GENERAL ASSEMBLY ABOUT TO BEGIN.

WE'LL PREVIEW THE SESSION WHICH WILL INCLUDE PASSING A STATE BUDGET.

THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS ARE AMONG THE TOP ISSUES ON THE TABLE.

KENTUCKY'S VACCINE ROLE-OUT CONTINUES, BUT HEALTH EXPERTS WARN BIG CHALLENGES BEFORE THE SHOTS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

THE CENSUS RESULTS WILL BE OUT SOON, AND KENTUCKY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE HOW TO REDRAW LOTS OF DISTRICT LINES.

2020 IS OVER.

'21 IS HERE, AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

AND HAPPY NEW year I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH, AND SOME ANALYSIS.

AND ON A SPECIAL EDITION A LOOK AHEAD TO WHAT'S COMING UP IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT WILL INCLUDE A BILL ON TELEHEALTH THAT IS BECOME POPULAR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO DOCTORS' VISITS AND A PROPOSAL TO CERTIFY COMMUNITIES THAT GET SERIOUS ABOUT THE ADDICTION CRISIS THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: LAWRENCE SMITH, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR TH AND DANIEL DESROSIERS, POLITICA REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERA.

FOR TRANSPARENCY, WE ARE TAPING THIS PROGRAM ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29th, SO THE KET STAFF AND OUR PANELISTS COULD ENJOY THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY.

BEFORE WE LOOK AT WHAT MAY BE AHEAD UNTIL THE BRAND NEW YEAR, LET'S COVER SOME OF THE NEWS FROM THE LAST WEEK OF 2020, AND LIKE THE REST OF THE YEAR, IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL.

LAWRENCE, ON CHRISTMAS DAY A SUICIDE BOMBING IN NASHVILLE LEFT A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS WITHOUT PHONE service IT KNOCKED OUT 911 COMMUNICATIONS IN MANY HERE IN KENTUCKY.

HOSPITALS WITHOUT THEIR NORMAL SYSTEMS.

I MEAN, THIS DEMONSTRATED HOW FRAGILE THE COMMUNICATION NETWORKS CAN BE.

>> Lawrence: THAT'S RIGHT, BILL.

I MEAN, ASIDE FROM THE HUMAN COST OF THIS, THE BIG LESSON FROM THAT INCIDENT IS HOW FRAGILE OUR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IS.

YOU HAD ONE WELL-PLACED BOMB KNOCK OUT AN ENTIRE REGIONCH COMMUNICATIONS.

SO IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THAT IT'S THAT THIS IS A FRAGILE SYSTEM THAT CAN BE DISRUPTED ALMOST NAME, AND THAT'S KIND OF SCARY.

>> Bill: AND SOME OF THE PREPAREDNESS AGENCIES URGED KENTUCKIANS TO THINK ABOUT THEIR OWN BACKUPS TO COMMUNICATIONS.

YOU HAD PEOPLE ON CHRISTMAS DAY WHO COULDN'T REACH THEIR RELATIVES.

THEY COULDN'T CALL 911 HAD THEY NEEDED TO BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAD ONE WAY TO GET A CALL OUT.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, AND THE SOLUTION WOULD PEER TO BE HAVING MORE THAN ONE CARRIER, BUT EVEN THEN SOME OF THESE CARRIERS PIGGYBACK OFF EACH OTHER, SO YOU MAY STILL HAVE THAT SAME PROBLEM.

IT'S NOT AN EASY SOLUTION TO THIS SITUATION.

>> Bill: BUT AS WE SAID, ONE MORE THING IN 2020, RIGHT?

DOAN, PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED A CORONAVIRUS RELIEF BILL EVEN AS HE PUSHED ALONG WITH DEMOCRATS TO INCREASE THE PAYMENTS FROM WHAT WAS AN ORIGINAL $600, AND THEN THERE WAS A HOUSE VOTE, AND THEY SAID DO THAT.

IT INCREASED THOSE TO $2,000.

AND CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER, HAL ROGERS, JOHN YARMOUTH VOTED YES.

THOMAS SHE'S BRETT GUTHRIE VOTED NO.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR DID NOT VOTE ON THE MEASURE.

AND AS OF THIS TAPING WE'RE WAITING SEE WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SENATE.

>> Daniel: YEAH, SO IT LOOKS LIKE SENATOR McCONNELL SIDESTEPPED A VOTE IN THE SENATE, AND THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF, YOU KNOW, PRESIDENT TRUMP KIND OF THROWING A WRENCH IN THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS, RIGHT?

SO YOU HAD THIS BILL THAT HAD BEEN NEGOTIATED BY TREASURY SECRETARY STEVE UN MENU MEN YOU HAVEIN WHERE HE PROPOSED THE 600s DOLLARS STIMULUS AND VIA TWITTER PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID HE WASN'T A FAN, HE WANTED TO SEE $2,000.

SO, OF COURSE, HOUSE DEMOCRATS IMMEDIATELY JUMPED ON THAT PAUSE THEY HAD BEEN PUSHING FOR MORE SLUMPS MONEY TO BEGIN WITH AND IT PUT REPUBLICANS IN THIS TRICKY POSITION WHERE THEY HAD GONE ALONG WITH THE DEAL THAT SOME OF THEM MAY NOT HAVE LIKED HOW MUCH MONEY THE STIMULUS CHECKS WERE BUT THEY WERE KIND OF FORCED, THEIR HAD AN WAS KIND OF FORCED, AND IT HAD DEFINITELY IRRITATED SOME OF THE DEFICIT HAWKS AS WELL.

>> Bill: AS YOU POINTED OUT THEY WORKED ON BILL FOR WEEKS WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS AND SENATOR McCONNELL BUT A LOT OF KENTUCKY SENATORS INCLUDING KENTUCKY'S RAND PAUL WERE ASTOUND ALARM ABOUT THE DEFICIT SPENDING.

SO McCONNELL WAS STUCK IN THAT BANDWIDTH RIGHT THERE, RIGHT?

>> Lawrence: SOMETHING TOLLS CONSIDER AS WELL IN ALL OF THIS IS THAT McCONNELL STILL KIND OF NEEDS PRESIDENT TRUMP TO WIN GEORGIA, HELP WIN THOSE TWO TENANCIES IN GEORGIA THAT ARE UP FOR GRASP, SO HE HAS THAT IN MIND, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, THERE ARE TWO TWO BIG DEFICIT HAWKS AMONG THE KENTUCKY CONGRESSIONAL DELL GAIKOWSKI RAND PAUL AND THOMAS MASSIE.

THEY BOTH VOTED AGAINST THIS BILL BECAUSE OF THE DEBT, THE ADDITIONAL DEBT IT WOULD RUN UP FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO WE CONTINUE TO SEE WHAT THE LAST WEEKS BEFORE THE TRANSITION WILL BE LIKE THERE IN WASHINGTON.

DEBBIE, VACCINATIONS CONTINUE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

WE NOW KNOW THAT THE NEXT PRIORITY ROUND, AND IT IS CALLED PHASE 1B.

WHO DOES THAT INCLUDE?

>> Deborah: IT GETS COMPLICATED, BUT THE VACCINES ARE STARTING TO COME INTO KENTUCKY.

THEY STARTED ARRIVING IN DECEMBER.

PFIZER AND MODERNA.

AND THE GOVERNOR JUST ON MOUND ANNOUNCED SORT OF THE SECOND PHASE AFTER FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES, AND THEY WOULD BE PEOPLE 70 OR OLDER, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND ALSO EDUCATORS, AND THE GOVERNOR SAID HE BELIEVES HE COULD START THE VACCINATIONS IN COMMUNITIES AROUND FEBRUARY 1st TO GIVE OR TAKE A WEEK OR TWO I THINK WERE HIS WORDS.

>> Bill: A LOT OF FOLKS ARE ASKING HOW WILL THEY KNOW.

MY DAD WAS ASKING, HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN OUR TURN HAS COME FOR THE VACCINE?

LAWRENCE, ANY INSIGHT ON THAT?

>> Lawrence: WELL, I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL.

MY FATHER, FOR EXAMPLE, IS IN HIS 80s AND IS A VETERAN.

HE GOT A CALL FROM THE VA SAYING THAT HE WOULD BE AMONG THOSE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT ROUND.

SO I IMAGINE THAT'S ONE WAY THAT THEY'LL KNOW, IS THEY'LL BE INTERESTED PARTIES WHO WILL BE GIVING THE VACCINE WHO WILL LET THEM KNOW.

BUT I DON'T THINK YET THERE IS A SOLID PLAN FOR CONTACTING EVERYBODY WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO GET THIS.

THEY MAY BE ON THEIR OWN AS FAR AS KEEPING UP WITH THIS, KNOWING THEY'RE IN THE AGE GROUP, AND THEN CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE OUTLET THEMSELVES.

>> Bill: AND WILL THERE COME TO BE MORE OPTIONS FOR THAT?

