SENDS A BILL AIMED at MAXIMIZING IN-PERSON LEARNING, AS SCHOOLS GRAPPLE WITH THE ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC AND STAFF SHORTAGES, WHILE A HOUSE COMMITTEE ADDRESSES STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH THE KENTUCKY SENATE PRESIDENT QUESTIONS THE IMPACT OF PRE-K O FUTURE STUDENT LEARNING, AND TH GOVERNOR REVEALS MORE OF HIS BUDGET PRIORITIES WHEN IT COMES TO WORKFORCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

ALL THAT ON DAY SEVEN OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY JENN ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

HELP COULD BE ON THE WAY FOR SCHOOLS STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH ABSENCES DUE TO INCREASING COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS AMONG STUDENTS AND STAFF.

SENATE BILL 25 GIVES TEN ADDITIONAL REMOTE DAYS PER SCHOOL TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HELP MANAGE COVID UNLIKE NTI DAYS, REMOTE DAYS SCANT BE USED TO CLOSE AN ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

REMOTE INSTRUCTION ALLOWS SCHOOLS TO ASSIGN A CLASS, GRAD OR SCHOOL BUILDING TO REMOTE WO EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MAX .

WISE SAYS THE MEASURE PROVIDES SCHOOLS WITH THE FLEXIBLE THEY NEED IN AN UNPREDICTABLE TIME.

>> THE HIGH PRIORITY I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT EDUCATION AND WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH TODAY, WHAT WE DEALT WITH BACK DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, IS TO PRIORITIZE AS MUCH IN-PERSON LEARNING AS WE CAN AS A COMMONWEALTH.

THE FEDEX THAT COVID-19 HAS TAKEN UPON OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES, WORKFORCE AND SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS, BUT TOAL LETTERS MAKE YOU THE A PRIORITY THAT WE CAN STRIVE FOR AS MUCH IN-PERSON LEARNING TO ALL THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION.

AND WHAT THAT PRIORITIZING OF EDUCATION MEANS ARE THE COMPONENTS WE PUT INTO PLACE DURING THAT SPECIAL SESSION OF THAT THE SENATE BILL 1 EXPIRED AFTERS DECEMBER 31st.

SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO WITH THE SENATE COMMITTEE SUB TO SENATE BILL 25 IS TO CONTINUE THOSE EXTENSIONS AND THOSE REVISIONS AS PLACED FORWARD IN THE BILL, AND THE PROVISIONS BY THE COMMITTEE SUB WOULD RETROACTIVELY PUT THE PROVISIONS IN PLACE TO JANUARY 1st OF 2022.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 25 ALSO MAKE IT EASIER FOR RETIRED TEACHERS TO RETURN TO THE SCHOOL TO HELP alleviate STAFFING SHORTAGES MANY SCHOOLS ARE CURRENTLY FACING.

LOUISVILLE SENATOR GERALD NEAL APPLAUDED WISE FOR THE BILL BUT SAYS TEN REMOTE INSTRUCTION DAYS FALLS SHORT OF WHAT MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS REALLY NEED.

HE SAID THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT HE represen NEAL OFFERED AN AMENDMENT TO TH MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN ALL SCHOOLS AN ADDITIONAL 25 REMOTE INSTRUCTION DAYS, UP FRO THE ORIGINAL BILL'S TEN.

>> THAT DOESN'T MEAN 25 WILL BE TAKEN.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN OR UNCOURAGES ANY PARTICULAR DISTRICT OR SCHOOL TO REACH OUT IN THAT WAY.

BUT IT DOES GIVE THE REFLECT THAT WHEN WE LEAVE HERE, FLEXIBILITY OF WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN HERE AND THERE, EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS MORE PROMISING THAN IT DID LAST TIME WE WERE HERE, AT THAT LEAST WE HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE THAT COULD BE UTILIZED OFFERING THAT FLEXIBILITY.

>> Renee: NEAL'S AMENDMENT FAILED ON A VOICE VOTE.

LOUISVILLE SENATOR DAVID YATES PROPOSED A MORE NARROWLY TAILORED AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE LOUD JCPS THE CURRENT TO HAVE 20 REMOTE INSTRUCTION DAYS WHILE LEAVING THE REST OF THE STATE AT TEN JEFFERSON COUNTY IS THE LARGEST SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE STATE, AND YATES SAYS ADDITIONAL DAYS ARE CRITICAL.

REPUBLICAN L SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS ROSE TO SPEAK AGAINST YATES' AMENDME SHE SAYS NONE OF THE SCHOOL LEADERS IN HER DISTRICTS HAVE REACHED OUT ASKING FOR MORE DAYS.

>> IN MY DISTRICT I REPRESENT JCPS WHICH OPERATES 167 SCHOOLS.

167.

WE HAVE 94,000 CHILDREN.

IT'S THE 29th LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THE PROBLEMS ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

THE PLANNING IS NEEDED, THE FLEXIBILITY IS DIFFERENT.

AND SO THIS OWNERRABLE BODY, I STAND IN, HONOR RABBLE BODY I STAND IN SUPPORT OF SO MUCH OF THIS LEGISLATION AND WHAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO, ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORT OF, AND WE STAND UP AND SAY OUR KIDS SHOULD BE IN SCHOOL.

WOULDN'T OUR CHILDREN IN SCHOOL.

THEY'RE BEST IN SCHOOL.

HECK, I'VE MADE THAT ARGUMENT ON THIS FLOOR.

MY CONCERN IS WHEN I GET LETTERS, INFORMATION FROM THOSE AT JC PS WHO ARE CONCERNED THEY CANNOT PROVIDE A HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR UNIQUE STRUCTURES.

>> I AM THE FIRST ONE IN MY CAUCUS TO ADVOCATE FOR THAT FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE I DO KNOW THAT JEFFERSON COUNTY HOLDS A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE IN OUR EDUCATIONAL DELIVERY SYSTEM THAN MANY OF THE OTHER DISTRICTS, BUT I WILL ALSO -- THE ONLY THING I CAN ADD TO THIS CONVERSATION ON THIS AMENDMENT IS THAT I WAS NOT CONTACTED BY MY TWO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

I WAS NOT CONTACTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.

I WAS NOT CONTACTED BY THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT.

ON THIS AMOUNTED.

AMENDMENT.

SO IT'S NOT WHAT I DISCOUNT THAT THEY SAY.

IT'S JUST THAT I'M SURPRISED THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN CONTACTED ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES ASKING FOR THIS FLEXIBILITY.

>> Renee: YATES' AMENDMENT WAS ALSO DEFEATED BY VOICE VOTE.

SENATE BILL 25 PASSED THE Senat 31 TO 2.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY REPU JOHN SCHICKEL AND CHRISTIAN MCDANIEL WERE THE TWO NO VOTES.

THE MEASURE WILL NOW HEAD TO TH HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION.

KENTUCKY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD NEED TO CREATE POLICIES O HOW TO HANDLE MISSED DAYS BECAUSE OF STUDENTS' METHYL CONCERNS TO BE TREATED THE THE SAME AS PHYSICAL HEALTH ABSENCES UNDER A BILL NOW READY FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL house A BIPARTISAN PAIR OF HOUSE MEMBERS OFFERED THE BILL UP TO THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

STUDENTS TESTIFIED TO THE BILL'S HEIGHTENED NEED GIVEN THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

>> THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENT POPULATIONS HAS DECLINED DRAMATICALLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

>> THIS BILL IS CREATED TO NOT ONLY UPLIFT STUDENTS BUT TO REMOVE THE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

STUDENTS OFTEN FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE EXPRESSING THEIR MENTAL WELL-BEING TO PARENTS AND SCHOOL STAFF.

THIS BILL ALLOWS STUDENTS TO HONESTLY EXPRESS TO SCHOOL STAFF WHY THEY ARE ABSENT AND HELP ELIMINATE THE SILENCE AROUND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

ONE OF WHICH HASN'T BEEN DISCUSSED ENOUGH IS THE PANDEMIC'S EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH WITH STUDENTS AND THEIR WELL-BEING.

THINK ABOUT IT.

STUDENTS WERE QUARANTINED AWAY FROM ALL OTHER KIDS THEIR AGE FOR MANY MONTHS TO A YEAR, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL WHERE THEY'RE SURROUNDED BY KIDS THEIR AGE AT HUNDREDS ALL AT once.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 44 CLEARED THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE WITHOUT OPPOSITION AND NOW WAITS FOR PLACEMENT ON THE FULL HOUSE DOC A BILL TO MAKE COMPLETING THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID, OR FAFSA AS IT'S CALLED, MANDATORY AS A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT IS ALSO READY FOR A FULL HOUSE vot HOUSE BILL 126, BY EDUCATION CHAIR REGINA HUFF, IS SUPPORTED BY THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMM.

>> IN THE FALL OF LAST YEAR WE PUBLISH A PIECE OUTLINING THE WORKFORCE CRISIS THAT HAS BEEN IMPACTING OUR STATE.

AS OF JUNE 2021, KENTUCKY HAD THE THIRD LOWEST WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IN THE NATION.

JUST SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF WEST VIRGINIA AND MISSISSIPPI, THE TWO LOWEST.

ENCOURAGING HIGHER COMPLETION RATES AND MAKING KENTUCKY THE TOP STATE IN THE NATION FOR FAFSA COMPLETION IS A MEANINGFUL POLICY GOAL THAT CAN HELP ALLEVIATE KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE CHALLENGES.

>> Renee: DEMOCRATS ON THE COMMITTEE WERE SPLIT ON THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE TINA BOJANOWSKY OF LOUISVILLE SAYS THE FAFSA FORM WAS CRUCIAL TO HER AND HER FAMILY, WHILE FELLOW LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT REPRESENTATIVE LISA WILLNER SAID SHE FEARED MAKING THE FORM A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION WOULD BE A BARRIER FOR SOME STUDENTS.

>> AND THE PARENTS HAVE STRUGGLED A BIT WITH THIS BILL BECAUSE OF IT BEING MANDATORY, AND LIKE I SAID, I'VE FILLED OUT A LOT OF FAFSAS BUT THAT'S THE POINT.

I'VE FILLED OUT A LOT OF FAFSAs.

EVERY SINGLE CHILD THAT WENT THROUGH COLLEGE COURSES, I FILLED OUT THEIR FAFSA.

THIS ASSIST IS A LITTLE BIT, I THINK HOW FEW, THE LOWER NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO ARE DOING FAFSAs, AND THEN THE OTHER THOUGHT OF THERE MAY BE STUDENTS WHO MIGHT SUCCEED IN POST GRADUATE STUDIES OF ANY KIND THAT MIGHT NOT BE ON THE COUNSELOR'S RADAR TO PUSH HIM THROUGH, AND MAYBE THIS WILL PUSH THROUGH SOME OF THOSE KIDS WHO WILL THEN HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT I WAS GIVEN.

SO I'LL BE A YES VOTE.

>> I VERY MUCH SUPPORT STUDENTS COMPLETING THE FAFSA AND THAT BEING PART OF THE CURRICULUM.

I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

BUT I'M VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT AND IT CONCERNS ME THAT IT MAY BE A BARRIER TO GRADUATION FOR SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE AND DISCONNECTED STUDENTS, AND SO I RELUCTANTLY VOTE NO BECAUSE I THINK THE IDEA BEHIND THIS IS EXCELLENT, BUT SOMEHOW THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT IS JUST TOO HIGH A BAR FOR ME, SO I'M A NO TODAY.

>> Renee: THE MEASURE WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TODAY.

HOUSE BILL 194 WOULD GIVE STUDENTS IN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM A PATH TOWARD ACHIEVING THE EQUIVALENCE OF A HIGH SCHOOL DI IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIV D.J.

JOHNSON OF OWENSBORO, WHO SAID HIS BILL BUILDS ON A PREVIOUS ONE SPEARHEAD BY IF LATE STATE REPRESENTATIVE BAM CARNEY.

>> IN 2017 THE PREVIOUS CHAIN OF THIS COMMITTEE THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BAM CARNEY WISELY SAW THE GED HAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STATE AGENCY CHILDREN, MANY OF WHOM HAD ENDURED TRAUMA, POVERTY ORE ABUSE.

HE SPONSORED A BILL TO OFFER THESE STUDENTS THE OPTION OF A GED.

THIS THAT BILL WAS PASSED AND CAME KRS 158.143.

WITH HB 194 WE ARE ASKING TO YOU AMEND THAT STATUTE TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF A GED PATHWAY TO A SMALL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT STATE AGENCY CHILDREN BUT MAY HAVE ALREADY OR MAY HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED TRAUMA, ABUSE, POVERTY, OR JUST A LACK OF SUCCESS IN THE TRADITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL program.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 194 JOINS THE OTHER TWO EDUCATION BILLS IN PLACEMENT ON THE FULL HOUSE DOCKET FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE ENTIRE MEM LAST NIGHT ON KET'S "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I TALKED WITH TOP LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ABOUT EDUCATION PRIORITIES AND THE GOVERNOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT ON MOND HE RECOMMENDS $2 BILLION NEW FUNDING FOR PRE-K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION, INCLUDING FULL FUNDING FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K. SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS DOUBTS THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MAKES A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN FUTURE SCHOOL PERFORM.

>> CHILDREN DON'T HAVE TO BE IN SCHOOL.

THERE WERE STUDIES OUT THERE THAT K AND ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN WERE NOT THAT BIG OF AN INFLUENCE ON ACADEMIC SUCCESS, SO WE'RE GOING TO GO 62 AND FUND.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO BE?

IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS FROM THE TIME THEY'RE NOW THREE, FOUR UP UNTIL THEY'RE 18 OR 19?

I'M NOTE SO SURE THAT'S THE TYPE OF SOCIETY THAT I WANT TO DO THAT WE ARE BASICALLY INSTITUTIONALIZING OUR CHILDREN FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE TO THEY GET TO BECOME YOUNG ADULTS, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY DATA, AND EVERYBODY'S GOING TO SAY, OH, THERE'S DATA THIS WAY OR THAT WAY, THAT CONVINCES ME THAT PRE-K IS OF SUBSTANCE.

I DIDN'T HAVE PRE-K. MY CHILDREN DIDN'T HAVE EMPLOYEE K. MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS DIDN'T HAVE PRE-K. AND WE'RE ALL BASICALLY GRADUATES OF COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, MASTERS AND DOCTORATE PROGRAMS.

>> Renee: LEADER McGARVEY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

FIRST OF ALL, I'LL START WITH SAYING I THINK THIS SESSION SHOULD BE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO, NO TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE CAN'T DO, WHAT WE CAN DO.

WE REALLY DO A ONCE-IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE $5 BILLION IN CENTRAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY COME INTO CEP $1 BILLION IN THE FEDERAL RESCUE PLAN ACT, $1 MILLION IN SURPLUS, THIS YEAR WE HAVE $2 BILLION IN PROJECTED SURPLUS FOR THIS BUDGET EVER BUDGET PFM WE HAVE A RAIN-DAY FUND THAT IS OVERFLOWING.

WE CAN MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN OUR MOST FOREIGN ASPECT IN KENTUCKY THAT THAT'S HUMAN CAPITAL.

I'LL START WITH PRE-K BECAUSE I THINK IT'S HUGELY IMPORTANT.

I'M THE ONLY PERSON RIGHT NOW WHO HAS A CHILD IN PRE-K RUNNING AROUND MY HOUSE.

I HAVE A THREE-YEAR-OLD AT HOME, HOW HOPE IS IN BED.

AND THERE'S A HUGE BENEFIT.

WE KNOW THAT 95% OF THE BRAIN IS WIRED BY AGE FIVE.

WE KNOW THIS IS NOT SENDING KIDS TO INSTITUTIONALIZE THEM.

THIS IS MAKING SURE THAT KIDS HAVE SOCIAL ABILITIES AND FINE MOTOR SKILLS AND CAN KIND OF PICK OUT COLORS AND ARE KINDERGARTNER READY, SO THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE THAT LIFELONG LEARNING.

HAVING PRE-K IS HUGE.

IT'S NOT JUST THE PRE-K, AND THIS IS WHAT PRESIDENT STIVERS DID POINT OUT.

