PASSES ITS VERSION OF A STATE BUDGET THAT INCLUDES RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS, MONEY TO OVERHAUL STATE PARKS.

IT DOES NOT FUND A EMOTIONAL DEBATES SURROUND A PROPOSED NEW ABORTION RESTRICTION.

A MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL ZIPS OUT OF A HOUSE COMMITTEE ON A 1 TO 1 VOTE.

LAWMAKERS TAKE AIM A MANDATES, VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS, AND A STATE OF EMERGENCY AS COVID NUMBER DECLI A SNOWY REMINDER THAT WINTER ISN'T OVER YET, AND "COMMENT" I NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR JOE RAGUSA, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR SPECTRUM NEWS 1.

MELISSA PATRICK, REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERA ALSO TONIGHT, THE NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS BILL IS NOW THE LA AFTER A WHO'S WHO OF KENTUCKY SPORTS CAME IS TO FRANKFORT FOR A BILL signing.

AND THE WAY FORWARD FOR KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY REMAINS UNCERTAIN.

SO WE HAVE A THROTT DISCUSS TONIGHT, BUT FIRST WE ALL FEEL THE IMPACT OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE.

SOME KENTUCKIANS REPORTING FOR DUTY.

AND EVERYBODY FEELING THE PINCH THOSE RAPIDLY RISING GASOLINE PRICES.

THIS WEEK GOVERNOR BESHEAR JOINED OTHER GOVERNORS IN ASKING WASHINGTON TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF BY TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING THE FEDERAL GAS TAX.

>> AS CONGRESS LOOKS TO RELIEVE AMERICANS OF THEIR FINANCIAL STRESS CAUSED BY INCREASED GAS PRICES AND AMID INTERNATIONAL CRISES AND RISING INFLATION WEBSITES CLEAR LEGISLATIVE ACTION IS NEEDED.

>> Bill: JOE, GASOLINE PRICES HAD BEEN CLIMBING BEFORE THE RUSSIAN INVASION.

NOW WE HAVE SEEN THOSE PRICES TOP $4 A GALLON AND APPEAR TO BE HEADED FOR ALL-TIME HIGHS IF THEY AREN'T ALREADY IN MANY PLACES.

HOPEFUL PRESSURE IS THIS ON WASHINGTON AND FRANKFORT TO MAYBE DO SOMETHING THAT IT COULD DO TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF?

>> Joe: WELL, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF PRESSURE.

THE FEDERAL GAS TAX HOLIDAY IS ONE OF THESE THINGS THAT SEEMS TO HAVE SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

OBVIOUSLY BESHEAR IS THROWING HITS WEIGHT BEHIND THE SEALS A SERIES OF OTHER GOVERNORS THAT'S 18 CENTS PER GALLON SO IT IS A DECENT AMOUNT OF CHANGE AS FAR AS THE OVERYOU'LL PICTURE OF THINGS, BUT YOU'RE STARTING TO RELIVE, REHASH A LOT OF ARGUMENTS ABOUT ENERGY INDEPENDENCE HERE AS WELL BECAUSE DEMOCRATS VICE PRESIDENT EXACTLY BEEN THE PARTY OF DRILL, DRILL, DRILL.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE'RE PENTED ON OUR OWN OIL AND MAKE SURE WE'RE TAPPING NEW RESOURCES, YOU KNOW, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, DEMOCRATS IN GENERAL, THEIR POLICY HAS BEEN TOWARD CLOSING THOSE TO AFFECT THE CLIMATE AND UNDO A LOT OF THE DAMAGE THAT FOSSIL FUELS HAVE DONE IN THAT REGARD.

BUT NOW IT'S COMING BANG TO BIDEN BECAUSE THERE IS THIS PERCEIVED NOTION THAT WE'RE RELYING A LOT ON RUSSIAN OIL.

IT'S 8% U.S. IMPORTS BUT IT'S STILL A DECENT AMOUNT OF OIL AND OBVIOUSLY WHEN THERE'S CONFLICT, ESPECIALLY WITH A MAJOR WORLD POWER LIKE THIS, YOU'RE GOING SEE IT JUST GET EXACERBATED THAT MUCH MORE.

>> Bill: GEN, THE GOVERNOR'S PUSH AND IS THAT OF SOME OTHER GOVERNMENTS EVER GOVERNORS HAS BEEN ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT THERE IS A STATE GAS TAX BUFFET TO KEEP IN MIND THAT IS ALSO WHAT THE STATE USES TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE ROADS WITH.

>> John: THAT'S RIGHT WITH THE ROAD BILL IN KENTUCKY PAYS FOR THINGS LIKE MIX FIXING THE POTED HOLES WHICH WE'RE STARTING TO SEE IN OUR ROADS AS SPRINGTIME COMES SO YOU HAVE TO WEIGHING WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO HAVE THOSE THINGS FIXED.

