>> Bill: WAR IN EASTERN EUROPE GRABS ATTENTION HERE IN KENTUCKY, AND Senator Mitch MCCONNELL AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR TALK ABOUT WHAT'S AHEAD.

A BUSY WEEK IN FRANKFORT.

TAX REBATES, SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND THE NURSING SHORTAGE ARE AMONG THE HOT TOPICS there.

COVID NUMBERS KEEP FALLING AS KENTUCKY FACES UP TO WHAT TWO YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC HAVE REVE A NEW WINNER OF LAST YEAR'S KENTUCKY DERBY IS DECLARED.

ON THE WEEKEND THAT LEADS TO MARCH, "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 JEH CURRENTLYISTS TONIGHT ARE: PHILLIP BAILEY, LO NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDEN FOR USA TODAY.

ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERA AND RYLAND BARTON, CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND R ALSO TONIGHT THE TRIAL FOR THE ONLY OFFICER CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO THE BREONNA TAYLO CASE IS UNDERWAY.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH THE STUNNING EVENTS WEEK OVERSEAS, RAUSCH'S INVASION OF UKRAINE AND THE IMPLICATIONS IT HAVE A.

HERE IN KENTUCKY.

SENATE MARINATE LEADER MITCH McCONNELL CONDEMN THE ATTACK AND CALLED FOR A STRONG RESPONSE.

>> I HAVE SOME ADVICE.

RATCHET THE SANCTION ALL THE WAY UP.

DON'T HOLD ANY BACK.

EVERY SINGLE AVAILABLE TOUGH SANCTION SHOULD BE EMPLOYED AND SHOULD BE EMPLOYED NOW.

>> Jonathan: PHILLIP, THOSE SANCTIONS HAVE BEEN RATCHETED UP SINCE THE COMMENTS OF THE SENATOR.

HOW KEY IS IT THAT AM PRO NENT REPUBLICANS LIKE McCONNELL -- PROMINENT REPUBLICANS LIKE McCONNELL TALK ABOUT UNITY IN THE CRYOAND VOICE SOMEPORT SUPPORT FOR THE RECEIPT PRESIDENT'S RESPONSE?

>> Phillip: MITCH McCONNELL HAS NEVER BEEN A IN AN FAN OF VLADIMIR VENUE.

ANOTHER.

WHEN FRUMP INVITED VLADIMIR PUTIN TO THE UNITED STATES McCONNELL SAID HE WAS NOT WELCOME AT THE CAPITOL.

AS A OLD COLD WAR HAWK.

GALLOP SHOWS 85% OF AMERICANS IN THE GALLOP POLL, 85% OF AMERICANS VIEW RAUSCH NEGATIVELY, THE HIGH RUSSIA SINCE THE COLD WAR ITSELF OF.

85% OF REPUBLICANS, BY THE WAY.

SO McCONNELL KNOWS AT THIS MOMENT THERE IS STILL AT LEAST IN THE UNITED STATES A POLITICAL COALITION THAT VIEWS WHAT VLADIMIR PUENTE HAS DONE A VIOLATION OF AMERICAN INTERNAL LAW, AS AN AGGRESSIVE ACT, AND THINK MOST REPUBLICANS AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT.

>> Bill: RYLAND RYLAND, MANY WANT TROOPS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT THERE FROM FORT CAMPBELL.

>> Ryland: FORT CAMPBELL, FORT BRAGG.

THERE'S A FEW THORACES BASES THEY SEND TROOPS TO NATO BASICALLY, AND THESE U.S.

TROOPS, THEY'VE BEEN -- PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS BEEN PROMISING THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT GET INVOLVED THAT A GROUND CAMPAIGN IN THE UKRAINE, SO THIS IS -- THEY'RE WEIGH BEING SENT TO THIS IS BALTIC COUNTRIES LARGELY.

THERE'S ALREADY MANY TROOPS BASED IN GERMANY.

SO IN THESE SURROUNDING NATO COUNTRIES THEY'RE BEING BEING STAKED IN THESE DEFENSIVE POSTURES TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DOESN'T GO FARTHER BEYOND UKRAINE, BUT ALSO THE UNITED STATES IS STILL PROVIDING A LOT OF ANCILLARY SUPPORT TO UKRAINIANS RESISTING THE RUSSIAN INVASION, BUT YEAH, IT ALL -- EVERYBODY -- THERE'S CERTAINLY AN INCREASE IN THAT PRESENCE OF THOSE U.S.

TROOPS AROUND THERE.

>> Bill: THERE'S ORGANIZATIONS AND CHURCHES HERE IN KENTUCKY THAT ARE FINDING WAYS TO SUPPORTED THE UKRAINIANS.

