[♪♪] >> Bill: FEDERAL COURTS BLOCK FORMTD OF NEW RULES UNDER THE TITLE IX ACT UNDER CHALLENGE IN KENTUCKY AND 19 OTHER STATES.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN INDICATES HIS OPPOSITION TO LOCAL NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS.

UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WAS THE TOPIC OF A HEARING IN FRANKFORT AS LAWMAKERS WEIGH PASSING NEW LAWS.

>> GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS HEADING TO IOWA A KEY STATE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

AS SUMMER ARRIVES SO DOES THE HEAT.

AND 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 FUSS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, McKENNA HORSLEY, POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

MELISSA PATRICK, REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

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

ALSO TONIGHT SOME COUNTIES ARE BANNING MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES AND SOME WILL HOLD VOTES ON THE ISSUES AS SCHOOLS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE FACING BIG DECISIONS.

THE WEEK STARTED OFF WITH A RULING FROM A FEDERAL JUDGE HERE IN KENTUCKY THAT PUTS ON HOLD AN EXPANSION OF THE SCOPE OF TITLE IX.

A 1972 LAW DESIGNED TO PREVENT SEX DISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY FUNDED EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

TESSA, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WANTED TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THOSE RULES.

AND THE WRITTEN RULES WOULD DO THAT.

KENTUCKY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OTHERS SUED TO BLOCK IT AND A JUDGE HERE IN KENTUCKY HAS MADE THAT RULING.

>> EARLIER THIS WEEK, WE FOUND OUT THAT THAT GUIDANCE WILL NOT BE IMMEDIATELY TAKING EFFECT IN AUGUST AS WAS SCHEDULED TO.

WHAT IT WOULD HAVE DONE IS EXPANDED THE PROTECTIONS TO LGBTQ STUDENTS.

AND SO IT WOULD SAY THAT TITLE IX ALSO APPLIES TO SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY.

AND THE JUDGE HERE IN KENTUCKY THAT ISSUED THIS RULING SAID THERE ARE TWO SEXES.

MALE AND FEMALE.

AND SAID THAT THE BIDEN RULE WOULD QUOTE IGNORE A FUNDAMENTAL BIOLOGICAL TRUTH.

>> Bill: McKENNA, SPORTS IS TIED INTO THIS CONVERSATION.

>> YEAH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF LAWSUITS ON THIS ISSUE FROM REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERALS AROUND THE COUNTRY INCLUDING ANOTHER ONE THAT KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON FILED THAT GOT A RULING THIS WEEK AND THAT WAS MORE FOCUSED ON GUIDANCE LIKE THESE RULES BUT IT PRECEDED THESE RULES THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE IMPLEMENTED LATER THIS YEAR.

BUT A LOT OF G.O.P.

CRITICS OF THESE RULES FOCUS ON THAT THEY COULD INVALIDATE SEX SEPARATED SPORTS POLICIES THAT STATES HAVE ADOPTED.

KENTUCKY HAS ADOPTED ONE THAT PREVENTS TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM COMPETING ON SPORTS TEAMS WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS WITH THE GENDER THEY IDENTIFY WITH.

AND WE DID HEAR FROM LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK INCLUDING REPUBLICAN SENATOR ROBBY MILLS WHO CELEBRATED THIS RULING AND WAS THE SPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION.

>> Bill: IT PUTS IT ON HOLD AND THE FINAL RULING WOULD COME AT A LATER TIME, RIGHT?

IT WILL NOT GO INTO EFFECT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN AUGUST AS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION INTENDED.

IN FRANKFORT LAWMAKERS HELD MORE MEETINGS AS THEY ARE CONSIDERING A LEGISLATION THAT IS LIKELY TO COME UP IN THE 2025 SESSION JUST ABOUT SIX MONTHS AWAY.

ONE OF THOSE FOCUSED ON UNDUVMENTED PEOPLE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE STATE.

McKENNA THAT INCLUDED A DISCUSSION ABOUT NON-U.S. CITIZENS VOTING.

THERE WERE OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED BUT THERE WAS TESTIMONY THAT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN KENTUCKY.

AT ALL OR OFTEN, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

SO THE INTERIM JOINT COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT HEARD FROM SEVERAL ELECTION OFFICIALS IN KENTUCKY INCLUDING THE SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS WHO IS A REPUBLICAN.

