♪ ♪ ♪ A BILL PROVIDING $200 MILLION IN AID FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY IS ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK, AND A BILL THAT COULD PROVIDE MORE ACCESS TO DRUGS THAT REDUCE OVERDOSE DEATHS IS HEARD IN COMMITTEE.

WE RECAP THE ACTION OF DAY EIGHT OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I AM CASEY PARKER-BELL.

IN DECEMBER, TORNADOES THAT STRUCK THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE KILLED 77, DESTROYED HOMES AND DISPLACED MULTITUDES.

NOW, MORE HELP FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE STORMS IS CLOSE.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED A MEASURE TODAY THAT BUDGETS $200 MILLION FOR RELIEF EFFORTS TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

IT IMMEDIATELY APPROPRIATES 45 MILLION.

30 MILLION OF THAT WILL GO TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO HELP SCHOOL DISTRICTS AFFECTED BY THE STORMS.

THE OTHER 15 MILLION WILL GO TO THE THE DEPARTMENT FOR MILITARY AFFAIRS AND IS MEANT TO SECURE TEMPORARY HOUSING.

THE REMAINING 155 MILLION WILL GO INTO THE NEWLY CREATED WEST KENTUCKY STATE AID FUNDING FOR EMERGENCIES, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SAFE FUND.

RICHARD HEATH REPRESENTS GRAVES COUNTY, ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT AREAS IN THE STATE, HE SPONSORED THE MEASURE THAT MADE ITS WAY THROUGH THE HOUSE.

HOUSE BILL 5 IS OUR ATTEMPT TO BRING SOME RELIEF TO THE CITIZENS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THROUGH THE TERRIBLE STORMS THAT IT IN DECEMBER.

WHILE THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY WILL ULTIMATELY DETERMINE WHO AND HOW MUCH MONETARY RELIEF WILL BE AVAILABLE, WE ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE SOME MORE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AMONG THE FEDERAL AGENCY UNTIL THE FEDERAL AGENCY MAKES ITS DECISIONS.

THESE WILL BE REPAID WHEN THE INSURANCE CLAIMS AND FEMA RESOURCES ARE AWARDED.

THE BILL ALSO ADDRESSES AID TO THE LOCAL SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE SOME WRAP AROUND SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR SCHOLASTIC PROGRESS.

>> A NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS SHARED THEIR STORIES FROM THE HARROWING NIGHT.

PEMBROKE REPRESENTATIVE MYRONS DO SET AND OAKLAND REP MICHAEL MEREDITH SHARED STORIES OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO WALK OUTSIDE AFTER THE STORM TORE THROUGH THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> THE IN WARREN COUNTY WE LOST 17 RESIDENTS OF OUR COUNTY.

AND I AM VERY THANKFUL AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY IN THE PART OF THE DISTRICT I REPRESENT WE DIDN'T LOSE ANY CITIZENS IN THAT PART OF THE DISTRICT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY, OUR AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY COMPLETELY DEVASTATED.

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ONE AND PROBABLY $5 MILLION OF DAMAGE ON THE FARMS JUST WITHIN VIEW OF MY HOME.

PROBABLY 25 TO $30 MILLION OF DAMAGES TO THE WAREHOUSES AND THE FACTORIES IN OUR INDUSTRIAL PARK.

FAIRLY MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ICONIC CORVETTE PLANT IN BOWLING GREEN.

>> AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS THERE ARE GOING TO BE INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL NEED OUR HELP, WITH OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WHO WILL SEE A DECREASE IN TAX REVENUE IN THESE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED.

BECAUSE BUSINESSES AND HOMES HAVE BEEN TOTALLY DESTROYED.

WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM AS WELL AS OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

BUT IN DOING ALL OF THIS, AS I SAID, IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR US AS A BODY TO BE AN ASSET TO MAKE SURE WHERE THAT WE GET THESE DOLLARS TO WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> A COMMON REMARK FROM MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE WAS THE COMMUNITIES NEEDING HELP WILL NEED IT FOR YEARS.

LEGISLATORS SAY THE COMMUNITIES CAN'T BE FORGOTTEN AS TIME PASSES.

REPRESENTATIVES JIM GOOCH AND STEVE SHELDON SPOKE TO HOW LEGISLATORS CAN HELP IN THE FUTURE.

>> YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THESE SMALL COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE ONLY REALLY THE SINGLE DIGIT NUMBER OF AVAILABLE UNITS, WHETHER APARTMENT UNITS OR HOUSES OR WHATEVER YET WHEN THEY HAVE FOUR OR FIVE PERCENT AVAILABILITY BUT YET 30 OR 40 PERCENT OF THE HOUSES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, THESE PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO HAVE ANYWHERE TO LIVE THERE, AND IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR THESE COMMUNITIES TO TWO BACK WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE .. TO FIND SHELTER, TO FIND LODGING, TO FIND ANOTHER SCHOOL SYSTEM OR WHATEVER, AND IT IS REALLY GOING TO BE TRAUMATIC SO WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO HELP THESE FOLKS FOR A LONG TIME TO COME.

>> T THE BIG THING THAT WAS SAID TO ME, DON'T FORGET ABOUT US.

YOU KNOW, WE SEE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AROUND HERE AND THEY ARE ALL COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, LINEMEN AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GRILLS SET UP AND WE HAVE CHILLY GOT MADE AND FEEDING PEOPLE AND EVERYBODY IS DON'T FORGET ABOUT US.

>> ALL OF MY NEIGHBORS, DON'T FORGET ABOUT US THE TWOCHT DEMOCRAT MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE SAY THEY ARE PROUD OF THE MENTAL HELP RESOURCES PROVIDED IN HOUSE BILL 5.

BOWLING GREEN REPRESENTATIVE PATTI MINTER SAYS SHE IS THANKFUL FOR THE HELP FROM SO MANY, MENTIONING THAT SHE NEVER THOUGHT SHE WOULD BE SO THANKFUL FOR THE SOUND OF CHAINSAWS HELPING COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

BUT SHE SAYS HEALING WILL TAKE TIME.

LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE NIMA KULKARNI DISCUSSED HER PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH TORNADOES IN THE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT THAT COULD HELP PEOPLE RECUPERATE.

>> I AM SO GLAD THIS BILL INCLUDES MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

I AM PROUD TO VOTE IN COMMITTEE FOR ANOTHER BILL THAT ALSO PROVIDES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR DISPATCHERS, SO MANY PEOPLE PERFORMED HEROICALLY ON THE MOST DIFFICULT NIGHT OF MY LIFE AND IN MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> I DIDN'T INTEND TO SPEAK ON THE BILL TODAY, BUT WHEN THE GENTLEMAN FROM CHRISTIAN WAS SHARING THE EXPERIENCE OF HIS NINE-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER I HAD A INDUSTRIES VALUE REACTION.

MY HANDS STARTED SWEATING.

I SHOOK A LITTLE BIT, MY HEART RATE WENT UP AND I REMEMBER THAT DAY IN 1974 BEING IN THE BASEMENT AND THE IMPACT THAT IT HAD ON OUR COMMUNITY.

TORNADOES DIDN'T HIT MY HOUSE OR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BUT WE IT IS DIDN'T, TO MY RECOLLECTION, TALK ABOUT THEM IN SCHOOL WHEN WE WENT BACK TO SCHOOL NOR DID WE HAVE ANY MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING OR SUPPORT.

SO I STAND JUST TO REINFORCE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE THAT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, TO WORK THROUGH THE TRAUMA OF THIS EXPERIENCE.

>> THE HOUSE PASSED HB 5, THE BILL THAT PROVIDES $200 MILLION TOWARD TORNADO RELIEF EFFORT, 90 TO ONE AND THE SENATE IMMEDIATELY TOOK UP THE MEASURE.

THE TURN CHAMBER COMBINED HOUSE BILL 5 WITH THEIR COMPANION LEGISLATION, SENATE BILL 5.

NO LONGER NEEDING THE EXTRA DAYS TO GIVE READINGS TO THE BILL, SENATORS IMMEDIATELY TOOK UP DEBATING THE LEGISLATION, THE TELLING THEIR OWN PERSONAL STORIES AND BRAGGING ON PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE STATE FOR HOW THEY HELPED.

FOR JASON HOWELL, WHO SPONSORS THE COMPANION LEGISLATION SB 5, THE DAMAGE WAS PERSONAL.

THE STORM DESTROYED PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY HE USED TO CALL HOME, CASEY, KENTUCKY.