FOR INSTANCE, WILL PRIVATE DOCTORS HAVE ACCESS SO THAT THEY CAN ADMINISTER THOSE?

I KNOW THERE'S TALK OF A MASS VACCINATION SITE GOING UP AT BROADBENT ARENA OVER THERE IN LOUISVILLE, SO BE, YOU KNOW, IS THIS JUST KIND OF ROLLING OUT BEFORE OUR EYES AND WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW IT'S GOING TO GO?

>> Daniel: YEAH, I THINK -- >> Deborah: SORRY.

THE HEALTH AUTHORITIES LOOKING AT SORT OF MASS VACCINATIONS INITIALLY TO TRY TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE IN AS POSSIBLE.

THE GOAL EVENTUALLY IS TO WHERE YOU CAN GET IT IN YOUR PHARMACY OR DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND GET THEN THERE BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE SOME MONTHS INTO IT.

>> Daniel: AND I THINK WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A MASS I WILL HAVE DIFFICULT JOB THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO.

MASSIVELY.

THEY'RE GOING TO VACCINATE A TON AMOUNT OF NEM POOM IN A RECORD AMOUNT OF TIME.

WE HAVE SEEN THE CHINKS IN THE ARMOR.

OVER CHRISTMAS VEHICLE WEEKEND THERE IS WITH A WALGREENS THAT WAS VACCINATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND IT WAS BASICALLY IF YOU KNEW YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A VACCINE.

WE STILL DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WE HAVE VACCINATED AS FAR AS I KNOW.

AS THEY GO THROUGH THIS REALLY COMPLICATED PROCESS WHERE THEY HAVE THESE DIFFERENT PHASES OF WHO QUALIFIES, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF ELBOW NUDGING AND PEOPLE ASKING, WELL, WHY DOES THAT PERSON GET IT BEFORE ME?

WHEN WHEN YOU HAVE SITUATIONS LIKE WHAT HAPPENED AT WALGREENS THIS WEEKEND, IT CREATES THIS PERCEPTION OF, WELL, IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT CONTACTS, IF YOU'RE -- IF YOU'RE ENOUGH OF A VIP THIN MIGHT BE ABLE TO SKIP THE LINE, AND THAT'S REALLY NOT HOW THIS PROCESS SHOULD WORK.

THEY'RE TRYING TO DISTRIBUTE THIS IN AS FAIR A WAIST POSSIBLE TRY NOTICE GATE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DIE AND TO TRY TO TAMP DOWN THIS PANDEMIC SO THAT WE CAN FINALLY START TO RESUME SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO NORMALLY IN 2019.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, IT WAS HERALDED AS A SCIENTIFIC MIRACLE TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH THESE VACCINES IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME SO QUICKLY.

BUT NOW JUST THE PROCESS OF GETTING THOSE SHOTS INTO ARMS IS GOING TO BE, PROVING TO BE QUITE A CHALLENGE AS WELL.

>> Lawrence: SURE, IT'S GOING TO BE A MASSIVE PROCESS TO GET EVERYONE WHO IT WASN'T TO GET IT VACCINATED.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW, FIRST, IT IS ROLLED OUT IN THESE VARIOUS COMMUNITIES, WHERE THE VACCINATIONS WILL BE, AND THEN HOW PEOPLE ARE CONTACTED TO KNOW THAT THEY COULD COME AND GET IT.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A MASSIVE PROCESS, AND AS DANIEL SAID THERE WILL BE HICCUPS ALONG THE WAY NO DOUBT.

>> Bill: SEVERAL HIGH PROFILE STATE LEADERS, DAN, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR, SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SOME LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE GOTTEN VACCINES.

NOTELY YOU THE STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES TURNED DOWN THAT OPPORTUNITY AND SAID HE WOULD AWAIT HIS TURN.

>> Dawn: YEAH, AND IT KIND OF AN INTERESTING MOVE.

HE IS IN HIS 30s DESPITE THE GRAY HAIR AND SO HE WAS MAKING THIS ARGUMENTS THAT HE IS YOUNGER AND SO THAT HE CAN WAIT WHILE OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY BE MORE AT RISK COULD GET THE VACCINE FIRST, BUT AS WE HAVE SEEN THIS DISEASE DOES AFFECT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

AT THE SAME TIME, THERE IS A VERY CROWDED FIELD OF REPUBLICANS WHO ARE EYEING A POTENTIAL GUBERNATORIAL BID, AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN UNDER THE FOR SOME PUBLICITY OVER A RATHER NOT AS -- A TIME.

