>> Renee: LAWMAKERS RESPOND T CRITICAL RACE THEORY, MAKE A PUSH FOR ARMED OFFICERS AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ACT TO BAN MASK MANDATES AT SCHOOLS, DAY CARES AND UNIVERSITIES AND BAR TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM GIRLS' SPORTS teams AND THE GOVERNOR ACTS ON VEHICLE TAXES, WANTS TO SLICE THE SALES TAX AS DEMOCRAT LEGISLATORS WANT TO LEGALIZE, REGULATE AND TAX MARIJUANA.

A LOT TO BREAK DOWN ON THIS SEVENTH WEEK OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" I'M RENEE SHAW.

WE BEGIN WITH EDUCATION POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN FRANKFORT THIS WEEK.

AND THEY ARE APLENTY.

TRANSGENDER FEMALE ATHLETES IN KENTUCKY MAY BE FORCED TO PLAY IN BOYS' SPORTS UNDER A BILL TH SENATE PASSED AT MID-WEEK.

SENATE BILL 83 WOULD USE BIRTH CERTIFICATES TO DETERMINE THE BIOLOGICAL SEX OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND WHAT SPORTS THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN.

BILL SUPPORTERS SAY LEGISLATION IS NEEDED TO KEEP GIRLS FROM BEING EDGED OUTED IN COMPET TY SPORTS AGAINST BIOLOGICAL BOYS WHO IDENTIFY AS girls HARDEN SENATOR ROBBY MILLS IS THE SPONSOR OF WHAT'S BEEN COINED THE SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS BILL.

>> THIS STATUTE CHANGE CLEARLY ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM WITH THE CURRENT KHSAA REGULATION.

SURGICAL CHANGES AND HORMONE THERAPY, REGARDLESS OF THE LENGTH OF TIME, DOES NOT REDUCE THE PHYSICAL ADVANTAGE THAT A BIOLOGICAL MALE HAS OVER A BIOLOGICAL FEMALE.

BOYS HAVE ATHLETIC ADVANTAGES EVEN BEFORE PUBERTY IN CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE, MUSCULAR STRENGTH, MUSCULAR ENDURANCE, SPEED, AGILITY, AND POWER TESTS.

>> Renee: UNDER THE LEGISLATION, TRANSGENDER MALE ATHLETES COULD PLAY IN BOYS' SP CRITICS INSIST THIS MEASURE IS AN ANSWER TO A NON-EXISTENT PRO LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT KAREN BERG, THE MOTHER OF A TRANSGENDER CHILD, ATTACHED AN AMENDMENT TO RESTRICT MILLS' MEASURE TO STUDENTS IN THE 6TH THROUGH 12TH GRADES ONLY, WHICH WOULD ALLOW ELEMENTARY KIDS TO PLAY o TEAMS THAT MATCH THEIR GENDER I DECISIONS ON HOW YOUTH SPORTS ARE RUN FOR THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVELS ARE DETERMINED BY LOCAL SCHOOLS AND ARE NOT DETERMINED BY THE KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION OR THE KHSAA.

CURRENTLY THE KHSAA ALREADY HA A POLICY SAYING STUDENT ATHLETE MUST PARTICIPATE ACCORDING TO THE GENDER ON THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE UNLESS LEGALLY REAS.

EACH THOUGH THEY ARE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED, SENATOR BERGER REJECTED THE OVERALL BILL AND CAST A NO VOTE ON IT.

>> THIS BILL, THE WAY IT'S WRITTENY REGARDLESS OF THE ASSURANCES OF THE SENATOR FROM HENDERSON, HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE 6th, 7th AND 8th GRADE TRANS FEMALES, FIRST OF ALL, NOT HAVE A TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN, BUT MORE TOMORROW, IT MAKES THEM FEEL LIKE THEY WILL NOT BE INCLUDED ON PURPOSE.

ON PURPOSE.

YOU ARE EXCLUDING THESE CHILDREN CHILDREN, AND IT GOES TO THEIR HEARTS AND IT HURTS THEIR PARENTS' SOULS BEYOND -- I CANNOT TELL YOU THE WORDS OF HOW HURTFUL IT IS TO A PARENT.

