♪ ♪ >> THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE OVERTURNED THE GOVERNOR'S VERDICT ON HALF-A-DOZEN BILLS, MANY OF WHICH REDUCE HIS EMERGENCY POWER AUTHORITY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND OTHER EMERGENCIES.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

BY LARGELY PARTISAN SPLITS, REPUBLICANS OVERRODE ANDY BESHEAR'S VETOES OF BILLS TO REIN IN EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND REQUIRE MORE CONSULTATION WITH LAWMAKERS TO EXTEND THEM; CHANGE THE VENUE OF CIVIL LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST THE STATE AND GIVE THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL GREATER POWER TO GO AFTER ABORTION PROVIDERS WHO VIOLATE LAW AND REGULATIONS.

WE BEGIN WITH A RECAP OF SENATE BILL ONE THAT LIMITS THE NUMBER OF DAYS THE GOVERNOR CAN CALL A STATE OF EMERGENCY TO 30 IF THEY PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON GATHERINGS, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES OR PLACES OF WORSHIP.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE CALLED INTO SESSION TO APPROVE AN EXTENSION.

SENATE DEMOCRATS, WHO HOLD ONLY 8 OF THE 38 SEATS IN THE UPPER CHAMBER SAID LAWMAKERS SHOULDN'T DENY THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR TO HANDLE CRISES SUCH AS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

REPUBLICANS MAINTAIN THE MEASURE SEEKS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS AND PARENTS WHO'VE STRUGGLED WITH REMOTE LEARNING.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES DO IS, DESPITE ANY POLITICAL RAMIFICATION IS IT HAS TODAY, IT HANDCUFFS EVERY FUTURE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIAL, EVERY FUTURE GOVERNOR, HOW THEY ORGANIZE WHAT THEY DO, HOW THEY RESPOND TO CRISES WITH WE ARE NOT HERE.

THIS IS A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE.

THIS IS A FULL TIME EXECUTIVE.

WE SHOULD BE SHAPING POLICIES THAT HELP PEOPLE NOW INTO THE FUTURE.

I DON'T THINK THIS BILL DOES THAT.

>> Renee: SENATE PRESIDENT AREN'T STIVERS MAINTAINS THAT THE GOVERNOR IS NOT SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING KENTUCKIANS AND THAT THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM FOR THE STATE'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE .

>> WHY DID OUR DRAFTERS, THE FRAMERS OF OUR CONSTITUTION SPECIFICALLY SET OUT IN THE CONSTITUTION THE GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO CALL US INTO SPECIAL SESSION?

IT IS EXACTLY FOR THIS INSTANCE.

HE DOES NOT HAVE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE UNFETTERED DISCRETION UNLESS GIVEN TO HIM BY STATUTES.

BECAUSE I WILL SIT HERE AND I WILL ARGUE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS IMPLIED POWERS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

THEY ARE EITHER ENUMERATED OR PRESCRIBED BY LAW.

THAT'S WHAT THE FRAMERS OF OUR CONSTITUTION PUT IN THE CONSTITUTION AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ENVISIONED.

>> Renee: THE SENATE VOTED IN FAVOR OF OVERRIDING GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S VETO 29 TO 8.

WHEN THE MEASURE WAS RECEIVED IN THE HOUSE, LEXINGTON DEMOCRAT CHERYLYNN STEPHENSON SAID THAT THE HUMAN TOLL OF THE VIRUS CAN'T BE QUANTIFIED BY MERE CASE AND FATALITY NUMBERS, AND THAT THE EXTENT OF THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF COVID WOULD BE MADE WORSE BY SENATE BILL ONE.

>> OUR LOVED ONES, OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR FRIENDS ARE DYING.

AND THOSE THAT AREN'T, ONE OUT OF FOUR OF THEM IS HUNGRY.

AND THIS BILL, THIS BILL, IF WE ALLOW THIS BILL TO GO THROUGH, THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL NO LONGER HAVE THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE SNAP MAXIMUM ALLOTMENT STATEWIDE.

