[♪♪] >> Renee: KENTUCKY'S REVENUE IS PROJECTED TO JOB BUT LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY THAT IS FIGURED INTO THEIR PLANS TO CUT THE STATE INCOME TAX AGAIN.

NEW LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE CHOSEN AND MAJORITY LEADER MAX WISE SAYS DEI WILL BE A PRIORITY IN THE SESSION.

THE TASK FORCE LOOKING INTO JCPS IS ASKING FOR MORE TIME TO MAKE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.

AND SOMEBODY IS POLLING POTENTIAL CANDIDATES APPARENTLY IN CASE SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL DECIDES NOT TO RUN AGAIN.

ON A COLD DECEMBER WEEKEND, 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 PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, LIAM NIEMEYER, REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

SYLVIA GOODMAN, CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO AND AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT MANY HOMELESS KENTUCKIANS FAILED TO SHOW UP IN COURT TO FACE VIOLATIONS OF THE STATE CAMPING BAN.

IN KENTUCKY TAKES MORE STEPS TO DEAL WITH INVASIVE CARP THAT CAN CROWD OUT OTHER FISH AND WILDLIFE.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS AS THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS ROLLING ALONG.

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO CONSIDERING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT BEGINS NEXT MONTH.

WE NOW KNOW THAT REVENUE PROJECTIONS ARE DOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BUT BY ABOUT $223 MILLION.

BUT THE DESIRE TO CUT THE STATE INCOME TAX REMAINS A HIGH REPUBLICAN PRIORITY.

AUSTIN THOSE TWO THINGS ARE MAYBE IN SOME CONFLICT IT WOULD SEEM.

BUT THE FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT LEADERSHIP IN FRANKFORT IS SAYING THAT THAT IS ALREADY FIGURED IN?

>> YEAH.

SO THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT IT'S DOWN 200 MILLION COMPARED TO LAST FISCAL YEAR AT LEAST THAT IS THE PROJECTION FOR THIS YEAR.

THERE ARE A COUPLE DIFFERENT REASONS FOR THAT.

THE INCOME TAX HAS ALREADY BEEN CUT FROM 5% IT'S CURRENTLY 4%.

AND THE QUESTION IS DO YOU MOVE FROM 4% TO 3.5%.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK REPUBLICANS HAVE PLANNED THE WHOLE YEAR TO START OFF THE SESSION ON THIS KUMBIYA NOTE WHERE ALL 80 REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE AND 31 REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE CAN GET BEHIND THIS INITIAL CUT.

I THINK THERE ARE FURTHER PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS ON HOW FAR DO YOU CUT THAT EXPOSE SOME RIFTS WITHIN THE PARTY.

I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY AS WE GO DOWN THAT ROAD.

BUT, GENERALLY, THEY ARE PLANNING DESPITE THIS NEWS WHICH IS ONLY THE THIRD TIME IN THE LAST 50 YEARS TO GO ANOTHER .5%.

>> Bill: THE GOAL OF REPUBLICANS IS TO ELIMINATE THE STATE INCOME TAX ENTIRELY.

BUT WHAT I'M HEARING YOU SAY THERE ARE SOME WHO WANT TO BE MAYBE MORE CAUTIOUS THAN OTHERS?

>> THAT'S THE STATED GOAL.

THERE COULD BE A MOMENT AND WE'VE HEARD THIS FROM LEADERSHIP, WE'VE HEARD THIS OFF THE RECORD FROM OTHERS, THAT THERE COULD BE A SPOT WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD WHERE YOU ARE ONLY CUT SO MUCH WITHOUT HAVING TO INCREASE SALES TAX FROM THE PERCENTAGE THAT IT IS TODAY OR BROADEN IT TO OTHER SERVICES LIKE GROCERIES.

THAT IS WHY PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE LINE THEY MIGHT BE INCLINED TO LIVE IN TENNESSEE BECAUSE THE INCOME TAX IS ZERO.

