[♪♪] >> Bill: JUST AHEAD OF INAUGURATION DAY GOVERNOR BESHEAR PREDICTS LESS HEAT AND MORE COOPERATION FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE GOING FORWARD.

>>> ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET IS STEPPING DOWN.

A SENATOR WILL RETIRE AND COVINGTON'S MAYOR SAID HE WILL LEAVE THE BEST JOB HE HAD.

>> AND AS THE U.S.

COMMITS TO PHASING OUT COAL-FIRED PLANTS, WHAT COULD THAT MEAN FOR KENTUCKY?

AMONG ALL THE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS, 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 ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND TONIGHT A LOOK AHEAD TO INAUGURATION DAY NEXT TUESDAY.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE McKENNA HORSLEY POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

LAURA CULLEN GLASSCOCK EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF THE KENTUCKY GAZETTE.

AND CHRIS OTTS REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT THE TEAM KENTUCKY DISASTER FUNDS ARE COMPLETE AND THE REPORT DETAILS THE STAFFING SHORTAGES THAT SCHOOLS ARE FACING.

BUT FIRST, THE DHL TEAMSTERS WENT ON STRIKE YESTERDAY AT THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

1100 WORKERS ARE ON STRIKE HERE AT THE HOLIDAYS.

AND U.P.S.

HAS AGREED TO REINSTATE ABOUT THREE DOZEN LOUISVILLE WORKERS WHO HAD RECENTLY JOINED THE TEAMSTERS UNION AND HAD BEEN LAID OFF AND THAT AVOIDS A STRIKE.

CHRIS, THIS HAS BEEN A BUSY YEAR FOR YOU COVERING UNION ACTIVITY IN KENTUCKY.

WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT OF THE STRIKE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY?

>> AFTER MANY YEARS OF BEING ON DEFENSE PRIVATE SECTOR UNIONS HAVE BEEN ON OFFENSE THIS PAST YEAR, BILL.

THAT'S KIND OF THE BROADER THEME OF EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE SEEING HERE.

DHL IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY THEY ARE SIMILAR TO THE U.P.S.

WORKERS IN LOUISVILLE, THIS IS AN AIR HUB FACILITY WHERE CARGO IS MOVING IN AND OUT AND THEY LOAD AND UNLOAD THE PLANES THEY DECIDED TO JOIN THE TEAMSTERS UNION THIS YEAR.

THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN THAT FIRST UNION CONTRACT YET.

SO THEY WALKED OFF THE JOB A LITTLE MORE THAN A THOUSAND WORKERS THERE.

THIS, OF COURSE, IS THE WORST TIME OF THE YEAR FOR A LOGISTICS COMPANY TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN BUT DHL SAYS THEY ARE GOING TO MANAGE THROUGH IT WITH OTHER WORKERS AND DIVERTING THEIR PACKAGES ELSEWHERE.

AND IN LOUISVILLE THE TEAMSTERS WERE SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING A GROUP OF WORKERS WHO ARE NOT TRADITIONALLY UNION, BUT ALSO ARE NOT QUITE SUPERVISORS AT U.P.S.

INTO THEIR FOLD RECENTLY.

AND U.P.S.

DECIDED ON THURSDAY TO LAYOFF THIS GROUP OF WORKERS.

THEY SAID IT WAS BUSINESS NEEDS AND NOT THE UNION STATUS.

A DAY LATER AFTER THE TEAMSTERS THREATENED TO STRIKE IN LOUISVILLE THAT WOULD BE TERRIBLE FOR U.P.S.

AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, U.P.S.

SAID THEY WOULD REINSTATE THE WORKERS AND GIVE THEM PAY FOR THAT DAY.

AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE UNIONIZED WITH THE TEAMSTERS.

AND IT'S ONLY THREE DOZEN WORKERS BUT THERE ARE MAYBE A THOUSAND WORKERS JUST IN LOUISVILLE AT THE WORLD PORT OPERATION WHO ARE NOT UNIONIZED BUT IN THIS CATEGORY WHERE THEY COULD JOIN THE TEAMSTERS.

