[♪♪] >> Bill: 2024 IS ON THE WAY.

WHAT WILL IT BRING IN KENTUCKY?

THE STATE LEGISLATURE BEGINS ITS SESSION TUESDAY WITH THE BIGGEST TASK SETTING A STATE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

EDUCATION IS LIKELY TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH A PROPOSAL FOR SCHOOL CHOICE AND THE LEGISLATURE AND A PUSH FOR BIG TEACHERS' RAISES FROM THE GOVERNOR.

AND WILL THE LEGISLATURE ADDRESS ABORTION BAN EXCEPTIONS WHICH WENT NOWHERE LAST YEAR?

AS WE WRAP UP ONE YEAR AND HEAD INTO A NEW ONE, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

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

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE NEW YEAR.

AND THE GUESTS ARE ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE TESSA DUVALL FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

CHRIS OTTS REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE AND RYLAND BARTON A KENTUCKY BASED SENIOR EDITOR FOR NPR.

WE TAPED THIS PROGRAM ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 20TH TO GIVE OUR STAFF AT KET A CHANCE TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS.

ALSO TONIGHT, CHILDCARE CLEARLY A MAJOR ISSUE FOR KENTUCKY.

SOME SAY IT IS A HUGE CHALLENGE IN THE WORKFORCE ISSUES THAT THE COMMONWEALTH FACES AS WELL.

NATIONAL ELECTIONS COULD MEAN A BUSY YEAR FOR KENTUCKY'S HIGHLY VISIBLE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND WHAT IS AHEAD FOR THE LABOR MOVEMENT IN KENTUCKY AFTER A MAJOR AUTO STRIKE IN 2023.

A LOT TO DISCUSS AS LAWMAKERS REPORT TO FRANKFORT ON TUESDAY AND BEGIN THEIR SESSION THE ONE THING THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS REQUIRED TO DO WITH THE CONSTITUTION IN THAT 60-DAY SESSION IS PASS A TWO-YEAR BUDGET.

THEY HAVE SEEN GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT HE UNVEILED A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND WE ANTICIPATE SEEING THEM NUMBERS SOON AS WELL.

SO PANELISTS IT'S ALWAYS DIFFICULT WHEN YOU DO SLUTH SAYING AND LOOK FORWARD INTO THE NEW YEAR.

LET'S TAKE OUR CRACK AT IT.

A LOT OF SPECULATION TONIGHT.

WE DON'T SEE THE PREFILED BILLS LIKE WE USED TO.

WE USED TO HAVE AN IDEA WHAT WAS COMING UP IN THE LEGISLATURE AND AVAILABLE ON-LINE BUT NO MORE.

BUT WILL THEIR PRIORITIES CLOSELY ALIGN WITH THE GOVERNOR'S WISH LIST?

OR ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE THE REPUBLICAN DOMINATED LEGISLATURE GO DOWN ITS OWN PATH?

>> RIGHT.

I THINK THAT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL WE SAW FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR LIKELY IS GOING TO SPEND A LOT MORE MONEY THAN REPUBLICANS WILL WANT TO DO.

THINGS LIKE UNIVERSAL PRE-K MAYBE A NONSTARTER WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THAT IS MORE THAN $170 MILLION WAS INTENDED TO BE SET ASIDE FOR THAT.

THE REPUBLICAN PRIORITY WHEN IT COMES TO THE FISCAL HOUSE OF KENTUCKY IS GETTING THAT INCOME TAX TO ZERO.

AND PART OF THAT REQUIREMENT IS HAVING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE RAINY DAY FUND.

THEY ARE GOING TO WANT TO CONTINUE TO SPEND LESS AND PUT MORE MONEY IN THAT FUND TO TRY TO HIT THE TRIGGERS IN THE FUTURE.

>> Bill: AND YET, CHRIS, WE DID NOT HIT THE TRIGGER TO LOWER THE STATE INCOME TAX PIE THAT NEXT INCREMENT.

THAT WILL DELAY THAT VERY HIGH G.O.P.

PRIORITY OF EVENTUALLY ELIMINATING THE STATE INCOME TAX.

DO YOU THINK THERE COULD BE A TEMPTATION TO LOWER THE TAX?

>> LET'S BACK UP AND DESCRIBE WHERE WE ARE NOW.

SO KENTUCKY'S INCOME TAX USED TO BE 5% BASICALLY A FLAT 5%.

AND IT WAS LOWERED TO 4.5% WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY.

AND ON JANUARY FIRST, IT WILL GO DOWN TO 4%.

THE QUESTION ABOUT THOSE TRIGGERS, THOSE ARE SELF RESTRAINTS THAT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY PUT IN PLACE IN 2022.

THE IDEA BEING THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO -- THEY WANT TO REDUCE THE INCOME TAX IN A GRADUAL WAY SO IT'S NOT TOO MUCH OF A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM.

AND NOT CAUSING TOO MANY PROBLEMS ALL AT ONCE.

I SPOKE WITH SENATOR McDANIEL THE BUDGET CHAIR EARLIER TODAY IN THE SENATE.

AND HE WAS PRETTY FIRM THAT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE NOT MET THOSE TRIGGERS MEANS THAT IT IS GOING TO REMAIN 4% IN 2025 AS WELL.

WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW IS WILL THEY CRAFT A BUDGET THAT RESTRAINS GROWTH IN SPENDING AND PUTS ENOUGH MONEY AWAY TO HIT THOSE TRIGGERS AND FURTHER REDUCE THE INCOME TAX IN 2026 OR BEYOND.

THIS IS A LONG-TERM PROJECT, BILL.

THERE'S REALLY NO WAY TO MAKE A CHANGE LIKE THIS OVERNIGHT WITHOUT IT BEING EXTREMELY DISRUPTIVE.

>> Bill: IF YOU MISS THE TRIGGER, AT A TIME LIKE THIS WHEN THE ECONOMY IS WHIRLING ALONG, THERE COULD BE OTHER BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND THIS COULD BE A VERY LONG-TERM PROCESS.

>> SINCE THERE'S DIFFERENT THEORIES HOW THIS IS GOING TO SHAKE OUT, RIGHT?

SO SOME MORE PROGRESSIVE GROUPS SAID YEAH, THE INCREASE IN THE PANDEMIC SPENDING, THIS IS ALL TEMPORARY.

WE ARE IN GOOD FISCAL HEALTH.

AND LEANER FISCAL TIMES ARE AHEAD.

SO IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO HIT THE TRIGGERS EVEN IN THESE TIMES, MAYBE THE TRIGGERS WILL HAVE TO BE LOOSENED A LITTLE BIT IF THEY WANT TO KEEP CUTTING THE INKEPT TAX.

AND OTHERS SAY MAYBE THREE OR 4% IS A DECENT LANDING PLACE THAT DOESN'T GET US TO TENNESSEE'S 0% BUT IS MORE QUOTE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER STATES.

REMEMBER, KENTUCKY DOESN'T TAX FOOD, WE DO NOT TAX MEDICINE.

WE DO NOT TAX RESIDENTIAL UTILITIES.

THESE ARE BIG ITEMS THAT PEOPLE WILL REALLY NOTICE IF THEY STARTED TO TAX.

>> Bill: AND MORE EXEMPTIONS.

>> WE RIGHT.

SO STATES GET THEIR MONEY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

THE QUESTION IS HOW AND WHO PAYS.

TO GET TO ZERO WOULD LIKELY MEAN DOING MORE OF THOSE THINGS THAT MAY IN THEMSELVES BE POLITICAL NONSTARTERS.

>> Bill: RYLAND WE CAN SEE MAJOR ISSUES AS THE SESSION BEGINS.

THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO DO A MAJOR CRIME BILL.

THE INCOMING ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSEL COLEMAN HAS DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS TOUGH ON CRIME AND INTENDS TO PURSUE THAT PATH.

DO WE EXPECT CRIME TO BE A MAJOR PRIORITY IN THIS SESSION?

>> YES, AND THIS IS THE ONE BILL THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE TALKED ABOUT AHEAD OF THIS SESSION.

AND THAT'S THERE IS A BIG SWEEPING PUBLIC SAFETY BILL THAT HAS IS GOING TO BE PROPOSED BY IN THE HOUSE IT SEEMS.

THIS CHANGED A LITTLE BIT OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS BUT IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT A LOT.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS ONE OF THE BIG PARTS IS A THREE-STRIKE LAW THAT SOMEBODY IS CONVICTED OF THREE VIOLENT FELONIES THAT IT WILL THEN AUTOMATICALLY LEAD TO A LIFE IN PRISON SENTENCE.

EXPANDING PENALTIES FOR THINGS LIKE CARJACKING THAT LEADS TO A FATALITY.

TRAFFICKING FENTANYL THAT LEADS TO A FATAL OVERDOSE.

SO AND THE LIST GOES ON.

THE ONE THING I WILL SAY IS PUBLIC SAFETY ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE A THING THAT COMES UP IN THE LEGISLATURE, ESPECIALLY NO MATTER WHAT EVERY YEAR THERE IS ALWAYS A BATTERY OF BILLS THAT EXPAND THE PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN CRIMES OR CREATE NEW CRIME CLASSIFICATIONS ALTOGETHER.

AT LEAST AT ONE POINT IN TIME BACK IN A PREVIOUS SEASON OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WHICH IS WAY IN THE REARVIEW IN THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE, FOLKS ARE KEEPING TRACK OF HOW MANY NEW PENALTIES WERE ADDED BY THE LEGISLATURE VERSUS TAKEN OFF.

AND EVERY YEAR THERE'S MORE THAN ARE TAKEN OFF.

AND REALLY, A LOT OF THESE THEY ARE DOUBLE UP ON EACH OTHER.

>> Bill: WE ARE A HIGH INCARCERATION RATE.

>> INCREDIBLY HIGH FOR JUST PER CAPITA.

WE ARE LEADING.

I DON'T WANT TO THROW NUMBERS OUT THERE.

BUT KENTUCKY IS DISPROPORTIONATELY INCARCERATES.

AND PUTS PEOPLE BEHIND BARS OR CHARGES THEM WITH CRIMES.

>> Bill: AND SOME SAY THAT IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE DETERRENT.

>> AND THINGS THAT WILL HELP THE ECONOMY GROW AND HELP THE WORKFORCE THESE ARE IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS FOR I THINK LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER.

AND ONCE AGAIN, YEARS AGO, THERE WERE A LOT OF BIPARTISAN MOVEMENT ON TRYING TO STREAMLINE THIS PROCESS, STREAMLINE KENTUCKY SENTENCING CODE AND PENALTIES.

AND AND THINGS LIKE BAIL REFORM.

THERE IS A LOT OF BIPARTISAN MOVEMENT ON THIS.

AND THOSE DISCUSSIONS AREN'T HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

ONE OTHER LITTLE BIT OF PROGNOSTICATION TO TALK ABOUT IS SENATOR WESTERFIELD WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK, THE OUTGOING SENATE JUDICIARY CHAIR, HE'S LEAVING A POWERFUL COMMITTEE AND THAT IS SOMETHING HE WAS CHAMPIONING FOR A WHILE.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT THINGS HE IS PROPOSING ON HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR.

>> Bill: JUVENILE JUSTICE ISSUES HAVE BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

THERE WAS TESTIMONY IN COMMITTEES ABOUT ALL OF THE CHALLENGES THERE.

ARE WE HEARING ANYTHING ABOUT LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THAT OR ANYTHING WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION?

>> RIGHT.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET DOES INCLUDE FUNDING FOR TWO NEW FACILITIES FOR GIRLS ONE IN FAYETTE COUNTY AND ANOTHER IN WEST KENTUCKY SOMEWHERE.

ALSO LOOKING AT INCREASING THE CAPACITY FOR ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENTS.

AND ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE WILL HAVE A NEW HEAD AND THE JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY CABINET WILL HAVE A NEW HEAD A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP AS WELL.

