>> SHARP WORDS OVER THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF REDISTRICTING MAPS, AND THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY SUES OVER THEM.

AND THE HOUSE ADVANCES ITS VERSION OF THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET.

WE BREAK DOWN THE SESSION'S DAY 12 ACTION ON TONIGHT'S EDITION OF LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THE GOVERNOR ACCUSES THE GOP-DOMINATED LEGISLATURE OF POLITICAL GERRYMANDERING AS HE VETOES TWO REDISTRICTING BILLS -- ONE THAT REDRAWS CONGRESSIONAL BOUNDARIES AND THE OTHER THAT REMAPS STATE HOUSE DISTRICTS.

DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED WHY HE VETOED THE MAPS.

>> I VETOED THE MAPS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AND A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF POLITICAL GERRYMANDERING.

I BELIEVE THAT VOTERS SHOULD CHOO THOS ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES.

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD NOT CHOOSE THEIR VOTERS.

THEY CAN PASS THINGS WHILE STILL ACTING LIKE ADULTS >> EARLIER TODAY IN THE HOUSE, JEFFERSON COUNTY DEMOCRAT JERRY MILLER WHO LED THE HOUSE MAP REDRAW, OFFERED A FIERY REBUFF OF THE GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS.

HE DECLARED THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF HOUSE BILL TWO A WORK OF FICTION NOT BASED ON FACTS.

>> IN HIS VETO MESSAGE HE SAID WE ACTED TO DEPRIVE CERTAIN COMMUNITIES OF REPRESENTS.

GOVERNOR YOU SHAMELESSLY INTENDED THAT AS A DOG WHISTLE TO CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.

CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, WHATEVER YOU REFER TO AS CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.

YOU SAY THAT WE EXCESSIVELY SPLIT SOME COUNTIES.

WELL, SOME COUNTIES MAY HAVE BEEN SPLIT MORE AND OTHERS MAY HAVE BEEN SPLIT LESS BUT YOU REFER TO HARDIN COUNTY AS AN EXCESSIVELY SPLIT COMMUNITY AND BEFORE THE MAP THAT WAS VOTED ON IN 2013 AND PASSED WAS SPLIT HARDIN WAS SPLIT FIVE TIMES.

OUR MAP SPLITS THEM FOUR.

WARREN WAS SPLIT ONLY FOUR TIMES IN THE NEW MAP, NOT FIVE.

FAYETTE WAS SPLIT 10 TIMES AND NOW IT'S ONLY NINE.

BOONE, YOU TALK ABOUT PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING, EXCESSIVE SPLITTING OF THE COUNTIES.

HOW CAN YOU TALK ABOUT PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING BY LOOKING AT DISTRICT 63, WHICH IS A HORSE SHOE IN THE OLD MAP.

TALK ABOUT CAMPBELL.

IT ELIMINATES THE HORSE SHOE RIVER DISTRICT OF 67.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT DEPRIVING CERTAIN COMMUNITIES OF REPRESENTATION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT JEFFERSON COUNTY.

JEFFERSON COUNTY IS 30% MORE MORE COMPACT THAN THE OLD MAP.

IT OPTIMIZES LOW SOCIOECONOMIC VOTER POWER IN DISTRICTS 30, 40, 42, 43 AND 44 >> THE HOUSE OVERRODE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO ON THE STATE HOUSE MAP PLAN 69 TO 23.

LATER THE SENATE DID THE SAME, 24 TO 10.

BUT FRESHMAN SENATOR DONALD DOUGLAS VOTED AGAINST OVERRIDING THE VETO OF THE NEW MAP.

HE SAYS HIS CONSTITUENTS AREN'T PLEASED WITH THE HOUSE MAPS AS THEY'RE NOW DRAWN.

>> I CURRENTLY COVER FIVE COUNTIES.

THE INPUT THAT I'VE GOTTEN BACK ON THIS PARTICULAR MAP HAS BEEN NEGATIVE.

I'VE BEEN ASKED OVER AND OVER TO REVIEW THE MAP.