HOWELL EXPLAINS THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE TO T TAKE UP MEASURESO HELP WESTERN KENTUCKY AGAIN AS SPENDING THE $155 MILLION IN THE SAFE FUND WILL REQUIRE DIRECTION FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> THE REMAINDER OF THIS FUND IS TO BE HELD SO WE CAN PRUDENTLY TARGET AREAS OF NEED AS THEY, I WOULD SAY ARE REVEALED.

ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS LIKE A LIFETIME TO THOSE AFFECTED IT IS REALLY BEEN BARELY A MONTH SINCE THESE STORMS HIT.

MUCH HARD WORK HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE TO DEFINE AREAS OF NEED AND MUCH MORE WILL COME IN THE FUTURE.

>> TWO SENATORS PRAISED SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE HOUSE BILL 5.

SENATOR ROBBY MILLS SAYS HE THINKS THE MOST IMMEDIATE NEED FOR PEOPLE WILL BE HOUSING.

SENATE EDUCATION CHAIR MAX WISE SAYS THE LANGUAGE TO HELP SCHOOLS PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES WILL PAY DIVIDENDS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE MOST NEED THE NEED AT THIS POINT IS TEMPORARY HOUSING.

FAMILIES NEED A PLACE TO CALL HOME AS THEY WORK THROUGH THE HOOPS OF INSURANCE CLAIMS AND A TRY TO QUALIFY FOR ALL OF THE OTHER ASSISTANCE THAT IS OUT THERE FOR THEM.

SENATE BILL 5 AND HOUSE BILL 5 MAKES AVAILABLE $15 MILLION FOR APPROXIMATELY 200 FEMA QUALIFIED TRAILERS AND THE INSTALLATION FOR THAT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THOSE TRAILERS, LIKE PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, ARCING AND PADS FOR THOSE TRAILERS TO BE PLACED ON.

G WHILE THESE ARE NOT PERMANENT SOLUTIONS, THEY ARE SOLUTIONS TO HELP STABILIZE THESE FAMILIES AND HELP KEEP THEM LOCATED IN THESE FRAGILE COMMUNITIES.

>> I WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO THE EDUCATIONAL PORTION OF SENATE BILL 5.

$30 MILLION GIVEN TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH ARE IMPACTED BY THE DECEMBER STORMS AND TORNADOES.

THIS IS GOING TO PROVIDE NECESSARY SERVICES FOR THOSE SCHOOL CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES THAT ARE RECOVERING AFTER THE STORMS SO WE KNOW AFTER MANY TIMES IS WHAT IS NEEDED.

>> HOUSE BILL 5 RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE BY THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY, 32-0 AND NOW HEADS TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

KENTUCKY'S BUDGET DIRECTOR TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR BRIEFED LAWMAKERS ON CLEANUP EFFORTS AFTER THE TORNADOES THAT DAMAGED MORE THAN 2,000 HOMES.

MICHAEL DOSSETT, DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, TOLD THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE FEMA'S SPOONS WAS QUICK AND THOROUGH.

>> SO OVERALL CURRENTLY, I BELIEVE FEMA HAS 567 PERSONNEL IN THE THEATRE, TWO60 ARE DEDICATED JUST TO DISASTER SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE AND THEN 160 ARE DEDICATED TO INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.

THAT IS A LARGE CONTINGENT.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT IN TERMS OF OTHER MAJOR DISASTERS IN OTHER CITIES, WE ARE AHEAD OF THE CURVE, FEMA WAS VERY, VERY QUICK IN RESPONDING, IN FACT, WE HAD SOME TEAMS ON THE GROUND, THE LEADERSHIP OF THE TEAMS ON THE 11TH EVENING OF THE 11TH.

WE ASKED FOR SOME MAJOR ASSISTANCE FROM USA R, UH H URBAN SEARCH AND RERESCUE TEAMS FUND BID THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND EVIDENTLY THEY CAME TO MAYFIELD AND WORKED ON THE CANDLE FACTORY COLLAPSE.

>> JIM GRAY, SECRETARY OF THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET, SAYS ABOUT ONE-FOURTH OF THE STORM DEBRIS HAS BEEN REMOVED.

>> WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT DEBRIS REMOVAL TO DATE IS, AND THE DIRECTOR HAS THESE NUMBERS FROM JUST YESTERDAY, IS WE HAVE -- WE HAVE DEBRIS REMOVAL HAS RESULTED IN ALMOST 800,000 CUBIC YARDS OF MATERIAL REMOVED, AND THAT REPRESENTS ROUGHLY 27 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ESTIMATE.