BUT THEY ARE MORE INCLINED TO GET THEIR GROCERIES IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TAXED IN KENTUCKY.

THOSE ARE THE TOUGHER, I THINK IT'S EASY POLITICS.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, TO GET THAT INCOME TAX DOWN.

BUT ONCE YOU HAVE TO FACE THE QUESTION OF DO WE EXPAND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE?

DO WE ADD A TAX THAT IS NOT INCOME?

THAT IS WHEN IT STARTS GETTING REALLY THORNY.

>> I IMAGINE THERE WILL BE SOME PUSH AND PULL WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

I MEAN JUST THINK ABOUT THE NEIGHBORS.

AUSTIN WAS MENTIONING TENNESSEE WITH THE HIGH SALES TAX, 0% INCOME TAX YOU COULD LOOK TO ANOTHER REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED STATE LIKE INDIANA THAT HAS SOME FORM OF INCOME TAX AS WELL.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WHERE DOES KENTUCKY WANT TO BE.

>> Bill: WHO ARE YOU COMPARING YOURSELF TO IS A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

WE'LL WATCH ON THAT.

AND KEEP A WATCH ON THE NUMBERS.

SEVERAL NEW CHAIRS WERE NAMED IN THE SENATE AFTER SOME HIGH PROFILE DEPARTURES.

AUSTIN SOME COULD BE SIGNIFICANT SHIFTS AND REPRESENT SHIFTS IN PRIORITIES YOU HAVE WHITNEY WESTERFIELD LEAVING THE SENATE AND THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND THAT IS GG TO SENATOR BRANDON STORM OF LONDON.

SORT OF A NEWCOMER TO THE SCENE.

>> YES, SOMEBODY WHO WE'VE KNOWN HAS BEEN CLOSE TO SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS FROM THE SIMILAR NECK OF THE WOODS DOWN THERE IN SOUTH CENTRAL EASTERN KENTUCKY BORDER AREA.

WE'RE GOING TO LEARN A LOT MORE ABOUT HIM, THE JUDICIARY CHAIRMANSHIP IS A HIGH PROFILE SPOT WHERE YOU GET A LOT OF COVERAGE.

YOUR IDEOLOGY, I THINK, GETS SORT OF EXPOSED THROUGH THAT.

I'M NOT SAYING EXPOSED IN A BAD WAY.

YOU HEAR MORE ABOUT HOW PEOPLE THINK IN THAT CHAIR.

WE CERTAINLY DID WITH WHITNEY WESTERFIELD.

WE'LL SEE HOW HE DOES IT.

I'M INTERESTED THERE WAS A BIT OF A SWITCH-A-ROO WITH PHILLIP WHEELER WAS THE VICE COMPARE IN THE JUDICIARY AND NOW THE CHAIR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM.

SO I'M CURIOUS WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO PARTICULARLY FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY WHICH IS A BIG A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM IN THAT REGION.

WHAT GETS DONE, IT'S UP IN THE AIR DEPENDING WHO YOU TALK TO.

BUT WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

>> ANOTHER INTERESTING SHIFT HERE IS THAT JULIE ROCKY ADAMS OF LOUISVILLE IS NOW THE CHAIR OF THE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS COMMITTEE.

PREVIOUSLY, SHE WAS IN REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.

SHE IS NO LONGER IN LEADERSHIP.

BECAUSE SHE LOST OUT AN ELECTION TO INCOMING FLOOR LEADER MAX WISE.

BUT NOW SHE HAS A NEW CHAIR POSITION IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN HER TAKE STRONG STANCES ON BEFORE SOME OF THE LEGISLATION THAT OFTEN GOES TO THAT COMMITTEE HAS TO DO WITH HORSERACING AND GAMING.

AND SHE IS HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR THINGS WITH FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT TOPICS.

SO IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE THAT SHIFT FOR HER AS WELL.

>> Bill: SHE IS KNOWN FOR HER DIPLOMACY.

