UNVEILS A BONUS PAYMENT AS AN INCENTIVE TO TRY TO GET KENTUCKIANS BACK TO WORK.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO FIX THE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM?

ELIGIBLE ATHLETES CAN BE COMPENSATED AFTER A COURT RULING IN WASHINGTON AND AN EXECUTIVE ORDER OUT OF FRANKFORT.

KENTUCKY KIDS FACED TEST SCORE SETBACKS AND MAYBE OTHERS DURING THE PAN AFTER A COOL START TO SUMMER, THINGS BEGIN TO SIZZLE, AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOM YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: CHRIS OTTS OF WDRB IN LOUISVIL.

OLIVIA KRAUTH, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNA.

AND JANET PATTON WHO COVERS A LOT OF THINGS FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER ALSO TONIGHT, A BILL IS PROPOSED THAT WOULD PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM REQUIRING VACCINATION PROOF .

2 CHARACTERIZATION.

THE IS THE 63 IS RANKED THE KINDEST STATE IN AMERICA IN A NATIONWIDE SURVEY.

SO WE'LL TALK A IT LITTLE ABOUT WE'LL START ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUE AND ITS MANY FACETS.

THE NOW HIRING SIGNS ARE UP AROUND THE STATE.

THIS WEEK GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED A BONUS PAYMENT TO PEOPLE WHO LEAVE UNEMPLOYMENT AND TAKE A JOB BY THE END OF JULY >> I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT I FEEL I A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS GETTING SOME PEOPLE OFF UNEMPLOYMENT AN BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

I'VE SET ASIDE $22.5 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE -- I'M SORRY -- IN CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A ONE-TIME $1,500 PAYMENT TO THE FIRST 15,000 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMANTS WHO RETURN TO WORK BY JULY THE 30TH AND WHO QUALIFY FOR THE INCENTIVE.

>> Bill: CHRIS OTTS, HOW IS THIS SUPPOSED TO WORK?

>> Chris: WELL, THIS IS NOT A COMPLETELY NOVEL LED IDEA.

THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OTHER STATES WHO HAVE DONE THESE SORT OF RETURN-TO-WORK BONUSES.

AND THE WAY INNATE WORKS IS IF YOU ARE -- IF YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM AS OF THE DAY BEFORE THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THIS POLICY AND YOU TAKE A FULL-TIME REGULAR PAYING JOB AND YOU COMPLETE FOUR WEEKS OF WORK, THEN STARTING IN AUGUST AND THROUGH OCTOBER YOU CAN APPLY, AND IF YOUR EMPLOYER VERIFIES THAT YOU COMPLETED THAT FOUR WEEKS OF WORK, WELL, THEN KENTUCKY HAD WILL SEND A $1,500 CHECK.

SO THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND IT.

THIS COMES, BILL, BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN UNDER RELENTLESS PRESSURE FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, FROM REPUBLICANS TO END KENTUCKY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY THE $300 A WEEK ADDITIONAL PAYMENT ON EVERY UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM.

ON AVERAGE, THE STATE PAYS ABOUT $350 FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

YOU ADD THE $300 TO THAT.

YOU DO THAT MATH, SOMEWHERE AROUND $1,600 AN HOUR IS WHAT PEOPLE CAN -- $16 AN HOUR IS WHAT PEOPLE THEORETICALLY CAN EARN ON UNEMPLOYMENT WHILE NOT WORKING SO MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT'S A BIG DISINCENTIVE.

THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT WANT TO ELIMINATE THOSE PAYMENTS, THOUGH.

HE SAYS THEY'RE IMPORTANT FOR GROCERY STORES, RETAIL STORES, THAT THAT MOYER COMES IN MONEY COMES IN AND FILTERS THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY.

SO THIS IS CLEARLY A COMPROMISE HANDMADE AT PLACATING THE CRITICISM THOSE BENEFITS.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE REACTION AND THERE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE PUSHBACK ALREADY FROM REPUBLICANS AND MANY IN BUSINESS, THE HOUSE SPEAKER HAVE SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS ESSENTIALLY HAVING TAX DOLLARS GO OUT TO LURE PEOPLE TO WORK, WHICH PEOPLE HE, YOU KNOW, THEY SAY SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR JOBS ANYWAY.

