[♪♪] >> Bill: KENTUCKY'S 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS WITH A SLEW OF BILLS FILED AND SOME DEBATE ABOUT A RULES CHANGE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR DELIVERS HIS STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS.

KENTUCKY DEALS WITH A LONG WEEK OF WINTER WEATHER, ICE, SNOW AND BITTER COLD.

CLOSES SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES AND CAUSES MAJOR CHALLENGES.

KENTUCKY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES A SETTLEMENT WITH KROGER FOR THE WAY THE CHAIN DISPENSED OPIOIDS.

ON A FRIGID JANUARY WEEKEND, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] >> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE AUSTIN HORN POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HEARTED LEADER.

MARIO ANDERSON ANCHOR AND HOST OF IN FOCUS KENTUCKY FOR SPECTRUM NEWS ONE AND MCKENNA HORSLEY REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

WHAT CHANGES COULD THE INCOMING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BRING TO KENTUCKY?

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE WINTER STORM SITUATION WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ALL WEEK LONG.

WE GATHER ON A SNOWSTORM THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AND THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH WEEK WITH ALL ELEMENTS OF WINTER WEATHER.

>> INCLUDING SNOW, ICE, WIND OUT THERE AND THE SLEET FREEZING RAIN.

SO WIDE RANGING AND FORECASTS AND IT IMPACTED THE COMMONWEALTH OVER ABOUT 24-48 HOUR PERIOD DROPPING SNOW AND ICE THAT IS JUST CONTINUING TO LINGER OVER MULTIPLE DAYS AND TYPICALLY HERE IN KENTUCKY WE ARE USED TO GETTING A SNOW IN FEBRUARY MONTHS.

BUT GET TO GO IN THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY, BUT THANKFULLY NO SIGNIFICANT INJURIES REPORTED AND NO DEATHS REPORTED.

SO THAT IS JUST THE FIRST WINTER STORM AND THERE'S MORE IN THE FORECAST.

>> Bill: THE JOB IN THE RESTORATION OF POWER AND IN CLEARING THE ROADS BY THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET.

>> THERE WAS 90,000 KENTUCKIANS WITHOUT POWER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK.

BUT IT'S SINCE COME DOWN.

BUT THAT POWER OUTAGES WERE FROM WEST KENTUCKY TO EASTERN KENTUCKY.

AND MAJORITY OF EASTERN KENTUCKY WAS HAVING ISSUES FOR QUITE SOMETIME BUT THAT DROPPED DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> Bill: LOTS OF COMPLAINTS, AUSTIN WE APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF THIS SEASON AS WELL.

RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

TWO THUMB'S UP TO THE PEOPLE WORKING OUT THERE TO MAKE OUR ROADS SAFE.

AND KEEP OUR POWER ON AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

AND THEY ALLOW US TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF IT, TOO.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE EVERYBODY THINKS OF AND DREAMS OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS.

WE DIDN'T GET A WHITE CHRISTMAS BUT WE ARE GETTING A WHITE WHATEVER THIS PERIOD RIGHT NOW IS.

AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE'VE HAD SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN KENTUCKY.

I'VE TRIED TO APPRECIATE IT WHEN I CAN.

IT HAS MADE IT HARDER TO GET MY DOG TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.

AND SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT THE SNOW IS GROUND.

>> Bill: WELL, A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN RELATE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE VERY SERIOUS CHALLENGES IN THIS SITUATION AS WE KNOW AS WELL.

McKENNA IN THE COLD THAT WE KNOW OUR COMMUNITIES ARE TRYING TO ASSIST THE HOMELESS AND IN ANY CASE THAT YOU MAY HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO NEEDS TO BE CHECKED ON.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO THOSE THINGS.

>> RIGHT.

DEFINITELY CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBOR TO SEE HOW THEY ARE HOLDING UP IN THE WEATHER IF YOU CAN.

