[♪♪] >> Bill: KENTUCKY'S EDUCATION COMMISSIONER PREDICTS A POSSIBLE MAJOR SHORTFALL IN FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS.

LAWMAKERS WANT MORE INFORMATION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP BEGINS HIS SECOND TERM AND KENTUCKIANS REACT TO HIS INITIAL ACTIONS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR TAKES THE STAGE IN SWITZERLAND AS A NEW POLL GAJS HIS KENTUCKY APPROVAL.

A LOUISVILLE PLANT THE SITE OF A DEADLY EXPLOSION SAYS IT WILL NOT REBUILD THERE.

AFTER THE COLDER START TO A YEAR IN DECADES, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

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

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYST OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, ALEX ACQUISTO, POLITICS AND HEALTH REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

MARCUS GREEN, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

AND SYLVIA GOODMAN, CAPITOL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

EKU AND MURRAY STATE AND WESTERN PUSHED TO EXPAND IN NEW AREAS AND LOUISVILLE COULD GET THE STATE'S FIRST MASSIVE DATA CENTER.

LET'S BEGIN WITH A SCHOOL FUNDING ISSUE.

THE STATE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER SAYS THERE COULD BE A $12 MILLION SHORTFALL IN SEEK FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS THIS YEAR.

AND IT COULD REACH 40 MILLION DOLLARS EVENTUALLY.

FIRST, SYLVIA IT'S IMPORTANT TO EXPLAIN THE SEEK FORMULA.

IT STARTS WITH LOCAL REVENUE AND THE SEEK MONEY GOES TO SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

IT IS A COMPLICATED FORMULA THAT WAS SETUP THANKS TO THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION REFORM ACT OR CARA.

AND IT TAKES THE FACTORS MANY PROJECTED BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

IT PROJECTS THINGS LIKE HOW MANY ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE?

HOW MANY STUDENTS?

WHAT IS THE TOTAL DAILY ATTENDANCE AT YOUR SCHOOL.

WHAT ARE TRANSPORTATION COSTS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

AND OF COURSE, AS YOU MENTIONED WE ARE INCLUDING LOCAL TAX REVENUE PROPERTY TAXES.

WHICH CAN VARY GREATLY.

THAT IS WHAT IS AT ISSUE HERE IS THE ESTIMATIONS THAT THE DISTRICTS HAVE COME OUT WITH BEFORE AND HOW THEY COULD HAVE CHANGED.

>> Bill: THE PROPERTY VALUES ARE UP SOME AND THAT IMPACTS MORE REVENUE NEEDING TO COME FROM THE STATE.

SYLVIA, THE COMMISSIONER SAYS HE SEES THESE INDICATIONS OF A SHORTFALL.

HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DATA AND OTHER LAWMAKERS HAVE AS WELL?

>> SURE.

RIGHT, THEY ARE QUESTIONING THEY NEED TO DIG INTO THE DATA A LITTLE BIT MORE.

THEY NEED MORE INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THE SIZE OF THE SHORTFALL, HOW MUCH LEGISLATURE MIGHT NEED TO INTERVENE HERE.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT IN A BUDGET SESSION BUT THEY DO WIGGLE ROOM TO CHANGE THE BUDGET TO DIG BACK IN A LITTLE BIT AND CHANGE THINGS.

SO WE'LL SEE IF THEY DECIDE TO DO THAT THIS YEAR.

>> Bill: COMMISSIONER FLETCHER ALSO HAS HAD, YOU KNOW, A LOT ON HIS PLATE GETTING GOING HERE.

AND AT ONE POINT, AN INTERVIEW WITH ME THIS WEEK, THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER MAX WISE SAYS THE G.O.P.

IS FUNDING SCHOOLS AT RECORD LEVELS AND SAYS THAT LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING RIGHT NOW TO FIGURE OUT THIS POSSIBLE SHORTFALL SCENARIO.

>> AND WE ALSO WORK DIRECTLY WITH KDE.

COMMISSIONER FLETCHER WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS OUR BUDGET STAFF HAVE SEEN WHERE THE DISCREPANCY IN DATA COULD HAVE BEEN.

