>> Renee: KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS PASS A BILL MAKING SURE OUTSIDE CAREGIVERS AREN'T SHUT OUT FROM TENDING TO LONG-TERM CARE RESID AND THE KENTUCKY SENATE ENGAGES IN A HEATED DEBATE OVER LAWMAKERS CALLING THEMSELVES INTO SPECIAL SECTION.

A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS OF WEEK FOUR OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, everyone.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

EASING THE ISOLATION NURSING HOME RESIDENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH VISITOR RESTRICTIONS DUE TO COVID IS THE GOAL OF A MEASURE THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED TODAY AFTER THE HOUSE PASSED IT ON THURSDAY.

THE GOVERNOR WAS SENT SENATE BILL 100 THAT LETS CAREGIVERS AND FRIENDS VISIT THEIR LOVED ONES IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

THE MEASURE WOULD GIVE PERMANENT PERMISSION TO family MEMBERS, GUARDIANS, FRIENDS, PASTORS, CLERGY AND OTHERS DEEMED WHAT'S CALLED ESSENTIAL PERSONAL CARE VISITORS TO SEE RESIDENTS IN-PERSON AT LONG-TERM CARE, ASSISTED LIVING AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, ESSENTIALLY OUTLAWING VISITATION BANS.

SHERRY CULP, THE STATE'S LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN, SAYS THE LOCKDOWNS HAVE A DETRIMENTA EFFECT ON THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF RESIDENTS.

SHE TESTIFIED VIRTUALLY BEFORE A HOUSE PANEL YESTERDAY.

>> DURING THE PANDEMIC, WYE SAW SOP DEVASTATING EFFECTS RESIDENTS WHO WERE ISOLATED AND UNABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO VISITORS.

APPROXIMATELY 60% OF RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE VISITORS.

OF THE 40% THAT DO, THERE'S A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THEM WHO HAVE VISITORS THAT, YOU KNOW, COME IN, THEY'RE TYPICALLY VERY CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS H. FRIENDS, AND THEY GIVE CARE AND THEY REPORT.

SOME OF THEM DO THAT BECAUSE OF PREFERENCES AND GIVING DIRECT CARE LETS THEM TV HAVE A STRONG CONNECTION THE WITH RESIDENT.

OTHERS DO IT BECAUSE IF THEY DIDN'T DO IT, IT WOULDN'T GET DONE, AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEIR LOVED ONE IS BATHED, THEIR TEETH ARE BRUSHED, CHANGED, LININGS LIKE THAT.

WHILE WE ADVOCATE LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS GIVE ALL THE SERVICES RESIDENTS ARE INTITLED TO WE HOPE NEVER AGAIN TO SEWAL VISITORS BANNED FROM VISITING RESIDENTS IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES BECAUSE WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT AN UNNECESSARY DECLINE, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR SENATOR ADAMS FOR RECOGNIZING THESE DEVASTATING FEDEX OF VISITATION bans.

>> Renee: MARLA CARTER OF OWENSBORO TESTIFIED VIRTUALLY THAT HER MOTHER-IN-LAW WHO LIVE IN A NURSING HOME NEARBY SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DECLINE FROM THE VISITATION BANS.

SHE SHARED THAT FAMILY MEMBERS ARE MORE THAN MERE VISITORS BUT THEY'RE CARE PARTNERS FOR LOVED ONES.

SHE ADDED THAT WITH STAFFING SHORTAGES IN NURSING HOME FACILITIES, LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS ARE NEEDED TO PERFORM DAILY GROOMING TASKS FOR RESIDENTS AND PROVIDE THE SOCIA AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT STAFF CAN.

>> FAMILY MEMBERS ARE DIRECT CARE PARTNERS.

NO ONE KNOWS OUR LOVED ONES LIKE WE DO.

NO ONE CARES FOR OUR LOVED ONES AS MUCH AS WE DO.

WE PROVIDE THEIR CONNECTION TO THEIR MEMORIES, TO THEIR SENSE OF SELF AND WELL-BEING.

AS ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER SAID TO ME, "A BLIND PERSON WOULD NOT BE DENIED HER SEEING EYE DOG.

A HARD OF HEARING PERSON HIS HEARING AID.

AN UNSTABLE PERSON HIS CANE.

AN NON-BLATTER PERSON HIS WHEELCHAIR.

FAMILY MEMBERS ARE LIKE A COGNITIVE WHEELCHAIR FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE LOST PART OF THEIR MIND.