THE GAGS TAX -- I CHECKED THIS WEEK TO SEE IF WE WERE GOING TO SEW IT JUMP BECAUSE PART OF IT IS TIED TOTE ACTUAL PRICE YOU PAY AT THE PUMP BUT IT'S A QUARTERLY AVERAGE FOR THE MOST PART, SO UNLESS GAS PRICES STAY VERY HIGH THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE CRITERIA SHOULDN'T UP JUMP TOO MANY OF, AND EVEN THEN IT CAN'T GO UP MORE THAN 10%.

THERE'S A CAP ON IT.

>> Bill: AGAIN WE HAVE SEEN A WEEK OF KENTUCKIANS SUPPORTING UKRAINE IN VARIOUS WAYS AND FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN WAS WITTING OUT IN FORT CAMPBELL AND KENTUCKY WEDNESDAY TO TALK WITH MILITARY FAMILIES.

MELISSA, AFTER TWO YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC AND ALL THE STRESSES THAT HAS BROUGHT, HERE WE ARE NO WITH AN ANXIOUS WORLD BECAUSE OF THIS WAR SITUATION.

>> Melissa: WE DO.

AND SO PEOPLE ARE CARRYING A LOT OF ANXIETY.

COVID ISN'T OVER YET.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL STRUGGLING WITH -- WITH DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER TO WEAR A MASK OR NOT AND SUPPORT FROM THAT, BUT, YOU KNOW, GENERALLY THERE'S JUST ADVICE AROUND, STRESS AROUND UKRAINE FOR PEOPLE TO JUST TURN THE NEWS OFF SOMETIMES, TO LIMIT HOW MUCH NEWS THEY'RE WATCHING ABOUT THAT TOPIC AND TO NOT DOOM SCROLL ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND JUST GOOD OLD-FASHIONED ADVICE OF EATING REGULARLY AND EXERCISING REGULARLY AND TO SEEK MENTAL HEALTH CARE IF YOU NEED IT.

>> Bill: AND TRY TO PLAN THOSE GAS PRICES INTO YOUR BUDGET.

>> Melissa: AND TO PLAN THOSE PRICES INTO YOUR BUDGET.

>> Bill: JOHN, A KENTUCKY-BASED YUM!

BRANDS IS PULLING ITS OPERATIONS OUT OF RUSSIA.

THAT FOLLOWS MOVES BY MCDONALD'S AND STARBUCKS AND SOME OTHER AMERICAN COMPANIES.

AND WE WERE LEARNED THAT SOME KENTUCKY RETIREMENT FUNDS ARE INVESTED IN RUSSIAN ENTITIES.

>> Joe: THIS IS THREW.

THE THE TWO BIG PENSION FUNDS, THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF KENTUCKY AND IF KENTUCKY PUBLIC PENSIONS AUTHORITY, WHICH IS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS, THEY HAVE BETWEEN THEM ABOUT $62 MILLION INVESTED IN RUSSIA OR AT LEAST IT WAS $62 MILLION AS OF A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.

WHO KNOWS WHAT IT'S WORTH NOW.

BUT THIS ISN'T REALLY DIRECTLY INVESTED IN RUSSIA.

THESE ARE TWO VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL FUND PORTFOLIOS.

SO IT GETS TRUCKIE.

EVERYONE WANTS THEM TO GET OUT OF RUSSIA FOR OBVIOUS REASONS BUT THESE ARE INTERNATIONAL FUNDS THAT ALSO HAVE INVESTMENTS IN JAPAN AND GERMANY AND KOREA ALL OVER THE PLACE.

SO IF YOU TRY TO GET OUT OF THOSE FUNDS, YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE RUSSIA PUNCH TO LEAVE ALL OF THAT.

YOU LOSE MONEY FOR THE ACTUAL PENSIONERS.

AND ALSO HOW DO YOU DIVEST OUT OF RUSSIA RIGHT NOW.

THE STOCK MARKET IS CLOSED.

THE RUBLE IS ALL BUT WORTH PROPOSES IT'S VERY TRICKY.

THE LAST THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THEIS PENSION SYSTEMS ARE WORTH MANY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OH $62 MILLION IS A RELATIVE DROP THE IN BUCKET.

>> Bill: AND AGAIN, THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE PRIVATE 401(K)s THAT ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION.

>> John: MY OWN BROKER IS VERY BIG ON INTERNATIONAL FUNDS SO YOU CAN ONLY HOPE THAT WE'RE GETTING OUT AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN, BUT I'M SURE THAT PROBABLY EVEN PEOPLE LIKE ME HAVE SOME EXPOSURE OVER THERE TOO.

