[♪♪] >> Bill: A BUSY WEEK IN FRANKFORT A CRIME BILL IS APPROVED IN THE HOUSE.

THE DEATH PENALTY UNDER DISCUSSION AND LOTS OF TALK OVER SCHOOLS.

>>> A BATTLE OVER RENTAL DISCRIMINATION RULES PLAYS OUT IN CITY HALLS.

>>> A CIVIL LAWSUIT IS FILED AGAINST THE STORE THAT SOLD THE GUN USED IN A LOUISVILLE MASS SHOOTING.

UEKU LOOKS TO OPEN A COLLEGE OF OS PATHIC MEDICINING.

A WET WEEKEND ON THE WAY.

COMMENT IS NEXT ON DEBT.

KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, SYLVIA GOODMAN, CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

CHRIS OTTS, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT KENTUCKY UNION MEMBERSHIP IS UP AND MANY KENTUCKIANS IT APPEARS ARE MORE TOLERANT OF EACH OTHER'S POLITICS THAN MANY ARE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IT WAS ANOTHER BUSY WEEK IN FRANKFORT LOTS OF ISSUES GETS INTRODUCED AND DISCUSSED HOUSE BILL 5 PASSED THE HOUSE, THE COMPREHENSIVE CRIME BILL THAT SUPPORTERS CALL THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT AND THAT HAS BEEN ONE WE'VE WATCHED THIS WEEK.

>> DEFINITELY.

IT IS A MASSIVE BILL FROM BAIL FUNDS UNLAWFUL CAMPING, TONS OF PENALTY INCREASES, VIOLENT OFFENDER THREE STRIKES LAW, A CARJACKING STATUTE.

IT RUNS THE GAMUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IT IS A MAJOR OVERHAUL AND IT PASSED MOSTLY ON PARTY LINES IN THE HOUSE.

>> Bill: CRITICS SAID IT'S TOO BROAD AND THAT HAS BEEN WHAT PUSHBACK THERE HAS BEEN.

>> YES, THERE'S DOZENS OF PARTS TO THIS BILL AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO VOTED IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK WHO SAID WE WISH IT HAD BEEN BROKEN IN 10-20 BILLS IT COVERS SO MANY SUBJECTS I WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR PARTS OF IT AND NOT OTHERS.

WE HAVE TO SAY QUICK THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL IS THE PUBLIC HOMELESSNESS PORTION OF THIS.

IF YOU ARE CAMPING UNLAWFULLY CAMPING THEY CALL IT IN A PUBLIC PLACE YOU COULD BE FINED $250 FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE.

ARRESTED FOR SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES.

THAT STRIKES A LOT OF PEOPLE AS A CONTROVERSIAL WAY TO TREAT HOMELESSNESS.

>> Bill: THAT WILL GO TO THE SENATE AND WILL BE DISCUSSED DOES IT APPEAR TO BE AMENDMENTS OR CHANGES?

>> I CERTAINLY EXPECT ATTEMPTS AT AMENDMENTS.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE FAMOUSLY HAVE OFFERED SMART ON CRIME APPROACHES.

SOME CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW IT FARES IN THE HOUSE.

THERE ARE LOTS OF CONTROVERSIAL ELEMENTS OF THIS BILL, AND IT DID PASS ON LARGELY PARTY LINES BUT THERE WERE NORTHERN KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A LIBERTARIAN BENT THAT TOOK ISSUES WITH ELEMENTS OF THIS BILL.

>> Bill: AND THERE'S DISCUSSION TRYING TO KEEP GUNS FROM THOSE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

LAWMAKERS AVOID THE TERM RED FLAG LAW, BUT THERE IS A BIPARTISAN CAR ACT THAT IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR DAVID YATES AND REPUBLICAN WHITNEY WESTERFIELD.

>> IS THIS ISN'T A GUN GRABBING BUSINESS, THIS IS A CRISIS AVERSION.

THIS HAS TO DO WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS SITUATION, WHO OR ARE GOING TO DO HARM TO THEMSELF OR OTHERS.

THIS IS NARROW ENOUGH TEMPORARY ENOUGH, LIMITED ENOUGH IN SCOPE I THINK IT EASILY MEETS A CONSTITUTIONAL TEST.

>> Bill: SO DOES THE CAR ACT HAVE A CHANCE IN THE LEGISLATURE WHERE ANY GUN LEGISLATION IS A HEAVY LIFT?