ALSO IF YOU NEED INFORMATION ABOUT WARMING CENTERS MANY IT CITIES AND COUNTIES DO HAVE THOSE CHECK IN WITH YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS YOUR LOCAL OFFICIALS A LOT OF THEM MAKE THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON-LINE.

OR THROUGH OTHER METHODS.

BUT THE WEATHER DID NOT STOP FRANK FOR THE FROM CONTINUING ON IT DID IMPEDE SOME WORK.

THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT DID CANCEL ORAL ARGUMENTS FOR A COUPLE OF JUSTICES THIS WEEK AND THOSE ARE TO BE RESCHEDULED.

LAWMAKERS DID RETURN TO FRANKFORT BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED TO PETE THE SECOND TUESDAY -- MEET THE FIRST TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY IN JANUARY.

SO THEY HAD TO MEET IN FRANKFORT AND THEY DID GET A LOT OF WORK DONE.

>> Bill: AND THEY WERE BUSY IN THIS FIRST WEEK.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION NOW UNDERWAY IN THIS FLURRY OF BILLS FILED IN THE FIRST WEEK AS EXPECTED, THE BILL TO LOWER KENTUCKY'S INCOME TAX A HALF PERCENT APPEARS ON THE FAST TRACK.

IT HAS PASSED THE HOUSE.

AND IT MADE ITS WAY OUT OF A SENATE COMMITTEE NOT QUITE TO A SENATE VOTE.

AUSTIN WE KNEW THIS WOULD BE A TOP REPUBLICAN PRIORITY.

THERE WERE SOME RESERVATIONS EXPRESSED OVER FALLING REVENUE BUT THE TAX CUT APPEARS TO BE A DONE DEAL ALMOST AT THIS POINT, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT IS A DONE DEAL.

IT IS A FAIT ACCOMPLI WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT BARRING A STOCK MARKET CRASH TO THE EXTENT OF 1929, THIS IS GOING TO PASS.

WE'RE GOING TO GET TO 3.5% INCOME TAX RATE JANUARY 1 OF 2026.

THE HOUSE VOTE WAS 90-7 WITH EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN WHO WAS THERE VOTING FOR IT.

BUT THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WAS KIND OF INTERESTING IT WAS 13-7 IN FAVOR.

YOU HAD PEOPLE VOTING YES AND NO BUT KIND OF TALKING IN THE SAME LANGUAGE.

THEY WERE SOUL SEARCHING ABOUT IT.

WE KNOW IT IS AN INFLATIONARY PERIOD RIGHT NOW AND PEOPLE NEED RELIEF BUT WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT REVENUE.

ULTIMATELY THIS IS A BILL THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS SAID IS APPROPRIATE.

THAT HE SUPPORTS.

SO I THINK, I DON'T WANT TO CALL IT A LOYALTY TEST EXACTLY, BUT IT'S SORT OF THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VOTE BOARD ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING.

>> Bill: DOES THE GOVERNOR SAYING HE WILL SIGN THE BILL GIVE DEMOCRATS PERMISSION TO BE FOR IT?

>> OH, I THINK SO.

IT GIVES THEM PERMISSION AND EVEN MORE THAN THAT, KIND OF ENCOURAGES THEM TO BE FOR IT.

YOU DON'T WANT THE GOVERNOR IS THE LEADER OF THE PARTY IF NOT TECHNICALLY IN A DEFACTO SENSE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SEEN SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING AGAINST THE HEAD OF YOUR TEAM.

IT'S LIKE A PLAYER REVOLTING AGAINST THE COACH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO I THINK THAT IS THE DYNAMIC THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE PLAY OUT IN THE SENATE.