>> Bill: LET'S SHIFT TO A VERY BUSY WEEK IN FRANKFORT, A TOTAL OF ACCOUNT HUNDRED 98 BILLS HAVE BEEN UP FOR CONSIDERATION DURING THIS SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BUT THE MOST CLOSELY WATCHED LEGISLATION, OF COURSE, IS THE STATE BUDGET, AND BOLSTERED BY FEDERAL COVID MONEY, THE STATE HAS A SURPLUS OF ALMOST $2 BILLION.

THE SENATE HAS NOW RELEASED ITS SPENDING PLAN AS TAX REFORM DISCUSSIONS ARE CONTINUING.

JOHN, WHAT WERE THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES FOR THE SENATE AND WHAT IS MISSING THAT WAS IN THE HOUSE VERSION?

>> John: SO THE SENATE BUDGET WHICH IS ABOUT $13 BILLION A YEAR FOR THE GENERAL SUNDAY.

FUND, IT WAS A LITTLE SMALLER THAN THE HOUSE BUDGET WHICH IN TURN WAS A LITTLE SMALLER THAN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL IN JANUARY.

YOU GOT BIGGER PAY RAISES FOR THE RANK AND FILE STATE EMPLOYEES.

EVER IS GETTING A PAY RAISE IT LOOKS LIKE ONE WAY OR THE THE OTHER, A LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN DETAILS.

A LITTLE LESS MONEY TO PAY DOWN THE STATE PENSION DEBT.

FULL FUNDING, MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, THAT THERE WAS ABOUT $200 MILLION THAT THE HOUSE HAD TO PAY EXTRA DEBT DOWN FOR THE STATE WORKERS.

THE SENATE DOESN'T HAVE THAT.

AS YOU MENTIONED IN THE LEAD-IN, NO AUTHORIZATION FOR STATE FUNDING FOR FULL-DAY KIDNEY AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVEL.

TO BE KINDERGARTNER.

LESS MONEY IN THE HOUSE FOR CERTAIN SCHOOL COSTS FOR TRANSPORTATION, TEACHER TRAINING, THAT SORT OF THING.

THERE WAS A $10 MILLION GRANT POOL THAT THE HOUSE PUT IN THAT LAWMAKERS COULD AT THEIR DISCRETION FOR LOCAL PROJECTS BACK HOME IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

SENATE DIDN'T PUT THAT IN THERE.

ONE THING THAT THE SENATE HAS THAT THE HOUSE DID NOT HAVE WAS $250 MILLION FOR STATE PARK IMPROVEMENTS.

I SPOKE TO THE SENATE BUDGET CHAIRMAN CHRIS MCDANIEL THIS MORNING ABOUT THAT.

HE SAID WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR IN MIND, BUT THE LANGUAGE IN THE BUDGET SAID THAT THEY REALLY WANT PARTNERSHIPS EITHER WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OR WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO FIND SOME WAY TO BRING THE SHINE BACK TO THESE PARKS.

THEY WERE A GEM BACK IN THE 1960s, BUT MANY OF THEM, ESPECIALLY THE STATE RESORT PARK, THE LODGES, THEY'RE YEARS OUT OF DATE.

THEY'RE IN KIND OF SAD SHAPE.

LIKE A LOT OF STATE GOVERNMENT, WE HAVEN'T BEEN INVESTING IN THEM, AND THE SENATE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM REHABBED SOMEHOW.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A TIME, YOU'RE RIGHT, THEY WERE THE ENVY OF THE COUNTRY AS FAR AS STATE PARKS.

JOE, THE FULL-DAY KINDER ISSUE IS INTERESTING.

OBVIOUSLY PRE-K IS NOT IN THIS AS THE GOVERNOR HAD WANTED.

NOT A PRIORITY OF THE SENATE.

YOU BELIEVE THAT MAYBE SCHOOL CHOICE IS SOMEHOW GOING TO COME TO PLAY IN THIS WHOLE DEBATE.

>> Joe: IT'S CERTAINLY POSSIBLE.

YOU HAVE A BILL THAT'S OUT THERE THAT DOES SET UP A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS FOR REALLY THE FIRST TIME.

HOUSE BILL 9, OBVIOUSLY IT'S A HOUSE BILL AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SENATE VERSION BECAUSE THE HOUSE DID ACTUALLY FUND IT AS FAR AS I CAN REMEMBER, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING DEBATE BECAUSE THE ONLY WEAN REASON WE HAVE FULL-DAY KINDERGARTNER IS BECAUSE IT WAS A BARGAINING CHIP FOR THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACT OR ACCOUNT BILL.

