TRIES TO AT LEAST INFLUENCE THE STATE BUDGET, CALLING FOR SUBSTANTIALLY MORE SPENDING IN SEVERAL AREAS, INCLUDING EDUCAT NEW AND CONCERNING COVID RECORD KEEP BEING SET AT HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS ARE STRUGGLING TO RESPO HIGHER CAR TAXES GRAB ATTENTION IN FRANKFORT AS CLIMBING VALUES MEAN BIGGER BILLS.

IN WASHINGTO SENATOR MCCONNELL BLASTS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SPEECH ABOUT VOTING RIGHTS.

HEADING INTO THE MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY WEEKEND, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON K. I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOM YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMO.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: MANDY MCLAREN WITH THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

BY SKYPE, MARK VANDERHOFF OF WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

AND JOHN CHEVES FROM THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADE ALSO TONIGHT, KENTUCKIANS REMEMBER LARRY FORGY FOR HIS HUMOR, HIS LIVELY SPEECHES AND PATRONAGE BRAND OF conservatism AND THERE ARE REPORTS THAT BOB BAFFERT MAY SUE CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR ACCESS TO THE FACILITY AND TO THE Derby.

BUT FIRST THIS HAS BEEN AN EVENTFUL WEEK IN FRANKF THE REPUBLICAN-LED HOUSE AND SENATE APPEAR READY TO PASS THEIR OWN VERSION OF A TWO-YEAR SPENDING BILL, BUT GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS NOT GOING DOWN WITHOUT BEING HEARD.

HE ADDRESSED THE MEDIA SEVERAL TIMES THIS WEEK, PUSHING PROPOSALS INCLUDING HISTORIC SPENDING ON EDUCATION.

AND THURSDAY NIGHT HE DELIVERED HIS BUDGET ADDRESS TO A MOSTLY QUIET CHAMBER.

>> MY BUDGET IS TITLED "OUR FUTURE IS NOW."

BECAUSE NOW IS WHEN WE MUST MAKE THE BOLD INVESTMENTS.

NOW IS OUR CHANCE TO MOVE THIS STATE FORWARD, NOT RIGHT, NOT LEFT, BUT FORWARD.

>> Bill: MARK, THIS IS AN ODD SITUATION, A BUDGET THAT IS ALMOST ALL BUT AGREED TO BY THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE THE GOVERNOR EVEN MAKES HIS BUDGET REQUEST.

SO IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT ALL THE GOVERNOR REALLY COULD DO THIS WEEK IS HOLD THESE SERIES OF NEWS CONFERENCES, POKE HOLES AT THE PROPOSAL FROM THE REPUBLICANS, AND MAKE SOME SUFFERINGS HIS OWN.

>> Mark: YEAH, AND YOU KNOW OF COURSE HE IS GOING TO TRY TO CONVINCE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TO INCLUDE SOME OF THESE PROPOSALS IN HIS BUDGET BUT I'M SURE HAS A REALISTIC AND, HEY, GOVERNORS AND PRESIDENTS TV BULLY PULPIT RIGHT NOW SO THEY'D BE FOOLISH NOT TO USE IT, AND I THINK THAT YOU'LL SKI A LOT OF THESE PROPOSALS THAT DON'T GET INCLUDED THE IN REPUBLICAN BUDGET COME UP ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

THE GOVERNOR WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT THEM WHEN HE'S UP FOR RELEASING AND YOU'LL PROBABLY HEAR A LOT OF DPS TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS LIKE UNIVERSAL PRE-K ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS WELL.

>> Bill: PUBLIC PRESSURE IS REALLY ALL HE HAS AT THIS POINT WITH THIS PROCESS THIS FAR DOWN THE TRACKS, RIGHT?

>> Mark: ARKANSAS THAT'S RIGHT AND HE'S PRETTY GOOD A USING IT.

HE TAKES EVERY DIDN'T YOU THAT HE CAN GET AND AGAIN THAT'S THE BULLY PULPIT.

THAT'S WITH THAT IT'S FOR, RIGHT?

>> JONATHAN: >> Bill: JOHN, THE GOVERNOR LAID OUT HIS DIFFERENCES ALL WEEK LONG AND MADE HIS SPEECH THURSDAY NIGHT WHERE HE PUT IT ALL TOGETHER, AND THEN THE LEGISLATURE PLANS TO COME IN, APPARENTLY DO THEIR OWN BUDGET NEXT WEEK.

HOW DO THOSE TWO PROPOSALS COMPARE?

>> John: THEY HAVE A LOT IN COMMON SORT OF AND A LOT DIFFERENT.