THAT MEANS THAT OVER 200,000 HOMES COULD LOSE GROCERIES AND THAT MEANS THAT OVER $41 MILLION WILL BE LOST TO GROCERS, FARMERS, AND LOCAL ECONOMIES.

IN FEBRUARY ALONE.

OUR PEOPLE ARE HURTING AND OUR PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING AND THEY NEED US TO COME HERE AND WORK FOR THEM.

BUT THIS, THIS BILL IS NOT THE SOLUTION.

>> Renee: THE HOUSE AWARDED THE MEASURE FINAL PASSAGE ON A VOTE OF 69 TO 20 IN OVERRIDING THE GOVENOR'S VETO AND IT WILL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

SENATE BILL 2 GIVES LAWMAKERS MORE OVERSIGHT OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS.

IT WAS APPROVED BY THE SAME VOTE MARGIN IN THE HOUSE AFTER IT WAS DELIVERED FROM THE SENATE.

SPONSORED BY PARIS REPUBLICAN STEPHEN WEST, IT ALLOWS DIFFERENT INTERIM COMMITTEES TO REVIEW ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS SET BY EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES.

>> DURING THE INTERIM PERIOD, HAD SEVERAL MANDATES THAT HE ISSUED THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT ELIMINATED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS, BANKRUPTED MANY SMALL BUSINESSES, TOLD LANDLORDS THEY COULDN'T COLLECT RENT ON PROPERTY THAT THEY OWNED.

; RESFRICTED IN-PERSON WORSHIP TO THE POINT THAT HE SENT OUT THE STATE POLICE TO CHECK ON LICENSE PLATES FOR LITTLE OLD LADIES TRYING TO GO TO CHURCH.

>> NOW WITH SENATE BILL 2, WHAT WE DO IS WE TRY TO SPEAK FOR THE GOVERNOR BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO EVADE, WEARY HAVE ADDING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

WE ARE SAYING THAT WITH REGARD TO YOUR EXECUTIVE REGULATIONS, YOU KNOW, OUR ACTIONS ARE GOING TO BE BINDING AS A LEGISLATURE.

WE ARE TALKING THAT AWAY.

WE ARE SAYING WITH REGARD TO YOUR EXECUTIVE ACTIONS, THAT WE CAN DENY THEM WITHOUT ADEQUATE BECAUSE WE DON'T THINK THERE IS ADEQUATE JUSTIFICATION.

WE ARE SPEAKING FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> Renee: THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF SENATE BILL 2 WAS OVER RIDDEN AND THE MEASURE BECOME LAW THE HOUSE'S PRIORITY MEASURE, HOUSE BILL ONE LETS BUSINESSES OPEN AND BE FULLY OPERATIONAL WITH IN-PERSON SERVICES, AND ALLOWS SCHOOLS TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO LONG AS THEY AND BUSINESSES COMPLY WITH FEDERAL CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL OR STATE EXECUTIVE BRANCH GUIDELINES - WHICHEVER IS LEAST RESTRICTIVE.

IT ALSO WAIVES PENALTIES AND INTEREST ON LATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAXES THAT WOULD BE DUE AT THE END OF MARCH AND GIVES MORE TIME TO PAY THE TAX.

THE MEASURE ALSO RESTARTS IN-PERSON NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTAL VISITATION THAT'S BEEN SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT LETS ONE PERSON - DEEMED AN ESSENTIAL DAILY CARE VISITOR - SEE THEIR LOVED ONE IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY.

CAMPBELL COUNTY DEMOCRAT RACHEL ROBERTS POSITED HER OBJECTION TO OVERRIDING THE GOVERNOR'S VETO THIS WAY.

>> I DON'T SEE HOW THIS BILL SAVES LIVES.

AS AMERICANS WE LOST THE MOST AMERICANS IN JANUARY AND HERE WE ARE LOOKING TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE CONFUSING FOR BUSINESSES TO ADHERE TO GUIDELINES.