SO IS THIS GOING TO BE ANOTHER BARGAINING CHIP THIS SESSION IN REGARDS TO SCHOOL CHOICE TO GET SOME OF THE MORE MAYBE MODERATE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE MORE IN FAVOR OF FUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION VERSUS PRIVATE SCHOOL EDUCATION, THAT SORT OF THING, IS THIS GOING TO BE ANOTHER BARGAINING CHIP TO GET THESE GUYS ONBOARD WITH HOUSE BILL 9 OR ANY OTHER SCHOOL CHOICE LEGISLATION THAT MIGHT POP UP THIS SESSION AS WELL.

IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO WATCH.

>> Bill: WELL, THE SENATE BUDGET GIVES MONEY TO SCHOOLS, AND THEN, JOHN, THEY CAN DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO PROVIDE RAISES FOR TEACHERS.

>> John: THAT'S RIGHT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAD WANT NOT JUST PAY RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS WHO HAVE GONE A LONG TIME, MOST OF THEM WITHOUT A PAY RAISE.

HE WANTED A MANDATED PAY RAISES FOR TOOL SCHOOL TEACHERS AND HE HAD TO MONEY IN THERE FOR IT.

THE LEGISLATURE DOES NO SEEM INCLINED TO GO ALONG WITH 23457 SPEAKING TO REPORTERS THIS WEEK, 2 SENATE BUDGET CHAIRMAN, SENATOR MCDANIEL, SAID, LOOK, WE'RE GIVING THEM MORE SEEK MONEY.

THAT'S THE BASE PER PUPIL FUNDING.

AND WHAT THAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS CHOOSE TO DO IS UP TO THEM.

THE IF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WANT TO GIVE A PAY RAISE TO TEACHES, THAT'S FINE.

IT'S A LOCAL DECISION.

>> Bill: THERE'S THIS BIG PUSH FOR TAX REFORM.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO UNCOUPLE TAX REFORM AND THE BUDGET GIVEN THAT WE FINALLY SAW THE FISCAL NOTE THIS WEEK AND THE IMPACT OF DECREASING THE INCOME TAX BY 1% IS ABOUT $900 MILLION.

THAT IMPACTS REVENUE.

>> John: IT DOES.

IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE TO DOUBLE COUPLE.

BUDGET WITH TAXES.

THEY'VE LEFT THEMSELVES WIGGLE ROOM.

BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE LEFT A LOT OF MONEY UNSPENT INNER BUDGET PLANS.

THE HOUSE HAS LEFT $1.1 BILLION UNSPENT.

THE SENATE EVEN MORE, $1.2 BILLION UNSPENT.

THIS MONEY IS A PLAYGROUND.

THIS IS OUR TAX REFORM, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT OR TAX CHANGE AS I CALL IT BECAUSE REFORM SOUNDS GOOD AND I'M A REPORTER, I THINK NOTHING IS GOOD.

THIS IS THE PLAY GOWNED THEY CAN PLAY WITH.

THIS IS THE WIGGLE ROOM.

THE THE PROBLEM IS THEY'VE PASSED THE BUDGET AND HERE'S THE MONEY LEFTOVER TO MAKE THE TAX CHALLENGES.

THEY CAN'T GIVE EVERYBODY EVERYTHING THEY WANT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WANTS TO SPEND SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS LOWERING THE STATE SALES TAX FOR ONE YEAR.

HOUSE WANTS TO DO, AS YOU MENTIONED, THE GRADUAL REDUCTION OF THE STATE INCOME TAX AND EXPANDING THE SALES TAX.

BUT OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS THAT WOULD COST A NET LOSS OF $1.3 BILLION ACCORDING TO THE FISCAL NOTE.

SENATE WANTS TO DO A ONE-TIME INCOME TAX REBATE.

THAT WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED $1.1 BILLION.

OBVIOUSLY WE CAN'T DO ALL OF THAT.

SO I'M PRETTY SURE THEY'RE GOING TO PASS A BUG, AND I'M PRETTY SURE WE'RE GOING TO SEE TAX CHANGES, BUT NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT IN TERMS OF TAX CHANGES.

WE CAN'T DO ALL OF THAT.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A LOT OF RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF MANY REPUBLICANS TO COMMIT TO SPENDING MONEY IN A RECURRING WAY BECAUSE THEY SAID THE FEDERAL DOLLARS WILL GO AWAY.

DUODEN KNOW THAT THE RECEIPTS WILL CONTINUE TO COME IN AS THEY HAVE.

SO STRONGLY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

BUT AREN'T THESE RECURRING CUTS, ALSO, THE WAY THAT IT REDUCES SPENDABLE REVENUE?

>> John: THE HOUSE PLAN DOES.

OFF GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S TAX WAS ONE YEAR.

AND THE CINCINNATI REBATE IS A ONE-TIME THING.