>> Renee: DEMOCRATIC ROBIN WEBB SUPPORTS THE measure SHE BROKE GENDER BARRIERS IN BASKETBALL GROWING UP AND SAYS HER SUCCESS WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPEDED IF SHE HAD COMPETED AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MALES.

SHE SAID SHE WAS A PRODUCT OF TITLE IX, A FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS .

LAW THAT PROHIBITS sex-based DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOL AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING.

SHE REASONS LAWMAKERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS SCHOOL ATHLETICS ISS.

>> WHEN YOU SAY THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T GET IN SPORTS, I DISAGREE WITH THAT, AND POLICY, BECAUSE TITLE IX HAS ENABLED ME, MY DAUGHTER AND GENERATIONS OF FEMALE ATHLETES TO GO ON, AND THERE'S A CONNECTION BETWEEN ORGANIZED SPORTS AND SUCCESS, CORPORATE CEOS, LEAKS AND OTHERS FOR women >> Renee: SENATE BILL 83 MARCHED THE SENATE 37 TO 8 ON WEDNESDAY AND IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE HOUSE WHERE A COMMITTEE IN THAT BODY PASSED A SIMILAR MEASURE, HOUSE BILL 23, ON Tuesday FEMALE ATHLETE AND W ACADEMY SENIOR HALLI GRAVELY SAYS KEEPING GIRLS' SPORTS FOR GIRLS ONLY IS IMPORTANT TO HER BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN A FIGURE SKATER SINCE AGE EIGHT AND DOES COMPETITIVE SWIMMING.

>> A MALE SWIMMER CURRENTLY COMPETING ON WOMEN'S TEAM FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA FIRST COMPETED FOR THREE YEARS ON THE MEN'S TEAM AND RANKED NUMBER 462 NATIONALLY.

TODAY LEAH RANKS NUMBER 1 AND IS CRUSHING FEMALE ATHLETES' TIME BY 38 SECONDS.

THIS IS DEVASTATING FOR FEMALE ATHLETES WHO HAVE TRAINED FOR YEARS TO BEAT RECORDS, PLACE AT CHAMPIONSHIPS OR EVEN SECURE THEIR SPOT ON A COLLEGIATE TEAM.

OUR ACADEMIC FUTURES AND SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ON THE line >> Renee: LOUISVILLE STUDENT REESE RAGLAND VOICED HER OBJECTIONS TO TRANSGENDER ATHLETE BANS.

RAGLAND IS A STAT RUNNER AT LOUISVILLE COLLEGIATE.

>> HOUSE BILL 23 BANS A CERTAIN CLASS OF ATHLETES.

TRANSGENDER GIRLS SPECIFICALLY FROM COMPETING.

IT HURTS GIRLS THAT ARE ALREADY VULNERABLE AND LIMITS THEM FROM EXPERIENCING ONE OF THE GREATEST STAGES OF THEIR LIFE THE FULLEST.

PLEASE, KENTUCKY, LET THE CHILDREN PLAY.

IN MANY OF THE SPORTS OFFERED TO GIRLS OF ALL AGES HERE, I AM UNFAMILIAR WITH ANY TRANS GIRLS OUTPERFORMING THE CISGENDER GIRLS TO BRING BE A CONCERN TO THE STATE.

I PERSONALLY FIND THIS WILL TO BE SELFISH AS IT HAS FOUND THE POWER TO WITHHOLD THE DREAM OF GIRLS FROM FREELY EXPRESSING THEMSELVES AND NOTE JUST IN SCHOOL BUT IN SPORTS AS well >> Renee: HOUSE BILL 23 ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE EARLIER THI WEEK ON A VOTE OF 13 TO 6.

NO ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE HAS BEEN TAKEN ON THE MEASURE YET.

A PROPOSED LAW REQUIRING ON-SITE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AT EVERY SCHOOL GAINED TRACTION THIS WEEK.