WE WILL LET THE HOUSE TAKE THE LEAD ON THIS WHEN BUDGET SESSIONS START THEY ARE GENERATE THE REVENUE BILL TO US AND WE WORK OFF OF THAT.

I DON'T THINK IT IS A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE GOOD CONVERSATIONS GOING FORWARD.

WE HAVE RISEN UP DONE THINGS IN THE PAST WHEN WE FOUND SHORTFALLS IN THE PAST.

>> Bill: SO, SYLVIA SOUNDS LIKE LAWMAKERS WOULD BE INCLINED TO DO SOMETHING IF THIS IS, IN FACT, A SHORTFALL?

>> YEAH.

WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE WHAT THEY DECIDE TO DO.

AND TO WHAT LEVEL THEY COULD DISAGREE WITH THE EXACT HOW MANY THERE MIGHT BE MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS HOW THEY CAN COVER A LITTLE BIT OF THAT LOSS.

BUT WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Bill: MARCUS, I KNOW AND YOUR STAFF LOOKED IN THE IMPACT THIS COULD HAVE ON THE STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE JEFER SOUND COUNTY.

>> AND THE JEFFERSON COUNTY.

>> AND THE ESTIMATE IS $3 MILLION IT COULD AFFECT FUTURE RAISES AND OTHER INCENTIVES.

BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS GOING TO BE HASHED OUT IN THE SESSION BUT IT HAS THE ATTENTION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS LIKE JCPS WHICH POINTS OUT THIS IS A RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT OF THE OVERALL BUDGET.

>> Bill: THIS COMES AS A GROUP OF STUDENTS FILED A LAWSUIT LAST WEEK SAYING THE COMMONWEALTH IS FALLING WAY SHORT IN THE OBLIGATIONS TO FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT GROUP SPOKE OUT AGAIN THIS WEEK WHEN FLETCHER REVEALED HIS CONCERNS.

>> RIGHT.

THEY ARE SAYING IT FALLS SO SHORT IT'S UNDERGROUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL THEY ARE NOT MEETING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SO ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WHEN IT COMES TO THIS FUNDING GAP, RIGHT, IS ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO THE ORIGINAL DECISION THAT FIRST CREATED THIS IDEA THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM CAN BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN ITS INEFFICIENCY IS A FUNDING GAP BETWEEN THE POOREST AND THE RICHEST DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

AND YOU KNOW, ACCORDING TO SOME ORGANIZATIONS, THAT GAP HAS INCREASED WHEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION SINCE THAT 1990 DECISION.

SO -- 1989 DECISION, EXCUSE ME.

I THINK THAT IS ANOTHER THING TO LOOK AT IS HOW ARE DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AFFECTED.

JCPS IT IS A SMALL PORTION OF THEIR BUDGET AND HOW IS THAT BEING DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Bill: YOU ARE RIGHT THE RULING WAS IN 89 AND KARA WAS 1990.

AND THE SUPREME COURT MADE THAT RULING IN 89 DOESN'T IT STILL HOLD?

>> PRESUMABLY IT DOES.

>> Bill: ALEX, SCHOOLS MAYBE COMING TO THE LEGISLATURE WITH A MORE URGENT MATTER FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

SOME ARE RUNNING OUT OF NONTRADITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS THEY NEED MORE.

I GOT A SENSE IN MY INTERVIEW WITH LEADER WISE THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT LAWMAKERS WILL GO THERE, BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE HIGH VALUE THEY PLACE ON IN-PERSON LEARNING.

>> OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE THOSE CONCERNS DATING BACK TO OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A HUGE RELIANCE ON NDI DURING THE COVID EPIDEMIC.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF SEVERE WINTER WEATHER LATELY WHY WE ARE IN THIS POSITION TO BEGIN WITH.

FAYETTE COUNTY HAS HAD NTI DAYS THERE ARE DISSCHOOL DISTRICTS OUT OF NTI DAYS.

IT IS A MATTER OF WILL THE LEGISLATURE BEND IF SCHOOL DISTRICTS REQUEST IT OR WILL THEY STAND FIRM?