THEY'RE ESSENTIAL.

FOR OUR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE FAILING COGNITIVE ABILITY, WE ARE THEIR COMPASS.

THEY KNOW WHERE THEY ARE IN THE WORLD BECAUSE OF US."

WE NEED ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER LEGISLATION BECAUSE WE ARE NOT JUST VISITORS.

WE ARE ACTIVE CARE PARTNERS IN THE CARE OF OUR LOVED ONES.

>> Renee: LAWMAKERS GAVE SENAT BILL 100 FINAL APPROVAL TODAY AND IT'S NOW ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WANT THE ABILITY TO CALL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

THAT PROPOSITION STIRRED SOME FIERY DEBATE IN THE STATE SENATE ON YESTERDAY.

SENATE BILL 88, SPONSORED BY SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM DAVID GIVENS, ESTABLISHES GUARDRAILS FOR LEGISLATURE-CALLED SPECIAL KENTUCKY VOTERS HAVE TO FIRST APPROVE A CONSTITUTIONAL A ON THIS ON THE NOVEMBER ballo SENATE BILL 88 IS A COMPLEMENT TO A MEASURE PASSED LAST YEAR THAT ALLOWS STATE LAWMAKERS TO CONVENE IN SPECIAL SESSION THROUGH A JOINT PROCLAMATION OF THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE PR I SPOKE WITH PRO-TEM DAVID GIVENS ABOUT IT TODAY IN OUR CAPITOL ANNEXES STUDIOS.

>> AND I'M APPRECIATE TIFT CHANCE TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT IT TODAY BECAUSE AS I SAID ON THE FLOOR YESTERDAY, AND I SAID LAST YEAR, IN MY YEARS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WHICH WILL SOON BE 13 -- WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

>> WOW.

>> -- I DON'T THINK THAT I WILL EVER HAVE WORKED A MORE SUBSTANTIVE PIECE OF PUBLIC POLICY.

>> INTERESTING.

>> THAN THE WORK I DID LAST YEAR ON HOUSE BILL 4 AND NOW THIS YEAR ON SENATE BILL 88 TRYING TO STRIKE THAT BALANCE POWER AMONG THE DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

NOW, THERE'S -- >> SOME PEOPLE WOULD STAY ITS A POWER GRAB.

>> THERE ARE OPPONENTS SAYING THAT IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA SPACE, AND THEY SAY, W. THEY JUST WA TO BE PAID MORE, THEY WANT TO WORK LONGER, THEY WANT TO PASS MORE BILLS AND DO MORE THINGS.

AND THEN THERE ARE OTHERS THAT I ALSO -- I DISAGREE WITH THEY.

I DISAGREE WITH THOSE POSITIONS.

I ALSO DISAGREE WITH THIS VITRIOLIC POSITION OF, HEY, THIS IS ALL ABOUT TARGETING THIS GOVERNOR.

AND I SAID ON THE FLOOR WED, RENEE, THERE'S NOTHING IN THE LANGUAGE THAT SAYS SAYS THAT ONLY EXISTS THROUGH THE TERM OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.

THIS WILL BE A CHANGE IN THE CONSTITUTION.

THAT'S A PLEAT HIGH BAR.

IN FACULTY, THE VOTERS WILL DETERMINE THIS FALL WHETHER IT HAPPENS OR NOT.

THIS IS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE THAT WILL LAST UNTIL SOMEONE MAKES ANOTHER SUBSTANTIVE CONSTITUTIONAL SORT OF CHANGE.

>> AND MANY PEOPLE WOULD SAY, THOUGH, SENATOR GIVENS, WELL, YOU HAVE ANNUAL SESSIONS.

THAT WAS ADOPTED IN THE EARLY 2000s TO KIND OF HELP TAKE OFF SOME OF THAT BURDEN OF HAVING JUST THE BIANNUAL SESSION BUT YOU STILL HAVE SPECIAL SESSIONS.

SO IF IT'S.

PRESERVING AND BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, HOW WOULD YOU DO YOU MAKE THE ARGUMENT THIS IS STILL IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF TAXPAYERS?

WHEN YOU ADD UP A TWO-YEAR PERIOD, LET'S SAY WE'RE IN SESSION FOR THREE AND A HALF MONTHS, AND THEN TWO AND A HALF MONTHS, SO LET'S JUST SAY SIX MONTHS.

SIX MONTHS OUT OF 24 MONTHS.

