[♪♪] >> Bill: KENTUCKY HOUSE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL WILL THEIR BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT WOULD INCLUDE SOMEONE-TIME SPENDING AND IGNORES SOLVE OF SOME OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S PRIORITIES.

SOME BILLS ADDRESS YOUTH AND WOMEN'S ISSUES ARE UP FOR DEBATE.

ONE IS CALLED A MOMNIBUS BILL.

A CONSTITUTION TO MOVE KENTUCKY STATE-WIDE ELECTIONS IS A STEP CLOSER TO THE BALANCE.

IN WASHINGTON KENTUCKY'S LONGEST SERVING CONGRESSMAN EVER, HAL ROGERS CONTINUES TO RECOVER FROM A CAR ACCIDENT.

COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

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 OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE AND ALL APPEARING REMOTELY, TESSA DUVALL FRANKFORT BURROW CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

SARAH LADD HEALTH AND POLICY REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LAND EARN.

AND MARK VANDERHOFF REPORTER FOR WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT, MORE SUPPORT AND MORE PUSHBACK ON A SWEEPING CRIME BILL THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN PENALTIES AGAINST THOSE WHO MURDER FIRST-RESPONDERS.

BUT IT WOULD CRIMINALIZE SLEEPING IN PUBLIC AREAS.

AND A LAWMAKER WITHDRAWS AND THEN CORRECTS A BILL DEALING WITH INCEST.

A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

BUT THIS WEATHER HAS BEEN TOUGH IN THE COMMONWEALTH THIS WEEK.

CREWS HAVE BEEN CLEARING ROADS.

UTILITIES STRAINING TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND.

WE SUSPECT THAT WILL BE THE CASE THROUGHOUT THIS WEEKEND WITH BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES.

MARK, LATE THIS AFTERNOON WE LEARNED FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE THAT FIVE KENTUCKIANS HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES DUE TO WEATHER-RELATED REASONS.

>> BILL, IT FEELS LIKE A ONE, TWO, THREE PUNCH.

FIRST WE HAD COLD WEATHER WHICH IS A BIG ISSUE FOR PEOPLE WITH PIPES YOUR HEATER IS NOT WORKING RIGHT.

THEN WE'VE GOT SNOW WHICH CAN COMPLICATE THINGS.

AND NOW TOMORROW WE'RE SEEING ANOTHER HUGE TEMPERATURE DROP AND THAT CAN MAKE THINGS VERY ICY IN THE MORNING.

THOUGH CERTAINLY FOLKS BE CAREFUL DRIVING TOMORROW.

>> Bill: WE KNOW THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS AT HOME.

WE'VE HAD IN SOME CASES THE DEATH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

AND BARKSDALE HAD WEATHER-RELATED WATER ISSUES.

HOPEFULLY THOSE ARE CLEARING UP, MARK S. THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING?

>> SEVERAL HOURS AGO THEY LIFTED THEIR EMERGENCY, BUT ESSENTIALLY WHAT HAPPENED IS A PIPE AT THE WATER TREATMENT BURST AND IT FLOODED THE PLANT.

AND IT CAUSED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.

AND ACTUALLY THEY GOT IT REPAIRED MAYBE LATE WEDNESDAY OR EARLY THURSDAY.

BUT, IT TOOK A WHILE FOR THEM TO CATCH UP WITH ALL THE DEMAND IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO TREAT THE VOLUME OF WATER THAT THEY NEEDED TO.

>> Bill: SARAH, BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURE READINGS AND WIND-CHILL WE ARE EXPECTING CAN BE TOUGH ON ANYBODY.

OUR HEALTH EXPERTS REMIND FOLKS TO JUST STAY OUT OF IT IF YOU HAVE THAT OPTION?

>> YES, WE TALK A LOT ABOUT HOW ROAD CONDITIONS GET BAD AND YOU CAN GET IN A WRECK ON ICY ROADS AND THAT IS NOT GOOD.