THAT TESTIFIED THEY KNOW OF NO INSTANCES WHERE A NONCITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES HAS SUCCESSFULLY VOTED IN KENTUCKY.

BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT TO KENTUCKY VOTERS BECAUSE ONE OF THE TWO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THEY WILL BE DECIDING THIS NOVEMBER IS TO PREVENT NONCITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM VOTING IN KENTUCKY ELECTIONS.

REPUBLICANS ARGUE THAT THIS IS NEEDED TO BE A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE, TO ENSURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS.

BUT WE'RE SEEING SIMILAR BALLOT MEASURES LIKE THIS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN OTHER STATES THAT AND SOME CRITICS THERE SAY THIS IS A WAY TO BOOST REPUBLICAN VOTERS TO THE BALLOT TO SUPPORT OTHER MEASURES THAT YOU MAY WANT TO PASS.

>> Bill: TESSA, DOES IT APPEAR FROM THAT DISCUSSION THERE WILL BE SOME OTHER LEGISLATION IN THE PIPELINE AS IT REGARDS UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY?

>> IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION OFFICIALS ARE ALSO BROUGHT IN FRONT OF THIS COMMITTEE TO BE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE UNITED STATES AND UNDOCUMENTED.

WE ALSO SAW IN THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AN ADDITION TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL THAT McKENNA SPOKE ABOUT.

THERE WAS A PUSH TO GET GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO SAY THAT HE STOOD WITH TEXAS AND GOVERNOR ABBOTT THERE AS THEY WERE DEALING WITH THE ONGOING BORDER ISSUES.

OF COURSE, FEDERAL JUDGE INTERVENED IN SOME OF TEXAS' ACTIONS AT THE BORDER.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE SEEING HINTS THERE IS AN APPETITE FOR ADDRESSING.

>> ADAMS DID TELL THE COMMITTEE THAT ONE SPECIFIC PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT HE WOULD SUPPORT PARTICULARLY WITH ELECTIONS WOULD BE ALLOWING THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO CROSS REFERENCE ITS RECORDS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO IDENTIFY ANY LEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE BECAUSE ONE THING YOU NEED IS A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

AND LEGAL IMMIGRANTS WOULD HAVE THAT DOCUMENTATION.

>> Bill: AS THESE HEARINGS ARE UNDERWAY WHAT SEEMS TO BE IN EMERGING AS THE POTENTIAL ISSUES?

WE DON'T GET THE PREFILINGS TO LOOK AT.

WE HAVE TO GAUGE WHAT THE TOPICS OF DISCUSSION ARE IN THOSE COMMITTEE ROOMS?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I'M GOING TO BE WATCHING FOR IN THE INTERIM IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH KENTUCKY'S OPEN RECORDS ACT AND OPEN MEETINGS.

THAT BILL DID NOT MAKE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IN THE SENATE THIS SESSION WHICH OPPONENTS ARGUED WOULD HAVE ADDED A LOOPHOLE TO KENTUCKY OPEN RECORDS ACT.

THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION ABOUT WE SHOULD ADDRESS THIS IN THE INTERIM.

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THE NEED FOR PUBLIC OFFICIAL PRIVACY AND ALSO WITH GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY.

SO OBVIOUSLY AS A JOURNALIST AND A SUPPORTER OF TRANSPARENCY I WILL BE WATCHING OUT FOR ANY MOVEMENT ON THAT.

I THINK ALSO WHAT LAWMAKERS DO NEXT SESSION HAS A LOT TO DO WITH WHAT VOTERS DECIDE IN NOVEMBER IN REGARDS TO AMENDMENT 2.

WILL VOTERS APPROVE AMENDMENT 2 AND THEREFORE GIVE LAWMAKERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEND MONEY THROUGH SOME MECHANISM TO CHARTER SCHOOLS, TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

BEFORE THEY CAN PASS SUCH POLICIES, KENTUCKIANS WOULD NEED TO OKAY THAT BALLOT AMENDMENT.

>> Bill: McKENNA WHAT ARE YOU SEEING RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK WE'LL PROBABLY SEE IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION A RETURN OF SOME OF THOSE BILLS THAT WERE AIMED AT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES PARTICULARLY IN HIGHER-ED.

LAST SESSION WE SAW A CHIEF BILL IN THE HOUSE AND A CHIEF BILL IN THE SENATE AND THERE WAS NO RECONCILIATION BETWEEN THOSE IN THE FINAL HOURS OF THE SESSION.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD IT IN A COMMITTEE YET.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL DEPENDING WHO IS ON THE -- WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA.

BUT I THINK THERE IS A NATIONAL APPETITE TO LOOK AT DEI PARTICULARLY WITHIN REPUBLICAN POLITICS.

DANIEL CAMERON WHO I MENTIONED EARLIER HE WAS SPEAKING AT A CONVENTION EARLIER TODAY ARGUING AGAINST DEI INITIATIVES PARTICULARLY IN BUSINESSES.

>> Bill: WHEN THAN INITIATIVE COMES CLOSE AT THE END OF A SESSION OFTENTIMES IT'S LIKELY TO COME BACK.

>> RIGHT.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ARE EFFECTIVE.

HE HAS NOT BLOCKED MONEY GOING TO THOSE EXCHANGES BUT HE SAYS OTHER METHODS ARE PROVEN.

HE TALKED WITH ME ABOUT THAT EARLIER TODAY.

>> NARCAN SAVES LIVES I COULD NOT BE A STRONGER PROPONENT OF UNUSUALING NARCAN OUT TO WHERE IT'S LIKE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

NARCAN SAVES LIVES.

NEEDLES MY STRONG CONCERN IS THAT IT PERPETUATES DRUG USE.

IT IS AN ENABLER IF ONLY HANDED OUT WITHOUT COUNSELING WITHOUT SERVICES.

>> Bill: MELISSA, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS A DECADE AGO.

AND MOST LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE THEM.

THE C.D.C.

HAS INDICATED THAT THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE EFFECTIVE.

IS THERE STILL SUPPORT FOR THEM?

OR IS THAT WANING NOW?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK IT'S WANING BUT THERE ISN'T -- WE'VE BEEN A BIT STAGNANT WITH HOW MANY EXCHANGE PROGRAMS WE HAVE.

WE'VE GONE FROM 84 TO 80.

I'M NOT SURE THERE'S REASONS FOR THAT THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF.

OVERALL IT'S BEEN STEADY.

BUT NO ONE THE COUNTIES THAT DON'T HAVE THEM ARE NOT RUSHING TO GET THEM DESPITE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS AND STAFF CONTINUING TO EDUCATE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE PROGRAMS TO DECREASE THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES WHAT THEY ARE FOR.

TO DECREASE HIV AND HEPATITIS C BOTH EXPENSIVE CONDITIONS TO TREAT.

>> Bill: IT WAS BELIEVED THAT A SECONDARY BENEFIT MIGHT BE IT WOULD GET DRUG USERS INTO TREATMENT.

HOWEVER, IF THAT IS ADVERTISED AND PUSHED THERE WAS THE CONCERN THAT WELL, THEN, THEY MAY NOT GO TO THE EXCHANGE.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW THE WHOLE ARENA OF HARM REDUCTION AT A SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE BACK AND FORTH OF CLEAN NEEDLES FOR DIRTY NEEDLES.

THERE'S RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE BUILT THAT HAVE TO BE IN PLACE BETWEEN THE PROVIDER AND THE CLIENT IN ORDER TO GET TO THOSE DISCUSSIONS OF TREATMENT AND RECOVERY.

AND THAT'S A HUGE PART OF THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE IS SHOWING UP EVERY WEEK TO GET CLEAN NEEDLES TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE FROM INFECTION.

>> Bill: NA LOCKS SON DO WORK AND THERE'S BEEN SUCCESS AND MAYBE THAT IS A FACTOR IN THE DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF OUTFIELDER DOSE DEATHS.

>> AND HE SPOKE ABOUT THERE IS A NEW 8 MILLIGRAM A STRONGER NALOXONE THAT IS DESIGNED TO ATTACK THESE FENTANYL OVERDOSE DEATHS WHICH ARE KILLING SO MANY KENTUCKIANS.

AND NO ONE IN HARM REDUCTION WOULD EVER ARGUE THAT NALOXONE IS NOT AN AMAZING DRUG TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE.

>> Bill: MELISSA, COLEMAN DID ANNOUNCE $12 OF 12 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROGRAMS USING THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT MONEY AND SOME ARE CREATIVE IN LOCAL AREAS, RIGHT?

>> THERE'S ONE THAT IS A THERAPEUTIC JOB TRAINING FOR PEOPLE IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY.

AND I FOUND THAT TO BE VERY INTERESTING AND ALSO THERE ARE -- THERE'S MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TO GET DENTAL REPAIR.

WHICH IS SUCH A BARRIER TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR TEETH BECAUSE OF DRUG USE WHO ARE TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

THOSE WERE TWO IN PARTICULAR THAT I THOUGHT WERE INTERESTING.

>> Bill: TESSA, WHEN I PRESSED COLEMAN ON THIS QUESTION HE TOLD ME HE SUPPORTS EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATE'S ABORTION BAN IN THE CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST.

HE HAS SAID THAT PREVIOUSLY.

THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT PASS THAT.

AND HE SAYS HE NOW HAS TO ENFORCE THE LAW AS IT IS AND I SAID DO YOU FAVOR GOING FORWARD EXCEPTIONS?

AND HE SAID HE HAS NOT CHANGED HIS STANCE ON THAT.

>> RIGHT.

THE ISSUE WITH ADDING TENNIONS TO KENTUCKY'S CURRENT BAN ON ABORTION THAT DOES NOT HAVE EXCEPTIONS IS NOT SO MUCH WHERE DOES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL STAND ON IT.

IT'S DOES THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE HAVE AN APPETITE TO CHANGE THIS POLICY.

AND AS WE HAVE SEEN THE LAST COUPLE OF SESSIONS SINCE ROE WAS OVERTURNED REPUBLICANS HAVE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.

AND IT'S GONE NOWHERE NOT EVEN A VOTE NOT EVEN A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT.

SO WHILE THERE MIGHT BE AN APPETITE AMONG SOME MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES AND YOU HAVE GROUPS LIKE THE FAMILY FOUNDATION AND KENTUCKY RIGHT TO LIFE THAT ARE VERY INFLUENTIAL WITH LAWMAKERS.

GETTING ANYTHING PASSED THAT WOULD EXPAND ABORTION OR BE PERCEIVED AS EXPANDING ACCESS TO THE PROCEDURE, WOULD BE A TOUGH SELL IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE CURRENT MAKEUP.

>> Bill: DOES IT APPEAR THAT THE LEGISLATURE COMING UP IS LIKELY TO ADDRESS REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES LIKE THIS?

AND IVF AND OTHER TOPICS THAT ARE OUT THERE?

>> IT'S POSSIBLE.

WE'LL SEE LEGISLATION AS YOU NOTED WE DID SOME IVF BILLS BOTH FROM REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AFTER THAT RULING CAME OUT OF ALABAMA.

THAT JEOPARDIZED THAT PROCESS NATIONALLY.

BUT IF SOMETHING DOESN'T COME THROUGH WE OFTEN SEE LAWMAKERS WHO FEEL PASSIONATELY BRING IT BACK IN THE NEXT SESSION.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

ANOTHER KENTUCKY COUNTY SAID NO TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA BUSINESSES WITHIN ITS BORDERS.

LINKED IN KY IS REPORTING BOON COUNTY WILL PROHIBIT DISPENSARIES AND FOLLOWS CAMPBELL COUNTY AND KEN TON COUNTY IS CONSIDERING AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT DISPENSARIES.

CITIES CAN MAKE THEIR OWN RULES EVEN IF THERE IS A COUNTY PROHIBITION AND LEADER IN FLORENCE DECIDED TO PUT IT ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

CLARK COUNTY WILL HAVE A VOTE AS WELL.

SO McKENNA IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A PATCH QUILT OF RULES ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES BECAUSE OF THE LOCAL OPTION THAT HAS BEEN GRANTED.

>> IT'S VERY POSSIBLE THAT WE'LL SEE DIFFERENT RULES IN DIFFERENT PLACES.

WE'RE SIX MONTHS AWAY FROM MEDICAL MARIJUANA BEING LEGAL IN KENTUCKY AND NEXT MONTH'S APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN FOR DISPENSARIES TO SAY THAT THEY WANT TO BE IN ON THIS PROCESS.

THEN WE'LL KNOW WHERE WHICH AREAS OF THE STATE THAT THIS PROCESS WILL BE COMING TO.

AND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, CITIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DIFFERENT ZONING REGULATIONS.

YOU COULD SEE DIFFERENT RULES IN DIFFERENT AREAS AS WELL.

>> Bill: 11 REGIONS ACROSS THE STATE WHERE WILL BE AWARDED THOSE DISPENSARIES?

>> RIGHT.

>> Bill: TESSA, THIS IS AGAIN LOCAL OPTION HARKENS TO THE ALCOHOL VOTES IN THE PAST.

WHAT WOULD A MEDICAL MARIJUANA ELECTION LOOK LIKE?

>> I WOULD IMAGINE IT WOULDN'T BE ALL THAT SIS SIMILAR I OWE DISSIMILAR WITH WHAT WE'VE SEEN WITH THE WET AND DRY ELECTIONS.

WITH THIS IT'S LESS ABOUT THE REVENUE GENERATION.

IT'S MORE ABOUT DO WE WANT THIS IN THE COMMUNITY?

AND I THINK THERE IS APPREHENSION SURROUNDING HAVING DISPENSARIES IN THE COMMUNITIES BECAUSE PEOPLE MAY NOT BE FULLY AWARE OF ALL THE DETAILS OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

SO NOT COMBUSTIBLES PEOPLE WILL NOT BE SMOKING THESE PRODUCTS AND THE CONDITIONS THAT PEOPLE CAN MUST HAVE TO GET MEDICAL MARIJUANA ARE ALSO FAIRLY LIMITED.

THE SPONSORS OF THIS BILL THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAVE BEEN CLEAR THIS IS NOT A WINK, WINK, PROGRAM THIS IS A TRUE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM WHERE YOU MUST BE ILL AND YOU MUST HAVE A NEED TO GET IT.

BUT I THINK THERE IS CONCERN WHAT WILL THE DISPENSARIES LOOK LIKE AND HOW WILL THEY CHANGE THE COMMUNITIES.

>> Bill: WE KNOW THERE IS ACCORDING TO POLLING THERE IS WIDESPREAD PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA BUT MAYBE THIS ELEMENT OF CONCERN ABOUT WHERE THESE DISPENSARIES ARE?

>> RIGHT.

AND THE GOOD THING IS IS THAT SOMETHING THAT COMMUNITIES, CITIES AND COUNTIES STILL HAVE CONTROL OVER IS SETTING THE ZONING RULES AROUND WHERE THEY CAN GO, ANY ADDED RESTRICTIONS THAT A CITY OR A COUNTY WOULD LIKE TO IMPOSE THERE'S TIME TO DO THAT NOW.

THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO GET THAT DONE BEFORE JUNE 30TH BECAUSE THE JULY 1 IS WHEN THE THE LICENSES ARE.

>> Bill: THE WINDOW OPENS.

>> THE WINDOW OPENS.

SO THOSE CONCERNS CAN BE ADDRESSED AT THIS POINT.

AND NEED TO BE DONE SO IN A TIMELY MANNER.

>> Bill: AND SCHOOLS AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> AND SCHOOLS YES, SCHOOLS HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WILL NOT ALLOW IT AT ALL OR WHETHER THEY WILL ALLOW IT AND IF THEY DO THEY HAVE TO HAVE CLEAR RULES HOW IT WOULD BE ADMINISTERED IN WHATEVER WAY THAT SCHOOL AGREES AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER FIRST TO PUT THOSE RULES IN PLACE.

>> Bill: A LOT TO WATCH.

THERE IS A DEBATE ABOUT KENTUCKY'S CERTIFICATE OF NEED LAW AND WHETHER IT NEEDS TO BE REFORMED.

McKENNA LAWMAKERS ARE SPLIT AS TO WHETHER REPEALING THE LAW WOULD INCREASE COMPETITION AND THEREFORE LOWER PRICES.

OR WHETHER IT WOULD STARVE OUT PROVIDERS WHO ALREADY WORK ON SMALL MARGINS NOW AND PEOPLE WOULD BE WITHOUT THE SERVICES?

>> RIGHT.

AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN FLOATED AROUND FRANKFORT FOR A WHILE.

THIS WEEK, THE LICENSING AND OCCUPATION COMMITTEE HEARD FROM TWO REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AT DIFFERENT SIDES ON THE ISSUE.

SENATOR MEREDITH WHO IS A FORMER RURAL HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE AND THEN REPRESENTATIVE MARY ANNE PROCTER WHO COMES FROM NRN KENTUCKY AND SAYS HER CONSTITUENTS HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE THAT IS WHY SHE'S PASSIONATE ABOUT T MEREDITH SAID IT DOES NOT ADDRESS RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS BY PUSHING FREE MARKET IDEAS INTO THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

BUT PROCTER SAYS THAT RURAL HOSPITALS ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING AND FACING ISSUES AROUND THE STATE.

>> Bill: AND MELISSA, SOME WHO HAVE SAID THEY WANT TO START A BIRTHING CENTER OR SURGICAL CENTER OR SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT IS A BARRIER TO THEM BECAUSE A COMPETITOR HAS A VETO?

>> AND THEY HAVE A VERY STRONG VOICE IN THAT VETO.

AND WHICH OFTEN ALLOWS THERE TO BE NO DISCUSSION ABOUT IT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

AND IN PARTICULAR, WITH THE BIRTHING CENTERS, WE HAVE SO MANY COUNTIES THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO BIRTHING CARE THAT THIS WOULD OPEN UP THAT DOOR.

IT'S ALSO TOUTED TO BE MORE AFFORDABLE.

EVEN IN CITIES THAT HAVE HOSPITALS, IT WOULD ALLOW A MORE AFFORDABLE BIRTHING EXPERIENCE FOR FAMILIES.

THIS ISSUE HAS ALSO COME UP AROUND AMBULANCE CARE IN COMMUNITIES.

BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY MIGHT SEE THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE AMBULANCE CARE BUT THE COMPETITORS VETO IT.

SHUT IT DOWN.

SO THIS HAS BEEN IN DISCUSSION FOR MANY YEARS.

AND I'M NOT SURE THAT IT WILL GO ANYWHERE.

>> Bill: ANOTHER ONGOING HEALTHCARE TOPIC.

KENTUCKY'S INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES.

NOW GOING TO CONGRESS TO TRY TO GET FEDERAL RELIEF.

PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ARE THE MIDDLE MEN BETWEEN THE DRUG COMPANIES AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE THERE CONCERN, THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW THAT IS NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT ENOUGH AND THEY ARE STILL CLOSING THEIR DOORS.

>> KENTUCKY'S LAW 69 INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES I DON'T KNOW THE TIME-FRAME FOR THAT BUT 69 HAVE CLOSED DUE TO JUST NOT MAKING OFTEN -- NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

THIS LAST BILL THAT PASSED ADDRESSED COMMERCIAL INSURANCE AND CREATED A MINIMUM FEE FOR PHARMACIES TO GET PER PRESCRIPTION JUST TO KEEP THEM AFLOAT UNTIL A TASK FORCE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT NUMBER NEEDS TO SETTLE AT.

AND THAT WAS HUGE AND APPRECIATED BY THE INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES.

BUT THEY SAY THERE'S MORE WORK TO BE DONE AND WE HAVE ON A FEDERAL LEVEL, THAT'S THE NEXT STEP.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT WE'LL WATCH.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR IS HEADING TO HIGH WHAT NEXT MONTH TO BE A KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT A DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENT.

WE ALL KNOW THAT IOWA PLAYS AN EARLY ROLE IN PRESIDENTIAL RACES.

BESHEAR HAS INDICATED HIS POSSIBLE INTEREST IN A NATIONAL ROLE.

TESSA IS THIS THE STRONGEST INDICATION YET THAT BESHEAR MAYBE EYEING 2028?

>> IT GOT THE STRONGEST REACTION FROM PEOPLE SO FAR.

I WHAT CERTAINLY HAS A REPUTATION FOR MAKING AND BREAKING CAMPAIGNS AND OBVIOUSLY WE ARE STILL FOUR YEARS AWAY FROM THE 2028 CAMPAIGN SEASON BUT THIS IS A SIGN HE IS BUILDING HIS NETWORK AND MAKING CONNECTIONS AND BUILDING NAME RECOGNITION AND THIS IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS NOT HIS ONLY SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT OUT OF STATE.

HE HAS BEEN TO MONTANA.

TOMORROW HE WILL BE IN VIRGINIA AND EVENT IN OHIO AND NASHVILLE.

HE IS BUILDING THIS NAME RECOGNITION AMONG DEMOCRATIC CIRCLES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THAT IS A SIGN HE IS KEEPING HIS OPTIONS OPEN.

>> Bill: McKENNA WE'VE WATCHED TO SEE WHAT HE MAY BE UP TO HERE?

>> YES.

AND WHEN HE HAS GOTTEN THIS QUESTION HE HAS SAID HE IS COMMITTED TO SERVING OUT THE REMAINDER OF HIS SECOND TERM IN KENTUCKY BUT HE IS TERM LIMITED THAT RAISES THE QUESTION FOR WHAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DO NEXT.

BUT HE'S TAKEN OTHER STEPS SUCH AS FORMING A PAC TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES AND THE NONPARTISAN CANDIDATE WHICH WE WILL TALK ABOUT LATER.

BUT WHEN I ASKED HIM THIS WEEK IF HE PLANS TO SPEAK AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN AUGUST ADDRESSING PARTY FAITHFUL ACROSS THE NATION HE DID NOT KNOW.

THOSE ARE ANNOUNCED A WEEK BEFORE THE CONVENTION HAPPENS.

>> Bill: YOU MADE A REFERENCE A GROUP SENT A LETTER TO GOVERNOR BESHEAR CRITICIZING HIS INVOLVEMENT IN A KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT RACE.

HE SUPPORTS JUDGE PAMELA GOODWINE FOR THAT SEAT.

BESHEAR SAYS HE IS NOT POLITICIZING THE RACE.

>> THE COMMITTEE SENT A LETTER WARNING AGAINST HER FROM TOUTING THIS ENDORSEMENT FROM BESHEAR IT GIVES AN APPEARANCE OF BEING NONPARTISAN IN THE RACE.

IN KENTUCKY JUDICIAL RACES ARE NONPARTISAN.

BESHEAR'S ENDORSEMENT CAME EARLIER THIS YEAR IN MARCH.

THROUGH HIS PAC.

AND SHE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED HER ATTENDANCE IN RESPONSE CRITICISM FROM ATTENDING RECENT DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN EVENTS SHE IS PUSHING BACK ON THIS ASSERTION.

>> THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SORT OF ALLEGATIONS OF FLIRTATION WITH PARTISANSHIP IN A SUPREME COURT RACE.

WE SAW IT TWO YEARS AGO.

THERE WAS A CANDIDATE WHO ULTIMATELY WENT ON TO LOSE BUT PUT A GENERIC ELEPHANT ON SOME OF HIS CAMPAIGN SIGNAGE AS WELL.

THIS IS NOT UNPRECEDENTED BUT THIS LETTER WAS A CLEAR SIGN LIKE YOU ARE TOEING THE LINE WITH THIS.

>> Bill: PARTISAN POLITICS CREPT INTO THE NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL RACES.

MELISSA, JUNE IS MEN'S HEALTH MONTH.

AND SO MEN ARE NOT AS GOOD ABOUT GETTING THEIR SCREENINGS AND PREVENTATIVE CARE AS WOMEN, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS RESEARCH-PROVEN.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT, THOUGH, ESPECIALLY AS MEN AGE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GETTING THAT YEARLY PHYSICAL FOR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK BECAUSE THEY DIE OF HEART DISEASE SO MUCH IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH.

BLOOD PRESSURE, CHOLESTEROL, WEIGHT.

IF NOTHING ELSE THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE FOLLOWED.

LET ALONE ALL THE CANCER SCREENINGS.

>> Bill: THERE IS A TREND THAT DEATHS FROM COLORECTAL DECLINED IN APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY BUT NOT AS MUCH AS IN OTHER AREAS.

>> THAT IS TRUE.

AND THE OTHER BAD NEWS GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS IS THAT WE HAVE THE FOURTH HIGHEST RATE OF COLORECTAL CANCER DISETS.

AND IF IT'S CAUGHT EARLY IT CAN BE TREATED.

ANYONE WHO HAS A LOW RISK OF COLORECTAL CANCER AT AGE 4 KNIFE NEEDS TO THREING ABOUT GETTING SCREENED.

>> Dr. BRUCE SCOTT WILL HEAD UP THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT PHYSICIAN BURN-OUT.

KENTUCKY'S BOURBON TRAIL TURNING 25.

IT'S GROWN TO 46 DISTILLERIES AND 168 MILLION VISITORS AND CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY THE BOURBON TRAIL IS ROLLING OUT A LOGO AND DIGITAL AT THAT TIME EXPERIENCE.

TWO KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS WERE GIVEN AWARDS TODAY FOR BRAVERY DURING THE 2022 KENTUCKY FLOODS.

SERGEANT JEREMY LOW AND RYAN HUNTER PRESENTED WITH THE KENTUCKY MEDAL OF VALOR IN A CEREMONY AT THE CAPITOL GIVEN TO GUARD MEMBERS WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES TO GO BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY.

241 PEOPLE RESCUED DURING THE FLOODS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

[♪♪]