[♪♪] >> Bill: KENTUCKY BASED WHISKEY GIANT BROWN FOREMAN ANNOUNCES LAYOFFS AND THE CLOSING OF A LOUISVILLE BARREL MAKING FACILITY.

A STUDENT GROUP SUES THE STATE SAYING KENTUCKY'S PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS DON'T COMPLY WITH THE CONSTITUTION.

KENTUCKY HOSPITALS SEE IMPROVEMENTS AFTER GETTING MORE FEDERAL MONEY.

J.D.

VANCE STOPS IN KENTUCKY DAYS BEFORE HE IS TO BECOME VICE-PRESIDENT.

AND THE KENTUCKY SOCIETY HOLDS A GALA IN WASHINGTON AS INAUGURATION EVENTS GET UNDER WAY.

BETWEEN BITTER COLD-SNAPS, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] >> Bill: ING GOOD EVENING, I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON PANT OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, SYLVIA GOODMAN, CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

JANET PATTON, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

AND LIAM NIEMEYER, REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

ALSO TONIGHT, LOUISVILLE'S POLICE CHIEF SAYS A HOMELESS PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CITED FOR HOMELESS CAMPING.

BROWN FOREMAN WILL CLOSE A COOPERAGE IN LOUISVILLE.

BOURBON IS A $9 BILLION BUSINESS IN KENTUCKY AND IT GENERATES MORE THAN 23,000 JOBS.

SO WE DO WANT TO GET RIGHT TO THAT JANET, TELL US ABOUT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

IT TOOK MANY BY SURPRISE WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT THE BOURBON INDUSTRY?

>> IT SOUNDS DIRE, RIGHT, WHEN YOU SAY YOU'RE GOING TO LAYOFF 10% OF YOUR WORKFORCE THAT IS 650 PEOPLE INCLUDING THE 200 OR SO WHO WORK AT THE LOUISVILLE COOPERAGE RIGHT NOW.

THAT HAS BEEN OPERATED BY BROWN FOREMAN SINCE 1945.

THERE IS A LOT OF HISTORY THERE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IN THE GRAND SCOPE OF THINGS, I THINK WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT A POTENTIAL WHISKEY GLUT.

I MEAN, AS YOU SAID, THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING MORE AND MORE OF THIS STUFF IT HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE AND RIGHT NOW MORE AND MORE IS STACKING UP IN WAREHOUSES AROUND THE STATE.

SO IF YOU ARE A COMPANY THAT LOOKS TO SELL WHISKEY ALL OVER THE WORLD, AND YOUR SALES HAVE BEEN SLIPPING FOR FOUR QUARTERS THEN IT'S GOING TO TAKE TOUGH CHOICES.

>> Bill: YET WE HAVE REPORTED FOR YEARS ON THE BOURBON BOON.

IT IS A MAJOR PART OF TOURISM HERE IN KENTUCKY.

THERE IS A BOURBON CON EVENT IN LEXINGTON THIS WEEKEND.

IT'S ALSO A MAJOR EXPORT.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SECTOR OF CONDITION KEN'S ECONOMY.

>> YEAH, IT IS.

AND IS THE BOURBON BOOM OVER?

PROBABLY NOT.

YOU KNOW THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME WINNERS AND LOSERS.

I THINK WITH 14 MILLION BARRELS THEY CAN HANG ON TO IT FOR A WHILE.

IT WILL KEEP AGING AND SO YOU KNOW, SOME OF IT WILL FIND A HOME SOMEWHERE ELSE.

A LOTTED WILL START LOOKING TO SELL OVERSEAS WHICH IS GOING TO BRING UP ANOTHER PROBLEM.

>> Bill: I WANT TO GET TO THAT ABOUT THE TARIFFS.

I ALSO HEARD SOME MENTION THAT MORE MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION AROUND THE COUNTRY IS ALSO PROVIDING MORE COMPETITION FOR SPIRITS?

>> RIGHT.

IS IT REALLY CHEAP BUZZ.