AND BEING AT HOME, IF YOU DON'T HAVE PROPER HEATING OR PROPER INSULATION YOUR HEATER IS BROKEN YOU CAN GET REALLY SICK INSIDE.

SO SOMETIMES WEARING A HAT AND KEEPING YOUR HEAD WARM IS HELPFUL IN THAT CASE.

>> Bill: THE SIMPLE THINGS KEEPING THOSE 911 LINES OPEN FOR TRUE EMERGENCIES.

>> ALL RIGHT LET'S HOPE IT WARMS UP AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL NEXT WEEK.

>> LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO FRANKFORT AND RIGHT TO THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET PROPOSAL UNVEILED.

REPUBLICANS CALL IT SOUND AND RESPONSIBLE.

SOME DEMOCRATS SAY IT FALLS SHORT WHEN THERE IS RECORD MONEY AVAILABLE.

HOUSE BUDGET CHAIRMAN NOTES THERE IS MORE MONEY FOR SCHOOLS, SOME SAY IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

>> THIS IS A WAY TO LET LOCALS MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING THEIR OWN LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALL OF THE FUNDING THAT GOES INTO K-12 WE ARE AHEAD OF INFLATION.

>> THE HOUSE BUDGET DOES NOT FUND UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND GIVE 11% PAY INCREASES TO EMPLOYEES AND DOES NOT FULLY FUND TRANSPORTATION.

>> Bill: TESSA, THE G.O.P.

PROPOSAL IS MORE CONSERVATIVE THAN THE GOVERNOR'S ON SCHOOLS.

WE SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE PROPOSED SPENDING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE KNOW FROM THE GET GO THAT REPUBLICANS WERE GOING TO PUT FORWARD A BUDGET THAT DID NOT SPEND AS MUCH AS WHAT THE GOVERNOR WAS LOOKING TO SPEND.

EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES THROUGHOUT HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE BUDGET ADDRESS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR TALKED ABOUT HIS EDUCATION PRIORITIES THE FIRST TWO BEING 11% PAY RAISES FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSAL PRE-K. WHAT WE SEE IN THE G.O.P.

PROPOSAL IS AN INCREASE IN PER PUPIL FUNDING THROUGH THE STATE FUNDING MECHANISM THE SEEK FUNDING FORMULA.

THEY WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE DISTRICTS TO GIVE TEACHERS RAISES AND TO KEEP IN MIND THE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES COMPETITIVE MARKET FOR TEACHERS THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND BUT IT DOES NOT MANDATE THOSE RAISES.

IT INCREASES FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION, BUT THE BILL DOES NOT QUITE FULLY FUND IT.

AND IT ALSO DOES NOT FUND UNIVERSAL PRE-K WHICH WE KNEW WAS NOT GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT BUDGET.

AND IT ALSO REQUIRES SOME REPORTING ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICTS PERFORMANCE INCLUDING POSTING A RANKING OF PUBLIC SCHOOL PERFORMANCE.

>> Bill: AND THAT IS PART OF THE BILL, THE REPORT.

MARK, IT APPEARS THE HOUSE BUDGET CLEARLY IS DESIGNED TO POSITION THE STATE IN A WAY THAT THESE DECREASES IN THE STATE INCOME TAX CAN CONTINUE OR CAN PICK BACK UP AGAIN, WE SHOULD SAY.

IS THAT APPARENT IN THIS SPENDING PLAN?

>> YEAH, I MEAN YOU GOT TO IMAGINE THAT HAS TO BE A PART OF IT.

BECAUSE WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE THOSE INCOME TAX REDUCTIONS IS LINKED BY THE STATE LAW THAT THEY PASSED TO HOW MUCH MONEY IS IN THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND AND ALSO THERE ARE SOME RATIOS ABOUT WHETHER THAT INCOME TAX CUT COMPLICATED FORMULA BUT IT'S LINKED TO THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT THE STATE IS BRINGING IN AND THE SIZE OF THE GENERAL FUND.

