>> Casey: THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH IS STRONG AS HE ADDRESSES A JOINT SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

A SENATE COMMITTEE MOVES BILLS THAT THE REDISTRICT SENATE AND CONGRESSIONAL SEATS.

AND THE HOUSE PASSES A BILL THAT WILL MOVE THE FILING DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATE IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.

WE RECAP THE ACTION OF DAY 2 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING FOURS "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR GAVE HIS THIRD STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS TONIGHT TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HE SAYS THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH IS STRONG, DESPITE HAVING TO DEAL WITH NATURAL DISASTERS RANGE FROM FLOODS, ICE STORMS AND TORNADOES, AND NOT TO MENTION A PANDEMIC THAT CONTINUES TO RAGE AS TODAY THE STATE HIT THE HIGHEST CASE HOLT TOTAL EVER FOR A SINGLE DAY.

BESHEAR STARTED THE SPEECH TALKING ABOUT KENTUCKY'S RESILIENCE AFTER THE STATE'S DEADLY TORNADOES THAT KILLED 77 PEOPLE LESS THAN A MONTH AGO.

>> WE ARE ALL PROCESSING GRIEF AND SADNESS AFTER A YEAR OF UNPRECEDENTED NATURAL DISASTERS AND A CONTINUING PANDEMIC.

WE ARE NOW JUST WEEKS FROM THE DEADLIEST TORNADO OUTBREAK IN STATE HISTORY WHICH TOOK 77 LIVES, INCLUDING ONE CHILD JUST SIX DAYS OLD.

ENTIRE TOWNS WERE NEARLY WIPED OFF THE MAP, LAUGHING THOUSANDS OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS HOMELESS AND STRUGGLING.

ALL OF THIS WHILE WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT A PANDEMIC THAT HAS NOW TAKEN MORE THAN 12,000 OF OUR KENTUCKY FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, AND FRIEND AND MORE THAN 828,000 OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS.

BUT EVEN THROUGH THESE TRIALS AND THE PAIN THAT WE CARRY FROM THEM, I'M HERE TO REPORT THAT THE STATE OF OUR COMMONWEALTH IS STRONG.

[APPLAUSE] AND I AM CONFIDENT, EVEN CERTAIN, THAT OUR TIME, KENTUCKY'S TIME IS NOW.

OUR COMMONWEALTH IS STRONG.

IT IS STRONG BECAUSE WE ARE STRONG.

IN KENTUCKY WE ARE GOOD PEOPLE, TOUGH PEOPLE, RESILIENT PEOPLE.

WE CARE DEEPLY FOR ONE ANOTHER.

AND WHILE THEY MAY KNOCK US DOWN, NO TORNADO, NO PANDEMIC, NO FLOOD, NO ICE STORM CAN BREAK US BECAUSE WE DO NOT BREAK.

[APPLAUSE] >> Casey: THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE WILL REBUILD, QUOTE, EVERY STRUCTURE AND EVERY LIFE AFTER THE DEADLY TORNADOES.

AND SAID HE BELIEVES THAT THE STATE WILL DEFEAT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

AFTER ADDRESSING THE HARDSHIPS FROM THE LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR TOUTED BUSINESS INVESTMENTS IN STATE.

HE SAYS THE CROWN JEWEL OF THOSE ANNOUNCEMENTS IS THE FORD BATTERY PLANT THAT WILL BE LOCATED IN HARDIN COUNTY, A $5.8 BILLION INVESTMENT.

>> YES.

IN 2021 WE FACED A ONE IN EVERY 100-YEAR PANDEMIC AS THE CHALLENGE OF OUR LIFETIME.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE DEALT WITH FLOODING, ICE STORMS AND DEADLY TORNADOES.

STILL WE NEVER TOOK OUR A OFF THE BALL AND WORKED EVERY DAY TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR MY KIDS AND YOURS.

ALONG THE WAY WE SHATTERED EVERY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RECORD IN THE BOOKS.

[APPLAUSE] WE ATTRACTED 11.2 BILLION DOLLARS IN PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT.

EVEN BETTER, THESE INVESTMENTS WILL CREATE MORE THAN 18,000 QUALITY JOBS IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR DISTRICTS.

