♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR KET'S COVERAGE OF THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND BUDGET ADDRESS, WHICH WILL BE COMING TO YOU IN AN UNUSUAL FASHION BECAUSE OF COVID.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE WITH US.

AFTER THE SPEECH TONIGHT WE'LL HAVE REACTION FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

BUT RIGHT NOW, TO SET THE STAGE FOR WHAT'S TO UNFOLD, WE HAVE WITH US IN THE LEXINGTON STUDIO AMY WICKLIFFE, AND SHERMAN BROWN, A DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST AND AGENT.

IT IS UNUSUAL THIS TIME AROUND, AMY, WITH COVID, THINGS ARE GOING TO BE DONE DIFFERENTLY.

THE SPEECH HAS BEEN RECORDED AND WE WILL BE PLAYING THAT BACK HERE IN A LITTLE BIT AND ALSO THE EVENTS OF YESTERDAY DELAYED THE SPEECH THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT THE SAME TIME LAST NIGHT.

>> NOTHING IS NORMAL.

WE HAVE ENTERED 20 THE AND SEEING REMNANTS OF 2020 PLAY OUT BEFORE US.

THE TRAGIC EVENTS THAT UNFOLDED YESTERDAY.

IT WAS A TOTAL DISGRACE OF WHAT WE SAW IN WASHINGTON D.C., I TRULY HOPE THAT IS OUR COUNTRY'S ROCK BOTTOM AND WE CAN START TO REBUILD FROM HERE.

I'M GLAD THOUGH THAT WE ARE HERE TONIGHT.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF WORK GO ON IN FRANKFORT BUT NOTHING IS NORMAL AND THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND BUDGET ADDRESS IS NO EXCEPTION THIS EVENING.

>> Renee: THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY'RE IN JOINT SESSION AND WILL YOU SEE SOME ACTIVITY FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR.

SHERMAN, THEY HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY.

THE SENATE JUST REALLY WRAPPED UP ABOUT A HALF HOUR AGO, SO THEY'RE MAKING THEIR WAY IN.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY START OF THE SESSION AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT THE GOVERNOR MAY SAY TONIGHT?

>> LIKE AMY WAS SAYING, IT WAS INTERESTING AND RIGHT NOW AS THEY'RE WALKING IN USUALLY WE WOULD WATCH THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WALK IN AND TALK ABOUT WHAT TO SEE THERE.

YOU CAN TELL THE WAY PEOPLE INTERACT.

IT'S ALL DIFFERENT I THINK WHAT I'M EXPECTING TO SEE IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IS AA LOT OF WHAT WAS IN HIS PREVIOUS BUDGET.

THE SAME PRIORITIES.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF THAT BROUGHT FORWARD.

WE ARE IN A DIFFERENT SPOT WITH COVID.

I THINK HE WILL BE LOOKING FOR RELIEF FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES.

I ANTICIPATE THAT.

EDUCATION.

THAT HAS BEEN A PRIORITY WITH TEACHERS TAKING CARE OF THEM.

HEALTHCARE AND JOBS.

YOU ARE SEEING WITH THE PANDEMIC IT'S WORLDWIDE.

UNEMPLOYMENT IS NATIONWIDE.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE UP.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE TRYING TO GRASP ALL OF THAT AND I THINK WILL YOU SEE AN INFRASTRUCTURE GOING FORWARD,-- AN INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND BROADBAND.

>> Renee: IT IS UNUSUAL THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A BUDGET IN AN ODD NUMBERED YEAR, AMY BECAUSE LAST YEAR, TO SHERMAN'S POINT, THEY PASSED JUST A ONE-YEAR BUDGET BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING COVID, THAT THEY WERE GOING TO COME IN AND SEE HOW THE REVENUE FORECASTS LOOK AND DO ANOTHER ONE-YEAR BUDGET SO IT IS DIFFERENT IN LOTS OF WAY.

>> IT IS AND WE SEE OURSELVES IN UNCERTAIN TIMES AND THAT'S WHY I THINK YOU WILL FIND THE SUPER MAJORITIES WILL BE CONSERVATIVE IN THEIR BUDGETING AND EVEN IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THIS BUDGET BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TRUE ECONOMY LOOKS LIKE.

IT HAS BEEN INFLATED WITH FEDERAL STIMULUS DOLLARS.

UNEMPLOYMENT IS STILL OUT THERE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO REALLY-- WE HAVEN'T BOUNCED BACK OR EMERGED.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE SOME VERY CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES MAINTAINED IN THE SUPER MAJORITY'S BUDGET AS IT WORKS ITS WAY THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> Renee: WE SHOULD SAY THAT THAT THIS IS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION IS.

PERHAPS ANOTHER BILL WILL BE FILED WITH IT.

AND THEY WILL HAVE THE STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR IN MOST LIKELY TO GO THROUGH AND GIVE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATION AND PICK IT APART FROM THERE AND THEN MOVE PRETTY FAST AND WE HEARD EARLIER THIS WEEK ON THIS VERY SET, ACTUALLY FOR KENTUCKY TONIGHT MONDAY NIGHT, THEY WANT TO MOVE THAT OUT BY MID FEBRUARY.

THAT MAY BE OPTIMISTIC BUT IT COULD HAPPEN.

>> IT WOULD BE THE FASTEST I THINK ANY OF HAVE YOUS SEEN THE BUDGET MOVE, BUT I DO THINK THAT THIS LEGISLATURE, LIKE PAST ONES, BUT I THINK THIS ONE IN TICIAL, THEY CAME TO TOWN TO GET TO WORK AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

I THINK THE BUDGET IS NO EXCEPTION WE COULD SEE ACTION ON THE BUDGET QUICKLY TO GET TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND USE THE JANUARY BREAK TO GET DOWN TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS AND GET IT TO THE GOVERNOR IN EARLY FEBRUARY.

>> WHAT WE SEE TONIGHT WON'T BE THE FINAL BUDGET SIGNED INTO LAW.

HAS LOTS TO GO THROUGH.

>> I THINK THAT'S WHEN YOU HAVE THE LEGISLATURE OBVIOUSLY HAS ITS ROLE.

THE GOVERNOR, YOU KNOW, PRESENTS ITS BUDGET, THE HOUSE WILL FILE ITS BUDGET AND IT TAKES OFF FROM THERE AND GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> Renee: WE MIGHT BE READY TO HEAD DOWN TO THE HOUSE FLOOR IN FRANKFORT WHERE THEY WILL START TO GAVEL IN THOSE MEMBERS AND THEN SEGUE TO THE SPEECH OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

(GAVEL SOUNDING) >> HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

CLERK PLEASE SOUND THE CHIMES.

>> Mr. SPEAKER, THE CLERK OF THE SENATE.

>> CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE CLERK OF THE SENATE.

>> Mr. SPEAKER, THE SENATE HAS PASSED SENATE BILLS 1, 2, 3 AND 9.

AND RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS CONCURRENCE OF THIS HONORABLE BODY.

>> THANK YOU, Mr.

CLERK.

GENTLEMAN McCRACKEN.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I ASK THAT WE RETURN TO THE ORDER OF BUSINESS OF INTRODUCTION OF NEW BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION SO ORDERED.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE REPORT.

>> HOUSE BILL 191 REPRESENTATIVE PETRI, AN ACT RELATING TO APPROPRIATIONS MEASURES PROVIDING FUNDING AND ESTABLISHING CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORT DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE APPROPRIATION THEREFORE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

HOUSE BILL 192 REPRESENTATIVE PETRI, AN ACT RELATING TO APPROPRIATIONS MEASURES PROVIDING FUNDING AND ESTABLISHING CONDITIONS FOR THE OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT AND FUNCTIONING OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AND ITS VARIOUS OFFICERS, CABINETS, DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, INSTITUTIONS, SUBDIVISIONS, AGENCIES AND OTHER STATE SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES.

REPRESENTATIVE 193, REPRESENTATIVE PETRI, PROVIDING FINANCING AND CONDITIONS FOR THE OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT AND FUNCTIONING OF THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

HOUSE BILL 194 REPRESENTATIVE PETRI, AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

HOUSE BILL 195, REPRESENTATIVE PETRI, AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT AND FUNCTIONING OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AND ITS VARIOUS OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER STATE SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES.

HOUSE BILLING 196 REPRESENTATIVE WESLEY.

AN ACT RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION OF PATRIOT PENALTIES AND INSURANCE.

HOUSE BILL 223, AN ACT RELATING TO PEACE OFFICER HOURS OF WORK REPRESENTATIVE CULKEARNE.

>> GENTLEMAN McCRACKEN.

>> I MOVE SIR THAT THE HOUSE RESOLVE INTO JOINT SESSION.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION SO ORDERED.

CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE CHIEF DOOR KEEPER.

MRSZ.

>> THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

[ CHEERING ] (GAVEL SOUNDS).

>> CHAIR CALLS THE ORDER, THIS JOINT SESSION OF THE 2021 COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WILL MEMBERS PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION TO BE DELIVERED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM PERRY AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO BE LED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

LET'S PRAY.

>> HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU LORD TO REPRESENT YOU.

I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I CAME IN THESE CHAMBERS IN 2017 AND ABOVE THIS STAND HERE WHERE OUR SPEAKER STANDS, LORD, ARE THE WORDS, "IN GOD WE TRUST" AND I REMEMBER THINKING, LORD, AS I WALKED IN HERE, I PRAYED THAT THAT DAY AND I PRAY TONIGHT THAT WE WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A PEOPLE THAT WOULD PUT OUR TRUST IN YOU.

I PRAY THAT WOULD NOT JUST BE A SAYING BUT I PRAY THAT OUR NATION, OUR STATE, US AS LEADERS, THAT YOU WOULD HELP AND OUR PEOPLE, LORD, TO TRUST IN YOU AS THE BIBLE TELLS US TO.

LORD, I PRAY FOR OUR NATION TONIGHT LORD, WE ARE A HURTING NATION.

AND LORD I PRAY THAT YOU HELP US TO TURN OUR HEARTS BACK TO YOU.

LORD, I PRAY YOU FORGIVE US WHERE WE FAILED YOU.

I PRAY YOU FORGIVE US WHERE WE HAVE TOOK FOR GRANTED THE BLESSINGS OF THE PAST.

