>> Bill: BUSY WEEK IN FRANKFORT P SCHOOL RESOURCES OFFICERS, TEACHING HISTORY AND BE LEGALIZING MARIJUANA ARE ALONG IF TOPICS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR CUTS TAR CAR TAXES AND PUSHES A BILL THAT WOULD LOWER THE STATE SALES TAX.

A CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR IS SHOT AT, AND THE MAN ACCUSED IS ALSO A POLITICAL CANDIDATE AND AND TWO MONTHS AFTER TORNADOES RIPPED THROUGH WESTERN KENTUCKY, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE STILL HOMELESS.

WEATHER AND SPRING BATTLE IT OUT IN FEBRUARY.

"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEW IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR TH LIAM NIEMEYER, ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR FOR WKMS IN MURRAY, AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER ALSO TONIGHT WE CAUTIOUSLY WATC THE COVID NUMBERS CONTINUE A DOWNWARD TREND, AND THE CDC PROPOSES NEW RULES FOR PAIN TREATMENT ONCE AGAIN, TRYING TO CONFRONT THE OPIOID CRISIS.

THERE'S A LOT TO DISCUSS ALSO FROM A VERY PACKED WEEK IN FRANKFORT.

BUT LET'S BEGIN THE WAY THE WEEK DID WITH AN APPARENT ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON CANDIDATE FOR LOUISVILLE MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG.

DEBBIE, IT WAS A STARTING BEGINNING TO THE, THE ON MONDAY.

>> Deborah: 2020 VERY START END.

WORD CAME OUT ON MONDAY THAT CRAIG GREENBERG, A LEADING DEMOCRATIC FOR MAYOR WAS SHOT AT IN HIS CAMPAIGN OFFICE ALONG WITH SOME STAFF MEMBERS, AND AS THE MORNING WENT ON THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT A SUSPECT THEY HAD APPREHENDED AND LATER IN THE DAY IT CAME OUT THAT THE SUSPECT WAS A YOUNG MAN NAMED QUINTEZ BROWN WHO WAS A UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE STUDENT, WELL-KNOWN AS AN ACTIVIST AND WRITER, AND ALSO HAD DECIDED TO FILE TO RUN FOR METRO COUNCIL.

WHY -- THE POSSIBLE MOTIVE ISN'T KNOWN, THE CONNECTION ISN'T KNOWN BUT IT WAS FAIRLY SHOCKING, AND THEN THE FACT THAT HE WAS RELEASED ON BAIL RAISED BY A GROUP IN LOUISVILLE, CASH BAIL OF $100,000 STIRRED A NEW ROUND OF CONTROVERSY WHEN HE WAS RELEASED.

>> Bill: AND AUSTIN, THAT CONTROVERSY HAS SOON MADE ITS WAY TO FRANKFORT.

>> Austin: WE HEARD ONE BILL THAT WAS RED ON THE FLOOR AND THAT IS A BILL THAT WOULD PROHIBIT GROUPS LIKE I BELIEVE THE LOUISVILLE BAIL FUND WHICH IS RUN BY THE LOUISVILLE CHAPTER OF BLACK LIVES MATTER, SO IT'S STARTING TO GET SOME ATTENTION AND I NOT BE SURPRISED IF THAT BILL WERE FAST TRACKED.

>> Bill: AND THIS BILL WOULD APPARENTLY SAY THAT INDEPENDENT GROUPS COULD NOT BASICALLY POOL MONEY FOR BAILS, RIGHT.

>> Austin: YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Bill: SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL WAS CRITICAL AS WELL OF THE BOEHM.

>> Austin: YEAH, HE SORT OF LUMPED THIS AS KIND OF AN ACT OF THE RADICAL LEFT.

HE SAID THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER FOLKS WERE BAILING OUT THEIR COMRADE QUINTEZ BROWN.

AND ANOTHER THING ABOUT THIS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO HAMMER HOME IS QUINTEZ BROWN WAS KIND OF THE YOUNG ACTIVIST IN LOUISVILLE.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO IS WA REALLY OUT THERE PUSHING FOR CHANGE, WHO WAS A YOUNG PERSON, HE WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES, IF NOT THE BIGGEST, I WOULD SAY.

>> Bill: U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE CHARLES BOOKER RELEASED A STATEMENT IN WHICH HE SAID OF BROWN, "THIS YOUNG MAN I KNEW WAS WORKING TO END VIOLENCE.

