♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBERS LIVE RIGHT HERE ON KET GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR WILL BE SPEAKING TO THE JOINT SESSION IN A FEW MOMENTS AND I'M JOINED TO WATCH ALL WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND GIVE US ANALYSIS.

CHAIRMAN BROWN DEMOCRAT STRATEGIST AND LOBBYIST AND AMY WYCLIFFE, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND THEY WERE WITH US DURING THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THEY'RE BACK WITH US.

WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US THIS EVENING.

GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS AGAIN.

LET ME COME TO YOU RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN UNVEILING PIECES OF HIS BUDGET PLAN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK.

WAS THAT WISE.

IS HE STEALING THE THUNDER FROM TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION AND MAYBE THERE IS A SURPRISE COMING THAT WE SHOULD BE LISTENING FOR.

HAS HE UNVEILED IT ALL?

>> LET'S BREAK IT UP.

HE DID THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH LAST WEEK, BUDGET ADDRESS THIS WEEK.

LAST WEEK WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH, IT WAS AS WE KIND OF TALKED ABOUT IT, IT WAS A CAMPAIGN SPEECH, TALKING ABOUT HOW EVERYTHING WAS POSITIVE, GOING WELL, THE ECONOMY IS GOING, TALKED ABOUT AS AS WE ARE COMING INTO THE SESSION.

TONIGHT IS THE BUDGET ADDRESS.

THIS IS THE PRIORITIES, LEGISLATORS EVEN SAID THIS IS WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

THIS IS THE REAL WORLD.

I WOULD SAY THAT HE DID A GREAT JOB OF ROLLING IT OUT ALL WEEK BECAUSE THE BUDGET ADDRESS LARGELY, YOU GET IT ONE NIGHT.

IT'S IN THE PAPER THE NEXT MORNING AND IT'S THE STORY THAT NIGHT ON TWITTER, THAT TYPE THING.

THIS WAS ALL WEEK.

EVERY DAY HE HAD SOMETHING NEW TO TALK ABOUT.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT LATER.

NOT ONLY DID HE HAVE SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT BUT SOMEBODY ELSE VALIDATING IT, MISS USA COMING IN TALKING ABOUT THE BLOOD DRIVE.

PRESIDENT TAMPSON FROM CPE, HE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

>> REINFORCEMENT.

>> AND HOW GREAT WHAT HE WAS PROPOSING IS.

IT WAS A GREAT WEEK.

>> IT WAS PROMPTED BY THE FACT THAT THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS RELEASED THEIR BUDGET LAST FRIDAY ON THE FOURTH LEGISLATIVE DAY, WHICH IS UNPRECEDENTED AND NOT NECESSARILY UNLAWFUL OR, YOU KNOW, OUT OF SORTS, BUT IT IS NOT WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

A LITTLE BIT OF UNPRECEDENTED.

BUT WHO IS TO SAY THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T FILE A BILL WHENEVER THEY SO PLEASE DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT IT ISN'T TO DRIVE THE WEDGE, TO DRIVE THE DIVISION.

I THINK THE ANSWER IS VERY SIMPLE WHY THEY DO IT.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS AND SENATE REPUBLICANS UTILIZED THE INTERIM TO MEET WITH AGENCIES, TO MEET WITH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS, TO FIND OUT WHAT THOSE NEEDS ARE.

THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE BUDGET, I THINK, FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

IT HASN'T BEEN JUST A DECEMBER TYPE PROJECT.

AND I THINK THE BETTER-- WE ARE BETTER OFF TO SEE THE BUDGET PRESENTED MUCH EARLIER.

IT'S FUNNY TO ME BECAUSE WE OFTEN HEAR THAT GOVERNMENT MOVES TOO SLOW OR THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TRANSPARENCY OR BILLS GET FILED TOO LATE.

AND HERE WE HAVE THE MOST IMPORTANT POLICY DOCUMENT THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL VOTE ON THIS SESSION IN THE BUDGET AND HOUSE BILL 1 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S TOO SOON.

>> Renee: CRITICIZING SO EITHER WAY YOU CAN'T WIN.

>> EXACTLY.

>> Renee: DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNOR FELT COMPELLED TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THESE DAILY ROLLOUTS IN ORDER TO REGAIN SOME OF THE SPOTLIGHT THAT THE REPUBLICANS MAY HAVE STOLEN FROM HIM?

>> I THINK FIRST OF ALL, THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

IT WAS BRAND NEW.

FROM EVERYBODY HIVE TALKED TO, IT HAS NEVER BEEN THE CASE.

YOU WAIT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND THE HOUSE INTRODUCES THEIR BUDGET.

THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS DIDN'T DO THIS TO FLETCHER OR BLEVIN.

THIS IS BRAND NEW, YOU KNOW, ANYWAY.

THERE HAS BEEN CONVERSATION THAT THEY'RE NOT TALKING ALREADY AND REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN SAYING HE IS NOT TALKING TO US AND HE IS NOT TALKING TO US AND TO THEN TO DO THIS, IT GOES BACK TO WHAT AMY WAS SAYING.

IT'S GOOD AND BAD.

EITHER WAY, THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE, IT'S LARGELY, YOU CAN LOOK IN WHAT IS IN THE BUDGET BILLS.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE HOUSE AND WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TALKED ABOUT ALL WEEK IN HIS BUDGET, THERE ARE SOME THINGS AND THEN THERE ARE SOME THINGS DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT.

>> Renee: AND THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY.

I HAVEN'T DONE THE TALLY BUT FROM THE LAST FOUR DAYS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS, $2 BILLION FROM CRADLE TO COLLEGE EDUCATION AND ADULT LEARNING SO THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY HERE AND IT'S ALWAYS LIKE THE FAYE FOR IT.

WHERE IS THE MONEY COMING FROM, AMY?

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A VERY, VERY LONG TIME, WE DO HAVE SOME EXTRA MONEY TO POTENTIALLY SPEND AND MAKE SMART INVESTMENTS, PAY DOWN DEBT THAT WE HAVE.

AND ALSO SAVE SOME, RIGHT, FOR FUTURE YEARS.

AND SO THIS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BUDGET THAN WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST.

YOU KNOW, IN THE PAST THERE MAY HAVE BEEN $250 MILLION THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SPENT BUT HERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BILLIONS.

>> Renee: AND YOU ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT CUTS THIS TIME AROUND EITHER.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT CUTS.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE IN HOUSE BILL 1, IT IS A VERY CONSERVATIVE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET THAT MAKES SMART INVESTMENTS THAT ADDRESSES SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT DURING THE INTERIM AND SOME OF THE ALARMS THAT HAVE BEEN SOUNDED.

BUT ALSO MAKES SURE THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO A SPENDING SPREE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE IMHE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE TWO, FOUR, SIX YEARS FROM NOW.

>> Renee: AND WESTERN KENTUCKY RELIEF HAS BEEN A BILL THAT HAS GOTTEN SUPPORT ALREADY BECAUSE OF THE TORNADOES THAT RAVAGED THAT AREA.

SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS WE GO ALONG AND RIGHT NOW YOU ARE SEEING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN CALLED INTO SESSION AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS WALKING DOWN THE MIDDLE AISLE AND WILL ASSUME HIS POSITION IN A MOMENT.

AND BRING EVERYTHING IN ORDER AND TOGETHER.

THE GOVERNOR, WE DON'T BELIEVE, WILL BE COMING DOWN THE CENTER AISLE.

HE WILL BE COMING THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR AND WILL JOIN THAT COVERAGE AS IT HAPPENS AND SHORTLY THEY WILL BE DOING A PRAYER AND PLEDGE AND WE'LL PAUSE OUT OF RESPECT FOR THAT EXERCISE.

SHERMAN, DO YOU HAVE ANY SKINNY YOU CAN SHARE WITH US?

ANY PREVIEW FOR THE SPEECH?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, AS FAR AS ANYTHING NEW, IT'S BEEN HIVE LIFE HOLD ON HERE, MAKE SURE WE DON'T INTERRUPT ANYTHING.

>> Renee: YOU CAN KEEP GOING.

>> I THINK AS FAR AS ANYTHING NEW, I THINK HE HAS LAID OUT A LOT OF INFORMATION HERE.

I MEAN WE DO KNOW THAT IT'S THE LARGEST RAINY DAY FUND IN THE STATE HISTORY, SURPLUS OF $ 1.9 BILLION MORE THAN BUDGETED.

THAT'S RECORD SETTING AS WELL.

I'M JUST LOOKING HERE, THE LOWEST DEBT RATIO SINCE THE POLICY WAS ADOPTED AND BACK-TO-BACK GROWTH RATE HAS BEEN THE BEST SINCE 2005 TO 2006.

AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT UNPRECEDENTED, THERE IS A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN.

WHERE THAT MONEY GETS SPENT-- >> Renee: WE'LL PAUSE FOR THE PRAYER.

>> GREAT STATE OF KENTUCKY.

I THANK YOU FOR THIS BODY OF LEGISLATORS, LORD, THAT HAVE MET AND HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES.

I PRAY YOU BLESS THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THAT RESPECT.

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR OUR GOVERNOR THAT HAS ANSWERED THE CALL TO LEAD THIS STATE AND I PRAY THAT YOU BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY AND THEIR STAFF.

LORD GIVE THEM ALL, LEGISLATORS, GOVERNOR, EACH ONE THAT HAS A PART IN DECISION MAKING, I PRAY YOU GRANT THEM WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE, LORD, TO MAKE GOOD AND RIGHT DECISIONS THAT WILL BETTER THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

WE PRAY FOR OUR COMMONWEALTH AND LORD, WE HAVE SOLVED DISASTERS FROM OUR WESTERN BORDERS TO OUR EASTERN BORDERS.

GOD, WE TRUST IN YOU TODAY AND KNOW GOD THAT YOU CAN HELP EACH AND EVERY COMMUNITY.

WE JUST ASK TO YOU BLESS US.

MANY OF SICK TONIGHT, MANY ARE TROUBLED.

IN GOD WE ASK YOU TO INTERVENE FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

BLESS THIS SESSION TONIGHT, THIS ADDRESS AND LET US LEAVE BETTER THAN WE CAME AND OUR WONDERFUL SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST NAMES WE ASK ALL THESE THINGS AND SAY AMEN.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> Renee: ALL RIGHT.

AND SO JUST SHORTLY THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ENTERING THE CHAMBERS FROM ONE OF THE SIDE DOORS TO GIVE HIS ADDRESS.

