AGAINST THE GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ARE DROPPED BY A COMMITTEE THAT WILL NOW "BILL THOSE WHO MADE THE ALLEGATIONS.

AUDITOR MIKE HARMON AGAIN CRITTIZES THE STATE'S STRUGGLE TO HELP THE UNEMPLOYED.

TO-GO ALCOHOL AND EXTENDED VOTING COULD BE PERMANENT POST PANDEMI POWER IS LARGELY RESTORED, AND KENTUCKY IS GETTING SOME MOMENT ON VACCINES VACCINES NOW AFTER THE HISTORIC ICE STORMS.

SPRING-LIKE WEATHER NOW AS WE HEADING INTO THIS WEEKEND.

"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

IT'S ALMOST MARCH.

I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOM YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH, AND SOME ANAL AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: JACK BRAMMER, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

CHRIS OTTS REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

AND DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR COURIER-JOURNAL.

ALSO TONIGHT, U.S.

SENATOR RAN PAUL WILL RUN FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

AND BIG CHANGES ARE AHEAD AT KENTUCKY KINGDOM.

BUT FIRST, THE IMPEACHMENT EFFORT THAT TOOK UP A LOT OF TIME AND KEPT A LOT OF DOORS CLOSED IN FRANKFORT ENDED WITH PETITIONS AGAINST THE GOVERNOR AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BEING DISMISSED IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE JASON NEMES OVERSAW THE UNUSUAL >> THE COMMITTEE HAS FOUND THAT NONE OF THE ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST THE GOVERNOR NOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RISE TO THE LEVEL OF IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES.

>> Bill: JACK WEEK KENTUCKIANS LEARNED TWO THINGS HERE.

IT IS VERY EASY IN THIS APPLICABLE CLIMATE TO START SOMETHING LIKE A PETITION.

IT'S EASILY DONE BY RAY HANDFUL OF PEOPLE A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE, BUT ACTUALLY THE BAR IS HIGH WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUALLY REMOVING SOMEONE FROM OFFICE.

>> Jack: BILL, THIS WAS AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT BOR THE LEGISLATURE.

IN THE PAST IMPEACHMENT PETITIONS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TIE STANDING COMMITTEE, USUALLY THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS YEAR THE HOUSE LEADER DECIDED TO SET UP A SPECIAL IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE, AND THERE WERE PETITIONS BROUGHT AGAINST THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR DUE TO HIS EMERGENCY RESTRICTIONS AROUND -- ABOUT GATHERINGS OF PEOPLE DURING COVID-19, AND EVEN THOUGH THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT LAST YEAR SAID THAT WAS LEGAL, PROCEEDED WITH THAT.

THEN A FEW DAYS LATER A PETITION WAS ISSUED AGAINST THE REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON, ALLEGED THAT HE BREACHED THE PUBLIC TRUST BY MISREPRESENTING GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE IN LOUISVILLE.

AND SO AS WE SAW THE PANEL DECIDE IT AND TAKE NO ACTION ON THESE PETITIONS.

P. >> Bill: WAS THERE EVER A REALISTIC CHANCE, JACK WANT THIS WAS GOING ANYWHERE?

>> Jack: I DON'T THINK SO.

WHAT SURPRISES ME IS JUST HOW LONG IT LASTED AND THE IDEA OF SETTING UP A SPECIAL PANEL TO HEAR THIS.

I HAVE NOT SUBSTANTIATED THIS, BUT THERE WAS TALK THAT REPRESENTATIVE NEMES WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HAD A UNANIMOUS VOTE, AND THAT WAS HARD TO GET EARLY ON IN THE SESSION, AND IT JUST CAME ACROSS SMELLING VERY POLITICALLY.

>> Bill: DEB, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WENT ON, RIGHT?

SO MUCH OF IT WAS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

I THINK IT WAS UP TO 18 HOURS, THEY MET, BUT IT WAS GENERALLY IN CLOSED SESSION, AND THE REPORT THEY ISSUED I THINK WAS FAIRLY TERRACE AND DIDN'T REALLY GIVE ANY KIND OF WHAT DISCUSSION OR DEBATE WOULD HAVE BEEN DURING THAT EXTENDED PERIOD.