AND YOU COMPARE THAT THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY PEOPLE WHO WILL LOOK FOR A $200 BOTLEZ OF BOURBON AND BE COLLECTING THOSE VERSUS THE PEOPLE JUST LOOKING TO GET A BUZZ.

SO THERE'S THAT.

THAT DEFINITELY IS SOMETHING THAT THE INDUSTRIES HAS CITED.

ANOTHER THING THAT THE INDUSTRY HAS CITED ARE THE RISE OF THE GLP1s LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE AND IT DOES SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME KIND OF DEPRESSING OF THE APPETITE FOR ALCOHOL THAT IT DOES FOR FOOD.

>> Bill: INTERESTING.

YOU WALKED UP TO TARIFFS.

ARE THERE CONCERNS THAT POTENTIAL TARIFFS COULD BE A FACTOR IN THE LANDSCAPE FOR SPIRITS AHEAD?

>> YEAH.

THERE ARE DEFINITELY CONCERNS.

I THINK THAT FOR THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE, IT'S GOING TO BE A FACTOR.

AND THEY'VE BEGUN TO THREAD THIS SIMPLE NEEDLE IN A WAY TO SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING THAT IS CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO BRING THE TARIFFS BACK.

IF THEY COME BACK IN MARCH WHICH THEY COULD, THEY COULD BE A 50% TARIFF ON AMERICAN WHISKEY IN THE EU AND THE U.K. THAT WOULD BE ONE EXPERT TOLD ME CATASTROPHIC.

>> Bill: A RE258IATION FOR OTHER COUNTRIES FOR TARIFFS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP HAS DISCUSSED SLAPPING TARIFFS ON GOODS FROM CANADA AND FROM MEXICO.

WELL, A LOT OF THE WHISKEY MAKERS ARE GLOBAL.

A BROWN FOREMAN, YOU ARE LOOKING AT BEAM, THEY MAKE CANADIAN WHISKEY AND TEQUILA THEY WILL BE HIT COMING IN AND GOING OUT IT'S GOING TO HURT.

>> Bill: ONE WHO HAS COVERED THIS FOR MANY YEARS AS WE SIT HERE TONIGHT, JUST THE TIME OF FLASHING YELLOW LIGHTS FOR THE BOURBON INDUSTRY?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK PEOPLE SAY THIS WHISKEY GLUT IS HERE BUT THERE ARE OTHER COMPANIES I WAS VISITING BUFFALO TRACE THIS WEEK AND THEY ARE FULL STEAM AHEAD.

THEY JUST FINISHED A HUGE EXPANSION AND YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO GAIN MARKET SHARE, THIS MAYBE YOUR OPPORTUNITY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

INTERESTING.

WELL, VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT J.D.

VANCE WAS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THIS WEEKDAYS BEFORE BEING SWORN INTO THE NATION'S SECOND HIGHEST OFFICE.

IT WAS NOT ANNOUNCED BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE HE WAS.

HE VISITED WHERE HE HAS 235E78 ROOTS GOING BY A SPHAM CEMETERY AND EATING AT A DINER IN JACKSON IT WAS ATTENTION GETTING AND INTERESTING TIMING.

>> YEAH, SURE.

WITH THE INAUGURATION SO CLOSE AHEAD, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY HIS APPALACHIAN ROOTS ARE A BIG PART OF HIS BIOGRAPHICAL MYSTIQUE THAT IS WHAT HE WAS KNOWN BEFORE, BEFORE HE GOT INTO POLITICS WITH HILLBILLILEGY.

AND HE ALSO MENTIONED IT A LOT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL HIS ROOTS TO WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES THINGS LIKE THAT.

SEPARATING HIMSELF A LITTLE BIT FROM COASTAL ELITES IF YOU WILL.

OF COURSE HE WAS IVY LEAGUE EDUCATED.