AND OF COURSE YOU WILL GET ALL OF THAT AT THE AND AT THE VERY END WE WILL HAVE ANALYSIS FROM SHERMAN AND AMY AND HEAR FROM THE TOP LEGISLATIVE LEADERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AS WELL.

SO AMY, TO PICK UP ON THE POINT THAT SHERMAN WAS MAKING THAT HE CAN REALLY BRAG ABOUT A LOT OF GREAT PRIVATE ECONOMIC INVESTMENT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND WE WILL PROBABLY HEAR SOME OF WHAT HE SAID THE OTHER DAY TONIGHT AS WELL.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I ALWAYS LIKE TO REMIND VIEWERS AND REMIND EVERYBODY LISTENING THAT ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT SHERMAN RATTLED OFF ARE GREAT, RIGHT?

BUT THEY DON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT AND SO WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE SURPLUS WE HAVE, IT'S DUE TO TAX CHANGES WE STARTED MAKING 2 AND 4 YEARS AGO BY THE SUPER MAJORITIES, FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE IN VERY CONSERVATIVE BUDGETS TO MAKE SURE WE WERE NOT OVERSPENDING.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS COMBINED LEAD US TO WHERE WE ARE TONIGHT.

>> Renee: RIGHT NOW THE GOVERNOR IS ENTERING THE CHAMBER AND WE'LL JOIN THE FLOOR IN PROGRESS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU.

PRESIDENT STIVERS, SPEAKER OSBOURNE, MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN, FELLOW CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, JUSTICES OF THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT, SECRETARIES OF THE EXECUTIVE CABINET, AND TO ALL KENTUCKIANS AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH WHO ARE SAFELY WATCHING FROM HOME, INCLUDING KENTUCKY'S FIRST LADY, BRITTANY BESHEAR AND OUR TWO KIDDOS, WILL AND LILA AND OF COURSE THANKS TO VIRGINIA, WITH US AGAIN TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS INCLUDED.

[ APPLAUSE ] ONE WEEK AGO I SPOKE TO YOU ABOUT THE STATE OF OUR COMMONWEALTH.

I TALKED ABOUT THE STRENGTH AND THE SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE THAT WE DO NOT BREAK, NOT THE TORNADOES, NOT TO ICE STORMS, NOT EVEN TO A PANDEMIC.

I ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE RECORD BREAKING STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY.

LAST YEAR, WE SECURED THE BIGGEST INVESTMENTS AND CREATED THE MOST JOBS IN THE HISTORY OF KENTUCKY.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND WHILE I LAID OUT THE CHALLENGES WE STILL FACE, I ALSO DISCUSSED THE HOPE THAT WE HAVE FROM THE UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY THAT IS WITHIN OUR REACH.

TONIGHT, I'M HERE TO SHARE MY RECOMMENDED BUDGET.

IT IS A VALUE STATEMENT, A CHANCE TO SEIZE OPPORTUNITY, A CHANCE TO MEET THIS HISTORIC MOMENT.

A CHANCE NOT TO TREAD WATER, BUT TO LEAD.

MY BUDGET IS TITLED OUR FUTURE IS NOW.

BECAUSE NOW IS WHEN WE MUST MAKE THE BOLD INVESTMENTS.

NOW IS OUR CHANCE TO MOVE THIS STATE FORWARD NOT RIGHT, NOT LEFT, BUT FORWARD.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE BUDGET I OUTLINE TONIGHT REFLECTS OUR KENTUCKY VALUES OF FAMILY, FAITH AND COMMUNITY AS WELL AS RESPECT AND COMPASSION FOR OUR NEIGHBORS.

IT PROVIDES A BLUEPRINT FOR ACHIEVING OUR GOALS AND BUILDING A BETTER KENTUCKY FOR ALL OUR PEOPLE AND ENSURING WE ARE A NATIONAL LEADER MOVING INTO THE FUTURE.

FOLKS, WE ARE COMING OFF A YEAR WHEN WE SHATTERED EVERY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RECORD IN THE BOOKS.

LAST YEAR, WE ATTRACTED 11.2 BILLION IN PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE CREATED A NEW 18,000 JOBS FOR OUR KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND THOSE JOBS WERE THE SECOND LIEST HIVE SHIEF-- HIVE THOSE JOBS WERE THE SECOND HIGHEST PAYING IN THE HISTORY OF KENTUCKY.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND LAST YEAR, THROUGH SOUND FISCAL MANAGEMENT, WE HAD THE LARGEST BUDGET SURPLUS IN OUR HISTORY.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN THE REVENUES IN THIS BUDGET, THEY'RE VERY, VERY GOOD, WITH 1.9 BILLION MORE IN GENERAL FUND REVENUE IN THIS BUDGET COMPARED TO THE LAST.

WE HAVE A BILLION DOLLARS IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF MORE DOLLARS IN THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE ACT JUST WAITING TO BE DEPLOYED.

SO HERE WE ARE, AT THIS HISTORIC MOMENT, NO LONGER A FLYOVER STATE, BUT THE DESTINATION.

NO LONGER A FOLLOWER.

BUT THE LEADER.

YES WE HAVE ARRIVED.

[ APPLAUSE ] BUT TO STAY HERE, TO STAY ON TOP, WE HAVE TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS AND WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO DO THE WORK.

MY BUDGET DOES THE WORK.

IT PROVIDES RECORD FUNDING FOR PRE-K THROUGH POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT INVESTS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE, IT FUNDS HEALTHCARE WHICH IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT SHORES UP NURSING AND SOCIAL WORK.

IT BETTER PROTECTS OUR CHILDREN AND OUR SENIORS AND IT PROVIDES A REAL AND LONG OVERDUE RAISE FOR OUR EDUCATORS AND OUR STATE WORKERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] BUT IT STARTS WITH HELPING THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN HARMED BY DECEMBER'S DEADLY TORNADOES AND DOING WHAT IT TAKES TO DEFEAT THIS COVID PANDEMIC.

DECEMBER'S TORNADOES WERE THE DEADLIEST IN HISTORY, TAKING 77 KENTUCKY LIVES, ONE AS YOUNG AS SIX DAYS OLD.

THE LEVEL OF DAMAGE WAS UNPRECEDENTED, UNIMAGINABLE WITH ENTIRE COMMUNITIES NEARLY ERASED, THOUSANDS OF HOMES JUST GONE.

TODAY, I SIGNED THE FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO HELP THESE COMMUNITIES.

IT PROVIDES $30 MILLION FOR IMPACTED SCHOOL SYSTEMS SO THEY CAN PROVIDE THE SUPPORT FOR THE DISPLACED AND TRAUMATIZED STUDENTS.

AND IT PROVIDES $15 MILLION TO SPEED UP MEDIUM TERM HOUSING FOR THOSE THAT HAVE LOST EVERYTHING.

I'VE STOOD IN MAYFIELD.

I'VE WALKED THE STREETS OF WHAT USED TO BE BLOCKS.

MY DAD'S HOMETOWN DAWSON SPRINGS.

MY UNCLE'S RELATIVES DROVE ME THROUGH THEIR HOMETOWN.

THERE IS SO MUCH PAIN.

BUT THERE IS ALSO RESOLVE.

OUR JOB, AS A PEOPLE, IS TO DO MORE THAN REBUILD BUILDINGS.

WE MUST REBUILD LIVES.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND LET ME EXTEND A THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO HAS HELPED, FROM REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD HEATH WHO I CALLED AT FIRST LIGHT ON SATURDAY AND HE WAS ON HIS TRACTOR CLEARING OFF SOME OF THE ROADS, TO THE KENTUCKY DISTILLERS ASSOCIATION WHICH JUST RAISED MORE THAN $3.4 MILLION FOR TORNADO RELIEF.

[ APPLAUSE ] TO OUR BRAVE FRONT LINE HEROES AND TO EVERYDAY KENTUCKIANS AND THE THOUSANDS OF FOLKS WHO HAD NEVER BEEN TO KENTUCKY, MAYBE EVEN HEARD OF KENTUCKY, THAT OFFERED TO HELP.

THANK YOU.

TO OUR WESTERN KENTUCKY FAMILIES, I THINK THIS PEOCES-- I THINK THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, HOUSE AND SENATE, EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATION SHOWS THAT WE ARE STANDING WITH YOU.

IT SHOWS THAT I WILL STAND WITH YOU.

IT STANDS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL STAND WITH YOU.

AND IT SHOWS THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY WILL STAND WITH EACH WESTERN KENTUCKY FAMILY.

[ APPLAUSE ] TO REACH THIS BRIGHT FUTURE, WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT, WE MUST CONTINUE TO HELP THESE COMMUNITIES REBUILD.

AND WHILE WE DO THAT, WE MUST KEEP UP THE FIGHT TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE AGAINST COVID-19.

THE OMICRON VARIANT IS FILLING OUR HOSPITALS.

IT'S IMPACTED THE BUSINESSES, THE BUSINESS OF THIS BODY AND SO MANY PRIVATE ENTERPRISES.

COVID-19 HAS TAKEN THE LIVES OF MORE THAN 12,400 OF OUR FELLOW KENTUCKIANS AND OVER 840,000 OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT VACCINATIONS AND TESTING.

WE MUST HELP THE SICK SUPPORT OUR HEALTHCARE HEROES AND PROTECT OUR HOSPITALS.

THAT'S WHY I DEPLOYED OVER 400 NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS TO HELP OUR HOSPITALS.

ONCE AGAIN, THE GUARD HAS STEPPED UP.

LET'S SHOW THEM OUR APPRECIATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] MY BUDGET ALLOCATES NEARLY $108 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDS FOR COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS.

IT FURTHER ADDRESSES THE CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF NURSES WE FACED DURING COVID-19, IT PROVIDES $12 MILLION IN NEW NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS, $ 25 MILLION IN NURSE STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS AND IT PROVIDES HERO PAY TO NURSES, TEACHERS, HEALTHCARE HEROES, FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATORS, GROCERY STORE WORKERS, TRANSIT WORKERS AND EVERYBODY ELSE WHO PUT THEIR HEALTH ON THE LINE FOR US THIS BUDGET GETS NURSES INTO THE PROFESSION, KEEPS THEM IN THE PROFESSION AND SHOWS THEM HOW MUCH WE CARE.

AND AS YOUR GOVERNOR, I WANT EACH AND EVERY NURSE OUT THERE TO KNOW THAT I THANK YOU AND I CARE ABOUT YOU DEEPLY.