>> SHE IS WELL-KNOWN FOR THAT.

SHE IS A LOUISVILLE REPUBLICAN IN THE SENATE.

WHICH IS NOT SUPER COMMON.

SO SHE IS KNOWN FOR TALKING ACROSS THE AISLE IN MANY WAYS.

>> Bill: SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MAX WISE SAYS THAT DEI LEGISLATION WILL BE A PRIORITY IN THE SESSION.

AND WE KNOW THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ENDED ITS DAVMENT EFFORTS AND SOME OTHERS FOLLOWED SUIT.

HOW WOULD LEGISLATION BE CRAFTED?

AND HOW WOULD THE LAWMAKERS ATTEMPT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE IF THEY MAKE CHANGES?

>> THAT IS THE QUESTION.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE VERY QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP LAST SESSION AND ONE OF POTENTIALLY THE REASONS WHY WE DIDN'T HAVE DEI LEGISLATION PASS LAST YEAR.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BAN UNIVERSITIES FROM DOING AND HOW YOU DO DO THAT THAT DOESN'T HURT ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND HOW DO YOU DO IT IN A WAY THAT UNIVERSITIES ARE COMPLYING WITH YOU IF YOUR GOAL IS TO ELIMINATE DEI IN HIRING, ADMISSIONS.

THE CONCERN IS THAT EVEN THOUGH ALL THE UNIVERSITIES HAVE COME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE AND SAID WE'RE MAKING CHANGES TO TRY TO APPEASE YOU IN SOME WAYS TO HOLD BACK OURSELVES BACK ON DEI.

THERE IS SOME CONCERN STATED CONCERNS FROM LAWMAKERS THAT THEY ARE JUST CHANGING NAMEPLATES AND MOVING DEPARTMENTS AROUND AND NOT MAKING CHANGES.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A CLEAR SENSE YET OF WHAT THE CONSENSUS AMONGST REPUBLICANS IS.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE IN THE SESSION TO ADDRESS DEI BUT WE DO KNOW THAT LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING IT AND THAT IT'S VERY POSSIBLE IF NOT LIKELY THAT WE WILL SEE IT.

>> I MEAN IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE, ALSO, WHAT SORT OF QUEUES THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE TAKES FROM THE INCOMING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

SO YOU HAVE A MAJOR CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST ON THE ISSUE SUCH AS CHRIS RUFO HAS THE EAR OF THE INNER TRUMP CIRCLE AND STATED IN INTERVIEWS INCLUDING THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THAT YOU KNOW, HE WANTS TO ROOT OUT, I GUESS, THE SO-CALLED ADMINISTRATIVE STATE.

THAT THEY FEEL ARE PUTTING IN PLACE YOU KNOW THESE SORT OF CULTURE POLICIES BEYOND JUST HAVING OFFICES FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

AND, YOU KNOW, EVEN STATING MORE OR LESS SAYING THAT YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD THROUGH AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES THAT TRY TO HOLD ON TO SUCH POLICIES.

>> Bill: AND YOU WONDER, DO YOU DO THIS WITH ONE BILL OR IS IT A PACKAGE OF BILLS?

BECAUSE THERE ARE ALSO ISSUES RAISED ABOUT THE AWARDING OF CONTRACTS FOR EXAMPLE, AUSTIN, AND YOU KNOW, THEN IN ADDITION TO WHAT IS TALKED OR TALKED ABOUT ON CAMPUSES?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, YOU CAN GO JUST A VARIETY OF PATHS HERE WITH SPEECH, WITH CONTRACTS.

LIKE WHERE DO YOU -- WHERE IS YOUR LINE OF ATTACK AND NOT TO FRAME IT IN ATTACK IN OFFENSIVE TERMS.

I THINK TO ADD TO LIAM'S POINT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHERE LINDA McMAHON IS ON THIS.

IF SHE IS GOING TO WRESTLE WITH THE ISSUE MUCH.