AND WE DON'T KNOW YET.

>> Bill: WE DON'T.

AND PRESUMABLY THAT WILL BE TAKEN UP WHEN THEY RETURN TO FRANKFORT FEBRUARY FOURTH.

THE FIRST WEEK OF THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY BROUGHT A FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ACTIONS THE MOST VISIBLE INCLUDED A CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

AND MARCUS ONE OF THE DIRECTIVES FROM THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS TO BE SURE THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS DON'T STAND IN THE WAY IN ANYWAY OF ENFORCING IMMIGRATION LAWS AND MASS DEPORTATION.

>> CORRECT.

IN FACT, SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN THE ORDERS AND THE RELATED POLICY DIRECTIVES GOES A LITTLE BIT FURTHER AND DOES RAISE THE POSSIBILITY THAT LOCAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD BE INVOLVED OR COULD BE DEPUTIZED TO HELP WITH THE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS.

IN EFFECT PLACES LIKE LOUISVILLE WITH A LARGE IMMIGRATION POLICY, POPULATION, AND YOU KNOW, LOUISVILLE'S AN INTERESTING CASE STUDY, BECAUSE THERE IS A 2017 POLICY PUT INTO PLACE IN THE CITY THAT IS STILL IN EFFECT AND IT ESSENTIAL SAYS THAT LOUISVILLE LMPD WILL NOT HELP FEDERAL AGENTS EXECUTE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION POLICY.

THEY CAN HELP IN OTHER WAYS BUT NOT ENFORCE THAT POLICY.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW JURISDICTIONS LIKE LOUISVILLE COME INTO COMPLIANCE OR FIGHT WITH SOME OF THE FEDERAL DIRECTIVES.

BECAUSE LOUISVILLE HAS CLEARLY PLACED A VALUE ON NOT COMPLYING WITH THAT IN THE PAST.

UNDER THE FORMER MAYOR GREG FISHER AND CRAIG GREENBURG SAID THAT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

THIS IS SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON IF THE EFFORTS RAMP UP IN PLACES LIKE LOUISVILLE AND OTHER BIG CITIES.

>> Bill: SYLVIA SOME SCHOOLS HAVE ALSO INTRODUCED SOME GUIDANCE WE'LL SAY?

>> YEAH, EXACTLY.

JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS ISSUED A GUIDANCE THAT IF AN IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL A FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL COMES TO THE SCHOOL THAT THEY SHOULD CALL JCPS DISTRICT LAWYERS.

THEY SHOULD NOT LET THE OFFICIAL INTO THE BUILDING.

THEY CAN LET THEM IN AFTER THEY CALLED THE LAWYER TO THE MAIN OFFICE AND WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE TAKEN FURTHER STANCES, INDIANAPOLIS THIS IS OUT OF THE STATE, THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT SAID TO NOT COMPLY UNLESS THE OFFICER COMES WITH A WARRANT.

AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS A NEW THING FOR A LOT OF SCHOOLS TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND YOU KNOW STANDING ORDER THAT YOU DON'T ENFORCE IMMIGRATION ACTIONS WITHIN SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE CONSIDERED SENSITIVE AREAS.

SO THIS IS KIND OF A NEW GROUND FOR TEACHERS TO RETREAD TO RECONSIDER HOW THEY ARE GOING TO ACT IF AN IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL COMES KNOCKING.

>> Bill: ALEX WHAT ARE AREAS THAT KENTUCKIANS MAYBE WATCHING AND REACTING TO AFTER THIS WEEK'S POLICY CHANGES FROM THE NEW ADMINISTRATION?

>> WELL, I PAID A LOT OF ATTENTION THIS WEEK TO HOW REPUBLICANS, PARTICULARLY ELECTED REPUBLICANS RESPONDED TO TRUMP'S FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

OBVIOUSLY ON HIS FIRST NIGHT IN OFFICE.

I HAVE TO IMAGINE IF YOU ARE TRUMP SUPPORTING REPUBLICAN, YOU REALLY LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SEEING SO FAR.

