>> WE'RE ONE-THIRD OF THE WAY IN THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LAWMAKERS SEEM COALESCED AROUND STRENGTHENING EARLY LITERACY INTERVENTIONS.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF KENTUCKY'S HIGHEST COURT ARGUES HIS CASE FOR BETTER PAY IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH RANKS.

AND, THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM TALKS ABOUT EDUCATION ISSUES, INCLUDING THE SENATE MAJORITY'S APPROACH TO DEALING WITH TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN KENTUCKY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ALL THAT ON DAY 20 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE I'M RENEE SHAW.

AN EARLY LITERACY INITIATIVE IS GAINING MOMENTUM IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS A HOUSE COMPANION MEASURE WON COMMITTEE APPROVAL TODAY.

IT'S CALLED THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT AND ENSURES THAT BY THE THIRD GRADE KIDS LEARN TO READ SO THEY CAN THEN READ TO LEARN.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT PROFICIENT IN READING BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO NOT COMPLETE HIGH SCHOOL.

SPENCER COUNTY REPUBLICAN JAMES TIPTON IS THE PRIMARY SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 226 THAT WOULD IMPROVE AND EXPAND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND SCREENING, INTERVENTION AND STUDENT SUPPORTS, AT-HOME LEARNING STRATEGIES.

IT ALSO ADDRESSES TEACHER PREPARATION IN INSTRUCTING LITERACY.

>> FIRST, WE ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF STUDENTS ATTENDING POST-SECONDARY UNIVERSITIES.

WE ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF IDENTIFYING AREAS THAT THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND DIRECT POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS TO DO THAT.

SECONDLY, WE FOCUS ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

THIS LEGISLATION WOULD BRING ABOUT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

IT WILL PARTICULARLY -- WE OFTEN HEAR THE TERM OF SCIENCE OF READING FIVE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF PHONICS FLUENCY, COMPREHENSION VOCABULARY.

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE THERE.

IT FOCUS ON THAT PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

IT ALSO WILL ESTABLISH COACHING MODELS TO GO OUT AND HELP EARLY HE HAD CASE TEACHERS AND THEIR TEACHING IN EARLY LIT RA I IS.

AS YOU MOOT IMAGINE WE'RE IN THE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE.

IT TAKES FUNDS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS.

I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN I THINK CHAIRMAN PETRI HE KNOWS I'M PERSISTENT ON THIS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBJECT IF I INSTITUTE 1, HOUSE BILL ONE THERE IS FUNDING FOR IT PROGRAM REQUESTED BY THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION $LEN MILLION IN EACH OF THE YEARS OF THE BIENNIUM BUDGET.

I'VE BEEN TOLD BY K-ED THEY ARE PREPARING TO PUT $10 MILLION ARP A FUNDS INTO THIS >> THE MEASURE ADDS MORE RESOURCES TO TEACHERS WHO TEACH READING.

$32 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS WOULD BE PUT INTO ENHANCING THE PROFESSIONALISM OF LITERACY EDUCATORS.

SOME EDUCATORS ARE CURIOUS IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS OVERSTEPPING ITS BOUNDS IN TELLING TEACHERS WHAT TO TEACH.

HERE'S TIPTON'S RESPONSE TO THAT.

>> I HAVE VETTED THIS LEGISLATION.

IT'S ACTUALLY MODELED AFTER LEGISLATION FROM MISSISSIPPI THAT THEY ADOPTED IN 2013.

THE LAST TWOA YEARS MISSISSIPPI HAS SEEN THE HIGHEST RATE OF GAIN IN READING PROFICIENCY IN THE NATION.

I HAVE WORKED HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

I HAVE WORKED WITH THE SORN REGIONAL EDUCATION BOARD ON THIS.

I'VE BEEN TO NCSL CONFERENCES AND TALKED TO PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THIS LEGISLATION HAS A BROAD RANGE OF SUPPORT.

THIS IS NOT THE LEGISLATURE TELLING TEACHERS WHAT THEY NEED TO TEACH.

THIS IS GIVING GUIDANCE SO THAT THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY CAN WORK TOGETHER AND DO WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN.

