EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTHCARE, WORKFORCE.

THE GOVERNOR LAID OUT HIS TWO-YEAR BUDGET PROPOSAL WITH THOSE PRIORITIES AND MORE BEFORE A JOINT SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HIS MOTTO: OUR FUTURE IS NOW BUT THE FUTURE OF HIS SPENDING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE UNCERTAIN.

AN EDUCATION BILL IS REVISED TO DEAL WITH STATE OF EMERGENCY ISSUES SURROUNDING COVID AND THE RECENT DEADLY TORNADOES.

A SCHOOL CHOICE BILL IS INTRODUCED.

AND, COVID-RELATED DEATH BENEFITS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

ON DAY 9 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

WE BEGIN WITH GOVERNOR'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS UNVEILED TONIGHT RIGHT HERE ON KET.

IT ADDS NEARLY $2 BILLION OVER THE BIENNIUM TO THE CURRENT EDUCATION BUDGET; GIVES NEARLY A 12% BOOST TO HIGHER EDUCATION; GIVES AN IMMEDIATE PAY INCREASE OF $15,000 FOR TROOPERS; ADDRESSES KENTUCKY'S HEALTHCARE SHORTAGE AND PAY HIKES TO EDUCATORS AND STATE WORKERS.

BEFORE DETAILING HIS PLAN, HE BOASTED OF THE RECORD-SETTING PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND BUDGET SURPLUS.

HE SAID KENTUCKY CAN'T SETTLE THERE AS HE BELIEVES THE TIME FOR SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS IN GOVERNMENT IS NOW.

>> TO STAY ON TOP WE HAVE TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS AND WE'VE GOT TO BE WILLING TO DO THE WORK.

MY BUDGET DOES THE WORK.

IT PROVIDES RECORD FUNDING FOR PRE-K POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT INVESTS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT FUNDS HEALTH CARE, WHICH IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT SHORES UP NURSING AND SOCIAL WORK.

IT BETTER PROTECTS OUR CHILDREN AND SENIORS AND PROVIDES A REAL AND LONG OVERDUE RAISE FOR OUR EDUCATORS AND OUR CITY WORKERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] MY BUDGET ALLOCATES NEARLY $180 MILLION FOR ARPA FUNDS FOR COVID MITIGATION EFFORTS.

IT FURTHER ADDRESSES THE CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF NURSES WE FACED DURING COVID.

IT PROVIDES $12 MILLION IN NEW NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS, $25 MILLION IN NURSE STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS AND IT PROVIDES HERO PAY TO NURSES, TEACHERS, HEALTH CARE HEROES, FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATORS, GROCERY STORE WORKERS, TRANSIT WORKERS AND EVERYBODY ELSE WHO PUT THEIR HEALTH ON THE LINE FOR US.

[ APPLAUSE ] THIS BUDGET GIVES NURSES INTO THE PROFESSION, KEEPS THEM IN THE PROFESSION AND SHOWS THEM HOW MUCH WE CARE.

AS YOUR GOVERNOR, I WANT EACH AND EVERY NURSE OUT THERE TO KNOW THAT I THANK YOU AND I CARE ABOUT YOU DEEPLY.

SO THIS BUDGET ADDRESSES THE CHALLENGES OF OUR PRESENT.

BUT IT ALSO INVESTS IN OUR BRIGHT FUTURE, AND IT DOES SO IN THE MOST RESPONSIBLE AND FISCALLY SOUND MANNER DECADES.

ITS NUMBERS COME FROM OUTSIDE ECONOMISTS.

IT SPENDS 1-TIME FUNDING ONLY ON ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS.

IT HAS MORE THAN $ $1 BILLION LEFT IN OUR CURRENT SPENDING 20 TWOO 3 THAN WE'LL RECEIVE IN OUR CURRENT REVENUE.

IT ADDS TO THE LARGEST RAINY DAY ACCOUNT IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

THIS BUDGET PAYS DOWN OUR LIABILITIES AND IT FULLY FUNDS ALL OF OUR PENSION SYSTEMS.

[ APPLAUSE ] TODAY THE GOVERNOR SIGNED INTO LAW, HOUSE BILL 5, A 200-MILLION DOLLAR RELIEF PACKAGE FOR TORNADO-RAVAGED WESTERN KENTUCKY THAT PROVIDES $30 MILLION FOR THE IMPACTED SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND $15 MILLION TO SPEED UP MEDIUM-TERM HOUSING FOR THOSE DISPLACED BY THE STORM.

WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO GIVE RAISES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FUND BODY CAMERAS FOR TROOPERS.

AND, HE WANTS TO GIVE A PAY BOOST TO STATE WORKERS - ONE THAT HE SAYS AMOUNTS TO THE LARGEST SALARY INCREASE IN DECADES.

>> THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE IS EXPERIENCING AN UNPRECEDENTED SHORTAGE OF TROOPERS.

THEY'RE AT THE LOWEST THEY HAVE BEEN IN OVER 30 YEARS.

MY BUDGET SUPPORTS AN IMMEDIATE $$15,000 PAY INCREASE FOR ALL SWORN TROOPERS AND OFFICERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT PROVIDES AN $8,000 PAY INCREASE FOR OUR TELECOMMUNICATORS, THESE RAISES ARE GOING TO HELP IN RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS.

THIS BUDGET ALSO FUNDS BODY CAMERAS FOR STATE TROOPERS FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

THESE CAMERAS PROTECT EVERYBODY.

BOTH THE TROOPER AND THE PUBLIC.

I ALSO DIRECT FUND TO GO SUPPORT OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS AS WELL.

LOCAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS WILL RECEIVE A 15% INCREASE IN THEIR TRAINING STIPEND IN MY BUDGET RECOMMENDATION.

MY PROPOSAL WHICH HAD TO GO TO PRINT BEFORE THE HOUSE'S PROVIDES A 5% RAISE EFFECTIVE MAY 1.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE HOUSE BUDGET INCLUDES A 6% RAISE THOUGH ON A LATER DATE ON AN EMPLOYEE'S ANNIVERSARY DATE.

YOU KNOW WHAT, OUR STATE WORKERS DESERVE THE VERY BEST.

LET'S GIVE THEM THE FULL 6% RAISE FOR EVERYONE AND LET'S DO IT MAY 1 THE EARLY DATE.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND THIS BUDGET ENSURE THAT IS THAT RAISE AGAIN IS REAL, PROVIDING FUNDS TO ENSURE NO HEALTH CARE PREMIUM INCREASES HIT OUR STATE WORKERS.

AS I ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH, WE'VE TAKEN EXTRA STEPS TO HELP OUR STATE SOCIAL WORKERS WHO WERE STRUGGLING WITH CASELOADS AND BURNOUT SMIE BUDGE ADDRESSES THESE CHALLENGES HEAD ON.

IN DECEMBER, WE PROVIDED A 10% PAY RAISE IN THIS BUDGET KEEPS IT.

AND NOW WE'RE ADDING 350 MORE SOCIAL WORKERS TO REDUCE THE AVERAGE CASELOAD BY NEARLY 25%.

[ APPLAUSE ] 350 IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO TRY TO DO THIS JOB RIGHT, TO TRY TO BE THERE FOR EVERY CHILD, TO NOT HAVE AN UNSURMOUNTABLE BURDEN ON EACH OF THESE SOCIAL WORKERS AND A BUDGET FOR ANY LESS THAN WHAT AT THAT TAKES TO PROTECT OUR KENTUCKY KIDS I THINK IS -- THIS BUDGET BUDGETS FOR EVERY SINGLE CHILD WHO NEEDS HELP.

[ APPLAUSE ] AFTER THE ADDRESS TO GET THEIR REACTION.

IS NOT PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS STIVERS SAID THE ACTIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE IS LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STATE'S BRIGHT FISCAL STANDING, AND HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE TAXPAYERS REAP SOME OF THE REWARDS.

>> PAWT -- IN EVERY POT.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAY FOR ALL THOSE CHICKENS THAT WE'RE PROMISING TO PUT IN EVERY POT.

THE ISSUE I HAVE RAISED IS WITH ALL THIS TAX MONEY THAT WE'RE SITTING HERE HOLDING, WHY ARE WE NOT THINKING ABOUT GIVING EVERYBODY A PAY RAISE BY GIVING THEM A TAX CUT?

