REDISTRICTING MAPS BY THE GOP-CONTROLLED STATE LEGISLATUR KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO COURT OVER THEM.

AND A BILL TO DELAY CRITICAL ELECTION TARGETS IS FILED.

LAWMAKERS DISCUSS MORE OPTIONS TO REVERSE OPIOID OVERDOSES.

REQUIREMENTS TO ALLOW CAREGIVER VISITATION RIGHTS TO NURSING HOMES ADVANCES.

AND RECOGNIZING STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH DAYS IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE CAPI THESE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE THIRD WEEK OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

WE BEGIN WITH A RECAP OVER THE BATTLE OVER THE boundaries.

REPUBLICANS OVERRODE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S VETO OF THE REDISTRICTING MAPS FOR THE KENTUCKY HOUSE AND CONGRESS.

YESTERDAY THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR GAVE THIS EXPLANATION FOR VETOING THE BILLS.

>> I VETOED THE MAPS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF POLITICAL GERRYMANDERING.

I BELIEVE THAT VOTERS SHOULD CHOOSE THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD NOT CHOOSE THEIR VOTERS.

I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN VETO THINGS, AND THEY CAN PASS THINGS WHILE STILL ACTING LIKE adults.

>> Renee: THE REDRAWING OF GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES IN WHICH ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE LOCATED I REQUIRED AFTER A DECENNIAL CENSUS EVERY TEN YEARS TO REFLECT CLEANINGS IN population RETIRING JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN JERRY MILLER, WHO HELPED DRAW THE REDISTRICTING MAPS, GAVE A SEARING DEFENSE OF THE PLAN FOR NEW STATE HOUSE BOUNDARIES EMBODIED IN HOUSE BILL 2.

>> JOHN ADAMS SAID, "FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS," AND WHATEVER MAY BE OUR WISHES, OUR INCLINATIONS OR THE DICTATES OF OUR PASSION, THEY CANNOT ALTER THE STATE OF ACTS AND EVIDENCE.

THE STATE OF FACTS AND EVIDENCE IN THE CASE OF HOUSE BILL 2 IS THE GOVERNOR'S VETO IS A WORK OF FICTION.

IN HIS VETO MESSAGE HE SAYS THAT WE ACTED TO, QUOTE, DEPRIVE CERTAIN COMMUNITIES OF REPRESENTATION, CLOSE QUOTE.

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

CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, WHATEVER YOU REFER TO AS CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.

YOU STAY THAT WE EXCESSIVELY SPLIT SOME COUNTIES.

YOU SAY.

W. SOME COUNTIES WERE SPLIT, MAYBE SPLIT MORE AND OTHERS MAY HAVE BEEN SPLIT PLESS L. 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.

>> Renee: THERE WAS NO DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ABOUT THE VETO OVERRIDE OF HOUSE BILL 2, AND THE BODY WENT ON TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO ON THE STATE HOUSE REDISTRICTING PLAN 69 TO IN THE SENATE, THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CHAIR REGGIE THOMAS, LIK OTHERS IN THE MINORITY PARTY IN BOTH CHAMBERS, VOTED AGAINST IT THE SAME CONCERNS HE RAISED ABOUT THE FAIRNESS OF THE SENAT MAPS, HE SAID, APPLIED TO THE LOWER CHAMBER AS WELL.

DESPITE FAYETTE COUNTY'S POPULATION GROWTH, IT LOST REPRESENTATION.

>> WE'RE DEALING WITH A COUNTY, FAYETTE COUNTY, THAT GREW IN POPULATION OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS BY MORE THAN 10%.

ABOUT 21,000 PEOPLE GREW IN POPULATION.

BACK THE LAST TIME THE MAPS WERE DRAWN, FAYETTE COUNTY HAD SIX SELF-CONTAINED HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS.

HAD AN ADDITIONAL FOUR PARTIAL SENATE DISTRICTS HAD BEEN A TOTAL OF TEN REPRESENTS THAT HAD SOME IMPACT ON FAYETTE COUNTY.

NOW CONTRAST THAT WITH THIS CURRENT MAP.

IT'S A COUNTY AGAIN THAT GREW BY 10%, BY 21,000 PEOPLE.