I THINK IT PLAYS INTO HIS BROADER PICTURE OF HIMSELF AND THAT HE'S SOLD TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

>> AND ONE THING I WANTED TO NOTE IS THAT THIS VISIT RECENT VISIT MAYBE WASN'T JUST SOMETHING OUT OF THE BLUE.

KENTUCKY LANTERN EDITOR JAMIE LUKE HAD DONE A STORY AROUND THE TIME WHEN J.D.

VANCE WAS PICKED AS A VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE THAT WERE SAYING THAT HE WAS VISITING WITH OTHER FAMILY, THE LOCAL LIBRARY AND THE FAMILY CEMETERY RESEARCHING FAMILY HISTORY.

A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

EVEN BEFORE WHEN HE ENTERED THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.

OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN AREA THAT HE STILL HAS A STRONG CONNECTION TO PEOPLE.

SOME PEOPLE FEEL A ACCEPTS OF PRIDE FROM HIS CONNECTION.

AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT HIM AND IS MAYBE PORTRAIL OF APPALACHIA AND HIS BOOK.

BUT REGARDLESS, OBVIOUSLY AN AREA HE STILL FEELS A CONNECTION WITH.

>> Bill: ALSO ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY HE WILL TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE ON A BIBLE GIVEN TO HIM BY HIS GRANDMOTHER MAMA AND SHE PLAYED LARGE IN THE BOOK.

AND OBVIOUSLY IN HIS LIFE.

SO THAT WAS ALSO MENTIONED.

LIAM YOU COVER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND SEEN THE SHIFTS OVER THE YEARS AND WHEN THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IS MOVING AROUND SO DO THOSE ISSUES.

HOW MIGHT THE INCOMING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IMPACT THE COUNTRY'S APPROACH TO ENERGY?

WE KNOW THAT PRESIDENT-ELECT HAS BEEN SKEPTICAL OF SOME OF THE GREEN ENERGY INITIATIVES OVER THE YEARS?

>> SURE.

WELL, THERE'S A BUNCH OF THINGS HE COULD DO IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MUCH HE CAN GET DONE OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR YEARS.

SOME THINGS ARE EASIER THING TO DO THAN OTHERS.

PULLING OUT OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT, THE GLOBAL AGREEMENT REGARDING MITIGATING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CARBON EMISSIONS WORLDWIDE.

THAT COULD BE DONE FAIRLY EASY.

HE ALSO WANTS TO GET RID OF WHAT HE CALLS SO-CALLED EV MANDATES, WHICH BROADLY REFERENCING POLICIES BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ROLLING BACK, SAY, THINGS SUCH AS CONTROLLING TAILPIPE EMISSIONS THAT COULD BE MORE EASILY DONE.

SOME THINGS COULD BE HARDER COULD BE SAY THE TAX CREDIT UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THAT PROVIDES $7500 FOR PURCHASES OF EV'S.

>> Bill: LET ME BACK UP ON EV'S.

KENTUCKY IS A BIG STAKE IF THAT WITH THE BATTERY PLANTEDS WE HAVE COMING ONBOARD AND THAT.

WILL MARKET FORCES STILL MAKE THOSE VERY VIABLE EVEN IF GOVERNMENT POLICY MIGHT CHANGE SOME?

>> YEAH, IT'S STILL A THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IS STILL IN FLUX.

BUT I MEAN WHEN YOU HAVE -- WHEN YOU ARE THINKING OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY YOU HAVE TO THINK WORLDWIDE.

WE HAVE EV COMPANIES IN CHINA IN PARTICULAR, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS VERY MUCH SUBSIDIZINGS RING EV TRYING TO BE A WORLDWIDE LEADER IN THAT SPACE.

AND YOU COULD SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, I GUESS, THE CONCERN BY MAYBE SOME AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE COMPANIES OR AUTOMOTIVE COMPANIES ELSEWHERE IS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GET BEHIND THE GAME IN TERMS OF INNOVATION AND CUTTING COSTS WITH THE EV PRODUCT TO WHERE BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, WITH THE AMERICAN INDUSTRY HAVING ALWAYS LED FOR THE MOST PART ON THE FOREFRONT ON THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY GAINING FROM BEHIND THE BALL FOR ONCE.

