MUSK MUSK [♪♪] GOVERNOR BESHEAR UNVEILS A TWO-YEAR BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDING MONEY FOR TEACHERS RAISES, PRE-K AND OTHER INITIATIVES.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN UNDERGOES A SUCCESSFUL DOUBLE MASTECTOMY AND URGES OTHER WOMEN TO GET THEIR SCREENINGS.

AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE IS RECOVERING AFTER BEING KICKED IN THE FACE BY A HORSE.

A BUSY WEEK IN THE NEWS AND LOOKING BACK AT HEADLINES OF THE YEAR.

A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS WEEKEND EDITION OF COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT AND WE COME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND TONIGHT SOME PERSPECTIVE ON 2023 AS WE GET READY FOR A THU YEAR.

THE GUESTS ON OUR PANT TONIGHT ARE TESSA DUVALL, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

CHRISTIAN MCDANIEL REPORTER FOR WDRB AND RYLAND BARTON KENTUCKY BASED SENIOR EDITOR FOR NPR.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT NEW POSITION.

WE TAPED THIS PROGRAM ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 20TH GIVE OUR PANT LISTS AND THE STAFF A CHANCE TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS IN WHAT HAS BEEN A NEWSY WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

ANDY BESHEAR UNVEILED HIS BNG PROPOSAL FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER.

HIS PLAN WOULD SPEND ALMOST $137 BILLION OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

BESHEAR SAYS THE PLAN WOULD FUND PRIORITIES FOR THE STATE.

>> LOOK, KENTUCKIANS DON'T WAKE UP EVERY MORNING THINKING ABOUT DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN AND NEITHER DOES THIS BUDGET.

KENTUCKIANS WAKE UP THINK BEING THEIR JOBS AND WHETHER THEY CAN PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR HOMES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE ROADS AND THE BRIDGES THEY TRAVEL ON TO GET TO SCHOOL, TO WORK AND TO CHURCH.

THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THEY SEND THEIR KIDS TO AND HOW THEIR KIDS ARE BEING PREPARED FOR THE JOBS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OF A FUTURE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

FIRST OF ALL, RYLAND PEOPLE MAY BE TAKEN ABACK BY THE NUMBER I THINK IT'S $136.BILLION THAT THE GOVERNOR IS PROPOSING TO SPEND IT'S NOT JUST THE TAX MONEY COMING IN THAT WOULD BE ALLOCATED.

>> RIGHT, THAT IS A BIG NUMBER FOR ANYBODY WHO FOLLOWS STATE BUDGETS THAT INCLUDES RESTRICTED SPENDING.

FEDERAL MONEY THAT THE STATE DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF A BIG ROLE IN APPROPRIATEIATING SO THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T GET TO DECIDE TOO MUCH HOW IT GETS SPENT.

THE DISCRETIONARY AMOUNT IS CLOSER TO $33 BILLION WHICH IS A LOT MORE THAN THE LEGISLATURE HAS APPROVED BEFORE.

AND, YEAH, REPRESENTS A LARGE SPENDING INCREASE.

>> Bill: CHRIS, THAT IS THE NUMBER THAT PEOPLE WILL BE TANGLING OVER IS THE 33 BILLION.

>> AND YOU HAVE TO BREAK IT DOWN THIS IS A TWO-YEAR BUDGET.

SO REALLY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $15 BILLION ROUGHLY OF GENERAL FUND TAX REVENUE THAT KENTUCKY GENERATES AND THE ROAD FUND WHICH IS A SEPARATE FUND THE GASOLINE TAXES PRIMARILY, AND HOW THOSE ROAD PROJECTS WILL BE DIVVIED UP.

THAT'S WHERE THE POLITICAL DECISIONS WILL BE MADE.

>> Bill: TESSA, WE WONDER ALOUD HOW THE MUCH CONSIDERATION THE LEGISLATURE WILL GIVE TO THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

TELL US WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO DO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID SINCE THIS REELECTION IS BEHIND HIM HE IS TERM LIMITED AND HOPING THAT THAT MIGHT CHANGE THE POLITICAL WINDS TO HELP HIM GET THE INITIATIVES THROUGH.