IT NOW HAS ONLY FIVE SELF-CONTAINED SENATE -- HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS AND FOUR PARTIAL DISTRICTS.

SO WE'VE LOST ONESELF-CONTAINED 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 OFREs DISTRICTS WAS ALSO BUTCHERED.

THAT'S NOT JUSTIFIABLE.

THAT IS GERRYMANDERING AT ITS WORST.

THAT'S JUST WRONG AND UNFAIR.

>> Renee: THE SENATE VOTED 24 TO 10 TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR' VETO ON HOUSE BILL 2.

REPUBLICANS DONALD DOUGLAS OF JESSAMINE COUNTY AND ADRIEN SOUTHWORTH OF ANDERSON COUNTY JOINED DEMOCRATS IN VOTING AGAINST THE VETO OVERRIDE.

ON THE REDO OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS, THE HOUSE AND SENATE REPEATED THEIR ACTIONS TO KEEP WHAT WAS devised.

HERE SENATE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER DAMON THAYER WINDING UP TO THE VETO OVERRIDE OF SENATE BILL 3 THAT KENTUCKY'S SIX CONGRESSIONAL SEATS IN WASHINGTON.

>> DESPITE THE GOVERNOR'S SPECIOUS VETO LANGUAGE I.

-- BY SPECIOUS IT MEANS IT SOUNDS PLAUSIBLE BUT IT IS, IN FACT, NOT TRUE -- THIS MAP MEETS ALL CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

>> Renee: ONCE AGAIN, SENATOR SOUTHWORTH CAST A NO VOTE TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR, BUT NOT OVER CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS.

AS SHE WAS EXPRESSED BEFORE, SHE HAS BEEN FIND OUT THAT THE 1st CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN WHICH SHE WOULD RESIDE MEANDERS FROM FULTON COUNTY.

IN FAR WEST KENTUCKY TO ANDERSON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES THAT ARE IN HER SENATE DISTRICT.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, THE DISTRICT HERE FOR MY NO VOTE IS NOT WHETHER WE CAN BARELY MEET THE CONSTITUTIONAL THRESHOLD, WHICH IS QUITE LOW, ON HOW TO DRAW A CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

IT'S WHETHER WE AS A BODY CAN DO WHAT'S RIGHT BY OUR CONSTITUENTS IN MAKING THE BEST MAP WE CAN POSSIBLY MAKE.

AND IN MY PERSPECTIVE, SENATE DISTRICT, I'M GOING TO BE REPRESENTING A DISTRICT THAT HAS FIVE DIFFERENT CONGRESSMEN, AND IT'S JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE.

>> Renee: THE SENATE VOTED TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF THE SENATE-DEVISED CONGRESSIONA REDISTRICTING PLAN 26 TO 8.

THE HOUSE DID THE SAME ON A VOTE OF 64 TO 24.

BOTH THE CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE HOUSE MAPS BECOME LAW, BUT THAT DOES NOT PUT THE MATTER TO rest THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SOME FRANKLIN COUNTY RESIDENTS, AND HOUSE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR DERRICK GRAHAM OF FRANKFORT HAV FILED A LAWSUIT IN FRANKLIN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT TO BLOCK THOSE MAPS.

YESTERDAY THE KDP TWEETED THIS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S NEW REDISTRICTING MAPS WERE DRAWN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WITH NO PUBLIC INPUT TO SILENCE THE VOICES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS.

THESE MAPS INTENTIONALLY SLICE UP CITIES AND COUNTIES, REDUCE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN SERVING IN THE HOUSE, AND DILUTE THE VOICES OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

KENTUCKY VOTERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

ON WEDNESDAY, REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MILLER FILED HOUSE BILL 323 THAT FOR IS THIS YEAR ONLY EXTENDS THE FILING DEADLINE FOR ALL CANDIDATES TO MAY 31st, AND IT MOVES THAT MAY PRIMARY ELECTION TO THE FIRST TUESDAY IN AUGUST.

MILLER HAS REPORTEDLY SAID HE WOULDN'T PULL THE TRIGGER ON THAT BILL UNLESS LEGAL CHALLENGES EXTEND INTO LATE MAR.

ON THE BUDGET NOW, REPUBLICANS ARE MOVING SWIFTLY ON THE TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET THAT MAKES PLANS TO INVEST AND SQUIRREL AWAY A HEALTHY PORTION OF THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AVAILABLE.

WITH ROBUST BUDGET RESERVES NOW AND PROJECTED AND INCOMING FEDERAL DOLLARS, HOUSE BUDGET CHAIRMAN JASON PETRIE BELIEVES NOW IS THE TIME TO FOCUS ON THE STATE'S REAL NEEDS AND DECIDE LATER ON WHAT TO DO WITH MORE THAN $1 BILLION THAT'S NOT YET SPOKEN FOR.

THAT $1 BILLION IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND, WHICS $1.5BILLION IN IT.

>> MR. SPEAKER WE END UP WITH UNAPPROPRIATED FUNDS.

UNLOW.

IATED, NOT OTHERWISE SPOKEN FOR OF TAXPAYER MONEY THAT THEY HAVE TRUST US FOR THEY EVER BENEFIT.

>> IN THE AMOUNT OF OF $546 MILLION PLUS IN THIS CURRENT YEAR.

THAT'S AFTER EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEING FUNDED IN THE CURRENTER I DO NOT WE HAVE UNAPPROPRIATED 546 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS.

IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM WITH EVERYTHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, WE HAVE OVER $252 MILLION UNAPPROPRIATED TAXPAYER MONEY LENT TO US.

WE'RE HOLDING IN TRUST FOR THEIR BENEFIT.

AND IN FY 23-24 THAT INCREASES TO 343 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS OF UNAPPROPRIATED FUNDS, TAXPAYER MONEY HELD IN TRUST BY US FOR THEIR BENEFIT.

>> Renee: DURING PROCEEDINGS, REPUBLICANS BEHIND BEHIND THE THAT THOSE UNEXPENDE COULD BE REBATED IN THE FORM OF TAX CUTS.

FUNDING THAT'S BOTH R BREAKING AND DONE IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY IS HOW THE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DESCRIBED THE K THROUGH 12 PORTION OF THE BUDGET ON THE HOUSE FLOOR YESTERDAY.

GLASGOW REPUBLICAN STEVE RILEY RAN THE .

>> THIS BUDGET INCREASES THE BASE SEEK GUARANTEE TO A RECORD HIGH DOLLAR AMOUNT OF $4,100 IN THE FIRST YEAR AND $4,200 IN THE SECOND FISCAL YEAR.

EVERY DOLLAR SEEK IS INCREASED TRANSLATES INTO AN ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT OF $800,000 IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THAT COMES TO AN AMOUNT IN THE FIRST YEAR OF $80 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING, AND IN THE SECOND YEAR $160 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

THE BUDGET ALSO PERMANENTLY FUNDS THE SECOND HALF OF FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IN BOTH FISCAL YEARS, SOMETHING THAT MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS AM RADIO HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IN THIS ROOM HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR FOR A NUMBERS OF CAREERS IT.

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

I THINK THAT NUMBER'S 32 DISTRICTS AT 100%.

IT INCREASES FUNDING TO ELIGIBLE FAMILY RESOURCE AND YOUTH SERVICE CENTERS, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS FRIDAYS CAN IS, FROM FRIST KISS FROM APPROXIMATELY $184 PURSUANT TO $224 PER stude >> Renee: THE HOUSE GOP PLAN DOESN'T FUND UNIVERSAL PRE-K PROGRAMS FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLDS, AS THE GOVERNOR HAD PROPOSED and IT DOESN'T GIVE SCHOOL TEACHERS A RAISE BUT LETS LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS DECIDE.

MORE THAN $4 BILLION IS ALLOTTED TO PUBLIC PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS FOR TEACHERS AND STATE WORKERS.

FOR STATE WORKERS WHO HAVEN'T SEEN A RAISE IN WELL OVER A DECADE, THE HOUSE PLAN GIVES THEM A 6% RAISE THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM BUT NOT THE SECOND YEAR AND REQUIRES THE STATE PERSONNEL CABINET TO DEVELOP A PAY SCALE THAT COULD LEAD TO FUTURE BUMPS IN PAY.

>> BUT WE HAVE TO REALIZED THAT THESE EMPLOYEES HAVE GONE YEARS WITHOUT HAVING A SIGNIFICANT COST OF LIVING INCREASE.

AND WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT NOT ONLY IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUT JUST HERE IN OUR LEGISLATIVE BODY.

YOU KNOW, THEY CRAFTED THIS BUDGET FOR US TO VOTE ON TODAY, AND THESE PEOPLE WHO WORK EXTREMELY HARD.

SOMETIMES, AS I HAVE SAID, THEY STAY HERE AT NIGHT, AND I'M SURE IN CRAFTING THIS BUDGET THEY'VE DONE WHAT THEY'VE ALWAYS DONE, SLEPT ON THE FLOOR IN THEIR OFFICES.

AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD TRY TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY AND INTO THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

>> Renee: PUBLIC STATE OF SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JOE FISCHER LAID OUT THE PLANS TO EASE THE CHALLENGES LAW ENFORCEMENT IS FACING IN RECRUITING, TRAINING AND KEEPIN.

>> WE'VE STRENGTHENED OUR STATE POLICE FORCE BY INVESTING RECORD AMOUNTS ACROSS THE BOARD IN VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

LET'S DISCUSS A FEW IMPORTANT EXAMPLES.

WE GRANT A $15,000 PAY INCREASE TO EVERY KENTUCKY STATE TROOPER AND EVERY MOTOR VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

FOR NEW RECRUITS, THIS REPRESENTS A 37.5% INCREASE IN STARTING SALARY WHICH SHOULD PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT BOOST TO RECRUITMENT.

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

THESE ARE IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN OUR SYSTEM OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Renee: ALSO UNDER THE HOUSE BUDGET PLAN, EACH LEGISLATOR IN BOTH CHAMBERS WOULD GET $50,000 FOR SMALL PROJECTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

LAWMAKERS WOULD WORK IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN GETTING THOSE FUNDS TO DESIGNATED PROJECTS.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS COMPLAINED THAT GIVEN THE CASH-RIPE POSITION OF THE COMMONWEALTH RIGHT NOW, MORE SHOULD BE INVESTED IN BOLD IDEA AND PROGRAMS.

>> 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 COULD SEE THE BENEFIT 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 FALLING SHORT HERE.

I THINK PERHAPS WE'RE MISSING AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> I'VE HEARD ABOUT WANTS AND NEEDS.

WELL, THAT'S SUBJECTIVE.

BUT FINE.

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

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

THERE ARE RIPPLES FROM EVERYONE.

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

THERE ARE RIPPLES FROM EVERYONE.

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

I'M TIRED OF PEOPLE ACTING LIKE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS AREN'T TAXPAYERS.

>> Renee: ON THURSDAY THE HOUS PASSED THE TWO-YEAR STATE SPENDING PLAN 85 TO 8.

REPRESENTATIVES JOSIE RAYMOND AND JONI JENKINS WERE AMONG THE NO votes.

THE BUDGET BILL IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SENATE WILL LIKELY REVISE IT.

KENTUCKY'S FIRST RESPONDERS AND HOSPITAL STAFF COULD GET MORE OPTIONS TO HELP REVERSE OPIOID SENATE BILL 56 BROADENS THE DEFINITION OF OPIATE ANTAGONISTS -- THOSE OVERDOSE REDUCING DRUGS -- AND OPENS THE DOOR FOR MORE .

>> BECAME HOPING TO DO IS EXPAND THAT -- WHAT I AM HOPING TO DO IS EXPAND THAT LEGISLATION TO INCLUDE THE NEWER REVERSAL AGENTS, THE NEWER OPIATE ANTAGONISTS, SO THAT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS WILL HAVE MORE OPTIONS WHEN COMING UPON A CASE AND IN HOSPITALS, AS WELL AS IN COMMUNITY SITUATIONS.

>> Renee: MORE THAN 1900 KENTUCKIANS DIED FROM DRUG OVERDOSES IN 2020, A 49% INCREASE FROM 2019.

DISCUSSION ON THE MEASURE SPARKED A CONVERSATION ON HOW THE STATE IS HANDLING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

SENATORS PAUL HORNBACK AND JOHN SCHICKEL ASKED IF THE STATE IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

>> IF THE UNDERLYING BILL IS A PROBLEM.

WE TALK ABOUT HOW DEATH RATES FROM OVERDOSES HAVE GONE UP, AND IT HASN'T BEEN THAT LONG AGO THAT WE PASSED THE NALOXONE BILL, GIVING OUT FREE NEEDLES, GIVING NALOXONE TO FELLOW DRUG USERS TO ADMINISTRATOR TO THEY ARE PARTNER WHEN THEY DID OVERDOSE.

MR. PRESIDENT, I'D CHALLENGE EVERYBODY THAT THIS IS ENABLING THIS BAD BEHAVIOR TO CONTINUE.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ONE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT THANK YOU TO RULE OUT OR TO SAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO DRUG-TREAT OUR WAY TO SUCCESS IS A HUGE, HUGE MISTAKE.

I TEND TO SIDE MORE WITH THE SENATOR FROM SHELBY, THAT UNTIL WE GET PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT THERE'S PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY INVOLVED IN THIS, WE'RE NEVER GOING TO MAKE ANY HEADWAY.

AND LIKE HE SAID, AND I AGREE WITH, THERE'S CONSEQUENCES TO THE CHOICES YOU MAKE.

THERE'S CONSEQUENCES TO COMMITTING CRIMES.

AND WE CAN SAY ALL DAY LONG IT'S THIS FACTOR, IT'S THAT FACTOR, AND PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

BUT I DISAGREE.

>> Renee: SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAYS OUTSMARTING THE DRUG CRISIS REQUIRES CLEAR TREATMENT AND INTERVENTION.

WHERE HE LIVES, HE SAYS, THERE ARE POSITIVE SIGNS AS CLAY COUNTY HAD THE SINGLE BIGGEST DROP IN OVERDOSE DEATH IN THE U.S., WHICH HE CREDIT TOSS GETTING PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT QUICKER AND KEEPING THEM THERE LONGER.

>> BUT I WANT TO LET INDIVIDUALS KNOW THROUGH MY TIME HERE, MY HOMETOWN HAS BEEN WOUND OF THE WORST -- SENATOR FROM CARTER KNOWS THAT.

A LOT OF THE COUNTIES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY HAVE HAD A HARD TIME DEALING WITH THIS.

BUT I'M GOING TO DISAGREE WITH SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE HEARD SAID ABOUT BEING SOFT ON CRIME AND BE A LITTLE SMARTER ABOUT IT, AND I USED TO BE MORE IN THE PHILOSOPHICAL LINE OF THINKING WHAT THE SENATOR FROM SHELBY, BUT AFTER YEARS OF WORKING ON THINGS IN AND DEALING WITH ISSUES LIKE PROVIDING FIRST RESPONDERS THE TOOLS TO DEAL WITH OVERDOSES SO THERE IS NOT A DEATH, BEING SMART AND HAVING AN INTERVENTION, GETTING INDIVIDUALS INTO TREATMENT, THE SENATOR FROM CHRISTIAN WHEN I AND SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE WORKED ON BILLS AND ARE WORKING ON BILLS TO EFFECTUATE POLICIES THAT WILL GET THAT INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT TO INDIVIDUALS.

>> Renee: DEMOCRATIC SENATOR ROBIN WEBB SAYS EASTERN KENTUCKY HAS BEEN HIT PARTICULARLY HARD AND THAT LEGISLATORS ARE ALWAYS ATTEMPTING TO HIT A MOVING TARGET AS THEY TRY TO ADDRESS THE OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC.

>> YOU HAVE A MARKETABLE UNIT COMMERCE IN AN OXYCONTIN PILL OR OR, AND WE ENHANCE CASPER.

AND WE LEARNED AS WE WENT AND WEEDLESS ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM.

IT'S AN EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS.

AND DRUG COURTS.

YOU KNOW WEEK YOU CAN GO ON AND ON AND ON ABOUT THE POLICIES THAT WE'VE IMPLEMENTED TRYING TO BE RESPONSIVE.

AND PERHAPS A LITTLE BIT BEHIND THE CURVE, BUT IT WAS REALLY HARD TO GET TRACTION BACK IN THE EARLY 2000s WHEN YOU HAD BILLION DOLLAR DRUG COMPANIES FIGHTING YOU AT EVERYTHING.

AND CONGRESSMAN ROGERS WAS THERE, AND WE TRIED TO A FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL TO DO BETTER.

AND WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO DO BETTER.

AND I THINK THAT WE ARE.

BUT THE DRUG TRADE AND THE DRUGS THEMSELVES HAVE ALSO MORPHED AND ADAPTED.

SO NOW YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IDENTIFIABLE UNIT OF COMMERCE.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 56 PASSE UNANIMOUSLY 35 TO 0.

IT'S NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE HOUSE.

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL.

WE'VE HEARD THAT A LOT.

RIGHT?

AND WE'VE HEARD HOW LITERACY SCORES FOR THIRD GRADERS HAVE BEEN USED TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF FUTURE CORRECTIONAL F THERE'S ANOTHER EFFORT UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE LITERACY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE BEHIND IN THEIR GRADE LEVEL IN reading.

IT'S CALLED THE READ TO SUCCEED PROGRAM.

PARIS SENATOR STEPHEN WEST SAYS HIS SENATE BILL 9, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, WILL HELP THE 200,000 KENTUCKY STUDENTS WHO NEED READING INTERVENTION.

THE GOAL, GET THIRD GRADERS READING AT THAT LEVEL BEFORE THEY MOVE ON.

IT'S AN INITIATIVE INSPIRED BY WORK IN MISSISSIPPI.

>> AND IN ESSENCE IT WAS VERY SIMPLE.

IF WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT KIDS KNOW HOW TO READ BY THIRD GRADE, IT CHANGES THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR LIVES AND IT ALSO CHANGES THE TRAJECTORY OF OUR STATE SCORES.

BEGINNING IN THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, ANY STUDENT IN GRADES K THROUGH 3 IDENTIFIED A NEEDING ACCELERATED PROGRESS TOWARDS PROFICIENT PERFORM IN READING WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INTENSIVE INTERVENTION THAT ADDRESSES INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND ENABLES THE STUDENTS CAN BE STUDENT TO RECEIVE IN-SCHOOL SUPPORTS AND POSSIBLE ENRICHMENT FOR INCREASING A STUDENT'S RATE OF PROGRESS TOWARD PROFICIENT PERFORMANCE IN READING.

THE KEY PART OF THAT IS ANY stu >> Renee: SENATE BILL 9 APPROPRIATES $22 MILLION TO SET UP THE PROGRAM IN THIS YEAR'S B IT WILL THEN TAKE $15 MILLION EACH YEAR AFTER TO CONTINUE IT.

LEXINGTON SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS VOTED AGAINST THE MEASURE.

HE SAYS IT WILL HURT AN EXISTING .

PROGRAM THAT HE BELIEVES IS ALREADY WORKING CALLED READ TO ACHIEVE.

>> FOR FAYETTE COUNTY, BY COUNTY, 2018-2019, YOU HAD 1,027 STUDENTS GO THROUGH THE READ TO ACHIEVE PROGRAM.

OF THAT NUMBER, ONLY EIGHT DID NOT READ AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

WHEN YOU DO THE QUANTITATIVE NUMBERS, THAT'S A 99% SUCCESS RATE.

IT'S HARD TO LOOK AT ANY KIND OF DATA AND GET 99% CORRECT.

THAT'S ALMOST A GUARANTEE.

AND WHAT SENATE BILL 9 DOES, MR. PRESIDENT, IS THAT IT ASKS THE READ TO SUCCEED PROGRAM TO IT THAT'S A LARGER GRANT THAT HAS TO THREAT AND THE LIKELIHOOD TO MOVE OUT THE READ TO ACHIEVE PROGRAM.

>> Renee: DESPITE THOMAS' OPPOSITION, SENATE BILL 9 PASSE THE SENATE 28 TO 7.

IT'S NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION the IT'S A BILL CREATED BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS, MAKING SURE MENTAL .

HEALTH IS RECOGNIZED JUST JUST LIKE MEDICAL OR PHYSICAL health HOUSE BILL 44 WOULD ALLOW STUDENTS TO HAVE EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH REAS THE BIPARTISAN SPONSORED MEASUR COMES FROM A RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER AND A PSYCHOLOGIST.

RETIRED EDUCATOR AND REPUBLICAN BOBBY McCOOL SAYS THE MEASURE REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES BECAUSE OF MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

>> ON HIS BILL 44 IS STUDENT-LED.

IT'S SIMPLE IN THAT IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY CHANGES IN THE CURRENT POLICIES.

IT'S SIMPLE IN THAT IT DOESN'T ADD ANY MANDATES.

IF BUT IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT BRINGS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES TO THE LEVEL OF CONVERSATION WITHOUT FEAR OF ANY TYPE OF STIGMA.

IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE MENTAL HEALTH IS A HEALTH ISSUE.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 44 DOES NOT EXPAND THE NUMBER OF EXCUSE ABSENCES STUDENTS MAY RECEIVE.

LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT LISA WILLNE IS A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST.

SHE APPLAUDED THE THREE STUDENTS THAT BROUGHT THE BILL TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S ATTENTION, A IT HAS GARNERED WIDESPREAD SUPP.

>> IT DOESN'T ADD EXTRA DAYS FOR ABSENCES BUT SIMPLY MAKES IT EXPLICIT THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE MORE THAN LESSONS THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US.

SINCE THE JAP FROM JOHNSON AND I BEGAN WORKING ON THE BILL WITH THE STUDENTS, THIS PAST SUMMER WE HAVE GAINED THE SUPPORT NUMEROUS EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH GROUPS, INCLUDING THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS, THE SCHOOL GEOLOGISTS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS, TEACHER GROUPS OF, THE KENTUCKY MENTAL HEALTH COALITION, THE KENTUCKY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, AND NASW KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED NO OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.

THE BILL REPRESENTS ONE IMPORTANT STEP IN REDUCING STIGMA AND SUPPORTING STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH, BUT WE KNOW THERE'S MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 44, WHICH EXPANDS EXCUSED ABSENCES TO INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, PASSED THE HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY 94 TO 0.

IT'S NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SENATE PATIENT CARE IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST MEDICAL CARE.

THAT'S THE DRIVING PHILOSOPHY BEHIND WHAT'S CALLED AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVERS BILL THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE SENATE TODA SENATE BILL 100 ESTABLISHES A STATUS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, GUARDIANS, FRIENDS AND OTHERS S THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO VISIT RESIDENTS IN NURSING HOMES, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS UNDER SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

SENATE MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS FROM LOUISVILLE EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL STEMS FROM ACTIONS TAKEN EARLIER ON IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS LEGISLATION IS MODELED AFTER THE ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER PROVISIONS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE 2021 REGULAR SESSION HOUSE BILL 1, IN THE 2021 SPECIAL SESSION SENATE BILL 2.

THE ESSENTIAL CAREGIVERS PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN SENATE BILL 2 ARE SET TO EXPIRE ON JANUARY 31st OF 2022.

SO IN JUST A FEW SHORT DAYS.

THIS LEGISLATION IS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER PROGRAM IN KENTUCKY.

>> THE PEOPLE IN OUR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND NURSING HOMES THE LAST YEAR HAVE SUFFERED IMMENSELY, AND LIKE THE BILL SPONSOR SO ELOQUENTLY SAID, CARE IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST MEDICAL CARE.

IT'S ABOUT A PERSON'S SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS.

AND I'VE HAD SO MANY VERY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ISOLATED, LITERALLY BEGGING TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, AND BEING HELD IN A STERILE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY WERE REALLY WILLING TO ACCEPT MORE RISK BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO LIVE A FULL LIFE WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR VERY LAST DAYS.

>> Renee: SENATE BILL 100 WON UNANIMOUS APPROVAL TODAY IN THE SENATE AND NOW TRAVELS TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION there THAT'S ALL FOR WEEK THREE COVERAGE OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SES FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-80 YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHON OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

AND YOU CANAL FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER ON GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

I HOPE YOU'LL TUNE IN MONDAY NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" WHE WE DISCUSS THE STATE BUDGET.

THAT'S AT 8:00 EASTERN, 7:00 CENTRAL TIME.

ON KET.

THEN A COUPLE HOURS LATER AT 11:00 EASTERN MONDAY NIGHT CASEY PARKER-BELL WILL BE HERE WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "LEGISLATIVE" THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING u I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND TAKE GOOD CARE.

I'LL SEE YOU SOON.