BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO GET PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTA ILLNESS INTO TREATMENT, AND A LOOK AT THE EDCHOICE RALLY AT THE CAPITOL, ALL ON DAY 14 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPD I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

TODAY THE HOUSE PASSED A MEASURE THAT ADJUSTS TIM'S LAW, WHICH ALLOWS DISTRICT JUDGES TO ORDER OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.

THE LAW WAS UPDATED IN 2020 TO INCREASE ITS USE, AND HOUSE BILL 127 GIVES THE LAW ANOTHER DOSE OF WORK.

REPRESENTATIVE KEN FLE EXPLAINED SOME OF THE CHANGES T HIS HOUSE COLLEAGUES.

>> THIS LAW CREATED A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PATIENT AND THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM THAT AIMS TO INCREASE MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN ORDER TO REDUCE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND INCARCERATIONS WHILE GETTING THESE INDIVIDUALS BACK ON THE ROAD, THEREBY AVOIDING PRISON, SELF-FARM AND ENDANGERING OTHERS.

-- THIS HOUSE BILL THAT'S BEEN SUBSTITUTED BY HOUSE BILL, HOUSE COMMITTEE BILL 1 FIRST RECTIFIES AN INADVERTENT DRAFTING ERROR IN 2017 VERSION WHICH THE BILL USED THE TERMS "EXAMINATION AND EVALUATION" INTERCHANGEABLY, THEREBY CREATING AMBIGUITIES WHICH MAKE THE LAW VULNERABLE TO REVIEW THE HIGHER COURTS ON DUE PROCESS GROUNDS.

BY DEFINITION, THE WORD "EVALUATION" OF A PATIENT IS A CLINICAL ASSESSMENT PERFORMED BY THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WHILE THE TERM "EXAMINATION" REFERENCES TAKING TESTIMONY BY A PARTY WHO IS UNDER OATH.

WHEN I MENTIONED "EXAMINATION" WITNESS THERE'S A PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PATIENT FITS THE CRITERIA OF SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS IN MAKING SURE THAT'S FIT THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.

IN ADDITION, THIS ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE STATUTE FAILED TO DETAIL TINY MECHANISMS WHEN THE CLOCK STARTS AND HOW TO CALCULATE TIME ON TIME-SENSITIVE COMPONENTS OF A REPORT AS WELL AS SETTING HEARINGS.

>> Casey: THE CHANGES ARE MEAN TO EXPAND THE USE OF TIM'S LAW.

LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE LISA WILLNER IS A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST BY TRADE, AND FLEMING GAVE HER CREDIT FOR WOR ON THE MEASURE.

SHE EXPLAINS HOW HB 127 WILL HELP PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> THESE IMPORTANT CHANGES WOULD HELP DISRUPT THE CYCLE OF HOUSELESSNESS, TO ARRESTS, TO INCARCERATION, AND INVOLUNTARY HOSPITALIZATION THAT IS THE FATE OF TOO MANY SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL KENTUCKIANS.

TIM'S LAW PROVIDE A MORE HUMANE AND COMPASSIONATE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.

IT'S ALSO A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE APPROACH SHOWN TO DECREASE EMERGENCY VISITS, EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS, JAIL TIME AND TIME SPENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL RESOURCES.

SO WHILE THIS BILL, WHILE PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR THAT DESIGNATION UNDER KENTUCKY LAW REPRESENT ONLY ABOUT 1.5% OF THE POPULATION AND EVEN A SMALLER PERCENTAGE OF THOSE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS APPROACH, THESE ARE FOLKS WHO USE AN EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH NUMBER OF RESOURCES, BOTH FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL COSTS TO THE INDIVIDUALS THEMSELVES, TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FRANKLY TO ENTIRE COMMUNITIES.

WE KNOW FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF 40 PLUS OTHER STATES THAT COURT-ORDERED ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT WORKS, AND IT'S WORKING ALREADY IN KENTUCKY ON A LIMITED BASIS.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 127 EXPLAINS HOW JUDGES MAY REQUIRE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

THE BILL STATES IF A PERSON IS HOSPITALIZED OR ARRESTED DUE TO THEIR MENTAL HEALTH TWICE OVER 48 MONTHS OR IF IN THE THE LAST 24 HOURS THE PERSON THREATS OR ATTEMPTS TO CAUSE SERIOUS PHYSICAL HARM, THEY COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR treatment THE MEASURE CAME FROM THE WORK OF THE SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS TASK THE TASK FORCE'S CHAIR, DANNY BENTLEY, PRAISED THE BILL AND THE WORK COMING FROM THE GROUP.

>> WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THESE PEOPLE TO REALIZED THAT MENTAL HEALTH A DISEASE, AND IT AFFECTS EVERYONE IN OUR FAMILIES IN THIS STATE, SO WANT TO COMMEND THE TASK FORCE, I WANT TO COMMEND EVERYONE WHO HAS WORKED ON THIS BILL, AND KNOW THAT TIMM MORTON WAS A REAL PERSON.

HE WALKED THE STREETS OF ELECTRICS AND HE NEEDED A SECOND CHANCE, SO NOW WE'RE GIVING OTHER PEOPLE THAT ROAD TO RECOVERY.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 127 PASSE THE HOUSE 90 TO 0 AND IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE SENATE.

AUDIOLOGISTS WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO HOLD A SP LICENSE TO PRACTICE UNDER ANOTHER HEALTH BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE TODAY.

CURRENTLY AUDIOLOGISTS NEED AN ADDITIONAL LICENSE AFTER ACQUIRING THEIR DOCTORATE TO PRACTICE IN KENTUC HOPKINSVILLE REPRESENTATIVE WALKER THOMAS SAYS HOUSE BILL 9 WILL IMPROVE ACCESS FOR THOSE THAT NEED HEARING HELP.

>> THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY HAS 916,000 RESIDENTS WITH HEARING LOSS, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 20% OF THE POPULATION.

HOWEVER, KENTUCKY IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY EIGHT STATES THAT REQUIRE AUDIOLOGISTS TO ALSO HOLE TWO SEPARATE LICENSES, ONE TO PRACTICE AUDIOLOGY AND ANOTHER TO DISPENSE HEARING AIDS.

THIS REQUIREMENT IS A HOLDOVER FROM BOONE COUNTY WHEN THE STATUTES WERE ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN THE 1970S.

TODAY A DOCTORATE OF AUDIOLOGY DEGREE IS REQUIRED FOR NEW GRADUATES TO ENTER CLINICAL PRACTICE IN EVERY U.S. STATE AND TERRITORY.

AND AS OF 2007, EVERY ONE OF 70 UNIVERSITIES AUDIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING THE TOP-RANKED PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE, HAS ELIMINATED THEIR MASTER'S LEVEL DEGREES IN AUDIOLOGY ALTOGETHER.

TO ACHIEVE THAT DEGREE, AN AUDIOLOGIST MUST ALSO PASS A NATIONAL EXAM THAT COVERS THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY, INCLUDING THE FITTING OF HEARING AIDS.

ADDITIONALLY, AT 30 HOURS PER TWO-YEAR RENEWAL PERIOD, KENTUCKY AUDIOLOGISTS HAVE SOME OF THE MOST EXTENSIVE CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 95 PASSED THE HOUSE 90 TO 0.

COUNTY FISCAL COURTS WILL GET MORE TIME TO REAPPORTION VOTING DISTRICTS AND PRECINCTS IF A HOUSE BILL PASSED TODAY BECOMES LAW.

OAKLAND REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH SAYS THE DELAY GETTING RESULTS FOLLOWING THE 2020 CENSUS MEANS THE PROCESS COULD LEAD TO CHANGES BETWEEN THE PRIMARY AND THE GENERAL ELECTION.

MEREDITH FILED HOUSE BILL 212 TO HELP AVOID THAT.

>> BACK LAST YEAR, RIGHT BEFORE THE BILL FILING DEADLINE, THE IMAGINE STRAIGHT'S ASSOCIATION WAS MADE AWARE THAT CENSUS DATA THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REAPPORTION MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT WAS GOING TO BE LATE IN ARRIVING AND WOULD PUT THEM OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH KRS STATUTES.

WHAT THE STATUTES HAD SAID IN THE PAST WAS THAT IN THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE CENSUS, COUNTY GOVERNMENTS HAD TO BEGIN THE REAPPORTIONMENT PROCESS IN MAY AND FINISH IT WITHIN 60 DAYS OF ITS COMMENCING, HOWEVER, THE CENSUS BUREAU LET THE MAGISTRATE'S ASSOCIATION KNOW THAT THAT DATA WAS GOING TO BE DELAYED UNTIL AT LEAST LATE SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER, ALREADY PUTTING THEM OUT OF COMPLIANCE AND CREATING A SITUATION WHERE TO THAT WOULD BE STARTING AFTER THE FILING PERIOD HAD BEGUN.