SO THIS BUDGET ADDRESSES THE CHALLENGES OF OUR PRESENT AND INVESTS IN OUR BRIGHT FUTURE AND IT DOES SO IN THE MOST RESPONSIBLE AND FISCALLY SOUND MANNER IN DECADES.

ITS NUMBERS COME FROM OUTSIDE ECONOMISTS.

IT SPENDS ONE-TIME FUNDING ONLY ON ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS.

IT HAS MORE THAN ONE BILLION DOLLARS LESS OF RECURRING SPENDING IN 2023 THAN WE WILL RECEIVE IN RECURRING REVENUE AND ADDS TO THE LARGEST RAINY DAY ACCOUNT IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

THIS BUDGET PAYS DOWN OUR LIABILITIES AND IT FULLY FUNDS ALL OF OUR PENSION SYSTEMS WITH THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY, THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION, MY KIDS AND YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS.

THAT'S FOR WHOM WE MUST SEIZE THIS MOMENT THE BUDGET THAT I'M PROPOSING SETS THE TABLE FOR GAME CHANGING AND MAYBE STATE CHANGING INVESTMENTS, WHICH WE MUST DO MINE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE AN EDUCATION FIRST ADMINISTRATION AND THIS-- [ APPLAUSE ] AND THIS SHOULD BE AN EDUCATION FIRST BUDGET BECAUSE IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT WORLD CLASS COMPANIES, WE MUST PROVIDE A WORLD CLASS SYSTEM OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT'S HOW WE BEGIN TO ADDRESS HISTORIC INEQUITIES.

IT'S HOW WE BUILD A WORLD CLASS WORKFORCE.

IT'S HOW WE EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES AND THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE.

THIS BUDGET DOES JUST THAT.

IT ADDS RECORD FUNDING, NEARLY $2 BILLION OVER THE LAST BUDGET, TO PRE-K THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS BUDGET STARTS AT THE EARLIEST AGE PROVIDING UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL FOR ALL FOUR YEAR OLDS AND FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR EVERY CHILD ALL FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

[ APPLAUSE ] NO LONGER WILL TNS OF THOUSANDS OF OUR CHILDREN BE LEFT OUT OF PRESCHOOL OR HEAD START.

NO LONGER WILL THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN FAIL TO BE KINDERGARTEN READY.

NO LONGER WILL ANY CHILD BE BEHIND ON THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

AT THE SAME TIME, PRE-K HELPS US ADDRESS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOST PRESSING OBSTACLES TO WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.

IF WE DO FUND PRE-K, WE DO MORE THAN JUST COMPLAIN ABOUT PARENTS GETTING BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

WE ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND THE COST.

THE COST IS MORE THAN AFFORDABLE IT'S $172 MILLION A YEAR TO MAKE UNIVERSAL PRE-K HAPPEN.

THAT IS ONLY 8% OF OUR BUDGET SURPLUS.

8% FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR KIDS I KNOW THEY'RE WORTH IT.

THEY'RE MORE THAN WORTH IT AND I HOPE YOU THINK SO, TOO GETTING OUR CHILDREN INTO EARLY LEARNING IS CRITICAL BUT THIS BUDGET DOES SO MUCH MORE MAKING THE LACKERREST SINGLE INVESTMENT IN K-12 IN OUR EDUCATION HISTORY, TOO.

THESE ARE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS AND THEY START WITH A 16.9% INCREASE IN ZEKE FUND SEEK FUNDING.

THAT INCLUDES A 12.5% INCREASE IN THE PER PUPIL FUNDING.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND THIS BUDGET FULLY FUNDS STUDENT TRANSPORTATION AND AN 81% INCREASE IN FUNDING.

THIS BUDGET PROVIDES $22.9 MILLION EACH YEAR TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES.

NO LONGER WILL A TEACHER EVER HAVE TO DIP INTO HIS OR HER OWN POCKET TO FUND THE CLASSROOMS THEY TEACH IN IT PROVIDES 6 TNT $2 MILLION EACH YEAR TO CREATE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL LEARNING INSTITUTES, CREATES TWO NEW GRANT PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE WRAP AROUND SERVICES TO STUDENTS IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE USE CHILD ABUSE AND PARENTAL INCARCERATION.

THIS BUDGET DOES MORE THAN JUST TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

IT PROVIDES RESOURCES TO HELP STUDENTS RECOVER AND TO HEAL.

IT ALSO HELPS THEM BUILD CAREERS.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTERS ARE A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND FOR FILLING THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE.

IT HELPS US MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, CAREER PREPARATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND THEY ATTRACT JOBS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

SO I HAVE INCLUDED $97.4 MILLION THIS YEAR TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION OF ANOTHER 11 CENTERS.

THE C.T.

CENTERS INCLUDED IN THIS FUNDING INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

BOYD, CARTER, EDMUNDSON, FLEMING, GRACESON, LOUIS, LIVINGSTON, McQUERY, NELSON AND UNION COUNTIES.

AND WE ARE GOING TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL POOL OF $75 MILLION FOR A NEW ROUND OF APPLICATIONS TO RENOVATE MORE CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT SCHOOLS CHOSEN BY OUR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT NEED SOME EXTRA HELP.

WE ARE PROVIDING $14 HNT 4 MILLION EACH YEAR TO SUPPORT ALL 48 IDENTIFIED SCHOOLS.

AND I'M RESTORING THE LONG STANDING LIBRARY GRANT PROGRAM WITH $2.5 MILLION ANNUALLY TORE GRANTS TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARIES.

[ APPLAUSE ] JASON GLASS, OUR GREAT COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK ALL KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION PRIORITIES ARE SUPPORTED BY THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL.

Dr. GLASS IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

LET'S GIVE HIM A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR HIS WORK.

[ APPLAUSE ] NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS.

AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN ALWAYS SAYS, THE FUTURE OF OUR ECONOMY IS IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THOSE EDUCATING OUR CHIRP ARE PAID CLOSER TO WHAT THEY'RE PORTSDZ-- TO WHAT THEY'RE WORTH.

THAT'S WHY THIS BUDGET CALLS FOR A MINIMUM 5% SALARY INCREASE FOR ALL PERSONNEL, SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND THAT'S IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR SALARY SCHEDULE INCREASES FOR CERTIFIED STAFF.

THERE WILL BE NO HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM INCREASES FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

[ APPLAUSE ] SO THAT'S A REAL 5%: LORI BAKER, EDUCATOR FROM KNOTS COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO HAS TAUGHT 18 YEARS SAID THE INCREASE WOULD ALLOW HER FAMILY TO MAKE ENDS PLEAT WITHOUT RELYING ON SECOND JOBS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

I THINK WE GOT LARA HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

THERE SHE IS.

LARA IS MY FRIEND AND SHE IS A MATH INTERVENTION TEACHER WHO HAD TO DRIVE AN UBER BEFORE COVID BECAUSE HER TEACHER SALARY WAS NOT ENOUGH.

ON BEHALF OF ALL OUR EDUCATORS WE HOPE THIS RAISE HELPS YOUR FAMILY MEET THEIR ENDS WITH JUST ONE JOB.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT THIS SALARY INCREASE, BUT WE MUST DO MORE IN THIS BUDGET TO KEEP, TO RETAIN OUR GREAT TEACHERS SO I'M PROVIDING $79 MILLION OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS FOR A STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS.

AND WE ARE FULLY FUNDING OUR TEACHERS PENSIONS AND THEIR MEDICAL BENEFITS AND WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT FUNDING FOR OUR FAMILY RESOURCE AND YOUTH SERVICE CENTERS.

I'VE INCLUDED ALMOST $6 MILLION MORE EACH YEAR TO SUPPORT THEM.

REMEMBER, WHEN A KID SHOWS UP TO SCHOOL SHIVERING ON A COOL DAY, IT'S OUR FRISKIES THAT FIND THEM A COAT.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEXT CRITICAL STEP IN BUILDING THAT WORLD CLASS EDUCATION SYSTEM, HIGHER EDUCATION.

MY BUDGET PROVIDES THE HIGHEST FUNDING INCREASE AT NEARLY 12% IN DECADES.

IT INCLUDES $60 MILLION FOR A NEW BUCKS FOR BRAINS PROGRAM.

AND IT ADDRESSES ANOTHER TOP PRIORITY FOR POST SECONDARY EDUCATION, PAYING DOWN THE DEBT OF THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.

WE CANNOT LET OUR SCHOOLS CRUMBLE SO MY BUDGET INCLUDES $500 MILLION, THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FOR THIS IN 20 YEARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND FINALLY, I'M EXCITED WE ARE CONTINUING TO PUSH A NEW NECESSARY PROGRAM CHAMPIONED BY ROCKY ADKINS.

THE BETTER KENTUCKY PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP.

THIS NEW PROGRAM PROVIDES THE LAST DOLLARS FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE SEEKING STUDENTS.

IT WILL COVER-- HELP COVER THE COST OF TUITION, MANDATORY FEES FOR APPROXIMATELY 15,700 ADDITIONAL KENTUCKY STUDENTS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE IN A TRANSFORM TIFF TIME-- TRANSFORMATIVE TIME, WHETHER WE ARE REFERRING TO COVID OR OUR ECONOMIC BOOM, IT IS CLEAR THINGS ARE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT MOVING FORWARD.

A TRANSFORMATIONAL TIME REQUIRES TRANSFORM TIFF INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AND REQUIRES INVESTMENTS IN OUR SUCCESS.

WE, KENTUCKY, ARE BEING CHOSEN AS THE DESTINATION BY MORE AND MORE WORLD CLASS COMPANIES.

MAJOR CORPORATIONS INCLUDING FORD, TOYOTA, AMAZON, PRATT, G.E.

APPLIANCES, FIDELITY, KRUEGER, THESE ARE JUST SOME THAT ARE BETTING OUR FUTURE ON-- BETTING THEIR FUTURE ON US.

LAST YEAR OUR GROWTH, THIS GROWTH WAS MORE INCLUSIVE THAN EVER BEFORE WITH OPPORTUNITIES SPREAD OUT ALL OVER THE STATE IN SO MANY COMMUNITIES.

EXAMPLES LIKE FIRE STONE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS ADDING HUNDREDS OF JOBS IN WILLIAMSBURG.

LION FIRST RESPONDING RETURNING TO BATYVILLE, T.MARZETTI AND THIS WEEK, THEY'RE DOUBLING THE LARGEST INVESTMENT EVER SEEN IN TODD COUNTY.