I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I HAVE TALKED TO MANY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

THE CDC MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THEY EXPECT TO BE FILTERED THROUGH THE STATES SO THAT THE STATES CAN APPLY THEM TO THEIR SPECIFIC INSTANCES.

WHEN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN MY BUSINESS HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT GUIDELINES, THEY CALL ME OR THEY CALL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND NOW WE ARE ASKING THEM TO CALL THE CDC TO GET THESE ANSWERS THAT ARE CHANGING?

WE HAVE A NEW ADMINISTRATION FROM THE TIME THAT WE VOTED ON THIS THE FIRST TIME THE CDC GUIDELINES HAVE CHANGED.

I FIND THIS BILL TO BE CONFUSING.

I FIND IT TO BE RECKLESS AND I THINK THIS BILL WILL LEAD TO MORE LOSS OF LIFE.

>> AND TO TASS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION GOOD FOR ABOUT A YEAR THAT SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S GUIDELINES, WHICH AGAIN, ARE JUST GUIDELINES, WILL TAKE PRECEDENT OVER WHAT THE DULY ELECTED GOVERNOR DEEMS AS THE EMERGENCY ACTIONS THAT FIT THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH, JUST DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

IT'S NOT GOOD POLICY.

LET'S NOT TIE HIS HANDS.

LET'S LET HIM CONTINUE THIS JOB.

LET'S LET HIM BE THE GOVERNOR AND NOT DIMINISH HIS POWERS LIKE THIS.

>> Renee: THE HOUSE VOTED TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO ON A LARGELY PARTY LINE VOTE OF 72 TO 22.

THE SENATE ECHOED THE HOUSE AND VOTED TO OVERRIDE THE VETO ON HOUSE BILL, AND DEMOCRATIC MINORITY MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE.

GRAYSON SENATOR ROBIN WEBB.

SHE SAYS THAT HOUSE BILL 1 WOULD RELENT LOCAL CONTROL TO A FEDERAL AGENCY THAT DOESN'T INTEND TO CREATE REGULATIONS.

BUT, WINCHESTER SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO COUNTERED THE MEASURE WILL GIVE KENTUCKIANS A CHOICE.

>> THE CRDZ GUIDELINES ARE JUST THAT.

THEY'RE NOT INTENDED-- THEY ARE INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT AND NOT STAND ALONE BECAUSE EVERY SITUATION VARIES, ESPECIALLY IN A PANDEMIC OR A DISEASE RELATED CRISIS ACROSS THE NATION AND THAT LOCAL CONTROL IS BEST SUITED FOR THAT.

>> THIS A CHOICE FOR INDIVIDUALS.

THEY CAN CHOOSE TO FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES OR EXECUTIVE BRANCH GUIDELINES, WHICH EVER ARE LEAST RESTRICTIVE.

AMERICANS DON'T LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO AND IT GIVES THE INDIVIDUAL A CHOICE.

>> Renee: THE SENATE OVERRODE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF HOUSE BILL ONE 29 TO 8 AND SEND IT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE TO BECOME LAW.

THE REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED LEGISLATURE CEMENTED THEIR PLAN TO CHANGE WHERE LAWSUITS INVOLVING THE STATE DUE TO CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES TO STATE LAWS EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS ARE HANDLED.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE, MOSTLY ALONG PARTISAN LINES, VOTED TO OVERRIDE THE GOVENOR'S VETO OF HOUSE BILL 3.

MOST CASES INVOLVING CIVIL ACTIONS AGAINST THE STATE ARE SENT TO FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT, THE SEAT OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

UNDER THE NEW LAW, THOSE CASES WOULD BE HEARD IN THE COUNTY IN WHILE THEY'RE FILED BY THE PLAINTIFF.

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC FLOOR LEADER JONI JENKINS AND ATTORNEY MCKENZIE CANTRELL REITERATED THEIR OBJECTIONS TO OVERRIDING THE GOVENOR'S VETO ON THE MEASURE SITING THE TIME, EXPENSE AND DELAYS.

>> WE ARE EMBARKING ON A VERY, VERY DANGEROUS PRECEDENT HERE.

