[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TONIGHT: WE REVIEW SOME OF THE MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S 2025 SESSION THAT ENDED FRIDAY.

MORE THAN A HUNDRED BILLS WERE PASSED OUT OF THE CLOSE TO ELEVEN-HUNDRED THAT WERE FILED.

HEAVY DEBATE CENTERED AROUND ISSUES SUCH AS DEFINING KENTUCKY’S WATERWAYS, HEMP-INFUSED DRINKS, PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS FOR COLLEGE FACULTY AND WHAT KIND OF CARE MEDICAID SHOULD PAY FOR AND WHO SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR IT•.

JUST TO NAME A FEW.

WE HAVE FOUR MEMBERS OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO BREAKDOWN WHAT LANDED ON THE GOVERNOR’S DESK AND HIS RESPONSE.

JOINING US ARE •.

STATE SENATOR AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE, A REPUBLICAN FROM LEXINGTON; STATE SENATOR GERALD NEAL, A DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE AND SENATE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER; STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID MEADE, A REPUBLICAN FROM STANFORD AND HOUSE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE; AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAMELA STEVENSON, A DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE AND HOUSE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

YOU CAN SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X — FORMERLY TWITTER -- AT PUB AFFAIRS KET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR USE THE WEB FORM AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G SLASH K-Y TONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS.

EXCUSE ME AS I CLEAR MY THROAT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT SO VERY MUCH.

A SOFTBALL QUESTION TO START US OFF.

WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION, REPRESENTATIVE MEADE THAT WAS PASSED THIS SESSION OTHER THAN INCOME TAX REDUCTION?

>> YOU GOT ME.

>> Renee: YOU CAN STILL MENTION IT IF YOU LIKE.

>> IT WAS THE MOST PIECE WAS THE INCOME TAX REDUCTION.

SINCE 2018 WE STARTED MOVING THAT DOWN FROM 6% NOW WE'RE DOWN TO 3.5% THAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE WE DID.

>> Renee: AND THE TRIGGER ADJUSTING SOME OF THE TRIGGER STUFF?

>> YES.

SO THAT WE COULD TAKE SMALLER INCREMENTS IN THE FUTURE AS WE MOVE ALONG.

OF COURSE AS WE MOVE ALONG THE TRIGGERS WILL GET HARDER TO HIT WE CAN CONTINUE TO LOWER IT SOME.

>> Renee: WHAT DO YOU THINK SENATOR?

>> I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH Mr. MEADE.

NO QUESTION THE ECONOMY IS ON THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF KENTUCKIANS DOING THE INCOME TAX PUTS MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS.

ONE THERE WAS WORK ON GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCIES AND PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR STATE GOVERNMENT AND KIDS AND KIDS' SAFETY BE IT FROM SCHOOLS AND CELLPHONES AREN'T IN SCHOOLS WITH SENATE BILL 181 YOU HAVE BETTER CONTROL BETWEEN COACHES AND TEACHERS TO STUDENTS TO VAPES AND CANNABIS INFUSED DRINKS.

>> Renee: THE KENTUCKY DOGE BILL DID NOT MAKE IT THROUGH?

>> THERE WERE ELEMENTS IN SENATE BILL 125, THE MEDICAID OVERSIGHT BOARD AND GIVING AUDITOR TOOLS TO GO AFTER AUDITOR BALL HAD THAT FROM LLEWELLEN THAT MANAGEMENT WORKS.

THERE'S ELEMENTS OF DOGE STILL IN THERE.

>> Renee: VERY GOOD.

SENATOR?

>> I AGREE ON THE KID SAFETY PIECE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT.

BUT I THINK IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE BUDGET.

IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT HOW WE DEAL WITH TAXING AND SO FORTH.

I THINK THE ACTION WE TOOK THERE WAS A MAJOR PIECE.

AND STILL GIVES ME CONCERN, OF COURSE, I HOPE THAT THOSE WHO THINK THIS IS GOING TO TAKE US WHERE WE NEED TO GO, TAKES US THERE.

BUT THERE IS NO RESEARCH THAT DEMONSTRATES IT GOING TO ZERO IS GOING TO GET US IN A MORE PROSPEROUS SITUATION.

BUT, I GUESS, IT IS APPEALING TO FOLKS TO KEEP MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS.

I HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE TERMS WE ARE BOUND TO MEET LATER ON IN THIS PROCESS.

>> ONE OF THE BILLS THAT I LIKED PROTECT PEOPLE ARE THE HARSHER PENALTIES THAT WE HAVE FOR PEOPLE THAT STALK PEOPLE.

PEOPLE THAT RIGHT NOW, WE COULDN'T REALLY.

>> Renee: PROTECTIVE ORDER BILL?

>> YES.

AND THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE HAD A LOT OF FAMILIES AND A LOT OF WOMEN THAT WERE NOT PROTECTED.

AND NOW THEY ARE.

>> Renee: I REMEMBER THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT IF YOU WERE IT WAS ONE WOMAN OR IF IT WAS THREE DIFFERENT, SO WHAT WAS THE FINAL RESOLUTION ON THAT?

>> IT WAS NOT ONLY ONE WOMAN OR THREE WOMEN IF THEY DID IT IN A PARTICULAR PERIOD OF TIME WE CLOSED MOST OF THOSE LOOPHOLES SO THAT IF YOU IDENTIFIED YOURSELF AS A STALKER THEN YOU WILL BE PUNISHED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME A PERIOD OF WOMEN.

>> Renee: SO SEEMS LIKE WE'RE HARMONIOUS THERE TO START OFF.

WE'LL KEEP THAT VIBE GOING IF WE CAN.

OF ALL THE BILLS THAT WERE PASSED, LAST WEEK WE KNOW THAT YOU DID OVERRIDE 30 SOMETHING VETOES AND PASSED MORE BILLS.

THE GOVERNOR HAD SENT A LETTER THAT YOU ALL KNOW WELL ABOUT SOME OF THE BILLS THAT WERE PASSED THERE WAS NOT FUNDING THAT ACCOMPANIED THEM.

AND REPRESENTATIVE MEADE YOU HAD SHARP WORDS ABOUT THAT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR LAST WEEK.

SO HE SAYS THERE ARE 12 OF THEM THAT REQUIRED SOME MONEY, 8-12 MILLION DOLLARS THAT IS NOT MADE AVAILABLE.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR?

>> WELL, IT WOULD BE SIMILAR TO WHAT I HAD ON THE FLOOR.

IT IS A GOOD EXCUSE IF YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE BUDGETING PROCESS OR YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT CASE HE IS CITING.

IF YOU ARE NOT A LEGAL MIND IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD EXCUSE, THE GENERAL PUBLIC DIDN'T FUND IT.

HE IS THE ONLY GOVERNOR THAT USED THAT EXCUSE AND USED IT FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

HE CONTINUES TO SAY THAT.

HE CONTINUES TO QUOTE FLETCHER VERSUS THE COMMONWEALTH A SUPREME COURT OPINION N THAT OPINION, IT SAYS THAT WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DOESN'T APPROPRIATE THEY DON'T HAVE TO IMPLEMENT THE PLANS THAT ARE OUT THERE PROGRAMS FOR GOVERNMENT.

HOWEVER, HE LEAVES OUT THE FACT THAT THAT CASE CAME ABOUT BECAUSE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEFT PASSING NO BUDGET AT ALL.

NO DOLLARS NO DIMES NO NOTHING WAS APPROPRIATED AT THAT TIME.

SO THERE WAS NO RECOURSE OTHER THAN TO GO TO COURT TO SAY WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING FLETCHER BROUGHT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BACK IN AND SPECIAL SESSION AND PASSED A BUDGET.

THAT OPINION SAID WHEN A BUDGET IS PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IT'S THE GOVERNOR'S JOB TO IMPLEMENT THE LAWS THAT ARE PASSED TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY WITH THE FUNDS THEY ARE PROVIDED.

