>> Renee: WE'RE ALMOST AT THE SESSION'S MIDPOINT.

WEEK 6 WA BUSY WITH ACTION ON JOB LESS BENEFITS, STUDENT athl COMPENSATION, REINING IN SKYROCKETING VEHICLE TAXES, GIRLS' SPORTS RULES AND MORE.

WE RECAP SOME OF THE SIGNIFICANT PIECES OF LEGISLATION CONSIDERE THIS WEEK IN FRANKFORT ON DAY 2 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW REFORM TO KENTUCKY'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS THAT PROPONENTS REASON WILL GET MORE KENTUCKIANS BACK ON THE JO ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE THURSDA REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL WEBBER'S HOUSE BILL 4 TAKES AIM AT HOW LONG JOBLESS WORKERS CAN GET AN UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK AND THE JOB SEARCH RULES TO RECEIVE BENEFIT WEBBER SAYS A LARGER WORK IS FORCE IS NEEDED TO MATCH THE MOMENTUM OF NEW JOBS COMING TO KENTUCKY.

>> RIGHT NOW 47% OF THE WORKING AGE POPULATION IN KENTUCKY IS NOT WORKING.

SO WE HAVE 53 PERCENT OF OUR WORKING AGE POPULATION IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN EMPLOYMENT.

AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT BRINGING JOBS TO OUR STATE, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO DO THAT, AND AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE, THAT'S A GOAL THAT I HAVE.

LET'S OPEN KENTUCKY FOR BUSINESS IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE, IN EVERY COUNTY OF THE STATE, AND CREATE JOBS FOR OUR FOLKS THERE.

BUT WITH THE LACK OF ADULTS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE JOB MARKET, IN THE JOB AREA, WE CANNOT BE KNOWN AS A STATE WITHOUT WORKERS OR A STATE THAT IS SHORT ON WORKERS.

>> AND SO I ASKED AN OWNER OF A BUSINESS IN MY DISTRICT, DO YOU HAVE HAVE DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS?

I.

AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS BILL GLOBALLY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SECTION 8 IN PARTICULAR.

AND SHE SAID, JASON, I HAD 20 INTERVIEWS LINED UP LAST WEEK.

HOW MANY DO YOU THINK SHOWED UP?

I THOUGHT, 14, 15.

TWO.

SHE SAID, TWO FOLKS SHOWED UP.

WHY DID ONLY TWO PEOPLE SHOW UP, I ASKED HER.

SHE SAYS, WELL, THEY'RE CHECKING THE BOX.

THEY ONLY HAVE TO GO ONE.

THEY ONLY HAVE TO GET AN INTERVIEW.

AND SO WHAT SECTION 8 DOES I THINK IS IT HELPS THOSE PLIERS AND THE APPLICANTS ACTUALLY MAKE A SERIOUS EFFORT, A VERY SERIOUS EFFORT TO GET A JOB BY SHOWING UP.

IF THEY DON'T SHOW UP, THE EMPLOYER HAS AN OPPORTUNITY UNDER SECTION 8 TO MAKE THAT KNOWN TO THE CABINET AND THAT WILL BE -- THAT WILL IMPACT WHETHER THEY CAN GET BENEFITS.

WE WANT PEOPLE GETTING JOBS.

WE WANT THEM SHOWING UP TO INTERVIEWS.

WE WANT OUR BUSINESSES TO BE HIRING folks >> Renee: HOUSE BILL 4 ENCOURAGES CLAIMANTS AFTER SIX WEEKS OF JOBLESS BENEFITS TO EXPAND THEIR JOB SE.

THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF WEEKS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS CAN BE REDUCED FROM 26 TWO 24 WEEKS, DEPENDING ON THE CURRENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, BUT IT DOESN'T REDUCE THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF BENEFITS.

AND FIVE WEEKS OF ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT WOULD BE GIVEN TO PEOPLE ENROLLED IN A SKILLS CREDENTIAL, CERTIFICATION OR HIGHER EDUCATION program.

DEBATE FOR AND AGAINST DIDN'T FALL ALONG STRICT PARTY LINES O THE HOUSE FLOOR YESTERDAY.