IN OUR CITY, NOT CARRY IT OUT."

AND BOOKER DESCRIBED THE ORDEAL AS CRUSHING.

REFLECTING THAT A LOT OF FOLKS SEEMED TO BE STUNNED.

>> Deborah: PEOPLE ARE QUITE SHOCKED.

SOME OF US NEW QUINTEZ BASS HE WORKED A INBERN TEN AT THE COURIER-JOURNAL AND WAS CONSIDERED A STRONG WRITER INCLUDING BY HIS PROFESSOR AS A BLIGHT PROMISING YOUNG MAN.

HIS ATTORNEY DID INDICATE THAT HE'S SUFFERING SOME SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND ONE REASON THEY WANTED TO GET HIM RELEASED FROM JAIL WAS TO GET HIM TREATMENT, WHICH IS NOT UNREASONABLE GIVEN THAT THE JAIL HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED FOR A SERIES OF I THINK FIVE DEATHS NOW IN RECENT MONTHS, A COUPLE OF SUICIDES, AND SO IT'S NOT VIEWED AS THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE CURRENTLY.

>> Bill: LOUISVILLE POLICE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT A MOTIVE FOR THE SHOOTING.

GREENBERG, WHO IS A DEMOCRAT, IS OKAY, BUT HE SAYS HE WAS TRAUMATIZED BY THE WEEK'S EVENTS.

>> DESPITE ONE BULLET COMING SO CLOSE THAT IT GRAZED MY SWEAT ARE WHEN MY SHIRT, NO ONE WAS PHYSICALLY HARMED, AND WE'RE EXTRAORDINARILY GRATEFUL FOR OUR SAFETY.

WE ARE SHAKEN BUT SAFE.

>> Bill: GREENBERG ADDRESSED THE MEDIA SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH THE WEEK AS THE STORY SORT OF UNFOLDED.

AGAIN, HE IS OKAY.

HIS CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE.

RIGHT?

>> Deborah: THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE, BUT THEY, OF COURSE, AND OTHER CANDIDATES LOOKING AT TAKING STEPS TO INCREASE THEIR SECURITY.

>> Bill: THE STORY WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UP ON.

NOW, IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN TWO MONTHS SINCE THE HISTORIC TORNADOES THAT RIPPED THROUGH PARTS WESTERN KENTUCKY LIAM, I KNOW IT'S STILL A VERY TOUGH SITUATION OUT THERE YOU'VE BEEN COVERING IT SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING, THE NIGHT THAT THOSE HORRIBLE STORMS CAME THROUGH THERE IN MAYFIELD AND OTHER AREAS.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR HOUSING.

WHERE ARE THEY LIVING?

>> LIAM: THAT'S CORRECT.

IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

YOU HAVE SOME FOLKS WHO ARE STILL IN STAYING A LODGES, RESORT LODGES.

YOU HAVE FOLKS IN HOTELS AND MOTELS VIA WAIVERS, VOUCHERS FROM THE RED CROSS, SALVATION ARMY.

AND THEN YOU HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE STILL IN THEIR HOMES THAT ARE DAMAGED FROM TORNADO.

THERE'S THIS ONE PARTICULAR COUPLE WHO I SPOKE WITH.

THEY HAVE A TRAILER OUT IN GRAVES COUNTY ABOUT 10 MILES OR SO FROM THE STEPH MAYFIELD COUNTY SEAT.

THEIR MOBILE HOME, I IT SUSTAINED SOME PRETTY MINOR DAMAGE BUT IT WAS TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WERE HAVING WATER LEAKING INTO THEIR MOBILE HOME, AND NOW THERE'S MOLD, THERE ARE MOLD ISSUES IN THEIR MOBILE HOME.

THIS PARTICULAR FAMILY, THE WIFE IS IN A WHEELCHAIR AND NEEDS SPECIALIZED SERVICES, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST NOT A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE LIVING IN RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: PEOPLE ARE ON LONG WAIT LISTS FOR POSSIBLE HOUSING AS A UNDERSTAND IT.

DESCRIBE FOR US THE SPIRITS THAT PEOPLE ARE IN OUT THERE TWO MONTHS AFTER THE STORMS ROLLED THROUGH.

>> LIAM: IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION.