THERE IS NO OPTION HE HAS TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

HE CONTINUED TO ALSO QUOTE PLANNED PARENTHOOD VERSUS CAMERON WHICH IS A FEDERAL COURT CASE THAT SAYS IF HE LEAVES WITHOUT APPROPRIATIONS ATTACHED TO I ASPECIFIC BILL HE DOESN'T HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT LAW AND HE LEAVES OUT IT WAS OVERTURNED BY AN APPEALS COURT SO THAT CASE IS NONEXISTENT IT IS MOOT.

HE DECIDED IN THE PAST WHEN WE PASSED LAWS WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAID A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND HE DECIDED HE WASN'T GOING TO FOLLOW THAT LAW BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS UNAPPROPRIATED FOR.

HOWEVER HE DECIDED TO FIND $50 MILLION TO IMPLEMENT MEDICAID EXPANSION AND HIGHER REIMBURSEMENT RATES WHEN IT CAME TO THE CABINET OF FAMILY SERVICES.

HE IMPLEMENTED THINGS THAT WERE NEVER BUDGETED FOR BUT YET HE CAN'T FOLLOW THE LAWS WE HAVE PASSED.

SO WHAT HAPPENS IN A BUDGETING PROCESS WE DON'T LINE ITEM EVERY SINGLE THING THAT IS GOING TO BE IN A BUDGET.

THE CABINET OF FAMILY SERVICES AND HIS DEPARTMENTS GIVES US ONE LUMP SUM BUDGET THEY NEED AND WE GIVE THEM THAT WITHOUT LINE ITEMING.

TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAMS THEY FEEL IS NECESSARY.

THE ONLY TIME WE LINE ITEM SOMETHING THAT WE ARE POINTING OUT WE ARE PUTTING MONEY FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROGRAM.

WHEN WE PASS LAWS OUTSIDE OF THAT BUDGET PROCESS NOT LINE ITEM AND DON'T HAVE APPROPRIATION THE INTENT HE HAS THE MONEY IN HIS BUDGET TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THOSE LAWS WITHOUT US HAVING TO APPROPRIATE ANY FURTHER.

THAT IS WHAT THE SUPREME COURT OPINION ELUDES TO AND THAT IS WHAT WE EXPECT.

HOWEVER, HE DECIDED TO TAKE THAT UPON HIMSELF.

>> Renee: SENATOR KNEEL DO YOU WANT TO COME TO THE GOVERNOR'S DEFENSE?

>> WE ARE THE LEGISLATURE AND WE SET POLICY AND THE GOVERNOR IMPLEMENTS.

HE MAKES HIS JUDGMENT AND CALLS WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO TO ACCOMPLISH THE OBJECTIVES THAT HE BELIEVES HE NEEDS TO ACCOMPLISH.

AND THERE'S ALWAYS THIS TENSION BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE, PARTICULARLY A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE, AND A DEMOCRATIC CONTROLLED EXECUTIVE.

SO I TAKE IT THIS WAY...

THE GOVERNOR HAS TO DO WHAT HE THINKS IS IMPORTANT AND WHAT HE THINKS IS -- WHAT HE SHOULD BE DOING.

BUT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING A WONDERFUL JOB.

AND I THINK ANYONE THAT IS COMMENTING ON WHAT HE IS DOING NATIONALLY AND OUR LOCALLY AND YOU CAN TELL THAT BY HOW PEOPLE HAVE ELECTED HIM SECOND TERM DEMOCRAT IN A RED KENTUCKY, I THINK THAT WHAT HE IS DOING IS WONDERFUL.

I THINK HE DESERVES SUPPORT.

HE'S BEEN A GOOD GOVERNOR.

>> Renee: SENATOR BLEDSOE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE MEADE AND THE GOVERNOR IS THE EXECUTIVE AND THE GOVERNOR EXECUTES THE BUDGET AND PRIORITIES SET BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THAT IS HIS JOB.

IT'S SIMPLE.

IF WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE WE LINE ITEM EVERYTHING IN THE BUDGET I SURE HOPE WE DON'T GET TO THAT POINT, BUT IF THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO YOU MAY SEE MORE DIRECTIONS IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

>> Renee: I THINK REPRESENTATIVE MEADE HINTED OF THAT ON THE FLOOR THURSDAY OR FRIDAY?

>> I WILL GO FURTHER TO SAY THAT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE LINE ITEMED OR APPROPRIATION POINTED TO HOW RIDICULOUS THAT IS IF THAT'S THE CASE HOW DOES HE BUY PAPER FOR HIS OFFICE OR PRINTEDDERS?

IF WE'RE SUPPOSED TO LINE ITEM APPROPRIATEIATE EVERYTHING THAT HE CAN SPEND MONEY ON IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE WELL BY THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY AND NOT ONLY HAS HE DONE THAT PUTTING THEIR WELFARE FIRST HE WAS THE PREVIOUS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HE READS THOUSANDS HUNDREDS OF CASES AND HE KNOWS HOW TO READ A LAW, IMPLEMENT A LAW, AND GO AFTER A LAW.

SECONDLY, HE IS A FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE.

HE IS THE ONE THAT WAS ELECTED FULL-TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS OF KENTUCKIANS WE ARE PART-TIME.

WE GO IN AND WE GO OUT.

PART-TIME THREE MONTHS A YEAR.

SO TO SAY THAT HE'S DOING WHAT HE WANTS TO DO, WITHOUT REGARD TO HIS ABILITY TO READ THE LAW, RESEARCH THE LAW AND FOLLOW PRECEDENT IS MISLEADING.

>> Renee: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE BILLS LIKE THE WORK REQUIREMENT FOR MEDICAID OR THE REDEFINING OF KENTUCKY'S WATERS SHOULD HAVE COME WITH THE FUNDING MECHANISM TO HELP WITH WHATEVER BUREAUCRATIC COST THE ADMINISTRATION MIGHT INCUR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BECAUSE NONE OF THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT FUNDING.

MOST OF THE BILLS WE PASSED LIKE HOUSE BILL 5 WARRANT TO ARREST HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM THE PREVIOUS SESSION, HAD NO MONEY, NO FUNDING IN IT TO DO NOTHING TO STOP HOMELESSNESS AND GIVE PEOPLE SERVICES BECAUSE MOST DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE STREET.

THE SAME WITH THIS.

IF YOU WANT TO LEGISLATE, THEN WE TURN IT OVER TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO IMPLEMENT.

AND WE GIVE THEM THE TOOLS TO DO THAT.

>> Renee: SO THIS IS A QUESTION THAT IS A GREAT DEPARTURE FROM WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

CHANGE THE CONVERSATION A LITTLE BIT FROM WILLIAM HUFFMAN WHEN WILL HOUSE BILL 15 TAKE EFFECT?

THIS IS THE ONE WHERE LOWERS THE PERMITTING YOUR AGE FOR YOUR TEEN FROM 16 TO 15 AND ASKS DOES IT INCLUDE GOLF CARTS.

YEAH, THIS TAKES EFFECT LIKE TUESDAY, RIGHT?

>> EMERGENCY CLAUSE.

>> Renee: YES.

IF YOU HAVE A KIDDO YOU ARE ALREADY 15, RIGHT, AREN'T YOU EXCITED ABOUT THIS?

SENATOR BLEDSOE.

>> MY 17-YEAR-OLD FEELS GYPPED BUT BY 14-YEAR-OLD IS EXCITED IF YOU ARE TALKING TO MOST KIDS THIS IS THE ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THEY HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING AND A GREAT IDEA FOR THEM TO SEE HOW LEGISLATION AFFECTS THEM WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

IT WILL HELP PARENTS GET THEIR KIDS AROUND AND WORKFORCE SOONER AND HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE DRIVING.

