A TEACHER SHORTAGE TO PROPOSED RULES ABOUT CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS, EDUCATION IS PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN THIS YEAR'S SHORT LEGISLATIVE SESSIO DESPITE PUSHBACK, THE LEGISLATURE QUICKLY PASSES ANOTHER REDUCTION IN THE STATE INCOME TAX.

A BAN ON THE TIK TOK APP FOR STATE CONTROLLED DEVICE THROUGH THE SENATE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, SAYS IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL FOR PHARMACIES TO SEND ABORTION PILLS THROUGH THE MAIL OUR UNUSUALLY WINDY AND WARM WINTER ROLLS ON.

AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

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 OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

JESS CLARK, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR WFPL IN LOUISVILLE.

AND MARK VANDERHOFF, REPORTER FOR WLKY I ALSO TONIGHT, THE LATEST ON THE HARD-FOUGHT RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

AND LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR CALLS ATTENTION TO GUN VIOLENCE ISSUE AFTER A TOUGH START TO THE YEAR LET'S BEGIN WITH SOME EDUCATION ISSUES THAT POPPED UP TIME AND AGAIN AS LAWMAKERS RETURNED TO FRANKFORT THIS week.

THERE WERE SEVERAL SPIRITED AND EMOTIONAL DISCUSSIONS AS THE WEEK WENT ON.

SENATE BILL 150 WOULD GRANT PARENTS' RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL POLICIES AND DISCUSSIONS.

OPPONENTS SAY IT TARGETS ALREADY VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

>> PARENTS NOT ONLY WANT IS A SAY SOME OF-SO IN THEIR CHILDREN'S GASE EDUCATION, PARENTS DESERVE A SAY-SO IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

AND DON'T BE FOOLED.

THE WOKE AGENDA THAT IS NOT QUICK CLICK A BIT FOR TABLE TV IS REAL, IT IS HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> I AM GOING TO MAKE AN OPEN PLEA TO THE MEMBERS OF IN BODY THAT WE AVOID POLITICIZING ISSUES THAT ARE LITERALLY KILLING OUR CHILDREN.

THAT ARE LITERALLY PUTTING THEM IN THE GRAVE, AND WE ARE POLITICIZING THIS FOR NO REASON.

>> Bill: MARK, AS WE SAID, AN EMOTIONAL WEEK IN FRANKFORT.

GIVE US SOME SENSE OF THE DISCUSSION HERE ABOUT THESE -- THIS PARTICULAR BILL.

THIS IS 150 AND THERE ARE OTHERS THAT SEEM TO COVER THIS AREA OF PARENTS' RIGHTS AND DISCUSSIONS IN CLASSROOMS.

>> Mark: WELL, THE BILL'S SPONSOR AND SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL NOTE THAT IT ADDRESSES SEVERAL CONCERNS, ONE, SCHOOLS HAVE TO NOTIFY PARENTS IF A STUDENT ACCESSES SOME PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

LGBTQ ACTIVISTS SAY THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE SOME TRANSGENDER STUDENTS MIGHT BE RELYING ON CONFIDENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES, AND THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS MATTER FOR A GROUP THAT'S HIGHLY MARGINALIZED.

THERE'S ALSO A PART OF THE LAW OR THE BILL, RATHER, THAT WOULD BLOCK A CURRENT KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECOMMENDATION THAT TEACHERS USE PREFERRED PRONOUNS.

WE ALL KNOW THAT PREFERRED PRONOUNS ARE PRETTY CONTROVERSIAL THING RIGHT NOW.

AND FINALLY THERE'S A PART OF THE BILL THAT WOULD -- THAT DEALS WITH SEX ED, BASICALLY SAYS IT HAD HAS TO BE DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE, PARENTS GET TO INSPECT THE CURRICULUM AND THEY CAN OPT THEIR KID OUT IF THEY WANT TO.

>> Bill: ARE THERE A LOT TO THE BILL, RIGHT?

>> Mark: THOSE ARE THE THREE MAIN PARTS, THOUGH.