>> Bill: THERE IS CONSIDERABLE ONE-TIME SPENDING IN HOUSE BILL ONE THAT IS A SET ASIDE TO ALL OF THIS, TESSA.

ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET PRIORITIES THAT WE SEE IN THE ONE-TIME SPENDING WHERE THEY ARE WILLING TO GO IN TO THE BUDGET TRUST RESERVE FUND?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO THERE IS MORE THAN 1.7 BILLION DOLLARS AND ONE-TIME FUNDING THAT WOULD COME FROM THE RAINY DAY FUND.

$1 BILLION OF THAT WOULD GO TOWARD VARIOUS PENSIONS AND FULFILLING THOSE OBLIGATIONS.

THERE'S MONEY IN THERE FOR THINGS LIKE CLEAN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, BUT AN INTERESTING NOTE TO GO TO THE POINT ABOUT WORKING TOWARDS CONTINUING THIS THE TAX CUT -- CONTINUING THE TAX CUT AND GETTING THAT INCOME TAX RATE TO ZERO, THEY SPECIFICALLY NOTE THAT THESE ONE-TIME EXPENDITURES ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN EVALUATING THOSE TRIGGERS.

THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN DID NOT TOUCH THE RAINY DAY FUND.

IT DID HAVE MORE GENERAL FUND SPENDING.

BUT IT DID NOT TOUCH THAT BUDGET RESERVE.

>> Bill: ONE OF THE BIG TRANSFERS IS TO THE PENSION FUND, RIGHT, WHICH MANY REPUBLICANS SEE AS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE OVERALL BALANCE SHEET FOR THE STATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT HAS BEEN A CONCERN FOR REPUBLICANS FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THE BULK OF THAT ONE-TIME SPENDING IN THAT BILL IS GOING TOWARDS PENSIONS.

$1 BILLION.

THAT IS A HEFTY INVESTMENT IN THOSE FUNDS.

>> Bill: SARAH WHAT ELSE DID YOU PAY ATTENTION TO IN THAT BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT YOU SAW COME OUT FROM THE G.O.P.?

>> THE UNIVERSAL PRE-K POINT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE WE KNOW GOVERNOR BESHEAR WANTED THAT.

BUT IF YOU TALK TO CHILDCARE EXPERTS, THAT WAS A CONCERN FOR THEM.

BECAUSE THEY DEFINITELY WANTED TO SEE PRE-K IMPLEMENTED BUT THAT WAS VERY MUCH A LONG-TERM GOAL.

FOR THEM, CHILDCARE IS FACING TOO MANY CHALLENGES AND IF YOU TAKE AWAY FOUR-YEAR-OLDS FROM THEIR CENTERS AND FROM THEIR INCOME THAT MAKES THINGS WORSE FOR THEM.

BECAUSE YOU CAN HAVE MORE KIDS PER TEACHER WITH OLDER CHILDREN.

SO YOU MAKE MORE MONEY WITH THE OLDER CHILDREN AND IF THEY ARE REMOVING THEM OUT OF CENTERS FOR PRE-K, THAT SORT OF EXACERBATES THE PROBLEMS THEY ARE ALREADY FACING.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS NOT GOING TO GET THAT PART.

BUT CHILDCARE EXPERTS DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS THE RIGHT DIRECTION ANYWAY.

>> Bill: ARE REPUBLICANS UNDER SOME PRESSURE AND MANY ACKNOWLEDGE IT AND HAVE A DESIRE TO DO SOMETHING ON CHILDCARE, EVEN BUSINESS GROUPS LIKE THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAY IT IS AN ISSUE THAT IS HOLDING BACK WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WILL HEAR A LOT OF LAWMAKERS TALK ABOUT.