OBJECTORS MAINTAIN THE MEASURE WILL GUT UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS FO LAIDOFF WORKERS.

SEVERAL FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY IN THE MOUNTAIN CAUCUS EXPRESSED HOW THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CHANGES WILL PUSH MORE PEOPLE OUT OF THE COALFIELDS AND RURAL AREAS ALREADY LOSING POPULATION.

>> YOU SEE, PEOPLE DRAWING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK AND HAVE BEEN WORKING, BUT NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO AFTER THEM.

I'M NOT REAL SMART.

I'LL ADMIT THAT.

BUT I WOULD THINK IF WE WANT TO SOLVE OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION PROBLEM, WE WOULD GO AFTER THAT 53,000 THAT'S NOT WORKING RATHER THAN THOSE 18,000 THAT ARE OUT OF WORK BUT ARE WILLING TO WORK.

THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> THERE ARE TIMES THAT EASTERN KENTUCKY REGION HAS CLOSE TO DOUBLE DIGITS IN UNEMPLOYMENT, SO FOR US TO SIT IN HERE AND THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING IS BEST FOR ALL OF KENTUCKY, AND I RESPECT THE GENTLEMAN FROM BULLITT.

HE KNOWS.

HE'S A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE.

I TRUST HIM AND AND I KNOW THE INTENT.

BUT LET ME SAY HERE LET'S THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX JUST A LITTLE BIT AND OUTSIDE OF OUR COMFORT ZONE BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO HAVE LIVED ON FOOD STAMPS WHEN DAD COULDN'T FIND WORK.

I KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

MY DAD STRUGGLED, GOING FROM JOB TO JOB, TRYING TO APPLY AND COULDN'T GET THE JOB.

SO I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION BEFORE YOU PASS THIS BILL.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE WORKED ON.

WE CAN GET TOGETHER, PUT OUR MIND TOGETHER, AND DO A LITTLE BETTER JOB ON THIS.

I, AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY WHY THIS BILL IS NEEDED.

MY WORKFORCE WENT FROM OVER 200 TO ABOUT 80 EMPLOYEES.

AND IT WAS A STRUGGLE.

SO I SEE THE NECESSITY OF THE BILL, BUT I ALSO SEE THAT KENTUCKY NEEDS A BETTER FIT FOR WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE THAN JUST THIS PARTICULAR BILL.

>> IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, PEOPLE ARE UNEMPLOYED BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE VERY MANY JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

WE DON'T HAVE THE JOBS.

AND BECAUSE OF THIS, OUR POPULATIONS ARE SHRINKING.

PEOPLE HAVE TO LEAVE TO GO FIND WORK.

AND THIS BILL, HOWEVER WELL INTENTIONED, WILL CAUSE MORE PEOPLE TO MOVE AWAY FROM OUR COUNTIES TO GO FIND WORK WHEN THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT RUNS OUT.

THAT'S THE LAST THING ON EARTH THAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW.

>> Renee: GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEA OPPOSES THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS REFORMS.

AFTER THE HOUSE APPROVED IT YESTERDAY 57 TO 37, IT'S NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SENATE.

FROM TIK TOK VIDEOS TO MEMORABILIA T, THEY'RE THE WAYS STAND-OUT coll ATHLETES CAN PROFIT FROM THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

PUTTING FORWARD A FRAMEWORK FOR STUDENT ATHLETES TO MONETIZE ON THOSE OPPORTUNITIES IS THE GOAL OF A SENATE BILL THAT'S READY FOR HOUSE ACTION.

SENATE EDUCATION CHAIRMAN MAX WISE SCORED A BIG WIN THIS WEEK WHEN HE GOT UNANIMOUS APPROVAL IN THE UPPER CHAMBER OF HIS SENATE BILL 6, AND IT DREW A BIG ENDORSEMENT FROM UK MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH JOHN CALIPARI.

THERE'S NOW AN OPEN LANE FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES TO SIGN ENDORSEMENT DEALS, AS THE NCAA AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STAYED QUIETLY ON THE SIDELINES.

IT'D NOW UP TO STATES TO SET THEIR OWN RULES.