>> Alex: I WILL SAY AFTER THE POINTS IN THE BILL ABOUT ACCESS OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SERVICES, I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED BY THAT BECAUSE UNDERRAL FEDERAL LAW PARENTS ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO STUDENTS' MEDICAL RECORDS AS LONG AS THEY'RE NOT HELD BY A THIRD PARTY.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO STUDENTS WHO -- STUDENTS' ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SCHOOL DISTRICT ALREADY HAVE TO GET PARENT PERMISSION, FOR EXAMPLE, IN JCPS, YOU KNOW, STUDENTS WHO GOT TESTED FOR COVID OR GOT VACCINATED FOR COVID, THEY NEEDED TO HAVE PARENT PERMISSION BEFORE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT COULD DO THAT.

SO A LITTLE CONFUSED BY THAT LANGUAGE.

BUT I DO THINK IT IS -- IT DOES APPEAR TO BE MESSAGING TO ASSURE SOME CONSERVATIVES WHO ARE CONCERNED BY SOME OF THESE MORE IN-- LGBTQ INCLUSIVE POLICIES, SUCH AS THE PRONOUN GUIDANCE FROM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> Jess: IT'S INTERESTING TO LISTEN TO THE DISCOURSE ON THE OTHER SIDE, PARTICULARLY IN THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

THERE WERE A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT TESTIFIED, INCLUDING A LOT OF TRANS INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN KENTUCKY, AND SOME OF THEM TALKED ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE, THEIR EXPERIENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

ONE OF THEM IN PARTICULAR WHO I BELIEVE LIVES IN LEXINGTON TALKED ABOUT HOW THEIR PARENTS DIDN'T KNOW IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND SO THEY WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO USE THEIR PREFERRED PRONOUNS AT SCHOOL, AND THEY APPRECIATED THAT DISTINCTION.

IT'S ALSO INTERESTING TO LISTEN TO SORT OF -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ONE SIDE SAYING THIS BILL GALVANIZES PARENTS BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THEM TO BE ENGAGED.

THAT'S PART OF SENATOR WISE'S ARGUMENT.

THE OTHER SIDE IS THAT IT INVALIDATES, YOU KNOW, TRANS KIDS IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE IT BASICALLY TO A DEGREE MAYBE POLICES THEIR BEHAVIOR IS WHAT DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING.

CHRIS HARTMAN, THE DUVET DIRECTOR OF THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN, SORT OF PULLED IT BACK TO SAY WHAT IS THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH -- WHAT DO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SAY?

AND THEY SAY THAT, AND I THINK THE AMA EVEN SAYS IN, REFERRING TO STUDENTS, TEENAGERS LIE THEIR PREFERRED PRONOUNS IS APPROPRIATE, AND SO IT IS INTERESTING TO HEAR THE DISCOURSE FROM BOTH SIDES BECAUSE OFTEN IT'S NOT CENTERED ON THAT.

IT'S CENTERED ON SORT OF WHAT DO WE PERCEIVE ABOUT THIS.

>> Bill: WHEN YOU HEAR SENATOR WISE AND YOU HEAR SENATOR BERG, THIS IS VERY EMOTIONAL AND CERTAINLY PERSONAL TO MANY.

>> Mark: IT REALLY REVEALS THE SPLIT IN AMERICA ABOUT HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT LGBTQ ISSUES.

YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A CENTRE SENATOR, DANNY CARROLL, WHO SAID THAT HE KNOWS MANY TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, BUT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUE OF WIRING.

IS SOMEBODY BORN TRANSGENDER OR DO THEY CHOOSE TO BE TRANSGENDER.

AND SENATOR CARROLL BELIEVES THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY CHOOSE IT, THAT THEY MAY BE INFLUENCED BY EXTERNAL FACTORS.

OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT.

THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE BORN THAT WAY.

AND THAT WAS A DEBATE HA WAS GOING ON THERE.

AND WHAT SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAYS IS PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVENE AND MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR CHILD'S UPBRINGING.

THEY SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEIR CHILDREN, REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE.

>> I WILL SAY THAT ONE REASON WHY IT WAS SO EMOTIONAL IS BECAUSE KAREN BERG, WHO WAS IN THE ROOM WHEN THEY PASSED THAT LEGISLATION, HER SON HENRY BERG BREWS OH WAS TRANS AND HE DIED BY SUICIDE LESS THAN A MONTH AGO, ACTUALLY IT WAS A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO.

AND LAWMAKERS ARE VERY AWARE OF THAT.

AND BERG HERSELF HAS SAID THAT SHE BELIEVES ONE REASON WHY MEN RI DID DECIDE TO END HIS LIFE WAS BECAUSE THE MENTAL HEALTH TOLL OF NOT BEING ACCEPTED BY TONIGHT.

