>> Bill: A JUDGE PUTS A NEW STATE LAW ON HOLD THAT WOULD RESTRICT THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR IN A PANDEMIC OR OTHER MORE REGIONAL COVID-19 VACCINE CENTERS ARE SET TO OPEN, AND TH STATE HAS PROMISED MORE SHOTS FOR PHARMACIES AND HEALTH DEPAR SOME LAWMAKERS PUSH A PLAN TO LEGALIZE HISTORICAL HORSE RACIN.

TEAMS HAVE AND PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT RETURNING TO THE DISCUSSION IN Frankfort SOME HOT ISSUES WHO A COLD FEBRUARY WEEK "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR JOE SONKA, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

RYLAND BARTON, CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH NATIONS IN MUR WELL BOWLING GLEAN, MURRAY AND Richmond ALSO TONIGHT TWO OF THE THREE IMPEACHMENT PETITIONS AGAINST THE GOVERNOR ARE DISMISSED BY A AND THERE'S A PROPOSAL IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR CHANGES TO THE LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT INCLUDING NON-PARTISAN ELECTION.

A THROTT DISCUSS TONIGHT.

WE'LL BEGIN WITH THE FACT THAT ALL THREE BRANCHES STATE GOVERNMENT ARE NOW INVOLVED IN HOW MUCH AUTHORITY THE GOVERNOR HAS TO MANAGE THE PANDEMIC WITH MANDATES AND RESTRICTIONS.

A JUDGE HAS TEMPORARILY BLOCKED A NEW LAW THAT WOULD HAVE DROPPED A LOT OF RULES AND TRANSFERRED SOME BIG ISSUES FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO THE LEGISLATURE.

JOE, LET'S BEGIN RIGHT THERE.

A LOT OF DRAMA NOW SET TO PLAY OUT IN THE COURTS, RIGHT?

>> Joe: YEAH, THIS IS REALLY A FIGHT AND A LEGAL BATTLE THAT WAS NINE MONTHS IN THE MAKING BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT WERE STRONGLY CRITICIZING MANY OF THE GOVERNOR'S COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

THE TOP PRIORITY BILLS OF THE REPUBLICANS THAT THEY PASSED THROUGH RIGHT AWAY LIMITED THOSE POWERS.

BESHEAR VETOED THEM, AND BASICALLY INDICATED MONDAY THAT HE'LL SEE THEM IN COURT IF THEY TRY TO OVERRIDE HIM.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE LEGISLATURE THERE AND BESHEAR IMMEDIATELY FILED A LAWSUIT.

WHAT JUDGE SHEPHERD HAS DONE IN FRANKLIN CIRCUIT, HE HAS -- HE HAS -- WELL, SENATE BILL 1, FIRST OF ALL, PUTS A 30-DAY LIMIT, A 30-DAY LIMIT ON BESHEAR'S ORDERS.

THAT REMAINS IN PLACE.

SHEPHERD DID NOT ENJOIN THAT.

HE DID ENJOIN HOUSE BILL 1 WHICH ALLOWS BUSINESSES TO REMAIN OPEN EVEN IF THEY ARE IN DEFINES OF THE GOVERNOR'S -- DEFIANCE OF THE GOVERNOR'S RESTRICTIONS SO LONG AS THEY MEET CDC REQUIREMENTS.

JUDGE SHEPHERD SAID THAT THAT CREATES TOO MUCH OF A CONFUSING SYSTEM RIGHT NOW, SO HE'S TEMPORARILY ENJOINED THAT.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THE NEXT 30 DAYS TO FILE BRIEFS AND HEAR THAT AND DECIDE WHETHER THAT HOUSE BILL 1 CAN CONTINUE.

>> Bill: SO, RHODE ISLAND, BASICALLY IT IS A SMALL AND TEMPORARY VICTORY FOR THE GOVERNOR IN THIS, RIGHT?

>> Ryland: RIGHT, BECAUSE THERE ARE THREE BILLS THAT THE GOVERNOR IS SUING TO TRY AND BLOCK, SO SENATE BILL 1, AS JOE MENTIONED, GIVES THE LEGISLATURE OR REALLY LIMITS THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY ORDERS TO 30 DAYS UNLESS THE LEGISLATURE COMES BACK IN AND RENEWS THEM, AND THEN SENATE BILL 2 GIVES THEM MORE OVERSIGHT OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS WHICH IS ANOTHER WAY HE HAS HANDLED HIS RESPONSE TOTE COORDINATOR PANDEMIC.