JEFFERSON COUNTY REP KEVIN BRATCHER SAYS THE INTENT OF HIS HOUSE BILL 63 IS TO COMPLY WITH A SCHOOL SAFETY LAW PASSED IN 2019 TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE ARMED OFFICER AT EACH CAMPU UNDER BRATCHER'S BILL, KENTUCKY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH THE STATE'S SCHOOL SECURITY MARSHAL IF THERE ARE ISSUES WITH FINDING OR AFFORDIN SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

>> THIS IS IS NOT AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

HOUSE BILL 63 IS NOT AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

IT IS JUST A GREAT NEW STEP TO ACHIEVE WHAT THE ORIGINAL SENATE BILL 1 WANTED ALL THE TIME, AND THAT IS SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Renee: SEVERAL DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY DELEGATION ROSE TO URGE THE MEASURE'S DEFEAT AND EXPRESS THE NEED FOR LOCAL DECISION-MAKING WHEN IT COMES TO SROs.

THEY CONTEND IT WOULD BE TOO COSTLY TO GET THE MORE THAN 150 PEACE OFFICERS THE DISTRICT WOULD NEED TO SATISFY THE NEW LAW, IF THEY COULD EVEN FIND THEM.

>> WE HAVE A LOCALLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD IN JEFFERSON COUNTY THAT'S 7 TO ZERO DECIDED THAT THE SAFETY PLAN NOT ONLY MET THE NATURE OF THE LAW THAT WE HAD IN PLACE AND IT WAS ALSO THE APPROPRIATE PLAN.

SO I URGE TO YOU VOTE NO ON THIS MEASURE AND SUPPORT OF LOCAL CONTROL.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 63 CLEARED THE HOUSE 78 TO 17.

IT IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

AS WESTERN KENTUCKY COMMUNITIES CONTINUE TO RECOVER AND REBUILD FROM DECEMBER'S DEVASTATING TORNADOES, A BILL TO WAIVE UP TO 15 ATTENDANCE DAYS FOR STORM-IMPACTED SCHOOL DISTRICTS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THE HOUSE WE SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE MYE ON DOSSETT, HOUSE BILL 397 WOUL PREVENT LENGTHING THE SCHOOL YEAR TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOST DAYS DUE TO THE DISASTER.

IT'S NOW WAITING FOR ACTION IN THE S YESTERDAY IN THE UPPER CHAMBER, THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SAYS HE DRAFTED A BILL AIMED AT THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING CRITICA RACE THEORY WITH THE INTENT TO UNIFY THE STATE.

TAYLOR COUNTY REPUBLICAN MAX WISE'S SENATE BILL 138 SETS GUIDELINES ON COR THAT'S TO BE TAUGHT BUT DOESN'T BAN CURRICULUM THAT SOME MAY DEEM CONTROVERSIAL.

WISE SAYS HE WANTS K THROUGH 12TH GRADE STUDENTS TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT KEY HISTORICAL EVENTS AND STRUGGLES AND NOT BE TAUGHT WHAT TO THINK.

>> ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS THAT I GOT IS SENATOR TWICE, WHY DID YOU FILE THIS PARTICULAR TYPECH BILL?

WHY DO WE NEED THIS TIFT OUR COUNTRY'S SITUATION, THE TIME OF OUR STATE, QUESTIONS SUCH AS THAT.

SO AMID NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE TENSIONS THAT SEEM TO BE FURTHER GUIDING US, I'VE DRAFTED A BILL WITH THE ATTEMPT TO UNIFY.

AND LET'S SEASONS OUR STATE'S ACADEMIC STANDARDS WITH AMERICAN PRINCIPLES AND ENCOURAGE TEACHERS TO HELP STUDENTS EXPLORE ORIGINAL CORE DOCUMENTS, ANALYZE HISTORICAL AND CURRENT ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES, AND DEVELOP AS THE NEXT GENERATION OF KENTUCKY citizens >> Renee: THE PROPOSED NEW LAW SPECIFIES TWO DOZEN HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND SPEECHES THAT WOULD BE ADDED TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY CLASSES, INCLUDING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL BY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., AND A SPEECH BY RONALD REAGAN IN THE 1964 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN ON BEHALF OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE BARRY GOLDWATER CALLED "A TIME FOR CHOOSING."