I TALKED WITH ONE MAN WHO IS GETTING A NEW REBUILT HOME FROM THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION CALLED HOMES AND HOPE FOR KENTUCKY, AND THEN I TALKED WITH A WOMAN WHO IS STAYING WITH HER THREE KIDS, KENTUCKY VILLAGE STATE PARK WHO IS JUST INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATED.

SHE'S BEING TOLD BY THE RED CROSS THAT SHE HAS THE LEAVE THE STATE PARK BY FEBRUARY 26th BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, HER HOME SUSTAIN MINOR DAMAGE, BUT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GO BACK THERE BECAUSE OF THE TRAUMA, THE MENTAL TRAUMA THAT HE EXPERIENCED.

SHE SAW THE TORNADO COMING FROM HER BACK DOOR, AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE ELSE THAT SHE'S GOING TO GO.

SHE DOESN'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION, AND HER FRIEND IS HELPING COMMUTE HER TO HER JOB A HALF HOUR THERE AND A HALF HOUR BACK.

IT'S JUST -- IT REALLY DEPENDS ON PERSON, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INCREASINGLY DOWN TRODDEN AND FRUSTRATED.

>> Bill: A LOT OF HARDSHIPS OBVIOUSLY.

HOW ARE DECISION BEING MADE ABOUT WHAT IS AND IS NOT GOING GOING TO BE REBUILT?

>> LIAM: SOMETHING THAT THE MAYFIELD HOUSING AUTHORITY DIRECTOR GRAYING VONN TOLD ME WAS SIMPLY THE FACT THAT MAYFIELD IS PREDOMINANTLY A RENTERS COMMUNITY, SOMETHING LIKE 60 TO 70 PERCENT BALLPARK MEASURE, SO REPLY THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT A LOT OF THESE DAMAGED AND DESTROYED HOMES ARE GOING TO BE REBUILT MAY NOT BE EVEN UP TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

GREG VONN ANECDOTALLY SAID THAT THERE ARE SOME HOMES THAT WERE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED, AND LANDLORDS OF PEOPLE WHO DO OWN THESE PROPERTIES MAY SIMPLY NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO REBUILD IN THE FUTURE.

>> Bill: IT WAS SAID EARLY ON IT WOULD BE A LONG-TERM CHALLENGE, AND THAT IT CERTAINLY IS.

LIAM, WE'LL TALK BACK WAUGH WITH YOU IN A FEW MINUTES.

WHAT A BUSY WEEK IT WAS IN FRANKFORT.

WHILE THE LEGISLATURE WRESTLE WITH ALL KINDS OF TOXIN GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CUT CAR TAXES, AND HE EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR A STATE SALES TAX CUT.

>> AND WE'RE NOW EXPERIENCING THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INFLATION THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN DECADES.

THAT MAKES IT TOUGHER FOR OUR FAMILIES TO GET BY, AND IT THREATENS OUR MALL SMALL BUSINESSES IF PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO CONTINUE PURCHASING THINGS THAT THEY NEED.

>> Bill: THIS CAUSED QUITE A STIR, AUSTIN.

THE GOVERNOR CALLS HIS PLAN INFLATION FIGHTING, SO HE JUMPED AHEAD OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE CAR TAXES AND THEN CALLS FOR THE PASSAGE OF THIS DEMOCRATIC-SPONSORED PROPOSAL TO CUT THE STATE SALES TAX.

>> Austin: QUITE A STIR IS CORRECT.

I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO KIND OF PARCEL THESE TWO PARTS OF HIS PROPOSAL OUT.

ONE IS THE EXECUTIVE ORDER ON FREEZING THE MOTOR VEHICLE PROPERTY TAX, AND THAT WILL REPLACE REVENUE THAT IS $837 MILLION, SO THAT'S MONEY THAT THEY'RE LOSING OUT, AND THE OTHER PART IS THE SALES TAX PROPOSAL, NOT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.

LIKE THAT PART.

BUT THERE'S BEEN A FAIR AMOUNT OF GAMESMANSHIP ON BOTH SIDES, I WOULD SAY, BECAUSE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE REALLY POINTED OUT THAT VEHICLES PROPERTY WENT UP AND PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY MORE TAXES BECAUSE OF THAT, AND THEY SAID GOVERNOR BESHEAR, WHY DON'T YOU DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

HE DIDN'T THINK HE COULD AT THE TIME, AND NOW HE SAYS, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND IF IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL, IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL, SO HE'S REALLY KIND OF PUTTING THEM ON THEIR HEELS IN A WAY.

