[♪♪] >> Bill: THE KENTUCKY BUDGET STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS WITH CALLS GETTING LOUDER FOR CHILDCARE MEASURES AND MORE PAY FOR TEACHERS.

>>> THE LEGISLATURE MOVES TO RESTRICT CITIES FROM MAKING RULES FOR LANDLORDS ON SOURCE OF INCOME FOREFOR TENANTS.

>>> ANOTHER STRIKE AT THE LOUISVILLE FORD PLANT IS AVOIDED.

>>> SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL CELEBRATES A BIRTHDAY AND HAS A CAMPAIGN WAR THEFT OF CHEST.

>>> AS VETERANS BATTLE FOR ATTENTION, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE TESSA DUVALL, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

CHRIS OTTS REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE AND MARIO ANDERSON ANCHOR AND REPORTER FOR SPECTRUM NEWS ONE.

ALSO TONIGHT A MASSIVE FIRE AT A LOUISVILLE APARTMENT COMPLEX RAISES QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS.

AND SCHOOL SECURITY BECOMES A HIGH PRIORITY BILL IN THE SENATE.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE CHILDCARE ISSUE THAT CONTINUED TO GET A LOT OF ATTENTION PUSHED ALONG BY BUSINESSES THAT CAN'T FIND WORKERS AS WELL AS PARENTS WHO SAY THEY CAN'T WORK WITHOUT A SOLUTION.

SENATOR CARROLL FURTHER EXPLAINED HIS AMBITIOUS HORIZON'S ACT AND ITS $300 MILLION PRICE TAG.

>> MY PROPOSAL IS WE DON'T JUST STEP UP WE TAKE A BIG SWING AT THIS AND KNOCK THE BALL OUT OF THE PARK AND WE SEND A MESSAGE TO OUR KIDS, TO OUR FAMILIES, TO OUR BUSINESSES, LARGE AND SMALL, CURRENT, FUTURE, AND WE SEND A MESSAGE TO OUR PROVIDERS THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR TEACHERS THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT.

YOU ARE NOT A BABYSITTER YOU ARE A TEACHER AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOUNDATION THAT EVERYONE OF THESE KIDS ARE GOING TO BUILD THEIR LIVES ON.

>> Bill: SO KEY ISSUE AND TESSA ALL THE VERSIONS OF THE STATE BUDGET THE PROPOSALS TAKE A SWING AT CHILDCARE WITH INVESTMENTS BUT SENATOR CARROLL SAYS THE STATE AS HE SAID THERE NEEDS TO BE A GAME-CHANGER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE IS BROAD UNDERSTANDING THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT CHILDCARE ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

THIS IS NOT JUST A KENTUCKY ISSUE.

AS THE FEDERAL PANDEMIC DOLLARS ARE GOING AWAY, CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE STRUGGLING WITH WHAT TO DO NEXT.

AND A LOT OF THE OPTIONS ON THE TABLE ARE RAISE TUITION, CUT PAY, OR MAYBE EVEN CLOSE YOUR DOORS.

AND THOSE AREN'T OPTIONS THAT MAKE ANYONE HAPPY.

NO ONE WANTS TO BE A BUSINESS OWNER IN THAT KIND OF SITUATION AND CERTAINLY REPUBLICANS I MEAN DANNY CARROLL IS A REPUBLICAN NOT A BIG -- NOT A HISTORY OF WANTING TO BE A BIG SPENDER THERE WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE THIS.

BUT IT IS RECOGNITION THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

CARROLL'S BILL 300 MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS.

IT WOULD HAVE GRANTS FOR INNOVATION AND START UP.

IT WOULD CODIFY ASSISTANCE FOR TUITION AND CREATE A DEGREE PROGRAM AT KTCS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

IT IS A MASSIVE BILL IT IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE OR THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES OF INACTION.

>> Bill: HOW MUCH STICKER SHOCK IS THERE WITH THE PRICE TAG?