I'VE BEEN GIVING A LOT OF GUIDANCE FROM MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN MY REPRESENTATIVE COUNTIES.

BECAUSE OF THIS, I MUST SAY NAY >> LEXINGTON DEMOCRAT AND SENATE CAUCUS CHAIR REGGIE THOMAS MAINTAINS FAYETTE COUNTY WAS JIPPED OF THE NECESSARY REPRESENTATION IT DESERVES GIVEN ITS GROWTH.

>> WE'RE DEALING WITH A COUNTY AT THAT GREW IN POPULATION OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS BY MORE THAN 10%, ABOUT 21,000 PEOPLE GREW IN POPULATION.

IN FACT, THE LAST TIME THE MAPS WERE DRAWN FAYETTE COUNTY HAD SIX SELF-CONTAINED HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS, HAD ADDITIONAL FOUR PARTIAL SENATE DISTRICTS HAD A TOTAL OF 10 REPRESENTATIVES THAT HAD SOME IMPACT ON FAYETTE COUNTY.

NOW, CONTRAST THAT WITH THIS CURRENT MAP, COUNTY THAT GREW BY 10% BY 21,000 PEOPLE, IT NOW HAS ONLY FIVE SELF-CONTAINED SENATE -- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS AND 4 PARTIAL DISTRICTS.

WE LOST 1 SELF-CONNED TANKED DISTRICT AND WE LOST ONE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

HOW YOU CAN JUSTIFY THAT FOR A COUNTY THAT GREW IN POPULATION IS BASICALLY BEYOND ME.

IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE SENATE DISTRICT WAS BUTCHERED IN FAYETTE COUNTY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COUNTY WAS ALSO BUTCHERED >> THE SENATE VOTED 24 TO 10 TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF THE HOUSE MAPS.

AND WITH THE HOUSE DOING THE SAME, THE MEASURE BECOMES LAW.

BOTH CHAMBERS ALSO VOTED TO OVERRIDE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S VETOES OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS.

AFTER THE OVERRIDE ACTIONS, THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANNOUNCED ITS SUING OVER THOSE MAPS.

ACCORDING TO A COURIER-JOURNAL REPORT, THE PARTY CLAIMS THE MAPS AMOUNT TO EXTREME PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING THAT VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S A TWO-YEAR SPENDING PLAN THAT BUDGETS TO THE NEEDS OF KENTUCKIANS AND NOT THE WANTS, AND SECURES A HEALTHY RESERVE.

THAT'S HOW THE HOUSE BUDGET CHAIRMAN DESCRIBED THE GOP EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET THAT WAS SENT TO THE SENATE THIS AFTERNOON.

FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, IT FULLY FUNDS A WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION TRUST FUND AT EVERY KCTCS INSTITUTION ACROSS THE STATE.

THE BUCKS FOR BRAINS PROGRAM THAT RECRUITS HIGH-QUALITY ACADEMICS TO DO RESEARCH IS GETTING A BOOST FROM THE STATE THAT IT HASN'T SEEN IN WELL OVER A DECADE AS IT APPROPRIATES 30 MILLION OVER THE BIENNIUM TO RESTART THE INTIATIVE.

THE NUMBER ONE CAPITAL PROJECT PRIORITY OF KENTUCKY'S UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES WOULD ALSO GET FUNDED UNDER THE HOUSE BUDGET PLAN.

AND, WHEN IT COMES TO K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION, THE BUDGET REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN STEVE RILEY EXPLAINED THE INCREASED INVESTMENTS IN BASE PER PUPIL FUNDING, FULL DAY KINDERGARDEN AND SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION.

>> IT INCREASES THE BASIC GARN IF I TO 4100 IN THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR AND 4200 IN THE SECOND FISCAL YEAR.

EVERY DOLLAR SEEK INCREASE TRANSLATES INTO ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT OF 800,000 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS THE FIRST YEAR $80 MILLION SECOND YEAR $160 MILLION.