>> Deborah: IN FACT, HE SAID -- I WASN'T SURE I COULD DO IT BUT THE LEGISLATOR SEEM TO THINK I CAN, SO I'M GOING TO DO IT.

SO HE TOOK THEM UP ON IT.

>> Bill: WAS YOUR READ THAT REPUBLICANS WERE SURPRISED THAT BESHEAR TOOK OUT HIS PEN AND DID THE CAR TAX SLASH BY EXECUTIVE ORDER?

>> Austin: I THINK, YES.

NOW, DO THEY EXPECT BESHEAR TO DO THESE KIND OF MOVES, ESPECIALLY WITH A BIG ELECTION COMING UP NOT IN THE TOO DISTANT FUTURE?

BUT, YEAH, WE SAW A COUPLE, MORE THAN A COUPLE IMPASSIONED SPEECHES AGAINST THIS ACTION EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SOMETHING OSTENSIBLY A LOT OF THEM WANTED, RIGHT?

IT WAS CALLED UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE HIS BUDGET UNBALANCED.

OF COURSE THAT'S SOMETHING BESHEAR WILL PUSH BACK ON AND HE'LL SAY THAT THEY CAN FINANCE THAT LOST REVENUE.

BUT I THINK SOME HARD FEELINGS.

>> Bill: AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE WANTING TO LEAVE IF TRAIN ON TAX CUTS OR TAX REFORM.

RIGHT?

THEY APPARENTLY HAVE A PLAN, WE'LL SEE THAT SENATE BUDGET HERE AT SOME POINT.

WE UNDERSTAND THEY'RE WORKING ON IT EVEN LATE AT NIGHT TO GET READY FOR THAT.

>> Austin: ABSOLUTELY, YEAH.

AND THIS LOST REVENUE, THAT KIND OF TAKES AWAY 50 WIGGLE ROOM THAT MADE TINKERING WITH THE CURRENT STATE TAX CODE A LITTLE MORE ATTRACTIVE, RIGHT?

YOU HAD THIS $1 BILLION PLUS THAT WAS IN ETHER AND YOU COULD MESS WITH THE TAX CODE AND IF IT BROKE A LITTLE BIT, THERE WAS THAT WIGGLE ROOM.

NOW WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THERE MIGHT NOT BE AS MUCH, AND WITH THE SALES TAX SHIFT, THAT'S THE EXACT OPPOSITE DIRECTION THE REPUBLICANS WANTED TO GO.

THEY WANTED TO DECREASE INCOME AND UP SALES TAX, AND BESHEAR IS SAYING, I'M GOING TO HELP THE COMMON PLAN BY DECREASING SALES TAX NOW.

IT'S A DEMOCRAT SPONSORED BILL.

SO WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

AND OUR SUPER MAJORITY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

BUT WHO KNOWS.

>> Deborah: I THINK TAX CHANGES WILL BE FIRMLY IN THE HANDS OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO CONTROL THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> Bill: AND THE DEBATE THROUGH THE WEEK, AND AGAIN ALL KINDS OF ISSUES, BUT PRIVATE PLANES CAME INTO THE DEBATE ABOUT TAX, TAXATION, RIGHT?

>> Austin: YEAH, THAT WAS HEARD IN COMMITTEE.

I THINK WE HAD A BILL THAT WOULD EXEMPT PRIVATE PLANE FROM THE PROPERTY TAX, ABOUT A $2.5 MILLION IMPACT ON THE BUDGET.

I THINK IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE DIXON WHO SAID IT WOULD ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE, THE TYPES OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THOSE SORT OF PLANES TO PARK THEIR PLANES ON STATE LINES.

AND IT CAUGHT A LOT OF FLACK ONLINE, AND JUST FROM ANYBODY, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID THIS WAS NOT A GOOD LOOK TO BE GIVING A TAX BREAK TO THE TYPES OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THEIR OWN PLANE.

>> Bill: OTHER ISSUES, A MAJOR DEBATE THIS WEEK AFTER CALLING FOR A LOCAL DECISION ABOUT MASKS, DEBBY.

THE ON HIS IS CONSIDERING BANNING PLAQUES REQUIREMENTS EVEN IF LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS WANTED TO REQUIRE THEM.