MY BUDGET AIMS TO PAIR RECORD FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION WITH KEY INVESTMENTS.

SO WE CAN TURN THESE LAST TWO GREAT YEARS OF ECONOMIC MOMENTUM INTO 20 YEARS OF AMAZING PROSPERITY.

SO LET'S START WITH CREATING AND ATTRACTING JOBS.

LAST YEAR WE LANDED THE SINGLE LARGEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN OUR HISTORY.

FROM FORD AND ITS PARTNER S.K.

INNOVATION AT NEARLY $6 BILLION, AND GOING TO CREATE 5,000 NEW JOBS, THE BLUE OVAL BATTERY PARK WILL MAKE US, KENTUCKY, A GLOBAL LEADER IN ELECTRIC BATTERY PRODUCTION.

DID YOU TELL BIM KILL SAG DISIF SWED IT IMER SWED IT IS SAW.

THAT PROJECT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT YEARS OF INVESTMENT.

WITHOUTS LAPPED PURCHASES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

THIS BUDGET PREPARE PAIRS US TO SECURE THE NEXT FORD AND AIMS TO PROVIDE EVERY KENTUCKY REGION WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LAND IT.

THAT'S WHY THE BUDGET CALLS FOR $250 MILLION TO DEVELOP A SITE IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

THIS FUND WILL HELP COMMUNITIES PREPARE BUILD READY SITES FOR OUR NEXT BIG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

KENTUCKY IS ALSO LEADING IN AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY.

ANNOUNCING FOUR EXPANSIONS, APPALACHIA LAUNCHING THIS YEAR.

FRESH HARVEST CONTINUING TO GROW IN STANFORD AND ENVY ROW FLIGHT THRIVING IN MAYSVILLE.

MY BUDGET ENSURES KENTUCKY WILL BE THE AGRITECH CAPITOL NOT JUST NOW BUT IN THE FUTURE, NOT JUST HAVING THE FACILITIES, NOT JUST DOING THE WORK BUT ALSO COMING UP WITH THE IDEAS, CREATING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

THAT'S WHY MY BUDGET INVESTS $75 MILLION TO SUPPORT A STATE-OF-THE-ART AGRITECH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN THE HEART OF EASTERN KENTUCKY.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE GOT ONE OF THE GUYS THAT HAS HELPED MAKE KENTUCKY THE AGRITECH CAPITOL OF THE UNITED STATES.

GIVE IT UP FOR JONATHAN WEBB FROM APP HARVEST.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING TO ATTRACT THE JOBS OF TOMORROW, SO MY BUDGET INVESTS $10 MILLION TO BUILD A LIFE SCIENCES R & D FACILITY IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

WITH KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY BOOMING, WE MUST CONTINUE TO IMPROVE CRUCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

MY ROAD PLAN PROVIDES $8.5 BILLION TO INVEST ACROSS KENTUCKY.

IT INCLUDES PUSHING FORWARD MAJOR PROJECTS LIKE FOUR LANING THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY ALL THE WAY TO PRESTONSBURG.

IT PUSHES US FORWARD TO BUILD THAT I-69 BRIDGE AND IT STARTS THE PATH TO BUILDING THE COMPANION BRIDGE WITHOUT TOLLS.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN FACT, THIS BUDGET GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS WITH AN EXTRA $ 250 MILLION GENERAL FUND INVESTMENT.

FOLKS, WE ARE USING ONE-TIME FUNDS SO WE CAN PUSH AHEAD OUR APPLICATION TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE BENT SPRENTS BRIDGE.

THESE TYPES OF DOLLARS ARE SAYING WE ARE NOT ONLY COMMITTED TO THIS PROJECT, WE'VE ALREADY BUDGETED OUR SHARE AND NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN STEP UP.

THERE ARE OTHER KEY AREAS WHERE WE ARE INVESTING THAT ARE GOING TO MOVE US FORWARD.

THIS BUDGET PROVIDES $100 MILLION TO BUILD OUT OUR EV INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND IT PROVIDES RECORD FUNDING FOR WATER AND SEWER GRANTS AND LOANS AT NEARLY A HALF A BILLION DOLLARS.

I BELIEVE THAT CLEAN DRINKING WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT AND IT SHOULD NEVER BE DEPENDENT ON WHERE YOU LIVE.

I HAVE SEEN EXAMPLES OF HOW CLEAN DRINKING WATER PROGRAMS THAT WE PASSED TOGETHER HAVE HELPED FAMILIES, TAKE MORTON'S GAP IN HOPKINS COUNTY, A COMMUNITY OF ABOUT A HOW PEOPLE.

IT ALSO HAD SOME REAL STORM DAMAGE.

THANKS TO THIS PROGRAM, THE ONE THAT WE PASSED USING ARPA FUNDS, SEVERAL HOUSEHOLDS THERE HAVE CLEAN WATER FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

AND IF THIS PANDEMIC HASN'T TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT'S THAT ACCESS TO RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IS A NECESSITY IN THIS WORLD.

SO THIS BUDGET ADDS TO THE FUND CREATED IN THE LAST SESSION, CREATING A HALF BILLION-DOLLAR FUND TO EXPAND HIGH SPEED BROADBAND TO EVERY SINGLE PART OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

MY KNOWLEDGE ALSO INVESTS IN AIRPORTS AND IT KEEPS OUR PROMISE TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TERMINAL BUILDING AT THE BARCLAY REGIONAL AIRPORT IN PADUCAH WITH $6 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THAT TERMINAL.

SO NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE.

WITH HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AND NOW PRE-K AS A FOUNDATION, BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN LEARNING AND WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION BECOMES ALL THE MORE CRUCIAL TO OUR FUTURE.

THIS LAST YEAR MY ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHED THE EVERYBODY COUNTS PROGRAM IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERS.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY, UPS, JE.

APPLIANCES AND KROGER.

THEY'RE HELPING US MOVE TOWARDS A BIG BROAD GOAL OF HAVING EVERY SINGLE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BEFORE THEY GRADUATE HIRED INTO A JOB, ENROLLED IN POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OR BOTH WITH NO ONE LEFT OUT.

I WANT TO THANK JEFFERSON COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT WHO IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO SUPPORT THIS TRANSFORMATIVE PROGRAM.

SO THIS BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING TO EXTEND THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM TO OTHER COUNTIES AND OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

AND WE ARE LAUNCHING A COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE GRANT PROGRAM WHERE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS CAN SECURE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY CONNECT EMPLOYERS AND TRAINEES.

CONTINUING OUR ECONOMIC MOMENTUM REQUIRES US TO KEEP AND ATTRACT THE TOP TALENT, TO CONTINUE GROWING OUR WORKFORCE, WHERE FUNDING A MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO HELP ATTRACT TALENT FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE TO COME JOIN US ON TEAM KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE A GREAT STORY TO TELL AND IT'S TIME THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS IT.

MY BUDGET ALSO AIMS TO STIMULATE JOBS IN REGIONS AND IN NEIGHBORHOODS TOO OFTEN LEFT OUT.

IT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE TO REINSTATE ITS CDL PROGRAM AND EXPANDS THE LOUISVILLE WATERFRONT TO WEST LOUISVILLE AND IT RETURNS 100% OF COAL SEVERANCE FUNDS TO COAL COUNTIES.

THAT'S NEARLY $40 MILLION MORE THAN THE LAST BUDGET.

AND WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT OUR OUTSTANDING TOURISM INDUSTRY.

KENTUCKY IS A DESTINATION FOR WORLD CLASS AND DELICIOUS BOURBON.

WE CAN CLAP FOR BOURBON.

IT'S A WORLD CLASS DESTINATION FOR THE FINEST HORSE RACING, GREAT MUSIC, CUISINE AND OUR BEAUTIFUL OUTDOORS AND SO MUCH MORE, TO KEEP THE VISITORS COMING, I'M DIRECTING $200 MILLION IN ONE-TIME MONEY TO PAY FOR BADLY NEEDED WORK AT OUR STATE WORKS.

THEY DESERVE IT.

WHETHER HOUSING VISITORS OR THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY LOST THEIR HOMES OUR STATE PARKS HAVE BEEN THERE FOR OUR KENTUCKY FAMILIES AND WE ARE PROVIDING MORE DOLLARS TO BOOST OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY THROUGH A TARGETED MARKETING CAMPAIGN.

AS I SAID EARLY ON OUR BUDGET IS A VALUE STATEMENT WE LEAD WITH OUR SHARED KENTUCKY VALUES OF FAMILY, FAITH AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO ONE ANOTHER IN AND TO MOVE THE COMMONWEALTH FORWARD, WE NEED STRONG PEOPLE, STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG COMMUNITIES SO I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE TITLE OF THIS BUDGET OUR FUTURE IS NOW.

WHEN WE SAY OUR, IT MUST MEAN EVERYONE THIS IS A VALUE ROOTED IN MY FAITH.

SCRIPTURE TELLS US FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THE LOST.

WHAT MORE POWERFUL MESSAGE CAN THERE BE?

THAN JESUS BEING SENT TO EARTH NOT FOR THE WEALTHY AND THE PIOUS BUT FOR THOSE THAT HURT AND SUFFER, THOSE THAT NEED A LITTLE MORE HELP.

LIVING THIS FAITH STARTS WITH PROVIDING A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT, ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.

[ APPLAUSE ] THAT HAS WHY I MADE GOOD TO MAKE SURE ALL KENTUCKIANS HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.

IN ADDITION TO CAN I KINECT, THIS FULLY FUNDS PLKD WHICH PROVIDES HEALTHCARE TO SO MANY OF OUR PEOPLE, INCLUDING MORE THAN 660,000 KENTUCKY CHILDREN OF GOD WHO DESERVE A HEALTHY START TO WHAT WE HOPE ARE AMAZING LIVES.

MY BUDGET FUNDS HUNDREDS OF ADDITIONAL SLOTS IN THE MICHELLE P. WAIVER PROGRAM.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND ALSO ADDITIONAL SLOTS FOR THE COMMUNITY LIVING WAIVER PROGRAM AS WELL.

THIS BUDGET WORKS TO TAKE CARE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE.

IT EXTENDS THE DAILY REIMBURSEMENT INCREASE TO NURSING HOMES REPRESENTING $150 MILLION ANNUALLY AND OUR NURSING HOME WORKERS, THEY DESERVE HERO PAY, TOO.

AND THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, OUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLE.

