FOR NEW BILLS IN FRANKFORT WITH A FLURRY OF PROPOSALS, INCLUDIN SPORTS BETTING.

BILLS TO RESTORE ABORTION ACCESS OR PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS TO THE LAW ARE ALSO IN THE MIX THE HOUSE PASSES A BILL SAYING KENTUCKY WOULD IGNORE ANY FEDERAL GUN restrictions.

MORE TWISTS IN THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR GOVERNOR AS ONE CANDIDATE PROMISES TO TAKE ON CHINA AND OTHERS QUICKEN THEIR CAMPAIGN P HEADING INTO THE LAST WEEKEND O AN UNUSUALLY WARM FEBRUARY, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER OLIVIA KRAUTH, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNA AND LIAM NEIMEYER, REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

ALSO TONIGHT, A RENEWED PUSH TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A STATE HOLIDAY, AND MORE CALLS FOR RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS TO FELONS WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR SENTENCES.

THERE WERE A COUPLE OF VERY BUSY DAYS TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AS L. AS LAWMAKERS RUSH TO FILE BILLS BEFORE THE DEADLINE IN EACH CHA AND MOST OF THE PROPOSALS THAT WERE ANTICIPATED AND TALKED ABOUT IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE SESSION DID MAKE NIGHT LEGISLATION TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE SECONDS HALF OF THE 30-DAY ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT I MOVING IS SENATE BILL 5.

IT WOULD GIVE PARENTS MORE SAY ABOUT BOOKS THAT COULD BE AVAILABLE IN SCHOOLS.

SOME OPPONENTS SAY IT'S A SLIPPERY S. >> AM I WRONG TO WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR MY CHILDREN?

THIS IS A QUESTION I WANT TO THROW OUT, MR. PRESIDENT.

AM I WRONG FOR CARING ABOUT MY GRANDKIDSSOME.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION.

WE WERE KNOW THAT THE SIXTH CIRCUIT HAD DEALT OF AN ISSUE ON WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN KEEP INFORMATION FROM STUDENTS, AND WE KNOW TO THAT INFORMATION, EVEN IF IT'S CONTROVERSIAL, EXPANDS MINDS IN DEBATE, AND SO WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT IS THAT.

>> JONATHAN: >> Bill: THE BILL ZORN SENATOR JASON HOWL SAID IT WOULD GUARANTEE PARENTAL SAY, OLIVIA.

KATE MILLER WITH THE ACLU SAID THE FUNCTION OF SCHOOLS IS TO TEACH STUDENTS TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES.

SO THE LINES ARE DRAWN HERE.

>> Olivia: RIGHT.

THIS IS REALLY A CULMINATION OF SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN SEEING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS IF NOT A YEAR ON THE EDUCATION BEAT.

REALLY ANOTHER ONE OF THESE CULTURE WAR TOPICS.

THIS BACK-AND-FORTH OVER WHAT SOME ON THE RIGHT SAY ARE PORNOGRAPHIC BOOKS IN SCHOOLS.

OF COURSE SENATE BILL 5 IS EXPANDED TO ALL TYPES OF MATERIALS IN SCHOOLS INCLUDING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS BUT REALLY IS BORNE OUT OF THIS FIGHT OVER THE BOOKS.

BUT THE BILL ITSELF DOESN'T BAN ANY BOOKS.

IT JUST SIMPLY HAS DISTRICTS CREATE A PROCESS TO HANDLE PARENT COMPLAINTS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MOST DISTRICTS ALREADY HAVE.

IT'S THE SAME PROCESS EXACTLY AS BASS BEING PROPOSED?

PROBABLY NOT.

BUT A LOT OF PLACES ALREADY HAVE THAT PROCESS SO THIS HAS BEEN JUST MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT THIS CULTURE WAR TOPIC IN I GUESS A MORE ABSTRACT TERM.

>> Bill: WE HEARD THE TERM SLIPPERY SLOPE USED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS AS OPPONENTS OF THIS HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, WHAT COULD BE NEXT.

YOU'RE MAKING A POINT HERE THAT IF THIS IS JUST CREATING A PROCESS AND IS NOT ACTUAL BOOK BANNING, MAYBE THAT TAKES SOME OF THAT ARGUMENT AWAY.

>> Olivia: YEAH, I THINK IT DOES.

BUT YOU DO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF WHAT'S BEING CONSIDERED HARMFUL TO MINORS IS PRETTY BROAD.

ONE PART OF THE DEFINITION COULD SIMPLY BE ANYTHING CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY VERY BROAD AND IT TURNS INTO THIS SITUATION WHERE IF A SCHOOL BOARD, WHICH HAS FINAL SAY OVER SOME OF THESE THINGS, YOU KNOW, IF THEY THINK ONE THING'S OFFENSIVE, THEN IT'S LIKE, WHAT ABOUT THIS OTHER THING?

AND THEN THE PARENT COMPLAINTS KIND OF KEEP COMING IN, SO I COULD SEE WHERE IT COULD BE A SLIPPERY SLOPE IN THAT REGARD.

>> Bill: DOES THIS CREATE A PROCESS THAT EACH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD WOULD HAVE IS TO FOLLOW?

>> Olivia: YES.

ESSENTIALLY IF A PATIENT HAS A COMPLAINT THEY WOULD TAKE IT TO THE PROFESSIONAL THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL, IT COULD BE A RANDOM PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY REGISTERING A COMPLAINT.

THEY TALK IT WITH THE PRATT.

IN THE PARENT SUN HAPPY THEN THEY COULD APPEAL IT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE SCHOOL BOARD WOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN A MAJOR FOCUS OF A LOT OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION SO FAR.

WE'RE NOW IN THE SECOND HALF OF IT AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON WHAT HAPPENS TO SCHOOL CAMPUSES AND THIS CLASSROOMS.

>> Austin: RIGHT.

EVERY SESSION HAS ITS OWN IDENTITY AND I THINK SOME PEOPLE HAVE CALLED THIS ONE THE PARENTS' RIGHTS SESSION RIGHT NOW.

WE KNOW WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN KIND OF VOTER BLOCK, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT.

EVEN THOUGH 80% OF PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR OWN CHILD'S EDUCATION, 40% ARE SATISFIED WITH THE OVERALL CLIMATE OF EDUCATION, AND THAT'S BEEN REFLECTED IN A COUPLE OF THE BIG MARQUEE AND REALLY CONTROVERSIAL BILLS SO FAR IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

SENATE BILL 150, WHICH IS THE PARENTS' RIGHTS BRANDED BILL, CHER THE MAIN KIND OF EDUCATION ISSUE THERE IS THAT IT ALLOWS TEACHERS TO USE INCORRECT PRONOUNS FOR A TRANS STUDENT, AND THEN HB 470, WHICH IS KIND OF TARGETED TOWARDS MINORS AND GENDER TRANSITION SERVICES FOR THOSE MINORS, AND THERE'S A BIG EDUCATION COMPONENT TO THAT AS WELL.

SO THIS HAS BEEN A BIG FOCUS FOREPEOPLE, AND THERE'S ALSO TONS OF OTHER EDUCATION BILLS THIS SESSION AS WELL.

>> Liam: IN TERMS OF SENATE BILL 5 WITH JAHR JASON HOWL HE DOES I HAVE A BACKGROUND ON SERVING ON THE MARIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL BOARD AND IS PRETTY WELL CONNECTED IN THE COMMUNITY THERE.

>> Bill: THERE WERE SOME WALK-OUTS TODAY AS APPARENTLY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GETTING ENGAGED IN SOME OF THESE DEBATES.

>> Olivia: RIGHT.

SO TODAY WE SAW WALK-OUT IN LEXINGTON AND DANVILLE.

THERE WAS A SMALLER ONE IN LOUISVILLE.

AND THIS IS REALLY -- THIS IS NOT THE FIRST DAY THIS HAS HAPPENED.

WE SAW SEVERAL WALK-OUTS LIKE THIS IN LOUISVILLE OVER THE PAST WEEK OR SO, SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT KIDS ARE REALLY CARING ABOUT AND THEIR ORGANIZING AROUND.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO WE'LL KEEP WATCH ON THAT LEGISLATION.

AND JUST AHEAD OF THE DEADLINE, SEVERAL ABORTION BILLS WERE ALSO FILED THIS week.

ONE DEMOCRATIC BILL WOULD WIDELY RESTORE ACCESS, AND A REPUBLICAN MEASURE WOULD CREATE SOME MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

AS WELL.

SO THAT DISCUSSION FROM REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES, THAT BILL OFFERS UP RELAXED RULES ON KENTUCKY'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN.

DOES IT SEEM TO HAVE TRACTION, AUSTIN?

>> Austin: YOU NEVER KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS.

NEMES IS A NEWLY MINTED MEMBER OF LEADERSHIP, AND THIS IS A BILL THAT HE SAID HE WOULD FILE WHEN HE WAS RUNNING AGAINST KATE TURNER, A DEMOCRAT WHO WAS VERY PRO-ABORTION RIGHTS IN LOUISVILLE.

AND IT DIDN'T GET BROUGHT UP WHEN I ASKED THE HOUSE SPEAKER ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC BILL.

HE KIND OF DEMURRED.

AND OTHER BILLS HE WOULD GLAMMED SAY THIS IS GOING MOVE SOON.

SO I WOULDN'T LOOK FOR IT TO MOVE.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE KIND OF POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS, IT'S A TRICKY ONE FOR REPUBLICANS BECAUSE THIS IS AN ISSUE WE JUST SAW IN THE AMENDMENT TO VOTE LAST YEAR WHERE KIND OF THE TRIGGER BAN, WHICH DOESN'T HAVE EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST, THAT SPECIFIC PART OF THE TRIGGER BAN WAS THE BIGGEST TALKING POINT AGAINST THE AMENDMENT, AND IT FAILED BY FOUR OR FIVE POINTS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO I THINK REPUBLICANS ARE HESITANT BECAUSE THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR THINKS HE CAN WIN ON, RIGHT?

WHICH IS KIND OF RARE FOR A DEMOCRAT IN KENTUCKY.

USUALLY THEY TRY TO RUN AWAY FROM THE ISSUE OR BRAND THEMSELVES AS PRO-LIFE DEMOCRATS BECAUSE WE'RE GENERALLY CANADIAN ABORTION STATE.

BUT THIS IS REALLY KIND OF TRICKY TERRITORY FOR REPUBLICANS, AND DO THEY WANT THE FACT THAT OUR TRIGGER BAN HAS NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST IN THE HEADLINES CONSTANTLY AS THIS BILL MOVES FORWARD?

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Bill: MAYBE THEY'RE SEEKING A COOLING OFF PERIOD.

IT DOES NO LOOK LIKE THAT THEY WILL ADD THE AMENDMENT TO THE BALLOT FOR NEXT YEAR DURING THIS SESSION, RIGHT?

THERE WAS A PROPOSAL TO GO BACK AND REVOTE ON AN ABORTION BILL.

>> Liam: I THINK THEY'RE GENERALLY ANTI-AMENDMENT THIS SESSION.

THEY'RE STILL KIND OF LICKING THEY ARE WOUNDS OFF OF AMENDMENT 1, WHICH WAS KIND OF AN ARCANE SESSION RELATED BILL AND AMENDMENT 2.

SO THEY WILL MAYBE RELOAD IN 2024th BUT NOT THIS SESSION.

>> Bill: SPORTS BETTING WAS TALK ABOUT A LOT, AND SINCE THEY GOT IN FRANKFORT THIS WEEK.

REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH FILED A BILL.

IT WOULD REQUIRE THE KENTUCKY HORSE RACING COMMISSION TO REGULATE IT.

HOUSE BILL 551, THIS IS IF FOURTH STIMULATE YEAR A BILL HAS BEEN FILED IN THE HOUSE.

THIS WILL HAVE CHANGES.

WOULD THAT MAKE IT'LL MORE LIKELY IT CAN YOU GET THROUGH THE SENATE, LIAM?

>> Liam: I HAVE TO SAY GOING ALONG WITH THE THREAD AUSTIN MADE, A LITTLE BIT HARD TO SAY.

PAST CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATE LEADERSHIP DAMON THAYER SAID THAT NEW FACES IN THE SENATE MAY PROVIDE MAYBE ONE, TWO MANNEDFUL OF MORE VOTES FOR THE LEGISLATION -- HANDFUL OF MORE VOTES FOR THE LEGISLATION BUT IT'S HARD TO SAY WHEN IT'S GOING TO REACH THAT CRITICAL MASS OF SUPPORT THAT IT NEEDS ULTIMATELY TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> Austin: THE SPONSORS THINK THAT THE OMISSION OF ONLINE POKER AND OTHER THINGS AND MAKING THIS MORE OF A NARROW BILL, JUST ABOUT SPORTS BETTING BILL HELPS BUT ONE THING TO REMEMBER IS THIS IS A TAX BILL, AND IN AN OFF-YEAR SESSION IT NEEDS THAT 60% THRESHOLD, WHICH IS 60 IN THE HOUSE AND 23 IN THE SENATE.

SO THAT'S A MUCH HIGHER HURDLE TO CLEAR THAN THEY WOULD HAVE TO CLEAR IN 2024.

>> Bill: AND AREN'T THERE SOME ACROBATICS AT PLAY HERE WITH THE GRAY MACHINES AS WELL WHICH HAS BEEN SUCH A HEATED TOPIC OR AT LEAST THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF LOBBYING IN THAT REGARD.

AND DO THEY NEED TO MAYBE DEAL WITH THAT BEFORE THEY CAN THEY CAN DEAL WITH SPORTS BETTING?

>> Austin: THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THESE TWO ISSUES ARE LINKED.

LAST YEAR THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE SAW AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

THERE WAS KIND OF A POISON PILL AMENDMENT ADDED TO THE GRAY MACHINES BILL THAT MADE IT NOT AMENABLE, AND THAT IN TURN KIND, KILLED SPORTS BETTING BECAUSE THERE WAS THIS WEIRD RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE THEY WERE BOTH GAMING RELATED BILLS, AND I THINK THAT'S VERY MUCH THE CASE THIS YEAR, TOO, AND WE'RE SEEING THIS THE GRAY MACHINES, THE BILL TO BAN THOSE GRAY MACHINES BEING ADVANCED IN HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S BECOME AN EXTREMELY HEATED ISSUE.

WE DON'T SEE MANY WHERE REPUBLICANS ARE DIVIDED ON THE FLOOR THIS SESSION.

I MEAN, THERE ARE JUST SO MANY OF THEM IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

BUT THIS IS REALLY A CONTENTIOUS ONE AND A LOT OF MONEY ON BOTH SIDES.

>> Bill: CAN YOU SEE A BREAKDOWN OF THAT, THE DIVISION?

IS IT URBAN/RURAL?

IS IT A SOCIAL MATTER?

>> AUSTIN: >> I REMEMBER IN MY TIME BEFORE THE LANTERN, AT THE PUBLIC STATION IN MURRAY, THIS CONVERSATION TOPIC GRAY MACHINES WOULD COME UP EVERY NOW AND THEN IN TERMS OF DEBATES OVER WHAT EXACTLY TO DO WITH IT.

I'M NOT SURE WHETHER IT'S URBAN OR RURAL DIVIDE OR IF IT'S MORE -- I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S URBAN OR RURAL DIVIDE, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE DIVIDE ACTUALLY WOULD BE.

>> Bill: BECAUSE RA APPARENTLY THEIR EVERYWHERE.

>> Liam: RIGHT.

>> Bill: A BILL THAT WOULD SAY THAT FEDERAL DRUG REGULATIONS OR BANS WOULD PASS THE KENTUCKY HOUSE.

THAT WAS ON A VOTE OF 78 TO 19 REPRESENTATIVE JOSH BRAY OF MOUNT VERNON IS SPONSORING THE SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY BILL.

I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THAT A SECONDLY.

THAT GOT BOTTLED UP IN THE SENATE LAST YEAR BECAUSE IT PASSED THE HOUSE BEFORE.

>> Liam: YEAH, REPRESENTATIVE JOSH BRAY TOLD ME WHEN THE BILL PASSED OUT OF OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE THAT SHEEHEY STILL THINKS IT HAS A GOOD SHOT OF GETTING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IN THE SENATE JUST BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT THAT IT WAS SHOWN IN THE HOUSE.

HE SPECIFICALLY POINTED OUT THE RECENT FEDERAL REGULATION REGARDING STABILIZING RACES FOR PISTOLS WHICH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS SAYING THAT DESTABILIZING BRACES CAN YOU TRANSFORM PISTOLS INTO SHORT BARRELED RIFLES AND ATTEMPT TO TRY TO ENACT SOME FORM OF GUN CONTROL OUTSIDE OF, YOU KNOW, PASSING A LAW THROUGH CONGRESS.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE DEBATE, A VOLUNTEER FOR MOMS DEMAND ACTION CHAPTER, KENTUCKY CHAPTER, TOLD ME THAT THIS BILL IS A PART OF JUST THE LARGER CULTURE WAR OVER GUNS AND THAT IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY MAKE COMMUNITIES SAFER AND IT MAY TIE THE HANDS OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKING TO ENACT FEDERAL RECREATION OR LAWS REGARDING GUNS.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, WHAT WOULD GOVERNOR BESHEAR DO WITH THAT BILL IF IT WERE TO PASS?

IS THAT AN ISSUE THAT IS SHARPLY DIVIDED ALONG URBAN AND RURAL LINES?

>> Austin: I THINK IT IS.

BUT WE SAW A SIMILAR ISSUE THAT'S PRETTY SHARPLY DIVIDED AMONG LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, THE TAX CUT BILL, AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR SIGNED THAT.

SO I WOULDN'T BE SHOCKED TO SEE HIM SIGN OR POCKET PASS THIS BILL, BUT HE COULD VETO IT AS WELL.

>> Bill: BY POCKET PASS, ALLOW IT TO BECOME LAW.

Represent REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA GORDON, A REPUBLICAN FROM RICHMOND, FILED HOUSE BILL 388 WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR DRUG DEALERS TO BE CHARGED WITH MURDER IF THE SUBSTANCES THEY SELL RESULT IN A PERSON'S DEATH.

AND, OLIVIA, SOME PEOPLE SAY THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT SOME OTHERS SAY IT COULD BE A STEP TOO FAR EVEN MAYBE FOR THE COURTS.

>> Olivia: RIGHT.

I THINK SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE WITH THIS BILL, IT SAYS THAT ANYONE WHO UNLAWFULLY ADMINISTERS OR SELLS OR WHAT HAVE YOU ONE OF THESE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES COULD BE THE ONES GETTING IN TROUBLE.

SO I KNOW WHEN I FIRST READIT, I WAS KIND OF WORRIED WHAT IF MY PSYCHIATRIST SOMEBODY LIKE THAT GIVES ME A MEDICATION AND SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME.

WOULD THAT BE AN ISSUE?

BUT UNLAWFULLY IS IN THERE.

I UNDERSTAND THE REPRESENTATIVE IS DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF AN OVERDOSE DEATH IN A RESTROOM OF A RESTAURANT IN HER DISTRICT, SO IT IS PERSONAL FOR HER RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: I WOULD ASSUME THERE WOULD STILL BE PROSECUTOR'S DISCRETION.

THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO MAKE THE MURDER CHARGE, RIGHT?

>> Olivia: I WOULD ASSUME SO, YEAH.

>> Bill: LOTS OF SHELL BUMS ARE FILED.

I JUST WANT TO DISCUSS THAT JUST FOR A SECOND BECAUSE WE KEEP SEEING THIS HAM.

LIAM, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE?

I MEAN, ALL THE DETAILS CAN BE CHANGED AFTER THEY'RE FILED, RIGHT.

>> Liam: SURE, YEAH.

MORE, I GUESS, THERE'S DIFFERENT SPINS ON IT BUT A MORE POSITIVE SPIN IS THAT IT'S SORT OF A PLACEHOLDER FOR LANGUAGE TO BE WORKED ON TO BE PUT IN THE BILL AFTER THE FILING DEADLINE HAS BEEN PASSED.

IF A LAWMAKER, FOR EXAMPLE, NEEDS MORE TIME TO WORK OUT SMOG A PARTICULAR TOPIC, FOR EXAMPLE, SENATOR BRANDON SMITH, HE FILED A SHELL BILL REGARDING EASTERN KENTUCKY HOUSING, FUNDING FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY HOUSING BECAUSE HE STILL NEEDED MORE TIME TO WORK OUT LANGUAGE, WORK OUT DETAILS AMONG SENATE LEADERSHIP, WHICH HE STILL FEELS CONFIDENT IN PASSING THAT, BUT HE SIMPLY NEEDED MORE TIME.

>> Bill: IT GIVES THEM TIME TO LINE UP SUPPORT AS WELL.

>> Austin: EXACTLY.

THERE'S ANOTHER SPIN TO THAT IN THE FACT THAT THERE'S OTHER PERCEPTIONS THAT SUCH MANEUVERS ARE ANTI-DEMOCRATIC, THAT IT CAN BE DONE AT VERY LAST MINUTE, AND IT'S -- YEAH, IN TERMS OF OBVIOUSLY -- ESPECIALLY WITH THE SHORT SESSION THAT WE HAVE, THINGS CAN BE DONE RATHER QUICKLY.

>> Liam: AND WE ALL REMEMBER THE SEWER BILL, RIGHT, FROM ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

THAT WAS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF A SHELL BILL WHERE A REALLY CONSEQUENTIAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION GOT SLID INTO SOMETHING THAT WAS AT FIRST UNRELATED.

>> Bill: A SEWER BILL THAT SOMEHOW CAME TO BE RELIGHTED TO TEACHER PENSIONS.

RIGHT.

RELATED TO.

THERE IS NEW LEGISLATION FILED THAT WOULD HAVE KENTUCKY RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH AS A STATE HOLIDAY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS RECOGNIZE IT WITH EXECUTIVE ACTIONS SINCE 2020, BUT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL ON THE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS HAS PROMISED TO PASS IT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BUT SAYS IT GOT LOST AMONG ISSUES IN RECENT SES.

LIAM, THE NEW JUNETEENTH BILL SPONSORED BY STATE SENATOR GERALD NEAL WHO SAID THIS WEEK, BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY.

DOES IT PASS THIS TIME?

>> I WOULD SAY IT HAS -- IT PROBABLY HAS A DECENT SHOT.

OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE FIRST GATHERING OF THE KENTUCKY BLACK ECLECTIC CAUCUS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH -- BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS.

REGARDING BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION.

THERE WERE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE SENATE LEADERSHIP THERE, INCLUDING DAMON THAYER.

AND IT SEEMED TO ME A PRETTY STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR SHOWING UP FOR BLACK HISTORY AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

IN THE TERMS OF THE SPECIFIC JUNETEENTH BILL, AGAIN, IT'S A SHORT SESSION.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT PRIORITIES MAY GET MIXED UP IN THERE.

AND I GUESS TO SENATOR THAYER'S POINT EARLIER, IT COULD GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, IT COULD NOT.

>> Bill: OLIVIA, THERE'S BEEN SOME ATTENTION TO GOVERNING BOARDS IN THIS SESSION, AND SENATE BILL 107 WOULD SET NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BOARD MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER WOULD HAVE TO GAIN APPROVAL OF THE UPPER CHAMBER.

>> Olivia: RIGHT.

SO I THINK OBVIOUSLY THE KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN SUPER POLITICIZED OVER THE PAST FIVE, SIX YEARS.

BASICALLY MY ENTIRE TIME AS A REPORTER.

P AND THIS WOULD JUST BE ANOTHER EPISODE IN THAT SAGA.

THE FIRST PART OF IT WOULD REALLY BE CREATING A NOMINATING COMMITTEE INSTEAD OF JUST LETTING THE GOVERNOR APPOINT WHOEVER HE WANTS WITHIN THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES ARE TO THE BOARD, THERE WOULD BE LIKE A SEPARATE STEP TO IT.

AND THEN THE SECOND PART IS PARTICULARLY CONSEQUENTIAL WOULD BE REQUIRING THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER, WHO IS NOT AN ELECTED POSITION, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO GET SENATE CONFIRMATION, WHICH I FELT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A PUSHBACK AGAINST EDUCATION COMMISSIONER JASON GLASS WHO HAS BEEN RELATIVELY UNCONTROVERSIAL UP UNTIL REALLY LIKE VALENTINE'S DAY WHEN WE HAD LIKE A HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING WHERE HE GOT ACCUSED OF BEING TOO WOKE.

>> Bill: LIAM, YOU WROTE ABOUT SENATE BILL 104.

IT WOULD REORGANIZE THE KENTUCKY BOARD FOR TELEVISION.

>> Liam: SENATOR THAYER TOLD ME IT WAS AIMED AT MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY IMAGE OF KET AND THE FACT THAT WHEN HE WAS DESCRIBING HIS TESTIMONY ON THE BILL IN COMMITTEE, TALKING ABOUT THE POLARIZATION THAT MEDIA AND SOCIETY HAS SEEN IN RECENT YEARS DESCRIBING THE, QUOTE, EXTREMES OF MEDIA, OF FOX NEWS ON ONE SIDE OR CNN ON THE OTHER, SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO IS THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE SENATE CONFIRMATION FOR THE GOVERNOR'S FIVE APPOINTEES ON THE KET BOARD, AND IT WOULD REQUIRE VARIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BOARD, SUCH AS A AFTERNOON.

MAKE-UP THAT REFLECTS THE CURRENT VOTER REGISTRATION, GEOGRAPHICAL REQUIREMENTS REGARDING MEMBERS REPRESENTING SUPREME COURT DISTRICTS, AND ALSO REFLECTING THE MINORITY MAKE-UP OF KENTUCKY AND MALE AND FEMALE MAKE-UP OF THE BOARD.

THE GOVERNOR SPECIFICALLY MEREDITH TOLD ME THAT HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT A SPECIFIC POINT THAT THE GOVERNOR MADE TO THE KET BOARD WHEN HE APPOINTED HIS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR KRILL STALEY TO THE BOARD LAST SUMMER, AND HE ALSO DESCRIBED THE KET BOARD AS, QUOTE, LEANING VERY PARTISAN.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPOKESPERSON RESPONDED, SAYING THAT REPUBLICANS ARE MORE FOCUSED ON PETTY ATTACKS AND THAT THE BILL, IN HIS OPINION, THE OFFICE'S OPINION, WAS ABOUT AIMING TO CONTROL KET.

>> Bill: SEVERAL GROUPS GATHERED THIS WEEK TO PUSH FOR RESTORING FELON RIGHTS.

SOME OF THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, BUT MANY OTHERS HAVE DONE THEIR TIME AND CANNOT VOTE AND, AUSTIN, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AMONG THE GROUPS PUSHING HARD ON THAT.

>> Austin: ABSOLUTELY.

WE'LL SEE WHERE THE LEGISLATION GOES.

I THINK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IS PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT ONE FROM SENATOR STORM.

I FORGET IF THAT'S ON THIS TOPIC OR NOT.

BUT I DON'T KNOW.

>> Bill: LET'S DO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, RIGHT?

THE KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S RACE, REPUBLICANS DOING BATTLE IN THEIR CROWDED MAY PRIMARY WITH SIGHTS SET ON TAKING OUT DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT ANDY BESHEAR.

FORMER UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR KELLY CRAFT HAD PAUSED A BARRAGE OF TV ADS BUT IS BACK NOW WITH A SPOT IN WHICH SHE SAYS SHE WOULD TAKE ON CHINA.

>> STEALING KENTUCKY JOBS, EXPORTING DEADLY DRUGS INTO OUR COMMUNITIES, AND NOW SPYING OVER KENTUCKY.

CHINA'S ACTIONS ARE THREATENING KENTUCKY, BUT KELLY CRAFT HAS ALWAYS STOOD UP TO CHINA.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, CRAFT CONTINUES ON THE FENTANYL ISSUE WITH THIS NEW AD BUT ALSO TAKES AIM AT CHINA, WHICH, OF COURSE, HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS RECENTLY.

>> Austin: RIGHT.

AND IT'S INTERESTING SHE'S REALLY TRYING TO KIND OF CREATE THIS SUITE OF ISSUES.

FENTANYL, THE BORDER, CHINA.

SHE'S REALLY STAKING HERSELF OUT AS AN ISSUE-BASED CANDIDATE.

WITH CHINA IN PARTICULAR, WE KNOW THAT REPUBLICANS LIKE IT WHEN CANDIDATES TALK ABOUT CHINA.

WE'VE SEEN THE POLLS.

WE'VE WATCHED, I'VE WATCHED PLENTY OF DONALD TRUMP COMPILATIONS OF JUST HIM SAYING CHINA OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS.

BUT THE QUESTION HERE IS DOES IT CONVINCE REPUBLICAN VOTERS TO VOTE YOU IN FOR GOVERNOR.

SOMEBODY MIGHT SAY THAT THIS IS MAYBE A MORE NATIONAL KIND OF APPROACH, BUT AT THE SAME TIME SHE IS TRYING TO TIE THIS BACK INTO THE FENTANYL CRISIS, SO THAT COULD WORK IN THAT SPECIFIC CONTEXT.

>> Bill: IS THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM WITH THE POLLS SHOWING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DANIEL CAMERON AS THE FRONTRUNNER THAT HIS WAY TO REMAIN THERE IS TO REMAIN VISIBLE AND NOT DO ANYTHING VERY CONTROVERSIAL RIGHT NOW ?

>> Austin: I THINK THAT'S A FAIR ASSESSMENT.

P I KEEP GOOGLE ALERTS ON THESE PEOPLE SO WHETHER ANY ARTICLE IS ABOUT THEM.

A GREAT THING ABOUT BEING AG WHICH IS ASPIRING GOVERNOR TO SOME PEOPLE, HE GETS FREE PRESS ALL THE TOO MANY.

WHEN I COMPARE CANDIDATES THERE'S ALL OF THESE ARTICLES, ALL OF THESE TV STORIES ABOUT HIM JOINING ONTO A LAWSUIT, SEM SHOWING SOMETHING.

THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THAT.

>> Bill: ARE THERE POSSIBLE PATHWAYS FOR THE OTHERS OUT THERE?

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES, MIKE HARIN'MAN, SOMERSET MAYOR KECK HAS BEEN CAMPAIGNING.

>> Austin: RIGHT NOW QUARLES' BET IS THAT CRAFT EVENTUALLY GOES ON THE ATTACK FOR CAMERON TO BRING HIM DOWN, AND THEN CAMERON RESPONDS AND ATTACKS HER, AND THEY BOTH BRING EACH OTHER DOWN, AND QUARLES KIND OF SHOOTS THE GAP IN THE SAME WAY THAT MATT BEVIN DID, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NO SIMILAR POLITICAL, BEVIN AND QUARLES, BUT THEY COULD BENEFIT FROM A SIMILAR KIND OF POLITICAL SCENARIO.

AND WITH KECK AND HARMON, THESE ARE GUYS WHO ARE ON THE OUTSIDE BUT THERE ARE STILL 80 PLUS DAYS UNTIL THIS ELECTION, SO THEY'RE REALLY BEATING THE BUSHES AND SHOWING UP TO EVERYTHING AND HOPING THAT THAT WORKS.

>> Bill: SO NOT EVEN THE FIRST DEBATE YET SO WE'LL SEE.

FORMER PRESIDENT JIM CARTER BEING REMEMBERED IN KENTUCKY AS HE IS NOW IN HOSPICE CARRIE.

FORMER GOVERNOR JULIAN CARROLL TOLD HE IS WHAT IS THE SECOND GOVERNOR TO ENDORSE CARTER AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET THROUGH TO CARTER WHEN KENTUCKY FACED DISASTERS IN '70s, FLOODING, BEVERLY HILLS SURP CLUB FIRE, AND HE SAID HE WAS ALWAYS APPRECIATIVE OF THAT SO A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE PRESIDENT CARTER ON THEIR MINDS AND IN THEIR PREM HIS.

AS WE $4.00 TIERED MARCH WE HAVE HAD PLENTY OF WARM AND WIND SPRING-LIKE DAYS.

THE PLANTS AND TREES ARE AS CONFUSED AS WE ARE BY THE PECULIAR WEATHER OUT THERE.

WILL THE EARLY KENTUCKY GOLDENROD BLOOMS GET HIT WINTER REBOUND?

WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.