THE INSTRUCTION AND CLASSROOM DISCUSSION ABOUT SLAVERY AND POST CIVIL WAR LAWS WOULD BE ALLOWED UNDER WISE'S B BUT THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE IN THE BILL SPECIFIES THAT "DEFINING RACIAL DISPARITIES SOLELY ON TH LEGACY OF THIS INSTITUTION IS DESTRUCTIVE TO THE UNIFICATION OF OUR NATION" AND SPECIFIES THAT REGARDLESS OF ONE'S CIRCUMSTANCES, AN AMERICAN HAS THE ABILITY TO SUCCEED.

SENATE BILL 138 STATES CLASS PROJECTS MUST BE AGE-APPROPRIATE AND NON EDUCATORS COULD OPT OUT OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING THAT PUSHES SPECIFIC NARRATIVES OF RACIAL, ETHNIC OR GENDER stereo HE SAYS HE REWROTE PORTIONS OF THE ORIGINAL BILL THAT CRITIC CLAIMED RESTRICTED DISCUSSION O CONTROVERSIAL HISTORICAL ISSUES LIKE SLAVERY.

>> ALTHOUGH THIS ABSOLUTELY WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE BILL, I WILL AGREE THAT THE BILL'S ORIGINAL WORDING WAS CONFUSING.

THEREFORE, TO CLARIFY MY INTENT FOR MORE OPEN CLASSROOM DISCUSSION, THE COMMITTEE SUB DELETES THE WORD "IMPARTIAL" REGARDING DISCUSSION OF CONTROVERSIAL ASPECTS OF HISTORY OR OPPRESSION OF GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

AS SOMEONE HOE HAS TAUGHT IN THE EDUCATION CLASSROOM BEFORE, I WELCOME THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

I WANT THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO BE THERE.

PARENTS ALSO WANT THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

SO WE DO NOT WANT TO TELL A TEACHER, AND BY REMOVING THE WORD "IMPARTIAL" TO STILL ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION OF CURRENT EVENTS AS CONTROVERSIAL AS THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN.

>> Renee: TIM HOLMAN, IN HIS 23RD YEAR OF TEACHING.

HE CURRENT TEACHES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS AT DUPONT MANUAL H SCHOOL IN LOUISVILLE.

DIVERSE AND IMPARTIAL INSTRUCTION IS WHAT HOLMAN SAYS HE STRIVES FOR AND BELIEVES IS THE INTENTION O BILL 138, BUT HE FEARS SOME UNTEND consequences.

SOME STUDENTS COMPLAINED THE MEASURE PLAYS POLITICS WITH EDUCATION.

>> I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLAY A ROLE FROM YOU ARE N. OUR LIFE BUT THAT ROLE SHOULD BE PREDOMINANTLY DETERMINED CLOSE TO HOME AND NOT AS DICTATES AND MANDATES FROM BIG GOVERNMENT.

NOTICED ONE THE DOCUMENTS MANDATED BY THIS BILL WAS A SPEECH BY RONALD REAGAN WHO WAS LARGELY ELECTED ON THE PROBLEM OF DEVELOP USING OF DECISION MAKING TO LOCAL ENT PHIPPS I DON'T WANT TO SEE WELL-INTENTION DOLLARS LEGISLATION ULTIMATELY HARM INSTRUCTION, HARM TEACHERS AND ULTIMATELY HARM KIDS.

>> MY EDUCATION IS NOT A POLITICAL TOOL TO BE MESSED WITH FOR PARTISAN GAIN.

HISTORY I WANT TO BE TAUGHT IS THE TRUTH.

THE PURPOSE OF HISTORY SHOULD BE TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE PAST AND TO LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST, PROVIDING AN INSUFFICIENT HISTORY THAT WASHES AWAY ANYTHING UNSAVORY OR ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAIN IT AWAY AS HAVING NO BEARING ON THE PRESENT TO MAKE STUDENTS COMFORTABLE A SUBSTANDARD EDUCATION.

>> Renee: BUT 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENT TIMOTHY KING AT MORE GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SAID HE CAME TO BELIEVE THAT A CERTAIN MENTALITY WAS TAUGHT IN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, A MENTALITY OF WHAT HE CALLS-VEHICLE HAMMOND THAT KEPT STUDENTS FROM ACHIEVING AT HIGH SUN DEVILS.

