♪ ♪ ♪ THE GOVERNOR RESPONSE TO A CITIZEN IMPEACHMENT PETITION AND A HOUSE COMMITTEE AND PANEL TO INVESTIGATE IT.

CAPITOL SECURITY CONCERNS ARE HEIGHTENED IN LIGHT OF FBI WARNINGS OF AN ANTICIPATED ARMED PROTEST AT STATE CAPITOLS ACROSS THE NATION.

AND A MEASURE TO CHANGE VENUE OF CIVIL LAWSUITS INVOLVING THE STATE, ADVANCES ON DAY 7 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, I AM RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

YESTERDAY SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE KENTUCKY HOUSE WERE IMPANELED TO CONSIDER A CITIZEN IMPEACHMENT REQUEST AGAINST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR OVER HIS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THIS MORNING, DEMOCRAT JEFFREY DONAHUE SAID THE PETITION PERPETUATES A FALSE NARRATIVE EVEN THOUGH HE REALIZES LAW MAKERS ARE DUTY BOUND TO ADDRESS IT.

>> WE SING PRAISE NATIONWIDE OF BIPARTISAN WEATHERS THE SECRETARY OF STATE, MICHAEL ADAMS AND THE GOVERNOR, AN DEBESHEAR FOR HOW HE HANDLED THE ELECTIONS, AND WE ALSO HAVE RECEIVED PRAISE NATIONWIDE AND I KNOW YOU GOT PHONE CALLS JUST LIKE I HAVE AND I HAVE HAD THEM FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS WELL AND OUT OF THE COUNTRY HOW WE HANDLED THE CRISIS HERE IN KENTUCKY.

YOU KNOW, I WAS IN THE POSTS TO OTHER DAY AND WALKED IN AND EVERYBODY HAD THEIR MASKS ON AND ALL OF THE STAFF AND PEOPLE EXCEPT ONE INDIVIDUAL.

AND IT WAS IN PURE DEFINES, AND, YOU KNOW, THE QUICKER THAT WE WORK TOGETHER COLLABORATIVELY THE QUICKER WE CAN STOP THIS PANDEMIC THAT WE ARE FACING.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AND PRECAUTIONARY, WE WILL DEFEAT THIS.

ALL I ASK AND I KNOW STATUE TOMORROW YOU HAVE DO THIS, IT IS NOT DIRECTED AT ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL IT IS A LEGISLATIVE BODY AND I HOPE THAT WE MOVE QUICKLY TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE CARE OF THIS SITUATION AND ALL OF THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURTS THAT EVERY DECISION WAS MADE BY OUR GOVERNOR WAS LEGAL.

>> LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMETH CHAIRS THE IMPEACHMENT PANEL, THERE ARE FOUR REPUBLICANS AND THREE DEMOCRATS ON THE COMMITTEE.

THE OTHER APPOINTED INNOCENCE ARE REPRESENTATIVES EDEMAS SITUATE, KIM KING, SUZANNE MILES, ANGIE HATTON, GEORGE BROWN AND PATTY MENTOR.

AND THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP PRESS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING, NEMETH PROVIDED SOME DETAILS ON THE PROCESS.

>> THE IMPEACHMENT COMEAFT WAS PUT TOGETHER YESTERDAY WHICH WAS REQUIRED BY STATUTE .. AS WE MENTIONED TODAY ON THE FLOOR BY REPRESENTATIVE DONAHUE, SO IT WAS LESS THAN 24 HOURS, WE HAVE NOT SCHEDULED A MEETING AND ANTICIPATE THAT THE MEETINGS WILL BEGIN VERY SOON, THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND YET AND THAT WILL PROBABLY BE THE FIRST -- THE NEXT STEP.

I READ THE PETITION.

IT IS -- WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS ON THE MERITS OBVIOUSLY THAT WOULDN'T BE APPROPRIATE.

WE WANT TO HEAR MORE FACTS AS PRESENTED BY THE PETITIONERS AND THE VERY FIRST THING IS LET THE GOVERNOR RESPOND AND SO WE WILL DO THAT.