THERE WAS A SERVICE IN LEXINGTON I CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM EVENING.

>> Ryland: THERE'S A GOOD ASHLEY IN THE HERALD-LEADER, I THINK IT WAS TODAY -- A GOOD ARTICLE, THERE'S A UKRAINIAN CHURCH OR A MISSION AFFILIATED WITH THE UKRAINIAN CHURCH IN NICHOLASVILLE THAT'S WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT MISSIONARIES BASED IN UKRAINE ARE GETTING TO SAFE PLACES.

THERE'S A JEWISH ORGANIZATION AS WELL MAKING SURE THAT JEWISH PEOPLE IN THE AREA ARE EITHER GETTING OUT OR MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO STAY SAFE.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF CONNECTIONS, AND WE ARE -- EVERYBODY HAS A LOT OF CONNECTIONS ACROSS THE WORLD THAT UKRAINE IS A LARGE COUNTRY.

AND KENTUCKY HAS PLENTY OF THEM THERE.

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR COMMENTED.

INVASION SAYING KENTUCKIANS SHOULD BE WILLING AND READY TO SACRIFICE.

>> WHILE WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS ON THE GROUND AS TROOPS IN UKRAINE, WE WILL BE CALLED UPON TO ENDURE THINGS LIKE HIGHER GAS PRICES.

THIS IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY TO STOP THIS ACT OF AGGRESSION, THOUGH I UNDER WE WILL ALL FEEL IT.

>> Bill: DID THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS SEEM TO HAVE A MULTI-PURPOSE?

SHOWING SUPPORT FOR THE RESPONSE AND ALSO LETTING KENTUCKIANS KNOW THIS WILL VERY LIKELY DISRUPT OUR LIVES.

>> Phillip: KENTUCKIANS LIKE AMERICANS, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT.

COVID, DO YOU ALL REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE HOARDING TOILET PAPER AND ALL THESE SHORTAGES THAT WERE GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY.

I'M ALREADY SEEING MEMES NOW TO SOCIAL MEDIA, BILL, ABOUT PEOPLE HOARDING GASOLINE ALREADY.

SO I THINK THE GOVERNOR DID THE RIGHT THING IN HERE IN SAYING BE PREPARED FOR EVEN ANOTHER CRISIS ON TOP OF THIS EVEN THOUGH UKRAINE'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD, THIS IS GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT IN YOUR POCKETS HERE LOCALLY.

WHAT I'M INTERESTED, THOUGH, TO SEE IS WILL THE GOVERNOR, PERHAPS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, COUPLE OF UP TO PREVENT SOME OF THOSE GASOLINE SHORTAGES AND PEOPLE HOARDING THE WAY WE DID AT THE EARLY DAYS OF COVID.

>> Ryland: THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT RESOURCES AT PLAY HERE.

I THINK KENTUCKY HAS ALREADY AND THE COUNTRY HAS ALREADY BEEN UPPED WERE UP IN INFLATION AND WORRIED ABOUT GAS PRICES GOING UP.

GAS COULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS.

GAS PRICES COULD BE.

UKRAINE'S ALSO THE LARGEST OR FOURTH LARGEST EXPORTER OF WHEAT IN THE THE WORLD.

RUSSIA IS THE FIRST, SO THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT SUPPLY LINES COULD GET MESSED UP IN THAT REGARD AS WELL.

>> Bill: 9, ALEX, A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS VIVIDLY REMEMBER THE COLD WAR, AND IF THEY DON'T, THEIR PARENTS DO, AND SOME OF THE OTHER CONFLICTS OVER THE YEARS, AND YOU HAVE TO THINK THAT THIS STIRS SOME MEMORIES AND EMOTIONS FOR SOME THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAD RICHLY HOPED WAS A BYGONE ERA.

>> Alex: SURE, AND IT'S A BYGONE ERA IN A LOT OF WAYS.

I DON'T REMEMBER THE COLD WAR.

MY PARENTS DO, AS YOU SAID.

AND I THINK FOR ME, OBVIOUSLY I'VE STUDIED THE COLD WAR AND IT DOES SEEM LOOK A BYGONE ERA IN A LOT OF WAYS EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO.

AND SO LOOKING AT THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CONFLICT NOW FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE I THINK N. IMAGE OF THE COLD WAR SORT OF CAME SCREAMING BACK.

