[♪♪] >> Renee: A BUSY WEEK AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AN ANTI-D.E.I.

MEASURE REVIVED, LAWMAKERS CONSIDER WHAT EBT RESIP YEPTDS CAN BUY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR MAKES A MOVE TO COVER THE PROJECTED $40 MILLION SHORTFALL IN MONEY FOR SCHOOLS.

A BILL TO LOWER THE AGE FOR A DRIVER'S PERMIT IN KENTUCKY ADVANCES IN WASHINGTON SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL VOTES AGAINST TWO OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S KEY APPOINTEES AS POTENTIAL CANDIDATES MAKE MOVES IN CASE McCONNELL DOESN'T RUN AGAIN.

FLOODING CONCERNS THIS VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] >> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT WE COAL COME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE MONICA HARKINS, ANCHOR AND REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

MCKENNA HORSLEY, POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, THE LATEST ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO FOSTER CHILDREN SLEEPING IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AS THEY AWAIT PLACEMENT.

STRONG REVENUE ROLLS INTO FRANKFORT TO START THE YEAR.

THE TOPICS WERE MANY AND VARIED IN FRANKFORT THIS WEEK.

THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAD SAID THAT SCHOOLS MAY HAVE TO ABSORB A $40 MILLION SHORTFALL IN FUNDING THAT IS THE SEEK MONEY.

THURSDAY, GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED HE CAN SHIFT SOME MONEY AROUND AND COVER SOME OF THAT.

SO, McKENNA, WE HEARD ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL SHORTFALL AND YOU WERE REPORTING ON THAT.

AND NOW THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER SAYS THAT HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO A DETAILED REVIEW AND HE APPEARED WITH BESHEAR THURSDAY FOR THE TEAM KENTUCKY NEWS CONFERENCE.

>> RIGHT.

SO UNDER THE MOST RECENT BUDGET LEGISLATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION CAN REQUEST THE GOVERNOR TO APPROVE AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDING ANY BUDGET SHORTFALL THAT IS STATUTORILY REQUIRED.

THAT IS WHAT THIS $14.7 MILLION OF THIS $40 SHORTFALL.

AND THIS WAS THE MOST THAT BESHEAR COULD DO UNDER THAT LEGISLATION.

SO THE REMAINING FUNDS ARE TO BE DETERMINED WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.

FLETCHER DID SAY HE IS MEETING WITH CONTINUING TO MEET IN THE FUTURE WITH LAWMAKERS AND WITH KED TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THAT.

>> Bill: LOCAL SCHOOLS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS, THE SEEK FORMULA IS COMPLEX FORMULA THAT FEW PEOPLE PRETEND TO UNDERSTAND.

BUT DOES IT GET ATTENTION WHEN IT MEANS THAT LOCAL SCHOOLS MAY RECEIVE LESS MONEY?

>> IT DOES.

PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY PAY ATTENTION TO STATE BUDGET MATTERS IN FRANKFORT BUT SOME OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS VERY WISELY BROKE IT DOWN ON THE LOCAL LEVEL AND HERE IN FAYETTE COUNTY WHERE I AM A SCHOOL PARENT, THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID LOOK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CHOP BETWEEN 620,000 AND 740,000 DOLLARS OUT OF THE SCHOOL BUDGET.

AND WE PARENTS UNDERSTAND WAIT A MINUTE THAT IS TEACHER AND STAFF SALARY AND PROGRAMS FOR MY KIDS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THE MONEY ISN'T GOING TO COME FORWARD.

>> Bill: SO IT'S ATTENTION GETTING.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS HE WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

BRIGITTE FROM THE PRITCHARD COMMITTEE SAID IF THAT HAPPENS, THE HOPE IS THAT FEDERAL MONEY WILL STILL COME TO THE STATE.

>> WHAT WE UNDERSTAND IS IF THERE WOULD BE NO MORE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKELY RESPOND TO STATES THROUGH A BLOCK GRANT THAT WOULD PROVIDE FUNDING TO STATES, SIMILAR TO THE WAY CHILDCARE IS HANDLED NOW.