>> Bill: THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT CHILDCARE IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN KENTUCKY'S LOW WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

AND WE ALSO KNOW THE FEDERAL COVID MONEY THAT WAS GOING TO MANY OF OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS IS ENDING.

CHRIS, SOME ADVOCATES SAY UNLESS THERE IS SOME MAJOR STATE INVESTMENT IN CHILDCARE, THIS IS GOING TO BE A TROUBLE SPOT FOR KENTUCKY WITH DAYCARES POTENTIALLY CLOSING.

AT LEAST HAVING TO LOWER WAGES AND LOSING SOME OF THE WORKERS.

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK THEY WILL BE LOWERING WAGES.

THEY'VE HAD TO RAISE THEM.

AND IN LOUISVILLE, IT'S SOMETHING LIKE $20 AN HOUR IS THE GOING RATE FOR A CHILDCARE WORK.

AND GOD BLESS THEY HAVE HARD JOBS.

THEY DESERVE IT FOR SURE.

I THINK THE IMMEDIATE LEVER THAT THE DAYCARES ARE GOING TO PULL IS RAISING PRICES FOR FAMILIES.

AND EVERYONE COMPLAINS ABOUT BOTH ABOUT HOW LITTLE CHILDCARE WORKERS ARE PAID AND ABOUT HOW MUCH CHILDCARE COSTS.

SO THERE'S SOME PEOPLE THINK THIS IS JUST A FAILURE OF THE PRIVATE MARKET TO MEET THIS NEED AND THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND PROVIDE SUPPORTS.

BUT WHAT HAPPENED IS THERE WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED SURGE OF FEDERAL MONEY INTO KENTUCKY TO PROP UP THE CHILDCARE SECTOR DIRECT PAYMENTS TO DAYCARE OWNERS FOR EXAMPLE, AND LOTS OF OTHER THINGS.

AND NOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE CALLS TO CONTINUE THAT.

I BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT MONEY IN HIS PROPOSED BUDGET TO CONTINUE MANY OF THOSE THINGS.

BUT, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW THERE'S THE COMPETING PRIORITY OF LOWERING THE INCOME TAX AND RESTRAINING GROWTH IN SPENDING.

IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT ISSUE RESOLVES ITSELF AND THE LEGISLATURE TRIED DIFFERENT APPROACHES.

I WROTE ABOUT THIS YEAR A NEW PROGRAM WHERE THEY SAY IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER AND YOU PROVIDE CHILDCARE FOR YOUR WORKERS, YOU CAN APPLY AND GET A MATCH FROM THE STATE.

THAT PROGRAM HAS NOT REALLY TAKEN OFF.

THERE MAYBE SOME MORE MARKETING THEY NEED TO DO TO GET THAT OUT THERE.

AND THAT IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE SURE.

>> Bill: INCENTIVE.

>> BUT IT'S A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

IT IS A DIFFERENT APPROACH THAN THE MAIN WAY THE STATE SUBSIDIZES CHILDCARE.

>> Bill: WE ALSO EXPECT A LOT OF DISCUSSION SURROUNDING SCHOOLS.

SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO PUSH HARD FOR SCHOOL CHOICE, SPECIFICALLY THAT COULD MEAN A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

THAT WOULD ALLOW STATE DOLLARS TO BE DIRECTED TO OTHER THAN TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT WOULD REQUIRE A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

TESSA DOES THAT LOOK LIKE A BIG DEBATE AHEAD?

>> IT DOES.

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CAN EXPECT A LOT OF REPUBLICANS TO PUSH FOR.

BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE UNIVERSAL SUPPORT AMONG REPUBLICANS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE RURAL DISTRICTS, SCHOOLS ARE THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS.

TAKING ANYTHING THAT COULD BE PERCEIVED AS TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM THE EMPLOYERS WOULD NOT BE POPULAR WITH A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS.

SO EVEN IF THIS DOES MAKE IT TO THE LEGISLATURE, KENTUCKY VOTERS WOULD HAVE TO VOTE TO ADOPT THIS CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION.

WE SAW IN 2022 THERE WERE TWO PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT ONE RELATED TO ABORTION AND THE OTHER RELATED TO THE LEGISLATURE CALLING ITSELF BACK INTO SESSION.

BOTH FAILED.

SO THERE COULD BE AN ARGUMENT MADE WE HAVE NOT HAD GREAT LUCK WITH THIS.

LET'S TRY FOR THIS ANOTHER YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR INDICATED THAT HE WILL COME OUT REALLY STRONGLY AGAINST ANYTHING THAT TAKES MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HE SAID THAT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THAT HE WOULD BE ACTIVELY WORKING AGAINST THIS.

>> Bill: ABORTION HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE IN RECENT YEARS IN KENTUCKY.

A TRIGGER LAW PASSED IN 2019 PROVIDES NO EXCEPTIONS INCLUDING CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST.

THAT LAW HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE VS. WADE.

AND TESSA SOME REPUBLICANS INCLUDING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ELECT RUSSEL COLEMAN ARE CALLING FOR A BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS.

WILL REPUBLICANS OPENLY DEBATE AN EXCEPTIONS BILL AND POTENTIALLY PASS ONE?

>> RIGHT.

LAST SESSION, THERE WAS A BILL PUT FORTH TO ADD EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

BUT IT GOT NOWHERE IT DIDN'T GET A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT COMMITTEE HEARING.

ABSOLUTELY NO MOVEMENT IN THAT REGARD.

BUT, THINK ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE 2023 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WENT ON TO WIN REELECTION AND HE MADE ABORTION AND ACCESS AND SPECIFICALLY THE RAPE AND INCEST EXCEPTIONS A KEY PART OF THAT CAMPAIGN.

SO WHEN YOU TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION ALONG WITH THAT AMENDMENT TO VOTE FROM 2022, THE WRITING MIGHT BE ON THE WALL FOR REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE IN MORE URBAN DISTRICTS OR DISTRICTS WITH PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES WE'VE SEEN KIND OF LOOKING AT TURNOUT FROM PAST RESULTS THAT THEY SORT OF HAVE SHIFTED IN THAT REGARD.

SO THERE MAYBE IF YOU TAKE THE DEMOCRATS AND SOME REPUBLICANS WHO ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE MIDDLE ON THAT THERE COULD BE THE MOMENTUM TO ADD SOME EXCEPTIONS.

WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, WE DON'T KNOW YET.

AND WOULD THERE BE FACILITIES TO PROVIDE THAT PROCEDURE?

WE ALSO DON'T KNOW.

BUT THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE IN MIND FOR A LOT OF REPUBLICANS THAT WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT THIS GOVERNOR'S RACE, GOVERNOR BESHEAR REALLY AGGRESSIVELY HIT HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON WHO HAD BEEN VOCAL SUPPORTERS OF LAW AS IS, DEFENDED IT IN COURT, WHICH HAD NO EXCEPTIONS AND THAT ALLOWED GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO BASICALLY PAINT DANIEL CAMERON AS AN EXTREMIST ON THIS ISSUE THAT IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH WHAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THE MAJORITY OF KENTUCKIANS WANT.

IF THAT IS TAKEN AWAY FROM DEMOCRATS IN THE FUTURE OR IF GOVERNOR BESHEAR HADN'T HAD THAT THINK ABOUT HOW THAT COULD HAVE CHANGED THIS GOVERNOR'S RACE.

YOU DON'T GET THAT AD THAT POWERFUL AD WHERE THE YOUNG WOMAN CALLS DANIEL CAMERON OUT DIRECTLY.

THAT GOT NATIONAL ATTENTION.

HAD EXCEPTIONS BEEN ON THE BOOKS.

>> Bill: MIGHT HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCENA THE RACE.

I MADE REFERENCE EARLIER TO NOT SEEING THOSE PREFILED BILLS.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CALLED FOR AN END TO TACTICS THAT RUSH WILLS THROUGH WITHOUT WHAT THEY SAY IS ADEQUATE PUBLIC INPUT OR REVIEW AS THEY SEE IT.

ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE RULES CHANGES?

>> NO.

WE PROBABLY ARE NOT.

WE'VE SAID THEY WILL NOT DO THIS AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED EVERY YEAR.

AND SOME WAYS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE EVERY YEAR.

AND I THINK I FEEL COMFORTABLE SAYING THAT AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN.

THAT BILLS ARE RELEASED QUICKLY.

THEY ARE CHANGED AT THE LAST-MINUTE WITHOUT THE PUBLIC GIVING ANY CHANCE TO WEIGH-IN TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEM AND RUSHED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'S HAPPENED TIME AND TIME AGAIN EVERY YEAR ESPECIALLY AT CRITICAL MOMENTS ON CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.

AND REPUBLICANS HAVE DOUBLED DOWN AT LEAST IN THE WAKE OF THAT LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS REPORT THAT CAME OUT THIS MONTH.

THE LEADERS SAID THEY HAD NO PLANS TO DO THAT.

THE PROCESSES HELP THE STATE WORK EFFICIENTLY.

>> AND WHAT I WOULD ADD TO THAT IS THAT WE HAVE SEEN THAT WITH THE HIGHLY CONTENTIOUS ISSUES LIKE SENATE BILL 150, THE OMNIBUS BILL RELATED TO TRANS YOUTH IN THE 2023 SESSION WITH THE BILL PRIOR TO THAT WHICH RELATED TO PENSIONS.

SO NOT ONLY ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, OUR JOURNALISTS ARE SHUTOUT OF THE PROCESS WHO DON'T GET THE TRANSPARENCY AND LEGISLATORS IN THE MINORITY.

DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE SAYING THAT WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS HAPPENING.

NOW, THAT IS NOT LIKELY TO BE AN ARGUMENT THAT WILL SWAY REPUBLICANS TO MAKE THE PROCESS MORE TRANSPARENT BUT THERE ARE LAWMAKERS WHO ARE CALLED TO VOTE ON BILLS THAT THEY HAVE NOT READ.

>> Bill: BUT THEY GET FRUSTRATED WHEN WE SAY WHEN THE MEDIA OR OTHERS SAY IT IS NOT TRANSPARENT, RIGHT?

>> WELL, I WILL SAY IN MY LIMITED EXPERIENCE, FIRST OF ALL, CASSY CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG THE SENATOR FROM LOUISVILLE, DEMOCRAT, WAS SAYING ON KET RECENTLY SHE WAS AMAZED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE, THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL.

AND I CAN TELL YOU TRYING TO HAVE KEEP TABS ON BOTH, REMOTELY, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING AT THE LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL EVERYTHING THEY DO IS ON-LINE ALL THE ATTACHMENTS YOU CAN SEE IT'S TRANSPARENT HOW THINGS MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS AND WHO VOTED ON WHAT.

IT IS NIGHT AND DAY.

AND YOU HAVE TO PHYSICALLY BE THERE AND TO STAY ON TOP OF THINGS.

AND THAT'S I THINK PARTLY THE TRADITIONS OF THE INSTITUTION.

BUT ALSO WITH REPUBLICANS IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING, THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE VERY MUCH INCENTIVE TO OPEN THINGS UP AND MAKE THINGS MORE TRANSPARENT.

THEY ARE DECIDING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

AND ONCE THEY MAKE THAT DECISION THEY DO IT.

>> Bill: I THINK THE CONCERNS HAS BEEN THE OPPOSITION GALVANIZES WHEN THE INFORMATION IS OUT THERE EARLY AND THAT IS TO POTENTIAL.

>> I MISSED THE PREFILED BILLS BECAUSE IF A LOT OF THEM WERE NOT EVER GOING TO BECOME LAW THEY WERE A CENTRAL PLACE TO LOOK FOR INTERESTING PUBLIC POLICY IDEAS.

>> Bill: THEY WERE GOOD STORIES FOR US.

>> EXACTLY.

WHICH IS WHAT DEMOCRACY IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Bill: IN YOUR NEW POSITION OVERSEEING THE REPORTING IN SEVERAL STATES MAYBE YOU CAN DO COMPARATIVE WORK.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF.

AND I HOPE IT'S GALVANIZING FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE MORE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN STATE LEGISLATURES.

THAT IS ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE STATE HOUSES OR KNOW WHO THE FOLKS ARE.

I OFTEN THINK ABOUT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW WHO LEADERS IN CONGRESS ARE.

RATHER THAN EVEN KNOWING WHO THE SPEAKER OF THE KENTUCKY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OR THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE SENATE ARE WHO HAVE A LOT OF POWER AND THE LEADERSHIP AROUND THEM HAVE A LOT OF POWER TO DECIDE PUBLIC POLICY.

AND I ARGUE IN THIS ERA IN WHICH CONGRESS ISN'T DOING A LOT.

THERE IS A LOT MORE OF THIS ACTION HAPPENING IN STATE LEGISLATURES.

NOW IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO BE THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> AND FEWER PROFESSIONAL REPORTERS TO FOLLOW IT IN STATE HOUSES THAT IS ALSO HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: WE HAVE A LOT OF DEPARTURES AND WE HAVE THE FILING DEADLINE APPROACHING.

TESSA, MAJOR FIGURES HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY ARE LEAVING THE LEGISLATURE AND NOT SEEKING REELECTION AT LEAST.

THAT INCLUDES THE SENATE LEADER DAY MON THAYER AND THAT TOOK PEOPLE BY SURPRISE.

>> THAT WAS A SIGNIFICANT ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER 20 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE HE IS NOT RUNNING AGAIN THIS YEAR.

A POWERFUL AND INFLUENTIAL FIGURE IN THE SENATE WILL NOT BE THERE COME 2025.

WE'VE ALSO SEEN THAT TWO OUT OF THE THREE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP ARE NOT SEEKING REELECTION THIS YEAR.

A LONGTIME DEMOCRATIC SENATOR DENISE HARPER ANGEL IS NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

REPRESENTATIVE HERON OF LOUISVILLE IS NOW GOING TO RUN FOR THAT SPOT INSTEAD OF HER HOUSE SEAT.

WE'VE ALSO SEEN SOME SENATORS WHO HOLD COMMITTEE CHAIRS LIKE WHITNEY WESTERFIELD AND SENATOR SCHICKLE.

THESE ARE HIGH PROFILE NAMES THAT FOLKS WHO FOLLOW NEWS IN FRANKFORT AND THEY ARE NOT RUNNING AGAIN.

THERE IS A LOT OF TURNOVER THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHEN THE 2025 ASSEMBLY ROLLS AROUND.

>> Bill: AND THE POLITICAL GRIND GETS OLD EVEN TO THOSE WHO RELISH IT FOR A WHILE.

KENTUCKY IS A VISIBLE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

MITCH McCONNELL, AND RAND PAUL A FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WHO IS OUTSPOKEN.

CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER HEADS UP THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HAVING THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS IS THE DEAN OF THE HOUSE, THE LONGEST SERVING MEMBER IN THAT CHAMBER.

WE ALWAYS HAVE A LOT TO WATCH IN WASHINGTON.

AS WE HEAD INTO THIS PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION YEAR OF 2024, RYLAND DOES McCONNELL STAY FOCUSED ON TRYING TO WIN A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY AND EVEN THOUGH HE HAS DONALD TRUMP THE REPUBLICAN FRONTRUNNER SAID McCONNELL SHOULD BE REPLACED.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE IS GOING TO BE DOING SAYING HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND THAT IS WHAT HE DOES I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT I WILL TALK ABOUT THIS AND TALK ABOUT TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE U.S. SENATE.

AND A LOT OF THIS IS GOING TO DEPEND ON WHETHER OR NOT THE FORMER PRESIDENT WINS THE NOMINATION.

WE WILL HAVE A DRAMATIC FEW MONTHS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR THROUGH THE PRIMARY PROCESS OF WILL HE WON'T HE.

AND SOME OF THE COURT CASES THAT HAVE BEEN COMING UP DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THE FORMER PRESIDENT CAN APPEAR ON THE BALLOT IN SOME OF THE STATES.

AGAIN, I THINK McCONNELL EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BE WONDERING IF HE IS GOING TO WEIGH-IN ON THIS ISSUE AS SOMEBODY WHO IS TRYING TO MARSHALL THE MORE MOD RALE REPUBLICANS.

MODERATE REPUBLICANS IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE FOR HIM.

>> Bill: WE HAVE THAT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AND ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE BIDEN'S AGE IS A FACTOR IN POLLING.

DO KENTUCKY'S POLITICAL ACTIVISTS HAVE TO BE READY TO BE NIMBLE IF CIRCUMSTANCES QUICKLY CHANGE?

>> I SUPPOSE THEY HAVE TO BE.

YOU KNOW, AND REALLY ACTIVISTS WILL HAVE TO BE ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO FIGURE THAT OUT ESPECIALLY WE ARE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN IT IS WILL BE MIDSTREAM, MID-NOMINATING PROCESS AND WHO KNOWS MAYBE POST NOMINATING PROCESS.

AND SO, YEAH, ACTIVISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHO THEY WOULD BE GETTING BEHIND AND AS WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT IN RECENT WEEKS, ANDY BESHEAR IS A RISING STAR IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET HIS NAME OUT THERE MORE AND MORE ON TO THE NATIONAL STAGE.

AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE TO WHAT EXTENT THAT NAME MAKES IT INTO THE CONVERSATIONS.

>> BUT HE SAYS HE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

HE WANTS TO FINISH THIS TERM.

>> Bill: DOUBLED DOWN ON THAT.

2023 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR LABOR.

THE UAW STRIKE SHUT DOWN FORD PLANTS AND THREATS OF A STRIKE AT U.P.S.

RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

CHRIS, IS THE UNION MOVEMENT FOUND NEW LIFE AND ARE THERE THINGS TO WATCH IN 2024?

IT HAS AND DOES IT CONTINUE MOMENTUM CONTINUE TO GROW.

THE UAW AND THE TEAMSTERS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF A GOOD MOMENT FOR WORKERS WITH RISING WAGES AND THEY HAD A LOT OF LEVERAGE THAT THEY EFFECTIVELY DEPLOYED IN BOTH CASES AND THEY ARE GROWING.

I'M COVERING A THING THAT U.P.S.

TOMORROW WHERE THEY ARE ORGANIZING MORE WORKERS WHO HAVEN'T TRADITIONALLY BEEN UNIONIZED THERE ARE ONE OFF COFFEE SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS THAT WE'VE SEEN ORGANIZING.

THE LABOR MOVEMENT DOES HAVE NEW LIFE.

>> Bill: AND UAW IS ATTEMPTING TO UNIONIZE TOYOTA.

>> AND TOYOTA SENT US AN OP-ED WHICH WE RAN WHERE IT WAS MORE CIRCUMSTANCE COUPLE SUSPECT LANGUAGE BUT THE LEADER WAS SAYING THAT UNIONS DON'T DELIVER THE STABLE JOBS THAT THEY SAY THEY DO.

WHICH TELLS ME THAT PERHAPS TOYOTA THAT FACTORY HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THE 80s PERHAPS TOYOTA IS WORRIED ABOUT THE UAW.

THAT WILL BE AN INTERESTING SITUATION TO WATCH.

>> Bill: AND WE HAVE THE ELECTRIC BATTERY PLANTS COMING ALONG.

AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOR MORE ACTIVITY.

>> AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A BIG THE INDUSTRY IS SHIFTING.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE BEGINS ITS 2024 SESSION ON TUESDAY, A LOT TO WATCH.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THE ACTION EACH WEEK ON "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

AS JUST PART OF KET'S COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE SESSION.

WE DO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THE STAFF AT KET FOR THEIR WORK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR CERTAINLY AND THANK OUR PANELISTS WHO COME IN AFTER A HARD WEEK OF WORK AND SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS.

WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

[♪♪]