>> THIS ISSUING HAS HAD TO BE DECIDED UPON BY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, AND WITH THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE BY THE SUPREME COURT, THE ISSUE THEN WAS FACED AND ACTED UPON BY STATES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

MANY STATES HAVE PUT TOGETHER EXECUTIVE ORDERS WHICH WE HAD HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

I WANT TOO THANK OUR GOVERNOR FOR HIS ACTION UPON THAT, THROUGH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.

WE ALSO KNEW THAT STATUTORILY WE NEED TODAY STEAK THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AND PUT THAT INTO PLACE.

NOW, MANY OF US MAY HAVE PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES ABOUT ISSUES SUCH AS NAME, IMAGE LIKENESS OR THE TRANSFER PORTAL OR ANYTHING TO DO WITH COLLEGE ATHLETICS, BUT IT IS THE NATURE OF WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

IN THIS SPACE AND IN THIS TIME, STATES ARE NOW HAVING TO GRAPPLE WITH THE ISSUE AND DECIDE WHAT IS BEST.

WHAT'S BEST, NUMBER ONE, FOR THE UNIVERSITY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, NUMBER TWO, WHAT'S BEST FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETE.

>> BUT THIS BILL, THANK YOU IT'S A MODEL BILL.

I THINK OTHER STATES ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS BILL AND SAY, WOW.

I ALSO THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL LOOK AS THEY START TO DEAL WITH THIS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS BILL.

>> NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS IS NOT PAYING STUDENT ATHLETES TO PLAY AT THEIR SPORT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT IT DOES.

NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS DOES NOT ALLOW A UNIVERSITY OR ITS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TO COMPENSATE STUDENT ATHLETES BEYOND THE SCHOLARSHIPS AND ALREADY PERMISSIBLE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS.

WHAT I THINK OF NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS, I THINK OF NAME.

, IMAGE AND LIKENESS AS PUTTING STUDENT ATHLETES ON THE SAME LEVEL AS EVERY OTHER STUDENT AT A UNIVERSITY.

IF YOU'RE A MUSICIAN ON SCHOLARSHIP WEEK YOU CAN START A YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR AN INSTAGRAM FEED AND GIVE LESSONS OR PROMOTE YOUR BAND.

IF YOU'RE AN ARTIST, YOU CAN SELL YOUR PAINTINGS.

IF YOU'RE A JOURNALISM STUDENT WEEK YOU CAN GO WORK SOMEWHERE AND DO FREELANCE WRITING.

YOU CAN WORK AT YOUR CRAFT.

YOU CAN PROMOTE YOURSELF.

OUR STUDENT ATHLETES HAVEN'T HAD THAT opportunity.

>> Renee: STUDENT ATHLETES CAN'T PROMOTE AN ILLEGAL PRODUCT, SPORTS BETTING OR ADULT ENTERTAINMENT.

THE POTENTIAL FOR NIL AGREEMENTS CAN'T US USED AS AN RECOUPMENT OR ENTICE P COOL BY UNIVERSITIES, either COACHES AND THEIR STAFF ALSO COULDN'T BE INVOLVED IN MAKING DEALS FOR PL UK ATHLETICS DIRECTOR MITCH BARNHART EXPLAINED HOW IT WORKS.

>> OUR DNA WITNESS WHAT WE, WHAT WE DO IS ABOUT EDUCATION AND IT'S ABOUT PREPARING THEM ON THE FIELD AND FOR LIFE.

SO WITH THAT PREMISE IN MIND, WHAT OUR DNA IS PROBABLY NOT IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO NEGOTIATE DEALS FOR THEM.

THAT IS NOT WHO WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AT THIS POINT IN TIME ABOUT THE DUTY ABOUT THE DO I BELIEVE IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THEM AND PEOPLE THAT MAYBE -- LET ME GIVE YOU A ANNEXAL EXAMPLE TELL SOMEBODY CALLS OUR OFFICE, THEY SAY, WE WOULD LIKE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ATHLETE X OR Y.

WE WOULD LIKE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEM IN THIS NIL SPACE.

OUTSTANDING.