FOR ME, ESPECIALLY WHEN RUSSIAN TROOPS BREACHED THE CHERNOBYL SITE, SITE OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSION IN 1986, FOR ME IT KIND OF HIT HOME HOW SERIOUS THING COULD CONFLICT ACTUALLY IS, AND IT REMIND ME OF THE COLD WAR, AND SO I HAVE TO IMAGINE THAT PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVED THROUGH IT ARE HAVING THOSE FLASHBACKS.

>> Phillip: BILL, I THINK WHAT'S ALSO CHANGED IS I CARRY MY GRANDFATHER'S WORLD WAR II TAGS WITH ME OFTEN.

HE FOUGHT IN EUROPE AGAINST FASCISM OVERSEAS.

AND WHAT YOU'RE SEEING, THOUGH, IS THE CRACK OF THAT ORIGINAL COALITION, THAT SAME GALLOP POLL THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER SHOWINGS THAT PEOPLE, AMERICANS AT LEAST ARE HAVING A NEGATIVE VIEWCH NATO, THAT ORIGINAL CLICKS ON TO PROTECT EUROPE AGAINST SOVIET INCURSION, AND NOW YOU'RE SEEING THAT POLL THAT ONLY 26% OF REPUBLICANS VIEW THAT NATO IS DOING A GOOD JOB.

AND THIS IS WHERE YOU SEE PRESIDENT TRUMP RECENTLY MADE COMMENTS, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE COMMENTS ON A FUNDRAISER PRAISING VLADIMIR PUTIN AS A VERY SMART MAN FOR THIS INVASION.

WHAT'S CHANGING I THINK FORE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN APPLY GENERATION AND YOUNGER WHO DON'T REMEMBER THE COLD WAR IS THAT THAT FRACTURE OF THAT ORIGINAL COALITION OUT OF WORLD WAR II, I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD KEEP THAT IN MIND PARTICULARLY FOR THE GREATEST GENERATION.

>> Bill: IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING AS WE'LL FOLLOW HERE IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS TO COME.

THIS ALL COMES AS WE HERE IN KERRY FINALLY BEGINNING TO SEE SOME VERY ENCOURAGING NUMBERS IN THE COVID PANDEMIC WITH EVIDENCE THAT WE MAY FINALLY BE EMERGING FROM THE OMICRON SURGE.

ALEX, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF BAD NEWS IN THIS PANDEMIC.

FINALLY THIS SOUNDS VERY OPTIMISTIC.

>> Alex: VERY.

ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WE TODAY ARE POS TO HAVE IT RATE FELL BELOW 10 FIRST FOR THE PIRS TIME PRE-OMICRON, AT 9.85, WHICH IS A RALLY GOOD SIGN.

I REPORTED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THAT IT TOOKS TOOK US FOUR WEEKS TO HIT THE PEAK OF OMICRON AND FOUR WEEKS TO COME OUT OF IT, AND GRANTED WE'RE NOT TOTALLY OUT OF IT YET, BUT ALL SIGNS POINT TO US GETTING BACK TO A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE A VERY LOW TRANSMISSION RATE.

BUT WE'RE STILL HAVING SEVERAL THOUSAND CASES EACH DAY.

TODAY WE HAD MORE THAN 2,000.

WE HAD MORE THAN 30 DEATHS.

SO TO SAY IT'S OVER IS NOT ACCURATE.

IS IT BECOMING ENDEMIC?

I'M NOT SURE.

AND WE CAN SORT OF LOOK BACK AT HOW DIVIDE THE STATE HAS BEEN OVER COVID, AND GRANTED WE'RE COMING OUT OF THAT TOO.

TODAY THE CD CAME-UP OUT WITH UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS WHERE NO LONGER ARE THEY GOING TO USE JUST CASE NUMBERS AND POSITIVITY RATE TO RECOMMEND WHETHER PEOPLE SHOULD WEAR MASKS.

THEY'RE GOING DO LOOK AT THINGS LIKE COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS WITH PERCENTAGE OF BEDS OCCUPIED BY COVID PATIENTS, EVEN 2 THOSE METRICS KENTUCKY STILL HAS A, QUOTE/UNQUOTE, HIGH LEVEL.

SO MASKS ARE STILL RECOMMENDED INDOORS HERE.

>> Bill: SO WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION TO FULLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RELAXING OF THE RULES.

>> Alex: NOT ACCORDING TO THE CDS.

GRANTED THEIR JUST RECOMMENDATIONS BUT YOU HAVE OTHER STATES THAT ARE HIGHER VACCINATION RATES THAN US.

I BELIEVE OUR TOTAL VACCINATION RATE IS 56% AND IS AND THEY HAVE MORE MANDATES IN PLACE, EVEN THOUGH MORE STATES LIKE NEW YORK HAVE REVOKED THOSE.