PUN INTENDED.

SO THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WAYS THAT THIS COULD GO.

AND I THINK WE REALLY WON'T GET CLARITITY UNTIL THERE IS A MARQUEE BILL THAT IS FILED IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY.

>> Bill: WATCH FOR THAT.

WE HAD EXPECTED A REPORT AHEAD OF THE UP COMING SESSION FOR LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, THE LARGEST DISTRICT IN THE STATE AND THE TASK FORCE SAYS THEY NEED MORE TIME.

>> WE WERE HAVING HINTS THEY MIGHT DO THIS FOR A LITTLE BIT NOW.

AND WHAT THEY SAID THEY NEED ANOTHER YEAR.

THEY REFERENCED THE FACT THAT MARTY POLIO, THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT HAS ANNOUNCED HE IS LEAVING AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WE WANT TO SEE WHO THE NEW LEADERSHIP IS BEFORE WE MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AND SAYING THEY WANT TO SEE WHAT THE INCOMING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO DO IN THE EDUCATION SPHEER.

SO SPHERE.

LET'S TAKE ANOTHER YEAR TO EVALUATE THIS.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONCERNS AMONG KKS AND LOUISVILLE RESIDENTS THAT THE TASK FORCE WAS DESIGNED WITH THE GOAL OF BREAKING UP JCPS AND RECOMMENDING THAT.

WHICH IS A VERY CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSITION IN LOUISVILLE.

AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY'VE DONE.

THEY LISTED A SERIES OF THINGS THAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONSIDER IF THEY HAD ANOTHER YEAR.

FOR EXAMPLE THEY WANTED TO HIRE AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT ABOUT HOW TO INCREASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

THEY ALSO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT EXPLORING REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION OPTIONS SO THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A HINT TOWARDS SOME THING LIKE BREAKING UP JCPS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE SESSION.

I'M NOT SURE IF WE'RE GOING TO SEE LEGISLATION ON AT THAT TIME GIVEN THE TASK FORCE MADE THAT RECOMMENDATION.

>> Bill: YOU MEAN WITHIN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

>> IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT THAT MEANS IT WAS A BULLET POINT BUT THAT IS THE CLOSINGEST TO ANYTHING HINTING AT A LOCAL CONTROL WITHIN JCPS.

>> Bill: IN BATH COUNTY VOTERS REJECTED A NICKEL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, A 3-1 VOTE AND NOW THE SUPERINTENDENT IS HOPING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION AND TO GET THAT RECONSIDERED.

AUSTIN, THE NICKEL TAX IS ON $100,000 OF PROPERTY VALUE ONE OF THE FEW OPTIONS THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE TO RAISE REVENUE.

THE SUPERINTENDENT THERE SAYS THEY NEED A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING OR RENOVATE A PRESENT ONE.

BUT THOSE NICKEL TAX VOTES ARE OFTEN DOOMED FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> THEY ARE SO TOUGH.

I REMEMBER LIKE WHEN, I THINK, I WAS IN SCHOOL IN WOODFORD COUNTY WHEN WE HAD ONE FAIL TO BUILD A NEW HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE WE WERE WAY TOO BIG FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S IT'S NOT THE SAME PROBLEM IN BATH COUNTY.

I THINK I READ A STORY WHERE THIS BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 1939 AND THE WALLS ARE LITERALLY TOO THICK FOR THE INTERNET.

LIKE IT'S JUST VERY SPOTTY IN THERE.

BUT THESE ISSUES ARE, YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE EASY TO SELL.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOSTALGIC FOR THE OLD BUILDING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THEY MAY HAVE HAD KIDS BUT THEY DON'T NECESSARILY CURRENTLY HAVE KIDS AND SEE THAT AN YOUR JENTS NEED.

WE'LL SEE IF PEOPLE THAT SHOW UP TO THE POLLS IT IS A DIFFERENT POOL OF [AUDIO INTERRUPTION].