THE WORK WE DO HERE SHOULD BE WORK THAT CAN LIVE ON AND ON, AND BECAUSE THERE IS A DISAGREEMENT WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OVER ACTIONS TO TAKE THESE STEPS, I THINK, ARE VERY, VERY DANGEROUS AND I WOULD URGE MEMBERS TO SUCCESS STAWN THE VETO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE ALL OF THIS NON-UNIFORM LAW ACROSS THE STATE AND THEN ALL THESE CASES ARE GOING TO BE APPEALED AND THEN I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF ANGST HAS BEEN NARROWED IN ON THE FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT AND THESE TWO PARTICULAR JUDGES.

BUT REALLY A LOT OF THESE DECISIONS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE KENTUCKY COURT OF APPEALS AND THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT HAVE RULED.

ARE WE GOING TO START GOING AFTER THEM, TOO, AFTER THIS?

BECAUSE AT SOME POINT WE ARE GOING TO FIGURE OUT IT WASN'T JUST THESE TWO JUDGES IN FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT.

IT WAS ACTUALLY THE LAW.

AND NOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

ARE WE GOING TO START ATTACKING THE COURT OF APPEALS, THE SUPREME COURT FOR UPHOLDING THE LAW?

WHERE DOES THIS END?

>> Renee: AND THE SENATE OFFERED A CONTRASTING VIEW.

>> IT MIGHT ADD SOME SMALL COST TO THE COMMONWEALTH HAVING TO GO TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

I THINK THAT IT IS A SMALL COST TO PAY FOR THE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH, THAT HAVE TO EXPEND THE COST OF COMING TO FRANKFORT TO FIND REPRESENTATION ON CASES THAT SO OFTEN DO NOT HAVE GREAT MONETARY VALUE.

AND I THINK IT IS OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMON PEOPLE ARE ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED WHEN THEY'RE FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS.

THIS GIVES THEM READY ACCESS TO THE COURTS AND THE LOCAL CIRCUITS.

THIS IS A CHANGE THAT IS MUCH NEEDED.

>> Renee: THE SENATE VOTED TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO 30 TO 7.

THE HOUSE - 71 TO 23.. A BILL TO KEEP THE GOVERNOR FROM REORGANIZING EXECUTIVE BRANCH CABINETS, AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WHEN LAWMAKERS AREN'T IN FRANKFORT IS ALSO ABOUT TO BECOME LAW AFTER LARGELY PARTY LINE MARGINS LED TO AN OVERRIDE OF THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF HOUSE BILL 5.

AND, HB 2 GIVING THE KENTUCKY ATTORNEY THE ABILITY TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND SEEK CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALITIES AGAINST ABORTION PROVIDERS FOR VIOLATIONS AGAINST LAW AND REGULATIONS WAS FINALLY APPROVED BY STATE LAWMAKERS AS THEY OVERRODE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO.

ACCORDING TO PRESS REPORTS, GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS ALREADY FILED LAWSUITS AGAINST THREE OF THE BILLS: HOUSE BILL ONE, SENATE BILLS ONE AND TWO.

IN A LATE EVENING PRESS CONFERENCE BY HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE SAID HE FULLY EXPECTED THE GOVERNOR TO SUE TO KEEP THE CURRENT AND FULL EXTENT OF HIS EMERGENCY POWERS.

IN TONIGHT'S IN-DEPTH INTERVIE·.

A TOP SENATE LEADER IS HELMING A PLAN TO CREATE A POLICY GROUP WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE SOLEY RACIAL DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

SENATOR DAVID GIVENS IS CALLING FOR THE CREATION OF A 13-MEMBER, BI-PARTISAN APPOINTED COMMISSION ON RACE AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.

SENATOR GIVENS STOPPED BY OUR STUDIOS LAST WEEK TO TELL US MORE.

SENATE BILL 10, THIS IS A PRIORITY PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

TELL US ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THIS LEGISLATION AND WHY NOW?