WE PASSED LEGISLATION IN A SENATE BILL HERE LAST YEAR TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT.

AND AGAIN, IT WAS LATE IN SESSION WHEN WE WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE TO START WITH.

BUT AFTER WE LEFT, THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE REACHED OUT AND EXPRESSED SOME CONCERN WITH THE LEGISLATION THAT WE IPAD LAST YEAR BECAUSE ONCE THE ORDINANCES WERE PASSED, ON APPORTIONMENT OR WOULD BE PASSED UPON APPORTIONMENT, IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY TAKE EFFECT AT THAT TIME.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE STARTED IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE END OF JULY 1st OR AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, AND IT WOULD HAVE CREATED A SITUATION WHERE DISTRICTS WOULD HAVE CHANGED BETWEEN THE PRIMARY AND THE GENERAL ELECTION.

AND WITH THOSE DISTRICTS TAKING EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, IT WOULD HAVE CREATED THE POTENTIAL THAT SOMEONE COULD HAVE WON A PRIMARY ELECTION AND THEN BEEN INELIGIBLE TO RUN IN THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 212 PASSE 92 TO 0 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SE KENTUCKY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH TAIWAN WAS A MAJOR TOPIC ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY.

SENATOR WHITNEY WESTERFIELD INTRODUCED COMMENDING TAIWAN FOR ITS RELATIONS WITH THE U.S. AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

IN HI SENATOR WESTERFIELD, CO-CHAIR O THE KENTUCKY TAIWAN CAUCUS, THANKED A DELEGATION FROM TAIPEI .

FOR DONATING attorney TO THE WEST KENTUCKY TORNADO RELIEF EF.

$100,000.

>> NOT A SMALL CONTRIBUTION.

IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TRADE AND THINGS THAT GO ON, I APPRECIATED THEIR HASTE TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY WHEN IT MATTERED THE MOST.

>> Casey: KENTUCKY AND TAIWAN HAVE WORKED TOGETHER FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

AS SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS OF LEXINGTON POINTS OUT, PARTNERSHIP HAS LED TO THOUSAND OF JOBS IN THE STATE.

>> AS THE SENATOR FROM CHRISTIAN POINTED OUT, TAIWAN IS OUR 21st LEADING JOBS EXPORTER HERE IN KENTUCKY.

THEY BRING OVER 2,000 JOBS HERE.

THEY'RE OUR 17th LARGEST EXPORTER.

SO THEY DO A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK HERE IN KENTUCKY THAT ADDS GREATLY TO OUR ECONOMY, AND SO WE SHOULD SAY THANK YOU FOR OUR FRIENDS, AND HAVING SAID THAT AND WITH MS. WANG WHO I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH SEVERAL TIMES, SHE'S BEEN AN EXCELLENT R FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF TAIWAN IN HER ROLE.

I'M JUST GLAD THEY'RE HERE TODAY, AND I WANT TO THANK THE SENATOR FROM CHRISTIAN FOR HIS RESOLUTION, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM AND WITH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, AS WE CONTINUE OUR APARTMENT EVER WARM RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE OF TIE Taiwan.

>> Casey: A MEMBER OF THE DELEGATION FROM TAIWAN A THE SENATE FROM THE SENATE PRESIDENT'S CHAIR.

HE THANKED THE SENATORS FOR THEIR KIND WORDS AND SAID HE LOOKED FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM IN THE FUT THIS MORNING SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO AND REPRESENTATIVE JOS CALLOWAY JOINED EDCHOICE KENTUCKY PRESIDENT TO ANNOUNCE NEW LEGISLATION EXPANDING CURRENT SCHOOL CHOICE LAWS.

STUDENTS IN EVERY COUNTY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE UNDER THE BI THE LEGISLATORS WERE JOINED BY DESIRAE CAUDILL, A MADISON COUNTY PARENT WHO EXPRESSED HOW THIS EXPANSION COULD IMPACT HER CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

>> >> IT'S A REAL PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE OH A VERY CHILLY MONDAY MORNING WITH ALL OF YOU AS WE KICK OFF NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK HERE IN KENTUCKY.