>> Deborah: THEY'RE MOVING A BILL TO BLOCK SCHOOL BOARDS FROM MANDATING MASKS.

NEGOTIATION WHEN THEY HAD THE SPECIAL SESSION ON COVID, ONE OF THE THINGS THEY ENACTED WAS TO ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF OR BLOCK THE REQUIREMENT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAD ISSUED AT THE TIME FOR STUDENTS TO WEAR MASKED IN SCHOOLS, AND WHEN THEY WERE IN IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION, STAYING IT SHOULD BE A LOCAL DECISION, A LOCAL BOARD DECISION.

NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE POWER OF THE LOCAL BOARD TO DO IT AND SAYING IT SHOULD BE A PARENT'S DECISION.

>> Bill: SKI THINK ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS SAID THAT'S AS LOCAL AS IT CAN GET.

>> Deborah: PRETTY LOCAL UNLESS YOU LEAVE IT UP TO THE KIDS.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY'S COVID NUMBERS ARE CONTINUING TO DECLINE, AND THERE'S BEEN A POINT GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS HUMANE SOCIETY REMOVING SOME OF THE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, BUT IS THAT IT SENATOR DONALD DOW JONES, A REPUBLICAN FROM LEXINGTON AREA, SAID IT IS TIME TO PUT AN END DATE TO THE COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY.

>> THIS EMERGENCY OR SOMETHING SIMILAR TOSS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.

NOW, THERE ARE THOSE WHO WILL AGREE WITH THE REASONS WHY THE EMERGENCY WAS CALLED, BUT I WOULD ARGUE THERE ARE MANY MORE WHO DO NOT AGREE WITH THOSE REASONS.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, THAT WOULD MEAN THAT THE STATE OF EMERGENCY WOULD END ON MARCH 7th IF THIS PASSES WITH AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE.

>> Deborah: RIGHT AND BE IT'S SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE FAIRLY SOON ANYWAY, AND AGAIN IN THIS COVID SPECIAL SESSION THE LEGISLATURE HAD AGREED TO COUNTY IN PART BECAUSE THEY COULD KEEP GETS SOME OF THE FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY AND USE IN IT VARIOUS WAYS, BUT AS BESHEAR POINTS OUT, THERE AREN'T MANY RESTRICTIONS LEFT.

ALL HE HAS TO OFFER THE GUIDANCE AT THIS POINT ORE RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT AS HE POINTS OUT, BUSINESSES ARE OPENED, SPORTS ARENAS ARE OPEN.

IT'S NOTHING SHUT DOWN.

>> Austin: AND A LOT OF THIS WAS WRAPPED UP IN GENERAL ANIMUS TOWARDS GOVERNOR BESHEAR AS WELL WELL.

THIS IS A TIME AND A CONTEXT WHEN WE'RE SEEING A DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR POLL 60% IN TERM OF JOB APPROVAL, AND I THINK GOING BACK TO THE GAMESMANSHIP THING, THEY WERE SORT OF LICKING THEIR WOUNDS A LITTLE AFTER THAT AND NOW THEY'RE BEATING THEIR CHEST ON AN ISSUE THAT IS POPULAR WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF CERTAIN PARTS OF THE LOCKDOWN AND THINGS RELATED TO COVID RESTRICTIONS, BUT THE QUESTION IS HOW MANY DO WE HAVE LEFT FUNCTIONALLY.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, THE COVID NUMBERS ARE COMING DOWN PASS FAST.

I KNOW WE DID HAVE A HIGH DEATH REPORT TODAY.

>> Deborah: YEAH.

>> Bill: ON FRIDAY.

DOES IT APPEAR THAT THIS DEADLY OMICRON SURGE IS LOOSENING ITS GRIP?

>> Deborah: IT'S DEPOSITION DROPPING PRETTY QUICKLY.

WE WERE OVER LIKE 12, 15,000 CASES A DAY, AND I THINK WE HAD 4300 TODAY, SO IT WENT UP QUICKLY AND THEN IT STARTED GOING DOWN QUICKLY, POSSIBLY BECAUSE EITHER PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED OR THEY HAVE HAD IT.

THE RATE OF POSITIVITY CASES IS DECLINING PRETTY QUICKLY.

IT'S NEW AT 14.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WOULD LIKE IT TO BE AROUND 5 OR LESS BUT 14 IS BETTER THAN THE 33 IT WAS EARLY ON.