FOR ANYONE WHO PAID ATTENTION TO THE ELECTION AND SAW THE DEBATES IT WILL BE NO SURPRISE THAT EDUCATION IS HIGH UP ON THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITY LIST.

SO INCLUDING THAT 11% RAISE FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WHICH WORKS OUT TO MORE THAN A BILLION OVER THE COURSE OF THE TWO-YEAR BUDGET.

AND UNIVERSAL PRE-K WHICH WOULD PUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LITTLE ONES INTO SCHOOL SOONER THAT IS $172 MILLION.

AND THERE'S MONEY FOR BROADBAND, CLEAN WATER THOSE MORE INFRASTRUCTURE TYPE OF THINGS AS WELL.

>> Bill: LET'S TAKE A COUPLE OF THOSE ONE BY ONE.

THIS CALL FOR AN 11% RAISE FOR TEACHERS.

IS THAT IN HOPES OF GETTING SOME AND REALIZING THAT THAT MAY BE A NUMBER THAT HE IS SHOOTING HIGH FOR?

HE DID NOTE THAT TENNESSEE IS ON TRACK TO HAVE ITS TEACHERS GET A 22% INCREASE IN PAY?

>> RIGHT, WELL THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE LOVES TENNESSEE.

THEY LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THE 0% INCOME TAX ACROSS THAT STATE LINE.

THIS IS AN AREA WHERE I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO PLAY ON THAT COMPETITIVENESS A LITTLE BIT AND SAY IF WE WANT TO BRING PEOPLE TO THE REGION, YOU SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS EFFECTIVE WHY NOT IN THIS REGARD AS WELL.

WILL AN 11% RAISE HAPPEN?

REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

BUT I DO THINK THAT ANOTHER RED STATE WON THAT HOLD SWAY OVER THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE COULD PLAY INTO THAT A BIT.

>> THERE ARE NEW ANSWERS HERE, TOO.

I WAS CHATTING WITH SENATOR McDANIEL IS THE BUDGET CHAIR IN THE SENATE.

AND THE 11% THE WAY THE GOVERNOR DID IT, WAS THROUGH A SORT OF APPROPRIATION THAT IS NOT THROUGH THE SEEK FORMULA WHERE MONIES ARE SORT OF EQUALED OUT BETWEEN WEALTHY COUNTIES AND LESS WEALTHY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AND THEN YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE ONGOING OBLIGATION OF THAT, BECAUSE IF YOU DO 11% FOR THESE TWO YEARS YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO IT OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT GOING TO CUT TEACHER PAY.

BUT IT DOES SEEM LIKE THERE IS SOME INTEREST IN DOING AT LEAST SOME RAISES FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

IT'S THE QUESTION OF HOW EXACTLY IT WORKS AND THE CONTEXT OF THE BUDGET.

DOES IT GO THROUGH THE SCHOOL SPENDING FORMULA, THE SEEK FORMULA ET CETERA.

>> Bill: IS THERE MOMENTUM FOR PRE-K IN THE LEGISLATURE WHERE MANY IN LEADERSHIP INDICATED IT'S REALLY NOT THEIR PRIORITY.

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SOMETHING THAT HE FLOATED IN HIS STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF IT HAD MOMENTUM.

SENATE PRESIDENT STIFFERS IS ON RECORD SAYING HE IS NOT A FAN OF PRE-K AND IF THAT IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE TELLING YOU THAT, THEN THAT'S A STRONG INDICATOR ABOUT THE KIND OF CHANCE THAT IT STANDS.

>> Bill: RYLAND, TO CHRIS' POINT, THERE ARE RECURRING COSTS WHEN YOU PUT SOMETHING IN A BUDGET.

RAISES THOSE WILL BE A CONTINUING COST.

REPUBLICANS OFTEN CAUTION ABOUT THE SPENDING INCREASES FOR THAT REASON.

