>> Bill: JUNETEENTH IS NOW A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

WILL KENTUCKY FOLLOW SUIT?

GOVERNOR BESHEAR REBRANDS HIS REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCES AND HINTS AT INCENTIVES TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO work IS THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE WITH NEW SUBPOENA POWER READY TO INVESTIGATE THE BESHEAR ADMINIS?

ATTEMPTS TO GET A BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL CONTINUES, AND THE WHITE HOUSE TARGETS KENTUCKY FOR SUPPORT.

ON THIS JUNETEENTH AND FATHER' DAY WEEKEND IT ALSO STARTS SUMM "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNA.

MARCUS GREEN, REPORTER FOR WDR IN LOUISVILLE.

AND DAN DESROSIERS, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERA ALSO TONIGHT, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT MAKES SOME RULINGS WITH IMPLICATIONS HERE IN KENTUCKY, SOME INDICATIONS IT'S REPUBLICAN MAY BE EYEING HIGHER OFFICE, AND A CANDIDATE IN LOUISVILLE'S CROWDED MAYOR'S RACE SUSPENDS HIS campaign BUT FIRST, JUNETEENTH IS NOW A FEDERAL HOLIDAY SIGNED INTO LAW LATE THURSDAY, AND ALREADY OBSERVED ON FRIDAY.

AND NOW THERE'S A BILL TO MAKE IT STATE HOLY IN KENTUCKY.

DAN, AFTER YEARS OF PUSHING WITH, SUDDENLY WEIR WE'RE HE EVER WITH THE HOLIDAY.

>> Daniel: YEAH, BLACK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH MORE THAN 2000 YEARS BUT I THINK A LOT OF WHITE PEOPLE JUST LEARNED ABOUT IT AS WE WERE HEARD THE GEORGE FLOYD AND BREONNA TAYLOR PROTESTS RE-ERUPT AROUND THE COUNTRY NOW IT PROVIDED AMMUNITION FOR US TO SEE SOMETHING PASS ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

IT WAS LATE IN COMING AND JUNETEENTH IS TOMORROW.

>> Bill: CONSIDERABLE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, BUT 4th DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN TOMS AS MASSEY OF KENTUCKY VOTED AGAINST THE BILL.

HE SAID PRIMARILY HE DIDN'T LIKE THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE HOLIDAY.

>> Daniel: WHICH IS A TOUGH LINE FOR HIM TO DRAW BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH SAY YOU HAVEOVER THE NAME OF A HOLIDAY THAT HAS BEEN CELEBRATED FOR HAD A LONG TIME.

BUT THOMAS MASSEY HAS BEEN A CONTRARIAN, SO THIS ISN'T OUT OF LINE.

>> PHILLIP: >> Bill: THE POST SERVICE COULDN'T STOP THE MAIL FAST ENOUGH TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH THIS YEAR.

SOME COMPANIES DID RESPOND.

HERE IN THE BREWERS STATE, ONE COMPANY NOTIFIED ITS EMPLOYEES LAST NIGHT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO COME TO WORK ON FRIDAY.

SO IT WAS A LOGISTICAL SCRAMBLE TO TRY TO PULL OFF A HOLIDAY ON SPORT NOTICE, RIGHT?

>> IT WAS AND WE HAD SEEN COMPANIES BEFORE THIS WEEK BEFORE THE FEDERAL ACTION DECIDE THAT THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE THAT I HOLIDAY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.

ONE EXAMPLE IN LOUISVILLE, THE LOUISVILLE WATER COMPANY ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD GIVE THEIR EMPLOYEES OFF TODAY IN CELEBRATION OF JUNETEENTH.

SURE, A LOT OF LOGISTICALLY SCRAMBLING ENTITIES, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY A LOT OF COMPANIES DECIDING THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO -- THEY WANT TO CELEBRATE AND GIVE THE EMPLOYEES TIME OFF IN ADDITION TO THE FEDERAL HOLIDAY NOW.

>> Bill: DEB, HERE IN KENTUCKY BILLS ARE BEING PRE-FILED FOR JUNETEENTH STATE HOLIDAY EFFECTIVE NEXT YEAR.

THERE WERE PROMISES IT WOULD GET DONE THIS YEAR.

BUT LAWMAKERS IN SOME CASES HAVE APOLOGIZED IT GOT LOST IN THE SHUFFLE WITH COVID.

>> Deborah: YEAH, LAST SESSION WAS OBVIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THAT, BUT WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE TODAY, THE ONLY BILL ACTUALLY FILED SO FAR IS BY SENATOR JERALD NEAL OF LOUISVILLE WHO IS PROPOSING MAKING JUNETEENTH A STATE HOLIDAY FOR STATE WORKERS AND WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES IN THE SENATE.

