[♪♪] >> Bill: THE FEDERAL TAX AND SPENDING BILL IS NOW LAW.

WHAT IMPACT WILL IT HAVE IN KENTUCKY?

MORE CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS WITH THE RACE GETTING CROWDED IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND A CHALLENGE TO CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS IN SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY.

SCHOOLS START IN JUST A FEW WEEKS.

WITH SOME NEW RULES AND NEW QUESTIONS.

THE STATE AUDITOR SAYS THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEEDS WIDESPREAD IMPROVEMENTS.

HERE IN MID-JULY, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] 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, HANNAH PINSKI, POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE COURIER JOURNAL.

JESS CLARK EDUCATION REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING.

AND TESSA DUVALL, POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE START TO JULY INCLUDING INDEPENDENCE DAY AND WE HAVE A LOT TO CATCH UP ON.

THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL AS IT HAS BEEN CALLED HAS PASSED AND IS LAW SIGNED INTO LAW JULY 4TH T GIVES TAX BREAKS AND CUTTING SPENDING.

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS SPLIT ON THE SPENDING PLAN.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE AND DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY HAD VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS.

>> WE ALSO MADE SURE THAT ABLE-BODIED AMERICANS WHO GET FREE HEALTHCARE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK, WORK FOR IT.

LIKE EVERY OTHER AMERICAN HAS TO GET UP AND GO TO WORK FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE.

IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT PEOPLE ABLE TO WORK, DO WORK.

>> WHAT HE SOLD TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS HE WOULDN'T TOUCH MEDICAID THAT IS THE CAMPAIGN PROMISE NOW HE IS GIVING THE LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN HISTORY.

IT WILL TAKE HEALTH INSURANCE AWAY FROM KIDS MOO MY DISTRICT.

46% OF KENTUCKY'S KIDS ARE ON MEDICAID.

>> Renee: TESSA, TWO DIFFERENT TAKES ON THE SAME BILL THAT HAS PASS SECOND NOW LAW AND THE SPENDING PLAN FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING REPUBLICANS PLAY UP IS THE ELEMENT OF TAX CUTS WHEN IT COMES TO TIPS OR ALSO SEEING THEM TALK ABOUT ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE SHOULD WORK IF THEY WANT HEALTH INSURANCE AND THEY ARE PROTECTING MEDICAID FROM WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE AND WHO DOESN'T WANT TO PROTECT TAX DOLLARS FROM THINGS LIKE THAT.

ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WE ARE SEEING THE DEMOCRATS PLAY UP THAT THE CUT TO MEDICAID IS SO DEEP THAT IT GOES WELL BEYOND GETTING RID OF WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE AND THE TAX CUTS DISPORL BENEFIT WEALTHY AMERICANS.

TWO DIFFERENT TAKES FROM OUR LAWMAKERS.

>> Bill: HARM TO RURAL HOSPITALS AND REPUBLICANS POINT TO A RURAL HEALTH FUND $50 BILLION WOULD SAVE HOSPITALS AND DEMOCRATS SAY IT'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH.

>> I THINK SPECIFICALLY WITH THE MEDICAID CUTS THE MESSAGING DEMOCRATS HAVE GONE WITH THIS WILL HURT RURAL AMERICA.

McGARVEY CALLED THE BILL A SLAP IN THE FACE OF KENTUCKY AND ALL RURAL AMERICA.

WE HAD SEEN WARNINGS FROM THE DIFFERENT GROUPS THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SAID THE BILL WOULD ELIMINATE 33,000 JOBS AND FORCE RURAL HOSPITALS TO CLOSE OR CUT SERVICES.

WE SAW THE KFF SAY THAT OVER 130,000 KENTUCKIANS ARE EXPECTED TO LOSE MEDICAID COVERAGE OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

MOVING FORWARD NOW THAT THIS BILL IS LAW WE'LL SEE WHAT IMPACTS IT WILL HAVE IN RURAL AMERICA AND KENTUCKY AS WELL.

>> Bill: TESSA THE IMPACTS TO CUT S.N.A.P.

FOOD PROGRAMS WERE DISCUSSED IN FRANKFORT ON THURSDAY.

IS IT CLEAR WHAT THE RECIPIENTS WITHIN THOSE PROGRAMS OR PROGRAMS RUN BY ARE FACING AND HOW THIS MIGHT BECOME A PART OF THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AHEAD?