>> IN MY OPINION STUDENTS AT JCPS ARE BEING TAUGHT CRITICAL RACE THEORY THAT ALLEGES STUDENTS OF DIFFERENT RACES ARE NOT HELD TO THE SAME STANDARDS OR EXPECTATIONS SUCH AS AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS ARE BEING SUDDEN TAUGHT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ACHIEVE GOALS BUYING COLLEAGUE GOING TO COLLEGE BECAUSE OF THE WHITE MAN.

AS AP AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE, MY FAMILY TAUGHT ME IF I WANTED TO ACHIEVE ANYTHING, ALL I HAD TO DO WAS BUT MY FAITH IN GOD AND PUT MY MIND INTO IT >> Renee: THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE YESTERDAY 9 TO 4 TO ADVANCE HAD HISTORY INSTRUCTION MEASURE TO THE SENATE FLOOR FOR A VOTE BY THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP.

A CRITTENDEN COUNTY REPUBLICAN MAINTAINS THAT THE PROBLEMS BROUGHT ON BY MASKS FAR OUTWEIG THE BENEFITS OF WEARING THEM IN REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE LYNN BECHLER HAS A PLAN TO MAKE FACE COVERINGS OPTIONAL IN PUBLIC DAYCARES, SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, AND IT'S EMBODIED IN HIS HOUSE BILL 51 BECHLER SAYS LEARNING S SPEECH DELAYS, AND MENTAL HEALT CHALLENGES ARE ALL STEMMING FRO MASK WEARING.

>> PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE PRESIDENT'S HOME STATE, AND OR GONE, NONE OF THEM HOTBEDS OF CONSERVATISM, ALL HAVE ANNOUNCED AN END TO SCHOOL MASK MANDATES.

THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT MASKS DON'T WORK IN LESSENING THE SPREAD OF COVID.

IN OUR OWN UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE HAS REPORTED THAT.

PARENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION REGARDING MASKS THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

COLLEGE STUDENTS CAN VOTE FOR PRESIDENT.

SHOULDN'T THEY ALSO BE ALLOWED TO MAKE THEIR OWN MASKING DECISIONS?

>> Renee: KRISTIN WORTHEN OF OLDHAM COUNTY TESTIFIED GEENS THE bill SHE HAS TWO ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN AND A FOUR-YEAR-OLD WHO IS MEDICALLY SHE TESTIFIED THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT PERMANENT MASK MANDATES IN PLACE BUT BELIEVES THE LEVEL OF COMMUNITY SPREAD SHOULD INFORM THAT DECISION.

>> IF YOU ALL WANT TO TIE THE DECISION OF WHETHER MASKS CAN BE IN SCHOOLS TO PUBLIC HEALTH MARKERS TO REASONABLE PUBLIC HEALTH MAKERS, FANTASTIC.

BUT TO TAKE AWAY THIS PROTECTION FROM MY FAMILY, TO TAKE AWAY MY CHILDREN'S ABILITY TO ATTEND SCHOOL BY ADVOCATING FOR THIS BILL, YOU'RE ACTIVELY ADVOCATING AGAINST MEDICALLY FRAGILE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Renee: LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT ATTICA SCOTT SAYS SHE REJECTS THE NARRATIVE THAT MASKS DON'T WORK IN COMBATING COVID-19 AND VOTED AGAINST THE BAN ON MASK MANDATES IN COMMITTEE.

>> SO WE KNOW THAT DOZENS OF SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS HAVE PLAYERS WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE'S A DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON BLACK AND LATINX PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY AS WELL AS THE REALITY OF VACCINE APARTHEID WHERE IT WASN'T AVAILABLE IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES LIKE MINE.

WE SAW ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CLOSE BECAUSE OF COVID-19 OUTBREAKS.

SO THIS IS ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH, NOT YOUR PERSONAL PREFERENCES.

>> Renee: SOME ARGUE MASK REQUIREMENTS ARE BEST LEFT FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DECID AND BELIEVE FACE COVERINGS ALLO FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING TO CONTI HOUSE BILL 51 ADVANCED FROM THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE EARLIER THI WEEK ON A VOTE OF 12 TO 7 AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FUL HOUSE MEMBERSHIP.