>> Bill: A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SPACE IN KENTUCKY AND SAYS A MASSIVE SOLAR FARM IS OPERATIONAL IN MARTIN COUNTY.

ARE PROJECTS LIKE THAT LIKELY TO HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE?

PUNISH INTENDED.

>> I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE.

THEY ARE STILL COMING TO KENTUCKY.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF SOLAR DEVELOPERS THAT HAVE WANT TO ESTABLISH UTILITY SCALE SOLAR FARMS WHETHER FROM MINE LAND IN EASTERN KENTUCKY TO USING FARMLAND OUT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

THE PROJECT ON MARTIN COUNTY IS STILL A SIGNIFICANT STEP WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ENOUGH ENERGY OVER 40 YEARS TO POWER OVER 18,000 HOMES.

BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW QUICKLY KENTUCKY CAN CATCH UP TO SAY OTHER STATES.

EVEN SAY REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED STATES, IT'S THAT JUST MAYBE MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA.

REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED STATES LIKE TEXAS HAVE BEEN ON THE FOREFRONT OF DEVELOPING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND KENTUCKY'S ENERGY MIX IS STILL DOMINATED BY FOSSIL-FUELS, NATURAL GAS, COAL.

AGAIN, A SMALL SIGNIFICANT STEP, BUT IT JUST REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT THE PACE LOOKS LIKE.

>> Bill: THE PRESIDENT-ELECT IS POISED TO SIGN LOTS OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS AS SOON AS HE TAKES OFFICE MONDAY.

WHAT ARE THINGS WE WILL BE WATCHING HERE IN KENTUCKY?

>> HE'S GOT A LOT ON THE AGENDA THAT HE TALKED ABOUT FOR THE PAST ELECTION CYCLE.

AND EVERYDAY WE HEAR A NEW POTENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER.

SO OBVIOUSLY TOP OF THE AGENDA THAT TRUMP HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR SOMETIME NOW IS IMMIGRATION.

AND HE'S PROMISED TO MOVE EXTREMELY QUICKLY ON THAT.

IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING TO SEE EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO THAT EFFECT.

AND WHISPERINGS WE'LL SEE MASS DEPORTATIONS OR ROUNDUPS EARTH ON IN THE PRESIDENCY.

THERE'S REASON TO BELIEVE HE WOULD MAKE GOOD ON THAT ON THE FIRST DAY.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, REALLY SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TODAY AND YESTERDAY, RIGHT, THE TIKTOK BAN HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN ON THAT TOPIC.

HE MIGHT INSTRUCT HIS ADMINISTRATION NOT TO ENFORCE THAT.

THAT'S BEEN WORD OF MOUTH POTENTIAL.

HE'S ALSO LONG SHOWED SOME READ SINCE TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITIES THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION THAT IS A COMMON TARGET.

SO HE COULD POTENTIALLY PULL OUT OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THAT.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH NATO.

THERE IS A LOT OF POTENTIALS ON THE HORIZON.

>> Bill: CASEY CROSBY OF LEXINGTON OFFICIALLY CHOSEN AS THE RNC CO-CHAIR, PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP GAVE HER HIS BLESSING A FEW WEEKS AGO.

COULD THAT APPOINTMENT MEAN THINGS FOR KENTUCKY?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT COULD.

IT'S SAFE TO SAY IT WOULD NOT BE A BAD THING TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT HIGH UP IN THE PARTY SITTING IN THAT SEAT FROM KENTUCKY WITH HIS EAR POTENTIALLY.

AND I SPOKE TO AUSTIN HORN WHO WROTE THE STORY ABOUT THIS FOR US TODAY HE SAID IT COULD MEAN SHE IS ABLE TO HELP STEER WHAT CANDIDATES HE ENDORSES IN PRIMARIES IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

IT COULD BE SIGNIFICANT.