I WILL NOTE THAT WE HAD AN IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE PUT TOGETHER LAST YEAR AGAIN PURSUANT TO THE SAME PROCESS AND SO WE ARE LARGELY GOING TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS OF THAT IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE PUT TOGETHER.

IT ONLY HAD TWO MEETINGS AND COVID KIND OF STOPPED EVERYTHING SO THE FIRST THING THAT IT DID FANNED FIRST THING WE WILL DO IS MEET AND ADOPT RULES GOING FORWARD AND THEN WE WILL LIKE I SAY GIVE THE GOVERNOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THE ALLEGATIONS AND THIS ENWHETHER HE GO FROM THERE IN A VERY DELIBERATE WAY.

NO ONE IS GOING INTO THIS PREJUDGING IT AND AS REPRESENTATIVE DONAHUE SAID, IT WAS REQUIRED, SO I DON'T THINK ANYONE SHOULD BE OVERLY CONCERNED OR EXCITED ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE WHICH IS STATUTORILY REQUIRED.

>> IT HAS BEEN WIDELY DISCUSSED IN A NUMBER OF FOR RUNS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THIS HAD TO BE DONE OR NOT.

AND I DO THINK IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE MINORITY YESTERDAY IN COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES AGREED IT NEEDED TO BE DONE.

THEY DIDN'T OBJECT TO THE FORMATION OF THE COMMITTEE.

REPRESENTATIVE DONAHUE THE ACKNOWLEDGED IT NEEDED TO BE DONE SO I THINK WE NEED TO DISPEL THE MYTH THAT THIS DOESN'T NEED TO BE DONE.

I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THE AGAIN THE GENERAL COUNCIL, FORMER SPEAKER CONTINUES TO SAY THEY IGNORED THESE ALL ALONG.

THINK THINK HAS TO BE SOMETHING A LITTLE DISTURBING ABOUT THE FACT THEY ARE BRAGGING ABOUT IGNORING LAW.

AND WE FOLLOW THE LAW AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AS SET FORTH BEFORE US.

>> IT IS ONLY APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF ANYTHING, IN ANY FORUM TO ALLOW THEMSELVES TO DEFEND THEMSELVES SO WE WILL ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO DEFEND HIM SPECIFICALLY WRITING AND IN PERSON IF HE WOULD LIKE TO, THAT WILL BE UP TO THE GOVERNOR, WHATEVER HE SAYS PUBLICLY AND IN A DIFFERENT VENUE IS HE CAN DO THAT BUT WE ARE GOING TO GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND FORMALLY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> DURING GOVERNOR ANDY BE SHEARS ', BESHEAR'S CORONAVIRUS HE ADDRESSED THIS FILED HE SAID GIVEN THE RECENT MOB ASSAULT ON THE NATION'S CAPITOL AND THE BACKGROUNDS OF THOSE SEEKING HIS IMPEACHMENT HIS CAPITOL SECURITY CONCERNS ARE HEIGHTENED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE.

THOSE WHO ENGAGE IN IT DON'T JUST RALLY ..

THEY ALSO DO THINGS LIKE FILING PETITIONS FOR IMPEACHMENT.

I LEARNED TODAY JUST WHO SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS ON THAT ARE AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A PART OF OUR STATE GOVERNMENT WOULD A AND SHOULDN'T SUPPORT THOSE THAT HAVE ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES OF INTIMIDATION AND OF HATE.

I JUST WANT TO SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT I MEAN.

SO ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT SIGNED THE PETITION IS JACOB CLARK.

THIS IS A VIDEO ON FACEBOOK WHERE HE SAYS H THAT GOD IS GOING TO SMITE ME AND THAT IS HIS HANDGUN RIGHT ABOVE HIS LEFT SHOULDER.

PRETTY SURE THE STATEMENT HE WAS TRYING TO SEND TO ME THEN.

BUT MAYBE HE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE DIRECT ABOUT HOW HE FEELS ABOUT OTHERS.

