♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ PASSIONATE SENATE FLOOR DEBATE OVER LEGALIZING HISTORICAL HORSE RACING.

A SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES ALCOHOL TO-GO AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS UNVEIL A PLAN TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM AMIDST A SCATHING AUDIT ABOUT ITS FLAWS.

THOSE ISSUES AND MORE ON DAY 12 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ARGUMENTS ON VIRTUE, VICE AND CONSTITUTIONALITY PUNCTUATED TODAY'S SENATE FLOOR DEBATE ON HISTORICAL HORSE RACING THAT SPLIT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY CAUCUS.

CONFLICTED DECISIONS EXPRESSED ON THE MATTER OFTEN CAME DOWN TO A CHOICE BETWEEN PHILOSOPHY AND PRAGMATISM.

SENATE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS CHAIR JOHN SCHICKEL IS THE PRIME SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 120 WOULD LEGALIZE ELECTRONIC, SLOT-STYLE GAMING DEVICES LET BETTORS WAGER ON PAST HORSE RACES.

THE HORSE INDUSTRY SAYS MORE THAN 1400 JOBS ARE AT STAKE IF HHR BETTING MACHINES ARE LEGALIZED.

BUT CRITICS SAY THE BILL IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AMOUNTS TO A REGRESSIVE TAX ON THE POOR, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE DEMISE OF HORSE RACING.

THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT RULED LAST SEPTEMBER THAT CERTAIN HISTORICAL HORSE RACING GAMES OFFERED AT RACETRACK PARLORS IN THE STATE WERE UNLAWFUL.

SENATOR SCHICKEL SAID HIS BILL FILLS A VOID IN DEFINING PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING TO LET HORSE RACING TRACKS DO WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING FOR A DECADE.

HE MAINTAINS IT'S NOT AN EXPANSION OF GAMBLING.

>> IN FACT, THE INDICATES CAN BE MADE THAT IT LIMITS IT.

AND I BELIEVE THAT.

BECAUSE IF THE PONS OF THIS BILL-- AS THE OPPONENTS HAVE SAID IT IS NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WHICH I VOTED ON YEARS AGO, IN THIS VERY CHAMBER AND IT FAILED.

A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD OPEN UP WIDE OPEN GAMBLING ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

HISTORICAL RACING, WHEN IT STARTED 10 YEARS AGO, I DID NOT TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.

BUT I SOON LEARNED, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE WHICH OVERSEES THOROUGHBRED RACING IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, IT WAS A HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS AND IT'S THE PERFECT FIT.

IT'S NUANCED TO RACETRACKS, IT'S A GAME ABOUT HORSES, CONFINED TO RACETRACKS AND THEIR SATELLITE FACILITIES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, INFUSING NEEDED PURSE MONEY INTO OUR THOROUGHBRED CIRCUIT SO THAT OUR THOROUGHBRED CIRCUIT HAS HAD A REN RENAISSANCE.

WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW STATES WHERE OUR THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY AND OUR HORSE INDUSTRY IS EXPAND #-GZ, NOT SLEEPING, EXPANDING.

>> Renee: SOME WHO CAST A VOTE ON THE BILL REASON THAT IT DOESN'T CLOSE THE DOOR TO FUTURE GAMES OF CHANCE.

AND, ASIDE FROM THE QUESTION OF CONSTITUTIONALITY, REPUBLICAN SENATOR WHITNEY WESTERFIELD SAYS SCHICKEL'S BILL DOES NOTHING TO SECURE LIVE HORSE RACING IN KENTUCKY.

CHURCHILL DOWNS WHICH HAS SEEN EXPONENTIAL GROWTH IN STOCK PRICES OVER THE LAST DECADE BECAUSE OF HISTORICAL HORSE RACING MACHINES.

CHURCHILL OWNS THE BRAND NEW FACILITY IN CHRISTIAN COUNTY, THE HOME DISTRICT OF WESTERFIELD, WHERE WORKERS EARN AN AVERAGE OF 11-DOLLARS AN HOUR.

>> BUT THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS BILL THAT GUARANTEES THOSE PEOPLE GET TO BENEFIT FROM THIS MONEY.

THERE IS NO LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL ANYWHERE THAT GUARANTEES THE PURSES ARE GOING TO GO UP AT ALL.

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE, THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS BILL THAT SAYS LIVE RACING IS PROTECTED AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE LIVE RACING IS KEPT AROUND.

AS IT IS, THESE TRACKS EXIST FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR CASINO FLOORS AND THESE SLOT MACHINES.

THEY HAVE FIVE OR SIX RACE DAYS A YEAR.

GAMING IN ALL ITS FORMS IS PREDATORY AND BAD PUBLIC POLICY.

IT'S AN INDUSTRY PREDICATED ON THE LOSSES OF ITS PATRONS.

THERE IS NO EQUAL BARGAIN OR CONSIDERATION BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

THERE HAS TO BE A LOSER CONSISTENTLY OR THE INDUSTRY FALLS APART.

YOU JUST HEARD FROM THE SENATOR FROM BOONE.

THEY GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A LOSS SOMEWHERE OR THE INDUSTRY CAN'T SURVIVE, AND FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GET IN BED WITH AN INDUSTRY THAT REQUIRES ITS PEOPLE TO LOSE, FOR THE INDUSTRY TO SUCCEED, I THINK WE ARE DOING OUR PEOPLE A GREAT DISSERVICE.

IT PREYS ON THE POOR, ON THOSE HOPING, HOPING, WISHING THAT THEIR NEXT PLAY IS THE ONE THAT MAKES IT BIG.

>> Renee: SENATOR SCHICKEL SAYS THE AVERAGE BETTER TAKES HOME CLOSE TO 90% OF WHAT THEY ACTUAL BET.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DAMON THAYER WHO WORKED AT RACETRACKS IN MICHIGAN, OHIO AND MARYLAND BEFORE COMING TO KENTUCKY SAYS WORKING IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY WAS A LIFELONG DREAM OF HIS.

THAYER SAYS OPPOSITION ARGUMENTS TRY TO DIVERT FROM THE REAL ISSUE AT HAND.

>> PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT RACE STATES GOING AWAY.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, Mr. PRESIDENT, SINCE THE ADDITION OF HISTORICAL HORSE RACING MACHINES, RACETRACKS IN KENTUCKY HAVE ADDED RACE DAYS.

CHURCHILL DOWNS RUNS A MEET IN SEPTEMBER THAT 10 YEARS AGO THEY DID NOT.

MORE RACING BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE MARKETPLACE WANTS.

WE ARE ON THE CUSP BECAUSE OF THE RISE IN PURSES DRIVEN BY HHR WAGERING, IS MAKING US THE BEST CIRCUIT IN NORTH AMERICA.

TOO EXPENSIVE TO DO BUSINESS IN NEW YORK BECAUSE OF WORKER'S COMPENSATION RATES SKYROCKETING.

POLITICAL PROBLEMS IN CALIFORNIA.

WE HAVE A CIRCUIT THAT HAS MOVED JUST BEYOND THE TWO MEETS AT KEENELAND AND KENTUCKY DERBY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS TO A YEAR ROUND CIRCUIT, AND OUR STANDARDBRED BRED INDUSTRY IS ON THE REBOUND TOO AT THE RED MILE AND OAK GROVE AND WITH THE NEW TRACK SCHEDULED TO BE BUILT IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY.

AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN PURSES, Mr. PRESIDENT.

>> Renee: PURSES, THE WINNINGS DISTRIBUTED TO THE WINNING HORSES, OWNERS, TRAINERS AND JOCKEYS, SAYS THAYER-- HAS INCREASED BY $46 MILLION OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD BECAUSE OF THE HISTORICAL HORSE RACING MACHINES AT THE TRACKS.

LEITCHFIELD REPUBLICAN STEPHEN MEREDITH VOTED AGAINST LEGALIZING THE SLOT-STYLE BETTING DEVICES.

HE SAYS THE PROPOSITION SHOULD SERVE AS A WAKE-UP CALL TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT GENERATING MORE STATE REVENUE.

A PROPONENT FOR CONSUMPTION BASED TAXES, HE BELIEVES THOSE WHO ASSAIL CONSUMPTION BASED TAXES BECAUSE THEY CONSIDER THEM TAXES ON THE POOR SHOULD ALSO REJECT NOTIONS TO MAKE ELECTRONIC GAMING DEVICES LEGAL ON THE SAME GROUNDS.

>> THE BIGGEST ARGUMENT I GET AGAINST THAT, IT'S A REGRESSIVE TAX.

REALLY?

YOU ONLY PAY IT IF YOU MAKE A DECISION ABOUT SOMETHING YOU ARE GOING TO PURCHASE.

BUT IT PUTS EVERYBODY IN THE GAME, GETS EVERYBODY THE SAME RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP FUND GOVERNMENT.

AND SURE, WE CAN MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR THE MOST POOR IN THE WORLD, IF THIS BILL PASSES TODAY, DON'T EVER COME TO ME AGAIN AND SAY WE CAN'T DO CONSUMPTION-BASED TAX BECAUSE IT HURTS POOR PEOPLE.

THIS HURTS POOR PEOPLE.

>> Renee: ALL DEMOCRATS PRESENT VOTED FOR SENATE BILL 120.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS MORGAN MCGARVEY AND REGINALD THOMAS SAY THEY WELCOME CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TAX REFORM TO HELP THOSE LIVING IN THE MARGINS AND SAY A VOTE TO LEGALIZE HISTORICAL HORSE RACING DOESN'T DIMINISH THEIR GOAL TO LIFT MORE KENTUCKIANS OUT OF POVERTY.

AND, MCGARVEY CONTENDS THAT THE PROBLEMS FORECASTED FROM HISTORICAL HORSE RACING HAVEN'T BORNE OUT.

AGAIN, HISTORICAL HORSE RACING HAS BEEN HERE FOR 10 YEARS.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO END GENERATIONAL POVERTY.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR A TAX STRUCTURE THAT IS MORE FAIR THAN THE ONE WE HAVE RIGHT NOW ON OUR WORKING POOR.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS BILL.

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THE TAX STRUCTURE IS FAIR ON HISTORICAL HORSE RACING.

AND I THINK WEIGH NEED TO GENERATE MORE REVENUE FROM IT THAN IS CURRENTLY BEING GENERATED.

IF YOU WERE TO DRAW MY DISTRICT AND TRY TO PUT A PIN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DISTRICT, YOU WOULD HIT THE RED MILE RIGHT THERE IN LEXINGTON.

AND THE RED MILE PRODUCES 300 JOBS IN FAYETTE COUNTY AND OVER $9 MILLION IN TAXABLE REVENUE.

THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

THAT REVENUE FEEDS A LOT OF FAMILIES, TAKES CARE OF A LOT OF CHIRP, PUTS FOOD ON A LOT OF TABLES, BUILDS A LOT OF HOME.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY WHERE I GREW UP, WHERE I WAS RAISED.

AND, YOU KNOW, I HEAR A LOT IN THIS CHAMBER ABOUT PRODUCING JOBS AND STRESSING OUR ECONOMY.

AND I BELIEVE, AT LEAST I TRY TO BE CONSISTENT IN MY VIEW POINT.

AND IF WE ARE GOING TO BE CONSISTENT AND SAY WE WANT TO PROMOTE JOBS AND PROMOTE OUR ECONOMY, THEN THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO DO IT.

>> Renee: AFTER ABOUT 90 MINUTES OF FLOOR COMMENTARY, SENATE BILL 120 ADVANCED FROM THE SENATE, 22 TO 15.

THE HOUSE HAS ALREADY ASSIGNED THE MEASURE TO GET A COMMITTEE HEARING TOMORROW MORNING AT 8AM.

KET WILL HAVE COVERAGE OF THAT HOUSE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS COMMITTEE, WHERE THE BILL WILL BE HEARD, ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL AND ONLINE AT KET.ORG >> THE KENTUCKY HOUSE PASSED A HANDFUL OF BILLS TODAY, AMONG THEM, HOUSE BILL 50 DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH PARITY WHEN IT COMES TO INSURANCE COVERAGE.

HERE'S THE BILL'S SPONSOR, KIM MOSER WITH AN EXPLANATION.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DOES ORDERS ARE OFTEN TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS ABOUT I INSURERS BUT THERE IS NO HEALTHCARE WITHOUT MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

THIS DISPARITY IN TREATMENT CAUSES HARM.

MANY PEOPLE GO WITHOUT TREATMENT FOR YEARS WITH DISPARITIES WORSENING BY THE THE DAY.

THERE IS AN AVERAGE DELAY OF 11 YEARS BETWEEN THE ONSET OF TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS SYMPTOMS AND THE TIME THAT MOST PEOPLE ACCESS CARE.

EVERY DAY SIX PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY DIE FROM DRUG OVERDOSES AND SUICIDE.

RECENT REPORTS REVEAL THAT THERE ARE WORSENING DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO CARE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS BECAUSE THERE IS A DISPARITY OR UNEQUITY IN THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES, OUT OF NETWORK USE, AND SPENDING ON MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COMPARED TO OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS.

MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS THE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT THAT COULD SAVE THEIR LIVES.

SO HOUSE BILL 50 WOULD STRENGTHEN THE KENTUCKY'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEDERAL MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT WHICH WAS SIGNED INTO LAW OCTOBER 3, 2008, BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH.

IT REQUIRES THAT MEDICAL NECESSITY CRITERIA, NON-QUANTITATIVE TREATMENT LIMITATIONS, EVIDENTIARY STANDARDS AND ANY OTHER PROCESS OR REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY INSURERS CAN NO MORE RESTRICTIVE MORE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE CONDITIONS THAN ANY OTHER HEALTH CONDITION.

>> Renee: WITHOUT DEBATE HOUSE BILL 50 CLEARED THE HOUSE 95-0 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

>> STUDIES SHOW THAT EDUCATION AND JOB SKILLS CAN KEEP FELONY OFFENDERS FROM GETTING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE LAW AGAIN.

A HOUSE MEASURE IS SEEKING TO REMOVE AN EDUCATIONAL BARRIER BY ALLOWING THOSE WITH A FELONY CONVICTION TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR KEES MONEY, WHICH AWARDS MONEY FOR COLLEGE BASED ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

KEES STANDS KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP, AND CURRENT LAW MAKES THOSE WITH FELONY RECORDS INELIGIBLE FOR THOSE FUNDS.

SUPPORTERS WHO TESTIFIED IN FAVOR HOUSE BILL 25 THIS MORNING SAY THE MEASURE IS ABOUT MORE THAN SUCCESSFUL RE-ENTRY, BUT ALSO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVE KILLIAN TIMONEY CALLS THE MEASURE A "COMPASSION AND EMPATHY" BILL.

>> AS A 22-YEAR PUBLIC EDUCATOR, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR ALMOST SA YEARS OF 15 YEARS OF THAT TIME.

AND UNLIKE PROBABLY EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, I MADE A FEW MISTAKES WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M SURE THAT I'M TOM ONE THAT MADE A FEW MISTAKES.

I'M SURE YOU ALL WHY EXCELLENT STUDENTS.

I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I WAS NOT AND MY PARENTS CAN ATTEST TO THAT, ALSO.

BUT BASICALLY WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT RESTATES KEES MONEY THAT STUDENTS HAVE EARNED.

IT REMOVES THE TERM FELON FROM THE LAW.

AND BASICALLY, IN SUMMARY, IF A STUDENT COMMITS A FELONY, THEY'RE DISQUALIFIED FROM USING THEIR KEES MONEY FOR HIGHER ED AND THE KEY PIECE THERE IS BY REMOVING THE TERM, WE ARE REMOVING AN OBSTACLE.

>> Renee: THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN LOUISVILLE IS RALLYING BEHIND HOUSE BILL 25.

CHARLES AULL, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AT GREATER LOUISVILLE INC AND METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THE BILL IS WIDENS ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE RE-ENTERING SOCIETY AND DESIRING A SECOND CHANCE AND CAN HELP IMPROVE KENTUCKY'S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION - WHICH HAS SUFFERED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> I DO WANT TO ADD AS WELL, THIS BILL PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT THING FOR THE GREATER LOUISVILLE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

IT'S ALWAYS KEY FOR US TO KEEP IN MIND THAT OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS HAD A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON BLACK KENTUCKIANS AND TO THAT WEND, WE HAVE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS EQUITABLE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND WE THINK THIS BILL WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARD ACCOMPLISHING THESE GOALS.

>> Renee: THE SMART ON CRIME COALITION MADE UP OF THE ACLU, CLERGY, BUSINESS INTERESTS, CIVIL RIGHTS AND CHILD ADVOCATES SUPPORTS HOUSE BILL 25.

AMANDA HALL WHO NOW WORKS FOR THE ACLU OF KENTUCKY IS ONE OF THE 300,000 KENTUCKIANS WHO HAVE A FELONY RECORD.

SHE'S BEEN IN RECOVERY FOR 8 YEARS.

SHE SPOKE OF THE BARRIERS INCARCERATION POSES TO REBUILDING LIVES, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO EMPLOYMENT, AND HOW REPRESENTATIVE TIMONEY'S MEASURE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN I DECIDED I WANT TOED TO GO BACK TO COLLEGE TO PURSUE A SOCIAL WORK DEGREE.

I WAS FILLED WITH DOUBT BUT I REMEMBER HOW MUCH I LOVED SCHOOL GROWING NEWSPAPER EASTERN KENTUCKY.

I WANTED TO BE THE FIRST PERSON IN MY FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

BUT ADDICTION AND INCARCERATION STOLE THAT DREAM.

BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME.

WHEN I DECIDED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, I WAS LIVING IN A HOMELESS SHELTER, DEPENDENT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND WORKING THREE PART-TIME JOBS.

I KNEW MY BACKGROUND WOULD SCARE EMPLOYERS AWAY AND MIGHT PUSH COLLEGE OUT OF MY REACH, BUT I FOUGHT TO GET ACCEPTED INTO COLLEGE AND I'M ONE EFFORT LUCKY ONES.

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND THEN MY JOURNEY BEGAN.

HOUSE BILL 25 WILL GIVE EVEN MORE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> Renee: WITHOUT DISSENT, HOUSE BILL 25 THAT KEEPS THOSE WITH A FELONY CONVICTION FROM BEING INELIGIBLE FOR KEES MONEY CLEARED THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE.

>> LAST SPRING, AFTER THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR ALLOWED RESTAURANTS AND BARS TO SELL ALCOHOL "TO GO."

DRINKS HAD TO BE IN SEALED CONTAINERS, AND THEY COULD ONLY BE SOLD WITH MEALS.

THE GOAL WAS TO HELP THOSE BUSINESSES AS THEY STRUGGLED FINANCIALLY BECAUSE OF LOCKDOWNS AND REDUCED CAPACITY.

NOW, SENATE BILL 67 WOULD MAKE THOSE EXECUTIVE ACTIONS PERMANENT.

THE SENATE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THE BILL TODAY, WITH SENATOR DAMON THAYER SAYING HE DISAGREED WITH MANY OF THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS, BUT NOT THIS ONE.

>> DURING THESE UNFORTUNATE AND MISGUIDED LOCK DOWNS OF RESTAURANTS DURING THE PANDEMIC, LOCK DOWNS THAT HAVE BEEN ENACTED DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO STATISTICAL EVIDENCE THAT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS OCCURS IN RESTAURANTS, THE COCKTAILS TO GO EXECUTIVE ORDER IS THE ONE THING THAT HAS HELPED MANY OF THESE PLACES STAY IN BUSINESS BECAUSE IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMICS OF RUNNING A RESTAURANT, YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A HIGHER PROFIT MARGIN ON DRINKS, BOTH ALCOHOLIC AND NON-ALCOHOLIC THAN THERE IS ON FOOD.

SO I KNOW THAT MANY OF THE RESTAURANTS THAT REMAIN OPEN CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THIS AS A LIFELINE AND I WANT TO COMPLIMENT THE CHAIRMAN FOR HIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

>> RENEE: REGGIE THOMAS OF LEXINGTON DEFENDED THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS - SAYING THEY SAVED LIVES.

>> UNLIKE MY GOOD FRIEND SENATOR THAYER, I DO THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB WITH HIS WISDOM AND HIS, JUST, COUNSEL IN LOOKING AT THE SCIENCE AND SAVING KENTUCKIAN LIVES AS I'VE SAID COUNTLESS TIMES AND WILL SAY COUNTLESS TIMES MORE.

WHEN YOU COMPARE KENTUCKY TO THE REST OF THE SOUTHERN STATES, WE HAVE DONE AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB IN SAVING LIVES AND REDUCING CASES.

IN MY HOMETOWN OF LEXINGTON TODAY, THERE IS A HEADLINE THAT SHOWS WE HAVE THE FEWEST CASES NOW.

I ATTRIBUTE THAT TO THE FACT THAT UNDER GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S LEADERSHIP, WE ARE IN THE TOP NINE STATES, LET ME REPEAT THIS TODAY.

WE ARE IN THE TOP NINE STATES OF VACCINATING CITIZENS IN THE STATE IN THIS COUNTRY.

I MEAN THAT'S TREMENDOUS.

>> Renee: THE SENATE LICENSING AND OCCPUATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVED THE ALCOHOL TO-GO MEASURE AND IT NOW AWAITS ACTION BY THE FULL SENATE MEMBERSHIP.

>> IN OTHER COMMITTEE ACTION· KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY JIM GRAY IS DIRECTING KENTUCKY'S COVID VACCINE ROLL-OUT PROJECT AND GAVE A PROGRESS REPORT TO SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE.

GRAY TOLD SENATORS IT'S A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING - UNLIKE ANYTHING AMERICA HAS EVER TRIED - BUT HE SAYS KENTUCKY, SO FAR, IS DOING BETTER THAN MOST OTHER STATES.

>> UPS OFFICIALS HAVE DESCRIBED THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PROJECT AS THE LARGEST SINGLE DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS PROJECT IN WORLD HISTORY.

NOW HOW DOES THAT APPLY?

WELL, THE VACCINE ITSELF, WHICH WAS DESCRIBED AND HAS BEEN, OF COURSE, DESCRIBED AS MODERN MEDICAL MIRACLE, WAS RELEASED SEVEN WEEKS AGO.

AND IN THAT TIME, IN THE LAST FOUR WEEKS PARTICULARLY, ALMOST, AT THE END OF THIS WEEK, ALMOST HALF A MILLION KENTUCKIANS WILL HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

HALF A MILLION REPRESENTS OVER 10% OF OUR POPULATION.

WHERE DOES THAT PUT US VIS-A-VIS IN COMPARISON TO OTHERS?

IT PUTS US AT 18th OR 19th IN THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF OUR TOTAL POPULATION HAVING BEEN VACCINATED.

>> Renee: SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE VACCINE SUPPLY GETTING TO RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

SECRETARY GRAY SAID THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT WORDS ARE: SUPPLY, SUPPLY, SUPPLY.

HE SAYS THE MORE DOSES KENTUCKY GETS, THE MORE EVERYONE BENEFITS.

>> WE ARE NOW GETTING OUR ALLOCATION OF 63,000 A WEEK.

AND PFIZER HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THEY'RE DOUBLING THEIR PRODUCTION CAPACITY.

THEY'VE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO INCREASE, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO ACCELERATE NOT ONLY INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTION RATE, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO ACCELERATE THE 200 MILLION VACCINES THAT THEY SCHEDULED TO DELIVER BY JUNE, THEY'RE GOING TO ACCELERATE IT TO MAY.

SO IF WE CAN LOOK AT, WHICH I'M VERY HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN, LOOK AT AN INCREASE IN OUR VACCINES, LET'S SAY HYPOTHETICALLY, UP TO DOUBLE AND WE ARE GETTING 120,000 A WEEK.

THAT'S ALMOST HALF A MILLION OR A LITTLE HALF A MILLION THEN RIGHT AT IT, A MONTH.

THAT TAKES US MUCH CLOSER TO THE 2.4 MILLION TARGETED NUMBERS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT FOR KENTUCKY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE HERD IMMUNITY.

>> Renee: SECRETARY GRAY SAYS RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE 200 LOCATIONS OFFERING THE COVID VACCINE, INCLUDING REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS, HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, AND PHARMACIES - AND HE EXPECTS THAT NUMBER TO GROW.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MCKENZIE CANTRELL AND OTHER HOUSE DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCED A LEGISLATIVE PLAN TO MODERNIZE THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM.

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, KENTUCKY'S UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN OVERWHELMED WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

A REPORT FROM THE KENTUCKY STATE AUDITOR RELEASED TODAY FOUND THAT THE OFFICE OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ARCHIVED 400,000 EMAILS FROM CLAIMANTS, WHICH REMAINED UNREAD AS OF NOVEMBER 2020.

THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE SEEKS TO EXPAND BENEFITS IN CERTAIN CASES, STRENGTHEN THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND, OPEN MORE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES ACROSS KENTUCKY THAT ARE NO MORE THAN 50 DRIVING MILES AWAY FROM APPLICANTS, AND WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR EMPLOYERS TO REDUCE STAFF HOURS INSTEAD OF RESORTING TO EMPLOYEE RESORTING TO EMPLOYEE LAY-OFFS.

IT ALSO CALLS FOR ALLOWING NEW GROUPS TO QUALIFY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, INCLUDING THOSE WHO LEFT WORK DUE TO ILLNESS OR A NON-WORK RELATED INJURY.

REPRESENTATIVE NIMA KULKARNI'S HOUSE BILL 78 WOULD HELP THOSE WHO LEFT THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF DOMESTIC OR DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ABUSE OR STALKING.

>> HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS HAVE LOST VALUABLE TIME AT WORK DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THEY ENCOUNTERED AN UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM THAT WAS UNABLE TO TIMELY MEET THEIR NEEDS AND PAY THE BENEFITS FOR WHICH THEY WERE QUALIFIED.

I HAVE PERSONALLY CRIED ON THE PHONE WITH MY CONSTITUENTS WHO FEARED LOSING THEIR HOUSING OR HAVING THEIR CAREY POSSESSED.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS TAKEN ACTION TO ENSURE THAT FUNDING FOR THE MUCH NEEDED TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE, TO ENSURE A STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE SYSTEM GOING FORWARD AND THE CLAIMANTS CAN HAVE A BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE AND I HOPE THE FUNDING MAKES IT INTO THE BUDGET THAT THE LEGISLATURE EVENTUALLY PASSES.

THIS BILL, HOWEVER, CREATES A BENEFIT SYSTEM FOR A MODERN WORKFORCE AND TAKES PIECES THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THIS STATE AND IN OTHER STATES THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC SUCH AS WORK SHARING AND MAKES THESE CHANGES PERMANENT AND PREPARES US FOR THE NEXT INEVITABLE DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY WHENEVER IT COMES AND ALLOWS WORKERS WITH INCONSISTENT WORK HISTORIES INCLUDING PART TIME WORKERS TO BETTER QUALIFY FOR BENEFITS AND ALLOWS MORE CONSISTENT EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO A PERMANENT SERVICE CAPACITY UPGRADE TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER SIS SYSTEM THAT IS RELIED ON AND ALLOWS PART TIME CLAIMANTS TO SEEK PART TIME WORK WHICH IS ESPECIALLY BEN BENEFICIAL FOR WOMEN WHO ARE LIKELY TO NEED A PART-TIME JOB LIKE THIS BECAUSE THEY'RE BUSY FEATING SCHOOL AND MONITORING THEIR CHILDREN.

AND TRAINING FOR A NEW PROFESSION RAISES IT TO $100 A WEEK.

BETWEEN 10 AND 50% OF DEVELOP VICTIMS ARE FORCED TO CHANGE OR QUIT THEIR JOBS TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE.

83% OF DEVELOP SURVIVORS REPORTED THEIR ABILITY TO WORK WAS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY AN ABUSIVE PARTNER, INCLUDING TARDINESS, MISSING DAYS OF WORK OR LOSING THEIR JOBS.

UNDER HOUSE BILL 7, BENEFITS ARE CHARGED AGAINST THE STATE'S POOLED ACCOUNT NOT THE EMPLOYER'S ACCOUNT.

WE KNOW THE TECHNOLOGY PART OF IT HAS BEEN A HUGE OBSTACLE IN ANSWERING THE CLAIMS, MAKING SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT CAN RESOLVE THESE ISSUES ITSELF SUCCEEDED ISSUE WOOS VE 50 ADJUDICATORS FOR THE ENTIRE STATE THAT ARE ABLE TO RESOLVE THE CLAIMS AT THE LEVEL THEY HAVE TO BE RESOLVED.

THE ISSUE IS FUNDING FOR BOTH PIECES BECAUSE WE HAVE SEVERAL YEARS OF UNDERSTAFFING THESE OFFICES, SHUTTING DOWN IN-PERSON OFFICES AND THE REPRESENTATIVE IS WORKING ON THAT SPECIFIC ISSUE IN TERMS OF REOPENING IN-PERSON OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT IS CRUCIAL MOVING FORWARD.

>> Renee: THE LOUISVILLE DEMOCRATS ALSO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 240, WHICH WOULD WAIVE DEBTS STEMMING FROM OVERPAYMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, IF THAT OVERPAYMENT WAS DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR, AND NOT FRAUD.

>> THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 12 COVERAGE OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-800-633-9650.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL TO GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHONE OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

AND, YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 PM EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL TIME ON KET FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

TAKE GOOD CARE AND I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.