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT HAPPENS AND WHAT THAT WORKS LIKE.

I HEARD THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT THE GOOD FISCAL MANAGEMENT BUT I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS ONLY EXECUTING ON A BUDGET THAT WE GAVE HIM, NOT THAT WAS HIS RECOMMENDATION.

WE BASICALLY BECAUSE OF COVID THROUGH -- AND NOT OUT OF DISRESPECT WE STARTED ALL ON THE FLOOR TWO YEARS AGO AND REWROTE THE BUDGET FROM THE BEGINNING WITH NO RECOMMENDATION FROM THE GOVERNOR AFTER COVID BECAME APPARENT, AND WE DID THAT LAST YEAR WITH ONLY SOME LIMITED INPUT FROM THE GOVERNOR.

SO WHERE WE ARE NOW FROM A FISCAL STANDPOINT IS PURELY BASED ON THE BUDGET THAT WAS WRITTEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND OUR TWO A AND R CHAIRS.

THAT'S THE REALITY.

DOCUMENTS WILL THAT UP.

WE'RE IN THIS FISCAL POSITION BECAUSE OF WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DID OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO ACCOMPLISH THIS SESSION, GET THAT BUDGE DONE FIRST AND THEN MOVE ON TO TAX REFORM IS THAT PRIORITY OF YOURS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME TAX REFORM.

YOU HEARD ME SAY THIS ABOUT SENATOR McGARVEY HOW THEY WERE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL TAX TIONED $1.9 BILLION IN SURPLUS.

LET'S TAKE THE TAX PAYING PUBLIC AND PUT THAT MONEY IN THERE, LET'S DIVIDE IT BY THAT AMOUNT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FORA REFUND.

>> WOULD YOU CONSIDER ANY REVENUE-GENERATING MEASURES?

PAYING DOWN THOSE PENSION LIABILITIES IS IMPORTANT YOU HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO WORK WITH.

WOULDN'T GENERATING MORE REVENUE ALLOW TO DO THOSE EVEN SOONER?

>> WE HAVE ONE-TIME DOLLARS WE CAN DO THAT WITH.

WE DON'T HAVE TO BE RAISING PEOPLE'S TAXES WHEN WE'RE SITTING ON A SURPLUS SENATE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY SAID KENTUCKY HAS A ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE BOLD INVESTMENTS WITH 5 BILLION IN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS COMING TO THE STATE; 1 BILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN DOLLARS AND A BILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR AND A PROJECTED 2 BILLION IN SURPLUS IN THE UPCOMING BIENNIUM.

>> PRESCHOOL FOR EVERY 4-YEAR-OLD.

TRAPTION COVERED FOR EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT SO THEY CAN FUND THE PRIORITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITY FOR KIDS.

HEALTH CARE FOR KENTUCKY YARCHESZ.

BUCKS FOR BRAINS.

RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS.

THIS REALLY INVESTS IN OUR FUTURE AND THE BUSINESS OF OUR FUTUREND A ECONOMY OF OUR FUTURE AND PEOPLE TODAY.

>> YOU WERE ON THE PROGRAM MONDAY NIGHT WHEN PRESIDENT STIVERS MADE REMARKS BUT HOW WOULD QUESTIONED THE ACTUAL OUTCOME AND FUTURE STUDENT SUCCESS WHEN IT COMES TO EARLY LEARNING, THAT HE DIDN'T QUITE KNOW THAT PRE-K WAS WORTH THAT INVESTMENT.

YOUR THOUGHTS AS YOU REFLECT ON THAT CONVERSATION FROM MONDAY NIGHT?

>> I HAVE PRESCEERL AT HOME RIGHT NOW.

GETTING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS SO VITAL TO LIFELONG LEARNING.

EVERY PIECE OF SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL DATA SUPPORTS THAT.

LET'S ALSO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICAL IMPACT.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE GETTING KIDS READY FOR KINDERGARTEN.

THERE'S MORE THAN KEEPING 1,000 KENTUCKY WOMEN OUT OF THE WORKFORCE SINCE THE PANDEMIC RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS A WAY OF ALSO HAVING A R AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE WHERE WE'RE GETTING KIDS RETE FOR KINDERGARTEN SETTING THEM UP FOR LIFELONG LEARNING.

UNIVERSAL PRE-K IS SOMETHING WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD DO THIS KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT AN WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR WITH THE COURAGE TO DO IT IF YOU MISSED THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS TONIGHT, WE INVITE YOU TO STREAM IT ON DEMAND AT KET.ORG, AND HEAR MORE FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND OUR POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

ADDRESSING CRITICAL SHORTAGES OF SCHOOL STAFF AND MAXIMIZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING ARE THE MOTIVES BEHIND AN EDUCATION MEASURE THAT'S ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

SENATE EDUCATION CHAIRMAN MAX WISE'S SENATE BILL 25 ALLOWS SCHOOLS TO MOVE TO REMOTE INSTRUCTION FOR 10 DAYS FOR INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS, CLASSROOMS OR GRADE LEVELS TO HELP MITIGATE COVID 19 AND PREVENT WIDESPREAD USE OF DISTRICT-WIDE NON-TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION, MORE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS NTI.

RETIRED TEACHERS WOULD BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM FOR EITHER FULL-TIME OR CLASSIFIED POSITIONS IF THEY'VE FINISHED A ONE-MONTH REQUIRED BREAK.

SCHOOLS WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO COUNT THEIR ATTENDANCE BASED ONE THE YEAR OR TWO BEFORE THE COVID OUTBREAK.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS WERE ADDED IN A HOUSE COMMITTEE TODAY TO THE BILL TODAY.

MONROE COUNTY REPUBLICAN BART ROWLAND TICKED OFF THE NEW PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR COVID >> STATE OF EMERGENCY ONLY TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO SECURE FEDERAL EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS SNAP BENEFITS AND LIABILITY PROTECTIONS SIMILAR TO SENATE BILL 5 OF THE 2021 SESSION AND SENATE BILL 150 THAT WE WORKED ON IN THE 2020 SESSION AMOUNT FEW OF THE OTHER THINGS IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE.

WAIVING COST FOR COVID TESTS AND VACCINATIONS, PERMITTING VACCINE BOOSTERS.

ALLOWING FIRST RESPONDERS AND STATE EMPLOYEES TO RETURN TO WORK, PROVIDING TEMPORARY TOTAL DISABILITY FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS.

PREVENTING PRICE GOUGING.

PHARMACISTS TO ORDER AND -- EXTENDED IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE ALLOWING STATE AGENCIES TO USE DIGITAL SIGNATURES ALLOWING ANNUALLY STATE WORKERS FLEXIBILITY FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES, MINER TRAINING AND -- SUSPENSION OF BUILDING CODES FOR HOSPITAL OVERFLOW AND FEDERAL WAIVERS FOR MEDICARE MEDICATE AND CHIP THE MEASURE ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE ON AN 84 TO 9 VOTE.

IT THEN HEADED TO THE SENATE FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

BUT SOME SENATORS TOOK ISSUE WITH HOW A BILL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REMOTE LEARNING DAYS FOR SCHOOLS COULD BECOME A VEHICLE TO EXTEND THE COVID-19 RELATED STATE OF EMERGENCY.

SENATE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR REGGIE THOMAS SUPPORTED THE MEASURE, BUT WAS CURIOUS AS TO HOW THE REVISED MEASURE WITH STATE OF EMERGENCY LANGUAGE WAS GERMANE TO THE ORIGINAL EDUCATION BILL.

>> WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY, THIS HAS REALLY VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH SENATE BILL 25 THAT WE JUST PASSED YESTERDAY, AND I APPROVED.

THIS BILL PRIMARILY IS A COMPILATION SOME ANY BUS MEASURE OF ALL EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT WE PASSED, THAT WERE PASSED INITIALLY IN 2020 THAT -- THAT'S WHAT WE'RE REALLY DOING HERE, JUST REAFFIRMING THOSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT DEALT WITH COVID TWO YEARS AGO.

I FAIL TO SEE HOW THIS IS GERMANE.

>> THAT FIRST PARAGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE OF SENATE BILL 25 SPEAKS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THROUGHOUT THE ORIGINAL SENATE BILL 25, WE WE RECOGNIZE STUDENT AND STAFF ABSENCES AS A RESULT OF COVID-19.