I'M ALWAYS INSPIRED BY THE ENTHUSIASM OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE THRIVING BECAUSE THEY HAVE FREEDOM IN THEIR EDUCATION.

I'M A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF EDUCATION.

AND I WATCHED MY PARENTS WORK HARD TO GIVE ME EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

FROM AN EARLY AGE I WAS INSTILLED A LOVE OF LEARNING.

I NEVER LOST MY PASSION FOR EDUCATION.

I CARRY IT WITH ME THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, TO COLLEGE AND EVEN THROUGH MEDICAL CENTER SCHOOL AND TODAY I'M A DOCTOR BECAUSE MY PARENTS WERE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE BEST EDUCATION FOR ME.

THAT'S WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN A STUDENT IS IN THE RIGHT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, AND THAT'S WHY WE SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> SCHOOL ISN'T A ONE SIZE FITS ALL FOR EVERY CHILD.

PARENTS SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE TO SEND THEIR SCHOOL THAT BEST FITS THEIR NEED AND THAT IS WHY SCHOOL CHOICE IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, I WATCHED MY CHILDREN FAIL TO KEEP UP WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING.

THAT IS WHEN I MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO ENROLL THEM IN A PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THEY ARE NOW THRIVING IN THEIR NEW ENVIRONMENT.

MY CHILDREN WAKE UP EVERY DAY SO EXCITED TO GO TO SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE TRULY FALLEN IN LOVE WITH LEARNING.

BUT AS A SINGLE PARENT, I PINCH PENNIES TO PAY FOR THE COST OF TUITION.

TOO OFTEN I HAVE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING TUITION OR PAYING MY bills >> Casey: THE PROPOSED CHOICE BILL INCREASES FUNDING AND INCOME LIMITS FOR FAMILIES TO QUALIFY.

>> WE HOPE THAT THIS WEEK WE CAN EDUCATE FAMILIES ABOUT THIS PROGRAM THAT ONCE IT'S IN PLACE, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR SO THAT THEY CAN CHOOSE THE RIGHT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT FITS BEST WITH THEIR NEEDS.

>> THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKY FAMILIES THAT ARE JUST LIKE MINE, BUDGETING THEIR LAST DOLLARS TO GET THEIR CHILD INTO THE RIGHT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, SOMETHING WE CANNOT AFFORD A CHOICE AT ALL.

AND AS A PARENT WE JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> I WANT ERVIN STUDENT HERE AND EVERY STUDENT ACROSS KENTUCKY-TO-THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHASING THEIR PASSION, TO BE INSPIRED TO LOVE LEARNING.

WHEN PARENTS ARE EMPOWERED WITH SCHOOL CHOICE, STUDENTS, SCHOOLS AND ENTIRE COMMUNITIES WILL BENEFIT.

>> I ALSO HOPE THAT YOU WALK AWAY FROM THIS DAY ALSO HAVING A GRATE HEART FOR ALL THOSE AROUND, YOU PARENTS, TEACHERS, ALL IF SPECIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE THAT HELPED ON YOU YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK IS ABOUT, IT'S ABOUT GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFTS WE'VE BEEN GIVEN AND WORKING TOWARD MAKING SURE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THOSE SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH.

>> PLEASE GET BEHIND FAMILIES LIKE MINE AND SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> Casey: WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON PROGRESS OF THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL, SENATE BILL 50, AS IT MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

TODAY THE KENTUCKY SENATE PLACED HOUSE BILL 1, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET, IN THE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE.

THE HOUSE'S VERSION DIFFERS IN A HANDFUL OF WAYS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S ORIGINAL PROPOSAL.

AS THE SENATE CONSIDERS THE HOUSE'S BILL, WE WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO GO BACK TO THE STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR JOHN HICKS' PRESENTATION TO THE SENATE A&R COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

HICKS HIGHLIGHTS SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, PARTICULARLY HOW THE BUDGET PLANS TO SPEND THE MONEY KENTUCKY RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

>> THERE'S ABOUT 1 BILLION-DOLLAR FROM ITS STATE FISCAL RECOVERY FUND OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT THAT HAS YET TO BE APPROPRIATED.

THE GOVERNOR PROPOSES THE FOLLOWING USES P: $400 MILLION HE'S MENTIONED ABOUT PREMIUM FIRE ESSENTIAL WORKERS FROM ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL GUIDANCE, ANOTHER $250 MILLION FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS, NOT LOANS BUT GRANTS.