SO WHAT IS -- THAT'S ONE REASON WHY THIS IS SO EMOTIONAL, IS BECAUSE THIS ISSUE OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH IS -- IT'S NOT AN ABSTRACT IDEA FOR THESE PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY HAVE A MEMBER IN THEIR OWN PARTY -- OR IF THEIR OWN RANKS WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THAT FIRSTHAND.

>> AND THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS OPPONENTS OF SENATOR WISE'S BILL, DEMOCRATS, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE SAID, INCLUDING SENATOR BERG, IT'S REALLY HARD TO SEE THIS AS GENERALLY NOT A BILL THAT IS INVALIDATING THE IDENTITIES OF A LOT OF TEENAGERS.

SENATOR WISE WROTE AN OP ED THAT WE PUBLISHED TODAY AND HE TALKS ABOUT -- HE SORT OF SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, HE RAISED ALARMS ABOUT THE POLITICAL POLARIZATION THAT'S HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW, AND HE SAID PART OF WHAT THIS BILL IS AIMED TO DO IS THE, QUOTE, REMOVE UNNECESSARY DISTRACTIONS FROM THE CLASSROOM AND ENSURE OUR SCHOOLS REMAIN A POSITIVITY LEARNING FIRE DEPARTMENT RETIREMENT ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS.

WHAT DO UNNECESSARY DISTRACTIONS LOOK LIKE?

IT'S HARD NOT TO BE SENATOR BERG AND THINK DOES THAT MEAN BY TRANS STUDENT IS AN UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION?

IT'S TENSE.

>> Bill: SO THIS DUFF DEBATE GOES ON.

DOES IT APPEAR, MARK, AS YOU LOOK AND HEAR THE TESTIMONY AND SEE THE NUMBERS THAT THIS HAS -- IS LIKELY TO PASS?

>> Mark: OH, I DEFINITELY THINK SO.

I MEAN, IT PASSED ON A PARTY LINE VOTE OF 11-1 OUT OF COMMITTEE.

EVERY REPUBLICAN VOTED TO REMIT FAVORABLY.

-- RECOMMEND IT FAVORLY.

THERE AREN'T A WHOLE LOT OF REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS IN FRANKFORT RYAN TO STOP THIS.

>> Bill: IT CAME UP IN OUR DISCUSSION ABOUT SUICIDE.

THE IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN CRISIS, HELP IS AVAILABLE, AND WE WANTED AS A SERVICE TO PUT THAT NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.

YOU CAN CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE AT 988.

WELL, THIS IS ALL HAPPENING, OF COURSE, IN A POLITICALLY CHARGED YEAR, AND THE TEACHER SHORTAGE WAS ANOTHER THING THAT WAS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE FROM A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.

PAY, OF COURSE, IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN THAT.

SOME SAY THE MAJOR ISSUE.

BUT SOME SAY THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS AND WHY SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE STEER CLEAR OF CAREERS IN SCHOOLS.

EDUCATION COMMISSIONER JASON GLASS SAID THIS WEEK IT IS POLITICIANS WHO ARE WITH, CONTROVERSY INTO CLASSROOMS.

>> BUT THE PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH IN OUR SCHOOLS RELATE TO DISCIPLINE ISSUES, THEY RELATE TO RECOVERY FROM COVID, AB EPIDEMIC DISRUPTIONS.

THEY RELATE TO LACK OF SUPPORT AT SCHOOLS.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING PRONOUNS AND TRANSGENDER ISSUES AND WOKE ISSUES A PRIORITY IN OUR EDUCATION ARE POLITICIANS.

>> Bill: KERA PASSED IN THE EARLY 1990S WAS DESIGNED IN PART TO TRY TO GET SOME OF THE POLITICS OUT OF SCHOOLS, AND YET NOW BOTH SIDES ARE SAYING THAT IT IS ENCROACHING AND THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO TAKE MEASURES TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING AND THEN BOTH SIDES SAY, WELL, IT'S THE OTHER SIDE THAT'S DOING IT.