>> AND REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN SAYING SINCE THEY INTRODUCED US, THIS PROMOTES LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THE COMMONWEALTH ALSO GOING TO BE GIVING MORE KENTUCKIANS MORE MONEY IN THEIR WALLETS AND AGAIN IT'S GOING FROM 6% TO 4.5% IN 2026 BUT THE DEMOCRATS WHO ARE ON THE FENCE AND SPEAKING ON THE FLOOR IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE HOUSE, THEY WERE SAYING THAT THEY ARE VOTING YES FOR THE BILL BUT THEY HAVE RESERVATIONS BUT THEY ARE SAYING YES, TO GIVE KENTUCKIANS TAX RELIEF NOW AND THEY WANT TO MONITOR IT AS THINGS MOVE FORWARD.

>> Bill: AND REPUBLICANS HAVE THEIR FRUSTRATIONS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS EMBRACE TO DO?

>> INITIALLY HE WAS A NO ON THIS.

I THINK VETOED A PREVIOUS LEGISLATION IN THE LAST SESSION.

>> Bill: LEGISLATION.

>> CORRECT.

BUT HE IS VERY PRO IN SUPPORT OF IT NOW AND SAYS THAT ESPECIALLY WITH THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND THE JOBS THAT ARE HAPPENING AND EXPANDING ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, THIS WILL BE THE FIRST BILL THAT LANDS TO HIS DESK AND HE WILL BE SIGNING IT WITHIN A SHORT TIME.

>> Bill: McKENNA, THE HOUSE BUDGET CHAIRMAN SAID KENTUCKY POSITIONED ITSELF WELL FOR THE TAX CUT BY BUDGETING FOR NEEDS RATHER THAN WANTS.

SO A LEAN BUDGET HAS BEEN PART OF THE STRATEGY ALL ALONG, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

THIS HAS BEEN THE SIGNATURE STYLE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AS LONG AS THEY'VE HAD THE SUPER MAJORITIES IN FRANKFORT.

YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT THEY OFTEN DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON ONE-TIME PROJECTS OR PROJECTS THAT WOULD ONLY LAST A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

BUT THEY FOCUS MORE ON PROJECTS THAT HAVE RECURRING COSTS OR WOULD LAST ACROSS MULTIPLE YEARS AND THAT HAS BEEN A PRIORITY OF THEIR BUDGETS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO WE EXPECT SENATE PASSAGE QUICKLY, RIGHT?

>> YES, I'D SAY SO.

I THINK SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS SAID AT THE BEGINNING OF THAT FEBRUARY STRETCH, I THINK THEY GAVEL IN SOMETIME IN EARLY FEBRUARY, FEBRUARY THIRD SOMETHING IN THAT RANGE I COULD BE OFF A COUPLE DAYS.

BUT I THINK IT'S SMOOTH SAILING.

>> Bill: A LITTLE BIT OF A HISTORIC OBSERVATION, THIS EARLY PART OF THE SESSION USED TO BE CALLED THE ORGANIZATIONAL PART AND NOT A LOT WAS PASSED OR INTRODUCED.

YOU KNEW BECAUSE OF THE PREFILINGS WHAT WAS COMING UP.

WE DON'T HAVE THOSE ANYMORE.

BUT IT IS INTERESTING HOW MUCH NOW THAT REPUBLICAN LED LEGISLATURE DOES GET RIGHT TO BUSINESS EARLY ON IN THE SESSION?

>> YES, AND THAT IS PART OF THE HOUSE SPEAKER OSBORNE IN THE HOUSE AND ROBERT STIVERS IN THE SENATE THEY ARE FOCUSED ON KEEPING THINGS MOVING BILLS FORWARD AND THEY DO SOME OF THE STANDARD INTRODUCING VARIOUS COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AS TIME SEES FIT.

BUT THEY SAY THEY ARE FOCUSED ON GETTING THE PRIORITY BILLS PUSHED THROUGH AND WE'RE SEEING IN THE HOUSE HOUSE BILL ONE MOVING QUICKLY DURING THIS FIRST WEEK AND THE SENATE THE FIRST WEEK THEY WILL GET THAT PASSED IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS.

>> Bill: NEW MEMBERS TAKE THEIR SEATS SWORN IN BY THE FIRST WOMAN CHIEF JUSTICE INCLUDING MAYOR SCOTT MADE EN WHO WON THE SEAT IN THE WRITE IN ELECTION AFTER THE DEATH OF JOHNNY TURNER.