CAN WE SHOW THE NEXT ONE?

THIS IS HIM SUPPORTING POLITICIANS BEING HUNG.

THERE IS EXACTLY LAT WE SAW IN DC.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE TRYING TO UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRACY IN ANY WAY THAT THEY CAN.

THE NEXT ONE, IT IS FAIRLY PERSONAL AND I THINK YOU ALL CAN UNDERSTAND WHY.

ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL, HIS NAME IS TONY WHEATLEY, HE IS THE ONE THAT PUT TOGETHER THE RALLY WHERE THE THREE PERCENTERS HUNG THEY EFFIGY, HE IS THE ONE THAT PUT TOGETHER WHERE THEY STORMED PAST ALL OF THE BARRICADES IN FRONT OF THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION AND STOOD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WINDOWS FROM WHERE MY KIDS PLAY.

HE IS ALSO THE INDIVIDUAL THAT HELPED ORGANIZED THIS LAST WEEKEND WHERE HEAVILY ARMED INDIVIDUALS SHOWED UP SHOWING EXACTLY WHAT THEY INTENDED TO DO.

THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS THE ZIP TIES ON THE BACK OF HIS CAMO GEAR, HIS TECH CAL GEAR, WHICH OF COURSE WAS ALSO CARRIED INTO THE U.S. CAPITOL AND WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR.

THESE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED THIS PETITION HAVE TRIED TO CREATE TERROR FOR ME AND MY FAMILY BEFORE AND WHEN THAT HASN'T WORKED I GUESS THEY ARE TRYING SOMETHING NEW.

WE CANNOT AS A COUNTRY AND AS A GOVERNMENT LIFT THESE FOLKS UP.

IT IS DANGEROUS.

IT IS FANNING THE FLAMES OF THEIR HATE AND OF THEIR ANGER AND WHETHER THIS WAS SOMETHING FILED AGAINST ME OR ANYBODY ELSE GOING OUT THERE AND PLAYING PATTY CAKE WITH THESE SO-CALLED MILITIAS THAT STORMED OUR U.S. CAPITOL AND MURDERED A DC CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER AND PUT EVERYBODY ELSE IN DANGER IS JUST WRONG.

>> EARLIER TODAY HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE ALSO SAID LAW MAKERS ARE LOOKING INTO CAMPUS SECURITY CONCERNS AFTER YESTERDAY'S WARNING BY THE FBI THAT ARMED PROTESTS COULD BE IN THE WORKS AT ALL OF THE NATION'S 50 STATE CAPITOLS.

THOSE DEMONSTRATION AS COULD OCCUR STARTING SATURDAY AND GO THROUGH INAUGURATION DAY.

>> WE HAVE ASKED FOR A MEETING WITH BOTH THE GOVERNOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND KENTUCKY STATE POLICE TO DISCUSS THAT ISSUE IN MORE DETAIL.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THEIR OPINIONS ON IT SINCE THEY ARE THE SECURITY EXPERTS AND ALSO THEY OCCUPY THESE OFFICES YEAR-ROUND AND WE DON'T, SO I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM WEIGH IN ON IT BEFORE WE ISSUE ANY KIND OF OPINION ON IT, QUITE FRANKLY.

>> TURNING NOW THE LEGISLATIVE MATTERS, DURING THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF THIS YEAR'S 30-DAY SESSION OF THE REPUBLICAN DOMINATED LEGISLATURE RUSHED THROUGH SEVERAL BILLS CURBING THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE POWERS.

THERE IS ALSO AN EFFORT TO REMOVE CIVIL ACTIONS INVOLVING THE STATE OVER CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS FROM WHERE THEY ARE USUALLY ASSIGNED AND THAT'S FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT, A SENATE COMMITTEE PROVIDED OF EDEMAS SITUATE'S HOUSE BILL THREE THAT INITIALLY SOUGHT TO CREATE A THREE-JUDGE PANEL TO HEAR SUCH CASES THAT WOULD ALLOW OTHER CIRCUIT JUDGES FROM AROUND THE STATE TO ADJUDICATE THEM.