PERMANENTLY FUND THE SECOND HALF OF FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IN BOTH FISCAL YEARS.

THIS IS SOMETHING A LOT OF US HAVE HAVE PUSHED FOR.

REPRESENTATIVE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN TRYING TO ACCESS FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN.

IT INCREASES TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FROM APPROXIMATELY 51% TO A MINIMUM OF 70% WITH SOME DISTRICTS AT 100%.

I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN PUSHED A GREAT DEAL OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS BECAUSE OF INCREASING TRANSPORTATION COSTS >> MORE THAN 25 MILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS WOULD GO TO THE FAMILY RESOURCE AND YOUTH SERVICE CENTERS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS TO HELP NEEDY CHILDREN.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS PROPOSE A 6% RAISE FOR STATE WORKERS IN THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR, BUT REQUIRE THE PERSONNEL CABINET TO DEVISE A PAY SCALE FOR STATE WORKERS.

A RAISE FOR THE SECOND YEAR ISN'T BUDGETED.

IT'S BEEN SINCE 2002 SINCE STATE EMPLOYEES SAW A RAISE.

THE PAY BUMP WOULD TRIGGER ON THE WORKER'S EMPLOYMENT ANNIVERSARY DATE.

TO ADDRESS THE TURNOVER IN THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT RANKS, GIVING A $15,000 PAY INCREASE TO STATE TROOPER IS WHAT THE BILL DOES AND MOTOR VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO A NEW RECRUIT?

THE JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JOE FISCHER BROKE IT DOWN.

>> IT REPRESENTS A 37.5 SALARY BOOST THE THIS SHOULD PROVIDE A RECRUITMENT BOOST FOR THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE.

IT ALSO GIVES AN $8,000 RAISE TO ALL TELECOMMUNICATION PERSONNEL.

WE HEARD FROM THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

WE INCREASED THEIR STATE BUDGET BY $1 MILLION.

WE HEARD FROM THE FORENSIC LAB PERSONNEL, THAT GIVES ANOTHER PAY INCREASE.

IT PROVIDES FUNDING TO REPLACE THEIR OBSOLETE LAB EQUIPMENT.

AND THIS IS THE BIG ALLOCATION IN THIS BUDGET, $215 MILLION TO THE STATE POLICE RETIREMENT FUND.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

KSP EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION RATE WILL GO FROM 141% OF THEIR SALARY TO 100% OF THE SALARY >> A TOTAL OF 200 NEW SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD BE HIRED IF THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS PLAN GETS APPROVAL BY THE SENATE.

IT ALSO PROVIDES SALARY AND RETENTION BONUSES.

HOUSE BUDGET CHAIRMAN JASON PETRIE EXPOUNDED ON THOSE PROVISIONS IN COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

>> WHAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH DID LATE LAST YEAR WAS TAKE VACANCY MONEY AND GRANT I BELIEVE A 10% RAISE.

SO NO NEW FUNDS BUT RETOOLED WHAT FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE AND THOSE FUND WERE AVAILABLE AND THE VACANCIES WERE AVAILABLE BECAUSE WE WERE BLEEDING SO MANY WORKERS.

SO WHAT WE CHOSE TO DO IN THIS BILL WAS MAINTAIN THAT 10% RAISE.

AND THEN THEY ARE STATE WORKERS.

18-A STATE WORKERS.

AS SUCH, THEY WOULD ALSO RECEIVE IN ADDITION THE 6% RAISE.

NOW, I AGREE WITH YOU, SOCIAL WORKERS, I WORKED JUVENILE CASES FOR 23 YEARS AND I SEE PART OF WHAT THEY DO.

YOU COULDN'T PAY ME ENOUGH MONEY TO DO IT PERSONALLY >> THERE'S NO SET RAISES FOR TEACHERS IN THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLAN.

CHAIRMAN PETRIE SAYS SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO GIVE TEACHER RAISES, AND SAID HE COULDN'T JUSTIFY A SET, FIXED PERCENTAGE.