FROM TESTING TO ADMINISTERING LIFE SAVING VACCINES AND BOOSTER, GET YOUR BOOSTER.

OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE ON THE FRONT LINES.

SO MY BUDGET IS STEPPING UP FOR THEM I'M RECOMMENDING MORE THAN $36 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

LET ME ASK YOU HOW INCREDIBLE IS YOUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT?

YOU KNOW WHAT?

THOSE WORKERS DESERVE HERO PAY, TOO.

[ APPLAUSE ] MY BUDGET PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

WE FUND THE NEW 988 MENTAL HEALTH LIFELINE AND FUND 24/7, 365 SUPPORT TEAMS RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO HELP IN A CRISIS.

WE MUST ALSO LOOK OUT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE LIKE KENTUCKY'S CHILDREN AND OUR SENIORS.

ONE OF THE MOST HEART BREAKING TIMES IS WHEN A CHILD FACES A CANCER DIAGNOSIS.

CHILDHOOD CANCER IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH BY DISEASE IN CHILDREN.

THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A DEVASTATING STATISTIC BUT THIS YEAR IT HIT HOME A LITTLE HARDER FOR BRITTANY AND I.

BECAUSE THIS YEAR OUR FRIEND DAVID TURNER, JR. DIED OF BRAIN CANCER AFTER AN INCREDIBLY COURAGEOUS BATTLE.

HE WAS NINE YEARS OLD.

YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT WE HONORED HIM BY PROCLAIMING MAY 21, 2021 AS DAVID TURNER, JR. ICE CREAM DAY IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

IT'S WHAT HE WANTED.

WE CELEBRATED HIS LIFE AND HIS SPIRIT JUST AS I THINK HE WOULD HAVE WANTED US TO.

SO IN THIS BUDGET, I'M PROUD IN HIS HONOR, TO INCREASE THE FUNDING TO THE KENTUCKY PEDIATRIC RESEARCH TRUST FUND TO HELP MOVE FORWARD RESEARCH FOR BETTER OUTCOMES FOR OUR CHILDREN.

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

[ APPLAUSE ] IF WE ARE TO LIVE OUT OUR FAITH, AND ESPECIALLY TO SERVE THE LOST, THE LONELY AND THE LEFT BEHIND, WE MUST ALSO DO MORE TO ADDRESS CHILD ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THAT'S WHY MY BUDGET, THIS BUDGET, INCLUDES A 34% INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTERS, RAPE CRISIS CENTERS AND CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS, ALL INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATIONS DOING GOD'S WORK.

IT ALSO INCLUDE IS 19.6 MILLION EACH YEAR TO SUSTAINED AND EXPAND ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES.

LIKE OUR CHILDREN, MANY OF OUR SENIORS ALSO NEED HELP DURING THIS PANDEMIC, WE HAVE LEARNED HOW HUNGER REMAINS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR OUR ELDERLY.

I'LL ADMIT, I WAS A LITTLE ASHAMED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

I DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD A WAITING LIST FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR OUR SENIORS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAD SENIORS, WE KNEW WHO THEY WERE, WE KNEW WHERE THEY WERE, THAT WE WERE NOT GETTING MEALS WHILE THEY WENT HUNGRY.

DURING COVID-19, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE MEALS FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM AND I THINK WE SHOULD GO GOING FORWARD, TOO.

SO I'M PROPOSING $36.2 MILLION OVER THE NEXT TWO AND A HALF YEARS TO PROVIDE 49,000 EXTRA MEALS PER WEEK WHICH WILL FEED EVERY SINGLE HUNGRY SENIOR IN KENTUCKY EVERY ONE.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND KENTUCKY'S MILITARY VETERANS, THEY REPRESENT THE BEST OF TEAM KENTUCKY.

AND WE HAVE A SHARED AND SACRED DUTY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE WHEN THEIR SERVICE ENDS.

THAT'S WHY I'VE INCLUDED ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAM.

THAT'S WHY WE INCREASE THE NUMBER OF VETERANS FIELD REPRESENTATIVES TO PROVIDE MORE OUTREACH AND GET MORE BENEFITS TO OUR KENTUCKY VETERANS AND IMPORTANTLY MY BUDGET BOOSTS FUNDING TO PROVIDE MORE STAFF AT OUR VETERANS CEMETERIES.

IT IS THE MOST SACRED DUTY TO HON HONOR OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY GRIEVE.

THIS EXTRA STAFF IS NECESSARY.

FOR THE NUMBER OF INTERNMENTS THAT RIGHT NOW OUR FUNDING DOES NOT KEEP UP WITH.

THIS IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO.

WE ARE ALSO PROVIDING FUNDING TO CREATE A PERMANENT MEMORIAL HONORING KENTUCKY MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS AT VALLEY FORGE, PENNSYLVANIA.

OUR CURRENT MONUMENT IS FIBER GLASS WHILE OTHER STATES HAVE PUT FORTH A MORE DIGNIFIED PERMANENT MONUMENT.

THIS BUDGET PROVIDES THE FUNDING FOR US TO DO THE SAME, TO RECOGNIZE OUR MEDAL OF HONOR WINNERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THIS BUDGET ALSO PUTS A PRIORITY ON IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE IS EXPERIENCING AN UNPRECEDENTED SHORTAGE OF TROOPERS.

THEY'RE AT THE LOWEST THEY HAVE BEEN AT OVER 30 YEARS.

MY BUDGET SUPPORTS AN IMMEDIATE $15,000 PAY INCREASE FOR ALL SWORN TROOPERS AND OFFICERS.

ALSO SUPPORT FUNDING TO SUPPORT FIRST RESPONDERS AS WELL, LOCAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND LOCAL FIGHTERS WILL RECEIVE A 15% INCREASE IN THEIR TRAINING STIPEND IN MY BUDGET RECOMMENDATION.

FOLKS, TONIGHT WE HAVE OUR COMMISSIONER AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE.

LETS LET THEM KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THEIR OFFICE.

[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BURNET, YOU ARE DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB.

MY KNOWLEDGE ALSO SUPPORTS OUR INCREDIBLE STATE WORKERS.

THAT'S WHY THIS BUDGET-- [ APPLAUSE ] I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE RACE.

THAT'S WHY THIS BUDGET INCLUDES THE LARGEST SALARY INCREASE IN DECADES.

MY BUDGET PROPOSAL, WHICH HAD TO GO TO PRINT BEFORE THE HOUSE'S PROVIDES A 5% RAISE EFFECTIVE MAY 1.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE HOUSE BUDGET INCLUDES A 6% RAISE THOUGH ON A LATER DATE, ON AN EMPLOYEES ANNIVERSARY DATE.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

OUR STATE WORKERS DESERVE THE VERY BEST.

LET'S GIVE THEM THE FULL 6% RAISE FOR EVERYONE AND LET'S DO IT MAY 1, THE EARLY DATE.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND THIS BUDGET ENSURES THAT THAT RAISE AGAIN IS REAL PROVIDING FUNDS TO ENSURE NO HEALTHCARE PREMIUM INCREASES HIT OUR STATE WORKERS.

AND AS I ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH, WE HAVE TAKEN EXTRA STEPS STRUGGLING WITH CASE LOADS AND BURNOUT.

MY BUDGET ADDRESSES THE CHALLENGES, IN DECEMBER WE PROVIDE A 10% PAY RAISE.

AND WE ARE ADDING 350 MORE SOCIAL WORKERS TO REDUCE THE AVERAGE CASE LOAD BY NEARLY 25%.

WE CANNOT HAVE AN UNSURMOUNTABLE BURDEN ON EACH OF THE SOCIAL WORKERS AND TO BUDGET FOR ANY LESS THAN WHAT IT TAKES TO PROTECT OUR KENTUCKY KIDS, I THINK IS WRONG.

THIS BUDGET BUDGETS FOR EVERY SINGLE CHILD WHO NEEDS HELP AND IT WORKS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN MORE SOCIAL WORKERS MY BUDGET PROVIDES A STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, PROVIDING A MAXIMUM $3,000 A YEAR EACH YEAR OF EMPLOYMENT FOR FIVE YEARS THAT YOU SERVE AS A SOCIAL WORKER WITH DCBS.

I WANT TO TELL YOU AN INCREDIBLE STORY ABOUT A DCBS FIELD SUPERVISOR NAMED JULIE SUN AND HER 16-YEAR-OLD NAMED MICHAEL.

AS THE TORNADOES PASSIONED NEAR THEIR HOUSE AND THEY WERE BLESSED THAT THEY WEREN'T DIRECTLY HIT, THEY SEARCHED THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SURVIVORS.

THEY HEARD A GENTLEMAN CRYING OUT FOR HELP WHO HAD ESCAPED FROM A COLLAPSED HOME THAT STILL HAD 12 PEOPLE TRAPPED IN THE BASEMENT.

ONE CHILD JUST THREE MONTHS OLD.

JULIE PROVIDED SHELTER FOR SO MANY OF THE SURVIVORS AND SHE WAS BACK TO WORK THE NEXT MONDAY SERVING THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE WITH US HERE TONIGHT BUT LET'S GIVE JULIE AND MICHAEL A HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

THEY ARE TEAM KENTUCKY ALL STARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THIS FUNDS ALL OF OUR STATE PENSIONS BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.

IT PROVIDES AN ADDITIONAL OVER AND ABOVE PAYMENT OF $750 MILLION TO LESSEN FUTURE LIABILITIES AND GIVE OUR STATE WORKERS MORE SECURITY THAT WE WILL BE THERE FOR THEM IN THEIR RETIREMENT WE MUST REINSTATE THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN.

WE MUST RESTORE FULL FUNDING TO THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS.

AND WE MUST REINSTATE THE OFFICE OF MINORITY EMPOWERMENT, THOSE ARE THE RIGHT THINGS TO DO AND MY BUDGET DOES ALL OF THEM.

IN THIS TIME, WHERE OUR PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED SO MUCH THROUGH NATURAL DISASTERS AND A PANDEMIC, WE MUST LISTEN TO WHAT PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN CALLED THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE.

WE MUST FORGE THIS NEW PATH WITH CONFIDENCE, COOPERATION AND BOLD ACTION TO HELP US HEAL AND MOVE THIS STATE FORWARD.

AND OUR FUTURE IS NOW.

RIGHT NOW.

WE DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE.

WE CAN BE BOTHS IFLY RESPONSIBLE WHILE MAKING INVESTMENTS IN OUR PEOPLE AND OUR FUTURE.

THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE MAKE IN THIS BUDGET WILL BENEFIT MANY GENERATIONS TO COME AND CAN FOREVER CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THIS COMMONWEALTH WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE A NATIONAL LEADER ATTRACTING JOBS OF THE FUTURE OUR FAMILIES MUST HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEED OUR SUPPORT AND PROTECTION.

SO LET'S COME TOCT TO WORK ON BEHALF TO BUILD A BETTER KENTUCKY THAT WE ALL WANT.

LET'S CONTINUE TO LEAD WITH OUR SHARED KENTUCKY VALUES AND ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS FOR OUR PEOPLE TOGETHER OUR TIME IS HERE, OUR FUTURE IS RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE KENTUCKY.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> Renee: AND THAT WAS GOVERNOR ANDY ABOUTY SHEER DELIVERING HIS BUDGET ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY HOUSE AND SENATE IN THE HOUSE CHAMBERS.

LOTS OF INVESTMENT HE WANTS TO MAKE AND WE ARE GOING TO BREAK THAT DOWN AND GET SOME ANALYSIS FROM OUR OBSERVERS AND STRATEGISTS, OUR REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AMY WYCLIFFE AND OUR DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST SHERMAN BROWN AND IN A FEW MINUTES FROM NOW, WE WILL BE TALKING TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND ALSO THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP IN JUST A MOMENT.

SO I WANT TO COME TO YOU, AMY, FIRST.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING NEW THAT YOU HASN'T HEARD IN THE DAYS PRIOR?

>> I DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING NEW TONIGHT I WAS LISTENING FOR SOMETHING KIND OF EXTRA ATTORNEY.

DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING NEW.

I THINK WE'VE HEARD EVERYTHING TEASED OUT THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SEVERAL SIMILARITIES IN WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL IS AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN PLAY OUT IN HOUSE BILL 1.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT SOCIAL WORKERS.

OINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, BUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE ELECTED LEADERS IN BOTH PARTIES AND THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TALKING ABOUT THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO ARE PROVIDING THOSE LIFE SAVINGS SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS INCREDIBLE.

THOSE ARE OUR UNSUNG HEROES OUT THERE AND SO IT'S WONDERFUL TO HEAR ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE TRUE COMPARISONS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT ADDRESS.

I MEAN AS HE TALKED ABOUT THE FUTURE IS NOW.

WE'VE TALKED, LAST WEEK WAS THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH, KIND OF GIVING AND LOOKING BACK AND TALKED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN 2021, TALKED ABOUT WHERE THINGS WERE.

HE MENTIONED HE HAS SAID THIS BEFORE.

IT'S A VALUE STATEMENT AND I THINK I'M JUST LOOKING THROUGH ALL MY NOTES OF EVERYTHING, VALUES REALLY ARE LOOKING AT THE MOST VULNERABLE.

AS AMY JUST SAID.

LOOKING AT FOLKS HE CLEARLY IS TAKING CARE OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS, TAKING CARE OF THE HEALTHCARE SIDE, HERO PAY, GOING THROUGH AND THE ONE THING THAT I THINK WAS MENTIONED LAST YEAR AND IN HIS LAST BUDGET ADDRESS AND WE HEARD FROM BOTH SPEAKER OSBOURNE AND PRESIDENT STIVERS IS THAT IT WAS ONE-TIME MONEY AND HE FOCUSED ON THAT.

WASN'T A REAL HIT.

I THINK IN THIS BUDGET AND IN THIS ADDRESS, HE TACKLED THAT HEAD ON.

LISTEN.

I'VE ONLY ADDRESSED THIS ONE-TIME MONEY USED FOR ONE-TIME EXPENSES AND THAT'S IT.

I'M LOOKING AT THIS AND KIND OF SETTING US UP REALLY FOR THE FUTURE AS WE LOOK FORWARD AND IN THE FUTURE AS HE DUBBED HIS ADMINISTRATION AT THE VERY BEGINNING, EDUCATION FIRST AND THAT TOOK UP A GREAT PORTION OF HIS SPEECH.

I COUNTED 25 MINUTES WHERE HE SPENT ON THE EDUCATION PORTION, LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR STUDENT LOANS AND OF COURSE THE EDUCATOR RAISES.

I MEAN HE REALLY DOES SEE THAT AS A WAS I TO BE A FACILITATOR FOR GREATER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT HOUSE BILL IS WE SEE RECORD INVESTMENT FOR EDUCATION.

I THINK EDUCATION NO DOUBT, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ACROSS THE AISLE, THAT'S ONE THING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR FIND-- >> Renee: EXCEPT MAYBE THE UNIVERSAL PRE-K. >> EXCEPT THAT.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT FLOATS OUT THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF SESSION BUT I DO THINK THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, BOTH ENTITIES CAN SAY THEY'RE PROPOSING RECORD INVESTMENTS AND I THINK WHAT IS IN HOUSE BILL 1, I THINK WE WILL SEE LIKELY MOVE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> AND THEY HAVE FUNDS FOR EARLY LEARNING.

>> THEY DO.

I THINK THEY FULLY FUND ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE PUTTING TOWARDS THE FULL ACTUAL REQUIRED AMOUNT FOR THE KENTUCKY TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM, STATE SYSTEM.

STATE EMPLOYEE RAISES IS IN HOUSE BILL 1 AS WELL.

LOTS OF SIMILARITIES, DEVILS IN THE DETAILS.

>> AND THE DIFFERENCE IN THE RAISES IS ONE THE REPUBLICANS SAY LET'S MAKE IT ON THE ANNIVERSARY DATE WHEN YOU ARE HIRED AND THE GOVERNOR SAID JUST MAKE IT MAY 1 AND DO THE 6%.

>> CORRECT.

AND I THINK THIS IS A CHALLENGE.

I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE THE BUDGET CHAIRMAN AND THIS IS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE YOU ARE HAVING TO BALANCE NEEDS, OBLIGATIONS, WANTS AND POLICY PRIORITIES.

AND SO-- >> IN WHICH ORDER.

>> IN WHICH ORDER DO YOU GO.

SO I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN THOSE SHOES.

BUT IT IS NICE THIS YEAR, AT LEAST TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH FUNDING.

THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO HAVE TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET HIS PRIORITIES THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY IN HOUSE BILL 1.

IF HE WANTS IT INCLUDED, THE WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE HAS TO COME TO FRUITION.

>> IS THAT HAPPENING SHERMAN BROWN?

IS HE TALKING DIRECTLY OR THROUGH ROCKY ADKINS SENIOR ADVISER WITH HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP ABOUT GETTING SOME OF THE NEEDS AND WANTS OF HIS INCLUDED IN THE FINAL PRODUCT?

>> WE HEARD THIS.

I LOOKED BACK AT THE BUDGET ADDRESS FROM 2020 AND WHEN HE DID THE VIRTUAL 2021 STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND BUDGET ADDRESS AS WELL.

THE CONVERSATIONS EVERYBODY HAVE BEEN OCCURRING, NON-STOP, CONVERSATIONS THAT HAPPEN BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND STAFF AND LAST YEAR THIS CAN'TING STAFF.

YOU CAN'T JUST TALK TO ROCKY FREQUENT MEETINGS FROM THE GOVERNOR STATING THOSE ARE TAKING PLACE WE KNOW THOSE ARE TAKING PLACE.

SIMILAR CONVERSATIONS, DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AND SOME OF THE PRIORITIES THAT ARE THE SAME, THAT ARE, YOU KNOW JUST IN BOTH BUDGETS.

I DO THINK THAT IT NEEDS TO CONTINUE.

I HOPE IT DOES CONTINUE BUT I THINK AGAIN, WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING UNPRECEDENTED, DROPPING THE BILL, HOUSE BILL 1 THE DAY BEFORE, IT IS SOMETHING THAT GOES BACK TO IT'S GOING TO BE CONTENTIOUS AND IT IS.

>> WELL, DOES THAT MAKE THE RELATIONSHIP AND THE FUTURE CONVERSATIONS AMY MORE CONTENTIOUS IN THE FACT THAT THAT WAS DONE ALMOST A WEEK AGO AND BEFORE THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.

DOES THAT KIND OF SET UP SOME TENSION THAT MAY NOT HAVE EXISTED.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DROPPED HOUSE BILL 1 A WEEK EARLIER.

SO BE IT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

WE ONLY HAVE 60 DAYS IN FRANKFORT TO GET A LOT OF WORK DONE AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE THINKING.

WE HAVE A FINITE TIME ON THE TAXPAYERS DIME AND WE WANT TO GET IN AND GET THE BUDGET TO THE SENATE SOONER.

>> AND DO TAX REFORM BECAUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBOURNE SAID THEY REALLY DO WANT TO GET TO THAT, YOU KNOW, AND LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S ONLY 60 DAYS WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A LOT BUT THE BUDGET USUALLY TAKES UP A LOT OF THAT OXYGEN AND THAT BANDWITH, IT'S A GOOD SIZED JUGGERNAUT.

IT'S A BIG TASK.

WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THE SENATE PROCESS YET.

WE HAVE SEEN ROUND ONE.

THIS IS ROUND TWO TO GET THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

NOW WE WILL MOVE ON ONCE THE BUDGET GETS TO THE SENATE.

THAT WILL BE ROUND 3.

THE SENATE WILL MAKE THEIR ADJUSTMENTS AS THEY NEED TO.

I EXPECT THEM TO TAKE THEIR TIME IN MAKING THOSE.

>> Renee: AND BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

SO THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING I'M EXCITED TO SEE IT EARLY.

AND HERE WE ARE ON DAY 9, 8, WHATEVER-- I'VE LOST-- >> DON'T TAKE US BACK A DAY.

>> PLEASE DON'T.

>> YEAH, SO WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE TOP LEADERS WHO ARE JOINING US RIGHT NOW.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS AND HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBOURNE.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

WE WERE JUST WITH YOU ON MONDAY NIGHT KENTUCKY ANIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING YOURSELF AVAILABLE.

FOR YOUR QUICK THOUGHTS FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

HE HAS UNVEILED BITS AND PORTIONS OF IT.

ONCE YOU'VE HEARD IT ALL TOGETHER TONIGHT, SPEAKER OSBOURNE, I'LL COME TO YOU FIRST, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND WHAT DO YOU AGREE WITH IN WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR?

>> WELL, AMAZINGLY WE'VE YET TO SEE ANY OF THE DETAILS OF THIS SO CERTAINLY WE HEARD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PROMISES TONIGHT.

YOU KNOW, IT WILL-- THE WORK WILL BE SEEN IN THE DAYS TO COME.

AS I SAID FROM DAY ONE WHEN WE FILED HOUSE BILL 1, THAT WE WOULD ABSOLUTELY 100% CONSIDER THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE WILL DO THAT.

WE WILL TAKE THEM UNDER COMPLETE ADVISEMENT.

AND WE WILL PUT FORTH THE BEST PRODUCT WE POSSIBLY CAN.

WE WILL SEND IT DOWN TO THE SENATE, LET THEM DO THEIR WORK AND ULTIMATELY WE WILL COME BACK TOGETHER AND PASS A BUDGET THAT I THINK THAT WE WILL BE PROUD OF AND THAT WILL SERVE THE COMMONWEALTH WELL.

>> SO THE BILL WAS FILED ON FRIDAY, THE FOURTH DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHEN CAN WE START SEEING PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MAYBE WHEN THAT BILL WILL MOVE OUT OF COMMITTEE AND ON TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR A VOTE?

DO YOU HAVE A TIMELINE IN MIND.

>> AS I'VE SAID FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS AND MONTHS, WE ARE GOING TO BE ON THE MOST AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE IN POD EARN HISTORY ON THIS BUDGET.

I SEE NOTHING THAT WILL KEEP US FROM ACCOMPLISHING THAT.

I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT WHILE WE DID FILE A BILL LAST WEEK, I ALSO DID SIGN THE BILL TONIGHT, AS I MADE THE PLEDGE TO THE GOVERNOR THAT WE WOULD GIVE IT EVERY CONSIDERATION.

I PUT MY NAME ON THE BILL TONIGHT WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT'S IN IT, BUT IT DESERVES THE RESPECT TO DO THAT AS WE JOKED SO MONDAY NIGHT, I DO REMEMBER WHEN GOVERNOR FLETCHER 2350EU8D HIS-- FILED HIS BUDGET SEVERAL YEARS AGO IT WAS PROMPTLY THROWN IN THE GARBAGE AND WE CERTAINLY OWE MORE RESPECT TO THAT THAN THE OFFICE AND WE WILL GIVE IT EVERY CONSIDERATION.

>> SO WHEN YOU SAY AN AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO PRESS A LITTLE BIT ON THAT.

YOU ARE HAVING A LITTLE TRUNK INDICATED COMPRESSED SCHEDULE NEXT WEEK.

OUT OF SESSION TOMORROW, YOU HAVE MLK DAY ON MONDAY, COME BACK ON TUESDAY.

COULD WE SEE ACTION ON THE FLOOR BY WEEK END NEXT WEEK.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE AN EXACT DEADLINE BUT I THINK WILL YOU ABSOLUTELY SEE ACTION IN COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK.

>> I WANT TO GO TO SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL ONCE YOU HEARD IT ALL TOGETHER.

>> FIRST OF ALL I ALWAYS APPRECIATE SPENDING TIME WITH YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, SIR.

>> WE SEEM TO BE DOING THAT A LOT OF THAT THESE DAYS.

>> Renee: A LOT OF QUALITY TIME TOGETHER.

>> WE HAVE.

FIRST OF ALL.

I DON'T REALLY WANT TO COMMENT ON THE GOVERNOR'S REQUEST.

IT SOUNDS GOOD.

IT LOOKS GOOD.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT PUT A CHICKEN IN EVERY POT.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR ALL THOSE CHICKENS WE ARE PROMISING TO PUT IN EVERY POT, THE ISSUE I HAVE RAISED IS WITH ALL THIS TAX MONEY THAT WE ARE SITTING HERE HOLDING, WHY ARE WE NOT THINKING ABOUT GIVING EVERYBODY A PAY RAISE BY GIVING THEM A TAX CUT?

AND SO LET'S SEE HOW THAT HAPPENS AND WHAT THAT WORKS LIKE.

I HEARD THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT THE GOOD FISCAL MANAGEMENT.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS ONLY EXECUTING ON A BUDGET THAT WE GAVE HIM, NOT THAT WAS HIS RECOMMENDATION.

WE BASICALLY, BECAUSE OF COVID, AND NOT OUT OF DISRESPECT, WE STARTED ALL OVER TWO YEARS AGO, AND REWROTE THE BUDGET FROM THE BEGINNING WITH NO RECOMMENDATION FROM THE GOVERNOR AFTER COVID BECAME APPARENT AND WE DID THAT LAST YEAR WITH ONLY SOME LIMITED INPUT FROM THE GOVERNOR.

SO WHERE WE ARE NOW, FROM A FISCAL STANDPOINT IS PURELY BASED ON THE BUDGET THAT WAS WRITTEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND OUR TWO CHAIRS.

THAT'S THE REALITY.

AND THE DOCUMENTS WILL BACK THAT UP.

WE ARE IN THIS FISCAL POSITION BECAUSE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DID OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO ACCOMPLISH THIS SESSION.

GET THAT BUDGET DONE FIRST AND MOVE ON THE TAX REFORM, IS THAT A PRIORITY OF YOURS?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TAX REFORM.

YOU HEARD ME SAY THIS ABOUT THE SENATOR, TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY WERE LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL TAX, GOVERNOR SAID WE HAVE 1.9 BILLION IN SURPLUS.

LET TAKE THE TAX PAYING PUBLIC, DIVIDE IT BY THAT AMOUNT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR A TAX REFUND.

>> WOULD YOU EVEN CONSIDER ANY REVENUE GENERATING MEASURES?

YOU PAYING DOWN THE PENSION LIABILITIES IS IMPORTANT AND YOU HAVE MONEY TO WORK WITH, BUT WOULDN'T GENERATING MORE REVENUE ALLOW TOUPEE DOWN THE PENSION LIABILITIES EVEN SOONER?

>> WE HAVE ONE-TIME DOLLARS I THEY WE CAN DO THAT WITH.

WE DON'T HAVE TO BE RAISING TAX WHEN WE ARE SITTING ON THE 1.9 BILLION SURPLUS.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL BE SEEING YOU NEXT WEEK OR THE WEEK AFTER BUT WE'LL BE AROUND CERTAINLY.

IT IS ALWAYS PLEASURE TO BE IN YOUR COMPANY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, GENTLEMEN.

>> LIKEWISE.

>> AND SO WE THANK THEM AND IN JUST A MOMENT, WE'LL GET THINGS REWIRED AND HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER THE WILL BE WITH US.

SO, LET ME COME BACK TO THE TABLE AND TALK TO OUR DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN STRATEGISTS.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY HEARD AND WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE SPEAKER AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

AND THEY ARE ON AN AGGRESSIVE TIME LINE WHICH IS TRYING TO GET A PINPOINT EXACTLY WHAT THE DATES ARE.

NOT QUITE READY BUT WE'LL HAVE ACTION NEXT WEEK.

>> I THINK WE'LL SEE COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND PUBLIC HEARING WHICH IS YOU'LL CARRY ON KET AND PEOPLE CAN WATCH AT HOME AND PEOPLE CAN INTO THE ANNEX.

>> WHICH IS OF DIFFERENT THAN LAST YEAR.

>> TO VOICE CONCERNS OR SUPPORT OR WHATEVER THAT MAY BE.

SO LACKING FORWARD TO HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD.

THERE ARE A LOT OF AGENDA ITEMS THAT POLICY MAKERS WANT TO TACKLE AND SO, TO GET THE BUDGET REALLY DONE FREES UP THE HOUSE TO FOCUS ON MORE OF THEIR ISSUES THAT WE MAY SEE LIKE TAX REFORM.

>> YES, SO TAX REFORM, CHAIRMAN BROWN, WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT SOMETIMES IN THE CONVERSATION WITH DEMOCRATS IS WE NEED MORE REVENUE.

AND IT WAS THE POINT WAS MADE MONDAY NIGHT, LOOK AT ALL OF THE MONEY WE HAVE.

WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE ENOUGH?

BUT SOME PEOPLE SAY THE MORE REVENUE THAT YOU HAVE, THE MORE THAT YOU CAN PAY DOWN THIS PENSION LIABILITY AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.

AND SO MORE PEOPLE BETTER.

>> AND I THINK REPUBLICANS AND THE SUPER MAJORITIES HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TAX REFORM FOR A WHILE.

THIS IS A CONVERSATION, TRYING TO MAKE SURE THEY GET IT RIGHT.

>> AND THEY'VE DONE IT INCREMENTAL IS WHAT I'M TALK ABOUT, COMING THROUGH AND TRYING TO DO SOMETHING BIG AND BOLD IS NOT WAY TO GO.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES THAT YOU'LL HAVE FOR A WHILE.

PUT THAT TOGETHER OVER A COUPLE OF SIX YEARS OR SO, HOWEVER LONG IT WOULD TAKE.

BUT FOR THIS, YOU KNOW, GOING BACK, TALKING ABOUT THE ONE-TIME FUNDING AND DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES AND THINGS THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT, ONE THING THAT WE DID NOT TALK ABOUT IS THAT I'M REALLY JUST KIND OF GRASPING WAS THE BUDGET WITH NO TOLLS.

THAT'S A HUGE PROJECT.

BEEN DISCUSSED FOR I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY GOVERNORS NOW.

AND I-69 BRIDGE AND HENDERSON AND COMPLETION OF THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY.

THOSE THREE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS KIND OF PCR LOOKING FORWARD.

IN DIFFERENT AREAS AND I THINK THIS GOVERNOR IS REALLY PRETTY WELL BALANCED I THINK AS FAR AS ACROSS THE STATE OF WHERE HIS INVESTMENTS ARE GOING.

>> THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AGRI TECH.

HE'S REALLY PUTTING A LOT BEHIND THIS EMERGING OR MAYBE NOT SO EMERGING INDUSTRY THAT HE HOPES THAT KENTUCKY CAN CORNER THIS MARKET GLOBALLY, NOT JUST THE U.S.

BUT THE CENTER OF THIS KIND OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE AG COMMISSIONER IS ALSO TALKING ABOUT AGRI TECH FOR SEVERAL YEAR.

GOING BACK TO TAX REFORM, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER TAX REFORM DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN RAISING TAXES.

AND I WANT PEOPLE TO HEAR THAT.

>> REVENUE NEUTRAL.

>> AND SO, I THINK THIS AS ABOUT THERE A REAL DESIRE, LOTS OF CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW CAN WE LOWER THE INCOME TAX RATE.

SURROUNDING STATES, TENNESSEE I THINK IS MAYBE DOWN TO ZERO, INDIANA IS DOWN.

>> A HIGHER SALES TAX.

>> HOW DO YOU LOWER THE INCOME TAX TO PUT MONEY BACK IN KENTUCKY FAMILIES' WALLETS AND LET THEM DECIDE HOW TO SPEND IT MOVE TOGETHER A CONSUMPTION BASED TAX.

BECAUSE OUR GENERAL FUND IS COMING FROM INCOME TAXES.

>> WE'RE VERY RELIANT ON INCOME TAXES AND MOVING AWAY FROM THAT AND GIVING -- PUTTING MORE FLEXIBILITY AND CHOICES BACK IN KENTUCKY FAMILIES, I THINK THE WHERE HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE DECISION DISCUSSION STARTED.

AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE MORE.

I THINK THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS KIND OF THE NEXT BIG THING AFTER TAX REFORM.

WE HAVE LOTS TO DO WITH INFRASTRUCTURE.

MOUNTAIN PARKWAY, FOR INSTANCE, I-69, I YOU THINK THAT ALREADY A LOT OF BIG AND LOCAL PROJECTS THAT OUR COUNTIES AND CITIES HAVE HAVE BEEN REALLY INDEED, IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL TAXES.

>> GAS TAXES AND THE FACT THAT YOU'RE MOVING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND CHANGING HOW THOSE MONIES ARE GOING IN >> AND JUST WITH THE PANDEMIC, I'VE BEEN GOING TO STATE PARTIAL A LOT MORE.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO WHAT WE CAN DO.

AND, THEY ARE NEEDED AND WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL STATE PARKS BUT THE FACILITIES AND WHAT THEY NEED AROUND THEM IS DEFINITELY NEEDED.

>> WE HAVE WITH US NOW, THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN THE SENATE, THE MINORITY LEAD THEY ARE IN THE HOUSE, JENKINS GOOD TO SEE BOTH OF YOU A GAIN.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR LAID OUT WAS INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE AND INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMONWEALTH I LOVED WHAT I HEARD ABOUT EDUCATION.

WHAT I HEARD ABOUT HEALTHCARE.

VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART WERE THE EXTRA SLOTS FOR THE MICHELLE P AND SUPPORTS FOR COMMUNITY LIVING WAVERS OF WE'VE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME.

FAMILIES ACROSS KENTUCKY HAVE BEEN WAITING A LODGING LONG TIME FOR THAT INCREASED SOCIAL WORKERS, AND INCREASED MANY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, RAPE CRISIS AND CHILD ADVOCACY AND AREAS THAT I SPENT MUCH OF MY LEGISLATIVE CAREER WORKING ONLY REALLY GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE OF US IN KENTUCKY.

>> AND, EVEN SUPPORT FOR THE KENTUCKY COMMISSION ON WOMEN, HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, OFFICE OF MINORITY EMPOWERMENT.

>> THE RIGHT THING TO.

>> I WANT TO GO TO YOU, LEAZER McGARVEY, YOUR THOUGHTS.

ARE YOU ALSO SAYING THIS AS GOOD NIGHT FOR KENTUCKY TO SEE THE GOVERNOR BESHEAR WANTS TO DO THIS FOR KENTUCKY IN A WAY THAT PERHAPS HE HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO DO BEFORE GIVEN THE ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE STATE?

>> ABSOLUTELIEN THIS IS A ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK THIS BUDGET RISES TO THE MOMENT.

WE HAVE $5 BILLION IN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY COMING INTO KENTUCKY A BILLION DOLLARS IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

A BILLION DOLLARS IN SURPLUS, THIS YEAR, PLUS, A PROJECTED $2 BILLION IN SURPLUS OVER THE BYE BYE ENYUM.

THAT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE BIG, BOLD INVESTMENTS IN THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY AND FUTURE.

PRESCHOOL FOR EVERY 4-YEAR-OLD.

TRANSPORTATION FOR EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FUND THE PRIORITIES FOR THEIR KIDS.

HEALTHCARE FOR KENTUCKIANS.

BUCKS FOR BRAINS, CONTINUING THE EDUCATION SPECTRUM, RAISES FOR STATE WORKER.

THIS INVESTS IN OUR FUTURE.

AND IN THE BUSINESSES OF OUR FUTURE AND THE ECONOMY AND THE PEOPLE TODAY.

>> YOU ON THE PROGRAM MONDAY NIGHT, LEADER McGARVEY AND JENKINS WHEN PRESIDENT STIVERS MADE SOME REMARKS ABOUT HOW HE QUESTIONED THE ACTUAL OUTCOME AND FUTURE STUDENT SUCCESS WHEN IT COMES TO EARLY LEARNING.

THAT HE DID NOT QUITE NOSE THAT PRE-K WAS WORTH INVESTMENT.

YOUR THOUGHTS AS YOU REFLECT ON THAT CONVERSATION FROM MONDAY NIGHT?

>> I HAVE A PRESCHOOLER AT HOME RIGHT NOW.

GETTING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS SO VITAL TO LIFE-LONG LEARNINGFUL EVERY PIECE OF SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL DATA SUPPORTS THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICAL IMPACT.

NOT ONLY GETTING KIDS READY FOR KINDERGARTEN, THERE IS MORE THAN WAGES KEEPING 100,000 KENTUCKY WOMEN OUT OF THE WORKFORCE SINCE THE PEAK PANDEMIC.

THAT IS WAY OF AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE GETTING KIDS READY FOR KINDERGARTEN AND LIFE-LONG LEARNING.

UNIVERSAL PRE-K IS SOMETHING WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD DO IN KENTUCKY.

THE MONEY TO DO IT.

AND WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WITH THE COURAGE TO DO IT.

>> LEADER I WANT TO RETURN TO YOU.

WHAT YOU MAY HAVE NOT HEARD, AS THE SPEAKER AND PRESIDENT WITH US.

THE CONVERSATION ABOUT TAX REFORM.

THAT, THEY HAVE A VERY AGGRESSIVE TIME LINE, NOT DATE SPECIFIC, ON GETTING THIS BUDGET THROUGH, HEARINGS STARTING NEXT WEEK SO THEY CAN MOVE ON TO TAX REFORM.

WHEN YOU HEAR AGGRESSIVE TIME LINE ON ENACTINGAND PASSING A BUDGET, DOES THAT CONCERN YOU HAVE?

>> IT DOES.

BECAUSE I HOPE THERE IS TIME TORMEY NORRITY AND MAJORITY MEMBERS TO WEIGH IN.

THAT WE HEAR FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COMMONWEALTH.

WE HEAR FROM STAKEHOLDERS AND YES WE HAVE HAD HEARINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ABOUT THE BUDGET BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT WE WERE GOING HAVE A GOOD BUDGET.

BUT CONSTITUTIONAL, WHEN YOU PUT PEN TO PAPER, AND REALLY SEE NUMBER, IT IS TIME FOR US TO REALLY ANALYZE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO THE FULLEST AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THE MOST BANK FOR OUR BUCK IN THIS BUDGET.

>> WELL, LEADER JENKINS AND LEADER McGARVEY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.

>> TAKE CARE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, AS WE WRAP UP WE WANT TO GET FINAL THOUGHTS FROM OUR OBSERVERS.

SO, ANYTHING, ANY OTHER TAKE AWAY.

IF YOU COULD SAY, HERE IS THREE THINGS THAT I TOOK AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR SAID, AND WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS RESPONDED TO.

>> THINK THAT I LET THE REAL WORK BEGIN.

THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE ARE IN THIS.

I THINK THAT EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND, HEALTHCARE.

I THINK THOSE ARE THREE ITEMS WHERE WE HEAR A LOT MORE ABOUT IN THE COMING DAYS AND IN ADDITION TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND THE BIGGEST QUESTION THAT I LEAVE WITH HERE TONIGHT AND I HOPE HE DOES, BUT, WILL THE GOVERNOR REACH OUT TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS DIRECTLY, NOT STAFF AND AGENCIES, WILL THE GOVERNOR REACH OUT TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO START THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

AND I HOPE HE DOES.

WE'LL SEE.

>> GOT ANY INSIGHT ON THAT CHAIRMAN BROWN.

>> LIKE I SAID, YOU THIS THEY ARE TALKING, AND I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS, MAYBE IT IS NOT ENOUGH OR MAYBE NEVER GOING TO BE ENOUGH.

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT, THINK THAT I THEY ARE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS, AND JUST THAT'S WHERE THAT NEEDS TO BE.

I THINK AS FAR AS THREE THINGS THAT I KIND OF HEARD, I WOULD AGREE WITH AMY ON EDUCATION, AND HEALTHCARE.

I THINK THOSE ARE TWO CERTAINLY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS, EDUCATION BUDGETS, DEFINITELY DIFFER.

SO THERE'S GROWING TO BE A CONVERSATION THERE.

YOU ENGINEER HEARD LEADER McGARVEY TALKING ABOUT PRE-K, THE NEED FOR THAT FUNDING AND NEED FOR THAT ACCESS.

THE OTHER ONE THOUGH GOES BACK TO THE INFORMATION AND KIND GOVERNORRING THROUGH ALL OF THOSE JUST OF WHAT IT DOES FOR THE STATE.

BRINGING EVERYBODY TOGETHER AND JUST EVEN BROADBAND.

IT IS NOT EVEN HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

NOT JUST INFRASTRUCTURE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT GETTING PLACES ON ROADS BUT ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO CONNECT TO EACH OTHER THROUGH THE INTERNET.

>> WE KNOW THAT WATER AND SEWER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> HE PROPOSED THAT EARLIER IN WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US FOR THESE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

IT HAS BEEN GREAT.

WE'LL DO IT AGAIN!

IT LAB FUN AND INFORMATIVE AS WELL.

AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AT HOME.

WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE THAT'S COMING UP AT ELEVEN CLOCK P.M. EASTERN TIME.

WE'LL RECAP SOME OF WHAT YOU HEARD THE GOVERNOR MORE AND THE OTHER OBSERVERS AND THE LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATURE SAY.

BUT WE ALSO WILL HAVE RUNDOWN OF THE ACTIVITY THAT HAPPENED NEAR THE STATE CAPITOL TODAY SO YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THAT.

11:00 A.M. ON KET.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND I'M RENEE SHAW.

TAKE GOOD CARE AND I'LL SEE YOU REALLY SOON!

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