>> Bill: ROBBY FLETCHER TALKED ABOUT HOW TOUGH THE NICKEL TAXES ARE AND THE FACT THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT IN TERMS OF REVENUE FOR SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE DISCUSSED HOMELESSNESS IN KENTUCKY A LOT IN RECENT YEARS.

THE CHALLENGE IS TOUGH OUT THERE.

WE NOW KNOW THAT IN LOUISVILLE SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SLEEPING ON THE STREET HAVE FAILED TO APPEAR IN COURT ON CHARGES.

AND BENCH WARRANTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THEM.

THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE INTENT OF THE LAW WHICH WAS TO FINE STREET CAMPERS AND HELP THEM FIND RESOURCES BUT IT'S NOW PART OF WHAT IS HAPPENING OUT THERE?

>> YEAH.

I WILL SAY THAT ADVOCATES TOLD ME MONTHS AGO THEY THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE AN OUTCOME.

THERE IS A LOT OF REASONS WHY IF A POLICE OFFICER FINDS SOMEBODY ON THE STREET WITH A COURT DATE IT COULD BE DIFFICULT FOR A PERSON TO THEN APPEAR AT THAT COURT DATE AND THE OUTCOME OF THAT IS THAT IF YOU ARE A COUNTY ATTORNEY OR A JUDGE AND YOU'VE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ENFORCE THIS LAW TO ENFORCE THE CITATIONS WHAT IS YOUR OPTION TO GET A PERSON BEFORE A JUDGE?

AND THEY ARE OPTING TO GO FOR BENCH WARRANTS WHICH IS AN ORDER FOR POLICE TO ARREST THAT PERSON, DETAIN THEM UNTIL THEY CAN GO BEFORE A JUDGE OR THEY CAN GO OUT ON BOND.

SO IT'S RESULTING IN PEOPLE BEING ARRESTED AND GOING TO JAIL IN SOME CASES.

>> Bill: WHEN IT WAS SAID THE INTENTS IS NOT TO JAIL THE HOMELESS.

>> THAT WAS SAID MANY TIMES THIS WOULD NOT RESULT THE GOAL WAS NOT TO JAIL HOMELESS PEOPLE.

LAWMAKERS TOLD ME THAT THE BILL STILL IS MOVING AS INTENDED.

THAT IF PEOPLE DON'T SHOW UP TO COURT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS AND ALSO THAT THEY BELIEVE IT IS STILL ENCOURAGING SOME HOMELESS PEOPLE TO SEEK OUT RESOURCES THAT WAS THE IDEA IF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GO TO REHAB THIS IS THE OTHER OPTION IT'S FORCING PEOPLE TOWARDS REHAB.

THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING FOR THOSE WHO ARE GETTING CITED.

>> Bill: ANOTHER TREND TO WATCH.

KENTUCKY'S WATERWAYS HAVE A BIG PROBLEM RIGHT NOW AND THE INVASION OF CARP FISH THAT CAN WEIGH OVER 100 POUNDS AND CROWD OUT OTHER WILDLIFE.

THERE ARE ISSUES AROUND THE STATE AND DIFFERENT APPROACHES IN DEALING WITH IT, INCLUDING ONE APPROVED TODAY.

>> YEAH, CORRECT.

THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES, THEY JUST THEIR BOARD APPROVED A $40,000 FEDERALLY FUNDED STUDY THAT WOULD BRING IN THIS NEWLY DEVELOPED ELECTRIC FISH SYSTEM DEVELOPED OUT IN MINNESOTA.

PRETTY MUCH WHAT IT IS, IS THAT THESE ELECT TRODS ARE PUT IN THE WATER AND ELECTRIC FIELD THAT FISH CAN 23409 GET THROUGH AND THEY ARE FUNNELED INTO A TRAP WHERE I KID YOU NOT IT'S WILD TO SEE THIS ON VIDEO BUT THE FISH ONCE IN THE TRAP THEY ARE PUSHED ON TO THIS CONVEYOR BELT AND THE FISH COME OUT OF THE WATERWAY FROM THIS CONVEYOR BELT TO BE HARVESTED AND REMOVED.