AND SO I THINK THERE'S ALSO AN ASPECT OF THE QUARLES REALLY KIND OF SEIZING A CHANCE TO GET SOME PUBLIC CITI HAVETY AS HE KIND OF EYES THE -- PUBLICITY AS HE EYES THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

>> Bill: DWEEB WE'RE ALL GLAD TO SEE THE NUMBERS COMING DOWN SOME WE ARE CELEBRATING THE FACT THAT THE VACCINATIONS HAVE STARTED.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE HOLIDAY SEASON COULD MEAN WE HAVE SOME TOUGH BECOMES AHEAD HERE, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

DEATHS FROM COVID TOOK A JUMP IN DECEMBER.

WE HAD THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF DEATHS OF THE YEAR THIS MONTH ALONE IN DECEMBER FROM COVID, AND THERE IS SOME CONCERN THAT IT IS LINKED TO THANKSGIVING AND PEOPLE GETTING TOGETHER AT SOME OF THESE EVENTS, AND NOW YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND FATALITIES.

THEY BELIEVE THAT IF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BEHAVE THE SAME WAYOVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S, THAT COULD LEAD TO YET ANOTHER SURGE IN COVID CASES, AND WITH MORE CASES COME MORE DEATHS.

SO THE WORD FROM PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS IS TRY TO TONE IT DOWN AND STAY HOME WITH YOUR OWN HOUSEHOLD.

>> Bill: BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE LEGISLATURE, LAWRENCE, YOU ARE WATCHING THE DECISION ABOUT WHO WILL BE LOUISVILLE'S NEXT POLICE CHIEF, AND THE WORD WOULD COME ON THAT AT ANY TIME.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, A REPORT JUST DAME OUT FROM OUR OWN WDRB'S MARKUS GREEN THAT THE COMMITTEE THAT WAS INTERVIEWING THE CANDIDATES.

FOR LMPD CHIEF HAVE SETTLED ON ONE AND VOTED ANIMAL TO RECOMMEND THAT ONE TO THE -- UNANIMOUSLY TO RECOMMEND THAT ONE TO THE MAYOR AND HE SAID AROUND THE FIRST OF THE YEAR HE WOULD ANNOUNCE HIS CHOICE SO WE EXPECT THAT VERY SOON.

>> Bill: SO LAST WEEK WE REFLECTED ON THE OLD YEAR AND LOOKED BACK AT 2020, AND AS WE RING IN THE NEW YEAR RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ALL HOPING FOR SOME SORT OF NEW NORMAL.

THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE WILL GAVEL INTO SESSION THIS COMING WEEK, TUESDAY.

WE EXPECT IT TO BE A BUSY SESSION.

THEY HAVE TO GET A STATE BUDGET DONE.

THEY INTEND TO TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE EMERGENCY POWER VESTED IN THE GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW.

FIRST QUESTIONS FIRST.

THIS SESSION IS BEING HELD DURING A PANDEMIC.

DEBBIE, WILL THEY WEAR MASKS?

>> Deborah: WELL, THAT'S I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

LEADERSHIP IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGING WEARING OF MASKS AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ON THE FLOOR WHEN THEY GO INTO SESSION.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME RECALCITRANT MEMBERS THAT HAVE DECLINE TO WEAR MASKS AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND MORE RECENTLY ORIENTATION FOR NEW MEMBERS.

THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE SPOKE UP URGING THEM TO DO SO.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THEY HEED THAT SURPRISE WHEN THE SESSION STARTS.

>> Bill: AND DAN, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY CAN DO PRETTY MUCH WHAT THEY WANT TO.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN, THOUGH, HOW MUCH AUTHORITY THEY WILL TAKE FROM THE GOVERNOR AND WHAT THEIR TIMETABLE IS FOR DOING THAT, RIGHT?

>> Daniel: YEAH, THERE ARE AT LEAST SIX BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED THAT WOULD KIND OF ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

AND WHILE THEY ALL TAKE KIND OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES, BASICALLY WHAT THEY'RE ALL TRYING TO DO IS LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IS IN PLACE FOR.

SO IT VARIES ANYWHERE FROM 14 DAYS TO 30 DAYS, AND THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AND SO WHAT WE'RE REALLY SEEING HERE IS THIS POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND THE EXECUTIVE RANCH.

THEY LEGISLATIVE BRANCH HASN'T LIKED THE WAY THIS WHOLE THING WORKED WHERE THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAKE LAWS IN SOME WAYS OVER A REALLY LONG PERIOD OF TIME WHEN THE LEGISLATURE WASN'T IN SESSION.