THEY ARE ALWAYS TRADE OFFS IN ANY POLICY RESPONSE.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO COGNIZANT WHAT THE TRADE-OFFS MIGHT BE AND ENSURE THAT THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS POSITIONED TO DIRECT THOSE MONIES WHERE THEY ARE MOST NEEDED.

>> Bill: SO MONICA, WITH THE SHORTFALL AND THE LOOMING QUESTIONS NOW AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THERE IS JUST A LOT FOR SCHOOL LEADERS TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT AS THEY LOOK FORWARD.

>> AND THE BUDGET ALREADY IS A LOT FOR THESE SCHOOLS TO FIGURE OUT.

ESPECIALLY WHEN NUMBERS CHANGE AND RESOURCES CHANGE AND STAFFING CHANGES.

SO WITH THIS INTERESTING PART WE TALK ABOUT WHAT'S TANGIBLE AND WHAT DO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEY MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND THE SEEK FORMULA LIKE WE SAID.

BUT PARTICULARLY INTERESTING FEDERAL PROGRAM, IS FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES.

AND THAT AFFECTS CHILDREN'S ABILITY TO LEARN.

SO WE DON'T KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHERE THIS WOULD IMPLEMENT WHAT CAN BE TAKEN AWAY EASILY IF YOU WILL.

BUT THE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION TOOK EFFECT IN JCPS FOR ALL STUDENTS AND THAT IS UNDER THE TITLE ONE LOW INCOME SCHOOLS.

SO REALLY THE DIFFERENCE HERE COULD BE MAKING SOME SCHOOLS THAT ALREADY FACE POVERTY SITUATIONS AT HOME, TAKING AWAY RESOURCES AT THE PLACE THAT MAYBE ONLY HAVE RESOURCES AT SCHOOL.

>> Bill: AND WE ALL KNOW THERE'S ALSO A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING SCHOOL FUNDING THAT IS ANOTHER UNCERTAINTY OUT THERE.

>> RIGHT.

THE KENTUCKY STUDENT VOICE TEAM FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE SAYING THAT STUDENT DOSE NOT HAVE ADEQUATE EDUCATION WHICH IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

AND THAT LAWSUIT IS STILL PENDING BUT IT LIKELY WON'T BE DECIDED BEFORE THE END OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Bill: WITH THE TOUGH WINTER WITH THE ICE AND THE SNOW AND NOW FLOODING FOR MANY, MANY OF OUR DISTRICTS ARE RUN TOTALLY OUT OF NTI DAYS AND SOME ARE SCHEDULED TO GO INTO JUNE WITH THE SCHEDULES THEY ARE ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME HESITANCY AND WE'RE NOT HEARING A LOT ABOUT IT.

ARE THE DISCUSSIONS ONGOING?

>> YES, THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS BEING HAD HOW TO GET EXTRA TIME TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO NEED IT.

REPUBLICAN SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS SAID TO REPORTERS THERE HAS BEEN TALK ON EXPANDING NTI DAYS THE NON-INTRODUCE DECISIONAL INSTRUCTION DAYS FOR STUDENTS BECAUSE OF WEATHER CLOSURES AND SICKNESS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT THERE'S BEEN NO DECISIONS OPTIONS ARE ADDING 15 MINUTES TO SCHOOL DAYS, MAKING UP DAYS.

SHORTENING SPRING BREAKS BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED.

>> Bill: A LOT OF RETICENCE BECAUSE AFTER COVID THERE WAS SO MUCH DATA NOT BEING THERE COST A LOT OF LEARNING.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> Bill: AND WE'RE STILL CATCHING UP FROM THAT.

PART OF MY DISCUSSION THAT IS AN ISSUE.

MONICA YOU'VE COVERED THE FLU SPIKE THE WORSTTH 15 YEARS AND THAT IS ANOTHER ISSUE FOR SCHOOLS AND ATTENDANCE.

FOR EVERYBODY, OUT THERE.

>> OH, YEAH.

IT REALLY IMPACTS EVERYONE.

AND RIGHT AFTER THE WINTER BREAK FOR MOST OF THE STUDENTS THEY VISITED FAMILY, THEY MIGHT HAVE GONE PLACES THEY DON'T NORMALLY, FLYING ON PLANES LIKE WHAT WE SAW DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WE SAW GATHERINGS IT MAKES SENSE WE WE CAME BACK FROM THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY BREAK AND THEY GOT BACK TOGETHER AND SPREAD GERMS TO EACH OTHER.