>> THE TIMING OF US INTRODUCING SENATE BILL 10 WAS FORTUITOUS AND THE STARS ALIGNING, THE NEED BEING THERE AND THEN US HITTING A TOPIC THAT WAS VERY TIMELY.

AND SO YOUR QUESTION THAT YOU LED WITH IS WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE?

AND THAT'S ONE THAT I WANT TO BE CAREFUL, AS I SAID IN MY FLOOR SPEECH.

I DON'T WANT TO OVERSELL THIS.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS AS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS WE FACE.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT IT WILL GIVE US A VERY CONSCIOUS FORMAL PROCESS BY WHICH CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE, CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY HAPPEN.

I'M NOT GOING TO DECEIVE MYSELF AND SAY THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEMS.

I SEE THIS MORE AS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

>> Renee: SO PERHAPS NO POLICY IN THE IMMEDIATE SHORT-TERM COULD COME FROM THIS COMMISSION, BUT THAT COULD BE A POSSIBILITY.

>> IT COULD CERTAINLY BE A POSSIBILITY.

I HAD THAT QUESTION PUT TO ME, BUT SENATOR GIVENS, BELIEVE THAT THE WE HAVE IMMEDIATE NEEDS.

THE MINORITY COMMUNITY HAS IMMEDIATE NEEDS.

THE COMMONWEALTH'S CITIZENS HAVE IMMEDIATE NEEDS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND THEY'RE AROUND THIS TOPIC OF RACE.

AND I HAVE BEEN CAUTIOUS TO SAY THIS IN NO WAY PRECLUDES US FROM PASSING LEGISLATION THIS SESSION TO ADDRESS THE SORT OF NEEDS THAT WERE MADE EFD EVIDENT IN THE SUMMER.

I'M CAREFUL TO ALSO COMMUNICATE CLEARLY THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY PATH.

THESE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE PAINFUL BECAUSE IT CAUSES INTROSPECTION, IT CAUSES US TO LOOK AT OURSELVES AND IN SOME WAYS, IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL VERY, VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND SO HOW DO WE CONSCIOUSLY BECOME BETTER AT DOING THAT?

>> Renee: AS YOU MENTIONED, THE MARKET PARTY-- THE MAJORITY CAUCUS HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS AND PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY CAUCUS IN BOTH HOUSES, AN ALL WHITE ASSEMBLY, AND SO MANY PEOPLE ARE CURIOUS, AS YOU ARE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS, DID YOU REACH OUT TO MINORITY MEMBERS OPPOSITE PARTY OR IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP KIND OF GUIDE YOUR INFORMATION ON WHAT YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND?

AS YOU MENTION, THE INCIDENT WITH SENATOR STIVERS WHO GAVE A VERY PASSIONATE SPEECH ABOUT THE PLAYERS WHO KNELT.

AND UNDERSTANDING THEIR PERSPECTIVE IS DIFFICULT WHEN WE HAVE A ONE PARTICULAR WAY OF LOOKING AT IT.

SO DO YOU SEE YOUR CAUCUS OPENING UP TO SAYING, OKAY, I'VE FELT THIS WAY ABOUT THIS UP WITH ISSUE, BUT I'M OPEN TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT REALLY IS THE EXERCISE OF THEIR PAIN, THE EXERCISE OF RACIAL INJUSTICE, OF GEORGE FLOYD, OF THE COUNTLESS MEN AND WOMEN WHO THEY FEEL HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO FATAL POLICE BRUTALITY.

>> YOUR QUESTION IS A GOOD QUESTION.

IS MY CAUCUS THERE TODAY?

NO.

AM I THERE TODAY?

NO.

BUT AM I WILLING TO TRY TO GET THERE?

>> YES.

ARE EACH ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES GUIDED BY GOOD AND TRYING TO DISCERN WHAT IS BEST?

ABSOLUTELY THEY ARE.

AND BE THEY MAJORITY CAUCUS FRIENDS OF MINE OR MINORITY MEMBERS OF MY SENATE BODY, I'M VERY CONFIDENT EVERYONE WANTS WELL.

AND SO WANTING WELL IS THE PLACE WE'VE GOT TO START.