BESHEAR ALSO, THOUGH, NOTED HE IS LEAVING $3.7 BILLION IN THE RESERVE FUND UNTOUCHED.

DOES THAT ASSUAGE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT ADDITIONAL SPENDING?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL THAT IS THE LARGEST AMOUNT THAT HAS BEEN IN THE STATE'S RAINY DAY FUND THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND AND I THINK THAT THAT IS REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE A FAN OF KEEPING IT LIKE THAT AND HAVING IT THAT LARGE.

THEY MIGHT WANT TO PUT MORE MONEY AWAY INTO IT, THOUGH.

I THINK THAT WHAT A LOT OF THIS DOES SETS UP A FIGHT OVER HOW MUCH THE STATE'S GOING TO SPEND.

A BIG QUESTION.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS KEEP ON FLOATING DECREASING THE STATE'S INCOME TAX, SHIFTING THE BURDEN OF THE STATE'S EXPENSES OR THE STATE'S REVENUE FROM INCOME TO MORE SALES BASED TAXES.

AND SLOWLY EXPANDED -- >> Bill: AND YET THE MATH DID NOT WORKOUT TO DO THE DECREASE.

>> THE TRIGGERED INCOMES ROUND OF CUTS.

AND SOME OF THE BUDGET LEADERS THEY PUT THE RULES IN PLACE TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING AND THIS IS A ROUND WHERE THEY WERE NOT READY TO PULL THAT TRIGGER.

I WONDER IF THE DISCUSSION WILL COME UP AGAIN THIS YEAR.

IT WILL COME UP IN THE FUTURE, THOUGH.

AS MORE OPPORTUNITIES COME UP LIKE THIS.

SO KENTUCKY IS SLATED TO HAVE A AT LEAST EARLY PREDICTIONS SHOW $1 BILLION PLUS BUDGET SURPLUS HERE.

BUT INSTEAD OF DOING BESHEAR'S PROPOSING HERE WHICH IS INVEST OUT OF THE STATE SERVICES AND REALLY HOPE THAT THAT MONEY WILL CONTINUE TO COME IN IN THE FUTURE.

THEY ARE PROPOSING ALL RIGHT LET'S IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE BRINGING IN MORE MONEY THAN WE NEED LET'S REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING FORWARD.

ADVOCATES ARE INVESTING MORE IN STATE SERVICES WILL POINT OUT PART OF THE REASON THERE IS EXTRA MONEY IS THE STATE WENT THROUGH CUTS ESPECIALLY IN THE WAKE OF THE RECESSION AFTER 2008 AND ESPECIALLY TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND OTHER STATE SERVICES AS WELL.

AND THAT MONEY WASN'T NEVER FULLY BACKFILLED IN.

>> AND ALSO THE STATE HAS BENEFITED FROM A HUGE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL SPENDING THAT CAME IN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC YEARS AND THAT'S COMING BACK OR THAT'S FILTERING OUT NOW.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE ISSUE OF CHILDCARE, MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS THESE ARE THINGS PROPPED UP BY A LOT OF FEDERAL SPENDING THAT IS GOING AWAY.

AND THERE'S GOING TO BE INTERESTS THAT ARE CLAMORING FOR THE TRUST FUND DOLLARS OR JUST THAT BUDGET SURPLUS TO BE SPENT TO PLUG THOSE HOLES AND KEEP THOSE PROGRAMS GOING AT THE LEVEL THAT THEY ARE TODAY.

>> Bill: CHRIS YOU COVER THE BUSINESS SCENE, HOW CAREFULLY DO BUSINESSES LOOK AT THE HEALTH OF STATE GOVERNMENT BEFORE THEY CONSIDER A MAJOR INVESTMENT IN THE COMMONWEALTH?

>> WELL, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT THAT DOESN'T MATTER, BUT IT DOES SEEM LIKE A MARGINAL CONSIDERATION.

I THINK PRIMARILY WHAT BUSINESSES ARE LOOKING AT IS THEIR OWN FOUR WALLS AND WHERE THEIR SUPPLIERS DOES IT HEADACHE SENSE FOR THEM, CAN THEY GET THE WORKFORCE.