BIG PICTURE PAY RAISES.

SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES HAVE GONE YEARS WITHOUT PAY RACES.

THEY'RE GOING TO GET A RAISE BOTH IN THE HOUSE BUDGET BILL AND IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

EXACTLY HOW MUCH, 5%, 6%, EXACTLY WHEN, IT VARIES BETWEEN THE TWO BUDGETS.

EXACTLY WHICH GROUPS MIGHT BE STARTED, KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, PUBLIC DEFENDERS, SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

FOR ADDITIONAL PAY RAISES, IT VARIES BETWEEN THE TWO BUDGETS.

THE PENSION SYSTEMS, BOTH BUDGETS HAVE FULL FUNDING OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS FOR THE REQUIRED CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCHOOL TEACHERS' PENSIONS, TO STATE WORKERS PENSIONS.

BOTH BUDGETS HAVE ADDITIONAL HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PAY DOWN THE NEARLY $27 BILLION PENSION DEBT THAT KENTUCKY FACES BETWEEN THE TWO PENSION SYSTEMS, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS.

BOTH BUDGETS, THE GOVERNOR'S AND THE HOUSE, HAVE FUNDING FOR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN AT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

THE DIFFERENCES: GOVERNOR BESHEAR WOULD GIVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MORE OF STATE SEEK FUNDING THAN THE HOUSE BUDGET WOULD.

WE WOULD GIVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS FULL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING TO GET KIDS TO SCHOOL.

HE WOULD GIVE FULL FUNDING FOR TEXTBOOKS AND CLASSROOM MATERIALS, UNLIKE THE HOUSE BILL.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WOULD PAY FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K. THAT WAS A BIG THEME OF HIS.

IN OTHER WORDS, PRE-SCHOOL FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH.

TO HIS BUDGET WOULD NOT.

IN FACT, HERE ON KET THIS WEEK, SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAID HE'S NOT A FAN OF PRE-K.

HE DOESN'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WOULD SPEND MORE.

IN BOTH CASES, THE GENERAL FUND IS ABOUT $14 BILLION A YEAR, BUT THE HOUSE BUDGET IN FACT WOULD BE A LITTLE UNDER $14 BILLION.

AND ON IT OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, THE MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN FEDERAL MONEY KENTUCKY WOULD GET, GOVERNOR BESHEAR WOULD SPEND NEARLY ALL OF THAT.

HE WOULD DIVIDE IT A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

BONUS PAY FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS, WATER AND WASTEWATER GRANTS, CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE, LOTS OF STUFF.

THE HOUSE WOULD COMMIT ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THAT $1 BILLION IN ARPA MONEY.

ALSO FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER GRANTS, AND THEY WOULD ALSO WANT TO REPLENISH THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND THAT GOT SPENT DOWN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> Bill: DID THEY HOLD THE REST OF IT BACK FOR LATER USE?

>> John: THE HOUSE BUDGET AND YOU'VE GOT TO FORGIVE ME.

I'M THE NEWSPAPER MAN, I DON'T MAKE BIG MONEY IT.

DOES APPEAR TO LEAVE SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS UNSPOKEN FOR.

SOME OF IT CLEARLY IS GOING TO GO INTO THE STATE'S RAINY DAY BUDGET, PRESERVE TRUST FUND BECAUSE THE LAWMAKERS WANT TO HAVE A BIG RAINY DAY PUTTING BUT WITH THEIR TRUST FUND.

SOME OF IT, THE LAWMAKERS THIS SESSION WOULD ADDRESS TAX CODE CHANGES.

TAX CUTS.

AND I THINK THEY WANT GIVE THEMSELVES A LITTLE FLEXIBILITY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WANTS TO SPEND MONEY.

I THINK THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEND EVERY NICKEL ON THE TABLE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GIVE THEMSELVES A CUSHION IN CASE THE TAX CODE CHANGES, IT MIGHT COST US SOMETHING.

>> Bill: HERE'S HOW THE KENTUCKY PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS.

HE HAD CRITICISM FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL AND HE SUGGESTED THAT TAX CUTS SHOULD BE THE WAY TO GO INSTEAD OF ADDITIONAL SPENDING IT.

>> LOUKS YOU PUT A CHICKEN IN EVERY POT.

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

THIS T. ISSUE I HAVE RAISED IS WITH ALL THIS TAX MONEY THAT WE'RE SITTING HERE HOLDING, WHY ARE 23 NOT THINKING ABOUT GIVING EVERYBODY A PAY RAISE BY GIVING IN MANY A TAX CUT?

>> Bill: SO, MARK, ARE LAWMAKERS PERSUADABLE AT THIS POINT BETWEEN THE CUTS AND NEW SPENDING OR IS THIS LIKELY TO SIMPLY GO ALONG PARTY LINES?

>> Mark: WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK SOME IRAQ LAWMAKERS WOULD TELL YOU THERE IS SOME NEW SPENDING IF THEIR BUDGET ALONG THE LINES OF EDUCATION, ROADS, HEALTH CARE, BUT YOU GOT TO RECOLLECTION THAT TAX REFORM IS THEIR TOP PRIORITY.

THEY WANT TO MOVE KENTUCKY FROM A PRODUCTION-BASED TAXES LIKE YOUR CORPORATE AND YOUR PERSONAL INCOME TAXES TO CONSUMPTION-BASED TAXES LIKE MORE TOWARDS SALES TAXES, AND IT'S LIKE JOHN SAID YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A GOOD BUFFER IN YOUR STATE FINANCES OR AT LEAST IT HELPS TO HAVE THAT TO EASE THAT TRANSITION FROM ONE TYPE OF TAX SYSTEM TO ANOTHER TYPE OF TAX SYSTEM.

>> Bill: MANDY WE WERE JUST MENTION BESHEAR IS CALLING FOR HISTORIC SPENDING INCLUDING ON KINDERGARTEN.

AND PRE-K AND BE THEN THE SUBSTANTIAL RAISE FOR TEACHERS.

IS HE HOPING THAT EDUCATION INTERESTS WILL HELP HIM OUT THERE TO SELL THIS MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE EVEN THOUGH THEY LOOK TO BE PRETTY CLOSE TO GETTING THIS BUDGET DONE?

>> Mandy: I THINK THAT'S ABSOLUTELY PART OF IT.

CLEARLY, HE KNOWS THAT HE IN LARGE PART ANTWON A VERY TIGHT ELECTION BECAUSE HE HAD GENERATED A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM AMONG TEACHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUT TO SENATOR -- PRESIDENT STIVERS' COMMENTS ABOUT UNIVERSAL PRE-K I'VE GOAL YOU I DON'T THINK ANYWHERE YOU GO IN THE COMMONWEALTH THAT'S GOING TO POLL VERY WELL, RIGHT?

LIKE FOLKS FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, THEY WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE UNIVERSAL PRE-K BUT SO WOULD MIDDLE CLASS, EVEN UPPER MIDDLE CLASS PARENTS THAT WOULD SAVE THEM MORE THAN $10,000 A YEAR IN THE CHILD CARE COSTS.

AND I THINK THERE ARE OTHER PIECES IN THE BILL THAT JOHN MENTIONED, SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION FUNDING.

THAT IS A RURAL ISSUE.

AND IF HE'S ABLE TO ENGAGE THOSE SUPERINTENDENTS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THEIRREs, THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Bill: MANDY, AND YET FOUR-YEAR-OLDS, THE PRE-K IS FAIRLY UNUSUAL IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT?

I MEAN, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW STATES THAT HAVE TAKEN THAT STEP.

>> Mandy: IT'S UNUSUAL AND THE UNIVERSAL -- AT ITS UNIVERSAL MEANING IN THAT THE ONLY THING IN BESHEAR'S PROPOSAL THAT WOULD -- YOU WOO NODE TO QUALIFY WOULD BE YOUR AGE THAT YOU ARE FOR.

MANY STATES HAVE PROGRAMS WHERE YOU MAY GET ACCESS BECAUSE OF YOUR FAMILY'S INCOME.

THIS WOULD PROVIDE IT TO EVERY CHILD IN KENTUCKY, AND THAT WOULD MAKE US PRETTY RARE THE IN FACT THAT ONLY THREE OTHER STATES RIGHT NOW IN THE EVER AND WASHINGTON, DC, PROVIDE THAT, AND BESHEAR HAS TALKED A LOT THIS WEEK ABOUT HE'S SICK OF BEING, YOU KNOW, AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RANKINGS, SICK BEING THE 40th, 45th, AND IF HE IS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT THAT IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD IN PUTTING COIT THERE IN THE LEADERSHIP POSITION.

>> Bill: WHAT DO EDUCATION EXPERTS SAY THAT PRE-K DOES FOR A CHILD?

>> Mandy: I THINK IT'S PRETTY WELL-ESTABLISHED RIGHT NOW THAT THE SCIENCE SHOWS HOW IMPORTANT PRE-K IS TO CHILDREN'S LITERACY AND NUMERACY DEVELOPMENT.

WE HAVE SO MANY KIDS ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW COMING INTO KINDERGARTEN THAT CAN'T IDENTIFY THEIR LETTERS, CAN'T IDENTIFY COLORS, HAVE NO SENSE OF HOW TO COUNT, AND THESE ARE BASIC SKILLS THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN.

>> Bill: THAT'S ON THE YOUNG YOUNG END.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE PROPOSAL FROM THE GOVERNOR IT CALLS FOR INCREASES IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OF ALMOST 12%.

JOHN, THAT COMES AFTER MANY YEARS OF CUTS TO PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THE LAST BUDGET I THINK DID GIVE SOME OF THAT BACK.

>> John: IT DOES AND, OF COURSE, THE HIGHER ED NOW, I MEAN, PART OF THEIR FUNDING COMMENTS THROUGH THIS SORT OF PERFORMANCE-BASED MODEL BASED ON RETENTION, BASED ON DRAWINGS RATES, WHICH IS NOT UNIVERSALLY POPULAR WITH ALL OF THE SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY THE REGIONAL ONES.

>> Mandy: CAN I JUST ADD, BILL, I THINK A LOT OF THE POST SECONDARY FUNDING THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED IS SUPPOSED TO GO TOWARDS CAPITAL PROJECTS.

I THINK THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY WOULD BUILD A NEW HEALTH EDUCATION BUILDINGS, AND THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF SCHOOLS HAVE TO DIP INTO THEIR CURRENT FUNDS TO PAY FOR THESE NEW PROJECTS, THAT COST ENDS UP ON THE STUDENTS AND TUITION HIKES.

>> Bill: MARK, THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS THE NURSING SHORTAGE WHICH WE HAVE SEEN GROWING FOR YEARS BUT WE HAVE REALLY SEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WOULD ANY OF THESE PROVIDE ANY KIND OF IMMEDIATE RELIEF?

>> Mark: YEAH, THE HOUSE GOP HAS $40 MILLION IN THEIR HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE.

I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DETAILS ON HOW THAT WOULD WORK, BUT IT WOULD BE $20 MILLION PER YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO IN HIS PROPOSAL, HE HAD $37 MILLION.

AND WHAT THAT WOULD DO IS IT WOULD DOUBLE THE SCHOLARSHIP FOR NURSES FROM $1,500 A SEMESTER TO $3,000 A SEMESTER AND IT COULD WOULD CREATE A LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM WHERE YOU COULD GET UP TO $14,000 LOAN FORGIVENESS.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN OTHER TALK ABOUT KIND OF PAID BONUSES FOR NURSES TO TRY TO, ONE, ATTRACT THEM FROM OTHER STATES, TWO, KEEP OUR NURSES FROM GOING TO OTHER STATES, AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS ALSO TALKED ABOUT INCLUDING NURSES IN HIS HERO PAY PROPOSAL.

>> Bill: I THINK WE HAVE SOME VIDEO HERE.

WE'LL SHOW YOU THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE FIRST BILL OF THE SESSION, AND THAT WAS ONE THAT WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

WE HAVE SOME AGREEMENT HERE, JOHN CHEVES, ON SOMETHING.

A BILL PROVIDING TORNADO RELIEF FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> John: RIGHT, A 200 MILLION-DOLLAR BILL.

$45MILLION UP FRONT, $30 MILLION TO HELP SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE DEVASTATED AREAS, $15 MILLION FOR HOUSING AID.

HOUSING OBVIOUSLY IS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM IN AN AREA WHERE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF HOUSES WERE DESTROYED.

EVEN BIGGER, IT CREATES A $155 MILLION FUND, RELIEF FUND TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NON-PROFITS AND SCHOOLS AND OTHERS ABOUT THE LONG-TERM REBUILDING COSTS THAT'LL BE UNDER THE STATE DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

LEGISLATORS WANT TO ACT REALLY QUICKLY ON THIS, AND THEY'VE MADE IT PLAIN THEY'RE VERY OPEN AND WILLING TO DO MORE, BUT THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING QUICK RIGHT AWAY.

>> Bill: SO INTERESTING WHERE WE STAND ON BUDGET.

WE'LL STAY RIGHT ON TOP OF IT.

REDISTRICTING MAPS WERE PASSED LAST WEEKEND.

THE LAWMAKERS STAYED IN ON SATURDAY.

WE KNOW THAT THE OHIO SUPREME COURT THIS WEEK STRUCK DOWN THE MAPS THERE AND TOLD THEM TO GO BACK AND REDRAW THEM.

WILL THESE FINAL MAPS IN KENTUCKY BE CHALLENGED, JOHN?

>> John: THEY'LL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE A LEGAL CHALLENGE IN KENTUCKY.

NOW, WHAT HAPPENED IN OHIO TODAY, THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THEIR KONG AM REDISTRICTING MAPS.

THEY THOUGHT THE REPUBLICANS STACKED THE DECK, THAT'S PUT IT.

THEY HAD ALMOST ALL REPUBLICAN-FAVORED DISTRICTS.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT REALLY MEANS ANYTHING FOR KENTUCKY FOR TWO REASONS.

ONE IS THE OHIO SUPREME COURT SAID THAT THE STATEWIDE VOTE IN OHIO IS PRETTY NARROWLY DIVIDE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, WHEREAS MOST OF THE DISTRICTS ARE REPUBLICAN.

WELL, HONESTLY IN KENTUCKY THESE DAYS YOU COULDN'T SAY THE VOTES STATEWIDE NARROWLY DIVIDE BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS.

IT'S A RED STATE OUT.

A REPUBLICAN VOTE.

ALSO, IN 2018 OHIO VOTERS AMENDED THEIR STATE CONSTITUTIONAL TO SPECIFICALLY SAY THAT IN REDISTRICTING THE MAPS COULD NOT BE SKEWED TO FAVOR ONE PARTY.

WE HAVEN'T PASSED THAT KIND OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: BUT WE DID SEE, OF COURSE, VERY OBVIOUSLY IN THE CENSUS NUMBERS IS THE FLIGHT FROM RURAL KENTUCKY TO THE MORE URBAN AREAS.

IN ONE CASE A DISTRICT WAS SIMPLY MOVED FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO LEXINGTON.

>> John: HERE IN LEXINGTON, FAYETTE COUNTY WE PICKED UP DISTRICT 93 WHICH HAD BEEN IN MARTIN COUNTY, SO THE CURRENT DISTRICT 93 REPRESENTATIVE, NORMA KIRK-McCORMICK, IS GOING TO HAVE TO FACE OFF AGAINST, IF SHE WANTS TO IS THAT IT LEGISLATURE, REPRESENTATIVE BOBBY McCOOL OF VAN LEER.

>> Bill: MARK, WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU ANY KNOW IN LOUISVILLE THERE WAS A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AS WELL AS SOME OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE SEATS THERE.

>> Mark: YEAH, I MEAN, A LOT OF DEMOCRATS IN LOUISVILLE BREATHED A BIG SIGH OF RELIEF WHEN THEY SAW THE 3RD CONGRESSIONAL A DISTRICT.

THERE WAS CONCERN THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD TRY TO MANIPULATE THAT DISTRICT, MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO WIN, BUT THAT DISTRICT LOOKS LIKE IT'S REMAINED UNSCATHED.

OF COURSE, CONGRESSMANNION JOHN YARMOUTH IS RETIRING.

DEMOCRATS WANT TO HOLD ONTO THAT.

THE OTHER THING THAT JUMPED OUT TO ME IS THE SPLITS WHERE DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDINGS ON LIKE LEXINGTON, BOWLING GREEN AND ESPECIALLY LOUISVILLE.

IN LOUISVILLE THE MAPS ARE PITTING TWO SETS OF DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS AGAINST EACH OTHER, JOSIE RAYMOND AND MARY ALLOW MARZIAN AND LISA WILLNER AND MCKENZIE CANTRELL AND THEY'RE TAKING TWO OTHER INCUMBENTS' DISTRICTS AND TURNING THEM INTO MINORITY MAJORITY DISTRICT.

SO YOU'VE GOT JONI JENKINS AND O'CARNY IS GOING TO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHETHER THEY WANT TO RUN AGAIN OR WHETHER THEY WANT TO GIVE THOSE SEATS UP AND ALLOW A BLACK CANDIDATE TO RUN IN A DISTRICT THAT HAS A MAJORITY BLACK VOTERS.

>> Bill: SO WE'LL BE WATCHING THAT.

RECORD NUMBER AGAIN OF COVID CASES THIS WEEK.

THE OMICRON VARIANT IS PROVING TO BE QUITE A FAUX OUT FOE OUT THERE.

ALSO POSITIVITY RATE IS AT A RECORD LEVEL.

MANDY, THERE ARE SCHOOL AND PANDEMIC RELATED ISSUES MOVING INTO THE LEGISLATURE.

ONE BILL WOULD ALLOW STUDENTS TO GET AN EXCUSED ABSENCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH REASONS DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND ALL THE DISRUPTIONS THAT'S CAUSED.

>> Mandy: YEAH, THAT ONCE ALREADY PASSED OUT OF HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SO IT'S LOOKING GOOD SO FAR.

AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO SOMETHING THAT IF YOU TALK TO ANY TEENAGER, THIS WAS AN ISSUE THAT WAS A PROBLEM LONG BEFORE SCHOOL SHUTDOWN FOR THE PANDEMIC, THAT WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS PART OF OUR OVERALL WELL-BEING, AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST LAST MONTH I HEARD OF ANOTHER STUDENT WHO TOOK THEIR LIF, AND THIS IS AN EXTREMELY REAL ISSUE THAT I THINK FINAL OF ADULTS ARE STARTING TO ACKNOWLEDGE.

>> Bill: THE LEGISLATURE ALSO PASSED A BILL THAT PROVIDES TEN ADDITIONAL REMOTE LEARNING DAYS.

ARE SCHOOL LEADERS NOW FEELING LIKE THIS MAY BE ENOUGH?

>> Mandy: I THINK THAT SCHOOL LEADERS, LIKE EVERYONE, ARE HOPING THAT THE ROMNEY PEAK HAS BEEN REACHED -- OMICRON PEAK HAS BEEN REACHED AND THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND NOT GET SOME SORT OF NEW HIGHLY TRANSMITTABLE VARIANT, BECAUSE OTHERWISE IT COULD -- THOSE DAYS COULD GO BY QUICKLY.

>> Bill: SCHOOL CHOICE AGAIN HAS RETURNED AS A CONVERSATION AT THE CAPITOL AGAIN.

THERE WAS A BILL THAT WAS PASSED LAST YEAR THAT'S BEING HELD UP BY THE COURTS AT THIS POINT.

>>> >> Mandy: YES, SO THAT WAS THE BILL THAT WOULD TAKE -- IT'S CONVOLUTED PI WANT TO EXPLAIN THE WHOLE THING BUT USING TAX CREDITS FAMILIES WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO FUNDING THAT THEY COULD USE TOWARD TUTORING RESOURCES, AND IN THE MOST POPULAR COUNTIES IN THE STATE TOWARD PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION.

AND ONE OF JUDGE SHEPHERD'S REASONING IN STRIKING DOWN THAT LAW IS THAT IT WAS SORT OF DISCRIMINATORY IN THAT IT DIDN'T APPLY TO ALL COUNTIES, SO ONE THING THAT SENATOR ALVARADO HAS CHANGED IN THIS THE BILL THIS YEAR, IT WOULD APPLY TO NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE IN KENTUCKY, YOUR FAMILY TO BE ABLE TO USE ESSENTIALLY WHAT ARE TAX DOLLARS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL.

>> Bill: AND COULD ALSO CHANGE AMONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS, RIGHT, IF THERE'S A CHILD IN A FAILING DISTRICT, I THINK.

>> Mandy: YES, I BELIEVE SO.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

MARK, THERE IS A BILL WITH SOME TRACTION FROM THE HOUSE EDUCATION CHAIR REREGINA HUFF THAT WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO SET ASIDE 15 MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THEIR REGULAR MEETING.

MOST ALREADY DO, BUT JEFFERSON COUNTY HAD SOME REALLY RAUCOUS MEETINGS BACK IN THE FALL, RIGHT?

AND SO THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DOING THAT LATELY.

>> Mark: YEAH, BILL.

THIS ALL STARTED WITH THE INSPECTOR TER OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

PROTESTORS STARTED COMING TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND, MAN, THEY GOT CRAZY.

THERE WAS JUST YELLING.

THERE WERE THREATS.

AT ONE POINT THE BOARD CHAIR HAD TO GO TO RECESS SO THEY COULD GET SECURITY TOKER CONTRACT EVERYBODY OUT.

I THINK ANOTHER MEETING ENDED EARLY.

IT JUST WAS GETTING OUT OF HAND, AND I THINK THAT THEY WERE GENUINELY WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE'S SAFETY.

SO THEY GOT RID OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND THESE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS ARE LIKE A FIXTURE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND SO REPRESENTATIVE HUFF STILL SAYS BRING THEM BACK.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

CAR TAXES HAVE COME UP AS AN ISSUE, JOHN.

THE CAR TAX BILLS ARE ABOUT TO GO OUT AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THEY'LL BE UP BECAUSE THE VALUE OF CARS IS RIGHT NOW UP, NEW AND USED.

>> John: WE TAX MOTOR VEHICLES BASED ON FAIR CASH VALUE EVEN IF YOU THINK YOUR OLD CLUNKER ISN'T WORTH ANYTHING.

WHATEVER THE BLUE BOOK SAYS IT'S WORTH, THAT'S WHEN WE TAX IT ON.

AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU AND FOR ME, BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT SUPPLY SHORTAGE, USED CAR PRICES ARE UP AS MUCH AS 40% RIGHT NOW, AND SO THE BILLS GOING OUR STARTING THIS MONTH ARE GOING TO REFLECT MUCH HIGHER TAX PRICES.

AS A RESULT, WE HAVE AT LEAST FOUR BILLS PENDING IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND IT MIGHT HAVE MISSED ONE, TO ADDRESS THIS BY BASICALLY FREEZING THE TAX PRICES PRE-HIGHER FAIR GAS VALUES.

>> Bill: LET ME TAKE YOU BACK.

DIDN'T ALMOST 78% OF KENTUCKY VOTERS IN 1998 GIVE THE LEGISLATURE THE POWER TO REMOVE CAR TAXES IN KENTUCKY?

>> John: SENATE OF, YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT WAS 78.6% ACTUALLY OF KENTUCKY VOTERS VOTED FOR AMENDMENTS 2 IN 1998 SAYING, LEGISLATURE, YOU HAVE OUR PERMISSION TO STOP TAXING MOTOR VEHICLES WITH THE PROPERTY TAX IN KENTUCKY, AND THERE IT DROPPED.

SO I LOOK IN OUR NEWS ARCHIVES.

I WAS BUT A HUMBLE COURTHOUSE REPORTER HERE AT THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

I WASN'T STALKING THE LEGISLATURE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DROPPED THE BALL.

BUT I CAN TELL THAT YOU WE CURRENTLY MAKE ABOUT $150 MILLION A YEAR IN STATE REVENUE FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE PROPERTY TAX, SO I SUSPECT WYE DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER $150 MILLION BURNING A HOLE IN OUR POCKET.

>> Bill: YOU PROBABLY FOUND THE ANSWER.

JOHN, THERE'S A BILL FILED THAT WOULD HAVE THE STATE TRY TO RECOVER $15 MILLION FROM A COMPANY CALLED UNITY THAT USED TO BE BRAIDY INDUSTRIES.

>> John: YES, SENATOR CHRIS MCDANIEL THE SENATE.

SAID WE DON'T NECESSARILY WANT THE $15 MILLION.

WHAT WE LA'EL WANT IS THAT ALUMINUM MILL NEAR ASHLAND BUT HE HAS RUN OUT OF PATIENCE AND THEY'RE JUST MAKING EXCUSES, SO IF WE DON'T GET THAT ALUMINUM MILLION WE WANT OUR $15 MILLION EMPTY IS BACK.

>> Bill: DR. JILL BIDEN WAS IN KENTUCKY, VISITED THE AREAS THAT WERE HARDEST HIT BY TORNADOES.

MANDY, I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

PEOPLE CAN START APPLYING FORE AID FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Mandy: YES, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT FOR WEEKS.

THE NEW USD THIS WEEK IS I REPORTED LAST WEEK, I BELIEVE, THAT FEMA IS GOING TO MOST LIKELY BE SENDING IN THE OTHER OWN TRAILERS BUT KENTUCKY HAS BECOME ONLY THE THIRD STATE EVER TO BE GRANTED AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FEDS TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN NON-CONGREGATE HOUSING.

ONLY TEXAS AND LOUISIANA PREVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN GIVEN THAT GO-AHEAD, WHICH MEANS THAT IN ADDITION TO THE FEMA TRAILERS, KENTUCKY WILL BE PURCHASING I THINK 200 TRAILERS IS IN THEIR PLAN RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

AND, OF COURSE, WE ALL CONTINUE TO WATCH THE PROGRESS OUT THERE, AND IT WILL BE A WHILE.

ANOTHER DIVISIVE ISSUE IN WASHINGTON IS VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WENT TO ATLANTA TO PUSH FOR IT, AND KENTUCKY SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL, WHO LEADS THE SENATE REPUBLICANS, WAS HIGHLY ILK CRIMINAL JUSTICE OF THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH.

>> 12 MONTHS AGO THIS PRESIDENT SAID WE SHOULD SEE EACH OTHER NOT AS ADVERSARIES BUT AS NEIGHBORS.

YESTERDAY HE CALLED MILLIONS OF AMERICANS HIS DOMESTIC ENEMIES.

>> Bill: JOHN, IS THIS ABOUT VOTING OR THE FILIBUSTER OR THE BIDEN'S LOW APPROVAL NUMBERS MEAN THAT HE IS VERY EASY TO CRITICIZE RIGHT NOW?

>> John: THE ANSWER IS YES, IT'S ALL OF THOSE.

I MEAN, BIDEN A WEAK DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT AT THE MOMENT, SO IT'S FINE FOR McCONNELL TO BLAST HIM IN McCONNELL'S VIEW.