SO THAT NUMBER IS PROGRESSING STEADILY.

WE HAVE HAD GOOD PROGRESS.

THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

WE ALL KNOW THAT, BUT WE HAVE HAD GOOD AND SOLID PROGRESS.

>> DOSSETT SAYS ABOUT 13,300 PEOPLE REGISTERED WITH FEMA AS BEING DISPLACED.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARD MORE TORNADO RELATED TESTIMONY ON THE IMPACT TO THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN GRAVES COUNTY.

THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, LOCATED IN DOWN CAN TOWN MAYFIELD, WAS DESTROYED BY THE TORNADO, PUTTING A STOP TO JUDICIAL ACTIVITY IN THE AREA.

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE KEVIN BISHOP SPOKE TO THE DAMAGE DONE TO BUILDINGS AND TO THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

>> WHAT THE IMPACT ON THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM WAS, IT WAS CATASTROPHIC, IT WAS IMMEDIATE, AND IT WAS A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN.

I CAN ONLY TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT ON MAYFIELD AS I AM FULLY AWARE OTHER PARTS OF KENTUCKY WERE DESTROYED.

I AM FULLY AWARE ONE OF OUR OWN DISTRICT JUDGE BRIAN CRICK WHO SERVED MCLEAN COUNTY AND MUHLENBERG COUNTY LOST HIS LIFE IN THIS STORM.

OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIM, HIS WIFE, HIS CHILDREN AND HIS FAMILY.

ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12TH, 2021, WHEN CHIEF JUSTICE MITTEN ARRIVED, HE HAD AN ORDER THAT HE ISSUED SUSPENDING THE THE COMPUTATION OF TIME FOR LEGAL MATTERS AS OUR CLERK HERE EMILY WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE ANYTHING TO FILE.

I ISSUED AN ORDER TO CLOSED-CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT COURTS PENDING FURTHER ORDERS OF THE COURT TO PRESERVE THE RIGHTS OF OUR CITIZENS, TO HAVE A ACCESS TO A SYSTEM, BECAUSE AT THAT TIME, OUR SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE COURTHOUSE'S DAMAGE, THE BISHOP SAYS NINE OF THE 11 LAW FIRMS IN MAYFIELD NO LONGER HAVE A BUILDING.

WHILE BRIEFING LEGISLATORS, BISHOP MADE A REQUEST TO THEM.

>> I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND THE BUDGET TO ASSIST US IN CONSTRUCTING A TEMPORARY FACILITY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THE ENTIRE STAFF OF GRAVE COUNTY COURTHOUSE DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN A FACILITY WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SAFETY .., WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE ROOF LEAKING OR THE ROOF FALLING DOWN ON THEM.

>> THE BISHOP SAYS BUILDING A TEMPORARY COURTHOUSE IS ESTIMATED TO COST $3 MILLION.

THAT WOULD INCLUDE TWO COURTROOMS AND NECESSARY SPACE FOR THE COURT CLERK TO GET UP AND RUNNING.

UNTIL THIS WEEK, NO ONE HAD BEEN ARRAIGNED IN GRAVES COUNTY SINCE THE TORNADOES.

THE A SENATE BILL COULD PROVIDE MORE OPTIONS TO COMBAT OPIOID OVERDOSES.

SENATE BILL 56 WOULD EXPAND THE TYPES OF DRUGS LEGAL TO USE TO REVERSE OVERDOSES FROM OPIOIDS.

FRESHMAN SENATOR DONALD DOUGLAS, A DOCTOR, SPONSORS THE MEASURE.

HE SAYS LANGUAGE CURRENTLY IN STATUTE FOR THE USE OF OPIATE ANTAGONISTS OR THE PHARMACEUTICALS THAT CAN REVERSE AN OVERDOSE IS TOO NARROW.

>> THE OPIATE ANTAGONIST IS DESIGNED TO REVERSE THE DEADLY EFFECTS OF OPIATE OVERDOSE.

WHETHER THESE OVERDOSES OCCUR IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING OR IN THE COMMUNITY SETTING, NOW, NO, MA'AM ZONE HAS BEEN THE STANDARD AND THIS IS WHAT OUR FIRST RESPOND VERSUS USED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS .. AND IT HAS PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN SAVING MANY LIVES.

IN FACT, IT IS NAMED SPECIFICALLY IN THE LEGISLATION.

THE BILL I AM INTRODUCING TODAY IS TO EXPAND THE LANGUAGE TO ALLOW THE INCLUSION OF MORE AND NEWER OPIATE ANTAGONISTS TO COME TO MARKET.

>> TESTIFYING THIS FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 56 WAS THE CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER FOR OPEN WANT PHARMACEUTICALS, PHIL SKOLNICK, HE HELPED CREATE THE DRUG MOST USED BY FIRST RESPONDERS TODAY, NARCAN.

SKOLNICK SAYS THERE IS NOW A NEED FOR NEW PHARMACEUTICALS BECAUSE OF THE RISE OF SYNTHETIC OOPIOIDS, A STRONGER DRUG THAT REQUIRES A STRONGER COUNTER TO COMBAT AN OVER DOSE.

>> BIMEDICAL INVESTIGATORS THE INCLUDING MYSELF AND OTHERS ARE WORKING ON UNIVERSAL AGENTS IN A RESPONSE TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TO QUOTE, WORK WITH PRIVATE PARTNERS TO DEVELOP STRONGER, LONGER ACTING FORMULATIONS OF ANTAGONISTS TO COUNTERACT THE VERY HYPOTEN SITUATE OF SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS THAT ARE NOW CLAIMING THOUSANDS OF LIVES EACH YEAR.

>> THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE PASSED SENATE BILL 56 THAN MOUSILY, 9-0 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL BODY N 2017, KENTUCKY INVESTED $15 MILLION IN BRAIDY ALUMINUM'S PLANTS TO BUILD AN ALUMINUM MILL NEAR ASHLAND.

MORE THAN FOUR YEARS LATER, THE COMPANY NOW CALLED UNITY ALUMINUM STILL HASN'T BUILT THAT MILL.

SENATE BILL 48 WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE TO RECOVER THAT $15 MILLION INVESTMENT.

GRAYSON SENATOR ROBIN WEBB TOLD MEMBERS OF THE SENATE SHE STILL HOPES TO SEE THAT MILL BECOMES A REALITY.

>> AT THIS.

>> I AM A CAUTIOUS OPTIMIST IN THIS PROJECT AND I STILL DO, I HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED BY THE PRESS THIS WEEK.

I TOO HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH INDIVIDUALS TRYING THEIR BEST.

I STILL HAVE FAITH IN THE INVESTORS, THAT SOME OF THEM I HAVE KNOWN AND WATCHED FOR MANY YEARS.

WHO HAVE REAL SKIN IN THIS GAME, AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN GET SOMETHING IN ANY DISTRICT.

FOR THIS MR. CHAIRMAN, I APPRECIATE YOUR HACK COME ADDITIONS AND IN COMMITTEE'S ACCOMMODATIONS THROUGHOUT AND I AM SATISFIED WITH THE NOVA EMERGENCY CLAUSE AND THE TIMELINE THAT IS HERE AND I THINK YOU KNOW THE FISCAL PART OF ME CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE MONEY BACK, IF THERE IS NO CHANCE THAT THIS PROJECT COMES TO FRUITION.

SO I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WORKING ON IN AND AGAIN I AM BREATHING A LOT EASIER AND I AM STILL OPTIMISTIC THAT OUR DISTRICT IS GOING TO HAVE A BENEFIT.

>> SENATOR MATT CASTLEN OF OWENSBORO WONDERS IF THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM .. >> WE WANT TO SEE AN ALUMINUM MILL IN THIS IMPORTANT PORTION OF KENTUCKY BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF JOBS IT BRINGS BUT IT ALSO NEEDS TO BRING AWARENESS TO EVERYBODY IN THIS COMPLETE AND IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT WE NEED MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GOOD LANGUAGE AROUND WHEN WE ARE LOANING THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY BECAUSE I WONDER IF THERE ARE OTHER PROJECTS IN THE PAST ACROSS KENTUCKY WE HAVE GIVEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MONEY THAT NEVER CAME TO FRUITION.

YOU READ ABOUT ALL OF THESE RIBBON CUTTINGS WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTION TIME FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEN YOU DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING HAPPEN.