$75MILLION FOR ASSISTANCE TO NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITH $10 MILLION OF THAT SET ASIDE FOR ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.

AND THEN APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER $180 MILLION WITH COVID-19 MITIGATION.

WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT THE USE OF THESE FUNDS LAST YEAR, WE DID NOT THINK WE MIGHT NEED THIS MUCH MONEY ON AN ONGOING BASIS IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR COVID MITIGATION, BUT CLEARLY WITH ALMOST A ONE-THIRD OF TESTS BEING POSITIVE RECENTLY, IT'S STILL A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE.

FOR NURSING, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED $25 MILLION FOR STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS AND ANOTHER $2 MILLION FOR MEDIA EFFORTS.

WE HAVE ALSO, THROUGH THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS, BEEN ABLE ABLE TO TUT CUT THE WAIT LIST DOWN FOR SENIOR MEALS, AND THE GOVERNOR PROPOSES TO CONTINUE THAT THROUGH THIS THE NEXT BIENNIUM WITH FEDERAL POINT, $36.2 MILLION, AS WELL AS TO CONTINUE A $2 PER DAY INCREASE IN THE RATES FOR CHILD CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE WHICH THAT FUNDING WAS ALSO CEASING AND THIS WILL INTEND IT THROUGH THE NEXT TWO FISCAL YEARS.

SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITIES TESTING AND $10 MILLION FOR MARKETING OF KENTUCKY'S TOURISM FOR THE SAFE RETURN OF VISITORS BACK IN KENTUCKY'S TOURISM DESTINATION.

>> Casey: HICKS WAS ASKED A QUESTION FROM LOUISVILLE SENATOR MIKE NEMES ABOUT THE STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM FOR NU.

>> ON THE STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS, IS THERE ANY STIPULATION THAT THEY RESIDE IN KENTUCKY, THAT THEY WORK IN KENTUCKY OR THAT THEY WENT TO SCHOOL IN KENTUCKY?

AND WAS THERE ANY OTHER CONSIDERATION FOR ANY OTHER MEDICAL OCCUPATIONS?

>> FIRST, YES.

THE CONDITIONS ARE THAT THEY MUST -- THEY MUST -- A NURSE MUST WORK IN KENTUCKY.

A TEACHER MUST WORK IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN KENTUCKY.

A SOCIAL WORKER MUST WORK IN KENTUCKY.

DEFINITELY, IT'S A YEAR-FOR-YEAR AWARD FOR THE YEAR OF EMPLOYMENT IN THOSE POSITIONS.

AND THE GOVERNOR'S EMPHASIS RIGHT NOW WAS, YOU KNOW, TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THE NURSING SITUATION, WORK CLOSERLY WITH THE KENTUCKY NURSES ASSOCIATION, WITH THE BOARD OF NURSING ON THEIR IDEAS, SO WE WANTED TO TARGET HIS EFFORTS THERE.

>> Casey: MARSHALL COUNTY SENATOR DANNY CARROLL ASKED HICKS WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGE DOES TO IMPROVE THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE SEEN ACROSS THE STATE.

>> THE BUDGET TALKS ABOUT EXPANDING MEDICAID, AND IT'S NO SECRET THAT A THIRD OF OUR POPULATION IS ON MEDICAID AT THIS POINT, AND WE ARE STILL RANKED 49th IN THE COUNTRY ON WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.

WHAT DOES THIS BUDGET DO TO ADDRESS WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION?

AND AS WE ARE ATTRACTING BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY AND WE TOUT THAT, YET OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION NUMBERS REMAIN ABYSMAL.

WHAT DOES THE BUDGET DO TO ADDRESS THAT?

>> THANKS.

I UNIVERSAL PRE-SCHOOL HAS BEEN A MAGNET TO ENABLE MOTHERS TO BECOME WORKING MOTHERS.

THE WORKFORCE, THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES GOING INTO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

AS WELL, THE LINKING OF THE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE AT $20 MILLION POT OF MONEY TO RELATE TO EMPLOYERS WHO ARE GOING TO COMMIT TO HIRING THEIR GRADUATES.

THE LABOR, THE LONGSTANDING EVIDENCE FOR PRESCHOOL SAYS THAT THE LABOR PRODUCTIVE AS THEY GROW UP AS ADULTS IS IMPROVED OVER THOSE WHO DIDN'T GET IT.

THAT'S A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT BUT ONE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN.

AND I'D SAY THE -- ON THE SUPPLY WORKFORCE.

NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ALL STATES ARE CONTENDING WITH, KENTUCKY'S GOT A LOW WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE FOR MANY REASONS, ONE OF WHICH IS HIGH LEVEL OF DISABILITY, SO HEALTH CARE IS A AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT THAT OF PARTICULARLY HEALTH CARE AT EARLY AGES, SO MEDICAID INCORPORATES HEALTH CARE FOR -- AND THE HANDS PROGRAM AND OTHER THINGS THAT ASSIST PREGNANT MOTHERS AND NEW MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

ALL THOSE THING HAVE TO WE'VE WEAVE TOGETHER.

IF NATION HAS JUST ENDURED THAT'S CALL A GREAT RESIGNATION.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE QUIT THE LABOR FORCE OF THEIR OWN VOLITION.

THEY WEREN'T FIRED.

THEY QUIT.

HARD.

SO THERE'S SOME CHANGING IN CULTURE THAT'S HAPPENING OUT THERE.

WE WILL ALL KIND OF STRUGGLE WITH HOW TO -- HOW TO ATTRACT BACK A WORKFORCE THAT IS BOTH TRAINED AND EDUCATED.

>> Casey: WE HAVE MORE BUDGET ON KET FRIDAY, THE HERALD-LEADE AND COURIER-JOURNAL'S MAIN FRANKFORT REPORTERS SAT DOWN WITH BILL BRYANT ON "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" TO DISCUSS THE STATE BUDGET AND THE POSSIBILITY OF TAX REFORM DURING THE REST OF THE SESSION.

>> WELL, LET'S DIVE INTO WITH THAT HAS BEEN AN EVENTFUL WEEK OVER AT THE STATE CAPITOL CERTAINLY.

THE BUDGET FIRST.

THAT BILL HAS BEEN MOVING HISTORICALLY FAST.

WE'RE USED TO DOING STORIES, JOE, ON LAWMAKERS RUSHING THE CLOCK AT THE END AND HOMING THEY MAKE IT AND SOMETIMES THEY DO AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T.

BUT WHAT IS DRIVING THE SPEEDING TRAIN AT LEAST IN THE HOUSE GETTING THIS NOW OVER TO THE SENATE?

>> WELL, REPUBLICANS -- IT'S PRETTY UNDENIABLE THAT PART OF THIS IS A LITTLE MUSCLE FLEXING, SHOWING THAT THEY HAVE THE SUPER MAJORITY AND THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT, AND THEY'VE CERTAINLY PUSHED THIS THROUGH AT RECORD SPEED, FILING IT BEFORE THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, AND PASSING IT THROUGH IN RECORD SPEED AND PASSING IT IS YESTERDAY.

AND REALLY THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL FOR THEM, WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SPEEDING TOWARDS IS TAX REFORM, AND THEY WANT TO GET THEIR BUDGET OUT OF THE WAY, SEE HOW MUCH IS LEFT OVER.

THE CURRENT ONE HAS A LITTLE OVER $1 BILLION OF UNSPENT FUNDS AND THEY'RE READY TO USE THAT FOR A TAX REFORM BILE BILL.

THE PROBLEM IS THIS HAS TO GO TO THE SENATE, AND EVERY INDICATION WE'RE GETTING FROM THE SENATE ASK THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THEIR TIME WITH THIS SO WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GO TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR A WHILE ON THIS.

EVEN THOUGH THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE GONE REALLY FAST, THE PROCESS IS GOING TO SLOW DOWN.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, YOU HAVE LOOKED HOUCHIN THEY HAVE LEFT UNSPENT THE WAY IT APPEARS THINGS ARE GOING RIGHT NOW.

THAT APPARENTLY GIVES THAT CUSHION OR THAT OPTION OF THE TAX REFORM.

>> Austin: YAW I THINK THE NUMBER IS $1.14 BILLION LEFT UNSPENT RIGHT NOW SO THAT'S A GOOD BIT OF WIGGLE ROOM, I'D SAY.

AND, OF COURSE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TAX REFORM, THIS HAS BEEN A DISCUSSION WE'VE HAD FOR YEARS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THAT WIGGLE ROOM IS FINALLY THERE FOR THEM TO DO IT, WHICH IS LIKELY GOING TO MEAN AN INCOME TAX CUT OF SOME FORM AND THEN YOU OFFSET IT WITH SALES TAX.

OF COURSE, THE COMMON COMPLAIN THAT IS THAT IT'S REGRESSIVE AGAINST FOR A PEOPLE.

AND THEN PEOPLE ADVOCATING FOR IT SAY IT'S A VERY NECESSARY BUSINESS MOVE TO ATTRACT BUSINESS AND HIGH INCOME PEOPLE AS WELL.

>> Bill: LAST WEEK THE DISCUSSION WAS THAT THE HOUSE HAD PRESENTED ITS BUDGET AND THE GOVERNOR PRESENTED THE THINGS THAT HE WANTED.

IF YOU PUT THOSE SIDE BY SIDE, HOW DID THE GOVERNOR FARE AND HOW DOES THE HOUSE BUDGET COME OUT?

>> Austin: THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT I THINK THE GOVERNOR WISHES WERE IN THIS HOUSE BUDGET THAT DIDN'T GET PUT IN AFTER HE PRESENTED HIS.

A BIG ITEM IS PRE-K. THAT'S $172 MILLION.

NO THE REPUBLICANS' BUDGET DOES FULLY FUND KINDERGARTEN, WHICH WASN'T FULLY FUNDED PREVIOUSLY.

AND THEY DID ALSO ADD A COUPLE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT, SITE SELECTION I THINK IS A FUND THAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO JUICE A LITTLE BIT LIKE HE WAS.

SOME HIGHER ED PROJECTS.

THERE'S EVEN ONE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY THAT I REMEMBER REPRESENTATIVE TIPTON TALKING ABOUT SOD REALLY EXCITEDLY BECAUSEIT HIS DAUGHTER GOES THERE.

SO THERE ARE SOME CON THAT'S WERE MADE IN THIS BUDGET, BUT IN TERMS OF THE BIG MATERIAL THINGS, THERE'S SOME BIG differ >> Casey: AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVERRODE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR'S VETOES FROM THE REDISTRICTED U.S. CONGRESS AND STATE HOUSE MAPS, LAWSUITS WERE FILED AGAINST THE NEWLY ENACTED THE STATE CAPITOL REPORTERS DISCUSSED WHAT MAY COME OF THOS.

>> Bill: THIS WEEK REDISTRICTING WENT TRUE THE WRINGER.

THERE WERE VETOES FROM THE GOVERNOR.

QUICKLY OVERRIPPED BY WEEK'S END.

AND THEN CHALLENGES IN COURT BY THE TIME WE GOT TO FRIDAY.

>> Joe: NOW THE COURTS ARE THE NEW VENUE FOR THE FIGHT SO YOU HAD THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SOME FRANKLIN CRIN RESIDENTS AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE DERRICK GRAHAM FROM FRANKFORT WHO FILED THIS, AND THEY SAY THAT IT VIOLATES THE STATE HOUSE MAP AND THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS, VIOLATES SEVERAL SECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION DUE TO WHAT THEY CALL EXCESSIVE PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING, AND THE EXCESSIVE CRACKING OR SPLITTING OF COUNTIES OR URBAN AREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, SO THIS IS WHERE THE BATTLE'S GOING TO BE.

IT'S IN FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT RIGHT NOW BUT WE ALL KNOW IT'S GOING TO GO TO THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT, AND, YOU KNOW, THEY COULD ALLOW IT TO STAND OR THEY COULD POTENTIALLY BLOCK IT FROM GOING INTO EFFECT, THE WHICH WOULD REALLY THROW THE ELECTIONS INTO TOTAL CHAOS.

>> Bill: THIS COULD BE A VERY NECESSITY TIB LIST RULING.

DIFFERENT STATES' CONSTITUTION LOOK AT ALL OF THIS DIFFERENTLY, AND HERE IS THE CHANCE FOR KENTUCKY'S TO BE INTERPRETED ON THIS ISSUE.

>> Austin: RIGHT.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT DEALING WITH GERRYMANDERING CASES, SO THIS IS REALLY A STATE-BY-STATE KIND OF THING, AND AS JOE WAS SAYING, THE ARGUMENT IS TO SAY THAT EXTREME GERRYMANDERING IS AGAINST A SPECIFIC CLAUSE IN THE CONSTITUTION.

I THINK IT'S FREE AND EQUAL ELECTIONS.

WE'VE SEEN SIMILAR RULINGS, AND IN PENNSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA AND OHIO, BUT, I MEAN, WE'LL SEE IF IT WORKS.

AND TALKING TO DEMOCRATS AROUND THE STATE, IT'S KIND OF A COMMON THEME OF REPUBLICAN, THE MAP SPLITTING UP CITIES.

REPUBLICANS REALLY TOUTED THAT THEY KEPT A LOT OF COUNTIES WHOLE, WHICH IS TRUE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT PLACES LIKE HOPKINSVILLE, E'TOWN, COVINGTON, RICH MOANED, A LOT OF THESE PLACES THAT ARE IN COUNTIES THAT ARE RED BUT MAY BE SYMPATHETIC TO DEMOCRATS ARE SPLIT up.

>> Casey: YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL EPISODES OF "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" AT KET.ORG AND YOU CA TUNE IN EACH WEEK AT 8:00 P.M. EASTERN ON FRIDAY FOR THE LIVE EARLIER TONIGHT, KET'S RENEE SHAW HOSTED A DISCUSSION WITH LEGISLATORS AND ANALYSTS TO ON THE STATE BUDGET.

HERE'S A PORTION OF THAT CONVERSATION.

>> THIS BUDGET IS A SOLID FIRST DRAFT.

IT WAS THOUGHTFULLY DONE, ABSOLUTELY IT.

DOES NO HARM.

THERE ARE NO CUTS IN THIS BUDGET, AND THAT'S THE FIRST TIME WE CAN SAY THAT IN 16 YEARS IN KENTUCKY.

IT BASICALLY TAKES THE LAST ENACTED BUDGET FROM THE LEGISLATURE AND ADDS FUNDING TO EVERY SINGLE LINE ITEM.

THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN IT.

A 66% RAISE FOR STATE WORKERS, RETENTION BONE ONCE RAISES AND NEW POSITIONS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS WHICH WE BADLY NEED, RAISES FOR STATE TROOPERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

THERE'S AN INCREASE IN SEEK FUNDING, SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION, AND IT FUNDS FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN, AND IT PUTS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ABOVE WHAT IS REQUIRED INTO OUR PENSIONS.

THERE'S A LOT TO LIKE HERE, BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITY.

>> THERE WAS CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO A WIDE SPECTRUM OF ISSUES, AND SO WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO BUDGETING FOR NEEDS, YOU DO TAKE A LOT OF YOUR CUE FROM THE PRIOR BUDGETS.

THAT'S WHERE YOUR ISSUES ARE.

THAT'S WHERE THE PRIORITIES WERE STATED.

WYE TOOK NOTE OF THOSE ISSUES LAST INVESTIGATION WORKED ON THEM IN THE INTERIM.

WE FOLLOWED AND TALKED WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AS BEST WE COULD TO SEE WHAT THEY THOUGHT PRIORITIES WERE.

WE TRIED TO TAKE CUES FROM EVERYWHERE TO SEE IF WE WERE COVERING ENOUGH GROUND CHANGE AND SURE WE WERE CONSIDERING.

BUT WHAT WE ULTIMATELY COME DOWN TO IS NEEDS VERSUS WANTS AND THOSE NEEDS DO INCLUDE INVESTMENTS SO IT'S NOT JUST THE BARE NECESSITY AND IS KEEP THE REST OF IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF PUSH, BUFFET TO BE CAREFUL IN HOW YOU BUDGET AND PUSH.

I HEAR THIS STUFF ABOUT BE BRAVE, BE BOLD, BE BIG.

OKAY.

BUSINESSES NEED STEADY PLANNING AND STEADY GROUND IN ORDER TO MOVE THEMSELVES FORWARD.

FAMILIES NEED THE SAME THING.

STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TO HAVE THE SAME.

AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO HAVE THE SAME.

SO INCREMENT AM CHANGE TO THE GOOD, SMART, PRUDENT INCREMENTAL CHANGE IS GOING TO BE THE BEST.

>> Casey: TO SEE THE FULL EPISODE OF "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" ON THE STATE BUDGET, CHECK out OUR WEBSITE A THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 14 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME FOR "LEGISLATIVE U 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.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TON HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.