THE ROAD BETWEEN THE KENTUCKY STATE CAPITOL AND THE ANNEX.

MORE POTENTIAL CHANGES TO HOW DEFICIENT REGULATIONS ARE HANDL AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR COMMENTS ON LEGISLATION MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, ALL ON DAY 272022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR ses GOOD EVENING.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPD I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

LATE LAST YEAR GOVERNOR Andy BESHEAR ANNOUNCED THE STATE WOULD CLOSE THE ROAD BETWEEN TH STATE CAPITOL AND THE CAPITOL A THE CHANGES WERE MADE AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AND THE SECRET SERVICE, AND AFTER ARMED PROTESTORS HUNG THE GOVERNOR IN EFFIGY OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL BUIL.

THE CLOSURE MEANT PEOPLE COULD LONGER DRIVE A 52 CIRCUMSTANCE AROUND THE CAPITOL BUILDING, AN SOME LEGISLATORS SAY THEIR CONSTITUENTS DON'T LIKE THE CHA SENATE BILL 98 OPENS THE DRIVE BACK UP.

FORMER U.S.

MARSHAL JO SCHICKEL READ A LETTER HE SENT THE GOVERNOR ABOUT HIS DISAGREEMENT ON THE ROAD CLOSURE.

>> DURING MY PAST 12 YEARS SERVING AT THE LEGISLATURES I OFTEN HEY FROM CONSTITUENTS HOW MUCH THEY ENJOY VISITING OUR STATE CAPITOL.

ONE OF THE REASONS THEY ENJOY IT SO MUCH IS BECAUSE OF THE EASY ACCESS OF THEIR VISITS COMPARED TOWER NATION'S CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON, DC.

SENIORS FROM MY DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY ENJOY VISITING OUR CAPITOL IN THE SPRINGTIME WHEN THEY CAN DRIVE AROUND THE CAPITOL AND SEE THE GORGEOUS TULIPS, THE CLOCK, THE ROSE GARDEN WITHOUT EVEN GETTING OUT OF THEIR CAR.

IN THE WINTERTIME THEY ENJOY THE THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS THAT ADORN THE CAPITOL, THE ANNEX, AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

CLOSING THIS ROAD WOULD SEVERELY LIMIT THIS EXPERIENCE FOR THEM.

OFTEN CITIZENS EXPRESS -- OFTEN CITIZENS EXPRESSING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FORM CARAVANS, WHETHER IT BE BEER TRUCKS WITH LOUT SPEAKERS, MILK TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES OR VEHICLES ADORNED WITH STEINS AND LOUD SPEAKERS.

PERSONALLY, AS A STATE SENATOR, I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED THIS EXPERIENCE INTERACTING WITH CONSTITUENTS WHO AGREE AND DISAGREE WITH ME.

ENDING THIS FUN KENTUCKY APPLICABLE TRADITION WOULD ALSO BE A MISTAKE.

>> Casey: SCHICKEL WENT ON TO SAY THE GOVERNOR RESPONDED TO HISSES LETTER AND THAT HE RESPECTS THE RECOMMENDATION OF LAW enforcement HE SAYS THE SECURITY CONCERNS CAN BE ADDRESSED WITHOUT THE ROAD CLOS FRANKFORT'S SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH SAYS LOCALS WERE UNHAPPY WITH THE CHANGE.

SHE CALLED THE ROAD SEPARATING THE CAPITOL AND ANNEXATION A COMMUNITY ROAD THAT SHOULD REMAIN OPEN.

>> AND MY CONSTITUENTS STARTED REACH OUT VERY QUICKLY, AND I OVERWHELMINGLY HEARD, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GET THAT ROAD BACK OPEN FOR ALL KIND OF REASONS.

AND IN OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY STRONGLY IN SUPPORT OF OPENING THIS ROAD.

IT'S NOT JUST A STATE CAPITOL ROAD.

IT'S A FRANKFORT RESIDENCE ROAD AS WELL, AND IT MEANS A LOT TO A LOT OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY memb >> Casey: DEMOCRATS OVERWHELMINGLY BACKED THE GOVERNOR'S CHANGE.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY AND SENATE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR REGGIE THOMAS BOTH SAY THE MULTIPLE RECOMMENDATION ON THE NEW SECURITY MEASURES SHOULD BE TRUSTED.

AND MCGARVEY USED TODAY'S VIOLENCE AT A CAMPAIGN OFFICE IN LOUISVILLE AS AN EXAMPLE WHY.

>> THIS IS BEING CLOSED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AND THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE.

TO ENHANCE SECURITY FOR EVERYONE.

LAWMAKERS, STAFF,, VISITORS, TO ENHANCE SECURITY FOR EVERYONE.

TODAY THAT'S MORE THAN A THEORETICAL CONCERN FOR ME ON THIS.

MY GOOD FRIEND OF NEARLY 20 YEARS, CRAIG GREENBURGH, IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE.

A GUNMAN WALKED INTO HIS CAMPAIGN OFFICE, OPENED THE DOOR TIE CONFERENCE ROOM WHERE FIVE OF THEM WERE SITTING AND OPENED FIRE, FIRING SIX SHOTS AT THE FIVE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE ROOM.

IT IS A MIRACLE THAT THEY'RE ALIVE.

UNFORTUNATELY, IN THE BEAUTY OF THIS PLACE, BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

AND WHEN THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY BECOMES THE UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE SAY THAT IT KEEPS EVERYONE SAFE BY CLOSING OFF ABOUT A 50-YARD STRETCH OF ROAD, I THINK WE SHOULD LISTEN.

BECAUSE I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OPENING IT UPPER WHEN SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS.

>> A SECURITY STUDY DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, WITH THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AND THE UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE, ALL THREE HIGHLY RESPECTED, EMINENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY AGENCIES, AND ALL THREE OF THEM UNANIMOUSLY CAME TO THE DECISION THAT THAT ROAD OUGHT TO BE CLOSED, AND THEY DID IT NOT BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR SUGGESTED IT, BUT THEY SAY IN THE LETTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE CAPITOL BUILDING AND IN THE ANNEXATION AND ASSOCIATED WITH THESE GROUNDS.

SO THIS IS A ISSUE, MR. PRESIDENT, THAT AFFECTS EVERYBODY IN THIS BUILDING AND IN THE BUILDING WHERE OFFICES ARE LOCATED, AND IT SEEMS TO ME IF THOSE THREE EMINENT SECURITY AGENCIES HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THAT AVENUE OUGHT TO BE CLOSED, THEN I WOULD DEFER TO THEM.

>> Casey: BENTON SENATOR DANNY CARROLL SAYS THE MEASURE IS JUST MANY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE MADE TO IMPROVE CAPITOL SECURIT SENATE BILL 98 WOULD ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CLOSE THE ROAD TEMPORARILY TO IMPROVE SECURITY.

>> THE CLOSURE OF THE ROAD WAS ONE OF MANY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAD BEEN MADE, AND THERE ARE A PLETHORA OF ISSUES RELATED TO SECURITY ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

IN THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, AND I HAVE COSPONSORED THIS, THERE IS A NEED TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE THE ROAD FROM TIME TO TIME TIME, BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS NEEDS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS AS FAR AS SECURITY.

FOR THE SEVEN YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN THIS SEAT, MYSELF, MEMBERS OF THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE HAVE MADE REPEATED EFFORTS TO WORK UP THE LADDER THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO GET SOME SORT OF BODY ESTABLISHED TO MAKE SECURITY DECISIONS FOR THE ANNEX AND FOR THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.

>> Casey: LOUISVILLE SENATOR KAREN BERG VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE SENATE BILL 98 WHEN IT WAS HEARD IN COMMITTEE.

SHE CHANGED HER VOTE ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY, SAYING EVEN THOUGH SHE ISN'T SCARED, THAT PEOPLE SHOULD LISTEN IS TO THE EXPERTS.

>> AND IN THIS SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE EXPERTS, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE AFRAID.

I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.

I WILL NOT BE SCARED, AND NOBODY WILL SCARE ME.

BUT WHEN WE HAVE EXPERTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OUR STATE GOVERNMENT TELLING US, THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO, PART OF ME, PART OF MY DECISION IS THAT MEANS I'M ACTIVE, AS IF EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON ME.

I'M STILL PRAYING.

I STILL BELIEVE IN GOD.

I STILL TRUST IN GOD.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND US.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 98 PASSED 24 TO 8.

REPUBLICANS DAVID GIVENS AND MIKE NEMES BROKE PARTY LINES TO VOTE AGAINST IT, AND DEMOCRAT ROBIN WEBB BROKE WITH HER PARTY IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

SENATE BILL 98 NOW MOVES OVER TO THE HOUSE.

IN THE HOUSE, A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE MORE POWER TO FIND ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS DEFI HOUSE BILL 337 IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE DAVID HALE OF WE UNDER THE BILL, ANY REGULATION FOUND TO BE DEFICIENT WOULD BE REPORTED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE GOVERNOR.

THE FORM WOULD THEN HAVE 20 DAYS TO UPHOLD OR OVERRULE THERS, de EFFICIENCY finding REPRESENTATIVE HALE EXPLAINED HIS REASONING FOR FILING THIS B.

>> WHEN A REGULATION IS DEEMED DEFICIENT BY EITHER A STANDING COMMITTEE OR THE REGULATION COMMITTEE, WHAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING IS THAT OUR PRESENT GOVERNOR HAS BEEN ACTING AS THOUGH THAT THOSE REGULATIONS HAVE NO BEARING AND HAS REFUSED TO EVEN MEET AND TALK ABOUT THOSE AND HAS ALLOWED DEFICIENT REGULATIONS TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT ANY QUESTION AS THOUGH THE LEGISLATIVE BODY HERE DOESN'T EXIST.

BUT WE DO EXIST.

WE ARE THE PEOPLE'S VOICE.

AND I FEEL LIKE THAT WHEN THERE ARE REGULATIONS THAT ARE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COMMITTEES OF THIS BODY AND THEY ARE FOUND DEFICIENT, THEN THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME -- THERE NEEDS TO BE LOOKING AT THOSE DEFICIENCIES AS TO WHAT THOSE COMMITTEES FOUND DEFICIENT ABOUT THOSE regulatio >> Casey: DEMOCRATS ARGUED THE BILL WOULD GIVE THE LEGISLATURE VETO POWER OVER ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS, SINCE REGULATIONS COULD GO DEFICIENT DURING THE INTERIM, WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NO IN SESSION.

REPRESENTATIVE BUDDY WHEATLEY OF COVINGTON WENT A STEP FURTHER, CALLING THE BILL .

>> SO NOW WHEN WE PASS, WHEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION IS PASSED AND WE FINE IT AS A COMMITTEE, THAT IT'S NOT -- THAT IT'S DEFICIENT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL NOW HAVE THE FINAL SAY.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT THE ULTIMATE EXECUTOR OF THE STATE LAWS IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

IT'S THE GOVERNOR.

THIS LAW, AS IT IS, WILL BE FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

IT IS A SEPARATION OF POWERS ISSUE, AND WE CANNOT GIVE OURSELVES THE POWER, AS WE DO WHEN WE FIND AN ADMINISTRATIVE REGULAR DEFICIENT, WE WILL BE GIVING OURSELVES VETO POWER OVER THESE ADMINISTRATIVE REGS AND THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND FOR THAT REASON, MR. SPEAKER, I WILL OPPOSE THIS BILL.

>> Casey: HOUSE MINORITY WHIP ANGIE HATTONCH WHITESBURG ALSO SAID SHE'S WORRIED THE BILL ISN'T legal ALTHOUGH SHE DID AP REPRESENTATIVE HALE FOR ADDING AN AMENDMENT RELATING TO CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES.

STILL, SHE EXPLAINED WHY SHE VOTED NO.

>> I VOTED NO TODAY, AND AS MUCH AS I LIKE AND RESPECT THE SPONSOR AND BELIEVE IN THE GOOD INTENTIONS OF THIS BILL, I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

IT'S CONSIDERABLY BETTER WITH HOUSE FLOOR 2 WHICH TOOKS OUT THAT SECTION 8 WHEN PROHIBITED ANYONE FROM FILING SUIT TO DELIVE DOPPLER RADAR IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND THANK GOODNESS THAT PART WAS TAKEN OUT, BUT REGARDLESS IT'S AN ATTEMPT TO GO AROUND THE LEGISLATIVE VETO THAT WAS OVERRULED BY BOTH OR THROWN OUT BY BOTH THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND GIVE THAT VETO POWER TO LESS AUTHORITATIVE MEMBERS OF STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS RATHER THAN THE GOVERNOR.

I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL, AND HOWEVER WELL INTENTIONED, IT IS IS NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE VOTING FOR.

>> Casey: THE BILL PASSED 68 TO 23 ON A PARTY-LINE VOTE.

IT'S NOW IN THE SENATE WAITING TO BE ASSIGNED TO A COMMITTEE.

ANOTHER BILL THAT GARNERED SOME DEBATE IS HOUSE BILL 282.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVE RILEY OF GLASGOW SAYS IT WOULD REQUIRE HEALTH CARE SERVICE AGENCIES TO REGISTER WITH THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JONI JENKINS SAYS SOME IN THE CABINE HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE .

>> THE CABINET HAS REACHED OUT TO SOME MEMBERS AND SAID THAT THIS BILL WOULD SET UP A CONFLICT WITHIN THEIR ANGST BY BEING THE LICENSURE AS WELL AS THE PERSON HOLDINGS ENTITIES ACCOUNTABLE.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM BARREN.

>> NO, MA'AM WEEK I CANNOT EXPLAIN THAT.

I CAN JUST SAY THAT THIS IS DESIGNED TO SET UP SO THAT THEY HAVE TO REGISTER WITH THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.

I THINK THAT THE INTENTIONS OF THIS IS WE DON'T WANT THESE STAFF AGENCIES OR ROGUE AND CREATING PROBLEMS FOR THIS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STAFF AGENCIES OR SENATE PEOPLE ARE FULLY TRAINED AND ARE ABLE TO GIVE APPROPRIATE CARE TO OUR ELDERLY.

>> LADY FROM JEFFERSON 44.

>> MAY I SPEAK ON THE BILL, PLEASE.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK THERE ARE VERY GOOD INTENTIONS AROUND THIS BILL, BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE OTHER AGENCIES WITHIN STATE GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD BE BETTER TO BE REGULATED LIKE THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CABINET, AND FOR THIS REASON I'M GOING TO BE A NO ON THIS VOTE.

THANK YOU.

>> CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM McCRACKEN FOR DISCUSSION ON THE MATTER.

>> MR. SPEAKER, WOULD THE GENTLEMEN YIELD THE A QUESTION.

>> HE WILL YIELD.

>> GENTLEMAN, THE LADY FROM JEFFERSON 44 RAISED AN ISSUE THAT THE CABINET MAY HAVE HAD WITH THIS BILL.

GENTLEMAN, DID THE CABINET REACH OUT TO YOU?

>> GENTLEMAN FROM BARREN.

>> NO, THEY DID NOT.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM McCRACKEN.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT'S ALL, Mr. Speaker >> Casey: THE BILL PASSED 70 TO 20 AND IS NOW HEADED TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

HOW PUBLIC AGENCIES CONDUCT MEETINGS COULD CHANGE UNDER HOUSE BILL 453.

BILL SPONSOR JONATHAN DIXON WANTS TO REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC AGENCIES TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING WHERE MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA OR PUBLIC MAY VIEW MEETINGS ELECTR DIXON SAYS THE BILL WILL PROTEC PUBLIC RESOURCES AND MAINTAIN T. >> HOUSE BILL 5 -- 453 PROVIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THE THE SAME PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDS AS TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

OF COURSE, ANY CONTRACT THAT OR APPROVED REMAINS SUBJECT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT TO ENSURE TREASON.

THE MEASURE ALSO ALLOWS A CLOSED SESSION WHEN GOVERNING BODY CONDUCTS THE CITY MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, 19 CITIES OPERATE UNDER A CITY MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

THESE CLOSED SESSIONS FOR EVALUATIONS ONLY HAPPEN TWICE A YEAR, AND PUBLIC AGENCIES MUST FOLLOW KRS 61815 IN CONDUCTING THESE CLOSED sessions >> Casey: THE BILL HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE KENTUCKY PRESS ASSOCIATION AND THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES.

IT PASSED FAVORABLY BY A VOTE OF 77 TO 13 AND IS NOW HEADED TO THE SENATE DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR WAS ASKED ABOUT SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 80, THE MEASURE THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE TO RECOGNIZE POSITIVE COVID-19 ANTIBODY TEST AS EQUIVALENT TO COVID-19 VACCI THE RESOLUTION'S SPONSOR, WINCHESTER SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO, SAYS THERE IS SCIENCE TO BACK UP HIS MEASURE.

THE GOVERNOR DISAGREED.

>> IT'S POLITICS AND NOT SCIENCE, AND THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SHOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE THE BEST SCIENTIFIC ADVICE WITHOUT THEIR ADVICE BEING LEGISLATED.

THEY COULD LEGISLATE A DIFFERENT FORMULA FOR GRAVITY BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT, AND IT CERTAINLY MAKES IT anti-science >> Casey: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 80 PASSED THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

IT IS NOW LISTED ON THE SENATE'S ORDERS OF THE DAY.

AND NOW FOR A LOOK BACK AT SOME BILLS THAT PASSED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY EARLIER THIS SESSION.

A BILL ADDRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT PENSION SPIKING DURING A LOCALLY-DECLARED EMERGENCY CLEARED THE HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MILLER, WH CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE, SPONSORED THE BILL, WHICH HE SAYS CAME ABOUT IN RESPONSE TO THE PROTESTS IN LOUISVILLE FOLLOWIN THE KILLING OF BREONNA TAYLOR.

HE SAYS LOUISVILLE MAYOR GREG FISCHER DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, LEADING LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE OFFICERS TO WORK A LARGE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME.

HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER STATE LAW, PENSION SPIKING IS ALLOWED IN AN EMERGENCY ONLY IF THE EMERGENCY IS DECLARED BY PRESIDENT OR THE GOVERNOR, NOT LOCAL OFFICIAL.

MILLER SAYS THAT PENALIZED THE LMPD OFFICERS WHO WERE FORCED TO WORK OVERTIME DURING THE CIVIL UNREST.

>> THE SPIRIT OF ORGANIZING SPIKING PROVISIONS WERE TO GET AT BENEFICIARIES WHO WERE VOLUNTARILY TAKING ACTIONS TO BOOST THEIR RETIREMENT.

MANDATORY OVERTIME SHOULD NOT BE CAUGHT IN THAT NET.

SO THIS BILL DOES FOUR THINGS.

ON PAGE 3, SECTION 14E2, CREATES AN EXEMPTION FOR MANDATORY OVERTIME HOURS WORKED ABOVE 100 PER FISCAL YEAR.

THAT'S ESSENTIALLY EIGHT-HOUR SHIFT ONCE A MONTH.

SO ONCE YOU GO OVER THAT, YOU WOULD LIKELY BE TOUCHING ON 100 HOURS.

PAGE 4, IT ADDS, THE GOVERNOR MOBILIZING THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD AS AN EXEMPTION REGARDLESS OF HE OR SHE DECLARES A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

PAGE 5 MAKES RETROACTIVE TO MAY 28, 2020, WHICH IS THE DATE THAT THE GOVERNOR SENT IN THE NATIONAL GUARD TO LOUISVILLE, AND THE MANDATORY OVERTIME WAS ENDED ON MAY 11, 2021, BY LMPD CHIEF.

WHICH IS WHY ON PAGE 5, SECTION 2, THIS IS RETROACTIVE TO A PERIOD.

AND THEN PAGE 6 DECLARES AN EMERGENCY BECAUSE A NUMBER OF THESE ARE OFFICERS HAVE RETIRED.

>> Casey: REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD HEATH, WHOSE HOME CITY OF MAYFIELD WAS DEVASTATED BY THE DECEMBER TORNADOES, PRAISED THE BILL.

HE SAYS IT WILL ALSO FIRST RESPONDERS WHO HELPED WIT RELIEF EFFORTS.

>> WE EXPERIENCED SOME OF THE SAME WITH THE TORNADO IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

OUR LOCAL SHERIFFS, CITY POLICE, THE FIREMEN, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE ALL MANDATORY OVERTIME, AND THEY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS BRINGING THIS BECAUSE IT WILL COVER THEM TOO.

>> Casey: REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES SAYS PENSION SPIKING AND MANDATORY OVERTIME AREN'T THE ONLY ISSUES THIS BILL HIGHLIGHTS.

HE SAYS IT ALSO SHOWS THERE ARE TOO FEW POLICE OFFICERS IN THE STATE.

>> WE NEED MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

THERE IS IN LOUISVILLE A CRIME SPIKE RIGHT NOW.

IT'S VIOLENT.

THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF MURDERS, MORE MURDERS LAST YEAR THAN WE'VE EVER HAD.

OVER 100 KIDS IN JCPS WERE SHOT LAST YEAR.

TWO DOZEN SHOT AND KILLED.

ROBBERIES THROUGH THE ROOF.

CARJACKINGS THROUGH THE ROOF.

WE HAVE A CRIME SPIKE GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF POLICE OFFICERS.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH.

SO I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

WANT TO THANK YOU BUT ALSO TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE NEED MORE POLICE OFFICERS ON STREETS TO KEEP OUR PEOPLE AND OUR PUBLIC >> Casey: THE BILL IS UP FOR THE CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ALSO TOOK UP A RESOLUTION LAST WEEK THAT WOULD HAVE THE KENTUCKY STATE HOUSE RECOGNITION CAN HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS EVERY month.

UNDER THE RESOLUTION, A PORTION OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, TH CONSTITUTION, THE KENTUCKY CONSTITUTION, AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED AND CELEBRATED BY THE HOUSE EACH mo REPRESENTATIVE DERRICK GRAHAM SAYS BEING A FORMER EDUCATOR IS ONE OF THE REASONS HE SUPPORTS THE RESOLUTION.

>> AS A FORMER SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AND A HISTORY TEACHER, I WELCOME THIS OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THE MORE WE TALK ABOUT IT, THE MORE PEOPLE BECOME EDUCATED ABOUT WHAT THE CONSTITUTION REALLY IS ALL ABOUT.

SO THANK YOU.

>> Casey: HOUSE RESOLUTION 27 IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE BRANDON REED.

THE COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION, MOVING IT TO THE HO IN KENTUCKY, CANDIDATES FOR SHERIFF AND JAILER RUN AS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

HOUSE BILL 168 WOULD CHANGE THAT.

IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE .

JIM DuPLESSIS.

HE SPOKE LAST THURSDAY TO THE HOUSE ELECTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS commi DUPLESSIS SAYS SHERIFF, JAILER, AND SOME OTHER OFFICIAL ARE NOT POLICY-MAKING POSITIONS AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE PARTISAN.

>> IF WE THINK ABOUT THE HYPER PARTISANSHIP THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COUNTRY RIGHT NOW, IT SURELY IS AS BAD AS IT'S EVER BREYNN, AND IT'S SOMETHING I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD AGREE IT'S NOT HEALTHY TO HAVE.

NOW, WHEN WE'RE TALKING POLICY, POLICYMAKERS, WHICH ALL OF US ARE, I THINK THE PEOPLE VOTING FOR US NEED TO KNOW WHERE WE STAND ON POLICY AND WHAT PARTY WE ALIGN WITH BECAUSE THAT HELPS THEM TO MAKE AN INFORMED VOTE.

BUT WHEN I THINK OF THE PERSON WHO CAN ARREST YOU, THE SHERIFF, WHO CAN PROSECUTE YOU, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, WHO CAN JAIL YOU, THE JARELL, THOSE OFFICES ARE IN NO -- JAILER, THOSE OFFICES ARE IN NO WAY PARTISAN OFFICES.

THEY DON'T MAKE POLICY.

AND I, MR. CHAIRMAN, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE THOSE OFFICES, JUST LIKE THE JUDGE HA THEY SUPPORT, THE JUDGE THAT WOULD ADJUDICATE THOSE CASES WHO IS NON-PARTISAN, I THINK THOSE OFFICES, TOO, SHOULD BE NON-PARTISAN.

IN AN EFFORT TO HELP REDUCE THE HYPER PARTISANSHIP, THANK YOU THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANY INSTANCE, AND I'M NOTE DOING THIS BECAUSE MY SHERIFF HAS GONE AGAINST SOMEBODY BECAUSE OF THEIR PARTY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BEAUT WE ALL KNOW THAT FAVORS HAPPEN WHEN THEY PROBABLY SHOULDN'T MAYBE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S -- I CAN'T TELL YOU A TIME IT DID, BUT WE KNOW THAT IT CAN HAPPEN, RIGHT?

SO THIS BILL SIMPLY SAYS THAT THE PERSON WHO CAN ARREST YOU, THE PERSON WHO CAN JAIL YOU, THE COUNTY CLERK WHO PROCESSES PAPERS FOR OUR CARS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, SHE'S NOT MAKING OR HE'S NO MAKING POLICY.

THE CIRCUMSTANCE COURT CLERK WHO IS PROCESSING ALL THIS STUFF, AGAIN, THOSE ARE SERVANTS, NOT >> Casey: THE COMMITTEE DID NOT VOTE ON THE BILL.

IT WAS UP FOR DISCUSSION ONLY.

ON LAST WEEK'S "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" GUESTS JOINED KET'S RENEE SHAW TO DISCUSS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LEGISLATION UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBL LOUISVILLE SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS DISCUSSED HER SENATE BILL 8 WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR EARLIER INTERVENTION IN POTENTIAL CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES.

>> WE CAN'T WAIT AROUND ANY LONGER.

IT IS ALL HAND ON DECK AND WE HAVE GOT TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE, AND IT'S NOT JUST A POLICY ISSUE.

FOR ME THIS IS A VALUES-BASED ISSUE.

AS A STATE, WE NEED TO PLACE AN EMPHASIS ON REALLY GETTING THIS CHILD WELFARE CORRECT.

BECAUSE IT GOES TO OUR CORE VALUES.

>> IS IT ABOUT MORE MONEY INTO THE SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEM AND HIRING MORE SOCIAL WORKERS AND PAYING THEM BETTER?

>> THERE IS -- THERE IS NO WAY THAT YOU CAN GET AROUND THE FINANCIAL COMPONENT TO THIS.

AND, YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS SAY ABUSED AND NEGLECTED KIDS DON'T COME UP TO FRANKFORT TO LOBBY FOR MONEY, AND IT'S SO FRUSTRATING BECAUSE IT'S LIKE THE FIRST PLACES THAT WE FIND TO CUT ARE HUMAN SERVICES, AND THAT REALLY SHOULD BE THE LAST PLACE THAT WE CUT.

THAT'S WHERE OUR INVESTMENT IS AND OUR FUTURE, ARE IN THOSE BUDGETS.

AND SO IT'S GOING FIECK A REAL COMMITMENT, AND I THINK THAT FINALLY OUR NUMBERS ARE SO DISMAL THAT I JUST DO NOT THINK THAT ANYONE CAN IGNORE THAT WE NOT ONLY HAVE A POLICY IMPORTANCE TO TAKE CARE OF BUT WE ALSO HAVE A FINANCIAL COMPONENT TO TAKE CARE OF.

>> AND DOES SENATE BILL 8 PROVIDE THAT SANITIZABLE FINANCIAL COMPONENT AND INVESTMENT?

>> WELL, IN SENATE BILL 8 WHAT WE SPEAK TO IN PARTICULAR IS RAISING THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES, THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN TOUCHED IN OVER 20 YEARS FOR COST OF ACTUAL CARE.

AND THAT'S SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A SUSPECTED ABUSER, NEGLECT OR SEXUAL ABUSE, AND THEY GO TO A CHILD ADVOCATES CENTER, THOSE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS ARE SPENDING THOSE PRIVATE DOLLARS THAT THEY'RE RAISING TO TAKE CARE OF THAT FORENSIC EXAM FOR THAT CHILD.

THAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

WE SHOULD RAISE THOSE REIMBURSEMENT RATES.

WE SHOULD CUT OUR ACTUAL COST OF CARE.

WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ACCESS FOR ALL OF KENTUCKY KIDS IN THESE ADVOCACY CENTERS.

SO THAT'S ONE PIECE OF IT.

>> AND PREVENTION IS A BIG PART?

>> I MEAN, WE HAVE INCREDIBLE PREVENTION PARTNERS ACROSS THIS COMMONWEALTH.

INCREDIBLE.

AND WE'VE GOT TO ENGAGE THEM MORE IN THE THINGS THAT THEY DO BEST.

THE SECRETARY TALKED ABOUT THE DCBS AND THE SOCIAL WORKER ASPECT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN THAT PART OF THE BUDGET, BUT I APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR AND I APPLAUD IF SECRETARY TO REALLY FOCUS ON THAT.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE MONEY.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE COMMITMENT.

>> SO I WANT TO GO TO LEADER JENKINS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US BECAUSE THIS HAS ABOUT AN AN ISSUE THAT YOU'VE DEALT WITH FOR A LONG TIME AND YOU'VE ABOUT AN A PART OF FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION TASK FORCES AND COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS, SO WHEN YOU HEAR THIS EDUCATES CHILD FATALITY, NEAR FATALITY REPORT AND YOU LOOK A SENATE BILL 8, DO YOU THINK FINALLY KENTUCKY IS ABOUT TO GET IT RIGHT?

>> I REALLY THINK THE WORK IN SENATE BILL 8 IS EXTRAORDINARY, AND I THINKITES IT SETS US ON THE RIGHT PATH, BUT YEAR AFTER YEAR THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO BE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE IT'S FUNDING, AND THAT'S JUNE THING, WE SEE A PROBLEM, WE TRY TOO FIX IT, AND THEN IT GOES OFF THE SHELF AND SOMETHING ELSE COMES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT FUTURE LEGISLATORS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE FOCUSED ON.

SOME OF THE PARTS OF THIS THAT I REALLY LIKE ARE THE YOUTH VOICES IN IT.

YOU HAVE TO TALK TO KIDS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE SYSTEM TO LEARN SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY'RE SOMETHING HAVING.

I SHARED WITH THEM TODAY A STORY THAT ALWAYS STICKS WITH ME.

I WAS TALKING TO A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS AGING OUT, AND SHE SAID, MY MOM THE ADDICTION PROBLEMS AND MY GRANDMA WAS RAISING ME.

GRANDMA DIDN'T HAVE MUCH MONEY, THE HOUSE WASN'T CLEAN, BUT THE STATE TOOK ME FROM A HOUSE WHERE SOMEBODY LOVED ME AND PUT ME INTO A HOUSE WHERE SOMEBODY DIDN'T LOVE ME.

SO WHAT SORT OF DIFFERENCES COULD HAVE BEEN MADE IN THAT YOUNG WOMAN'S LIFE IF WE HAD HELPED GRANDMA WELL RESOURCES?

SO I THINK LISTENING TO THOSE KIND OF ISSUES, THERE ARE SOMETIMES WHEN KIDS HAVE TO BE REMOVED FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY, BUT LET'S MAKE THAT AS RARE AS >> Casey: SENATE BILL 8 PASSED THE SENATE IN EARLY FEBRUARY AND IS AWAITING ACTION BY THE HOUSE.

THAT EVER THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 27 OF THE 2022 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME FOR "LE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-80 YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHON OR TABLET.

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.