I KNOW SENATOR GIBBONS I THINK ONE IN GREENE COUNTY GOING ON LIKE THAT, SO I SUPPORT IN MEASURE BECAUSE I WANT TO BE ABLE TO RECOUP THE MONEY IF WE NEED TO BUT I HOME THE ALUMINUM MILL CAN WORK IT OUT.

>> SENATORS ON THE COMMITTEE VOTED FOR THE BILL, MOVING IT ON THE THE FULL SENATE.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAYS GIVING MORE KENTUCKIANS ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND ADDRESSING A CRITICAL NURSING SHORTAGE IN THE STATE ARE AM AMONG THE PRIORITIES IN HIS NEW STATE WASN'T PLAN.

THE GOVERNOR RELEASED ANOTHER PORTION OF HIS PLAN TODAY IN ADVANCE OF HIS 2022 BUDGET ADDRESS TOMORROW.

HE SAYS INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES IS NOT ONLY THE RIGHT THING NO DO BUT IT ALSO MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE.

>> BY INCREASING ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND COMMUNITIES IT MEANS WE HAVE MORE HEALTHY PEOPLE THAT CAN PARTICIPATE IN OUR WORKFORCE.

AND THAT STARTS WITH A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT, ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.

>> ANOTHER BUDGET PRIORITY FOCUSES ON THE NURSES WHO HELP PROVIDE THOSE HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID HIS BUDGET PLAN INCREASES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NURSING PROGRAMS, WHICH HE SAYS WILL ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO THE PROFESSION.

>> >> MY BUDGET WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATING AND IT DOUBLES THE MAXIMUM AWARD CURRENTLY PROVIDED A 1,500 DOLLARS PER SEMESTER UP TO $3,000 PER SEMESTER.

THAT IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO STUDENTS WHO WANT TO PURSUE THIS PATH BUT COREY ABOUT THE COST OF DOING SO.

>> BUT GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO GET MORE PEOPLE IN THE NURSING PROFESSION.

HE SAYS THE STATE ALSO NEEDS TO KEEP THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE PROFESSION.

>> STARTING IN MAY 2022 MY BUDGET WOULD CREATE A STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM THAT WOULD PROVIDE UP TO $3,000 ANNUALLY FOR EACH YEAR A NURSE OR NURSING FACULTY MEMBER IS EMPLOYED IN AND STAYS IN THEIR POSITION IN KENTUCKY.

THIS IS A FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM.

MEANING SOMEONE BECOMES A NURSE OR A NURSING FACULTY AND STAYS IN THAT JOB FOR FIVE YEARS, THEY COULD GET UP TO $15,000 OF LOAN FORGIVENESS THROUGH THIS STATE PROGRAM.

>> ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOAN FORGIVENESS ARE BIG STEPS AND THEY WILL WORK.

>> TOMORROW NIGHT, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR WILL ADDRESS A JOINT SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASABLY TO GIVE THE BUDGET ADDRESS.

YOU CAN SEE THE ADDRESS LIVE, INCLUDING ANALYSIS AND REACTION FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TOMORROW NIGHT ON KET AT 7:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME.

WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A CONVERSATION WITH MEMBERS FROM THE KENTUCKY STUDENT VOICE TEAM.

THESE STUDENTS WERE AT THE CAPITOL TODAY TO RALLY WITH THE DEFENDERS OF ACCURATE HISTORY, A COALITION OF EDUCATORS FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

SPECIFICALLY, THEY WERE RALLYING AGAINST HOUSE BILLS 14 AND 18.

THE BILLS PROHIBIT THE TEACHING OF SEVERAL CONCEPTS, INCLUDING THAT A RACE OR SEX IS INHERENTLY SUPERIOR TO ANOTHER OR CONCEPTS THAT PROMOTE THE VIOLENT OVER THROW OF THE UNITED STATES.

MANY ARE CALLING THE BILLS ANTI-CRT, THAT WOULD RESTRICT THE TEACHING OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

PROPONENTS OF THE BILLS SAY THEY WILL KEEP STUDENTS FROM FEELING GUILTY OR UNCOMFORTABLE WHILE LEARNING THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY, WHILE OPPONENTS SAY IT OPPRESSES IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS AND LIMITS FREE SPEECH.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND STUDENT VOICE TEAM MEMBERS PRACTICING I CAN'T UPRETI AND ABRAHAM THE GARCIA ROMERO JOINED US AT KET'S CAPITOL ANNEX STUDIO TO GIVE THEIR PRESE PERSPECTIVE.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

YOU ARE HERE FOR A RALLY TODAY TO TALK IN OPPOSITION TODAY TO TWO HOUSE BILLS.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THESE BILLS THAT MAKES YOU ALL OPPOSE THEM?

>> YES.

SO THERE IS A LOT WITHIN THIS.

YOU KNOW, OF COURSE, YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS OUR STATE HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING AROUND ISSUES DOOR RACE AND GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION FOR YEARS BUT WITHIN THESE BILLS, YOU KNOW, IT HAS BECOME VERY CLEAR THAT IT IS GOING AGAINST A LOT OF THE VALUES THAT WE STAND FOR AS ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE PURELY YOUTH LED AND ADULT SUPPORTED, AND ESSENTIALLY WE ARE HERE TODAY TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG FOLKS ACROSS OUR STATE WHO CAN'T NECESSARILY BE HERE TODAY BUT FEEL THE SAME WAY, THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE ENGINES OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND THAT WE DESERVE TO BE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS, THESE REAL AND SOMETIMES UNCOMFORTABLE DISCUSSIONS THAT DESERVE TO BE HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

SO, YES, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO BE, YOU KNOW, GATHERING TOGETHER AND A SEEING EACH OTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR A LOT OF US IN PERSON AND JUST TO BE ABLE TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN CONTINUE ORGANIZING AND, YOU KNOW, RALLYING SUPPORT FOR BILLS THAT GO AGAINST SOME OF THE BIGGEST DEMOCRATIC VALUES OF OUR STATE.

>> ABRAHAM, WHAT IS IT ABOUT THESE BILLS THAT YOU OPPOSE, THAT YOU THINK COULD BE BETTER?

>> RIGHT.

WELL WHEN YOU TREAD BILLS THEMSELVES, THE SUMMARIES AND THE LANGUAGE USED.

>> #01:.

IN THESE BILLS ARE QUITE BROAD, QUITE SUGGESTIVE.

THEY DON'T GET DOWN TO A NARROW POINT OF WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE, AND SO THAT COULD ALLOW FOR MANY DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS AND, YOU KNOW, THE PART WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT A PENALTY, POTENTIAL PENALTY FOR OUR TEACHERS FOR DOING THEIR JOB OF TEACHING HISTORY AND ENSURING THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE TEACHING THE ACCURATE PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY, RIGHT, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.

SOMETIMES IN THE PAST AMERICA HAS NOT LIVED UP TO HER DEMOCRATIC IDEALS AND HER VALUES AND IT HASN'T BEEN EQUAL OR FAIR FOR MANY DIFFERENT MINORITIES IN THIS COUNTRY, AND SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS LOOK BACK AT OUR HISTORY, LEARN FROM IT, AND LEARN TO MOVE ON, TO BUILD ON AND UPLIFT AFFECTED COMMUNITIES, AND SO THE LANGUAGE IN THESE BILLS, I FIND REALLY DISTURBING AND ESPECIALLY THE PART WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO USE THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO GO AFTER OUR TEACHERS.

THAT PUTS THEM IN A VERY BAD POSITION, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DO THEIR JOBS.

THEY WANT TO GET OUT THE EDUCATION AND GIVE US THE TOOLS WE NEED TO SNGD, BUT HAVING THIS LOOMING THREAT OVER THEM IS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE AND, YOU KNOW, WE ARE HERE TO STAND AGAINST IT.

>> YOU TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACT ON SCHOOLS GENERALLY AND TEACHERS, BUT YOU TWO ARE STUDENTS, SO HOW WILL THIS IMPACT STUDENTS JUST LIKE YOU IN THE CLASSROOM?