I THINK WE WOULD ALL AGREE IF I ASKED THE QUESTION ARE YOU CONTENT IF WHERE WE ARE WITH READING PROFICIENCY IN KENTUCKY I WOULD HOPE NOBODY WOULD RAISE THEIR HAND >> HOUSE BILL 226 ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE ON A VOTE OF 20-0 WITH 2 PASS VOTES IS NOW HEADED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

>> A SIMILAR MEASURE IN THE UPPER CHAMBER, SENATE BILL 9 PASSED THE SENATE LAST MONTH.

FOR WHAT COULD BE THE LAST TIME, KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN MINTON WHO'S RETIRING FROM THE BENCH, TESTIFIED TO THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE THIS MORNING ABOUT STAFF SHORTAGES AND SALARY PARITY IN THE STATE'S JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, A FAMILIAR REFRAIN BUT HE SAYS IS MORE URGENT THAN EVER BEFORE.

JUSTICE MINTON SAYS THE SALARIES ARE FAR FROM COMPETITIVE WITH THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH BUDGET MAKES UP ABOUT 3% OF THE OVERALL STATE BUDGET.

THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING COVERS THE SALARIES OF ELECTED AND NON-ELECTED OFFICIALS.

HE SAYS THE JUDICIAL BRANCH SALARIES ARE ABOUT $7,000 LOWER THAN THOSE DOING COMPARABLE JOBS IN THE OTHER TWO BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

THE CHIEF LAID OUT THE SALARY FAIRNESS PLAN, AND HOW THE JUDICIARY IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP GOOD WORKERS IN JOBS BECAUSE OF THE PAY.

>> THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH BUDGET REQUEST IS A SALARY PLAN THAT WHILE SIMPLE WOULD BE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN CREATING A MORE EQUITABLE SALARY SCALE.

WE WANT TO PROVIDE A FLAT $10 THOUSAND SAL ARE I INCREASE FOR FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME AND $5,000 FOR PART-TIME POSITIONS M PARITY PLAN WOULD APPLY TO ALL NONELECTED EMPLOYEES AND ALL ELECTED JUSTICES, JUDGES AND CIRCUIT COURT CLERKS.

YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING WHY WE'RE RECOMMENDING A FLAT AMOUNT OF $10 THOUSAND INSTEAD OF A PERCENTAGE INCREASE.

SUCH AS THE 6% INCREASE PROPOSED BY THE HOUSE BUDGET PLAN OR THE 5% INCREASE PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR.

AND WE WOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME A 5% OR EVEN A 6% INCREASE BUT THAT STILL WON'T GET US WHERE WE NEED TO BE IN TERMS OF SALARY FAIRNESS.

WITHOUT IMPLEMENTING OUR SALARY PARITY PLAN, WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE TO LAG FARTHER AND FARTHER BEHIND IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH AND HERE IS WHY.

NEARLY 82%, 82% OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE GRADES 7 THROUGH 11, WITH STARTING SALARIES OF ONLY 23,604 TO 30,936.

A 5 OR 6% INCREASE FOR THESE EMPLOYEES WOULD AMOUNT TO ABOUT $1,500 A YEAR, WHICH WE ALL KNOW DOESN'T EVEN KEEP PACE WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION MUCH LESS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OR PROVIDE INCENTIVE FOR KEEP KEEP ON WORKING TO ARE THE COURTS >> CHIEF JUSTICE MINTON SAYS THERE'S A 40% TURNOVER RATE ANNUALLY IN THE URBAN AREAS AND CRITICAL FRONT LINE SERVICES STATEWIDE.

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, HE SAID, HAS LOST OVER 1,000 EMPLOYEES, ONE-THIRD OF THE WORKFORCE IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

THE HIRING SITUATION IS DIRE IN STATEWIDE PROGRAMS, SAID JUSTICE MINTON, PRE-TRIAL SERVICES AND SPECIALTY COURTS AND FAMILY JUVENILE SERVICES.

>> FOR SEVERAL OF THESE POSITIONS, WE HAVE NO APPLICANTS, NOBODY IS APPLYING FOR THESE JOBS.