SO OF THE THREE PLANS, THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLAN TO GRADUALLY REDUCE THE INCOME TAX AND REDUCE THE SALES TAX TO A FEW MORE THINGS, THAT WOULD BE RECURRING, THAT WOULD BE FROM THIS DAY FORWARD FOREVER AND EVER, AND THAT'S WHERE THE $1.3 BILLION TWO-YEAR FISCAL NOTE GETS ALARMING BECAUSE IT ALL HINGES ON WHETHER THERE'S GROWTH.

THE IF THERE'S GROWTH, IF THE EXPANDED SALES TAX AND THE LOWERED INCOME TAX ENCOURAGES MORE PEOPLE TO COME TO KENTUCKY AND MORE EMPLOYERS AND MORE JOBS AND -- AND THEN REVENUES ROSE, THEN THAT'S FANTASTIC, AND THEY'RE SAYING IT ABOUT WILL.

THINK L. THEY THEY SAY IF YOU LOOK A STATES LIKE FLORIDA AND TENNESSEE AND TEXAS, THEY HAVE NO STATE INCOME TAX AND THEY'RE DOING GREAT.

THE CRITICS POINT TO PLACES LIKE KANSAS, IF FAMOUS KANSAS EXPERIMENT THAT TEN YEARS AGO THEY SLASHED THEIR STATE INCOME TAX, AND THEY DIDN'T GET THE GROWTH, AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF YEARS THEY WERE HAVING TO CUT VITAL STATE SERVICES LIKE SCHOOLS AND THEIR BOND RATING GOT CUT, AND WITHIN A NEW YEAR'S THE LEGISLATURE WAS HAVING TO BACKTRACK AND RAISE TAXES AGAIN.

SO, YOU KNOW, ARE WE GOING TO GO THE WAY OF KANSAS OR SOMEPLACE LIKE FLORIDA?

AND I WILL SAY THE REASON THAT FLORIDA, MY HOME STATE, GETS BY SO WELL WITHOUT A STATE INCOME TAX COULD BE THAT IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO MOVE TO WHEN YOU ENTIRETY BECAUSE IT'S 72 DEGREES IN DECEMBER.

>> Bill: TENNESSEE HAS THE TOURISM MAGNETS OF NATIONAL MOTORCYCLES.

>> Jonathan: MEMPHIS AND NASHVILLE WHICH ARE LOVELY PLACES TO GO OH VACATION, AND IF WE CAN OFFER THE BEACH OR NASHID FAKHRID-DEENVILLE WE CAN CUT OUR INCOME TAX.

>> Bill: JOE, THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL ON CUTTING THE QUAR TAXES, WHO IS GOING TO GET THE CREDIT FOR THAT?

HE SAID IT FIRST AND THEN THE LEGISLATURE MADE AT THIS TIME LAW.

>> Joe: THERE WAS A WEIRD BACK AND FORTH OVER WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR A POTENTIAL RISE IN THE VEHICLE TAX.

I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE TAXES ARE CALCULATED IN SUCH WAY THAT IF YOUR PROPERTY APPRECIATES IN VALUE, YOUR TRACTIONS ARE GOING TO GO UP.

WELL, USED CAR VALUES HAVE SKYROCKETED SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED, AND NOW EVERYBODY'S LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY TO BLAME IN THAT REGARD.

ALTHOUGH NOW IT SEEMS LIKES THEY'VE RESOLVED IT AT LEAST AND DECIDED WE'RE GOING TOOT LEAST KEEP THINGS THE WAY THEY, THE TAXES THE WAY THEY WERE SO THAT THAT MASSIVE SPIKE IN USED CAR VALUES DOESN'T ACTUALLY HURT PEOPLE'S BOTTOM LINES, BUT BESHEAR ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AFTER GETTING A LITTLE BIT OF PRESSURE FROM REPUBLICANS TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE.

HE EVEN SAID, HEY, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS LEGAL FOR ME TO DO BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE ANYBODY OPPOSES IT SO I GUESS I'M NOT GOING TO GET SUED IF I DO IT.

AND HOUSE BILL 6 ESSENTIALLY CODIFIES WHAT BESHEAR PUT IN HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER INTO LAW.

>> Bill: AND IF YOU HAVE PAID YOUR CAR TAXES, YOU SUPPOSEDLY WILL GET A REFUND.

MELISSA, THIS SESSION WILL OBVIOUSLY BE REMEMBERED FOR CHANGES IN HOW THE STATE CAN RESPOND TO A FUTURE PANDEMIC OR TO MAYBE ANOTHER SPIKE IN THIS ONE.

IT'S BEEN NOTED THE LEGISLATURE FIRST HANDED THE MASKING DECISIONS TO LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

HOW THE THEY'VE TAKEN THAT POWER AWAY GOING FORWARD.