>> RIGHT.

THERE WAS AN ANALYSIS I LOOKED AT THAT SHOWS 22 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION COULD LOSE THEIR BENEFIT COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY.

AND WE KNOW THAT KENTUCKY MUCH LIKE THE DEPENDENCE ON MEDICAID A LOT OF FOLKS RECEIVE NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE THIS WILL BE FELT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND WE DO HAVE THE MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN KENTUCKY TASK FORCE THAT IS GOING TO TALK A LOT ABOUT NUTRITION AND IT'S HARD TO THINK THIS WON'T COME UP IN SOME FORM OR CAPACITY AS THE TASK FORCE CONTINUES ITS WORK.

>> Bill: SOME DISCUSSION PRELIMINARYLY ON THURSDAY.

JESS, SEPARATE FROM THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL, THERE IS AN 87 MILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER AND SOME SCHOOL LEADERS ARE TRYING TO NAVIGATE.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER IT WILL RELEASE THE MONEY.

>> RIGHT.

THESE WERE FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE RELEASED ON JULY FIRST.

AND THEY ARE FUNDS THAT DISTRICTS WERE PLANNING TO USE FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR THEY HAVE BUDGETED FOR THE -- IN THE MIDDLE OF FIGURING OUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

IT'S BEEN CHAOTIC FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN KENTUCKY.

THE MAJORITY OF IT IS FOR TITLE 2 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RECRUITING FUNDS AND ALSO THE OTHER BIG CHUNK IS FOR THINGS LIKE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING, STEM IN THE CLASSROOM, HIRING FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND ARTS AND MUSIC TEACHERS.

AND SO DISTRICTS ARE IN THIS REALLY DIFFICULT SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO HAVE TO DECIDE DO WE TAKE THE GAMBLE AND HOPE THAT TRUMP RELEASES THE FUNDS WITHOUT ASKING CONGRESS TO CANCEL THEM?

AND MOVE FORWARD AND PAY OUT OF OUR OWN BUDGETS IN THE MEANTIME?

OR DO WE NOT TAKE THE RISK AND HAVE STAFFING CUTS AND PROGRAM CUTS.

IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR DISTRICTS RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: BUT THE MONEY COULD BE RESTORED?

>> THE MONEY COULD BE RESTORED.

TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT THEY ARE THAT INITIAL LOOK AT IT SAYS TO THEM THAT IT'S SUPPORTING SOME KIND OF RADICAL LEFT WING AGENDA.

THERE'S NOT A TIMELINE ON IT.

IF EVENTUALLY, HE COULD RESTORE IT IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO RESTORE IT THERE IS AN ACT THAT ALLOWS HIM TO PROPOSE CANCELING THE FUNDS COMPLETELY AND CONGRESS WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACT WITHIN 45 DAYS.

>> Bill: SO IN A COUNTRY THAT HAS BEEN SO POLITICALLY DIVIDED FOR SOMETIME HERE WE ARE WITH SOMETHING THAT, AGAIN, IS GOING TO BE THE DISCUSSION, RIGHT?

THE BUDGET BILL IS PRAISED BY REPUBLICANS WHO SAY IT IS CUTTING SOME OF THE WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

IT IS LOWERING TAXES.

IT IS GIVING SOME BREAKS TO SOME PEOPLE.

AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE CONCERNS THAT THE CUTS ARE GOING TO BE HURTFUL.

>> RIGHT.

AND YOU KNOW, THE ADMINISTRATION HASN'T POINTED TO ANYTHING SPECIFIC SO FAR IN THAT GIANT -- OVERALL IT'S $6.8 BILLION IN FEDERAL SPENDING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT THEY SPECIFICALLY FIND IN THAT PACKAGE THAT IS PROBLEMATIC AND NOT IN KEEPING WITH THEIR AGENDA.

WE DON'T KNOW THE FUNDS ARE FROZEN AND DISTRICTS ARE HOPING FOR THE BEST.

>> Bill: THE COUPLE OF KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS JOINED THE DEMOCRATIC MORGAN MCGARVEY IN OPPOSING THE FINAL PASSAGE.

>> BUT FOR THE MOST DIFFERENT REASON POSSIBLE.

TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS MASSIE AND RAND PAUL BOTH VOTED AGAINST THE BILL NOT OVER THE CONCERNS THAT REPRESENTATIVE McGARVEY HAD ABOUT MEDICAID THIS WAS ABOUT THE NATIONAL DEBT AND THE PROJECTION IT COULD ADD SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE NATIONAL DEFICIT.

>> Bill: WELL, WITH ALL OF THIS SWIRLING THE RACES FOR CONGRESS NEXT YEAR ARE GETTING INTERESTING.

IN EASTERN KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEY NED PILLERSDORF INTENDS TO CHALLENGE HAL ROGERS NEXT YEAR.

NED PILLERSDORF MADE HIS ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.

>> I'M FILMING THIS VIDEO TO ANNOUNCE I WILL BE A CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS IN 2026.

NOT BECAUSE I HAVE ANY PARTICULAR DISDAIN FOR HAL ROGERS.

BUT REALLY AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S ABOUT WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING IN MY LAW PRACTICE THAT IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, HELPING MY NEIGHBORS.

>> Bill: SO HANNAH, HERE NED PILLERSDORF IS SAYING IT'S NOTHING AGAINST HAL ROGERS, IT'S BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL CUTS WHICH ROGERS DID VOTE IN FAVOR OF.

>> YEAH.

AND I THINK ONE THING WE'VE SEEN IN THE CAMPAIGN IS THAT THE POLICY ISSUE HE IS FOCUSING ON IS NED PILLERSDORF IS RAILING AGAINST THE MEDICAID CUTS THAT IS NOTABLE TO THE REGION BECAUSE KENTUCKY'S FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IS ONE OF THE MOST MEDICAID DEPENDENT DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY AND HE IS ALSO HOPING HIS WORK IN THE LEGAL AND NONPROFIT SPHERES WILL APPEAL TO VOTERS.

HE RECRUITED OTHER LAWYERS TO REPRESENT PEOPLE WHO LOSE FACING SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS AND HELPED FOUND AN ANIMAL SHELTER HE IS TRYING TO HAVE THOSE IDENTITIES APPEAL TO THE VOTERS.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE AN UPHILL CLIMB BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE HAL ROGERS HAS BEEN THERE FOR SO LONG.

>> Bill: SINCE 1983, 23 ELECTION VICTORIES UNOPPOSED IN 2024.

BUT, AGAIN, NED PILLERSDORF SAYS HE WILL TRY TO RUN ON THE ISSUES?

>> I THINK AS FAR AS DEMOCRATS WHO COULD MAKE A SOLID RUN AT THIS HE IS PROBABLY AS BEST AS DEMOCRATS COULD HOPE TO FIND.

IT IS STILL A CONSERVATIVE DISTRICT, STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AS YOU NOTED.

REPRESENTATIVE ROGERS HAS BEEN IN OFFICE QUITE A LONGTIME BUT FOR THE REASONINGS HANNAH SAID NED PILLERSDORF HAS A LOT OF NAME RECOGNITION AND CREDIBILITY IN THE REGION.

WILL HE BE ABLE TO PULL IT OFF?

IT IS AN UPHILL CLIMB.

BUT HE STANDS A CHANCE BETTER THAN ANY OTHER DEMOCRAT THAT THEY COULD FIND.

>> Bill: IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY THE RACE FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT SEAT OPENING UP BECAUSE CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR IS RUNNING FOR THE U.S. SENATE IS OPTION.

THIS WEEK REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA FRASER GORDON SAID SHE WOULD WANT TO GO TO WASHINGTON TO WORK AND NOT MAKE A SPLASH.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT GO TO WASHINGTON AND RUN TO THE FIRST CAMERA.

I'M NOT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.

I'VE ALWAYS KEPT MY HEAD DOWN.

I DO HAVE A LOW PROFILE I'M CHAIR OF SMALL BUSINESS AND I'VE SERVED ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS COMMITTEE FOR GOING ON SEVEN YEARS.

I'M JUST SOMEONE THAT ROLLS HER SLEEVES UP AND GETS TO WORK.

AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL DO WHEN I GET TO WASHINGTON.

>> Bill: GORDON'S NAME HAD BEEN IN THE MIX OF POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AND NOW SHE HAS STEPPED FORWARD.

>> RIGHT.

WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO COME FOR A WHILE.

IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU SEE AN OPEN CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

SO CERTAINLY A LOT OF FOLKS ARE EXPECTED TO THROW THEIR NAMES OUT THERE AND VIE FOR THIS.

AS SHE NOTED SHE KEEPS A LOW PROFILE IN FRANKFORT AS A STATE LAWMAKER.

SHE IS NOT ONE THAT IS KNOWN FOR BIG FLOOR SPEECHES OR MAKING A SPLASH.

BUT SHE COMES FROM MADISON COUNTY WHICH IS ONE OF THE MORE POPULOUS COUNTIES IN THE DISTRICT.

SO THAT WILL KIND OF GOOD HOME TURF FOR HER.

SO WE'LL SEE.

WE'LL SEE.

I THINK A LOT OF HOW THIS SHAKES OUT DEPENDS ON WHO ELSE GETS INTO THE RACE.

>> Bill: WELL, AND HANNAH, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF HER WORKHORSE NOT A SHOW HORSE KIND OF APPROACH IS APPEALING?

>> I THINK LIKE ALL CANDIDATES SHE HAS EMPHASIZED SHE WILL BE A TRUMP MAGA VOICE IN WASHINGTON BUT SHE IS TRYING TO DISTINGUISH FROM AN ALREADY CROWDED PRIMARY BY REALLY WORKING THAT SHE HAS SMALL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND SHE WILL HELP THE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE.

THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN REPRESENTATIVE RYLAND BARTON'S MESSAGE -- RYAN DOTSON'S MESSAGING SAYING HE WILL FOCUS ON SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE ISSUES WILL HE WILL SLAY THE WOKE GIANT IN DC AND INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT MESSAGE RESONATES WITH THE VOTERS.

>> Bill: AND A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE DECIDED SHE IS NOT RUNNING IS STATE SENATOR AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE.

TESSA SHE SAID IT IS NOT GOOD TIMING FOR HER FAMILY.

>> RIGHT.

SHE CITED THINGS WITH HER KIDS AND MILESTONES SHE DIDN'T WANT TO MISS AND HER ONGOING RECOVERY, SHE WAS KICKED BY A HORSE ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO AND HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT RECOVERY FROM THAT UNDERGOING SURGERIES AS SHE CONTINUES TO HEAL.

FOR THOSE REASONS, SHE SAID THIS IS JUST NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

AND THAT IS RARELY IS IT SO SIGNIFICANT FOR WHO DOESN'T RUN IN A SEAT.

THIS WAS A BIG DEAL, BECAUSE SHE HAS A LOT OF CONNECTIONS.

SHE WAS A COUNCILWOMAN IN LEXINGTON AND IS ALSO THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE POWERFUL SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

SHE IS WELL CONNECTED, WELL LIKED.

SHE WOULD BE COMING FROM THE MOST POPULOUS CITY IN THE DISTRICT AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE ADVANTAGE IN A PRIMARY.

SHE -- HER ABSENCE FROM THE FIELD HAS THE POPE TO SHAKE THINGS UP.

>> Bill: AND MINUTES AFTER AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE MADE INTENTIONS CLEAR, RALPH ALVARADO IS INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

THAT WOULD REQUIRE HIM TO LEAVE HIS POST AS TENNESSEE'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER.

AND HANNAH, ALVARADO WAS MATT BEVIN'S RUNNING MATE IN 2019.

THEY LOST HE LEFT THE STATE AND MAINTAINED A HOME AND A LOT OF INTERESTS HERE?

>> YEAH, I BELIEVE HE SAID HE HAS KEPT TIES TO HIS ROOTS AND STILL PRACTICED MEDICINE IN WINCHESTER.

I THINK THE TIMING OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT COULD BE MORE THAN CO-BINS DENTAL IN AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE'S POST SHE SAYS THERE IS AN UPCOMING MALE CANDIDATE EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE WHO WILL HAVE HER FULL SUPPORT.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE IF ALVARADO HAS THE SUPPORT IN THIS RACE.

>> Bill: RYAN DOTSON THE OTHER CANDIDATE IS GOING TO WASHINGTON NEXT WEEK.

HE'S TEASED ON SOCIAL MEDIA STAY TUNED FOR A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THAT IS.

COULD BE AN ENDORSEMENT FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

COULD IT BE AN ENDORSEMENT FROM A MAJOR NATIONAL PLAYER WE HAVE TO SEE THAT AS WELL.

>> Bill: ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE CHERLYNN STEVENSON TALKED WITH ME THIS WEEK ABOUT WHY SHE'S RUNNING.

>> I THINK THAT IT'S TIME THAT THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY HAVE A CHAMPION SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO BAT FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO THEM.

ABOUT HEALTHCARE, ABOUT RAISING WAGES ABOUT, STOPPING SOME OF THE CHAOS THAT WE'RE SEEING HERE FROM THE TARIFFS THAT WE'RE SEEING AND NOT SOMEBODY THAT ROLLS OVER AND WANTS TO CUT TAXES SO THAT BILLIONAIRES CAN HAVE A TAX BREAK.

>> Bill: HANNAH, WITH THE DEMOCRATIC TALKING POINTS, CHERLYNN STEVENSON SEEMS TO BELIEVE SHE WILL PLAY BETTER IN A DISTRICT LARGER THAN THE STATE HOUSE SEAT DISTRICT THAT SHE LOST A FEW MONTHS AGO.

>> YEAH, AND I THINK IN HER CAMPAIGN SHE IS HOPING THAT HER BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE AS A STATE LEGISLATOR AND HER EXPERIENCE WINNING TOUGH RACES COULD HELP HER IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

AS WE'VE SEEN SHE IS AGAINST A LOT OF THE TRUMP POLICIES THAT DEMOCRATS SAID WILL HURT AMERICA.

LIKE SHE SAID THE TARIFFS THE MEDICAID CUTS THE S.N.A.P.

CUTS WE'LL SEE IF THAT PLAYS OUT SEXUALLY BUT SHE IS TAKING THE NATIONAL MESSAGING.

>> Bill: CHERLYNN STEVENSONS HER PRIMARY TO WIN.

KLOIBER PROVED IN HIS UNSUCCESSFUL BID FOR MAYOR OF LEXINGTON IN 2022 HE IS CAPABLE OF WRITING A BIG CHECK FOR A CAMPAIGN.

>> HE DID.

AND WE'RE SEEING THAT CHERLYNN STEVENSON IS CAPABLE OF RAISING A LOT OF MONEY.

SHE SENT OUT A NEWS RELEASE THAT HER CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED OVER $200,000 WHICH IS NOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

SO, I THINK, AS I SAID, IT'S RARE THAT YOU SEE AN OPEN CONGRESSIONAL SEAT AND WE KNOW THIS IS ONE THAT DEMOCRATS ARE HOPING TO FLIP.

WE'VE SEEN A NATIONAL GROUP SAY THIS IS ONE OF A HANDFUL IN THE NATION WE THINK WE CAN CAN GET.

AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE MONEY WILL BE AN ASSET IN A RACE LIKE THAT.

NOW, THERE IS A GROUP, THAT SORT OF DOES THE RATINGS ON PREDICTIONS HOW A DISTRICT MAY GO.

AND THEY'VE MOVE TO DO FROM FROM SOLIDLY REPUBLICAN TO LIKELY REPUBLICAN WHICH STILL FAVORS THE G.O.P.

BUT IS A SHIFT EVER SO SLIGHTLY IN THE FAVOR OF THE DEMOCRATS.

SO THAT IS CERTAINLY GIVING DEMOCRATS IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT SOME HOPE.

>> Bill: THERE IS NOW CONFIRMATION THAT THE THREE MAJOR REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES, ANDY BARR AND NATURE MORRIS WILL ALL SPEAK AT FANCY FARM THAT COULD BE INTERESTING, HANNAH?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

AS WE'VE SEEN THESE CAMPAIGNS AREN'T AFRAID TO THROW PUNCHES AT EACH OTHER.

AND IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS GOT HEATED BEFORE ALL THREE NAMES ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD BE RUNNING FOR McCONNELL'S SEAT.

NATE MORRIS WHO IS ATTACKING BARR AND CAMERON WITH CONNECTIONS TO McCONNELL AND BAR AND CAMERON ATTACKING MORRIS FOR LIBERAL POLICIES HE HAD A RUBICON.

FANCY FARM IS FULL OF JOKES WE'LL SEE WHAT THE CANDIDATES BRING FORWARD AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

>> ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS BEEN INVITED TO FANCY FARM IS SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL WHO HAS BECOME THE BOOGIE MAN IN THIS RACE SHOW HE IS NOT A CANDIDATE.

YOU ARE NOT ONLY SEEING FOLKS THE THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING AS FAR AWAY FROM HIM AS POSSIBLE YOU ARE SEEING THEM PUSH HIM UNDER THE BUS IN A LOT OF SITUATIONS.

I PERSONALLY THINK IT WOULD BE INTERESTING VIEWING IF HE WENT TO FANCY FARM AND SAT ON STAGE AND HAD TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT HIM.

MIGHT TEMPER IT.

>> Bill: THERE IS OUR TEASE FANCY FARM, THE FIRST SATURDAY IN AUGUST.

JESS, I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU ARE HERE.

ALLISON BALL SAYS THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS.

>> THIS WAS AN AUDIT HER OFFICE DID AT THE REQUEST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AND THE HEADLINE ITEM OF THIS AUDIT IS THAT THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LET LAPSE $250 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS.

NOW, THIS IS A ITEM THAT THE DEPARTMENT CONTESTS SAYING THEY HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF BUDGET LAW.

AND THAT THEY CAN'T REALLOCATE FUNDING FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS APPROPRIATED FOR SOMETHING ELSE WITHOUT GETTING GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVAL.

THAT HAS BEEN THE TOP LINE ITEM.

A LOT OF THE STUFF IS VERY NITTY-GRITTY IN THE WEEDS THINGS LIKE PROCESS, RECORD KEEPING PRACTICES, EFFICIENCIES, COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AGENCIES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

BUT THERE ARE SOME REALLY INTERESTING FINDINGS ONE I FOUND PARTICULARLY INTERESTING WAS THAT THE KDE AND THE KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION HAVE NO CENTRALIZED WAY THAT THEY ARE KEEPING TRACK OF COACHES WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH STUDENTS.

AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT AUDITOR BALL WANTS THE DEPARTMENT OR GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO TAKE ACTION ON.

>> Bill: SHE IS ALSO AUDITING THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE FAYETTE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EXPECTED THIS YEAR AND THOSE WILL BE COMPREHENSIVE?

>> YES, THE JCPS WILL BE COMPREHENSIVE SHE HAS SAID THAT I TALKED TO HER YESTERDAY AND I KNOW THAT ONE FOCUS OF THAT AUDIT WILL BE ON SCHOOL SAFETY THAT WILL BE INTERESTING.

AND THEN THE FAYETTE COUNTY AUDIT INITIATED OVER SOME CONCERNS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AROUND NEW OCCUPATIONAL TAX THAT PEOPLE WERE UPSET ABOUT.

>> Bill: 16 MILLION SHORTFALL AND THE PROPOSED TAX.

>> YES.

SO MY INSTINCT IS THAT IT WILL BE HEAVY ON THE NUMBERS SIDE BUT SHE TENDS TO LIKE TO DO A BROAD LOOK AT THINGS.

I WOULD ANTICIPATE A BROAD LOOK.

>> Bill: JCPS SAYS IT'S SHORT 400 TEACHERS?

>> YES.

THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST IF NOT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN EDUCATION RIGHT NOW IS THE EDUCATOR SHORTAGE.

PEOPLE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT ENTERING THE PROFESSION.

SO OLDER PEOPLE ARE RETIRING.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THIS ALMOST LIKE I HATE TO CALL IT A DEATH SPIRAL BUT IT IS AN ISSUE WHERE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO FEW TEACHERS WORKING CONDITIONS ARE REALLY TOUGH YOU HAVE MORE TEACHERS LEAVING THE PROFESSION.

JCPS I THINK TODAY HAD ONE OF THE LARGEST HIRING FAIRS THAT IT'S EVER HAD THEY WILL TRY TO FILL THE VACANCIES.

IN YEARS PAST SOME OF THE VACANCIES NEVER GET FILLED SO KIDS HAVE A STRING OF SUBS FOR A YEAR AND THE MOST UNFORTUNATE PART THE VACANCIES ARE CONCENTRATED IN SCHOOLS THAT HAVE THE KIDS WITH THE HIGHEST NEEDS.

LOW INCOME SCHOOLS, KIDS OF COLOR THAT HAVE THE LEAST ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY TEACHING.

>> Bill: SENATE BILL 181 ESTABLISHES REQUIREMENTS HOW SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS CAN COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS IT REQUIRES TRACEABLE COMMUNICATIONS.

SO IT SETS BOUNDARIES BUT IT ALSO HAS RAISED A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS LAW WAS SO THAT ADULTS COULD NOT ENGAGE IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS GROOMING WITH KIDS OVER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS WHICH DOES HAPPEN.

AND SO THE WAY OF SOLVING THIS STATES HAVE DONE THIS IS TO PASS THE LAW WHERE ADULTS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO COMMUNICATE WITH KIDS ON THE SPECIFIC FORMS OF COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS.

AND SO THIS IS BEING ROLLED OUT ACROSS THE STATE.

THE PUSHBACK IS THAT TEACHERS AND OTHER STAFF ARE SAYING HEY I CAN'T UM COMMUNICATE WITH MY NEPHEW OR WE'VE GOT BASEBALL PRACTICE AND I CANNOT TEXT ALL THE KIDS THAT MY SON IS FRIENDS WITH TO DO A CAR-POOL.

SO IT'S CREATED A LOT OF HEADACHES.

YOU KNOW, TIPTON, THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND HE SAID THERE MAYBE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT OVER THE NEXT SESSION.

BUT, IT IS BEING IMPLEMENTED RIGHT NOW.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

>> Bill: NEW RULES FOR PHONES IN CLASSROOMS THIS FALL.

THE SCHOOLS ARE FIGURING THAT OUT, I GUESS?

>> LOTS OF NEW RULES INVOLVING TECHNOLOGY.

SO, YES, THERE IS A DISTRICTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A POLICY BANNING OR RESTRICTING USE OF CELLPHONES IN SCHOOLS AND JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THEY HAVE GONE WITH THE MOST RESTRICTIVE POLICY WHICH MEANS STUDENTS CANNOT USE THEIR PHONE AT ALL THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY DURING CLASS AND DURING LUNCH, DURING RECESS IN THE HALLWAYS.

AND SO, YEAH, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT CHANGES SCHOOL CULTURE.

>> Bill: AND IN FRANKFORT THE LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMISSION FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE THAT DEMOCRAT DANIEL GROSSBERG MAY HAVE CREATED ETHICS VIOLATIONS SO THE CASE CAN MOVE FORWARD.

>> IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND NOT NEAR OVER HE PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING HE LOOKS FORWARD TO BEING CLEARED AT A HEARING AND THAT HEARING WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

>> Bill: ANOTHER POSSIBLE CUT WE'RE WATCHING THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION COULD BE FACING CUTS UP TO 93% UNDER THE DISCRETIONARY BUDGET PROPOSAL FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THAT IS A PARTNERSHIP INVOLVING 13 STATES GOES BACK TO 1965.

>> THIS PROPOSAL WILL TAKE THE BUDGET FROM $200 MILLION DOWN TO $14 MILLION.

WE SAW A COALITION OF GROUPS INCLUDING SEVERAL IN KENTUCKY SIGN LETTERS URGING CONGRESS TO PLEASE MAINTAIN THIS FUNDING LEVEL AS IT HAS BEEN BEFORE.

>> Bill: AND HANNAH, STATE REPRESENTATIVE BILL WESLEY ANNOUNCED HE IS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE SEAT AND BRANDON SMITH OF HAZARD WHO HELD THE SEAT INTENDS TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

>> IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS WAS A CURVEBALL ON THE SENATE CAUCUS SIDE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE MOVING FORWARD.

EXOR EXAM -- FOR EXAMPLE WHO WILL HAVE THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS' SUPPORT SMITH HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 2008 HE IS THE INCUMBENT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF LEADERSHIP WILL BACK HIM UP.

I THINK IT'S ALSO INTERESTING WE HAVE TWO REPUBLICANS BUT THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER.

FOR EXAMPLE, WESLEY IS FOCUSED ON THE SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE ISSUES AND SMITH IS THE CHAIR OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES SENATE COMMITTEE VERY DIFFERENT FOCUSES ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

>> Bill: A COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER IS PARTNERING WITH KENTUCKY PROUD ALEX MILLER IS FROM LANCASTER AND THE NEWEST BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR KENTUCKY PROUD PRODUCTS.

JONATHAN SHELL CALLS MILLER AS KENTUCKY AS IT GETS AND SAYS HE COULDN'T BE A BETTER MATCH.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

[♪♪]