AND SOME WHO DO APPLY DON'T SHOW UP FOR THE INTERVIEW OR ONCE OFFERED THE JOB, THEY REFUSE THE OFFER.

SOMETIMES THE APPLICANT ACCEPTS THE POSITION BUT RESIGNS SHORTLY AFTER STARTING EMPLOYMENT.

OUR SPECIALTY COURTS, THAT BE WOULD THE DRUG COURT, THE VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS, MENTAL HEALTH COURTS, CURRENTLY NOW LISTEN TO THIS -- THEY CURRENTLY HAVE NO STAFF.

WE HAVE NO STAFF FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN BULLITT COUNTY, IN BOYLE COUNTY, IN CAROL, GRANT, MERCER AND OWEN COUNTY, NO STAFF.

IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, SIX OF THE NINE POSITIONS ARE VACANT, SIX OF THE NINE POSITIONS ARE VACANT.

STAFF FROM OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE ARE PROVIDING COVERAGE.

WHICH OF COURSE CAN LEAD -- THEY'RE SPREAD THIN AND IT LEADS TO BURNOUT AND OVEREXTENDED EMPLOYEES.

WE'RE LOSING SPECIALTY COURT STAFF TO OTHER EMPLOYERS WITH BETTER SALARIES.

SUCH AS TREATMENT PROVIDERS WHO CAN PAY AS MUCH AS $10 THOUSAND MORE TO WORK FOR THEM, DO THE SAME SORT OF JOB >> CHIEF JUSTICE MINTON IS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION TO THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT AFTER SERVING FOR 16 YEARS.

JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN AND LAWYER JASON NEMES WAS DIRECTOR OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS AND HAS FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE JUDICIARY AND THE INABILITY TO GIVE SUBSTANTIAL RAISES.

>> OUR JUSTICES AND JUDGES RANK, MR. CHAIRMAN, AT THE BOTTOM.

WE'RE NOT JUST THE THIRD BRANCH.

WE'RE THE THIRD WORLD BRANCH.

AT THE BOTTOM OF JUDICIAL SALARIES NATION WIDE.

MR. CHAIRMAN, KENTUCKY IS 51, 51 AMONG JUDGES IF WE COUNT 50 STATES OR 50 STATES THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE TERRITORIES WE COME UP WITH 55, WE'RE 51.

ON AVERAGE, OUR JUDGES EARN NEARLY $32,000 OR 25% LESS THAN THE AVERAGE PAY OF A GENERAL JURISDICTION JUDGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING YOU SAID, THOUGH R THOUGH, THAT I TOTALLY AGREE W I WANT TO ASK FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON.

YOUR QUOTE FUTURE OF A HIGH QUALITY BENCH IS A AT STAKE.

I'M LAWYER FOR THE NONLAWYERS ON HERE, WHY IS THAT?

THE REASON FOR THAT I THINK AND I WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT, IS NOT MANY LAWYERS ARE WILLING TO TAKE THE PAY CUT THAT IT WOULD TAKE TO BECOME A JUDGE.

AND SO WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE IN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL THING IN THE COURT OF JUSTICE WITH HE CREATED IN 1970s OR JUDICIARY IS GEM IN KENTUCKY.

WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO ATTRACT THUS FAR GOOD JUDGES.

I BELIEVE STRONGLY IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SAY THIS AS I GO AROUND THE STATE THAT I THINK IS THE QUALITY IS LESSENING.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF JUDGES THAT I APPEAR BEFORE AND AND MORE THAT IN THE WORKS EVERY JUDGE IN THE STATE EXEMPT FOR 3 JUSTICES ARE ON THE BALLOT THIS COMING YEAR WITH 3 I THINK ANOMALIES IN FAMILY COURTS.

SO ALL OF OUR 200 PLUS ALMOST 300 JUDGES, ON THE BALLOT AND I SEE THE FOLKS -- A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE RUNNING.

SOME OF THESE FINE LAWYERS.

SOME OF THEM HAVE NEVER TAKEN DEPOSITIONS BEFORE.