AND INCLUDES NEWCOMERS ELECTED IN NOVEMBER.

AUSTIN SOME OF THEM HAVE GOTTEN SOME KEY EARLY COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS, TOO.

>> YEAH.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY TAKES A WHILE TO SORT OF BUILD THEIR LEGISLATOR PROFILE.

HOW SOMEBODY STARTS ISN'T EXACTLY DETERMINATIVE HOW THEY END.

BUT I'M LOOKING AT A COUPLE SENATORS CRAIG RICHARDSON WHO TOOK OVER THE WHITNEY WESTERFIELD SEAT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY HE IS ON THE A AND R COMMITTEE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT IF NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMITTEE.

AND AARON READ, THE LIBERTY CANDIDATE WHO TOOK ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH'S OLD SEAT HE IS VICE-CHAIR OF VETERANS MILITARY AND WHATEVER THE A STANDS FOR.

I'M FORGETTING NOW.

PUBLIC PROTECTION SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT THAT IS AN IMPORTANT COMMITTEE, TOO.

AND TO BE A VICE-CHAIR AS A FRESHMAN LEGISLATOR, THAT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL.

AND WE HAVE FRESHMAN LIKE TJ ROBERTS IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY HE FILED HOUSE BILL 2 WHICH IS A REALLY BIG DEAL.

WHEN YOU GET THOSE LOW NUMBER BILLS THAT IS A PRIORITY LEGISLATION AND FOR A FRESHMAN TO DO THAT IT'S STRIKING.

>> Bill: McKENNA ANY OTHER OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE COMPOSITIONS OF THE COMMITTEES?

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW WE'VE HAD A LOT OF LAWMAKERS LEAVE THAT WERE LEADERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T HOLD A TITLE THEY DEFINITELY HAD IMPACT WITHIN THEIR CHAMBERS.

AUSTIN MENTIONED WHITNEY WESTERFIELD LEFT THAT OPENED UP A LOT OF SPOTS IN THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THAT HE CHAIRED.

WE HAD SENATOR DAY MON THAYER A LONGTIME LEADER IN THE SENATE LEAVE.

IT'S CLEAR THERE IS A NEW GENERATION IN FRANKFORT THIS SESSION.

>> Bill: MARIO THERE WAS BACK AND FORTH ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SESSION ABOUT SOME RULES CHANGES?

>> YES.

HOUSE MEMBERS DEMOCRATS WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS LAST COUPLE OF SESSIONS WANTING TO HAVE MORE TRANSPARENCY IN HOW ONCE BILLS ARE FILED AND HOW THEY GET TO COMMITTEE THE TIMELINE WANTING TO SLOW DOWN WHAT IS CALLED THE FAST TRACKING OF PRIORITY LEGISLATION FROM REPUBLICANS.

SO THERE WAS A COMPLAINTS ABOUT STIFLING OF THE PROCESS AND THE NEW HOUSE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER PAMELA STEVENSON MAKING HER DEBUT ON THE FLOOR PASSIONATELY SPEAKINGS.

THERE WAS A RESOLUTION INTRODUCED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT DID NOT PASS.

THEY HAD SOME VARIOUS REQUESTS THAT THEY WERE WANTING TO SEE MOVE FORWARD.

BUT THE SPEAKER OSBORNE AND THE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER SAID THAT THEY ARE TRANSPARENT IN THEIR OPINION ABOUT THE PROCESS AND HOW THINGS WORK IN FRANKFORT AND ALSO THEY REMINDED THEIR MEMBERS THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAJORITY AND MINORITY MEMBERS.

MAJORITY THEY GET TO MAKE THE RULES AND DETERMINE THE PROCESS, DETERMINE HOW THINGS WORK IN FRANKFORT.