LORD I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD HELP US TO AGAIN TURN OUR EYES TOWARDS YOU AND OUR HEARTS TOWARD YOU.

I PRAY, GOD, THAT WE WOULD SEE THAT YOU ARE THE ANSWER TO ALL OF LIFE'S PROBLEMS.

I THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I PRAY FOR OUR SPEAKER AND I PRAY FOR OUR PRESIDENT.

PRESIDENT STIVERS.

I PRAY THAT YOU GIVE US YOUR WISDOM.

I PRAY YOU WOULD HELP US TO BE EXAMPLES TO OUR PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

DOING THINGS RIGHT THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE DONE AND HELP OUR GOVERNOR TO HAVE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD HELP US AS KILLING BABIES.

I PRAY GOD THAT WE WOULD STOP DOING THINGS THAT ARE NOT PLEASING TO YOU.

I PRAY THAT IF WE HAVE THE HAND OF BLESSING IN OUR LIVES, WE HAVE TO TURN BACK TO YOU.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL, THE GIFT OF SALVATION FROM THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

I PRAY THAT YOU BLESS THIS EVENING.

I PRAY THAT YOU RECEIVE GLORY AND WE'LL THANK YOU FOR IT.

LORD.

WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS OUR MILITARY BLESS OUR POLICE OFFICERS, NURSES, DOCTORS, FIRST RESPONDERS, THAT YOU WOULD HEAL OUR LAND AND I PROMISE YOU THAT WE'LL THANK YOU FOR IT.

WE ASK THIS IN JESUS NAME.

AMEN.

>> AMEN.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

FOR THIS DAY AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY >> GENTLEMAN McCRACKEN.

>> Mr. PRESIDENT, I MOVE YOU, SIR, THAT THE ROLL CALL BE DISPENSED WITH.

>> THERE IS A SECOND?

>> SECOND.

>> MULTIPLE SECONDS.

MOTION MADE AND SECONDED.

THE ROLL CALL BE DISPENSED WITH.

WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD THE FLOOR TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, ANDY BESHEAR WHO WILL BE DELIVERING THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS AND HIS BUDGET ADDRESS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSE.

>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT STIVERS, SPEAKER OSBOURNE, MEMBERS.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND EVERYONE WATCHING FROM HOME, INCLUDING JUSTICE MINTON AND THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT, OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COAL COLEMAN, THE FIRST LADY AND OUR KIDS TONIGHT I ADDRESS BOTH THE STATE AND A COUNTRY THAT ARE HURTING.

HURTING FROM A PANDEMIC THAT HAS SWEPT ACROSS THE WORLD, UP ENDED OUR ECONOMY AND TAKEN THE LIVES OF OUR LOVED ONES.

HURTING FROM A TAX ON OUR DEMOCRACY THAT YESTERDAY ROSE TO THE LEVEL OF AN ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL HILL.

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE HOW MUCH CAN CHANGE IN A SINGLE YEAR.

A YEAR AGO I DELIVERED MY FIRST STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS, LAYING OUT THE VISION AND THE VALUES THAT WOULD GUIDE MY ADMINISTRATION AS WE WORK TO BUILD A BETTER KENTUCKY, A KENTUCKY WHERE WE WORK TOGETHER ON ONE TEAM, TEAM KENTUCKY, TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS OF BETTER PAYING JOBS, PUTTING EDUCATION FIRST, ENSURING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE, SUPPORTING HEALTHY RETIREMENTS AND TREATING EACH OTHER WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

THAT NIGHT, I SPOKE BEFORE A HOUSE CHAMBER FILLED WITH LAWMAKERS AND LATER THE FIRST LADY AND I HOSTED A RECEPTION WHERE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE HAD A FEW MOMENTS OF FELLOWSHIP.

BUT TONIGHT, I SPEAK TO YOU REMOTELY, VIRTUALLY, A FIRST FOR THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

I DO SO TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR HOW WE FIGHT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WHICH IS SPREADING RAPIDLY THROUGHOUT THIS COMMONWEALTH.

AND I SPEAK TO YOU, AFTER A ONE-DAY DELAY OF THE SPEECH BECAUSE DOMESTIC TERRORISTS WHO HAVE THE GALL TO CALL THEMSELVES PATRIOTS.

THEY'RE USING INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENCE TO TRY TO TEAR APART OUR GREAT COUNTRY.

BUT IN DIFFICULT TIMES, IN TROUBLING TIMES, I TURN TO MY FAITH, WHERE THE SEASON OF EPIPHANY REMINDS US THAT THERE IS LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS.

SO IN 2021, WE WILL DEFEAT THE CORONAVIRUS.

AND WE SHOULD BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT RESTORING OUR DEMOCRACY.

IF WE CAN ACCOMPLISH BOTH, 2021 WILL BE A GREAT YEAR.

BUT 2021 HAS THE CHAPS TO BE SO MUCH MORE.

TONIGHT, WITH MY BETTER CONDITION BUDGET, I'M OFFERING MY ADMINISTRATION'S BLUEPRINT FOR PRIORITIZING OUR PEOPLE AND MOVING THIS COMMONWEALTH INTO THE FOREFRONT OF THE EMERGING POST-COVID ECONOMY.

FOR TONIGHT'S ADDRESS, I WALKED PAST THE STATUE OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE EPITOME OF LEADERSHIP IN THE TIMES OF TURMOIL AND DIVISION.

HIS STATUE HOLDS PRIDE OF PLACE IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.

I WAS REMINDED OF HIS MESSAGE TO THE FEDERAL LEGISLATURE IN 1862.

HE SAID THE DOGMAS OF THE QUIET PAST ARE INADEQUATE TO THE STORMY PRESENT.

THE OCCASION IS PILED HIGH WITH DIFFICULTY AND WE MUST RISE WITH THE OCCASION.

AS OUR CASE IS NEW, WE MUST THINK ANEW, ACT ANEW, DISENTRAL OURSELVES AND THEN WE SHALL SAVE OUR COUNTRY.

AS KENTUCKIANS, WE ARE NOW CALLED TO RISE TO OUR OCCASION.

NOW IS OUR TIME.

WE CAN'T PLAY POLITICS WHILE OUR PEOPLE AND OUR COUNTRY STRUGGLE.

WE MUST MOVE THIS COMMONWEALTH FORWARD.

BEFORE WE HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, THE DEPTHS OF OUR SACRIFICES AND THE MAGNITUDE OF OUR LOSSES DOO UNDERGRADUATE THIS PAST YEAR DEMANDS OUR ATTENTION.

OVER THE PAST 10 MONTHS, WE HAVE BEEN AT WAR.

THIS EVIL VIRUS HAS TAKEN MORE THAN 2700 OF OUR FELLOW KENTUCKIANS.

THAT TOLL IS HEART BREAKING.

IT'S GREATER THAN THE NUMBER OF KENTUCKIANS LOST IN VIETNAM, KOREA AND EVEN WORLD WAR I.

THESE ARE NOT NUMBERS.

THESE ARE OUR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, BROTHERS, SISTERS, OUR FRIENDS, OUR CO-WORKERS AND, IN SOME CASES, EVEN OUR CHILDREN.

WE'VE LOST DOCTORS, TEACHERS, BUS DRIVERS, A POLICE CHIEF, PASTORS AND A 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENT.

ONE KENTUCKY FAMILY AT HOPKINS COUNTY SUFFERED AN UNBEARABLE LOSS IN APRIL WHEN A WIFE AND A HUSBAND FREDA AND DOUG WOODS DIED OF COVID-19 IN THE SPACE OF JUST TWO DAYS.

AT CAMPBELLSVILLE, I THINK ABOUT THE CHEATHAM FAMILY WHO LOST BOTH PARENTS AND GRANDFATHER IN LESS THAN A MONTH.

SO I'M ASKING EVERYBODY LISTENING IN THE CHAMBER AND AT HOME, TO OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND, IF YOU WILL, SAY A PRAYER AS WE REMEMBER THE KENTUCKIANS WE'VE LOST TO THIS PANDEMIC.

THANK YOU.

MARCH 6 OF LAST YEAR IS A DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET.

IT WAS THE DAY WE RECORDED OUR FIRST CASE OF COVID-19.

FROM THAT MOMENT, I COMMITTED TO TREATING THIS AS THE ONCE IN A CENTURY LIFE AND DEATH THREAT THAT IT REMAINS TODAY.

IN FACT JUST YESTERDAY WE HAD OVER 5,000 NEW CASES.

WE STARTED THIS BATTLE IN MARCH WITH LIMITED TESTS AND A SINGLE STATE LAB TO PROCESS THEM SO WE WENT TO WORK BUILDING A ROBUST CORONAVIRUS TESTING PROGRAM ACROSS THE STATE.

TODAY WE HAVE MORE THAN 350 TESTING LOCATIONS ALL ACROSS KENTUCKY AND WE HAVE CONDUCTED MORE THAN 3.4 MILLION TESTS.

ANYBODY WHO WANTS A TEST CAN GET ONE AND MOST OF THE TIME IMMEDIATELY.

WE STARTED THIS BATTLE WITH INSUFFICIENT PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE.

SINCE THEN WE HAVE MAINTAINED A STRONG 120-DAY STOCKPILE.

AND ALONG THE WAY, WE DELIVERED MORE THAN 18 MILLION PIECES OF PPE TO MEDICAL, GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITIES.

MORE THAN 100 COMPANIES JUMPED IN TO HELP BY DONATING PPE OR PRODUCING IT, WHICH HELPED ESPECIALLY SURE OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND OUR OTHER FRONT LINE HEROS WERE PROTECTED.

IN MARCH, THERE WAS SO MUCH WE DIDN'T KNOW.

BUT TODAY WE PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH MORE INFORMATION, MORE DATA THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN AVAILABLE IN ANY OUTBREAK OR IN ANY PANDEMIC.

IT INCLUDES CASES BY COUNTY, POSITIVITY RATES, HOSPITALIZATIONS, POSITIVES AND QUARANTINES SCHOOLS, DAYCARES AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND UPDATES ON VACCINATIONS.

THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC, MY ADMINISTRATION HAS WORKED IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION WITH THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION AND WITH MY FELLOW GOVERNORS.

WE HAVE TAKEN OUR ADVICE FROM EXPERTS, INCLUDING WHITE HOUSE EXPERTS LIKE Dr. ANTHONY FAUCI AND Dr. DEBORAH BURKS AND OUR OWN EXPERT Dr. STEVEN STACK.