SENATE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN SUCCESSFULLY HAD THE BILL HE, AMENDED TO ELIMINATE THE PANEL TO KEEP THE REST OF THE TENANTS OF THE ORIGINAL BILL IN PLACE.

THE BILL WOULD HAVE THESE CASES HEARD WHERE IT ORIGINATES AND WHERE THE PARTIES ARE LOCATED AS OPPOSED TO ASSIGNMENT TO THE FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT.

WESTERFIELD SAYS THE BILL DOESN'T TARGET THE CURRENT FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES BUT HE SAYS THE CIRCUIT IS WHAT HE CALLED A SUPER CIRCUIT WITHOUT SIZED SIGNIFICANCE.

>> THE DECISIONS OF THOSE TWO CIRCUIT JUDGES WHICH ARE IDENTICAL TO THE CIRCUIT JUDGES EVERYWHERE ELSE IN TERMS OF THE STATE IN TERMS OF QUFLTION TO TERMS OF QUALIFICATION TO RUN FOR THAT SEAT ISSUE RULINGS THAT HAVE STATEWIDE IMPACT ON THESE MATTERS.

THAT SUPER POLITICIZES THAT CIRCUIT AND AS SENATE WEST SAYS GIVES THE PEOPLE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY AN EXTRA VOICE THAT NONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE, NONE OF THE OTHER VOTERS IN ANY OF THE OTHER 119 COUNTIES GET TO HAVE.

THIS IS A LONG OVERDUE CHANGE.

>> ATTORNEY TOM FITZGERALD MAINTAINS THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE BILL AND HE BELIEVES THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OUTWEIGH THE PERCEIVED BENEFITS.

HE SAYS THE PERCEPTION THAT ALL CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES INVOLVING STATE OFFICIALS ARE BEING ADJUDICATED IN THE FRANKLIN CIVIL COURT DOESN'T MATCH THE DATA.

THE PERCEPTION THERE IS A REAL NEED BECAUSE POLICED BECAUSE THESE CASES SHOULD BE HEARD AMONG ALL OF THE DIFFERENT COURTS OUT OF 261 IN 2020, ALL BUT TWO RAISING CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES WERE HEARD ELSEWHERE AND SO I REALLY -- I QUESTION -- THE BILL I THINK IT INVITES CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE, BECAUSE IT CHANGES THE VENUE FOR THIS SMALL SUBSET OF CASES WITHOUT A RATIONAL DISTINCTION FROM THE OTHER 200 PLUS CASES IN ANY GIVEN YEAR WHERE THOSE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES AMONG PRIVATE PARTIES AND AGAINST STATE OFFICIALS ARE BEING HEARD IN OTHER COUNTIES AND OTHER JUDICIAL DISTRICTS.

>> SENATOR STEPHEN WEST OF, A PRESIDENT ATTORNEY SAYS THE MEASURE WILL ALLOW CASES TO BE HEARD WHERE IT IS MOST LOGICAL, HE SAYS THE CURRENT SYSTEM GIVES THE VOTERS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY AND AMPLIFIED VOICE.

IT IS A POINT THAT RESONATED WITH FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN JOHNNY TURNER OF HARLAN WHO HAS PRACTICED LAW FOR 42 YEARS.

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY WITH A LOT OF STATE EMPLOYEES IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, THEY VOTE IN THESE ELECTIONS FOR THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JUDGES AND THAT COURT DEALS WITH A LOT OF BIG POLICY ISSUES THAT COME FROM THIS BODY.

SO TO ME, IT IS LOGICAL, IT MOVES THE VENUE AROUND WHERE THE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD MORE.

I MEAN, THE PERSON OUT IN THE RURAL AREAS OF KENTUCKY HAS MORE VOICE.

>> I THINK IN THIS CASE REALLY LOOKING AT IT SOMEWHAT WOULD BE THE VICTIM IN A SENSE, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THE CHALLENGE AND I HAVE DRIVEN FROM HARLAN, KENTUCKY TO FRANKFORT IN FRONT OF JUDGE GRAHAM, WIND GATE, SHEPHERD, WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT RIGHT THERE IN HARLAN, KENTUCKY.

LEGISLATIVELY THE PROPER THING TO DO, AND I HAVE TAUGHT LAW SCHOOL, FOR THREE YEARS AS ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, NOT JUST PRACTICING BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT CONSTITUTIONALITY AND THE LEGISLATIVE BODY IS DIRECTED TO DRAFT LEGISLATION THAT APPROPRIATELY SERVES THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE, NOT THE JUDICIARY, NOT US, BUT THE PEOPLE, AND IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE, THE PLAINTIFF AND WHY SHOULD I AND A CLIENT AND PEOPLE WITNESSES HAVE TO DRIVE TO FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY FOR SOME SIMPLE SOMETHING BECAUSE THE COURT HAS ITS OWN RULES AND US LAWYERS UNDERSTAND THE RULES.

THERE IS NOT INFRINGING ON THE COURT'S RULES.

THIS IS CLARIFYING WHERE AN ACTION CAN BE BROUGHT AND IT IS APPROPRIATE THE GENTLEMAN WHO BROUGHT THIS BILL IS CORRECT, APPROPRIATE TO PUT THAT THE PLACE OF WHERE THE PARTIES ARE.

>> LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT AND PHYSICIAN KAREN BERG VOTED AGAINST HOUSE BILL THREE.

SHE GAVE TWO REASONS FOR WHY SHE BELIEVES IT IS A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM.

>> IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT.

AND I DO NOT SEE PARTICULARLY AFTER WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED THIS MORNING THAT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM FOR JUDICIAL BRANCH OF OUR GOVERNMENT SEES THIS AS BROKEN AND I AM A STUDENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND I WAS TAUGHT, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE SEPARATION OF POWERS IS ABSOLUTELY INTEGRAL TO THE SURVIVAL OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND I THINK WE HAVE SEEN THAT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS PROBABLY MUCH MORE VIVIDLY THAN ANY OF US WOULD EVER WANT TO SEE, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS OUR JOB AS A LEGISLATIVE BRANCH TO INSTRUCT THE JUDICIAL BRANCH AS TO HOW TO MANAGE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES.

IN FACT, I SEE THAT AS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.

OUR JOB IS TO MAKE LAWS AND RULES THAT GOVERN THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

THEIR JOB IS TO RUN THE COURTS IN A FAIR AND ORDERLY AND JUDICIOUS MANNER.

SO TO ME, THIS IS MICROMANAGEMENT BEYOND MICROMANAGEMENT TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT EVEN EXIST.

>> THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ADVANCED THE REVISED HOUSE BILL THREE TO THE SENATE FLOOR WHERE IT IS AWAITING ACTION BY THE FULL MEMBERSHIP.

PRESIDENTIAL RENTERS COULD FACE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR DAMAGING THE PROPERTY THEY RENT.

TENANTS WHO INTENTIONALLY DESTROY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WILL BE CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL MISCHIEF THE IF SENATE BILL 11 BECOMES LAW.

IF IT TOTALS OVER $1,000 IT WOULD BE A CLASS D PHENYL.

SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL THE BILL'S SPONSOR SAYS THE STATE DOES WHATEVER IT CAN TO DO RENTERS BUT SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR LANDLORDS.

>> ALL IT DOES, THIS BILL DOES NOT CREATE ONE PENALTY ..

IT DOES NOT INCREASE THE LEVEL OF PROOF, ALL IT DOES IS IT CHANGES IT SO CRIMINAL MISCHIEF WITH THE CURRENT LIMITS AND STANDARDS FOR CONVICTION WOULD MAKE A CAVEAT AND CALL IT SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHEN IT INVOLVES INTENTIONAL DESTRUCTION OF RENTAL PROPERTY AND THAT IS THE REASON SO THE LANDLORDS CAN KEEP TRACK OF WHO IS INTENTIONALLY AND CRIMINALLY TEARING UP PROPERTY SO THAT THEY CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>> OPPONENTS OF THE BILL SAY SENATE BILL 11 COULD HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

ADRIAN BUSH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE HOMELESS AND HOUSING COALITION OF KENTUCKY SAYS THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD VOTE AGAINST THE MEASURE TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE.

>> WE ALSO ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT THIS COULD HAVE ON BLACK KENTUCKIANS, BECAUSE THE BLACK HOME OWNERSHIP RATE IS ONLY 38 PERCENT COMPARED TO 71 PERCENT OF WHITE KENTUCKIANS.

>> WE KNOW THAT BLACK KENTUCKIANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE RENTERS.

AGAIN, THE REFERRING TO THE CENSUS.

WHILE 20 PERCENT OF ALL RENTERS REPORTED BEING BEHIND ON RENT AT THE END OF 2020, 58 PERCENT OF BLACK RENTERS REPORTED THE SAME.

>> ADD MARKS AMANDA HALL FROM THE ACLU FROM KENTUCKY SAYS THE PANDEMIC HAD AN OUTSIZED AFFECT A ON REPRESENTERS INTRODUCES STATE, SHE THINKS THAT COULD HURT THOSE ALREADY LIVING IN THE MARGINS.

SHE TESTIFIED REMOTELY TO THE COMMITTEE.

>> AT LEAST 33 PERCENT OF KENTUCKIANS ARE RENTERS AND ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION, OVER 157,000 OF THESE HOUSEHOLDS ARE EXTREMELY LOW INCOME AND OF THESE 66 PERCENT WERE ALREADY PAYING HALF OF THEIR INCOME ON RENT AND UTILITIES.

THIS GROUP OF RENTERS IS LIKELY TO BE WORKING IN THE SERVICE SECTOR ARE MAKING THEIR INCOME -- MAKING THEIR INCOME SUBJECT TO LAYOFFS OR HOUR REDUCTIONS DUE TO THE NECESSARY PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES WE ARE TAKING AND MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES, SONNING OUR GROCERY STORE SHELVES OR SERVING OUR HEALTHCARE SECTOR.

THIS BILL WOULD CAUSE KENTUCKIANS TO NOT ONLY FEAR HOMELESSNESS BUT INCARCERATION.

>> SENATOR PAUL HORN BACH SAYS THE MEASURE DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE COVID PANDEMIC.

HE ASKED AMANDA HALL ABOUT HOW PEOPLE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IF THIS LEGISLATION ISN'T PASSED.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY .. AND AS A OTHERS HAVE SAID, THIS BILL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PAYING RENT OR NOT PAYING RENT.

THERE IS A MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS.

THIS IS ABOUT THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY THESE ARE FREE WILL CHOICES BY PEOPLE TO DECIDE TO DESTROY SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROPERTY.

SO AMANDA, IF YOU ARE OPPOSED TO THIS BILL THAT IS ALL OF FREE CHOICE, WHAT DO DO YOU THINK THE RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE?

HOW DO YOU THINK YOU OUGHT TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANY TYPE OF LIABILITY AGAINST THEM FOR DAMAGES THEY DO TO YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY?

I MEAN YOU DON'T WANT SOMEBODY COCOMING INTO YOUR HOME AND DESTROYING YOUR PROPERTY.

YOU WANT THOSE PEOPLE HELD ACCOUNTABLE SO WHY IS THIS DIFFERENT?

BECAUSE IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RENT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT IT IS ABOUT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU SENATOR HORNBACK FOR ASKING ME THAT QUESTION.

I WOULD SAY THE CRIMINAL COURT REMEDY IS ONE WAY TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK, ANOTHER IS THAT THERE ARE ALREADY STATUTES TO PROSECUTE FOLKS UNDER, YOU KNOW, PROPERTY DAMAGES, SO I WOULD SAY THAT THAT IS ANOTHER REMEDY.

>> LEXINGTON SENATOR SAYS SENATE BILL 11 ISN'T NECESSARY BECAUSE TENANTS CAN ALREADY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE UNDER CURRENT LAW.

>> AND NOT ALL PEOPLE -- AND IF A -- TODAY, WANT TO -- PARTICULARLY ABUSE SOMEONE'S RENTAL PROPERTY THEY WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND COULD BE CHARMED WITH CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND CHARGED WITH THAT.

I THINK THIS BILL REALLY DOES SEND A MESSAGE OF INTIMIDATION.

>> SENATE BILL 11 PASSED THE SENATE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS COMMITTEE AND HEADS TO THE FULL SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

>> THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE PASSED MULTIPLE BUDGET BILLS THIS MORNING, BUT LIKE YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE, THE MEASURES ARE A CONTINUATION FROM LAST SESSION'S BUDGET AND MEANT TO MOVE THE PROCESS ALONG TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR NEGOTIATION.

WHEN BILLS ARE IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HASH OUT THEIR DIFFERENCES AND RESULT IN LEGISLATION IS APPROVED BY BOTH CHAMBERS.

APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE CHAIR CHRISTIAN MCDANIEL EXPLAINED TODAY'S PROCESS TO HIS COMMITTEE.

>> SO AS WAS STATED IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, THIS IS HONESTLY PART OF AN ONGOING AND UNUSUAL PROCESS THAT BEGAN LAST FEBRUARY.

IT STARTED WITH THE REALIZATION THAT WE WEREN'T EXACTLY SURE WHERE THE PANDEMIC WOULD TAKE US THE, AND A ONE-YEAR BUDGET THAT WE PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT WE BELIEVE IN THE HISTORY OF THE MODERN CONSTITUTION FOR THE COMMONWEALTH.

THAT PROCESS CONTINUES TODAY IN WHAT IS NOW A SHORT SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY W THE INTENT OF GETTING US INTO A FREE CONFERENCE SOONER SO THAT WE CAN GET A SPENDING PLAN IN PLACE AND PROVIDE THE FINAL MEASURE OF STABILITY FINANCIALLY FOR THE EXXON WEALTH AS WE ADVANCE THROUGH THIS BIANNUAL.

>> THE SENATE A AND R COMMITTEE SENT THE BILL THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BILL, HOUSE BILL 194, THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH BUDGET AND HOUSE BILL 195, THE JUDICIAL BRANCH BUDGET, THE SENATE FLOOR FOR APPROVAL THERE.

AS WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, WE HOPE TO BRING YOU SHORT BIOGRAPHIES OF THE NEW FACES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE FROM TIME TO TIME.

AS PART OF OUR FRESHMAN PROFILE SERIES YOU WILL GET TO KNOW THE BACKGROUNDS OF THE NEW LEGISLATORS, WHAT PROMPTED THEM TO SEEK ELECTED OFFICE, WHAT THEY HOPED TO ACCOMPLISH WHILE THEY ARE HERE THIS SESSION.

UP FIRST, REPRESENTATIVE JOSH BRAY.

>> JOSH BRAY FROM MT.

VERNON AND I REPRESENT DISTRICT 71, BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING, GOT STARTED WITH THE CITY OF MT.

VERNON, I WAS HIRED ON AS A TAX ACCOUNTANT AND KIND OF WORKED MY WAY UP AND AFTER A FEW YEARS I WAS NAMED THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR.

SO I OVER SAW THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE CITY OF MT.

VERNON.

ILL I WAS WITH THE CITY OUTSIDE OF GOVERNMENT TAN BUDGETS, FUND ACCOUNTING, YOU KNOW, THAT TYPE OF THINGFUL STUFF, WE ACTUALLY HAD SOME LEGISLATION PASSED IN CONJUNCTION WITH KLC THAT REALLY BENEFITED OUR TOWN, SO YOU KNOW, I COME UP HERE AND TESTIFIED BEFORE BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND, YOU KNOW, WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THAT PASSED AND, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS $150,000 A YEAR ECONOMIC BENEFIT FOR -- >> WITH THE CITY, I MEAN, AS YOU IMAGINE, THERE ARE A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE FUNDED.

SO I STARTED TRAVELING TO PRANK FURTHER A LOT, I STARTED FRANKFORT A LOT, STARTED PAYING ATTENTION AND I JUST GOT A FEELING WITH MY BACKGROUND ..

I HAD A LOT TO OFFER TO OUR DISTRICT.

YOU KNOW, HISTORICALLY WE KIND OF HAVE BEEN ECONOMICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED WHICH GIVES US A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DONE SOME VERY PROGRESSIVE THINGS IN MOUNT VERNON AS FAR AS TAX -- FINANCING TO HELP FUND SOME OF THESE ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND I FELT LIKE THERE WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT IN ROCK CASTLE AND GARRETT COUNTY, IN GARRETT COUNTY BECAUSE THE TWO COUNTIES ARE SO, SO SIMILAR, WE WATCHED A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT HAPPEN ALL AROUND US AND SO I WANTED TO BE A STRONG CONSERVATIVE VOICE HERE IN PRANK FORTH TO REALLY, FRANKFORT TO REALLY FIGHT FOR US UNDERDOGS, YOU KNOW, ..

WHEN WE FILED PAPERWORK BACK IN NOVEMBER 2019, YOU KNOW, NOBODY WOULD EVER HAVE THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THEN, YOU KNOW, A LOT HAS CHANGED SO MUCH AS -- BUT, YOU KNOW, IT IS A SURREAL MOMENT, YOU KNOW, GOING THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL, I ALWAYS WAS A PART OF THE KYA AND SO KIND OF GROWN UP PLAYING PRETEND AND THEN TO COME BACK HERE, YOU KNOW, 18 YEARS LATER AND IT IS FOR REAL, I MEAN, IT IS JUST -- IT IS JUST MIND-BLOWING.

I HAVE GOT PEOPLE THAT HAVE, STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT, YOU KNOW, DATING BACK FROM MARCH.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, RIGHT BEFORE WE COME IN HERE, YOU KNOW, I HAD SOMEBODY SEND MAY MESSAGE LIKE HEY IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP WITH THIS.

>> WE HAVE GOT -- I HAVE GOT RESTAURANTS BACK HOME THAT ARE REALLY, REALLY HURTING.

YOU KNOW, THEY -- SMALL BUSINESS IS SOMETHING I TAKE PRIDE, TAKE PRIDE IN BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IN ROCK CASTLE, GARRETT AND MADISON THAT'S ALL WE HAVE IS SMALL BUSINESS SO BEING THEIR VOICE UP HERE AND TRYING TO LEND THEM A HAND THROUGH, YOU KNOW, THE PANDEMIC, IT IS SO, SO IMPORTANT TO US.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN LIKE I SAID ARE THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT THAT STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN UNEMPLOYMENT FROM MARCH.

I MEAN, I GOT PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING READY TO LOSE THEIR HOUSE AND SOME OF THEM ALREADY LOST THEIR CARS.

I HAVE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT ARE REALLY, REALLY STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, AND THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY, THE MONEY YOU MAKE FROM THANKSGIVING TO CHRISTMAS IS WHAT KEEPS THE DOORS OPEN IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY WHEN EVERYBODY HAS THE HOLIDAY HANG OVER AND IT IS TEN DEGREES OUTSIDE AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GOT GOOD BUSINESS OWNERS BACK HOME THAT ARE REALLY HURTING AND JUST GOOD PEOPLE, GOOD FRIENDS, OUR NEIGHBORS, I FEEL FOR THEM, AND, YOU KNOW, I AM EXCITED TO GET UP HERE AND, YOU KNOW, GIVE THEM A VOICE.

>> THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 7 COVERAGE OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS CALL 1-800-633-9650.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL TO GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHONE OR TABLET.

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

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

WE SURE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN, TEN CENTRAL FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, I AM RENEE