SO GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK IN HIS PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER THEY THINK THAT BY MARCH 14th OR SO WE MIGHT SEE THE SORT OF BEGINNING OF THE END OF THIS THING, WE MIGHT BE DOWN TO A MANAGEABLE LEVEL.

>> Bill: LEE A.M., YOU SEEING ENCOURAGING NUMBERS IN WESTERN KENTUCKY WITH COVID, WHICH IS HAD TO HAVE COMPLICATED THIS SURGE THROUGH THE WINTERTIME, THE RESPONSE AND REBUILDING AFTER THE STORMS?

>> LIAM: YEAH, EXACTLY.

A LOT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HERE HAVE STOPPED MAKING CASE INVESTIGATION CALLS.

CASE INVESTIGATIONS ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, OF COURSE, THAN CONTACT TRACING.

CASE INVESTIGATION IS JUST SIMPLY CALLING FOLKS WHO TEST POSITIVE AND CHECKING IN ON THEM.

THEY STOPPED THOSE CALLS WEEKS AGO.

AND UNLIKE A LOT OF THE STATE THAT'S STILL IN THE RED ZONE, SEVERAL REGION COUNTIES ARE OUTED OF THE RED ZONE NOW.

OF COURSE, WITH SMALL POPULATIONS WE'RE TALKING MAYBE 5,000 PEOPLE IN SOME COUNTIES IT.

DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO GET INCIDENCE RATES TO SPIKE UP AGAIN, BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTORS OUT HERE ARE SAYING BE MINDFUL THAT COVID IS STILL IN THE REGION, IT'S STILL SPREADING, IT'S STILL KILLING PEOPLE, BUT FOR A LARGE PART, ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS WHO ARE STILL RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC, HAVE MORE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS OF HOUSING, FOOD ON THEIR MIND, COVID HAS SIMPLY GONE INTO THE BACK BURNER.

PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING ABOUT THEIR LIFE AS I BELIEVE AUSTIN MENTIONED EARLIER.

>> Bill: WELL, AND CERTAINLY THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN REVEALING ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OUT THERE.

DEBBIE, SENATE BILL 10 WOULD TRY TO GET MORE NURSES EDUCATED AND LICENSED AND ON THE JOB, AN ESTIMATE THAT WILL BE 16,000 SHORT BY 2024.

>> Deborah: THAT WAS GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S ESTIMATE WHEN HE CALLED A STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER THE NURSING SHORTAGE IN DECEMBER.

THE SENATE CAME FORWARD, LEADER CAME FORWARD WITH A BILL THIS WORK THAT WOULD TRY TO GET MORE NURSES ON THE JOB.

MORE THAN A DECADE THE NUMBER OF NURSES HAS BEEN DECLINING EVEN AS THE NEED HAS GONE UP, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE SENATE BILL WOULD DO THINGS LIKE MAKE IT EASIER FOR NURSING PROGRAMS TO EXPAND ENROLLMENT, WOULD RESTRUCTURE THE NURSING BOARD, IT WOULD TRY TO ENHANCE THE PROFESSION IN OTHER WAYS, AND I THINK IT'S PROBABLY ON THE FAST TRACK.

IT GETS I THINK A COMMITTEE HEARING NEXT WEEK.

>> Bill: IT'S A DEEP NUMBER OF NURSES, QUITE A DEFICIT RIGHT NOW.

THE BILL THAT WOULD BAN TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM PLAYING ON GIRLS' TEAMS WAS AMENDED, BUT APPEARS TO HAVE MOMENTUM.

THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN RALLIED OUTSIDE WHILE A COMMITTEE WAS HEARING THAT.

>> Deborah: YEAH, IT GOT A COMMITTEE HEARING, AND THEN IT PASSED THE SENATE THIS WEEK AS WELL, AND IT WOULD BAN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM COMPETING ON GIRLS' SPORTS TEAMS, AND AGAIN, IT'S -- THERE WAS A LOT OF TESTIMONY AGAINST IT AND SOME SORT OF PASSIONED APPEALS BUT IT'S MOVING ON.

>> Austin: I THINK DURING THE SENATE FLOOR VOTE THERE WAS AN ECHO FROM THE ROTUNDA DURING THE KENTUCKY FAIRNESS RALLY, LET THEM PLAY, IS WHAT THEY WERE CHANTING, AND THE BILL PASSED.