WHAT WILL THE TAXES BE LIKE.

IS ONE CONSIDERATION.

AND THEN TO GO FURTHER TO JUST THE OVERALL FISCAL HEALTH OF THE STATE, I THINK THAT THAT'S PROBABLY A MARGINAL FACTOR.

UNTIL AND REMEMBER IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO THAT KENTUCKY WAS IN A MORE PRECARIOUS SITUATION FINANCIALLY.

WHEN YOU ARE AT THE POINT WHERE YOUR PENSION DEBTS ARE REALLY MAKING HEADLINES AND DRAWING CREDIT RATING DOWNGRADES AND THERE'S CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR FISCAL HEALTH THAT IT'S IN THE NEWS, THEN MAYBE THAT DOES BECOME A FACTOR THAT MATTERS IN TERMS OF BUSINESS LOCATION.

>> Bill: YOU HAVE HEARD SOMETHING THAT WHEN WE MAY HEAR ABOUT THE HOUSE BUDGET.

>> WELL, I WAS JUST LISTENING TO SENATOR THAYER ON THE KENTUCKY POLITICS WEEKLY PODCAST SAYING THAT THE HOUSE WHICH WHERE THE BUDGET STARTS IS GOING TO PASS IT OVER TO THE SENATE QUICKLY, I DON'T KNOW IF HE SAID RECORD BUT IN A QUICK FASHION AND THE SENATE WILL TAKE MORE TIME WITH IT.

>> Bill: MAYBE EARLIER IN THE SESSION RATHER THAN LATER.

>> CORRECT.

>> Bill: WE ALSO LEARNED THIS WEEK AT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN JUST ENTERED HER SECOND TERM UNDERWENT A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY SURGERY.

TESSA WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND HER PROGNOSIS MOVING FORWARD?

>> THERE'S NOT A LOT WE KNOW AT THIS POINT.

HER OFFICE MONDAY SENT OUT NOTICE SHE HAD UNDERGONE THIS DOUBLE MASTECTOMY.

WE DON'T KNOW IF SHE RECEIVED A CANCER DIAGNOSIS OR A PRO FOR LATINO PARTICULAR MEASURE THAT CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER WITH A FAMILY HISTORY AND A HIGH-RISK.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DID SAY THIS ABOUT AFTER A YOU ROUTINE PHYSICAL AND KNOWING HER FAMILY HISTORY SHE MADE THE DECISION.

>> Bill: IN THIS PUBLIC REVELATION OF HER PRIVATE MEDICAL SITUATION, IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE CAN BE EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH A PROCEDURE LIKE THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS A MAJOR SURGERY TO ALTER SOMEONE'S BODY.

WOMEN WHO GO THROUGH THIS CAN SUFFER WITH SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES THEY MIGHT FEEL LESS FEMININE, ATTRACTIVE, DEPRESSION CAN BE A SYMPTOM THAT ARISES.

AND WE KNOW THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS GOING TO BE SURROUNDED BY LOVED ONES AND SHE IS A STRONG WOMAN AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WISHING HER WELL IN THE RECOVERY.

>> Bill: WE ALSO KNOW THAT A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE IS LIKELY TO MISS SOME OF THE SESSION.

STATE SENATOR AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE WAS KICKED IN THE FACE BY A HORSE.

SHE UNDERWENT TRAUMA SURGERY.

SHE PRAISED THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE TEAM THAT TOOK CARE OF HER BUT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS INJURY.

>> SHE REQUIRED EMERGENCY SURGERY AFTER THIS HAPPENED BUT SHE DID SAY IN THE STATEMENT RELEASED SHE HOPES TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY AND LOOKS FORWARD TO GETTING BACK TO FRANKFORT.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WILL BE COMINGS AND GOINGINGS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE ARE LEAVING FOR REASONS THAT MANY HAVE DESCRIBED AND SOME IT'S KNOWN ONLY TO THEM WHY THEY ARE STEPPING AWAY WE HAD MORE THIS WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMASSISM A LOT OF THESE HAPPENED AHEAD OF THE FILING DEADLINE SO EARLY THESE DAYS ON JANUARY FIFTH.