ONE THING THAT IS INTERESTING IN THIS SPIKE NORTON'S HEALTHCARE DATA SHOWED 6,000 CASES OF FLU IN NORTON IS OUR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN LOUISVILLE.

SO THINK ABOUT THAT.

MOST OF THESE CASES ARE CHILDREN AND 6,000?

THAT IS A LOT OF FLU.

IT MAKES YOU WANT TO GET YOUR HAND SANITIZER OUT, KIDS AND ADULTS ALAKE BUT THE EDUCATION ISSUE, I THINK THAT THE INTERESTING PROBLEM THAT FAMILIES ARE SEEING IS THE SCHOOLS ARE ASKING THEM NOT TO BRING THEIR KIDS BACK UNTIL THEY ARE FEVER FREE FOR 24 HOURS.

YOU MIGHT HAVE IT FOR TWO DAYS OR FIVE BUT YOU CANNOT COME BACK TO SCHOOL.

>> Bill: U.K. HEALTHCARE WITH THE ALL TIME HIGH ADMISSIONS FOR FLU.

THIS IS A REAL TOUGH SEASON FOR THAT.

A TALKER THIS WEEK WAS HOUSE BILL 297 LIMITING SNAP PURCHASES OF JUNK FOOD, SOFT DRINKS AND FOODS WITH LITTLE NUTRITIONAL VALUE.

THE SPONSOR SAYS HE IS ALL FOR CHOICE FOR CONSUMERS.

BUT WHEN IT IS A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY FOR FOOD IT SHOULD BE HEALTHIER.

>> RIGHT.

AND THIS IS THE BILL SPONSORED BY MATLOCKET AND WE HAVE MORE THAN HALF A MILLIKEN KENTUCKIANS THAT GET SNAP BENEFITS.

UNDER THE USDA RULES THEY ARE ALLOWED TO SPEND THIS HOW THEY WANT ON HEALTHY FOOD OR UNHEALTHY FOOD.

AND REPRESENTATIVE LOCKET WOULD LIKE THEM TO MOVE WITH HEALTHY FOOD HOW THEY CAN SPEND THEIR BENEFITS.

A FEW YEARS AGO I DID A STORY ABOUT W.I.C.

A DIFFERENT PROGRAM FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN AND I WENT TO THE STORES AND TOOK W.I.C.

FOOD BENEFITS AND A LOT OF GAS STATIONS AND CONVENIENCE STORES THAT HAVE NO HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES JUST JUNK AND THERE WERE NO GROCERY STORES IN THE VICINITY NO PLACE WITHIN WALKING OR PUBLIC TRANSIT DISTANCE WHO TOOK THE BENEFITS THEY WERE IN FOOD DESERTS.

SOMETIMES THERE IS NOT A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE UNFORTUNATELY TO THE JUNK FOOD WHEN USING THE BENEFITS.

>> AND THE PRICES I WOULD WANT TO ADD SOMETIMES THE JUNK FOOD CAN BE GOOD ON THE WALLET AND PRICES ARE RISING EGG COSTS ARE HIGH.

THE HEALTHY FOOD MIGHT NOT BE AFFORDABLE EASTERN WITH THE BENEFITS THEY ARE ABLE TO USE.

>> Bill: IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE THE INTERESTING PARTIES THAT COME FORWARD IN THIS DISCUSSION IF THE BILL MAKES ITS WAY.

ANTI-D.E.I.

LEGISLATION FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HAS RETURNED AFTER FAILING LAST YEAR.

NOW, WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ELIMINATING D.E.I.

PROGRAMS, McKENNA DOES IT HAVE AN EASIER PATH TO PASSAGE?

>> I THINK ELIMINATING D.E.I.

PROGRAMS IS A PRIORITY OF REPUBLICANS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND BOTH AT THE STATE LEVEL IS WHAT THE TREND WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

HOUSE BILL 4 FROM REPRESENTATIVE JENIFER DECKER WHO IS A REPUBLICAN, AND IT'S A REVIVAL OF THAT LEGISLATION WE SAW ON KENTUCKY LAST YEAR.