A QUARTER OF THE YEAR, AND THAT'S VERY TIME-LIPPED, SO WE'RE IN SESSION FOR A QUARTER OF THE YEAR IT'S A PRESCRIPTIVE QUARTER OF THE YEAR.

ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF THAT QUARTER OF A TWO-YEAR PERIOD, I SAID QUARTER OF A YEAR, QUARTER OF A TWO-YEAR PERIOD IS OUTSIDE THE REALM OF THE POSSIBILITY THE LEGISLATURE CAN EVEN DEAL WITH, AND SO THEN WE COME IN SESSION LAST YEAR AND WE PASS UNKNOWN KIND OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT LIMIT THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY AUTHORITY.

WE FEEL COMPELLED TO DO THIS BECAUSE MYSELF AND MANY OTHERS FELT LIKE THIS GOVERNOR, FACING CHALLENGES OF COVID, DIDN'T ENGAGE THE LEGISLATURE, DIDN'T HEAR THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, AND DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH ARGUMENTS IN THE ROOM TO ARRIVE AT THE RIGHT PLACE.

NOW, WE HAD TO PASS SENATE BILL 1, SENATE BILL 2, HOUSE BILL 1, HOUSE BILL 2 IN 2021 TRYING TO CREATE ALL THESE GUARDRAILS AND INFRASTRUCTURES AROUND UNKNOWN CHALLENGES IN THE FUTURE.

THIS LEGISLATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS DESIGNED FOR US TO NOT REACT QUICKLY AND RAPIDLY AND COME IN ON A WHIM BETTER FOR UP TO 12 DAYS, 12 ADDITIONAL DAYS A YEAR, WE CAN COME IN AT THE JOINT PROCLAMATION OF THE SPEAKER AND THE PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT MAY COME UP.

>> AND ONLY ONE SINGULAR ISSUE OR COULD THERE BE MULTIPLE ISSUES THAT YOU ADDRESS?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

WE HAD THIS DEBATE AND DISCUSSION IN COMMITTEE YESTERDAY.

THIS IS MULTIPLE ISSUES.

AND UNDERSTAND WHY.

>> IN 12 DAYS.

>> POTENTIALLY.

POTENTIALLY.

UNDERSTAND WHY.

AND I AGREE WITH THIS.

ON THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE THE AUTHORITY, AND WE'RE NOT TOUCHING THE GOVERNOR'S SPECIAL SESSION AUTHORITY.

>> HE CAN STILL CALL YOU INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

>> THE GOVERNOR CAN STILL CALL US ON IN A PRESCRIPTED LIMIT CALL, BUT ONLY THE GOVERNOR CAN RESTRAIN US ON IT'S WE DEAL WITH.

SO WHEN THE SPEAKER AND THE PRESIDENT THROUGH JOINT PROCLAMATION BRING US BACK, EVERY MEMBER OF THE BODY HASSLE EQUAL POWER TO FILE, PASS AND ACT ON LEGISLATION.

AND THAT RULE IN OUR AGRICULTURAL CONSTITUTION PRESCRIBED IT THAT WAY.

SO ONCE WE'RE BACK, WE'RE BACK, BUT WE'RE ON BACK UNTIL WE ADJOURN OR RECESS IN THIS CASE, FOR FUTURE USE OF ADDITIONAL DAYS WITH R., BUT NO MORE THAN 12 AS WRITTEN IN THE CONSTITUTION.

>> AND FOR THE VETO PERIOD, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE QUESTION, AND ALLUDED TO IT, THIS WOULD JUST GIVE THEM ADDITIONAL PAY.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR WOULD STILL BE AFFORDED A VETO PERIOD, CORRECT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO WOULD YOU BE PAID DURING THAT TIME?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I HAD THIS CONVERSATION YESTERDAY AND I HADN'T REALIZED UNTIL I TALKED WITH ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE FLOOR THAT ALL OF THIS DEFINED VETO DAY PERIOD, VETO PERIOD DIFFERENTLY OR VETO DAYS DIFFERENTLY.

OFTENTIMES, AND WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE THOSE DAYS WHEN WE ARE NOT HERE.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT I MEAN.

>> AWAITING THE DECISION OF THE GOVERNOR.

BUT UNDERSTAND VETO DAYS ACTUALLY EVEN HAPPEN OFTEN WHILE WE'RE HERE.

WE PASSED A BILL ON SATURDAY, THE FIFTH DAY HERE, AND THEN WE MET AGAIN ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY.

THOSE WERE VETO DAYS FOR THE GOVERNOR BUT WE'RE STILL MEETING.