SO A LOT OF THESE -- THAT IS WHY THE ANNOUNCEMENTS HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.

ONE OF THE INTERESTING ONES WE LEARNED THAT DEMOCRATIC SENATOR DENISE HARPER ANGEL OF LOUISVILLE WILL NOT BE SEEKING REELECTION AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE HERON WHO I THINK IS IN HER SECOND TERM IS GOING TO BE RUNNING FOR THAT SEAT NEXT YEAR.

SHE IS A FORMER LOBBYIST FOR THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF KENTUCKY.

WORKED ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS MEASURES IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AND IT WAS PRAISED BY REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS FOR WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE.

ALSO HELPED PASS THE RESTRICTIONS ON NO KNOCK WARRANTS IN LEXINGTON AND LOUISVILLE THE LOCAL MEASURES.

SOMEBODY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN LOCAL AND STATE POLITICS.

>> Bill: REPRESENTATIVE DIXON OF HENDERSON.

>> ANOTHER REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY WHO IS LEAVING.

BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF INTRIGUE ESPECIALLY THAT FIRST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEN THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS BUT THAT IS WHEN A LOT OF FOLKS WILL FILE AND WE WILL GET A BETTER SENSE GOING FORWARD.

>> ANOTHER DEPARTURE IS THAT REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS OUT OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP IS ALSO NOT RUNNING.

AND THAT MEANS TWO OUT OF THE THREE MEMBERS OF HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP ARE NOT GOING FOR ANOTHER TERM THIS UP COMING NOVEMBER.

THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

>> Bill: AND ALSO MAKING NEWS THIS WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS, ATTORNEY GENERAL ELECT RUSSEL COLEMAN ANNOUNCED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF HIS STAFF.

AND MORE KEY PLAYERS AND RYLAND, COLEMAN SEEMS TO BE TRYING TO POSITION HIMSELF TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

>> YEAH, HE LOOKS LIKE HE IS GOING TO DOUBLE HIS STAFF.

SOME WILL INCLUDE FOLKS FROM FORMER OUTGOING ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON'S OFFICE.

BUT INCOMING ATTORNEY GENERAL COLEMAN HAS WORKED IN WASHINGTON FOR A WHILE AND A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY AND HAS HIGH PROFILE NAMES THAT WORKED FOR THE D.E.A.

THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING IN AND HE IS TRYING TO DOUBLE UP HIS EXPERIENCE AND FOLKS ABLE TO CRACKDOWN ON THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND DRUGS IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: LET'S SHIFT FROM FRANKFORT TO WASHINGTON DELEGATION FOR A MOMENT AND MORE POLITICAL NEWS.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR ANNOUNCED HIS ENDORSEMENT OF FORMER DONALD TRUMP TO BE THE COUNTRY'S 37TH PRESIDENT.

ONE MAY ASK WHY WOULD HE DO THAT AT THIS POINT BEFORE THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTESTS GET UNDERWAY?

>> THE INTERESTING WAY TO THINK OF IT IS THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF THANKS FOR TRUMP COMING TO SUPPORT HIS CAMPAIGN IN 2018 WHEN HE HAD A TIGHT ELECTION AGAINST DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER AMY McGRAPH BACK THEN.

AND ALSO THIS IS A ABOUT THE TIME WHEN ENDORSEMENTS WILL COME OUT WHEN THE IOWA CAUCUS IS COMING UP IN JANUARY.

CERTAINLY ANDY BARR IS THE FIRST KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN TO WEIGH-IN ON THE CONTESTS.

BUT I THINK THAT HE'S PROBABLY READING THE WRITING ON THE WALL A LOT OF REPUBLICANS ARE SHOWING SUPPORT FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND THAT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF POLITICAL RISK FOR HIM TO DO THIS.

>> Bill: IT WAS A BUSY WEEK.