[APPLAUSE] AND HOW ABOUT THIS ONE.

IN SEPTEMBER, WE LANDED THE LARGEST SINGLE INVESTMENT IN STATE HAS EVER SEEN AT NEARLY $6 BILLION AND 5,000 NEW JOBS.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND ITS PARTNER SK INNOVATION ARE GOING TO BUILD THE NATION'S LARGEST ELECTRIC BATTERY PLANT RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

[APPLAUSE] BILL FORD IS FORD'S EXECUTIVE CHAIR.

HE'S ALSO HENRY FORD'S GREAT GRANDSON.

HE SAT IN MY OFFICE AND HE SAID, "ANDY, THIS IS THE BIGG STEP IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY SINCE THE MODEL T." AND THIS IS FORD'S BIGGEST INVESTMENT IN ITS HISTORY THAT THEY HAD EVER MADE AND THAT THEY WERE MAKING IT IN KENTUCKY.

THAT'S WHEN IT HIT ME.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY, A COMPANY AS AMERICAN AS AMERICA ITSELF, WAS BETTING ITS FUTURE.

AND WHO DID FORD TRUST TO BET ITS ENTIRE FUTURE ON?

THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

>> Casey: NEXT THURSDAY GOVERNOR BESHEAR WILL LAY ON THE HIS PRIORITIES FOR THE McDONALD AS HE GIVES HIS BUDGET ADDRESS IN THE SECOND JOIN SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HE GAVE A PREVIEW OF WHAT THAT WOULD INCLUDE FROM RAISES TO STATE WORKERS TO INVESTMENT IN TO A COMPANION BRIDGE TO THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE.

>> I AM CONVINCED THE GOAL IS NOT TO MOVE A GOVERNMENT RIGHT ARE ON LEFT BUT TO TO HAVE MOVE IT FORWARD.

SOY THIS YEAR IN THIS SESSION WE HAVE A DUTY AND A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS THAT CAN TURN TWO YEARS OF GREAT PROGRESS INTO 20 YEARS OF REAL PROSPERITY.

IN A LITTLE OVER A WEEK I WILL JOIN YOU AGAIN TO END VALLEY A UNVEIL A BUDGET THAT DOES JUST THAT.

I MOVE A BUDGET IS NORTHERN LINES AND NUMBERS.

IT'S A VALUE STATEMENT, AND MY UPCOMING BUDGET WITHLY REFLECT OUR VALUES OF FAMILY, COMMUNITY, FAITH, AND A DEEP COMPASSION FOR OUR NEIGHBORS.

[APPLAUSE] THAT BUDGET WILL MAKE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AS WORLD CLASS COMPANIES DESERVE A WORLD CLASS WORKFORCE.

[APPLAUSE] IT WILL CREATE A FUND FORE INVESTIGATE IN DEVELOPMENT SITES SO WE CAN ATTRACT THE NEXT FORD AND TOYOTA.

IT WILL INVEST IN OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS LIKE OUR KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, OUR NURSES, OUR TEACHERS, TO ENSURE WE CANNOT ONLY RECRUIT BUT RETAIN THESE CRITICAL JOBS.

IT WILL ENSURE THAT WE REMAIN A LEADER IN AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND THAT WE BUILD ON OUR PHARMACEUTICAL FOOTPRINT IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER ON THE PROMISE OF A WORLD CLASS AIRPORT IN PADUCAH.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE WITH MORE WATER AND SEWER GRANTS.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY TO FOUR LANES, AND IT WILL WORK TO CONSTRUCT THAT I-69 BRIDGE.

IT WILL MOVE US EVER CLOSER TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT WHICH I HOPE AND EXPECT THAT WE WILL MAKE NEXT YEAR THAT WE WILL CONSTRUCT A BRENT SPENCE COMPANION BRIDGE WITHOUT TOLLS.

[APPLAUSE] AND IT WILL INCLUDE A RAISE FOR ALL OF OUR STATE WORKERS.