>> Mark: I THOUGHT ONE INTERESTING THING THAT GLASS ALSO SAID WAS THAT ESPECIALLY DURING COVID, TEACHERS DON'T REALLY HAVE -- THEY DON'T MAKE POLICY, BUT THEY'RE THE ONES THAT GET A LOT OF THE CRITICISM WHEN PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG OOH ON EITHER SIDE OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, BUT ALSO THERE WERE SOME LAWMAKERS WHO SAID THEY FEEL LIKE THERE ARE SOME TEACHERS WHO MIGHT NOT BE COMING INTO THE PROFESSION OR MAYBE THEY'RE AND ITING THE PROFESSION BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THERE'S THIS, QUOTE/UNQUOTE, WOKE AGENDA BEING PUSHED ON THEM.

>> Mark: GO AHEAD.

>> Jess: I WOULD SAY THAT IN THE RESEARCH THAT WAS DONE BY THE IMPACT STUDY LIKE 38,000 KENTUCKY TEACHERS, PARTISAN POLITICS WERE A MAJOR ISSUE FOR TEACHERS WHO WERE IN THE PROFESSION, AND A MAJOR REASON WHY SOME TEACHERS LEAVE AND IT'S A MAJOR REASON WHY SOME PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE IN IT.

AND IT'S BECAUSE TEACHERS ARE DEALING WITH, YOU KNOW, ANGRY PARENTS WHO ARE UPSET ABOUT COVID PROTOCOLS, WHO ARE UPSET ABOUT CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS ABOUT RACE AND GENDER, AND ALL OF THAT FALLS ONTO TEACHERS TO DEAL WITH AND PROCESS.

THEY'RE AT THE CENTER OF IT AND THEY HAVE A MICROSCOPE ON THEM, AND THAT'S NOT REALLY AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO BE.

I WILL SAY THAT ALSO THAT SAME STUDY SHOWED THAT PAY WASTE A MAJOR ISSUE AS WELL AS WORKING CONDITIONS, AND THAT INCLUDES STUDENT DISCIPLINE ISSUES.

>> Bill: TO WHAT EXTENT IS THAT EDUCATION COMMISSIONER'S JOB GOING TO BE A HOT SEAT GOING FORWARD?

THIS IS A BILL THIS WEEK THAT WOULD GIVE A LOT OF LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT OVER THAT POSITION.

>> Mark: IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A HOT SEAT.

REMEMBER WAYNE LEWIS UNDER THE BEVIN COMMISSIONER.

HE BECAME A ARGUMENT FOR DEMOCRATS.

I THINK THAT'S THE IGS NATURE OF THE JOB.

THIS LEGISLATION, OF COURSE, THAT YOUR REFERRING TO CREATE A NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THERE WOULD BE SENATE CONFIRMATION FOR FUTURE EDUCATION COMMISSIONERS.

SO IT WOULD GIVE MORE OVERSIGHT TO LAWMAKERS, BUT, HEY, THAT COULD ALSO GIVE SOME OF THE BLAME TO LAWMAKERS IF THINGS GO WRONG.

>> Bill: GLASS IS A KENTUCKY NATIVE, STARTED HIS TEACHING CAREER IN HAZARD, SO INTERESTING THAT THIS DISCUSSION THAT IS GOING ON IN THE TENS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN HIM AND SOME MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE'S BEEN THIS DISPUTE ABOUT HOW DEEP IS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE.

OLIVE KRAUTH REPORTED PORT THE YOUR SURGEON THAT THERE ARE NUMBER THAT MAY INDICATE IT IS NOT THE 11,000 THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS USED BUT, IN ANY CASE, IT IS A CHALLENGE TO LURE YOUNG TEACHERS, RIGHT?

>> Jess: IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.

IT'S NOT THE 11,000 NUMBER THAT BESHEAR TOLD US.

IT'S PROBABLY MORE LIKE 1500.

BUT THAT'S STILL A MAJOR PROBLEM ACROSS ALL KENTUCKY SCHOOLS.

I MEAN, LOTS OF CLASSROOMS HAVE JUST A STRING OF SUBS INSTEAD OF REGULAR CLASSROOM TEACHER.

SCHOOLS ARE TRYING TO FILL THE GAP WITH TEACHERS WHO HAVE EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION, SO WHILE THE SCHOOLS ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE FOLKS, THEY DON'T HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION, AND THOSE FOLKS ARE CONCENTRATED IN SCHOOLS THAT ARE A TITLE I, THAT ARE HIGH NEEDS.

>> Bill: HOW MUCH OF THIS SESSION IS TIED UP IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE?

WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR CALLING FOR SPENDING THAT IS UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS CERTAINLY IN A MOOD TO DENT HIS POLLING NUMBERS.