SO YOU KNOW, THE DEMOCRATS WERE ABLE TO MAKE SURE STATEMENTS MADE, BUT NOT A LOT OF PROGRESS.

>> Bill: AND THEY MADE THE RULES WHEN THEY CONTROLLED AND NOW REPUBLICANS DO, WHO KNOWS IN THE FUTURE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> Bill: FLURRY OF BILLS WAS FILED THIS WEEK IT WAS BUSY.

AGAIN WE DON'T SEE THOSE AHEAD OF TIME WITH THE PREFILINGS BUT WERE EXPECTED.

SOME OF THOSE WERE SURPRISES.

REPRESENTATIVE KIM BAN TA FILED A PROPOSAL TO MAKE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE JUVENILES IN THEIR CARE USE FIREARMS.

AUSTIN, THAT'S ONE WE'LL WATCH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK BANTA CARVED OUT I DON'T WANT TO CALL IT MODERATE BUT BILLS THAT I THINK CAN ATTRACT INTEREST FROM THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL.

AND THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF OTHER, I THINK, INTERESTING BILLS THAT WE'VE GOT IN CONSIDERATION.

JOSH CALLOWAY, SORT OF THE PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES IN THE HOUSE IS TRYING TO GET THE 10 COMMANDMENTS POSTED IN EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOM THAT WILL BE AN INTERESTING ONE TO WATCH, PARTICULARLY GIVEN THAT LOUISIANA PASSED A SIMILAR LAW AND A JUDGE STRUCK IT DOWN AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AND THERE ARE TONS OF BILLS WE COULD SPEND THE WHOLE SHOW TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: AND WE WILL GET AROUND TO SEEM OF THESE BILLS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BANTA OUT OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY HER BILL COMES FALLS WITH THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS THAT HAPPENED WHERE SOME OF THOSE SCHOOL SHOOTERS HAVE TAKEN GUNS FROM INSIDE THEIR PARENTS' HOME AND USED THOSE IN SOME OF THESE MASS SHOOTINGS.

SHE IS TRYING TO HOLD PARENTS CIVILLY LIABLE FOR VIOLENT CRIMES COMMITTED BY THEIR CHILDREN.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT WORKS.

AND PART OF HER BILL AS WELL FOSTER PARENTS THEY WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM LIABILITY, BUT WE'LL SEE HOW THE BILL PROGRESSES DURING THE SESSION.

>> Bill: THERE IS A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR PARDONS ISSUED BY GOVERNORS THAT WOULD TAKE A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IT WOULD NOT BE ON THE BALLOT UNTIL NEXT YEAR AND THAT HARK KENS BACK TO THE PARDONS ISSUED LATE IN THE BEVIN ADMINISTRATION.

>> THIS IS A REPEAT BILL IT'S BEEN FILED MAYBE THREE TIMES NOW BY SENATOR McDANIEL IN RESPONSE TO, I THINK WHAT WAS LARGELY VIEWED AS A SCANDAL AROUND THE PARDONS THAT THE GOVERNOR BEVIN PARTOOK IN AT THE END OF THIS ADMINISTRATION AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF REPUBLICAN CRITICISM OF THOSE PARDONS AND IT'S PASSED THE SENATE CHAMBER BEFORE.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY LOOKING TO GET ON A BALLOT WITH ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AFTER A COUPLE LOSSES THESE PAST FEW CYCLES.

BUT THIS IS ONE THAT WE'VE SEEN GET APPROVAL BEFORE.

AND I WOULDN'T BE SOCKED IF WE SEE IT GET APPROVAL AT LEAST IN THE SENATE AGAIN.

>> Bill: McKENNA THERE IS A RED TAPE REDUCTION ACT FOR TEACHERS PROPOSED BY G.O.P.

SHANE BAKER OF SOMERSET HE REFERS TO UNNECESSARY AND REDUNDANT BURDENS THAT TEACHERS FACE?

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS A PRETTY LARGE BILL BECAUSE IT AFFECTS A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF EVALUATIONS OR PROCESSES THAT TEACHERS HAVE TO PARTAKE IN.