IT IS A PRETTY ACCORDING TO THIS UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PROFESSOR IT IS A NOVEL SYSTEM THAT KENTUCKY OFFICIALS WANT TO SEE IF IT COULD WORK HERE.

AND IT'S COMING AT A TIME, WHEN THESE CARP ARE GOING FARTHER AND FARTHER UP THE SALT RIVER WATERSHED CONNECTED TO THE OHIO RIVER.

AND TAYLORSVILLE LAKE AN IMPORTANT FISHERY IN THE SALT RIVER BASIN THEY HAD A POSITIVE TEST FOR DNA OF INVASIVE CARP THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE IS CARP IN THE LAKE IT SHOWS THAT THE MARCH OF THE CARP CONTINUES AND OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: CARP IN SOME CASES ARE SERVED AS A DELICACY, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT, YEAH.

YEAH THERE IS A RESTAURANT OUT IN PADUCAH, AWARD-WINNING CHEF OUT THERE I BELIEVE NAMED SARA BRADLEY.

I BELIEVE THAT YOU KNOW ONE OF THE MEALS THEY'VE HISTORICALLY HAD IS THEY'VE SERVED SILVER CARP.

AND A LOT OF SILVER CARP IS HARVESTED OUT OF KENTUCKY LAKE IN LAKE BARCLAY.

>> Bill: YOU KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLEAN WATER AND HOW WE TREAT OUR WASTEWATER AND THERE'S RECENT DEVELOPMENTS THERE.

>> I WILL HAVE MORE REPORTING OUT NEXT WEEK.

YOU KNOW, THIS MAY NOT COME AS A SURPRISE AND IT'S NOT AN ISSUE NECESSARILY UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY BUT KENTUCKY'S WASTEWATER AND DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IS JUST VERY CHALLENGED IN A LOT OF RULE COMMUNITIES.

IN THE CITY OF LIVINGSTON A MONTH AGO THEY HAD THEIR WATER SERVICE CUTOFF BECAUSE OF ALLEGATIONS OF DEBT THEY OWED TO ANOTHER WATER DISTRICT AND THEY ARE ONE OF SEVERAL WATER DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF DEBT.

AND WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SMALL SERVICE AREAS PEOPLE SERVING A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE AND THE PROSPECT OF RAISING RATES TO COME UP WITH FUNDS TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS A HARD ASK.

>> Bill: AND THERE ARE QUALITY ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AS WELL AND A LOT TO WATCH IN THAT ARENA.

>> LET'S DO POLITICS.

WE DO NOT KNOW AT THIS POINT WHETHER SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL WILL RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM.

WE KNOW HE HAS $8 MILLION RAISED AND IS CAPABLE OF TURNING UP THAT EFFORT.

BUT AUSTIN, WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMEBODY OUT THERE POLLING POTENTIALLY IN THE SENATE RACE?

>> YEAH.

THERE WAS A POLL THAT CAME OUT EARLY THIS WEEK OR LATE LAST WEEK, THAT ASKED RESPOND ENDS HOW THEY FELT ABOUT FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT PEOPLE, JAMES COMER, DANIEL CAMERON, NATE MORRIS THE FOUNDER OF RUBICON IN LEXINGTON.

CAMERON SAID HIM.

ANDY BARR AND A COUPLE OTHERS.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WAS SOMEBODY WHO RESERVED WEBSITES LIKE CAMERON FOR SENATE.

OR COMER FOR SENATE.

PROBABLY JUST WHAT WE CALL CYBERSQUATERS PEOPLE TAKING THE URL'S TO TELL THEM TO CAMPAIGNS.

PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT THIS.

AND THE QUESTION WITH THE POLL IS: WHO DID IT?

RIGHT?

WHO IS TRYING TO TEST THE WATERS?

OR IS THIS SOMEBODY WHO IS PUTTING IT OUT THERE TO MAYBE LAY THEIR CLAIM ON I AM ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT FOR U.S. SENATE LIKE A NATE MORRIS WHO DOESN'T HAVE NAME ID.

AND IT'S MEANT TO GET THE CHATTERING CLASS GOING.

I DON'T KNOW THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF IDEAS OF HOW THIS POLL CAME TO BE AND WHAT THE PURPOSE MIGHT BE.

>> Bill: AND YOU MENTIONED BARR REPRESENTS THE 6TH DISTRICT IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY HE HAS SAID REMINDED PEOPLE THAT A REPUBLICAN NEEDS TO CARRY THE SIXTH DISTRICT.

I ASKED HIM ABOUT THAT LAST WEEK, ONE NOTABLE REPUBLICAN KEEPING HIS EYE MAYBE ON THE POSSIBILITY OF BARR'S SIXTH DISTRICT SEAT IF IT OPENS BECAUSE HE IS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.

FORMER MAJORITY LEADER DAMON THAYER THAT HE IS CONSIDERING RUNNING FOR HIGHER OFFICE IN THE FUTURE.

>> I DON'T WANT TO ON SKATE LIKE A LOT OF POLITICIANS DO AND I WILL BE FORTHRIGHT, YES, OF COURSE, I AM GOING TO CONSIDER RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IN 2027 DEPENDING ON THE FIELD.

LIKE A GOOD HORSERACE I WILL HANDICAP IT.

IF I THINK I HAVE A CLEAR PATH TO THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION I WOULD CONSIDER RUNNING.

AND AS FAR AS 2026 GOES, I THINK THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME OPEN SEATS OCCURRING.

BUT THAT ALSO MAY NOT OCCUR.

SENATOR -- >> CONGRESS PERHAPS?

>> I WOULD KEEP THAT AS A POSSIBILITY.

>> Bill: SO THAT COULD BE A WILD AND WIDE OPEN RACE, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

AND BARR'S MOVES ARE THE ONES TO WATCH HERE.

HE IS UP AND HE'S BEEN DEEMED THE NOMINAL FAVORITE FOR HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THERE IS A RULE IN THE CAUCUS WHERE YOU CAN'T HOLD A CHAIRMANSHIP LIKE THAT AND RUN FOR SENATE AT THE SAME TIME.

SO PEOPLE THINK THAT IF HE GETS THAT IT MAKES IT LESS LIKELY THAT THAT SEAT OPENS UP.

BUT IF HE DOESN'T, I THINK THE ASSUMPTION AND A LOT OF REPUBLICAN SPACES IS THAT ANDY BARR WOULD SERIOUSLY LOOK AT RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.

>> Bill: AND WE DO NOT KNOW IF McCONNELL MAY RUN FOR REELECTION.

AND HOW MUCH HE WILL CLASH WITH THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION.

>> SURE.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM McCONNELL YET WHETHER OR NOT HE IS GOING TO RUN.

HE STEPPED DOWN FROM THE LEADERSHIP BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN HE COULDN'T RUN AGAIN FOR SENATE.

AND I THINK, IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT HE COULD CLASH MORE WITH TRUMP.

HE CERTAINLY HAS IN THE PAST.

OBVIOUSLY HE STILL GAVE TRUMP HIS ENDORSEMENT FOR THIS LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

BUT EVEN THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT IN QUESTION UNTIL HE CAME OUT WITH IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIALLY THERE IS A FEW ISSUES THAT HE HAS CLASHED ON WITH TRUMP IN THE PAST, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORT FOR FOREIGN WARS, ESPECIALLY IN UKRAINE.

THAT HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE FOR McCONNELL.

TARIFFS, McCONNELL HAS BEEN SKEPTICAL OF TARIFFS IN THE PAST.