>> Bill: AS A LEAD UP TO INAUGURATION DAY MONDAY, WHICH THE OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS ARE BEING MOVED INDOORS DUE TO THE COLD EXPECTED BUT THE KENTUCKY SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON IS HOLDING A GALA IN DC TONIGHT.

THAT'S FOR KENTUCKIANS WHO LIVE AND WORK IN DC OR WHO WANT TO BE CONNECTED IN WASHINGTON ATTEND A FORMAL EVENT WITH KENTUCKY TRAPPINGS.

>> YES.

THE BLUEGRASS BALL IS TONIGHT AND THERE WILL BE THE CONGRESSIONAL DELL GAGHTS, SENATORS AND THE GOVERNOR, FEDERAL CABINET MEMBERS.

MANY CELEBRITIES CONNECTED TO KENTUCKY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIKE BOURBON BECAUSED KENTUCKY DISTILLERS ASSOCIATION WITH A LOT OF IT.

>> Bill: AND A HORSE PAINTING OR TWO, RIGHT.

BACK IN KENTUCKY, A GROUP OF STUDENTS FILED A LAWSUIT THIS WEEK SAYING THE STATE IS FAILING TO PROVIDE EQUALITY STATE-WIDE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

THE GROUP IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE KENTUCKY STUDENT VOICE TEAM.

THEY TIE THEIR EFFORTS BACK TO THE 1989 COUNCIL FOR BETTER EDUCATION VERSUS ROSE RULING.

SYLVIA THAT CASE STRUCK DOWN KENTUCKY'S SYSTEM OF SCHOOLS AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND THE STUDENTS ARE SAYING WE'RE THERE AGAIN.

>> THEY ARE HARKENING BACK TO THAT DECISION WHICH LED TO MAJOR REFORMS IN KENTUCKY.

MOST NOTABLY THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION REFORM ACT.

THAT PUT IN PLACE THINGS THAT ARE STILL AFFECTING KENTUCKY EDUCATION TODAY.

NEW ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES AND NOTABLY THE SEEK FORMULA WHICH DECIDES HOW MONEY IS DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE STATE.

WHAT THIS COURT CASE IS SAYING, IT'S ASKING SUPREME COURT TO RENEW THAT DECISION THAT THEY MADE THREE DECADES AGO TO SAY ONCE AGAIN THAT KENTUCKY'S CONSTITUTION PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THAT BASED ON THAT RULING, OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE NOT QUOTE ADEQUATE AND EQUITABLE.

AND THEY ARE ASKING ARE NOT COURTS TO SEND IT BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND TELL THEM TRY AGAIN.

>> Bill: IF THE HIGH COURT MADE A RULING EVEN 35 YEARS AGO IT HOLDS?

>> IT DOES BUT WHEN THEY SENT IS BACK THEY SAID THESE ARE THE BENCHMARKS WHAT MAKES A CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THEY HAD A LIST OF COMPETENCIES THEY REQUIRED.

AND THIS COURT CASE AT LEAST ARGUES THAT THERE WAS PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING THOSE GOALS.

AND THEY CLAIM THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS SLID BACK SINCE THOSE REFORMS WERE PUT IN PLACE.

THAT THEY HAVE NOT MET LIVED UP TO THEIR POTENTIAL AND THAT ONCE AGAIN, SO THEY ARE SAYING WE WERE ON TRACK THE AONE POINT, ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE FALLEN BACK INTO AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> Bill: IT WILL BE ONE TO WATCH.

RYAN QUARELS IS THE PRESIDENT OF KENTUCKY COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM AND NOTES THAT KCTCS IS SEEING RECORD ENROLLMENT.

800,000 STUDENTS INCLUDING HIGH SCHOOLERS GETTING DUAL CREDIT AND YOUNG ADULTS GETTING DEGREES AND NONTRADITIONAL STUDENTS RETURNING TO LEARN.

AND THE SYSTEM IS PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN PROVIDING SECOND CHANCES.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY KENTUCKIAN KNOWS INCLUDING OUR EMPLOYERS THAT WE ARE EDUCATING PEOPLE THAT WANT TO WORK.

AND THAT INCLUDES THOSE THAT ARE INCARCERATED IN OUR JAILS OR PRISONS.

HALF OF OUR EGG COLLEGES ARE TEACHING KENTUCKIANS WHO ARE EXITING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM RIGHT NOW.

THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT THEM FROM GOING BACK TO JAIL IS GIVE THEM A SKILL AND TRADE THAT LEADS TO A GOOD-PAYING JOB.

WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR RECOVERY COMMUNITY.

>> Bill: SO QUARELS INDICATES HIS COMMITMENT TO THOSE WHO MAY HAVE GOTTEN ON THE WRONG TRACK?

>> SURE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF BIPARTISAN INTEREST IN THIS.

RYAN QUARELS IS A FORMER RAN FOR GOVERNOR AS A REPUBLICAN.

THERE IS A LOT OF BIPARTISAN INTEREST.

DEMOCRATS HAVE SAID THEY WOULD SUPPORT MORE SECOND CHANCE INITIATIVES.

WE'VE SEEN SOME EFFORTS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

NOTHING REALLY SYSTEMIC.

BUT, YOU KNOW FOR EXAMPLE, HOUSE BILL 5 LAST YEAR, WITH MASSIVE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL INCLUDED SOME MEASURES TO HELP PEOPLE REENTER SOCIETY.

THIS YEAR AND WE SAW IT LAST YEAR, TOO, THERE IS A BILL TO INCREASE MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO POTENTIALLY ENTER PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, THE PUBLIC SECTOR EVEN IF THEY HAVE A RECORD.

I THINK THERE IS A STRONG PUBLIC SAFETY ARGUMENT THAT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE PICKING UP ON.

IF SOMEONE HAS SAFE EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION THEY ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO RECOMMIT.

THAT IS PART OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.

IT'S PART OF A PUBLIC SAFETY AGENDA.

>> I THINK THAT IS PART OF IT.

BUT I THINK HE INSTITUTED AT THE TOP TO EMPLOYERS.

A LOT IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

I THINK PEOPLE WHO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO WORK FOR YOU AND YOU HAVE TO CUT OUT EVERYONE IN RECOVERY AND EVERYONE HAS A RECORD YOU'VE LIMITED YOUR POOL AND THEY NEED EVERYONE THEY CAN GET.

I THINK THAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE WILL RETURN TO FRANKFORT ON FEBRUARY FOURTH.

THE HOUSE PASSED ANOTHER CUT TO THE STATE INCOME TAX IN THAT FIRST WEEK.

THE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE IT UP AS SOON AS THE SESSION RECONVENES.

AND IT PASSED A SENATE COMMITTEE IT'S THAT FAR ALONG AND EMERGED ALONG WITH A MESSAGE OF SORTS FROM THE BUDGET CHAIRMAN CHRIS McDANIEL.

>> CORRECT.

SENATOR McDANIEL WHO CHAIRS THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE HE HAD A WARNING WHEN THE BILL UNANIMOUSLY PASSED COMMITTEE SAYING THAT URGING THE FELLOW LAWMAKERS TO AVOID STUNTS TO MORE QUICKLY REDUCE THE INCOME TAX RATE IN THE STATE SAYING THERE WOULD BE POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES REGARDING POTENTIAL BUDGET CUTS THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE OR POTENTIAL JEANSES WHEN IT COMES ELECTION TIME.

THERE ARE SOME REPUBLICANS IN THE LARGE SUPER MAJORITIES OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES THAT WANT A MORE QUICKER DISSENTS TO A ZERO PERCENT INCOME TAX.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVEN DONE WHO REPRESENTS NORTHERN KENTUCKY DISTRICT UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO ADD A FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE BILL FOR THE INCOME TAX CUT THAT WOULD HAVE MORE QUICKLY REDUCED THE INCOME TAX RATE.

IT WASN'T SUCCESSFUL.

IT WAS RULED OUT OF ORDER HIS AMENDMENT.

BUT THERE IS SOME SENTIMENT AMONG THE REPUBLICANS OR DISAGREEMENT I SHOULD SAY HOW QUICKLY THE INCOME TAX RATE SHOULD BE LOWERED.

>> Bill: THERE'S BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR A BILL THAT WOULD LOWER THE AGE AT WHICH YOUNG KENTUCKIANS COULD GET DRIVERS PERMITS.

IT WOULD MAKE IT AGE 15 AND SUPPORTERS MAKE THE CASE THAT IT WOULD HELP WITH KENTUCKY'S WORKFORCE ISSUES.

>> THEY CAN BABYSIT THEY CAN DO SO MANY THINGS.

BUT THAT SIX MONTHS EARLIER THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE WORKFORCE AND START TRAINING AND HELPING BUILD THEIR CAREER AND FUTURE.

>> IT FREES UP BURDEN FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK TO TAKE KIDS TO AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

I MEAN I KNOW I HAD TO DO THAT MYSELF PERSONALLY.

SO I FEEL LIKE THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT IS GOOD FOR KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

>> I FORESEE OTHER PEOPLE THAT WILL COSPONSOR THE BILL.

IT IS A BIPARTISAN BILL.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT, JANET AS THE MOTHER OF A 15-YEAR-OLD, THERE'S GOING TO BE DEBATE ABOUT THIS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, SHE IS NOT WRONG FIRST OF ALL ABOUT THIS TAKING AFTER SCHOOL STUFF THAT SAY FACTOR.

BUT THERE WILL BE DEBATE EVEN WITHIN MY HOUSE ABOUT THIS.

FRANKLY IF I COULD GET HIM TO WORK HE WOULD BE DOING IT AT MY HOUSE.

I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVE -- I HAVEN'T SETTLED THIS ISSUE IN MY OWN MIND.

>> Bill: THIS WOULD ALIGN US WITH OTHER STATES IF IT DOES PASS.

>> CORRECT.

KENTUCKY IS ONE OF THE MORE SUPPOSEDLY ONE OF THE MORE RESTRICTIVE STATES WHEN IT COMES TO HOW SOON PEOPLE CAN GET A DRIVER'S PERMIT.

ONE OF EIGHT STATES TO WHERE YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE 16 TO GET A DRIVER'S PERMIT.

AND OBVIOUSLY SIMILAR TO MAYBE WORKFORCE EFFORTS THAT QUARELS IS DOING REPRESENTATIVE STEVEN RUDY IS LOOKING AT THIS FROM THAT ANGLE AS WELL.

>> Bill: I DON'T KNOW WHO WOULD LOBBY ON BEHALF OF THAT.

THE KENTUCKY LANTERN RELEASED A REPORT SHOWING 28.1 SPENT ON LOBBYING SETTING A RECORD.

THIS IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE A SAY?

>> DEFINITELY AND THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY TO GO AROUND AS WELL.

SOME OF THE BIG SPENDERS, SOME THAT YOU WOULD IMAGINE, SAY THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THEY WERE SUPPORTIVE OF BILLS TO AGAIN, FURTHER REDUCE THE INCOME TAX RATE.

ONE OF THEIR GOALS TO GET TO ZERO.

HEALTHCARE SPENDING WAS BIG.

HOSPITAL SPENDING TO OPPOSE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD LOOSEN THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED REQUIREMENT.

BASICALLY, REGULATIONS THAT PROPONENTS OF FREE STANDING BIRTHING CENTERS SAY ARE STANDING IN THE WAY OF SUCH CENTERS GOING IN PLACE AROUND KENTUCKY.

AND THEN THERE'S ALSO SPENDING BY UTILITIES AS WELL.

WHICH PUT THE SPENDING OVER TO RECORD LEVEL.

UTILITIES WERE OPPOSING A NEW BILL THAT CREATED A COMMISSION THAT REVIEWS FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANT RETIREMENT REQUESTS SAYING IT'S UNNEEDED BUREAUCRACY.