ALL IN ALL, BILL, TEAM STEERS, UAW AFTER BIG FIGHTS WITH EMPLOYERS THIS YEAR THEY ARE NOW TRYING TO GROW THEIR RANKS AND REVERSE THIS LONG-TERM TREND OF DECLINING UNIONIZATION.

>> Bill: ORGANIZED LABOR FLEXING ITS MUSCLES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Bill: McKENNA A FIRST SINCE KENTUCKY BANNED ABORTION A WOMAN FILED A LAWSUIT SEEKING TO ALLOW HER TO TERMINATE HER PREGNANCY.

>> A JANE DOE WHO IS EIGHT WEEKS PREGNANT AND IS REPRESENTED BY THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FILED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT AGAINST DANIEL CAMERON AND SEVERAL OTHERS.

THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS THAT KENTUCKY'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN VIOLATES THE PLAINTIFF'S RIGHTS TO PRIVACY AND SELF DETERMINATION UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

IN A STATEMENT SHE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS INTERFERING IN PRIVATE MATTERS AND THAT IS THE STANCE SHE IS TAKING.

>> Bill: THE A.C.L.U.

WILL REPRESENT?

>> YES.

>> Bill: AND THIS IS INTERESTING IT'S HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES AS WELL.

SO SOME FOLKS IN KENTUCKY ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST CASE IN KENTUCKY.

BUT A JUDGE IN TEXAS RECENTLY ALLOWED A WOMAN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN ABORTION FOR A PREGNANCY THAT FOR WHICH THE FETUS WAS UNVIABLE.

AND SO I THINK WE'RE SEEING THE COURTS MORE AND MORE GOING TO GET MORE AND MORE INVOLVED IN THESE DECISIONS.

>> Bill: WE'LL KEEP WATCH.

NEXT TUESDAY IS INNING ARATION DAY IN KENTUCKY GOVERNOR BESHEAR WILL BE SWORN IN FOR A SECOND TERM.

WHILE HE HAD A CONTENTIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REPUBLICAN LED LEGISLATURE IN HIS FIRST TERM HE SAID HE IS DRAWING FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF HIS FATHER STEVE BESHEAR AND HE EXPECTS THINGS TO GET SMOOTHER.

>> I WATCHED MY DAD DO THIS.

AND I'M STILL GRATEFUL TO HAVE HIS ADVICE.

HIS SECOND TERM THE TEMPERATURE WAS FURTHER DOWN THAN THE FIRST.

EVERYTHING SOME LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY ABOUT ME THEY SAID ABOUT HIM IN THE FIRST TERM.

WE GOT A CHANCE IN THE SECOND ONE TO IF WE'RE GOING TO DISAGREE TO NOT BE AS DISAGREEABLE.

KENTUCKIANS DON'T WANT TO SEE THE DRAMA EVEN IF IT MAKES FOR GOOD TV.

>> Bill: SO BESHEAR IS HOPEFUL THAT THERE WILL BE MORE COOPERATION WITH THE LEGISLATURE IN THE NEW TERM.

ARE THERE FACTORS AT PLAY THAT CAN MAKE THAT THE CASE OR IS THE LANDSCAPE MUCH DIFFERENT FROM WHEN HIS FATHER ENTERED THAT SECOND TERM IN 2011?

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT.

OF FIRST OF ALL, A SECOND TERM MEANS THE ELECTION IS OFF THE TABLE.

SO YOU DON'T HAVE THE POWER DYNAMICS OF AN ELECTION GOING ON.

THE OTHER THING THAT GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR HAD AS ADVANTAGE IS A DEMOCRATIC HOUSE.

THE DEMOCRATS HELD THE STATE HOUSE IN 2011 WHEN GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR STARTED HIS SECOND TERM.

AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR DOES NOT HAVE THAT.

I THINK THERE WILL BE MORE COOPERATION.

I HOPE SO, ANYWAY.

BUT THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO POSITION THEMSELVES, TOO FOR ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.