>> Bill: THE PETITIONERS WILL NOW BE BILLED BY THE EXPENSES INCURRED FOR THE IMPEACHMENT EFFORT.

DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA HOW COSTLY THOSE INVOICES WILL BE?

>> Deborah: WE DON'T YET.

I'M SORRY, JACK.

>> Jack: NO, I WAS JUST SAYING THAT THE LAWYER WAS INVOLVED, SO IT WILL COST SOMETHING, BUT NO FIGURE YET, BUT I THINK THE LEGISLATURE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO FILE AN IMPEACHMENT, MAYBE TO HAVE MORE EVIDENCE THAN JUST COMING ACROSS THAT YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT SOMEBODY DID POLITICALLY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, IT WAS AN INTERESTING CHAPTER.

BEFORE WE DELVE INTO OTHER HAPPENINGS IN A VERY WITH, VERY BUSY WEEK IN FRANKFORT, CREWS BEYOND STATE AND BEYOND HELPED GET THE POWER BACK ON FOR THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS.

WE'RE DOWN NOW TO VERY FEW OUTAGES REMAINING AFTER THOSE THREE HISTORIC ICE STORMS, SO THOSE NUMBERS ARE DOWN AND VACCINATIONS WERE ALSO IMPACTED BY THE ROUGH WEATHER.

MOST OF THOSE RESUMING NOW.

BUT, CHRIS, WE'RE JUST AT THE END OF WHAT WAS A HISTORIC COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> Chris: YEAH, VERY DIFFICULT COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND THANK GOODNESS FOR THIS SPRING-LIKE WEATHER COMING, AND, YOU KNOW, WITH VACCINES WE'RE NOW MOVING ON TO THE NEXT STAGE OF 1C, WHICH IS NOT EVERYONE BUT HAS A LOT MORE PEOPLE IN THAT GROUP THAN THE PREVIOUS GROUPS, SO THINGS ARE PROGRESSING.

>> Bill: NEARLY 15% OF KENTUCKIANS HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE VACCINE DOSE NOW IN KENTUCKY'S VACCINATION EFFORT IS RAMPING UP SOME.

DEBBIE, KENTUCKY WILL SOON HAVE MORE THAN 400 SITES ADMINISTERING VACCINES.

THAT WILL START VERY SOON AND STARTING MONDAY, AS CHRIS MENTIONED, THE ELIGIBILITY OPENS UP.

ARE WE STARTING TO CATCH UP?

OR DO WE STILL HAVE THIS SHORTAGE OF AVAILABLE VACCINE?

>> Deborah: THERE'S STILL A SHORTAGE OF VACCINE.

THERE'S STILL WAY MORE DEMAND THAN THERE IS SUPPLY RIGHT NOW.

ONE THING THAT MIGHT HELP, IT LOOKS LIKE THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON SINGLE SHOT.

IS LIKELY TO GET APPROVED TOMORROW BY THE FDA FOR EMERGENCY USE, AND THAT WILL EXPAND SUPPLIES OF VACCINE, AND I MIGHT ADD THAT THAT WAS STUDIED IN TRIAL HERE IN KENTUCKY, ONE OF THE LARGEST TRIALS OF THAT VACCINE, SO THE PEOPLE AT UK AND OTHERS WHO ARE AFFILIATED WITH IT ARE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> Bill: IT WAS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION ABOUT APPOINTMENTS EARLY ON.

APPARENTLY THAT DOES CONTINUE, ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS TO TRY TO HELP PEOPLE NAVIGATE THAT.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

IT'S A KENTUCKY PROBLEM IRE NATIONAL PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE IS NO SINGLE POINT OF REFERENCE FOR DETECT VACCINES.

THE WAY THEY'RE DISTRIBUTED, THEY'RE GOING TO HOSPITALS, DRUG DEPARTMENTS.

AND PEOPLE JUST HAVE TO KEEP TROLLING THE WEBSITES LOOKING FOR AVAILABLE APPOINTMENTS AS VACCINES COME IN, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO GET THE 70 AND OLDER GLUTE FIRST PRIORITY.

THAT WAS DIFFICULT FOR SOME OF THOSE FOLKS TRYING TO NAVIGATEUPS WEBSITE AND KEEP TRYING TO FIND THEIR APPOINTMENTS.

THEY WERE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE OF COLOR, MINORITIES, AND SO THE STATE AND A LOT OF -- AND HOSPITALS IN AFFILIATION WITH LOCAL CHURCHES HAVE BEGUN OFFERING KIND OF POP-UP CLINICS AT PREDOMINANTLY BLACK CHURCHES WHERE THEY'RE CAPTURING PEOPLE THAT WAY FOR VACCINES.

>> Bill: AS WE HEAD INTO THIS 1C ON MONDAY, THAT IS A CATEGORY THAT INCLUDES THOSE 60 AND OLDER THOSE WITH HEALTH ISSUES I THINK 16 AND OLDER, RIGHT?

AND THEN ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

BUT IN SOME CASES, APPARENTLY, THEY'RE GOING TO PRIORITIZE WITHIN THAT NEW CATEGORY.

>> Deborah: AT LOUISVILLE, AND THE STATE HAS SAID, TOO, THEY'RE GOING TO PRIORITIZE THE 60 AND OLDER FIRST.

THAT'S A REALLY BIG GROUP.

IT'S OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE STATEWIDE AND THEY'RE GOING FOR THE 60 AND OLDER JUST BECAUSE OLDER PEOPLE SUFFER SOME OF THE MOST SEVERE OUTCOMES FROM COVID, INCLUDING SEVERE ILLNESS AND DEATH, BUT THEN THEY DO HOPE TO MOVE ON PRETTY QUICKLY TO OTHERS IN THAT GROUP.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT OLDER FOLKS BUT YOU'VE ALSO BEEN TRIANGLE CASES THAT ARE POPPING UP WITH KIDS IN OUR REGION HAVING THESE INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME ISSUES POST COVID.

>> Deborah: THAT'S A RARE BUT PRETTY SCARY SITUATION FOR PARENTS.

IT'S A REACTION THAT SOME CHILDREN HAVE, AND THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHY, TO COVID, WHICH SEND THEM TO THE HOSPITAL WITH SEVERE INFLAMMATION.

IT CAN BE FATAL.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY DEATHS HERE IN KENTUCKY BUT BETWEEN UK AND INORDINATELY CHILDREN'S IN LOUISVILLE WE HAVE HAD ABOUT 50 CASES.

CHILDREN WITH THAT SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

>> Bill: SO CERTAINLY KEEPING TRACK OF THAT.

SO THE PANDEMIC, THE ILLNESS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID, OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE VACCINES.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE ECONOMIC FALLOUT AND THE SHUTDOWN LED TO HUGE UNEMPLOYMENT.

LAST SPRING MANY PEOPLE WERE FILING FOR THAT, AND SOME OF THOSE CASES ARE STILL UNRESOLVE PROBLEMS SOLID.

CHRIS, THE STATE AUDITOR MIKE HARMON TESTIFIED BEFORE A COMMITTEE, SENATE COMMITTEE AS TO HIS FIND THANKS A LOT OF SHORTCUTS THAT WERE USED TO GET THE CHECKS OUT QUICKLY OPENED THE DOORS TO A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

>> Chris: YEAH, HE WAS SHARING FINDINGS FROM A -- AN AUDIT THAT HE RELEASED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND, YOU KNOW, THE BIG HEADLINE FROM THAT THAT GOT EVERYONE'S ATTENTION WAS THAT THERE WERE 400,000 eMAILS THAT PEOPLE SENT ASKING FOR HELP WITH UNEMPLOYMENT TO THE STATE, AND THEY WERE EVIDENTLY ARCHIVED AND NOT EVEN OPENED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

BUT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER FINDING RELATED TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IN THAT AUDIT, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HARMON WAS CRITICAL OF WAS MOVING TO SOMETHING CALLED AUTO PAY, WHICH APPARENTLY IS IN CONTRADICTION OR CONTRAVENTION, EXCUSE ME, OF FEDERAL LAW, NOT CHECKING PEOPLE'S ELIGIBILITY BUT JUST YOU PUSHING MONEY OUT THE DOOR BECAUSE THE SYSTEM WAS SO OVERWHELMED, AND, OF COURSE, THERE HAVE BEEN LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH OVERPAYMENTS, AND THEN PEOPLE BEING IN A POSITION OF HAVING PAYMENTS COLLECTED BACK FROM THEM WITH FUTURE UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS.

SO IT'S A REAL MESS, BILL.

THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT.

>> Bill: AND THERE'S A PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO POTENTIALLY ADDRESS THAT AS WELL, RIGHT, THOSE OVERPAYMENTS.

>> Chris: EXACT.

IT WOULD PROVIDE A ONE-TIME WINDOW FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE THAT DEBT FORGIVEN.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE ONLY WAY THAT THEY COLLECTED IS BY DOCKING FUTURE UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS, BUT I THINK THAT THE BILL HAS SOMETHING IN IT THAT REQUIRES PEOPLE TO AFFIRMATIVELY ASK FOR THAT DEBT TO BE FORGIVEN, SO THERE'S STILL SOME DETAILS.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE FINAL VERSION LOOKS LIKE, AND HOPEFULLY GET SOME INFORMATION OUT TO PEOPLE AS TO HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

>> Bill: JACK, SENATOR CHRIS MCDANIEL SAID THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM WAS ONE PERSON MAKING TOO MANY DECISIONS, WHICH WAS HIS WAY OF CRITICIZE 10 GOVERNOR FOR NOT MORE ACTIVELY INVOLVING THE LEGISLATURE IN SOME OF THE THE DECISIONS, ESPECIALLY EARLY ON.

THAT IS A REFRAIN THAT WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF.

>> Jack: YES.

THAT BILL, CHRIS WAS TALKING ABOUT, THE WAVE, THE OVERP PALPITATIONS OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS PASSED THE SENATE ON FRIDAY BUT NOT WITHOUT A AN A DAY THAT WAS VERY PARTISAN WHERE THE REPUBLICANS CAME DOWN VERY STRONGLY AGAINST GOVERNOR BESHEAR, HOLLERING OUT THAT NO ONE'S ANSWERING THE PHONES ABOUT QUESTIONS ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, AND THE DEMOCRATS WERE SAYING THAT THE GOVERNOR INHERITED A PROBLEM, THAT THEY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAD CUT STAFF AND CUT ABOUT 30 UNEMPLOYMENT CENTER OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE, SO I THINK THAT'S A FORESHADOWING, THAT ISSUE, OF THE 2023 GOVERNOR'S RACE, WHAT REPUBLICANS WILL BE SAYING ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION WILL HAVE TO GIVE HIS SIDE OF THE STORY.

>> Bill: A LOT OF FRICTION RIGHT NOW, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

CHRIS, THE ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY GOING FORWARD IS REAL.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW OUR DOWNTOWNS WILL FARE YET, FOR ONE THING.

AND YOU DID A STORY ON LOUISVILLE'S DOWNTOWN AND THE CONCERN THAT THE WORKFORCE THAT WAS DOWN THERE PRE-PANDEMIC MAY NEVER RETURN.

>> Chris: YEAH, THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT, BILL, AND, OF COURSE, DOWNTOWN FEELS LIKE A GHOST TOWN FOR OTHER REASONS.

THERE'S NOT ANY TOURISTS.

THERE'S NOT ANY CONVENTION-GOERS RIGHT NOW, SO IT'S QUITE EMPTY.

THE GIST OF MY STORY WAS THAT EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC THERE WAS A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN IN LOUISVILLE, THE YUM!

CENTER, THE OMNI HOTEL AND SO MANY BOURBON ATTRACTIONS, SO MUCH TOURISM THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE.

DESPITE ALL THAT, THE OFFICE MARKET WAS PRETTY STAGNANT, AND NOW THERE ARE REALLY TREMENDOUS VACANCIES OF OFFICE SPACE IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

AND THE THING ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, ASSUMING IT EVER IS COMPLETELY OVER, WHENEVER THAT IS, THERE'S NO DEBATE THAT THESE WORK-FROM-HOME TRENDS ARE GOING TO STICK.

IT'S ONLY THE DEGREE TO WHICH THEY WILL STICK.

AND SO THE FEAR IS THAT COMPANIES WILL FURTHER DOWNSIZE THEIR OFFICE FOOTPRINTS, ALLOWING MORE PEOPLE TO WORK FROM HOME, AND WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR THE SENSE OF PLACE DOWNTOWN?

>> Bill: A LOT OF OUR TOWNS, OF COURSE, IN LOUISVILLE BEING THE LARGEST, BUT MANY ARE WATCHING THAT AND FELT LIKE THEY WERE REALLY JUST GETTING THERE, YOU KNOW, WITH GETTING THEIR DOWNTOWNS ALIVE, AND THEN THIS HAS HIT.

A BILL THAT WOULD RESTRICT NO KNOCK WARRANTS PASSED ANIMAL UNANIMOUSLY IN THE STATE SENATE.

REPUBLICANS ROBERT STIVERS PUSHED IT.

IT SET UP SEVERAL USE FOR THE USE OF THE WARRANTS, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

>> IS THAT WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING AS A POLICE OFFICER AT 1:00 AT NIGHT, UNANNOUNCED, GOING INTO SOMEBODY'S HOME?

NO.

IF THIS LAW HAD BEEN IN PLACE, AND THE OFFICERS FOLLOWED IT -- WE MAKE LAWS ALL THE TIME THAT PEOPLE DON'T FOLLOW -- THIS YOUNG LADY WOULD BE HERE.

>> WHY DOES NEAL ALWAYS GET UP AND TALK ABOUT RACE?

BECAUSE IT'S REAL.

AND WE MUST ROOT IT OUT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE TRUST BETWEEN THE POLICE AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE TO GO BEYOND WHAT WE DO IN HERE, WHICH I SUPPORT.

>> Bill: JACK, WHAT DOES THIS NO KNOCK BILL DO?

>> Jack: YES, THE BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE BY A VOTE OF 33-0 WOULD REQUIRE CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE TO A JUDGE THAT THE CRIME THAT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION IS OF A VIOLENT NATURE.

ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF IT WOULD BE THAT THESE WARRANTS COULD ONLY BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN 6:00 IN THE MORNING AND 10:00 AT NIGHT AND NOT 1:00, AS SENATOR STIVERS MENTIONED 1:00 IN THE MORNING.

IT NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

I'M SURE THE HOUSE WILL MAKE SOME CHANGES.

A PERSON WHO WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT SHE WAS NOT INVOLVED WAS REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA SCOTT.

SHE WAS VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE RACIAL INJUSTICE PROTESTS IN LOUISVILLE.

SHE HAD FILED A BREONNA TAYLOR'S BILL ON JANUARY 5th, AND SHE WAS WONDERING WHY SHE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS BILL THAT SENATOR STIVERS AND SOME OTHER SENATORS PRODUCED, BUT THAT'S USUALLY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A MEMBER IS IN THE MINORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE, MINORITY PARTY, AND USUALLY IF A MAJOR BILL IS PASSED, THE CHIEF SPONSOR IS SOMEONE FROM THE MAJORITY PARTY.

>> Bill: WE WILL WATCH THAT AS IT HEADS NOW TO THE HOUSE.

DEBBIE, A BILL THAT WOULD PUNISH A PARENT WHO MADE A FALSE REPORT ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT ALSO STIRRED UP DEBATE.

>> Deborah: YEAH, THAT WAS KIND OF AN ODD BILL.

IT CAME UP JUST THIS WEEK AND ALARMED ADVOCATES.

IT WOULD GIVE PREFERENCE TO PARENTS IN CUSTODY SITUATION IF THE OTHER PARTY WAS FOUND SOLVE FILED A FALSE COMPLAINT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR ASSAULT.

THE VOLK'S PROBLEM WITH THIS BILL WAS THEY SAID IT WOULD DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM FILING CLAIMS IF THEY FELT THEY COULDN'T PROVE THEM OR DIDN'T HAVE THE MEANS TO PROVE THEM MAY WITH A LAWYER, AND A JUDGE FOUND THEM TO BE UNFOUNDED.

DID THAT LOSE THE EDGE IN CUT OF DISPUTES?

LARGELY THE JUDGES TOLD ME THAT THE BILL FILED BY JASON NEMES, HOUSE BILL 547, THEY ALREADY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO MOST OF THESE THINGS UNDER THE LAW IF THEY SUSPECT SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS ABOUT A CLAIM IN A CUSTODY SUIT.

>> Bill: AND FALSE REPORTING A BIG PROBLEM?

>> Deborah: SOME OF THE ADVOCATES FILE INFORMATION FROM THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION CLAIM IT'S NOT.

IT'S GENERALLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF CASES WHERE THIS ARISES.

SO IT'S HARD TOLL WHAT REALLY PRECIPITATED THIS PARTICULAR BILL, AND THERE HASN'T ABOUT AN A HEARING ON IT YET, SO I DON'T KNOW.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF WHAT WE MIGHT CALL POST.

COVID LEGISLATION.

CHRIS, GO TO ALCOHOL HAS MOVED THROUGH.

IT WAS A FIX AND AN EXECUTIVE EASTERLY, AND MANY RESTAURANT OWNERS SAID IT MOVED TO BE A LIFE-SAVER FOR THEM DURING THE TOUGH MONTHS OF LAST SUMMER AND FALL.

>> Chris: YEAH.

TO-GO COCKTAILS HAD BEEN CRUCIAL FOR A LOT OF RESTAURANTS TO DEAL WITH THE SALES THAT THEY HAVE LOST DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND A BILL PASSED THE SENATE THAT WOULD MAKE THAT A PERMANENT FEATURE OF LAW, SO THESE ARE THE -- YOU MIGHT GET A LITTLE PLASTIC CUP WITH A COCKTAIL IN IT AND SOME TAPE OVER IT.

YOU CAN TELL I PROBABLY HAVE COCKTAILS OR EVEN BETTER WHEN SOMEONE ELSE MAKES THEM FOR YOU, SO FOR PEOPLE WITH KIDS LIKE US IT'S JUST GREAT TO GET THEM FROM RESTAURANTS, AND SO THAT'S AT LEAST SOMETHING POSITIVE THAT HAS RESULTED FROM THIS PANDEMIC.

AND ANOTHER THING RELATED TO ALCOHOL ON THE HOUSE SIDE, A BILL THAT FURTHER CLARIFIES AND IMPROVES THE DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER SHIPPING THAT WAS PASSED IN A PREVIOUS YEAR, I THINK LAST YEAR.

THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN ORDER WINE DIRECTLY AND HAVE IT SHIPPED TO YOUR HOUSE.

THAT PASSED.

I CAN'T PROFESS TO TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT IT DOES, BUT THE KENTUCKY DISTILLERS ASSOCIATION APPLAUDED THAT MOVE TODAY.

>> Bill: ANOTHER PERMANENT POST-COVID CHANGE MAY BE SOME ELECTION RULES, SO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, MICHAEL ADAMS, IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A BILL THAT PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY IN THE HOUSE ABOUT NO EXCUSE EARLY VOTING.

>> THERE'S SORT OF A FALSE INNERTIVE OUT THERE THAT YOU'RE EITHER FOR VOTER ACCESS OR YOU'RE FOR ENHANCED INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION SYSTEM.

THAT'S A FALSE CHOICE.

YOU CAN HAVE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Bill: JACK, THE SECRETARY OF STATE TOLD ME TODAY THAT EVEN HE WAS SURPRISED BY THE MOMENTUM THAT THIS BILL TOOK ON.

HE WAS CRITICIZED FOR BRINGING THIS UP BACK IN THE FALL, AND NOW THIS OVERWHELMING VOTE IN THE HOUSE TODAY.

>> Jack: YOU RECALL THAT SECRETARY ADAMS AND THE GOVERNOR WORKED TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION LAST YEAR IN THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTIONS TO GET VOTER TURNOUT UP DURING COVID.

AND SO NOW THIS BILL HAS COME ALONG.

IT WILL ALLOW EARLY VOTING FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE ELECTION DAY, AND COUNTIES WILL BE ABLE TO SET UP VOTING CENTER IN THE COUNTY, AND IT'S A MOVE MORE TOWARD PAPER BALLOT.

WHAT IT WON'T DO, WHAT WE HAD LAST YEAR WAS TO ALLOW EVERY REGISTERED VOTER TO CAST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BY MAIL.

THAT WAS VERY POPULAR, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT COULD GET ENOUGH VOTES IN THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE AND THE REPUBLICAN SENATE TO BECOME LAW.

>> Bill: SO THIS IS ESSENTIALLY EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING.

DEBBIE, TELEHEALTH WAS QUICKLY AND GREATLY EXPANDED WHEN COVID FIRST HIT, SO PEOPLE COULD SEE A DOCTOR VIRTUALLY, AND NOW THE LEGISLATURE IS MOVING TO REALIZE THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE FUTURE AND THEY'RE MAKING SOME RULES APPARENTLY.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

THIS IS ESTABLISHED ALREADY BY SENATOR RALPH AVERAGED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BUT IT TOOK OFF DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THE STATE ALLOWED TEMPORARY RECESSION TO ALLOW FOR TELEHEALTH MEDICAL VISITS AND COUNSELING SESSIONS, AND NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO CODIFY THOSE RULES INTO LAW SO THAT FOR ONE THING PROFESSIONALS CAN BILL FOR THEIR SERVICES AND BILL MEDICAID OR WHOEVER THE INSURANCE PROVIDER IS.

>> Bill: THERE ARE SOME BILLS THAT SOME CALL MULES THE LANGUAGE IS CHANGED AND THE BILL GOES IN ANOTHER DIRECTION ALL OF A SUDDEN TOWARD THE END OF THE SESSION, AND THERE'S BEEN A SHIFT IN ONE THAT WOULD MAKE CHANGES TO THE KENTUCKY OPEN RECORDS ACT.

JACK, WHAT WOULD THAT MAKE MORE DIFFICULT FOR ROBERTS AND THE PUBLIC TO SEE?

-- FOR ROBERTS AND THE PUBLIC TO SEE?

REPORTERS.

>> Janet: SAW IT HAPPEN FRIDAY IN THE HOUSE WHEN THE BILL CAME OUT THAT WOULD BASICALLY ALLOW STATE LAWMAKERS TOSHIELD THEMSELVES FROM INQUIRIES ON OPEN RECORDS AND ALSO WOULD BLOCK INFORMATION REQUESTS FROM OUTS-OF THE STATE BUSINESSES AND MEDIA.

IT WAS A MULE BULL, AND BILL, AND I THINK IT WILL STIMULATE TALK, QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE DO LEGISLATORS HAVE TO HIDE WHEN THEY COME UP WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND OFTEN WE SEE BILLS LIKE THIS LATE IN THE SESSION.

PROBABLY THE MOST FAMOUS A FEW YEARS AGO WAS WHEN THE LEGISLATURE TOOK A WASTEWATER BILL AND PUT A TEACHER PENSION BILL IN IT.

NOW WE'RE SEEING SOME MISCHIEF WITH THE OPEN RECORDS ACT.

>> Bill: THAT WOULD BE THE FAMOUS ONE, AS YOU SAID.

AS WE WATCH WASHINGTON'S FROM A KENTUCKY ANGLE, DEBBIE, U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL NOW SAID HE WILL RUN FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

HE WON IN 2010 AND 2016.

HE INDICATED THE FIRST TIME THAT HE RAN THAT HE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN BEING A CAREER POLITICS.

>> Deborah: IN FACT, HE ACTUALLY RAN AGAINST CAREER POLITICIANS AND SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO WASHINGTON NOT TO BE ONE, BUT NOW HE'S GROWING INTO HIS THIRD TERM.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HE DEFINES AS A CAREER POLITICS.

I DON'T RECALL SPECIFICALLY HIM AGREEING TO ANY PARTICULAR TERM PIMENTS LIMITS.

AS WE KNOW, HIS FATHER SERVED MULTIPLE TERMS IN THE HOUSE, RON PAUL, BUT LOOKS LIKE CHARLES BOOKER, THE DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE, MAY BE KIND OF TEEING UP A BID TO RUN AGAINST HIM AS A DEMOCRAT.

>> Bill: AND WE'RE ALSO WATCHING TONIGHT AS IT APPEARS THE HOUSE IS GOING TO VOTE ON THIS COVID RELIEF LEGISLATION.

WE DON'T THINK THAT VOTE HAS COME AT THIS POINT, BUT IF THE CONGRESSMAN.

>> BUDGET CHAIRMAN JOHN YARMOUTH, CHRIS OTTS, COULD BE THE ONLY KENTUCKY VOTE FOR THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION, RIGHT?

>> Chris: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT, BILL, AND I'M JUST CHECKING THE UPDATES ON THAT ON MY PHONE, AND I'VE GOT THE NEW YORK TIMES, AND HERE CONGRESSMAN YARMOUTH IS SAYING, "WE BELIEVE THAT THIS BILL, THE COORDINATOR $1.9 TRILLION, IS SOMETHING THAT MEETS THE MOMENT."

OF COURSE, YARMOUTH IS THE HOUSE BUDGET CHAIR, SO HE HAS A FAIRLY BIG ROLE IN THIS PROCESS, BUT IT IS EXPECTED TO BE A VERY PARTISAN BILL IN ITS APPROVAL.

>> Bill: CHRIS, THERE APPEARS TO BE CAROLINA SUPPORT BACK IN FRANKFORT FOR A BILL DESIGNED TO STIMULATE BUSINESS IN LOUISVILLE'S WEST END.

>> Chris: YEAH, THIS WOULD CREATE A TIF DISTRICT, TAX INCREMENT FINANCING, AND THE GOAL IS TO STIMULATE DEVELOPMENT IN WEST LOUISVILLE, AND, YOU KNOW, THE THING ABOUT THESE DISTRICTS, THE YUM!

CENTER IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT WAS MADE FOR WITH TIF MONEY, AND THEY PROMISE A LOT AND OFTEN THEY DO NOT DELIVER.

IT'S BASICALLY A WAY OF COMMITTING TAX DOLLARS TO A CERTAIN EXPENDITURE NOW, COLLECTING THEM OVER THE FUTURE, BUT NO ONE'S SURE EXACTLY HOW MUCH THEY WILL GROW DURING THAT PERIOD, AND SOMETIMES THERE CAN BE SHORTFALLS, BUT THIS BILL, WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT IT, BILL, IS THAT IT HAS THE SUPPORT OF SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS.

HE WAS HERE ARGUING FOR IT.

SO WITH SOMEONE LIKE THAT BEHIND A WEST LOUISVILLE DEVELOPMENT EFFORT, YOU WOULD THINK THAT IT MAIL HAVE MAY HAVE FAIRLY GOOD CHANCES OF HAPPENING.

>> Bill: CHRIS, REAL QUICKLY CAN YOU DO A FEW SECONDS.

BIG CHANGES AT KENTUCKY KINGDOM ARE ON THE WAY.

>> Chris: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS THE AMUSEMENT PARK IN LOUISVILLE, AND THEY HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

VISITS WERE DOWN ABOUT 70% LAST SEASON.

OF COURSE THEY HAD TO BEETS CLOSED FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THEIR SEASON.

A GROUP STALLED HERSHON FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT WHICH RUNS DOLLY WOOD AND THE NEW PORT AQUARIUM, MANY OTHER ATTRACTIONS, HAS ACQUIRED.

PARK FROM THE LOCAL GROUP HERE IN LOUISVILLE THAT OWNS IT.

>> Bill: AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH WRAPS UP, THERE WAS A RESOLUTION FROM SENATOR ALICE FORGY KERR WHO HONOR FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN JOURNAL U.S. COULD TO EVER THE WHITE HOUSE FROM KENTUCKY.

ALICE DUNIGAN WAS DORN IN 1906, A TEACHER, AUTHOR AND CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE.

DUNIGAN EVENTUALLY MOVED TO WASHINGTON AND REPORTED ON THE PRESIDENTS.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE BOWLING OF BELL COUNTY IS BEING REMEMBERED.

BOWLING WAS FROM MIDDLEBORO WHICH HE REPRESENTED IN FRANKFORT IN THE '90S.

MORE RECENTLY ON THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD.

BOWLING'S SON ADAM NOW SERVES IN THE LEGISLATURE.

MIKE BOWLING WAS 64.

AND FORMER SUPREME COURT JUSTICE DONALD WINTERSHIMMER DIED AT THE AGE OF 89.

THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY NATIVE SERVED ON THE HIGH COURT FOR 24 YEARS BEFORE RETIRING IN 2:00.