AND KENTUCKY IS A LITTLE BIT OF AN OUTLIER HERE.

IN 36 STATES, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES, THE LEGISLATURE CAN CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

AND THEN IN ANOTHER FIVE OF THOSE STATES, THEY ARE FULL -- BASICALLY A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE.

SO SPEAKER OSBORN HAS BEEN PLAYING AROUND WITH THIS IDEA THAT THEY WOULD PASS A -- THEY WOULD TRY TO PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

OF COURSE, THAT WOULDN'T TAKE AFFECT UNTIL 2022, AND AS WE HAVE SEEN, THERE SEEMS TO BE A SENSE OF URGENCY ABOUT TRYING TO LIMIT THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE POWERS IN THE SHORT TERM RATHER THAN LETTING THAT WAIT IN THE TWO YEARS.

>> Bill: THAT WOULD REQUIRE A VOTE OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT.

LAWRENCE, GOVERNOR BESHEAR OPPOSES THIS, OF COURSE, CONSIDERS IT A POWER GRAB.

HIS TEAM HAS CALLED IT AN ATTACK ON THE GOVERNOR WHO IS TRYING TO SAVE LIVES.

HE HAS ALSO SAID THAT A CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHO IS FULL-TIME IN FRANKFORT CAN MAKE QUICK DECISIONS AND DO THAT BETTER THAN BRINGING IN 138 PEOPLE TO TRY TO AGREE ON SOMETHING, SPEAKING OF LAWMAKERS.

SO THERE COULD BE SOME TIME BETWEEN THIS GETTING PASSED IN THE LEGISLATURE, HIM POTENTIALLY VETO ITING IT AND THEN COMING BACK TO OVERRIGHT A VETO.

DOES HE DO SOME PUBLIC RELATIONS WORK IN THE MEANTIME?

>> Lawrence: WELL, HE DOES HAVE THAT BULLY PULPIT OF THE REGULAR COVID BRIEFINGS THAT HE DOES, ASSUMING THAT WILL CONTINUE ON INTO JANUARY, WHICH WHICH THEY PROBABLY WILL TO SOME EXTENT.

SO HE DOES HAVE THAT PULPIT WHERE HE CAN MAKE HIS CASE THAT HE NEEDS THESE POWERS IN ORDER MANAGE PROPERLY AN EMERGENCY.

BUT THE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THEY HAVE A MANDATE BRAS THEY WANT AN EXPANDED SUPER MAJORITY IN THE THE LAST ELECTION, THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE A A MANDATE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AS FAR AS LIMITING THE GOVERNOR'S POWERS.

THEY SAY THAT THE ELECTION WAS A STATEMENT IN THEIR FAVOR.

SO IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT THE GOVERNOR'S PROTESTATIONS WILL HAVE ON WHAT THEY ULTIMATELY DECIDE TO DO.

>> Bill: COULD THE GOVERNOR HAVE AVOIDED THIS CLASH IF HE HAD KEPT LAWMAKERS OR AT LEAST LEADERSHIP IN THE LAPTOP EXECUTIVE ORDERS HE WAS ABOUT TO DO AND THE DIRECTIVES AND MAYBE THE NATURE THAT THEY SHARED SOME OF THE SPOTLIGHT BACK IN THE SUMMER AND FALL?

>> Daniel: I THINK IT'S REALLY -- >> Bill: DANIEL GO AHEAD.

>> Daniel: I THINK IT'S REALLY UNLIKELY.

THIS IS A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR WA A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE THESE TYPES OF BATTLES AND THERE'S GOING TO BE CRITICISM.

OF COURSE A MANY REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO SAY THAT HE MIGHT HAVE AVOIDED THIS.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN BILLS PROPOSED IN 26 DIFFERENT STATES TRYING TO SCALE BACK EXECUTIVE POWERS OVER THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC, SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND IT'S NOT JUST REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE VERSUS DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS OR DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURES VERSUS DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS.

IN STATES WHERE THE SAME PARTY CONTROLLED BOTH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, THE LEGISLATURE HAS STILL TRIED TO PASS -- OR IS STILL TRYING TO PROPOSAL LEGISLATION TO SCALE BACK SOME OF THESE POWERS.

SO I THINK THESE ARE JUST KIND OF THE NATURAL THINGS THAT HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAVE GUIDE GOVERNMENT, AND -- DIVIDE GOVERNMENT AND WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT HOW YOU HANDLE AUN UNPRECEDENTED EVENT.

>> Bill: AND YOU KEEP COMING BACK TO THIS QUESTION, LAWRENCE.

IF THE LEGISLATURE DOES TAKE CONTROL OF THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE, WHAT WOULD THEY CHANGE?

>> Lawrence: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

THEY HAVE BEEN MOST CRITICAL OF THE WAY -- WELL, A COUPLE THINGS.

ONE, THE SHUTTING DOWN OF THE ECONOMY, FIRST OF ALL.

I'VE TALKED TO REPUBLICANS WHO THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR WENT TOO FAR IN SHUTTING DOWN THE ECONOMY.

THEY WOULD PREFER THAT HE PUTS OUT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEOPLE TO WEAR MASKS, SOCIAL DISTANCE, AND STAY HOME BUT NOT REQUIRE IT.

THAT'S ONE THING.

SECOND IS A BIG THING OVER SCHOOLS, WHETHER HE SHOULD HAVE CLOSED SCHOOLS.

I THINK THOSE ARE THE TWO BIG THINGS THAT HAVE REALLY GOTTEN UNDER THE SKIN OF SOME REPUBLICANS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, AND RHYME NOT NECESSARILY SAYING IT'S ABOUT SCHOOLS, BUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE APPEAR TO HAVE WORKED.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER CONSIDERATION OF THIS.

THEY MAY HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT APPROACH BUT WOULDN'T HAVE WORKED IN A SIMILAR WAY THAN WHAT THE GOVERNOR WAS DONE IN MANY WAYS HAS, WOULD.

>> Bill: THIS IS GOING TO BE -- GO AHEAD, DANIEL.

>> Daniel: TO JUMP IN HERE, THE OTHER THING THAT'S INTEREST INTERESTING ABOUT THIS IS WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING, THERE'S NO REPUBLICAN BILL TO ADDRESS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

RIGHT?

THERE'S NO SOLUTION THAT EVERYBODY HAS SIGNED OFF ON.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PROPOSALS THAT THEY'RE DOING FOR THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THAT THEY WOULD INTRODUCE NEW LEGISLATION.

IT'S GIVING THEM A KIND OF RUBBER STAMP ON WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS ALREADY ORDERED, SO THEY CAN EITHER DECIDE THEY LIKE WHAT HE'S DONE OR THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT HE'S DONE AND HE HAS TO GO BACK AND START AGAIN.

SO INSTEAD OF REALLY GIVING THEMSELVES THE POWER TO CREATE NEW LAWS OR, THAT THEY'RE DOING IS GIVING THEMSELVES APPROVAL POWER OR WHAT THEY'RE INTENDING TO DO IS GIVE THEMSELVES APPROVAL POWER IN A WAY THAT KIND OF AVOIDS THE FACT THAT YOU WOULD HAVE 138 DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON HOW TO ADDRESS A CRISIS.

>> Bill: IT'S INTEREST GOING TO BE INCORPORATING AND THIS SHOULD BE PROBABLY EARLY IN THE SESSION.

THEN TEV THE SESSION TO DEAL WITH THE BUDGET.

DEBBIE, THAT HAS TO BE DONE.

IT'S A ONE-YEAR SPENDING PLAN.

DO WE GET INDICATIONS THAT WILL BE A CONTINUATION OF THE OTHER ONE-YEAR PLAN?

BECAUSE NORMALLY IT'S A TWO-YEAR BUDGET, RIGHTS?

>> Deborah: IT SHOULD BE A TWO-YEAR BUDGET, AND AS WE ALL RECALL IN THIS YEAR WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE PASSED THE TWO-YEAR BUDGET, THEY ENDED UP PASSING A ONE-YEAR BUDGET BECAUSE OF PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND REVENUE WERE SO UNCERTAIN BECAUSE OF COVID AND ALSO IN PART BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO SHUT DOWN THE SESSION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THEY SOW THEY GREED TOM COULD BACK IN JANUARY AND PASS THE SECOND ONE-YEAR BUDGET TO GET US THROUGH THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

IT'S HARD TO SAY AT THIS POINT.

INITIALLY REVENUE PROJECTIONS WERE PRETTY DIRE, BUT THEY APPEAR TO HAVE IMPROVED SOMEWHAT, IN PART BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STILL SPENDING, JUST ONLINE I OBJECT IS THE INSTEAD OF IN RETAIL AND.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY AROUND STIMULUS MONEY THAT KEPT THE ECONOMY GOING FOR A WHILE.

NOW THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY STAND LOOKING FORWARD THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR STARTING JULE 1st.

>> Bill: AND AGAIN, DAN WELL SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE MURK EBB WITH HOW MANY UNEMPLOYMENT IS THE STATE OBLIGATED TO, HOW MUCH FEDERAL HELP MIGHT THERE BE FOR THE STATE?

>> Daniel: YEAH, I MEAN, SO MUCH RIGHT NOW IS UNCERTAIN.

WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

EVEN WHEN THE CONSENSUS FORECASTING GROUP MET, THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT CONGRESS WOULD PASS ANOTHER STIMULUS BILL.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHEN ENOUGH OF THE POPULATION WOULD BE VACCINATED FOR THINGS TO KIND OF START TO RESUME IN A MORE NORMAL WAY, AND SO THERE'S JUST SO MANY QUESTION MARKS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

AND THAT MAKES DRAFTING A BUDGET REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, GOVERNOR BARBER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN INTEND TO PUSH FOR TEACHERS PAY RACES.

THE KEA ALSO HAS ITS AN TEN YOU A UP ABOUT A POTENTIAL NEW PENSION BILL.

CAN WE EXPECT EDUCATION ISSUES TO BE A KEY PART OF THIS SESSION?

>> Lawrence: CERTAINLY.

THEY ALWAYS ARE.

AS YOU MAY RECALL, LAST JANUARY PRE-COVID THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS GOING TO HAVE AN EDUCATION FIRST BUDGET, BUT HE SAYS THIS COMING YEAR THAT HE WANTS TO HAVE AN EDUCATION FIRST BUDGET, AND THAT INCLUDES PROPOSED PAY RAISES FOR TEACHERS.

DON'T KNOW KNOW HOW MUCH OR HOW IT WILL FLY IN A TIGHT BUDGET YEAR LIKE THAT.

WE CAN EXPECT THAT, ALSO.

YOU MENTIONED TEACHER PENSIONS.

REPRESENTATIVE ED MASSIE IS CRAFTING A BILL -- HE HASN'T INTRODUCED IT YET -- BUT IS WRITING A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THE TEACHER PENSION SYSTEM SO THAT NEW-HIRES WOULD GO INTO A MORE HYBRID SYSTEM.

THAT HAS SOME SUPPORT FROM THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, BUT THERE IS SOME SCEPTICISM STATEWIDE ABOUT THAT AS THERE IS ANY TIME YOU TALK ABOUT TEACHERS PENSION SYSTEMS.

AND WE CAN ALSO EXPECT SOME MOVEMENT OR AT LEAST SOME LEGISLATION ON SCHOOL CHOICE.

SO AS USUAL, YES, EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE MAIN FEATURES OF THIS COMING GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> Bill: SOME OTHER ISSUES, DEBBIE, TELEHEALTH HAS BECOME VERY POPULAR ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC AS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HESS THAN THE TO GO TO DOCTORS FOR IN-PERSON VISITS.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA FRAZIER IS PUSHING FOR A STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TELEHEALTH AND MAYBE TO CREATE A FRAMEWORK OF RULES FOR IT.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

IN FACT, SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO WHO IS A PHYSICIAN, A REPUBLICAN FROM WINCHESTER, INITIATED A BASIC LAW FOR TELEHEALTH A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BUT IT DIDN'T REALLY TAKE OFF IN LARGE PART BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A STRONG MECHANISM FOR BILLING FOR THESE SERVICES.

THEN THE PANDEMICS HIT, AND SO A LOT OF REGULATIONS, I THINK EMERGENCY REGS BLANKETED THAT WOULD GIVE PEOPLE THE AUTHORITY TO EXAMINATION, COUNSELING SESSIONS, SO FORTH THROUGH TELEHEALTH AND ABLE TO BILL THE INSURER OR MEDICAID, WHOEVER THE PAYER SOURCE WAS, BUT NOW I THINK THERE'S A DESIRE TO MOVE FORWARD TO LOOK AT HOW WELL THAT'S FUNCTIONED AND SEE IF IT NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED MORE PERMANENTLY.

>> Bill: REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN BOWLING OF MIDDLE SCHOOLBORO WOULD CERTIFY CITIES' RECOVERY READY.

THAT IS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE PLANS IN PLACE TO ADDRESS PREVENTION, TREATMENT, HELP PEOPLE REENTER LIFE AFTER THEY'RE CLEAN AND SOBER.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS MAYBE JUST OBSCURED THE FACT THAT THE OPIOID CRISIS HAS GONE ON, DEBBIE.

>> Deborah: I THINK IT POSSIBLY HAS.