IN OUR CAUCUS RETREAT, WE HAD O.J.

AND ANTI-RACISM KENTUCKY WAS REPRESENTED THERE.

THAT FOLLOWED HIM SPENDING AN HOUR WITH THEIR LEADERSHIP ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF PRIOR TO THE CAUCUS RETREAT, TALKING AS YOU HAD HIM ON YOUR PROGRAM.

I THINK IT WAS AIRED LAST NIGHT OR YESTERDAY AND HE IS SO PASSIONATE AND ARTICULATE ABOUT WHY REPUBLICANS, WHY REPUBLICANS SHOULD OWN THIS SPACE, ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY IS A REPUBLICAN GUIDED PRINCIPLE.

AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT US COMPETING FOR BLACK VOTES, COMPETING FOR MINORITY VOTES.

COMPETING TO MEET THE NEEDS AND ISSUES OF KENTUCKIANS.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE' GOT TO START DOING.

INSTEAD OF SAYING YOU ARE IN THIS CATEGORY AND I'M IN THIS CATEGORY.

WE ARE ALL COLLECTIVELY IN THIS ONE CATEGORY.

LET'S START FROM THE PLACE WE ALL ARE.

IS THAT MEAN IT IS GOING TO BE PERFECT?

NO BUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THERE.

>> Renee: SOMETIMES SENATOR GIVENS, WHEN PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT THE CREATION OF A COMMISSION OR TASK FORCE, AND I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS, THEY SAY IT'S KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, AWAY TO AVOID ACTION.

YOU HAVE ALLUDED TO THIS.

THERE COULD BE ACTION ON BRIEON BREONNA'S LAW.

THAT DOESN'T PRECLUDE THAT BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT WHAT THIS DOES DELAY WHEN IT COMES TO THE INJUSTICES YOU WANT TO ADDRESS IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> MY RESPONSE IS GOING TO BE ALONG THE SAME LINES BUT LET ME PHRASE IT DIFFERENTLY FOR YOU.

WE HAVE A FIRE THAT'S BURNING TODAY AND THOSE ARE AROUND VERY SPECIFIC COMPONENTS OF ISSUES THAT YOU'VE TOUCHED ON.

WHAT DOES POLICE REFORM CONVERSATION AND ACTION LOOK LIKE?

I DON'T WANT TO END THAT AT THE WORD CONVERSATION BUT WHAT DOES POLICE REFORM CONVERSATION AND ACTION LOOK LIKE?

WHAT DOES MINORITY HOUSING IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE LOOK LIKE TODAY.

HOME HOME OWNERSHIP SOME OF THE LOWEST IN THE STATE.

THAT HOME OWNERSHIP IS FOUNDATIONAL TO QUESTION EIGHTING COMMUNITY.

WE CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE LEGISLATIVELY TODAY.

THOSE ARE FIRES THAT ARE BURNING TODAY.

WOULD I LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THOSE FURS THAT ARE BURNING TODAY.

WE'LL DO THAT.

I WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED IF WE DON'T.

LET'S TALK ABOUT FIRE PREVENTION HIVE.

AND WE ARE GOING HAVE FIRES IN THE FUTURE.

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A FIRE CONSCIOUS MECHANISM AND SPACE.

HOW WE INFLUENCE POLICY IS THROUGH RESEARCH.

TYPICALLY IT'S THROUGH RESEARCH.

>> Renee: THE LAST COUPLE OF SESSIONS, WHITNEY WES WESTERFIELD HAS PUT TOGETHER LEGISLATION TO STUDY THE DISPROPORTIONALITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND THERE WAS SOME PRETTY STAUNCH RESISTANCE TO THAT BILL FROM MEMBERS OF YOUR CAUCUS.

AND I'M JUST THINKING, WELL THIS SOUNDS LIKE WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO DO SEVERAL SESSIONS BEFORE.

THAT'S JUST GET THE DATA.

JUST KNOW WHERE YOU STAND.

DO WE REALLY HAVE AN ISSUE OR DO WE LOOK AT STATES OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY AND JUST ASSUME THAT WE ALSO HAVE INHERITED THOSE SAMES PERILS.

SO I'M CURIOUS ABOUT ONCE AGAIN, AT LINEMENT OF GOALS BETWEEN-- THE ALIGNMENT OF GOALS BETWEEN NOW AND A YEAR OR TWO AGO?

>> I'M GOING TO BE BOLD ENOUGH TO SAY I HOPE TO GO FURTHER.

INSTEAD OF JUST GETTING THE DATA, LET'S TURN THE DATA INTO INFORMATION THAT INFLUENCES POLICY.

BUT UNDERSTANDING DOING THAT, WE ARE ALSO GOING TO BE CREATING A SPACE FOR VOICES OF DISSENT, AND THAT'S INHERENT IN THE PROCESS.

JUST IN THE FILING OF SENATE BILL 10, I'VE HAD A NUMBER OF POSITIVE AFFIRMING SORT OF MESSAGES AND THEN I'VE ALSO HAD SOME OF THOSE SAYING, SENATOR GIVENS, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

THIS IS, AGAIN YOU ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT DIVIDES US.

AND SO WHITNEY HAS BEEN VITAL IN MOVING OUR CAKE US INTO A PLACE -- OUR CAUCUS INTO A PLACE WE ARE NOT RUNNING FROM THE CONVERSATION.

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY WE ARE RUNNING TO IT BUT WE ARE NOT RUNNING FROM IT.

WE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

IT HAS POSITIVE FINANCIAL IMPACT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WHEN WE CAN CREATE JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY AND EDUCATION AND I'M GOING TO ARGUE THAT IT'S THE RIGHT THING FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SO POLITICALLY IT HAS TREMENDOUS POWER.

WHEN WE CAN BE SEEN AS THE PARTY OF ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL >> Renee: SENATE BILL 10 WAS INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE IN MID JANUARY AND IS NOT YET SLATED FOR A COMMITTEE HEARING CHILDREN ADVOCATES ARE USUALLY PRESSING THE FLESH THIS TIME OF YEAR ADVOCATING FOR A RAFT OF LEGISLATION THEY BELEIVE WILL BENEFIT CHILDREN AND BENEFIT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

BUT WITH COVID, ADVOCATES ARE HOPING THE USE OF VIRTUAL PLATFORMS WILL MAKE A CONVICING CASE FOR INVESTMENTS THEY WANT TO SEE.

PATRICIA TENNEN WITH KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES SPOKE WITH ME LAST WEEK ABOUT POLICY PROPOSALS FROM A COALITION OF CHILD ADVOCATES.

>> FIRST OF ALL, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO SEE SOME INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING IN BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE.

KENTUCKY CURRENTLY RANKED 40th AND WE KNOW THAT IT'S JUST A BASIC PART OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE THESE DAYS.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR KIDS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT MEANS BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL AND ATTEND CLASS VIA NTI THESE DAYS.

IT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING ABLE TO SEE THAT DOCTOR OR THERAPIST VIA TELEHEALTH.

AND WE THINK THERE IS NEVER BEEN A MORE IMPORTANT TIME THAN NOW TO INVEST IN THAT.

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE EFFORTS TO CURB TOBACCO USE AMONG YOUTH.

WE SAW JUST LAST WEEK WE RELEASED A SURVEY OF RESULTS THAT WE DID WITH THE FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHY KENTUCKY, THAT SHOWED THAT YOUTH ARE ACTUALLY SEEING AMONG THEIR PEERS, E-CIGARETTE USE IS RISING AND SO WE THINK THAT IT IS TIME TO ALLOW LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY REGULATE THE USE AND THE SALES, DISTRIBUTION, USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

CURRENTLY THEY'RE LIMBED.

THEY CAN'T--LER LIMITED.