>> WELL, THEY HAVE TRIED IN VAIN TO PASS SIMILAR LEGISLATION IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS AND IT HASN'T GOTTEN HEARINGS IN THE PAST IN SOME CASES.

WESTERFIELD SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT IT WOULD HOLD-UP CONSTITUTIONALLY BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS SAY TO GO COULD VIOLATE DUE PROCESS AND VIOLATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

BUT AGAIN HE SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT WOULD HOLD-UP IN THE COURTS.

AND BACK TO YOUR QUESTION OF DOES IT HAVE A CHANCE?

YOU KNOW, WESTERFIELD SAID HE FEELS COMPELLED TO TRY, COMPELLED TO TRY.

BUT IT'S QUESTIONABLE ABOUT WHETHER HE CAN GET IT PASSED BY MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY.

>> Bill: HE HAS DONE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND IS NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION THAT IS SENATOR WESTERFIELD.

>> THAT IS TRUE.

SENATOR WESTERFIELD FEELS LIKE THIS IS THE SESSION OF THE HAIL MARY PASS TO SEE WHAT HE CAN GET ACCOMOPLISHED BEFORE HE LEAVES.

FOR PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT THE CAR ACT IT'S SCARY TO THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE IN SOCIETY GOING THROUGH MOMENTS OF SEVERE MENTAL CRISIS WHO HAVE FIREARMS AND IF THEY ARE ADULTS AND THERE'S NO ONE ELSE IN THEIR LIFE WE CANNOT TAKE A LOADED WEAPON OUT OF THEIR HANDS UNTIL THEY DO SOMETHING TRAGIC WITH IT.

>> Bill: AND WESTERFIELD ACKNOWLEDGES THIS MAY BE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THROUGH?

>> HIS OWN WORDS EARLIER THIS WEEK IT'S GOT A TOUGH UPHILL CLIMB AND I HAVEN'T HIDDEN THAT AT ALL.

CLEARLY, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHETHER THERE ARE ANY OTHER REPUBLICANS WHO REALLY GET BEHIND ANY SORT OF GUN SAFETY MEASURE.

THIS ONE INCLUDED.

>> Bill: SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS NOW DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM THE HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT DOES NOT GUARANTEE RAISES FOR TEACHERS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR CALLED FOR 11% RAISES ACROSS THE BOARD.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON OF BOWLING GREEN SAYS THAT MAY BE TOO HIGH BUT TEACHERS DESERVE TO KNOW THEY WILL GET A BUMP.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT IS ENOUGH FOR THE JOB THAT WE ASK OUR TEACHERS TO DO.

THEY DON'T ONLY TEACH A SUBJECT ANYMORE THEY HAVE TO BE NURSES, THEY HAVE TO BE PSYCHOLOGISTS, THEY HAVE TO BE ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT HATS.

AND I JUST DON'T THINK THAT WE ARE SHOWING THEM ENOUGH RESPECT AND REWARDING THEM FOR THE HARD JOB THAT THEY DO.

>> Bill: JOHN, THIS IS AN INTERESTING SITUATION WHERE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WHO IS A RETIRED EDUCATOR AND COACH, SAYS THAT TEACHERS SHOULD BE GUARANTEED RAISES.

>> AND THIS HAS BEEN SORT OF A DEFENSIVE POINT FOR THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

THEY SAY WE ARE GIVING TEACHERS RAISES WE ARE NOT MANDATING THEM.

WE ARE INCREASING THE BASIC FUNDING FORMULA FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEN IT'S UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO GIVE RAISES TO TEACHERS AND WE HOPE THEY DO.

AND HOW MUCH THEY GIVE TO THEM.

THERE'S PROBABLY ENOUGH MONEY IN THE HOUSE BUDGET FOR AN 11% RAISE BUT THERE'S ENOUGH FOR SOME RAISE AND THE LAWMAKERS SAID IN THE LAST TWO-YEAR BUDGET THE MAJORITY OF DISTRICTS DID GIVE TEACHER RAISES.

THE REPUBLICAN TALKING POINT AND THERE'S TRUTH IS THAT THE TEACHERS AREN'T STATE EMPLOYEES THE WAY THE STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ARE AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHOULD HAVE THE DISCRETION TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS.

>> Bill: THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO FOLLOW AND WE'LL DO THAT.

AND SYLVIA A LOT OF SCHOOL ISSUES HAVE BEEN UP FOR DISCUSSION.