SHE CARRIED LAST YEAR'S HOUSE PROPOSAL.

AND IT HAS SOME OF THOSE PROVISIONS AND ALSO HAS PROVISIONS FROM LAST YEAR'S SENATE PROPOSAL.

SO THAT LEGISLATION LAST YEAR IT DIDN'T PASS SO THIS COULD BE A STARTING POINT TO HAVE DEBATES THIS YEAR.

MORE IN THE PUBLIC SENSE IN COMMITTEES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN MEASURES FILED IN THE SENATE THAT TARGET D.E.I.

NOT IN HIGHER ED BUT IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND K-12 SCHOOLS.

SO IT'S A CONVERSATION TO BE HAD.

AND THERE WILL BE MORE OF IT.

>> Bill: A LOT OF DISCUSSION GOING ON AND SOMETIMES THE QUESTION COMES AROUND TO EXACTLY WHAT IS D.E.I.?

WHAT QUALIFIES AS ONE OF THOSE OFFICES OR PROGRAMS THAT THEY WANT TO SHUT DOWN?

>> RIGHT.

WHEN WE'RE SAYING D.E.I., DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS AND THAT CAN BE A RANGE OF THINGS.

IT CAN BE A POLICY IT COULD BE A PROGRAM, TRAINING, WHATEVER.

ONE THING THAT STIVERS DID TELL REPORTERS IS THERE WAS A WORKING GROUP TO TALK ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY LEGISLATION, ABOUT OUT SOME THINGS DEPENDING WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL LIKE TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON D.E.I., IT COULD IMPACT WHAT STATES WILL BE ABLE TO DO IN A STATE LEVEL.

>> Bill: AND WHETHER THEY IMPERIL THE FEDERAL FUNDING.

>> YES.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

A BILL IS ADVANCING THAT WOULD ALLOW 15-YEAR-OLDS IN KENTUCKY TO GET A DRIVER'S PERMIT.

THAT WOULD PUT KENTUCKY IN LINE WITH OTHER STATES ACCORDING TO THE BILL'S SPONSOR STEVEN RUDY.

HE SAYS THAT OTHER STATES DO THIS THAT SURROUND US.

BUT THERE ARE CONCERNS OUT THERE, CERTAINLY WITH LAWMAKERS WHO ARE ALSO PARENTS.

>> OH, YEAH.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE HEAR WHEN WE HEAR ANY CRITICISM ABOUT AGE OF DRIVERS EVEN PHONE DOWN KENTUCKY PUSHES SAY TEENS ARE THE MOST DISTRACTED BEHIND THE WHEEL AND WHETHER YOU HAVE A PHONE OR NOT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW.

AND THAT IS THE ARGUMENT.

THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN ARE SAYING TRANSPORTATION IS EVERYTHING.

TRANSPORTATION MAYBE EXTRACURRICULARS MAYBE MORE LEARNING AND THERE IS AN ECONOMIC PART IF YOU HAVE TRANSPORTATION IN A RURAL COMMUNITY YOU CAN MAKE IT TO A JOB.

AND THE SOONER YOU CAN START THAT PROCESS, THEN AT 16 THEIR BIRTHDAY THEY MIGHT HAVE HAVE A JOB READY TO GO AT THE LOCAL RESTAURANT OR THE GAS STATION.

>> Bill: AND MAYBE THEY WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THAT JOB THAT SOMEBODY FROM ANOTHER STATE IS ABLE TO GET BECAUSE THEY CAN DRIVE SOONER.

JOHN IT IS AN INTERESTING ISSUE?

>> IT IS.

WHAT IS INTERESTING TO ME AT SOME POINT IN THE PAST, KENTUCKY WENT THIS WAY THEY DECIDED TO HAVE A GRADUATED DELAYED LICENSING PROGRAM FOR THE KIDS.

SO IT TOOK THEM LONGER TO MATURE AND TO STUDY AND TO PRACTICE THE DRIVING BEFORE WE HANDED A 16-YEAR-OLD A LICENSE.

NOW WE'VE DECIDED TO GO OTHER WAY.

>> Bill: REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN JACKSON OF BOWLING GREEN IS PUSHING HOUSE BILL 161 IT WOULD ALLOW THIRD PARTIES TO ISSUE DRIVER'S LICENSES AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE DOING THE VISION TESTING.