>> Renee: IS THERE ANY CONCERN THAT KIDS ARE NOT MATURE ENOUGH?

>> MOST PARENT ALSO SOME KIDS IN THEIR HOUSE MATURE AT DIFFERENT STAGES IT'S PARENT DECISION WHEN YOUR CHILD IS READY IF THEY ARE READY AND HOW TO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN DIFFERENTLY.

AND THAT IS PART OF THE PARENTAL CONTROL.

>> Renee: WAIT UNTIL THE WEATHER IS BETTER MAYBE TO GET OUT AND DO SOME OF THAT?

YOU THINK IT WAS GOOD?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS YOU GOT TO CONSIDER IS THERE AN ADULT IN THE CAR AND THIS GIVES THE CHILD THE 15-YEAR-OLD GUIDANCE WITH RESPECT TO THAT.

IN FACT, IT GIVES THEM MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE MORE, SAY, DO THE JOB BETTER IN TERMS OF DRIVING AND SO FORTH.

IT'S NOT LIKE YOU ARE CUTTING THE CHILD LOOSE YOU ARE 15 HERE'S YOUR DRIVE.

I DON'T HAVE A STRONG OBJECTION TO THAT AT ALL.

>> Renee: NO OBJECTIONS REALLY DURING THE SESSION.

SO LET'S MOVE ON AND TALK ABOUT ELUDED TO ABOUT A BILL THAT DID GET A LOT OF DISCUSSION SENATE BILL 89 THAT WOULD ALIGN THE DEFINITION AND THE REGULATION OF KENTUCKY'S WATERS TO BE WITH THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND NOT WHAT WERE PERHAPS MORE STRINGENT STATE REGULATIONS AND THIS GOT A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

I WILL GO TO YOU SENATOR BLEDSOE FIRST.

WHY DO THIS?

MANY PEOPLE FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO IMPERIL AND FURTHER POLLUTE GROUND WATER AND WELLS BY WHICH 1.5 MILLION KENTUCKIANS RELY ON.

WHY WAS THIS A GOOD IDEA TO ALIGN THOSE STANDARDS WITH THE FEDERAL?

>> ONE FOR CLARITY.

IT HELPS EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TALKING ABOUT THE WATERWAYS AND CLEAN WATER IS IMPORTANT NOT JUST FOR DRINKING WATER BUT AGRICULTURE AND RECREATIONAL USES.

AND YOU ARE SEEING AN OVERREACH BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH FOR A WHILE AND DELAYS IN PERMITTING.

THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, ALL COMING TOGETHER SAYING WE HAVE A PROBLEM GETTING PERMITS.

TIME IS MONEY AND A LOT OF THOSE AREAS.

THIS WAS THE RESPONSE TO SOME OF THAT OVERREACH ON BEHALF OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO OVERREGULATE THOSE SPACES.

IS IT THE RIGHT BALANCE?

WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE.

IT WAS CONTROVERSIAL AND THE INTERPRETATION OF IT DEPENDING HOW YOU WANT TO READ IT IS HOW YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

I THINK WE'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE IT DOES STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE TO ALLOWING PROTECTION OF OUR WATERWAYS BEING MINDFUL OF OVERREGULATION TO SUPPORT THE LAND THAT THEY MIGHT OWN.

>> Renee: DO YOU FEEL THAT WAY?

>> TYING THIS TO A FEDERAL MINIMUM IS ARBITRARY, QUITE FRANKLY.

WE CAN MAKE MORE RESTRICTIVE REGULATIONS WITH RESPECT TO WATER.

AND WE DO HAVE PROBLEMS IN THAT AREA AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN KENTUCKY AND NOT WHAT THE MINIMUM IS AS DICTATED BY THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE.

THE PROBLEM IS IS THAT WE ARE ABDICATING OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THAT PARTICULAR REGARD AND WE SHOULD HAVE RETAINED THAT AND I'M SADDENED BY THE FACT THAT WE TOOK THAT TURN.

I THINK IT'S GOING BACKWARDS.

>> Renee: THERE IS A LOT OF DEBATE IN THE HOUSE ABOUT THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY AS THEY SAID TIME IS MONEY NO REASON TO PUT PEOPLE'S LIVES AT RISK.

THIS BILL I GOT A LOT OF E-MAILS ABOUT.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO POLLUTE THEIR WATER.

AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHY IT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT IS WORKING IS BEING ROLLED BACK.

IF THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING PERMITS, THEN WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IS WORK ON THE PROCESS AND THE PROCEDURE NOT ENDANGER PEOPLE.

AND MOST OF THE TIME THIS IS WHAT'S FELT WILL HAPPEN IS THAT BUSINESS ALSO DO THINGS THAT PERHAPS THEY SHOULD NOT DO BECAUSE WE'VE ALLOWED THEM TO DO IT BY ROLLING BACK THE RULES.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE WISDOM BEHIND THE ROLLBACK, IF YOU WILL, TO USE REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON'S TERM?

>> TO BACK UP A LITTLE BIT.

MOST OF THE PUSHBACK AND MOST OF THE CONCERN CAME FROM THE VERSION THAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE SENATE NOT TO SAY THEY DON'T DO THEIR JOB BUT THIS IS A LONG PROCESS AND THEY NEEDED TO PUSH THE BILL ALONG AND PEOPLE COULD HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.

WHEN IT CAME TO THE HOUSE THE HOUSE AMENDED IT AND I APPLAUD THE CHAIRMAN FOR MAKING THE SOLUTIONS IN THAT.

HE ADDED ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS THERE AS WELL, AND STILL, WAS ABLE TO REIN IN THE OVERREACH FROM THE STATE AGENCIES PARTICULARLY WHEN IT CAME TO PUBLIC WELL WATER.

BUT, HOWEVER, THE REASON FOR ROLLING THAT BACK WAS BECAUSE WE HAVE BECOME BUREAUCRATIC IN OUR REGULATIONS IN THE STATE OVERREACHING AT SOME POINTS AND YOU HEARD THE EXAMPLES ON THE FLOOR, IT WAS SAID THAT SOME OF THESE JUST WEREN'T COMING TRUE.

I KNOW OF AN INSTANCE THERE WAS PERMITTING ON A DRAINAGE DITCH THE PERSON HAD TO GO THROUGH TO DEVELOP SUBDIVISIONS THERE WAS A LOT OF OVERREACH AND REGULATIONS.

WE HAVE NOT RELINQUISHED OUR RIGHTS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE STILL RETAIN THOSE IT'S SAYING WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE MORE STRINGENT THAN WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING WE CAN.

WE HAVE NOT RELINQUISHED RIGHTS AS WAS SAID ON THE FLOOR AS WELL.

THIS IS TO REIN IN SOME OF THAT REGULATION WE HAD.

AND THE EASIEST WAY TO STOP PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT IF THEY DON'T WANT IT IS TO USE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW IN THAT MANNER AND THAT IS THE WHAT OUR AGENCIES HAD DONE IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

>> Renee: FURTHER COMMENT?

>> I'VE SAID I THINK WE'VE TIED OURSELVES TO THE MINIMUM AND ABDICATED OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THAT REGARD.

WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AND THEY HAVE CERTAIN CHALLENGES IN THAT AREA GRANTED.

BUT THOSE COULD BE DEALT WITH OTHER THAN LURING THAT PIECE ROLLING THAT BACK AND I THINK IT WAS A MISTAKE.

>> Renee: ANOTHER REALIGNMENT OR TWO FEDERAL REGULATIONS COMES TO WORKPLACE STANDARDS, RIGHT?

AND THAT WAS HOUSE BILL 398.

EVEN THE KENTUCKY A.F.L.-C.I.O.

SEEMED TO QUIET THEIR DISSENT AS THE BILL MOVED ALONG.

BUT THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO IT SAY THE CHANGES CAN AFFECT RULES AROUND FALL PROTECTIONS, EXPOSURES TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL LINES.

SHOULD WORKERS BE FEARFUL WHO ARE IN THOSE LINES OF WORK?

>> I DON'T THINK SO A NUMBER OF GROUPS CONTINUED TO WORK ON THAT LEGISLATION.

IT WAS A HOUSE BILL WHEN IT CAME INTO THE SENATE AT THE END THERE WAS SUBSTITUTES AND GOOD WORK DONE ON BEHALF OF THE UNION GROUPS AS WELL AS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO COME TO SOME AGREEMENT.

I UNDERSTAND THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION IS AGAINST IT.

AND THAT IS FINE.

THE GROUPS ADVOCATING CAME WITH A STRONG RESOLUTION AND I THINK IT IS A GOOD START.

>> WELL, IT TAKES ANYWHERE FROM THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN YEARS IN FRANKFORT TO GET ANYTHING PASSED OR AMENDED.

AND TO SAY WE'RE WILLING TO RISK THE LIVES OF WORKERS SO THAT COMPANIES CAN MAKE MORE PROFIT OR EVEN PROFIT IS DISINGENUOUS.

THESE RULES WERE PUT THERE BECAUSE OF THE PAST BAD BEHAVIOR OF COMPANIES.

AND WE'VE TESTED THESE RULES, THEY WORK.

SO THE QUESTION BECOMES: IF EVERYBODY'S GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND THEY ARE ALREADY FOLLOWING THE RULES THEN WHY DO WE NEED TO CHANGE THEM?

WHY DO WE NEED TO ROLLBACK RULES THAT ENDANGER WORKERS IF EVERYBODY IS GOING TO FOLLOW THE RULES ANYWAY?

WE DON'T.

>> THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS ARE STRINGENT.

I WORKED MY ADULT CAREER IN FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL SITES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND WORKING UNDER OSHA STANDARDS THOSE FEDERAL GUIDELINES ARE EXTREMELY SAFE.

THE BIGGEST TALKING POINT DURING ALL THIS WAS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE CLOSING OUR STATE OFFICES THAT INSPECT AND THAT OVERSEE THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE IN ALL ACROSS OF OUR INDUSTRIES ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THERE IS NOT ONE OFFICE IS NOT GOING TO CLOSE WE ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE INSPECTORS THOSE WILL ALL BE DONE.

ALL WE'RE DOING IS GETTING IN LINE WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS WHICH ARE SAFE AND I'VE WORKED UNDER MY ENTIRE ADULT CAREER.

>> Renee: ANY CONCERN THE FEDS CAN WEAKEN THEM.

>> WE DON'T KNOW IF OSHA WILL BE AROUND GIVEN WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE DOGE PIECE THAT THE FEDS ARE PUSHING.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THAT APPROACH I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IT FOR SURE.

>> Renee: WHAT IF OSHA IS NO LONGER?

WHAT HAPPENS THEN?

>> WE HAVE NOT -- THE BILL DID NOT SAY WE ARE GIVING OUR RIGHTS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE RETAIN OUR RIGHTS AS A STATE TO MAKE OUR LAWS AND MAKE OUR REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS MORE STRINGENT THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE NOT RELINQUISHED THAT.

WE CAN COME IN AT ANY TIME AND MAKE THOSE CHANGES.

>> Renee: SRO'S, THERE WAS A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER AND I WILL GET TO MY QUESTION, HOUSE BILL 622, THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR PUBLIC FUNDING OF POLICE OFFICERS.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE MONEY GOES TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS SO I WANT YOU TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT REPRESENTATIVE MEADE WHAT THE BILL DOES WITH RESOURCE OFFICERS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THAT MONEY WILL GO TO REIMBURSE THOSE POLICE OFFICERS SHERIFF'S OFFICES WHOEVER PROVIDES THAT SAFETY OFFICER FOR THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IT IS NOT COMPARING PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THIS IS NOT EDUCATION MONEY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THIS IS PROTECTION MONEY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE ONLY REASON THAT PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE MENTIONED BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SOME AREAS WHERE THERE'S BEEN DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN THE TWO WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING SECURITY OFFICERS AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IT COSTS FOR THAT.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, THIS IS NOT ABOUT PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE SCHOOLS IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING ALL CHILDREN NO MATTER WHERE THEY GO TO SCHOOL IN OUR STATE.

THE PARENTS THAT SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS PAY TAXES THE SAME AS EVERYBODY ELSE THEY PAY LOCAL TAXES FOR FIRE, PROTECTION AND EMS.

THEY HAVE THE SAME RIGHT FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO BE PROTECTED JUST THE SAME AS ANYBODY ELSE DOES.

TO SAY THAT CHILDREN GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THE ARGUMENTS TO SAY THOSE CHILDREN THAT GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS DO NOT DESERVE THAT SAME PROTECTION WAS THE MOST RIDICULOUS ARGUMENT I'VE HEARD IN MY TIME.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE FISCAL IMPACT?

>> WE HAVE PUT $5 MILLION FOR THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

WE ADDED ON THE POT OF MONEY THAT WE HAVE FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THERE'S STILL ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THEM TO GET SRO'S.

THAT WAS ANOTHER PART OF THE BILL THAT SAID IF YOU'VE PROVIDED ONE SRO PER CAMPUS IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT YOU CAN APPLY FOR ADDITIONAL SRO'S THAT WOULD BE FOR THOSE EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS ON THE SAME CAMPUS.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON?

>> NO ONE SUGGESTED AT ALL THAT CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE SAFE.

WE WANT EVERY CHILD LOVED, NEWER TURRED AND PROTECTED.

WHAT WE DID SAY IS THAT KENTUCKY SAID OVERWHELMINGLY THROUGH AMENDMENT 2 THAT PUBLIC MONEY SHOULD BE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

YOU COULD LOOK AT IT ANOTHER WAY WHICH IS EVERYBODY PAYS TAXES FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE NOT GETTING THE MONEY THEY NEED TO PROTECT THEIR KIDS OR EDUCATE THE KIDS.

SO IT IS NOT A MATTER OF WHO IS PAYING TAXES.

IT IS NOT A MATTER OF WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE SAFE.

IT IS SIMPLY USE THE RIGHT MECHANISM TO PROTECT ALL CHILDREN AND THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT MECHANISM.

>> Renee: WHAT WOULD THE MECHANISM BE IF IT WASN'T THIS ROUTE?

>> ON THE FLOOR WE HEARD IF YOU GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS WE CAN DO THINGS LIKE MAKE SURE THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS PAY THE SAME RATE AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PAY.

BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT TO PUBLIC TUITION, OR SOME OTHER FORM OF FINANCING FROM THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

WE WOULD MAKE IT AVAILABLE AND WE WOULD MAKE SURE IT WAS A GOOD RATE.

BUT YOU GET TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF YOUR TUITION IN OTHER WAYS.

>> Renee: SENATOR NEAL DO YOU AGREE?

>> LET ME REFRAME IT SLIGHTLY.

I THINK THERE IS A LARGER ISSUE AT STAKE.

I BELIEVE AND I THINK WE CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT WE'VE UNDERFUNDED PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE HAVE NOT GIVEN THE ATTENTION TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WE SHOULD THAT ENABLES OUR CHILDREN TO PROSPER IN THOSE AREAS.

WE DO NOT, FOR INSTANCE, FULLY FUND PRESCHOOL.

PRE-K I'M SORRY.

WITH RESPECT TO THAT.

THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING WE KNOW IT'S BENEFICIAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUNG KIDS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE SHOULD HAVE THAT IN EVERY COUNTY.

WE SHOULD HAVE THAT IN THE EDUCATION PROCESS TO PREPARE OUR CHILDREN TO DO BETTER IN SCHOOL.