I SHOULD NOTE NOW THAT THIS COMMISSION IS CREATED, REPRESENTATIVES OF UTILITIES ARE NOW ON THE COMMISSION TO REVIEW FOSSIL-FUEL.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SOMETHING ELSE WE WATCHED ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN RELEASED A TOOLKIT TO PREVENTED THE CRIME OF STRANGULATION.

YEARS AGO THE LEGISLATURE MADE IT A FELONY.

COLEMAN SAYS STRANGULATION IS A STRONG PREDICTER THAT A MURDER CAN TAKE PLACE.

LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE CHIEF SAYS IT WAS A MISTAKE FOR OFFICERS TO CITE A HOMELESS WOMAN WHO WAS IN LABOR FOR CAMPING OUTSIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT SO WE OBTAINED THIS FOOTAGE OVER A MONTH AGO NOW.

AND IT TOOK THREE WEEKS FOR PAUL HUMPHREYS TO COME OUT WITH THIS STATEMENT.

HE SAID IT ON A LOCAL TV STATION IN LOUISVILLE.

WHERE HE BASICALLY SAID AN ERROR WAS MADE THAT SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CITED.

IN TALKING ABOUT IT HE SAID THE POLICE OFFICER USED QUOTE SOUND REASONING IN MAKING THAT DECISION.

HE SAID THAT POLICE OFFICERS ARE OFTEN LIED TO AND THE OFFICER WAS NOT TOTALLY INCORRECT WHEN HE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE SHE WAS LYING TO HIM ABOUT BEING IN LABOR.

AND THAT SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT SHOWS A SHIFT IN POLICE LOGIC IF THAT MEANS A SHIFT GOING FORWARD.

I ASKED LMPD IF IT WOULD MEAN POLICY CHANGES, NO RESPONSE TO THAT.

THE POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED SERGEANT KALEB STEWART IS NOT BEING REPRIMANDED FOR HIS CONDUCT IN THIS SITUATION.

SO I'M NOT SURE THIS REPRESENTS A CHANGE TO LMPD BUT IT SHOWS AT LEAST SOME ATTRITION AFTER THE FACT.

>> Bill: MELISSA PATRICK REPORTED FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS THE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IS WORKING.

THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SAYING IT'S KEPT RURAL HOSPITALS OPEN AND IMPROVED PATIENT OUTCOMES IT ALLOWS HOSPITALS TO ACCESS MORE MEDICAID FUNDING BY CHARGING A HIGHER RATE.

WE'VE HAD TOUGH WINTER WEATHER NEXT WEEK WILL BE BRUTALLY COLD.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED SIX DEATHS RELATED TO THE WEATHER.

IT WAS THURSDAY BEFORE STUDENTS GOT BACK FROM CHRISTMAS BREAK.

>> I'M AWARE OF IT, BILL IT'S BEEN ROUGH SLEDDING.

BUT THE MAYOR HAS TAKEN STEPS TO ADD SNOW FLOWS AND -- PLOWS AND GET MORE PEOPLE INTO TRUCKS AND THEY'VE COMMUNICATED WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE SUPERINTENDENT THANKED EVERYBODY FOR SHOWING UP AND GETTING EVERYTHING CLEARED.

YOU KNOW MAYBE THE NEXT TIME IT WILL BE BETTER.

>> Bill: AND THE CHANGE IS COMING AT KENTUCKY'S LARGEST PRIVATE UNIVERSITY, Dr. LARRY COCHRAN WILL STEP AWAY AND BECOME PRESIDENT EMERITUS.

HE HAS BEEN AT THE UNIVERSITY 20 YEARS, PRESIDENT THE LAST 10 DURING MAJOR GROWTH.

IT ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER QUINTON YOUNG WHO HOLDS FOUR DEGREES FROM THAT SCHOOL INCLUDING HIS DOCTORATE WILL BECOME THE 11TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY.

THAT IS COMMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.