DANNY CARROLL, SENATOR CARROLL ESPECIALLY IS ONE THAT WILL SAY AS AN EXECUTIVE HIMSELF OF EASTER SEALS IN WESTERN KENTUCKY WHICH HAS A CHILDCARE CENTER HE KNOWS THE CHALLENGES AND HE WILL SAY AND TOLD ME WE HAVE TO ACT.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

AND JUST THAT ON THE SENATE FLOOR THAT HE IS GOING TO BE TALKING MORE ABOUT THAT NEXT WEEK.

JUST ABOUT WHAT BILLS HE IS GOING TO INTRODUCE THAT WILL ADDRESS THIS.

CERTAINLY THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT AND THEY WILL WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS IT.

>> Bill: WE HAVE THE NUMBERS NOW.

DO WE KNOW WHEN THIS WILL GO BEFORE THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE?

TESSA?

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT JUST YET.

I KNOW THAT GOING INTO THE SESSION THAT OTHERS AN INTEREST IN MOVING THIS ALONG QUICKLY.

I TALKED TO OVER ON THE SENATE SIDE, SENATOR McDANIEL THE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR IN THE SENATE.

HE SAID THERE'S GOOD USE OF ONE-TIME FUNDS IN THE BUDGET.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER UNVEILING THE BUDGET IS THE FIRST STEP.

IT HAS TO GO THROUGH A AND R IN THE HOUSE AND THE FULL HOUSE AND THROUGH THE SENATE.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW IS QUITE LIKELY VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE FINAL BUDGET THAT WILL BE ENACTED BY THE TIME THE SESSION IS ALL SAID AND DONE.

>> Bill: MARK, WE'LL NOTE FOR ONE THING, THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THAT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION ADOPT A TWO-YEAR SPENDING PLAN.

AND THERE ARE LOTS OF FOLKS WHO SAY THIS SPEAKS TO WHO WE ARE AS KENTUCKIANS HOWEVER THAT MONEY IS PRIORITIZED, HOWEVER IT IS SPENT, THAT IS ESSENTIALLY SAYING WHAT YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT VALUES?

>> YES, THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CALL IT A DOCUMENT OF YOUR VALUES.

NOW, OF COURSE, THE REPUBLICANS WOULD SAY THAT THIS EMBRACES THEIR VALUES BY SPENDING PEOPLE'S MONEY WISELY, BY LIMITING GOVERNMENT.

SO YOU KNOW, BOTH SIDES WILL LOB INSULTS AT EACH OTHER AND SAY THAT IT DOESN'T VALUE THIS AND IT DOESN'T VALUE THAT.

BUT I THINK THIS BUDGET PRETTY SQUARELY COMES IN WHERE YOU WOULD THINK A CLASSICAL CONSERVATIVE BUDGET JAMES COMEYS IN AND DEMOCRATS' CONCERNS ARE TYPICAL DEMOCRATIC CONCERNS.

>> Bill: ONCE HE GETS IT THE GOVERNOR CAN LINE ITEM VETO BUT HE CANNOT ADD TO THE PLAN, RIGHT, THAT'S THE RULE?

>> YEAH, BUT I THINK THE G.O.P.

COULD TAKE CARE OF ANY OF THOSE VETOES.

>> Bill: AS THEY HAVE PROVEN.

OKAY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS.

THERE IS MOMENTUM FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT MOVING KENTUCKY STATE-WIDE ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR AND OTHER STATE-WIDE OFFICES TO COINCIDE WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEARS THAT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE IN 2032.

BUT THE VOTERS WOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON THAT AND THAT VOTE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT COULD COME THIS MOVE.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN FARING HERE WELL LATELY.

IS THIS ONE DIFFERENT IN THAT THERE'S MAYBE SOME COMPELLING ARGUMENTS?

>> BEFORE WE CAN TALK ABOUT HOW VOTERS WILL FEEL ABOUT IT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE REPRESENTATIVES WILL FEEL ABOUT IT.