THE BILL WAS ADVANCED THAT CALLS FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO START THE DAY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> SO, IT MANDATES ONE TO TWO MINUTES OF SILENCE AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY SCHOOL DAY.

TEACHERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OFFER GUIDANCE HOW THAT MINUTE SHOULD BE SPENT BUT THEY MUST BE SILENT AND NOT A DISTRACTION TO OTHER STUDENTS.

THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS IF DEMOCRATS THAT THIS BILL SPECIFICALLY DOES MENTION THAT THAT MINUTE CAN BE USED FOR PRAYER, MEDITATION OR PRAYER IS WHAT IT SAYS.

AND THAT COULD OTHER SOME STUDENTS WHO DON'T CHOOSE TO USE THAT MINUTE FOR PRAYER, THAT STUDENTS WHO DO USE IT FOR PRAYER, COULD CREATE AN UNWELCOME ENVIRONMENT FOR OTHER STUDENTS.

THERE'S CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

BUT, AGAIN, IT DOES SAY THAT TEACHERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OFFER GUIDANCE HOW THAT WORKS.

>> I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS IN PARTICULAR, BILL, BUT I CAN SAY AS A PARENT OF AN EIGHT AND FIVE-YEAR-OLD A MOMENT OF SILENCE SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA IN THEORY.

EFFECTUATING THAT IS ANOTHER ISSUE.

AND I HAVE HEARD AT LEAST HAD ONE TEACHER WHO TOLD ME THAT IF THERE'S NOTHING IN THE LAW PREVENTING THEM FROM DOING THAT NOW, WHY DON'T THEY TRUST TEACHERS TO BE ABLE TO EFFECTUATE THAT IF THEY WANT TO IF THEY THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA FOR THE CLASSROOMS INSTEAD OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE COMING IN AND MANDATING SPECIFIC PIECES OF THE SCHOOL DAY AND HOW THEY SHOULD GO.

>> Bill: SO MOMENTS OF SILENCE ARE HARD TO COME BY YOU ARE SAYING?

>> YEAH.

WITH PARTICULARLY WITH LITTLE KIDS.

YES.

>> Bill: HB2 IS WE NOW KNOW AND BASICALLY, IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THAT THE LOWER NUMBERED BILLS ARE GENERALLY SEEN AS THE PRIORITIES OF LAWMAKERS.

HOUSE BILL 2 IS A SCHOOL CHOICE AMENDMENT.

AND THAT IS A SECOND OFFERING.

THERE IS ANOTHER HOUSE BILL THAT IS A SCHOOL CHOICE AMENDMENT, RIGHT, THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT?

>> THIS IS THE SECOND BUT THE ONE THAT LEADERSHIP APPEARS TO BE PUSHING MORE HEAVILY.

THE FIRST BILL WOULD HAVE MANDATED THAT SOME MONEY GOES TOWARDS SCHOOL CHOICE THIS SAYS THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE OPTION OF PUTTING PUBLIC FUNDS TOWARDS NONPUBLIC SCHOOLINGS.

SO WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING.

THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE KNEW IT WAS COMING FOR SEVERAL SESSIONS NOW, REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PUT IN CHARTER SCHOOLS, TO PUT MONEY TOWARDS SCHOOL VOUCHERS BUT THOSE OR A SCHOOL VOUCHER TAX CREDIT, BUT THOSE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL THEY HAVE BEEN STRUCK DOWN BY THE COURTS SO FAR.

THIS IS THE NEXT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE OUR AMENDMENT CONSTITUTION THROUGH THIS AMENDMENT TO ALLOW THAT.

>> Bill: AND JOHN, THIS REQUIRES A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

AND THE COURTS HAVE BEEN PRETTY CLEAR THE WORDING NEEDS TO SAY WHAT THE AMENDMENT IS.

YOU CANNOT CHARACTERIZE SOMETHING AS BROADLY AS SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> WE HAD THIS WITH THE MARCY'S LAW THE CRIME VICTIMS BILL OF RIGHTS.

SOMETIMES IT'S GOBBLELY AND IT THROWS ON THE VOTERS.

SOMETIME IT IS GOES ON FOR PARAGRAPHS THAT WILL BE KEY TO THIS.

ALSO KEY TO THIS IS WHETHER PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY WANT PUBLIC MONEY GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

CURIOUS IF THIS GOES ON THE BALLOT WHO PR CAMPAIGN BOTH SIDES WAGE.

>> Bill: YOU SUSPECT IT WOULD BE HEF THINK?

>> YES.

>> CHRIS ANOTHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE DISCUSSION HOUSE BILL 228 WOULD ALLOW PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO REMOVE FACULTY WHO FELL SHORT OF WHAT THE BILL CALLS PRODUCTIVITY REQUIREMENTS.

THE SPONSOR SAYS IT WILL NOT DO AWAY WITH TENURE.

>> FROM JAMES TIPTON AND I'M RELYING ON OUR FRIENDS AT THE LANTERN FOR THE COVERAGE HE CALLED IT A POST TENURE REVIEW BILL AND SAID IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ENDING TENURE.

CLEARLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO SAY FAT THERE'S NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR ACADEMICS TO MEET AFTER THEY HAVE GOTTEN TENURE THAT WILL RAISE SOME EYEBROWS AND COULD BE DISRUPTIVE TO HOW THINGS ARE DONE IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

WE HAVE SEEN OTHER REPUBLICAN LED STATES WANTING TO CHIP AWAY THAT ACADEMIC TENURE.

AND IT'S ALSO JUST PART OF THERE'S A FEW BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT PROBABLY ARE NOT WELCOME IN THE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION COMMUNITY BUT REACHING IN THERE.

THE OTHERS ARE RELATED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICERS AND THOSE SORTS OF INITIATIVES.

>> Bill: DEI BILL.

>> YES.

I WAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE TRUSTEES' MEETING AND THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT IT THE CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER SAID IT IS IMPORTANT WORK TO THEM AND THEY ARE PLANNING TO CONTINUE IT.

I THINK THE UNIVERSITIES ARE OBVIOUSLY BEING VERY CAREFUL IN HOW THEY TALK ABOUT THESE BILLS.

AND ACTUALLY DID REACH OUT TO THE COUNCIL ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION ON THE TENURE RELATED BILL TODAY, TO SEE WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT IT AND I DID NOT HEAR BACK.

>> Bill: AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE WATCHING LOTS OF THINGS.

THIS HAS A LOT OF INTEREST IN LOUISVILLE.

THE SENATE HAS ADVANCED THE BILL THAT WOULD FORBID LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM BANNING INCOME DISCRIMINATION WHERE LANDLORDS CAN DECIDE NOT TO RENT BASED ON WHERE THE MONEY TO PAY THAT RENT MAY BE COMING FROM.

AND LOUISVILLE HAS THOSE RULES, LEXINGTON IS LOOKING INTO IT.

>> THIS IS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE SECTION 8 VOUCHER PROGRAM WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES MONEY TO LOW INCOME RENTERS THAT THEY CAN USE TO RENT A HOUSE OR PRIVATE RESIDENCE.

WHAT LOUISVILLE DID IN 2022 2020 WAS THAT LANDLORDS CAN NOT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST SECTION 8.

REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THAT IS A TAKING OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS AND THAT THEY WANT THE LANDLORDS TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PROPERTY RIGHTS.

I'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO THIS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE DITCH BETWEEN SAYING YOU HAVE TO TAKE SECTION 8 TENANTS WHICH THE POW POTENTIALNENTS OF WHAT LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON ARE DOING ARE SAYING THAT IS NOT WHAT IT IS, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DISCRIMINATE.

AND THE DIFFERENCE IS ALL IT DOES IS PREVENT A LANDLORD FROM SAYING NO SECTION 8 HERE.

THEY NOT ALLOWED TO DISCRIMINATE BASED ON THAT BROAD CATEGORY BUT THEY CAN HAVE RENT THAT IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR A TENANT.

THEY CAN STILL REFUSE TO FIX A ROOF TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 8 RULES IF THEY ARE WILLING TO RENT THAT PROPERTY TO A NONSECTION 8 TENANT.

>> Bill: YOU GAUGE THE SUPPORT ON THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT GAUGING THE SUPPORT ON IT RIGHT NOW.

BUT OBVIOUSLY IT PASSED BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

I THINK IN LOUISVILLE, IT'S BEEN IT WAS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO PASS THAT ORIGINAL ANTIDISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE.

IT WAS BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR THAT.

BUT I DID WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SENATE BILL AND THE HOUSE BILL THAT PASSED ON THIS.

THE SENATE BILL SPECIFICALLY WAS ABOUT SECTION 8.

THE HOUSE BILL COVERED ALL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IT ALSO WOULD AFFECT PEOPLE WHO GET VETERANS WHO GET GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND AFFECT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO GET ASSISTANCE T WOULD AFFECT A LOT MORE PEOPLE, TOO.

>> Bill: AND THE INCOME DISCRIMINATION BILL IS A PREEMPTIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHERE THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BAR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM TAKING ACTION ON A MATTER.

JIM HENDERSON WHO RUNS THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES IS TAKING NOTE OF THE NUMBER OF BILLS WHERE FRANKFORT IS IMPOSING ITS AUTHORITY OVER LOCAL DECISIONS.

>> THAT THESE PREEMPTION BILLS THAT IS THE TERM USED IN THE LEGISLATURE WHERE PEOPLE REACH DOWN AND TRY TO TELL LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS TROUBLING.

AND WE TALK ABOUT IT A LOT AMONG OUR MEMBERSHIP.

>> Bill: JOHN, POLITICAL CONSERVATIVES USED TO SAY THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAKE THE BEST LOCAL DECISIONS.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT TRENDING THE OTHER WAY?

>> WE HAVE.

AND ONE OF THE DYNAMICS THE REPUBLICANS RUN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TEND TO BE FROM RURAL OR SMALL TOWN COMMUNITIES OR CONSERVATIVE SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES AND YOU'VE GOT LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON THE BIG BLUE LIBERAL METRO AREAS.

THAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES NOT WANT LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON TO DO WHAT THEY WANT.

SO YOU ARE SEEING LAWS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT TELL BOTH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SORT OF MICRO MANAGING YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT THIS WAY OR THAT WAY.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO THINGS THE WAY YOU WANT.

TO REFERENCE BACK TO THE PUBLIC HOMELESSNESS SECTION OF THE CRIME BILL.

SPECIFICALLY PUT LANGUAGE IN SAYING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CANNOT GO SOFT ON THE HOMELESS.

THEY CANNOT TELL THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO FAIL TO ENFORCE THESE CRIMINAL OFFENSES ON THE HOMELESS IF THEY DO, THEY WILL BE SANCTIONED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THAT IS TRYING TO STAY ONE STEP AHE HAD HAD OF THE MAYOR OF LEXINGTON, HER TELLING THE CHIEF OF POLICE, LOOK, GO EASY ON HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS.

THERE IS A LOT OF THAT IN THE LAWS TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LEGISLATURE SAYS GOES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Bill: THERE IS A PROPOSAL TO END THE DEATH PENALTY IN KENTUCKY.

WE'VE HAD SOME CONDEMNED PRISONERS ON DEATH ROW FOR DECADES.

WE ARE THE STATE WITH THE PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW THE LONGEST AND THERE IS A MORATORIUM ON THE PROCESS IN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW.

>> YES.

SO MY COLLEAGUES AT THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING DID A GREAT PIECE ON THIS.

WE DO HAVE THE LONGEST ACCORDING TO DOJ REPORT THE LONGEST AMOUNT OF TIME WITH PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW THEY SPEND DECADES ON THERE.

AND WE HAVE 26 PEOPLE AWAITING EXECUTED AND NO SENSE IF THEY WILL BE EXECUTED.

IT WAS IN 2010 A JUDGE RULED THAT WE CANNOT LEGALLY EXECUTE PEOPLE IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT EXECUTING PEOPLE WHO ARE SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL OR SEVERELY INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED THAT WE WOULD BE EXECUTING PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT FIT TO BE EXECUTED.

AND THE DEATH PENALTY, THOUGH, WAS ADDED TO SOME CRIMES IN THAT HB5 THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

THERE'S IT IS A LITTLE UNCLEAR HOW THE LAWS ARE INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER.

AND YOU KNOW THERE'S ALSO SOME OF THE SAME COSPONSORS ON HB5 ARE SPONSORING A BILL THAT WOULD GET RID OF THE DEATH PENALTY.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION IN FRANKFORT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO ABOUT THE DCH.

>> Bill: A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT NO DOUBT.

CHRIS McDANIEL IS TAKING AIM AT KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO PARDON IN LIGHT OF THE PARDONS THAT WERE ISSUED BY FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN IN THE LAST DAYS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> RIGHT.

SENATOR McDANIEL IS PROPOSING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS SENATE BILL 126.

IT SAYS THAT GOVERNORS CAN STILL PARDON ALL THEY WANT, BUT IT WOULD SUSPEND THE GOVERNOR'S POWERS FROM 30 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION THROUGH THE DAY OF THE INAUGURATION.

YOU CANNOT SNEAK OUT THE DOOR AND DROP YOUR PARDONS LIKE MATT BEVIN DID.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO STAND AND FACE THE VOTERS OR WILLING TO HAVE YOUR PARTY'S NOMINEE FACE THE VOTERS AFTER YOU ISSUED THE PARDONS.

>> Bill: YOU HAVE TO OWN IT.

>> YOU HAVE TO OWN IT.

>> Bill: THERE IS A REPUBLICAN LED PUSH FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD SWITCH KENTUCKY ELECTIONS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEARS AND SYLVIA THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY VOTERS.

BUT THERE WAS A NEW ANALYSIS INDICATING IT COULD SAVE KENTUCKY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS $20 MILLION OR SO.

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

SO THE ANALYSIS FOUND IT WOULD SAVE THE STATE GOVERNMENT $2 MILLION A SMALL AMOUNT FOR THE STATE BUT IT WOULD SAVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.

AND IT PASSED IN THE SENATE.

BUT WE'LL SEE HOW IT DOES IN THE HOUSE AND THE IT HAS NOT DONE WELL IN THE HOUSE.

THE BILL HAS BEEN PROPOSED NINE TIMES IN THE PAST BY CHRIS McDANIELS AND IT HAS FAILED IN THE HOUSE AND BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE SENATE.

SO THERE IS A BIG QUESTION MARK WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL DO WELL.

OPPONENTS OF THE BILL SAY THAT IT WOULD MAKE THOSE PRESIDENTIAL YEARS WHEN WE ARE VOTING FOR GOVERNOR, WE'RE VOTING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, AND VOTING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, ALL OF THOSE RACES WOULD BE MORE NATIONALIZED BECAUSE THEY ARE LUMPED INTO THE PRESIDENTIAL YEARS.

>> Bill: THE WHIPLASH ON TOPICS THAT IS HOW FRANKFORT IS RYE NOW.

SELF-DRIVING CARS ARE UNDER DISCUSSION.

WE KNOW THEY ARE COMING.

SOMEONE WANTS TO GET RULES ON THE BOOKINGS.

>> YES.

AND THIS IS A PRIORITY BILL IN THE HOUSE.

IT LULAY SUCCEEDED -- IT ACTUALLY SUCCEEDED BUT VETOED BY "GOVERNOR'S AWARD IN THE ARTS."

THE CONCERNS ABOUT SELF-DRIVING CARS ON KENTUCKY ROADS THE ISSUES ARE HOW MUCH LIABILITY INSURANCE IS REQUIRED, AND THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS IS A DRIVER, A SAFETY DRIVER SOMEONE WHO COULD TAKEOVER IF THE SELF-DRIVING CAR HAD A PROBLEM, SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED OR COULD THEY BE TRULY AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.

AND LOTS OF OTHER STATES, ABOUT HALF OF OTHER STATES HAVE ADOPTED A FRAMEWORK TO DO THIS.

HOWEVER, IN KENTUCKY IT WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR IS A LOGISTICS INDUSTRY LEADER AND THIS IS THE WAY THAT IF THIS IS THE WAY OF THE FUTURE, KENTUCKY HAS A CHANCE TO LEAD FURTHER BY BEING ONE OF THE FIRST STATES IN THIS AREA TO ADOPT DRIVERLESS CARS.

UNIONS ARE NOT IN FAVOR.

>> Bill: CIVIL LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE STORE THAT SOLD THE GUN USED IN THE OLD LOUISVILLE NATIONAL BANK SHOOTING.

>> AND TO GO BACK TO OUR EARLIER DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A RED FLAG LAW OR WHATEVER IT'S BEING CALLED CONNER STURGEON WHO PERPETUATED THE HORRIBLE SHOOTING COULD BE EXHIBIT A FOR SOMEONE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL BREAKDOWN AND THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PUBLIC INTEREST IN ENSURING THAT THIS PERSON DOESN'T GET FIREARMS.

THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OF THAT SHOOTING ARE SUING RIVER CITY FIREARMS A FEDERALLY LICENSED GUN STORE IN LOUISVILLE SAYING THAT THEY BASICALLY DIDN'T TAKE CARE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS PERSON SHOULDN'T HAVE A FIREARM.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW SUCCESSFUL THOSE LAWSUITS TEND TO BE.

AND HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE BUSINESS.

AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT IN COURT.

>> Bill: EKU MADE THE NEWS ANNOUNCE TO GO WILL CONSIDER OPENING A DOCTOR OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE TO COMBAT THE SHORTAGE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS.

THE PRESIDENT THERE WANTS A FEASIBILITY STUDY DONE THIS SUMMER.

>> YES.

AND DO'S ARE JUST LIKE MD'S IN A LOT OF WAYS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION AND PRACTICING.

SO A DO IS A DOCTOR JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT FOCUS.

AND YOU KNOW ACTUALLY I WAS SURPRISED AND DID RESEARCH PREPARING FOR THE SHOW THAT KENTUCKY DOES HAVE A DO SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE.

>> THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST PUBLIC.

>> THE FIRST PUBLIC, CORRECT.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE QUESTIONS PRESUMABLY THAT THAT FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL ANSWER WHAT DOES THE MARKET LOOK LIKE TO HAVE TWO DO SCHOOLS IN ONE REGION OF THE STATE.

>> SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS RELEASED A KENTUCKY CIVIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT THERE ARE BRIGHT SPOTS.

KENTUCKIANS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY AS AVERAGE AMERICANS TO KNOW THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AND ONE OF THEIR STATE LAWMAKERS.

IT ALSO INDICATES SOME TOLERANCE.

75% OF KENTUCKIANS HAVE NO PROBLEM HAVING FRIENDS WITH DIFFERENT POLITICAL VIEWS AND 80% SAY THEY WOULD NOT OPPOSE THEIR CHILDREN HAVING OPPOSING POLITICAL VIEWS.

>> THE CLOSER WE GET TO HOME, YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THE MORE YOU REALIZE THAT WE'RE ALL TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE DAY AND BUILD A WORLD OUR KIDS CAN LIVE IN.

IT'S EASY TO HATE SOMEBODY ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON THE INTERNET.

BUT WITHIN KENTUCKY IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE WEREN'T AS DIVIDED AS WE SEE OTHER AMERICANS BEING.

>> Bill: THAT IS ON OUR FLAG AND IN OUR STATE LOGO.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN DID INTERVIEWS IN WHICH SHE TALKED ABOUT HER PERSONAL DECISION TO HAVE A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY.

DURING AN INTERVIEW SHE HANDED THE SEES HER FUTURE IN POLITICS.

>> AND SO I THINK ABOUT FINISHING WHAT WE STARTED.

I THINK ABOUT CEMENTING THE LEGACY OF THE BESHEAR-COLEMAN ADMINISTRATION BY DOING THE JOB WHICH IS WHY WE GOT REELECTED.

THERE WILL BE A TIME DOWN THE ROAD WHERE THE HORIZON MAYBE WILL GET BROADER BUT THAT TIME IS NOT RIGHT NOW.

WE'LL SEE.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO RULE ANYTHING OUT.

I DON'T WANT TO PLAN TOO FAR AHEAD.

I GOT TO WHERE I AM TODAY BECAUSE I TRY TO DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING.

>> Bill: THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DIDN'T SAY WHAT SHE MIGHT DO BUT GAVE A SPEECH AT THE INAUGURATION.

SHE REMAINS OUT THERE.

>> DEFINITELY.

OBVIOUSLY WE GOT FOUR YEARS UNTIL WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT NECESSARILY.

BUT LIKE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE CIVICS ASSESSMENT WE HAD, YOU KNOW SHE TALKED IN HER SPEECH ABOUT THE IDEA OF THERE'S MORE THAT CONNECTS US THAN DIVIDES US.

AND SHE TALKS ABOUT REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT.

SO I HAVE A FEELING THAT WE WILL BE HEARING FROM HER MORE.

>> Bill: UNION MEMBERSHIP IS UP IN KENTUCKY.

>> UNIONS HAD A BIG YEAR FORD, U.P.S., ORGANIZING, RETAIL, GROCERY WORKERS, COFFEE SHOPS.

IS IT STATISTICAL NOISE?

NOT SURE BUT LABOR IS EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY NAMED NORMAN EAVES SHE STARTS THAT JOB NEXT THURSDAY.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

[♪♪] CAN