SOME OF THEM HAVE NEVER SENT OUT AN INVOICE.

I'M WORRIED.

I'M VERY WORRIED BECAUSE WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR BILL OF RIGHTS, THOSE ARE JUST PAPER RIGHTS.

THEY MEAN NOTHING WITHOUT A MAN OR A WOMAN BEHIND THEM.

WITHOUT A JUDGE READY TO ENFORCE THEM >> CHIEF JUSTICE MINTON ADMITTED THAT THE COMPENSATION FOR JUDGES HAS HAMPERED THE ABILITY TO GET QUALITY JUDGES IN SOME AREAS IN THE STATE.

THAT QUIP PROMPTED THIS FOLLOW UP REMARK FROM CRITTENDEN COUNTY REPUBLICAN LYNN BECHLER.

>> I SEE NO LACK OF PEOPLE RUNNING FOR ELECTED OFFICES.

TO THE CONTRARY, I SEE CONTESTED ELECTIONS FOR BOTH THE PRIMARIES AND THE GENERALS.

AND THAT SEEMS TO ME TO KIND OF SAY THAT THE FOLKS WHO ARE RUNNING ARE NOT ALL THAT CONCERNED ABOUT THE SALARIES.

>> MANY OF THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE RUNNING ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR THAT SALARY BECAUSE IT WOULD BE A RAISE FOR THEM.

AND THAT'S -- THAT'S NOT THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL NECESSARILY THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

IF HE CAN'T OR SHE CAN'T MAKE A LIVING PRACTICING LAW, THEN I REALLY WOULD BE RELUCTANT >> CHIEF JUSTICE MINTON'S SALARY PARITY PROPOSITION IS EMBODIED IN HOUSE BILL 289.

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OPERATIONS BUDGET WHICH WAS FILED BY HOUSE A AND R CHAIR JASON PETRIE HAS NOT YET BEEN ACTED ON HIS COMMITTEE.

FIRST RESPONDERS COULD BE GETTING ADDITIONAL HELP TO DEAL WITH THE STRESSES OF THEIR JOB.

SENATE BILL 64 - PASSED BY THE SENATE TODAY - ALLOWS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES BY ESTABLISHING PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAMS.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WANTING TO SET UP PROGRAMS REALIZED EMPLOYEES WEREN'T GIVEN CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTIONS.

THAT SET UP THE NEED FOR BOWLING GREEN SENATOR MIKE WILSON'S BILL.

HE SAYS FIRST RESPONDERS NEED OPTIONS TO HELP DEAL WITH PRESSURES OF THEIR DAILY JOB.

>> IN MY HOME TOWN OF BOWLING GREEN, MANY OF YOUR HOME TOWNS FIRST RESPONDERS RACED TO HELP RESIDENTS IN THEIR TIME OF NEED WHEN THOSE DEADLY TORNADOES RIPPED A PATH OF DESTRUCTION ACROSS WESTERN KENTUCKY.

THEIR COMMITMENT TO DUTY THAT NIGHT AND IN THE DAYS TO FOLLOW DEMONSTRATES WHAT MAKES OUR COMMONWEALTH GREAT.

THE TRAUMA THEY FACE WHILE HELPING STRANGE, IN THEIR DARKEST HOURS HIGHLIGHTS SOMETHING MOST OF US CANNOT BEGIN TO FULLY APPRECIATE.

IT'S NOT JUST HEADLINE-MAKING MOMENTS LIKE THOSE DEADLY STORMS THAT CAN TAKE A TOLL ON OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

HAVING BEEN A POLICE CHAPLAIN, I'VE SEEP SOME OF THE TRAUMA MYSELF AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, IT'S HORRIFIC SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY FACE >> THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE WHAT IS SAID IN A PEER SUPPORT GROUP WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED CONFIDENTIAL.

THEY ARE -- A THREAT OF SUICIDE, A THREAT OF VIOLENCE TO ANOTHER PERSON, INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD ABUSE, OR ADMISSION OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT.

AN AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 64 WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE THAT MAKES CLARIFICATIONS TO THE MEASURE.