>> METEOROLOGIST: AND IT'S SORT OF FLABBERGASTED LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT THIS IS THE DIRECTION THEY'RE GOING IN AND HAD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DEBATE ON IT AS THIS BILL PASSED ON THROUGH THE HOUSE, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE QUESTION BY ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WAS WHAT HAPPENS IF WE HAVE ANOTHER VARIANT, ANOTHER DEADLY VARIANT, AND WE DON'T HAVE THESE -- ANY AUTHORITY TO MAKE THESE MASK MANDATES.

AND THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL, LYNN BECKLER, BASICALLY SAID BARENTS PARENTS WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> Bill: ANOTHER BILL WOULD FORBID PUBLIC AGENCIES OR UNIVERSITIES FROM REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATIONS.

THEY DID REMOVE PRIVATE BUSINESS FROM THAT.

>> Melissa: THEY DID.

IT SEEMED LIKE THAT HAD TO HAPPEN TO GET THE BILL PASSED, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE PUSHBACK ON THAT BILL IS JUST THE LOSS OF HOME RULE AND LOCAL -- FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THE KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES WAS NOT HAPPY THAT IT DIDN'T ALLOW FOR HOME RULE BECAUSE SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL WANT TO BE ABLE TO CHECK FOR VACCINE IMMUNIZATIONS AND OTHERS WON'T, AND THEY JUST WANT TO HAVE THAT ABILITY TO DO SO.

>> Bill: SOME OF THESE BILLS ARE JUST COVID, AND OTHERS WOULD -- AND WE WILL BE IN A SITUATION WHERE THERE ARE SOME VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE OUT THE WINDOW BECAUSE OF THIS?

>> Melissa: WELL, THIS ONE IS JUST FOR COVID, FOR PANDEMIC ISSUES, BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ONE, SENATE BILL 9 SPONSORED BY RICK -- SENATOR RICK GIRDLER AND IT IS GRANTS RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS FOR ALL VACCINES IN THE WORKPLACE, AND SO THAT ONE IS IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

BUT IT IS -- IT JUST PASSED THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

SO IT'S MOVING.

AND SO BOUGHT BUT THAT'S NOR ALL VACCINES.

>> Bill: AND WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW ANY FUTURE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO HAVE A LOT LESS POWER TO RESPOND TO A SITUATION LIKE WHAT WE HAVE HAD.

ABORTION HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT A LOT THIS SESSION.

THIS WEEK SENATE BILL 321 ADVANCED.

IT BANS ABORTIONS AFTER THE 15th WEEK OF PREGNANCY, AND THE DEBATE WAS INTENSE.

>> WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS PUTTING YOUR FINGER, PUTTING YOUR KNEE, PUTTING YOUR -- A GUN TO WOMEN'S HEADS.

YOU ARE KILLING WOMEN!

BECAUSE ABORTION WILL CONTINUE.

>> THE DOCTOR WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS.

IT SEEMS TO BELIEVE THAT SHE THINKS INDIVIDUALS AND THE VIABILITY EVEN AFTER 24 WEEKS SHOULD BE MADE ON EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

I HAVE TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THAT.

>> Bill: MELISSA, ISN'T THIS BILL INTENDED TO POSITION KENTUCKY QUICKLY IF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS A VERY SIMILAR LAW IN MISSISSIPPI?

>> NARRATOR: YES, AND THAT DECISION IS EXPECTED TO COMB THIS SUMMER, AND SO SENATOR WISE BASICALLY SAID HE WANTED THIS BILL TO BECOME LAW IN KENTUCKY SO THAT THERE COULD BE NO PUSHBACK ON IT ONCE THE SUPREME COURT MADE THAT DECISION.

>> Bill: MEDICAL MARIJUANA NOW A MAJOR ISSUE, AND SUDDENLY APPEARS TO BE MOVING.

KENTUCKY HAS NO PROVISION FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE, JOE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES HAS FILED A BILL THAT HE BELIEVES ADDRESSES SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED EARLIER.

IT HAS PREVIOUSLY STALLED IN THE SENATE.

POLLING SHOWS STRONG SUPPORT.

DECEITS LOOK MORE LIKELY TO PASS THIS TIME?

>> Joe: IT LOOKS MORE LIKELY.

WHETHER OR NOT IT'S LIKELY TO PASS IS ANOTHER QUESTION BUT I THINK NEVER A QUESTION IN THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE ALREADY PASSED THIS IN 2020.

YOU HAVE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AS A COSPONSOR OF BILL THIS TIME AROUND TOO.

IT'S NOT REALLY A QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THE HOUSE IS GOING TO PASS IT.

IT'S AY WHEN QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT IT'S GOING TOWING THROUGH THE SENATE.

AND YOU SAW SENATOR WHEN IT NEE WESTERFIELD TWEET HIS SUPPORTED.

HE'S THE CHAIRMAN OF JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY TAKE UP THIS BILL.