ANECDOTAL WE'RE GETTING THE SENSE THAT OVERDOSES AND OVERDOSE DEATHS ARE ON THE RISE.

IT'S HARD TO TELL IN TERMS OF OVERALL ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE AND RECOVERY, WHAT'S GOING ON.

A LOT OF THOSE SERVICES HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO SORT OF TELEHEALTH MEETINGS.

AA MEETINGS ARE HELD ON ZOOM INSTEAD OF IN PERSON IN LARGE PART.

SO I THINK THEY WON'T REALLY GET A CLEAR PICTURE ON WHAT'S GOING ON UNTIL WE EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC AND PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GET OUT AND COLLECT SOME STATISTICS ABOUT THIS.

>> Bill: 2020 CENSUS NUMBERS WILL BE OUT SOON AND WE'LL SEE WHAT THE POPULATION TRENDS ARE HERE IN KENTUCKY LAWRENCE, ONE THING THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE, DOES KENTUCKY CONTINUE TO BECOME A MORE URBAN STATE.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WATCHING FOR.

THIS LAST ELECTION AGAIN ILLUSTRATED THE VAST URBAN/RURAL DIVIDE IN THE STATE IN TERMS OF POLITICS, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY MOVEMENT TOWARD MORE URBAN CENTERS, AND IF SO, HOW THAT MIGHT IMPACT POLITICS IN THE FUTURE.

>> Bill: DAN, WITH THAT COMES A REDRAWING OF DISTRICTS.

EVERYTHING FROM MAGISTRATE DISTRICTS TO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT LINES, UP TO THE CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE LINES.

THAT CAN BE TOUGH TO DO AND AN EMOTIONAL PROCESS.

>> Daniel: YES, VERY POLITICAL.

AND I MEAN IT'S ALSO A DAUNTING TASK.

IN THE LAST CENSUS THEY KIND OF RECARVED THE 6th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN HOPES THAT IT WOULD KEEP DEMOCRAT BEN CHANDLER IN OFFICE, AND THAT CLEARLY DIDN'T WORK AS THEY DIDN'T NECESSARILY ANTICIPATE HOW THE RURAL COUNTIES WOULD START TO TURN RED.

AND SO NOT ONLY IS IT LOOKING AT WHERE THINGS CURRENTLY STAND.

IT'S ALSO LOOKING AT A WHERE THINGS ARE GOING AND TRYING TO MATCH THOSE TRENDS AS THEY TRY TO DIVIDE THIS UP.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE MOST FAIRWAY POSSIBLE, BUT WHEN POLITICS GET INVOLVED IT'S UNLESS AT THE MOST FAIRWAY.

>> Bill: WE EXPECT THOSE NUMBERS AT THE END OF THE SESSION SO IT MIGHT BE LATER IN GETTING THAT DONE.

LAWRENCE THE DERBY IS SET TO RETURN IN MAY OF 2021.

DO WE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CROWD SIZE?

AND DO WE KNOW FROM THE DERBY FESTIVAL, QUICKLY?

>> Lawrence: WELL, THE DERBY IS NOT LIMITED CAPACITY.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THAT IS.

THERE'S ONE EVENT WE KNOW THAT IS SCHEDULED RIGHT NOW TO GO ON.

THE MARATHON, MIN MARATHON.

THERE'S A VIRTUAL OPTION THERE.

BUT THE REST WE DON'T KNOW.

IT'S TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT MIGHT THE DERBY POSSIBLY LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR -- OR NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill: A LOT OF UNKNOWNS AS WE HEAD INTO '21.

THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET HAS LAUNCHED A PROJECT TO INSTALL LED LIGHTING ALONG THE HIGHWAYS.

THEY'LL USE HALF THE ENERGY AND SUPPOSEDLY SAVE STATE NEARLY $3 MILLION A YEAR IN POWER BILLS.

THE LONGEST SERVING COUNTY MAGISTRATE IN KENTUCKY DIED CHRISTMAS DAY.

LARRY COMBS WAS ON THE MADISON COUNTY FISCAL COURT NEARLY 40 YEARS ME.

HELPED GUIDE MAJOR GROWTH AND BIG CHANGES SINCE HIS ELECTION IN 1981.

COMBS ENDED HIS CAVALIERS MEETING WITH "I'M JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE."

THANKS FOR JOINING, AND YOU STAY WITH KET FOR FULL LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE.

BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR.

AND BE SURE TO SUNY TUNE IN FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" MONTH 8 EASTERN, SEVEN CENTRAL AND RENEE