HE'S HOVEL A DEMOCRAT IN A SMALL MINORITY OF SENATORS WHEN THEY E. CONTROL BOTH CHAMBERS ARE REPUBLICANS.

>> Bill: WOULD IT BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR IF A REPUBLICAN CO-SPONSOR ON A BILL LIKE THAT.

>> Deborah: IT WOULD OR THEY MIGHT WANT TO TAKE IT ON THEMSELVES.

THAT'S HAPPENED BEFORE TOO.

>> Bill: WE'LL BE WATCHING FOR THAT.

DO YOU WANT TO ADD?

OKAY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WHO BECAME HIGHLY VIZ ONE AND ONLY ALMOST DAILY TELEVISED ABBREVIATION DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC HAS DECIDED NOW HE WILL HOST WEEKLY UPDATES THAT HE'S CALLING TEAM KENTUCKY NEWS CONFERENCES ON VARIOUS TOPICS.

HE'S PUSHING THEM OUT ON HIS OWN SOCIAL MEDIA.

FIRST JUST THE IDEA OF HOMEMADE THESE WEEKLY VALENTINES THIS ZINTING DAN.

>> Daniel: BASICALLY, I THINK IT ALLOWS BESHEAR TO CONTINUE TO KIND OF GIVE THIS VENEER OF TRANSPARENCY THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD FOR A WHILE.

OVER THERS COST PANDEMIC I KNOW I AND OTHER JOURNALISTS HAVE FOUND THAT A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE WOULD TYPICALLY ASK OF STAFF OR AGENCY HEADS HAVE BEEN FUNNELED INTO THESE SORTS OF PRESS CONFERENCES, AND WE'RE GETTING ANSWERS FROM BESHEAR BUT OFTENTIMES WE REALLY WANT MORE TECHNICAL ANSWER BEHIND THE SCENES.

AND SO HE'S GOING TO BE DOING THIS WEEKLY, AND BESHEAR'S KIND OF NOTORIOUS AS SOMEONE WHO KIND OF LIKES TO HAVE CONTROL OVER HIS ADMINISTRATION, AND I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THAT, WHERE THIS IS GIVING HIM A TON OF CONTROL OVER THE MESSAGES THAT COME OUT OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, AND IT MAY MAKE OUR LIVES AS JOURNALISTS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT.

>> Deborah: THE ADMINISTRATION, THIS ONE HAS BEEN IN SOME WAYS MORE ACCESSIBLE IN THAT THEY SOMETIMES RESPOND TO YOU, BUT THE INFORMATION FLOW HAS BEN EXTREMELY CONTROLLED, AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET INTERVIEWS WITH BOTH, SO YOU MAY FIND UP HAVING TO FILE A WORKERS REQUEST FOR THE INFORMATION YOU NEED.

>> Bill: DOES THAT MEAN EVEN AT THE CABINET LEVEL?

IF YOU'RE APPROACHING SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DO YOU BELIEVE IT HAS TO FLOW THROUGH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE?

>> Daniel: YES.

>> Deborah: IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IT DOES.

IT'S VERY FOCUSED AND ALL THE REQUESTS ARE REVIEWED, AND OFTEN WE'LL GET STATEMENTS OR SOME KIND OF COMMENT BUT IT'S FAIRLY, LIKE I SAID, LIMITED AND CONTROLLED.

>> Bill: TO WHAT EXTENT, THEN, IS THE GOVERNOR GOING TO BE HAVING THE MEDIA, YOU KNOW, BE SETTING THE AGENDA FOR HIS NEWS CONFERENCES?

WILL HE COVER THE WATERFRONT THESE EVENTS?

WHATEVER THE REPORTERS WANT TO ASK, THAT'S WHAT HE'LL HAVE TO DISCUSS, RIGHT?

>> Daniel: HE'S NOT THE FIRST TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS OVER FACEBOOK LIVE.

BEVIN PROBABLY ABOUT FACEBOOK LIVES EVERY WEEK IF NOT EVERY OTHER DAY.

>> Deborah: BUT HE DIDN'T PERMIT INTERACTION WITH REPORTERS.

>> Daniel: EXACTLY.

THE NICE PART ABOUT THIS IS BESHEAR IS STILL INVITING REPORTERS TO THESE PREYS CONFERENCES WHERE HIS IF HIS AGENDA DOESN'T INCLUDE SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE WONDERING OR WANT TO ASK ABOUT WE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS, BUT THE OWN US OF CONTROL SHIFTED DURING THE PANDEMIC WHERE THE GOVERNMENT GOT A LOT MORE CONTROL THAN THEY NORMALLY WOULD HAVE HAD BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS HAPPENING ONLINE, AND SO NOW IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PANS OUT AS WE MOVE OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> Bill: I THINK THE GOVERNOR SAID HE BELIEVED HE WAS THE FIRST TO DO THESE WEEKLY NEWS CONFERENCES.