NOW, SPECIFIC TO YOUR QUESTION, WE DON'T GET PAID AS A RESULT OF THIS SENATE BILL 88 WHILE WE'RE AWAITING THE VETO OF THE GOVERNOR IF WE ARE NOT MEETING.

IF WE'RE STILL GAVING IN, WE GET PAID.

IF WE'RE IN SESSION DOING OTHER WORK ON OTHER BILLS, WE STILL GET PAID.

ANOTHER NUANCE THAT'S IMPORTANT, AND IT'S WRITTEN IN THIS SENATE BILL 88 AS IT WAS IN LAST SESSION'S COMPANION LEGISLATION, BILLS THAT ARE IN THE PROCESS WHEN WE RECESS AT THE END OF THE 60-DAY SESSION OR THE END OF THE 30-DAY SESSION CONTINUE TO LIVE UNTIL DECEMBER THE 31st.

SO A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT HAS MADE IT THROUGH THE HOUSE, AS GOTTEN TWO READING IN THE SENATE, AND IS AWAITING SENATE ACTION ACTION, WE COULD COME BACK AND PASS IN ONE DAY AND STILL BE WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE CONSTITUTION.

>> WITHOUT HAVING TO DO ALL THE TESTIMONY AND ALL OF THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

WHICH IS VERY, VERY INTENTIONAL.

IT WILL GIVE US THE ABILITY TO ACT QUICKLY AND APPROPRIATELY ON THINGS WE HAVE CONSIDERED.

ITS SERVES A PRESSURE ON LEADERSHIP THAT IS THUG ABOUT CALLING US BACK OR NOT BECAUSE INSIDE BASEBALL, YOU AND I KNOW BUT A LOT OF YOUR LISTENERS MAY NOT KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURE TO NOT PASS A LOT OF LEGISLATION THAT'S NOT VIEWED AS GOOD POLICY.

BRINGING US BACK REOPENS ALL OF THAT PRESSURE FOR MEMBERS TO SAY, MR. PRESIDENT, MY BILL WAS ON THE EDGE.

IT WAS ON THE CUSP.

WE'RE COMING BACK.

I HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PROMOTE MY BILL AND TRY TO GET IT PASSED ON OUT OF THIS BODY.

AND HE OR SHE CERTAINLY DOES.

AND SO THAT'S GOING TO SERVE AS A PRESSURE VALVE TO SAY, WE CAN'T RANDOMLY AT THE WHIM OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER BRING EVERYBODY BACK BECAUSE ALL THOSE PRESSURES WILL COME FLOODING BACK ON US TOO.

>> RIGHT.

EVEN THOUGH A BILL WOULD BE IN THE SITUATION THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED WHERE YOU COULD PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF, IT COULD BE SUBSTANTIAL I CHANGED WHEN IT'S REPRESENTED IN THIS TIME, MEANING THAT PEOPLE, THE CONSTITUENTS CONSTITUENTS MAY STAY, GIVEN THE NEW DEPARTMENTS OF SHOULD WYNOT BE AFFORDED A CHANCE TO VOICE OUR OPINION FOR OR AGAINST IT AND WOULD THEY BE DENIED THAT OPPORTUNITY AT THAT POINT?

>> IN A REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY LIKE WE HAVE I ARGUE THEY'RE NEVER DENIED THAT RIGHT.

EVERY TIME THAT THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE COPS HERE TO TAKE A POSITION ON SOMETHING, MANY, MANY TIMES, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THOSE REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE HEARD FROM HERR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT AN ISSUE OR A PIECE OF LEGISLATION OR A POSITION, AND FOR SOMEONE TO WALK INTO A CHAMBER AND VOTE AGAINST THE WILL OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS, YOU DO NOT STAY VERY LONG IF YOU DO THAT, SO THAT'S A SELF-CORRECTING PROCESS I THINK TOO.

>> Renee: AND TO THAT QUES THAT I JUST RAISED WITH SENATOR GIVENS, SENATE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY YESTERDAY THAT HE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE B.

HOW THE LEADERSHIP-INITIATED SPECIAL SESSIONS COULD PLAY OUT FOR FUTURE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES.

>> WHAT HAPPENS TO A BILL, TO A BILL WE INTRODUCE IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF THIS LEGISLATION?

IT CONTINUES.

IF IT'S HAD ITS READING, IT CONTINUES.

