[♪♪] >> Bill: ED KENTUCKY LEGISLATIVE SESSION RESUMES AND QUICKLY PASSES ANOTHER CUT TO THE STATE INCOME TAX AND SIGNED INTO LAW.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PUSH D.E.I., ABORTION, RENTAL REGULATION AND JUNETEENTH AND OTHER TOPICS ARE IN THE MIX IN FRANKFORT.

PAMELA STEVENSON FILES PAPERS TO RAISE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FORA U.S. SENATE RACE AND AS THEY AWAIT A HINT FROM MITCH McCONNELL.

THE EV BATTERY PLANTS NEAR ELIZABETHTOWN REMAINS ON TRACK.

WE DEAL WITH WILD MID-WINTER WEATHER AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING, I'M BILL BRYANT.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR REPORTER FOR WHAS11 IN LOUISVILLE.

HANNAH PINSKI, POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE COURIER JOURNAL AND AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, SENATOR RAND PAUL WEIGHS IN ON TARIFFS AND OTHER ISSUES.

UP FIRST, KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS RESUMED THEIR 2025 SESSION THIS WEEK.

REPUBLICAN SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS TALKEDDED ABOUT REACTING TO SOME OF THE NEW POLICIES COMING FROM WASHINGTON.

REPUBLICANS ALSO UNVEILED SOME FAITH RELATED BILLS.

MINORITY DEMOCRATS UNVEILED AN AMBITIOUS AGENDA INCLUDING AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE.

BUT THE HEADLINE OF THE WEEK WAS THE PASSAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN PRIORITY OF AN INCOME TAX CUT SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.

WHEN YOU STATE THAT YOU KNOW IT'S INTERESTING, RIGHT?

WE'LL START OFF NO SURPRISE THAT THE INCOME TAX CUT WAS PASSED VERY QUICKLY.

THOUGH SOME LAWMAKERS INDICATE THEY ARE BEGINNING TO GET CAUTIOUS AFTER THIS CUT.

>> AND YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE, BILL, THAT THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE.

WE SAW THE TAX REVENUE REPORT LAST YEAR THAT DID CAUSE SOME ATTENTION, MAYBE CONCERN FROM FOLKS EVEN THE GOVERNOR IS LIKE WHEN DO WE DRAW THE LINE HERE?

ULTIMATELY WE KNOW THEY ARE COMMITTED TO THIS TO GET IT AS CLOSE TO ZERO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

YOU SEE OTHERTATES LIKE TENNESSEE HAVE NO STATE INCOME TAX THAT IS WHO THEY ARE COMPETING WITH SPECIFICALLY FOR JOBS AS THEY TRY TO GROW ECONOMICALLY HERE.

>> Bill: POLITICS IS INTERESTING.

BESHEAR SIGNED IT INTO LAW AND MAKING THE TAX CUT LAW.

HE CALLED IT BIPARTISAN.

YOU KNOW, IS THAT A CONTINUING SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION TO THE REPUBLICANS WHO MADE THIS THEIR PRIORITY TO ELIMINATE THE STATE INCOME TAX A FEW YEARS AGO?

>> >> YES, I THINK IT IS A FRUSTRATION.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT FEELS LIKE THE VOLUME IS JUST LIKE A LITTLE LOWER THAN IT WAS BEFORE, LIKE TWO YEARS AGO OR EVEN ONE YEAR AGO.

YOU JUST GOT A REAL SENSE OF A NASHING OF TEETH WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED FAIRLY OR UNFAIRLY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIME HAS PASSED AND I THINK REPUBLICANS AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT ONE, THIS IT DOESN'T REALLY WORK TOO MUCH.

HE'S STILL A VERY POPULAR GOVERNOR BY PRETTY MUCH ALL METRICS THE MOST POPULAR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN THIS STATE.

AND TWO, THERE'S NOT ALL THAT MUCH UTILITY IN IT ANYMORE.

BECAUSE HE'S NOT BY ALL ACCOUNTS GOING TO RUN FOR SOMETHING IN KENTUCKY IN THE IMMINENT FUTURE.

I THINK BESHEAR IS TALKING TO AN AUDIENCE OF KENTUCKIANS AND ALSO POTENTIALLY A NATIONAL AUDIENCE FOR FUTURE PLANS.

BUT REPUBLICANS SORT OF CULTIVATING A DIFFERENT AUDIENCE AT THE SAME TIME.

SO THEY ARE KIND OF -- THERE'S JUST NOT AS MUCH FRICTION BETWEEN THE TWO.

>> AND YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE THEY ARE MORE FOCUSED THE SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP THEY ARE LOOKING AT FILLING A SENATE SEAT IN 2026.

THEY KNOW OR AT LEAST THEY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE NEXT GOVERNOR THEY WILL HAVE A BETTER SHOT THAT IS A REPUBLICAN.

THEY ARE LEAVE TO GO MORE MY SENSE IS TO THE PARTY REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY TO SORT OF TRY TO POKE HOLES IN BESHEAR'S RESUME, POTENTIALLY LOOKING AT A 2028 RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A CRITICISM OF HIS TRIP TO EUROPE WHERE HE MET WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AND TALKED ABOUT KENTUCKY.

IN FACT, THERE WAS A BILL FILED IN RESPONSE TO THAT TRIP.

>> YEAH.

HE HAD A FRESHMAN LEGISLATOR TJ ROBERTS FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY USE HIS LEGAL PROWESS HE IS AN ATTORNEY HE FILED AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST AND GOT RECORDS HOW MUCH BESHEAR'S TRIP TO THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM COST.

THEY BUDGETED AROUND 80K SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND HE REALLY, I THINK IT WORKED OUT FOR BOTH PARTIES IN A WEIRD WAY.

BECAUSE TJ ROBERTS GOT TO GAIN NOTORIETY AS A FRESHMAN LEGISLATOR AND GET THE NEWS HITS AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA LIKES.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BESHEAR, I THINK, REPRESENTATIVE OF HIS MOOD AND HOW HE TREATS THIS CRITICISM, HE JUST FLIPPED IT BACK ON ROBERTS AND TO QUOTE A GREAT POP STAR SAID BASICALLY WHY ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH ME?

WAS THE LINE.

>> Bill: WILL THE REPUBLICANS BE ABLE TO CALL THIS SESSION A SUCCESS IF THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE THE TAX CUT BE SEEN AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE 2025?

>> I THINK SO, BILL.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS HAS TOLD A LOT OF US THIS IS A REACTIVE SESSION NOT A PROACTIVE SESSION.

THERE IS A LOT HAPPENING FEDERALLY WHEN IT COMES TO I.C.E.

DIRECTIVES WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE TARIFFS HANGING OVER THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THE REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY IN LEADERSHIP ARE LOOKING AT THIS HOW DO WE SORT OF APPROACH MOVING FORWARD AS FAR AS WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO REQUIRE OF THE STATE.

SO THERE'S SORT OF WAITING ON THAT BEFORE THEY REALLY GO INTO SOME OF THESE OTHER ISSUES THAT MAYBE THEY WOULD HAVE IN PAST SESSIONS.

BUT D.E.I., THAT IS GOING TO COME AROUND THE CORNER.

>> Bill: IT'S INTERESTING THAT IT'S BUSY IN BOTH CAPITOLS AND YET THERE ARE INTERSECTIONS AS WELL.

HANNAH, REQUIRING THE 10 COMMAND MEANTS TO BE POSTED IN SCHOOLS IS ONE OF THE RELIGIOUS ORIENTED BILLS FILED.

YOU DID A PIECE AND LOOKED AT ALL OF THAT.

>> YEAH THERE ARE TWO BILLS FILEDDED IN HOUSE FILED BY REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES ONE REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO POST THE 10 COMMAND MEANTS IN EVERY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY CLASSROOM AND ANOTHER BILLETS SCHOOL BOARDS TO POST THE 10 COMMANDMENTS IN ANY SCHOOL BUILDING, CLASSROOM OR EVENTED.

SENATE SIDE, ROLLINGS FILED A BILL THAT WOULD LET PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS SUE THE GOVERNMENT FOR VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS RIGHTS.

THIS DOESN'T COME AS A SURPRISE THAT HE FILED THIS.

WHEN HE WAS A REPRESENTATIVE IN THE HOUSE LAST YEAR, HE FILED A HOUSE BILL THAT WOULD LET PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS SUE ONE ANOTHER OVER RELIGIOUS.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW FAR THIS BILL GOES THIS YEAR.

>> Bill: A LOT TO WATCH IN THOSE SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE PIECES OF LEGISLATION OUT THERE.

SENATOR McDANIEL IS PUSHING HARD FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT THE VOTERS WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPROVE OR REJECT.

IT WOULD SUBJECT STAN STHALLY CURTAIL A GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO PARDON IN THE LAST WEEK'S IN OFFICE.

>> THE POWER TO PARDON ALLOWS ONE PERSON TO OVERRIDE THE JUDGMENT OF A POLICE OFFICER, A PROCESS KUFOUR, A GRAND JURY, JURY, JUDGE AND APPELLATE COURTS AND IN SEVERAL OF THOSE CASES THE SUPREME COURT.

AND IMPOSE HIS OR HER UNILATERAL OPINION UPON THE SCALES OF JUSTICE.

IS THAT.

>> Bill: ISAIAH THIS HARKENS BACK TO THE PARDONS ISSUED BY FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN IN LATE 2019.

>> AND IT GOT CRITICISM ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, BILL.

WE REMEMBER THAT AND WE REMEMBER HOW MUCH THAT BECAME A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE AND WITH THE URINE GOVERNOR IN HIS REELECTION BID WE KNOW THE CHALLENGER THEN ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON USED SOME OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S PARDONS AGAINST HIM IN A LOT OF THE ADS SPOKE TO SOME OF THE CRIMINAL HISTORIES OF SOME WHO HAD LEFT PRISON.

SO THIS IS ESSENTIALLY SOMETHING WE'LL SEE ON BOTH SIDES GOVERNORS MOVING FORWARD.

>> Bill: THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS CAN ONLY APPEAR ON A BALLOT IN AN EVEN NUMBERED YEAR SO THIS WOULD BE NEXT YEAR AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT HAD A GOOD TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESSFULLY PUTTING AMENDMENTS BEFORE THE PEOPLE.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, YOU PUT IT CORRECTLY.

THEY'VE GONE PRETTY MUCH O FER ON SUBSTANTIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THERE WAS ONE LAST YEAR THEY PASSED ON NONCITIZEN VOTING THAT DIDN'T REALLY MATTER MUCH.

BUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT LAST YEAR THE BIG ONE WAS SCHOOL CHOICE IN 2022 THE BIG ONE WAS ANTIABORTION AMENDMENT.

BOTH LOST PRETTY EASILY.

SCHOOL CHOICE ESPECIALLY.

REPUBLICANS ARE GENERALLY HESITANT TO PUT THINGS PACK ON THE BALLOT HAVING SAID THAT, YOU KNOW McDANIEL HAS A LOT OF INFLUENCE HE PASSED THIS BILL OUT OF THE SENATE B AND HE'S GOT THE EXTRA INVESTIGATOR NOW OF CRITICISM OF JOE BIDEN'S PARDONS WHICH HE MENTIONED ON THE FLOOR TODAY.

SO, I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE YOU COULD SEE THIS CROSS THE FINISH LINE AND MAKE WILL BALLOT 2026.

>> Bill: REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KEN FLEMING HAS A BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S BAN ON ABORTION IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST IT IS AWAITING ACTION IN A COMMITTEE AND IT IS ONE OF SEVERAL ABORTION RELATED BILLS, HAND.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DPLEMMINGS' BILL THAT IS SPONSORED BY TWO OTHER HOUSE ANDS ARE IT WOULD ALLOW ABORTIONS.

RAPE OR INCEST WITHIN SIX WEEKS OF PREGNANCY.

WE HAVE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR YATES FILED A BILL ADDING EXCEPTIONS BUT THAT IS FOR RAPE AND INCEST IN CASES OF FEET TALL ANOMALIES.

IT'S IMPORTANT THESE WILL BE DIFFICULT TO PASS.

LAST YEAR YATES FILED THE SAME BILL AND IT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO A COMMITTEE HEARING.

THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WILL GET A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT IS VERY LITTLE TO NONE TO ME.

>> LET'S READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING AT THE SAME TIME A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE ABORTION MEDICATION TO SOME DEGREE MEDICATION ABORTION ILLEGAL IN THE STATE.

SO THIS IS REALLY A PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY.

WHY WOULD THESE BILLS BE FILED AT THE SAME TIME?

THEIR CAUCUS OPERATES BETTER THAN THAT.

I THINK YOU ALMOST HAVE TO SEE BEYOND THAT AND WHAT CROSSES THE FINISH LINE WHAT GETS A COMMITTEE HEARING WILL SHOW WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE.

>> AND ONE THING YOU HEAR FROM REPUBLICANS WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THIS, AND HONESTLY THINK THEY'D LIKE TO GET BAILED OUT A LITTLE BIT BY THE COURTS ON THIS ISSUE, YOU HEAR SOMETIMES THAT THERE MIGHT BE A JUDICIAL REMEDY SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE IN ONE OF THESE LAWSUITS AGAINST THE LAW.

AND THEY KNOW THIS IS UNPOPULAR.

AND I THINK THEY WOULD LIKE A COURT TO STEP IN.

FRANKLY.

>> R. >> Bill: IT IS A DIFFICULT DISCUSSION.

WELL, HOUSING AND SHORT-TERM RENTAL ISSUES HAVE MADE THEIR WAY FROM CITY HALLS AND COURTHOUSES TO THE STATE CAPITOL NOW.

ISAIAH THERE ARE BILLS CALLING FOR MORE REGULATION, MORE ABILITY FOR THE CITIES AND COUNTIES TO HAVE RULES.

BUT THEN THERE'S HOUSE BILL 173 THAT WOULD PROHIBIT ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN KENTUCKY FROM KEEPING A REGISTRY OF LANDLORDS OR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS FOR ANY PURPOSE AND OTHER BILLS AS WELL.

>> SURE.

I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW IN LOUISVILLE WE DO HAVE A RENTAL REGISTRY OF SORTS ONE THAT THE MAYOR TOUTED I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

ESSENTIALLY TO HOLD LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE IN A LOT OF CASES WE HAVE MANY RUNDOWN FACILITIES IN LOUISVILLE WHERE FOLKS ARE UNHAPPY WITH CONDITIONS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU SEE GO ALONG PARTY LINES.

REPUBLICANS IN GENERAL SORT OF WANT TO EMPOWER LANDLORDS PROPERTY OWNERS, KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT OF THEIR BUSINESS.

AND THEN YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS FEEL LIKE HEY IF YOU ARE NOT DOING WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WHERE DO WE STEP IN.

>> Bill: IT IS INTERESTING THE BILLS THAT START AS LOCAL ISSUES, THAT ARE FINDING THEIR WAY TO FRANKFORT AND OTHERS THE STREET RACING BILL THAT COULD ADD PENALTIES AND THAT IS SPONSORED BY A LOUISVILLE AREA HOUSE MEMBER.

THAT'S ALREADY A CITY ORDINANCE IN METRO LOUISVILLE, RIGHT?

>> IT IS THAT IS THE HEAD-SCRATCHER HERE.

WE WERE LOOKING FOR CAR CRUSHING, WE GOT FINES.

AND LOUISVILLE ALREADY HAS FINES.

YOU ASK YOURSELF OKAY IF THIS BILL DOESN'T ADD ANYTHING TO LOUISVILLE IS THIS A STATE-WIDE CODIFY THAT ACROSS KENTUCKY?

WHICH WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE BECAUSE THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO FILED IT IS FROM LOUISVILLE.

I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THIS WAS JASON'S BABY HE HAS BEEN WANTING TO PUSH THIS FOR A WHILE.

MAYBE THERE WAS EFFORT TO MAKE THIS APPEAR OR SHOW AS BIPARTISAN, RIGHT YOU HAVE TWO PEOPLE FROM LOUISVILLE AGREE ON SOMETHING BUT SOMETHING GOT LOST IN TRANSLATION.

CAR CRUSH THE CAR ON A SECOND OFFENSE DID NOT MAKE IT INTO THE BILL.

ALTHOUGH I'M TOLD NEXT WEEK THAT THAT WILL BE FIXEDED FER AND REFILED.

>> .

>> Bill: DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO IDENTIFY TOPICS THAT THEY BELIEVE CAN GAIN TRACTION AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER IS PUSHING TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A STATE HOLIDAY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO PUSH FOR JUNETEENTH EVERY TIME I'M HERE THAT IS FOR SURE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE JUNETEENTH, BUT ALSO THAT IT RISES TO THE STATUS OF OTHER EXCEPTIONS IN TERMS HOW WE DEAL WITH OUR WORKFORCE AND HOW WE ALLOW THEM TO CELEBRATE AS WELL.

WE WILL BE PUSHING FOR THAT AS WELL.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, JUNETEENTH HAS BEEN A FEDERAL HOLIDAY SINCE 2021 BUT ATTEMPTS TO PASS IT IN KENTUCKY HAVE FAILED?

>> YEAH.

IT DOESN'T HAVE A GREAT TRACK RECORD LEGISLATIVELY.

IT CERTAINLY GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND GERALD NEAL IS SOMEBODY WHO CAN WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.

HE HAS A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH ROBERT STIVERS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU I THINK EFFORTS AROUND THIS HOLIDAY FAIRLY OR UNFAIRLY GET LUMPED IN WITH D.E.I., DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION WHICH IS A BIG -- A THING THAT REPUBLICANS PARTICULARLY NEW WAVE REPUBLICANS LIKE ELON MUSK'S OF THE WORLD, REALLY, REALLY DON'T LIKE.

AND I THINK REPUBLICANS JUST KIND OF A LOT OF THEM LUMP IT TOGETHER WITH D.E.I.

SO IT'S HARD TO SEE AN 80% REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY OR REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED CHAMBER IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PASS THIS BILL.

BUT NEVER SAY NEVER WITH SOMEBODY LIKE GERALD NEAL.

>> Bill: AND STATE GOVERNMENT USUALLY DOES OBSERVE IT UNDER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BECAUSE GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS DONE IT BY EXECUTIVE ORDER THE LAST FEW YEARS WE'LL WATCH THAT.

THERE IS A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FROM THE DEMOCRATS NOTING THEIR SMALL MINORITY STAT TO US LEGALIZE POSSESSION OF AN OUNCE OR LESS OF MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL USE.

LOUISVILLE SENATOR YATES, AND CULL CARNEY HOPE TO GET THAT ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR.

>> AND THIS IS NOT ANYTHING NEW THEY HAVE TRIED TO THIS IN PREVIOUS YEARS T WOULD BE ON THE 2026 BALLOT AND WHEN I SPOKE TO YATES ABOUT THIS HE SAID RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA CAN BE TRANSFORMATION FOR KENTUCKY PARTICULARLY IN THE ECONOMIC SECTOR BUT THE LIKELIHOOD THAT IT PASSES IN THE SENATE VERY LITTLE TO NONE.

MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER TOLD ME IT'S UNLIKELY THERE'S SIGNIFICANT APPETITE WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND LISTED THAT ONE THE KENTUCKY MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM HAS JUST STARTED AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW THAT GOES.

AND TWO, THE POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IS SOMETHING THEY ARE WARY OF.

>> ON THAT POINT I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA RELATED HOUSE DEMOCRATS SORT OF WANT TO AMEND THE CURRENT STATUTE TO ALLOW MORE CONDITIONS TO QUALIFY.

I'M WONDERING ON MAX WISE'S POINT WOULD THAT BE SOMETHING THEY WOULD HAVE APPETITE FOR NOW THAT THAT PROGRAM IS GETTING RUNNING?

OR A NONSTARTER ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> Bill: OR DO THEY RUN INTO THE SLIPPERY SLOPE ARGUMENT THAT THE OPPONENTS WERE MAKING IN THE BEGINNING.

>> THAT IS A FAIR POINT.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, THE SENATE CAUCUS CHAIR THOMAS PUSHING HARD AGAIN FOR AN INCREASE IN KENTUCKY'S MINIMUM WAGE.

IT'S BEEN 7.25 AN HOUR SINCE 2009.

>> YES, I THINK IF YOU PUT THE QUESTION OF JUST MERELY INCREASING THAT TO MOST KENTUCKIANS THEY WOULD PROBABLY AGREE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING OUT ON A LIMB TO SAY.

HAVING SAID THAT, SOMEBODY ASKED SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS ABOUT THIS AND HE PRETTY MUCH PUT DOWN THE IDEA.

AND CORRECTLY POINTED OUT THAT YOU REALLY CAN'T HIRE ANYBODY WHO IS NOT IN LIKE A TIP-BASED INDUSTRY FOR LESS THAN SAY 12 OR $13 AN HOUR ANYWAY.

SO WHY CHANGE THE LAW.

AND IT'S WORTH POINTING OUT THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL ON ISSUES RELATING TO WAGES AND BUSINESS IN GENERAL.

AND THIS IS JUST NOT A PRIORITY FOR THEM.

SO, IT'S HARD TO FORECAST POSITIVELY FOR THIS BILL, WHICH IS BACKED BY A DEMOCRAT IN REGGIE THOMAS.

>> Bill: WE COULD SEE MORE BILLS FILED AND MORE DISCUSSIONS THE LAST DAY TO FILE A BILL IN THE SENATE IS FEBRUARY 18TH AND IN THE HOUSE IT'S FEBRUARY 19TH.

IN WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY'S SENIOR SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL FELL ON STAIRS THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.

HE SAID TO BE OKAY BUT HAS BEEN MAKING USE OF A WHEELCHAIR FOR SAFETY.

AND AUSTIN, THIS APPARENTLY A MUCH LESS SERIOUS THAN THE PREVIOUS FALL HE HAD IN 2023 IN WHICH HE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION.

OBVIOUSLY HE GOT UP AND WENT ON ABOUT HIS WAY THIS WEEK.

>> THE 2023 INCIDENT, I THINK IS THE ONE THAT KICKED OFF THE SORT OF SERIOUS HEALTH INCIDENTS THAT MITCH McCONNELL HAS HAD.

HE HAS HAD A COUPLE HIGH PROFILE FREEZE UPS IN FRONT OF CAMERAS.

BUT THIS TIME, HE AS YOU POINTED OUT, IT DIDN'T SEEM AS SERIOUS AND HE GOT UP FAIRLY QUICKLY.

THAT SAID, IT HAS KIND OF CAUSED A LOST CONSTERNATION IN POLITICAL CIRCLES.

McCONNELL IS 82 YEARS OLD.

HE IS UP FOR REELECTION IN 2026 AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ASKING THE QUESTION, NOT NECESSARILY IS HE FIT TO SERVE UNTIL 2026 BUT MORE WOULD HE RUN FOR ANOTHER SIX-YEAR TERM COME THAT YEAR.

AND THAT IS A QUESTION WE DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR.

>> Bill: HE HAS NOT ANSWERED YET.

AND IT WOULD BE AN EIGHTH TERM POTENTIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE HAS EMERGED.

PAMELA STEVENSON FILED THE PAPERWORK TO RAISE MONEY FOR A U.S. SENATE RACE.

>> QUICK, I WANT TO CLARIFY I SAID FILL A SENATE SEAT THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY OPEN.

OBVIOUSLY MITCH McCONNELL WOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE NOT TO RUN AGAIN.

PAMELA STEVENSON IT IS INTERESTING THE LAST LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT THAT TRIED TO CHALLENGE OR BACK THEN, A CURRENT U.S.

SENATOR RAND PAUL WAS CHARLES BOOKER WHO CAME FROM LOUISVILLE.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

SAME DISTRICT AS PAMELA STEVENSON IT DID NOT WORKOUT FOR HIM.

WE KNOW HOW HARD IT IS FOR DEMOCRATS TO WIN A SENATE SEAT IN KENTUCKY.

AUSTIN WAS TALKING ABOUT WHY NOT RUN FOR LOUISVILLE MAYOR AND BOOKER WAS ASKED THE SAME THING.

SHE RAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL WE'LL SEE WHAT THE END GOAL HERE IS BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH ROAD.

>> Bill: THE REPUBLICANS ARE WATCHING FOR THAT SIGNAL FROM McCONNELL?

>> I THINK SO, LIKE ISAIAH SAID IT'S HARD TO CALL THIS OTHER THAN AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR A DEMOCRAT.

REPUBLICANS THERE'S A LOT OF CHATTER AROUND WHO MAY OR MAY NOT STICK THEIR NECK OUT TO RUN.

I DON'T THINK WE'LL SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE STICK THEIR NECK OUT BEFORE McCONNELL DECIDES.

WE MIGHT SEE ONE, THOUGH.

AND I'M TALKING ABOUT NATE MORRIS WHO IS A RELATIVE UNKNOWN RIGHT NOW.

HE IS AN ENTREPRENEUR WHO IS BASED IN LEXINGTON.

HE FOUNDED RUBICON, THE UBER FOR TRASH.

BUT HE IS ONE OF THREE NAMES YOU HEAR WHEN YOU TALK TO REPUBLICANS ABOUT 2026.

AND THE OTHER TWO ARE NAMES THAT PEOPLE KNOW.

THAT IS DANIEL CAMERON FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO RAN FOR GOVERNOR AGAINST BESHEAR.

AND THEN ANDY BARR THE SIXTH DISTRICT CONGRESSALITY REP HERE IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY FOR A LONGTIME.

THOSE ARE THE THREE TO WATCH ON THE G.O.P.

SIDE.

>> Bill: AND OF COURSE ANY OF THAT HAPPENED IT WOULD CREATE CHURN IN THE HOUSE SEATS.

>> LOTS OF DOMINOES.

>> Bill: A LOT TO WATCH ON THAT.

THERE WAS TALK ABOUT TARIFFS THIS WEEK.

SENATOR RAND PAUL OPPOSES TARIFFS THEY ARE TAXES HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE WITH ME THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID GET CONCESSIONS WITH THE THREAT OF TARIFFS.

SENATOR McCONNELL WAS ON 60 MINUTES JAI ALAI VISIBLE INTERVIEW, HE ALSO CRITICIZED THE USE OF TARIFFS.

SO THE KENTUCKY SENATORS DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTING THEM, BUT THEY DO REALIZE THAT TRUMP MAY HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE EARLY ON WITH THE THREATS.

>> CALLED IT A GAME OF CHICKEN AND HE WON TWICE, MEXICO, CANADA.

LONG-TERM THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS GOING -- ONCE WE GET TO THE 30-DAY MARK WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

THE EU TARIFF DEADLINE WOULD COME BACK INTO THE FOLD 50% TARIFFS ON ANY IMPORTS FROM THE EU.

THERE WOULD BE RETALIATORY TARIFF THERE IS TOO.

AMERICAN WHISKEY WOULD TAKE A HIT THAT IS WHAT THE DISTILLERIES ARE LOOKING AT IS MARCH 31.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THIS WEEK THAT THE BLUE OVAL SK BATTERY PLANTED REMAINS ON TRACK HE DOES NOT THINK THAT SHIFTING EV POLICIES FROM WASHINGTON WILL BE A MAJOR HURDLE.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE BLUE OVAL PROJECT IS MOVING FORWARD.

IT HAS AN ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE NEW ADMINISTRATION CAN'T CHANGE CONTRACTS EVEN THOUGH THEY SENT US SOMETHING TO ONE OF OUR CABINETS SAYING THEY BELIEVE THEY CAN UNILATERALLY CHANGE THE TERMS OF ANY EXISTING CONTRACT OR GRANT AGREEMENT.

TRUST ME THAT IS NOT CONSTITUTIONAL OR LEGAL.

EV'S ARE THE FUTURE.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MIGHT IMPACT THE TIMING OF HOW FAST THAT FUTURE GETS HERE BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE TRIED TO FIGHT THE FUTURE AND NO ONE HAS EVER WON.

>> Bill: SO, AGAIN, BESHEAR'S BULLISH ON SAYING THAT PLANT WILL BE COMPLETED AND WILL GO INTO OPERATION.

>> I BELIEVE THEY CLOSED ON A LOAN WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY MULTIPLE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE PROJECT IN DECEMBER RIGHT BEFORE THE TRANSITION TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.

SO THE MONEY THERE IS SOLID.

IT IS JUST A QUESTION OF DOES THAT SECOND PLANT IN THE BEGIN BATTERY PLANT GET FIRED UP SOON AND WHAT DO FUTURE INVESTMENTS LOOK LIKE?

>> SALES GROWTH WHEN IT COME TO EV IS NOT WHAT AUTOMAKERS WANTED IT TO BE.

THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT TIMING.

WE HAVE TO SAY IT.

EV TAX CREDITS IF THOSE ARE OUT THE DOOR, LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS PUSHED FOR, I'VE HAD FOLKS TELL ME THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT EV.

SO WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE.

>> Bill: THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF KENTUCKIANS HAVING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRIORITY CHANGES WITHIN THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AND HOW THEY WILL PLAY OUT.

>> SO WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THE EFFECTS AND IMPACT OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IN KENTUCKY TO START OFF, TRUMP HAS SAID HE WANTS TO CUT DOWN THE SIZE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

DOZENS OF U.S. FOREST EMPLOYEES SERVING DANIEL BOON NATIONAL FOREST RECEIVED PROBATIONARY STATUS THOSE INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN TRAIL MAINTENANCE, VISITOR INFORMATION AND THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS HE SIGNED HAS IMPACTED A COUPLE OF GROUPS PARTICULARLY THE KENTUCKY REFUGEE MINISTRIES WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER HE SIGNED SUSPENDING THE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMS AND THE KENTUCKY EQUAL JUSTICE CENTER WHO SHUT DOWN OPERATIONS DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING.

>> Bill: YOU DID REPORTING ON THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE I.C.E.

ACTIVITY THERE.

>> SURE.

BOARD CHAIR TOLD ME THERE ARE STUDENTS THAT HAVE NOT RETURNED FROM WINTER BREAK BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP RETURNING TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

JCPS TELLS US THERE HAVE BEEN NO I.C.E.

VISITS YET BUT ALMOST THE ANXIETY OF IT FOR SOME STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ARE HAVING AN IMPACT.

WE SPOKE WITH ONE TEACHER SAYING ONE OF HER STUDENTS SELF DEPORTED TO MEXICO HERE RECENTLY.

>> Bill: NO EEUTS ACTIVITY BUT THEY ANTICIPATE.

>> RIGHT.

AND A LOT OF IT IS THE IMPACT.

>> THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL ANNOUNCED THE 60TH DESTINATION, 27 OF THE 120 COUNTIES HAVE A PLACE ON THE TRAIL.

AN IMPACT STUDY FROM THE INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES INDICATING THOSE 18 INSTITUTIONS CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN $2 BILLION TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

READERS OF THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER REMEMBER A BARRIER BREAKING JOURNALIST WHO DIED.

VANESS DA GALLEDMAN WAS EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR AND APPEARED ON COMMENT HERE.

SHE AND HER TEAM TACKLED SUBJECTS LIKE LEXINGTON'S FAIRNESS ORDINANCE, A SMOKING BAN, OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS.

SHE WAS A PIONEER IN BLACK JOURNALIST WHO CLIMBED THE RANKS TO WASHINGTON AND WORKED IN LEXINGTON WHERE SHE CALLED IT A DREAM.

SHE WAS 71.

THAT IS COMMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.