COVID-19 IS REFERENCED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE ORIGINAL SENATE BILL 29 -- 25.

ADDITIONAL COSTS INCURRED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS A RESULT OF MEETING EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

SO I FEEL LIKE, SENATOR, RESPECTFULLY THIS IS A VERY APPROPRIATE VEHICLE FOR THE APPLICATION OF OTHER COVID-19-RELATED ITEMS WILDER REPUBLICAN WIL SCHRODER VOTED AGAINST THE AMENDED MEASURE.

HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE ORIGINAL BILL BUT SAYS HE CAN'T SUPPORT THE PROCESS THAT LED TO THE SUBSTITUTED MEASURE.

>> NATIONAL BILL 25 LEFT THE SENATE CHAMBERS A FOUR-PAGE BILL RELATED TO EDUCATION AND I AGREE THAT IT DID HAVE SOME COVID MEASURES IN THERE, BUT IT CAME BACK UNDER HOURS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE AS A 12-PAGE BILL WITH ALL THESE EMERGENCY ORDERS IN THERE.

NOW, I DON'T NEED TO REMIND THIS BODY THAT OUR GOVERNOR IN 2018 AS ATTORNEY GENERAL TOOK A SIMILAR MATTER WITH THE SIMILAR DEBATE BEFORE OUR KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT.

YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN AROUND POLITICS LONG ENOUGH TO SEE PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR MIND AND ARGUE FOR SOMETHING THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY AGAINST WHEN IT BENEFITS THEM.

THIS IS CERTAINLY THAT MAX WISE, WHO SPONSORED THE ORIGINAL TEXT OF SENATE BILL 25, VOTED AGAINST THE NEW MEASURE.

SENATE BILL 25, WITH THE HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE, RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE IN THE SENATE 17 TO 8.

IT'S NOW HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

ROUGHLY HALF OF THE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KENTUCKY ARE NOT READING AT THEIR GRADE LEVEL, ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

.

THE KDE SAYS RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT READING PROFICIENTLY BY THE THIRD GRADE ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO NOT FINISH HIGH SCHOOL.

.

THAT'S WHY THE KDE IS BACKING SENATE BILL NINE, OR THE "READ TO SUCCEED ACT," THAT ADDRESSES THE QUALITY AND DELIVERY OF READING INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS.

THE MEASURE CAME BEFORE THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

>> WORKERS' COMP NOT ALLOW OURSELVES -- DATE TAVMENT I KNOW IT IS DATA YOU HAVE SEEN IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS.

BUT BEHIND THE NUMBERS THERE ARE STUDENTS IN KENTUCKY CLASSROOMS.

SO THERE'S A VERY REAL HUMAN ASPECT TO THIS AFNED I THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN URGENCY THAT WE ALL HAVE TO ADDRESS STUDENT NEED, GREAT STUDENT NEED.

THE DATA IS ALARMING.

WE KNOW THIS NEED FOR ACCELERATED LEARNING IN READING HAS BEEN COME UPONNED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THE BILL'S SPONSOR, SENATOR STEPHEN WEST OF PARIS, CALLS IT A "GAME CHANGER" FOR KENTUCKY STUDENTS.

.

HE'S REQUESTING $22 MILLION TO FUND THE "READ TO SUCCEED ACT."

AND HE'S ASSURING COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT SENATE BILL NINE HAS NO NEGATIVE IMPACT ON ANOTHER POPULAR LITERACY PROGRAM CALLED "READ TO ACHIEVE," OR RTA.

>> EARLY INTERVENTION LIKE I SAID $15 MILLION NOT RTA FUND NOT AFFECTED, THIS BILL IS A STAND ALONE PROGRAM.

IT'S ON PROGRAM.

IT'S A COACHING MODEL SEPARATE FROM RTA.

IN THIS BILL, THE STEERING COMMITTEE THAT ADVISES KDE ON EARLY LITERACY IS CHANGED.

THE MAKEUP OF THAT COMMITTEE HAS CHANGED.

THE REASON WE HAD TO CHANGE THAT IS THE STEERING COMMITTEE WOULD NOW COVER BOTH PROGRAMS.

SO IN THE PAST IT WAS COVERING RTA AND NOW IT'S COVERING BOTH RTA AND READ TO SUCCEED.

IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT RTA, IT'S REALLY BETTER FOR RTA BECAUSE INSTEAD OF HAVING THE POSSIBILITY OF FOUR RTA TEACHERS ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE THIS BILL SPECIFICALLY ADDS AN RTA TEACHER AND EARLY INTERVENTIONIST AND EARLY INTERVENTION LANGUAGE IN THE TEACHER PORTION.

THEORETICALLY, UNDER THE CURRENT SITUATION YOU COULD HAVE ZERO RTA TEACHERS UNDER THE STEEFERRING COMMITTEE UNDERMOORE BILL YOU COULD HAVE 5-RTA ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE THE BILL ENJOYED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE COMMITTEE.

BUT A NUMBER OF SENATORS FROM BOTH PARTIES SAID THEY HAD RESERVATIONS.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M GOING TO VOTE YES TODAY SO WE CAN MOVE THE BILL FORWARD.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD LANGUAGE IN IT.

I WANT TO BE A LITTLE MORE CLEAR THERE'S NOT AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON OUR TEACHERS.

NOT AN A STATE MANDATE WE'RE APPLYING AND THERE CAN NO RETRIBUTION AGAINST A TEACH THEY'RE DOESN'T OPT INTO THE PROGRAM.

MAYBE QUEK TALK OFF LINEN THOSE ISSUES.

>> I'M VERY HOPEFUL, I'M THANKFUL FOR THE PROGRESS ON THIS BILL PARTICULARLY OVER THIS YEAR.

THERE'S SOME LITTLE DETAILS I THINK WORKERS' COMP SHORE UP IN THERE AS WE GO.

OVERALL, I THINK WE'RE IN A GOOD DIRECTION.

THANK YOU SB 9 PASSED THE COMMITTEE AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR FULL CONSIDERATION THERE ADVOCATES FOR SCHOOL CHOICE WANT TO EXPAND ON 2021 EFFORTS THAT ARE EMBROILED IN LEGAL CHALLENGES, AND EXTEND ACCESS TO NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS STATEWIDE.

RECENT POLLS SUGGEST THAT 70% OF KENTUCKY VOTERS POLLED SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE OPPORTUNITIES.

THIS MORNING SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO AND REPRESENTATIVE JOSH CALLOWAY JOINED OTHER SCHOOL CHOICE ADVOCATES TO ANNOUNCE AN EXPANSION ON PREVIOUS LEGISLATION.

>> INSTEAD OF ONLY HELPING STUDENTS IN THE MOST POPULOUS COUNTIES IT GIVES STUDENTS IN EVERY PICK THE RIGHT SCHOOL.

NUMBER 2 IT'S GOING TO ALLOW MORE FAMILIES TO BE ELIGIBLE BY RAISING THE FAMILY INCOME THRESHOLD.

>> DOZENS OF STUD GIST SHOW PROGRAMS STUDENTS USE THEM THEY IMPROVE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATES IN WHICH THEY EXIST SAND THEY'RE GOOD FOR THE STATE OVERALL.

>> THIS LEGISLATION IS EXPANDED SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM WOULD MEAN THAT MY KIDS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO TUITION PROGRAM.

AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION FOR THE LONG TERM.

>> THIS DOESN'T JUST MAKE A STATEMENT.

THIS AFFECTS PEOPLE'S LIVES.

IT CHANGES PEOPLE'S LIVES.

IT CHANGES THE TRAJECTORY OF CHILDREN, IT GIVES THEM OPPORTUNITIES AND SO EVERY PARENT IN THE STATE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT FITS FOR THEIR CHILD THE MEASURES WOULD EXPAND THE INCOME ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLD SO MORE MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM.

REPRESENTATIVE CALLOWAY'S VERSION PUTS ELIGIBILITY AROUND $121,000 A YEAR FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.

SENATOR ALVARADO'S BILL PUTS IT AT ABOUT $97,000.

FAMILIES OF FIRST RESPONDERS WHO DIED FROM COVID-19 RELATED COMPLICATIONS MAY SOON BE ELIGIBLE FOR DEATH BENEFITS.

SHEPHERDSVILLE REPUBLICAN THOMAS SAYS HIS HOUSE BILL 56 CREATES A PRESUMPTION THAT FIRST RESPONDERS WHO DIE FROM COVID-19 DO SO WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND QUALIFY FOR DEATH BENEFITS.

IT HAS A RETROACTIVE CLAUSE TO MARCH 6, 2020, WHEN THE FIRST CASE WAS REPORTED IN THE STATE.

ZONETON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT CHIEF KEVIN MOULTON TESTIFIED ON THE BILL.

HE LOST ITS FIRE CHIEF AND ITS INTERIM FIRE CHIEF TO COVID-19 RELATED COMPLICATIONS WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF EACH OTHER IN 2021.

>> WITH JUST HIT OUR ONE YEAR MARK FOR THE DEATH OF OUR FIRE CHIEF WHO FIRST RECEIVED CANCER AND WAS GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS WITH THE CANCER.

HE WAS STILL VERY, VERY ACTIVE WITH US IN A LOT OF COMMUNITY EVENTS WHILE HE WAS GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

LATER ON THROUGH THAT PROCESS, HE RECEIVED COVID, AND PASSED AWAY SHORTLY -- ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT, AFTER HE RECEIVED COVID.

ONCE HE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL, HE NEVER GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

HE WENT ON THE VENTILATOR AND NEVER CAME OFF.

IN FEBRUARY, OUR ACTING FIRE CHIEF AT THAT TIME, GARY KEY, GOT COVID AS WELL.

BOTH WERE VERY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, VERY ACTIVE MEMBERS WITH THE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS, AND A GREAT LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY ELIZABETHTOWN REPUBLICAN JIM DUPLESSIS QUESTIONED ABOUT THE PRESUMPTION THAT A FIRST RESPONDER CONTRACTED COVID IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

>> THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING IN THERE THAT THEY HAD TO BE EXPOSED TO SOMEBODY IN THEIR JOB, IN THEIR LINE OF DUTY.

IT HAD TO COME FROM EXPOSURE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN DETERMINE WHERE A PERSON ACTUALLY RECEIVES COVID.

SO I MEAN WHETHER THEY GOT IT -- IF THEY WERE ON A TWO-WEEK VACATION IN MEXICO AND CAME BACK AND WERE DIAGNOSED WITH COVID, THEN THEY WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS.

>> RIGHT.

>> THEY HAVE TO BE IN THE LINE OF DUTY WITHIN TWO WEEKS.

>> I JUST KNOW THAT -- AND I'VE HAD COVID TWICE AND I'VE BEEN VACCINATED, AND I'M NOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY LIKE AN OFFICER WOULD BE BUT THERE'S SO MANY PLACES TO GET COVID.

IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE ALMOST ANY FIRST RESPONDER THAT GETS COVID AND DIES FROM IT IN THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO PAY LINE OF DUTY BENEFITS MAYBE WASN'T A LINE OF DUTY COVID EXPOSURE REPRESENTATIVE HUFF SAID THE ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT OF THE MEASURE IS EXPECTED TO BE MINIMAL AND BE MOSTLY ADMINISTRATIVE IN NATURE.

COVINGTON DEMOCRAT BUDDY WHEATLEY SAID THE PRESUMPTION A FIRST RESPONDER CAUGHT COVID ON THE JOB CAN BE CHALLENGED.

HE SOUGHT TO CLARIFY HOW THE MEASURE DOESN'T IMPACT THE PENSION SYSTEM.

>> WE HAVE NOT HAD TOO MANY LINE OF DUTY DEATHS RELATED TO COVID, FORTUNATELY.

THERE MAY BE A FEW BUT TO CAPTURE THE GENTLEMAN WHO OR THE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WHO IS POSSIBLY HAS CONTRACTED AND PASSED BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS, THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PRESUMPTION OF THIS BENEFIT AND IT IS A ONE-TIME $80,000 BENEFIT.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT VERY MUCH IN A DOLLAR SENSE HERE.

THANK YOU HOUSE BILL 56 WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY AND NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

LEGISLATORS CONTINUE TO ADJUST TIM'S LAW, A MEASURE PASSED IN 2017 THAT ALLOWS JUDGES TO ORDER TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.

THE LAW RECEIVED SOME CHANGES IN 2020 TO INCREASE ITS VIABILITY, AND TODAY MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE AGAIN PASSED A MEASURE TO IMPROVE THE LAW.

LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE KEN FLEMING SAYS THE CHANGES WILL EXPAND THE LAW'S USE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, LET ME CLARIFY A LANGUAGE A JUDGE WILL GO OVER AND TALK ABOUT IN TERMS OF REPORTS AND LOOK AT SOME VERIFYING SOME LANGUAGE.

THE OTHER ONE IS BASICALLY TRYING TO RULE THIS OUT MORE AND BASE ON A GRANT THAT WAS SUBMITTED SOMETIME AGO TO GET THIS PROGRAM GOING, THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN REALLY BENEFIT FROM THIS OUT OF THIS OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM THAT -- AND UNDERSTAND THE JUDGES THROUGHOUT THE STATE SUPPORT THIS PARTICULAR INITIATIVE THE CHANGES ALLOW JUDGES TO REQUIRE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IF A PERSON IS HOSPITALIZED OR ARRESTED DUE TO THEIR MENTAL HEALTH TWICE OVER 48 MONTHS, OR IF IN THE LAST 24 HOURS THE PERSON THREATENS OR ATTEMPTS TO CAUSE SERIOUS PHYSICAL HARM.

LOUISVILLE REP LISA WILLNER, A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST BY TRADE, SAYS THE CHANGES COME FROM THE WORK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE.

SHE SAYS COURT-ORDERED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT WORKS AND SAYS THE CHANGES IN H-B 127 WOULD ALLOW MORE PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS TO RECEIVE IT.

>> STL SCHAUB HIGH BAR FOR COURT-ORDERED TREATMENT OF ANY KIND AND THIS BILL PRESERVES THAT HIGH BAR.

EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH THAT IMPROVES OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVEREMENT L A ILLNESSES REDUCES ANXIETY AND STRESS FOR LOVED ONES AND SAVES MONEY.

ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT HAS BEEN SHON TO DISRUPT THE CYCLE OF INVOLUNTARY HOSPITALIZATIONS, ARREST TO SAY INCARCERATION.

THE APPROACH HAS POTENTIAL TO ALLOW MORE INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS TREATMENT AND TO AVOID LAW ENFORCEMENT, JAILS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS, WHICH IS SADLY TOO OFTEN THE DEFAULT COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS DISTRICT COURT JUDGE STEPHANIE PEARCE BURKE SAYS THE LAW WILL ONLY APPLY TO A SMALL SLIVER OF KENTUCKIANS - SHE SAYS 1.4 PERCENT OF THE ENTIRE KY POPULATION HAS A SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND THAT ONLY A QUARTER OF THOSE PEOPLE WILL EVER DEAL WITH THE COURT SYSTEM.

>> THIS BILL DOES TWO THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, IT PROVIDES A STATUTORY CLEANUP TO THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE BILL.

PRESENTLY, THERE ARE TWO CRITICAL DEFECTS IN KENTUCKY'S CURRENT LEGISLATION.

FIRST, THE INCONSISTENT USE OF THE WORD "EXAMINATION" LEADS TO SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES WHICH I WILL EXPLAIN AND IT ALSO SETS THE BILL UP FOR FAILURE IF IT WERE TO BE REVIEWED BY A HIGHER COURT, PARTICULARLY FOR ITS AMBIGUITY AND SECONDLY BECAUSE IT CREATES SOME PROCESS ISSUES BURKE SAYS CHANGING THE WORD "EXAMINATION" TO "EVALUATION" IN THE STATUTE WILL HELP TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.

HOUSE BILL 127 PASSED THE HOUSE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE AND HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR CONSIDERATION.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 9 COVERAGE OF THE 2022 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'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHONE OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG AND, YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

LAWMAKERS ARE OFF THE NEXT FEW DAYS, SO WE'LL SEE YOU TUESDAY NIGHT AT 11PM EASTERN, TEN CENTRAL FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I'M RENEE SHAW.

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