SO HOOTS A LIMITED VICTORY FOR SURE.

THE CDC ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO STAY OPEN IF THEY NEED CDC GUIDELINES -- MEET CDC GUIDELINES WAS THE MOST IMMEDIATE THING THAT WOULD HAVE CHANGED ON DAY ONE ONCE THAT BECAME LAW.

AND SO THAT'S ENJOINED WHILE THIS LAWSUIT IS ONGOING.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT JUST LIKE SO MANY OTHER LAWSUITS THAT TAKE PLACE IN KENTUCKY, THIS IS GOING TO END UP IN THE STATE SUPREME COURT AND WE KIND OF -- PROBABLY HAVE A PROTRACTED LEGAL FIGHT WANT LEAST OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS OVER THESE ISSUES.

>> Bill: AS WE ALONG FORE HINTS AS TO WHERE IT WILL GO, ALEX, AT LEAST THE INITIAL COURT JUDGE IN THIS INDICATES THAT IF THE CURRENT ROADMAP IS THROWN OUT, THE RESTRICTIONS WOULD THEN BE CONFUSING, THAT THERE WOULD BE THOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY DO AS WELL AS THE STORES AND SHOPKEEPERS.

>> Alex: IT WOULD BASICALLY CREATE A FREE-FOR-ALL.

HE SAID THAT IT WOULD UNDERMINE AND ENFORCE AND BASICALLY REMOVE ALL CONTINUITY THAT EXISTS RIGHT NOW IN THE ORDERS.

PLENTY OF BUSINESSES, CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS HAVE DEFERRED TO THE STATE WHEN IT COMES TO SETTING THEIR OWN COVID GUIDELINES.

THIS WOULD REMOVE THAT REQUIREMENT AND BASICALLY ALLOW CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS, AGAIN BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, TO SORT OF SET THEIR OWN STANDARDS, AND SO YOU COULD GO IN A COMMUNITY AND HAVE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES FUNCTIONING IN COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAYS, AND THE ONES WHO WERE TRYING TO ENFORCE IT, NO REEL TEETH BEHIND THAT ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE, AGAIN, THAT SORT OF CONTINUITY, STATEWIDE CONTINUITY IS REMOVED.

>> Bill: RYLAND, HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT IS QUITE INTERESTING.

THE GOVERNOR SAID EARLY ON AND THROUGHOUT RECENT MONTHS THAT BUSINESS OWNERS AND COMPANIES HAD BEGGED HIM FOR SOME CLEAR RULES FROM THE STATE, THAT IT WAS A HODGEPODGE OTHERWISE.

WHILE MANY ALSO, OF COURSE, SAID THAT THE RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN RUINING THEIR BUSINESSES.

AND THE LAWMAKERS SAID AND SPOKE WITH THESE BILLS THAT THEY FELT VERY LEFT OUT OF THE PROCESS.

>> Ryland: I THINK YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT ON ALL THREE COUNTS.

THE GOVERNOR'S KIND OF STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK, A HARD PLACE AND A HARDER PLACE.

YOU'RE RIGHT, THERE IS A POINT EARLY NOT PANDEMIC WHERE EVERYTHING, ALTERED NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES WERE CLOSED, AND BUSINESSES WERE TRYING TO GET SOME SORT OF CONTINUITY AND PREDICTABILITY TO WHAT A REOPENING WOULD LOOK LIKE AND WHAT THE STATE WAS ASKING FOR, AND SO THE GOVERNOR CREATED THIS SET OF HEALTHY AT WORK PLANS.

AND MEANWHILE MAYBE SOME OF THE SAME BUSINESSES, MAYBE SOME DIFFERENT ONES THAT J JUST UPSET THE WHOLE TIME WITH THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE AND THAT HE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PLAYING A ROLE AT ALL IN ANY OF THIS.

MEANWHILE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE VIRUS IS GOING TO BE SPREADING THROUGH BUSINESSES IF THEY WERE ALLOWED TO OPEN RIGHT UP.

AND THEN FOURTH OF ALL, THE BIG APPLICABLE ISSUE, THAT THE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN ESSENTIALLY IN THE BACK SEAT, NOT DRIVING THE BUS IN TERMS OF RESPONSE TO THIS COORDINATOR PANDEMIC WHILE THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR HAS BEEN EVERY DAY HAVING A PRETTY CAPTIVE AUDIENCE WHILE HE UPDATES THE STATE ABOUT COORDINATOR.

COORDINATOR.

AS ALL COMING TO A HEAD NOW WITH ALL THESE LAWSUITS AND WITH THE VIRUS CONTINUING TO RAGE IN THE STATE AT LEAST IN TERMS OF THE HIGH DEATH COUNT FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

>> Bill: JOE, IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT THOSE WHO WEAR THE ROBES WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO DECIDE SILT SPELLED OUT IN THE CONSTITUTION -- IS IT SPELLED OUT IN THE CONSTITUTION OR CAN THE LEGISLATURE DECIDE WHAT THE GOVERNOR GETS TO DECIDE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION?

>> Joe: WELL, THE SEVERE SUPREME COURT RULED UNANIMOUSLY LAST YEAR THAT THE GOVERNOR DOES HAVE THIS AUTHORITY UNDER KRS 39A HAVE THE EMERGENCY -- UNDER AN EMERGENCY CAN INACTIVE SUCH RESTRICTIONS.

>> Bill: WHICH IS A STATUTE ONLY, THOUGH.

>>> >> Joe: YES, WHEN IS WHICH IS A STATUTE.

SO WHAT THIS IS REALLY GOING TO COME DOWN TO IN THIS CASE, WHICH WILL PROBABLY GET BACK TO THE SUPREME COURT, IS CAN THE LEGISLATURE PUT TIME LIMIT ON THAT WHICH IS ASKING FOR 30 DAYS.

AND TWO, CAN THEY ALLOW PEOPLE TO -- IGNORE THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS AND JUST COMPLY WITH THE CDC IF IT'S LEAST RESTRICTIVE WHICH IS HOUSE BIM 1.

THOSE ARE THE TWO BIG QUESTIONS THAT I THINK ARE DESTINED TO GO UP TO THE SUPREME COURT.

>> Bill: SO RYLAND, WITH THIS TEMPORARY INJUNCTION, WHAT DOES IT MEAN NOW FOR THE ORDERS THAT HAD BEEN IN PLACE?

DOUGH THIS REMAIN IN PLACE?

>> Ryland: EVERYTHING REMAINS IN PLACE UNTIL THIS PORTION OF HOUSE BILL 1 IS ALLOWED TO PROCEED OR, YOU KNOW, AS JOE WAS TALKING ABOUT, THAT 30-DAY LIMIT GOVERNOR'S ORDERS, IF ONE OF THOSE EXPIRES AND THAT'S WHITES GOING TO KIND OF TRIGGER THIS NEXT LEVEL OF, YOU KNOW, DOES THE -- DOES THE LEGISLATURE COME AND RENEW IT.

DOES BESHEAR ASK FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO RENEW IT OR IS THERE ANOTHER LAWSUIT THAT COMES OUT.

>> Bill: JOE, I GUESS THE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR ALL SIDES OF THIS ARGUMENT, RIGHT?

>> Joe: CORRECT.

YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR VERSUS THE LEADERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, PRESIDENT STIVERS AND HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE, AND YOU ALSO HAVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHICH WILL -- WHO WILL LIKELY INTERVENE ON THE SIDE OF THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

SO TAXPAYERS ARE FOOTING FOOTING EVERY PART OF THE BILL RIGHT HERE.

>> Bill: FEBRUARY 18th THE KEY DATE THAT WE WILL WATCH ON THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHERE THE PANDEMIC STANDS AND THE VACCINE ROLL-OUT.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK SOME NEW REGIONAL CLINICS WILL OPEN AND SOME VACCINE IS HEAD TODAY PHARMACIES AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

>> OUR GOAL STABLE TO FAR EXCEED WHAT WE WERE THINK WE CAN DO TODAY, WHICH IS ABOUT 250,000 VACCINES A WEEK, TO GET THAT NUMBER SIGNIFICANTLY I UP TO WHERE IF THEY GAVE US ENOUGH VACCINE FOR OUR ENTIRE POPULATION, OUR HOPE IS THAT WE COULD DO IT IN MATTERS OF WEEKS.

>> Bill: ALEX, THE CASE NUMBERS HAVE SETTLED DOWN SOME.

THE DEATH TOLL, THOUGH, IS VERY CLOSE TO 4,000.

WHAT METRICS ARE YOU LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW?

>> Alex: THE METRICS THAT I'M FOLLOWING MOST CLOSELY ARE DEATHS AND ALSO JUST THE SPEED AT WHICH WE ROLL OUT THE VACCINE.

OUR DEATHS ARE STILL HIGH FROM OUR POST HOLIDAY BUMP AT CHRISTMAS, AND AS YOU MENTIONED, CASES HAVE STOPPED ESCALATING AND ARE FOR THE MOST PART DECLINING.

BESHEAR NOTED TODAY IN A SHORT WRITTEN UPDATE, BECAUSE WE HAD THAT POST HOLIDAY SPIKE FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S, HE CAUTIONED PEOPLE BEANS SUPER BOWL PARTIES WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS COMING THIS SUNDAY.

BASICALLY, IT'S A RACE BETWEEN SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE WE CAN VACCINATE BEFORE THE VIRUS -- BEFORE WE HAVE ANOTHER HOLIDAY BUMP WHICH THANKFULLY WE DON'T HAVE ANY REAL HOLIDAYS WHERE PEOPLE GATHER TOGETHER, BUT IT'S A RACE TO SEE IF WE CAN GET ENOUGH PEOPLE VACCINATED TO AVOID ANY FUTURE SPIKE IN INFECTIONS.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED, HE ANNOUNCED A HANDFUL OF REGIONAL SITES.

THE ONE IN LEXINGTON IN THE PROPOSE WITH KROGER OPENED THIS WEEK.

-- PARTNERSHIP WITH KROGER OPENED THIS WEEK.

IT'S DESIGNED TO BE A HIGH VOLUME SITE.

HE ALSO ANNOUNCED A FEW IN COVINGTONING, GLASGOW, PADUCAH OUT WETS AND DANVILLE.

THE GOAL HE SAID IS STOVE ENOUGH REGIONAL VACCINE CENTERS SO PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE MORE THAN A COUNTY AWAY TO GET A VACCINE.

NOW, EVEN THOUGH THESE CENTERS ARE OPENING, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO OFFER A LOT OF DOSES.

THE ONE IN I THINK GLASGOW, FOR EXAMPLE -- NO, I'M SORRY -- MURRAY IS ONLY OPENING FOR TWO DAYS TOTAL AT THIS POINT.

SO SUPPLY CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE AND IT'S STILL CONTROLS HOW QUICKLY WE ROLL OUT THE VACCINE.

>> Bill: AND STILL SOME FRUSTRATION AND PEOPLE TRYING TO GET APPOINTMENTS, ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN GROUPS THAT ARE ASSISTING IN PARTICULAR SOME OF THE ELDERLY KENTUCKIANS IN MAKING THOSE ARRANGEMENTS, RIGHT?

>> Alex: RIGHT.

HERE IN LEXINGTON WE HAVE EVEN HAD A COUPLE OF CLINICS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT POPULATION 2341B, PEOPLE WHO ARE AT LEAST 70 OR OLDER.

ANOTHER COMPLICATION THAT ME AND MY COLLEAGUE DNA DESROSIERS ACTUALLY WROTE ABOUT THIS AFTERNOON IS IT'S NOT ONLY THE ISSUE OF SUPPLY BUT MAKING SURE YOU GET ENOUGH PEOPLE IN THE PRIORITY PHASE VACCINATED WHEN THEY HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO BE VACCINATED.

LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, FOR INSTANCE, WERE THE FIRST, AMONG THE FIRST IN THE STATE TO HAVE ACCESS TO AN IMMUNIZATION, STAFF AND RESIDENTS.

WE REPORTED TODAY THAT ONLY ABOUT 45% OF STAFF HAVE AT LEAST RECEIVED ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

NOW SOME STAFF ARE CHANGING THEIR MIND AND ACTUALLY WANTING A DOSE, BUT IT'S NOT THAT THEY MISSED THEIR OPPORTUNITY, BUT NOW THEY'RE FOLDED INTO TRYING VYING FOR A DOSE ALONGSIDE ATHLETES OTHER POPULATIONS THAT HAVE NOW BECOME ELIGIBLE, WHICH ONLY FURTHER COMPLICATES THE PROCESS.

>> Bill: WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH THE EFFORT AND HOPE AS THE NETWORK INCREASES, THINGS GET BETTER WITH THAT.

LET'S MOVE ON TO SOME FRANKFORT ISSUES.

THE IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE MET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS FOR SEVERAL HOURS SEVERAL TIMES THIS WEEK WITHOUT REFERRING ANYTHING ON TO THE FULL HOUSE.

BUT THEY DID DISMISS SOME OF THE PETITIONS THAT ARE BEFORE THEM.

JOE.

>> Joe: YES, THE THREE ORIGINAL PETITIONS THAT WERE FILED TO IMPEACH GOVERNOR BESHEAR, ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON, AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GOFORTH, THOSE REMAIN, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO ACTION TAKEN ON THOSE.

OF THE TWO THAT WERE DISMISSED WERE FILED THIS WEEK.

THEY WERE ADDITIONAL PETITIONS TO IMPEACH BESHEAR.

THEY WERE ONE PAGE LONG.

AND FROM TWO CONSERVATIVE GROUPS IN KENTUCKY KENTUCKY.

THE CHAIRMAN, STATE REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES OF LOUISVILLE DISMISSED THOSE BASICALLY ON TECHNICAL GROUND AND SAID THEY WERE INSUFFICIENT STATUTORILY SO HE DISMISSED THOSE, SO THE ONLY THING WE HAVE ARE THE THREE NAMED PETITIONS THAT ARE OUTSTANDING.

THEY'VE MET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR OVER TEN HOURS NOW THROUGH THEIR FIVE MEETINGS.

I THINK THEY'VE ONLY BEEN IN SESSION LESS THAN THEN MINUTES.

SO A LOT OF THIS HAPPENING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

WHAT WE DO KNOW FROM TODAY IS CHAIRMAN NEMES HAS REQUESTED MORE INFORMATION FROM BESHEAR, THE SAME INFORMATION REGARDING STATE POLICE MONITORING OF CHURCHES LAST EASTER WHEN ONE CHURCH REMAINED OPEN IN DEFIANCE OF THE MASS GATHERING BAN.

HE SLIGHTLY HINTED THAT HE WOULD SUBPOENA THOSE RECORDS IF THEY WERE NOT TURNED OVER.

AND HE ALSO REQUESTED MORE INFORMATION, ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON SPECIFICALLY, ANY AUDIO RECORDINGS OR TRANSCRIPTS OF BROLIN GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS THAT HAVE NOT ALREADY BEEN, BREONNA TAYLOR THAT HAVE NOT BEEN TURNED OVER.

>> Bill: RIND, THE CLOSED DOORS, IS THAT A BIT UNUSUAL WITHIN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS?

>> Ryland: IT'S ABSOLUTELY UNUSUAL.

YOU WILL SEE CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS FOR CAUCUS MEETINGS WHERE IT'S THE ENTIRE -- EVERYBODY WITHIN A PARTY TRYING TO PLAN ON A VOTE OR SOMETHING OR SOMETIMES OCCASIONALLY DURING A BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS LIKE TOWARDS THE END OF A SESSION.

THERE ARE MANY UNUSUAL THINGS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR COMMITTEE, AND THAT MIGHT BE THE BIGGEST ONE.

JASON NEMES, THE COMMITTEE'S CHAIR TODAY, COMPARED IT TO HOW THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT OPERATES IN THAT JUDGES ARE -- THEY HEAR ARGUMENTS PUBLICALLY, THEY RECEIVE ARGUMENTS AND COMPLAINTS PUBLICALLY FROM ATTORNEYS AND PLAINTIFFS AND DEFENDANTS INVOLVED IN CASES, AND THEN THEY PRIVATELY.

GO AND DELIBERATE.

AND YET HE SAID THIS IS THE WAY THAT THIS COMMITTEE IS OPERATING.

HOWEVER, THIS COMMITTEE IS NOT THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT AND IT IS SUBJECT TO THE KENTUCKY OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

WHEREAS THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT IS NOT.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LENGTH OF THESE LONG EXECUTIVE SESSIONS WHERE ALL OF THE DELIBERATIONS ARE HAPPENING, AND WE'VE BEEN GETTING SUCH LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S ACTUALLY GOING ON HERE BESIDES, YOU KNOW, AGAIN.

INFORMATION FROM THE DEFENDANTS AND THE COMPLAINANTS INVOLVED IN THIS PETITION PROCESS WHICH WE'VE BEEN GETTING BECAUSE THE COMMITTEE'S BEEN PUBLISHING ONLINE.

AND THE ONLY OTHER BIT OF INFORMATION WE GET IS FROM REPRESENTATIVE NEMES' UPDATES, WHICH HE GIVES A BRIEF UPDATE AFTER EACH ONE OF THESE MEETINGS.

BUT THERE ISN'T A WHOLE LOT OF INFORMATION IN THOSE.

>> Bill: WE'LL HEAR SOME CONJECTURE AS TO WHAT MAY BE GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, BUT AS YOU SAID THE INFORMATION COMES OUT WHEN IT GUST AND IT'S LIMITED.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSE PASSED A BILL THIS WEEK THAT WOULD MAKE CHANGES TO KENTUCKY'S TEACHER REQUIREMENT SYSTEM FOR NEW-HIRES.

THE BILL SPONSOR C. ED MASSIE SAID IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE.

DEMOCRAT THINK THE MEASURE WILL CREATE MORE PROBLEMS FOR KENTUCKY'S EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> TEACHERS GROUPS, WHICH ARE A CONSIDERATION, WOULD RATHER -- AND I UNDERSTAND -- WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE ANY CHANGES, AND MY RESPONSE TO THAT HAS SIMPLY BEEN, WE CANNOT CONTINUE DOING WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE BECAUSE WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT.

>> THIS IS GOING TO MAKE IT HARDER TO RECRUIT TEACHERS.

I TRAIN TEACHERS.

I TEACH PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE OUR NEXT GENERATION OF SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS, AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

THEY'RE ALL GOING TO TENNESSEE.

THE GIANT SUCTION SOUNDS YOU HEAR IS THE PULL DOWN I-65 TO GO TO NASHVILLE WHERE PEOPLE ARE ON TO FOUND BENEFIT AND THEY GET PAID MORE.

>> Bill: SO RYLAND, TEACHERS' RETIREMENT AND PENSION ISSUE HAS RETURNED TO THE CAPITOL.

FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THAT BILL?

>> Ryland: SO IT'S PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE AND OUT OF THE HOUSE FLOOR AND IT'S NOW IN THE SENATE.

ACTUALLY IT PASSED VERY QUICKLY OUT OF THE HOUSE.

THEY HAD BOTH OF THOSE MEETINGS IN ONE DAY.

BUT BASICALLY WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT GETS RID OF THE DEFINED BENEFIT SYSTEM FOR TEACHERS HIRED STARTING IN JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR AND AFTER THAT.

SO NO LONGER WILL GET WHAT THEY WANT THE KIND OF CONVENTIONAL PENSION THAT PROVIDES A MONTHLY PAYMENT EVERY MONTH FROM WHEN YOU RETIRE UNTIL YOU DIE.

INSTEAD IT'S THIS HYBRID SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES A KIND OF -- IT'S A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION THAT'S BASED ON HOW MUCH MONEY YOU PUT INTO IT, HOW MUCH MONEY YOUR EMPLOYER PUTS INTO IT, TIMES THE PARTICULAR AVERAGE THEY USE OF THE U.S. TREASURY RATE.

SO IT'S NOT BASED ON THE STOCK MARKET, AS PREVIOUS PROPOSALS LIKE THIS HAVE BEEN.

THERE'S AS MUCH RISK FOR FLUCTUATION.

BUT SISTER-IN-LAW DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME KIND OF GUARANTEE THAT THE DEFINED BENEFIT DOES OF A SET AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT A TEACHER CAN EXPECT GOING FORWARD.

YEAH, AND THE BIG ARGUMENT IS REALLY WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS GOING TO BE FUTURE TEACHERS, WOULD-BE TEACHERS ARE GOING TO FIND THIS TO BE ATTRACTIVE WHEN THEY'RE CONSIDERING BEING A TEACHER IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR TOLD ME HE CONSIDERS IT A PAY CUT AND SAYS THAT HE WOULD NOT SIGN SUCH A BILL.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE SEEN THE OVERRIDES HAVE BEEN EASY.

JOE, REPUBLICANS SAY, AND YOU HEARD THIS ZORN SPAY THAT THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS NOT SUSTAINABLE WITH THE RETIREMENT CHECKS STARTING OFTENTIMES WHEN THE TEACHERS ARE IN III 50s, EARLY 50s.

HOW MUCH IS THIS SUPPOSED TO SAVE?

>> Joe: A FISCAL ANALYSIS OF THE BILL SAID THAT IT WOULD SAVE OVER $3 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IN THIS WHOLE BATTLE IS THAT THE TEACHER UNIONS IN KENTUCKY SAY THAT TESTIFY FISCAL -- THE FINANCIAL SOLVENCY OF THE TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM HAS IMPROVED IN RECENT YEARS ONCE THE LEGISLATORS STARTED PAYING IN THE FULL ARC AND THEY'VE IMPROVED.

WHAT SOME CRITICS SAY, OF THE BAIL IF WE KEEP DOING WHAT WE WERE DOING, IT WILL KEEP IMPROVING AND THOSE REFORMS AREN'T NECESSARY BUT THOSE REFORMS DEFINITELY LOOK LIKE THEY'RE GOING THROUGH.

>> Bill: ALEX, LET'S RETURN TO THIS QUESTION ABOUT SCHOOL REOPENINGS FOR A MOMENT.

FIRST OF ALL, DO YOU GET A SENSE OF HOW THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO ROLL OUT IN TERMS OF SCHOOLS TRYING TO GET GOING AGAIN?

>> Alex: I THINK MOST SCHOOLS IN THIS STATE, IF THEY'RE NOT REOPENED IN SOME CAPACITY RIGHT NOW, MEANING IF THEY'RE NOT OFFERING SOME AMOUNT OF IN-PERSON CLASSES, ARE VERY CLOSE TO THAT.

IN LARGE PART BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS PAID A POINT OF TRYING TO VACCINATE ALL 85,000K-12 PERSONNEL BY THE END OF THIS WEEK?

YEAH.

BECAUSE HIS GOAL IS TO HAVE TEACHERS VACCINATED BY THE TIME THEY RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM.

SO SOME ARE VERY CLOSE, IF NOT THEY'VE ALREADY BEGUN.

>> Bill: AS WE WAIT TO SEE THAT, THERE'S THIS PROPOSAL FROM SENATOR MAX WISE TO ALLOW HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TO RETURN NEXT YEAR, MAYBE TAKE SOME CLASSES, MAYBE HAVE ANOTHER YEAR OF ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY.

EDUCATION COMMISSIONER JASON GLASS ISN'T SURE WHAT ALL THAT WOULD IMPACT, BUT IT'S A VERY INTERESTING DISCUSSION.

>> Alex: ITS.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

I MEAN, IT HAS BEEN A WASH THE SENIOR YEAR FOR MOST SENIORS IN KENTUCKY, I'D SAY, NOT ONLY MISSING OUT ON THE SOCIAL EXPERIENCES AND TIME IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT IF YOU'RE AN ATHLETE YOUR SEASONS BEEN ENTIRELY INTERRUPTED BY COVID IF YOU HAD ONE AT ALL.

IT'S DEFINITELY AN INTERESTING PROSPECT.

IT'S ALSO COMPLICATED TO ARRANGE LO YIS PARTICULARLY.

YOU MENTIONED FUNDING AND SCHEDULING-WISE.

BUT IT'S INTERESTING IF IT DOES PASS, THE APPETITE FOR IT.

THE SENIORS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO ARE VERY MUCH DISGRUNTLED THAT THEIR SENIOR YEAR NORMAL EXPERIENCES HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WOULD NECESSARILY WANT TO LIFT OVER AGAIN IF THEY HAD THE CHANCE.

>> Bill: AND THERE ARE QUESTIONS WITH COLLEGE PREPAREDNESS AND SO FORTH.

JOE, THERE'S A BAPTIST EFFORT AIMED A RESTORING HISTORICAL RACING AFTER THE STATE SUPREME COURT SAID THE MACHINES THAT DO THE DO THAT ARE NOT PARI-MUTUEL.

AND SO THERE'S AN EFFORT THAT APPEARS TO HAVE SOME MOMENTUM, DOESN'T IT?

>> Joe: YES.

HOUSE BILL 120 PASSED EASILY THROUGH A SENATE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

IT BASICALLY CHANGES THE STATUTORY DEFINITION OF PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING TO INCLUDE THESE HISTORICAL HORSE RACING MACHINES THAT ARE VERY, VERY SIMILAR TO SLOT MACHINES.

AND THE HORSE INDUSTRY SAYS THAT LEGISLATION IS NEEDED OR THERE'S GOING TO BE MASSIVE LAYOFFS AND JOB LOSSES BECAUSE SO MUCH OF THEIR REVENUE IS TIED TO THAT HISTORICAL HORSE RANGES MACHINES THAT HAVE WERE ON THE IN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THIS IS OPPOSED BY THE FAMILY FOUNDATION.

THE FAMILY FOUNDATION SAYS THAT THIS IS CLEARLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU CAN MAKE THESE MACHINES LEGAL IS IF YOU HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH TAKES A LOT OF TIME.

THE EARLIEST THIS COULD HAPPEN CITY END OF NEXT YEAR AFTER A STATEWIDE REFERENDUM.

THE THE FAMILY FOUNDATION SAYS THAT, IN THEIR TESTIMONY MARTIN COFFER AND THE FAMILY FOUNDATION SAID THAT CHURCHILL DOWNS IS BASICALLY, THE HORSE INDUSTRY BASICALLY IS A SMALL OLIGARCHY THAT IS HOARDING AWAY ALL OF THESE FUNDS, AND THEY SAY THAT IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> Bill: JOE, THERE'S A PROPOSAL BY REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MILLER THAT WOULD MAKE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN LOUISVILLE, INCLUDING NON-PARTISAN MAYORS RACES LIKE MOST KENTUCKY CITIES HAVE, BUT LOUISVILLE HAS THIS TRADITION OF PARTISAN MAYORAL RACES.

>> Joe: YES, AFTER THE BREONNA TAYLOR SHOOTING AND ALL THE TURMOIL THAT HAPPENED WITH THAT, POLICE REFORM ADVOCATES IN LOUISVILLE AND DEMOCRATS WERE HOPING FOR A CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD TO ADD MORE POLICE OVERSIGHT OF POLICE BY CIVILIANS AND ADDING SUBPOENA POWER.

THIS BILL GOES NO THAT DIRECTION BUT IT ALSO SLIPS IN SOMETHING THEY WEREN'T EXPECTING WHICH IS TO MAKE THE MAYOR RACE NON-PARTISAN.

LOUISVILLE IS AN OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRATIC CITY, SO IF VOTERS GO INTO THE BALLOT BOOTH NEXT YEAR AND THEY SEE CANDIDATES DON'T HAVE A D OR AN R NEXT TO THE NAME, OBVIOUSLY A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE YOU WOULD THINK WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE.

SOME ARE WONDERING IF THAT'S A POISON PILL THAT MIGHT ACTUALLY HURT THE CHANCES OF PASSAGE.

>> Bill: IN WASHINGTON A PROPOSED COVID RELIEF PACKAGE FAVORED BY THE DEMOCRATS AND PRESIDENT BIDEN COMES WITH A $2 TRILLION PRICE TAG.

MITCH McCONNELL SAID IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE.

>> THE AMERICAN MEME DESERVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS TO BEGIN WITH THEM AND THEIR NEEDS.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

NOT PARTISAN RUSH JOBS, NOT TALKING POINTS.

WE NEED TO START WITH THE NEEDS OF OUR COUNTRY.

>> Bill: RYLAND, AS THE COVID RELIEF PACKAGE IS DEBATED AND BANTERED IN WASHINGTON, DOES IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A CHANCE THAT ONLY CONGRESSMAN JOHN YARMOUTH WOULD BE VOTING FOR IT FROM KENTUCKY?

>> Ryland: I THINK THAT'S DEFINITELY TRUE AND HE IS, OF COURSE, THE ONLY NOW MAJORITY MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO IS A KENTUCKIAN, AND THAT'S WHAT THE VOTING PATTERN HAS BEEN LIKE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WITH THE, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CURRENT PARTISAN MAKE-UP OF KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION.

>> Bill: IS McCONNELL TRYING TO HELP SORT OF REPOSITION THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW AFTER THE, YOU KNOW, THE EVENTS OF THE PAST FEW MONTHS?

>> Ryland: ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK BOTH IN WASHINGTON AND IN KENTUCKY.

I MEAN, IN WASHINGTON WE SAW OVER THE PAST WEEK WITH HIM SLAMMING FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVE MARGELY TAYLOR GREEN, SAYING THAT SHE'S FULL OF LOONEY LIES AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND SAYING SHE'S A CANCER ON THE PARTY.

IT'S -- HE'S REALLY TRYING TO KIND OF MAKE SURE THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DOESN'T HAVE -- DOESN'T GO DOWN THAT ROAD OR AT LEAST DOESN'T GO -- CONTINUE TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD.

AND I THINK BACK IN KENTUCKY IS FIGHTING A SIMILAR BEATLE.

WE JUST SAW A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITH UPSTART GRASSROOTS ROOTS ATTEMPT TO GET THE PARTY TO VOTE, TO URGE McCONNELL TO NOT IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT.

AND WHICH HEY ENDED UP QUASHING, THE REPUBLICANS ENDED UPPED QUASHING IT.

>> Bill: A LONGTIME WASHINGTON POST REPORTER TO WHO THREW GREW YOU UP IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY HAS DIED.

MAXINE CHESHIRE COVERED MAJOR STORIES IN WASHINGTON FOR DECADE BUT SHE STARTED OUT AT THE HARLAN DAILY ENTERPRISE.

MAXINE CHESHIRE WAS 90 YEARS OLD.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN MONDAY AT 8 EASTERN, 7 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT," AND THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL HERE ON KET AT 9:00 EASTERN ON THE COORDINATOR IN KENTUCKY.

AGAIN THAT'S MONDAY NIGHT.