[APPLAUSE] WE SIMPLY CANNOT SAY THAT WE RESPECT AND SUPPORT TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER STATE WORKERS WHILE REMOVING THEIR PENSIONS AND NOT PROVIDING THEM A RAISE IN OVER A DECADE.

AND I CARE ABOUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM ENOUGH TO TRY TO GET THEM CLOSER TO PAYING THEM WHAT THEY'RE WORTH.

>> Casey: REACTION FROM REPUBLICAN LEADERS THE TO GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS WAS CONCILIATORY.

BOTH HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE AND SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS TOLD KET'S RENEE SHAW THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD WHEN THE GOVERNOR PRESENTS HIS BUDGET ADDRESS TO GET A BETTER IDEA OF HIS POLICY.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR SET THE RIGHT TENOR AND TONE ABOUT TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER.

THIS IS MOVING THE STATE FORWARD.

I HAVE TO BE SOMEWHAT QUESTIONING OF THAT FACT BECAUSE WE HAVE SAID FOR THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS THAT WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF IN A COLLABORATIVE NATURE, AND ONLY AFTER THE RECENT COURT DECISION BACK THIS YEAR HAS THE GOVERNOR REALLY STARTED TO REACH OUT, SO WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE, THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE TO HAVE MORE DISCUSSIONS WITH US.

AND WHEN WE HAVE, I LOOK TO THE SPEAKER, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM ON SEVERAL CASES,, BUT IT HAS BEEN DOO FEW AND TOO OFTEN.

>> SPEAKER OSBORNE, I'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO PICK UP ON THAT POINT THAT SENATOR STIVERS JUST MADE.

>> NO, I THINK THAT THE SENATOR HIT IT SQUARELY ON THE HEAD.

I THINK THAT THE TIMES WHERE WE HAVE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS SAT DOWN AND A CLABTIVE MANNER, WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS STRIDES, AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO DO READY TO DO THAT.

I AGREE WITH SENATOR STIVERS THAT THE TONE OF TONIGHT'S SPEECH WAS OUTSTANDING, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO MOVE THE COMMONWEALTH FORWARD.

>> MR. SPEAKER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE LIKE TO HAVE HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR TONIGHT?

DO YOU THINK HE GAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION AND DIRECTION ABOUT WHAT HE -- HIS POLICY ITEMS AND AGENDA IS THAT HE'D LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER?

OR DO YOU THINK THAT WILL COME NEXT WEEK WHEN HE GIVES HIS BUDGET ADDRESS?

>> I THINK CERTAINLY THERE'S MORE CONVERSATIONS TO BE HAD, RENEE, BUT THEYTE END THE DAY IT'S NOT WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR FROM THE GOVERNOR IN A SPEECH.

WHEN WE SIT DOWN WE WILL TACKLE THE DIFFICULT ISSUES OF THE COMMONWEALTH IS FOR A FACE-TO-FACE AND COLLABORATIVE WORKING ARRANGEMENT.

>> HE DID MENTION TODAY ABOUT RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS AND CONSTRUCTING A COMPANION TO THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE WITHOUT TOLLS.

I MEAN, ARE THOSE THINGS, THINGS THAT YOU ALL HAVE DISCUSSED WITH THE GOVERNOR UP TO NOW?

>> WE ACTUALLY HAVE HAD VERY FEW CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR REGARDING BUDGET ITEMS.

CERTAINLY WE HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF HIS PRESS CONFERENCES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, BUT WE HAVE BEEN DILIGENTLY WORKING WITH OUR BUDGET PROCESS.

CHAIRMAN PETRIE HAS BEEN FULLY ENGAGED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING HIS IDEAS.

>> SENATOR STIVERS, TO YOU, WERE THERE ANY MISSED DOESN'T TONIGHT THAT YOU THINK THE GOVERNOR HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THAT HE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN TO MAYBE EXTEND AN OLIVE BRANCH ORE OVERTLY TO THE LEGISLATURE, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS LIKE YOURSELF AND THE SPEAKER?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT REALLY WOULD COME NEXT WEEK.

AS I'VE SAID THROUGH MY CAREER HERE, THE ULTIMATE POLICY DOCUMENT AND BUDGET, WHAT WE PUT MONEYS AND FUNDS.

WE WANT TO MAYBE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION, BUT LET'S LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON LIKE THE CUR GENERAL WROTE ABOUT JEFFERS COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT PROMISE.

BUT THE ULTIMATE POLICY WILL BE SET BY THE BUDGET NEXT WEEK.

>> LEADER JENKINS, I WANT TOO START WITH YOU.

YOUR SPONS TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO SAY.

DID HE STRIKE THE RIGHT TONE AND DID HE SAY ENOUGH OF WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR FROM THE DEMOCRATIC JEAN THIS SESSION IN.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR WAS VERY, VERY OPTIMISTIC EVEN THOUGH WE'VE COME THROUGH JUST A HORRIBLE TIME WITH THE PANDEMIC AND NATURAL DISASTERS.

HE TALKED ABOUT RESILIENCY THAT KENTUCKIANS WILL COME BACK FORWARD AND COME BACK STRONGER AND TALKED ABOUT THE GREAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING TO KENTUCKY, BRINGING PROSPERITY FROM ONE END OF THE STATE TO THE OTHER.

>> THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH IS STRONG.

THAT WAS ONE OF HIS FIRST COMMENTS.

LEADER McGARVEY, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO HEAR FROM THE GOVERNOR NEXT WEEK WHEN HE LAYS OUT HIS BUDGET OF PRIORITIES BUDGET ADDRESS THAT WILL BE HAPPENING NEXT THURSDAY?

>> I THINK WE REALLY DID HIT THE RIGHT TONE WITH THIS SPEECH.

I THINK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE TWO YEARS SUNS HE BECAME GOVERNOR.

WE'VE HAD FLOODS.

WE'VE HAD TORNADOES WE'VE HAD A PANDEMIC TO DEAL WITH.

AND IN SPITE OF ALL THAT, HE'S HANDLED THAT.

HE'S BEEN POPPING HE'S BEEN HELPING PEOPLE OUT.

HE'S LANDED THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN THE STATE'S HISTORY WITH THE FORD MOTOR INVESTMENT $5.8 BILLION.

AS YOU SAW TONIGHT, HE'S ADDING JOBS IN LOUISVILLE, IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY, IN HARDEN, IN APPALACHIA WITH APPHARVEST.

THIS IS VERY MUCH ABOUT LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH, BUT STILL LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE GOT DONE, AND LOOK AT WHAT'S NEXT BECAUSE THIS IS THE STATE OF THE COMMONALITY, NOT THE BUDGET ADDRESS, BUT WE HAVE A ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE $5 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY COMING.

WE HAVE $1 BILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT MONEYS.

WE HAVE MORE THAN A $1 BILLION SURPLUS, AND OUR RAINY DAY FUND IS OVERFLOWING.

HE TOOK THE RIGHT TONE OF THIS IS TEAM KENTUCKY.

LOOK A WHAT WE'RE DOING AND NOW LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE WE.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS WILL BE DELIVERED TO HAD A ACCOUNT SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEXT THURSDAY, JANUARY 13th A 7:00 P.M. EASTERN EASTERN TIME.

KET WILL HAVE EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE HIS SPEECH ALONG WITH ANALYSIS AND REACTION FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF COMMONLY ADDRESS MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAPITOL'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT, BUT LEGISLATOR MOVED QUICKLY ON SOME PRIORITY ITEMS EARLIER IN THE DAY.

ONE OF THOSE PRIORITIES IS COMPLETING THE STATE'S REDISTRICTING PROCESS, AND IF ONE BILL PASSED BY COMMITTEE TODAY BECOMES LAW, KENTUCKY STATE SENATE DISTRICTS WILL LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR THE WANT TO 2022 ELECTION.

THE LEGISLATIVE MAPS WHICH MUST BE REDRAWN EVERY TEN YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THE CENSUS MUST BE ADJUSTED TO ACCOUNT FOR POPULATION CHASING.

SENATOR ROBBY MILLIS SPONSORED BILL 2.

HE EXPLAINS SOME OF THE REASONING BEHIND THE CHANGES AND WHAT THE MAPS MUST DO TO MEET STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS SAWGRASS THAT EVERYONE KNOWS, THE 2020 CENSUS DATA SHOWED SIGNIFICANT POPULATION SHIFT FROM EASTERN AND WESTERN -- WESTERN PARTS OF THE STATE TO CENTRAL AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

THIS HAS LED TO SIGNIFICANT POPULATION DEFINE IN EASTERN AND WESTERN KENTUCKY WITH SIGNIFICANT POPULATION GROWTH OCCURRING IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

LARGELY, THE DRAWING OF THIS MAP WAS DEDICATED TO -- THE IS DICTATED BY POPULATION AND MATH.

MAKING A SMALL CHANGE IN A GIVEN ARE CAUSES A RIPPLE EFFECT WHEN LOOK LIKE AT THE STATE AS A WHOLE.

KNOWING THAT TWO CURRENT MEMBERS WERE NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION, WE HAD SOME FLEXIBILITY HERE IN DRAWING THESE MAPS.

BUT WE STILL HAD TO FOLLOW THESE SECTION 33 AND EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE.

THE CENSUS DATA HAS SHOWN THAT THE POPULATION OF KENTUCKY IS 4,500,000.

THIS MEANS DIVIDE BY 38 DISTRICTS, THAT LEAVES THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT AT 118,574.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, WE HAVE FIVE COUNTIES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SPLIT.

JEFFERSON, IF A SECRET, KENTON, WARREN AND BOONE, AND THOSE COUNTIES WERE SPLIT.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS COSPONSORED TWO.

HE SAID POPULATING LOSSES IN WESTERN AND EASTERN PART OF THE STATE IMPACT THE MAPS.

HE ALSO TOLD THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE HE DISCUSSED HOW TO DRAW LEGAL MAPS ABOUT WITH ATTORNEYS FROM BOTH PARTIES.

>> WE IN THIS MAP DRAWING, AS WE DID IN 2014, I THINK, HAVE DRAWN A MAP THAT IS WITHIN THE DEVIATION RANGE.

ALL COUNTIES ARE CONTIGUOUS.

DOES NOT IMPEDE ON THE 1969 VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

HAS SPLIT AS FEW OF COUNTY AS POSSIBLE.

AND DOES NOT PUT ANY SITTING MEMBER IN A DISTRICT WITH ANOTHER MEMBER.

>> Casey: SENATOR A ADRIANA SOUTHWORTH SAID THE MAPS WEREN'T MADE WITH KENTUCKIANS IN MIND.

SHE SAID THE SENATE'S PROPOSED MAP WAS MADE TO PLEASE CURRENT LEGISLATORS AND NOT THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS DISAGREES WITH SOUTHWORTH'S PERCEPTION OF PROCESS.

>> THE WHOLE POINT OF PEOPLE SENDING US HERE IS TO COME TO CONSENSUS TOGETHER ON WHAT'S BEST FOR THE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND I FEEL LIKE IN THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS IT'S DIVIDE AND CONQUER.

IT'S DOES MY DISTRICT BOTHER ME PERSONALLY?

DOES MY DISTRICT BOTHER MY CONSTITUENTS?

WELL, TOO BAD.

MY CONSTITUENTS ARE IN TOTALLY TORN UP.

I'M LOSING 100,000 OF THEM.

AND IN ALL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

AND SO I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO BE COMING TOGETHER ON WHAT'S THE BEST POLICY FOR THE STATE, NOT WHAT BENEFITS ME OR WHAT BENEFITS MY DISTRICT ONLY.

THAT'S OUR FIRST AND FOREMOST CONCERN, TO FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION, TO FOLLOW THE LAWS, WHAT'S GOOD FOR OUR DISTRICT, BUT WE REPRESENT THE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND NOBODY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS THE BEST REDISTRICTING FOR THE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER FACTORS I THINK WE COULD BRING INTO THIS DISCUSSION BESIDE JUST THE BARE MINIMUM LOW THRESHOLD OF WHAT CAN WE BARELY GET BY WITH.

>> I WILL, IN TOTALITY DISAGREE THAT WE DO THE BARE MINIMUM.

THAT IS A MATTER OF OPINION.

AND WHEN LOOKING AT THIS, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THE BARE MINIMUM MAY BE, IT IS JUST GETTING CONTIGUOUS WITHIN THE DEVIATION RANGE AND MEETING THE 1969 VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND NOT SPLITTING ANY MORE COUNTIES.

THAT IS THE BARE MINIMUM.

IF WE WANTED -- AND I THINK WE WENT WELL ABOVE THAT BY ENGAGING ENGAGING, THIS IS THE NUCLEAR DATA HAS BEEN OUT THERE.

-- NUMERICAL DATA HAS BEEN OUT THERE.

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT YOU CANNOT DO BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHICS AND DEMOGRAPHICS, AND ONE OF THEM I CAN POINT OUT RIGHT OFF THE BAT IS DAVIS COUNTY.

THERE IS NO WAY THAT THAT CAN BE CONSTRUCTED ANY MORE WAY.

IF WE WANTED TO DO THE BARE MINIMUM, WE WOULD HAVE DONE THAT.

WE WOULD HAVE NOT HAVE ENGAGED OUR COLLEAGUES FROM THE DEMOCRAT MINORITY.

>> Casey: SENATE MINORITY LEADER MORGAN McGARVEY VOTED AGAINST DID NEW MAP.

HE SAID THE PROCESS MOVED TOO WELL, IT SWIFT, AND HE SAYS THE PARTISAN NATURE OF REDISTRICTING SHOULDY BE REMOVED FROM THE PROCESS.

MCGATHER SAID THERE SHOULD BE A NON-PARTISAN COMMITTEE TO HANDLE REDISTRICT.

HIS COUNTERPART NEMES SAID THE CURRENT PROCESS WORKS.

>> I WANT TO SAY I'VE BEEN CONSISTENT SINCE GETTING HERE TOO.

REDISTRICTING IS MESSY.

REDISTRICTING IS NOT FUN.

IT ALSO SHOULDN'T BE LEFT TO PARTISAN REDISTRICTING.

I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN A NON-PARTISAN REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

I THINK THAT NO MATTER WHO IS IN CHARGE, AS PRESIDENT STIVERS POINTED OUT, WHETHER IT'S PEOPLE IN THE PAST, WHETHER IT'S PEOPLE IN THE PRESENT, THAT THE POLITICAL PRESSURES ARE TOO GREAT ON PARTISAN PEOPLE TO DRAW MAPS IN A WAY THAT A NON-PARTISAN GROUP WOULD.

TO THAT END, NORMALLY IN COMMITTEE YOU VOTE TO MOVE THINGS ALONG.

WHILE I APPRECIATE THE INPUT, AND WE HAD GOOD INPUT INTO JEFFERSON COUNTY, I ALSO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THE SENATE MAP DOES NOT PIT INCUMBENTS AGAINST EACH OTHER.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE DIDN'T SEE IN THE HOUSE MAP, AND I APPRECIATE THE MAJORITY TAKING THE TIME TO DO THAT.

WE STILL DIDN'T GET TO SEE THE MAP UNTIL LATE LAST NIGHT IN ITS ENTIRETY, AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COMMONWEALTH, WHETHER IT'S PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING TO RUN AND PUT THEIR CAREERS ON HOLD, WHETHER IT'S PEOPLE WHO JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE REPRESENTED AND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE REFLECTED IN THEIR GOVERNMENT, I THINK THIS IS ACTUALLY A PROCESS THAT NEEDS TO SLOW DOWN RIGHT NOW.

>> THAT NON-PARTISAN, AS YOU SAY, ENTITY WILL BECOME PARTISAN, AND THEN THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ELECTED.

SO I THINK US KEEPING THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A MUST.

IT IS BY CONSTITUTION.

AND THEN SOME ED PEOPLE SAY, YOU BROUGHT THE MAPS OUT TOO LATE FOR US TO LOOK AT.

WELL, ANYONE AND EVERYONE IN THE LEGISLATURE OR OUTSIDE COULD BRING FORTH MAPS, AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN'S VOTERS DID THAT, AND I THANK THEM FOR THAT.

WE LOOKED AT THOSE.

IF WE HAD BROUGHT OUR MAPS OUT EARLY, THEN THEY COULD ONLY COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR MAPS INSTEAD OF PRESENTING A MAP THAT WE COULD LOOK AT.

>> Casey: THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE PASSED SENATE BILL 2, 8-2.

THEN THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TOOK UP THE NEW MAP FOR KENTUCKY'S UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL A DISTRICTS.

LIKE THE MAP FOR THE STATE SENATE DISTRICT, IT DEALT WITH POPULATION CHANGES IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PASTORS THE STATE.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAYS THE MAP ATTEMPTS TO RETAIN THE SAPE SHAPE AS THE CURRENT ONE.

>> WE TRIED TO TAMPER DOWN THE POLITICS BECAUSE THE MAP AS YOU SEE IT WAS A MAP THAT BASICALLY HAS EXISTED FOR QUITE SOME TIME WITH SOME DEVIATION THAT WAS CREATED BACK I THINK IN 1992, SO THIS CONFIGURATION THAT YOU SEE WAS DONE BY -- AND AGAIN, WITH DEVIATION -- BY A DEMOCRAT HOUSE AND A DEMOCRAT SENATE.

>> Casey: LAWRENCEBURG SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THE NEW CONGRESS A MAP EITHER.

FRANKLIN COUNTY SHIFTED WITH THE 6th DISTRICT TO THE 1st.

THE PROPOSED MAP HAS THE STATE CAPITOL RESIDE IN THE SAME CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AS KENTUCKY'S FURTHEST WEST COUNTY, FULTON.

SHY SAYS THE PEOPLE IN HER STATE SENATE DISTRICT SHOULD NOT BE GROUPED TOGETHER WITH KENTUCKIANS FROM THE FAR WESTERN PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> THE FACT THAT MY CONSTITUENTS ARE NOW GOING TO BE REPRESENTED AS THE SAME CONSTITUENTS FROM FULTON COUNTY MAKES ZERO SENSE TO ME.

I DON'T THINK IT FITS WITH OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD SUBSCRIBE TO WHETHER OR NOT THE FEDERAL SUPREME COURT DECIDES THAT IT'S IMPORTANT.

EXACTTIVELESS OF DISTRICTS DOES MATTER.

IT MATTERS FOR EQUAL VOTER ACCESS TO THE REPRESENTATIVES AND NOT BEING 300 MILES AWAY FROM SOMEBODY.

THERE ARE WAYS WE COULD SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND STILL MEET ALL OF OF THE CRITERIA TO EVEN THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WANTED TO DO CAN'T SENATE BILL 3 MOVES TO THE SENATE FLOOR AFTER PASSING THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 8-2.

MCGARVEY AND SOUTHWORTH WERE THE NO VOTES.

AS THE STATE SENATORS MOVE TO CHANGE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS, THE HOUSE COMMITTEE AIMED TO MOVE THE FILING DEADLINE BACK TO ACCOMMODATED THE CHANGES.

HOUSE PILL 172 WOULD MOVE THE FINAL DEADLINE FOR RUNNING IN THIS YEAR'S PRIMARY TO JANUARY 25th.

CURRENT LAW HAS IT SET FOR THIS FRIDAY.

BECAUSE STATE LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING TO ADOPT NEW LEGISLATIVE BOUNDARIES, THE DEADLINE EXTENSION GIVES STATE LAWMAKERS AND POTENTIAL CHALLENGERS TIME TO EVALUATE THEIR NEW DISTRICTS.

LAWMAKERS MOVED THE FILING DEADLINE UP IN 2019 BUT HOUSE BILL 172 REVERTS IT BACK TO WHAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS OF WHETHER OR NOT WE HAD TO MOVE IT FOR EVERYONE OR JUST A SELECT FEW.

ON CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, WE FELT IT IMPORTANT TO MOVE IT FOR EVERYONE, MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE JUDICIAL PRECEDENT THAT WAS SET SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE LAST TIME THIS BODY ATTEMPTED REDISTRICTING WHERE THE COURTS THREW OUT THE MAPS THAT HAD BEEN ADOPTED AND APPROVED, AND THEN THE COURTS MOVED THE FILING DEADLINE THEMSELVES FOR ALL OFFICES THAT WOULD HAVE FILED THAT DAY.

SO THIS BILL SIMPLY DOES THAT AND MOVES IT BACK FOR THIS YEAR, AND THIS YEAR ONLY, THE FILING DEADLINE TO THE LAST TUESDAY OR JANUARY 25th AT 4:00.

>> Casey: HASS DEMOCRATIC LEADER JONI JENKINS SAYS MOVING THE DEADLINE IS IP SIMPLY A MOTHER OF FAIRNESS EVEN THOUGH SHE REJECTED A PARLIAMENTARY MOVE TO VOTE ON THE BILL TODAY.

>> I VOTED NO TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO WAIVE READINGS BECAUSE I'M VERY, VERY MUCH AGAINST THE WAIVING OF DAYS SO THAT THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

I REALIZE WE ARE WHERE WE ARE AND IT IS ONLY FAIR TO MOVE THE DEADLINE SO FOLKS IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES WHO MAY DESIRE TO RUN FOR AN OFFICE, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE WHERE LINES ARE IN QUESTION, IT IS ONLY FAIR TO PUSH THAT DATE PAST THIS FRIDAY.

THANK YOU.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 172 STRANDS FROM THE 40S CHAMBER ON A A VOTE OF 84-12.

THE SENATE HAS THE BILL IN ITS POSSESSION AND HAS SEND IT TO THE COMMITTEE FOR ACTION TOMORROW.

AS WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE DARRYL OWENS.

OHY WITNESS WAS A MEMBER OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL SIMPLY FROM 20 TO HAVE TO 2018 REPRESENTING LOUISVILLE'S 43rd DISTRICT.

HE SERVEDS A CHAIR OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

BUT BEFORE HIS TIME IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HE SERVED IN THE ARMY, WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO BE ELECTED TO JEFFERSON COUNTY FISCAL COURT, WAS THE FIRST BLACK PERSON TO SERVE AS A ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND SERVED AS NAP PRESIDENT.

DARRELL OH WEANS WAS 84.

SOME OF HIS FORMER COLLEAGUES IN KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOOK A MOMENT TO REMEMBER HIM.

>> THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THIS WAS A VERY DEEP, LOVING AND CARING INDIVIDUAL, AND HE WAS VERY PURPOSEFUL AND VERY DEDICATED TO WHAT HE WAS DOING.

NO MATTER WHAT IT WAS, WHETHER IT WAS AS A VETERAN.

I'M NOT SURE IS THE THE RESOLUTION INDICATED THAT.

BUT AS A A VETERAN, AS SOMEONE WHO SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY OR SOMEONE THAT SERVED AS IS THE C DISTRICT COMMISSIONER IN A PERIOD OF CONTENTION IN OUR SOCIETY BUT WAS RESPECTED, JUST GENERALLY RESPECTED BY ALL.

>> HE REPRESENTED HIS DISTRICT EXTREMELY WELL.

WHEN WE WERE IN AGREEMENT, WE WORKED TOGETHER ON LEGISLATION.

WHEN WE WERE NOT IN AGREEMENT, WE DISAGREED IN AN AGREEABLE WAY.

AND WE TREATED EACH OTHER WITH COURTESY AND RESPECT.

AND IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE TO SERVE WITH HIM A NUMBER OF YEARS.

>> FOR ME IT'S VERY PERSONAL.

I'VE KNOWN HIM SINCE I IT WAS A TEENAGER.

HE WAS A FRIEND WITH A COLLEAGUE, WAS A MENTOR, SO IT'S A VERY SAD TIME FOR MANY OF US WHO SERVED WITH HIM AND KNEW HIM IN THIS CHAMBER.

A FINER MAN YOU WOULD NEVER MEET.

AND I WOULD JUST ASK THAT FOR THIS MOMENT WE HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THAT WE WILL COME BACK LATER AND HONOR HIM AS WE SHOULD.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

>> THANK YOU, LADY FROM JEFFERSON.

MEMBERS, LEASE RISE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

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

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS CALL 1-800- 1-800-633965 ROST.

YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.