DHL WORKERS REACHED A DEAL TO SEND THE STRIKE IN THE AIRPORT IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> THESE ARE WORKERS WHO LOAD AND UNLOAD AIRPLANES AT CINCINNATI NORTHERN KENTUCKY AIRPORT.

THERE'S ABOUT 1100 OF THEM.

IT'S BEEN A BIG YEAR FOR LABOR.

AND THIS IS IN LINE WITH OTHER THINGS THAT WE'VE SEEN THIS YEAR.

THESE WORKERS ARE ORGANIZED WITH THE TEAMSTERS AND THEN THEY WENT ON STRIKE.

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THAT CONTRACT WITH DHL.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF CONFLICTING REPORTS ABOUT WHETHER THEY HAVE AGREED TO A DEAL.

BUT THIS WEEK THEY DID AGREE TO GO BACK TO WORK AFTER 12-DAY STRIKE.

>> Bill: AN IMPORTANT TIME WITH THE HOLIDAYS.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME FOR ANYBODY IN THIS INDUSTRY.

>> Bill: TO THE RELIEF OF MANY, BOURBON TARIFFS WILL NOT BE HIKED IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> YES.

AND THE EU WAS LOOKING AT 50% TARIFF.

THE PREVIOUS ONE WAS 25.

THAT OBVIOUSLY WOULD HAVE HAD A VERY BAD RAMIFICATIONS FOR SALES OF JACK DANIELS AND BOURBON OVERSEAS AND OF COURSE BOURBON BEING A BIG INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY.

SO SENATOR PAUL AND McCONNELL TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT GOING THROUGH WITH THAT AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION REACHED A DEAL WITH EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS TO KICK THAT CAN ANOTHER 15 MONTHS AND THE HOPE IS THE TARIFF DISCUSSION ABOUT AMERICAN WHISKEY IN THE EU WILL GO AWAY PERMANENTLY EVENTUALLY.

BUT EVERYONE IS RELIEVED THAT IT'S NOT HAPPENING NOW UNTIL AT LEAST 2025.

>> Bill: WE'LL SPEND OUR PROGRAM LOOKING BACK AT 2023.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HAD HIGHLIGHTS AND REAL CHALLENGES IN THE YEAR.

HE BECAME THE LONGEST SERVING SENATE LEADER EVER OF EITHER PARTY.

HE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR A FALL IN MARCH AND MAY HAVE HAD LINGERING ISSUES WITH THAT WELL INTO THE SUMMER.

AND HE HAS PUSHED HARD FOR U.K. ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINE.

RYLAND, IT'S HISTORIC.

IT'S BEEN A HISTORIC YEAR FOR SENATOR McCONNELL AND A CHALLENGING YEAR AS WELL FOR HIM?

>> YES.

IT'S REMARKABLE TO SEE HIM COME BACK AND RECOVER AFTER THOSE INCIDENTS IN LATE JULY AND AUGUST WHEN HE HAD THE FREEZING EPISODES IN LIVE SETTINGS IN PRESS CONFERENCES.

WHICH IS REALLY TERRIFYING TO WATCH FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.

LIKE NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK OF THE GUY.

BUT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE WRITING HIS RESIGNATION STORIES AHEAD OF TIME.

BUT HE'S MARSHALLED HIS OWN FACULTIES AND RESOURCES WITHIN CONGRESS AND ELSEWHERE TO AND PUT BACK THIS COALITION.

I THINK IT'S BEEN INTERESTING ESPECIALLY LATELY CLOSER TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, TOO, THAT HOW HE'S ONE HE HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR UKRAINE SPENDING SOMETHING NOT ACROSS THE BOARD POPULAR AMONG REPUBLICANS OR REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS AT LEAST.

AND THEN ALSO COMING OUT THIS WEEK AND TALKING AND CRITICIZING THE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HE AVOIDS TALKING ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT A LOT.

CRITICIZING HIM FOR THE ANTI-IMMIGRANT RHETORIC THAT HE WAS SPEAKING TO THIS WEEK.

YEAH, THAT'S BEEN QUITE THE ROLLERCOASTER FOR THE REPUBLICAN LEADER.