WE CAN CALL OURSELF EVER OURSELVES IN A ONE-DAY SPECIAL SESSION, HAVE A BILL THAT HAS TWO READING, DO A COMMITTEE SUB THAT COMPLETELY CHANGES THE MEANING OF A BILL, VOTE IT OUT IN ONE DAY WHEN THE GENERAL PUBLIC REALLY ISN'T PAYING ALL THAT MUCH ATTENTION TO WHAT WE'RE DOING IN AUGUST.

I CAN SEE THE UTILITY OF BILLS KEEPING THEIR NUMBERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IF WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK INTO SESSION, SHOULD THEY KEEP THEIR READINGS?

THIS IS A DEBATE THAT'S WORTH HAVING.

AND IT'S A DEBATE OVER REALLY SUBSTANTIVE, MAJOR CHANGES INTO HOW THIS BODY OPERATES.

AGAIN, LONG AFTER ALL OF US ARE NO LONGER SERVING.

>> WE PASS TOO MANY BILLS.

I KIND OF LIKED EVERY OTHER SESSION.

I WAS SORT OF FOR ANNUAL SESSIONS, MR. PRESIDENT, WHEN I THOUGHT, WELL, WE CAN CLEAN UP REGULATIONS.

WE CAN BE RESPONSIVE.

WE CAN FIX SOME OF THE STUFF WE PUT OUT.

SO I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, ANNUAL SESSIONS MIGHT BE A GOOD THING.

LOOK WHAT THEY HAVE MORPHED INTO.

THERE ARE MORE BILLS FILED.

THERE ARE BAD BILLS PASSED.

OUR WORK PRODUCT HAS GONE DOWN.

AND I CAN'T HELP BUT BE FEARFUL, IF WE KEEP COMING BACK, WE PASS TOO MANY BILLS NOW.

OUR CRIMINAL LAW BOOKS HAVE GONE FROM THIS TO THIS.

WE DON'T REPEAL ENOUGH.

TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT.

TOO MUCH STUFF.

WE SIT HE EVER AND TALK ABOUT THAT ALL THE TIME.

SO MY BIG PROBLEM, MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THIS BILL, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABILITY FOR US TO REMEDY THINGS OR COME IN AND EXERT SOME OF OUR PRESENCE AND AUTHORITY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, BUT THESE BILLS THAT CARRY OVER, I DON'T LIKE THAT.

>> Renee: SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DAMON THAYER ARGUES THE MEASURE WAS PROMPTED BY GOVERNO ANDY BESHEAR'S HANDLING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN 2020 THAT, THAYER CLAIMED, WAS DICTATORIAL AND THAT THE GOVERNOR ACTED UNILATERALLY WITHOUT CONSULTING STATE LAWMAKERS.

AS THAYER PUT IT, THE GOVERNOR "MADE DECISIONS ON WINNERS AND LOSERS."

ABOUT.

>> PEOPLE WERE CITED BY THE KENTUCKY STATE PLACE POLICE FOR GOING TO CHURCH ON EASTER SUNDAY.

HOSPITALS COULD NOT PERFORM ELECTIVE SURGERIES.

PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY WOULD NOT ALLOW ELECTIVE SURGERIES.

AND HOW ABOUT THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DISASTER?

A DISASTER, MR. PRESIDENT.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S HAIRDRESSER COULD GET HER CHECK.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES WHO FRAUDULENTLY, FRAUDULENTLY ABUSED THE SYSTEM AND GOT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CHECKS WHILE THEY WERE WORKING, WHAT AN EMBARRASSMENT.

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE EMBARRASSMENT.

AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMONWEALTH COULD NOT HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD BECAUSE WE COULDN'T COME BACK INTO SESSION, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THE FALL OF 2021 WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULED 7 TO ZERO, MR. PRESIDENT, AND A FEDERAL JUDGE CALLED HIM A TYRANT, THAT THIS GOVERNOR FINALLY WAS FORCED TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.

>> I THINK THIS GOVERNOR HAS SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN HIS WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH THIS LEGISLATURE.

AS FOR THE EVENTS OF TWO YEARS AGO NOW, TWO YEARS AGO, I KNOW WITH REGARD TO PEOPLE I WAS IN CONTACT WITH, THEY WERE QUITE PLEASED AND APPLAUDED AND APPROVED OF THE GOVERNOR'S HANDLING OF COVID.

AS I'VE SAID MANY TIMES, TWO YEARS AGO NOW, I'M REPEATING MYSELF, I THOUGHT THE GOVERNOR'S HANDLING OF THE COVID WAS QUITE WELL.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS RESULTS COMPARED TO HIS COLLEAGUES IN SOUTHERN STATES, HE WAS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS RECORD AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE SOUTH, HE HAD AMONG THE FEWEST DEATHS IN A STATE COMPARED TO HIS OTHER COLLEAGUES.

WHEN YOU LOOK ANOTHER HIS RECORD TODAY COMPARED TO HIS COLLEAGUES IN REGARD TO VACCINATIONS, KENTUCKY RANKS ANYWHERE SECOND OR THIRD IN TERMS OF PER CAPITA VACCINATIONS AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE SOUTH.

>> Renee: THE KENTUCKY SENATE ADVANCED SENATE BILL 88 ON I A LARGELY PARTY LINE VOTE 28 TO 9 LAWRENCEBURG SENATOR ADRIEN SOUTHWORTH ASTON REPUBLICAN TO VOTE AGAINST THE measure.

IN OUR STUDIO TODAY, GREEN COUNTY REPUBLICAN DAVID GIVENS SAYS HE HOPES MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL BE AMBASSADORS FOR the CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT TO LET LAWMAKER CALL THEMSELVES INTO SPECIAL SE AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE PRICE TAG OF THAT CHANGE IF VOTERS APPROVE ... >> DO YOU HAVE FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON THIS MEASURE?

>> FISCAL IMPACT IS GOING TO BE ZERO IF WE DON'T COME BACK IN.

>> RIGHT.

>> NEGOTIATION FISCAL IMPACT, SOME ARE GOING TO SAY $70,000 A DAY, SENATOR GIVENS, THIS IS GOING TO BE ABOUT $1 MILLION.

WE'RE GOING TO BE ACTING ON LEGISLATION AND PASSING A BUDGET HERE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

$14BILLION OF TAXPAYER FUNDS WE'RE GOING TO SPEND ANNUALLY.

AND IF IT TAKES $1 MILLION FOR TO US COME IN IN 12 DAYS AND REORIENT THE WAY WE'RE SPENDING THAT $14 BILLION, IT'S A GREAT >> Renee: THE KENTUCKY HOUSE NEEDS TO WEIGH IN ON THE ISSUE.

SENATE BILL 88 IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE LOWER CHAMBER WHERE IT'S AWAITING ACTION.

I TALK MORE WITH SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM DAVID GIVENS ABOUT THE SENATE'S WORK ON THE STATE BUDGET AND SOME EDUCATION ISSUE WE'LL BRING YOU PARTS OF THAT CONVERSATION NEXT WEEK.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH SEGMENT TONIGHT IT'S BEEN NEARLY SIX WEEKS SINC VIOLENT TORNADOES BARRELED THROUGH WESTERN KENTUCKY, LEAVING 77 DEAD AND LEAVING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE IN ITS WAKE IN THE SENATE THIS WEEK, SCHOOL PERSONNEL IN THE REGION WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THE SUPPORT THEY PROVIDED TO STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITIES AT LARGE, SETTING U TEMPORARY SHELTERS, HOLDING FOO PANTRIES, AND EVEN TRIAGE CENTERS AT SCHOOLS.

SUPERINTENDENTS FROM THE MAYFIELD, DAWSON SPRINGS AND GRAVES COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEMS TESTIFIED BEFORE THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

THEY EXPLAINED WHAT IT WAS LIKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE NATURAL DISASTER AND THE CHALLENGES THEY'RE FACING OVER A MONTH LAT.

>> WE MISSED 14 DAYS OF SCHOOL AND WE'RE BACK AT IT.

THOSE SAME PEOPLE THAT LOST IT ALL, WE MISSED 14 DAYS OF SCHOOL.

AND WE'RE BATTLING COVID, JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

WE'RE ACTUALLY OUT OF SCHOOL TODAY AND TOMORROW BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE OUR KIDS THE WAY THEY NEED IT.

BUT I WANT THIS COMMITTEE TO KNOW WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME HELP.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME HELP FOR A WHILE.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A ONE OR TWO-YEAR DEAL, AND I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT'S BEEN THROWN OUT THERE TO HELP, AND THAT'S GREAT, BUT MAYFIELD AND DAWSON SPRINGS AND SOME OF MY OTHER SUPERINTENDENT COLLEAGUES, WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME FINANCIAL HELP FROM A SEEK STABILIZATION STANDPOINT AND ALSO FROM A TAX BASE STABILIZATION STANDPOINT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY HADN'T BEEN TOUCHED ON IN A LOT OF THE DISCUSSIONS I'VE HEARD UP HERE, AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE STATUTORILY BOUND.

SO WE NEED SPECIAL RELIEF AND SOME STABILIZATION FOURS TO BE ABLE TO GET BACK ON OUR FEET AND TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT MAYFIELD SCHOOLS AND DAWSON SPRINGS SCHOOLS AND OUR OTHER SCHOOLS ARE VIABLE FOR A LONG t >> Renee: MAYFIELD AND DAWSON SPRINGS BOTH HAD 29 STUDENTS LEAVE THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEM AFTER THE STORMS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBL HOUSE BILL 5 EARLIER IN THE SES IT APPROPRIATES $200 MILLION TO RELIEF EFFORTS.

THE BILL PROVIDES $45 MILLION IN IMMEDIATE AID, AND OF THAT, $30 MILLION GOES TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR SERVICES LIKE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, TRANSPORTATION FOR DISPLACED STUDENTS, AND REPAIRS TO DAMAGE THE REMAINING $15 MILLION WOULD BE USED TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

THE TORNADO OUTBREAK STRUCK BOWLING GREEN IL KENTUCKY WHERE 17 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES, INCLUDING A DAYS-OLD NEWBORN AND SEVEN MEMBERS FROM ONE family I TALKED WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE PATTI MINTER THIS WEEK WITH HOW HER DISTRICT IS RI COVERING.

>> REPRESENTED TV PEAT MINTER, THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, RENEE.

>> IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU, AND I HAVE TO SAY THE REASON OF OUR INTERVIEW ASK SIX 26 AFTER THE TORNADO STRUCK NOT ONE SPATE OF TORNADOES BUT THEN AGAIN JANUARY 1st.

>> YES.

>> HOW IS THE COUNTY, THE CITY DOING?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TO TALK ABOUT THIS, AND I MUST SAY, HAVING ANOTHER TORNADO ON JANUARY 1st HAS BEEN VERY TRAUMATIZING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

I MEAN, IT'S THE AM I EVER GOING TO BE SAFE FEELING.

THE PEOPLE HAVE CONTINUED TO RALLY AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK IN RELIEF.

WE ARE STILL HAVING RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS STILL PROVIDING RELIEF TO PEOPLE THROUGH THE FEMA CENTER.

BUT -- AND WE ALSO HOSTED FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND FIRST LADY BRITAINY BESHEAR TO COME AND HELP WITH OUR RELIEF EFFORT BUT ALSO TO LOOK FORWARD TO RECOVERY.

SO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IS IN BOWLING GREEN CITY, WHICH IS WHERE MOST OF THE TORNADO DAMAGE HAS BEEN, ABOUT 60 TO 65 PERCENT OF THE TORNADO DEBRIS HAS BEEN REMOVED BY THE FEMA TRUCKS.

SO THAT IS PROGRESSING, AND WE HOPE THAT WILL BE FINISHED SOON.

THAT WILL REALLY MARK THE MOMENT THAT WE CAN START TO FOCUS ON RECOVERING AND REBUILDING, AND JUST PSYCHOLOGICALLY IT'S BEEN GOOD TO SEE A LOT LESS STUFF JUST LAYING AT THE CURBS.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT CONTRACTORS ARE STARTING TO DO SOME WORK, AND IN AREAS WHERE IT'S JUST FIXING HOUSES, SOME WITH MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, OTHERS WITH VERY LITTLE, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT PROGRESS, THE TREES THAT ARE SPLINTERED OR HAD LAND ON HOUSES, THOSE HAVE STARTED TO COME DOWN.

BUT THE LARGER WORK IS REALLY HELPING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL UNHOUSED.

PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH FAMILIES OR LIVING IN MOMENTS.

>> ARE THEY STILL LIVING IN MOTELS?

>> THEY ARE.

THEY ARE STILL LIVING IN MOTELS AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THEY WILL BE BRINGING IN SOME TRAVEL TRAILERS WITH FEMA, SO SORT OF CAMPING VEHICLES SO THAT PEOPLE CAN USE THOSE IF THEY WISH, BUT IT IS OUR HOPE THAT WE CAN START TO REBUILD SOME OF THE HOUSING THAT HAS BEEN LOST, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS WHERE WE HAVE RENTERS, AND WE'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LET ANYBODY LISTENING KNOW IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED, IF YOU HAVE HAD DAMAGE AND YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED WITH FEMA YET, YOU NEED TO DO SO BECAUSE -- >> THE DEADLINE IS APPROACHING.

>> IT IS.

IT'S FEBRUARY THE 11th, AND THERE ARE SOME RELIEF OPPORTUNITIES THAT DO COME BEYOND FEMA, BUFFET TO BE REGISTERED, SO PLEASE DO THAT, EVERYBODY, BEFORE FEBRUARY THE LANDS OF THE.

>> IS THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT ONLINE?

AND WHAT IF PEOPLE AREN'T EXACTLY CONNECTED?

>> WE WOULD LOVE IT IF PEOPLE WOULD GO TO FEMA AT THE GREENWOOD MALL IN THE OLD SEARS STORE, AND IF YOU NEED A RIDE, REACH OUT TO MY OFFICE OR REACH OUT TO WARREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND WE WILL CONNECT YOU TO A RIDE, BUT IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TO GET ON THAT LIST BECAUSE THERE WILL BE SOME ADDITIONAL RELIEF, BUT IT CAN ONLY COME IF THEY KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND HOW TO GET HOLD OF YOU.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW MANY FAMILY ARE STILL DISPLACED?

>> WE STILL HAVE ABOUT 200, 250 THAT ARE LIVING IN MOTELS, BUT WE HAVE OTHERS WHO ARE NOT PERMANENTLY HOUSED, SO, AGAIN, KEEPING -- GETTING PEOPLE FROM TEMPORARY HOUSING INTO PERMANENT OR SEMI PERMANENT HOUSING, AND THEN GETTING THEM INTO PERMANENT HOUSING IS GOING TO BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

AND WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE DO REBUILD, WE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> AND DO YOU SEE ANY CHANGES TO THE BUILDING CODES TO MAKE SURE THAT MAYBE THEY'RE MORE RESISTANT, THAT MAYBE SOME OF THESE HOUSES THAT WERE DESTROYED AND DAMAGED, PERHAPS A LITTLE BIT LESS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, SHALL WE SAY, OF THOSE DWELLINGS?

>> YES, THAT'S A VERY FAIR STATEMENT.

AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT.

AND TWO OF OUR CITY COMMISSIONERS, DAWN A BROWN AND COMMISSIONER BAILEY HAVE BROUGHT THAT IN UP BOWLING GREEN CITY COMMISSION ABOUT ADDING THE THAT TO CODE SO THAT EVERY HOUSE THAT'S BEING BUILT BACK FROM NEW, NOT RESTORED BUT BUILT BACK FROM NEW, WHICH MEANS THEY WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED, THAT IT WOULD HAVE A SAFE ROOM FOR PEOPLE SO THEY COULD SURVIVE A TORNADO.

THERE'S NO QUESTION, IF THAT KIND OF STRUCTURE HAD BEEN IN PLACE IN THE PLACES WHERE WE HAD FATALITIES, PEOPLE WOULD STILL BE WITH US TODAY.

>> Renee: THE FINAL ITEM IN OU RECAP TONIGHT, ON WEDNESDAY, HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JONI JENKINS, WHO'S SERVED IN THE KENTUCKY ASSEMBLY SINCE 1995, WITHDREW HER CANDIDACY FOR RE-ELECTION BECAUSE THE MAYOR O SHIVELY, BEVERLY CHESTER BURTON AN AFRICAN AMERICAN, FILED FOR THE 44TH STATE HOUSE SEAT THAT JENKINS CURRENTLY HOLDS.

HERE'S PART OF JENKINS' STATEMENT.

"I HAVE LONG ADVOCATED FOR THE FOR A GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT LOOKS LIKE KENTUCKY, SO WHEN MINORITIES BECAME THE MAJORITY POPULATION IN THE NEWLY REDRAWN 44TH HOUSE DISTRICT, I DID NOT WANT TO BE A BARRIER TO A PERSO OF COLOR JOINING THE KENTUCKY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THAT'S WHY I WITHDREW MY CANDIDACY TOD" THAT STATEMENT FROM HER ON WEDNESDAY.

JENKINS BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD A LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS IN THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE IN 201 THAT'S ALL FOR WEEK FOUR COVERAGE OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULARS SE 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 CAN FOLLOW ME OH TWITTER TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN MONDAY NIGHT AT A SPECIAL TIME RIGHT AFTER PBS PROGRAMMING AT 11:30 EASTERN, 10:30 CENTRAL FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" WITH MY COLLEAGUE CASEY PARKER-BELL.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AHEAD AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON.