[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHA THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESUMES ITS 30-DAY SESSION, TOM AS LAWMAKERS DEAL WITH TAX POLICY, EDUCATION FUNDING, AND OTHER KEY ISSUES, THE STATE HOUSE AND SENATE EACH HAVE SOME NEW FACES.

FOR THE FRESHMAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE 2025 SESSION, WE ARE JOINED IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO BY TWO NEW MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, AND TWO NEW MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.

OUR GUESTS TONIGHT STATE SENATOR CRAIG RICHARDSON, A REPUBLICAN FROM HOPKINSVILLE; STATE SENATOR KETURAH HERRON, A DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE; STATE REPRESENTATIVE MITCH WHITAKER, A REPUBLICAN FROM FLEMING-NEON; AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANNE GAY DONWORTH, A DEMOCRAT FROM L WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

YOU CAN SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X — FORMERLY TWITTE -- AT PUB AFFAIRS KET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR USE THE WEB FORM AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G SLASH K-Y TO OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO ALL OUR GUESTS.

ARE YOU READY FOR PART TWO TOMORROW?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YES.

AS READY AS WE CAN BE.

>> Renee: MAYBE NOT AS ENTHUSIASTIC AS I HOPED.

I KNOW YOU ARE TRYING TO CONTAIN YOURSELVES FOR LIVE TELEVISION, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU.

I WILL GO TO SENATOR HERRON SHE IS NOT A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK YOU WERE IN THE HOUSE.

AND DECIDED TO RUN FOR THE SENATE.

I WILL ASK YOU FIRST ABOUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS GOING FORWARD WHEN YOU GO BACK TOMORROW AND THE POSSIBILITY, I THINK YOU COULD BE VOTING ON HOUSE BILL ONE IF NOT TOMORROW SOMETIME THIS WEEK THAT WILL REDUCE THE STATE INCOME TAX ANOTHER HALF PERCENT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT AND PRIORITIES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE GET PUSHED ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US HERE, RENEE.

AND BEFORE WE TOOK A BREAK THE HOUSE DID PASS HOUSE BILL ONE AND WE ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THAT TOMORROW IN THE SENATE.

I WILL SAY TO THIS POINT AT 8:00 I'M NOT SURE HOW I'M GOING TO VOTE ON THAT BILL.

WHEN YOU HAVE TALKED TO CONSTITUENTS IN MY COMMUNITY PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE.

HOWEVER WHEN YOU TALK TO SOME PEOPLE THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE DECREASE AND THE TAXES.

BUT ONE OF THE QUESTIONS REMAINS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT SHORTFALL OF THAT DECREASE IN THE TAXES?

AND I HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN ANSWER FROM THAT.

I DOPTH'S THINK ANYONE KNOWS WHERE THAT REVENUE WILL COME FROM.

TONIGHT I'M STILL NOT SURE HOW I WILL VOTE ON THAT TOMORROW.

BUT I'M EXCITED TO BE BACK.

I MEAN THIS IS AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO SERVE AND TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY THIS SESSION, I WILL CONTINUE TO FILE BILLS RELATED TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND THEN YOU'LL SEE THINGS RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> Renee: WHAT IS IT YOU NEED TO HEAR TO CONVINCE YOU TO VOTE FOR HOUSE BILL ONE?

AND DID YOU VOTE FOR IT THE PREVIOUS TIMES WHEN YOU WERE STATE REPRESENTATIVE?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS WHERE IS THAT REVENUE GOING TO COME FROM.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ISSUES SUCH AS EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH, THERE IS A LOT OF NEEDS AND THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS I'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF E-MAILS FROM FOLKS PARTICULARLY WORKING IN THE JUSTICE CABINET THAT WE DID INCREASE PAY FOR THE NEW FOLKS WHO ARE BEING HIRED IN.

BUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR 20 PLUS YEARS THEY DID NOT GET THAT PAY INCREASE.

THERE'S SOME DISCREPANCIES AMONGST THAT.

SO SHOULD WE DECREASE IS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I STILL HAVE.

>> Renee: WELL, SENATOR RICHARDSON THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

YOU MIGHT GET I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GET THE PRIZE FOR THE FURTHEST DRIVE.

I THINK SO.

>> IT MIGHT BE REPRESENTATIVE WHITAKER.

IT IS NOT A TROPHY I WANT OR NEED.

>> Renee: I UNDERSTAND PROBABLY THAT YOU PROBABLY WILL SUPPORT HOUSE BILL ONE SHOULD IT COME UP TOMORROW.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK REALLY NEEDS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE SHORT SESSION THAT REMAINS?

>> YOU'RE RIGHT, RENEE.

I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS AND IF I COULD GIVE SENATOR HERRON A SALES PITCH BETWEEN NOW AND TOMORROW I WILL.

BUT I DO UNDERSTAND HER CONCERNS.

SO JUST BRIEFLY ON THAT.

I GET THAT.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF THAT IN MY DISTRICT.

BUT I THINK YOU ASKED ME THE QUESTION BECAUSE MY DISTRICT IS DIFFERENT THAN LOUISVILLE.

I AM ON THE 10 TERNE BORDER.

FOR US TO GET TO ZERO IF YOU WALK AROUND CHRISTIAN COUNTY AND DOWNTOWN HOPKINSVILLE OUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OR ADVOCATE THEY HAVE STICKERS THAT SAY GET TO ZERO.

I'M PROUD WHAT WE HAVE DONE WE HAVE DONE IT IN A CALM AND SYSTEMIC APPROACH.

THIS IS A BUSINESS FRIENDLY AND A TAX COGNIZANT APPROACH.

A FRIEND OF MINE SAYS THIS TERM ALL THE TIME THAT WE CAN'T GO AS FAST AS DAEL JUNIOR AT TALLADEGA AND THAT CAN BE SCARY WHEN YOU LOOK AT TAXES.

WE CANNOT GO TO ZERO OVERNIGHT.

OTHER STATES TRIED TO DO THAT AND THEY HAVE FAILED.

I'M PROUD OF THE APPROACH WE'RE TAKING TO BE SYSTEMIC ABOUT IT.

AND, AGAIN, TO ANSWER THE SENATOR'S QUESTIONS OR AT LEAST TO MAYBE PUT AT EASE, I THINK WE SHOULD CONTINUALLY BE MINDFUL OF WAYS TO INCREASE REVENUE, WAYS TO INCREASE GROWTH.

IF WE CONTINUE TO GROW THOSE PROBLEMS FIX THEMSELVES.

AND SO THOSE ARE THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

TO CONTINUE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, IT IS A SHORT SESSION.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN TAUGHT IN A SHORT SESSION YOU CLEAN UP THINGS.

SO THERE ARE THINGS TO CLEAN UP.

WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUE THINGS THAT CAN MAKE ECONOMIC IMPACTS.

I PERSONALLY HAVE A FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL HEALTHCARE.

AS THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE HEALTH COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE I WANT TO FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE POLICIES THAT ARE NOT JUST CREATING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, BUT ACTUALLY CREATING HEALTHY OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: SO TO YOU REPRESENTATIVE DONWORTH WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING WITH YOU RECENTLY A PROFILE ABOUT YOU AND YOU DESCRIBED YOURSELF AS A PROHIBITION DEMOCRAT.

FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, FILL THEM IN?

>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC REALITIES AND WHEN YOU ARE TALKING TO A BUSINESS ABOUT WANTING TO COME AND LOCATE IN KENTUCKY WHICH OBVIOUSLY WE WANT THEM TO DO, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE OFFERING THE RIGHT TAX ENVIRONMENT BUT WE'VE ALSO GOT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE OFFERING AN EDUCATED WORKFORCE AND A PLACE WHERE EMPLOYEES WANT TO LIVE.

THAT INVOLVES INVESTMENT IN HOUSING, OBVIOUSLY IN EDUCATION.

AND IN OUR TECHNICAL SKILLS TRADES TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE EMPLOYEE BASE.

BUT IT REALLY IT MAKES SURE WHEN WE'RE TALKING TO SOMEBODY TRYING TO GET THEM TO MOVE FROM SOMEWHERE LIKE CALIFORNIA, WE WANT THEM TO KNOW WE HAVE GREAT PUBLIC SPACES.