>> Chris: RIGHT, BUT ACTUALLY AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES FIRST PROPOSED THIS IDEA BACK IN MAY.

THERE'S SOME INDICATION THAT HE MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE GOVERNOR'S JOB.

BUT OTHER REPUBLICANS HAVE DERIDE IT AS SOCIALISM.

SOME BUSINESS GROUPS HAVE SUPPORTED IT, THE KENTUCKY RETAIL FEDERATION APPLAUDED BESHEAR'S MOVE, GREATER LOUISVILLE, INC.

SOME CONTINUE TO CALL FOR GETTING RID OF THE $300 A WEEK, BUT MANY IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY DID SEE IT AS A POSITIVE STEP.

AND FINALLY, THE REACTION FROM JUST REGULAR PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, ONE THING I HAVE HEARD, BILL, IS THAT VERY ISSUE THAT YOU BROUGHT UP WHERE PEOPLE SAY, I'VE BEEN WORKING EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST 15 MONTHS OR SOMETHING.

I WAS WORKING BEFORE THERE WERE VACCINES.

I WAS SHOWING UP.

WHERE'S MY MONEY?

THERE'S A SORT OF DESERVEDNESS ISSUE THAT'S ALSO COMING INTO PLAY HERE.

>> Bill: JANET, I KNOW YOU'VE SAID THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE AT PLAY HERE AS WELL.

>> Janet: YEAH, IT'S KIND OF CURIOUS TO ME THAT THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE THAT NORMALLY WOULD ATTRACT PEOPLE THAT AREN'T, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT.

FOR INSTANCE, LEXINGTON HAS, PARKS AND REC HAVE LIFEGUARDS AT THE POOLS AND THEY CAN'T GET ENOUGH LIFEGUARDS TO KEEP OPEN THE HOURS THEY NORMALLY DO, AND I DON'T THINK THOSE LIFEGUARDS WERE PROBABLY ON UNEMPLOYMENT, SO I THINK AT ALL LEVELS I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE, AND ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES DID A NICE PIECE ABOUT WHAT SHE'S HEARING, THAT THERE'S THIS BIG RETHINK GOING ON.

PEOPLE AT ALL LEVELS ARE JUST CHANGING THEIR LIVES.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ALL OF THIS SORTED OUT.

ONE OF THE OTHER ISSUES WE TALKED ABOUT IS DAYCARE.

THAT'S BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> Bill: AND YOU HAVE SOME INSIGHT ON THAT, RIGHT, ABOUT WAIT LISTS?

>> Alex: YES, I HAPPEN TO BE ON THE BOARD OF MY CHILD'S DAYCARE AND I KNOW IN FAYETTE COUNTY WE LOST TWO LARGE DAYCARES DURING THE PANDEMIC AND WE'RE REALLY STILL HURTING FOR SPOTS.

MY DAYCARE IS BOOKED THROUGH OFFING 202 THE AND WE HAVE A WAIT LIST.

>> Bill: DOES IT REPRESENT OPPORTUNITY FOR TEENAGERS OR FOR SOME TO MAYBE SLIP INTO THOSE HIGHER-PAYING JOBS, CHRIS?

>> Chris: ABSOLUTELY.

THE INCREDIBLY TIGHT JOB MARKET RIGHT NOW IS VERY GOOD FOR TEENAGERS.

I'VE HEARD ABOUT EMPLOYERS SORT OF LOWERING THE AGE AT WHICH THEY WILL HIRE PEOPLE.

WAGES FOR THOSE JOBS GOING UP.

AND TEENAGERS HAVE BEEN DECLINING PART OF THE LABOR FORCE, ACTUALLY.

THAT'S THE LONG-TERM TREND.

SO IT'S GOOD IN THAT RESPECT.

BUT JUST TO GO BACK TO THE BROADER DISCUSSION, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S OFTEN A TEMPTATION TO PUT ONE CAUSE ON THINGS.

THE $300 A WEEK IS WHAT'S KEEPING PEOPLE OUTS.

CHILD CARE IS AN ISSUE, AS JANET SAID.

ALSO, WE JUST LOST A LOT OF JOBS AND WE'RE RAMPING BACK UP AND REGAINING THOSE JOBS VERY QUICKLY.

THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME ONES AS WERE LOST.

SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS JUST GOING TO NATURALLY WORK ITSELF OUT AND THAT FEWER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ON UNEMPLOYMENT ANYWAY, AND AS WE GO ALONG THINGS ARE GOING TO RETURN TO NORMAL.

>> Bill: IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED AS WELL SOME OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN, OLIVIA, DISRUPTED AS WELL, PEOPLE WHO WERE GETTING READY FOR JOBS THAT REQUIRE THEM TO GET TRAINING OR EDUCATION IN PERSON.

>> Olivia: RIGHT.

AND I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE LIFEGUARD SITUATION IS SCHOOL CLOSURES.

MAYBE THERE IS SOME CORRELATION THERE.

SOME STUDENTS DO TAKE LIFEGUARDING CERTIFICATION CONGREGATIONS, AND THE POOLS WERE CLOSED FOR MOST OF THE LAST YEAR, SO I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE THEY COULDN'T GET THE TRAINING.

>> Bill: JANET, THE RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR IS REALLY STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE HAVING TO PUT BACK HOURS IN MANY CASES.

SOMETIMES CLOSE DOWN FOR DAYS.

WE HEAR WORDS OF PEOPLE GOING INTO SPARSELY ATTENDED RESTAURANT WHO WILL SAY VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE IN THERE, AND THEN THEY'RE TOLD 45 ANNOUNCE THE AN HOUR WAIT.

>> Janet: IT'S ALWAYS AP ISSUE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THEY ALSO STRUGGLE TO STAFF UP BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE VACATIONS.

THERE'S ALWAYS A HIRING CRUNCH BUT THIS HAS BEEN QUITE DIFFICULT IN RESTAURANTS.

THEY'RE FINALLY ABLE TO OPEN WITHOUT ANY CAPACITY LIMITS AND THEY JUST DO NOT HAVE THE PEOPLE AND THEY CAN'T GET THE PEOPLE IS WHAT THEY'RE SAYING.

I WILL SAY THAT IN SOME CASES I'VE HEARD FROM RESTAURANTS THAT EITHER KEPT STAFF ON AS BEST THEY COULD AND THEY'VE HAD LESS OF A PROBLEM OR IN SOME PLACES WE HEARD FROM ONE COMPANY, ONE HOLLAND WHICH HAS ALL OF THE FIRST WATCHES AROUND HERE, THEY HAVE OFFERED JUST $14, $15, $16 AN HOUR, AND THAT HAS HELPED THEM IN SOME OF THE CITIES.

LEXINGTON I'M TOLD IS STILL A STRUGGLE.

>> Bill: OLIVIA, AS WE MENTIONED, IT'S HIT THE RESTAURANTS, WE HEAR OF THE AIRLINE AND TRAVEL INDUSTRY AS WELL.

AS THE SCHOOL YEAR COMES INTO FOCUS NOW AND THE ADMINISTRATORS SPENDING THIS SUMMER PREPARING FOR THAT, IS THAT AN AREA OF CONCERN THAT THERE WILL BE A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE WHEN IT CAMS TO SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS AND ALL KIND OF PERSONNEL?

>> RIGHT.

IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A STRUGGLE.

YOU'VE SEEN THE TEACHER SHORTAGE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS WAS A HUGE ISSUE, ALWAYS A BIG ISSUE.

I KNOW JEFFERSON COUNTY REALLY WORKED TO FIND PEOPLE, HIRE PEOPLE, KEEP THEM ON FOR THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT REGRESS.

>> Bill: SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

>> Olivia: THAT TOO.

>> Chris: EYE GOT ONE MORE THING BEFORE WE LEAVE THIS TOPIC.

IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY NICE NATURAL EXPERIMENT HERE BECAUSE STATES LIKE INDIANA, OHIO, TENNESSEE, THEY'VE DONE AWAY WITH THESE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

RIGHT?

AND WE HAVE SOME BISTATE REGIONS HERE.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS TO SEE IS THERE A DISCERN I WILL BE CHANGE IN SOUTHERN INDIANA IS IT EASIER TO STAFF UP FOR A RESTAURANT THAN IT WOULD BE IN LOUISVILLE BECAUSE ONE HAS THE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND THE OTHER DOES NOT.

THE JOB SEARCH SITE INDEED DID A STUDY HER THEY JUST LOOKED AT SEARCH ACTIVITY FOR JOBS IN THE STATES THAT HAD SAID THEY WERE GOING TO LAMM THAT IT NIECE FEDERAL PROGRAMS, AND THEY ACTUALLY FOUND THAT THEY COULDN'T SENSE MUCH OF A CHANGE BASED ON WHAT KIND OF STATE THAT PEOPLE WERE IN.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

>> Bill: WANT TO KEEP IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT BOOK, BUT SWITCH TO ANOTHER CHAPTER, AND THAT IS THAT THERE WAS A CLAIM THIS WEEK BY THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION'S TOP PERSON ON UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUES THAT FIXING THE SYSTEM MAY TAKE YEARS.

AND I KNOW YOU CHASED HIM DOWN THE HALLWAY TRYING TO ASK MORE QUESTIONS, RIGHT?

>> Chris: THAT'S RIGHT.

IF THE GOVERNOR IS LISTENING, WE WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE TO PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY RUN THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS AVAILABLE FOR A FEW QUESTIONS.

I THOUGHT WE MIGHT GET THAT OPPORTUNITY THIS WEEK BUT THEY DECLINED DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS.

THE REBUILD OF THE SYSTEM IS WHAT ULTIMATELY NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO END THIS NIGHTMARE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CLAIMS.

THAT'S AT LEAST A $40 MILLION, $60 MILLION JOB.

AND THE SECRETARY █OF THELABO CABINET SAID THIS WEEK THAT THEY'RE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF CHOOSING THE VENDOR WHO IS GOING TO DO THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT WILL BE TWO ARE THREE YEARS BEFORE THAT NEW SYSTEM IS IN PLACE.

SO IT IS NOT GOING TO COME IN TIME TO HELP ANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TODAY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

THERE IS ALSO A BILL PRE-FILED THAT WOULD PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM REQUIRING THEIR WORKERS TO REVEAL THE VACCINATION STATUS.

IT WOULD ALSO SAY THAT BUSINESSES CAN'T ASK CUSTOMERS WHETHER THEY'RE VACCINATED.

JANET, LAWS PASSED IN REACTION TO THE PM.

WOULD CARRY FORWARD, RIGHT?

>> Janet: YES.

REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX HAS PRE-FILED THIS BILL, AND IT WOULD STOP GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS, PRIVATE BUSINESSES, POST SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM REQUIRING IMMUNIZATIONS.

IT DOESN'T SPECIFY COVID.

SO THAT OPENS UP A WIDE RANGE OF QUESTIONS.

FOR INSTANCE, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT, AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS, FOR INSTANCE, ARE ROUTINELY REQUIRED TO GET ANNUAL FLU SHOTS.

AND IT'S NOT A DIRECT PAUR LELL BUT IN SOME PLACES LIKE SCHOOL CAFETERIA WORKERS, YOU HAVE TO PROVE, FOR INSTANCE, THAT YOU'RE NOT CARRYING TB.

SO IT'S NOT OUTSIDE THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD HAVE RIPPLES.

IT ALSO WOULD LET K-12 STUDENTS GET OUT OF VACCINATIONS OF ANY KIND ON EXPANDED GROUNDS.

RIGHT NOW IT'S BASICALLY I THINK A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION OR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION, OR HEALTH CARE REASONS.

>> Bill: A PROPOSED BILL AT THIS POINT, THERE'S ANDAO PROCESS.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DISCUSSION AS TO ANY FINAL BILL THAT COULD COME OUT.

OLIVIA, WHAT IMPACT MIGHT THAT HAVE ON SCHOOLS IN.

>> Olivia: RIGHT.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE YET, BUT THERE WAS A GROWING ANTI-VAX MOVEMENT PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC OF PARENTS NOT REALLY WANTING THEIR KIDS TO GET ANY SORT OF VACCINATION, AND EXPANDING THE EXEMPTIONS, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING COVID, THAT MAY ATTRACT SOME PARENTS TO THAT OPTION.

>> Bill: CHRIS, PRESIDENT BIDEN TENSION EVICTION MORATORIUM ANOTHER MONTH, BUT EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOW SAYING THIS CAN'T GO ON FOREVER.

>> Chris: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE, BILL, THAT WHILE IT'S CALLED AN EVICTION MORATORIUM, IT REALLY IS NOT A STOP ON ALL EVICTIONS.

PEOPLE CAN BE EVICTED FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

ALL THIS DOES IS GIVE THEM A REASON TO NOT BE EVICTED FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RENT.

IT'S BEEN CHALLENGED, THE AUTHORITY FOR IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGED.

AND THERE'S BEEN DIFFERENT COURT CASES THAT HAVE LOOKED AT IT.

JUDGES GENERALLY IN KENTUCKY HAVE BEEN HONORING THE MORATORIUM BUT IT DEPENDS ON PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, FOLLOWING SOME STEPS AND AFFIRMATIVE CLAIMING THOSE DEFENSES AGAINST EVICTION.

SO IT'S REALLY QUITE MORE OF A NUANCED PICTURE THAN A MASS HALT ON EVICTIONS.

ONE ISSUE IS IF YOUR LEASE RUNS OUT AND YOU DON'T HAVE A NEW LEASE, THE EVICTION MORATORIUM DOES NOT APPLY.

SO FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE -- WHO ARE ON A ONE-YEAR LEASE, SINCE THE PANDEMIC, IF WE'RE 15 MONTHS INTO IT AND THEY'RE MONTH TO MONTH, THE LANDLORD CAN JUST SAY, OKAY, THERE'S NO LEASE HERE.

>> Bill: THE DEAL SAYS' OVER.

CHRIS, HOUSING PRICES, HOUSING AVAILABILITY, THERE'S BEEN A GREAT REZ ALL THAT AS WELL OR I GUESS WE SHOULD SAY IT IS UNSETTLED AT THIS TIME AS WE WATCH FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MOVING BUT HAVING TROUBLE FINDING SOMETHING.

>> Chris: IT'S THE COMBINATION OF TWO THINGS: INCREDIBLY LOW INVENTORY, THE NUMBER OF HOUSES AND CONDOS ON THE MARKET, ON THE PUBLIC MARKET, AND THAT IS BASICALLY A NATIONWIDE PHENOMENA, AND EXTREMELY LOW INTEREST RATES, WHICH WE'VE HAD FOR A WHILE WHICH ALLOWS PEOPLE TO FORWARD AFFORD MORE.

IT ALLOWS RENTERS TO BE IN THE BUYERS' MARKET SO THERE'S MORE BUYERS AND THEY'RE ABLE TO PURCHASE MORE.

SO NATURALLY WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS PRICES GOING UP.

AND IN LOUISVILLE OUR REALTORS ASSOCIATION PUT OUT SOME STATS, AND THEY SHOW THAT PRICES WERE UP 13% YEAR OVER YEAR IN 2021, THE LARGEST JUMP IN AT LEAST TEN YEARS.

>> Bill: IF YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING.

>> Chris: YEAH, IF YOU CAN -- AND SOME OF THIS INVENTORY THING IS SELF-PERPETUATING, SO PEOPLE SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AND THEY SAY, WELL, I COULD GET A GREAT PRICE FOR MY HOUSE AND MAYBE I COULD MOVE UP TO A -- BUT WHERE AM I GOING TO GO IF I PUT MY HOUSE ON THE MARKET?

SO THEY DON'T DO IT, AND IT'S THIS SELF-PERPETUATING CYCLE.

>> Bill: JANET, SAME THING IN THE LEXINGTON AREA.

>> Jason: ABSOLUTELY.

TODAY THEY ANNOUNCED WE HAD 18% INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR FOR MAY IN THE LENGTH SALES, SO IT'S JUST -- IT'S JUST SKYROCKETED HERE AS WELL.

>> Bill: CHRIS, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED OFF ON A BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE AGREEMENT.

HIM EVERYBODY BELIEVES KENTUCKY WILL BENEFIT IN SOME WAY.

ALMOST NOBODY BELIEVES THAT THERE WOULD BE SUFFICIENT MONEY IN THAT TO FUND, SAY, THE REDO OF THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE.

>> Chris: SO MY COLLEAGUE MARKUS GREEN TELLS ME THAT THERE ARE PLACECLY A FEW BUCKETS OF MONEY IN THIS NEW INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WHICH IS ONLY 20% OF THE SIZE IN DOLLAR TERMS OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT ORIGINALLY PROPOSED, SO THERE'S MONEY FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES AND TRADITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS MAJOR PROJECTS WHICH HAVEN'T BEEN DEFINED.

SO COULD THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE BE ONE OF THOSE MAJOR PROJECTS OR MAYBE THE I-69 BRIDGE BETWEEN EVANSVILLE AND HENDERSON, COULD THAT BE A MAJOR PROJECT?

IN ANY EVENT, BILL, NOBODY THINKS THAT THE FEDERAL MONEY FOR THOSE PROJECTS WOULD BE THE WHOLE OF IT.

SO THE STATE COULD WOULD STILL HAVE COME UP WITH SOME MONEY, AND THEN WE'RE BACK INTO THIS DISCUSSION DO YOU DO THAT THROUGH TOLLS OR GAS TAX REVENUES OR OTHER MEANS.

>> Will: OLIVIA, AS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS LOOK AHEAD TO THIS UPCOL YEAR, THERE ARE CLEAR INDICATIONS THAT ACHIEVEMENT TEST SCORES HAVE SLIPPED, CHILDREN'S HEALTH, WHICH WAS SLOWLY IMPROVING, IT LOOKED LIKE, HEADING INTO THE PANDEMIC, IS QUESTIONABLE NOW, AND THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES NOW.

>> Olivia: RIGHT.

I THINK NONE OF THIS IS UNEXPECTED.

EDUCATORS, SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICIALS, EVERYBODY'S BEEN WARNING, YOU KNOW, WHEN CHILDREN COME BACK TO US FULL-TIME, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE WHERE THEY WERE INITIALLY, ESPECIALLY ACADEMICALLY.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE PROBABLY AT GRADE LEVEL.

THEY'RE GOING TO COME IN WITH ISSUES, WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAUMA, AND SO DISTRICTS HAVE REALLY BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW, AND IT'S TIME TO SEE IF IT WORKS.

>> Bill: ARE THEY PREPARING TO DEAL WITH THOSE EMOTIONAL ISSUES THAT THOSE KIDS MAY BE GRAPPLING WITH?

>> Olivia: OH, DEFINITELY.

I MEAN, OUT OF ALL THE EDUCATORS I'VE TALKED TO, WHAT IS ALWAYS THEIR TOP PRIORITY, AS TAKING CARE OF THOSE ISSUE AND THEN WE'LL GET TO THE ACADEMIC STUFF.

>> Bill: YOUNGER STUDENTS CAN'T BE VACCINATED YET.

ARE SCHOOL DISTRICTS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT MASK REQUIREMENTS?

>> Olivia: A FEW HOURS AFTER GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR DROPPED THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE, THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RESCINDED ITS ENTIRE HEALTHY AT SCHOOL GUIDANCE DOCUMENT AND SAID, LOCAL DISTRICTS, IT'S ALL UP TO YOU NOW.

SO ANY KIND OF MASK MANDATE IS GOING TO BE MADE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> Bill: HE SAID IT WAS A REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL WELL-BEING OF KENTUCKY FAMILIES THIS WEEK, AND THINGS AGAIN WERE TRENDING UPWARD.

OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR DISRUPTION WITH COVID.

WILL THAT BE A MAJOR DISRUPTION FOR A LOT OF CHILDREN?

>> Olivia: YEAH, I THINK IT ALREADY HAS BEEN, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS ANOTHER THING DISTRICTS WERE REALLY WATCHING FOR, SO THAT'S SOMETHING THEY'RE CONSIDERING, AND ANTICIPATING, SO ALSO NOT UNEXPECTED.

>> Bill: U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THIS WEEK THAT THE STUDENT ATHLETES NOW CAN BE COMPENSATED AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL.

THE GOVERNOR ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.

AND WE LEARNED A NEW TERM, CHRIS, THIS YEAR, NAME IMAGE LIKENESS.

>> Chris: IT'S BEEN A TERM IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS FOR QUITE A WHILE.

>> Bill: LOOKING AT IT THROUGH A KENTUCKY LENS, THOUGH, BIG DEVELOPMENT.

>> Chris: SO THIS, FIRST OFF LET'S START WITH THE SUPREME COURT COURT CASE WHICH HAD TO DO WITH THE NCAA'S ABILITY TO RESTRICT THE SCHOLARSHIP AND SORT OF TYPICAL WAYS THAT COLLEGES COMPENSATE STUDENT ATHLETES.

AND THIS DECISION IS PERHAPS THE LARGEST TREMOR YET THAT A LANDSCAPE THAT IS SHAKING UNDER THE NCAA'S FEET, THAT DAZZLING PROSE BOO MY COLLEAGUE ERIC CRAWFORD.

ULTIMATELY THE NCAA IS COMING TO A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HOLD BACK THE FLOODGATES ANYMORE ON STUDENT ATHLETE COMPENSATION.

NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS, THE ABILITY TO DO A COMMERCIAL OBJECT TO GET PAID FOR AN AUTOGRAPH OR TO SHOW UP AT A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR A FEE.

THOSE THINGS THAT COACHES CAN DO BUT THAT STUDENT ATHLETES CANNOT DO, THAT DAM IS BREAKING.

SEVERAL STATES HAVE PASSED NEW LAWS, AND WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IS THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR, BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, SAID THAT COLLEGES IN KENTUCKY CAN ALLOW ATHLETES TO DO OR MOST ALLOW ATHLETES TO DO NAME,ING AND LIKENESS AND BE COMPENSATED FOR THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THAT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK IN PRACTICE.

IT RAISES A LOT OF ISSUES.

>> Bill: AND THIS COULD BE PRETTY QUICK WITH JANET, YOU KNOW.

>> Janet: THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINKEN COACH CALIPERY WAS SAYING IT'S BEEN ONE THING HE'S BEEN ALREADY TALKING ABOUT IN RECRUITING, THAT ARE THERE ARE SOME RECRUITS WHO ARE COMING INTO THIS AND THEY'RE READY TO GO WITH THEIR PODCASTS IS AND THEIR INFLUENCE OR MARKETING.

>> Chris: YEAH, I THINK RECRUITING IS THE REASON THAT YOU'RE SEEING GOVERNOR BESHEAR DO THIS NOW AS OPPOSED TO WAITING UNTIL 2022 WHEN THE LEGISLATURE COMES BACK.

I THINK THE IDEA IS THAT KENTUCKY AND LOUISVILLE CAN SHOW THE PROSPECTIVE FLEETS THAT, HEY, WE HAVE THIS ABILITY FOR YOU -- ATHLETES, YOU CAN MAKE MONEY ON YOUR OWN INDEPENDENTLY IF YOU COME HERE BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING IN STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, ET CETERA.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

THE LEAGUE LEAFING WOMEN VOTERS URGING KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT WHEN THEY REDRAW DISTRICT LINES BASED ON THE WANT 20 CENSUS.

THAT'LL BE IN A FEW POZ IN.

IT COULD IMPACT WHO REPRESENTS IN YOU WASHINGTON AND I TALKED WITH D OF THE IN KENTUCKY CHAPTER OF THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE FOR THIS WEEKEND'S KENTUCKY NEWSMAKERS PROGRAM ON WKYT.

>> WE WANT THE MAPS TO BE, THE PROPOSED MAPS TO BE PRODUCED EARLY SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THEM AND NOT VOTE ON A MAP THAT YOU HAVE JUST SEEN FOR AN HOUR.

SO IF IT'S OPEN, IF THERE'S PUBLIC INPUT, THEN THERE CAN BE SOME REAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT.

AND YOU'RE RIGHT, THERE'S THIS TEMPTATION THAT, OKAY, THEY DID IT TO US, LET'S DO IT TO THEM.

WHAT WE HAVE TRIED TO SAY, AND WE'VE MET WITH LEGISLATORS OF BOTH PARTIES AND ARE CONTINUING TO MEET WITH LEGISLATORS OF BOTH PARTIES AND SAYING, LOOK, BE THE GOOD GUYS, DO IT RIGHT, THINK ABOUT GOOD GOVERNMENT.

>> Bill: JANET, WILL LAWMAKERS GIVE UP THE POLITICAL ADVANTAGE OF DRAWING THOSE DISTRICTS FOR THE CIVIC GOOD?

>> Janet: IT'S DOUBTFUL ON THAT ONE, BILL, I'M SORRY.

>> Bill: AND THERE HAVE BEEN LAWSUITS IN YEARS PAST OVER THE FINAL DRAWING OF THOSE DISTRICTS.

WE'LL SEE.

BUT I WANTED TO HAVE YOU HEAR FROM WHERE THE LEAGUE IS TAKING THAT STANCE RIGHT NOW.

THIS WEEK SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HELD HIS REPUBLICAN CAUCUS TOGETHER TO DEFEAT A DEMOCRATIC-BACKED NATIONWIDE VOTING RIGHTS BILL.

McCONNELL SAYS THIS IS A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM.

>> THIS IS NO EFFORT IN ANY STATE IN AMERICA TO SUPPRESS VOTES BASED UPON SUPPRESSION OF MINORITY PARTICIPATION.

>> Bill: SO McCONNELL WITH A VICTORY THERE, BUT IS HE NOW, CHRIS, THE UNIFYING SYMBOL FOR DEMOCRATS WHO WANT TO TRY DEEP THAT ISSUE ALIVE?

>> Chris: YEAH, PROBABLY.

YOU'RE SEEING STATES HAVE VARIOUS MEASURES RELATED TO VOTING, AND IT IS KIND OF COMPLICATED TO TELL WHETHER ANY PARTICULAR LAW IS ON THE WHOLE MORE RESTRICTIVE OR NOT.

I THINK JA ONE HAS PROBABLY GOTTEN THE MOST ATTENTION SO FAR.

>> Bill: JANET, MEDINA SPIRIT WAS THE KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER.

>> Janet: STILL IS RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE JUST WAITING ON THE RESULTS TO COME BACK FROMMEST A A TESTING LAB ASSUMING THAT THEY'VE BEEN FLOWN UP THERE, THAT THE URINE HAS BEEN FLOWN UP THERE.

WE'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT THEY COME BACK WITH.

THE KENTUCKY RACING COMMISSION HASN'T STRUCK HIM DOWN.

>> Bill: LEXINGTON PASSED A BAN ON NO KNOW, WARRANTS THIS WEEK, THE SECOND CITY AFTER LOUISVILLE.

>> Janet: THAT'S RIGHT.

MAYOR LINDA GORTON SIGNED THAT INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY TODAY AND SAYS, SAYS HE CAN WORK WITH THAT.

>> Bill: OLIVIA, WHAT WILL YOU WATCHING THE SCHOOLS FOR AS FAR AS WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO GET READY FOR THE NEW YEAR?

>> Olivia: BASICALLY ANYTHING IN TERMS OF WHAT SCHOOL IS ACTUALLY GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN TERMS OF THE MASK MANDATE, IN TERMS OF DISTANCING.

WHAT IS ACTUALLY STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.

ANY KIND OF LEARNING ACCELERATION EFFORTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE UNDERWAY WHEN KIDS ACTUALLY ARRIVE BACK IN CLASSROOMS, I'LL BE WATCHING FOR IT ALL.

>> Bill: AFTER DISCUSSING SOME DIVISIVE TOPICS HERE TONIGHT, A STORY THAT HAS A LOT OF FOLKS TALKING HERE AS THE WEEK'S END, KENTUCKY HAS BEEN RANKED THE KINDEST STATE IN AMERICA IN A VERIZON PROMOTION SURVEY THAT THEY DID.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE SURVEYED, THOUGH.

KENTUCKY CAME OUT ON TOP.

IS THAT SURPRISING?

>> Chris: OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

FIRST OFF I WANT TO QUESTION THE ELFED METHODOLOGY MELLING METHODOLOGY OF THIS SURVEY.

WHATEVER WAS IN THERE, I DON'T THINK THEY HAD OLIVIA'S TWITTER FOLLOWERS IN THIS SURVEY.

>> Bill: ARE WE -- >> Olivia: THEY'RE NICE TO ME.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> Bill: ARE WE THAT KIND, JANET?

>> Janet: AFTER SUBURBAN WE'RE MIGHTY NICE.

>> Will: MAYBE THAT'S IT.

WE'RE JUST MIGHTY NICE.

VACCINATION RATES CARRY VARY AROUND THE STATE.

HEALTH CORMICK DR. STEVEN STACK RELEASED DATA SHOWING HOW EFFECTIVE THEY ARE.

NEARLY ALL OF THE CORONAVIRUS CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN THE LAST FOUR WEEKS HAVE BEEN AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

82% OF KENTUCKIANS, 65 AND OLDER ARE VACCINATED.

ONLY A THIRD OF THOSE BETWEEN 18 AND 29, THOUGH, HAVE HAD A COVID VACCINE.

DON'T FORGET "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" COMING UP WITH RENEE SHAW NEXT WEEK.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," AND YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

#Z.