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, THESE ARE REAL CONVERSATIONS A THAT REAL STUDENTS SHOULD BE HAVING IN OUR CLASSROOMS, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE BIGGEST TESTAMENT TO THAT QUESTION IS THE FACT THAT OUR TEAM WHICH, YOU KNOW, IS A RESEARCH ADVOCACY AND POLICY ORGANIZATION HAS ORGANIZED ONE OF THE BIGGEST STUDIES THAT WE HAVE DONE THUS FAR THAT REALLY HAS DELVED INTO THAT AND, YOU KNOW, TO UNDERSTAND HOW KENTUCKY STUDENTS ARE DEALING AND GRAPPLING WITH ISSUES EMBRACE -- THE ISSUES OF RACE AND GENDER IN OUR SCHOOL, PARTICULARLY WITH RACE AND ETHNICITY, YOU KNOW, SO JUST A FEW -- ABOUT A MONTH AGO OUR TEAM LAUNCHED A SURVEY AND -- THAT ANALYZED THE RACIAL, ETHNIC AND SCHOOL EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS FROM ALL ACROSS OUR STATE, GOTTEN NEARLY 11,000 RESPONSES AND WE HAVE REALLY BEEN USING THAT AS A LAUNCH PAD TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT KENTUCKY STUDENTS REALLY FEEL, WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES OF RACE IN HOUR SCHOOL.

AND THROUGH THAT PROCESS WE ALSO HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT ISN'T ALWAYS THE CIRCUMSTANCE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CIRCUMSTANCES AREN'T ALWAYS EXIST WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS FROM A SCHOOL CLIMATE APPROACH AS WELL, THAT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WHERE STUDENTS ARE, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH EACH OTHER AND THEIR EDUCATORS TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THOSE COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENTS AND, YOU KNOW, CREATE THOSE SPACES TO HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS IS OFTEN HARD TO DO THAT, BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE, OUR TEAM IS GATHERED HERE TODAY AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK WE ARE DOING REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE SURVEY, YOU SURVEYED ALMOST 11,000 STUDENTS ACROSS KENTUCKY.

>> YES.

>> WHAT ELSE DO YOU HOPE TO RESULT FROM THESE GLEANS AS YOU CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE DATA?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO ONE OF THE BIGGEST, YOU KNOW, PARTS OF STUDENT AUTHENTIC YOUTH LED SURVEY RESEARCH IS THE FACT THAT IT IS YOUNG PEOPLE DOING THIS WORK.

YOU KNOW, WE MAKE IT REALLY CLEAR IT IS STUDENT TO STUDENT WORK.

IT IS YOUNG PEOPLE THAT DESIGNED THIS SURVEY.

OF COURSE SUPPORTED BY, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL CREDIT ADULT ALLIES BUT USING THIS TO REFLECT OUR EXPERIENCES AS STUDENTS BUT ALSO TO TALK ABOUT THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER STUDENTS ACROSS OUR STATE, YOU KNOW, A RECOGNIZING THE WORLD DIVERSITY OF OUR STATE AS WELL AND REACHING, YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY HARD TO REACH STUDENTS IN OTHER PARTS OF OUR STATE.

BUT IT IS ALSO TO SAY THAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE LEFT OUT OF THIS CONVERSATION.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE AT THE FRONT LINES OF OUR EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AND WE KNOW JUST AS MUCH AS OUR TEACHERS DO THAT ISSUES SURROUNDING RACE AND GENDER AND SEVERAL OTHER SOCIAL, YOU KNOW, ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE IMPORTANT TO US, BECAUSE THEY ARE A DIRECT REFLECTION OF WHAT WE WILL END UP SEEING WHEN WE GROW OLDER AND EVENTUALLY, YOU KNOW, BECOME BIGGER PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUNG PEOPLE BEING INVOLVED IN THIS WORK AND MAKING IT AS AUTHENTIC AS POSSIBLE.

>> YOU BOTH MADE IT CLEAR THAT STUDENTS NEED TO BE A PART OF THIS CONVERSATION BUT AS FAR AS THE RALLY TODAY, ABRAHAM, WHAT ARE YOU REALLY HOPING YOU ACCOMPLISH BY BEING HERE AT THE CAPITOL?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, BEING AT THE CAPITOL IS A TRUE SYMBOL OF HOW OUR DEMOCRACY WORKS, BEING ABLE TO GO, I MEAN, ALMOST SIDE BY SIDE WITH OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND SAYING, HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE NEED, THIS?

WHAT WE WANT THE IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES THIS COUNTRY AND THIS STATE, YOU KNOW, TRULY WONDERFUL.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS AMAZING WE HAVE AS AMERICANS, BUT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH, THE MAIN THING IS CREATING AWARENESS.

>> WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED AS ACTION ON HOUSE BILLS 14 AND 18 HAPPEN IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

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