THERE'S A CHILD CARE COMPONENT TO IT.

IT'S NOT JUST WAGES KEEPING 100,000 KENTUCKY WOMEN FROM GOING BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE RIGHT NOW.

>> IF WE ARE GOING TO MAKE BIG BOLD INVESTMENTS, THE PLACE TO DO IT IS WITH OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS, AND WE KNOW THAT WE GET SO MUCH BANG FOR OUR BUCK BY GIVING PRESCHOOLERS IN FULL-DAY, ALL-DAY SCHOOL, AND ALSO I LOOK WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN SAYING ABOUT FUNDING CHILD CARE.

ONE OF THE LESSONS THAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM COVID AND THE PANDEMIC IS HOW MUCH WORKING MEN AND WOMEN RELY ON GOOD, AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE AS WELL AS WHAT PRE-K AND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN WILL DO FOR WORKIN >> Renee: LAST FRIDAY, HOUSE REPUBLICANS FILED THEIR BUDGET PLAN IN ADVANCE OF THE GOVERNOR THAT DOUBLES STATE FUNDING FOR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN AND INCREASES BASE PER PUPIL FUNDIN HOUSE REPUBLICANS WANT TO BOOST WHAT'S CALLED SEEK BASE PER STUDENT FUNDING FROM $4,000 THI YEAR TO $4,100 NEXT YEAR AND $4,200 THE YEAR AFTER.

YESTERDAY ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE DEFEND HE MOVE TO FILE THEIR VERSION OF A BUDGET PLAN BEFORE THE GOVERNOR REVEAL HIS RECOMMENDATIONS THIS.

>> YES, IT IS A LITTLE BIT UNPRECEDENTED, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I'M NOT SURE WHY IT'S UNPRECEDENTED BECAUSE WE SPEND AN ENTIRE INTERIM WITH OUR BUDGET REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEES MEETING, TAKING TESTIMONY FROM ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS, FROM COUNTY OFFICIALS, FROM SCHOOL OFFICIALS ABOUT WHAT THEIR BUDGET NEEDS ARE.

APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE MEETS THROUGHOUT THE INTERIM.

WORKING ON BUDGET ITEMS.

AND SO IT DOESN'T SEEM UNUSUAL TO ME THAT WE WOULD GET IT OUT AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY COULD.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT ON SOME LEVEL THE ADMINISTRATION OUGHT TO BE TICKLED BY IT BECAUSE NORMALLY HE GETS TO ROLL HIS BUDGET OUT AND WE IMMEDIATELY GET TO START POKING HOLES IN IT.

AND NOW HE CAN MEMORIAL DAY START POKING HOLES IN OURS.

AND IMMEDIATELY START POKING HOLES IN OURS AND APPLAUDING HIS OWN IN THE PROCESS.

>> Renee: YESTERDAY GOVERNOR BESHEAR CITED TWO STATE STATUTE THAT HE SUGGESTS MAKE THE BUDGE FILINGS UNLAWFUL.

PRESIDENT STIVERS ANSWERED THAT ACCUSATION ON LAST NIGHT'S SHOW.

>> A BUDGET IS AN APPROPRIATION.

AND THE LEGISLATURE, BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE, FILE BILLS THAT APPROPRIATE MONEY ALL THE TIME.

THE ONLY THING THAT'S EXCLUSIVE TO THE HOUSE IN THE WAY OF BUDGETING IS REVENUE-RAISING MEASURES, EITHER UP OR DOWN.

BUT APPROACHIATIONS CAN START EITHER PLACE.

FOR THE HISTORY THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, THE REASON THAT WE ALWAYS ATTACH THE BUDGET TO THE HOUSE AND STARTING IN THE HOUSE WAS BECAUSE THEY CONTROL AND HAVE TO BE THE INITIATING BODY FOR RAISING REVENUE, SO IT MADE SENSE TO DO THAT.

BUT THERE'S NO, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR SHALL PRESENT.

IT DOESN'T SAY THE LEGISLATURE SHALL NOT.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU SHALL ENACT.

YOU KNOW, YOU WILL WORK OFF OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND AS SPEAKER OSBORNE SAID TO REPRESENTATIVE JENKINS WHEN MR. MOBERLY WAS IN OUR CHAIR IN 1967, THEY WALKED RIGHT UPTON UP TO THE TRASH CAN AND DROPPED IT TO SAY WE'RE NOT TAKING ANY RECOMMENDATION FROM THE GOVERNOR AND INTRODUCED A TOTALLY NEW BILL JUST AFTERWARD.

SO IT'S BEFORE OR AFTER.

WHAT DOES IT MATTER?

EVENTUALLY, AT THE END OF THE TIME OF APRIL 15th, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADOPT A BUDGET.

>> Renee: YOU CAN WATCH THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION FROM LAST NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" ON OUR WEBSITE AT KET.ORG.

IN ADVANCE OF HIS BUDGET ADDRESS THAT WILL BE CARRIED LIVE ON KET THIS COMING THURSDAY NIGHT, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR UNVEILED A WORKFORCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PACKAGE today.

HE BOASTED OF THE RECORD-BREAKING ECONOMIC GAINS WITH $11.2 BILLION IN PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT THAT'S BROUGHT 18,000 NEW FULL-TIME JOBS TO THE STATE HE'S PROPOSING SIZABLE INVESTMENTS IN AGRITECH, BROADBAND, TRANSPORTATION, WATE AND SEWER PROJECTS AND MORE.

>> AND THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MAKE KEY INVESTMENTS WHILE STILL HAVING THE MOST FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET IN RECENT HISTORY, ONE THAT ADDS TO THE RAINY DAY FUND, PAYS DOWN OUR LARGEST PENSION LIABILITY, THAT HAS THE LOWEST DEBT RATIO INEN IN RECENT MEMORY, AND IT SPENDS LESS ON RECURRING COSTS ORE EXPENSES THAN WE HAVE COMING IN IN RECURRING REVENUE.

WE ALSO SAW AN ALL-TYPE RECORD SETTING REVENUE SURPLUS IN 2021.

REVENUE ESTIMATE FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR'S BRIGHT WITH $1.9 BILLION MORE THAN BUDGETED.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THE MONEY IS THERE.

ADDING URGENCY TO THIS OPPORTUNITY, WE HAVE ANOTHER $1 BILLION TO BE APPROPRIATED FROM THE FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT AS WELL AS FUNDS FROM BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY FOLKS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, INCLUDING MYSELF AND SENATOR McCONNELL.

IT'S EXPECTED TO BRING $6 BILLION INTO KENTUCKY OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

>> Renee: HIS BUDGET PROPOSES $75MILLION TO SUPPORT A STATE-OF-THE-ART AGRITECH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO PROPOSES MORE SUPPORT OF THE LIFE SCIENTISTS INDUSTRY WITH A $10 MILLION INVESTMENT IN COVINGTON TO HELP THE CONSTRUCTION AND OUTFITTING OF A SHARED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LAB FACILITY.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS HIS PROPOSAL HELPS PROJECT GET INVOLVE READY.

>> WE MUST HAVE MORE SITES ACROSS KENTUCKY THAT AREN'T JUST BUILD BUT ARE SHOVEL READY, SO MY BUDGET PREPARES US TO SECURE THE NEXT FORD OR THE NEXT TOYOTA OR THE NEXT PRATT OR IF NEXT NOVALUS AND IT AIMS TO PROVIDE EVERY KENTUCKY REGION WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR THAT NEXT AMAZING TRANSFORMATIONAL OPPORTUNITY.

THAT'S WHY MY BUDGET CALLS FOR $250 MILLION IN ONE-TIME FUNDS TO BE USED TO DEVELOP A SITE IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

THIS FUND IS GOING TO HELP COMMUNITIES GROW SMALL INDUSTRIAL OR BUSINESS SITES TO BE LARGER.

IT WILL HELP PREPARE OF THEM TO BE BUILD READY.

>> Renee: AGRITECH IS SURGING IN KENTUCKY, AND IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST AREAS OF NEW INVESTMENT BESHEAR SAYS HIS PLAN MAKES ROO TO GROOM THE IDEAS, UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND NOT JUST THE LABOR, TO BECOME THE NATION'S AGRITECH CENTER.

HE ALSO ADDRESSES PERSISTENT CHALLENGES IN BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT AND INF.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN US THAT ACCESS TO RELIABLE HIGH SPEED INTERNET IS A NECESSITY IN OUR WORLD.

MY BUDGET DIRECTS $200 MILLION TO BOOST HIGH SPEED INTERNET TREES R. ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

THEY'LL GO IN A FUND WHERE LAST BUDGET WE ALREADY ALLOCATED CERTAIN FUNDS, BRINGING US UP TO $500 MILLION, A HALF A BILLION DOLLAR, TO DEPLOY FOR BROADBAND ACROSS KENTUCKY.

WITH ALL THESE BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES LANDING IN KENTUCKY, WE MUST CONTINUE TO IMPROVE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY FOR A COMMONWEALTH TO THRIVE.

THAT'S WHY MY BUDGET INVESTS IN THE MOMENT.

ALLOCATING NEARLY $185 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS TO MEET A STATE MATCH THAT'S GOING TO UNLOCK $775 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FEDERAL MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY TRUST FUND.

THAT WILL ALLOW FOR NEARLY $1 BILLION FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION IN KENTUCKY.

MY WITH THE TO 2024 HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PLAN IS A ROBUST $8.5 BILLION PLAN BASED ON ANTICIPATED AND FEDERAL PROGRAM REVIEW.

IT INVESTS IN CRITICAL PROJECTS FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, EAST TO WEST AND CONTINUES CRITICAL WORK ON FOUR-LANING THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY, BUILDING THAT I-69 BRIDGE, AND CHARTING THE PATH TO BUILDINGS THE BRENT SPENCE COMPANION BRIDGE WITHOUT TOLLS.

WE ARE CLOSER TO MEETING THAT GOAL THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> Renee: THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO ALLEY KATE NEARLY $185 MILLION OVER THREE TORRES YEARS TO UNLOCK A FEDERAL MATCH OF NEARLY $775 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY TRUST FUND FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE construction HE BELIEVES $200 MILLION IS NEEDED TO REHAB STATE PARKS THAT ARE IN DISREPAIR, AND HE WANTS TO GIVE $100 MILLION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION NETWORKS AND OTHEREV INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> IT USES $35.5 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF WHICH $17 MILLION MEETS THE MATCH TO UNLOCK NEARLY $70 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT, WHAT WE CALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

IF WE WANT TOO LEAD IN ELECTRIFICATION WE'VE GOT TO INVEST IN IT.

WE CAN'T MAKE THE BATTERIES OF THE FUTURE AND NOT HAVE CHARGING EVERRING STATIONS FOR THOSE CARS.

THIS HELPS US BE THOUGHTFUL ALONG WITH OUR PARTNERS WHO ARE INVESTING IN US.

SO ANYBODY WHO COMES TO SEE THOSE BATTERY MANUFACTURING PLANTS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLES OR THE SPRINGS AND OTHERS THAT ARE DONE AT DIFFERENT PARTS OF KENTUCKY CAN DRIVE THAT VERY VEHICLE THAT WE ARE HELPING TO PRODUCE AND CHARGE IT RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

I'M DIRECTING $200 MILLION IN ONE-TIME MONEY FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO PAY FOR BADLY NEED WORK AT OUR STATE PARKS.

THE MONEY WILL FUND ESSENTIAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND NEW PROJECTS AT PARKS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE GOAL IS TO PRESERVE THESE ASSETS FOR THEIR REGIONS AND COMMUNITIES WHILE ENHANCING WHAT THE FACILITIES CAN OFFER.

OUR BUDGET ALSO DEDICATES $10 MILLION IN ARPAIO FUNDS TO BOOST OUR TOURISM VISIT INDUSTRY TO A TARGETED MAGNARELLI campai >> Renee: THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY I SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY AT 7:00 P.M. EASTERN.

YOU CAN WATCH IT ON AIR AND ONLINE RIGHT HERE ON.

AND KET.ORG.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY SEVEN COVERAGE OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SES FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-80 YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHON OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

AND YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THANK YOU MORE JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, AND I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.