>> Mark: I THINK IT'S THAT SAYING, ALL IS FAIR 234 LOVE AND WAR, AND ALL IS FAIR IN POLITICS TOO.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE FROM IT BOTH SIDES REMEMBER FROM DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

I THINK WE'VE SEEN IT FROM BESHEAR.

HE KNOWS THAT THE TEACHER PAY RAISE WASN'T GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS YEAR BUT GIFTS HIM A CHANCE DOWN THE LINE TO SAY, REPUBLICANS DIDN'T APPROVE A TEACHER PAY RAISE.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THIS GIVES HIM A CHANCE TO SAY, I DID SOMETHING ABOUT MARIJUANA, BUT THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE DIDN'T.

AND REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE THE SAME THING AND THEY'RE DOING THE SAME THING.

THEY'VE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED THE TAX CUTS.

THAT PUTS GOVERNOR BESHEAR IN A TRICKY SPOT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

IS HE FOR GIVING PEOPLE MORE MONEY OR NOT?

THERE'S THE PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL I THINK THAT WILL REALLY GENERATE A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM WITH THEIR BASE, AND THE BILL WE JUST DISCUSSED TO CREATE MORE OVERSIGHT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> Bill: BESHEAR WENT BEFORE THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THURSDAY NIGHT AND SAID LOOK AT ALL THE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND THE JOBS THAT ARE COMING IN AND THE REPUBLICANS GOT UP, SPEAKER OSBORNE AND SAID, YEAH, WE DID THAT BY MAKING SOME CHANGES TO THE TAX CODE, SO IT'S INTERESTING ALSO THE BACK-AND-FORTH ABOUT WHO GETS CREDIT FOR SOME OF THE GOOD THINGS HAPPENING AND THE BLAME FOR SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.

>> Mark: WE'LL SEE HOW VOTERS INTERPRET THAT, RIGHT?

>> Bill: JESS, SCHOOL CHOICE IS RETURNING AS AN I NEED AFTER THE STATE SUPREME COURT SAID VERY CLEARLY LAST YEAR THAT IT VIOLATES THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO SHIFT PUBLIC MONEY TOWARD PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

NOW THERE'S A MOVE TO LET VOTERS DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION AND ALLOW IT.

>> Jess: THAT'S RIGHT.

THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED THAT THE TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WHICH WOULD HAVE CREATED STATE SUPPORT ARE FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL UGS TUITION WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE IN CONSTITUTION THAT PREVENT SPENDING PUBLIC FUNDS ON PRIVATE SCHOOLING.

SO NOW REPUBLICANS WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE OF SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION MEASURES WANT TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION SO THAT THEY CAN GET THOSE MEASURES THROUGH.

IT MAY INCLUDE -- THIS MAY HELP THEM GET A TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ON THE BOOKS DOWN THE LINE.

IT ALSO COULD HELP THEM EXPAND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: THEY HAVE A CHALLENGE GETTING THAT THROUGH THE FIRST TIME.

THIS WOULD REQUIRE A SUPER-MAJORITY TO GET ON THE BALLOT SO IT'S A QUESTION WHETHER THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS CAN YOU GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE FIRST AND WOULD IT PASS AMONG THE PEOPLE.

>> Jess: RIGHT.

AND THERE ALSO HAS BEEN SOMECATION FROM GOP LEADERSHIP THAT THIS MAY NOT BE THE SESSION WHERE THAT HAPPENS SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT THEY -- THAT ARE ALREADY KIND OF IN THE PIPELINE, THAT THE YELLOWS THAT THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD GET TO THE PEOPLE WOULD BE 24, AND SO I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO CONSERVE RESOURCES AND ATTENTION ON OTHER THINGS, AND THIS MAY BE SOMETHING THAT COMES UP MORE REALISTICALLY IN ANOTHER SESSION.

>> Bill: WE NOTED QUICKLY THE LEGISLATURE DID TAKE DOWN THE INCOME TAX ONE MORE NOTCH, A HALF PERCENT.

THERE ARE SOME TRIGGERS, THOUGH, THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN, RIGHT?

>> Mark: THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU DO HAVE TO HAVE GOOD REVENUE.

HAS A TO BE ENOUGH REVENUE, I BELIEVE THE FORMULA IS, IS TO COVER THE TAX CUT AND THEN SOME, AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE GOOD RAINY DAY RESERVES, AND THEN YOU STILL HAVE TO HAVE THE LEGISLATURE APPROVE IT.

SO IF YOU MEET THOSE FIRST TWO CRITERIA BUT THEN IT'S A LITTLE STORMY ON THE HORIZON, THEY COULD THEORETICALLY CHANGE THEIR MIND AND NOT APPROVE THAT HALF PERCENTAGE POINT.

>> Bill: ALEX, THE ABORTION SAGA IN KENTUCKY DRAGS ON.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT NEVER DECIDED WHETHER TO TEMPORARILY LIFT THE BAN THAT WENT INTO EFFECT WHEN ROE ROE WAS OVERTUNED.

YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING AT WHAT'S HAPPENED OUTTHE PUBLIC DISCOURSE.

>> Alex: AS YOU SAID THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT STILL HASN'T DECIDED.

ORAL ARGUMENTS WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER AND WE'RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO REINSTATE A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION FROM A LOWER COURT THAT WOULD TEMPORARILY BLOCK THE TRIGGER LAW AND THE SIX--WEEK BAN.

ABORTION IS STILL ILLEGAL IN COMMUNIST PARTY A COMBINATION OF THOSE TWO LAWS MEANS THAT BASICALLY IF THERE'S A PREGNANCY WITH FETAL CARDIAC ACTIVITY, UNLESS THE PREGNANCY POSES AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENT LET THE TO THE LIFE OF THE PREGNANT PERSON YOU CANNOT LAWFULLY GET AN ABORTION IN KENTUCKY.

THAT THRESHOLD, DOCTORS HAVE SAID, AND I REPORTED THIS WEEK, LEAVES OUT NOT ONLY PEOPLE WHO WOULD WANT TO GET ELECTIVE ABORTIONS BUT PEOPLE I.

WITH DESIRED PREGNANCIES WHO HAVE PREGNANCYCLY COMPLICATIONS IN FORM OF FEET ALAN OM LIST THAT MIGHT NOT IMPACT YOUR LIFE BUT BECAUSE THERE'S STILL A FETAL HEARTBEAT YOU CANNOT GET CARE.

I WROTE ABOUT TWO WOMEN IN PARTICULAR, ONE IN A CHROMOSOME A.M.AL ABNORMALITY WITH HER HER FEET WITH US THE OTHER HAD AN ENCEPHALA, A MISSING DEFECT MISSING PART OF THE HEAD AND BRAIN.

BOTH ARE UNSURVIVABLE.

NEITHER IMPACTED THEIR HEALTH EMERGENTLY, AND SO IN KENTUCKY THEY COULD NOT GET ABORTIONS BECAUSE THEY STILL HAD FETAL HEART BEATS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NON-VIABLE, THEY COULDN'T EVEN BE INDUCED.

ONE HAD TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE.

ONE PAID TO GET AN ABORTION HERE IN THE TIME THE TRIGGER LAW WAS LIFTED.

IT HIGHLIGHTS WHAT DOCTORS SAY IS A DEFICIT IN THE LAW, WHICH IS THAT THIS GROUP OF COVERAGE HAVE NON-VIABLE PREGNANCY.

THE WOMAN WHO WAS INDUCED WHO GAVE BIRTH, HER BABY LIVED FOR TWO MINUTES.

AND SO LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN SORT OF TOLD ABOUT THE HARMS, THE HARM THAT THESE LAWS CAUSE TO PATIENTS.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE NO RAPE AND INCEST EXCEPTIONS IN KENTUCKY'S LAWS, EITHER.

BUT SO FAR LAWMAKERS HAVE NOT REALLY RESPONDED IN ANY WAY.

SOME SAY THEY'RE WAITING FOR SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE.

BUT OTHERWISE THEY'VE BEEN MUM.

>> Bill: DO YOU GET A SENSE WHEN THE COURT MAY MAKE A RULING?

THE COMPLEXION OF THE COURT HAS CHANGED.

>> Alex: WE HAVE TWO NEW MEMBERS, DEPUTY CHIEF JUSTICE ELIZABETH HUGHES WAS ONE OF THE ONES WHO LEFT, AND THEY JUST CAME ON IN JANUARY SO THEY'RE SORT OF COMING UP UP TO SPEED.

I THINK FEBRUARY MIGHT BE FAST FOR THEM.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT'S A VERY CONSEQUENTIAL LAW, IT'S A VERY PRESSING ISSUE, SO PEOPLE ARE WAITING BUT THERE'S REALLY NO WAY TO KNOW.

>> Bill: ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL AM CA A REPUBLICAN WHO THE POLLS SHOW IS LEADING FOR THE REPUBLICAN MANY REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR JOINED 20 OTHER ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN THIS WEEK WARN IN A LETTER THAT MAIL ORDER ABORTION PILLS WOULD BE ILLEGAL IF THAT WERE TO BE DONE IN KENTUCKY.

>> Alex: RIGHT.

THE FDA EXPANDED BASICALLY THE SENDING OF ABORTION PILLS BY MAIL LATE LAST YEAR.

ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON ALONG WITH 20 OTHERS ARE SAYING THAT BASICALLY SENDING THEM BY MAIL VIOLATES THIS PARTICULAR FEDERAL LAW.

OF COURSE, THAT'S ONLY SO EFFECTIVE ANYWAY BECAUSE IN KENTUCKY ABORTION IS ALREADY ILLEGAL, AND IN A SEPARATE BILE FILED LAST YEAR, IT MADE ILLEGAL SENDING ABORTION PILLS BY MAIL.

SO IT WOULDN'T REALLY NECESSARILY HAVE A CONSEQUENCE HERE ANYWAY.

HOWEVER, YOU USE METH OH PRIS TOLD -- FOR THINGS OUTSIDE ABORTIONS BUT IT'S BASICALLY YET ANOTHER WAY THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON IS SORT OF LEADING HIS OPPOSITION TO ABORTION GENERALLY.

>> Bill: ALEX, THERE'S AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE NURSING SHORTAGE IN KENTUCKY.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY WAYS OF APPROACHING THIS, BUT THERE IS A BILL NOW THAT WOULD GIVE INCENTIVES TO UNIVERSITIES TO EXPAND THEIR OFFERINGS AND REALLY KIND OF TRY TO EXPEDITE THOSE CLASSES.

IN SOME CASES IT'S A SHORTAGE OF STAFF, RIGHT?

>> Alex: RIGHT, ARIA.

MARK AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT ABOUT THIS BEFORE THE SHOW AND IT'S NOT ONLY GOING TO SERVE AS AN INCENTIVE BECAUSE WHAT KENTUCKY NEEDS IS TO GRAUD MORE NURSES THAT STAY IN KENTUCKY BUT IN SOME OF THESE CLASSES THERE AREN'T ENOUGH TEACHERS TO BE INSTRUCTORS.

SO REPRESENTATIVE FLEMING HAS PROPOSED A BILL THAT IS A SORT OF ONE WAY TO HELP CURB THE SHORTAGE THAT PREDATED COVID BUT IS STILL VERY MUCH AN ISSUE.

>> Bill: THERE WAS CONSIDERATION THIS WEEK OF A BILL THAT WOULD BAN THE VIDEO APP TIK TOK FROM STATE-CONTROLLED DEVICES.

IT'S ALREADY AGAINST THE RULES IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH UNDER AN ORDER FROM THE GOVERNOR.

THERE WAS A TIME NOT SO LONG AGO, MARK BE, WHEN KENTUCKY POLITICIANS IN BOTH PARTIES WERE MAKING TIK TOK VIDEOS.

>> Mark: THEY CAN STILL MAKE THEIR TIK TOK VIDEOS.

THEY'VE JUST GOT TO DO IT ON THEIR PERSONAL PHONES.

THIS BILL IS JUST GEARED TOWARD GOVERNMENT-PROVIDED PHONES AND TECH, AND IT'S NOT A BILL THAT'S REALLY AIMED AT SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT'S AIMED AT THIS PARTICULAR COMPANY BECAUSE THIS COMPANY IS OWNED BY A I CHINESE COMPANY AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS UNDUE INFLUENCE OVER ITS COMPANIES.

SO THEORETICALLY THEY COULD USE TIK TOK AS A WAY TO SPY ON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

>> Bill: AND THAT SAILED THROUGH ON ITS FIRST VOTE.

>> Mark: IT GOT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> Bill: THE HOUSING IS PREACHING RONNIE GOLDING WHO APPARENTLY RESIGNED BUT THAT PROCESS IS GOING TO MOVE FOD.

>> Mark: THAT'S RIGHT.