>> Bill: HERE IN KENTUCKY THE GOVERNOR'S RACE GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION.

REPUBLICANS HAD THE CROWDED PRIMARY.

KELLY CRAFT SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AND WORKED HARD FOR THE NOMINATION AND FINISHED THIRD BEHIND RYAN QUARELS AND DANIEL CAMERON.

TESSA, CRAFT HAD TO BE DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE SHE HAD THE RESOURCES.

SHE WAS WILLING TO CAMPAIGN HARD ACROSS THE STATE.

THE DONALD TRUMP ENDORSEMENT WENT TO CAMERON AND CAMERON NEVER LOOKED BACK.

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD DIDN'T SEEM LIKE WAS GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE POWER OF THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT THAT DANIEL CAMERON SECURED ABOUT A YEAR AHEAD OF THE PRIMARY.

HE WAS IN GOOD SHAPE AS SOON AS THAT HAPPENED.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE'VE SEEN THE LAST OF KELLY CRAFT SHE IS INTERESTED IN KENTUCKY POLITICS AND PROBABLY CONSIDERING HER NEXT MOVE.

I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF WE SEE HER RUN FOR OFFICE AND SHE HAS DONE QUITE A BIT TO RAISE HER NAME RECOGNITION.

>> Bill: THE FALL RACE LOOKED COMPETITIVE AT TIMES SOME THOUGHT THAT KEN WOULD GO REPUBLICAN AND IT DID IN EVERY RACE EXCEPT GOVERNOR.

HOW DID ANDY BESHEAR PULL OFF THIS WIN, CHRIS?

>> WELL, HE WAS, I THINK SENATOR STIFFERS SAID HE IS THE MOST REPUBLICAN DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR THERE'S EVER BEEN HE SAID ON ELECTION NIGHT.

BUT, BESHEAR IS AN EXTREMELY DISCIPLINED POLITICIAN.

EXTREMELY ON MESSAGE.

AND I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF FAMILY NAME AND HERITAGE AND HIS JUST SORT OF RELENTLESS FOCUS ON TALKING ABOUT THE SORT OF THINGS THAT HE KNOWS ARE IMPORTANT TO KENTUCKIANS AND STEERING CLEAR OF CONTROVERSIAL THINGS THAT MAY BE OTHER DEMOCRATS WOULD NOT STEER CLEAR OF.

GUN CONTROL OR CLIMATE CHANGE.

HE NEVER TALKS ABOUT THAT.

SO HE WAS REALLY -- I DON'T KNOW PERFECTLY CALIBRATED FOR KENTUCKY IS WHAT I WOULD SAY.

>> I THINK THAT IS A FAIR ASSESSMENT AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY HE HAD MILLIONS MORE DOLLARS THAN DANIEL CAMERON AND THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION BROKE A RECORD BY INVESTING MORE THAN $20 MILLION INTO HIS CAMPAIGN.

SO ALL OF THAT CAME UP WITH A FIVE-POINT DIFFERENCE WHICH IS NOT NOTHING IN KENTUCKY.

BUT I MEAN THAT TOOK MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, A DAD WHO WAS GOVERNOR, HIGH NAME RECOGNITION.

AND I THINK ANOTHER THING THAT CONTRIBUTED AND A LOT OF REPUBLICANS IN FRANKFORT DON'T WANT TO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR, A LOT OF PEOPLE GIVE THE GOVERNOR A LOT OF LENIENCY BECAUSE OF THE NATURAL DISASTERS BECAUSE OF COVID.

THESE WERE DIFFICULT MOMENTS AND PEOPLE LOOK BACK AND SAY HE WAS EMPATHETIC AND HE TRIED AND HE GOT A LOT OF GRACE FOR THAT AS WELL.

>> Bill: CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS AROUND THE COUNTRY LEADING THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY OF PRESIDENT BIDEN IT WAS AN ACTIVITY OF HIS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

BUT, CHRIS, NOW THE HOUSE IS DOING A FULL IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

AND HIS VISIBILITY REMAINS VERY HIGH.