THE CHAMBER THEN GAVE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL TO THE BILL, 35 TO 0.

CIRCLING BACK TO EDUCATION WE'VE BEEN BRINGING YOU EXCERPTS FROM MY INTERVIEW WITH SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM DAVID GIVENS ABOUT BUDGET PLANNING AND LEGISLATIVE INDEPENDENCE IN THE ABILITY FOR LAWMAKERS TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SPECIAL SESSION, AND TONIGHT WE WRAP UP OUR CONVERSATION ON EDUCATION.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH SEGMENT, I START WITH ASKING SENATOR GIVENS ABOUT HIGHER ED FUNDING AND THE FISCAL PLIGHT OF KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER FISCAL MATTERS THAT WE KNOW THE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY HAS ASKED FOR SOME ADDITIONAL HELP BECAUSE OF THEIR FISCAL WHOAS BROUGHT ON BY MISMANAGEMENT.

YOU THINK THAT'S A FIRM COMMITMENT TO HELP KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY.

IS THERE DISCUSSION ABOUT RE-EVALUATING KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY'S ROLE WITHIN THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SPACE IN KENTUCKY AND SINCE IT IS THE ONLY PUBLICLY FUNDED HBCU IN KENTUCKY, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT IT STILL MAINTAINS THAT EXISTENCE AND IDENTITY?

>> THERE THERE'S AN ONGOING CONVERSATION.

IT'S A ROBUST CONVERSATION.

THERE IS AN OVERARCHING DESTIER TO SEE KU SUBJECT SEES.

THERE AN EQUAL LAY DESIRE TO SEE THE STUDENTS AT KU SUCCEED AND GRADUATION RATES HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD.

THEY HAVE BEEN ATROCIOUS SPEAKING HONESTLY.

THE FISCAL MISMANAGEMENT HAS CREATED A CLOUD THAT MAKES DAY TO DAY FUNCTIONING A CHALLENGE.

THE CULTURE INSIDE KSU AS REPORTED TO US BY FOLKS THAT LOVE THE INSTITUTION IS NOT HEALTHY.

SO WE'RE AT A CROSSROADS.

THE ASK IS $23 MILLION JUST TO PAY THE BILLS FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVE TIPTON HAS A BILL, MAYBE HOUSE BILL 260, I'M IN THE CERTAIN ON THE NUMBER THAT STARTED A CONVERSATION OVER THERE AND I APPLAUD HIM FOR FILING THAT AND STARTING THE COVERINGS.

I FEEL CONFIDENT YOU WILL SEE SOME ADDRESSING OF THE ISSUE SITUATION.

I'M NOT CERTAIN WHERE IT WILL LAND.

THERE'S OVERARCHING DESIRE TO GET THIS RIGHT FOR EVERYBODY BUT RIGHT FOR EVERYBODY R IS GOING TO LIKELY BE PAINFUL FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

HIGHER EDUCATION AS YOU KNOW IN THE HOUSE BUDGET, THE INSTITUTIONS WHATEVER THEIR TOP PRIORITY WAS THAT WOULD BE FUNDED, WHAT DO YOU SEE IN TERMS OF THE HIGHER ED SPACE THAT SAYS WE HAVE HAD REPEAT CUTS SINCE 2008 AND WE WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE WHOLE PLUS SOME?

>> SO IN THE 2021 BUDGET THAT WOULD GIVE THE ONE-YEAR BUDGET THAT WE CAME BACK AND DID AFTER COVID HIT IN THE SPRING OF '20, WE WERE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO START POSITIVELY FUNDING THE PERFORMANCE FUNDING POOL AND EXCITED ABOUT US TAKING THAT APPROACH AGAIN.

I THINK THE HOUSE DID $50 MILLION IN YEAR 2, 50 MILLION IN YEAR 2 AND PERFORMANCE FUNDING POOL POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION THIS KENTUCKY.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE US CONTINUING TO DO THAT.

WE'VE GOT DO THAT.

IN THIS ECONOMY AND ALL ECONOMIES THAT COLLEGE DEGREE IS SO VALUABLE.