A WINCHESTER REPUBLICAN AND PHYSICIAN SAYS STUDIES SHOW THE LEVEL OF IMMUNITY AFTER BEING INFECTED WITH COVID-19 IS AS GOOD AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

UNDER SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 80S, THE STATE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECOGNIZE POSITIVE COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTS AS EQUIVALENT TO VACCINATION.

IT'S AN IDEA THAT SPARKED CRITICISM FROM ANOTHER DOCTOR AND SENATOR.

>> WE RECITED 23 COUNTRIES IN EUROPE THAT NOW RECOGNIZED COVID RECOVERY OR VACCINATION TO BE EQUIVALENT.

THERE ARE EMERGING STUDIES SHOWING THAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD NATURAL INFECTIONS PROVIDES PROTECTION, PERHAPS EQUAL OR IAN SUPERIOR AT TIMES THAN VACCINATIONS.

>> WE COULD PASS A SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION TODAY THAT SAYS POTATO CHIPS ARE JUST AS HEALTHY FOR YOU AS AN APPLE.

AND WE COULD PASS THAT RESOLUTION.

WE COULD ALL VOTE YES TO IT.

IT DOESN'T MAKE IT TRUE.

THIS -- WE DO NOT HAVE THE SCIENCE ON THIS DATA.

>> Renee: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 80 REQUIRES ANTIBODY LEV FROM THE TESTING TO BE EQUIVALENT TO PEOPLE IN THE 20th PERCENTILE OF IMMUNIZATION ANTIBODY LEVELS IN ORDER TON CONSIDERED EQUIVALENT.

SJR 80 PASSED THE SENATE ALONG PARTY LINES 28 TO 6 A TRIO OF KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS BELIEVE IT'S TIME TO END THE PROHIBITION ON CANNABIS IN KENTUCKY AND THEY'VE FILED BILLS TO LEGALIZE, REGULATE AND TAX WIEDER IN THE state REPRESENTATIVE RACHEL ROBERTS AND SENATORS MORGAN MCGARVEY AND DAVID YATES HAVE FILED IDENTICAL LEGISLATION ON MEDICINAL AND RECREATIONAL USE OF MARIJUANA.

THE LEGISLATION IS KNOWN AS LETTS GROW AND IT WOULD APPLY THE 6% SALES TAX TO ADULT USE SALES WHILE ALLOWING GOVERNMENTS TO LEVY LICENSE FEE UP TO 5%.

CITIES AND COUNTIES WOULD BE ABLE TO SPLIT THAT LIC IT WOULD ALSO DECRIMINALIZE THE LOW LEVEL MARIJUANA OFFENSES AN ERASE MISDEMEANOR CONVICTIONS FOR POSSESSION.

HERE'S MORE ABOUT THE BILLS FROM THE DEMOCRATS' ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO LEGALIZE, EXPUNGE LOW LEVEL OFFENSES, PROVIDE MONEY FOR TREATMENT, AND THEN TAX IT.

>> WHEN ENACTED, THIS LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE A CANNABIS CONTROL BOARD.

THE BOARD WOULD MIRROR THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL, BUT IN THIS CASE ESTABLISH AN AND ENFORCE REGULATIONS FROM STEED TO SALE.

A SEPARATE SOCIAL IMPACT COUNCIL WOULD USE A PORTION OF STATE PROCEEDS, DEVELOP AND ADMINISTRATOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, AND AWARD GRANTS TO GROUPS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN MARGINALIZED FOR ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE USE.

UNEXPUNGE AM THE LEGISLATION WOULD REMOVE CONVICTIONS AUTOMATICALLY WITHIN A YEAR ALTHOUGH CONVICTED COAPTATION A COURT.

LETT'S GROW WOULD APPLY THE 6% SALES TAX TO ALL THE.ADULTERATED HUES EWES WHILE ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO LICENSE FEES UP TO 5%.

CITIES AND COUNTIES WOULD BE ABLE TO SPLIT THAT LICENSE REVENUE.

>> THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS A WRAPAROUND APPROACH THAT CAN PUT KENTUCKY FIRST, THAT CAN CHANGE OUR FUTURE, AND CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT FILLING OUR JAILS WITH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T CRIMINALS.