WE HAVE GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.

WE HAVE PARKS.

WE HAVE LIBRARIES.

AND THOSE AMENITIES THAT PEOPLE ARE USED TO.

>> Renee: AND LOW TAXES.

>> AND LOW TAXES.

BUT ALSO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ROADS TO CONNECT TO BUSINESS.

SO MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE PIECES COVERED IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE WHITAKER THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

TELL US ABOUT FLEMING NEON WHY YOU WANTED TO BE AMONG THE MEMBER OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE WILL GET ACCOMPLISHED?

>> IT IS THE MOST RESILL YENTSD TOWN IN THE WORLD IF YOU ASK ME.

WE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC FLOODING A FEW YEARS BACK AND I SAW DURING THAT REBUILDING TIME THE RESILIENCY OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

IT WAS INSPIRING TO SEE US COME BACK IN SUCH A STRONG WAY.

AND THAT WAS A BIG PART OF THE PUSH FOR ME CHOOSING TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

IS I SAW THE DIGNITY THAT THESE PEOPLE HAD AND THE PRIDE THEY HAD IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND I WANTED TO HELP CONTINUE THAT.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE FLOODING, PARTICULARLY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

WE WERE SHORT HOUSING UNITS BEFORE THE FLOOD.

AND THE FLOOD JUST COMPOUNDED THE ISSUE TREMENDOUSLY.

I BELIEVE I SAW THAT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY IS SHORT 200,000 HOUSING UNITS AND THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT 200,000 PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS BUT IT MEANS THERE ARE PEOPLE LIVING AT HOME WITH THEIR PARENTS THAT WANT TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN HOME BUT CAN'T AFFORD IT.

THERE ARE PARENTS LIVING WITH THEIR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THEIR OWN PLACE.

AND WITH THE RUNAWAY INFLATION THAT WE'RE SEEING IN AND OUT OF THE HOUSING INDUSTRY, AND THE SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO BUILD THE HOUSES, WE NEED TO TAKE STEPS AS A STATE GOVERNMENT TO FIX THAT OR WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE SORT OF ECONOMY WE WANT TO SEE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

BECAUSE HOMES ARE WHERE JOBS GO TO SLEEP.

SO WE NEED HOUSES TO CREATE JOBS.

>> Renee: YEAH.

ON YOUR CAMPAIGN WEBSITE, YOU HAD MENTIONED SOME OF YOUR KEY ISSUES SUCH AS PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, FIGHT BACK AGAINST OUTRAGEOUS UTILITY COSTS.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MITIGATING UTILITY COSTS?

>> WELL, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HAS A LOT OF CONTROL OVER THE RATES THAT ARE CHARGED BY COMPANIES.

IN MY DISTRICT WE'RE LARGELY CONTROLLED BY KENTUCKY POWER.

AND WE'VE SEEN FOR A LONGTIME OUR BILLS GOING UP WITHOUT INCREASE IN THE QUALITY OF SERVICE.

AND I THINK IT'S DOUBLY INSULTING THAT THESE UTILITY COMPANIES MOVING TOWARDS GREEN ENERGY SO QUICKLY THAT ARE PUTTING COAL MINERS OUT OF BUSINESS ARE ALSO STICKING US WITH THE BILL OF THE HIGHER POWER COST.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HAS TO REIN IN THE POWER BILLS WE HAVE.

WE ALSO NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN OUR HOUSING STOCK.

WE HAVE A LOT OF OLD HOMES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THAT COULD USE MODERNIZATION.

MAYBE SOME INVESTMENT ALONG THOSE LINES WOULD BE HELPFUL OR SOME SORT OF INCENTIVE TO MAKE HOMES MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT.

WE'RE EXPLORING A LOT OF AVENUES.

BUT I'LL TELL YOU THE NUMBER ONE MANDATE THAT I HAVE FROM MY CONSTITUENTS IS TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THESE UTILITY RATES BECAUSE WE'RE PAYING MORE THAN ANYBODY.

>> Renee: GIVE US PERSPECTIVE ON THAT.

EVERYONE FEELS THEY ARE PAYING MORE FOR EVERYTHING.

GIVE US NUMBERS WHAT IS TYPICAL FOR AN AVERAGE CUSTOMER FOR POWER IN EASTERN KENTUCKY?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFIC NUMBERS RIGHT OFFHAND BUT I CAN TELL YOU LAST MONTH I SAW MY PERSONAL POWER BILL GO UP ALMOST TWICE AS MUCH.

IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR ME TO SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN A FAMILY OF TWO OR THREE POSTING POWER BILLS OF OVER $600 FOR SMALL HOMES.

IT IS BECOMING A REAL PROBLEM.

>> Renee: WHEN THERE SNTSD'S A ICE STORM OR SNOW?

>> YES.

AND I'M TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND TAX CREDITS THAT AFFECTED THAT.

MY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHY IT'S HAPPENING THEY WANT SOLUTIONS.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN MEDICINE AND THE POWER, THE POWER IS GOING TO GO OFF FOR A FEW DAYS.

A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS OF MINE WHO SAT IN THE DARK FOR DAYS WHILE THEY COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO PAY THEIR POWER BILL.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE IN THE YEAR 2025.

>> Renee: IT'S BEEN SAID ON THIS PROGRAM AND OTHER SPACES THAT 90% PLUS OF THE LEGISLATION THAT YOU ALL WILL PASS HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

CAN YOU THINK OF A MEASURE SENATOR HERRON UPON WHICH YOU WILL MAYBE IT IS NOT HOUSE BILL ONE, WHERE YOU JUST ARE A NO START FROM JUMP?

SY.

>> THAT WOULD COME FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE?

>> YES, I THINK THAT I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT A BILL TO ADDRESS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION THIS YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT BILL IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

IF IT'S ANYTHING LIKE IT WAS LAST YEAR THAT IS A NONSTARTER FOR ME.

AND SO YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT I WOULD ARGUE THAT I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S 90% OF THE BILLS WE ALL AGREE ON BUT FOR MYSELF, I WILL VOTE YES ON A BILL IF I CAN GET TO ABOUT 75 TO 80% THAT I AGREE WITH WHAT'S IN IT.

THAT'S JUST MY PERSONAL -- THE WAY I LEGISLATE, THE WAY I LOOK AT THINGS.

BUT AS FAR AS ANY TYPE OF ANTI-PEOPLE, ANTI-DEI, ANTI-LGBTQ, ANYTHING THAT IS ANTIHUMANS AND PEOPLE, I AM GOING TO BE ABSOLUTELY AGAINST IT.

>> Renee: SENATOR RICHARDSON, DO YOU THINK IN A SHORT SESSION WHERE YOU ONLY HAVE 26 DAYS REMAINING WHEN YOU GO BACK AND THIS WEEK MAY NOT BE AS PRODUCTIVE AS THE WEEKS TO FOLLOW BECAUSE YOU ARE REGAINING YOUR GROOVE THERE SHOULD BE TIME SPENT ON MEASURES LIKE D.E.I.

OR CULTURAL ISSUES WHILE MAYBE IN THE VOTERS MINDS THERE MAYBE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR POWER BILLS GROCERY BILLS AND COST OF LIVING EXPENSES?

WHAT IS THE JUSTIFICATION FOR SPENDING THAT KIND OF TIME ON A BILL LIKE THAT?

>> WELL, I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH TIME WE WILL SPEND I'M NOT SURE WHAT CONVERSATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE.

BUT I'M HAPPY THAT SENATOR HERRON IS HERE BECAUSE HER DISTRICT IS DIFFERENT, AGAIN.

D.E.I.

SPECIFICALLY IS SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AS A CAUCUS.

WHAT BILLS WILL BE FILED AND WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE I'M NOT SURE I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM AND READ THROUGH THEM.

I HOPE WHAT CONVERSATIONS ARE FRUITFUL AND WE GIVE THEM THE TIME THEY DESERVE THAT IS A CONVERSATION THAT DESERVES TIME BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED.

SO I HOPE THAT WE DO SPEND THE TIME TO WORK THROUGH THOSE ISSUES AS AN ENTIRE CHAMBER NOT JUST A CAUCUS.