>> RIGHT.

SO THIS COULD ALLOW AAA OR INSURANCE AGENCIES TO BECOME PROVIDER OF DRIVER'S LICENSES.

AND THIS COULD BE A RESPONSE TO THE REGIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSING SYSTEM THAT KENTUCKY'S TRANSFERRED TO.

THERE'S BEEN FRUSTRATION EXPRESSED WITH THAT SYSTEM SUCH AS MAKING A LONGER DRIVE TO GO RENEW YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE IN RURAL AREAS.

AND THEN OVERWHELMING STAFF IN MORE POPULATED URBAN AREAS.

THERE'S ALSO SOME OTHER BILLS THAT ARE TACKLING THIS ISSUE OF JUST THE REGIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE SYSTEM.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING THAT LAWMAKERS DO WANT TO TAKE UP THIS SESSION.

>> Bill: LONG LINES IN THOSE OFFICES.

AND FRUSTRATION.

>> AND THE COLD, BILL, LONG LINES IN THE COLD OUTSIDE THE REGIONAL OFFICES ARE SMALL.

>> EXACTLY.

THERE'S SO MANY VARIED ISSUES GOING ON AS WE SAID.

LET'S MOVE TO HOUSE BILL 206 IT WOULD COMPENSATE PEOPLE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND IMPRISONED AND KENTUCKY IS ONE OF 12 STATES THAT DOES NOT HAVE A NO EXONERATION LAW.

>> IT SEEMS A NO-BRAINER A BILL FROM JASON 19 MISS.

IT WOULD SET ASIDE A FEW MILLION TO CREATE A STATE FUND FOR PEOPLE WHO WENT TO PRISON WHO WERE CONVICTED WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN WHO WERE INNOCENT.

THE LAWYERS AT THE STATE INNOCENCE PROJECT TELL US THAT 22 PEOPLE SINCE 1989 IN KENTUCKY HAVE BEEN EXONERATED AOF A WRONGFUL CONVICTION.

AND THE BILL WOULD GIVE THEM ON AVERAGE, AND THAT WOULD VARY, $65,000 FOR EVERY YEAR THEY SPENT BEHIND BARS BECAUSE WE SCREWED UP AND PUT THEM IN PRISON IT WOULD HELP THEM WITH COLLEGE TUITION TO GET A FRESH START.

FEELS LIKE THE LEAST WE COULD DO FOR SOMEONE WE DID THAT TO AS A STATE.

>> Bill: YOU'VE WATCHED THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUE STATE-WIDE AND THAT IS COMING UP IN BILLS AND CONVERSATIONS IN FRANKFORT.

ONE OF THOSE, IS SOME ADVOCATES SAY THAT MANUFACTURED HOMES COULD BE PART OF THE ANSWER.

THOUGH WE KNOW IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT PAST MANY CITIES WERE PASSING ZONING ORDINANCES TO KEEP THOSE OUT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT'S BEING TRIED BY THE WAY THE PILOT PROJECT LEVEL IN VERSAILLES IN WOODFORD COUNTY AND NOW A PROPOSED STATE LAW A BILL THAT COULD SAY THAT MANUFACTURED HOUSING DON'T CALL IT MOBILE HOMES OR TRAILERS IT'S MANUFACTURED HOUSING WOULD HAVE TO BE TREATED THE SAME IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AS HOMES BUILT ON-SITE.

MANUFACTURED HOUSING TENDS TO BE CHEAPER.

I DON'T MEAN THAT AS A PA JOR ACTIVE AS LONG AS IT HAS THE SAME EXTERIOR QUALITIES AND MET CODES FOR ROOF PITCH AND THAT SORT OF THING.

THE CITIES COULD NOT PASS ZONING LAWS TO KEEP OUT MANUFACTURED HOUSING.

NOT EVERYONE WANTS A MANUFACTURED HOME NEXT DOOR TO THEM.

YOU HAVE THAT NOT IN MY BACKYARD PHENOMENON.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND WE CAN'T KEEP REQUIRING EVERYONE TO COUGH UP 600,000 TO BUY A HOUSE IN KENTUCKY.

THE BILL'S SPONSORS HOPE MAYBE THIS IS ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES.

>> Bill: YES, TO SAVE THE CITIES YOU CANNOT DO THOSE EXEMPTIONS, RIGHT?

>> .

>> YEP.

>> Bill: SOME KENTUCKY FOSTER KIDS HAVE BEEN HELD IN STATE OFFICE BUILDINGSES WHILE THEY AWAIT PLACEMENT AND DANNY CARROLL IS OFFERING A BILL TO ADDRESS THAT IN JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES.

HERE IS SOME OF WHAT HE SAID.

>> NOW COULD WE JUST TAKE ADVANTAGE THIS IS HAPPENING WE KNOW IT'S HAPPENING.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S A FEW KIDS AND WE KNOW IT IS A FEW DAYS.

CAN WE LOOK WITH SOME OF THESE OFFICERS -- OFFICES MAKING THEM SHELTER FACILITIES?

WHAT REGULATIONS DICTATE SHELTERS WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROPERLY CARING FOR THESE KIDS.

>> Bill: MONICA, YOU HAVE DONE A DEEP DIVE ON THE ISSUE.

AND THIS IS TYPICALLY CHILDREN WHO ARE HARD TO PLACE.

>> OH, YEAH, WHETHER THEY'VE HAD TRAUMA THAT MAKES THEM A VOLATILE INDIVIDUAL, WHETHER IT'S MENTAL CHALLENGES THAT THEY FACE AND SOMETIMES IT'S VIOLENCE.

THESE KIDS ARE VIOLENT.

THERE'S ALSO WE KNOW THERE IS EXAMPLES OF SEXUAL OFFENDERS THAT ARE CHILDREN.

THEY'VE EXPERIENCED SO MUCH THEY ARE THE CASES THAT ARE THE MOST DIFFERENT IN THE STATE AND THAT MEANS THEY ARE THE MOST IN NEED, THE MOST AT RISK.

WHERE DO THEY GO WHEN IT'S 5:00 AND THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO PUT THEM?

A STATE OFFICE BUILDING HAS BEEN THE SOLUTION.

WE ALSO KNOW THERE'S HOTELS AND STATE PARKS TAKING PART IN THIS.

THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT SENATOR DANNY CARROLL BEING A PART OF THIS A YEAR AGO HE WAS CRITICAL OF THE CABINET WHY ARE YOU USING STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

AND WE HEARD DURING THE COMMITTEE HEARING THIS WEEK HE SAID IT'S THE MEDIA.

HE CLAIMS THAT THE MEDIA HAS BEEN PUTTING OUT WRONGFUL DESCRIPTIONS OF STATE OFFICES.

I MADE SURE IN MY REPORTING TO PUT IN THE IMAGERY THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE CABINET WHAT THE OFFICES LOOK LIKE.

AND HE BELIEVES NOW THESE OFFICES HAVE BEEN RETROFITTED TO LOOK LIKE BEDROOMS NICE BEDROOMS WITH BEDS.

WE ARE NOT TALKING SLEEPING ON A DESK OR COTS.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OFFICE SPACES ACTUALLY HAVE THAT.

THE ONLY VIDEO WE'VE SEEN FROM THE CABINET IS THE L AND M BUILDING IN LOUISVILLE.

DANNY CARROLL HAS MADE A COMPLETE 180 HOW HE VIEWS THIS AND IT'S HIS BILL SENATE BILL 111 THAT HAS A HUGE PRICE TAG TO BUILD NEW FACILITIES ALL TIED INTO ONE.

HIM COMING FORWARD WITH WHY DON'T WE LOOK AT THE OFFICE SPACES WAS A SHOCK IN FRANKFORT.

>> Bill: HE IS OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE BILL.

AND JOHN YOU'VE COVERED THE JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES ISSUE.

THIS WOULD ALSO ADD FACILITIES TO EASE THAT PROBLEM?

>> IT WOULD.

SENATOR CARROLL HAS A PART ALL GIRLS DETENTION CENTER A 16-BED PSYCHIATRIC DETENTION CENTER FOR THE KIDS WITH ROOM FOR EXPANSION AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS THAT COULD HELP KIDS WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AND ACCEPT THEM WITH MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT.

WE HAVE TO FIND A PLACE TO PUT KIDS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES OTHER THAN JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS.

A LOT OF KIDS WHO REALLY AREN'T CRIMINALS DON'T HAVE CHARGES PENDING AND THE JUVENILE DETENTION SYSTEM DOESN'T WANT TO KEEP HOLDING THEM BUT IT DOESN'T KNOW WHERE TO PUT THEM.

THERE IS NO ROOM IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM OR THE PLACEMENT AGENCIES AND THEY HAVE BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

AND IT IS CENTER CARROLL IS TRYING TO FIND A THIRD OPTION.

>> Bill: IT ISN'T AN EASY ISSUE.

KENTUCKY REVENUE TOPPED $1.4 BILLION IN JANUARY THAT IS UP 4.9% FROM A YEAR AGO.

MAJOR BUSINESS TAX COLLECTIONS LED THE WAY THEY NEARLY QUADRUPLED BRAKING $600 MILLION.

SALES TAX RECEIPTS WERE UP 3%.

AND REACHED A MONTHLY RECORD AS WELL.

JOHN, THE ECONOMY SEEMS TO BE MOVING RIGHT ALONG IN KENTUCKY.

AND SOME HAVE A LONG WISH LIST OF PROJECTS THAT COULD BE DONE IN THE STATE.

BUT REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAY IT IS NO TIME TO GO ON A SPENDING SPREE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SPEND EXTRA MONEY WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET.

YOU CAN SPEND MONEY IF YOU WANT TO.

BUT THIS WEEK, HOUSE SPEAKER OSBOURNE AND ROBERT STIVERS SEPARATELY TOLD PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT IT'S NOT CLEAR IN LAWMAKERS ARE WILLING TO REOPEN THE BUDGET THIS SESSION AS COMPARED TO WAITING A YEAR.

WE HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE IF MORE MONEY IS FORTHCOMING.

>> Bill: THERE IS A BIPARTISAN PUSH TO EXEMPT DIAPERS FROM KENTUCKY'S 6% SALES TAX.

SENATORS CASSIE CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG AND JULIE RAQUE ADAMS HAVE WEIGHED IN ON THAT ISSUE.

>> THERE IS NO FINANCIAL PROGRAM THAT SAYS WE WILL HELP YOU PAY FOR DIAPERS.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, THAT'S THE REASON BY THE WAY THAT ONE OUT OF TWO FAMILIES STRUGGLE TO AFFORD DIAPERS.

ON TOP OF THAT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY WILL COLLECT A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS ON THAT FAMILY OF THREE OR FOUR WITH KIDS IN DIAPERS.

>> I'M SUPPORTIVE AND I THINK THAT YOU KNOW SOMETIMES IT TAKES A BILL ONE YEAR OR TWO YEARS OR PAIN THREE YEARS TO GET THROUGH.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

AND THERE'S A BILL IN THE HOUSE AND SO THIS IS AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION MONICA THAT IS GOING ON IN FRANKFORT.

>> OH, YEAH.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY IS THAT SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS HERE IS SAYING AS THE REPUBLICAN OF THOSE TWO WOMEN WE SAW, IT DOES TAKE SOMETIME AND WITH THE G.O.P.

SUPER MAJORITY SOMETIMES IT IS NOT THE PRIORITY.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES TAKE PRECEDENT AND WHAT CASSIE CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG IS SAYING WE HAVE THE MONEY WE'VE CUT THE STATE INCOME TAX.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO HELP THE EVERYDAY PERSON WHILE ALSO NOT LOSING OUT ON THE BUDGETARY PARTS THAT THE STATE NEEDS TO COLLECT AS FAR AS SALES TAX GOES.

>> AND THE SENATORS THERE IN THAT CLIP THEY ELUDED TO IT BUT THE BILL HAS BEEN FILED BEFORE.

CASSIE CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG FILE TO DO IN THE SENATE AND GAINED SUPPORT FROM FELLOW DEMOCRATS AND TOP REPUBLICANS.

DAVID THAYER ONE OF THE LAST BILLS HE COSPONSORED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Bill: WHY DOESN'T IT MOVE IF THERE'S THAT MUCH SUPPORT?