THIS BILL PUT FORTH BY SENATOR McDANIEL THIS IS HIS 9TH EFFORT, I BELIEVE, TO CHANGE KENTUCKY'S ELECTION YEARS TO COINCIDE WITH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

THE LAST YEAR WHEN KENTUCKIANS WENT TO VOTE FOR THE GOVERNOR ONLY TWO OTHER STATES HAD SAME KIND OF ELECTION IN 2023.

WE ARE AN OUT LIEER IN THAT FACTOR.

SENATOR McDANIEL SAYS IF WE CHANGE ELECTIONS BEGINNING IN 2032 TO COINCIDE WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL YEARS WILL INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT, AND SAVE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

SO THERE'S A FEW STEPS THAT THE BILL HAS TO GO YOU THROUGH.

IT HAS PASSED THE FULL THAT AND ONE THING THAT WAS INTERESTING TO ME ABOUT IT THIS YEAR IS THAT IT WAS ALL DEMOCRAT VOTED AGAINST IT.

A COUPLE REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST IT.

BUT UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN 2020 THERE WERE A FEW DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST IT WHO VOTED FOR IT A FEW YEARS AGO.

I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THE RESULTS OF THE 2023 ELECTION MAY HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT BECAUSE, OF COURSE, THERE IS A SENTIMENT IF GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAD FIRST BEEN ON THE BALLOT THE YEAR THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS ON THE BALLOT WE MAY HAVE HAD A SECOND TERM OF GOVERNOR BEVIN AND NO BESHEAR FIRST TERM OR LET ALONE A SECOND TERM.

THE SENATE HAS NOW PASSED IT.

AND IT HAS TO GO TO THE HOUSE.

AND THE HOUSE IS WHERE THIS PROPOSAL HAS HIT A SNAG IN THE PAST.

SO THE SENATE PASSED IT IN 2020 AND THE HOUSE DID NOT TAKE IT UP FOR CONSIDERATION.

WILL WE SEE THAT HAPPEN AGAIN THIS YEAR?

TOO SOON TO SAY.

>> Bill: 60 VOTES TO GET IT THROUGH THE HOUSE.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON THAT.

AND MARK, TO THAT POINT, IT IS CLEAR THAT IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS A MUCH MORE PARTISAN DIVIDE ON THIS ISSUE THAN WE'VE SEEN PREVIOUSLY WHEN IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT?

>> YEAH, I MEAN KENTUCKY CAME OUT OVERWHELMINGLY IN FAVOR OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND WE SEE THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS BRING OUT MORE VOTERS.

SO I THINK THAT THIS IS A PRETTY GOOD WAY TO GET MORE REPUBLICAN VOTERS OUT AND ENSURE THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO STAY WITH THE PARTY ON THE BALLOT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT WE'RE HEARING A LOT OF PROPOSALS THIS SESSION REGARDING YOUTH ISSUES.

AND ALSO ISSUES AIMED AT EASING THE BURDENS OF MOTHERHOOD IN THE STATE.

SARAH, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN TRACKING SEVERAL OF THOSE.

ONE IS CALLED A MOMNIBUS BILL?

>> IT IS.

IT IS A BILL THAT WOULD SUGGEST A LOT OF THINGS.

ONE OF THEM IS ENSURING THAT YOU CAN GET INSURANCE THROUGH A SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD IF YOU ARE PREGNANT.

AND THE IDEA BEHIND THAT IS IT WOULD INCENTIVIZE KENTUCKIANS TO GET PRENATAL CARE.

NOT ENOUGH KENTUCKIANS HAVE ACCESS TO PRETHAT TALL CARE.

AND BABIES ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE IF THEIR PARENTS DO NOT GET PRENATAL CARE.

THAT IS ONE KEY PART OF THIS.

IT CAME OUT OF A BIPARTISAN WORKING GOVERNMENT INFORMAL MET OVER THE SUMMER FROM WITH WOMEN LAWMAKERS FROM THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

AND PUT TOGETHER A BILL THAT THEY SEE AS ADDRESSING THE MATERNAL MORTALITY AND ISSUES AROUND THAT.