>> A LOT, RIGHT.

I MEAN THAT IS CERTAINLY THE LARGEST PROPOSED ALLOCATION FOR THIS.

AGAIN, THAT'S NOT EVEN FULLY REPLACING THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT ARE GOING AWAY.

>> BILL, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO FOLLOW THIS TO SEE WHERE IT GOES, BECAUSE REMEMBER JUST AT A BASE LEVEL REPUBLICANS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE USUALLY LESS IN FAVOR OF GOVERNMENT DOING THINGS IN A MORE EXPANSIVE PUBLIC SECTOR AND TRADITIONALLY THIS AREA WE HAVE HAD CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE IN KENTUCKY FOR A LONGTIME.

BUT TRADITIONALLY 0-5 HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT AS A SORT OF SOCIETAL PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY.

BUT AS AN INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.

AND NATIONALLY, IT'S DEMOCRATS WHO ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THAT OUTLOOK AND TRYING TO PUSH THE IDEA THAT CHILD CARE IS INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND THAT IT IS A PUBLIC SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY.

SO THERE ARE SEVERAL REPUBLICANS WHO ARE IN FAVOR OF DOING MORE IN THE CHILDCARE AREA.

AND OBVIOUSLY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BEING A BIG IMPORTANT VOICE IN THIS DISCUSSION.

BUT I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW MANY MORE CONSERVATIVES THIS POLICY WINS OVER.

>> TO CHRIS' POINT, WHAT WE'VE HEARD SENATOR CARROLL SAY IS THAT A LOT OF MONEY IS INVESTED IN K-12 EDUCATION.

BUT THE WAY WE NEED TO REFRAME THIS CONVERSATION IS TO THINK OF IT AS BIRTH THROUGH 18.

A LOT OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS WHEN KIDS ARE LITTLE.

SO THIS ISN'T JUST BABYSITTING OR DAYCARE.

IT'S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

AND WITH THAT, EDUCATION COMPONENT COMES THE DOLLARS TO BACK IT UP.

>> Bill: CHRIS THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT 60,000 PARENTS FIND THEMSELVES IN A POSITION THAT CANNOT WORK BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE CHILDCARE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THE ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE ESTIMATES THAT THE AVERAGE COST OF CHILDCARE IS $6411 A YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY GOT THAT N LOUISVILLE IT'S LIKE TWICE AS MUCH.

TO BE REALISTIC.

BUT THAT COMES OUT TO 22 WEEKS OF PAY FOR I AMINIMUM WAGE WORKER TO EVEN MAKEUP THE COST OF CHILDCARE.

AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH CHILDCARE A LOT OF TIMES ARE THE CHILDCARE WORKERS THEMSELVES WHO ARE NOT PAID VERY HIGHLY.

AND THIS IDEA THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION YES THAT IS TRUE, BUT WHEN I DROP MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD OFF YOU HAVE ONE PERSON IT'S USUALLY ALWAYS A WOMAN.

SHE IS MANAGING 10 KIDS AT A TIME.

ONE IS CRYING.

ONE IS PEED THEIR PANTS ONE SPILLED SOMETHING IT IS MANAGING CHAOS IT IS HARD WORK FOR NOT MUCH PAY.

AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER SORT OF LOW WAGE JOBS WHERE CHILDCARE OFTEN DOESN'T MAKE SENSE BECAUSE OF THE COST.

>> Bill: WELL THIS IS CREATED AN INTERESTING COALITION AS WE'VE NOTED.

PEOPLE REACHING FOR CHILDCARE SOLUTIONS AND BUSINESSES THAT NEED THE WORKERS.

AND ASHLEY WATTS FROM THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TALKED WITH ME ABOUT IT BEING A HIGH PRIORITY FOR THEM.

>> THIS REALLY IS A BIG ISSUE THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION IT'S GOING TO BE PART OF BUDGET DISCUSSIONS AS IT GOES THROUGH THE SENATE.