ALL THE HOUSE MEMBERS ARE UP, ALL 100 HOUSE MEMBERS AND 19 SENATORS THERE WILL BE JOCKEYING FOR THOSE CAMPAIGN TOPICS, THOSE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE TO THE CONSTITUENTS TO GET THEIR VOTES.

>> Bill: DOES INAUGURATION DAY REPRESENT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GOVERNOR AND MANY OF THE LAWMAKERS OF BOTH PARTIES WHO WILL LIKELY BE THERE, YOU KNOW, TO KIND OF GET ON THE SAME PAGE?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK, AGAIN, THE ELECTION IS KEY.

PEOPLE HAVE SO SET THEMSELVES UP TO WIN AN ELECTION.

AND ONCE THAT IS OFF THE TABLE THEN YOU CAN MOVE ON TO OTHER THINGS.

I THINK INAUGURATIONS BECOME THAT FRESH START.

>> Bill: WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT TO HEAR IN THE ADDRESS?

>> SO I THINK WE'RE LIKELY TO HEAR SOME OF THOSE REPEAT MESSAGES THAT BESHEAR TOUTED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

HE MIGHT FOCUS ON SOME OF THE HARDSHIPS THAT KENTUCKY FACED IN HIS FIRST TERM, THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, TORNADOES AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS.

BUT I THINK HE WILL LOOK AHEAD TO THE FUTURE.

THE THEME IS FORWARD TOGETHER.

SO HE WILL TALK ABOUT UNITY AND MOVING TOGETHER FORWARD IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

HE IS ALSO PLACING A FOCUS ON TEACHERS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE GRAND MARSHALLS OF THE PARADE.

>> Bill: CHRIS WE HAVE SEEN THIS GOVERNOR LEAN INTO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN HIS FIRST TERM AND CERTAINLY IN HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

AND WOULD YOU, AS WELL, EXPECT THAT TO CONTINUE?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

THAT IS ONE AREA OF STRENGTH OBVIOUSLY FOR THE GOVERNOR IN THE CAMPAIGN.

AND TALKING ABOUT UNITY AND WORKING TOGETHER, I MEAN WHEN THERE ARE REALLY BIG THINGS ON THE TABLE LIKE THE FORD BATTERY PLANTS, THE LEGISLATURE DID WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR TO COME UP WITH AN INCENTIVE PACKAGE TO BE SURE THE STATE LANDED THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> AND JUST TO INTERJECT, THE GOVERNOR DID SAY TOO ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL DURING THE LAST FOUR YEARS, HE HAS SIGNED OVER 600 BILLS THAT CAME FROM THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

SO I THINK WE'LL SEE MORE OF THAT.

>> .

>> Bill: LIKE THERE IS A SECRET THEY GET ALONG BETTER BEHIND THE SCENES?

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S PARTLY OUR FAULT WE GRAB THE HEADLINE STORIES AND THERE IS A LOT THAT IS UNDERNEATH THAT DOESN'T GET THE LIGHT OF DAY.

>> I THINK THAT IS DEFINITELY TRUE.

I THINK OF FANCY FARM WHEN YOU SEE THEM SHAKE HANDS ON THE SIDE BEFORE THEY GO UP AND SAY SOMETHING MEAN ABOUT THE OTHER ONE.

IT'S PART OF THAT POLITICAL THEATER.

>> Bill: YOU HEAR STORIES THEY GO IN AND THERE IS A MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR IT'S CORDIAL AND THEY HAVE TO STEP OUT AND THERE ARE THE CAMERAS TO PLEASE THEIR CAUCUS MAYBE AND CONSTITUENTS, THEY WILL GO AFTER THE GOVERNOR.

>> WELL, EVEN YESTERDAY AT THE TEAM KENTUCKY PRESS CONFERENCE THE GOVERNOR HAD HE MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN WAYNE COUNTY AND REPRESENTATIVE KEN UPCHURCH WAS THERE AND TOOK THE PODIUM AFTER THE GOVERNOR SPOKE AND REPRESENTATIVE UPCHURCH IS A REPUBLICAN, OF COURSE.