>> Bill: OTHER YOUTH EACHS, THEY PLAN A ISRAELI NEXT WEEK?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF BILLS THIS SECTION THAT DEAL WITH CHILD WELFARE AND I'M SURE WILL BE MORE.

AMONG THOSE ARE THE BILL THAT WOULD EXEMPT DIAPERS FROM THE SALES TAX.

THAT HAS SUPPORT.

IT WAS FILED BY SENATOR ARMSTRONG WHO IS AN IMMIGRANT AND NOW HAS SUPPORT FROM MULTIPLE LAWMAKERS.

BUT THE KEY IS DAY MON THAYER WE ALSO GOT BILLS THAT WOULD REQUIRE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS TO BE TRAINED HOW TO SPOT CHILD ABUSE.

WHICH IS HUGE.

RESEARCH DOES BACK UP THE FACT IF YOU ABUSE ANIMALS ARE YOU LIKELY ALSO TO ABUSE PEOPLE.

WE'VE GOT ANOTHER BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT A FELONY TO OWN, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRADE CHILD SEX [INAUDIBLE] WITH COMPUTERS AND SAY ENFORCES AND ENABLES SENATORS.

THERE'S QUITE A FEW THAT ADDRESS A LOT OF ANGLES OF THE CHILD WELFARE.

THAT WE WILL BE WATCHING.

>> Bill: SEVERAL OF THOSE FOR YOU TO TRACK.

HOUSE BILL 5 IS KNOWN AS THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT IT IS A SWEEPING CRIME BILL.

THERE'S SUPPORT AND PUSHBACK ON THE BILL BECAUSE IT HAS LOTS OF DIFFERENT PROVISIONS.

MARK, THE ONE WE KEEP HEARING A LOT ABOUT FROM ADVOCACY GROUPS INVOLVES CRIMINALIZING STREET CAMPING.

I KNOW THAT IS SEEN AS A MAJOR ISSUE IN LOUISVILLE?

>> YEAH, I MEAN HOMELESS ADVOCATES SAY YOU ARE CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS AND MAKING LIFE EVEN HARDER FOR PEOPLE WOULD WHOSE LIVES ARE ALREADY VERY, VERY CHALLENGING.

ON THE OTHER HAND, SUPPORTERS OF THIS PROVISION SAY THAT YOU HAVE TO BALANCE THE NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS ALSO WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND THE RIGHTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY MOVE DOWN SIDEWALKS.

I WILL GIVE YOU EXAMPLES OF THAT IN RECENT YEARS IT'S GOTTEN BETTER BUT IN RECENT YEARS THERE WERE PARTS OF DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE UNDERPASSES WHERE THERE WERE SO MANY TENTS THAT YOU HAD TO WALK DOWN THE STREET TO GET BY.

I'VE ALSO SEEN HOMELESS CAMPS NEXT TO HOMES WHERE YOU'VE GOT FAMILIES TRYING TO RAISE CHILDREN.

WHAT ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THOSE FAMILIES TRYING TO RAISE CHILDREN?

IT IS A TRICKY SUBJECT ALL AROUND.

>> Bill: BUT AS PROPOSE TO DO INCLUDES IF SOMEONE SLEPT IN A CAR, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THAT IS A BIG DEAL.

BECAUSE IN LOUISVILLE, WE NOT ONLY HAVE A LOT OF HOMELESS WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS WHO ARE HOUSELESS OR HOUSING UNCERTAIN.

AND A LOT OF THEM ARE SLEEPING IN CARS.

>> Bill: HOUSE BILL 5 ALSO INCLUDES A PROVISION TO STRENGTHEN PENALTIES FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF MURDERING A FIRST-RESPONDER.

THE WIDOW OF A SCOTT COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY LAST YEAR TESTIFIED IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

>> AND I BELIEVE IF THIS BILL IS PASSED, IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IF PEOPLE KNOW THAT IF THEY MURDER A FIRST-RESPONDER THEY WILL GO TO PRISON FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

OR THEY WILL RECEIVE A SENTENCE OF DEATH.