HE'S NEVER VOICED SUPPORT FOR THIS AND HAS BEEN A POSED TO IT IN THE PAST SO THAT'S A BIG HURRIEDLY FOR THIS LEGISLATION TO CLEAR.

HURLED.

IF IT GOES THROUGH A COMMITTEE, GETS VOLTED OUT WHETHER OR NOT IT REACHES THE FLOOR SOOT QUESTION BECAUSE YOU HAVE AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE IN THE SENATOR LEARN WITH SENATOR DAME O. THAYER AND SENATE PRESIDENT ROSH STIVERS, STIVERS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE RELUCTANT TO TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE HE WANTS TO SEE MORE RESEARCH.

THAY SER HARDLY OPPOSED.

SO WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO BE UNCLEANED TO BRING THIS BILL UP TO A VOTE ON THE FLOOR -- INCLINED TO BRING THIS VOTE UP ON THE FLOOR YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW YET, AND YOU ALSO DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OR HOW THE SENATE, REST OF THE SENATE GOP CAUCUS FEELS ABOUT THIS 37 YOU KNOW THE SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE ALL FOR LEGALIZATION AND THEY WANT TO LEGALIZE IT HAD FULLY BUT THERE'S A LOT OF DEBATING INTO THE SENATE GOP CAUCUS.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE THAT HOUSE VOTE COULD COME NEXT WEEK.

THE STATE NOW HAS A NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS BILL.

IT IS CONSIDERED A NATIONAL MODEL.

KENTUCKY TOOK A LEAD ON THIS ONE, RIGHT?

>> Joe: YEAH, AND IS IT WAS REALLY VOID OF ANY FEDERAL INTERVENTION.

I KNOW A LOT OF LAWMAKERS, BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, THIS IS MAYBE THE MOST BIPARTISAN BILL YOU'RE GOING SEE OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE IMPLEMENTED SOME SORT OF POLICY WHEN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING CAME DOWN LAST YEAR THAT EFFECTIVELY MADE THESE KIND OF ENDORSEMENT DEALS AND MONEY OFF OF SOCIAL MEDIA PARALEGAL FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES.

THIS BILL PUTS INTO PLACE A FRAMEWORK THAT REALLY IS KIND OF CODIFYING THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM LAST SUMMER INTO LAW, AND IT ALSO INCLUDES A FINANCIAL LITERACY PART SO THAT STUDENTS KNOW NOW THAT THEY'VE GOT THIS ACCESS TO THIS MONEY, A LOT OF ATHLETES ARE GOING TO BE POSSIBLY MAKING A LOT OF MONEY.

THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

>> Bill: YOU HOPE THEY GET GOOD CAN ADVICE.

>> John: A 20-YEAR-OLD WITH A LOT OF MONEY WOULD BE EASY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

>> Bill: MELISSA, SLEEPER OF A WORK THIS SESSION AND A LOT OF WORK HAS GONE ON BEHIND THE SCENES IS AIMED AT IMPROVING AMBULANCE RESPONSE TIMES IN THE STATE, AND WA WE HAVE LEARNED IS THERE ARE A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS AND A LOT OF CONCERNS.

AND A LOT OF PREM WHO WANT TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE.

>> Melissa: WELL, AND IT'S A STORY OF WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO BE HEARD AND PUSHBACK ON BILLS AND ARE WILLING TO COME TO THE TABLE AND FIND COMPROMISE JUST HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS BECAUSE THEY FINALLY FOUND A COMPROMISE BILL THAT HAS PASSED IDENTITY COMMITTEE AND CREATED A TASK FORCE, WHICH, YOU KNOW, IS ALWAYS A LITTLE IFFY AS TO WHAT WILL RESULT FROM THOSE TASK FORCES BUT AT LEAST THEY'RE COMING TO THE TABLE TO WITH US FURTHER ISSUES AND THEY HAVE CREATED THE SITUATION WHERE CERTAIN GROUPS CAN GET A CERTIFICATE OF NEED TO OPEN A NEW AMBULANCE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE TRANSFER OF PATIENTS.

>> Bill: THE BIG CANCER BEEN DELAYS IN GETTING NON-EMERGENCY TRANSFERS DONE.

>> MICHON: >> Melissa: YES.

EVERYONE RECOGNIZES THAT AN EMERGENCY COMES FIRST BUT WHEN GRANDMA GETS LEFT IN DIALYSIS EIGHT HOURS WAITING FOR A RIDE AND DOESN'T GET SHOME UNTIL MIDNIGHT, NO ONE'S HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITIES AS DISCUSSED AGAIN THIS WEEK AS THE HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITY IS TRYING TO GET STATE MONEY TO STAY AFLOAT.

LAWMAKERS DISCUSS THEIR DESIRE TO HELP AND THE FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT KSU HAS BEEN HAVING.

>> THERE HAS TO BE INVESTMENT TO ENSURE THAT THIS INSTITUTION CAN MEET ITS CURRENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY, IT'S A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY.

>> BUT NOW MOVING FORWARD IS GOING TO MEAN SIGNIFICANT CHANGE CHANGE, CULTURAL CHANGE, FINANCIAL INVESTMENT, REORGANIZATION OF THIS INSTITUTION, AND IT'S ALSO GOING TO MEAN THAT IF ALL OF THESE EFFORTS DON'T SUCCEED, THEN I'M GOING TO NEED YOUR COMMITMENT TO ASSIST ME IN FINDING A WAY FORWARD THAT INVOLVES CLOSURE.

>> Bill: JOHN, THERE YOU HAVE THE SPECTER RAISED OF KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY CLOAKS AS A LAST RESORT OPTION, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF RESTFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT DOES NO HAPPEN.

>> John: I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY CLOSE.

IT'S A HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITY.

IT'S GOT AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN KENTUCKY THEY ARE WEIGHING -- MOVING THROUGH A $23 MILLION BAIL-OUT FOR KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY.

ON THE OTHER HAND THEY'RE ALSO MOVING THROUGH A BILL TO ALLOW GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BOARD OF FROM US TEES.

THE PROBLEM IS THIS IS NOT THE FIRST OR EVEN THE SECOND TIME IN RECENT HISTORY KSU HAS HAD A SCANDAL AND A FINANCIAL MELTDOWN EVEN AS THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN CONSIDERING THIS BAIL-OUT.

ANOTHER $7 MILLION DEFICIT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED, WHICH IS BIG FOR A $50 MILLION SCHOOL.

THERE'S GOING TO BE HUGE BUDGET CUTS GOING ON.

THEY JUST HAD A WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT SUCCEED AGAINST THEM INVOLVING THE YOU'LL HARASSES.

STUDENTS AT KSU.

THEY'VE GOT SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS THERE AND THERE'S EVER THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE SYMPTOM SERIOUS CLEANUP, THAT'S JUST THE PLAIN TRUTH.

>> Bill: THE CROWN ACT WOULD BAN HAIR SOME TIME IN KENTUCKY.

>> Joe: THIS IS A BILL THAT REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA SCOTT HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR EVERY SESSION SHE'S BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'S A ISSUE THAT DEALS WITH RACE, TOO, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF STORIES FROM BLACK PEOPLE WHO HAVE FELT THAT THEY ARE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST FOR JUST HAVING THEIR HAIR WORN NATURALLY.

YOU TALK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE FORCED TO CUT OFF THEIR BRAIDS.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.

PEOPLE WHO ARE FORCED TO STRAIGHTEN THEIR HAIR, STUFF WHEN THAT.

AND EVEN A SITUATION LIKE IN MEADE COUNTY WHERE THE BASEBALL TEAM HAD MULLEST AND THE COACH OR SOME SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WANTED THEM TO CUT THOSE MULLETS.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT IS FAR-REACHING AND I THINK WE HAVE SEEN TESTIMONY FROM KIDS WHO ARE AFFECTED BY IT'S EXITS MADE A LOT OF LAWMAKERS, I DON'T SAY ANYBODY IS OPPOSED ALTHOUGH THERE IS SOME OPPOSITION TO IT, BUT IT'S MADE SOME LAWMAKERS COME AROUND TO REALIZED THAT IS AN ISSUE -- >> Bill: IT SAILED THROUGH COMMITTEE.

>> Joe: IT DID.

>> BILL: >> Bill: THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SEEM AT UK WON THE SEC TOURNAMENT TITLE FOR THE FIRST TIME DEFEATING SOUTH CAROLINA.

THE SENATE VOTED TO TAKE DOLLY PARTICIPATED'S IMAGINATION MUSEUM STATEWIDE.

IT PRESERVES BOOKS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH THE GOAL 37.

SENATOR JOE BOLEN OF OWENSBORO DIED THIS WEEK, HE IS KNOWN TO REFORM PUBLIC PENSIONS ANDS A CHAMPION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE.

MANY REMEMBER THE FM VOICE OF WAYNE, A BROADCASTING LEGEND.

HE DIED AFTER A DIFFICULT BATTLE WITH COVID.

PERKY WHOSE LAST NAME ANNOUNCED PERSONALITY WAS AN ANNOUNCER FOR DECADES 234 LOUISVILLE.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN MOANED FOR KENTUCKY TONIGHT'S.

RENEE SHAW HAD BEEN HOSTING A DISCUSSION ON THE STATE BUDGETS.

DON'T FORGET TO SPRING FORWARD THIS WEEKEND.