I THINK THERE IS WORKING TOGETHER MORE THAN WE LET ON.

>> Bill: BOTH SIDES SAID THAT.

AND MAYBE AS I ABIT OF A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE COVERAGE OF ALL THE BACK AND FORTH.

WE DO KNOW THE GOVERNOR IS LOSING ANOTHER MEMBER OF HIS CABINET, JUSTICE AND SAFETY SECRETARY KERRY HARVEY WILL BE LEAVING IN JANUARY.

HARVEY WAS A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY HE WORKED FOR FORMER GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR THAT IS REAL EXPERIENCE WALKING OUT THE DOOR.

>> YES.

AND HE WILL BE LEAVING AT THE END OF JANUARY.

I THINK THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF HIS RESIGNATION IS FEBRUARY FIRST.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCED HER DEPARTURE.

SOMETHING WE SAW IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS A LOT OF CALLS FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM.

AMID SOME ISSUES THAT AROSE IN THE SYSTEM.

WITH THEM LEAVING AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A TRANSITION PERIOD DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IT'S LIKELY WE WILL SEE THAT TOPIC ARISE AGAIN.

>> Bill: WE HAVE NOT HEARD SPECULATION ON WHO MAYBE THE JUSTICE SECRETARY?

ONE AREA OF CONTENTION WAS BESHEAR'S DECISION TO CREATE THE TEAM KENTUCKY DISASTER FUNDS FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADO VICTIMS AND FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOODING.

MANY OF THE LEGISLATURE SAID THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF CREATING THOSE FUNDS AND THEN MANY CALLED FOR THOSE EXPENDITURES TO BE AUDITED.

THE AUDITS ARE NOW COMPLETE AND THE EXAMINATION SHOWS MOST OF THE MONEY WENT WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AUDITOR MIKE HARMON'S OFFICE DID THE AUDITS AND FOUND AN ERROR RATE OF LESS THAN 1%.

AND THE GOVERNOR SAID YESTERDAY THAT HE WAS PROUD OF THE WORK THE FUNDS HAD DONE.

AND HE THINKS THAT IT SHOULD SERVE AS A MODEL FOR MOVING FORWARD IN OTHER SIMILAR SITUATIONS.

>> Bill: McKENNA, HARMON DID NOTE THERE IS A QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THE GOVERNOR HAD THE RIGHT TO CREATE THE FUNDS ON HIS OWN?

>> HARMON'S AUDIT LOOKED AT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY QUESTIONS AND HE FOUND THE CREATION OF THE FUNDS WERE CONSTITUTIONAL UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

BUT IT WAS UNCLEAR IF EXPENDING THE FUNDS WAS IN VIOLATION.

>> Bill: A REPORT FROM THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION IS DETAILING SOME PERSONNEL SHORTAGES THAT SCHOOLS ARE FACING AND IT IS NOT JUST TEACHERS.

THIS REPORT INDICATED FOOD WORKERS, BUS DRIVERS, CUSTODIANS, SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

IT'S UP AND DOWN THE LINE.

YOU LOOKED AT THAT REPORT AND YOU TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO SEEMED TO SAY THE ONLY REAL ANSWER IS PAY?

>> YES.

PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH EDUCATORS AND REPRESENT THEM SAID THAT PAY IS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A WHILE.

AND BECAUSE PAY RAISES WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME IN RECENT YEARS THEY HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH INFLATION.

AND THAT'S NOT JUST FOR TEACHERS IT'S ALSO FOR PEOPLE LIKE JANITORIAL STAFF AND SECRETARIES, CAFETERIA WORKERS AND PEOPLE WHO HELP MAKE SCHOOL, SCHOOL.

AND THIS REPORT ALSO FOUND SOME OTHER TRENDS AS WELL IN EDUCATION FOR THE TEACHER SHORTAGE SUCH AS A LACK OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES ACROSS THE STATE.

AND A RISE IN EMERGENCY CERTIFICATIONS IN RECENT YEARS AS WELL.

>> Bill: YOUR STORY NOTED THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WANTS A $50,000 FLOOR FOR STARTING TEACHERS AND THEN RAISES FOR ALL EXISTING TEACHERS.

DOES THAT APPEAR TO BE IN THE CARDS?

>> IT'S UNCLEAR IF IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE CARDS.

THAT IS SIMILAR TO WHAT BESHEAR CALLED FOR ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND HEARD FOR PAY RAISE FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON IN THAT RACE AS WELL.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE SCHOOL CHOICE BATTLES AHEAD.

SEVERAL AND ARES WANT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW SOME TAX DOLLARS TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS HE WILL FIGHT THAT HARD.

CHRIS, IS THAT ONE OF THE BATTLE LINES AHEAD?

THIS WOULD BE AN AMENDMENT PUT BEFORE VOTERS IF IT HAPPENS?

>> RIGHT.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S BEEN WHAT, SINCE 2017, THAT KENTUCKY AUTHORIZED CHARTER SCHOOLS.

AND WE STILL DO NOT HAVE AN OPERATING CHARTER SCHOOL, I BELIEVE.

YOU COULD SEE THESE THINGS COMING TO A HEAD.

BUT ALSO THAT WAS A BIG ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGN AND THE GOVERNOR MADE IT A BIG ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGN AND THEN WON REELECTION BY A WIDE MARGIN FOR A DEMOCRAT.

COULD BE TRICKY POLITICS PERHAPS.

>> Bill: AND LAURA, THERE IS AN APPLICATION IN MADISON COUNTY THAT IS ACTIVE.

LAFONTAINE PREPARATORY SCHOOL.

>> THEY ARE TRYING TO GET CHARTER STATUS THE GOVERNOR SAID HE OPPOSES THAT.

ONE COMMENT HE MADE AT HIS PRESS CONFERENCE WAS IF THE PURPOSE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IS TO GET AROUND STATE REGULATIONS AND RULES THAT ARE ONEROUS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHY NOT JUST RELEASE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM THOSE REGULATIONS INSTEAD OF APPLYING THEM ONLY TO CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THAT IS SOMETHING IN THE PURVIEW OF LAWMAKERS TO CHANGE THOSE REGULATIONS.

>> Bill: THEY HAD A PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT THAT IN MADISON COUNTY AND THE FOUNDER MADE THE CASE HE WANTS TO BE A PARTNER NOT A RIVAL TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IS THAT POSSIBLE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I'D -- I HAVEN'T READ THE APPLICATION.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WOULD PLAY OUT.

BUT THE CONTENTION IS WHEN SCHOOLS CHILDREN GO TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS LOSE THAT MONEY AND THAT FUNDING.

SCHOOLS GET A LOT OF THEIR MONEY FROM DAILY ATTENDANCE.

FINANCE THE KIDS AREN'T THERE THE SCHOOLS DON'T GET THE FUNDING.

THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM.

I THINK TO THE POINT ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, I WONDER HOW THAT WOULD PLAY IN RURAL COUNTIES.

I THINK LAWMAKERS MIGHT BE SURPRISED AT AN OUTCOME THERE THAT THEY DON'T EXPECT.

BECAUSE SCHOOLS AS WE KNOW ARE THE VIEWERS KNOW, THEY ARE LARGE EMPLOYERS.

SOME RURAL COUNTIES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER.

SO YOU WOULD BE BREAKING THOSE SCHOOLS UP.

THEY ARE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND POINTS OF PRIDE IN COMMUNITIES.

I DON'T KNOW.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

>> Bill: McKENNA, USED TO BE THE PREFILE BILLS THAT WE KNEW HUNDREDS OF TOPICS THAT WOULD BE COMING UP IN THE LEGISLATURE BY THIS TIME.

AND WE KNEW WHAT THAT BILL WOULD LOOK LIKE AND YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WE AS JOURNALISTS WROTE STORIES.