>> Bill: THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS UP FOR DEBATE THIS WEEK, A SENATE BILL THAT MANDATES HOW HISTORY WOULD BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WAS ALSO AMENDED.

LIAM, I KNOW YOU WERE WATCHING THAT AS WELL AS YOUR PARTNERS WITHIN de PUBLIC RADIO.

>> LIAM: YEAH, DEFINITELY.

JUST WITH A STATION WFD IN LOUISVILLE HAS COVERAGE ON THAT.

THE ONE THAT PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE I BELIEVE WAS MAX WISE'S BILL.

IT WOULD REQUIRE CERTAIN SPECIFIC READINGS FOR STUDENTS, ONE OF THEM BEING PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN'S TIME FOR CHOOSING SPEECH, AND, YOU KNOW, IT ALSO -- IT ALSO HAD SOME REQUIRED TEACHINGS, TEACHINGS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH BELIEFS LIKE, LET'S SAY, WITH I THINK -- I'M TRYING TO JOG MY MEMORY HERE, AUSTIN.

>> Deborah: IT WAS MORE FOCUSED ON SORT OF RACE ISSUES AND PEOPLE CAN SUCCEED DESPITE RACE OR YEARNED OR WHATEVER, AND NOW TEACHERS ARE SUPPOSED TO SAY, DESPITE YOUR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, OR LANGUAGE TO THAT EFFECT, SO IT DOES ADD A LOT OF THINGS INTO THE LAW THAT WOULD SORT OF DIRECT CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS.

INTERESTINGLY, THE SENATOR, SENATOR WISE WHO INTRODUCED IT, SAID HE WAS TRYING TO FIND UNITY OVER THIS VERY HIGHLY CHARGED ISSUE, BUT I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH ROAD TO HOE.

>> Austin: AND TOBYNAIRE TO SENATOR WISE, I DO THINK THERE WERE BILLS THAT TOOK A HARDER STANCE ON THIS.

I THINK THE CORE OF THIS IS KIND OF ITS ANTI-1619, THE PROJECT THAT TRIED TO CENTER AMERICAN HISTORY AROUND THE INTRODUCTION OF SLAVERY, AND IT'S BASICALLY SAYING THAT AMERICA IS NOT THAT AND THAT DISCRIMINATION AND SLAVERY THAT WE'VE SEEN FOR CENTURIES IS MORE OF A BLIP.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, $23 MILLION IN AID FOR KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SEEMS TO BE MOVING AHEAD.

SOME LAWMAKERS EXPRESSED BOTH SUPPORT FOR KSU AND CONCERNS ABOUT SOME LONG-TERM FINANCIAL ISSUES THERE.

>> Austin: YES.

IT PASSED THE $23 MILLION, WHICH IS GOING TO KSU, THE STATE OWES ONLY PUBLIC HBCU.

IT PASSED WITH ONLY 7 NO VOTES OUT OF THE HOUSE, SO STILT HAS TO GO TO THE SENATE, BUT THAT IS TECHNICALLY ALONE, ALTHOUGH IT'S FORGIVABLE BUT IT'S NOT WITHOUT SOME STRINGS ATTACHED AND WE DID SEE SO MANY GROUSING ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF THE SCHOOL AND WHY THEY EVEN GOT THERE.

THEY STILL HAVE TO CUT THEIR BUDGET BY $7 MILLION.

>> Bill: WESTERN KENTUCKY HAS BEEN THE SCENE OFFAL SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN PA DHAKA.

THE HOUSE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE RESOURCE OFFICERS IN EVERY SCHOOL, LIAM, BUT AN AMOUNT ATTEMPT TO AMEND IT TO PROVIDE MONEY FOR THAT FAILED.

>> LIAM: I BELIEVE THAT'S THE BILL SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN BRATCHER.

THERE IS A AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE FUND CAN FOR THOSE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

THE BILL I BELIEVE AS WRITTEN FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IN EVERY SCHOOL, THEY COULD HAVE TO CONSULT I BELIEVE WITH THE STATE SCHOOL SECURITY MARSHAL AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE'VE SEEN SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER FUNDING ISSUES PLAY OUT HERE IN MARSHALL COUNTY.