WE GOT SOME PUSHBACK FROM THE FORMER FOLKS WITH GOVERNOR ERNIE LET THE OBITUARIES ENERGIES WHOD THE HE DID WEEKLY UPDATES.

>> Deborah: HE MAY HAVE.

I DON'T REALLY REMEMBER THEM.

THAT'S VERY POSSIBLE.

I GUESS BESHEAR ZWAI HE'S FIRST CURRENT GOVERNOR TO BE DOING THEM TO HIS KNOWLEDGE WAS HOW HE COUCHED IT AS HIS FIRST ONE YESTERDAY, THURSDAY.

>> Bill: MANY REPORTERS HAD THOUGHT THAN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR RETURNING WORKERS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED AT THAT FIRST NEWS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY, BUT THE GOVERNOR SORT OF TEASE THAT HAD FOR NEXT WEEK, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: HE DID.

HE INDICATED THAT HE'S NOT READY TO SUSPEND THE $300 EXTRA PAYMENT FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND SOME STATES ARE DOING, LARGELY REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED, BUT HE SAID HE DOESN'T HAVE HAVE SOME INCENTIVES IN MIND BUT WASN'T -- DIDN'T HAVE ANY DETAILS YET.

>> Bill: THE POLITICS OF THAT, DAN, YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT, I MEAN, HERE'S A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR BEING PUSHED BY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, BOTH ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THE STATE POLITICIANS, AND A LOT OF BUSINESS BE INTERESTS IN THE STATE.

>> Daniel: YEAH, HE'S GETTING A LOT OF PRESSURE.

THE WAY HE'S BEEN DEREFLECTING THAT IS, ONE, HE HAS NOT SET A FIRM DATE.

SO HE'S NOT GOING TO SAY HE IS GOING TO CONTINUE IT OR WHETHER OR NOT HE'LL END IT EARLY.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT HE KEEPS POINTING TO THE FACT THAT IT ADDS MONEY TO THE ECONOMY AND THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE MIGHT NOT HAVE CHILD CARE AND THAT THIS IS NECESSARY MONEY.

I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE LOWER END OF SPAY SCALE.

THE PEOPLE HAVE POINTED TO THE FACT THERE'S ALL THESE JOBS WHERE YOU CAN MAKE $12 AN HOUR.

$12 AN HOUR IS $24,000 A YEAR AND THAT'S WELL BELOW THE MEDIAN INCOME OF THE AVERAGE KENTUCKY FAMILY.

>> Bill: LET'S HEAR JUST A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT IS GOING ON OVER THERE.

THE GOVERNOR AGAIN DID NOT GIVE TIMETABLE FOR ENDING THATFULLY HUNDRED DOLLARS FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT ENHANCEMENT THAT MANY HAVE CRITICIZED.

HE SAYS IT IS PROPPING UP THE ECONOMY.

WHILE SOME OTHER STATE LEADERS STRONGLY DISAGREE.

>> THE EXTRA $300 PUTS $34 MILLION IN OUR ECONOMY EVERY WEEK, AND WHERE IS THAT GOING?

IT'S GOING NO GLOBES, IT'S GOING INTO RETAIL, IT'S GOING INTO RESTAURANTS.

>> IT JUST SHOWS THAT THE GOVERNOR REALLY HAS A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE ECONOMY REALLY WORKS.

HE'S NEVER RUN SO MUCH AS A LEMONADE STAND, LET ALONE A SMALL BUSINESS.

>> Bill: SO, DEBBIE, THE TALK IS STUFF.

THE LEMONADE TART, IT SOUNDS LIKE ON THIS.

IS THERE A SENSE THAT, YOU KNOW, BESHEAR WILL SUNSET THIS BEFORE NEED IT DOES GO OUT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IN SEPTEMBER?

>> Deborah: I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.

HE'S BEEN PRETTY-RESISTANT TO APPRECIATE SO PAR FAR.

ONE OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT SUMMER IS THE ISSUE OF CHILD CARE.

KIDS FINALLY WENT BACK TO IN-PERSON CLASSES BUT NOW THEY'RE OUT OF SCHOOL, AND IF PARENTS WERE NOW AT LOOKING FOR WORK AND HAVING TO WORK AGAIN WITHOUT CHILD CARE, THAT WOULD BEIN' COULD BE A CONCERN AS WELL.

>> Bill: MARCUS, THIS IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE, AND WE ALL HEAR THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

A LOT OF EVIDENCE, OF COURSE, THAT THE ENHANCED BENEFITS ARE A PART OF THE WORKER SHORTAGE, BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS INTERRUPTED SO MANY THINGS IN LIVES, AND THAT INCLUDES JOB AND CAREER PATHS, RIGHT?