MAYBE THEN THEY WILL STOP KILLING OUR FIRST-RESPONDERS.

>> Bill: TESSA, SHE TALKED ABOUT HER FAMILY'S LOSS AND GRIEF THE BILL APPEARS TO HAVE MOMENTUM IN SOME WAYS.

BUT WILL IT GO THROUGH AS IS OR BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN SO BROADLY, IS IT MORE DIFFICULT TO PASS WHEN YOU INCLUDE IN ONE BILL THE DEATHS OF POLICE OFFICERS AND STREET CAMPING?

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS A REALLY EXPANSIVE BILL.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS BILL ALSO HAS MORE THAN 50 COSPONSORS AT THIS TIME.

SO WHEN YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT CURRENTLY 98 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO VACANCIES THAT IS THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE THAT HAS SIGNED ON TO SPONSOR THIS BILL.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS WITHOUT A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND CERTAINLY THE COMMITTEE MEETING THIS WEEK WAS VERY EMOTIONAL AND PASSIONATE ON BOTH SIDES.

WE HAVE SEEN NOT ONLY OUR DEMOCRATS TAKING ISSUE WITH THIS BILL, THERE ARE SOME REPUBLICANS AS WELL.

REPRESENTATIVE MADDOX I BELIEVE VOTED AGAINST IT IN THE COMMITTEE SORT OF BELONGING TO THAT INFORMAL LIBERTY PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THEY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS BILL.

THE QUESTION TO ME IS THIS BILL'S PATH FORWARD IN THE SENATE.

SO THE SENATE JUDICIARY ASSUMING THIS PASSES THE WHOLE HOUSE, COULD LIKELY BE THE COMMITTEE TO RECEIVE THIS BILL.

AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT COMMITTEE IS WHITNEY WESTERFIELD A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND A LOT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORMS.

IT'S ALSO HIS LAST YEAR IN THE SENATE HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

I HAVE TO IMAGINE IT HAS HIM FEELING FREER TO ACT ACCORDINGLY.

SO WILL THIS MAKE IT THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE COMPLETELY UNCHANGED?

I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT IS A 100% GUARANTEE, DESPITE THE VERY STRONG SUPPORT THAT IT HAS IN THE HOUSE.

>> Bill: WELL, THERE IS A LOT OF ATTENTION ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES INCLUDING MONEY TO HELP BEING PROPOSED AND THERE IS A BILL FROM SENATOR STEVEN WITH WEST OF PARIS THAT BO PREVENT LANDLORDS FROM BEING REQUIRED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ACCEPT LOW INCOME HOUSING VOUCHERS.

MARK, SENATOR WEST SAYS RULES PROPOSED IN LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

HE WANTS THE STATE TO FORBID THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO DO THAT?

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE ARE LANDLORDS WHO LOVE SECTION 8.

IT'S GUARANTEED MONEY.

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ALWAYS PAYS ITS BILLS THEY PAID IT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WHEN THEY LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY RENT.

AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE THAT COMES WITH IT.

IF YOU HAVE A TENANT WHO IS A BAD NEIGHBOR IT'S HARDER TO EVICT THEM.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO JUST LEGITIMATELY STRUGGLE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, CRITICS SAY THAT PEOPLE WHO RELY ON THESE HOUSING VOUCHERS THEY NEED PLACES TO LIVE AND SOME PEOPLE WORRY THAT THIS IS THINLY VEILED FORM OF CLASSISM.

>> Bill: AGAIN MORE DEBATE AND DISCUSSION ON THAT.

ONE BILL THAT WAS INTRODUCED THIS WEEK THERE WAS A MISTAKE FOUND IN IT.

IT WAS WITHDRAWN AND A NEW BILL INTRODUCED IN ITS PLACE WITH THE ORIGINAL INTENT.

TESSA THAT WAS A BILL FROM NICK WILSON AND INCEST AND SEXUAL CONTACT.