SO WE'RE SORT OF TEETERING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOT BEING OUT OF IT.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS LIGHT NEARING US.

BUT COMPARED, DID KENTUCKY, EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT A HEAT MAP TODAY, WE ARE MORE IN THE RED THAN A LOT OF OTHER STATES ARE STILL EVEN THOUGH OUR POSITIVITY RATE IS BELOW 10%.

A WEEK AGO IT WAS ABOVE 14.

SO IT'S PROGRESS, BUT WE'RE NOT OUT OF IT.

>> Bill: WEISE HEAD TOWARD OUR DISCUSSION ON FRANKFORT, AND THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT THERE, THE SENATE MOVED A BILL ALONG THAT WOULD END THE COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 7th AFTER LAWMAKERS JUST LAST MONTH HAD VOTED TO EXTEND IT TO APRIL.

COULD THAT IN ANY WAY AFFECT FEDERAL FUNDING OR IS THAT STILL AN OPEN QUESTION?

>> Alex: IT'S NOT CLEAR YET.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE POINT THAT DEMOCRAT SENATOR BROUGHT UP TODAY OR YESTERDAY I BELIEVE, THE THAT IT COULD COMPROMISE KENTUCKY'S ABILITY TO GET FEDERAL FUNDING.

I THINK WHAT'S SORT OF PULLING BACK, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS THAT REPUBLICANS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC HAVE CHASED GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S EMERGENCY DETERMININGLATION, MASK MANDATES, ALL OF THAT.

THIS IS YET ANOTHER WAY THAT I THINK THEY'RE SORT OF PUSHING BACK AT THAT.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE NO MASK MANDATES IN KENTUCKY.

REPUBLICANS STRIPPED BESHEAR OF HIS POWER TO HAVE THAT AUTHORITY, AND SO YOU REALLY HAVE TO ASK WHAT IS THIS IN RESPONSE TO.

RYLAND WAS TALKING ABOUT BEFORE THE SHOW SORT OF THE IMPASSIONED PLEASE FROM REPUBLICANS ON THE FLOOR ABOUT THE QUALMS THAT THEY HAVE FOR BESHEAR'S HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC.

A LOT OF THEM ARE WITHOUT DATED BECAUSE AGAIN THERE ARE NO MANDATES IN PLACE RIGHT NOW.

AND KENTUCKY IS ON THE OUTS WHEN IT COMES TO COVID.

AND SO I THINK IT'S JUST -- IT HIGHLIGHTS THE DIVISION THAT HAS EXISTED IN OUR STATE FOR TWO YEARS OVER THE HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> Ryland: IT FELT LIKE -- WATCHING THAT DEBATE AWAY REMARK AB.

IT FELT LIKE WE IN IN MAY OR JUNE OF 2020 WHEN REPUBLICANS WERE RAILINGOVER EVERY OVER BUSINESS CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS AND MASK MANDATES, AND NONE OF THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR A VERY ALONG TIME AT THIS POINT.

YEAH, THERE AREN'T A LOT OF THING THAT THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IS PROPPING UP AT THIS POINT.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT WAITED A SECOND, WILL THIS IMPACT THE STATE'S ABILITY TO GET SOME SORT OF FEDERAL FUNDING WHICH I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT.

THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT IT OVER THE SUMMER WHEN THEY DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE STATE OF EMERGENCY BACK THEN.

AND I DON'T KNOW.

WE DON'T HAVE THOSE ANSWERS YET, BUT AT LEAST THEY'VE MOVED IT TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE CONFIDENT ENOUGH, THEY PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE, AND NOW WE'LL SEE IF THE HOUSE WILL TAKE IT UP.

>> Bill: FRANKFORT WAS A BUSY PLACE THIS WEEK.

LAWMAKERS MET FOR FOUR DAYS AFTER TAKING PRESIDENT'S DAY OFF ON MONDAY.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A RUSH AND IT'S FROM BOTH PARTIES AND FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH TO GIVE SOME MONEY BACK TO KENTUCKIANS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR CUT CAR TAXES LAST WEEK AND SUPPORTS A CUT TEMPORARILY IN THE STATE SALES TAX.

REPUBLICANS NOW ARE FAST TRACKING A $500 TAX REFUND.

>> Ryland: BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE WROTE SUCH CONSERVATIVE BUDGETS OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST SO UNCERTAIN ABOUT HOW CORONAVIRUS WOULD AFFECT US, AND REVENUE DIDN'T DIP AS MUCH AS EVERYBODY WAS WORRIED ABOUT, THERE ARE MASSIVE BUDGET SURPLUSES.

LAST YEAR'S A LITTLE OVER $1 BILLION.