HE'S A FAN OF THE FILIBUSTER AND DOESN'T WANT THE SENATE RULE CHASING, AND HE'S NOT A FAN OF THE DEMOCRATS' LEEKS REFORM LAWS AND HE DOESN'T SEE THE CURRENT EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY THE DEMOCRATS ARE ALLEGING.

>> Bill: BOB BAFFERT MAY SUE CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR ACCESS TO THE FILT FACILITY AND TO THE DERBY, AND APPARENTLY HIS ATTORNEY HAD SOME INTERESTING COMMENTS TO MAKE.

>> Mark: YEAH, BAFFERT'S ATTORNEY SAID THAT NOT ONLY ARE THEY GOING TO SUE, NOT ONLY ARE THEY GOING TO WIN THAT LAWSUIT, BUT THAT BAFFERT'S GOING TO HAVE A HORSE IN THE E. KENTUCKY DERBY AND THAT HE IS GOING TO WIN THE DERBY THIS YEAR.

>> Bill: HE WENT AS BOLD, HUH?

>> Mandy: I WOULDN'T THINK ANYTHING LESS OF ANYBODY ASSOCIATED WITH BOB BAFFERT.

>> Bill: I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

WILL T. WON'T BE IN THE SATURDAY PAPER SOON.

THE COURIER-JOURNAL ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK THAT IT WILL STOP PRINTING PAPERS ON SATURDAY'S NEWSPAPERS REDUCING PRINT DAYS.

THAT'S BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMMON.

THAT'S TOUGH FOR JOURNALISM, IS IT NOTE, JOHN?

>>> J IT IS, SADLY.

PEOPLE SAY I GET NIGH NEWS FROM MY PHONE, NOT THE NEWSPAPER BUT YOUR PHONE DOESN'T HAVE THE REPORTER AT THE STATE CAPITOL OR CITY HALL OR THE SCHOOL BOARD OR THE COURTHOUSE.

IT'S NEWS ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO.

AND AS WE ARE DISAPPEARING, YOUR PHONE'S GOING TO HAVE NOT MUCH LEFT BUT CELEBRITY PHOTOS.

>> Bill: IT MEANS AN INCREDIBLY EARLY DEADLINE, DOESN'T IT, FOR PRINT AT THIS POINT.

>> John: OUR DEADLINE RIGHT NOW IS 3:34 BECAUSE WE PRINT IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.

>> Mandy: WE'RE ABOUT THE SAME.

WE PRINT NOW UP IN INDY.

>> Bill: YOU STILL HAVE TO ANSWER ANOTHER PRINT PRODUCT.

>> Mandy: YES, IS AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE TALKED ABOUT AS A NEWSROOM THIS WEEK.

WE ARE EXPECTED TO DO TWO THINGS VERY WELL, TWO THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

BUDGET OUT A PRINT PRODUCT AND PUTTING OUT A DIGITAL PRODUCT.

AND WITHOUT SUBSCRIBERS WE CAN'T DEFINITE CAN'T DO BOTH.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY AND LG&E HAS PLANS TO BURN COAL THROUGH THE YEAR 2066.

WFPL RADIO REPORTS THE LARGE ELECTRIC COMPANY IS HOPING TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO EMISSIONS, THOUGH, BY 2050.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT IS MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS FOR MORE SOLAR AND OTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES.

LARRY FORGY, WHO DIED THIS WEEK A AGE 82, WAS QUITE A KENTUCKY CHARACTER.

THE ACTIVIST REPUBLICAN HAD FRIENDS IN BOTH PARTIES AND ENTERTAINED CROWDS WITH HIS LIVELY SPEAKING STYLE AND HIS SENSE OF HUMOR.

HE WOULD SAY THAT A POLITICAL OPPONENT WAS SITTING THERE AS BIG AS A SUNFLOWER.

HE HATED GAMBLING.

HE CALLED IT A TAX ON MISERY.

AND FORGY WOULD QUOTE THE BIBLE, INCLUDING ABOUT HIS DETERMINATION TO CHASE THE MONEYCHANGERS OUTS OF THE TEMPLE IN FRANKFORT.

LARRY FORG RAN FOR GOVERNOR AND CAME CLOSE BUT HE NEVER WON.

FORGY WAS A SHARP ATTORNEY, A PRACTICAL CONSERVATIVE WHO INSPIRED OTHER CANDIDATES OVER THE THE YEARS.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, AND WE, OF COURSE, HOPE YOU STAY WITH US FOR CONTINUING COVERAGE OF THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE EVER