>> THIS BILL PROVIDES MUCH-NEEDED REVENUE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH.

IT'S A GREAT STEP TOWARDS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND UNCLOGGING OUR JAILS FILLED WITH PEOPLE WITH LOW LEVEL DRUG CRIMES.

THERE'S ALSO A MEDICINAL BENEFIT TO THIS.

>> IT HELPS THOSE WHO ARE SICK.

IT GIVES A SECOND CHANCE TO THOSE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CHARGED.

AND IT WOULD PUT KENTUCKY ALMOST OVERNIGHT AT THE EPICENTER OF A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS.

>> IT IS PAST TIME IN KENTUCKY FOR THIS DISCUSSION, AND IT'S TIME NOW TO PASS THE LETT'S GROW BILL.

>> Renee: OUTRIGHT LEGALLATION OF WEED in KENTUCKY HAS LOW ODDS IN THE REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED GEN REPUBLICAN JASON NEMES HAS A MEASURE AGAIN THIS SESSION TO ALLOW FOR MEDICINAL MARIJUANA, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN CALLED UP FOR COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION.

THE EXPECTED SURGE IN VEHICLE TAXES THIS YEAR TO AS MUCH AS 40% HAS SPURRED LAWMAKERS TO ACT IN RECENT WEEKS AND THIS WEEK GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SPARING DRIVERS FROM PANDEMIC-INFLATED CAR TAXE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

HIS ACTION ALLOWS KENTUCKIANS TO PAY A TAX AMOUNT SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR IF THEY OWN THE SAME VEHICLE AND ARE LIVING IN THE SAME COUNTY.

EXPECT A REFUND IF ALREADY PAID VEHICLE TAXES FOR WHAT'S MORE, THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO SHRINK THE CURRENT SALES TAX RATE FROM 6 TO 5 PERCENT FOR ONE YEAR IT WOULD AMOUNT TO OVER $1 BILLION IN SAVINGS TO KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS WANT TO ADDRESS TAX REFORM THIS SESSION, AND TO THAT, HERE'S THE GOVERNOR'S RES.

>> A WORD OF CAUTION.

TO THOSE IN FRANKFORT THAT ARE USING EVASIVE TERMS, VAGUE TERMS LIKE "COMPREHENSIVE TAX REFORM."

THAT PHRASE HAS ALWAYS MEANT ONE THING, RAISING THE SALES TAX ON EVERYBODY.

SO THAT THEY COULD DECREASE INCOME TAX AND CORPORATE INCOME TAX ON THE WEALTHIEST KENTUCKIANS AND COMPANIES THAT ARE ALREADY HAVING THEIR BEST YEARS IN DECADES.

THOSE TYPES OF CUTS.

OUT-OF-STATE CORPORATIONS DON'T BENEFIT OUR KENTUCKY ECONOMY.

PEOPLE PUT THEM IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNT INSTEAD OF THEM BEING DIRECTLY ROW LATED TO SPENDING.

THEY WILL NOT STIMULATE OUR ECONOMY AND THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE RELIEF TO PEOPLE IN EVERY SINGLE INCOME BREAK THE LIKE THIS 1% REDUCTION D. BRACKETT, LIKE THIS REDUCTION FROM 6% TO 5% OF THE SALES TAX WILL.

SO WHY?

WHY WOULD PEOPLE IN THE MIDST OF THE HIGHEST INFLATION IN DECADES WANT TO PUT IN A REFORM THAT MAKES THINGS COST MORE?

>> Renee: IN THE SENATE TODAY, THE BUDGET CHAIRMAN CHRI MCDANIEL REACTED TO THE GOVERNOR'S REVISION OF THE MOTO VEHICLE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE YEA WHICH HE SAID WAS THE RIGHT MOV BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR A ONE-YEAR LOWERING OF THE SALES TAX, MCDANIEL AND SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS HAD SOME STRONG .

>> THE PROBLEM, MR. PRESIDENT, IS THAT WE ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY BOUND TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

WITH THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, HE REMOVES $873 MILLION FROM THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS PROPOSED BIELLEN BUDGET WHICH NECESSARILY PUTS HIS BUDGET OUT OF BALANCE.

SO WHAT HE DID IS EXTENDED FALSE HOPE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH BY PROPOSING A TAX REDUCTION WHILE AT THE SAME TIME EXTENDING FALSE HOPE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH FOR SAYING THAT HE WAS GOING TO SPEND IN AREAS THAT HE COULDN'T ACCOMPLISH WITH HIS PROPOSED TAX REDUCTION.

NOW, I KNOW THAT A LOT OF TIMES BUDGETING GETS EXCEPTIONALLY WONKY.

BUT THE FACT IS THERE'S NO GREATER TRUST THAT THE AVERAGE KENTUCKIAN PLACES IN THE MEMBERS OF THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAN THEIR TAX DOLLARS.

>> I THINK WHAT YOU WILL SEE FOR STATE POLICE RAISES, WHICH WE ALL KNOW WAS $15,000 ACROSS THE BOARD, THAT COST $27 MILLION.

FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, IT'S ABOUT $30 MILLION.

AND WE STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO 10% OF THE CUTS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO BASED ON WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED YESTERDAY.

WE STILL NEED $800 MILLION WITH THESE TWO THING JUST WITH EXAMPLES.

WHAT IS EVEN MORE DISCONCERTING IS WE SAT THERE IN THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH, STATE OF BUDGET ADDRESS AND TALKED TALKED ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO ALL THESE THINGS.

SO WHAT ARE THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED CUTS?

PRE-K?

KINDERGARTEN?

ALL THE EXPANSION ITEMS?

OR DO WE GO ALREADY INTO EXISTING PROGRAMS AND CUT THOSE?

I ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.

BUT PROBABLY WHAT IS MOST DISCONCERTING, BESIDES THIS NOW BECOMING WHAT'S CALLED A STRUCTURALLY IMBALANCED, UNBALANCED BUDGET, IS THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT OUR BOND RATINGS.

WE'RE GOING TO GET DINGED BY ALL THE RATING AGENCIES ABOUT, ARE YOU GOING TO PAY FOR THIS WITH ONE-TIME DOLLARS FOR RECURRING EXPENSES?

THROW ALL THAT OUT.

WHAT HE PROPOSED YESTERDAY AND WHAT HIS BUDGET IS, YOU COMBINE THOSE TWO TOGETHER IS unconstit >> Renee: THE PLAN TO REDUCE KENTUCKY'S SALES TAX BY A PERCENTAGE POINT FOR THE NEXT YEAR IS EMBODIED IN HOUSE BILL IT WAS INTRODUCED IN HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY BY HOUSE MINORITY WHI ANGIE HATTON.

ALSO ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY, JESSAMINE COUNTY FRESHMAN DONALD DOUGLASS FILED A MEASURE THAT END WOULD THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY THAT WAS DECLARED BY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR ON MARCH 6, 2020.

>> I PROPOSE TO HAVE THIS EMERGENCY ENDED ON MARCH 7, 2022.

WE HAVE SEEN OUR COVID NUMBERS CONTINUE TO DECLINE, AND THOUGH WE MAY SEE SOME UPS AND DOWNS IN THOSE NUMBERS, THE TREND IS OBVIOUS, THAT WE ARE NOW IN AN ENDEMIC PHASE.

THE CHANGES THAT WERE FORCED BY THIS EMERGENCY CAUSED GREAT HARM, NOT ONLY TO OUR ECONOMY BUT ALSO TO OUR WORKFORCE AND TO OUR SUPPLY CHAIN.

AND, MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS IMPORTANT TO EVERYBODY.

>> Renee: THE EXPIRATION OF THE COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY IS IN DOUGLASS' SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 150.

THAT'S ALL FOR WEEK SEVEN AND DAY 32 COVERAGE OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

IS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-800-633-9650.

YOU CAN ALWAYS FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.

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

AND YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

LAWMAKERS AREN'T IN SESSION ON MONDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF PRESIDENTS' DAY SO WE HOPE TO SEE YOU TUESDAY NIGHT AT 11:30 EASTERN, 10:30 CENTRAL FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AHEAD.

I'M RENEE SHAW, AND I'LL SEE YOU REAL SOON.