YEARLY FOR EXAMPLE, ONE THING THAT IT WOULD ELIMINATE -- IT WOULD DO IS INCREASE THE TIME PERIOD BETWEEN MANDATORY EVALUATIONS FOR TENURED SCHOOLTEACHERS FROM ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS TO EVERY FIVE SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO IT AS OFTEN.

AND STREAMLINES THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO ACROSS FOUR YEARS.

AND THIS IS KIND OF THE RESULT OF A TASK FORCE THAT LOOKED AT WAYS THEY COULD REDUCE SOME OF THIS RED TAPE IN SCHOOLS.

SO THIS IS DEFINITELY A BILL THAT WILL HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT AND IT WILL BE ONE TO WATCH FOR SURE.

>> Bill: A NEW BILL WOULD LOWER THE AGE FOR GETTING A DRIVER'S PERMIT TO 15 FILED BY THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER, WHICH APPARENTLY WOULD GIVE IT HEFT ON THE FLOOR?

>> HE SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT ABOUT IT PASSING THE HOUSE.

AND POINTS OUT AND THIS IS TRUE, KENTUCKY'S ONE OF ONLY I THINK IT'S EIGHT OR NINE STATES THAT MAKE TEENAGE DRIVERS WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE 16 TO GET THAT PERMIT.

I THINK WE WOULD ALIGN OURSELVES WITH EVERY OTHER STATE IN THE SOUTH WITH THIS CHANGE AND IT DOES MAKE THE AGE TO GET A RESTRICTED LICENSE AND A FULL LICENSE I THINK IT BRINGS THAT AGE DOWN SIX MONTHS COMPARED TO WHAT IT IS CURRENTLY.

>> Bill: ANOTHER BILL WOULD REMOVE THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S NAMES FROM STATE SIGNS ALONG KENTUCKY'S BORDERS THAT WAS FILED TODAY AS WELL.

>> IT'S A BIG PROCESS DURING THE CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATIONS OF BEING ABLE TO BRING ALL THOSE SIGNS ACROSS 120 COUNTIES DOWN AND REPRINT AND THEN GET THE TEAMS RESTORE THEM.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT.

SOMETHING THAT WE'LL SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT.

>> Bill: AND THE BILL SAYS THE NAME TAKEN OFF WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PASSAGE.

>> YEP.

AND THAT IS A TJ ROBERTS BILL ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE FRESHMAN AND HE HAS PROVEN HIMSELF CAPABLE OF GETTING IN THE HEADLINES WITH THE BILLS.

>> Bill: McKENNA, THERE WAS AN ABORTION EXCEPTIONS BILL THAT WAS FILED AS WELL.

>> YES.

TODAY THERE WAS ONE FILED BY LOUISVILLE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KEN FLEMING.

AND HE'S FILED THIS BILL IN THE PAST.

SO IT'S NOT SURPRISING HE SUPPORTS THIS.

BUT IT WOULD ADD EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN IN CASES OF RAPE AND INCEST.

IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE TIMELINE FOR WOMEN TO SEEK ABORTIONS BUT IT GIVES THEM MORE INSTANCES WHERE THEY MAYBE ABLE TO DO THIS.

THERE'S ALSO A DEMOCRATIC VERSION OF THIS IN THE SENATE FILED BY SENATOR DAVID YATES WHO HAS SPONSORED SUCH LEGISLATION IN THE PAST.

WE'LL PROBABLY SEE MORE BILLS PARTICULARLY ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE FILED ON THIS ISSUE THIS SESSION.

BUT IT'S UNCLEAR WHERE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY ACT.

IT'S BEEN SEVERAL YEARS SINCE THEY'VE PASSED THE TRIGGER LAW.

I BELIEVE THAT WAS 2019 BEFORE ROE VS. WADE WAS OVERTURNED BY THE SUPREME COURT IN '22.