>> Bill: LET'S ALSO HEAR FROM KENTUCKY'S JUNIOR SENATOR PUSHING BACK AGAINST ONE OF THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION'S NOTABLE CAMPAIGN PROMISES AND THAT IS ON TARIFFS.

SENATOR RAND PAUL IS NOT FOR TARIFFS.

AND HE SAYS HE WILL WORK TO OPPOSE THEM.

>> THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IS GOOD AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING WE WANT TO STOP THIS AND DO THIS AND PUNISH THESE COUNTRIES THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE PUNISHED ARE THE AMERICAN CONSUMERS.

I AM NOT NOR TARIFFS AND I WILL DO ANYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE THEY CANNOT BE PASSED BY THE PRESIDENT BUT CONGRESS AND VOTED ON.

>> Bill: WE HAVE BOTH SENATORS WITH SKEPTICISM ABOUT TARIFFS.

>> SURE IN RECENT WEEKS SIGNATURE KENTUCKY INDUSTRY BOURBON UNDER FIRE WITH TARIFFS BEFORE EXPRESSED CONCERN WITH THE IMPACT OF TARIFFS UNDER A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

YOU KNOW IF IT WAS ANY INDICATION THAT THE STOCK BRYCE TOOK A DIP RIGHT AFTER THE ELECTION.

SO I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR FUELING SPECULATION ABOUT HIS POTENTIAL RUNNING FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IN 2028.

THE KENTUCKY LANTERN THE GOVERNOR CREATED A NEW HAMPSHIRE PAC DURING THE ELECTION AND SUPPORTED THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR WHO LOST TO A REPUBLICAN UP THERE.

BUT WE ALL KNOW THE IMPORTANCE NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'LL SEE IF THE DNC STICKS TO THEIR SAME SCHEDULE.

THEY COULD REINSTITUTE NEW HAMPSHIRE AS A POTENTIALLY MORE IMPORTANT STATE IF THEY CHANGE IT.

BUT, I THINK, NEW HAMPSHIRE WAS SECOND LAST TIME AROUND.

BECAUSE THEY SKIPPED IOWA AND CHANGED IT WITH SOUTH CAROLINA.

CERTAINLY CREATING A PAC FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR CANDIDATE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ONE DOES MERELY FOR FUNSIES.

SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE READING INTO THIS IN SOME WAY.

AND HE'S MADE NO BONES ABOUT IT.

IT SEEMS AS THOUGH HE IS INTERESTED.

>> Bill: CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER MET WITH VIF VIF VEHICLE RAMP SOUTH VIETNAMMY AND ELON MUSIC.

>> AND THE BIG QUESTION IS WHAT CAN YOU GET THROUGH CONGRESS IN A CONGRESS THAT IS CONTROLLED 220-215 BY REPUBLICANS?

EVERYTHING YOU CUT THERE IS A CONSTITUENCY FOR IT.

WHETHER THAT BE LOBBYING INTERESTS WHETHER THAT BE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ITSELF, UNIONS.

IT'S A DIFFICULT TRICK.

>> Bill: IT WILL BE A STRONG EFFORT.

FORMER STATE SENATORIAL BERT ROBINSON OF LAUREL COUNTY WHO SERVED IN THE STATE HOUSE DIED THIS WEEK.

ROBINSON A REPUBLICAN SERVED TERMS IN BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE OVER 50 YEARS.

IN ADDITION TO HIS LONG PUBLIC SERVICE HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS AS WELL.

ALBERT ROBINSON WAS 85.

AND FORMER KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN BOB GABLE DIED HE WAS A 1975 NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR DEFEATED BY JULIAN CARROLL WHEN HE DISPUTED CARROLL'S FACTS DURING A DEBATE HE RAN THE TRUTH BELL.

DURING KET'S FIRST EVER TELEVISED DEBATE.

BOB GABLE WAS 90.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.