THEY CAN'T GO ANY FURTHER THAN THE MEASURES AT THE STATE LEVEL AND SO WE THINK IT'S TIME TO GIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT OPTION TO HELP CURB YOUTH TOBACCO USE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> SO IF I CAN ASK YOU QUICKLY, PATRICIA, ABOUT THAT, THERE NO LONGER A PUSH FOR A STATEWIDE SMOKING BAN AS THERE HAS BEEN IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS A WHILE BACK?

IS THAT AN EFFORT THAT YOU THINK IS PAST ITS TIME?

>> I THINK WHILE WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT, I THINK EVERY KENTUCKIAN DESERVES TO WORK IN A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE AND WE KNOW OF THE HEALTH IMPACTS THAT TOBACCO USE HAS HAD ON OUR STATE FOR A LONG TIME.

I THINK WE HAVE REALIZED THAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES LIKE TO SEE THAT CONTROL AND THAT ABILITY TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES, WHICH IS WHY THIS EFFORT, WE THINK THIS YEAR, REALLY ALIGNS WITH THE VALUES WE ARE HEARING FROM LOCAL LEADERS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> Renee: SURE.

SO THE OTHER ISSUE THAT YOU ARE ALSO ADVOCATING FOR THIS TIME AROUND?

>> YEAH, SO WE WOULD ALSO, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE BUDGET, THERE ARE SOME OTHER INVESTMENTS THAT WE ARE HOPING TO SEE, INCLUDING IN STUDENTS MENTAL HEALTH.

WE KNOW THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN A STRESSFUL TEAM FOR ALL OF US AND THAT INCLUDES YOUNG PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW WE HAVE SEEN CONCERNING REPORTS OF RISING SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG YOUTH, AND SO WE KNOW THAT SCHOOLS ARE A CRITICAL WAY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACCESS SUPPORTS AND WE ARE LEARNING EVEN MORE SO FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS.

SO AS SCHOOLS REOPEN AND KIDS ARE COMING BACK INTO THEIR DOORS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOLS HAVE THOSE SERVICES AVAILABLE AND READY TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE ONCE WE START GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

ANOTHER INVESTMENT THAT WE THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE IS IN OUR CHILD CARE INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU KNOW, 50% OF KENTUCKIANS, THIS IS PRE-APP PRE-PANDEMIC, 50% OF KENTUCKIANS LIVED IN A CHILD CARE DESERT MEANING THEY HAD LIMITED TO NO OPTIONS TO CHILD CARE PERIOD.

AND AGAIN, A RECENT SURVEY THAT WE RELEASES ALONGSIDE THE PRICHARD COMMITTEE AND OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD PARTNERS OF PARENTS IN THE STATE REPORTED THAT 43% OF PARENTS HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY ACCESSING CHILD CARE DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND A WHOPPING 92% OF THEM BELIEVE THAT THEY WOULD SUPPORT MORE PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN OUR CHILD CARE INFRASTRUCTURE AND, YOU KNOW, AS WE ARE CURRENTLY DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC AND THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, IT'S BEYOND THE IMPERATIVE OF MAKING SURE THAT KIDS HAVE THAT SAFE PLACE TO BE WHILE THEIR PARENTS ARE WORKING.

AND BELIEVE ME WE ALL KNOW THE VALUE OF THAT NOW.

MANY OF THE PARENTS HAVE BEEN WORKING FROM HOME AND PROVIDING CHILD CARE.

BUT WE ARE HEARING FROM THE EMPLOYERS, BIG EMPLOYERS IN THE STATE THAT THIS IS A TOP CONCERN BECAUSE IF MORE CHILD CARE CENTERS HAVE TO CLOSE DUE TO THE PRESSURES FROM THE PANDEMIC, THE PARENTS-- MORE PARENTS ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE OPTIONS AND IT'S BAD FOR ALL OF US.

SOY WITH THINK IT'S CRITICAL TO ADD SOME INVESTMENT IN CHILD CARE AS WELL.

>> Renee: THAT'S ALL FOR DAY NINE COVERAGE OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GLRM IN REGULAR SESSION.

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

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL TO GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHONE OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG AND, YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 PM EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL TIME ON KET FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

TAKE GOOD CARE AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON.