO FOLLOW THE LETTER OF THE LAW AND ALSO PROVIDE THAT CARE.

OVER THE SUMMER AFTER ROE V. WADE WAS OVERTURNED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE DID PUT OUT A STATEMENT, KIND OF AN EXPLAINER PIECE, SAYING THAT THE HUMAN LIFE PROTECTION ACT DID NOT INDEED APPLY TO KENTUCKIANS GOING INTO A MISCARRIAGE, BUT WE STILL HEAR ABOUT THAT CONFUSION, SO I THINK WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE PUSHES FOR CLARITY IN THE LANGUAGE.

>> Bill: SARAH, YOU'RE OFF AT A FAST START AT THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

A LOT OF PREGNANT KENTUCKY WOMEN LACK ACCESS TO CARE, AND YOU WROTE ABOUT HOW MIDWIVES MIGHT HELP FILL THAT GAP.

>> Sarah: RIGHT.

ALMOST HALF OF KENTUCKY'S COUNTIES ARE IN MARINATE CARE DESERTS MEANING THEY DON'T HAVE BIRTH CENTERS, NO OB/GYNs, NO CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIVES.

WHAT YOU SELL SHAKEN HAVE IS A LAT LOW-RISK PREGNANT KENTUCKIANS WHO DON'T NECESSARILY WANT A LOT OF MEDICAL INTERVENTION IN A HEALTHY STATE WHERE THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT NEEDING IT.

THEY WANT MID WINFREY CARE AND ESSENTIALLY YOU HAVE THEM TRAVELING THREE HOURS TO GET IT, AND MIDWIVES ARE SAYING THAT WITH MORE MIDWIVES IN THE STATE AND BIRTH CENTERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU CAN KIND OF BRIDGE THE GAP IN THESE DESERTS AND YOU CAN ESSENTIALLY BRING THAT CARE TO EVERY COUNTY.

THAT'S WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> Bill: LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR ECO-GREENBERG IS PUTTING HIS ENERGIES TOGETHER AND PICKING SOME TO THE METRO COUNCIL.

>>> >> Joe: SHE HAS PICKED UP ACCIDENT CHUNK FROM LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL THREE CURRENT MEMBERS, DAVID JAMES ALSO A FORMER MEMBER.

THEY WERE ALL SUPPORTERS OF HIS CAMPAIGN, SO A LOT OF FAMILIAR FACES WITH A NEW FACE IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

>> Bill: SENATORS PAUL AND McCONNELL ARE AT DOLLARS ON OVER DEFENSE SPENDING AND OTHER SPENDING MEASURES RIGHT NOW.

NOTHING NEW.

THOSE TWO HAVE DIFFERENT APPROACHES SOMETIMES, BUT WE EXPECT THAT TO CON INTO THE NEW CONGRESS?

>> Joe: IT'S BEEN THAT WAY FOR 12 YEARS, AND WHEN IT COMES TO DEFENSE SPENDING, MILITARY AID, YOU PROBABLY COULDN'T GET ANY MORE DIFFERENT THAN MITCH McCONNELL AND RAND PAUL, SO I WOULD EXPECT THAT TO CONTINUE FOREVER.

>> Bill: THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SAID HIS FAREWELL TO WASHINGTON.

CONGRESSIAN JOHN YARMUTH WHO IS NOW 75 OPTED OUT OF RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR, AND HE TOLD HIS COLLEAGUES THAT IT COMES WITH SOME MIXED EMOTIONS.

>> I WILL MISS THE SERIOUS, THOUGHTFUL AND OFTEN NOBLE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW WE CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY AMERICANS EVEN IF WE RARELY MAKE AS BIG A DIFFERENCE AS WE THAN THE WA AND I WILL MISS THE GIVE-AND-TAKE OF POLICY DEBATES EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THIS WAS NEVER A CHANCE THE DEBATES WOULD CHANGE ANYONE'S MIND.

ON THE OTHER HAND I WENT MISS THE REALITY THAT OUR MOST OF OUR RETEENAGER FIREPOWER IS PREACHING TO OUR RESPECTIVE CHOIRS AND THAT TOO MUCH OF WE SEE WE SAY COMES FROM THE DEVIL AND IS NOT THE ANGELS OF OUR NATURES.

>> Bill: JOHN YARMUTH MADE I CLEAR HE WILL MISS SOME BUT NOT ALL OF.

>> Joe: HE SAID HE WILL MISS THE CIRCUMSTANCE BUT NOT NECESSARILY ALL OF CLOWNS.

I'M NOT SURE IF HE HAD SOME PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY'S POLITICAL DELEGATION.

YEAH, IT'S AN END OF AN ERA IN LOUISVILLE.

>> Bill: HE'LL BE REPLACE I HAD BY SENATOR GOOD MORNING McGARVEY STATE SENATOR.

WOULD YOU EXPECT McGARVEY'S APPROACH TO BE SIMILAR?

>> Joe: IDEAL LODGELY HE'S MUCH LIKE JOHN YARMUTH.

HE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF A VERY POWERFUL COMMITTEE.

MCGARVEY IS GOING TO COME IN AS A FRESHMAN MEMBER AND ALSO IN THE MINORITY.

SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT LESS INFLUENCE RIGHT OFF THE BAT BUT THAT'S HE'S BEEN IN THE SENATE FOR A LONG TIME WHERE HE'S BEEN THE MONEY SO HE'S USED TO THAT.

>> Bill: EARN WITH KENTUCKY STUDENT JOURNALISTS WERE AGGRESSIVE IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE COST OF BRINGING FORMER NBA PLAYER SHAQUILLE O'NEAL TO CAMPUS.

THEY DIDN'T STOP UNTIL THEY GOT NUMBERS AND SOME INFORMATION TEMPERATURE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW SHAQ IS ALSO DEE JAIE TEESAL PFM WKU SPENT $130,000 BRINGING SHAQ TO CAMPUS.

AND THE STUDENT JOURNALISTS AT THE WK HERALD, WHICH I AM AN ALUM -- GO TOPS -- WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET THIS CONTRACT AND TO GET THE WRITER, AND THE UNIVERSITY ROYALTY THE OPEN RECORDS ACT.

THEY WEREN'T GOING TO P HAND OVER THE RIDER BUT THE STUDENT JOURNALISTS GOT IT AND NOW WE KNOW SHAQ LIKE YELLOW GATORADE.

>> Bill: LOUISVILLE GARDENS WILL UNDERGO MAJOR RENOVATIONS AND GET A MAJOR MOVIE STUDIO.

>> Joe: AND ETHAN HAUCK WILL BE DIRECTING THERE.

>> Bill: WHILE WOO SEE A DIP IN TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK, FORECASTERS ARE TELLING US TO MAKE PRAYERS FOR BITTERLY COLD NETHER WEATHER NEXT WEEK HEADING TOWARD CHRISTMAS.

FIND THE EXTRA BLANKETS.

GET YOUR PLACE AND YOUR VEHICLE READY FOR WHAT YOU LOOKS TO BE THE DEEP FREEZE THAT IS COMING.

THAT IS COMP ON KENTUCKY.

THANK YOU FORE JOINING US.

MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

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