LET US REPRESENT YOU WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVE WHO IS BETTER INCLINED AND HAS A LIABILITY OR NOT A LIABILITY BUT A CONTRACT TO WORK WITH THEM IN THIS SPACE.

AND ALMOST ALL OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE CREATED THAT REPRESENTATION, EITHER THROUGH THEIR FAMILIES OR THROUGH THEMSELVES OR THROUGH SOMEONE ELSE.

AND THAT IS COME FROM A VARIETY OF PLACES, AND THERE IS A SAFE SPACE IN THAT FOR US.

IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO CONNECT THOSE DOTS.

SO RATHER THAN US BEING IN THE NEGOTIATION SPACE, WE ARE TELLING THEM, PLEASE GO TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE WHO HAS YOUR PERSONAL INTEREST AND KNOWS YOU BETTER THAN PROBABLY ANYBODY ELSE IN THIS AREA, AND YOU CREATE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL HELP TO KEEP STUDENT ATHLETES, BASKETBALL PLAYERS, ESPECIALLY UPPER ECHELON PLAYERS, AT THE COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES LONGER OR DO YOU THINK -- IS THERE ENOUGH FINANCIAL IMPACT WITH THIS TO KEEP THEM THERE LONGER AS STUDENT ATHLETES?

>> SENATOR, THANK YOU.

MY COMMENT WOULD BE THE KIDS THAT HAVE MADE MISTAKES LEAVING EARLY BECAUSE OF IT WILL STAY.

NOW, IF SOMEONE'S A NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK, WHAT I WOULD PROBABLY SAY TO HIM IS IF YOU DO -- YOU WANT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, YOU PROBABLY SHOULD GO.

IF YOU WANT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ME AND MY FAMILY, YOU PROBABLY SHOULD STAY.

[LAUGHTER] BUT THE ONES I WORRY ABOUT ARE THE ONES I SAY, ARE YOU SURE?

COACH, I HAVE TO DO THIS.

YOU TALK TO THE PARENTS.

ARE YOU SURE?

I THINK THIS WOULD HAVE PEOPLE SAYING, IF I'M NOT READY -- AND LET ME SAY THIS.

MAYBE A YOUNG MAN THAT COULD BE DRAFT IN THE TOP TEN, AND HE SAYS, BUT I'M NOT READY, BUT I HAVE TO GO, BUT NOW IT'S, NO, YOU DON'T.

NO, YOU don't >> Renee: IT WAS A SLAM DUNK FOR SENATE BILL 6.

IT ADVANCED FROM THE UPPER CHAMBER 37 TO ZERO AND IS NOW WAITING FOR HOUSE ACTION.

NIL IS THE TOPIC THIS MONDAY ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

TUNE IN AT 8:00 EASTERN, 7:00 CENTRAL FOR THAT DISCUSSION.

SIGNAL FEATURE UK ATHLETICS DIRECTOR MITCH BARNHART.

A YEAR AFTER A DEADLY HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING IN 2018, LAWMAKERS PASSED A SCHOOL SAFETY ACT IN 2019 THAT WAS INTENDED FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ASSIGN ARMED OFFICERS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL THE SPONSOR OF LEGISLATION THIS YEAR IS HOPING THAT BECOMES A R REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN BRATCHER SAYS HIS HOUSE BILL 63 IS NOT A UNFUNDED MANDATE.

IF A SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN'T AFFORD TO HIRE A POLICE OFFICER, THE STATE SCHOOL SAFETY MARSHAL WOULD HAVE TO AP JEFFERSON COUNTY TEACHER TINA BOJANOWSKY, A ROCHESTER FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY, OBJECTS TO THE BILL.

>> SO I MEAN, IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING FROM PRY POSITION TO HEAR,AL LOCAL CONTROL, LOCAL CONTROL, LOCAL CONTROL, AND THEN FOR A BILL TO BE PRESENTED TO US THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY THAL LOCALLAL CONTROL OF OUR WHO, ACCORDING TO THEIR ATTORNEYS, ARE FOLLOWING THE NATURE OF THE >> Renee: LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER LYNDON PRYOR, WHO IS ALSO THE FATHER OF A FIRST-GRADER, SAID SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS WOULD BE BETTER SERVED WITH PROFESSION WHO CAN TEACH, COUNSEL AND ENGENDER trust TRUST, WHICH HE TESTIFIED IS OFTEN NOT THE CASE WITHAL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OR SROS.

>> MOST TEACHERS WHO HAVE BEEN POLLED NATIONALLY, AS WELL AS STUDENTS, TALK ABOUT FEELINGS OF MISTRUST AND FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE IN SPACES WHERE OFFICERS ARE PRESENT, AND THEY SUPPORT THESE FEELINGS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SROs HAVE A PORTAL IS EXPORT RATE OF ARRESTS FOR NON-VIOLENT BEHAVIOR.

THE AVAILABLE RESEARCH CUSS EVER CONCLUDES THAT THOSE HIGHER RATES ARE BASED ON SROs REPORT CAN LOW LEVEL BEHAVIORS AS CRIME, AND THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS, PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME AND MY DAUGHTER.

SIMPLY PUT, SROs HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO DETRACT FROM HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.

THEY TEND TO HAVE LITTLE TO NO IMPACT ON ACTUALLY REDUCING VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, AND I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT THING TO STRESS SINCE SOMEWHAT OF THE FOUNDATION OF THIS BILL IS LAID ON THIS IDEA OF KEEPING KIDS SAFE.

BUT MANY OF THE MASS SHOOTINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN IN SPACES WHERE SROs WERE STILL PRESENT.

>> Renee: FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND BOONE COUNTY REPUBLICAN ED MASSEY SUPPORTS THE MEASURE AS HIS DISTRICT HAS HAD SUCCESS WITH SCHOOL RESOURC HE HOPES THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL COMMIT TO FUNDING THE SUCHROs AND NOTE JUST LEAVE IT TO THE DISTRICTS TO FIGURE OUT.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO FUND OUR SROs.

I THINK WE NEED AS A STATE TO ACCEPT UP AND FUND THE SROs IN THE SCHOOL AROUND OUR STATE, INCLUDING JEFFERSON COUNTY, BECAUSE A LIFE IS WORTH THAT FUNDING JUST CANDIDLY.

A LIFE IS WORTH THAT FUNDING.

AND OUR SRs ARE MENTORS TO THE STUDENTS.

STUDENTS TRUST THEM.

DID I A RESEARCH PAPER, NOT THAT ANYONE CARES BUT DID I A RESEARCH PAPER WHICH I WAS IN COLLEGE BETWEEN THE ATTITUDES TOWARD POLICE IN BOONE ONTARIAN AS OPPOSED TO COVINGTON AND IN BOONE COUNTY THEY EMBRACED IT SAID, THEY'RE MY FRIEND, I CAN GO TO THEM, I CAN TRUST THEM.

THE IF I NEED HELP WEEK I CAN TRUP RUN TO THEM.

IN COVINGTON THEY SAID, THEY TOOK MY BROTHER AWAY.

THEY CAME INTO APPLY HOUSE AND ARRESTED MID DA, AND THERE WAS THIS HUGE MISTRUST AND FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

WHAT I LEARNED WITH THAT WAS INVALUABLE.

WE NEED TO WORK ON BUILDING TRUST IN OURAL SCHOOLS WITH THESE SECURITY PERSONNEL.

THESE OFFICERS CAN BE PART OF THE TEAM, IF YOU WILL.

WE HAVE INCORPORATED THEM IN THAT WAY IN BOONE COUNTY AND I HOPE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY THEY'LL CONSIDER DOING that >> Renee: HOUSE BILL 63 CLEARED THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE MEMBERSHIP.

FEMALE TRANSGENDER STUDENTS COULD BE BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN K THROUGH 12 GIRLS SPORTS UNDER A BILL THAT'S READY FOR A SENATE FLOOR VOTE.

SENATE BILL 83 WOUL BIOLOGICAL MALES WHO IDENTIFY A FEMALE FROM COMPETING IN GIRLS' PROPONENTS BELIEVE A NEW LAW IS NEEDED TO EVEN THE PLAYING FIEL IN KEEPING BIOLOGICAL BOYS FROM OUTCOMPETING GIRLS.