AND THOSE WHO THINK IT WAS A BAD IDEA TO HAVE THOSE PREFILINGS GAVE THE OPPOSITION A CHANCE TO CONGEAL.

SO THOSE PREFILINGS ARE NO LONGER DONE OR MADE PUBLIC?

>> YES, PREFILED LEGISLATION WAS SOMETHING THAT GAVE EVERYBODY A SENSE OF WHAT WOULD BE COMING AHEAD IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BEFORE THE 2022 SESSION, THERE WAS A PREFILE LEGISLATION SYSTEM IN STATE LAW.

BUT A BILL THAT PASSED THAT SESSION WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND BECAME LAW, REMOVED THAT FROM THE LAW STATUTE.

SO WE DO NOT HAVE THAT PROCESS ANYMORE.

LAST YEAR, THOUGH, THERE WAS A ONE-PAGE ON THE LRC EASTBOUND WEBSITE THAT ALLOWED WORKING DRAFTS OF LEGISLATION TO BE POSTED ON-LINE FOR REVIEW AND THAT IS NO LONGER BEING MAINTAINED.

IF YOU WANT TO VIEW SOME LEGISLATION THAT IS BEING WORKED ON BUT IT'S IN DRAFT FORM, YOU CAN FIND THEM IN MATERIALS FOR CERTAIN COMMITTEES OR SOME LAWMAKERS HAVE TAKEN TO SHARING DRAFTS ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS OR PERSONAL WEBSITES.

BUT THERE IS NOT A SINGLE REPOSER TO FOR THIS WORKING LEGISLATION DRAFT.

>> Bill: ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE WEIGHING IN ON THE WISH LIST FOR 2024.

CHRIS, GREATER LOUISVILLE INC.

WANTS TO GET THE CONVERSATION GOING ON LOCAL TAX REFORM.

>> THAT IS ONE THING IN THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT THEY RELEASED.

BUT AS WE'VE SEEN THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE IS TRYING TO REDUCE AND POTENTIALLY ELIMINATE THE INCOME TAX IN KENTUCKY.

BUT THAT PROJECT WILL NEVER REALLY FULLY BE COMPLETE IF THEY DON'T ALSO DEAL WITH LOCAL TAXES.

WE HAVE OCCUPATION TAXES IN KENTUCKY WHICH ARE LOCAL INCOME TAXES LEVIED BY CITIES AND COUNTIES.

MANY PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN SEEING CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE MORE OPTIONS SUCH AS RESTAURANT TAXES OR GENERAL SALES TAXES SO THAT THEY ARE NOT SO RELIANT ON THESE LOCAL INCOME TAXES.

BUT MAY TAKE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

AND SO IT STILL MAY BE A LONG WAY OFF.

>> Bill: A CAME A DAY WHEN THE STATE INCOME TAX WAS ELIMINATED YOU WOULD HAVE THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX INTO THE LOCAL INCOME TAXES?

>> RIGHT.

OR YOU COULD BE POTENTIALLY CLOSE TO PAYING THE SAME AMOUNT.

IN LOUISVILLE, YOU LIVE AND WORK IN LOUISVILLE, YOU PAY 2.2% OF EVERY DOLLAR YOU MAKE REGARDLESS WHETHER YOU SAVE ANY FOR 401K THERE'S NO SHELTERING AND YOU PAY 4.5% FOR STATE INCOME TAX.

THESE TWO ARE GOING TO MEET UP AND YOU MIGHT BE PAYING MORE TO THE LOCALS THAN TO THE STATE.

BUT THOSE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS NEED TO GET REVENUE SOMEHOW AND IN OTHER STATES THEY GET IT IN OTHER WAYS.

THERE IS NOT MANY A WAYS IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: THE BUDGET WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING DISCUSSED IN THIS SESSION.

THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING FOR INVESTMENTS OR SPENDING.

REPUBLICANS SAY THEY WANT TO BE FRUGAL.

WHAT IS LIKELY TO COME OUT WHEN THAT BUDGET IS FINALLY THE PLAN FOR SPENDING?

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST -- THAT WILL BE THE BIGGEST TIME.

>> Bill: BACK AND FORTH.

>> THERE YOU GO I WAS STARTING TO SAY WASTER.

BUT IT IS NOT A WASTE.

THE BUDGET IS A VALUABLE DOCUMENT AND WE KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS.

HE UNVEILED HIS PLAN IN THE CAMPAIGN.

CALLED FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND RAISES FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO NEED TO SET THEMSELVES UP FOR THE ELECTION NEXT YEAR FRANKLY.

THE 2024 ELECTION IS ALSO UNDERNEATH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS SESSION.

>> Bill: McKENNA, WE SEEM TO BE HEARING ABOUT A CRIME BILL WE EXPECT NEXT WEEK THERE WILL BE TESTIMONY WE'RE LIKELY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHAPE OF THAT.

>> YES.

BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION A GROUP OF G.O.P.

LAWMAKERS FROM LOUISVILLE HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE THEY TALKED ABOUT THE ANTICRIME BILL WHICH HAS SEVERAL POINTS IN IT.

IT DID OVERLAP SOME WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON'S CRIME PLAN THAT HE PROPOSED BUT IT WAS NOT A COMPLETE OVERLAP.

BUT THEY SAID DURING THAT PRESS CONFERENCE WE WILL HEAR IT FRIDAY IN A COMMITTEE MEETING BEFORE THE -- IN THE WORKING SESSION.

>> Bill: A FILING DEADLINE IS APPROACHING LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, JANUARY FIFTH MORE CANDIDATES COMING FORWARD.

SOME LONG TIME POLITICAL FIGURES ARE STEPPING ASIDE.

DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR DENISE HARPER ANGEL SHE WILL NOT RUN AGAIN.

SHE SERVED IN THE SENATE SINCE 2005 WAS IN LOCAL OFFICE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY BEFORE THAT.

BEFORE SHE WAS EVEN A SENATOR SHE WAS A CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BACK IN 1995.

SO SHE HAS BEEN AROUND THE SCENE A LONGTIME.

HARPER ANGEL ONE OF SEVEN DEMOCRATS IN THE 30-MEMBER SENATE.

AND THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER DEMOCRAT DEREK GRAHAM ALSO ANNOUNCING THAT HE WON'T SEEK REELECTION.

HE IS THE CAUCUS CHAIR IN THAT PARTY.

AND LAURA, HISTORIC FIGURE?

>> HE'S BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THREE DECADES.

BEFORE GOING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HE SERVED AS MAYOR PRO-TEM IN FRANKFORT.

HE IS CERTAINLY SERVED THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

ANOTHER STATE REP WHO IS NOT RUNNING IS JOSIE RAYMOND SHE IS ALSO FROM LOUISVILLE.

A DEMOCRAT.

SO THREE DEMOCRATS NOT RUNNING.

I LOOKED AT THE CAMPAIGN FILINGS TODAY AND 5:30 OWE 53 CANDIDATES FILED TO RUN FOR STATE HOUSE SEATS OUT OF 100 OPEN.

AND THERE'S TIME BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

A LOT OF INCUMBENTS ON THE SENATE SIDE NINE PEOPLE HAVE FILLED TO RUN AND FIVE ARE INCUMBENTS.

IT SEEMS SLOW.

>> Bill: IT DOES.

>> KEVIN BRANCHER IS IN LOUISVILLE, TOO.

AND YOU WILL SEE TWO STATE LAWMAKERS IN LOUISVILLE LEAVE THEIR SEATS THAT THEY ARE FIRMLY EN SCONCED IN TO RUN FOR METRO COUNCIL IN LOUISVILLE.

>> Bill: AND SPEAKING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, COVINGTON MAYOR JOE MEYER ANNOUNCED HE WILL STEP DOWN AT THE END OF 2024.

HE HAS BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE NEARLY 50 YEARS THAT INCLUDED YEARS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, SERVICE AS A STATE CABINET SECRETARY.

HE SAYS BEING MAYOR IS HIS FAVORITE JOB OF ALL TIME.

BUT CHRIS OTTS HE IS 75 AND TIME IS MOVING ON AND HE WANTS TO GET SOMEBODY YOUNGER IN THERE.

>> YES.

HE'S DONE HIS PART.

>> Bill: WELL SAID.

YOU THINK OF BROADBAND PROJECTS AND THE BRENT EXPENSE BRIDGE AND OTHER INITIATIVES HE HAS BEEN A PART OF.

THERE IS A STORY IN BOURBON COUNTRY OF POSSIBLE TARIFF HIKES 50% OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

THE DISTILLERS ASSOCIATION POINTS OUT THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT KENTUCKY PLAYS OVERALL.

>> TO SEE REALLY NEEDLESSLY HIGH TARIFFS REIMPOSED AT A DOUBLED RATE WOULD BE TREMENDOUSLY AWFUL FOR OUR INDUSTRY.

>> Bill: CHRIS, BOTH OF YOU THE U.S.

SENATORS FROM KENTUCKY ARE TRYING TO HEAD OFF THIS HIKE?

>> YES.

AND IT GOES BACK TO 2018 AND A DISPUTE OVER STEEL AND ALUMINUM TARIFFS.

AND THEN AMERICAN WHISKEY GOT CAUGHT UP IN THAT.

THERE WAS A HIGH TARIFF FOR A WHILE AND THEN IT WAS REPEALED TO REMOVED.

PROBABLY NO COMPANY HAS MORE TO LOSE FROM THIS BILL THAN BROWN FOREMAN IN LOUISVILLE.

THIS IS AMERICAN WHISKEY AS WELL AS BOURBON WITHIN THAT.

AND JACK DANIELS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE SELLER OVERSEAS.

AND THEIR C.E.O.

SAID ON THE EARNINGS CALL THIS WEEK THAT HE DOESN'T ACTUALLY THINK THIS 50% TARIFF IS GOING TO HAPPEN ON JANUARY FIRST.

HE THINKS THE CAN IS GOING TO GET KICKED DOWN THE ROAD.

>> Bill: JOHN KERRY PLEDGED THE U.S. WILL JOIN 56 COUNTRIES IN PHASING OUT COAL PLANTS TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS N MY INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNOR HE TOOK ISSUE SAYING WE NEED MORE ENERGY NOW THAN EVER.

MARKET FACTORS REDUCED DEMAND BUT THIS WOULD BE A GOVERNMENT POLICY CHANGE.

>> ALTHOUGH IT'S UNCLEAR TO ME HOW -- HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD MANDATE THAT AND WHAT THE MECHANISM WOULD BE.

ACCORDING TO "THE NEW YORK TIMES" HE SAID ALL FOSSIL-FUELS.

THE REALITY IS WE'RE NOT SEEING A LOT OF UTILITIES PROPOSING NEW COAL PLANTS ANYWAY.

>> Bill: IN LOUISVILLE, DERBY CITY GAMING OPENED IN DOWNTOWN THAT IS A HISTORICAL HORSERACING.

>> IT IS.

ALTHOUGH IT COULD BE MISTAKEN FOR SLOT MACHINES IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DISCERNING EYE.

BUT THIS IS HOPEFULLY GOING TO INJECT ENERGY INTO DOWNTOWN AND OBVIOUSLY IT'S BEEN A HUGE GROWTH INDUSTRY FOR THE STATE.

>> Bill: AND SPORTS BETTING THE GOVERNOR SAYS IS DOING WELL.

>> GOVERNOR SAID YESTERDAY $8 MILLION I THINK IN STATE REVENUE.

>> Bill: TAX REVENUE.

TOTAL BETS ARE MUCH HIGHER.

>> MUCH HIGHER BUT THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE WAS 23 MILLION FOR A YEAR.

8 MILLION IS AHEAD.

>> JUST SINCE SEPTEMBER.

>> Bill: THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

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