SO WE'VE GONE THROUGH A FEW LEGISLATIVE CYCLES IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT SUPPORT IS THERE FOR ADDING IF THERE IS.

>> I THINK ON THE WAY OUT, PREVIOUS FLOOR LEADER IN THE SENATE THAYER SAID HE DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND HE POINTED TO AS OTHER REPUBLICANS POINTED TO THERE BEING A CHANCE THERE IS A JUDICIAL REMEDY HERE AND THAT THE EXCEPTIONS GET INTRODUCED VIA SOME KIND OF COURT RULING.

WE'LL SEE IF THAT HAPPENS BUT THAT IS KIND OF THE THE UNDER CURRENT SO FAR FROM THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

>> Bill: WHAT DOES A GOVERNOR DO WHEN HE KNOWS THE OTHER PARTY STRONGLY CONTROLS BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE?

BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST IN HIS AGENDA?

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR DECIDED TO FOCUS SOME ON WHAT HE AND THE LEGISLATURE DO AGREE ON.

HE DELIVERED AN UPBEAT ASSESSMENT HOW THINGS ARE GOING IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND NOTED THE SOUND OF DEFEAT OF THE AMENDMENT 2 IN NOVEMBER AND THAT LED HIM TO CALL FOR MORE INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> LET'S STOP WITH THE ATTEMPTS TO DEFUND.

LET'S STOP THE VOUCHER NONSENSE.

LET'S STOP THE END RUN THROUGH TAX SHELTERS.

INSTEAD THERE'S ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND LET'S DO THE HARD WORK TO STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

[APPLAUSE] TO DO SO, OUR EDUCATORS NEED BETTER SALARIES.

THEY DESERVE IT.

OUR KIDS DESERVE IT.

WE SHOULD GET IT DONE.

TO DO SO, WE MUST ENACT UNIVERSAL PRE-K FOR ALL FOUR-YEAR-OLDS IN KENTUCKY.

[APPLAUSE] >> Bill: WELL, McKENNA THE GOVERNOR KNOWS THIS IS NOT A BUDGET SESSION BUT HE DID CALL FOR THE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

INCLUDING AN INCREASE IN PAY FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND THE UNIVERSAL PRE-K MAKING POINTS?

>> YES.

YOU KNOW, THESE ARE LONG HELD ISSUES THAT BESHEAR HAS WANTED TO PURSUE WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC EDUCATION AND DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN FALLING IN BEHIND HIM TO SUPPORT THOSE ISSUES.

I THINK HE HAS STEPPED UP SOME PUSH TOWARD UNIVERSAL PRE-K WHICH HE VIEWS AS A WAY TO HELP CHILDREN GET READY FOR THE FUTURE THAT THEY WILL HAVE AS A STUDENT AND BETTER PREPARE THEM FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

BUT IT IS NOT A BUDGET YEAR.

SO IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL ACT UPON THAT.

THERE'S SOME MIXED SIGNALS BETWEEN REPUBLICANS IF THEY VIEW UNIVERSAL PRE-K AS A WORTHY IDEA IF THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN IT AT ALL.

SO IT WILL BE AN ISSUE TO WATCH IN THE FUTURE FOR SURE.

>> Bill: AUSTIN IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT BESHEAR LOOKING AT A LEGISLATURE LARGELY DISAGREES WITH HIS PRIORITIES SO HE AIMS HIS SPEECH AT THOSE WATCHING AT HOME AND MAYBE BEYOND KENTUCKY'S BORDERS?

>> YEAH.

AND I THINK THAT'S BEEN THE CASE FOR A WHILE NOW, RIGHT?

LEGISLATIVELY HE HASN'T REALLY BEEN ABLE TO GET MANY OF HIS PRIORITIES THROUGH.

SO IT'S LIKE WHY WOULD YOU AIM IT AT THAT AUDIENCE TOO MUCH?

HE IS SOMEBODY WHO IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS ANGLING FOR THE 2028 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION.