I BELIEVE IT WAS BACK IN 2020 WHERE THERE WAS CONTROVERSY THAT MARSHALL COUNTY JUDGE/EXECUTIVE PREVENTED THE SHERIFF AND OTHER MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT FROM SIGNING A GRANT APPLICATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE IF A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IN EVERY ONE OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE MARSHALL COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THEY WERE ABLE TO WORK IT OUT IN THE COUNTY BUDGET EVENTUALLY TO EXPAND THE COUNTY BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE'S A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IN EVERY SCHOOL, BUT IT'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LEADERS ARE PRETTY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, IT APPEARS THE PRIMARY WILL HAPPEN ON MAY 17th AFTER A COURT RULING UNLESS SOMETHING CHANGES WHEN THIS CASE IS ACTUALLY HEARD.

>> Austin: IT SEEMS THAT WAY.

HE DENIED THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND OTHER PARTIES MOTION TO TEMPORARILY BLOCK NEW REPUBLICAN DRAWN REDISTRICTING MAPS.

ON THE SAME TOKEN HE ALSO DENIED THE STATE'S MOTION TO DISMISS THEIR CASE.

SO WE'LL HEAR MORE IN FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT ON MARCH 1st, BUT THE CONSENSUS IS THAT THE FINAL SAY ON THIS MATTER WILL BE THE SPEAKER.

>> Bill: I'M LOSING COUNT OF THE AMENDMENTS BEING PROPOSED.

THE LIMIT IS FOUR THAT YOU CAN BUT ON THE BALLOT.

THIS IS NOT A REFERENDUM STATE BUT IT LOOKS LIKE VOTERS WILL BE SAG HAVING A SAY ON SOME THINGS.

>> Deborah: WE'VE GOT TO ABORTION BILL TO CLARIFY THE AMENDMENT, TO CLARIFY THERE'S NO KENTUCKY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ABORTION.

WE HAVE -- >> Austin: LEGISLATIVE SESSION DATE CHANGES.

>> Deborah: CALLING THEMSELVES INTO SESSION.

NO WE HAVE ONE IF IT GETS THROUGH SENATOR CHRIS MCDANIEL IS PROPOSING THAT WOULD RESTRICT IS THE GOVERNOR'S POWER TO ISSUE PARDONS RIGHT BEFORE AND AFTER AN ELECTION, AND THIS IS BASED ON, OF COURSE, GOVERNOR BEVIN'S NOW HIGHLY KNOWN FLURRY OF PARDONS THAT RESULTED IN A LOT OF QUESTIONABLE PEOPLE BEING RELEASED.

>> Bill: KWE'S ONE OF 13 STATUS WITH A TOTAL BAN ON MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

THERE'S NOW A DEMOCRATIC PROPOSAL THAT WOULD MAKE A CHANGE TO THAT.

WOULD THAT APPEAR TO HAVE ANY TRACTION?

>> Austin: YEAH, THE DEMOCRATS ARE THINKING BIG ON THIS ONE.

THEY ARE LEAGUIZING OR PROPOSING TO LEAGUIZE, I SHOULD SAY, RECREATIONAL AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRETTY MUCH IN ALL FORMS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS IN THEIR BILL.

I WOULD SAY PROBABLY THE MORE REALISTIC THING THAT MARIJUANA ADVOCATES CAN HOPE FOR IS A REPUBLICAN-BANGED REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES BILL THAT LEGALIZES A NARROW SET OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, QUICKLY, A BILL WOULD ALLOW FOR STRICTER RULES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS THAN THE STATE LEVEL.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

I HADN'T REALIZED THAT WAS COMING UP BUT APPARENTLY THAT'S GOING TO BE HEARD NEXT WEEK IN COMMITTEE, TOO, AND I THINK IT'S WIL SCHROEDERERS ABILITY A NORTHERN KENTUCKY SENATOR.

IT'S LARGELY ABOUT VAPING PRODUCTS WHICH CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM WITH KIDS ESPECIALLY.

>> Bill: AND THE CDC IS PROPOSING SOME NEW RULES WHEN IT COPS TO OPIOIDS AND WE'LL DISCUSS THAT AT A LATER POINT.

MOANED IS PRESIDENT'S DAY.

IT'S FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

THERE'S NO REGULAR MAIL.

IT'S IN THE A STATE HOLIDAY BUT THE STATE LEGISLATURE WON'T BE IN SESSION UNTIL TUESDAY.

AND BE SURE TO TUNE IN MONDAY AT 8:00 FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW WILL HOST A DISCUSSION ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.