THAT DOESN'T PLACE A LACK OF VALUE ON CERTIFICATES AND OTHER MECHANISMS FOR STUDENTS TO SHOW AND ATTAIN ADDITIONAL SKILLS.

IT DOAN DIMINISH THOSE AS ALL BUT FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF OUR COMMONWEALTH, WE'VE GOT TO INVEST IN CONTINUING THAT FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE EDUCATION BE IT ONLINE, BE IT THREW PUBLIC, BE IT THROUGH A PRIVATE.

OUR FUNDING OF THESE POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS PROVIDES THEM THE ABILITY TO EDUCATE OUR NEXT GENERATION AT A LOWER TUITION COST.

THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN STATE FUNDING AND TUITION INCREASES SO I THINK YOU WILL SEE SOMETHING VERY POSITIVE THERE AS WELL.

>> ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM EARLY CHILDHOOD.

WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAD A PROPOSAL FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K, 4-YEAR-OLDS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT IN THE HOUSE VERSION FTS BUDGET.

WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEF FROM THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE, THE QUALITY, HOW IT PERHAPS ADVANCES OR MAYBE IT DOES IN THE ADVANCE STUDENT OUTCOMES GOING FORWARD IN THE PROCESS?

IS THERE A VALUE OF EARLY EDUCATION FROM THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS?

>> I THINK ABSOLUTELY THERE IS A VALUE, VERY STRONG VALUE IN EARLY EDUCATION.

DIFFERENCE COMES DOWN TO THE DELIVERY OF THAT.

OUR FAMILIES, PRIVATE CAREGIVERS CURRENTLY RATED IN THE RATING SYSTEM AND CREDENTIAL BY THE STATE.

GRANDPARENTS ARE ALL INVOLVED IN EARLY EDUCATION OF THAT CHILD.

OUR TYPICAL MODEL, AS YOU NOI TODAY, STARTS THAT REMEMBER TOAL EDUCATION PROCESS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT KINDERGARTEN.

THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSING A PRESCHOOL MODEL.

IT WAS INTERESTING IN COMMITTEE YESTERDAY THERE WAS A MOMENT WHEN SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS ASKED SOME OF THE HEAD START LEADERS OF THE STATE THAT WERE SITTING AT THE COMMITTEE TABLE ABOUT THEIR VIEW OF THE GOVERNOR'S INVESTMENT.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE DON'T TAKE MY WORD HAVE SOMEONE LOOK TT VIDEO THE YOUNG LADY SITTING AT THE TABLE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE ROLE OF HEAD START IN KENTUCKY SAID THERE IS SIMPLY NOT THE CAPACITY.

RESOURCES OR COMPASSTH RIGHT NOW FOR US TO FLIP THE SWITCH AND GO TO FULL DAY, FULLY FUNDED HEAD START FOR ALL KENTUCKIANS.

MEETING THOSE NEEDS NOW.

COULD THEY BE BETTER MET?

I'M NOT OPPOSED AT ALL US HAVING REBOWS CONVERSATION ABOUT DELIVER OF HEAD START EDUCATION THROUGH PRIVATE MODELS, PUBLIC MODELS, ALL MODELS THAT ARE CREDENTIALED.

WE HAVE TO CREDENTIAL THOSE MODELS BUT THE GOVERNORS' SOLE PATH IS LET'S GO AHEAD AND BROADEN SCHOOL TO BE FROM 4-YEAR-OLD THROUGH 12th GRADE AS OPPOSED TO LOOKING AT FAITH-BASED MOD ETD THAT MAY DELIVER A WONDERFUL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

KENTUCKY FAMILIES YES OR NO FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO SUCCEED.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO HELP THEM GET IT RIGHT.

MAYBE GETTING THAT RIGHT DOESN'T EVEN MEAN THAT WE SEND THE MONEY TO FRANK FOR THE AND WE SEND IT BACK DOWN TO SOMEBODY.

WHAT IF HE LET THEM KEEP MORE OF THEIR MONEY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING FOREIGN A EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THE THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THIS WE'RE OPEN TO.

>> YOU'RE THINKING OF THE CHILD -- SITUATION ALMOST HALF THE STATE IS IN PARTICULARLY EASTERN KENTUCKY WHERE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH SLOTS OR AFFORDABILITY IS AN ISSUE.

>> VERY MUCH PART OF THE CONVERSATION SILOS MINDS OPERATE AROUND ISSUES BEING IN SILOS.

WORKFORCE AND CHILDCARE ARE SO CLOSELY CONNECTED, AND WE HAVE LOTS OF POLICY LEADERS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE RIGHTLY VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR LOW WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

HOW DO WE HELP IN A?

ONE THE QUICKEST EASIEST WAY AT THAT QUALITY CREDENTIAL CHILDCARE IN COMMUNITY.

SO IF WE CAN ADDRESS THE DESSERTS THAT YOU MENTIONED, THROUGH A QUALITY CHILDCARE MODEL, BUT IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE A GOVERNMENT CENTRIC BUREAUCRATIC SORT OF MODEL.

WHAT FE CURRENTLY I I THINK REGULATIONS PERFECT HIT 8 CHILDREN SAYING IN HOME OF AN INDIVIDUAL HOW CAN WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO EASIER STAND UP A CHILDCARE MODEL WHERE MAYBE A MOM WHO IS ON THE VERGE OF RETIREMENT OR A GRANDMOTHER ON THE VERGE OF RETIREMENT DECIDES TO GO AHEAD AND RETIRE AND KEEP 6 KIDS IN MER HOME, THAT WOULD BE 6 FAMILIES THAT POTENTIALLY COULD GO TO WORK.

HOW CAN WE HELP DO THAT WITHOUT GOVERNMENT OVERREACH AND BUREAUCRATIC NIGHTMARES AND HEADACHES NOR THAT BUSINESS MODEL TO OPERATE?

LEADING A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ON OUR SIDE AROUND CHILDCARE AND CHILDCARE DELIVERY.

KNOW THERE WERE SOME SCHOOL GOVERNOR THINGS AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT SOME OTHER TIME BY PRINCIPAL SELECTION, THESE PERONEAL THINGS WE ALWAYS SEE COME TO FORE.

WHEN HE TALK ABOUT THE ROLE OF DECISION MAKING COUNCILS, SCHOOL BOARD FUNCTIONS, THERE WAS A HOUSE BILL THAT JUST PASSED THE COMMITTEE ABOUT 15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF WHAT MANY PEOPLE WOULD SAY, WHY FRANK FORT GETTING INVOLVED IN OW A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD CARRIES OUT ITS MEETING?

AND EVEN FOR PRINCIPAL SELECTION, WHY IS THAT SOMETHING FRANK FORT SHOULD BE INTERFERING IN?

YOUR RESPONSE IS WHAT?

>> SENATE BILL 1 JOHN SCHICKEL AND RENEE AS YOU NO WHEN WE NUMBER THESE BILLS WE NUMBER THEM INTENTIONALLY.

PRIORITY LEGISLATION TYPICALLY THE TOP TEM SENATE BILL 1 BEING THE FIRST SLOT.

IT'S A PIECE OF DECISION MAKING AND SCHOOL BOARD ROLE SORTS OF BALANCING LEGISLATION THAT WE'VE HAD BEFORE EXCEPT IT EXTENDS THIS YEAR INTO AN EVEN MORE PERTINENT TIME IN SPACE.

AND THAT'S AROUND CURRICULUM.

WE HAVE GOTTEN INUNDATED BY INTEREST IN SCHOOL CURRICULUM RIGHT NOW.

A LOT OF THOSE ARE CRT, ANTI-CRT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THE SCHOOL DECISION MAKING COUNCIL UNDER KENTUCKY LAW IS THE BODY THATDERMS THE CURRICULUM DELIVERED IN THAT SCHOOL.

NOW, THAT DECISION MAKING COUNCIL IS NOT ELECTED BY THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

IT IS ELECTED BY A SELECT GROUP OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS THAT ARE INVESTED IN THAT SCHOOL.

WE CERTAINLY WANT PARENTS AND TEACHERS INVESTED IN THE SCHOOL.

THE TAXPAYERS THAT HELP FUND THAT ELECT THE SCOO BOARD NODE TO HAVE A VOICE IN THAT AS WELL.

IN ADDITION, WE'RE SEEING ESPECIALLY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, WHERE WITH SO MANY SCHOOLS AND SO MANY DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES OVER CURRICULUM WE HAVE A FRAGMENTED CURRICULUM SYSTEM.

IF A CHILD MOVES FROM A SCHOOL IN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN THE FIFTH GRADE TO ANOTHER SCHOOL IN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN THE FIFTH GRADE, WHICH OFTEN HAPPENS, THEY TYPICALLY ENCOUNTER A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CURRICULUM IN THE OTHER SCHOOL BECAUSE THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT ARE NOT GIVEN ANY AUTHORITY IN COORDINATING THAT CURRICULUM.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT IN SENATE BILL 1.

I'M A FIRM, FIRM PROPONENT AND FAN OF WHAT SENATOR SHIK EM IS TRYING TO DO PRINCIPAL SELECTION, CURRICULUM COORDINATION, A A TIMELY WAY TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN OF OUR CITIZENS AND ARE YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

ED PRESSURE IS ON SCHOOL BOARDS AND SCHOOL LEADERS RIGHT NOW IS ABOVE ANYTHING WE'VE EVER SEEN.

IT'S AROUND CURRICULUM.

IT'S AROUND COVID, IT'S AROUND MASKS.

I APPLAUD ALL THOSE LOCAL LEADERS THEY'RE DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB OF TRYING TO BALANCE THOSE NEEDS.

I ALSO WOULD BE HOPEFUL AND PRAYERFUL THAT PARENTS AND FAMILIES COULD TAKE A PAUSE.

IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT GOING TO BOARD MEETING WITH AN AX TO GRIND, TAKE A PAUSE FOR A MOMENT AND FIND A DIFFERENT WAY TO GET YOUR VOICE HEARD THAT'S MORE CONSTRUCTIVE AND LESS DESTRUCTIVE.

>> FINALLY, CRT THAT YOU MENTIONED CRITICAL RACE THEORY WILL THRB LEGISLATION TO WHAT EFFECT THAT WILL BAN CRT OR THE TEACHING OF HISTORY OF RACISM OR HISTORICAL FACTS THAT ARE CONNECTED TO RACISM, SEXISM OR OTHERS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY?

>> THE HISTORY OF OF EVERY NATE IS MARKS WD MOMENTS OF BRILLIANCE AND MOMENTS OF DISMAY AND FOR US TO TRY TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD NOT TALK ABOUT SOME AND FOCUS ON OTHERS, I DON'T THINK THAT DOES ANYONE ANY GOOD.

I THINK YOU'VE SEEN US TRY TO BE VERY CONSTRUCTIVE WITH THE LANGUAGE AROUND SENATE BILL 1, THE CURRICULUM AT THE SUPERINTENDENT LEVEL AS CHOSEN BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.

THAT'S OUR RESPONSE.

AND THE REASON THAT I SAY THAT'S OUR RESPONSE AND I FEEL SO PROUD TO SUPPORT THAT LEGISLATION IS, TODAY THE ISSUE IS CRT.

SIX MONTHS, EIGHT MONTHS, DEFINITELY THREE YEARS FROM NOW, THERE WILL BE SOME OTHER CURRICULAR CHALLENGE IN THESE SCHOOLS.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED FRANK FORT DICTATING DOWN TO THE LOCAL LEVEL IN THE COMMUNITY WHAT THE CURRICULUM SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE.

I THINK WE NEED TO TRUST THE LEADERS, TRUST THE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD OFFICIALS THAT HIRED THE SUPERINTENDENT WHOSE RESPONSIBLE EVERY DAY FOR THE OPERATION OF THAT DISTRICT.

THAT'S WHERE THAT DECISION NEEDS TO BE MADE.

>> THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 20 OF 60 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-800-633-9650.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHONE OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

AND, YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE SURE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT NIGHT AT 11 EASTERN, 10 CENTRAL, LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON.