TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE RATES CORONERS COULD HAVE TO GET ADDITIONAL TRAINING, AND A DEEPER LOOK AT THE STATE BUDGET ON DAY 19 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.

THE EVER-SHIFTING ECONOMY BROUGHT ON BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS LEFT MANY BUSINESSES IN A LURCH.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSE PASSED A BILL TODAY HOPING TO BRING SOME STABLE GROUND TO THOSE BUSINESS HOUSE BILL 144 FREEZES THE BUSINESS EMPLOYER TAX ON UNEMPLOYMENT, LEAVING IT AT 2022 .

2020 levels.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A MEASURE LAST SESSION THAT WOULD HAVE LEFT THE FREEZE IN PLACE THIS YEAR, BUT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR LINE-ITEM VETOED THE MEASURE.

HB 144 SPONSOR RUSSELL WEBBER SAYS THE MEASURE IS NEEDED NOW.

>> BUSINESSES IN THIS STATE ARE STILL SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF THE AD.

AND DID DOWNTURN IN THE NATIONAL ECONOMY THAT WE SEE WE HAD SHUTDOWNS.

WE'VE A HEARD FROM BUSINESS OWNERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE LABOR SHORTAGE THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING NOW.

BUSINESSES THAT NORMALLY WOULD BE VERY BUSY ON A FRIDAY NIGHT OR A SATURDAY NIGHT.

I KNOW IN OUR AREA ARE OFTEN CLOSING AT 6:00 AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF EMPLOYEES TO WORK THERE, SO THERE'S A REAL LABOR SHORTAGE.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS AS WELL.

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE GONE TO GROCERY STORES OR OTHER BUSINESSES, AND IT HYPER BOLLIC APPEARS THAT THAT BUSINESS IS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE THE SHELVES ARE BARE AND THERE'S NOT MUCH THERE.

THIS BILL WILL GIVE OUR EMPLOYERS, OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, THOSE FOLKS THAT WE KNOW IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, WE SEE EACH WEEK, THOSE BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE,AL THIS WILL GIVE BREATHING ROOM FOR THOSE FOLKS AND ALLOW THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO RECOUP SOME OF THEIR LOSSES, GET THEIR FINANCIAL FOOTING BACK IN SHAPE.

>> Casey: WEBBER SAID IN COMMITTEE LAST WEEK THE MEASURE COULD SAVE BUSINESSES $70 PER E HOUSE BILL 144 PASSED THE HOUSE 87 TO 4.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SE THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE SPEAKER MAY BE ABLE TO INTERVEN IN LAWSUITS DEALING WITH THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF KENTUCKY'S LAWS IF A MEASURE PASSED BY THE HOUSE GETS FINAL APPROVAL.

HOUSE SPEAKER PRO-TEM DAVID MEADE EXPLAINS HOW HOUSE BILL 230 WOULD WORK.

>> THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER,.

IN THIS BILL WHAT WE'RE DOING IS AFFIRMING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY THE AND SEPARATION OF POWERS BY MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY DEFEND THE CONSTITUTIONAL OF ANY LAW THAT IT PASSES BUT IT MAY NOT BE TAKEN INTO COURT EVERY TIME SOMEONE DOESN'T LIKE A LAW THAT HAS BEEN PASSED.

IT'S A VERY SIMPLE BILL.

IF FIRST SECTION ALLOWS FOR THE INTERVENTION ON BEHALF OF THE BODIES, THE SPEAKER OF HOUSE OR THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE MAY INTERVENE FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR FOR THE RESPECTIVE CHAMBERS.

SECTION 2 MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO WAIVER OF IMMUNITY OR PRIVILEGE, AND SECTION 3 REAFFIRMS THAT IN ALL MATTERS LEGISLATIVE IMMUNITY AND PRIVILEGE SHALL AB APPLIED, INTERPRETED AS BROADLY AS CONSTITUTIONALLY PO AND SHOULD NOT BE WAIVED UNTIL THE WAIVER IS SPECIFIC AND EXPLICIT.

THAT JUST MEANS THAT THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THE WILL THE OF THE SENATE WILL BE ACTING IN THEIR LEGISLATIVE ROMANS AS THEY INTERVENE, AND SO THEREFORE THEIR LEGISLATIVE IMMUNITY WOULD BE TEND TO that.

>> Casey: HOUSE MINORITY WHIP ANGIE HATTON QUESTIONED MEADE ON HOW THE BILL WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED.

SHE SAYS WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING HOW IT WOULD BE USED, SHE COULDN'T SUPPORT IT.

>> WHO DO WE ANTICIPATE WOULD BE THE LEGAL STAFF HANG THESE INTERVENTIONS?

AND DO YOU ANTICIPATE WE'D HAVE TO HIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF LAWYERS FOR THE SPEAKER AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE?

>> GENTLEMAN FROM LINCOLN.

>> I THINK THAT'S A DIFFICULT ANSWER, DIFFICULT TO ANSWER JUST BECAUSE THE SPEAKER AND THE PRESIDENT WOULD MAKE THAT DECISION AT THE TIME THAT THEY INTERVENED.

>> LADY FROM LECHER.

>> MAY I BRIEFLY SPEAK ON THE BILL, MR. SPEAKER, SPEAKER.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> I WOULD THINK QUESTIONS LIKE THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE WE SLOOT ON VOTE OH A BILL LIKE THIS.

THAT'S ONE OF SEVERAL REASONS WHY I CAN'T SUPPORT it.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 230 MOVES ON TO THE SENATE AFTER PASSING THE HOUSE 71 TO 20.

PEOPLE WITH COM DISORDERS COULD ALERT THE STATE TO THEM WHEN REGISTERING THEIR HOUSE BILL 279 WOULD ALLOW COMMUNICATION DISORDERS TO BE LISTED IN THE STATE'S VEHICLE REGISTRATION DATABASE, ALLOWING POLICE OFFICERS TO KNOW IN ADVA MURRAY REPRESENTATIVE MARY BETH IMES SAYS THE MEASURE COULD HEL ALERT POLICE TO PEOPLE'S NEEDS.

>> MR. SPEAKER, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KNOW HOW QUICKLY A SIMPLE TRAFFIC STOP OR ACCIDENT SCENE CAN ESCALATE.

HOUSE BILL 279 WOULD SIMPLY ELIMINATE AN UNNECESSARY BARRIER TO COMMUNICATION AND HELP KEEP EVERYONE INVOLVED SAFE AND WELL-SERVED.

AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OR RENEW, THE OWNER OR LESSEE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE MAY, IT IS NOT REQUIRED, IT IS OPTIONAL, THEY MAY INFORM THE CLERK THAT HE OR SHE OR SOMEONE WHO MAY BE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IS DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING OR HAS A COMMUNICATION DISORDER AND REQUEST THAT INFORMATION BE INCLUDED IN THE KENTUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM DATABASE.

THIS WOULD ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS.

ALSO, THE COUNTY CLERK SHALL POST A AM PRO NENT NOTICE INFORMATION THE PUBLIC OF THE AVAILABILITY OF DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING OR COMMUNICATION DISORDER DESIGNATION IN THE KENTUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION DATABASE.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 279 PASSED.

HOUSE BILL 279 WOULD AL COMMUNICATION DISORDERS TO BE LISTED IN THE STATE'S VEHICLE REGISTRATION DATABASE, ALLOWING POLICE OFFICERS TO KNOW IN ADVA.

NATHAN NATHAN'S MOTHER SAYS THE CORONER INFORMED HER ABOUT HER SON'S DEATH BY HANDING HER A NO SHE TESTIFIED ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE TO THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

>> HE HAD THIS LITTLE PIECE OF PAPER AND IN BUSINESS CARD, AND THAT'S THE SUMMIT COUNTY SHERIFF IN UTAH AND IT SAYS JOHN AND SHERRY BARNETT, WHICH WE'RE JOHN AND STACEY BURNETT, AND NATHAN, AND AGAIN WE KEPT SAYING, IS HE DEAD?

IS HE DEAD IN AND THE CORONER SAID, IF NO DETAILS.

YOU HAVE TO CALL UTAH.

THE WAY WE WERE INFORMED WAS COLD, IMPERSONAL, UNPROFESSIONAL.

IT CAUSED A LOT OF EXTRA TRAUMA FOR MY TWO YOUNGER SONS.

AND I FEEL LIKE THE WAY WE WERE NOTIFIED ROBBED THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE LIFE AND IMPORTANCE THAT OUR SON MEANT TO US.

SO I JUST DON'T WANT ANY OTHER FAMILIES TO BE NOTIFIED THIS WAY.

WE WANT JUST SOME BASIC STANDARDS WHICH ARE VERY BASIC.

BASICALLY THAT YOU HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED IN person >> Casey: BURNETT REACHED OUT TO SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO OF WINCHESTER WHO SPONSORED SENATE BILL 66.

IF PASSED, IT WOULD RE CORONERS AND DEPUTY CORONERS TO COMPLETE A FOUR-HOUR TRAINING THAT INCLUDES BEST PRACTICES FO PROVIDING DEATH NOTIFICATIONS.

IT ALSO REQUIRES THAT NOTIFICATION BE PROVIDED VERBALLY AND IN PERSON.

TODAY ON THE SENATE FLOOR, SENATOR ALVARADO EXPLAINED WHY HE THINKS THE BILL IS NEEDED.

>> I REALIZE THAT WE CANNOT-ELECT COMPASSION OR EMPATHY OR BASIC HUMAN KINDNESS.

I ALSO REALIZE THAT OUR CORONERS ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PROUD OUR CORONERS EVERY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW HOW TO DELIVER THE WORST NEWS A FAMILY MAY EVER HEAR IN THEIR LIFETIME.

E. I REACHED OUT TO MY COUNTY CORONER AT HOME AND ASKED FOR HIS INPUT IN HOW THIS COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED, AND SENATE ABOUT IT 6 IS THE PRODUCT OF THAT wor >> Casey: SENATOR ALVARADO SAYS SOME MINOR CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE BILL THROUGH AN AMENDMENT AFTER HEARING THE KENTUCKY CORONER'S ASSOCIATION.

SENATE BILL 66 PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW MAKES ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS, THE MIDDLEMEN WHO MANAGE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS FOR HEALTH INSURERS, COULD BE GETTING MORE OVERSIGHT SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO SAYS SENATE BILL 68 WILL CREATE A REALTIME MONITORING SERVICE FOR THE STATE'S SINGLE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER OR PBM, AS THEY'RE OFTEN CALLED.

>> A COMPLEMENT TO SENATE BILL 50 THAT WAS PASSED IN 2020 TO ESTABLISH THE SINGLE PBM, THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING ENT DID I WILL MONITOR 100% OF PHARMACY CLAIMS OR INVOICES SUBMITTED BY THE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER AND ANNAL EYESIZE THE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER'S COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW AND ITS CONTRACTS WITH THE STATE AND THE MCOOs.

IT WILL HELP SURF AND CORRECTAIRES IN PBM CLAIMS, TO PREVENT THE DEPARTMENT MEDICAID SERVERS FROM OVERPAYING THE APARTMENT I. PHARMACY BENVENUTI MANAGER AND TO ACHIEVE SAVINGS TO COMMONWEALTH.

IT WILL IDENTIFY ANY UNDERHEIM OR ABUSES INCLUDING ANY ILLEGAL OR INAPPROPRIATE FEES IMPOSED BY KENTUCKY PHARMACISTS AND ALSO PROVIDE THOROUGH ANALYSIS TO DMS AND TO ALL RIGHT ON HOW EACH PBM IS PERFORM IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

ADDITIONALLY THIS BILL WILL REQUIRE THE PERSONNEL CAB MET TO PROCEED COOR A SIMILAR MONITORING SERVICE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY AND INTEGRITY OF THE PBM.

THESE MONITORING ENT HIS WILL PROVIDE ANALYSIS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SO THAT LAWMAKERS UNDERSTAND HOW THE PBM DOLLARS ARE FORMING WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND THE MONITORING ENTITIES WORK OCCURS AFTER THE PHARMACY HAS BEEN PAID.

SO THE PHARMACY GETS PAID.

THERE'S NO CORRUPTION TO PHARMACIES AT ALL IN THAT.

AND THEY'RE PAID, AND THE WORK IS BUN BEFORE DMS OR THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN PAYS THE PBM.

SO THIS IS A REALTIME MONITORING OF 100% OF PHARMACY CLAIMS THAT WOULD PUT THE COMMONWEALTH IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION TO HOLD THE PBMS THAN THAT CURRENT AUDIT PROCESS WHICH OCCURS AFTER THE BPBM HAS BEEN PAID.

>> Casey: LOUISVILLE PHYSICIAN KAREN BERG ASKED ALVARADO HOW SENATE BILL 68 WILL IMPROVE THE SYSTEM, AND HE EXPLAINED THE RELATIONSHIP PROVIDERS HAVE WIT.

>> IT IS THE DISCUSSION OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU REIMBURSE PHARMACISTS.

PHARMACISTS GET REIMBURSED BASED ON THEIR MEDICATIONS.

IT'S A TOTALLY SEPARATE THING THAN WHAT PATIENTS HAVE TO ENCOUNTER WITH THEIR WORKS OR WHAT DOCTORS HAVE TO APPEAL THROUGH A PBM FOR PRIOR AUTHORIZATION SO.

TRADITIONALLY WHAT THIS DOES IS IT'S BASICALLY HELPING US 84 SEE THE SINGLE PBM THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED IN THE STATE KENTUCKY.

IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH SENATE BILL 50 YOU'RE EDUCATED ON THIS TOPIC.

WE HAVE SINGLE PBM FOR MEDICAID.

WHO IS DOIN' THAT?

ARE THEY DOING PAYMENTS PROPERLY?

WE FOUND OUT WE HAVE TWO SEPARATE AGENCIES.

APPARENTLY UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IS ONE WHO ALSO PROVIDES PHARMACIES IN THE STATE AND THEN YOU'VE GOT A SEPARATE AGENCIES THAT RAIM NOT EVEN WORRY OF HOE THAT IS THAT'S DOING THAT.

WE DONNELLY HAVE MUCH DETAIL IN THE CONTRACTS.

WE'RE FINDING OUT TODAY IN THE LAST 18 HOURS.

I'M SURE WE'LL GET MORE INFORMATION IN THE NEXT BECAUSE DAYS WHO DOES THAT, WHAT OVERSIGHT IS BEING PEDROIAED.

AGAIN, WHEN THERE'S A IMPEACHMENT BEING DONE, A APARTMENT PHARMACIST GETS PAID FOR THAT MEDICATIONS.

THEN THE PBM GETS PAID AFTERWARDS.

SO A LOT OF TRANSACTIONAL, IT'S A VERY OPAQUE PROCESS THAT WE TRIED TO TAKE THE LID OFF SHEER IN THE STATE IN THE THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SENATE BILL 50 DID THIS AND FORMED A LOT OF THAT FOR US.

WE'VE ALSO TAKEN AWAY MCOs FROM HAVING THEIR OWN PBMs.

WE HAVE E STAND A SINGLE PBM BUT WHO IS PROVIDE OVERSIGHT FOR NEM?

IN THE PAST WE ISSUED A PAYMENT TO A PHARMACIST AND SAID, OH, WE'VE OVERPAID OUR, OH, WE'VE UNDERPAID YOU, AND THAT'S HAPPENING, AND PROBABLY UNDERPAYMENTS HAPPEN A LOT MORE THAN OVERPAYMENTS DO FOR PHARMACIST BUT INSTEAD OF HAVING THE RECOUP THAT I YEAR LATER LIKE WE'VE SEEN AS MANY PROVIDERS DO IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, WE CAN DO THAT REALTIME SO AS THE -- EVERYTHING IS BEING ENTERED PER THE CONTRACT.

THE AGENCY CAN HAVE THAT REAL TIME AND THE PHARMACIST HAS PAID.

WHAT IS THAT TRANSACTION ACCURATE?

IF THERE'S AN INACCURACY AND THEY'VE BEEN UNDERPAID THIS IS A UNDER WHY PAYMENT AND IT GETS CORRECTED IN A MATTER OF DAYS ADVICE HAVING TO COME BACK, WE HAVE SHORED CANDIDATE YOU, OVERPAID YOU AND WE DON'T HAVE THOSE CASH FLOW PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE FROM OTHER PROVIDERS IN PAST INDEPENDENCE GOING TO HELP DO IT REALTIME IS THE BASIC THING SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THOSE TRANSITIONAL PROBLEMS THAT PHARMACISTS HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.

>> Casey: CAMPBELLSVILLE SENATOR MAX WISE SAYS HE RECEIVED QUESTIONS FROM HIS LOCAL PHARMACISTS IN HIS DISTRICT ABOUT THE SECTION ON THE BILL ON AUDITS.

ALVARADO EXPLAINED HOW IT WOULD WORK.

>> TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THE SECTION AN ENTITY SHALL, AND IT GOES INTO HAVING AT LEAST FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE REVIEWING AND AUDITING PHARMACY CLAIMS AND PHARMACIES BENEFIT MANAGER OPERATING, BE CAPABLE OF PERFORMING THE SALAMANCA ASSIST PHARMACY BENEFIT CLAIMS TOAL VALIDATE ACCURACY AND IDENTIFY ERRORS IN NEAR REALTIME.

SO THAT WOULD REQUIRE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TECHNOLOGY TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE CAN DISCOVER THIS QUICKLY.

ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS WE'VE HEARD IN PAST IS THAT, LIKE ANY PROVIDER, NO JUST PHARMACISTS, IS THAT WE DO ANALYSIS A YEAR LATER, EIGHT MONTHS LATER, AND WE SAY, OH, WE THINK WE PAID YOU TOO MUCH AND WE'RE GOING TO GET A CHECK FROM YOU ORE TAKE IT OUT OF YOU THE THIS POINT.

NOTHING FRUSTRATES PROVIDERS MORE BECAUSE WE'RE VERY DEPENDENT ON THAT CASH FLOW TO MAINTAIN OPERATIONS.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET REALTIME.

SEVERAL AGENCIES, AT LEAST A DOZEN ARE AVAILABLE.

WE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROCUREMENT IN OTHER STATES LIKE OHIO AND MINNESOTA WHERE THEY HAVE CONTRACTED WITH DIFFERENT ANSWERS WHO CAN PROVIDE THAT SERVICE.

WE WANT SOMEBODY WHO CAN DO IT IN REAL TIME, NOT BE AN ENTITY THAT PERFORMANCE ANNUAL RETROACTIVE AUDITS OF PHARMACY BENEFIT CLAIMS FOR THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN.

NOT BE FILL RATED REQUEST COMMON PARENT KNOWN OR HOLDING OR SHARE MANAGERS IN COMMON WITH, AND IT GOES THROUGH SEVERAL INSURERS CONTRACT THROUGH THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS, CONTRACTOR PURSUANT TO 18A.

I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS ELIMINATED A POTENTIAL CONFLICT INTEREST THAT WE WOULD HAVE IN SOME OF THOSE AGENCIES.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 68 PASSE THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE LAST WEEK AND HAS RECEIVED ITS SECOND READING.

ON FRIDAY, KET'S RENEE SHAW SAT DOWN WITH SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM DAVID GIVENS TO DISCUSS THIS SESSION'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY GIVENS SHED SOME LIGHT ON WHERE THE SENATE IS IN THE BUDGET PRO HE COMPARED THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO THE HOUSE'S AND EXPLAINS WHERE THE SENATE IS LIKELY TO GO WITH THEIR VERSION.

>> THE HOUSE VERSION THAT PASSED HAD $1.142 BILLION THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATED, NOT EXPENDED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT IDEA?

AND DO YOU THINK THAT YOU RECEIVED FROM THE HOUSE A SOUND BUDGET FROM WHICH YOU ALL TO GO FORWARD, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL REMAIN INTACT?

>> SO WE'RE JUST BREAKING DOWN THE HOUSE BUDGET NOW.

WE'VE STARTED SOME EARLY PRELIMINARY MEETINGS, LOOKING AT WHAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED, THE WHAT HOUSE PASSED.

I CERTAINLY DO THINK THE HOUSE HAS PROVIDED US A SOUND STARTING POINT FROM WHICH TO WORK.

THEIR APPROACH OF NOT SPENDING ALL THE FUNDS IS A WONDERFUL LOGIC APPROACH, AND I SAY THAT TO SAY WE'RE AT A PERIOD OF TIME RIGHT NOW WHERE OUR ECONOMY IS GOING GANGBUSTERS, AND SINCE THIS FORECAST GROUP IN DECEMBER WHEN THEY PROVIDED US THE TARGET REVENUE NUMBERS TO BUDGET TO, THIS IS GOING TO BE A FASCINATING FUN TIME TO DO SOME -- >> IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS.

>> IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WE'VE GOT A LOT OF LAGGING MORTGAGE CLAIMS IN THE FORM OF PENSIONS AND THOSE POSTERS CHALLENGES.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE US ADDRESS THOSE.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE US SET A GOAL OF A VERY, VERY HEALTHY, ROBUST BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND.

>> EVEN MORE SO THAN -- >> LIKELY EVEN MORE SO BUT WITHIN REASON.

WITHIN REASON.

A CONCERN THAT'S LOOMING IS THE FALSE NATURE OF THIS ECONOMY.

IS IT A REAL BUBBLE OR IS IT A REAL INCLINE THAT'S HEADED UP FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME?

NONE OF US KNOW.

I'D LIKE TO BE IN A POSITION -- >> AND THERE'S A LOT OF INFUSION FEDERAL CASH THAT DOESN'T THAT INFLATE THE FORECAST SOME AND NOT AN ACCURATE DEPICTION OF WHAT REALLY YOU HAVE GOING FORWARD?

>> EXACTLY RIGHT.

AND SO LET'S QUANTIFY THAT FOR JUST A MOMENT.

AND THESE NUMBERS ARE STAGGERING STAGGERING.

OBVIOUSLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS LOTS OF MONEY IN EVERY STATE ON A REGULAR BASIS, NON-COVID PERIODS OF KENTUCKY'S A BENEFICIARY OF SUN ESTABLISH AMOUNTS OF FEDERAL MONEYS.

LOTS OF STATES ARE.

ON TOP OF OUR $14 BILLION ANNUAL SPENDING OF KENTUCKY TAXPAYER FUNDS INTO THE GENERAL FUND, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUTS MONEY IN.

WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING THE RESULTS, AND WE'RE SEEING IT NOW, OF THE INFUSION OF ALMOST TWO YEARS WORTH OF FEDERAL COVID MONEYS THROUGH THE ARPA ACT, THROUGH THE CARES ACT, AND, RENEE, IT'S $45 BILLION.

LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN.

WE SPEND $14 BILLION ANNUALLY.

WE WILL HAVE INFUSED THREE TIMES THE STATE FUNDING INTO THE ECONOMY OF KENTUCKY THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CARES ACT AND ARPA ACT AND OTHER FUNDINGS.

NOW, SOME OF THOSE WENT DIRECTLY TO BUSINESSES THROUGH THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION P PFM SOME DIRECT TO SCHOOLS, CITIES, COUNCIL, STATE GOVERNMENT.

BUT THAT $45 BILLION LIKELY DOES CREATE A BIT OF A FALSE ECONOMY RIGHT NOW.

FALSE STRENGTH.

AND THAT CONCERNS US.

SO I THINK I DO NOT SEE US DOING THINGS LIKE PAYING DOWN PENSION LIABILITIES, CONTINUING TO INVEST IN EDUCATION BUT DOING IT IN A MEASURED WAY.

WE'RE ALSO GOING, AS THE GOVERNOR AND THE HOUSE DID, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE MAKING A SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN ATTRACTING AND RETAINING STATE EMPLOYEES.

>> INTERESTING.

>> WE'RE AT A TIME AND A PLACE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT.

>> 6% DO YOU THINK DOES THAT?

>> I'M NOTE GOING TO SAY WHAT OUR NUMBER'S GOING TO BE.

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL, POSITIVE SIGNAL THAT WE WANT TO MAINTAIN, ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALITY WORKERS IN OUR STATE, STATE SYSTEM.

>> AND PARTICULARLY THOSE AREAS IN WHICH THOSE SECTORS ARE STRUGGLING, SO THE STATE POLICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION, TEACHER SHORTAGES.

>> AND THINGS THAT IMPACT FAMILIES ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

AN EXAMPLE I HEARD, ONE OF MY COMMUNITY STATE TRANSPORTATION BARNS, EACH COUNTY THAT IS A STATE TRANSPORTATION BARN, ONE OF MY STATE TRANSPORTATION BARNS THAT HAS ABOUT 40 EMPLOYEES IS 16 EMPLOYEES SHORT RIGHT NOW.

IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP THE ROADS CLEAN, SAFE, THOSE FOLKS ARE DOING IT DAY IN AND DAY OUT, AND THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

WE HAVE SO MANY OTHER EXAMPLES.

WORKING IN COURTED HOUSES, WORKING IN CLASSROOMS, DRIVING BUSES, DOING ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT KEEP OUR ECONOMY SOUND AND HEALTHY AND OUR STATE SAFE.

>> SO, SENATOR GIVENS, SOME WA SAY I WANT TO HEAR HIM GUARANTEE THAT STATE WORKERS WILL RECEIVE SOME TYPE OF INCREMENTAL PUP IN THIS BIENNIAL BUDGET.

>> SO LET ME SHARE IT WITH YOU THIS WAY, RENEE.

I HESITATE TO GUARANTEE BECAUSE I DON'T CONTROL THE VOTES.

THERE ARE 37 OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER.

I GUARANTEE IT HAS MY SPOTTER.

AND I GUARANTEE THAT WHEN THE HOUSE DOES IT AND THE GOVERNOR'S DONE IT, I GUARANTEE IT'S REALLY HARD FOR THE SENATE TO NOT DO SOMETHING, AND FROM MY TONE, BECAUSE I BROUGHT IT UP BEFORE YOU EVEN QUESTIONED ME ON IT, I'M SIGNALING THAT WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING VERY AGGRESSIVE AND VERY POSITIVE THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A LASTING POSITIVE IMPACT.

>> Casey: YOU CAN SEE MORE FROM SENATOR GIVENS' INTERVIEW CHECKING OUT OLD EPISODES OF "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" ON OUR WEBSITE, KET.ORG.

AS THE SENATE CONTINUES THEIR WORK ON THE BUDGET, HOUSE MEMBERS CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THEIR VERSION.

ON LAST MONDAY'S "KENTUCKY TONIGHT," RENEE SHAW WAS JOINED BY LEGISLATORS JASON PETRI AND JOSIE RAYMOND TO DISCUSS THE RECENTLY PASSED HOUSE BILL 1.

THE TWO HOUSE MEMBERS DISCUSSED THE ADDITIONAL $1.1 BILLION THA WEREN'T APPROPRIATED IN THAT BILL AND WHAT COULD BE DONE WIT.

>> THIS $1.142 BILLION THAT THERE ARE -- THERE ARE OTHER BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING ACROSS THE DESK, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE SOME WIGGLE ROOM IN.

YOU'VE ALREADY DONE THE $200 MILLION FOR THE WESTERN KENTUCKY RELIEF PACKAGE.

THERE COULD BE SOME SCHOOL CHOICE, SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT STUFF OR OTHER KIND OF INVESTMENTS.

DO YOU SEE THAT ON THE HORIZON?

CAN YOU SPECIFY WHAT WE MIGHT BE SEEING IN TERMS OF WHAT COULD ABSORB A PORTION OF THAT $1 BILLION?

>> THERE ARE A PLETHORA OF BILLS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED THAT COULD BE, AND I'LL JUST NAME ONE.

I THINK IT'S 226, READ TO SUCCEED THAT REPRESENTATIVE TIPTON HAS MAYBE HAS A $10 MILLION OR $11 MILLION PRICE TAG TO IT ONCE THE APPROPRIATION IS FINISHED.

WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT.

THAT'S A RELATIVELY SMALL ONE BUT MAY HAVE ATTRACTION THAT MOVES THROUGH.

WE'VE GOT BROADBAND ISSUES.

WE'VE GOT SEVERAL ISSUES.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO MISLEAD.

I DON'T WANT TO MISGUIDE.

THAT $1.1 BILLION NUN APPROPRIATED FUNDS OVER THE CURRENT YEAR IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS OF BIEFFIN UM, THAT IS A BENCH MARK OF HOW MUCH OF THAT DO WE NEED TO DIP INTO, HOW MUCH SHOULD WE RETURN TO TAXPAYERS, HOW MUCH SHOULD GO TO OTHER PROGRAMS OR OTHER NEEDS OR WANTS AT THIS POINT?

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE DISCUSSION ABOUT ALL THE TIME.

PRIORITY AND PRIORITIES ARE ALWAYS SHIFTING.

>> SO HAVE YOU ALREADY DECIDED HOW TO GIVEE P THAT PIE?

CAN YOU GIVE A PERCENTAGE OF WHAT YOU WANT TO SAVE AND KEEP?

>> THE $1.1 BILLION UNAPPROPRIATED?

>> YES.

>> NO, NO DEFINITE PERCENTAGE AND PART OF IT IS WE'RE 28 SEE WHAT THE SENATE'S PRIORITY ARE, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS LEFT IF ANY.

I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A VECTOR APPROACH ON IT REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO STAY TOWARD NEEDS AND AWAY FROM WANTS AND WHATEVER CAN BE RETURNED TO TAXPAYERS OUGHT TO BE A GOAL AND A VECTOR APPROACH.

>> SO CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET TO YOU APPEARED TO BE A WANT AND NOT A NEED.

>> EVERYTHING IS A VARYING DEGREE OF WANT AND NEED.

I MEAN, YOU CAN TAKE EVERY SINGLE PROJECT THAT ANYONE WOULD TALK ABOUT AND I CAN MAKE A GREAT CASE FOR, IT'S A NEED, BUT WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE EACH OF THOSE NEEDS, AND I'VE SAT DOWN AND SPOKEN WITH THE BUDGET DIRECTOR HICKS AND SENIOR ADVISER ADKINS AND GONE OVER WHAT THEY THINK OUT OF THEIR OWNING EVER BUDGET IS WANT VERSUS NEEDS, AND I'M NOTE GOING TO DISCLOSE THAT, BUT IT'S AN ONGOING DISCUSSION OF WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE.

>> RIGHT.

SO TO THAT QUESTION ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE MINORITY PARTY, I MEAN, THERE WITH WERE A FEW OF WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BUDGET.

NOT ALL THE DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST IT.

AND SO I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT IF YOU CAN SEGUE INTO THE TAX REFORM, AND I KNOW WE'LL BE VACILLATING PACK AND FORTH IN THE STATE BUDGET, WHAT KIND OF DISCUSSIONS DO YOU HOPE WILL COME AROUND WHEN IT COMES TO TAX REFORM?

THERE IS MORE THAN ONE VIEW OF WHAT TAX REFORM IS, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

TAX REFORM IS TWO WORDS THAT CAN MEAN A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS, RIGHT?

FOR ME IT MIGHT MEAN LET'S START TAXING MILLIONAIRES WAIT HIGHER RIGHT SO WE CAN FUND PRE-K FOR STATE.

FOR SOMEONE ELSE IT MIGHT BE MEAN LET'S GIVE A TAX CUT TO JOHN CALIPARI AND I ERR FEAR THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN THE GENERAL SESSION.

WE'RE GOING TO SQUANDER AWAY $1 BILLION THAT COULD TRANSFORM KENTUCKY.

WE'RE GOING TO BENEFIT THE WEALTHY.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE FLEETING.

TO BELIEVE WE REALLY HAVE A $1 BILLION SITTING AROUND, THOUGH, WE'D HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT WE HAVE MET THE NEEDS OF KENTUCKY, AND I WOULD ARGUE IN THIS BUDGET WE HAVE NOT, RIGHT?

WE HAVEN'T CLOSED RACIAL WEALTH GAPS IN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVEN'T ENDED HEALTH DISPARITIES.

WE SURELY HAVE NOT SOLVED PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS.

WE DON'T EVAN EVEN HAVE A WATERFRONT PARK IN LOUVRE'S WEST END.

AND FURTHERMORE, I'D SAY KENTUCKIANS DESERVE SOME WANTS.

>> SUCH AS?

>> WELL, WE CAN'T -- HAVE TAX CUTS.

I MIGHT SPEND $100 ON A NICER COUCH IF I GET A TAX CUT FROM GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUT I CAN'T GET AN EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT THAT ISY GOING TO CUT CHILD POVERTY.

I CAN'T BUILD A PREMIER POSE SECONDARY SYSTEM THAT'S GOING TO KEEP YOUR KIDS AND MINE IN KENTUCKY.

THESE ARE THE SORTS OF THINGS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO INVEST IN, THEY ARE LOOKING TO US TO DO THAT.

>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE SHIRKING THAT OBLIGATION.

>> WE HEARD ABOUT THE CHILD CARE CRISIS, THAT THE REASON PRIMARY CAREGIVERS COULDN'T RETURN TO WORK IS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD CHILD CARE.

IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE HOUSE ERGAS VERY OF THE BUDGET THAT ADDRESSES THAT PARTICULAR DILEMMA?

>> NOT ANYMORE IN THE BUDGET, NO, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING MORE PUSHED IN OTHER THAN THE NORMALS.

BUT NOW I WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE -- THERE'S AT LEAST ONE OR TWO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE THAT ARE WORKING ON THAT ISSUE IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND I HAVE BEEN CONSULTING WITH THEM TO TRY TO HELP THEM ON THE APPROPRIATION SIDE OF HOW THAT MIGHT WORK OUT BEST, BUT I WANT TO GO BACK, THERE'S AB OVERARCHING THEME THAT'S DEVELOPS HERE AND IT'S NOT FRUSTRATING BUT IT'S INTERESTING TO ME.

WE HAVE MONEY.

THROW YOU THE OUT THERE.

THROW THE AT SOMETHING.

WELL, YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE A GOOD PLAN OF OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT AND HOW WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO MAKE SURE IT'S TAKEN CARE OF, ADDRESSED EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY, BUT IF THERE'S A PROBLEM THROW MONEY AT IT.

WE HAVE THE MONEY.

AND IF WE DON'T THROW THE MONEY, THEN WE'RE AT NO DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN DO.

WELL, I DON'T WANT TO THROW MONEY.

IT'S NOT MY MONEY.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER WE DO, THERE'S FORETHOUGHT PUT IN, THERE IS A PLAN IN PLACE, THERE IS A FEEDBACK LOOP TO SEE WHAT EFFECTIVENESS IT HAS SO THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO USE THAT MONEY TO THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FOR KENTUCKIANS AND WHAT SERVICES GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE RENDERING BACK.

BUT I RALLY CAUTION PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THERE'S MONEY ON THE TABLE DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO THROW IT AT A PROBLEM.

>> Casey: YOU CAN VIEW THE ENTIRE "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" EPISODE ON THE STATE BUDGET ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE ARE DAY 19 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN-TIME FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

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.