>> IT GOES TO NOT BEING THE PRIORITY.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT HIGH PRICES AND INFLATION AND IF LAWMAKERS DO THIS BILL THIS SESSION, IT COULD BE AN EASY WIN FOR BOTH PARTIES.

TO HELP KENTUCKIANS.

>> Bill: JOHN WE HAVE A LOT OF EXEMPTIONS TO THE STATE SALES TAX YOUR COLLEAGUE HAS COVERED THAT OVER THE YEARS.

>> THE HERALD LEADER WE HAVE DONE STORY ABOUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TAX EXPENDITURES OFF THE TOP OF THE BUDGET.

BOURBON, HORSE, FILM INDUSTRY.

ANYONE WITH A LOBBIEST MANAGES TO GET THE TAX BREAK BEFORE THE REST OF US COME TO THE TABLE.

>> Bill: LET'S SWITCH TO WASHINGTON JUST A LITTLE BIT.

KENTUCKY SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL IS THE ONLY REPUBLICAN TO VOTE AGAINST ACTUALSY GABBARD.

IT WAS A 52-48 VOTE.

THEN HE VOTED AGAINST ROBERT KENNEDY JUNIOR BECOMING HEAD OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE ONLY REPUBLICAN TO VOTE NO AND TOUGH CRITICISM FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR McCONNELL.

>> YES.

THE PRESIDENT SUGGESTED THAT SENATOR McCONNELL WAS MENTALLY ALL THERE ANYMORE AND SUGGESTED THAT SENATOR McCONNELL WAS NOT MENTALLY ALL THERE 10 YEARS AGO.

HE HAD TOUGH WORDS AGO AND MITCH McCONNELL DOESN'T CARE WHAT TRUMP HAS TO SAY IN HIS REMAINING TIME IN WASHINGTON.

HE WILL DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO.

HE IS NOT THE REPUBLICAN LEADER HE IS HIS OWN PERSON NOW.

>> Bill: IT WAS REPORTED THAT CENTRAL KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR TOLD SUPPORTERS HE IS RUNNING FOR SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL'S SEAT IF IT'S OPEN.

McCONNELL HAS NOT DISCLOSED HIS PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR.

BUT THE BEHIND THE SCENES SCRAMBLE HAS BEEN INTERESTING TO WATCH.

JOHN, CONGRESSMAN BARR SEEMS TO BE EVERYDAY EASING CLOSER TO A SENATE BID.

>> HE IS.

AND SAW A STORY WHERE ANDY BARR INDICATED HE IS GOING TO GO AHEAD WITH McCONNELL'S SEAT WHETHER McCONNELL IS READY TO ANNOUNCE.

IT SEEMS OPEN McCONNELL IS GOING TO RETIRE.

HE IS NOT RAISING MUCH MONEY AS HE WOULD FOR REELECTION.

YOU HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE ELBOW SWINGING REPUBLICAN PRIMARY COMING BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO CAME UP IN MITCH McCONNELL'S REPUBLICAN PARTY OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

PEOPLE WHO WERE HIS PROTEGES NOW PROBABLY CAMPAIGN AGAINST HIM AND FOR DONALD TRUMP BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOW.

>> Bill: ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON SAID TO HAVE INTEREST, NATE MORRIS, LEXINGTON BUSINESSMAN, AUSTIN HORN AND PHILLIP BAILEY REPORTING THOSE NAMES AND THERE ARE OTHERS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER PAMELA STEVENSON HAS FILED PAPERS TO RAISE MONEY.

>> YEAH.

THIS ONE MAKES SENSE.

SHE IS ONE OF THE FEISTY ONES IN THE SENSE SHE IS NOT AFRAID TO TELL YOU HOW SHE FEELS AND WE KNOW THAT FROM HER SPEECHES ON THE FLOOR I'M NOT SURPRISED BUT FOR A DEMOCRAT TO WIN THIS SEAT IT WOULD BE HISTORIC AND FOR THAT FACT, NOT LIKELY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

KENTUCKY HAS SET A NEW RECORD FOR EXPORTS SHIPPED GLOBALLY.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THE TOTAL WAS $48 BILLION LAST YEAR.

FLOODING CONCERNS STAY ALERT TO THAT AND AWARE.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

[♪♪]