HE SET THE STAGE WITH A LOT OF HIS ASSERTIVE ORDERS HIS FIRST NIGHT IN OFFICE.

I SAW STATE LAWMAKERS IN THE G.O.P.

CELEBRATING HIS ORDER DECLARING THERE'S ONLY TWO GENDERS, MALE AND FEMALE.

OBVIOUSLY HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF DISMANTLING D.E.I.

IN THE GOVERNMENT.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF THEM ARE PLEASED WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING.

AND PROBABLY FEEL EMBOLDENED BY IT.

>> Bill: THERE WAS ALSO AN EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM THE TRUMP THAT PAUSES SOME OF THE PROJECTS UNDER THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE ACT THAT WAS PASSED IN 2021 AND MARCUS, IMMEDIATELY THAT BROUGHT UP QUESTIONS.

BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO ONLY IMPACT SOME PROJECTS.

BUT DO WE HAVE ANY INDICATION AS TO WHETHER IT COULD IMPACT THE BRENT SPENCE CORRIDOR PROJECT WHICH IS A BIG TICKET ITEM IN KENTUCKY?

>> WELL, I THINK PART OF THE CONCERN EARLIER IN THE WEEK WAS HOW SLIGHTLY AM BIGGOUSLY THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER WAS WRITTEN.

IT DID APPEAR TO PAUSE ALL OF THE PROJECTS THAT RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THAT BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW WHICH FUNDED A FLURRY OF PROJECTS ACROSS KENTUCKY.

THERE WAS A -- AND INCLUDING THE BRENT SPENCE THE BIG TICKET WOULD BE THE BRENT SPENCE.

THERE WAS A MEMO RELEASED BYES OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WHICH CLARIFIED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AND SAID LOOK THIS IS ONLY APPLYING TO PROJECTS THAT WOULD FALL UNDER THE GREEN NEW DEAL AND THE BRENT SPENCE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THAT AS A HIGHWAY PROJECT.

IT APPEARS IT'S SAFE AND EVEN THE GOVERNOR INDICATED HE HAS LONG-TERM CONFIDENCE IN THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING FOR THAT PROJECT.

HE, THOUGH, DOES HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER HAS IT IS WRITTEN.

>> Bill: AND THERE'S ALSO TALK ABOUT THE CONSENT DECREE THAT LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE HAVE BEEN WORK, OUT WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT THAT COULD UNDERGO CHANGES OR COULD BE SCRAPPED UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> IT FACES CHALLENGES AND ADVOCATES OF POLICE REFORM WERE CONCERNED ABOUT AS THAT DEAL GOT PUSHED TOWARDS THE END OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

IT DID NOT GET IN FRONT OF A FEDERAL JUDGE AND THAT JUDGE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE NEEDS TO SIGN ON TO THAT.

THAT WAS BEFORE THE PRESIDENT TOOK OFFICE.

HIS ADMINISTRATION REPORTEDLY RAISED SKEPTICISM ABOUT THESE TYPES OF CONSENT DECREES.

NOW, LOUISVILLE'S POLICE CHIEF PAUL HUMPHREY SAID AND THE MAYOR SAID THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THAT AGREEMENT WHETHER THERE IS A COURT ENFORCED ORDER THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND ENSURE THE REFORMS ARE CARRIED THROUGH TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.

THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE TYPE OF COURT SANCTIONED LEGALITY THEY HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.

>> Bill: AND THERE COULD BE OUTSIDE ARBITRATION INVOLVING THIS?

>> ONE OF THE KEY ASPECTS IS THIS INDEPENDENT MONITOR A THIRD PARTY TO ENSURE THE REFORMS ARE ACTUALLY PUT INTO PLACE.

AND THERE IS A CALL FOR THAT PERSON OR THAT GROUP MONITOR TO BE IN PLACE WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A COURT ENFORCED DECREE.

>> Bill: A LOT OF WASHINGTON IMPACTING KENTUCKY AND SENATOR PAUL INTRODUCED A BIPARTISAN BILL TO REPEAL THE BAN ON THE POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA APP TIKTOK.

HE SAYS THE BAN INFRINGES ON FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

>> I THINK THE FIRST AMENDMENT HAS AN EXCEPTION FOR NATIONAL SECURITY.

I DON'T THINK IF THAT'S TRUE, EVERY TIME THEY LIMIT OUR SPEECH THEY'LL SAY, WELL, IT'S FOR NATIONAL SECURITY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHY IS IT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY?

I DON'T FEEL MY NATIONAL SECURITY IS THREATENED BY TIKTOK.

>> Bill: MARCUS THERE ARE A LOT OF KEN KENTUCKY KEN CREATORS AND USERS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THIS?

>> WHAT I THINK IS INTERESTING ABOUT THIS ENTIRE SAGA WITH THE TEMPORARY BAN ON TIKTOK, WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ACTION TO GET IT UNBLOCKED FOR A TIME, I JUST THINK WE'RE DEALING WITH A MASSIVE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM THAT HAS MILLIONS OF USERS ACROSS THE WORLD.

WHETHER IT IS A SALE OR ACTION IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT TIKTOK WILL GO AWAY.

YOU WOULD THINK THE BUSINESS INTEREST AND THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THIS PLATFORM GENERATES WILL BE ENOUGH TO CONTINUE IT GOING FORWARD.

>> Bill: THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH SUPPORT THERE WILL BE FOR LEGISLATION OR HOW THE ENTDZ GAME IS -- END GAME IS FOR TIKTOK IF IT'S TO LAST?

>> SURE.

OBVIOUSLY IT WAS A BIPARTISAN PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO BLOCK TIKTOK IN FAVOR OF NATIONAL SECURITY.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAD THE CENTERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL FROM KENTUCKY WAS A SUPPORTER OF THE BAN INITIALLY.

IT HAD DEMOCRATIC ALLIES.

AND SO I THINK THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONCERN THAT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER DOES NOT SUPERSEDE AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

BUT YOU KNOW, WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THERE'S CHANGE THE MOMENTUM THAT TRUMP IS IN OFFICE THE LEADER OF THE PARTY IS SAYING THIS IS NOT THE DIRECTION THAT COULD HAVE BIG IMPACTS AND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THERE'S INTEREST IN CONGRESS TO RETAKE UP THIS ISSUE AND CHANGE COURSE.

>> Bill: ALEX SENATOR PAUL WAS IN THE NEWS FILING A BILL THAT WOULD STOP FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

>> IT IS ONE PAGE LONG, CALLED THE DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACT.

IT LIKELY DOES NOT HAVE THE VOTES BUT I THINK FILING IT AGAIN AT THIS TIME THREE DAYS INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SECOND TERM, CERTAINLY HE HAS THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORT IN IT.

I THINK WHAT IS INTEREST SOMETHING THAT PLANNED PATTERN HOOD SENATOR PAUL'S REASON IS THAT PLANNED PATTERN HOOD PERFORMS ABORTIONS THEY DON'T WANT TAXPAYER FUNDED ABORTIONS IT PREVENTS USE OF FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS TO PAY FOR ABORTIONS.

PLANNED PATTERN HOOD PROVIDES HEALTH SERVICES ASIDE FROM THAT TOO.

THIS WOULD FURTHER MARGINALIZE LOW INCOME PEOPLE ON MEDICAID WHO USE US AS THEIR REPRODUCTION HEALTHCARE SOURCE.

I THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING IT'S SYMBOLIC.

AND ALSO, BEYOND JUST PROVIDING ABORTIONS PLANNED PARENTHOOD PROVIDES GENDER HEALTHCARE.

AND SENATOR PAUL HAS SPOKEN OUT AGAINST AND SO IS TRUMP AND IT'S IN KEEPING WITH THAT PLATFORM.

>> Bill: FORMER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN PARDONED DEMOCRATIC PARTY JERRY LUNNDER AGAIN HE WAS CONVICTED OF FUNNELING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO HIS DAUGHTER'S U.S. SENATE RACE.

ALEX, BIDEN MENTIONED HIM HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS AND SHOWING REMORSE IN HIS IN RELEASING THAT.

>> RIGHT.

I BELIEVE A YEAR AGO HE HAD A STROKE.

AND, YEAH, JERRY RELEASED A STATEMENT AND THIS IS A FACTOR THAT PRESIDENTS WHEN THEY ISSUE THE PARDON POWER THEY CONSIDER.

HOW MUCH REMORSE DOES SOMEBODY SHOW.

HE HAS TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS ACTIONS.

HE SOUGHT ATONE.

AND IS WORKING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE MOST VULNERABLE.

>> Bill: DEVELOPERS ARE WANTING TO TURN 150 ACRES IN LOUISVILLE INTO A MASSIVE DATA CENTER WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE AND KENTUCKY SO FAR IN LEFT OUT OF THESE BIG DATA CENTERS?

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES, FRANKLY IN THE U.S. AND THE WORLD.

IT'S REALLY SATISFYING A NEED FOR RAPID PROCESSING OF THE TYPES OF DATA WE USE WHEN WE USE OUR CELLPHONE AND STREAM A MOVIE, PLAY AN ON-LINE GAME.

THESE BIG COMPANIES LIKE FACEBOOK AND MICROSOFT THEY ARE BUILDING THE BIG CAMPUSES TO PUT THOUSANDS OF SERVERS AND OTHER COMPUTER HARDWARE INTO BUILDINGS TO PROCESS THIS DATA SO IT'S FASTER AND FASTER AND FASTER.

AND LOOK NO FURTHER IN JEFFERSONVILLE INDIANA, META, IS BEING ONE OF THESE FACILITIES.

NOW A GROUP OF DEVELOPERS BASED IN LOUISVILLE AND VIRGINIA, TEAMING UP IN THE JOINT VENTURE TO BUILD ONE.

DON'T HAVE A TENANT YET.

BUT THE GOAL THEY'VE TOLD ME IS TO BRING IN ONE OF THE BIG HYPER SCALERS.

THESE ARE THE, AGAIN, HOUSEHOLD NAMES IN THE TECH INDUSTRY TO BUILD ONE OF THESE AND THEY CITE THE LEGISLATION PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE TAX BREAKS ON SALES TAX.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT THESE FACILITIES USE A TON OF COMPUTERS AND OTHER THINGS.

YOU GIVE THEM A SALES TAX BREAK THAT IS THE MOST POPULAR INCENTIVE IN THE U.S. FOR THESE TYPES OF FACILITIES.

BY THE END OF THIS YEAR I IMAGINE WE'LL KNOW WHO THAT TENANT IS.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START SOON.

IT'S PUTTING KENTUCKY IN THE GAME AND WE HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THAT SALES TAX EXEMPTION AND ALSO BECAUSE SOME OF THESE OTHER MARKETS LIKE COLUMBUS OHIO AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA ARE GETTING SATURATED AND THERE IS A NEED FOR CHEAPER LAND AND CHEAPER ELECTRICITY AND AMPLE WATER AND LOUISVILLE FITS ALL THOSE BILLS.

>> Bill: I WONDERED WHY IT WOULD BE IN A METRO AREA AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL OF THOSE INFRASTRUCTURAL PARTS.

>> AND THIS IS ALSO A VERY RARE PIECE OF LAND IN LOUISVILLE IT'S 150 ACRES CLOSE TO THE RIVER.

>> Bill: THE COMPANY WHOSE PLANT EXPLODED IN NOVEMBER KILLING TWO WORKERS AND INJURING OTHERS SAYS IT WILL NOT REBUILD AT THAT SITE.

MARCUS, LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR WELCOMED THAT NEWS?

>> MAYOR GREENBURG SINCE SHORTLY AFTER THE EXPLOSION SUGGESTED THEY LOOK ELSEWHERE.

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO FATAL EXPLOSIONS IN THAT PLANT IN 20 YEARS.

NEIGHBORS IN LOUISVILLE'S CLIFTON NEIGHBORHOOD ARE FED UP.

THEY DON'T LIKE LIVING NEXT TO THAT TYPE OF FACILITY.

EVEN THOUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS BUILT UP AROUND THE FACTORY TO BEGIN WITH YEARS AGO, BUT MAYOR GREENBURG IS SUGGESTING THEY LOOK ELSEWHERE THEY ARE LOOKING AT OTHER SITES IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: IS THE COMPANY IN THE PROCESS OF PAYING OUT CLAIMS THERE MUST BE A LOT GOING ON THERE?

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FRUSTRATING PARTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING AS WINTER SET ON TO GET THE DAMAGES ASSESSMENTS DONE.

THOSE ARE COMPLETE ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY AND NOW THEY ARE BEGINNING TO BEGIN TO PAY OUT THESE INSURANCE CLAIMS.

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS RETURNED TO KENTUCKY FROM SWITZERLAND WHERE HE ADDRESSED THE WORLD ECONOMIC SUMMIT.

HE SAYS HE MET WITH COMPANIES THAT EMPLOY THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKIANS.

SYLVIA SOME REPUBLICANS CRITICIZE BESHEAR'S TRIP.

DO WE GET A SENSE HE COULD COME BACK AND ANNOUNCE JOBS OR EXPANSIONS?

>> WELL, I'M NOT SURE YET I'M SURE WE WILL FIND OUT IN THE COMING MONTHS OR YEARS IF THAT TRIP ENDED UP PANNING OUT.

IT IS CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST TIME BESHEAR HAS DONE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO BOOST KENTUCKY'S PROFILE AND HIS OWN A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK IT WAS LAST YEAR IN THE SUMMER HE WENT TO SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN TO TALK WITH EXISTING COMPANIES IN KENTUCKY.

AND PROSPECTIVE COMPANIES TO ENGAGE IN TRADE CONVERSATIONS.

IT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST TIME AND IT'S ABOUT TALKING UP KENTUCKY PART OF WHAT GOVERNORS DO.

THEY TALK UP THEIR STATE TO OTHER STATES, TO LAWMAKERS, AND TO BUSINESSES.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

A MORNING CONSOLE POLL PEGS GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S APPROVAL RATING AT 65%.

THAT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THE HIGHEST OF ANY DEMOCRAT.

AND VERY INTERESTINGLY, PRESIDENT TRUMP GOT 65% OF THE VOTE IN KENTUCKY IN NOVEMBER.

SO YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR OF ONE PARTY AND A PRESIDENT OF THE OTHER BOTH WITH STRONG SUPPORT IN THE BLUEGRASS STATE IT IS INTERESTING.

>> SO ME THIS IS WHAT A REALLY GOOD INDICATOR OF WHAT MAKES KENTUCKY SUCH A POLITICALLY FASCINATING PLACE, RIGHT?

GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS OBVIOUSLY A WELL LOVED DEMOCRAT.

ELECTED TO TWO TERMS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS TOO.

HE WAS THE FIRST STATE CALLED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP HE WON BY WIDER MARGINS THE SECOND TERM.

IT'S INTERESTING TO LOOK AT HOW BOTH PARTY ALSO VIEW THE OTHER RESULTS.

BECAUSE IF YOU ARE GOVERNOR BESHEAR A DEMOCRAT YOU CAN SAY CLEARLY CONSTITUENTS LIKE WHAT I'M DOING AND REPUBLICANS CAN SAY THE SAME THING BECAUSE THEY ARE PUSHING POLICY SIMILAR TO TRUMP'S.

IT GOES TO SHOW THAT NO POLITICAL PARTY IS A MONOLITH.

>> Bill: MARCUS YOU HAD A THOUGHT?

>> I THINK ALEX IS SPOT ON WE ARE AN UNUSUAL STATE WE HAD A LOT OF REPUBLICANS CROSSOVER TO VET FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND IT SHOWS A CLEAR DISTINCTION THE WAY PEOPLE VIEW NATIONAL RACES AND LOCAL RACES.

NATIONAL POLITICS IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT BEAST AND IT'S CLEAR THE WAY KENTUCKIANS VOTE.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL COLEMAN SUED THE GOVERNMENT OVER FOSTER CARE RULES.

>> THESE ARE BIDEN ERA FOSTER CARE RULES A MANDATE.

THAT BROADENS SUPPORT IN REQUIREMENTS FOR FOSTERING AND ADOPTION CARE AGENCIES CARING FOR LGBTQ YOUTH.

IT FOR EXAMPLE, IT REQUIRES AGENCIES TO PLACE THEM IN SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE HOMES.

RUSSELL COLEMAN IS A REPUBLICAN AND HE SORT OF SIGNALED HE MIGHT TAKE LEGAL ACTION HE HAS DONE THAT.

HIS ARGUMENT IS THE DEPARTMENT OVERSTEPPED ITS AUTHORITY AND THAT IT DISADVANTAGES RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED FOSTER GROUPS LIKE SUNRISE CHILDREN'S SERVICES BAPTIST RUN WHO MIGHT NOT WANT TO ADHERE TO THOSE MANDATES.

>> Bill: THREE UNIVERSITIES ARE HOPING TO GAIN PROOMS EKU WANTS TO START A SCHOOL OF OS PATHIC MEDICINE AND WESTERN IS PUSHING UP FOR FIVE NEW PROGRAMS.

ON EKU'S PROPOSAL, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS FULL STEAM AHEAD AND TOLD DO A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND THEY HAVE DONE THAT AND IT'S COME BACK POSITIVELY FOR THEM.

>> RIGHT.

IT APPEARS THERE IS NO MAJOR FEASIBILITY CONCERNS.

THEY HIRED DELOITTE TO DO THE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR ALL FOUR AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING PRESENTING THOSE FINDINGS TO THE LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY RETURN TO SESSION IN EARLY FEBRUARY WITH ESSENTIALLY IS A GREEN LIGHT.

>> Bill: NEW AREAS.

MURRAY STATE WANTS THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND WE SEND 70 STUDENTS A YEAR OUT OF STATE.

THE LEGISLATOR WHO FILED A BILL LIMITING BLOOD DONATIONS FROM COVID VACCINATED PEOPLE SAID IT WAS A MISTAKE?

>> THE BILL WOULD BLOCK HOSPITALS FROM TRANSFUSING BLOOD THAT UNLESS IT TESTS NEGATIVE FOR SPIKE PROTEINS, FOR SYNTHETIC MRNA OR COVID ANTIBODIES.

SHE SAID THAT IS A MISTAKE AND IF IT MOVED FORWARD, SHE WOULD CHANGE IT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT WE WILL WATCH ON THAT.

THE THOROUGHBRED WORLD IS REMEMBERING FORMER KEENELAND PRESIDENT TED BASSETT HE LED KEENELAND ESTABLISHED ITS INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE.

BEFORE THAT HE HAD BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF KENTUCKY'S STATE POLICE.

HE SETUP A TRAINING COLLEGE THAT IS NOW THE EKU COLLEGE OF JUSTICE AND ESTABLISHED TROOPER ISLAND AND OVERSAW THE HIRING OF THE FIRST BLACK TROOPER IN KENTUCKY.

BASSETT FOUND IT IMPORTANT TO RECORD HISTORY SUCH AS QUEEN ELIZABETH'S VISIT TO KEENELAND IN 1984.

TED BASSETT WAS 103 YEARS OLD.

AND FOLKS IN PO BOWLING GREEN ARE REMEMBERING THAT CITY'S FIRST WOMAN MAYOR WHO DIED AT AGE 85, PATSY SLOANE WAS A TEACHER AT BOWLING GREEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR 31 YEARS AFTER TOLD A WOMAN COULDN'T WIN SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED TO THE COMMISSION IN 1977 AND LED THE TICKET.

AND IN 1988 SHE WAS TOLD AGAIN SHE COULDN'T BE ELECTED MAYOR AND SHE WON THAT RACE.

THE CITY'S CONVENTION CENTER IS NAMED FOR PATSY SLOANE.

HTHAT IS COMMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.