IS AND ONE OF THE THIS YOU IF IMPEACHMENT CHAIR SAID WAS THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE HE NEVER RUNS FOR OFFICE.

HIS LANCE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.

HE SAID HE'S GOING TO STEP DOWN BY THE END OF FEBRUARY.

NEVERTHELESS THEY WANT TO SEND A MESSAGE AND MAKE SURE HE DOESN'T RUN AGAIN, AND THAT'S GOT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

7-0 IN THE HOUSE.

>> Bill: THAT HAD TO DO WITH SOMEBODY HE WAS PROSECUTING.

>> Mark: ALLEGEDLY -- HE DENIED THIS ALLEGATION, BUT HE'S ACCUSED BASICALLY SAYING, I'LL TAKE CARE OF THESE CHARGES IF YOU SEND ME SOME PHOTOS.

>> Bill: SPORTS BETTING.

DOES IT HAVE LIFE?

THERE'S SOME THAT SAY THERE IS SOMETHING THAT COULD COP TOGETHER BEFORE THE END SESSION.

>> Mark: WOULD I BOY, I HAVE REPORTED ON THIS A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW.

SENATOR DAMON THAYER SAID HE IS WORKING ON A NEW NAIR NARROWER BILL WITH REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH.

IT WILL NOT HAVE THE ONLINE POKER AND FANTASY SPORTS COMPONENTS, US, SPORTS BETTING AND THEY'LL START IN THE SENATE SINCE THAT'S BEEN THE PROBLEM AREA.

>> Bill: MARK, A VIOLENT START IN LOUISVILLE.

ATTENTION GETTING FOR ALL OF US THE NEW BARE CREATING GREENBERG BROUGHT SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE TOPIC THIS WEEK.

>> Mark: AND THEY HAD SOME REALLY EMOTIONAL STORIES, AND THIS WAS ALSO AN OCCASION FOR ISSUE MAYOR GREENBERG TO ANNOUNCE HIS COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS SERIES WHICH WILL BE GOING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, HEARING FROM PEOPLE AND ENLISTING PEOPLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE.

HIS FIRST COMMUNITY CONVERSATION IS ACTUALLY FULL.

BUT THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THEY'RE GOING TO BE ANNOUNCING MORE DATES.

>> Bill: AND, JESS, IT WAS YOU THAT COVERED JCPA.

METAL DETECTORS HAVE ONCE AGAIN COME UP FOR DISCUSSION.

>> Jess: YES.

METAL DETECTORS ARE SOMEWHAT CONTROVERSY IN THE SCHOOL SETTING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, PROPONENTS OF THEM I THINK THAT THEY WILL PREVENT GUNS FROM GETTING INTO SCHOOLS WHICH HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN JCPS IN RECENT WEEKS.

BUT OPPONENTS OF METAL DETECTORS SAY THEY KIND OF TURN THE SCHOOL IN A PROS-LIKE ENVIRONMENT AND WILL MAKE STUDENTS FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> Bill: SO THAT DISCUSSION GOES ON LOUKS.

KENTUCKY WAS MENTIONED IN THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

THE PRESIDENT NOTED IT WAS BIPARTISAN BUT EVERY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER ACCEPT EXCEPT MITCH MOM HAVE VOTED AGAINST THE ENABLING INFRASTRUCTURE, THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

McCONNELL HAS OWNED THAT AND ACTUALLY WEBBED TO THE BRIDGE SIDE.

>> Mark: HE CALLED THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE A GODSEND.

I THINK THIS IS THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE IS THE PERFECT SYMBOL FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN.

IF HE WANTS TO TOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE IS WHAT HE CAN POINT ON.

>> Bill: ALVIN BARCLAY II WHO SERVED AS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DIED P MISS GRANDFATHER WAS ALVIN B. BARCLAY WHO SERVED A VICE PRESIDENT UNDER HARRY TRUMAN AND MANY YEARS IN THE U.S. SENATE.

BARCLAY THE 2nd SERVED AS AG COMMISSIONER FROM 19989P.37 BASHING LAY HELPED TO CREATE THE AQUACULTURE PROGRAM.

NUMBERS ARE IN ON EVER AND OVER THE LAST YEAR KENTUCKY'S BOURBON TRAIL BROKE 2.1 MILLION PEOPLE, VISITORS LURED IN BY THE BOURBON TRAIL.

MOST OF THEM COME FROM OUT OF STATE.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.