THIS YEAR WE'RE PROJECTED TO HAVE ALMOST $2 BILLION.

SO THIS ONE PARTICULAR PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN FLOATED THIS WEEK IS TO PROVIDE EVERY KENTUCKIAN WHO PAID TAXES LAST YEAR FOR THE THEIR 2020 TAXES, WILL GET A $500 REBATE AS A SINGLE FILER OR $1,000 REBATE AS A JOINT FILER.

THAT PROGRAM WOULD COST A LITTLE OVER $1 BILLION OF THAT SURPLUS, WHICH IS ALMOST $2 BILLION.

THIS IS -- THERE'S DIFFERENT DEBATES ON HOW YOU SPEND MONEY FROM BUDGET SURPLUSES SPOOM PEOPLE SAY THAT YOU SHOULD REINVEST IN IT STATE GOVERNMENT, REINVEST IT IN SOME SORT OF STATE SERVICE AND RFPs ARE DETERMINED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE IT BACK TO TAXPAYERS.

REPUBLICANS.

>> Bill: PHILIP, IT'S FASCINATING TO WATCH FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT WHEN KENTUCKY HAS SOME MONEY TO SPEND.

>> Phillip: RIGHT.

USUALLY, TYPICALLY KENTUCKY DOESN'T HAVE MONEY AND EVE WE HAVE A TIGHT BUDGET AND SO WE RARELY SEE THIS.

THIS LOOKS AT PACKAGES PASSED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

THAT'S WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME AT LEAST.

WE UNDERSTAND WITH INFLATION AND EVERY OTHER THING THAT'S GOING TO WITH KENTUCKIANS ANY EXTRA AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THEIR POCKET IS A GOOD THING.

I THINK REPUBLICANS ARE BASICALLY RIMMING A PAGE OUT OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BOOK AND TRYING TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO FOLKS' POCKETS DIRECTLY.

>> Bill: TODAY MORE LONG TERM THERE WAS A BILL FILED TO CHANGE KENTUCKY'S TAX CODE AND IT WOULD BASICALLY SHIFT -- >> Ryland: THE MUCH NEEDED TAX REFORM DISCUSSION HAS FINALLY DONE IN EARNEST IN KENTUCKY.

THIS IS SIMILAR TO A TAX CHANGE PLAN BACK IN 2018, BUT WHAT THIS WOULD DO, AND THE INTENDED GOALIE OF THIS IS TO EVENTUALLY ELIMINATE KENTUCKY'S INCOME TAX.

IT'S CURRENTLY 5% FOR EVERYBODY.

STARTING NEXT YEAR IT WILL GO DOWN TO 4% DEPENDING IF THE STATE CONTINUES TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY.

THEY'LL RATCHET IT DOWN UNTIL EVENTUALLY IT HITS ZERO PERCENT.

THEY'RE FUNDING THIS BY EXPANDING THE SALES TAX TO THE AT LEAST, ACCORDING TO THEIR RELEASE TODAY, 18 NEW SERVICES.

SO THAT'S A 6% SALES TAX SO WE PAY FOR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

BUT THAT WOULD NOW BE A APPLIED TO TAXIS AND RIDE SHARE SERVICES, AIRBNB, AND VERSEO TYPE OF HOTEL STAYS, ADVERTISING AND -- >> Bill: COSMETIC SURGERY.

>> Ryland: ONE WAS BOAT DOCK RENTALS.

THERE'S A LONG LIST OF SERVICES THAT THEY HAVE APPLIED IT TO.

AND NOW BEGINS THE DEBATE OVER WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES IT TO THE FINAL VERSION OF THIS BILL BECAUSE IT'S JUST BEEN INTRODUCED AT THIS POINT, IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN HEARD IN COMMITTEE.

>> Bill: EACH OF THOSE TARGETED FOR SALES TAX INCLUSION -- >> RYLAND: >> Ryland: HAS THEIR OWN LITTLE ARMY OF LOBBYISTS.

>> Bill: ALEX, THE NURSING SHORTAGE IS DEEP, AND THAT WAS UNDER DISCUSSION THIS, THE.

IT APPEARS IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE THE THOUSANDS OF NURSES WHO HAVE DECIDED TO RETIRE OR LEAVE THEIR CAREER, PARTICULARLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

>>> >> Alex: RIGHT.

SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS AND A COUPLE OF OTHER REPUBLICANS PRESENTED A BILL, I BELIEVE IT WAS LAST WEEKEND, LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HEARD IT THIS WEEK, WHICH WOULD DOUGH A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ESSENTIALLY REMOVE CERTAIN RED TAPE WHEN IT COMES TO GRANTING TEMPORARY WORK PERMITS TO OUT-OF-STATE NURSES BECAUSE, AS YOU SAID, KENTUCKY HAS HEMORRHAGED NURSES CERTAINLY DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT IT HAS PREEXISTED COVID.

AND S. NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO BE -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY PROACTIVE, BUT RESPONSIVE IN A CONCERTED WAY TO KIND OF HELP WITH THAT CRISIS.

SO THIS BILL WOULD DO A COUPLE OF THINGS LIKE REMOVE RED TAPE AND IT HAS THE APPROVAL OF THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND THE THE NURSES ASSOCIATION, BUT YOU HAVE TO THINK IT IS SUCH A DEEP-ROOTED PROBLEM.

NOT ONLY WITH PEOPLE LEAVING BUT WITH NURSES COMING OF RETIREMENT AGE THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF EFFORTS COBBLED TOGETHER OVER A SERIES YEARS, I THINK, TO REALLY REPLENISH THAT WORK POOL.

>> Bill: AND ISN'T REALLY ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS HERE TRYING TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THAT CAREER.

>> Alex: RIGHT.

SO HOW DO YOU INCENTIVIZE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME A NURSE AT ONE OF THE MOST STRESSFUL TIMES TO BE A NURSE IN HISTORY.

I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY A HEAVY LIFT, BUT THEY'RE TRYING.

>> Bill: IT APPEARS THE LEGISLATURE WILL MAKE SOME RULES ABOUT HOW HISTORY CAN BE TAUGHT IN KENTUCKY.

THERE WAS MORE DEBATE BEFORE A SENATE BILL PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES THAT OPPONENTS CALLED CENSORSHIP WHILE ITS SPONSOR STATE SENATOR MAX WISE SAYS IT'S COMPROMISE.

>> PARENTS, COMMUNITY CONSTITUENTS AND COMMUNITIES HAVE VERY PACKS ANY AND ARTICULATELY SHARED SAMPLE STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS THAT THEY PERCEIVE ARE INCREASINGLY ABOUT INDOCTRINATION INTO A PARTICULAR WORLD VIEW RATHER THAN EDUCATION THAT EQUIPS STUDENTS TO THINK CRITICALLY.

>> BUT WHAT WE DO HAVE HERE IS THE AGENDA THAT'S BEING SET FORTH THAT I THINK IS DANGEROUS, I THINK IT'S NON-EDUCATIONAL, AND I THINK IT TENDS TO WHITEWASH HISTORY.

HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> Bill: UP INLAND RYLAND, WHAT DOES SENATE BILL 138 DO?

>> Ryland: WHAT IT DOES IS IT REQUIRES TEACHERS TO TALK ABOUT U.S. HISTORY AND RACE IN SPECIFIC WAYS.

IT'S -- THE SUPPORTERS OF BILL SAY TO THAT IT'S JUST CREATING GUARDS RAILS FOR THESE KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS, BUT THERE'S SOME CONCERNING LANGUAGE IN THE BILL, SO ONE PART OF THE BILL IT BANS TEACHERS FROM DEFINING RACIAL DISPARITIES SOLELY AS THE LEGACY OF THIS, TOO,, MEANING SLAVER ORE JIM CROW, SOLELY DOING THAT IS DESTRUCTIVE TOTE UNIFICATION OF OUR NATION.

WHICH IS A VERY BROAD DESCRIPTION OF HOW A TEACHER IS NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT A PARTICULAR ISSUE AND HOW IT AFFECTS AND CONTINUES TO AFFECT AMERICAN LIFE, SAYING THAT IT CANNOT CONNECT TO -- THAT IT CAN'T CONNECT IN A NEGATIVE WAY TO WHAT'S GOING ON NOW.

IT ALSO PRISONERS 23 DIFFERENT SPEECHES TO BE TAUGHT RANGING FROM THINGS THAT ARE TYPICALLY TAUGHT LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH TO THE MAYFLOWER EXACT, THE FEDERALIST PARENTS, BUT THEN ALSO RONALD REAGAN'S A TIME FOR CHOONG SPEECH, WHICH IS A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SPEECH THAT HE GAVE SUPPORTING BARRY GOLDWATER'S PRESIDENTIAL PAINT WHEN HE WAS THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA AT THE TIME.

WHICH IS KIND OF AN OUT OF RIGHT FIELD CHOICE FOR A SPEECH TO HAPPEN THERE.

>> IT'S INTERESTING THAT THIS DEBATE COMES AS JUNETEENTH SEEMS TO BE WELL ON ITS WAY TO BECOMING A STATE HOLIDAY.