BUT BEYOND THAT, WE DON'T PAY OUR TEACHERS ADEQUATELY.

IF YOU LOOK AROUND SURROUNDING STATES WHETHER IT'S TENNESSEE OR PERHAPS OHIO YOU SEE THEM OPERATING AND FOCUSING ON GIVING THEIR TEACHERS WHAT THEY REALLY DESERVE IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF TEACHERS THAT WE NEED AND THE WORK THEY DO.

WE DON'T DO THAT.

WE HAVE NOT HIGHLIGHTED THAT.

IN FACT, WE BEAT OUR CHEST LIKE WE ARE STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND DOING GREAT THINGS AND WE DO GOOD THINGS BUT WE DON'T DO ENOUGH.

WE SHOULD BE PUTTING MORE FUNDING INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION AND WE HAVE NOT STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE.

>> Renee: DOES THIS CREATE A SLIPPERY SLOPE WHERE TODAY IT'S SRO'S YOU HELP FUND FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS NEXT TIME IT COULD BE OTHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTS?

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE MONEY.

IT IS GENERAL FUND MONEY IT IS NOT EDUCATION MONEY AND KIDS IN OUR COMMONWEALTH AND TO THE POINT SPEAKER MEADE WAS MAKING LEXINGTON HAS SCHOOLS THAT OUTSOURCE AND PAY FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUT THERE ARE PLACES THAT DON'T HAVE THOSE RESOURCES AND DON'T HAVE THE PUBLIC SAFETY AVAILABLE TO THEM.

MAYBE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO MAKE IT WORK.

SRO'S ARE AN EXTENSION OF SAFETY IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEMS REGARDLESS WHERE THE KIDS ARE AND THAT IS IMPORTANT.

AND WE DO THIS ALREADY.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS AND NONPROFITS THAT WE SEND GENERAL FUND MONEY ON THAT WORK AND OPERATE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS I CAN LIST SEVERAL IN THE BUDGET.

THAT IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE FOR A WHILE.

THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY AND PUBLIC SAFETY FOR OUR KIDS.

>> CAN YOU MAKE ONE MORE POINT?

>> Renee: SURE.

>> THE AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT WAS ABOUT EDUCATION DOLLARS.

WHETHER WE WANTED THOSE THE PEOPLE WANTED THE EDUCATION DOLLARS TO MOVE AND BE USED FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

EDUCATION DOLLARS THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC PROTECTION DOLLARS HERE.

THIS IS TWO TOTALLY SEPARATE POTS OF MONEY APPLES TO ORANGES NOT EDUCATION.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC PROTECTION AND THAT IS THE MONEY THAT WE USED FOR THE SRO'S.

>> LET ME COMMENT.

WE CREATE THOSE POTS AND WE DIRECT THAT MONEY TO THOSE POTS ALL THIS MONEY WE CONTROL.

WE ALLOCATE SO MUCH MONEY TO WHERE WE WANT IT TO GO.

AND IT'S VENTS FOR US TO -- VENTS FOR US TO COMMON PART MENTALLIZE AND WHO DO NOT WANT KIDS TO BE SAFE?

I AGREE WE WANT OUR KIDS TO BE SAFE.

BUT WE HAVE LARGER ISSUES THAT I THINK WE HAVE NOT DONE ADEQUATELY IN TERMS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE FUNDING THERE IS A PRIORITY.

I MEAN, I HEAR ALL THE TIME, MY COLLEAGUES SAYING HEY WHY AREN'T YOU DOING BETTER AT THIS SCHOOL OR THAT SCHOOL OR THIS DISTRICT OR THAT DISTRICT WHEN IT IS CLEAR WE HAVE NOT ADEQUATELY FUNDED EDUCATION ACROSS KENTUCKY.

WE CONTROL THOSE POTS AND WE CONTROL THE FUNDS THAT GO INTO THEM.

>> Renee: ANY OTHER COMMENT THERE?

WE HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT PROCESS.

MANY VIEWERS ASK ABOUT PROCESS BECAUSE THEY READ IN THE PAPER THAT THINGS ARE FAST TRACKED OR THERE IS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY OR PUBLIC INPUT HAS BEEN SHORT CIRCUITED DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IS TRUE REPRESENTATIVE MEADE?

TO ANSWER THOSE VIEWERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROCESS NOT BEING FULLY TRANSPARENT YOUR RESPONSE IS WHAT?

>> NO, I DON'T.

WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN OVER THE COURSE OF TIME THAT THIS LEADERSHIP TEAM AND THE SENATE LEADERSHIP TEAM HAVE BEEN IN PLACE AND THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO ONLY AT THE END OF SESSION WHEN WE THROW BILLS TOGETHER OR DO CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, THOSE ARE ALL ISSUES TALKED ABOUT DURING THE SESSION.

MANY OF THEM THAT HAVE PASSED A COMMITTEE AND HEARD ON THE HOUSE FLOOR OR THE SENATE FLOOR HAVE GONE TO THE OTHER CHAMBER, MANY TIMES MOST TIMES THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE SEEING.

YOU ARE NOT SEEING THINGS WE'VE PULLED OUT OF THE AIR AND NO ONE DISCUSSED AND THROWING IT INTO BILLS.

I THINK THAT ALSO WHAT YOU SEE IT MAKES IT MORE TRANSPARENT BECAUSE WE TAKE ISSUES THIS LEADERSHIP TEAM THIS MAJORITY WE TAKE ISSUES WE FEEL NEED TO BE DISCUSSED AND NEED TO GET FURTHERMORE INFORMATION AS WE GO ALONG IN THE PROCESS.

WE ALLOW IT TO SIT OUT THERE TO GET INPUT AND HAVE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND WHEN WE COME IN THE LAST FEW DAYS TO PASS THAT.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE DOING MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE INFORMATION AND EVERYTHING IS ACCURATE BEFORE WE PUT IT INTO A BILL.

>> Renee: YOU AGREE?

>> NOPE.

WE SOMETIMES FAST TRACK BILLS THAT ARE IN COMMITTEE AND TWO HOURS LATER THEY ARE ON THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.

A LOT OF TIMES THERE ARE SUBSTITUTES FROM A THREE-PAGE BILL TO 80-PAGE SUBSTITUTE AND NO ONE CAN GO THROUGH IT THAT QUICKLY.

SOMETIMES IT COMES THROUGH LATE AT NIGHT.

THE PUBLIC, THE PEOPLE WE SERVE, DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT, ABSORB IT AND COME TO FRANK FOR THE AND SAY I AGREE OR DISAGREE.

WE USED TO HAVE VERY TRANSPARENT PROCESS.

WE HAD LIKE THREE DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.

TWO HAD RULES AND THEY WERE DESIGNED SO THE PUBLIC COULD KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING.

>> Renee: BUT THE BILLS WERE -- RULES WERE OFTEN SUSPENDED UNDER DEMOCRATS.

>> DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS I'M SAYING THAT WHOEVER DID IT, THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT IS IN THE BILLS.

>> Renee: SENATOR?

>> I AGREE TOTALLY.

SOMETIMES WE GET BUSY AND I DON'T WANT TO DISPARAGE LEADERSHIP I THINK PEOPLE TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET WHAT THEY BELIEVE AND TRY TO GET TO THE END OF THAT.

AND WHAT WE PERCEIVE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE DO, WE HAVE A PERCEPTION OF THAT BUT PEOPLE OUT THERE, WANT THIS INFORMATION WANT TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION.

THEY ARE DEALING WITH A WHOLE DIFFERENT PIECE.

WE ARE INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING.

WE HAVE TO GIVE MORE ROOM, AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A PROCESS THAT THEY FEEL HAS ENOUGH ROOM FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN.

THAT DIGEST SOME OF THE INFORMATION AND AT LEAST INTERCEDE TO THE EXTENT THEY CHOOSE TO DO THAT.

I WILL GIVE LEADERSHIP THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AS IT RELATES TO THIS PIECE.

>> Renee: WHAT GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?

>> I DON'T THINK I AM A GRADE [LAUGHTER] I WILL SAY THIS.

>> Renee: LEAVE THE BETTING FOR THE DIRTY, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY.

LET ME SAY THIS THE WORK WE DO IS NOT SIMPLE IT'S TOUGH.

WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS.

I ALWAYS RESPECT AND THE LEADERS WHETHER THEY ARE THE OTHER PARTY OR NOT.

AND I RESPECT THE WORK THEY DO.

BUT YOU KNOW WE ARE NOT ALWAYS RIGHT.

AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE NEED TO GIVE ROOM FOR PEOPLE TO COME INTO THAT PROCESS.

THAT HELPS US BE BETTER.

AND I THINK WE SHOULDN'T JUST BE DEFENSIVE ABOUT IT.

HEY, WE'VE GIVEN THEM ENOUGH TIME.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO INVESTIGATE THAT AND LOOK AT THAT AND GET THE PUBLIC INPUT AND MAKE SURE WE ARE GIVING TIME FOR THEM TO ENGAGE BETTER.

>> Renee: A LOT OF ISSUES ARE VETTED DURING THE INTERIM WHEN YOU ARE NOT ON THE CLOCK?

>> LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.

INTERIM DECISION AND THEN THE FINAL PRODUCT ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

WE GO THROUGH PROCESSES THAT CAN CHANGE WHAT YOU HAVE.

WE SUBSTITUTE BILLS FOR BILLS ALL KINDS OF THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PROCESS AND PEOPLE DON'T KNOW UNTIL THEY CONFRONT SOME ASPECT WHAT THAT POLICY IS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS SO AND SO.

I WAS THERE AT THE INTERIM.

NOT THE SAME THING.

WE CAN CHANGE AN AND TO AN ARE.

WE DID DO.

>> .

>> Renee: A SHALL TO A MAY.

>> AND THOSE THINGS MEAN SOMETHING.

I'M NOT SAYING ANYONE NECESSARILY IS TRYING TO KEEP SOMETHING FROM THE PUBLIC.

I'M SAYING WE GOT TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE PUBLIC PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WE GOT TO BE IN FACT IF WE HAVE TO BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO PUBLIC INPUT IF AND IF WE HAVE A PERCEPTION WE ARE NOT GIVING THE TRANSPARENT THAT WE SHOULD, THEN WE SHOULD LOOK AT THAT AND TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.

>> Renee: THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE A BIG BILL THAT IS A CLEAN UP BILL BECAUSE IT ADDRESSES MEASURES ALREADY PASSED THAT MAYBE THERE NEEDED TO BE LANGUAGE TWEAKING.

PEOPLE WILL SAY TAKE YOUR TIME AND GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

>> .

>> I WISH WE HAD FULL-TIME, TIME WE ARE A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE IN SESSION FOR >> THIS IS WHERE WE AGREE.

I DIDN'T KNOW IT EXISTED UNTIL WE GOT THE BILL AND I KEPT CALLING IT MARIJUANA WATER.

SPEAKER KEPT LAUGHING AT ME.

I'M LIKE WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT?

THIS MARIJUANA WATER IS ILLEGAL.

AND IT'S KNOWN AS WEED WATER AND THEY ARE MOVE TO GO FROM UNREGULATED TO REGULATION WHICH IS GOOD.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

WHEN YOU MOVE IT TO THE ABC THAT RECLASSIFIES IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT GOING AHEAD AND BANNING IT.

HOWEVER I THINK THERE'S PROBLEMS WITH THE FEDERAL FARM BILL PASSED IN ALLOWING HEMP DERIVED PRODUCTS TO BE ON THE SHELVES THAT WAS THE BIG ISSUE.

>> Renee: CREATIVITY, I TELL YOU.

IN THE TIME REMAINING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT DIDN'T GO AND I WANT YOU TO TELL ME WHAT SHOULD HAVE PASSED THIS SESSION SENATOR BLEDSOE.

>> .

>> MY BILL SENATE BILL 218 IT PASSED OFF THE SENATE FLOOR AND IT GOES BACK TO TRANSPARENCY.

IT WAS A SIMPLE BILL TO HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SHOW ON ONE PAGE EVERY LINK TO EVERY COUNTY THE TAXES AND WHERE THEY ARE PAID AND REVENUES AND EXPENSES SO IT'S EASIER TO TAX YOUR TAX MONEY.

I WILL BE BRINGING IT BACK IT GOES A LONG WAY TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND IT WAS SIMPLE.

>> Renee: YOU GOT THE ONE BILL ABOUT MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND YOU HAD CLEVER BASEBALL PUNS AND METAPHORS.

SENATOR NEAL TWO FOR YOU.

WHAT SHOULD HAVE AND WHAT SHOULDN'T HAVE?

>> THIS IS A GOOD ONE.

THE MUSIC THERAPY BILL.

>> Renee: THIS IS YOUR BILL.

>> YES.

IT SHOULD HAVE PASSED.

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

>> Renee: WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?

>> MUSIC THERAPY THERE ARE THOSE WHO USE MUSIC THERAPY AS A INSTRUMENT OF IMPROVING ORDEALING WITH SOMEONE'S HEALTH CIRCUMSTANCES, MENTALLY PRIMARILY.

BUT IT'S SORT OF SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DO IN ART THERAPY WHICH WE DO HAVE INTO LAW AND WHICH IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT THE MUSIC THERAPY ADVOCATES WERE TRYING TO DO WITH MUSIC THERAPY.

IT IS ANO-BRAINER.

IT SHOULD COME UP.

I TRUST IT WILL COME UP.

I'M TENACIOUS ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT'S BIPARTISAN AND WE SHOULD DO IT.

THE BILL THAT CAME UP THAT SHOULDN'T WAS THE THEY CALL IT THE ANTI-D.E.I.

BILL.

I THOUGHT WAS I'M GOING TO BE AS KIND AS I CAN ABOUT THIS IT WAS OUTRAGEOUS IN MY VIEW.

THEY SHOULD NEVER NOT JUST THE MERE FACT THAT SOME PEOPLE DID MAKE IT BETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE, THE LAST CYCLE WAS HORRENDOUS.

THIS THEY DID ADJUSTMENTS THAT MADE IT BETTER.

BUT IN THE MERE FACT THAT THIS WAS RAISED AND ACTUALLY IS CONTRIVED FROM A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE AND LOCAL AREAS PARTICULARLY REPUBLICAN DRIVEN LET'S BE FACTUAL ABOUT THIS, LEGISLATURE PUSHED THIS KIND OF LEGISLATION THROUGH.

FOR WHAT?

FOR WHAT?

THEY REDEFINE WHAT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IS.

AND THEN SAID AND SAID THEY WERE FOR THAT CONCEPT AND DEFINED IT OTHERWISE WHAT WE DO IN KENTUCKY AND DEMONIZE IT AND THEN SAY LET'S GET RID OF IT.

IT WAS AN INSULT TO MANY PEOPLE.

I CANNOT TELL YOU THE KINDS OF RESPONSES AND THE HURT THAT CAME OUT OF THAT.

THEN THEY WERE USING TERMS LIKE THIS WAS DIVISIVE, WE MUST GET RID OF THIS.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, YOU KNOW WHAT IS DIVISIVE?

WHEN YOU DON'T INCLUDE SOMEONE.

WHEN WE HAVE A COUNTRY THAT HAS A HISTORY OF DIVISION THAT IS STILL THE LEGACY IS MANIFESTING ITSELF TODAY AND WE SHIFT THAT TO THOSE WHO BEAR THAT BURDEN AND THEN USE IT TO NOT UPLIFT WHICH IS WHAT WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABOUT.

IT IS ANTI-PROGRESS IN KENTUCKY.

WE SHOULD BE A LIFTING UP.

WHAT WE DID IN THE EDUCATION FIELD WAS ALL ABOUT EVERYONE, NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND FOR INSTANCE.

IN FACT, WHAT WE HAVE NOW, IS STRONGER THAN KNOW CHILD LEFT BEHIND.

YET WE TAKE THIS PIECE WHICH DOES NOT DO WHAT WAS DEFINED THAT WAS ON I WOULD SUGGEST, A PREMISE THAT IS UNSUSTAINABLE AND INCORRECT, AND DEMONIZE WHAT SOME PEOPLE FEAR AND YOU KNOW WHAT FEAR DOES?

IT PROMULGATES WHAT?

ANGER, IT PROMULGATES HATE IN SOME PEOPLE AND SOME PEOPLE ARE IGNORANTS THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO HURT ANYBODY.

BUT WHEN YOU GET INTO IT THE PERSON LIVED THROUGH THESE REALITIES A PERSON WHO IS ENGAGED IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND UPLIFTED PEOPLE WHO DEDICATED LIFE TO IT YOU SAY WHAT IS THIS?

THIS MAKES NO SENSE.

>> Renee: WHAT HAPPENS TO THE COMMISSION ON RACE AND OPPORTUNITY?

DOES THAT EXIST IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> WELL, IT DOES.

AND I THINK -- I WILL DEFER TO MY COLLEAGUE WHO IS CHAIR OF THAT.

IT COULD HAVE POSITIVE BENEFITS BUT IT HAS TO BE REVISITED SO WE CAN GIVE IT MORE OF A PROMISE NENTS IMPACT IN TERMS WHAT WE DO.

>> Renee: WHAT DOES THE LEGISLATION THAT PASSED CHANGE THE OBJECTIVE OR MISSION OF SAID COMMISSION?

>> NO, BECAUSE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY IS FOR EVERYONE IN OUR STATE.

IT'S RULE, URBAN, IT'S POOR, IT'S WEALTHY IT'S LOTS OF THINGS.

I DON'T THINK IT CHANGES IT BROADENS IT AND WE'VE HAD GOOD SUCCESS LOOK AT THE BIRTHING BILL ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE OPPORTUNITY THIS SUMMER IN THE INTERIM SOMETHING PASSED AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OTHER DIVERSITY ISSUES AND RAISED SOME OF THE CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD THEM IN THE COMMISSION TO CREATE SAFE SPACE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS WHERE WE DISAGREE.

I HOPE WE CAN MOVE MORE LEGISLATION OUT OF THAT COMMISSION MORE PROACTIVE AND I THINK WE'RE MAKING HEADWAY.

>> I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WE ARE TALKING WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT PARTICULAR PIECE.

I HAVE IDEAS THAT I THINK WILL IMPROVE THAT AND GIVE EFFICACY TO THE WORK WE DO.

WE ARE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER ON THIS PIECE.

AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL TAKE IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL.

RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THINK IT'S NO PROBLEM WITH THE CHAIR ON THIS, I RESPECT THE WORK THAT THE CHAIR DOES.

BUT THE WAY WE STRUCTURED IT, I THINK HAS WEAKENED ITS CAPACITY WHAT IT CAN BE.

AND I THINK WE CAN STRENGTHEN IT AND WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT AND PERHAPS DO BETTER.

>> Renee: BACK TO MY FIRST QUESTION, WHAT WAS MY QUESTION?

[LAUGHTER] >> I LOVE THAT.

[LAUGHTER] >> Renee: MODERATOR IS TIRED.

YES.

WHAT DO YOU WISH THAT WOULD HAVE PASSED?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID AS A DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS IS DEVELOP A PLATFORM FOR STRONG KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

AND ON THAT PLATFORM WERE BILLS THAT WILL HELP KENTUCKY FAMILIES LIKE PRE-K FOR ALL, LIKE A LIVING WAGE, LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHAT CAN WE DO FOR FAMILIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE STRONG AND SUSTAINABLE.

NONE OF THOSE BILLS PASSED.

INSTEAD THE BILLS I DON'T LIKE THAT PASSED WAS FORT D HE SAID ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND THIS MYTH OF PEOPLE ON MEDICAID AND MEDICARE ARE ABLE WORKING PEOPLE AND SHOULD WORK.

WHEN THE RESULTS TELL US THAT MOST PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATE ON THOSE PROGRAMS AS A HAND UP ARE WORKING.

SECONDLY, I THINK NOT MANY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE ARE DOCTORS.

AND, YET, WE INTERFERED WITH THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION'S REQUIREMENTS FOR HOW TO TREAT TRANS CHILDREN.

WE INTERFERED WITH THE PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN BY PASSING 495.

INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE PEOPLE TO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE THE EXPERTISE AND THE PARENTS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR EACH SITUATION, THE LEGISLATURE INTERFERED.

>> Renee: LAST WEEK ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" WE SPENT TIME TALKING ABOUT HOUSE BILL 495.

WE HAVE FOUR PANELISTS ON THE SECOND PART OF THE SHOW AND SPENT THE FIRST PART TALKING ABOUT THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS FOR THE KENTUCKY'S ABORTION BAN.

IF YOU THINK WE'RE GIVING THOSE SHORT SWIFT YOU CAN CHECK THEM OUT ON-LINE.

AS YOU LOOK AHEAD TO THE SESSION COMING BECAUSE THE SESSIONS COME FASTER AND FASTER MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I'M OLDER.

BUT THEY SEEM TO COME QUICK.

AND THE BUDGET YEAR THAT WE WILL BE IN WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS ABOUT WHAT A 60-DAY SESSION SHOULD LOOK LIKE OTHER THAN THE BNG WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE PRIORITIES OF THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE?

>> WELL, I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT OUR PRIORITIES WILL BE BECAUSE WE WILL START HAVING THAT DISCUSSION UNTIL THE FALL.

WE WILL LOOK AT WHAT WE PASSED AND WHAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE ON WITH AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THE BUDGET IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE WE WILL START PLANNING IN THE SUMMER.

THEY WILL START MEETING THE BUDGET COMMITTEE ALSO START MEETING REPRESENTATIVE PETRIE WILL START MEETING WITH THIS GROUP AND THEY WILL START FORMING THAT BUDGET THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THIS YEAR PRIOR TO US COMING TO THE SESSION.

BY THE TIME WE GET INTO SESSION WE WILL SEE A BUDGET ALMOST COMPLETELY CRAFTED.

>> Renee: AND COULD THE GOVERNOR GIVE HIS BUDGET ADDRESS IN OCTOBER OR SOMETHING?

OR MAKE HIS RECOMMENDATIONS WELL BEFORE YOU GO INTO SESSION?

>> HE IS WELCOME TO GIVE US HIS RECOMMENDATIONS ANYTIME.

WE'VE OFFERED THAT TO HIM AND THE ADMINISTRATION ASKED TO COME INTO COMMITTEE MEETINGS TO TALK TO US ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES.

BUT HE IS WELCOME TO GIVE US RECOMMENDATIONS AT ANY POINT.

AS I SAID ON THE FLOOR THE OTHER DAY, HE DOES NOT MAKE BUDGETS WE DO AS A LEGISLATURE.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE THIRD FLOOR AND THE FIRST FLOOR?

>> I WILL TELL YOU AS A LEADER OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM AS A WHOLE MET WITH THIS GOVERNOR FIVE OR SIX TIMES IN THE FIVE YEARS HE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE.

>> Renee: IS THAT TYPICAL?

>> NO.

THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR HIS FATHER, WOULD MEET WITH US EVEN AS A REGULAR REPRESENTATIVE HE WOULD BRING US INTO HIS OFFICE TO TALK TO US ABOUT OUR PRIORITIES AND WHAT HIS ARE.

THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR PREVIOUS TO THIS BESHEAR WOULD BRING LEADERSHIP TEAMS IN THREE TO FOUR DAYS A WEEK TO DISCUSSION LEGISLATION WITH HIM.

>> Renee: YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT SENATOR NEAL?

>> THIS LEGISLATURE HAS DONE TAKEN STEPS TO UNDERMINE THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY IN MY OPINION.

IT'S BEEN AGGRESSIVE IN TERMS OF TRYING TO CROSS THOSE LINES THAT SHOULD BE SEPARATED BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR'S DOING AND HAS DONE A VERY FINE JOB.

HE WORKS WITH ME WELL.

AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE HE'S COMING FROM.

BUT I ALSO APPRECIATE REPRESENTATIVE MEADE AND THE WORK HE DOES.

I RESPECT THAT.

HE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY THERE AND HE HAS A POINT WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS A LEGISLATURE.

BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SHOOT DOWN THE GOVERNOR WHO, I THINK, IS DOING ONE HECK OF A JOB.

IN FACT, KENTUCKY IS ON A ROLL RIGHT NOW.

AND HAS BEEN ON A RESOLUTION FOR A WHILE.

AND I THINK ALL OF US HAVE A PART IN THAT.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS A PART IN THAT.

THE EXECUTIVE HAS A PART IN THAT.

AND ONCE IN A WHILE THE JUDICIARY HAS TO WEIGH-IN TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT BALANCE.

I THINK WE'RE WORKING WELL BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AND COMMUNICATE AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO THAT AND LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN FOR THE NEXT DAY NO MATTER WHAT.

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT JUST OUR PERSONAL PIECE.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO DO BETTER.

I THINK ANY CRITICISM FROM EITHER SIDE IS WARRANTED.

YOU TAKE IT IN YOU DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL WE ARE TRYING TO DO BUSINESS.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO DO.

>> Renee: DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN IT'S BEEN SAID THAT HE IS TO REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> I THINK THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO MOVE KENTUCKY FROM THE BOTTOM OF SO MANY LISTS TO THE TOP, I MEAN FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2025 WE STILL HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST MATERNITY DEATH RATES FOR BABIES WOW WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER CLOSELY.

WE NEED TO RESPECT EACH OTHER AND WE NEED TO HAVE PROCESSES IN PLACE TO GUIDE THAT.

SO WE WORK WELL TOGETHER.

THEY DON'T EVERYTHING I WANT THEM TO DO.

>> Renee: SAY IT ANTS'.

SO [LAUGHTER] >> BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I FEEL FREE TO SPEAK AND SAY THIS IS WHAT I NEED AND THIS IS WHY I NEED IT, NOW GIVE IT TO ME.

SO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN FOR COMMUNICATION.

>> Renee: SENATOR BLEDSOE?

>> RELATIONSHIPS MATTER AND THEY MATTER BETWEEN BOTH CHAMBERS AND PARTIES AND WE CAN SIT DOWN AND HAVE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS AND WE'RE MAKING SPACE TO DO SO.

IT IS DISHEARTENING WHEN YOU REACH OUT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WITH ISSUES LIKE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND GOVERN HOW WE USE A.I.

FOR THE STATE AND THERE WAS A DISINTEREST AND NOT REPORTING BACK WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO REPORT TO US IN NOVEMBER WHAT THEIR PLAN WAS.

IT'S FRUSTRATING WHEN THERE IS A LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP.

IT DOES NOT HELP US MOVE FORWARD AS A STATE.

AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD WE HAVE BIG CHALLENGES AHE HAD HAD.

WHERE WE ARE ON STATS 1-3 KENTUCKIANS ARE ON MEDICAID.

WE HAVE THE LOWEST WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION OUTSIDE MISSISSIPPI.

WE HAVE A $20 BILLION OF OUR BUDGET MORE THAN THE STATE GENERAL FUND SPENT ON MEDICAID.

WE HAVE BIG CHALLENGES MOVING AHEAD AND HOW WE RESPOND AND MAKING IT MOVE FORWARD.

IT WILL TAKE US WORKING TOGETHER I HOPE TO DO SO.

>> AND THAT BEING SAID, THE PERSON WHO HAS A RESPONSIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THOSE POLICIES AND MANAGING THAT SITUATION GOING FORWARD, IS DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB, KENTUCKY IS ON A ROLL.

I AGREE WE MUST COME TOGETHER I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN ACCUSE ME NOT WORKING ACROSS THE AISLES AND NOBODY CAN EXCUSE ME EXCEPT HERE AND THERE BEING DISRESPECTFUL.

OTHER THAN THAT WE WORK TOGETHER WE GOT TO DO BETTER WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS WE MESS UP AND MAKE MISTAKES AND GUESS WHAT?

WE'VE DONE GOOD THINGS TOO.

WE HAVE TO EMPHASIZE AND COME TOGETHER AND DO THOSE THINGS WE KNOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON.

I HAVE NO CRITICISM OF THIS GOVERNOR.

I THINK HE'S DONE A FANTASTIC JOB.

I'VE SEEN GOVERNORS COME AND GO AND I PUT HIM AT THE TOP.

>> Renee: YOU BRING UP A GOOD POINT BRINGING UP A.I.

I WAS EXPECTING SOME SORT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LEGISLATION.

>> WE DID SENATE BILL 4 AND THE GOVERNOR SIGN TO DO AND MADE A COMMENT HE IS NOT GOING TO IMPLEMENT IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO FUNDING.

IT HAS GREAT THINGS FOR A.I.

AND FOR THE CABINETS TO BE DOING TO INCREASE GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCIES AND PROVIDE BETTER CONSTITUENT SERVICES AND I HOPE HE TAKES A DIFFERENT APPROACH IT IS IMPORTANT THING AS MANY STATES IMPLEMENT A.I.

AND HAVE TRANSPARENCY OF USE AND PROTECTION OF THE CITIZENS AND PROTECTION OF THEIR RIGHTS.

>> THE REALITY IS WE STEPPED OUT ON A.I.

AND WE WILL HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO REVISIT THAT AND WE DO HAVE TO FUND THOSE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO FUND.

AND WE ARE BEHIND IN THIS PARTICULAR REGARD.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS GOING TO ABDICATE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OR A.I.

WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER AND GET ON TOP OF THIS AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN FOR BENEFIT FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

>> THERE'S BEEN QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU.

YOU MADE YOUR SPLASH TODAY ABOUT BEING A CONTENDER FOR U.S. SENATE.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO THAT AND ALSO REPRESENT YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE SAME WAY I'VE BEEN DOING IT IS FOCUSING WHAT I NEED TO DO WHILE I AM DOING IT.

THIS SESSION WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GOOD THINGS DONE FOR MY CONSTITUENTS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

SO THAT THEY CAN BE SERVED.

IN OTHER WORDS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MISS A BEAT.

I'M NOT GOING TO MISS A BEAT.

>> Renee: WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR TIME IS NOW?

>> MY TIME IS NOW BECAUSE I'M PREPARED FOR IT.

I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THE STATE THAT PERFORMED INTERNATIONALLY, NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY.

THEY'VE DROPPED ME IN COUNTRIES AND GO PERFORM FOR AMERICA AND NOW I WILL GO TO THE SENATE AND PERFORM FOR KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: WE WILL BE FOLLOWING ALL OF THIS, OF COURSE ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" WHICH YOU CAN WATCH TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A FORUM ABOUT SENIORS AND MEDICATION THE NEXT CHAPTER FORUM COMING UP.

WATCH THAT AND WATCH "KENTUCKY EDITION" AND "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" FRIDAY NIGHT AT 8 EASTERN 7:00 P.M. CENTRAL WITH BILL BRYANT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

SEE YOU SOON.