IN THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE YESTERDAY, THE PANEL FROM LGBTQ ADVOCATES, PARENTS AND TRANSGENDER KIDS WHO SAY THEY JUST WANT A CHANCE TO PLAY AND CONTEND LAWMAKERS ARE CREATING A SOLUTION TO A NON-EXISTENT PROBLEM.

>> THE CURRENT KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION POLICY, WHICH I SENT YOU, THAT IS IN PLACE TODAY DOES NOT ALLOW FOR TRANSGENDER GIRLS TO PARTICIPATE ON HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' SPORTS TEAMS IN KENTUCKY, SO IF YOUR GOAL TODAY IS TO KEEP TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM PLAYING GIRLS' SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL IN KENTUCKY, YOU CAN GO HOME WITHOUT VOTING ON THIS BILL AND YOU'VE STILL ACCOMPLISHED YOUR GOAL.

BUT IF YOU DO PASS THIS BILL, THE PEOPLE THAT YOU WILL HARM ARE OUR YOUNGEST AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE TRANSGENDER KIDS.

MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS WHO DO NOT DESERVE THIS LEVEL OF UNFAIR SCRUTINY AND DEBATE OVER WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH THEIR FRIEND AND BE INCLUDED INIAL SCHOOL LIFE.

>> Renee: BENTON REPUBLICAN DANNY CARROLL, HE SAYS THE ISSUE IS ABOUT COMPETITION AND FAIRNESS FOR HIGH-PERFORMING STUDENT ATHLETES WHO COULD BE BESTED BY BIOLOGICAL BOYS WHO IDENTIFY AS.

>> TO ME BESTING ASK A SEPARATE ISSUE FROM YOUNG CHILDREN BEING ABLE TO PLAY ON WHICHEVER TEAM, AND I DON'T -- I DON'T THINK THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SECONDS AT THOSE YOUNGER AGES IS REY THAT -- SEX AT THOSE YOUNGER AGES IS REALLY THAT IMPORTANT.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE A LOT OF COED LEAGUES.

IT'S ABOUT THE LESSONS YOU LEARN IN THAT SPORT.

IT'S REALLY NOT ABOUT THE DEDICATION TO BE THE VERY BEST ALWAYS.

IT'S JUST PARTICIPATION.

SO IT'S DIFFICULT TO BALANCE THIS, BUT I THINK THERE HAS GOT TO BE A CONSENSUS THAT WE'VE GOT TO BE FAIR TO EVERYONE, AND IF IT'S A FEMALE ATHLETE WHO IS AT THE TOP OF HER SPORT, LET'S SAY WE GET INTO HIGH SCHOOL AND SHE GETS KNOCKED DOWN BY A TRANSGENDERED ATHLETE, THAT'S NOT FAIR, AND NO ONE CAN SAY THAT IS FAIR.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 83 PASSE THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE YESTERDAY ON A PARTY LINE VOTE OF 9 TO THREE.

IT'S NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE FULL SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION LEARNING TO READ IS FUNDAMENTAL TO BEING ABLE TO READ TO LEARN.

EARLY LITERACY EFFORTS ARE MOVING THROUGH THE L ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR TO ENSURE THAT THIRD GRADERS ARE READING AT OR ABOVE THEIR READING LEVELS AT THAT grade HOUSE BILL 226 WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE THIS WEEK SPONSORED BY REPUBLICAN JAMES TIPTON AND DEMOCRAT TINA BOJANOWSKY, IT SETS A COURSE FO EARLY INTERVENTIONS, SCREENINGS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FO EDUCATORS TO TEACH LITERACY.

>> AND YOU MIGHT ASK ME THE QUESTION, WHY EARLY LITERACY?

YOU MAY NOT REALIZE THIS OR NOT, BUT THERE IS STUDENT WHO ARE NOT PROPORTIONATE IN EARLY LITERACY WHEN THEY ENTER THE FOURTH GRADE ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO NOT GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

ONE OF THE MOST DISTURBING CORRELATIONS THAT I'M AWARE OF, THERE IS ACTUALLY A CORRELATION BETWEEN THAT READING PROFICIENCY SCORE AND INCARCERATION.