THE BUDGET PASSED THE HOUSE AND HEADS TO THE SENATE AND SENATOR CARROLL INTRODUCED THE BILL AS WELL THAT WOULD TACKLE SOME OF THE CHILDCARE CHALLENGES.

BUT WHEN WE TALKED TO OUR MEMBERS ALL OVER THE STATE AND TALK ABOUT THE WORKFORCE ISSUES THAT WE KNOW ALL BUSINESSES HAVE, CHILDCARE REALLY IS AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST.

>> Bill: SO MARROW, POLITICALLY IT IS INTERESTING THERE IS A FUSION THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT PITS WORKERS AGAINST BUSINESS OR THEIR COMPANIES.

IN FACT, EVERYBODY WOULD SEEM TO HAVE A LOT TO GAIN BY FINDING A SOLUTION.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

AND THE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER THEY ARE CALLING THIS A CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THINGS FORWARD AND THE CHALLENGE BEING AS TESSA MENTIONED WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS DRY UP, NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE STATE WHO RELY ON THE FEDERAL DOLLARS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY SIDE OF THINGS, ALL STATES INCLUDING KENTUCKY ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE SAME CHALLENGE.

SO ASHLEY WATTS THE CHAMBER THEY ARE WANTING TO HAVE KENTUCKY BE A LEADER LEADING THE WAY TO CREATE THE SOLUTIONS AND THEY HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND THE EMPLOYEE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP AND GETTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEHIND THAT AND MORE STATE DOLLARS TOWARDS THOSE PROGRAMS.

>> Bill: UNUSUAL FOR KENTUCKY TO BE IN THE POSITION TO BE OVER THE SKIS IN THIS ISSUE.

>> THAT IS RIGHT BUT THERE'S BEEN LOUD VOICES COMING TO FRANKFORT AND ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE BASICALLY BEGGING FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY NEED IT NOW VERSUS LATER ON DOWN THE LINE.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH THIS, OF COURSE.

CHRIS, THERE COULD BE A CHANGE IN CHILD LABOR LAWS MERE IN KENTUCKY?

>> YES.

THERE IS AN EFFORT TO REPEAL ALL OF KENTUCKY'S STATE SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS ON CHILD LABOR SO THIS AFFECTS 14-18-YEAR-OLDS AND THE PRIMARILY THE DEBATE IS AROUND 16 OR THE PRACTICAL EFFECT IS AROUND 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS.

CURRENTLY THERE ARE LIMITS ON HOW MANY HOURS THEY CAN WORK IN A WEEK.

HOW LATE THEY CAN WORK DEPENDING IF IT IS A SCHOOL NIGHT OR NOT A SCHOOL NIGHT.

AND SO THIS BILL WOULD REPEAL ALL OF THAT.

AND JUST REVERT TO THE BASE FEDERAL PROTECTIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE NATIONWIDE ON THIS ISSUE.

THE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR ARE ABOUT INSTILLING THE VALUE OF WORK ETHIC IN TEENAGERS.

EVEN IN THAT COULD MEAN WORKING OVERNIGHT AND WORKING ALL NIGHT LONG WORKING ON A DAY DURING SCHOOL HOURS.

AND THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST ARE THAT THIS IS REALLY A BILL THAT IS TO HELP FAST FOOD EMPLOYERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND PEOPLE TO FILL LOW WAGE JOBS, LATE AT NIGHT AND IT'S FOR THEIR CONVENIENCE AND THAT IT WILL LEAD TO THE EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN WHO NEED TO WORK, WHO DON'T HAVE A CHOICE WHO DON'T HAVE AN INVOLVED PARENT MAKING SURE THEY ARE ALSO DOING SCHOOL AND EXCELLING IN THAT THOSE TEENS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SAY NO TO AN EMPLOYER WHO WOULDN'TS TO OVERWORK THEM.

>> Bill: AND IS OFTEN THE CASE CAN BOTH THINGS BE TRUE, RIGHT?

>> I THINK YOU CERTAINLY YEAH, YOU CAN SEE CASES WHERE EACH COULD BE TRUE DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION AND I GUESS DEPENDING ON THE LAWMAKERS' PERSPECTIVE WHICH ONE YOU THINK IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR.

>> Bill: IT'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OR DEI AND NOW THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND THE PRESIDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE MADE STATEMENTS ABOUT IT.

>> THEY'VE NOT MADE STATEMENTS BUT THEY HAVE NOT EXACTLY STATED THE SAME THING OR IN SUCH UNEQUIVOCAL TERMS.

THE PRESIDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY CAME OUT AND SAID THAT THE ANTI-DEI BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE SOMETHING THAT HE IS OPPOSED TO.

AND I'VE BEEN ASKING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE WHO IS A YEAR INTO THE JOB, ABOUT THIS A FEW WEEKS AGO SHE TOLD ME, WELL, WE'RE LOOKING AT IT AND WE'RE TALKING IT'S EARLY IN THE SESSION.

SHE DIDN'T WANT TO OFFER ANY SUBSTANTIVE OPINION ABOUT THE ANTI-DEI MEASURES.

THIS WEEK SHE CAME OUT IN FAVOR OF DIVERSITY AND DEI EFFORTS BROADLY.

BUT DIDN'T OFFER A PARTICULAR OPINION ON THE LEGISLATION THAT IS PROPOSED RIGHT NOW IN FRANKFORT.

>> Bill: TESSA ANOTHER GROUP THAT DOES NOT WANT TO OFFEND THE LEGISLATURE BUT WANTS RAISES TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE BEEN SPEAKING OUT MORE AND MORE AND WANT YOU AND MARIO TO SPEAK TO THAT TOPIC IT IS STILL VERY MUCH A LIVE ISSUE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE OF THE BILLS FILED THIS WEEK COMES FROM REPRESENTATIVE AND IT WOULD GIVE TEACHERS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, $2,000 BONUSES FOR EACH OF THOSE TWO YEARS.

AND OTHER CERTIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

YOUR CAFETERIA WORKERS, BUS DRIVERS, TEACHER AIDES NOTABLY NOT SUPERINTENDENTS GETTING THE BONUSES.

THE OTHER CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES WOULD GET $100 EACH YEAR AND THAT COMES WITH A SIGNIFICANT PRICE TAG I BELIEVE ALSO MORE THAN $300 MILLION.

YOU TALK ABOUT A LOT OF STICKER SHOCK.

SO THAT IS ANOTHER REALLY SIGNIFICANT PROPOSAL.

WHAT WE'VE GENERALLY SEEN FROM REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE LEGISLATURE IS THEY HAVE PROPOSED SOME DEGREE OF ABILITY TO FUND TEACHER RAISES.

BUT THEY WANT TO KEEP IT WITHIN THE SEEK MODEL.

GIVING IT TO DISTRICTS.

WHICH, OF COURSE, REALLY DIFFERS FROM WHAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSES AN ACROSS THE BOARD RAISE.

>> Bill: AND THEY WANT THE LOCAL DISTRICTS TO MAKE THE DECISIONS HERE YOU HAVE THE LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS SAYING IT'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR US TO MAKE DO RAISES?

>> ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SEEK FORMULA AND HOW IT IS FORMULATED OFF OF PERCENTAGES AND DISTRICTS ARE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT POPULATION SIZES.

AGAIN THE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR SEVERAL YEARS FOR THE ACROSS THE BOARD 11% RAISE FOR ALL SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

BUT THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE THEY DON'T NECESSARILY DISAGREE WITH INCREASING THE TEACHER PAY AND RAISES, BUT THEY DISAGREE WITH HOW THAT MONEY IS ALLOCATED.

WE SHALL SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT.

ANOTHER 20 DAYS LEFT IN THE SESSION.

SO WE'LL GET MORE DETAILS SOON.

>> Bill: GET THERE IF THEY GET THERE.

>>> THE BATTLE OVER RENTAL RULES AGAIN TOOK THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK WITH A MOVE TO FORBID LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IF BANNING INCOME DISCRIMINATION.

LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON HAVE RULES IN PLACE THAT SAY LANDLORDS CANNOT DENY RENTALS THOSE WHO USE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO PAY THEIR RENT.

THIS IS AN ISSUE LOOKED AT DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND THAT MAYBE IN VARIOUS WAYS.

>> WHEN LOUISVILLE PASSED THIS ORDINANCE IN 2020 IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY WITH THE SUPPORT OF REPUBLICANS.

AND TO BE CLEAR THERE IS A REALLY FINE DISTINCTION AND A DEBATE ABOUT WHAT THESE ORDINANCES IN LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON DO.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TELLING LANDLORDS THEY CANNOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH SECTION 8 VOUCHERS VERSUS TELLING LANDLORDS THEY HAVE TO ACCEPT SECTION 8.

AND WHAT THE PROPONENTS OF THE ORDINANCE SAY IS THAT THE FIRST NOT DISCRIMINATING IS ACTUALLY MUCH LESS OF A BURDEN ON LANDLORDS.

IT BASICALLY MEANS THAT IF SOMEONE IS PRESENTING THAT VOUCHER AND MEETS ALL OF YOUR OTHER CRITERIA INCLUDING YOU ARE WILLING TO CHARGE THE RENT THAT THEY CAN AFFORD, INCLUDING THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO MAKE REPAIRS THAT SECTION 8 MAY REQUIRE, THEN YOU CAN'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THEM.

THE PRACTICAL EFFECT IS THAT IT PREVENTS LANDLORDS FROM ADVERTISING NO SECTION 8 HERE.

YOUR MONEY IS NO GOOD HERE.

THAT'S THE ONLY PRACTICALLY THAT THE ORDINANCES ARE ENFORCED.

BUT REPUBLICANS VIEW IT AS A TAKING OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS.

THEY THINK THAT THESE LOCALITIES ARE FORCING LANDLORDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS GOVERNMENT PROGRAM OR TO ACCEPT CERTAIN TENANTS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO.

THEY WANT TO NIP THIS IN THE BUD.

>> Bill: TESSA?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LEXINGTON JUST PASSED THE ORDINANCE.

ITS FATE REALLY HANGS IN THE BALANCE WITH WHAT COMES OF HOUSE BILL 18.

AND LIKE CHRIS SAID, THERE'S A FRAMING OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE OF PROPERTY RIGHTS VERSUS DISCRIMINATION.

AND WE HEARD ON THE SENATE SIDE TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR ESSENTIALLY.

ONE OF THE POINTS THAT WAS ALSO MADE IN THAT ADVOCATES OF THESE LOCAL ORDINANCES ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE BILL ISN'T JUST SECTION 8.

IT'S ALSO ANY KIND OF FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR HOUSING.

SO THINGS LIKE VETERANS OR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THESE ARE ALSO THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS AND PAYMENT VOUCHERS THAT COULD BE JEOPARDIZED OR COULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS LEGISLATION.

>> Bill: THIS LAW WOULD SAY IT'S NOT UP TO THE CITIES, RIGHT?

IF IT GOES THROUGH?

>> RIGHT.

NO MORE LOCAL CONTROL.

>> Bill: STATE SENATOR MAX WISE FILED A SENATE BILL 2 OBVIOUSLY A HIGH PRIORITY BILL WITH THE LOW NUMBER.

AND THAT WILL DEAL WITH SCHOOL SAFETY.

AND MARIO, THIS IS A MOVE TO TRY TO ONCE AGAIN BOLSTER THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND OR AFFORD OR TO CREATE POSITIONS FOR THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THE BILL 2019 WAS UNFUNDED MANDATE BACK THEN AND IT WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE MARSHALL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING BACK IN 2018 AND SENATOR MAX WISE IS PROPOSING TO ALLOW RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS, STATE POLICE TROOPERS, FEDERAL AGENTS AND VETERANS TO SERVE IN THIS POSITION SIMILAR TO A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER CALLING IT THE KENTUCKY GUARDIAN PROGRAM.

SO THEY WOULD NOT BE SWORN OFFICERS AND NOT ABLE TO ARREST ANYONE ON THE SCHOOL PROPERTY BUT THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONCEAL A FIREARM.

AND DEFINITELY PRIORITY BILL.

SO IT MAY MOVE QUICKER DURING THE CURRENT SESSION.

>> Bill: DOES IT TAKE THE PLACE OF AUGMENT WHAT IS THERE?

>> AND THEY CALL IT CLEAN UP BILL.

ADDING ON TO WHAT WAS PASSED INTO LAW AND TWEAKING IT AND ADDING WORDS.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN HELD A RALLY IN FRANKFORT AND CELEBRATED THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE FIRST LOCAL FAIRNESS ORDINANCES IN LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON IN 1999.

BUT THEY EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT INITIATIVES THAT THEY SAY COULD TURN BACK PROGRESS.

TESSA, GOVERNOR BESHEAR ADDRESSED THE RALLY AND SAID A DOZEN ANTI-LGBTQ BILLS HAVE BEEN FILED IN THIS SESSION.

>> RIGHT.

THE BILL THAT MOST CONCERNS THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN AT LEAST THE DAY OF THIS RALLY, RELATED TO HOUSE BILL 47 FROM REPRESENTATIVE RECALLINGS, IT SAYS THAT GOVERNMENT CANNOT BURDEN FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND IT WOULD ADD THE ABILITY TO SEEK DAMAGE AS FOR PEOPLE THAT FEEL THEY HAVE BEEN WRONGED UNDER THIS LAW.

THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN ON THE OTHER HAND SAYS THAT THIS WOULD BE USED TO UNDERMINE LOCAL FAIRNESS ORDINANCES.

THE LAWS THAT SAY YOU CANNOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SOMEONE FOR BEING GAY, IN HOUSING OR HIRING THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE'VE SEEN THESE PASSED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ACROSS THE STATE OVER 20 YEARS.

AND THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN ARGUES THERE'S ALREADY CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION.

WHAT DOES THIS REALLY GETTING AT?

AND THE ARGUMENT IS TO UNDERMINE THE FAIRNESS ORDINANCES.

>> Bill: SENATE PRESIDENT IS PUSHING SENATE BILL 1 THAT WILL ENCOURAGE THE STATE'S UNIVERSITIES TO COLLABORATE.

HE IS HOPING FOR COOPERATION OVER COMPETITION.

>> HE GAVE AN EXAMPLE OF MAYBE EASTERN KENTUCKY'S AVIATION PROGRAM AND MOORHEAD'S AEROSPACE PROGRAM.

THIS WOULD BE AN ENDOWMENT IT WOULD BE IF MANAGED CORRECTLY, A PERPETUAL FUND THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RESEARCH, COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE AND FOR THE LAST DECADE, KENTUCKY HAS LAGGED BEHIND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN TERMS OF FUNDING PER CAPITA PER STUDENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

SO THIS IS BEING GREETED BY PRETTY MUCH ALL INVOLVED BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

AS A REFRESHING DEVELOPMENT TO SEE THE STATE PUTTING MONEY INTO UNIVERSITY RESEARCH.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

MARIO, YOU HAVE TALKED WITH THE STATE AUDITOR ALLISON BALL ABOUT THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER PROBLEMS AND THE AUDIT THAT THE HAS BEEN CONDUCTED THERE.

AND THE INVESTIGATION THAT GOES ON BY HER OFFICE.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

SHE SHARED THAT AGAIN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND POWER THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO DO A FULL-BLOWN REVIEW OVER MANY FOUR MONTHS THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO COMPILE TONS OF DATA AND TALK WITH STAFF THERE.

AND SHE USED THE WORDS IT WAS QUITE WORRYING TO SEE THE REPORTS AND DOCUMENTATION AND HEARING LOTS OF PRACTICES THAT ARE CONSIDERED WARRING.

SHE IS PUBLISHED THE REPORT REVIEWING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND THE DETENTION CENTERS AND SAYING SHE WANTS THE GOVERNOR TO LEAD AND RESTORE THE ORDER FOR THE FACILITIES.

BUT THERE'S LOTS HIGH PROFILE AND TROUBLING CONCERNS LISTED IN THE REVIEW.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH WATCH ON THAT SITUATION.

ANOTHER KENTUCKY AUTO STRIKE WAS AVOIDED THIS WEEK.

CHRIS, MANY WONDERED ALOUD THINKING EVERYTHING WAS SETTLED IN AUGUST.

>> KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT IN LOUISVILLE WHICH IS ONE OF THE TWO REALLY MAJOR AUTO FACTORIES IN THE STATE.

THE OTHER IS TOYOTA IN GEORGETOWN.

AND, YES, THEY WENT ON STRIKE LAST YEAR DURING THE NATIONAL UAW NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE BIG TERMS LIKE WAGES AND BENEFITS.

EACH PLANT ALSO HAS A LOCAL CONTRACT WITH THE COMPANY BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE COMPANY AND THEY WERE AT LOGGERHEADS OVER PLANT SPECIFIC ISSUES.

SO THE UAW PUT SOMETHING OUT LAST WEEK SAYING WE ARE GOING TO GO ON STRIKE AT KENTUCKY TRUCK AGAIN.

BUT THEY HAVE WORKED THAT OUT AND REACHED A TENTATIVE DEAL.

SO NOW IT'S UP TO THE MEMBERS TO GO AHEAD AND RATIFY THAT.

WE SHOULD NOT BE TALKING ABOUT A STRIKE AT KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT UNTIL 2028 NOW.

>> Bill: THERE WILL BE TIME IS.

THAT FIRE IN LOUISVILLE, THE APARTMENTS AREA THAT WAS JUST ATTENTION GETTING.

AND A LOT OF IT BECAUSE IT'S RELATIVELY NEW CONSTRUCTION.

>> YES, VERY NEW.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FIRE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID AND I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT KNOWING THE PARTICULAR DETAILS HERE, BUT BASICALLY THAT THESE NEWER MORE EFFICIENT LESS COSTLY CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR THESE STICK-BUILT, THREE, FOUR STOREY BUILDINGS ARE LEADING TO LESS RESILIENCE AGAINST FIRES.

AND THAT'S AN INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF INSURANCE PREMIUMS ADJUST TO COMPENSATE FOR THAT.

CONSTRUCTION IS REALLY EXPENSIVE.

AND WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF HOUSING ALL OVER THE STATE.

SO THERE'S COMPETING PRIORITIES THERE.

>> Bill: AND MANY FIREFIGHTERS SAID YOU ARE SAFER IN AN OLDER BUILDING THAN IN A NEWER ONE.

IT WAS STUNNING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> CORRECT.

BUT THAT, AGAIN, IS A TRADE-OFF IN THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION.

AND NOT HAVING HOUSING AT ALL.

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR HELPED BREAK GROUND ON THE EV CHARGING STATION IN RICHMOND THAT IS TO BE THE FIRST OF SEVERAL.

>> YES.

YES.

THE STATE IS ROLLING OUT THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE THREE DOZEN CHARGERS ALONG INTERSTATES AND HIGHWAYS.

KENTUCKY IS POISED TO BE A LEADER IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANUFACTURING AND BATTERY MANUFACTURING.

THE TARGET MARKETS FOR THOSE PRODUCTS AND REASON IT IS A BIG ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO KENTUCKY ARE PLACES LIKE CALIFORNIA WHERE EV ADOPTION IS HIGHER THAN IN KENTUCKY.

BUT NONETHELESS, THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING THAT KENTUCKY SHOULD ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE EV MARKET AND THERE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS AVAILABLE FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE LAW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> Bill: AND THIS BILL FROM REPRESENTATIVE KEN UPCHURCH TO NOT DISADVANTAGE GASOLINE STATIONS IN FAVOR OF EV STATIONS.

>> RIGHT.

AND WE ALSO SAW THAT THERE WAS A BILL THAT WOULD PREVENT STATE GOVERNMENT FROM BUYING EV'S.

SO THAT IS AN INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT.

WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF TAXPAYER MONEY TO BRING THE EV INDUSTRY HERE.

AND LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE PARTICIPATED IN THAT.

>> Bill: IN WASHINGTON SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL MARKED A BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK.

HE TURNED 82 YEARS OLD.

HE HAS BEEN IN WASHINGTON SINCE HE WAS 42 YEARS OLD.

MARIO, WE LEARNED THROUGH REPORTING BY TOM LOFTON FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN THAT MITCH McCONNELL HAS AN $8 MILLION WAR CHEST.

DO YOU EXPECT HIM TO RUN AGAIN IN 2026 BUT HE OBVIOUSLY HAS THAT OPTION?

>> HE DOES.

MUM IS THE WORD SO FAR.

HE IS IN UNTIL HE IS OUT.

HE NEVER HAD ISSUES RAISING MONEY DURING HIS TIME THE 40 YEARS IN OFFICE IN WASHINGTON.

THERE'S ALSO THE SUPER PACS OUT THERE READY TO JUMP IN AND SUPPORT HIS CAMPAIGN.

TIME WILL TELL.

WE HAVE A FEW MORE YEARS HE IS IN OFFICE.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH LEADER McCONNELL.

>> Bill: ALSO IN WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN MASSEY WAS AMONG THE THREE U.S. HOUSE MEMBERS WHO WERE TURNED BACK BY THE HIGH COURT DECIDE TO DO WOULD NOT REINSTATE A CASE DISMISSED THAT CHALLENGED FINES FOR MEMBERS WHO DIDN'T OBSERVE A MASK MANDATE ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS IN WASHINGTON ON FRIDAY.

WHY?

>> THERE WERE A GROUP OF GOVERNORS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR ANNUAL ASSOCIATION GATHERING ABOUT 40, 42 GOVERNORS AND BESHEAR WAS AMONG THEM.

>> Bill: AND WE DON'T KNOW THE DISCUSSION HE WILL TELL US MORE.

REAL QUICKLY, CHRIS, CHURCHILL DOWNS BREAKS GROUND ON A CASINO LIKE VENTURE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> YES, OWENSBORO RACING AND GAMING WILL HAVE 600 NOT SLOT MACHINES THEY ARE HISTORICAL RACING MACHINES AND AGAIN SHOWS YOU THE PROWESS OF THIS GROWTH INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY.

CHURCHILL DOWNS IS MAJOR IN IT AND THEY WILL KEEP EXPANDING WITH THESE TYPES OF FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE AND ADDING MORE MACHINES.

>> Bill: WHEN A LUNAR LANDER TOUCHED DOWN ON THE MOON KENTUCKY HAD A SPECIAL ROLE MOORHEAD SCIENCE CENTER HELPED TRACK THE 239,000 MILE TRIP OF THE SPACESHIP.

IT MADE HISTORY MARKING THE FIRST TIME A PRIVATE COMPANY LANDED A SHIP ON THE MOON.

A WATCH PARTY TRACKED THE FINAL MOMENTS OF THE LANDING.

THAT IS COMMENT COULD.

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