AS FAR AS WHAT ELSE MAY COME UP I'M NOT SURE.

I DO HOPE WE SPEND THE TIME WE'VE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF BILLS THAT WE HAVE.

SO FAR I THINK WE'RE STICKING TO THAT.

>> Renee: THAT IS WHAT YOUR LEADER SAID LAST WEEK.

>> AND I AGREE WITH OUR FLOOR LEADER MAX WISE.

FOR THE MOST PART OUR CAUCUS IS STICKING TO THAT.

SOME HIT THAT FIVE-BILL THRESHOLD I'M NOT GOING TO BE ONE OF THEM.

I HAVE ROOM TO SELL THOSE SLOTS IF ANYBODY WANTS THEM.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO TAKE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE BIG ISSUES.

BEFORE I GOT IN THE LEGISLATURE, IT WAS TOLD TO ME BY THOSE ON THE OUTSIDE HEY THERE'S SOMETHING THAT CAN ALWAYS SUCK THE AIR OUT OF THE ROOM AND THAT IS NOT A PERSPECTIVE THAT IS HEALTHY T MAY EXIST BUT I DOPTSD'S WANT TO VIEW IT AS SOMETHING SUCKING THE AIR OUT OF THE ROOM I WANT TO VIEW IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EVEN THOUGH WE MAY DISAGREE TO FIND THE COMMON GROUND WITHIN THOSE ISSUES WE CAN AGREE ON AND TRY TO FIND WAYS FORWARD.

>> Renee: BEFORE WE MOVE ON IF YOU CARE TO CHIME IN ON D.E.I.

GO AHEAD?

>> I SAID THIS THE OTHER DAY AND SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT MY BEING PRO BUSINESS DEMOCRAT, AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY YOU LOOK AT DIVERSITY AS A REALLY A BEAUTIFUL AMAZING THING BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE BLIND SPOTS.

AND YOU NEED PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES TO FIGURE WHAT THOSE ARE.

THAT IS THE SAME THING AS A SOCIETY.

IT IS THE SAME THING AS A COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

WE NEED DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

WE NEED PEOPLE FROM ALL DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE WHO BRING DIFFERENT SKILL SETS.

THAT'S REALLY THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL THINGS THAT WE NEED FOR OUR ECONOMY FOR OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH.

AND TO BE ABLE TO LIVE HEALTHY, HAPPY LIVES HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: DID YOU HEAR BECAUSE YOU ARE IN LEXINGTON, SO UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IS IN YOUR BACKYARD, DID YOU HEAR FROM EITHER FACULTY, STUDENTS OR OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY'S D.E.I.

EFFORTS WENT TOO FAR?

>> NO.

AND IN FACT, I HEARD THE OPPOSITE THAT THEY DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

WE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY HAS HAD ASSAULTS ON BLACK STUDENTS.

SEXUAL ASSAULTS.

THE JEWISH COUNCIL OF KENTUCKY I BELIEVE IS WHAT THEY ARE CALLED RELEASED A REPORT OF ANTISEMITIC EPISODES ON UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY'S CAMPUS.

THERE ARE WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO UNTIL WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE PERPETRATING VIOLENCE OR HATRED ON OTHER PEOPLE THEN THERE'S D.E.I.

WORK TO BE DONE.

>> Renee: YOUR TAKE ON THIS Mr. WHITAKER?

>> I ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY NOT TOO LONG AGO WAS A MILLENNIAL I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE D.E.I.

COLLEGIATE ATMOSPHERE.

I JUST DON'T BELIEVE IT IS ACHIEVING WHAT IT'S SETTING OUT TO ACCOMPLISH.

I THINK IT'S BEEN A FAILURE.

I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU TELL STUDENTS THERE ARE THESE FORCES AT PLAY THAT ARE SO LARGE THAT THEY CAN'T DEFEAT THEM THEY ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE OPPRESSED BY A SYSTEM, YOU KNOW DON'T BE SURPRISED WHEN THEY GIVE UP.

AND ALSO, I CAN TELL YOU AS AN EASTERN KENTUCKY STUDENT COMING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I WAS EVER GETTING THAT SAME LEVEL OF ATTENTION FOR INCLUSION AS OTHER STUDENTS DID.

WE FELT VERY LEFT OUT AS A GROUP.

I'VE SUFFERED DISCRIMINATION AS AN EASTERN KENTUCKIAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY.

IT HAPPENS.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THESE INITIATIVES HAVE THEM INCLUDE EVERYBODY ACROSS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

BUT OVERALL, I THINK OUR UNIVERSITIES NEED TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION MORE THAN INDOCTRINATION.

AND THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON THAT OVER EVERYTHING ELSE AND UNTIL THEY CAN GET THAT REALLY GOOD, THAT SHOULD BE THEIR FOCUS.

>> Renee: TO TAKE A TOUGH PIVOT FROM THAT TOPIC TO THIS WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SALARY COMPRESSION OR ELUDED TO EARLIER AND THIS COME FROM SEAN CROW FOR THE LAST TWO TO THREE YEARS STATE EMPLOYEES HAVE HEARD THE LEGISLATURE SAY THEY ARE WAITING ON A PERSONNEL STUDY.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY ARE THEY WAITING TO SEE IN THE REPORT?

PERSONNEL HAS GIVEN THEM INFORMATION AND A PLAN TO ADDRESS COMPENSATION WE'VE KNOWN WHAT THE PROBLEM IS FOR YEARS AND THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE.

WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR THEM TO FIX IT.

END QUOTE.

WHO WANTS TO TAKE THAT?

>> I WILL DEFER TO THE RETURNING .

>> BECAUSE YOU WERE A PART OF THAT CONVERSATION IN THE HOUSE.

>> I DON'T KNOW SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE STUDY IS.

BUT I MEAN I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WE NEED TO STUDY IT IF IT IS KNOWN THAT CURRENT EMPLOYEES HAVEN'T GOTTEN RAISES.

AND I MEAN THAT'S JUST WHAT IT IS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COST OF INFLATION, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PAYING OUR EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MOST OF THESE EMPLOYEES ARE WORKING FOR TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH.

SO YOU CANNOT EXPECT PEOPLE TO PROVIDE GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE TO KENTUCKIANS AND THE GREATEST NEED AND THEY ARE NOT GETTING COMPENSATED OR THEY ARE CONCERNED OR WORRIED ABOUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY THEIR BILLS.

SO I AGREE WITH WHOEVER ASKED THAT QUESTION THAT WEIGH NEED TO DO SOMETHING AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON INCREASING THE PAY FOR OUR STATE WORKERS.

>> Renee: AND LAST WEEK WE DISCUSSED THIS WITH SOME LEADERS WHO SAID THE PERSONNEL CABINET DELIVERED INFORMATION IT WAS NOT AS THOROUGH FOR THEM TO CHART A PATH FORWARD.

ANY COMMENTS YOU HAVE ABOUT SALARY COMPRESSION?

TO DA FINE THAT WHEN NEWER EMPLOYEES ARE MAKING AS MUCH OR MORE THAN THOSE WHO HAVE A LEGACY THERE AT THE INSTITUTION?

>> I'M THINKING ABOUT TWO THINGS.

ONE IT IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND FORCED TO ADDRESS AND TO THAT POINT, AS WE LOOK INTO THAT SPECIFIC ASPECT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES, WHO IS COMING TO THE OFFICE TO WORK?

ESPECIALLY IN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE PRODUCTION, MORE FRUITFUL GAINS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH WHEN EVERYBODY CAN GET BACK TO WORK.

>> Renee: NO REMOTE WORK?

>> I AM OPPOSED TO IT.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE OUR BUILDINGS IN FRANKFORT AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE FILLED AGAIN WITH THOSE EMPLOYEES GETTING TO WORK.

BUT TO THIS POINT, IF THEY ARE GETTING TO WORK THE WAGES NEED TO BE THERE AS WELL.

BUT IF THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO COME TO WORK.

>> Renee: AND TO A POINT THAT MAYBE REPRESENTATIVE DONWORTH MADE EARLIER ABOUT TRESSING TO GET MORE -- TRYING TO GET MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS A PASSION OF YOURS AND ALLOWING PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN DIFFERENT STATES TO WORK IN KENTUCKY THEY HAVE TO DO THAT REMOTELY.

DO YOU MEAN TO GO THAT FAR?

>> THERE IS AN ADVANTAGE WITH REMOTE WORK.

MY WIFE AND I BOTH WORK-FROM-HOME.

BUT THOSE THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO WORK IN THEIR OFFICE AND TO COLLABORATE WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES, ESPECIALLY IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT, THEY NEED TO BE THERE.

I THINK THERE'S MORE VALUE IN THAT.

THAT IS NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL ISSUE.

PRIVATE COMPANIES CAN BE A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBLE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT IF THEY ARE PRODUCTIVE IN DOING SO AND SOME COMPANIES HAVE STLUT THEY'VE PROVEN THEY CAN DO THAT.

AND IF WE CAN GET THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST TO WORK IN THE COMMONWEALTH WHERE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR BUT THEY DON'T LIVE HERE, WELL, I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THAT IF THEY DON'T LIVE HERE AND WANT TO WORK HERE REMOTE IS FINE.

THE PRIVATE.

>> Renee: SHOULD THERE BE A STATE LAW SAYING ALL STATE WORKERS SHOULD BE IN OFFICE BUILDINGS SOMEWHERE AND NOT WORKING FROM HOME.

DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE A LAW?

>> I WOULD HATE TO THROW OUT WE NEED A STUDY BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

>> Renee: YOU ARE ALREADY CATCHING ON.

>> I DON'T WANT TO DO A STATE STUDY LIKE THE COMMENT SAID AND I APPRECIATE THE COMMENT I DON'T WANT TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

BUT A QUICK LOOK TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF AN INVESTIGATIVE GROUP TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND FIND OUT IS THIS SOMETHING THAT ADDS VALUE TO BRING EVERYBODY BACK AND I THINK WE CAN FIND THAT OUT.

>> Renee: AND IF THERE'S PRODUCTIVITY GAPS.

BECAUSE PERHAPS MAYBE IN SOME PLACES THEY ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE REMOTELY.

>> IF THE DATA SHOWS THEY ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE WORKING REMOTELY.

I'M BEHIND THAT.

>> Renee: WE CAN SEE YOU FILING A BILL COMMISSIONING A TASK FORCE.

>> I HAVE NO PROBLEM LEADING THAT.

>> I WANTED TO POINT OUT THERE'S HEALTHY DISAGREEMENT WITHIN OUR CAUCUS AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES.

I DON'T BELIEVE A MOVE AWAY FROM REMOTE WORK IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MY CONSTITUENTS.

BECAUSE CURRENTLY A LOT OF STATE EMPLOYEES ARE FOCUSED IN FRANKFORT AREA IF YOU WANT TO WORK IN STATE GOVERNMENT YOU HAVE TO MOVE TO FRANKFORT.

PEOPLE IN FLEMING NEON CAN WORK FOR FRANKFORT.

SO I UNDERSTAND THAT WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT PRODUCTIVITY IN THOSE WORKERS.

BUT I'M HESITANT TO SAY WE NEED TO COMPLETELY SHIFT FROM THAT.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF GOOD COME OUT OF THIS.

THROUGH THE SHIFTS WE'VE SEEN SINCE COVID WITH THE REMOTE WORK AND I BELIEVE WE CAN TAP INTO TALENT IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT THAT PERHAPS WE WOULDN'T OTHERWISE IF WE ONLY ALLOW IT TO BE PEOPLE WITHIN COMMUTING DISTANCE OF FRANKFORT.

>> Renee: A DIFFERENT D.E.I.

IF YOU WILL, DIFFERENT INCLUSION AREA METHOD?

GEOGRAPHICALLY.

>> IN THE TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD, YES.

>> I THINK REALLY MY MANAGERIAL STYLE HAS BEEN AS LONG AS THE WORK IS GETTING DONE DOES IT MATTER WHERE?

AND I WAS ONE WHO WORKED IN AN OFFICE 40 PLUS HOURS A WEEK UNTIL THE PANDEMIC HIT AND I STARTED WORKING FROM HOME.

AND I MIGHT NOT HAVE WORKED 40 CONSECUTIVE HOURS, I WORKED FAR MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS A DAY AND I WOULD BE UP UNTIL 2:00 A.M. AFTER HAVING DONE NTI WITH MY KIDS WHICH IS ANOTHER CONVERSATION.

BUT I STILL GOT THE JOB DONE AND I MADE EVERY MEETING I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO.

AND I HEAR YOU SENATOR RICHARDSON ABOUT THE VALUE OF COLLABORATION.

THERE IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR THAT.

AND WHAT WE HEARD TODAY WE DID A TOUR OF SOME OF THE EXECUTIVE CABINETS TODAY.

AND ONE OF THEM MENTIONED THEY HAVE MANDATORY DAYS IN THE OFFICE TWO DAYS A WEEK AND THE OTHER DAYS ARE UP TO THE EMPLOYEES WHETHER THEY ARE WORKING IN THE OFFICE OR REMOTELY.

AND I THINK THAT MODEL GIVES REALLY GREAT FLEXIBILITY FOR TO HAVE THOSE SESSION TO HAVE THAT TIME WHEN YOU ARE IN THE OFFICE AND CAN LEARN FROM YOUR PEERS.

WE ALSO HAVE REALLY GREAT SOFTWARE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO COLLABORATE REMOTELY.

THINK ABOUT WAYS THAT YOU CAN I WORKED FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM IT WASN'T VERY SMART TO GO HAVE MEETINGS AT A BRANCH AND PULL PEOPLE OFF THE FLOOR FROM EVERY 6 LOCATIONS TO HAVE A MEETING FOR AN HOUR THAT WOULD TAKE TWO HOURS BY THE TIME YOU TRAVELED AND GOT THERE.

WHEN YOU BRING IN THAT TELECONFERENCING SOFTWARE WHAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN TWO HOURS IT TAKES 30 MINUTES.

>> Renee: IS IT AN ISSUE OF WORKER RETENTION.

>> IT'S HUGE.

>> Renee: AND PEOPLE HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS WHERE THEY CAN WORK AND PERHAPS WHEN.

>> THAT WAS THE OTHER PIECE WE HEARD TODAY IS PEOPLE FROM ONE CABINET IN PARTICULAR, KEPT LOSING THEIR TOP EMPLOYEES TO THE CLIENTS THEY WERE SERVING THE BUSINESSES THEY WERE SERVING.

AND THAT IS A PROBLEM THAT GOES BACK TO THE COMPRESSION RATES AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY THE EMPLOYEES WHAT THEY ARE WORTH ON THE OPEN MARKET.

AND THAT MEANS THAT WE LOSE A LOT OF THE TALENTS.

>> Renee: A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FROM A VIEWER.

WITH WHAT IS OCCURRING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, PARENTHESES TARIFFS, WHY MOVE SO FAST TO REDUCE INCOME TAX REVENUE AND I WILL MOVE ON TO THE SECOND QUESTION THE VIEWER ASKS.

>> WELL, I THINK, AGAIN, WE'RE MOVING AT THE PACE THAT IS RIGHT FOR KENTUCKY.

THAT WE'RE NOT TRYING TO MATCH ANY OTHER STATE OR THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

I DO UNDERSTAND THERE'S PROBABLY CONCERNS ABOUT THE TARIFFS.

AND I THINK AS A GENERAL ASSEMBLY WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE COMMONWEALTH FIRST AND FOREMOST AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO HOPEFULLY NOT BE REACTIVE BUT PROACTIVE IN OUR FINANCIAL AND FISCAL OBLIGATIONS TO THE STATE.

BUT I THINK THE PACE IN WHICH WE'RE MOVING RIGHT NOW, IS THE FISCAL AND RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO BE PROACTIVE AND SAFEGUARD OUR SEFTION FROM ANYTHING THAT MAY HAPPEN.

>> AND ITH THAT THAT QUESTION THERE, KIND OF ANSWERS SOME OF THE QUESTIONS FOR ME AS TO IS THIS A SMART MOVE WHEN WE STARTED ORIGINALLY TALKING ABOUT LOWERING THE INCOME TAX WE DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN INCREASE IN TARIFFS THAT CONVERSATION AS FAR AS LOWERING THE INCOME TAX HAS BEEN HAPPENING AND HERE WE ARE AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TAX BURDEN ON KENTUCKIANS THAT IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL.

AND SO IT'S THOSE THINGS LIKE THAT THAT JUST MAKE ME CAUTIOUS AS TO LIKE WHAT IS THIS REALLY MEAN FOR THE EVERYDAY KENTUCKIAN.

BUT YOU KNOW WHEN I A YEAR AGO, I WAS AT THE GAS STATION AND A YOUNG MAN ASKED WHO I WAS I HAD ON MY STATE REP PIN AND I TOLD HIM AND HE SAID THANK YOU FOR LOWERING MY INCOME TAX.

HE WAS THANKFUL FOR THAT.

HE WAS PROBABLY IN HIS EARLY 20s.

BUT THEN WHEN YOU HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER FOLKS LIKE THE PERSON WHO ASKED THE QUESTION IT'S LIKE WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN IN THE LONG-TERM, ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHER THINGS ARE COMPOUNDED ON THAT WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER.

>> I'LL SAY RIGHT NOW YOUR ONTARIO COME TAX REDUCTION IS PUTTING MORE MONEY BACK IN OUR POCKETS AND WE CAN'T CONTROL FEDERAL TARIFFS AS MUCH AS I SAID WE WANT TO BE PROACTIVE AND NOT REACTIVE WE WILL HAVE TO BE REACTIVE TO SOMETHING THAT MAY HAVE AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE TO US.

WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IS IN A MUCH BETTER ECONOMIC AND INDIVIDUAL ECONOMIC POSITION THAN WHERE WE WERE REGARDLESS OF IF THERE WERE GOING TO BE TARIFFS OR NOT.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT MAY HAVE BEEN TRUE THREE WEEKS AGO AND I VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE TAX CUT.

I QUESTION THAT NOW.

THE UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE AS A COMMONWEALTH RELY VERY HEAVILY ON FEDERAL FUNDING.

ESPECIALLY FOR OUR EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS.

AND IF WE DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT MONEY COMING THROUGH FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE NEED TO HAVE EVEN MORE OF AN EMERGENCY FUND BUILT UP WHILE WE SORT THROUGH THE UNCERTAINTY.

AND MY FLOOR SPEECH ON THE INCOME TAX THING WAS NOT AN I OPPOSE THE INCOME TAX.

IT WAS A WE NEED TO WAIT-AND-SEE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE COVID RELIEF MONEY, THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, ARPA CARES AND NOW TO SAY WAIT WE MIGHT NOT HAVE THESE OTHER ONGOING LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS REALLY SCARY TO ME.

>> Renee: DOES ANY OF THAT GIVE YOU PAUSE OR MAKE YOU SECOND-GUESS YOUR SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL ONE?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

SINCE WE STARTED LOWERING THE STATE INCOME TAX, WE HAVE PUT AN EXTRA $4 BILLION IN THE POCKETS OF KENTUCKY WORKERS.

WE CAN'T CONTROL WHAT QUOS ON IN A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL AS POLICYMAKERS HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

BUT WE CAN LOWER YOUR INCOME TAXES AND PUTTED MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET.

I'VE BEEN AGAINST PENALIZING WORKING AND I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT INCOME TAX DOES IT PENALIZES YOU FOR GOING OUT AND MAKING A LIVING.

NO, I'M VERY CONFIDENT IN WHAT I DID I WAS HAPPY TO COSPONSOR HOUSE BILL ONE.

AND I WOULD CERTAINLY DO IT AGAIN BECAUSE EVEN THE HOUSEHOLD LEVEL, YOU CAN'T CONTROL WHAT IS GOING ON INTERNATIONAL.

BUT YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR SPENDING AT HOME SO I LIKE THE MOVE TOWARDS A SALES TAX PERSONALLY.

BECAUSE THE THINGS WE'VE PUT SALES TAX ON ARE LUXURIES.

WE ARE NOT TAXING GROCERIES AND MEDICINE.

WE'RE TAXING I SAW PRIVATE MAIL ROOMS IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TAXING.

THE AVERAGE HUMAN DOES NOT HAVE A PRIVATE MAIL ROOM TO WORRY ABOUT.

OUR TAX CUTS IS A REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY HAVE PUT MONEY INTO THE POCKET OF PEOPLE WHO CAN CONTROL BEST WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO SPEND THAT MONEY.

>> Renee: AND WHERE ELSE DO YOU THINK THE SERVICES SHOULD BE EXPANDED OR THE SALES TAX SHOULD BE APPLIED TO THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE NOT TAXING?

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DISCUSS THAT.

THAT IS THE HARD TRUST MOVING TRUTH TOWARD MOVING TOWARDS A ZERO PERCENT INCOME TAX WE HAVE TO EXPAND TAXES FOR EVERYTHING ELSE.

I'M STRONGLY PERSONALLY AGAINST TOUCHING MEDICINE AND GROCERIES.

BUT WE'LL DISCUSS THE OTHER OPTIONS AS THAT ARISESES.

RIGHT NOW WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US THE SENATE HAS TO DECIDE ON ISN'T RAISING TAXES ON ANYTHING.

IT'S SIMPLY ARE WE GOING TO DROP THE INCOME TAX THERE IS NO NEW SALES TAX BEING PROPOSED ARE WE GOING TO DROP THE INC. COME TAX BY HALF A% WILL PUT $718 MILLION IN THE POCKETS OF KENTUCKY WORKERS.

I THINK THAT IS A WIN.

>> Renee: THE SECOND QUESTION FROM THE VIEWER WHY ARE THERE NO BILLS ADDRESSING POLICING ISSUES, INTERCEPTING MAIL AND TORTURING A CITIZEN ARE THE EXAMPLES THE VIEWER CITES.

YOU'VE WORKED ON POLICE REFORM NO KNOCK WARRANTS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HELPED ACCOMPLISH WHEN YOU WERE IN THE HOUSE.

SHOULD THERE BE A BILL ABOUT THIS AND ARE YOU GOING TO OPPOSE IT.

>> I DEFINITELY THINK THERE IS MORE WORK TO DO AS IT RELATES TO POLICING AND PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH.

I MEAN, WE KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN LOUISVILLE.

WE KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD A CONSENT DECREE AND OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT IS GOING TO GO AND WE KNOW ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH THERE'S BEEN SOME POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTINGS AND OTHER PLACES.

SO I DO THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT POLICE ARE SAFE AND ALSO COMMUNITY IS SAFE AND THAT THERE'S ACCOUNTABILITY.

I DON'T AT THIS POINT SPECIFICALLY HAVE A BILL RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PER SE.

BUT I AM OPEN TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH INDIVIDUALS IF THERE'S SOMETHING IN PARTICULAR PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR OR WANTING.

BUT I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON POLICY THAT DOES PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY SAFETY AND ALSO HOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY ARE DOING THINGS THEY SHOULD NOT BE DOING.

>> Renee: AND THERE'S BEEN AN APOLOGY BY PAUL HUMPHREY ABOUT THE INCIDENT INVOLVING THE PREGNANT WOMAN GOING INTO LABOR AND THIS WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT HOUSE BILL 5 PASSED THE LAST SESSION, ALTHOUGH THE HOUSE SPEAKER SAYS THAT IS AN ENFORCEMENT ISSUE NOT A LEGISLATIVE POLICY ISSUE.

HOW DO YOU SEE THAT INCIDENT DO YOU THINK IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH TWEAKS TO THAT LAW TO CLARIFY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT THEIR PARAMETERS AND THE CONTOURS WHICH THEY SHOULD BE EXERCISING THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT.

>> IT IS A BOTH AND ISSUE.

IF THE LAW WASN'T THERE, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MAY NOT TRIED TO CITE THE WOMAN IN THE BEGINNING.

THE OFFICER WAS FOLLOWING THE LAW IN WHICH WE IMPLEMENTED.

BUT THEN ALSO WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW ARE WE TRAINING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO JUST HAVE BASIC SENSE OF HUMANITY, YOU KNOW WE KNOW THAT THE CULTURE AND CLIMATE WITHIN LMPD IT IS NOT JUST THE PREGNANT WOMAN.

WE HAVE SEEN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT LMPD THROW SLUSHYS ON HOMELESS AND HOUSELESS PEOPLE.

THAT CULTURE IS DEEP WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT.

AND SO I THINK THAT YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO DO SOME THINGS AROUND ADDITIONAL TRAINING BUT THEN ALSO IN GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND I THINK THE QUESTION IS, WHAT DOES THAT ACCOUNTABILITY LOOK LIKE?

IS IT INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS OR AS A DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE.

>> Renee: AND MAYBE IT IS A LOCAL SOLUTION NOT NECESSARILY A STATE LEGISLATIVE ONE?

>> WELL, I THINK IT IS A BOTH AND.

I THINK AS TO THE VIEWERS' POINT IT IS NOT JUST LOUISVILLE, THERE ARE OTHER POLICING ISSUES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AND WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS ALL THOSE ISSUES.

>> Renee: HOW DO YOU ALL SEE IT?

>> I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO DO ANY LEGISLATION TO CHANGE WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE LAST YEAR'S CRIMINAL BILL.

WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S GOING TO BE NEW LEGISLATION TO COME OUT THIS YEAR, I'M NOT SURE WE GET STARTED TOMORROW.

I THINK WE'LL START HEARING RUMBLINGS.

THE DIFFICULTY I HAVE, AGAIN, VASTLY DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.

I'M SURROUNDED BY A GREAT POLICE CHIEF AND WONDERFUL SHERIFFS THAT I AM IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH AND WE DON'T SEE THOSE SAME PROBLEMS.

NOT TO SAY OR TO JINX ANYTHING TO SAY IT CAN'T HAPPEN.

BUT I THINK AS A STATE AS A WHOLE, WE STILL HAVE SO MANY GOOD MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE SERVING THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS SAFE AND TO PROVIDE THE BEST RESOURCES THEY CAN FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

THAT ISN'T TO SAY THERE ARE NOT THINGS FOR US TO LOOK AT AS THEY COME UP AND THINGS ARE COMING UP, CLEARLY.

WHETHER OR NOT THAT MEANS LEGISLATION THIS SESSION OR NOT, I'M NOT SURE.

>> Renee: HOW ABOUT YOU REPRESENTATIVE WHITAKER HOW DO YOU SEE IT?

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH SENATOR RICHARDSON THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE ISSUES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND WESTERN KENTUCKY THAT SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS IN THE STATE HAVE.

MY POLICE OFFICER FRIENDS ARE TREMENDOUS.

WE HAVE A GREAT POLICE FORCE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THEY NEED SUPPORT AND WE SHOULDN'T LET SOME PROBLEMS IN URBAN AREAS AFFECT RURAL POLICE OFFICERS AND THE WAY THEY DO THINGS.

THEY NEED MORE SUPPORT AND NOT LESS FULL STOP.

>> Renee: I THINK THE INSTANCE THAT THE VIEWER SPOKE ABOUT, THIS WAS LONDON POLICE SHOT A CITIZEN WENT FOOT HOME OF AN UNARMED MAN MISTAKEN IDENTITY BY NOT ACCURATELY VIEWING THE HOUSE NUMBER AND HE WAS KILLED DURING THAT INCIDENT.

DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABILITY OR SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE?

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SOLUTION?

>> I BELIEVE THAT WE'VE GOT THE SOLUTION IN PLACE THROUGH OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I BELIEVE THAT A JURY CAN LOOK AT THIS AND DECIDE WHAT TO DO BETTER THAN WE CAN AS LAWMAKERS.

SO I TRUST THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE HYPER LOCAL IN THE FORM OF A JURY TO HANDLE THIS ISSUE FOR US.

AND SURE THERE'S GOING TO BE ONE OFFS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH.

BUT OVERALL, I AM EXTRAORDINARILY HAPPY WITH THE WAY THAT OUR POLICE FORCE CONDUCTS THEMSELVES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> WHAT I WOULD ADD, I AM IN LEXINGTON WE ALSO HAVE A WONDERFUL POLICE FORCE BUT ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND MISTAKES HAPPEN.

I'M NOT AS FAMILIAR WITH THOSE SITUATIONS SO I'M NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON THE SPECIFIC LEGISLATION.

BUT TO THE VIEWER'S POINT, THERE HAVE BEEN MAYBE 300 BILLS FILED BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SO FAR.

I PUT IN A BILL REQUEST TODAY I WAS NUMBER 1450.

SO THERE ARE A LOT MORE BILLS AND PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN THE WORKS IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO SEE, REACH OUT TO YOUR LEGISLATOR.

YOUR SENATOR YOUR REPRESENTATIVE OR SOMEONE ON THE VETERANS MILITARY AFFAIRS.

>> Renee: V MAP.

>> THANK YOU.

I COULD NOT SPELL IT OUT.

BUT REACH OUT TO THEM AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE BILL YOU FILED?

OR YOU REQUESTED?

>> TODAY'S ONE WAS RELATED TO PRESCHOOL.

>> Renee: SO UNIVERSAL PRE-K?

>> MAKING SURE THAT ALL FOUR-YEAR-OLD KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS.

>> Renee: ARE YOU TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO NEGOTIATE THE LANGUAGE ON WHAT YOU CALL THAT?

>> I THINK THE TERM UNIVERSAL PRE-K HAS BEEN OVERLY POLITICIZED.

I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WE WERE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IN THE GREEN ROOM EARLIER.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY HOLDING KENTUCKY STUDENTS BACK TO LOOK AT SCHOOL PERFORMANCE.

IT'S GETTING BETTER.

BUT OUR KINDERGARTEN RATES ARE ABYSMAL.

OUR KINDERGARTEN READINESS RATES ARE ABYSMAL.

LESS THAN 50%.

AND SO HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT OUR KIDS ARE READY FOR SCHOOL SO THAT WHEN THEY GET TO KINDERGARTEN THEIR TEACHERS CAN DO THEIR JOBS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE READY TO LEARN.

AND IN MY OPINION, BEING ABLE TO HAVE QUALITY PRESCHOOL FOR ALL KENTUCKY FOUR-YEAR-OLDS WOULD BE A HUGE WIN NOT TO MENTION DAYCARE IS INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE IF THAT ALSO GIVES RELIEF TO WORKING FAMILIES THEN IT IS A DOUBLE WIN FOR ME.

>> Renee: DO YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN COSPONSOR?

OR TALKEDDED TO REPUBLICANS?

>> THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT I'M LEARNING STILL.

THAT IS ONE OF THEM.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WHITAKER ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE HER UP ON THE OFFER WHERE DO YOU STAND ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION?

>> I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

I'M GRATEFUL OF YOU BRINGING THAT TO THE FLOOR TO DISCUSS.

I HAVE A FIVE WEEK OLD SON.

>> Renee: CONGRATULATIONS.

>> I'M VERY PROUD OF HIM AND I'VE SEEN THE PROBLEMS IN CHILDCARE AVAILABILITY, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

I THINK WE'VE GOT ONE CHILDCARE FACILITY IN THE WHOLE COUNTY.

AND, OF COURSE, AFFORDABILITY IS A HUGE ISSUE.

SO SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT CHILDCARE ESPECIALLY IF WE WANT TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

THAT IS A BIG GOAL OF OURS AS A REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK THAT AREN'T WORKING FOR WHATEVER REASON.

AND WE CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO GIVE UP THEIR FAMILY LIVES FOR THAT.

SO IT IS AN ISSUE WE NEED TO LOOK INTO AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO SEE WHAT SOLUTIONS YOU CAN COME UP WITH.

>> Renee: MAYBE IT'S TOUGH TO DO IN 20 DAYS.

>> AND WE ALSO KNOW THE CHILD DESERTS ARE ACUTELY MORE OF A PROBLEM IN EASTERN KENTUCKY BUT IT'S EVERYWHERE.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS YOU CARE?

>> I KNOW I THINK ABOUT IT AS THIS BARRIER IN THE WORKFORCE.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CHILDCARE.

SPECIFICALLY.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE FOCUSED ON THE CHILD EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEY ARE WORKING ON THOSE THINGS AND THERE'S SMART PEOPLE LACKING AT THAT.

I'M LOOKING AT IT MORE OF OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION THAT IS A BIG CONCERN THAT I HAVE.

WE'RE RANKED EXTREMELY LOW.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO BETTER THAT OUTCOME?

I THINK, AGAIN AND I KNOW I'VE TALKED ABOUT MY DISTRICT TONIGHT.

>> Renee: THAT'S WHAT YOU DO.

>> THEY ELECTED ME TO DO THAT.

I LOOK AT FORT CAMPBELL WE HAVE 4500 SOLDIERS WE HAVE 8,000 SOLDIERS THAT TRANSITION OUT OF THE MILITARY EACH YEAR.

HALF OF THOSE COME FROM FORT CAMPBELL IN MY BACKYARD THE BLACKHAWKS FLYOVER EVERYDAY.

OF THOSE 4500, FORT CAMPBELL HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE RETAINED IN THAT GENERAL REGION.

NOW, I'LL LET YOU GUESS WHERE THEY CHOOSE TO LIVE.

ABOUT 75% OF THOSE 4500 SOLDIERS A YEAR CHOOSE TO LIVE IN TENNESSEE.

NOW, I'M NOT GOING TO CONTINUE TO BEAT THE DEAD HORSE ABOUT THE INCOME TAX.

I REALLY WANT TO SHIFT THE FOCUS FOR ME PERSONALLY ABOUT US ATTRACTING THOSE WORKERS.

THESE ARE HIGHLY SKILLED PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T ALWAYS HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE BUT I WOULD TAKE A SOLDIER ANY DAY AND PUT THEM INTO SOME OF THESE SKILLED JOBS THEY ARE TRAINED THEY HAVE TRANSITION PROGRAMS WHETHER IT BE HVAC, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL TO MOVE IN AND BE READY TO WORK BUT WE HAVE TO ATTRACT THEM WE CAN DO THAT THROUGH DIFFERENT WAYS THAN JUST GETTING TO ZERO.

>> Renee: AND AS A VIEWER POINTED OUT FROM LEXINGTON, TENNESSEE SALES TAX IS ABOVE 8% AND INCLUDES TAXES ON FOOD AND CITY ADJUSTMENTS.

FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY OR MIDDLE TENNESSEE WHERE I'M FROM, YOU GO TO KENTUCKY TO GET YOUR GROCERIES BECAUSE THERE IS NO TAX ON FOOD OR YOU CAN TITHE WHEN YOU SHOP IN TENNESSEE.

10%.

>> I WOULD SAY WE'VE USED THAT ARGUMENT QUITE A BIT AGAIN I'M LOOKING AT A CHRISTIAN COUNTY EXAMPLE ONLY THAT PEOPLE COME TO CHRISTIAN COUNTY TO GROCERY SHOP I DO NOT THINK THAT IS TRUE ANYMORE.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE USED THEIR TAX INCENTIVE SO WELL THEY HAVE INCREASED THEIR BASE SO WELL, THAT MAY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF GROCERY STORES.

NEWER GROCERY STORES THEY ARE NOT COMING HERE TO GROCERY SHOP ANYMORE.

EVEN IF IT MEANS SPENDING MORE THEY ARE GETTING ACCESS TO DIFFERENT QUALITIES AND MORE DIVERSE FOOD OPTIONS IN CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE THEN IN HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY.

WE USED TO USE THAT ARGUMENT I DON'T THINK IT'S VALID ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY HAVE GROWN AT SUCH A RAPID PACE AND LOWERING THAT INCOME TAX GETS US CLOSER TO A GROWTH LIKE THAT.

>> Renee: ANY FURTHER COMMENT ON THAT BEFORE I BRING UP THE NEXT QUESTION?

LOOKING AHEAD IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH THE ELIMIT NATION OF EDUCATION FUNDING SUCH AS TITLE ONE, HAS THE LEGISLATURE STARTED LOOKING INTO FUNDING THOSE AREAS WITH THAT LOSS OF REVENUE FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE?

>> I MEAN THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS ELUDING TO EARLIER AND THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO THE MAJORITY CAUCUS.

>> WELL, I'LL TAKE THE GAMBLE AND ANSWER.

FOR ME PERSONALLY NOT SPEAKING FOR THE CAUCUS BUT ME PERSONALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT EDUCATION FUNDING WHETHER SOMETHING DRASTIC HAPPENS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL OR NOT, WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN THAT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

I WOULD WANT US TO LOOK TAKE IT VERY SERIOUS LOOK WHETHER OVER THIS INTERIM AND I THINK THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE ALREADY TAKING PLACE AT OUR SEEK FUNDING.

CARA WORK FOR A WHILE WE NEEDED TO MOVE AWAY FROM IT.

SEEK HAS WORKED FOR A WHILE AND NOW WE NEED TO LOOK AT SOMETHING MUCH MORE RELIABLE TO FOLLOW THE MONEY THAT GOES TO THE TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS.

AND THAT WE CAN KEEP THAT RESOURCE THRIVING AND I THINK IT MIGHT MEAN LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS.

>> Renee: PERHAPS NOT UNDERCUTTING THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION REFORM ACT BUT TWEAKING THE FUNDING?

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS AND THIS IS NOT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.

>> Renee: I CAN'T ANSWER A QUESTION THAT IS NOT MY ROLE.

>> TELL ME SOMEBODY IN KENTUCKY THAT CAN EXPLAIN WHAT THE SEEK FORMULA IS.

>> Renee: THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE.

>> AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE ENTIRELY BUT I HOPE THEY COME OUT SOON SO THAT WE CAN ALL GET TOGETHER AS A GROUP AND WRAP OUR HEADS AROUND WHAT ARE WE FUNDING AND HOW ARE WE FUNDING IT AND IS THIS THE BEST WAY TO FUND IT.

I WILL GO BACK TO AN EARLIER POINT IF WE THOUGHT FOR THE DATA REMOTE WORK IF IT'S WORKING AND WE FIND OUT IT'S WORKING AND IF PEOPLE THRIVING DOING IT.

GREAT I WON'T BE OPPOSED TO IT IF WE FIND OUT THAT SEEK FUND SOMETHING THE WAY TO GO, GREAT WE'LL KEEP DOING IT.

IF WE FIND OUT IT'S NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO WORK AND THE MONEY IS NOT GOING TO TEACHERS AND TO THE CHILDREN, TO BETTER THEIR EDUCATION, TO BETTER THIS COMMONWEALTH, THEN I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT CHANGE.

>> Renee: AND IT IS A COMPLICATED FORM WHAT THAT TAKES IN TRANSPORTATION COSTS ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

AND I AM NOT SOMEONE WHO CAN EXPLAIN IT I AM NOT A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON SEEK FUNDING.

YOU CARE TO CHIME IN HERE?

>> I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON THE FUNDING EITHER BUT OUR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ARE.

SO I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THE FANTASTIC TEACHNERS MY DISTRICT AND THE SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE SEEK FORMULA DOES NEED SOME WORK.

WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND SEE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE AS A LEGISLATURE THE MONEY WE'RE SPENDING IS GOING TO HELP OUR STUDENTS.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS A SINGLE LEGISLATOR THAT DOESN'T WANT THE BEST FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

AS SOMEONE FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH JURIES DOCK PRATT WAS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS I WANT TO SEE THEM SUCCEED AS A REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WE HAVE FUNDED OUR SCHOOLS AT RECORD LEVELS.

THERE'S BEEN ISSUES WITH THE SEEK FUNDING.

BUT WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS AND MAKE THE JOB EASIER FOR OUR TREMENDOUS TEACHERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> Renee: ANY OTHER COMMENT ON EDUCATIONAL FUNDING OR EARLY CHILDHOOD?

I WANT TO REVISIT ABOUT RURAL HEALTHCARE BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERESTING TOPIC THAT WE OFTEN DON'T TALK ABOUT IN THE CONTEXT WHAT COULD BE DISCUSSED DURING A SHORT SESSION WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AND WHERE ARE YOUR BRAIN WHEELS TURNING IN TERMS OF WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHOULD START DISCUSSIONS ON?

>> I WILL START WITH THE NEGATIVE AND HOPEFULLY END WITH A POSITIVE.

THE NEGATIVE IS OUR RURAL HOSPITALS ARE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE.

THE WAY OUR FUNDING WORKS WE'VE HAD A THIRD OF OUR STATE ON MEDICAID AND THAT IS NOT A 100% MATCHED REIMBURSEMENT GOING BACK TO YOUR DOCTORS AND YOUR HOSPITALS.

SO THE MARGINS IN WHICH THEY OPERATE ON ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL MARKETS WHERE THAT MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT IS A HIGHER POPULATION THE MARGINS ARE LOW.

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT EXPANDING SERVICES AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MANAGING A HEMORRHAGE, MANAGING A DATE TO DAY OPERATIONS JUST TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THAT, I THINK THERE'S GREATER ACCESS EXPANDING PRACTICE AREAS FOR PROVIDERS WHETHER IT BE NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PHYSICIANS ASSISTANTS, PHARMACIES I'M GOING TO BE BRINGING OUT BILLS THAT ADDRESS PHARMACIES SPECIFICALLY.

MY WIFE IS A PHARMACIST A CLINICAL PHARMACIST.

IT'S CLOSE TO HOME FOR US.

BUT THERE ARE INCREMENTAL WAYS WE CAN EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR RURAL AREAS ESPECIALLY.

REDUCING THOSE REIMBURSEMENT RATES IN MEDICAID WHICH IS AN EXORBITANT NUMBER IN KENTUCKY AND SOMETHING WE HAVE TO TACKLE.

AND ANOTHER THING, I'M VERY INTERESTED AND MY WEEKEND IS IN TELEMEDICINE AND IT WAS BEFORE IT WAS POPULAR AND BEFORE IT WAS REIMBURSED AT THE RATE IT IS NOW.

BUT THAT IS CHANGING BY THE DAY.

ESPECIALLY AS YOU INTRODUCE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTO THAT MODEL.

I KNOW WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT IT A LOT TONIGHT BUT WE'VE HAD A TASK FORCE ON IT I'VE TALKED TO MAYS BLEDSOE ABOUT IT AND LEARNED FROM IT AND I HOPE WE'RE NOT OVERREACTIVE TO A.I.

WE LET IT PLAY OUT A LITTLE BIT AND LEARN FROM IT AS WE GO.

BUT A.I.

HAS BEEN IN HEALTHCARE FOR SOMETIME AND I THINK IF WE ALLOW IT TO EXPAND AND ALLOW ACCESS TO THAT THOSE TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES, WE CAN REALLY.

>> Renee: LIKE A SCARY PROPOSITION TO CONSUMERS WHO ARE ALREADY LEARY ABOUT A.I.

>> CHANGE LIKE THAT IS SUITLY SCARY BUT IF WE DON'T APPROACH IT AND PUT THE RIGHT SALES HAT ON WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET THERE ANYWAY.

>> Renee: YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT EXPANDING PRACTICES?

>> LET'S SAY YOU NEED TO GET A STREP TEST IF YOU GO TO YOUR EMERGENCY ROOM AND YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL THAT MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT IS GOING TO BE AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT.

WITHIN THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE THAT YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY ALREADY HAS THEY CAN ADMINISTER A STREP TEST.

THEY ARE PARITY IN PAYMENT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCESS THAT MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT THAT WOULD BE EQUAL TO A NURSE PRACTITIONER OR SOMEBODY ELSE.

IT IS A TWO FOLD THING.

ONE THOSE PHARMACISTS THAT HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY THOSE PATIENTS THAT COMMUNITY MEMBER CAN GO TO THEIR LOCAL PHARMACIST AND RECEIVE A STREP TESTING AND FLU SHOTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY CAN NOW BUT THEY ARE NOT REIMBURSED THAT MEDICAID RATE.

OTHERWISE, THEY COULD BE GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND THAT'S A MUCH HIGHER RATE THAT IF WE DON'T GET IT UNDER CONTROL WE WON'T BE ABLE TO WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND IT.

>> Renee: THERE IS LOTS OF LEXIE CONS, SEEK, SCOPE OF PRACTICE ALL OF THOSE TERMS THAT MAKE YOUR HEAD SPIN THEY ARE HARD TO GET YOUR HEAD AROUND WE WILL BE LOOKING TO FOLLOW MORE DISCUSSION AS LONG THAT LINE.

WITH THREE MINUTES REMAINING TO YOU REPRESENTATIVE WHITAKER AND MAYBE PERHAPS YOUR RESPONSE IN ADDITION TO HOUSE BILL ONE, WHAT DO YOU ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEEDS TO PASS AND GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK OR BE VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR THIS SESSION?

>> WELL, I'LL PITCH ONE OF MY OWN BILLS I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE FOCUS ON OUTDOOR RECREATION.

IT IS A HUGE ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY I WANT TO SEE BILLS PASSED SPECIFICALLY HOUSE BILL 32, TO SEE OUTDOOR RECREATION INDUSTRY FLOURISH.

>> Renee: SOME PEOPLE SAY IT'S HIGH TIME.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I GO BACK TO HEALTHCARE LOOKING AT SENATE BILL 343 THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS WEEK IN THE HEALTH SERVICES AND THAT IS GETTING KENTUCKY'S FAIR SHARE OF WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE GOTTEN AND RULED ON BY THE COURT SYSTEM.

AND IT'S TIME THAT WE'RE CONTINUE TO GET OUR FAIR SHARE FOR PRICING AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> Renee: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

>> 340B IS WHERE YOUR LOCAL HOSPITALS COVERED ENTITIES CAN BUY THE DRUG AT A LOWER PRICE AND THE SAVINGS THEY HAVE, THE OVERRAJ OF THOSE COSTS THEY CAN REINVEST IN THE HOSPITALS AND SOMETIMES THAT IS MEANING ZERO DOLLARS FOR CERTAIN DRUGS FOR PATIENTS OR INVESTMENTS INTO INCREASED STAFF RIGHT NOW KENTUCKY IS NOT GETTING THE FULL RATE THAT OTHER STATES GET AND WE DON'T THINK THAT IS FAIR.

>> Renee: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HOW ABOUT YOU SENATOR HERRON?

>> SENATE BILL 74 WHICH IS A BILL TO COVER AN ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH EXAM PER YEAR.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT A PHYSICAL EXAM THIS WOULD ALLOW A MENTAL HEALTH EXAM THAT WILL I'VE ALREADY FILED IT AND IT WILL BE ONE OF MY PRIORITIES THAT I WILL BE WORKING ON.

>> Renee: OKAY.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST.

>> I WILL CHEAT AND HAVE TWO.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT IS HOUSING.

AND I KNOW EVERYONE I SUSPECT BOTH HOUSES, BOTH CHAMBERS BOTH CAULKS WITHIN BOTH CHAMBERS ARE PROBABLY WORKING ON SOMETHING WE WILL BE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE COMMONWEALTH IF WE DID NOT GET A COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PACKAGE TOGETHER BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED THE RELIEF.

THE SECOND PIECE IS THE ABORTION EXCEPTION.

I'VE HEARD ROBERT STIVERS SAY THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG THAT INCEST AND RAPE AND THESE PIECES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ABORTION.

IT IS NOT TRUE IN PRACTICE.

AND IF THAT WAS TRULY THE INTENTION OF THE TOTAL ABORTION BAN THAT THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS IT IS NOT OUR MEDICAL PROVIDERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THAT AND WOMEN ARE STRUGGLING.

>> Renee: I'M SURE THAT WILL BE A TOPIC WE WILL TAKE UP AT LENGTH ON THIS PROGRAM IN THE WEEKS TO COME.

AND WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT, ON KENTUCKY EDITION AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL WHERE WE'LL BREAKDOWN WHAT WE THINK WILL BE DAY FIVE OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SEASON AND BILL BRYANT WILL BE IN THE STUDIO TO DISCUSS WHAT HAPPENS IN FRANKFORT THAT IS FRIDAY HERE ON KET.

I'M RENEE SHAW THANKS FOR JOINING.

AND I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.

TAKE GOOD CARE.

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