>> YES, THIS HAS BEEN A BIG STORY THIS WEEK.

WE SAW THIS BILL FILED, I BELIEVE, IT WAS TUESDAY THAT WOULD HAVE EXPANDED THE DEFINITION OF INCEST TO INCLUDE SEXUAL CONTACT.

SO GROPING IS NOT CURRENTLY SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED INCEST.

THAT WAS THE MAIN DRIVER BEHIND THE INTENTION OF THIS BILL.

BUT IN THAT PROCESS OF WORKING ON THIS, SOMEHOW SOME WAY FIRST COUSINS FROM INSTRUCT FROM THE LIST OF RELATIVES THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN AND INCESTIOUS RELATIONSHIP.

THAT FACT COMBINED WITH THE UNFORTUNATE AND UNFAIR STEREOTYPES ABOUT KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS AND THE FACT THAT THE SPONSOR ALSO WON A SEASON OF THE REALITY SHOW SURVIVOR MADE THIS ALL INTERNET GOLD.

AND WE HAVE SEEN THE NEXT DAY THE SPONSOR ISSUED AN APOLOGY AND SAID I WAS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING GOOD WITH THIS BY CAPTURING THIS OFFENSE THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY CODIFIED IN THE LAW AND I MADE A MISTAKE.

I'M GOING TO WITHDRAW IT AND REFILE IT APPROPRIATELY.

AND HE DID SO.

HE DID SO.

BUT THEN A DAY OF IT BEING FILED HE GOT THAT CORRECTED VERSION OUT THERE.

>> Bill: WELL, WE THOUGH THAT TOBACCO USE RATES ARE DROPPING AND THERE IS A HOUSE BILL 142 THAT WOULD ADDRESS ONE AREA, SARAH, WHERE THERE IS REMAINING CONCERN AND THAT IS THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GETTING ADDICTED TO TOBACCO?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ESSENTIALLY HOUSE BILL 142 IS A CRACKDOWN ON RETAILORS WHO SELL TO MINORS.

SO WE KNOW KENTUCKY HAS A HIGHER RATE OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO SMOKE THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

BUT THIS IS ESSENTIALLY MAKING IT [INAUDIBLE] FOR SOMEONE WHO OWNS A STORE OR SHOP OR WHATEVER TO SELL TO A MINOR TO NOT STUFF LIKE THAT.

IT COMES WITH FINES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ALL SORTS OF PENALTIES.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

THE DEAN OF THE U.S. HOUSE IS KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS.

HE IS RECOVERING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT IN THE WASHINGTON AREA.

I JUST SPOKE WITH THIS OFFICE AND HE IS NOW UNDERGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY AND SAID TO BE DOING WELL EAGER TO GET BACK TO WORK.

FORMER KENTUCKY CABINET SECRETARY JAY MICHAEL BROWN HAS DIED.

BROWN SERVED AS GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S SECRETARY OF THE EXECUTIVE CABINET FROM 2019-2020.

HIS GUIDANCE AND ADVICE WERE UNMATCHED AND SO WAS HIS FRIENDSHIP.

BROWN WAS ALSO DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL DURING ANDY BESHEAR'S TERM AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HE WAS 74.

WHITNEY WESTERFIELD AND HIS WIFE MADE AN ATTENTION GETTING PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY.

THEY ARE EXPECTING TRIPLETS.

WESTERFIELD AS WE'VE NOTE SECOND NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

SO MAYBE HE WILL HAVE MORE PARENTING TIME.

THE TRIO WILL ARRIVE THIS SUMMER.

AND A REMINDER THAT WE DO HAVE THIS ONGOING WINTRY WEATHER SITUATION OUT THERE WITH THE COLD TEMPERATURES.

SO BE SAFE IF YOU ARE OUT.

THAT IS COMMENT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

RENEE SHAW WILL BE HERE WITH "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" MONDAY EVENING AT 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, 7:00 P.M. CENTRAL.