LET ME REPEAT THAT.

THERE IS A CORRELATION BETWEEN HOW STUDENTS SCORE ON THEIR THIRD GRADE READING PROFICIENCY SCORES AND INCARCERATION.

OUR KENTUCKY PERFORMANCE RATING FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS K-PREP, IN 2015, THE SCORES FOR OUR THIRD GRADE STUDENTS WHO SCORED PROFICIENT OR DISTINGUISHED WAS 54.3%.

BY 2019, WE SAW THAT NUMBER DECLINE TO 52.7%.

OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, 118,000 KENTUCKY STUDENTS HAVE LEFT THIRD GRADE NOT PROFICIENT READERS.

>> THIS BILL ALLOWS TEACHERS TO OPT IN TO PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SO THAT WE HAVE MORE TOOLS IN OUR TOOL KIT TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS LEARN TO READ.

EACH DAY THAT I'M IN THE CLASSROOM, I AM TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO READ.

EVERY STUDENT SHOULD HAVE TEACHERS WHO HAVE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING POSSIBLE.

THIS BILL WOULD APPROPRIATE AND THROUGH KDE, $32 MILLION TO HELPING TEACHERS BE BETTER PREPARED TO TEACH READING.

>> Renee: EVIDENCE-BASED READING INSTRUCTION WOULD EMPHASIZE PHONICS, FLUENCY, VOCABULARY AND COMPREHENSION.

THE HOUSE APPROVED WHAT'S CALLE THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT BY A 86 TO 7 VOTE ON MONDAY.

THE KENTUCKY SENATE APPROVED A COMPANION BILL IN THEIR CHAMBER LAST month LAWMAKERS SAY IT'S THE ISSUE THEY HEAR MOST ABOUT, HOW TO REIN IN THE SKYROCKETING VEHICLE TAXES.

KENTUCKY DRIVERS ARE ON ALERT THAT THEIR ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS WILL SURGE AS HIGH AS 40% THIS YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND ONGOING GLOBAL MICROCHIP SHORTAGE.

BOONE COUNTY REPUBLICAN SAL SANTORO'S HOUSE BILL 6 REQUIRES PROPERTY VALUAT ADMINISTRATORS TAX VEHICLE OWNERS THE SAME AS THEY DID IN .

GENG IN 2023, HOUSE BILL 6 WOULD REQUIRE THE AVERAGE TRADE-IN VALUE TO BE USED AS THE STANDARD VALUE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES INSTEAD OF THE ROUGH OR CLEAN TRADE-IN val KENTUCKIANS COULD RECEIVE A REFUND IF THEY'VE OVERPAID THEI TAXES FOR THIS YEAR.

IT AMOUNTS TO AS MUCH AS $67.7MILLION BEING RETURNED TO TAXPAYERS.

CARTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN PATRI FLANNERY IS THE BILL'S PRIMARY .

>> NO DOUBT THERE HAS BEEN EXTREME MARKET FLUCTUATION WITH THE COST AND THE PRICE OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

TYPICALLY A MOTOR VEHICLE IS A DEPRECIATING ASSET.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF DISTORTION WHERE IT'S BECOMING AN APPRECIATING ASSET, BUT I DO BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO CORRECT THE RECORD.

THERE WAS A MEMO ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IN 2009 THAT IS STILL STANDING TODAY THAT HAS BEEN THROUGH THREE ADMINISTRATIONS THAT HAS REDEFINED OUR EXISTING LAW THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY CONTRIBUTED TO THIS, AND I'M GLAD WE ARE CORRECTING THAT, AND THAT IS THE REASON I'M VOTING AYE ON THIS.

THANK YOU.