NOT SAYING HE WILL FOR SURE BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT IS WHAT THE TEA LEAVES ARE READING.

>> Bill: REPUBLICANS RESPONDED TO THE SPEECH BY TALKING ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES.

THE PARTY CALL TO DO BORING BUT THE LEADERS HAVE MORE SPECIFIC CRITIQUES.

>> YOU KNOW, UNIVERSAL PRE-K I'VE ALWAYS SAID THIS THAT IS NOT AN ANSWER TO WHAT I BELIEVE ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DOES NOT LOOK AT THE HOLISTIC APPROACH.

>> PROBABLY THE GOVERNOR'S SINGLE LARGEST LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT HAS BEEN THE FACT THAT WE OVERRIDE HIS VETOES.

THE THINGS THAT HAVE DRIVEN THE GROWTH IN THIS STATE, THE THINGS THAT HAVE CAUSED PROSPERITY, JUST ABOUT I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD STRUGGLE TO THINK OF ANY PRO GROWTH POLICIES THAT HE HAS LED ON THAT WE HAVEN'T OVERRIDDEN VETOES ON.

>> Bill: SOUNDS DEFINITIVE?

>> THE GOVERNOR WHEN HE DID SPEAK THIS IS HIS FIFTH STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH SPEECH OR ADDRESS AND HE SAID THAT HE WAS SPEAKING TO KENTUCKY AND ALSO THE AMERICAN FAMILIES WATCHING FROM HOME WHICH, AGAIN WAS A LITTLE HE NEVER SAID THAT IN HIS FIVE YEARS OF DOING THIS ADDRESS REFERENCING AMERICA TUNING IN.

BUT, YEAH, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THEY SHARED IN THEIR STATEMENT AS WE HEARD FROM SPEAKER OSBORNE AND ROBERT STIVERS THE SENATE PRESIDENT THEY SHARED THIS WAS THE SAME TIRED SPEECH THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS DELIVERED FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND THEY DON'T AGREE WITH HISTORYING TO REBRAND KENTUCKY AS THE NEW KENTUCKY HOME PART OF THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION'S NEW INITIATIVE.

AND, AGAIN, THEY DON'T AGREE WITH SOME OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS THAT BESHEAR TOUTS AS HIS ADMINISTRATION LEADING THAT.

IT'S THE LEGISLATURE WHO IS DRIVING THAT.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY'S GETTING 1110 MILLION FROM KROGER FOR DISPENSING OPIOIDS, THAT FUELED THE OPIOID CRISIS IN KENTUCKY THAT MONEY CAN BE USED FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT NOW?

>> YEAH AND IT'S WORTH POINTING OUT THAT THE OFFICE ALREADY HAS A LOT OF MONEY WITH THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT ABATEMENT COMMISSION THROUGH OTHER LAWSUITS PARTICULARLY WITH PURDUE PHARMA.

>> Bill: THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP APPROACHES JANUARY 20TH HE WILL TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE.

JD VANS BECOMES VICE-PRESIDENT.

>> YES, AND WE'LL SEE IF HE HARK KINS BACK OR USES CONNECTIONS TO THE STATE OF KENTUCKY IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHO AMONG POTENTIAL CANDIDATES IN 2026 TRY TO JOCKEY FOR EITHER VANCE'S OR TRUMP'S SUPPORT SINCE I THINK IN PRIMARIES PEOPLE GENERALLY THINK THE TRUMP SUPPORT IS WHO WINS IT.

>> Bill: FROM 2023 TO 2024, KENTUCKY INCREASED ITS SIX YEAR COLLEGE GRADUATES NEARLY 3% TO MORE THAN 62% THAT IS ACCORDING TO NEWS RELEASE FROM THE COUNCIL ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

IT MAKES KENTUCKY SECOND ONLY TO UTAH IN THE GAINS MADE IN COLLEGE COMPLETION.

Dr. AARON THOMPSON THE PROGRESS IS THRILLING TO SEE.

AND THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.