>> YEAH, AND I WILL CONFESS I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE OF THAT FEDERAL ISSUE.

BUT IT'S CLEAR THAT HE IS MAKING A LOT OF NATIONAL TV APPEARANCES IN THAT ROLE.

>> Bill: MUCH OF THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION HERE IN KENTUCKY WAS CONSUMED BY THE OMNIBUS BILL ON ISSUES REGARDING TRANS STUDENTS.

TESSA THAT WAS A LONG AND EMOTIONAL FEW WEEKS.

>> FOR A SHORT SESSION IT CERTAINLY FELT VERY LONG, YES.

THIS BILL SENATE BILL 150 IT BANNED GENDER REASSIGNMENT CARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT INCLUDED SURGERIES AND PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND RELATED TO THE PRONOUNCES THAT COULD BE USED FOR STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS AND BATHROOMS.

YES, A LOT OF LGBTQ GROUPS IN AND OUT OF KENTUCKY CALLED THIS ONE OF THE WORST THE MOST EXTREME ANTI-TRANS BILLS THAT THEY HAD SEEN.

WHEREAS PROPONENTS SAID THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING CHILDREN, PROTECTING THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND NOT MAKING THE DECISIONS THAT THEY MAY REGRET LATER IN LIFE.

>> Bill: EDUCATION COMMISSIONER Dr. JASON GLASS' DEPARTURE FROM HIS HOME STATE WAS HASTENED BY HIS SCRAPES WITH THE LEGISLATURE OVER SOCIAL ISSUES.

THE OLD LOUISVILLE BANK SHOOTING BROUGHT THE ISSUE OF MASS SHOOTINGS TO KENTUCKY.

AND CHRIS, A TRAGEDY FOR LOUISVILLE.

AND A CHALLENGE FOR POLICY MAKERS NOW LOOKING AT HOW TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> YEAH, AND WE'RE FINALLY SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF DISCUSSION AT LEAST.

BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS REMARKABLE IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE HOW THAT TERRIBLE INCIDENT IN LOUISVILLE WAS A TOTAL NONISSUE.

BUT NOW, I BELIEVE SENATOR WESTERFIELD HAS COME FORWARD WITH A MEASURE I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFICS OF, BUT -- >> RIGHT.

IT IS CRISIS AVERSION AND RIGHTS RETENTION WILL CALLED CAR.

BUT WHAT THERE ARE A COUPLE WAYS FORMS IT COULD TAKE BUT THE GIST IS HAVING A LEGAL PATHWAY TO REMOVE THE GUN OR GUNS FROM SOMEONE WHO IS EXHIBITING SIGNS THAT THEY COULD BE A RISK TO THEMSELVES AND OTHERS AND AGAIN THIS IS CREATING A PROTOCOL WITH REVIEW.

IT IS NOT A PERMANENT THING.

SO OBVIOUSLY IN A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE, THIS IS GOING TO FACE AN UPHILL BATTLE.

BUT THE SENATOR HAS SAID THAT THERE IS MORE SUPPORT FOR IT THAN WE ARE SEEING.

>> Bill: WE HAD LOSS AS WELL IN KENTUCKY.

TWO FORMER GOVERNORS, BURTON JONES WAS REMEMBERED AS A GENTLEMAN HORSEMAN AS WELL AS GENTLEMAN GOVERNOR.

AND JULIAN CARROLL WAS GOVERNOR IN THE 1970s AND CAME BACK TO THE SENATE IN HIS LATTER YEARS HE WAS REGARDED AS KNOWING MORE ABOUT STATE GOVERNMENT THAN JUST ABOUT ANYBODY.

AND HOW IT FUNCTIONED.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE SPENDING OUR PROGRAM LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024, INCLUDING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND HOW KENTUCKY IS LIKELY TO SEE ITS NEWS PLAY OUT ON THE NATIONAL AND STATE-WIDE SCENE.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS.

HAVE A WONDERFUL LAST WEEK OF THE YEAR.

THAT'S COMMENT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

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