>> >> Renee: THE MEASURE ADVANC FROM THE HOUSE MID-WEEK 95 TO Z TODAY THE SENATE PASSED A RESOLUTION DIRECTING GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TO ORDER THE REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO PROTECT KENTUCKY DRIVERS FROM THE PANDEMIC-INFLATED VEHICLE TAXES THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SENT A LETTER TO PVAs AND COUNTY CLERKS LAST MONTH WARNING OF THE UNPRECEDENTED SPIKE IN CAR TAXES TO UP TO 40% OVER LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF NEW INVENTORY RESTRAINTS, LIMITED SUPPLY OF NEW VEHICLES, AND INCREASED DEALER INTEREST IN USED CARS.

JESSAMINE COUNTY REP DONALD DOUGLAS IS THE SPONSOR O SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 99 THAT HE SAYS WILL PROVIDE TAXPAYERS .

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I SUBMIT THAT OUR PUBLIC DOESN'T WISH TO HAVE RELIEF SOON.

OUR PUBLIC WISHES TO HAVE RELIEF NOW.

SINCE THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CHOSEN IN AC, IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US, THE DUEL ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE REPRESENTATIVE BRANCH GOVERNMENT, TO REQUIRE THIS ADMINISTRATION TO DO SO BY THIS JOINT SENATE RESOLUTION, WHICH REALLY CARRIES THE SAME WEIGHT AS LAW.

I SUBMIT THAT WE MUST DO RIGHT BY THOSE WHO ELECTED US TO BE THEIR VOICES IN FRANKFORT.

>> Renee: CARTER COUNTY DEMOCRAT ROBIN WEBB SAYS SHE BELIEVES THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL NEED TO KEEP ITS EYE ON ESCALATING CAR TAXES AS IT'S LIKELY TO BE AN ONGOING CONCERN.

>> WE'RE SEEING ONCE AGAIN WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE A DECLINE IN USED CAR VALUES AND AN INCREASE IN SUPPLY CHAIN.

WE'RE SEEING IT STAGNATE OR WORSE.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE CORPORATE RESPONSE TO THIS ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, NOT JUST DOMESTIC PRODUCERS, BUT WE'VE GOT SOME SERIOUS ISSUES HERE AND IT'S MY CONCERN THAT THE MIDDLE TO LOW INCOME PEEP ARE GOING TO BE THE MOST ADVERSELY IMPACTED.

IT'S NORMAL.

AND WE'VE GOT TO FORMULATE NOT JUST A RESPONSE TO THIS BUT WE'VE GOT TO FORMULATE POLICIES MOVING FORWARD TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 40 YEARS, INFLATION IS NOW OVER 7.5%.

FOR A POINT OF COMPARISON, PRIOR TO THE START OF COVID, INFLAYING WAS CLIPPING ABOUT 1.8%.

AND WE VIEWED THAT AS A GROWTH TIME IN OUR ECONOMY.

THE MOST PROBLEMATIC THING IS THE DRIVING FACTORS BEHIND INFLATION RIGHT NOW IS IDENTIFIED BY THE LABOR DEPARTMENT, ARE FOOD, VEHICLES, SHELTER, AND ELECTRICITY.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE BEING A CATEGORY THAT HITS THE POCKETBOOK OF EVERYDAY KENTUCKIANS.

AND SO I WOULD PROPOSE, MR. PRESIDENT, THAT WHILE THIS IS A GREAT RESOLUTION, THIS IS JUST A FIRST STEP.

>> THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NOR THE GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COUNTRY'S INFLATION.

AND, IN FACT, WHILE WE ARE DIRECTING THE GOVERNOR TO ACT, THERE IS AN ARGUE THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T HAVE THIS AUTHORITY TO ACT.

UNTIL WE ARE GIVING THIS DIRECTION.

THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT ENACT TAX RATES.

THAT IS DONE BY THE LEGISLATURE.

WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT THE GOVERNOR KNOWS, THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN ALLOW THIS BREAK DURING THIS UNUSUAL time >> Renee: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 99 CLEARED THE SENATE TODAY 34 TO ZERO.

THAT'S ALL FOR WEEK SI OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

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WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN MONDAY NIGHT AT 11:30 EASTERN, 2:30 CENTRAL TIME HALF AN HOUR LATER ON MONDAY UNITED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT SUPER BOWL WEEKEND.

WHO DEY!

AND I'LL SEE YOU MONDAY NIGHT.