>> Marcus: WITHOUT A DOUBT.

I MEAN, THIS IS A COMPLICATED PROBLEM, THIS LABOR SHORTAGE ISSUE, AND WHY PEOPLE ARE -- WHY EMPLOYERS TRYING TO FILL SO MANY JOBS, WE'VE DONE A LOT OF REPORTING, TALKING THE PEOPLE, AND I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S NOT A SINGLE ANSWER ABOUT WHY PEOPLE HAVEN'T RETURNED TO THE LABOR FORCE.

AS YOU GUYS HAVE MENTIONED, CHILD CARE IS A BIG ISSUE.

WE HEAR ABOUT.

IN SOME CASES JOBS PEOPLE HAVE LEFT OR WERE LAID OFF FROM HAVE DISAPPEARED, AND PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO RETURN WORKING FOR CERTAIN COMPANIES OR DO FAST FOOD OR OTHER ENTRY LEVEL TYPE JOBS BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD TO INCREASE CARING FOR RELATIVITIES OR ADDITIONAL CHILDREN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO IT'S VERY COMPLICATED.

I DO KNOW AS YOU SAY THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INTERRUPTION AS FAR AS THESE PIPELINE.

TRUCKING INDUSTRY HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE IN DRIVERS.

A LOT OF THOSE SCHOOLS, A LOT OF THE TRAINING THE DRIVERS HAVE TO GO THROUGH, THAT WAS DISRUPTED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THOSE WERE IN-- THAT'S IN-PERSON EDUCATION, AND SO SOME OF THAT'S BEEN LAGGING.

A LOT OF COMPLICATED MOVING PARTS TO WHY WE'RE WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>> Bill: DAN, THE GOVERNOR ALSO ADDRESSED A COVID VACCINE.

THE STATE STILL HAS NOT REACHEDTH TARGET OF 2.5 MILLION VACCINATIONS.

>> Daniel: WE'VE BEEN HOVERING BELOW 50% FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS NOW AND REALLY IT'S COME DOWN TO THE FACT THAT, ONE, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GET VACCINATED, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE A MORE CONCERTED EFFORT OF BRINGING THE VACCINE WHERE PEOPLE ARE AND REALLY TRYING TO GET THEM TO TAKE THEIR SHOTS.

>> Bill: AND I GUESS YOU CAN BRING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE POOL, DEBBY.

UK IS TAKING PART IN VAXING TRIALS FOR KIDS AS YOUNG AS SIX MONTHS OLD?

>> Deborah: YES, THEY ARE.

THAT'S PART OF THE EFFORT NOW TO START ADVANCING THE VACCINE DOWN TO YOUNGER PEOPLE IN ALL AGE GROUPS, AND RIGHT NOW IT'S ONLY APPROVED FOR THE ONLY ONE VACCINE IS APPROVED FOR KIDS 12UP AND AND THAT'S PFIZER.

MODERNA IS IN TRIAL ON THAT ONE, AND UK ANNOUNCED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE TRYING VACCINES STARTING A TRIAL THIS MONTH AND GOING FOR I THINK 14 MONTHS ON KIDS AS YOUNG AS SIX MONTHS OLD THROUGH AGE 11 WITH THE IDEA THAT THE DOCS AT UK SAID THIS WORK ON THE PRESS CALL THIS WEEK SAID THIS IS VERY SAFE, IT'S HIGHLY EFFECT.

THEY DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL, AND I JUST A MATTER OF DOING THE TRIAL SO THEY CAN GET FDA APPROVAL.

>> Bill: IF THE PARENTS WANT A CHILD TO TAKE PART, I GUESS THEY CONTACT THAT PROGRAM.

>> Governor Hogan: THERE'S A SPF WEBSITE.

IT'SAT UK IT'S STOPCOVIDUK OR SOMETHING.

>> Bill: THE SUPREME COURT MADE RULINGS THIS WEEK THAT DIRECTLY IMPACTED KENTUCKY.

THE JUSTICE HAS UPHELD THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OR OBAMACARE FOR A THIRD TIME, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT HAS BEEN HUGELY IMPORTANT HERE.

IT'S PROVIDED A LOT MORE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR ONE THING, AND ALSO MORE AFFORDABLE INSURANCE PLANS THROUGH THE TAX EXEMPTIONS PEOPLE GET.

BUT THIS WAS THE THIRD ATTEMPT, AND THIS ORIGINATED FROM TEXAS WITH A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN ATTORNEYS GENERAL WHO TRIED TO TAKE ON THE LAW YET A THIRD TIME, AND THE SUPREME COURT JUST SWATTED IT DOWN.

THEY SAID THESE PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE STANDING.

THE PLAINTIFFS, THEY DIDN'T SHOW THEY'D BEEN HARMED IN ANY WAY.

>> Bill: IT APPEARED TO BE A COMPLICATED CASE AND IT TURNED ON THAT.

>█> Deborah:A SIMPLEMEASUR BULK OF IF HIGH COURT ALSO RULED ON A CASE IN PENNSYLVANIA THAT MAY IMPACT A STANDOFF BETWEEN A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION HERE IN KENTUCKY AND THE STATE'S FOSTER CARE PROGRAM.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

SUNRISE CHILDREN'S SERVICE HERE INET AND BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION HAVE BEEN AT LOGGERHEADS FOR ALMOST A YEAR OVER A CONTRACT THAT REQUIRES WHAT THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION SAYS IS STANDARD ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LANGUAGE THAT INCLUDES GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

THE BAPTIST ORGANIZATION OBJECTS TO THAT, AND THE SUPREME COURT RULED YESTERDAY -- SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME AGO -- IN A PHILADELPHIA CHASE THAT CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES COULD DECLINE TO ACCEPT SAME-SEX COUPLES AS FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS, BUT MOST OBSERVERS THINK THIS RULING IS SO FLARE OH AND FOCUSED SO SPECIFICALLY ON THE SITUATION INVOLVING THE PHILADELPHIA AND THE LAW AND ORDINANCE THAT IT PROBABLY WON'T HAVE BROADER APPLICATION.

>> Adam: AND AS DEBBIE POINTED OUT, THERE'S KIND OF A WOKEN DISCUSSION GOING ON ABOUT A VERY HUMAN ISSUE, AND THAT'S BASICALLY CAN -- SHOULD FOSTER CHILDREN BE PLACED WITH SAME-SEX PARENTS OR BE LGBTQ PARENTS.

AND SO WHEN I ASK PEOPLE WHO PUT OUT STATEMENTS ABOUT THAT, DO THEY BELIEVE THAT, I WAS GETTING A LOT OF, WELL, THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE HERE.

THE ISSUE IS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

AND THAT'S A REALLY DIFFICULT THIN TO SEPARATE SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

I AM A CATHOLIC BOY.

I WAS A LECTER AT ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH GROWING UP AND GOING TO CHURCH EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY AND IT WAS A CHURCH THAT HAD A MESSAGE THAT I WAS INTRINSICALLY DISORDERED AND THAT WHO I LOVE IS, YOU KNOW, DID S. A MORTAL SIN IF I ACT ON THAT.

AND SO THAT'S A REALLY HEAVY BURDEN TO PUT ON A KID, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME FOR ME TO PROCESS AND TO FEEL PROUD ABOUT WHO I AM AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M STILL WORKING ON.

AND SO THEN WHAT WE'RE ASKING THE STATE TO DO IS SHOULD WE PLACE CHILDREN IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY MIGHT HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH AND WHAT SO MANY OTHER LGBT HAVE GONE THROUGH, AND WE'RE ASKING THEM IF THEY SHOULD PUT CHILDREN 1 A ORGANIZATION THAT SEES TWO GAY PARENTS THAT ARE LOOKING TO START A FAMILY AND SAYS, NO, WE'RE GOING TO REDIRECT YOU SOMEWHERE ELSE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME THIS IS ALSO AN INSTITUTION THAT'S BEEN WORKING WITH THE STATE FOR DECADES, AND IT'S AN INSTITUTION THAT HAS HELPED THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN, SO IT'S A A REALLY THORNY MORALLY AND AND IT'S A TOUGH LEGAL QUESTION ABOUT WHERE ONE GROUP'S RIGHTS END AND THE OTHER GROUP'S RIGHTS EBB BEGIN, AND IT'S WE'RE GOING TO SIGHT CONTINUE TO PLAY OUT IN THE COURT SYSTEM AND OUR SOCIETY NUMERAL OF YEARS NOW.

>> Daniel: YEAH, THE ARGUMENT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO WANTING SUNRISE GO VERY EXEMPTION POINTS OUT THIS IS BASICALLY TAXPAYER-FUND SERVICES THAT SUNRISE DOES UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE STATE, WHICH I THINK THEY SPOKE AT A LEGISLATIVE HEARING RECENTLY AND SAID THEY GOT ABOUT $16 MILLION SO FAR THIS YEAR FOR THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE TO KIDS.

>> Bill: TIME IS TICKING ON THE DECISION, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: THE STATE HAS SAID IF THEY DON'T REACH AN AGREEMENT ON THE CONTRACT BY JULY 1st THEY'RE GOING TO STOP PLACING QUDS WITH THEM.

>> Bill: DEB, THERE'S A LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE THAT NOW HAS THE SUBPOENA POWER, AND A LOT OF MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FORMER MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH THAT KIND OF BACKGROUND.

DO THEY INTEND TO LOOK INTO THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION STARTING THIS SUMMER?

>> Deborah: WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY EXPECT THEY WOULD HAVE SOME INTEREST.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY THE REPUBLICANS ARE IN CHARGE OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE AGENDA, AND THEY'VE ALREADY EXPRESSED SOME INTEREST IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT SNAFU THAT CONTINUES, AND I EXPECT THERE WILL BE OTHER AREAS THEY WANT TO LOOK AT MAYBE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE SINCERELY CONCERNED ABOUT WRONGDOING BUT ALSO IT MIGHT HAVE SOME POLITICAL OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Bill: MARCUS, J.D.

CHENEY FROM THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES WENT TO FRANKFORT THIS WEEK AND EXPLAINED TO LAWMAKERS, ALTHOUGH THE CITIES DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRANKFORT ANYTHING ABOUT THIS COVID MONEY THAT'S FLOWING DIRECTLY TO THEM, BUT HE COOPERATED, WENT UP THERE AND WAS -- SAID THAT HE IS BOMBARDED WITH QUESTIONS FROM MAYORS AND CITY LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT HOW COVID RELIEF MONEY SENT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN BE SPENT, AND THE RULES ARE TIGHT, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT.

RIGHT?

>> Marcus: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

I MAN, WE ALLS HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS IS REALLY A HISTORIC AND UNPRECEDENTED SERIES OF DIRECT ALLOCATIONS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, COUNTIES, CITIES AND ANY OTHER MUTANT, AND SO WHILE THE FEDERAL -- MUNICIPALITY.

WHILE THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE IS SOME 1-800-TIGHT WEBSITES ALSO SOMEWHAT FLEXIBLE AND THERE'S SOME WIGGLE ROOM ABOUT WHAT WILL QUALIFY AND DOES QUALIFY AS EXPENSES.

RIGHT NOW CITIES ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CAN SPEND THEIR MONEY, AND THERE IS SOME TIME.

THEY HAVE UNTIL 2024 TO SPEND THEIR MONEY.

THIS IS NOT LIKE THE CARES ACT WHICH HAD A MORE STRINGENT DEADLINE, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

EVEN THE FEDERAL TRESH ARE YOU GUIDANCE IS DOZENS OF PAGES -- EXCUSE EMPLOYEE -- THE FEDERAL Q&A ALONE IS DOZENS OF PAGES AND IT'S STILL BEING UPDATED, J.D.

CHENEY SAID THIS WEEK THEY EXPECT IT TO BE UPDATED EVEN MORE, SO RIGHT NOW CITIES ARE JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAN THEY PRIORITIZE NOW AND GET THE BALL ROLLING.

WE'RE SEEING THIS IN LOUISVILLE AS WELL.

>> Bill: AS AN EXAMPLE LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR PROPOSED MONEY FORE TOURISM ADVERTISING, SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS FOR THAT.

APPARENTLY THAT IS ALLOWABLE THE RULES, RIGHT?

BUT ULTIMATELY THE DECISION WAS MADE, LET'S NOT GO THERE.

>> Marcus: RIGHT.

THE TOURISM MONEY, TOURISM SPENDING WOULD BE ALLOWABLE BECAUSE AGAIN THIS IS SPENDING THAT'S SUPPOSED TO HELP CITIES RECOVER FROM EXPENSES AND -- EXCUSE ME -- RECOVER FROM REVENUES THEY LOST DURING THE PANDEMIC, INCLUDING TOURISM REVENUES AND HAVE BEEN EVERY CITY LOST TOURISM REVENUE DURING THE PANDEMIC, SO IT SHIFTED FROM AT THE LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL ALLOWABLE EXPENSES VERSUS WHAT'S THE BEST POLICY DECISION, AND THE COUNCIL ULTIMATELY MOVED AWAY FROM THAT.

BUT WE'RE ALREADY SEEING IN LOUISVILLE ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE PRIVATE DEVELOPER WHO HAS A GAP IN A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT ON SOME BLIGHTED LAND, AND THAT DEVELOPER WANTS TO USE THE A RPA MONEY, AND THE MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATION HAS DECIDED THAT IT DOESN'T QUALIFY EVEN THOUGH THE DEVELOPER SAYS IT DOES, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT PLAYING OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE BECAUSE THERE'S AMBIGUITY ABOUT WHAT QUALIFIES, THERE WILL BE THESE KINDS OF DEBATES ABOUT WHAT IS ALLOWABLE.

>> Bill: YEAH, AND APPARENTLY IF YOU'RE VERY CREATIVE AND CAREFUL, YOU CAN OFFSET SOME COSTS IN ONE AREA AND THEN MAYBE USE SOME OF THE LOCAL MONEY FOR SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT THEY WANTED TO DO BECAUSE THIS IS -- IF REVENUE IS LOST, THEN THAT'S PART OF WHAT THAT COVID RELIEF MONEY CAN BE USED FOR.

MARCUS, THERE'S A APPARENTLY GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT STATE REVENUE SURPLUS THIS YEAR WHEN THE FISCAL YEAR WRAPS UP.

THE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE RAISING THEIR HAND, BRINGING UP WHAT A GOOD INVESTMENT THEY ARE WITH A GOOD RETURN ON THAT, AND THE ROAD FUND IS SEPARATE FROM THE GENERAL BUDGET IN KENTUCKY, BUT COULD SOME OF THAT MONEY BE TRANSFERRED TO HELP OR IS THE ROAD FUND IN BETTER SHAPE THIS YEAR THAN USUAL?

>> Marcus: WELL, THE ROAD FUND IS IN BETTER SHAPE THAN IT WAS AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE JUST SORT OF ACCELERATING INTO THE PANDEMIC.

THE ROAD FUND IS EXPECTED TO RUN A LITTLE BIT OFF SURPLUS THIS YEAR, BE UP ABOUT 9% -- EXCUSE ME, 5% I BELIEVE ACCORDING TO ESTIMATES, AND A LOT OF THAT IS DRIVEN BY THE FACT THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC APPARENTLY PEOPLE WERE BUYING NEW CARS OR SELLING CARS BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS INCREASE IS DRIVEN BY THE VEHICLE USE TAX.

THAT'S THE TAX TO BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE HANDS.

IT'S NOT BEING DRIVEN BY THE GAS TAX, PEOPLE DRIVING MORE.

SO WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS A ONE-TIME HIT AND WE'RE BEGINNING TO RECOVER, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ALL KNOW THE ROAD FUND VEIL STRAINED.

IT HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME, AND THE GAS TAX BILL IN THIS PAST SESSION DIDN'T EVEN GET ANYTHING, ANY HEARINGS AT ALL.

IT JUST COMPLETELY DIED WITHOUT ANY MOVEMENT.

AND SO WHILE THE ROAD FUND MAY BE IN GOOD SHAPE OR BETTER SHAPE THAN ANTICIPATED, THERE'S STILL A LONG ROAD TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS ARE ADEQUATELY FUNDED IN KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILLS PROPOSED IN WASHINGTON.

THERE'S A PROPOSED BIPARTISAN BULL THAT SOME HAVE SIGNED UP.

IF BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS KEEPING UP PRESSURE FOR A LARGER BILL AND THE WHITE HOUSE IS STARTING VIDEOS TO TRY TO DRUM UP SUPPORT.

HERE'S A SNIP OF ONE OF THOSE.

>> PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY IS POOR AND THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING.

HOW ARE WE EVER GOING TO HAVE ANYTHING IF OUR GOVERNMENT WON'T INVEST IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE?

>> Bill: DAN, IS IT A COINCIDENCE THESE VIDEOS TARGET KENTUCKY FOR MINORITY LEADER MITCH MOM IS HOME?

>> Daniel: O'THINK IT WILL SAY THAT.

THERE'S NOT USUALLY A COINCIDENCE IN POLITICS.

SENATOR McCONNELL HAS BEEN AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE, AND HE'S LEFT A LITTLE ROOM FOR A BIPARTISAN DEAL, BUT, YOU KNOW, HE'S BASICALLY MADE IT CLEAR THAT HIS GOAL IS TO BLOCK PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AGENDA.

YOU KNOW, PART OF THIS IS ALSO A LITTLE BIT OF POLITICAL THEATER, RIGHT?

SO THIS IS JUST A SERIES OF ONLINE VIDEOS.

THEY'RE NOT REALLY PUTTING ANY MONEY BEHIND IT, AND SO IT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE WAY TO KIND OF POKE THE BEAR OF MITCH McCONNELL.

>> Bill: MARCUS, AS YOU WATCHED THE WASHINGTON MANEUVERING DOES THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE APPEAR TO BE COMMON TO ALL OF THE PROPOSES OR DO WE KNOW?

>> Marcus: WELL, I THINK WHAT'S FAIR IS THAT WHATEVER -- IF SOMETHING DOES PASS, IT WILL BE A SCALED BACK VERSION OF INITIALING PROPOSAL THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN PUT FORWARD, AND I CAN'T SEE A SCENARIO IN WHICH THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE GETS A SORT OF SILVER BULLET FUNDING BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PROJECTS THAT'LL BE VYING FOR FUNDING AND SO MANY NEEDS THAT EVERYBODY WANTS ACROSS JUST THE TRADITIONAL ROAD TRANSPORTATION, BRIDGE TRANSPORTATION BUCKETS, AND SO WILL THE BRENT SPENCE, IF A BILL IS PASSED, GET SOMETHING THAT'LL HELP IT ADVANCE?

IT'S LIKELY.

WILL THERE BE FUNDING TO MAKE THE GO FORWARD COMPLETELY AND FULFILL ALL OF ITS FUNDING NEEDS?

PROBABLY NOT BECAUSE THAT'S NOT BEEN WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST WITH ANY MAJOR MEGA PROJECT.

USUALLY THESE TYPES OF THINS TAKE A VARIETY OF FUNDING SOURCES AND THEY DON'T HAPPEN THROUGH ONE PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, A STEP FORWARD OR STATE BACK FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN "BAM" CARNE?

>> Deborah: THAT'S CONCERNING HE AND THE MEMBER LEADERSHIP HAVE HAVE BEEN OUT MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER A SEVERE BOUT WITH PANCREATITIS AND HIS FRIENDS WERE POE, AND HIS SON CELEBRATING HE WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME AFTER MONTHS IN REHAB, BUT A SHORT STAY AND HE'S BACK IN THE HOSPITAL I THINK WITH PNEUMONIA.

>> Bill: REPUBLICAN SENATOR PAUL MORE THAN-BACK WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

HE WANTS MORE TIME WITH HIS FAM AND HIS FARM.

WHAT IS CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR UP TO?

THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT WEBSITES AND HIM POTENTIALLY LOOKING AT A STATEWIDE RACE.

>> Daniel: YEAH, I MEAN IT'S HARD TO MAKE PROJECTIONS BASED ON DOMAIN NAMES THAT ARE REGISTERED.

SOMEBODY HAS REGISTERED ANDY BARR FOR SENATE AND ANDY BARR FOR GOVERNOR.

NI THAT SOMEBODY WHO IS IN ANDY BARR'S POSITION MAY BE WEIGHING A STATEWIDE RACE, IT SEEMS LOGICAL ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE THIS 2023 GOVERNOR'S RACE COMING UP WHERE THERE'S GOING TO BE A -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT THROWING THEIR HAT IN THE RING.

IT WOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE IF HE WANTED TO JUMP IN.

>> Bill: A MAUER FOR LOUISVILLE HAS SUSPENDED HIS CAMPAIGN.

THAT RAPIST, THOUGH, A CROWDERRED RACE.

>> Marcus: DAVID JAMES IS THE METRO COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND THE ONLY ELECTED FISHES WHO HAD ANNOUNCED FOR THE RACE SAID THIS WEEK HE WAS SUSPENDED EVER DING HIS CAMPAIGN, ENDING IT DUE TO HEALTH USUALS.

THEY AREN'T ENOUGH TO KEEP HIM FROM SERVING ON THE COUNCIL BUT IT IS A CROWDED RACE.

IT'S LIKELY TO GET MORE CROWDED AND IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHICH OTHER -- WHAT OTHER CANDIDATES DECIDE TO DECLARE TO REPLACE GREG FISCHER WHO HAS WEAN THE FACE OF THE BREONNA TAYLOR PROTEST AND UNA LOT OF SCRUTINY AND CRITICISM IN LOUISVILLE, AND HE'S TERM LIMITED.

>> BILL: >> Bill: ATTICA SCOTT IS SUING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> Deborah: SHE AND HER DAUGHTER WERE ARRESTED LAST YEAR LAST YEAR DUR THE BREONNA TAYLOR PROTEST AND SHE SAID FALSELY CHARGED SAID THEY WERE DESTROYING PROPERTY.

SHE SAID THEY WERE TRYING TO GET TIE LOCAL CHURCH FOR SHELTER.

THE CHARGES WERE DROPPED AND NOW SHE IS SUING LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> Bill: FLAGS WILL FLY AT HALF-STAFF FOR KENTUCKY E. NATIONAL GART STORAGE, SERGEANT FIRST CLASS DEREK POOLE SERVED 15 YEARS WITH THE KENTUCKY ARMY NATION GUARD.

HE WILL BE INTERRED IN PADUCAH ON SATURDAY.

KENTUCKY'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE LARGELY HOLDING THE LINE ON TUITION.

KTCTS ANNOUNCED ITS FREEZING TUITION FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY APPROVED ITS LARGEST BUDGET EVER AND IS GIVING BONUSES THAT ONLY RAISING TUITION 1%.

TUNE IN MONDAY NIGHT FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AND RENEE SHAW WILL HOST A DISCUSSION ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.