MY ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TARGETED TO HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT AND THEY HAVE BEEN LIMITED IN BOTH TIME AND SCOPE TO AVOID UNDUE AND UNNECESSARY DAMAGE.

I HAVE REPORTED ON THESE ACTIONS AND THEIR BASIS IN ALMOST DAILY BRIEFINGS.

MY ADMINISTRATION HAS TESTIFIED ON THEM OVER 40 TIMES BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS.

THE COURTS HAVE BACKED OUR MOVES WITH THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT NOTING IN A UNANIMOUS DECISION THAT OUR ACTIONS WERE NOT JUST LEGAL BUT NECESSARY TO FIGHT THIS DEADLY VIRUS.

I HAVE NO DOUBT WE DID THE BEST WE COULD AND I'M PROUD OF THE ACTIONS MY ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN.

ALONG WITH THE PERSONAL ACTIONS AND SACRIFICES OF KENTUCKIANS EVERYWHERE.

TOGETHER WE HAVE SUPPRESSED EACH OF THE THREE MAJOR WAVES OF INFECTIONS THAT HAVE THREATENED US.

WHEN THE FULL STORY OF THIS PANDEMIC IS TOLD, TEAM KENTUCKY WILL STAND TALL ON HOW WE TOOK CARE OF ONE ANOTHER.

I WAS INSPIRED KNOWING HOW OUR PEOPLE HAVE RESPONDED WITH COMPASSION, HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE THROUGHOUT THIS CRISIS.

I THINK OF THE CHILD WHO MAILED ME HER ALLOWANCE TO DONATE TO THE TEAM KENTUCKY FUND.

I THINK OF THE DOZENS OF QUILTERS WHO CAME TOGETHER ACROSS KENTUCKY TO SEW THOUSANDS OF MASKS.

AND I THINK ABOUT YOU.

YOU FOLLOWED THE GUIDANCE.

YOU MADE THE HARD DECISIONS TO FOREGO HOLIDAY GET TOGETHERS.

YOU POSTPONED WEDDINGS AND VACATIONS, MISSED FUNERALS, SUPPORT HARD HIT LOCAL RESTAURANTS BY ORDERING CARRYING OUT AND CURB SIDE AND LIT YOUR HOME UP GREEN EVERY NIGHT TO SHOW COMPASSION.

WHILE THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE HARDEST BATTLES OF OUR LIFETIMES, BECAUSE OF OUR COLLECTIVE ACTIONS, WE HAVE SAVED LIVES IN THE STATE OF THIS COMMONWEALTH IS STRONGER AND BETTER PREPARED THAN MOST TO FINALLY DEFEAT THIS VIRUS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE DEVASTATING EXPERIENCES AND STATES THAT FAILED TO TAKE THE SAME AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS WE DID TO STOP THE CORONAVIRUS.

ADJUSTED FOR POPULATION, WE HAVE SUFFERED LESS THAN HALF THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AS THE PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE AND LESS THAN ONE FOURTH OF DEATHS OF THE CITIZENS OF NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.

THROUGH THESE TRIALS WE HAVE LEARNED AN SECRETARYIVE RESPONSE IS NECESSARY.

WE HAVE ANNOUNCED $2.4 BILLION INVESTED IN NEW AND EXPANDING PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO CREATE MORE THAN 8,000 NEW JOBS.

THE AVERAGE PAY FOR THESE JOBS IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN YEARS.

WE SUPPORTED OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH MORE THAN $124 MILLION VESTED FOR 160 PROJECTS THAT WILL PROVIDE DIVER REGIONAL PRODUCTS AND CLEAN DRANK DRINKING WATER AND AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY TO SPAWN THE GENERAL RAITION THAT WILL FEED FUTURE GENERATIONS.

NOW WE ARE CALLED TO LOOK AHEAD, NOT WITH FEAR, BUT WITH COURAGE.

TO DO SO, WE MUST MOVE PAST ANY REMAINING DENIAL OR RATIONALIZATION.

THAT A PUBLIC HEALTH CITES IS HAS BEEN POLITICIZED EVEN AS THOUSANDS HAVE DIED, IS TROUBLING FOR BOTH OUR STATE AND OUR NATION.

FAILURE TO TAKE THIS VIRUS SERIOUSLY, AT THIS LATE DATE, DISRESPECTS THE MEMORY OF THOSE WE'VE LOST, DISRESPECTS THE PAIN OF THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING AND DISRESPECTS THE DEEP SACRIFICES SO MANY HAVE MADE IN THIS WAR.

IT ALSO THREATENS TO CREATE MUCH MORE PAIN, MORE DEATH AND MORE DISRUPTION, ALL OF WHICH CAN BE AVOIDED.

WITH THE ELECTION SEASON FINALLY OVER, IT IS TIME TO PUT ASIDE SQUABBLING AND PETTY PARTISANSHIP.

SO LET ME BE CLEAR.

EVERY MOMENT IN THIS SHORT SESSION WE SPEND FIGHTING IS A LOSS FOR OUR KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

SUCH FIGHTING WILL LEAVE US EMPTY-HANDED AND FURTHER BEHIND THOSE STATES THAT RECOGNIZE THIS MOMENT AND THIS OPPORTUNITY.

OUR GOAL SHOULD BE TO ACT SWIFTLY AND WITH WIS WISDOM ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH BECAUSE AFTER A DARK AND DIFFICULT YEAR, WE HAVE SOME VERY ENCOURAGING NEWS.

THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF MY ADMINISTRATION, ESPECIALLY MY STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD FROM A POSITION OF STRENGTH.

WE PRODUCED TWO BALANCED BUDGETS DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

THE KENTUCKYY RAINY DAY FUND IS AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL EVER AND WE WILL FURTHER SOLIDIFY AND PROTECT IT.

AND WITH A BETTER BUDGET FORECAST THAN INITIALLY ANTICIPATED, WE HAVE OVER $600 MILLION IN ONE-TIME MONEY AVAILABLE TO INVEST IN OUR FUTURE.

AND THIS IS IMPORTANT.

THIS BUDGET, MY BETTER KENTUCKY BUDGET, DOESN'T RELY ON ANY INCREASE IN TAXES.

THERE ARE NO SPENDING CUTS.

AND IT DOESN'T RELY ON THE PASSAGE OF ANY NEW REVENUE MESS MEASURES.

SO WITH THIS BUDGET, WE HAVE AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY; AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE REAL RELIEF AND TO JUMP AHEAD OF OTHER STATES.

MY BETTER KENTUCKY BUDGET IS BUILT ON THREE PILLARS.

RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND KENTUCKY FAMILIES, PRIORITIZING OUR PEOPLE AND BOLD INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE.

THE FIRST PILLAR PROVIDES RELIEF TO OUR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES STILL HURTING AND ADDRESSING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY COVID-19.

FOR A SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF, I'M PROPOSING $220 MILLION BE DIRECTED TO THE BETTER KENTUCKY SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSSES AS A RESULT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

THIS REPRESENTS THE SINGLE LARGEST RELIEF FUND OF ITS KIND IN GENERATIONS.

AND IT CANNOT WAIT.

SO I'M ASKING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PASS THIS FUNDING IN A SEPARATE BILL TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY.

FOR INDIVIDUAL RELIEF TODAY I'M AUTHORIZING $48 MILLION IN CARES ACT FUNDING TO GO TO THOSE WHO HAVE WAITED TOO LONG TO RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALSO TO HELP OUT THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED OUT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S LOST WAGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BECAUSE THEY MAKE TOO LITTLE.

IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

FURTHER, THIS BUDGET CORRECTS A LEGACY OF UNDERFUNDING OUR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM.

AS YOU KNOW, MY ADMINISTRATION INHERITED A UI OPERATION THAT RUNS ON AN I.T.

SYSTEM THAT IS FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE.

IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO THE PANDEMIC, PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS, CLOSED IN-PERSON SERVICES AND CUT 95 SKILLED EMPLOYEES FROM UI AND FURTHER SLASHED BY $16 MILLION.

THIS COUPLED WITH A ONCE IN A LIFETIME 1300% A YEAR INCREASE IN CLAIMS MEANT KENTUCKIANS HAD TO WAIT FAR TOO LONG FOR THEIR PAYMENTS.

THIS IS THE HELP THEY'RE OWED AND IT'S WHAT THEY DESERVE.

FAR TOO MANY HAVE WAITED FAR TOO LONG.

FINALLY WE ARE USING CARES ACT FUNDING TO REPAY $152 MILLION IN UI LOANS AND ON TOP OF THAT, I'M CALLING ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE $100 MILLION MORE IN THE BUDGET TO ABOUT TO THE LOANS.

THE SECOND PILLAR OF THE BUILDING A BETTER KENTUCKY BUDGET IS ALL ABOUT PUTTING OUR PEOPLE FIRST.

PRIORITIZING OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE AND RETIREMENTS.

KENTUCKY'S GREAT EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL STAFF HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME INCREDIBLE CHALLENGES THIS YEAR, QUICKLY ADJUSTING TO ONLINE INSTRUCTION WHEN NEEDED AND MAKING SURE OUR CHILDREN WERE FED EVEN WHEN THEY WEREN'T IN THE CLASSROOM.

ONE TEACHER, SARAH BLADES OF LEXINGTON, SHOWED TRUE KENTUCKY SPIRIT.

SHE NOT ONLY HELPED HER STUDENTS BUT WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP ONE OF THEIR PARENTS GET A G.E.D.

THANK YOU, SARAH AND EVERY EDUCATORS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

THAT'S WHY MY BUDGET CALLS FOR A $1,000 SALARY INCREASE FOR EVERY TEACHER, BUS DRIVER, CAFETERIA WORKER AND OTHER HARD WORKING SCHOOL EMPLOYEE IN KENTUCKY.

LET'S CONTINUE TO BUILD AN INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN BY INCREASING THE SEEK FORMULA AND TEXTBOOK AND ELECTRONIC FUNDING RESOURCES AND PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS TO HELP CHILDREN MOST IN NEED GET STARTED EARLY ON A PADS TO SUCCESS AND OPPORTUNITY.

RESTORE THE TEACHER LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM AND CONTINUE TO FUND ADDITIONAL FULL TIME SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE WORKFORCE AND THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE SO WE PROVIDE MORE DOLLARS TO HIGHER EDUCATION, PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL $17 MILLION FOR POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS.

THIS REPRESENTS A 2% INCREASE IN GENERAL FUND INVESTMENT.

I'M ALSO CREATING THE BETTER KENTUCKY PROMISE.

A RAM THAT BROADENS THE WORK READY SCHOLARSHIP, CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND PROVIDES THE LAST DOLLAR NECESSARY FOR MORE THAN 6300 KENTUCKIANS TO COMPLETE ASSOCIATE'S DEGREES OR SECURE CERTIFICATES.

IMAGINE THAT.

6300 KENTUCKIANS GAINING THAT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY THAT IS GOING TO MOVE ALL OF US FORWARD.

I'M ALSO PROPOSING A 1% RAISE FOR OUR HARD WORKING STATE EMPLOYEES.

THEY KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES RUNNING THEY HAVE MORE THAN EARNED IT.

WE ARE IMPROVING COMPENSATION FOR LOCAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE ALWAYS ON THE FRONT LINES WITH THE $600 STIPEND INCREASE FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION PROGRAM FUNDS.

AND I'VE INCLUDED THE FULL EXCLUSION OF MILITARY PENSIONS FROM THE KENTUCKY INCOME TAX, RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM AND WHAT IT MEANS TO OUR COUNTRY.

MY BETTER KENTUCKY BUDGET FURTHER PRIORITIZES THE HEALTH OF OUR PEOPLE.

WE ARE INVEST INVESTING IN OUR FAMILIES BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SLOTS AVAILABLE IN THE M.P.

MEDICAID WAIVERS, FULLY FUNDING MEDICAID AND ADDING 76 NEW SOCIAL WORKERS FOR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES.

IN THIS ADMINISTRATION WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS INEQUITIES IN ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

IT SHOULDN'T TAKE A PANDEMIC TO SHOW US SUCH ACCESS IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

WE ARE ALSO SUPPORTING OUR SELFLESS LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS BY DOUBLING THEIR GENERAL FUND SUPPORT TO IMPROVE THEIR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND THEIR CLINICAL CAPACITY.

THIS YEAR HAS SHOWN US HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE.

THESE LOCAL HEROES, LIKE MICHELLE HERE IN FRANKFORT, HAVE BEEN A LIFELINE TO FAMILIES.

THEY HAVE STOOD IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER AND THE COLD OF THE WINTER TO PROVIDE TESTING.

AND TO SUPPORT HEALTHY RETIREMENTS.

PROVIDING PENSION RELIEF TO OUR QUASI GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES LIKE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AS WELL AS LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS.

OUR BETTER KENTUCKY BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES FULL PENSION FUNDING FOR THE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR JUST THE SECOND TIME.

AND WE ARE INVESTING IN OUR RETIREMENT SYSTEMS FULLY FUNDING THE STATE'S RETIREMENT PLAN.

THE THIRD PILLAR OF BUILDING A BETTER KENTUCKY IS ABOUT MAKING BOLD INVESTMENTS THAT ALLOW US TO SPRINT OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC AND INTO OUR FUTURE.

ABOUT HOW, TOGETHER, WE CANNOT ONLY SURVIVE BUT THRIVE IN 2021 AND BEYOND.

PERIODS OF DIFFICULTY CAN LEAD TO INCREDIBLE CHANGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT SEEM ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE ONLY YEARS AGO.

THE CIVIL WAR WAS, PERHAPS THE LOWEST POINT FOR THIS COUNTRY.

BUT IT LED TO AN END OF SLAVERY AND THE QARN GUARANTEE OF EQUAL RIGHTS UNDER LAW IN THE 14th AMENDMENT, THE GREAT DEPRESSION FOUND KENTUCKY IN DIRE ECONOMIC STRAIGHTS BUT OUT OF IT CAME THE NEW DEAL AND REIMAGINING OF HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN HELP CITIZENS.

WOLD DRAMATICALLY CHANGESSED OUR ECONOMY BUT OUT OF THAT CONFLICT WE BUILD THE WORLD'S STRONGEST ECONOMY, A HEALTHY MIDDLE-CLASS AND WE STEPPED INTO OUR ROLE AS LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD.

THE SHOCK OF COVID-19 HAS BROUGHT ON OUR CURRENT TRANSFORMATIONAL PERIOD.

AND HOW WE LEAD IN THE NEXT YEAR WILL DICTATE WHETHER KENTUCKY SIMPLY RECOVERS BACK TO THE OLD NORMAL OR, INSTEAD, TAKES ITS PLACE AMONG THE MOST PRODUCTIVE AND INNOVATIVE STATES IN THE UNION.

FOR THIS, WE NEED THE COURAGE TO MAKE BOLD INVESTMENTS IN OUR PEOPLE AND IN OUR FUTURE.

IT CANNOT WAIT.

THE FIRST KEY TO REVITALIZATION IN KENTUCKY MUST BEGIN WITH EDUCATION.

MINE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE AN EDUCATION FIRST ADMINISTRATION.

THIS BEGINS WITH THE LITTLE BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR SCHOOLS.

TOO MANY OF KENTUCKY SCHOOLS ARE CRUMBLING AND IN DIRE NEED OF REPAIR.

SOME DATE AS FAR BACK AS THE 1930S.

MY BUDGET CALLS FOR $100 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL ONE-TIME MONEY TO HELP REBUILD AND REPAIR KENTUCKY SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE OF STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND STAFF, ENHANCE THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

IT WILL ALSO CREATE THOUSANDS OF NEW CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND UNLEASH A WAVE OF POSITIVE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ACROSS KENTUCKY.

THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR EDUCATORS AND OUR STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 FURTHER POINTS TO A LARGER SHIFT THAT KENTUCKY MUST BE PREPARED FOR AND INVEST IN NOW.

THE MOVE TO VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS WAS IS MIRRORED IN MANY OCCUPATIONS, ESPECIALLY THE USE OF TELEHEALTH, POINTING TO THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF BROADBAND.

WE USED TO THINK OF BROADBAND IN TERMS OF JUST BUSINESS.

BUT NOW WE KNOW IT TOUCHES EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES.

THE EDUCATION OF OUR KIDS, HOW WE RECEIVE HEALTHCARE.

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE.

EVEN WHEN COVID-19 IS BEHIND US, IT IS CLEAR MANY COMPANIES ARE MOVING TOWARDS POLICIES THAT WILL ENCOURAGE TO TELEWORK AND TELEHEALTH MAKING IN PERSON VISITS AND COMMUTING TO YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE A THING OF THE PAST.

THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES IN EASTERN AND WESTERN KENTUCKY.

TELEHEALTH WILL BOOST THE WELL-BEING OF OUR PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGICAL EXPANSION WILL STRENGTHEN OUR HEALTHCARE SECTOR THAT PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF JOBS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

THAT'S WHY MY BUDGET PROVIDES $50 MILLION TO FUND THE LAST MILE OF BROADBAND.

THIS IS A FIRST TIME STATE DOLLARS HAVE BEEN USED TO INVEST AND EXPANDING BROADBAND.

THIS HISTORIC INVESTMENT WILL HELP MAKE SURE EVERY FAMILY THAT NEEDS IT HAS IT.

IT IS ALSO TIME WE ADDRESSED OUR TRANSPORTATION BUDGET.

DOING SO WILL REQUIRE BOTH SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS BUT WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE NOW.

THIS WILL CREATE JOBS AND STIMULATE THE ECONOMY IMMEDIATELY, EVEN AS IT ENCOURAGES FUTURE GROWTH.

I'M READY TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

I HOPE OTHERS ARE, TOO.

FINALLY, WE MUST CONTINUE TO NURTURE INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

LAST YEAR IN THIS SPEECH, I HIGHLIGHTED THE WORK OF JONATHAN WEB.

SINCE THEN I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT APP HARVEST HAS OPENED ONE OF THE LARGEST AGRITEST GREEN HOUSES IN MOREHEAD KENTUCKY.

THAT ONE FACILITY WILL PROVIDE MORE THAN 300 JOBS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND RESULT IN MILLIONS OF POUNDS OF HEALTHY PRODUCE SHIPPED ALL OVER THE EASTERN UNITED STATES.

THE COMPANY HAS SINCE BROKEN GROUND ON TWO MORE SITES IN MADISON COUNTY.

APP HARVEST IS THE EXAMPLE OF WHAT INNOVATORS CAN DO AND I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT IT.

IN 2021, I'M COMMITTED TO FINDING THE NEXT APP HARVEST, CREATING THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE AND NOT SIMPLY CHASING THE JOBS OF THE PAST.

TO DO THIS, MY BUDGET INCLUDES A FUND FOR EMERGING INDUSTRIES SUCH AS AGRITEST FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND NEW BUSINESSES.

BUILDING A BETTER KENTUCKY ALSO MEANS THAT OUR LAW DOZEN NOT UNDULY RESTRICT US FROM INNOVATION.

THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING ALL OF MY CABINET SECRETARIES TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO MODERNIZE WITH AN EYE TOWARD DETERMINING WHAT SERVICES CAN REMAIN REMOTE.

A RESIDENT OF PADUCAH OR ASHLAND WHO WANTS A LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE SHOULD THOUGHT HAVE TO SPEND MORE TIME IN THEIR CAR COMING TO FRANKFORT THAN THEY DO TO TAKING THE TEST TO GET THE CERTIFICATE.

SPEAKING OF LAWS THAT UNDULY RESTRICT US FROM GROWTH AND INNOVATION, IT IS TIME TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA, PASS SPORTS BETTING AND SAVE HISTORIC HORSE RACING.

IT IS TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND ADDRESS THE RACISM THAT CONTINUES TO EXIST IN THIS COUNTRY AND IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.

WE MUST CLEARLY DENOUNCE, IN ONE VOICE, THE DOMESTIC TERRORISTS THAT THREATENED OUR COUNTRY AND STORMED OUR U.S. CAPITOL.

YOU CANNOT FAN THE FLAMES AND CONDEMN THE FIRE.

TO LIVE THE MOTTO, UNITED WE STAND, WE HAVE TO BE BETTER.

THIS IS THE BOLD AGENDA WE NEED NOW.

TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF A BETTER KENTUCKY, ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT NEED TO BE PREPARED TO TAKE BOLD ACTION.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH PRESIDENT STIVERS AND SPEAKER OSBOURNE AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

WE SHOULD COMMIT TO WORKING TOGETHER AND SETTING A POSITIVE EXAMPLE AND TONE IN FRANKFORT SO MANY KENTUCKIANS ARE DEPENDING ON US.

WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS MUCH OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW INVESTMENT IN OUR PEOPLE AND IN OUR FUTURE IN A GENERATION.

LET'S MAKE IT COUNT.

LET'S HAVE THE COURAGE.

LET'S BE BOLD.

LET'S NOT FUMBLE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

WE GET TO DECIDE HOW HISTORY LOOKS BACK ON US IN 10, 20 EVEN 50 YEARS.

THIS IS OUR CHANCE.

SO LET'S THINK AND ACT DIFFERENTLY SO WE CAN GET DIFFERENT AND BETTER RESULTS.

WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT RELIEF FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT BUILDING BETTER SCHOOLS.

WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT AFFORDABLE COLLEGE RAISES FOR OUR EDUCATORS AND GETTING GOOD JOBS.

WE SHOULD SUPPORT BROADBAND TO MOVE US FORWARD AND WE ALL KNOW THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN CUT TO THE BONE AND MUST IMPROVE TO HELP OUR WORK WORKERS WHEN THEY NEED IT THE MOST.

FOLKS, WE CAN BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, HELP OUR PEOPLE AND INVEST IN OUR FUTURE ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

I BEGAN TONIGHT'S SPEECH TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT WORLD IN WHICH I DELIVERED MY FIRST STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS; A WORLD OF IN PERSON, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND FELLOWSHIP.

I SPENT MOST DAYS IN 2020 WALKING THROUGH A LARGELY EMPTY CAPITOL.

ON DAYS, ON THE TOUGH DAYS, I WOULD STAND IN THE SHADOW OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S STATUE.

I REMINDED MYSELF HALF THE COUNTRY DISAGREED WITH ALMOST EVERY DECISION HE MADE BUT HISTORY HAS JUDGED HIM AMONGST OUR GREATEST LEADERS.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN REMINDS US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS MOMENT.

HE SAID WE-- LEAVE NOTHING FOR TOMORROW WHICH CAN BE DONE TODAY.

THERE IS SO MUCH WE CAN, SO MUCH WE MUST DO RIGHT NOW.

LET'S RISE TO THE OCCASION.

2021 BEGAN ON A HIGH NOTE WITH SAFE AND EFFECTIVE VACCINES BEING DISTRIBUTED TO OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS.

AS THESE VACCINES ARE DISTRIBUTED, KENTUCKY WILL HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO SPRINS, NOT STUMBLE OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC AND INTO OUR FUTURE.

AND NOW, IN THE FACE OF SO MUCH HATE AND EVEN INSURRECTION, WE MUST BE KENTUCKIANS AND AMERICANS BEFORE WE ARE ANYTHING ELSE.

IT'S TIME TO COME TOGETHER ON TEAM KENTUCKY, BOTH FOR OUR STATE AND FOR OUR NATION.

YESTERDAY WAS AN EMOTIONAL DAY FOR ALL OF US.

I HURT FOR OUR COUNTRY.

BUT I ALSO HURT FOR MY TWO KIDS THEY DESERVE BETTER.

THEY DESERVE BETTER THAN A WORLD FILLED WITH HATE AND ANGER, A WORLD WITH SELFISHNESS AND SOMETIMES EVEN RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES.

MY KIDS DESERVE BETTER AND SO DO YOURS.

THIS GENERATION HAS BEEN ASKED TO DO A LOT.

WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO BE THE ONCE IN A CENTURY PANDEMIC.

WE ARE ALSO CALLED, CALLED TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD, A JUST WORLD, A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE MATTERS.

WE RAISE OUR KIDS TO KNOW BETTER AND TO BEHAVE BETTER THAN WAS WE SAW YESTERDAY IN WASHINGTON.

WE ARE TAUGHT IN OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP TO BE BETTER THAN THIS.

PROVERBS CHAPTER 10:12 TELLS US HATRED STIRS UP CONFLICT BUT LOVE COVERS OVER ALL WRONGS.

I PLEDGE I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO MAKE SURE KENTUCKY LEADS IN THE POST-COVID ECONOMY AND I ALSO PLEDGE TO LEAD IN WAYS THAT SHOW LOVE, COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING.

THIS IS LIKELY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND FORMATIVE YEARS FOR KENTUCKY IN A GENERATION, BOTH FOR OUR ECONOMY AND FOR THE SOUL OF OUR COUNTRY.

LET'S GET TO WORK ON BUILDING A BETTER KENTUCKY.

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

EVERYBODY OUT THERE, STAY SAFE.

>> Renee: THAT WAS GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR DELIVERING HIS JOINT COMMONWEALTH AND BUDGET ADDRESS.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING AS WE PRESENT LIVE COVERAGE OF THE ACTIVITY.

THE SPEECH WAS PRERECORDED EARLIER TODAY AND SUBMITTED VIRTUALLY TO THE HOUSE CHAMBER WHERE THERE IS A JOINT SESSION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE THERE.

SO WE HAVE WITH US IN OUR STUDIO AMY WICKLIFFE AND SHERMAN BROWN WHO ARE STRATEGISTS ONE REPUBLICAN ONE DEMOCRAT.

YOU'LL FIGURE THAT OUT IN A MINUTE AND LEGISLATIVE AGENTS AS WELL.

WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SPEECH REAL QUICK BEFORE WE GO TO THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

I'LL GO TO YOU FIRST, AMY.

HE ENDED THE SPEECH TALKING ABOUT THE INSURRECTION THAT HAPPENED IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL YESTERDAY.

THAT WAS THE THEME WE HEARD FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM BUT BEFORE THAT, FIVE MINUTES TOWARDS THE END OF IT, HE MENTIONED LEGALIZING SPORTS BETTING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND HISTORICAL HORSE RACING AND THAT CAME NEAR THE END.

HE DIDN'T REALLY EMBELLISH ON THAT MUCH.

WERE YOU SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT TONIGHT?

>> I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED TO HEAR FROM THAT BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK THE GOVERNOR, THIS IS HIS ONE CHANCE TO REALLY SET OUT HIS AGENDA AND MAKE IT KNOWN TO THE COMMONWEALTH AND TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHAT HE HOPES THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO INTERESTING THAT THOSE THREE PRIORITIES WERE TOSSED IN THERE WITH THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE BUDGET.

THEY'RE INITIATIVES THAT WE KNOW VERY WELL.

THEY HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR A WHILE BUT INTERESTING TO SEE THOSE MAKE HIS LIST.

>> Renee: WE SHOULD SAY THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN PUSHING OR A REPUBLICAN, ADAM CONE I GO HAS BEEN BEHIND SPORTS WAGERING FOR A WHILE AND WE WILL SEE THAT AGAIN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND JASON WHO HAS BEEN PUSHING MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

>> Renee: SO FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, MAYBE THOSE THINGS, SHERMAN, MIGHT GET A LITTLE MORE TRACTION THAN SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS HE MENTIONED.

THE $613 MILLION ONE-TIME MONEY THAT WOULD BE USED AND I THINK THIS IS A SEPARATE BILL, FROM THE BUDGET BILL, THAT IS BEING SUBMITTED TO HELP KENTUCKIANS RELIEVE SMALL BUSINESSES, THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND HELP FOR NON-PROFITS.

SO THOSE THINGS AND THE RAISES FOR TEACHERS, ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TEACHERS AND THE CLASSIFIED STAFF, BUS DRIVERS, CHEFS, ALL THOSE RAISES, FUNDS FOR TEXTBOOKS, ELECTRONIC INSTRUCTION SERVICES, HIGHER EDUCATION GETS SOME.

THERE WAS PENSION TALK.

1% RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE SPEECH AND THE CHANCES HE MIGHT ACTUALLY GET SOME OF THESE THINGS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> THE FIRST PART $ 613 MILLION IS THE SURPLUS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HAVING THAT MONEY.

WHAT I WAS WATCHING FOR COMING IN WAS THE KENTUCKY DOES HAVE THE SURPLUS.

I INTO YOU THAT COMING IN.

HOW IS HE GOING TO SPEND THE CARES ACT FUNDING.

WHAT WOULD HE USE THAT MONEY FOR?

ONE-TIME MONEY, CAN'T RELY ON THAT.

IT IS THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT CAME IN BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

HOW WOULD HE ADDRESS THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LOAN.

AND THE ONE WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT WAS PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE, MEDICAID FULLY FUNDING THAT WHICH HE ACKNOWLEDGED HE WAS GOING TO DO.

AS I'M LOOKING THROUGH THEM, THIS BUDGET DEFINITE DEFINITELY PROVIDES RELIEF FOR KENTUCKIANS.

HE TALKED ABOUT A KENTUCKY SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND THAT HE WANTED AND HE WANTED THAT HAS AS A SEPARATE STAND ALONE BILL, PASSED, I THOUGHT WITH AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE ON THAT.

HE WOULD SUPPORT THAT.

HE TALKED ABOUT, AS FAR AS LOOKING FORWARD, IT ADDRESSES THE PANDEMIC BUT IT ALSO LOOKS FORWARD AND I'M TRYING TO TAKE NOTES AND LOOK BACK AT EVERYTHING HERE.

BUT THERE IS NO BUDGET CUTS, NO TAX INCREASES.

ADDS MORE THAN TO THE RAINY DAY FUND, PAYMENT TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LOAN.

FULLY FUNDS MEDICAID.

BROADBAND $50 MILLION FOR LAST MILE.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A WHILE.

$100 MILLION FOR SCHOOLS FOR REBUILDING, REACHING OUT ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Renee: AND THE EMERGING INDUSTRIES FUND WHICH HE HAS TALKED A LOT ABOUT.

AGRITEXT AND-- AGRITECH.

THOSE ARE THE THREE BIG INVESTMENTS.

>> HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT BEFORE, INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE.

I SAID I THOUGHT HE WOULD BE LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE USE USING THE SAME PRIORITIES.

I SAID THAT EARLIER.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S CHANGED.

I THINK HE IS LOOKING AT THE EXACT SAME THINGS.

I'LL GO THROUGH THE $1,000 RAISE FOR THE TEACHERS.

HE MADE THAT PLEDGE IN 2019.

>> Renee: IT WAS 2,000 THE LAST TIME.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

1% RAISE TO STATE EMPLOYEES.

AND THEN LOOKING AT TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

HE SAID HE IS READY TO TAKE THAT ON.

I THINK SECRETARY GRAY HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, HAVING CONVERSATIONS AS FAR AS A BILL THERE.

THERE IS A LOT HERE AND WE DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS YET.

>> WE'LL GET THAT SOON.

TO THAT POINT I HEARD A LOT OF SPENDING TONIGHT.

I THINK WE ALL DID.

I THINK THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS YOU KNOW.

ONCE YOU GET THAT BUDGET DOCUMENT AND ACTUALLY SEE HOW THOSE NUMBERS ARE MOVED AROUND.

I THINK A LOT OF THIS SOUNDS GOOD, BUT I THINK ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO RAISES, I THINK EVERYONE WANTS TO GIVE RAISES TO STATE EMPLOYEES AND TEACHERS.

I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO GIVE THOSE RAISES WHEN SO MANY BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, HAD TO LAY OFF EMPLOYEES.

SOME OF THE BUSINESSES DIDN'T OPEN BACK UP TO NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A HARD OR STEEP HILL TO CLIMB.

I WAS LISTENING TO ISSUES THAT THEY COULD FIND SOME COMMON GROUND ON.

I THINK SOME BROADBAND INVESTMENT IS SOMETHING, I THINK SENATOR STEVE MEREDITH SPOKE ABOUT BROADBAND A LITTLE BIT ON THE FLOOR TODAY IN THE SENATE.

OBVIOUSLY MORE MONEY IN THE RAINY DAY FUND IS GOING TO BE HELPFUL AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENT AND INVESTMENT IN THE U.I.

>> >> Renee: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

AND SHERMAN DID SAY THIS, THE BUDGET PROPOSAL DOES NOT RELY ON TAX INCREASES OR NEW REVENUE RESOURCES AND NO SPENDING CUTS WHICH IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE GREAT RECESSION 2008-2009 AND WE WILL SEE IF IT HOLDS.

IT DOES ADHERE TO THE ESTIMATES BY THE CONSENSUS FORECASTING GROUP THAT MAKES SURE WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM AND HOW IT IS GETTING INTO OUR COFFERS AND WAS WE CAN PLAY WITH.

SO I THINK WE MIGHT BE READY TO NOW TALK WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE MINORITY LEADERS, YES SENATOR McGAFF GARVY JUST GOT OFF THE FLOOR AN HOUR AND 15 MINUTES AGO.

WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL RUSHING TO BE WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE JENKINS.

I BEGIN WITH YOU GET YOUR REACTION AND HOW YOU THINK IT WILL BE RECEIVED IN THE HOUSE AS THERE WILL BE A COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW MORNING AT 9:00 THAT WILL BREAK DOWN WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED TONIGHT.

>> I FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY, VERY HOPEFUL BUDGET, THAT IT GIVES US HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, IT BUILDS TOWARD THE FUTURE.

I THINK AT THIS TIME OR 10 MONTHS AGO WHEN WE WENT INTO THIS PANDEMIC, WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT OUR ECONOMY WOULD LOOK LIKE AND THANKS TO THE FEDERAL INFUSION OF MONEY, WE HAVE WEATHERED THIS AS A STATE PRETTY WELL AND I THINK THE OUTLINE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN US IN TERMS OF FUNDING EDUCATION AND FUNDING FOR THE FUTURE, I THINK IT'S VERY HELPFUL.

AND VERY HOPEFUL.

AND I BELIEVE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE ONE THAT IS GOING TO GATHER BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

WE ARE SAVING MONEY.

WE ARE PUTTING MONEY IN THE RAINY DAY FUND.

WE ARE FULLY FUNDING PENSIONS.

WE ARE NOT MAKING CUTS TO EDUCATION.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE HARD FOR THE MAJORITY TO SAY NO TO A LOT OF THESE THINGS.

>> Renee: SENATOR McGARVY, WHAT SAY YOU BECAUSE TODAY THERE WAS A LOT OF RIGOROUS DEBATE ON THE SENATE FLOOR ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE POWERS AND I'M WONDERING HOW THAT CONVERSATION MAY TRANSLATE INTO THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS AND HOW MUCH THE GOVERNOR CAN ADVANCE THESE IDEAS THAT HE PRESENTED TONIGHT.

>> YEAH, I MEAN LOOK, THE FIRST THING IS THE BUDGET IS GOOD NEWS AND THAT'S SOMETHING WHEN WE ALL LEFT HERE LAST APRIL, WE PROBABLY DIDN'T THINK THE BUDGET WOULD HAVE THIS MUCH GOOD NEWS IN IT.

THE FACT THAT OUR REVENUE HAS BEEN UP, DECEMBER RECEIPTS WERE REALLY GOOD.

THE ROAD FUND LOOKED GOOD, THE GENERAL FUND IS LOOKING OKAY AND WE HAVE THIS INCREASE IN FEDERAL MONEY THAT ONE-TIME MONEY WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE IS REALLY GOOD NEWS.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY.

SURE, THERE WERE SOME DISAGREEMENTS WE KNEW THAT WAS COMING.

BUT WHAT I'M OPTIMISTIC IS THAT YOU WILL SEE BIPARTISANSHIP.

THE GOVERNOR AND HIS LEGISLATIVE TEAM MET THIS MORNING.

THERE WAS ALREADY AN AGREEMENT THAT DUE TO THE INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITOL AND VIOLENCE WE SAW THERE THAT IT WAS MOVED TO TONIGHT AND THERE WAS AGREEMENT.

AND I THINK WILL YOU SEE THE HOUSE AND SENATE AS WE TALKED WITH YOU ON MONDAY, STARTS TO MOVE THE BUDGET THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK SO THAT WE CAN HAVE TIME TO GET THE BUDGET BACK TO THE GOVERNOR IN FEBRUARY, NOT WAITING IN THE WILL END OF THE YEAR LIKE SOMETIMES WE DO.

SO YOU KNOW, LOOK, WE ARE NOT GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR BUT I FEEL GOOD RIGHT NOW.

THE GOOD NEWS BUDGET MOSTLY.

THERE ARE SOME GOOD PRIORITIES.

BROADBAND IS A BIG DEAL, HAVING MORE WAIVER SLOTS.

MORE SOCIAL WORKERS, MORE MONEY TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AND THOSE UNEMPLOYED REALLY DOES PUT PEOPLE FIRST, IT LOOKS TO GET US OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND I HOPE THAT ONE PART OF THE POLITICAL BILLS GET OUT OF THE WAY, WE CAN GET FORWARD TO THE SERIOUS WORK WHICH IS THE BUDGET.

>> Renee: HE CURTLY MENTIONED THREE AREAS THAT COULD BE CONTENTIOUS AND THAT'S SPORTS BETTING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND HISTORICAL HORSE RACING AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THE REPUBLICANS, OR AT LEAST SOME OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP FEEL ABOUT THAT WITH WHAT THEY SHARED WITH US MONDAY NIGHT SENATOR McGARVEY.

DO YOU THINK THOSE ARE NON-STARTERS WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET AND WHAT THESE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WILL EMBRACE?

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT.

AND ACTUALLY THIS IS ONE THING THAT DOESN'T GET TALKED ABOUT ENOUGH.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE ISSUES, I THINK YOU SEE AS MUCH OF AN URBAN RURAL DIVIDE AS REPUBLICAN DEMOCRAT DIVIDE.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS EXTREMELY POPULAR AROUND THE STATE BY LAST YEAR'S HOUSE VOTE AND I THINK WILL YOU SEE REPUBLICANS THAT WANT TO SUPPORT HISTORIC HORSE RACING.

>> Renee: SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

THE HOUSE IS THE FIRST TO TAKE UP THESE BILLS, SO TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE CONVERSATION ON THESE RATHER MAYBE CONTENTIOUS POINTS OF SPORTS WAGERING HISTORICAL HORSE RACING AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA WHICH WE ASSUMED THE GOVERNOR OR HAVE HEARD THE GOVERNOR MENTION THAT HE SUPPORTS IT BEING REVENUE POSITIVE SO YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT.

>> I WILL BE ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW THE BILLS ARE PUT TOGETHER.

MY SENSE IS THAT THOSE THREE SOMEWHAT CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES WILL NOT BE A PART OF THE BUDGET BILL.

HE HAS SAID BEFORE THE BUDGET IS NOT BASED ON ANY NEW REVENUE, ANY TAX INCREASES OR ANY CUTS.

SO I AM ASSUMING THESE WILL BE SEPARATE BILLS THAT HE WILL PUT THE WAY HIS OFFICE.

IN THE HOUSE WE VOTED ON MOST OF THESE THINGS AND I LOOK FOR IT TO BE WELL RECEIVED IN THE HOUSE >> WELL, THANK YOU, LEADERS McGARVEY AND JENKINS, IF YOU HAVE A FINAL THOUGHT I'LL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY.

OTHERWISE WE'LL LET YOU GET SOME REST.

WE KNOW YOU HAVE AN EARLY START IN THE MORNING.

>> I WOULD ECHO JONI'S COMS ON THE THAT.

THE SENATE HAS BEEN THE STUMBLING BLOCK.

IF THE PEOPLE WANT TO SEE MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND HORSE RACING GO THROUGH, CALL YOUR SENATOR.

IT IS TIME FOR US, AT THE VERY LEAST, TO HAVE A VOTE ON IT.

>> Renee: THANK YOU LEADER JENKINS.

DO YOU HAVE A FINAL WORD?

>> I WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR TODAY, I THINK IT'S TIME TO GET ON THOSE PHONES AND WRITE THOSE LETTERS AND TELL YOUR STATE REPS AND STATE SENATORS THAT YOU WANT A BUDGET THAT MOVES KENTUCKY PAST THIS PANDEMIC.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, LEADERS, MORGAN McGARVEY AND JONI JENKINS.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS EVENING AND SEE YOU TOMORROW MORNING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Renee: I'M START WITH YOU, AMY AGAIN.

AND WE SHOULD SAY THE SPORTS BETTING AND THOSE OTHER BILLS THAT WE MENTIONED THAT WERE KIND OF BRIEFLY MENTIONED TOWARD THE END OF THE SPEECH, THAT THEY WOULD BE SEPARATE MEASURES AND HE IS NOT LOOKING AT THE REVENUE THAT COULD BE GENERATED FROM THOSE, WHICH AREN'T BIG TICKET ITEMS.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THAT WOULD GENERATE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T REALLY TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE SCOPE OF IT BEING TAXED BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT'S A MEDICINE AND SO HOW WOULD THAT WORK AND WHAT WOULD THAT REQUIRE LOGISTICALLY AND SPORTS BETTING IS EXPECTED TO BRING IN $25 MILLION.

SO WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT BIG REVENUE GENERATORS HERE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT AND I THINK THERE ARE DISAGREEMENT AMONG THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHETHER THAT, I THINK THERE IS A STRONG SENTIMENT THAT THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAXED.

IF WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT MARIJUANA FOR MEDICINAL VALUES AND MEDICINAL PURPOSES, WE WILL TREAT IT LIKE OTHER MEDICINES AND NOT TAX IT.

THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WOULD COME IN FROM THAT WOULD BE MINIMAL.

LOOKING AT LICENSING FEES, DISTRIBUTING FEES, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

WHILE SPORTS BETTING AND OTHER ITEMS MAY NOT GENERATE A LOT OF MONEY, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT WHERE SOURCES CAN COME FROM BECAUSE I THINK AS WE EMERGE OUT OF COVID, WE ARE GOING TO NEED, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY SOME NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE AT SOME POINT IN TIME.

BUT I WILL GO BACK TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS VERY GOOD AT BUDGETING ON A VERY CONSERVATIVE MANNER.

THEY CAN STRETCH A DOLLAR.

THEY HAVE THEIR PRIORITIES.

AND I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE THEM STICK TO THOSE PRIORITIES THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.

>> Renee: AND THAT'S VERY TRUE.

A GOOD POINT AMY BECAUSE SHERMAN, LEGISLATORS WOULD SAY JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL THE MONEY DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD SPEND ALL THE MONEY, RIGHT.

IF YOU HAVE A BETTER THAN EXPECTED REVENUES, DOESN'T MEAN IT HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT OR GOING OUT.

I'M CURIOUS FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THINGS THAT THEY CAN FIND COMMON GROUND ON THAT AMY MENTIONED ON?

DO YOU THINK THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT THEY COULD COME TO THE MEETING OF THE MINDS ON BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP?

>> SO YES, I DO THINK THAT.

BUT LOOKING BACK, I THINK JUST EVEN SIX MONTHS AGO WE WERE TALKING ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF BUDGET CUTS.

WE WERE THINKING AT THAT TIME, BEFORE THE NUMBERS STARTED COMING IN, IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT WHERE THINGS ARE, WE WERE REALLY LOOKING AT THIS BUDGET BEING SOMETHING A LOT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

YOU TALKED ABOUT JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE MONEY DOESN'T MEAN HAVE YOU TO SPEND THE MONEY, PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE RAINY DAY FUND.

THAT IS-- HE IS LOOKING AT THAT AND THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.

TO AMY'S POINT, THERE IS A LOT IN HERE, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE ARE SPENDING AND MONEY THAT IS GOING OUT.

BUT YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE'LL SEE BUT IT LOOKS TO BE COVERED.

IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS LOOKING AT THOSE THINGS AND LOOKING AT IT FROM A FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

THE THING THAT I THINK WE HAVE THERE WEEK AND THIS WEEK IS GOING TO BE CONTENTIOUS, AS LEADER McGARVEY SAID.

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY AROUND THAT.

WE ANTICIPATED THAT.

WE KNEW THAT WAS COMING.

SOME OF THE BILLS PREFILED THOSE ARE COMING.

SO ONCE THAT GETS DONE, THEY'RE COMING IN ON SATURDAY, AND THAT HOPEFULLY THE BILLS WILL BE FINALIZED AND WE CAN MOVE ON.

I DO THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND.

HE CALLED OUT THE THREE BILLS AT THE END HISTORIC HORSE RACING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND SPORTS WAGERING.

THOSE ARE THINGS HE HAS BEEN LOOKING AT AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.

WHERE I AM GOING TO BE WATCHING BECAUSE SOME OF THE CONVERSATION IS THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR.

ROCKY ADKINS WAS BROUGHT IN, SENIOR ADVISOR.

HE KNOWS THE FOLKS.

HE KNOWS SPEAKER OSBOURNE, HE KNOWS PRESIDENT STIVERS.

HE HAS RELATIONSHIPS THERE.

THAT IS SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, REALLY KIND OF HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND TALKING TO THOSE FOLKS AND HE HAS BEEN HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS QUITE HONESTLY.

HE IS SOMEBODY THAT THEY KNOW THEY'VE GOT HIS CELL PHONE NUMBER.

HE HAS BEEN PART OF THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS FOR 20 YEARS.

I MEAN THAT IS SOMEBODY WHO I AM WATCHING AS WELL THROUGH THIS AND WHO I THINK THE GOVERNOR WILL RELY ON AND I THINK THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE RELYING ON ALSO.

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT AS WELL FOR TODAY AND THE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN VOTED OFF OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR.

MANY OF THOSE BILLS, EITHER AMENDED GOVERNOR'S POWERS DURING STATE OF EMERGENCIES OR TWEAKED THEM.

>> Renee: EVEN ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS.

>> HOW HE-- HIS ABILITY TO REORGANIZE BOARDS OR STATE AGENCIES TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

SO THOSE BILLS ARE ALL GOING TO GET TO HIS DESK.

I WOULD ASSUME HE IS PROBABLY GOING TO VETO SOME OF THOSE.

GIVEN THE SUPER MAJORITIES THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE, I WOULD GUARANTEE THEY'RE GOING TO OVERRIDE THE VETOES.

WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THE COMMUNICATION THAT HAPPENS BETWEEN THE FIRST FLOOR AND THE THIRD FLOOR.

>> >> Renee: AND SOME OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS COMPLAINED THERE HASN'T BEEN MUCH COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE RESTRICTIONS BEFORE THEY WERE ENACTED.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME PRETTY GOOD FRICTION POINTS BEFORE THEY ARRIVED AT THIS POINT.

I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE WITH US THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, DAVID OSBOURNE AND SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE QUICK JUMP FROM THE HOUSE CHAMBER TO OUR CAPITOL ANNEX STUDIOS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'LL BEGIN WITH YOU, SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS, YOUR REACTION TO WHAT YOU HEARD TONIGHT.

>> >> WELL, GENERALLY BUDGET ADDRESS AND THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESSES ARE ALWAYS POSITIVE.

WE DON'T WANT TO RAIN ON THE PARADE TONIGHT, BUT WE ARE WAITING TO SEE AND THE PROCESS STARTS.

WE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION TOMORROW.

I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.

SHERMAN MAKES AN INTERESTING POINT BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T THINK THIS BUDGET WAS GOING-- WE DID THINK THE BUDGET WAS GOING TO BE A LOT WORSE BUT THE REASON IT IS NOT AND THE REASON WE WANT TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS IS THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN ARTIFICIALLY INFLATED BY BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF BORROWED MONEY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BEING INFUSED INTO OUR STATE ECONOMY.

AND THAT WORRIES ME.

YEAH, ARE THE NUMBERS SHOWING PROMISE?

YEAH BUT WHY.

AND IT'S BECAUSE OF ALL THIS BORROWED MONEY AND THE INCREASING NATIONAL DEBT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TAKING ON TO STABILIZE STATES.

>> Renee: SPEAKER OSBOURNE IS THAT A CONCERN OF YOURS AS WELL ABOUT THE SOURCE OF THIS MONEY AND IT COULD BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE OVERALL DEFICIT AND THE ONE-TIME MONEY.

>> WITH THE REVENUES THAT WE HAVE TAKEN IN SO FAR, THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME ANY LESS NERVE BUS WHERE WE MAY END UP.

I THINK WILL YOU SEE US TAKE A VERY, VERY CONSERVATIVE APPROACH AND WELL ON' STILL HAVE A VERY LEAN BUDGET GOING FORWARD.

I THINK THAT THE USE OF ONE-TIME MONIES IS VERY DISCONCERTING, ESPECIALLY ON ONGOING EXPENSES.

>> Renee: SO IT DOES CAUSE ME SOME CONCERN.

>> Renee: DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING IN THE PRESENTATION THAT YOU FIND COMMON GROUND WITH COULD BE A GOOD STARTING POINT AND GET THE CONVERSATION GOING?

>> I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH ROBERT.

IT WAS AN OPTIMISTIC BUDGET PRESENTATION.

I THINK IT WAS UPBEAT.

I'M CERTAIN THERE ARE MANY, MANY AREAS WE WILL FIND COMMON GROUND.

I THINK THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE HAD ON THE BUDGET IN THE PAST YEAR WITH ROCKY ADKINS, WITH BUDGET DIRECTOR HICKS, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION, I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL FIND LOTS OF COMMON GROUND, CERTAINLY THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME DIFFERENCES.

WE ACTUALLY STARTED WORKING ON DOCUMENTS THIS MORNING.

THE GOVERNOR RELEASED THAT INFORMATION TO US SO WE COULD GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED WORKING ON IT AND I'M SURE WE'LL FIND COMMON GROUND BUT THERE WILL BE SOME STARK DIFFERENCES.

>> Renee: CAN YOU TELL US Mr. SPEAKER OF THE PROCESS FOR OUR VIEWERS WHO ARE CURE WHY US ABOUT HOW THINGS GO?

MANY OF OUR VIEWERS KNOW THE PROCESS BUT FOR THOSE THAT DON'T, HOW DOES THIS GO FORWARD FROM THIS POINT ON?

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT PROCESS?

EVEN THOSE WHO KNOW THE PROCESS, IT IS GOING TO BE A NEW PROCESS.

WE WILL HAVE AN APPROPRIATION REVENUE COMMITTEE IN THE MORNING WHERE THE BUDGET DIRECTOR WILL PRESENT MORE DETAILED VERSION OF THE BUDGET TO THE COMMITTEE AND IT IS OUR HOPE THAT WE CAN MOVE THIS BUDGET QUICKLY, GET IT INTO CONFERENCE AND I THINK THAT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE UNLIKE PAST YEARS IS WE WILL GENERALLY PASS OUT OF THE HOUSE OUR VERSION OF THE BUDGET WHICH PUTS OUR STAMP ON WHAT WE WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE, WHAT WE WANT THE BUDGET TO LOOK LIKE AND WE SEND IT TO THE SENATE.

THEY WILL DO THE SAME THING AND THEN COME TOGETHER IN CONFERENCE TO TRY TO REACH COMPROMISE ON THAT.

I THINK THAT THE BUDGET THAT YOU SEE COME OUT OF THE HOUSE AS WELL AS THE ONE THAT COMES BACK OUT OF THE SENATE IS GOING TO BE ESSENTIALLY A CONTINUATION BUDGET THAT IS NOT INDICATIVE OF WHAT THIS BUDGET IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE ULTIMATELY.

IT IS SIMPLY A MATTER TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS KNOWING THAT WE NEED TO GET THIS BUDGET INTO CONFERENCE.

SO WOULD I CAUTION EVERYBODY TO READ ABSOLUTELY NOTHING INTO THE BUDGET THAT COMES OUT FIRST BECAUSE IT WILL ABSOLUTELY JUST BE A CONTINUATION BUDGET VERSION OF THE BUDGET AND THAT IS JUST AN EFFORT TO EXPEDITE THINGS SO WE CAN GET TO WORK IMMEDIATELY ONCE WE RECESS NEXT WEEK.

>> Renee: SO SENATOR STIVERS, TRUE POINT AND THAT'S KIND OF HOW THINGS TYPICALLY GO AND THERE IS A NEGOTIATING GROUP WHO COMES TOGETHER TO RECONCILE THE DIFFERENCES.

THAT'S THE SAME PROCESS, JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE FACT THAT YOU ARE DOING THIS IN AN ODD YEAR SESSION WHERE YOU ONLY HAVE WHAT, 25 MORE WORKING DAYS?

>> RIGHT, AND WHEN YOU SAY 25 WORKING DAYS, YOU ARE RIGHT, RENEE, ON THAT.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU KNOW, MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF AMY AND SHERMAN, WE FOUND OUT WITHOUT LOBBYISTS IN THE BUILDING LAST YEAR, WE GOT A LOT OF WORK DONE.

SO WE HOPE TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS TO WHERE WE CAN USE IT AS THE SPEAKER HAS SAID, THAT PROCESS OF A RECESS BETWEEN OUR MANDATED REOPENING ON THE FIRST TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY IN FEBRUARY, THAT THE WE WILL HAVE THAT ABILITY AND TIME TO WORK THROUGH THIS IN A COLLABORATIVE NATURE AND GET MORE INFORMATION AND GET THIS PROCESS MOVING BECAUSE WE ARE IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION AND IT'S TAKEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND THOUGHT, BUT WHAT COMES OUT OF THE PROCESS THIS NEXT WEEK WILL NOT BE ANYTHING CLOSE TO WHAT I THINK THE FINAL BUDGET WILL BE.

>> Renee: AND SO CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF THE SCHEDULE?

WILL YOU-- BECAUSE YOU CAN HAVE SOME LIBERTY, FLEXIBILITY OF HOW YOU ADJUST THE CALENDAR.

WILL THE LAWMAKERS BE IN SESSION NEXT WEEK ANY TO KIND OF EXPEDITE THIS PROCESS SO THAT YOU CAN GET TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE A LITTLE QUICKER AS YOU HAVE DISCUSSED AND MAYBE THAT'S A QUESTION FOR THE SPEAKER AS WELL.

>> WE HAVE ALREADY SIGNED THE MEMORANDUM ALTERING THE SCHEDULE FOR OUR LEGISLATURE TO MEET BECAUSE WE WANTED TO SEE HOW THE FIRST FEW DAYS WENT.

I SIGNED THE MEMO.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT GOT TO DAVID BUT YES, WE ARE READY TO DO THAT.

>> Renee: HOUSE SPEAKER OSBOURNE, CAN YOU ELABORATE ANY?

>> YES.

I DON'T NOPE THAT I CAN SAY ANYMORE REALLY.

WE DID SIGN THE MEMO TODAY THAT EXTENDS OR ADJUSTS THE CALENDAR EXTENDING THIS FIRST PORTION OF THE SESSION THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

>> Renee: AND SO DO YOU FORESEE HAVING LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS?

WE MENTIONED ROCKY FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND MAJORITY LEADER ROCKY ADKINS.

DO YOU FORESEE HAVING LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM DURING THIS CYCLE?

>> I DO.

ROCKY IS A VITAL PART OF THIS PROCESS.

WE HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH LIMB, ALWAYS HAVE.

AND HE WILL BE ALONG WITH BUDGET DIRECTOR HICKS, WHO IS AN INCREDIBLY BRIGHT MIND IN THE BUDGET FIELD, I'M SURE THAT WE WILL BE IN FREQUENT CONTACT.

GRR JUST A COUPLE OF THE PROVISIONS AND I WILL LET YOU GO.

THE EDUCATOR RAISES, THE RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS, FULLY FUNDING THE PENSIONS.

MORE MONEY FOR THE MICHELLE P, THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS PROGRAM.

THOSE THINGS SEEM TO BE THAT THOSE-- THAT'S FERTILE GROUND TO BEGIN.

DO YOU ALL AGREE SOMEWHAT WITH SOME OF THOSE IDEAS?

I'LL START WITH YOU PRESIDENT STIVERS.

>> IT ALL DEPENDS ON REVENUE SOURCES, METHOD AND MANNER.

YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING SOUNDS GOOD UNTIL YOU PUT IT IN THE CONTEXT OF SOURCES ONE-TIME DOLLARS VERSUS RECURRING DOLLARS, YOU KNOW, OUR DEBT SERVICE, OUR STRUCTURAL IMBALANCES, OUR OBLIGATIONS AND WHAT IS BEING SAID BY THE REPRESENTATIVE PENSION SYSTEMS.

THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS FULLY FUNDING ALL THE PENSION SYSTEMS.

WE ARE PUTTING CLOSE TO $2.5 BILLION JUST IN OUR PENSIONS IF I'M NOT BADLY MISTAKEN.

SO IT'S ALL IN CONTEXT.

I CAN'T SAY YES, I CAN'T SAY NO.

BUT WE WILL START HEARING ABOUT IT TOMORROW.

AND LET ME-- I WANT TO HAVE A LITTLE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH THE SPEAKER.

ROCKY IS AN INTEGRAL PART, BUT SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE, THE GOVERNOR HAS GOT TO STEP IN AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS.

AND YOU HEARD ME, YOU'VE HEARD THE SPEAKER AND YOU'VE HEARD OTHERS.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE WANTS TO WORK WITH US NOW IS THE TIME.

>> SPEAKER OSBOURNE, I'LL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD, SIR.

>> I AGREEY WOULD THAT.

CERTAINLY OUR TEACHERS, OUR STATE EMPLOYEES ARE VERY DESERVING BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE ARE STILL TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT OF WORK.

THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WAITING ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT ROLLS FOR THEIR CLAIMS TO BE PROCESSED.

THE RELIEF FUND FOR BUSINESSES, I'M SURE THAT THOSE BUSINESSES WILL WELCOME THAT MONEY.

BUT WHAT THEY REALLY WANT IS THEY WANT THEIR BUSINESSES BACK OPEN AND I THINK WE PASSED SOME MEASURES TODAY THAT WILL BEGIN THAT PROCESS.

THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WAITING TO HAVE THEIR CLAIMS PROCESSED TO GIVE THEM ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, AGAIN, I'M SURE THAT THEY WILL BE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF IT.

BUT WE'VE SPENT $17 MILLION OF THE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS SPENT $17 MILLION WITH A PRIVATE COMPANY TRYING TO PROCESS THESE CLAIMS.

MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST FIX THE PROBLEM AND PROCESS THE CLAIMS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY WOULD REALLY LIKE, IN ADDITION TO HAVING THEIR JOBS BACK AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE TAKEN SOME STEPS TODAY AND THIS WEEK AND WILL CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO HELP RECTIFY THAT.

>> Renee: THANK YOU SPEAKER OSBOURNE AND SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMONWEALTH.

THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU, RENEE.

IN THE MINUTE AND 15/15-- IN THE 1:55 SECONDS WE HAVE REMAINING.

THE POINT THAT THE SENATE PRESIDENT MADE ABOUT THE GOVERNOR THAT IT IS GOOD TO HAVE ROCKY.

ROBERT STIERVES IS THE C.E.O.

OF THE SENATE, DAVID OSBOURNE IS THE C.E.O.

OF THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR IS THE C.E.O.

OF KENTUCKY.

THEY WANT THAT C.E.O.-C.E.O.

INTERACTION WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE BUDGET AND SO I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE BACK AND FORTH OF WHO REACHES OUT FIRST BUT I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE NECESSARY AND I THINK THERE IS A LOT THAT STAFF CAN DO BUT I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY,THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO HAVE TO REACH OUT AND BE PART OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS AS WELL AND THAT TAKES TWO GROUPS TO WORK ON THOSE CONVERSATIONS BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE NECESSARY.

>> SHERMAN BROWN, THE LAST WORD.

>> I THINK THEY NEED TO TALK BUT I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING AND I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE-- THERE IS A QUESTION THERE, RIGHT?

THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEY TALKED TO HIM TODAY, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED IT.

THEY WANT TO TALK TO HIM MORE.

IF THAT'S THE DEAL, THE MESSAGE HAS BEEN HEARD I THINK THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE.

AS FAR AS THE ONE-TIME MONEY, THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT CAME IN, WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEND THE MONEY BACK.

WE HAVE TO SPEND IT.

THAT'S WHAT HE IS PUTTING IN THE BUDGET.

IT GOES BACK TO THE QUESTION OF THE DETAILS.

WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT IS AND WHERE IT'S SPENT AND TAKE IT FROM THERE.

>> Renee: THANK YOU SHERMAN BROWN AND AMY WICKLIFFE.

WE APPRECIATE YOU FOR TUNING INTO KET AND TRUSTING US TO BRING YOU THIS COVERAGE THIS EVENING.

8:30 TOMORROW NIGHT, A WRAP-UP OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LEGISLATURE ON LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT AT 8:30 STARTING FOLLOWING COMMENT ON KENTUCKY AT 8:00.