HERE'S HIS RATIONALE.

>> WE HAVE SOME DISTRICTS THAT GIVEN $10 THOUSAND BONUSES, 2% RAISES, 6% RAISES.

MARKET FOR TEACHERS IS VERY LOCAL.

THE NEEDS FOR AT THIS PARTICULAR TYPES OF TEACHERS ARE LOCAL.

FRANKFORT DOESN'T KNOW BEST ON THAT.

SO WE'VE OPTED TO GIVE DISCRETION TO THE DISTRICTS WITH A LOT OF FUNNING.

NOT ONLY RAISES.

THEY CAN PUT THAT ON THE TABLE IN ORDER IN PRIORITY BUT THEY CAN LOOK ALL THE NEEDS THEY HAVE AND ADJUST THEIR DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FOR WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE HOUSE REPUBLICANS WANT $1.5 BILLION PLUS TO BE MAINTAINED IN BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND.

A SEPARATE BILL IS TO COME, 19 TO 2 VOTE WITH TWO ABSTENTIONS AND PLACED ON THE VOTING DOCKET FOR THE FULL HOUSE AN HOUR LATER.

THAT'S WHEN ASKED HE GAVE THIS EXPLANATION OF A GRANT POOL FOR LEGISLATORS THAT THE TODD COUNTY REPUBLICAN PEA TREY DEVISE.

HE SAYS THE $10 MILLION ANNUAL ACCOUNT WILL BE A WAY FOR LAWMAKERS TO FUND SMALL DOLLAR PROJECTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

>> THE BUS THEY COULD COME UP WITHS 10 MILLION PER YEAR DIVIDED BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS.

WITHIN EACH CHAMBER EVENLY DIVIDED BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF IN THE HOUSE 5 MILLION DIVIDE I BY 10,050,000 PER YEAR.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN THAT SHOULD BE UTILIZED FOR SMALL FUNDING, LOCAL FUNDING ISSUES FOR WHICH WE HAVE NO OTHER MECHANISM IN STATE GOVERNMENT WHICH I'M AWARE THAT CAN GET TO THOSE NEEDS.

WE TRIED TO RESTRICT THEM TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS, EDUCATIONAL UNIT NEEDS AND QUASI GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.

>> UNDER THE MEASURE EACH LEGISLATOR WOULD GET DID $$50,000 FOR EACH SMALL PROJECTS.

PARKS AND REPORT THE DESIGNATED FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD ISSUE THE CHECK.

HOUSE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER ACKNOWLEDGED THE BUDGET IS A WORK IN PROGRESS REGARDLESS OF HOW IT'S INITIATE WOULD WHILE SHE WAS PLEASED WITH WHAT GETS FUNDED, SHE POINTED TO WHAT SHE BELIEVES ARE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.

>> HERE AS WE ARE AT THIS HISTORIC MOMENT, ONE THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN IN MY MANY YEARS IN THIS HOUSE, THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE FUNDS TO DO SOMETHING BIG, BOLD.

SOMETHING THAT COULD BE AN INVESTMENT IN OUR STATE, IN OUR PEOPLE, THAT WE WILL SEE THE BENEFITS FOR 20 OR 40 YEARS.

AND I WOULD JUST CHALLENGE ALL OF YOU AS YOU'RE LOOKING AT THIS DOCUMENT, THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT COULD BE.

I THINK PERHAPS WE'RE FALL WILLING SHORT HERE.

I THINK PERHAPS WE'RE MISSING AN OPPORTUNITY.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW I WILL VOTE ON THIS BUDGET RIGHT NOW.

I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT IT.

THERE'S NOTHING IN HERE THAT I THINK IS OBJECTIONABLE.

I JUST THINK THAT WE COULD PERHAPS BE MISSING A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY, THE FIRST TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE THAT WE COULD FIGHT ABOUT WHAT TO SPEND IT ON INSTEAD OF WHAT TO CUT >> REPRESENTATIVE JENKINS CAST A ´NO' VOTE ON THE BUDGET BILL.

FELLOW LOUISVLLE DEMOCRAT JOSIE RAYMOND VOTED AGAINST IT AS WELL.

SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE,S TAXPAYERS.

>> THIS YEAR PRESENTS AN INCREDIBLE SINGULAR OPPORTUNITY NOT JUST TO FUND OUR EXISTING SERVICES A LITTLE BIT BETTER BUT TO CREATE TRANSFORMATIVE PROGRAMS THAT VASTLY IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR KENTUCKIANS AND MAKE OUR COMMONWEALTH A PLACE ANYBODY WOULD WANT TO LIVE OR WORK OR RELOCATE A BUSINESS.

WHAT ARE WE WAITING ON?

WHAT'S MISSING FROM THIS BUDGET?

YOU KNOW IT.

UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO PRE-K.

THE SILVERIST BULLITT WE HAVE TO DISRUPT CYCLES OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY.

IT'S MISSING PAID FOR TWO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND TRADE SCHOOL.

IT'S MISSING LOAN FORGIVENESS THAT WILL ALLOW US TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF TEACHERS AND NURSES AND SOCIAL WORKERS.

IT'S MISSING A NEW BASKETBALL COACH IN LIEU WILLVILLE.

I HEARD ABOUT ONCE AND -- WANTS AND NEEDS.

WELL, THAT'S SUBJECTIVE BUT FINE.

I DO KNOW THAT WSH I LIVE WE HAVE NEEDS THAT ARE NOT MET EVEN BY THIS BUDGET.

YOU SHOULD SEE THE STACKS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS IN LIEUYVILLE.

THERE ARE RIPPLES FROM EVERYONE.

YOU SHOULD ANSWER THE PHONES AS CHILDCARE CENTERS AND TELL DESPERATE MOMS THEY CANNOT GO TO WORK BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A SPOT FOR THEIR CHILD.

THERE ARE RIPPLES FROM EVERY ONE.

I'M TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT TAXPAYERS AS A MONOLITH.

I'M TIRED OF PEOPLE ACTING LIKE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS AREN'T TAXPAYERS >> EDMONSON REPUBLICAN MICHAEL MEREDITH WHO'S BEEN IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY SINCE 2011 SAYS HE'S SEEN ROUNDS OF CUT EXACTED ON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS DURING AUSTERE LEAN TIMES BUT IS HEARTENED TO SEE HOW THIS BUDGET PLAN WILL MOVE KENTUCKY FORWARD.

>> I'M HAPPY TO SEE THIS IS A BUDGE THAT PRIORITIZES PUBLIC SAFETY.

INCREASES FOR OUR LOCAL JAILS, THE INCREASES TO SALARIES FOR OUR STATE TROOPERS AND OUR TELL -- TELECOMMUNICATORS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THOSE THING ARE NOT JUST 0 TO AFFECT US AT THE STATE LEVEL BUT HELP OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS WELL.

ANY OF US IN THIS BODY WHO HAVE TALKED TO OUR LOCAL OFFICIAL KNOW JAIL EXPENSES ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST EXPENSE HE IS AND THIS WILL HELP RELIEVE SOME OF THAT PAIN.

ANY OF US THAT HAVE TALKED TO OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND SHERIFFS DEPARTMENTS KNOW THAT THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO PUT PEOPLE ON THE STREETS, TOO.

IF WE CAN RECRUIT AND RETAIN MORE STATE TROOPERS THAT RELIEVES SOME OF THAT BURDEN ON THEM AS WELL.

AND I'M ALSO REALLY, REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE TO LEAVE SOME FUNDS UNEXPENDED.

DURING MY TIME IN THIS BODY, I VOTED FOR SOME BUDGETS I THOUGHT FELL SHORT.

I VOTED GENTS SOME BUDGETS THAT I FELT DID TOO MUCH IN SOME PLACES AS WELL.

TOO MUCH DEBT, TOO MUCH SPENDING IN AREAS THAT WE DIDN'T NEED TO FOCUS ON.

BUT THESE UNEXPENDED DOLLARS AS THE LADY FROM JEFFERSON 44 BROUGHT UP GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DREAM BIG ON SOME THINGS.

AND THAT CAN COME IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS.

IT MIGHT BE INVESTMENT IN A LARGE PROJECT THAT WE DECIDE TO TAKE ON AT SOME POINT IN TIME THAT MAKES A GENERATIONAL CHANGE.

IT MIGHT BE SOME LATER REBATE FUNDS BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE TRUSTED US WITH THOSE DOLLARS.

IT MIGHT BE A GENERATIONAL TRANSFORM MEDICATION IN OUR TAX CODE IN THIS STATE THAT'S ABLE TO LET US GO DOWN THE PATH OF AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS SESSION >> AFTER MORE THAN TWO AND A HALF HOURS OF DEBATE, THE HOUSE PASSED THE TWO-YEAR STATE SPENDING PLAN ON A VOTE OF 85 TO 8.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

THE HOUSE ADVANCED THE OPERATIONAL BUDGET FOR THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET.

PEOPLE CONVICTED OF MISDEMEANORS WITH NO DATE FOR EXPUNGEMENT ELIGIBILITY, COULD GET SOME CLARITY UNDER A BILL HEARD TODAY IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

LEBANON SENATOR JIMMY HIGDON HAS SPONSORED SEVERAL BILLS AIMING TO IMPROVE THE EXPUNGEMENT PROCESS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

HIS SENATE BILL 33 MAKES IT CLEAR FOR PEOPLE WITH MISDEMEANORS THEY CAN APPLY FOR EXPUNGEMENT FIVE YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF THEIR OFFENSE.

HE SAYS 180 MISDEMEANORS CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIED TIME FOR EXPUNGEMENT ELIGIBILITY AND SAYS HIS BILL HELPS RECTIFY THAT.

>> PRIMARY REASON FOR DOING THIS IS ENHANCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ADD CLARIFICATION FOR KENTUCKY STATE POLICE AS THEY WORK THROUGH THESE EXPUNGEMENT.

I SAID THERE THERE'S 180 DIFFERENT MISDEMEANORS THAT CURRENTLY FALL IN THIS CATEGORY THAT HAVE NO EXPIRATION DATE.

SOME OF THEM AS SIMPLE AS VIOLATION OF A STOP ORDER FOR BUYING, SELLING OR PROCESSING EGGS WITHOUT A LICENSE >> MISDEMEANORS THAT SPECIFY A PERIOD FOR ENHANCEMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES MUST WAIT UNTIL THAT PERIOD IS OVER TO BE ELIGIBLE.

SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL VOTED AGAINST THE MEASURE.

HE SAYS THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT A PERSON'S CRIMINAL HISTORY.

>> I THINK WE OWE IT TO EMPLOYERS TO TAKE THIS RISK.

I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE PUBLIC THAT TAKES THIS RISK THAT WE DON'T HIDE ANYTHING FROM THEM.

THAT THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GETTING INTO.

I THINK IF THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GETTING INTO THE CHANCES OF SUCCESS OF EMPLOYMENT MIGHT BE EVEN HIGHER.

BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE JOBS ARE ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS, PEOPLE GOING INTO PEOPLE'S HOMES AND THINGS LIKE THIS, I THINK THE PUBLIC AND EMPLOYERS KIND OF HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE BACKGROUND OF A EARN '.

I'M NOT SURE IT'S PRUDENT FOR THE PERSON WANTING IT OR FOR THE EMPLOYER WHO IS TAKING THAT RISK TO KIND OF HIDE THAT STUFF AT SUCH -- IN SUCH A SHORT TIME >> SENATE BILL 33 PASSED THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND MAKES ITS WAY TO THE FULL SENATE.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ALSO PASSED A MEASURE THAT WOULD MAKE SOME PEOPLE CONVICTED OF INCEST A VIOLENT OFFENDER.

THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE CRIMINALS TO SERVE 85% OF THEIR SENTENCE BEFORE BEING ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE, AS OPPOSED TO 15% FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS.

SENATE BILL 38 PASSED COMMITTEE AND NOW MOVES ON TO THE SENATE.

DURING THE 2017 SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE AN ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR SCHOOLS STATEWIDE.

IN TODAY'S SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING, THE SPONSOR OF THE ORIGINAL ACCOUNTABILITY BILL OFFERED UP A NEW MEASURE TO ADJUST INDICATORS DETERMINING IF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE COLLEGE OR CAREER READY.

MAJORITY WHIP MIKE WILSON SAYS THE ORIGINAL BILL FAILED TO FULLY EXPLAIN ALL ASPECTS THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS INDICATORS.

HE EXPLAINS SENATE BILL 59 TO THE COMMITTEE.

>> FAILED TO CLARIFY FOR THE BOARD OF HE HAD INDICATION AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT COLLEGE CREDIT INDICATOR OF POST SECONDARY READINESS SHOULD MEAN COMPLETING AN APPROVED THREE HOUR DUAL CREDIT COURSE OR A COLLEGE CREDIT ASSESSMENT SUCH AN AP EXAM THAT AWARDED AT LEAST THREE HOURS OF COLLEGE CREDIT AND PRESENTLY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULATION REQUIRING THE COMPLETION OF AT LEAST SIX HOURS BEFORE QUALIFIED AS POST-SECONDARY READINESS FOR SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY AS DETERRED ENROLLMENT BY LOW INCOME STUDENTS, MINORITY STUDENTS AND UNDER REPRESENTED STUDENTS.

SO IT'S BECOME A BARRIER BY NOT INCLUDING SPECIFICALLY THE THINGS THAT WE HAD IN THE BILL >> THE SUPERINTENDENT OF LUDLOW INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, MIKE BORCHERS, SPOKE IN FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 59.

HE SAYS LUDLOW INDEPENDENT HAS MULTIPLE SUCCESS STORIES OF STUDENTS WHO WERE READY FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, BUT THE CURRENT FORMULA DIDN'T ACCOUNT FOR.

HE GAVE THE COMMITTEE SEVERAL EXAMPLES.

>> WE HAVE A TRADESMAN AND A CERTIFIED TEACHER FROM BOONE COUNTY WORK WITH OUR STUDENTS.

IN THE FIRST YEAR THEY GO 3 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE EXPOSED TO PLUMBING ELECTRICAL NLD.

DURING THE SEGD YEAR HE WORK WITH OUR STUDENTS THEY WORK WITH SKILLS TRADE AND SCRILS TRADE AN CREATE CO-OPS AND INTERTERNSHIPS FOR OUR KIDS.

TALKING TO SENATOR WILSON'S NEED BUT WHETHER TB A SMALL COMPANY OR A LARGE COMPANY, WE'RE SEEING COMPANIES WILLING TO INVEST A SUBSTANTIAL HOURLY RATE FOR OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME SKILLS COMING OUT BECAUSE THEY WANT THOSE KIDS TO BE IN THE PIPELINE FOR YEARS TO COME.

SO, DURING THE SENIOR YEAR OUR STUDENTS ATTEND SCHOOL HALF A DAY AND THEN CO-OP THE HALF THEIR SEEN YEAR YEAR.

THAT DOESN'T ALLOW THEM TO MEET THE MINIMUM HOURS CURRENTLY IN THE BILL >> THE MEASURE ALSO REMOVES THE REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE THE A.C.T.

DURING THEIR SOPHOMORE YEAR.

WILSON SAYS THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEVER REQUIRED IT BECAUSE OF FUNDING ISSUES.

SENATE BILL 59 PASSED THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE 12 TO 0.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 12 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.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR SPECIAL FRIDAY NIGHT TIME OF 8:30 EASTERN, 7:30 CENTRAL - FOLLOWING COMMENT ON KENTUCKY FOR OUR END OF WEEK EDITION OF LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT I'M RENEE SHAW.

SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.