>> Phillip: RIGHT.

I THINK OUR COUNTRY IS AT A MOMENT WHERE CLEARLY THE BECOME IS BECOMING MORE RACIALLY DIVERSE AND LESS WHITE.

EVEN SENATOR WISE SAID THAT THE PERCEPTION OF SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE BEING TAUGHT IN YOUR SCHOOLS.

I KNOW ONE THING THAT IS NOT A PERCEPTION.

NIGH GREAT-GRANDFATHER HAS A LEASE NIS OLD FOLDERS SAYING HE COULD NOT BUY CERTAIN PROPERTY BECAUSE HE WAS OF A NEGRO AND AFRICAN DEEXTENT YOU TEACH THAT IN CLASS WITNESS THAT'S NOT A PERCEPTION.

THAT IS A FACT.

THE LEGACY, IT IMPACTED HIS SON, IMPACTED ME, MY CHILDREN FROM THIS POINT FORWARD.

LOOK.

AS THE COUNTRY BECOMES MORE DIVERSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE AND MORE OF THESE CLASHES BE, MORE OF THESE CONVERSATIONS NOT ONLY AROUND RACE AND DELIVER BE WITH DID HOLOCAUST, WOMEN'S RIGHTS, AND WE HAVE TO RECONCILE THIS IN SOME WAY.

IS THIS WHY I AN YOU ARE REDEEMABLY RACIST COUNTRY?

ARE WE A COUNTRY THAT'S MAKING PROGRESS PROCLAMATIONS?

I THINK WHAT SENATOR RISE WISE IS SAYING IS THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANT TO HEAR THIS STUFF IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

>> Bill Estep: AND THIS CAME IN A WEEK AFTER TWO LAWMAKERS APOLOGIZED FOR USING A ANTI-SEMITIC PHRASE IN REGARD TO LOWERING THE FRIES OF STATE LEASE.

>> Ryland: THAT WAS REPRESENTATIVE WALK IR THOMAS AND ALSO I BELIEVE IT WAS SENATOR RICK GIRDLER, AND IN A COMMITTEE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE PRICE OF A PARTICULAR STATE CONTRACT AND IT WAS ALREADY A VERY LOW APPLIES, AND THEY MADE AN ANTISEMITIC, BOTH OF THEM MADE BE A ANTI-SEMITIC PHRASE ABOUT HOW TO GET THAT PRICE LOWERED EVEN FURTHER.

>> Bill: THERE IS A MEASURE TO LIMIT CHARITABLE BAIL FUNDS FROM POSTING -- BEING ABLE TO POST LARGE BONDS.

IS THAT RELATED TO THE ATTEMPTED SHOOTING OF A LOUISVILLE MAYORAL CANDIDATE?

>> Phillip: ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S WHY THE RATHER SHOCKING THING THAT HAPPENED IN OUR COMMITTEE FOR A DEMOCRATIC MAYORAL CANDIDATE CRAIG GREENBERG WAS SHOT AT ALLEGEDLY BY QUINTEZ BROWN FROM A COURIER-JOURNAL INTERN.

LOOK, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GETS TO THE HEART WHETHER YOU THINK IT'S ABOUT GUN ACCESS, WHETHER YOU THINK IT'S ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, WHETHER YOU THINK IT'S ABOUT ANTI-SEMITISM AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS ROCKED THE LOUISVILLE COMMUNITY AND ALL OF US IN A CERTAIN KIND OF WAY.

HIM BEING BAILED OUT SO QUICKLY BY ONE OF THESE COMMUNITY BAIL FUND PROJECTS, EVERYONE'S OAT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SAYING SHE WAS SHOOTING -- ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING ON MONDAY.

HE'S OUT ON WEDNESDAY.

BUTTED LET'S UNPACK A COUPLE OF THING HERE, BILL.

NUMBER OF ONE, THAT'S HOW THE SYSTEM IS.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE PEOPLE CAN POST BAIL.

YOU REMEMBER I THINK IT WAS 1994 WHEN SHANE RANK LYNN WAS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AND KILLING A UK FOOTBALL PLAYER AND IS HIS FATHER WHO IS RICH WAS ABLE TO POST A $1 MILLION BOND, SO IS IT REALLY ABOUT THESE COMMUNITY BAIL PROJECTS AND WHAT THEY DID AND THE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE AROUND THE GREEN BIGGER SHOOTING OR IS IT BAIL SYSTEM IF PEOPLE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY THEY CAN BAIL OUT FOR ANY CRIME WHETHER IT'S CHILD STANFORDOR.

>> Ryland: HE WAS RELEASED ON HOUSE ARREST WITH AN ANKLE MONITOR UNDER SURVEILLANCE SO HE WASN'T RELEASED OUT IN THE STREETS.

>> Phillip: BILL, THIS IS A KEY PART HERE.

IN LOUISVILLE THERE'S A DEEP CONVERSATION ABOUT THE JAIL, CORRECTIONS BEING A DEATH TRAP.

YOU HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED WHILE IN CUSTODY ON MAYOR GREG FISCHER'S WATCH DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, SO THE DEBATE IN LOUISVILLE WAS SHOULD QUINTEZ BLOUIN BE IN MENTAL CORRECTIONS?

NO.

SHOULD HE BE FREE?

NO.

SO THERE WAS THIS COMPROMISE THAT WASN'T BEING DISCUSSED PUBLICLY AND THAT'S WHERE THE BAIL FOLKS ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

>> Bill: I WILL HAVE WE A COUPLE OF ELECTION ISSUES.

KENTUCKY IS THE FIRST OPEN STATE GAY LAW MERCURY WON A SLIDE CAMPAIGN.

>> Phillip: KETURAH HERRON IS THE FIRST ELECTRICITYIA PERSON TO REPRESENT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WINNING FAIRLY EASILY IN ANY OVERLY DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT, SOMETHING THAT WILL BE RECOMMENDED IN HISTORY BOOK FOR DECADES TO COME.

>> Bill: 3RD DISTRICT ROLLING TOWARD -- JOHN YAR MONTH RECENTLY ENDORSED McGARVEY.

>> Phillip: CONGRESSMAN YARMOUTH DOESN'T USUALLY MAKE ENDORSEMENTS.

Y WOO TALKED ABOUT THIS VERY SUBJECT.

HE CERTAINLY FELT LIKE THE REASON HE HAD TO ENDORSE WAS BECAUSE HE SAID PUBLICKY HE DOESN'T FEEL LOOK A LOT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SUPPORT HER.

HE SAID HE FELD FELT SHE LIED TO HIM.

WHEN SHE SAID SHE WANTS RUNNING FORE RELEASING.

THE CURVES WAS, YOU TOLD REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT YOU WEREN'T RUNNING IN FEBRUARY OF 2021.

WHEN YOU FINALLY MADE THE DECISION THAT YOU WEREN'T GOING TO RUN, YOU CALLED MORGAN McGARVEY AND GAVE HIM THE HEADS.

YOU.

SO IT UNDERSCORES WHAT ATTICA SCOTT'S CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ABOUT WHERE OLD BOY INFORMATION WHERE THEY GET TOGETHER AND TELL EACH OTHER INFORMATION.

>> Bill: THE ONLY OFFICER CHARGED IN CHARGE IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE.

>> Ryland: HAD AN KIN ZONE WAS SHOT ROUND THAT WOUND UP IN NEIGHBORING APARTMENTS.

TODAY THE JURY WAS ACTUALLY BROUGHT TO BREONNA TAYLOR'S APARTMENT TO GET A SENSE OF THE SCENE AND WHERE SHE WAS AND WHERE HE WAS SHOOTING.

>> Bill: ALEC, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED A SETTLEMENT WITH COMPANIES THAT DISTRIBUTED OPIOIDS.

THIS WILL BE APPLIED TO THE WAR ON THAT ISSUE.

>> Alex: RIGHT.

IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING.

IF SOMEBODY REMEMBERS THE EXACT AMOUNT PLEASE LET ME KNOW BUT IT'S SIGNIFICANT AND SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING FOR A LONG TIME.

THE KENTUCKY IS OBVIOUSLY THE GROUND ZERO FOR THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN A LOT OF WAYS.

IT'S GOING TO BE FUNNELED TOWARD RECOVERING FROM THAT.

>> Bill: NEW DERBY WINNER MEDINA A SPIRITED WAS DISQUALIFIED.

MONDAY LYNN FAMED THE WINNER OF THE CASE.

>> Ryland: MEDINA SPIRITED DIED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND TRAINER BOB BAFFERT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED FOR 90 DAYS AND FINED $7,500.

>> Bill: AS YOU KNOW JACK BRACKER REMINDER FROM THE HERALD-LEADER FROM 2021.

HE TOLD US ALL ALONG HE WOULD JENNTUALLY DO SOME OTHER WORK.

EXACT JACK HA JOINED THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY TRIBUNE AS A PART-TIME REPORTER AND SO NOW WE HOPE WE CAN SEE HIM AGAIN OCCASIONAL.

TUNE IN MONDAY FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW WILL HOST A DISCUSSION ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY.