>> Casey: THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET, SENDING IT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS APPROVAL AND POTENTIAL LINE ITEM VETOES, AND THE SENATE AGREES TO CHANGES TO THE BILL THAT WOULD ESTABLISH THE COMMISSION ON RACE AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY ON DAY 27 OF THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR 11:00 UPDATE.

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

TODAY THE SENATE UNVEILED THE COMPROMISED BUDGET BETWEEN THE GENERAL SOMEPLACE TWO CHAMBERS.

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN CHRIS MCDANIEL SAYS THE NATIONAL ECONOMY DOES APPEAR TO BE IMPROVING BUT HE SAYS LAWMAKERS STILL OPTED FOR CONSERVATIVE SPENDING PLAN GIVEN THE LINGERING IMPACTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> SO WE WERE VERY, VERY FORTUNATE AS WE APPROACHED THIS BUDGET THAT OUR TAX RECEIPTS WERE NOT ONLY BETTER THAN EXPECTED BUT THEY WERE UP AND NOT IN SIGNIFICANT PORTION, BUT THE UNFORTUNATE REALTY, MR. PRESIDENT, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE THREE BIG BUCKETS THAT FEED OUR TAX POLICY, IS THAT INDIVIDUAL INCOME AND SALES TAX WERE BOTH UP PRETTY HEALTHY PORTION BUT THEY WERE ONLY UP BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE WERE DRAWING UNEMPLOYMENT, PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT, AND THEN TURNING AROUND AND SPENDING THAT MONEY ONLINE SO THANK HEAVEN WE DID STREAMLINE SALES TAX THE OTHER YEAR OR WE WOULD HAVE REALLY BEEN IN TROUBLE.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT CORPORATE AND LAAT YOU BEGIN TO SEE SOME OF THE UNDERLYING WEAKNESSES IN THAT SYSTEM, AND SOME OF THE ONGOING CAUSES FOR CONCERN, SO WE APPROACHED THIS BUDGET WITH THE IDEA THAT WE NEEDED TO BE VERY CONSERVATIVE, THAT THIS WAS A CONTINUATION BUDGET.

>> Casey: THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT TO HOUSE WILL 192 DOES INCLUDE MATCHES FUNDS FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, MONEY FOR SENATE OF STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE OFFICE AND SECURITY UPGRADES AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

MCDANIEL SAYS THE PROPOSAL ALSO HOLDS K-12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION AT CURRENT LEVELS.

BUT PROVIDES PAY RAISES FOR ONLY A FEW SPECIFIC STATE EMPLOYEES.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT IN THE COURSE OF A PANDEMIC, IN THE COURSE OF A TIME WHEN RECORD NUMBERS OF KENTUCKIANS SIT ON UNEMPLOYMENT, AND WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ESTABLISH A SOLID FOOTING FROM WHICH TO MAKE SOUND POLICY NEXT SESSION, THAT WE OFFER ONLY TARGETED RAISES.

THOSE OCCURRED, FIRST OF ALL, THE IN MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

WE HAVE GOT SOME PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS OCCURRING THERE, LEADING TO A LACK OF PROCESSING OF THE CORPSES ACCUMULATING IN THOSE OFFICES.

WE HAVE PROVIDED A BONUS INCENTIVE TO THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, AND WE ALSO PROVIDED A 15% RAISE TO THE LAB TECH PERSONAL KNELT STATE POLICE.

>> THE BUDGET PLAN ALSO GIVES THE LEGISLATURE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALLOCATING THE LATEST ROUND OF FEDERAL STIMULUS DOLLARS.

THE STATE IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ABOUT $2.6 BILLION IN FUNDING FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN LAST WEEK.

>> WE PUT LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT SAYS THAT THAT MONEY CANNOT BE EXPENDED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS CONSENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND I'VE BEEN ASKED MANY, MANY TIMES, YOU KNOW, WELL, WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?

WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?

WELL, THE FACT IS WE DIDN'T SAY THAT.

A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE SITTING ACROSS THE RIVER IN 1895 SAID THAT.

WHEN THEY SAID NO WARRANT SHALL BE DRAWN UPON THE TREASURY WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION IN LAW.

AND SO IT IS MERELY A STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE BRANCH PREROGATIVE THAT WE AUTHORIZE THOSE.

AND MR. PRESIDENT WICK REMEMBER SITTING IN ROOMS WITH YOU, WITH MEMBERS AFT GOVERNOR'S STAFF WHEN WE WERE NEGOTIATING WITH DEMOCRATS AND WE PUT AN IMPOSITION LIKE THAT ON A DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR, AND WE WERE NEGOTIATING WITH DEMOCRATS AND THEN WITH REPUBLICANS AND WE PUT THAT IMPOSITION ON A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, AND SO THIS IS NOTHING NEW.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

AND WE NOT ONLY STAND READY, WE HAVE HAD SOME VERY PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND I THINK THE TIME IS STILL HERE THAT WE CAN MAKE THESE PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS MOVE FORWARD AND APPROPRIATELY INVEST IN THE COMMONWEALTH INSIDE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK THAT WAS ENVISIONED OVER 125 YEARS AGO.

>> Casey: EVEN THOUGH MANY DETAILS ABOUT HOW THE FEDERAL MONEY CAN BE SPENT ARE STILL UNKNOWN, SENATE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER MORGAN McGARVEY SAYS LAWMAKERS ARE MISSING A ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT EVERY KENTUCKIAN HAS ACCESS TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER, THAT EVERY KENTUCKIAN IS CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.

WE CAN USE THIS MONEY TO PAY OFF THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST LOAN.

THAT WILL HIT SO MANY OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES WHO ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING.

WE CAN DIRECTLY INVEST IN THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY AND THE BUSINESSES OF KENTUCKY THAT STILL NEED OUR HELP DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

WHEN WE DO THAT, WE CAN USE THAT MONEY.

THOSE ARE OUR CURRENT NEEDS.

I TELL PEOPLE, LOOK, DELANEY DRINK WATER, WE NEED IT.

ACCESS TO BROADBAND, WE NEED IT.

THAT GETS US TO THE END OF THE 20th CENTURY.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN THIS CENTURY AND BEYOND.

>> Casey: IN ADDITION TO THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING TO KENTUCKY, SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAYS ADDITIONAL FUNDING WILL FLOW TO CITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

WITH SO MUCH UNEXPECTED CASH COMING IN, STIVERS SAYS LAWMAKERS MAY END UP CREATING THREE DIFFERENT BUDGETS THIS YEAR ALONE.

HE SAYS LAWMAKERS NEED MORE TIME TO DETERMINE THE BEST WAZE TO SPEND THOSE FUNDS.

>> ERGAS AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE WOULD SAY, IF WE SHOOT FOR THE MOON, AND IF WE MISS, WE'LL BE IN THE STARS.

WHAT IF WE DID CREATE A RESEARCH POOL FOR OUR UNIVERSITIES TO ACCESS, TO CREATE LIKE THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDICAL CENTER THAT NOW RECEIVES THE SECOND LARGEST RECIPIENT OF NIH DOLLARS, THREE-QUARTERS OF A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR, A BOSTON DYNAMIC WHEN THERE'S 30,000 UNFILLED RESEARCH JOBS, A TRIANGLE DYNAMIC LIKE IN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE THEY HAVE LESS THAN 1% UNEMPLOYMENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE INVESTED IN RESEARCH.

WHAT IS IT?

ENGINEERING?

GENOMICS?

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT WITH THIS MONEY.

WE NEED TO THINK BIG, AND WE NEED TO THINK BOLD.

SO I TELL THE PEOPLE WHO SEE THIS AND SAY IT'S A FLAT LINE BUDGET, YES, IT IS, BECAUSE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MONEY, THIS 5 TO SIX BILLION BILLION DOLLARS UNDERSTAND AND THERE'S GOING TO BE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO ASK.

THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIORS FOURS TO SAY NO, TOO, BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE WISELY DONE, IT HAS TO BE DONE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE LAW, AND IT HAS TO MAY GO A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.

SO THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD PROCESS, A GOOD DISCUSSION.

WE NEED TO PASS THIS, AND THEN WE REALLY NEED TO SIT DOWN AND START THE REAL WORK OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> Casey: THE BUDGET PLAN DREW PASS VOTES FROM FIVE DEMOCRATS AND ONE REPUBLICAN WHO DID NOT AGREE WITH THE CONTINUATION SPENDING APPROACH BUT DIDN'T WANT TO VOTE AGAINST THE PLAN, EITHER.

>> THERE'S THINGS IN THIS BUDGET THAT I GREATLY SUPPORT.

THERE'S THINGS IN THIS BUDGET I DO NOT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE TIME LATER, THIS YEAR PROBABLY, WHEN WE VOTE ON ANOTHER BUDGET THAT WOULD BE MORE TO MY LIKING.

SO AT THIS POINT I CAST A PASS VOTE.

>> I ALWAYS THINK A PASS VOTE IS KIND OF THE WEAK WAY.

I DON'T LIGHTING BUT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE VOTING AGAINST THIS BUDGET BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD BE A POLITICAL MOVE ANY IT MAKES ABSOLUTE SENSE WITH LEADERSHIP AND WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT WE HAVE MONEY COMING IN, AND IT MAKES SENSE TO SEE WHERE YOU CAN DO THE MATCH, WHERE YOU CAN GET THE BETTER BANG FOR OUR BUCK.

BUT AS PROPOSED, LOOKING AT IT, IT HURTS.

THE FLAT LINE, IT HURTS.

SO I STAND HERE OPTIMISTIC WORKING WITH YOU.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT BEING A FRESHMAN COMING IN AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FUNDS TO ACTUALLY DO SOME TRANSFORMATIVE MEASURES HERE IN KENTUCKY.

SO I'LL STAND AND PASS TODAY WITH THE HOPE THAT WE'LL WORK TOGETHER ON A GREAT BUDGET WITH GREAT FUNDS.

>> Casey: THE FINAL VOTE ON THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET BILL WAS 30-0 WITH SIX PASS VOTES.

THE SENATE ALSO APPROVED THE FREE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON THE LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCH BUDGETS.

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH BUDGET TRANSITIONS LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION STAFF TO A 40-HOUR WORK WEEK AND INCLUDES FUNDS FOR CAPITAL SECURITY UPDATES AND BUILDINGS REPAIRS.

AFTER THE SENATE PASSED THE THREE DOLPHINS ARE COMMITTEE REPORT, THE HOUSE TOOK IT.

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND GOVERNOR CHAIRMAN JASE SON PETRI SAID HAS YEAR'S ONE-YEAR BUDGET WAS BUILT TO ALLOW LEGISLATORS TO COME BACK THIS YEAR AND REACT TO THE YEAR'S EVENTS, WHETHER THE ECONOMY WAS IN GREAT SHAPE OR STILL HURTING.

>> CURRENTLY WE REALLY FIND OURSELVES IN NEITHER ONE OF THOSE POSITIONS.

THE COVID EVENT IS LINGERING, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE MAY HAVE DAYLIGHT TOWARD MID-SUMMER, LATE SUMMER.

OUR ECONOMY HAS CERTAIN STRUCTURAL SIGNS OF STRENGTH, BUT WE'VE ALSO HAD A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY INFUSED INTO OUR ECONOMY WHICH MAKES ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMIC DATA DIFFICULT AT BEST.

WE REMAIN HOPEFUL THAT THINGS WILL GET BETTER, BUT WE'RE STILL NOT CERTAIN.

SO WE END UP WITH A SHORT SESSION.

HERE WE ARE AGAIN.

WE TAKE ACCOUNT OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND IN THE SHORT SESSION WE DON'T HAVE THE BUDGET REVIEWS.

AND AS I INDICATED TO EVERYONE AREA IN THIS SESSION -- EARLY IN THIS SESSION, WE LIKELY WOULD BE LOOKING AT A CONTINUATION BUDGET WITH NECESSARY NOD MODIFICATIONS, AND THAT IS IN LARGE PART WHAT WE HAVE THIS TIME.

>> Casey: HOUSE DEMOCRATS MADE KNOWN THE THINGS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE COMPROMISE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET THAT THEY WISH HAD.

THE COMMON REFRAIN AMONG THE DEMOCRATS WAS THAT THE REVENUE MESH MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED ADVERSELY BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> AND I HOPE ALL OF US WILL SEE THIS FEDERAL MONEY COMING TO THE STATE AND THAT WE THINK VERY, VERY HARD AND TRY TO BE INNOVATIVE AND TRY TO BE BOLD ON HOW WE CAN LEVERAGE THIS OPPORTUNITY THAT MAY NOT COME AGAIN.

THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS GOING INTO NOT ONLY OUR STATE BUT OTHER STATES IS REALLY KIND OF STAGGERING, AND WE MUST TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING BIG, SOMETHING THAT MOVES THE NEEDLE, SOMETHING THAT POSITIONS KENTUCKY IN A WAY THAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE HERE.

>> WE GOT PEOPLE HURTING.

WE NEED TO HELP OUR PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

FROM YOUR END OF THE STATE, OF THE WEST, TO THE FAR EASTERN PART OF THE LADY FROM LETCHER, THE POINTS IN BETWEEN.

OUR PEOPLE ARE HURTING.

AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TRY TO ADDRESS THAT HURT.

AND SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE VOTING FOR THIS BUDGET TONIGHT BECAUSE I THINK THIS BUDGET IS NOT THE MORALLY CORRECT BUDGET FOR US TO FOLLOW.

>> AFTER A YEAR OF SUCH STRUGGLE AND RECENT WEATHER EMERGENCIES, WE HAD A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OUR CONSTITUENTS, NOT JUST THE WEALTHY ONES OR THE ONES THAT OWN BIG BUSINESS, AND THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY I STOOD RIGHT HERE AND I TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT ONE OUT OF FOUR KENTUCKY SANZ FOOD INSECURE.

WE'VE DONE NOTHING IN THE TWO MONTHS SINCE TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE REALLY HURTING.

WHEN YOUR KIDS ARE HUNGRY, YOU DON'T PUT -- YOU DON'T PUT MONEY INTO SAVINGS INSTEAD OF BUYING GROCERIES.

AND HERE WE ARE PUTTING MONEY IN THE RAINY DAY FUND WHEN KENTUCKIANS ARE HUNGRY.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 192 WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE 74-23.

IT WILL NOW HEAD DOWN THE FIRST FLOOR FOR THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE OR VETO.

THE HOUSE ALSO GAVE APPROVAL TO HOUSE BILL 194, THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH BUDGET.

IT WILL NOW ALSO HEAD DOWN THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

BACK TO THE SENATE FLOOR, HOUSE CHANGES TO A SENATE BILL TO CREATE A COMMISSION ON RACIAL INEQUITY DREW POINTED QUESTIONS FROM THE SENATE'S TWO BLOCK MEMBERS.

SENATE BILL 10 CALLS FOR MAY NEW BIPARTISAN COMMISSION ON RACE AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY THAT WOULD STUDY DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, JOBS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND OTHER SECTORS.

THE ORIGINAL BILL INCLUDED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AS ONE OF THE 13 MEMBERS OF THE NEW PANEL.

BUT A HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT WILL REPLACE THAT PERSON WITH ONE SELECTED BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE FROM A LIST OF THREE NAMES SUBMITTED BY THE PROSECUTORS ADVISORY COUNCIL.

SENATOR DAVID GIVENS, THE SPONSOR OF ORIGINAL BILL, SAID EVEN WITH THE CHANGE HE THINKS THE COMMISSION WILL STILL PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT SERVICE.

IN THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER TO CONCUR WITH THE HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE AND AMENDMENT, SENATOR GERALD NEEL NEAL HAVE LOUISVILLE AND REG THOMAS OF LEXINGTON QUESTIONED THE HOUSE MEMBERS FOR MAKING THOSE CHANGES.

>> I KEEP ASKING MYSELF WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT.

WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT?

SO, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO STAND HERE AND SAY THAT I HOPE THE SENATOR FROM GREEN IS RIGHT.

I HOPE HE'S RIGHT.

I HOPE THAT THIS BILL GOES FORWARD BECAUSE IT WILL AND THAT IT WILL GET TO ITS INTENDED PURPOSES WITHOUT THE QUESTION MARKS THAT IS LEADING BY HOW IT WAS HANDLED AT THE OTHER END.

I'M DISAPPOINTED.

I'M GOING TO SAY.

>> I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE THAT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND THE ISSUE OF RACE, THEY SEE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, MR. PRESIDENT, AS PART OF THE PROBLEM, NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION, THAT THEY SEE IT AS PART OF THE PROBLEM, AND WHY WE ARE IN SUCH DESPAIR AND DISTRESS IN OUR LIVES TODAY, BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ON OUR LIVES.

I WANT -- I WANT YOU TO HEAR THAT.

I WANT EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND TO SAY THAT NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PROSECUTORS PUT ON THIS COUNCIL REALLY SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THIS STATE WHEN THEY SEE THIS.

IF THE HOUSE DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING, MR. PRESIDENT, TO TRY TO ADVANCE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE TODAY, TO TRY TO REALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THIS COUNTRY IN THE SOCIAL JUSTICE AREA WITH THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT OVER THIS LAST YEAR AND SAY WE IN KENTUCKY WANT TO GET IT RIGHT AND FIX IT, THEN THAT'S ON THEM.

THAT'S ON THEM.

>> Casey: SEVERAL REPUBLICAN SENATORS SPLIT ON THEIR SUPPORT OF THE HOUSE CHANGES EVEN AS THEY QUESTIONED THE NEED FOR THEM.

>> I'M PRETTY PARTIAL TO THE PROSECUTORS.

AND THEIR INPUT IS INVALUABLE TO ME AND TO MANY OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY.

THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THAT ROLE.

SO I'M JUST SUPPORTING THE HOUSE GROUP SUBCOMMITTEE BUT I WANT TO COMMITTEE TO EXIST.

I WOULD CHANGE MY VOTE AND IT WOULD STILL PASS BUT I WANT TO AIR MY COMPLAINT THERE AND FOR THE RECORD, THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT PLACE FOR SOMEONE ONLY THAT VOICE.

>> AND IT WOULD BE EASY TO GO TO AND KILL IT AND SAY WE'LL JUST MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE SENATOR FROM GREEN'S SPENT INTENT ON THIS.

I THINK IT'S QUITE ADMIRABLE.

I HAD MY RESERVATIONS PARTICULARLY IN 35 AT SPLIT VOTE THAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT HERE, ABOUT IT HOPE AND PRAY THAT IT WORKS THE WAY HOO HE ENVISIONS IT.

I THINK IT CAN.

BUT THIS IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF HOW WE DIVIDE OURSELVES.

AGAIN, YOU CAN BE THE PROBLEM OR PART OF THE SOLUTION, AND I THINK VOTING AGAINST THIS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM.

IT'S NOT GOING TO MOVE ANYTHING FORWARD.

>> I HAD SUPPORTED THIS IN THE BEGINNING, BUT IF THE TWO BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THIS SENATE HAVE LOST HOPE IN THIS LEGISLATION, I SHALL TOO.

>> Casey: IN THE END, THE SENATE CONCURRED WITH THE HOUSE CHANGES TO SENATE BILL 10 BY A VOTE OF 27-9.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WOULD NOT INCLUDE A STUDENT OR A TEACHER AS NON-VOTING MEMBERS UNDER A MEASURE APPROVED BY THE SENATE TODAY.

HOUSE BILL 178 REQUIRES THE BOARD TO HAVE AN EQUAL GENDER REPRESENTATION AND PROPORTIONALLY FLECTED KENTUCKY'S POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND RACIAL COMPOSITION.

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MAX WISE EXPLAINED OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE BILL AND THE SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE.

>> HOUSE BILL 78 ALSO AS AMENDED BY THE SUB WILL PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS CAN BE REMOVED IF THE CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS NOT MET.

AND ALSO IT PROHIBITS THE GOVERNOR FROM REORGANNING THE KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

WE HAVE SEEN ISSUES IN THE PAST, PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS, IN TRYING TO GET THIS MORE IN LINE GOING FORWARD FOR A BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT WILL BE MORE SUITABLE AND REFLECTIVE OF THE OVERALL MONTH OF KENTUCKY.

THE COMMITTEE SUB DOES REMOVE FROM THE ORIGINAL BILL THAT A STUDENT AND A TEACHER TO THE BOARD WOULD BE NON-VOTING MEMBERS.

>> Casey: LEXINGTON DEMOCRAT REGGIE THOMAS PROPOSED A FLOOR AMENDMENT THAT WOULD REINSTATE THE STUDENT AND ACTIVE TEACHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

HE SAID THOSE WHO HAVE THE MOST AT STAKE IN EDUCATION SHOULD HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

>> TEACHERS, THEY ARE IMPACTED DAILY.

THEY DEVOTE THEIR LIVES AND THEIR LIVELIHOOD TO TRYING TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS WORK, BOTH IN THE K-12 AREA AS WELL AS IN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THE SAME IS FOR THE THE STUDENTS.

I MEAN, WHAT WE DO IS EDUCATE THESE STUDENTS, AND THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ARE RECEIVING THIS EDUCATION, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE SOME INPUT IN HOW THEY'RE LEARNING, WHAT THEY'RE LEARNING, HOW IT CAN BE DONE BETTER, AND I JUST THINK, MR. PRESIDENT, THAT IT'S PAST TIME THAT WE IGNORE THESE VOICES.

>> Casey: BOWLING GREEN REPUBLICAN MIKE WILSON OPPOSED THE AMENDMENT SAYING EVEN THE BRIGHTEST STUDENTS MAY NOT HAVE FULLY FORMED THOUGHTS ON EDUCATION POLICY.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF AVENUES FOR STUDENTS' VOICES TO BE HEARD AS THEY COULD COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND GET ON THE AGENDA TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS.

THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD JUST BE THE CONCERNS OF THE STUDENTS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT FORWARD IN THE CRITERIA.

AND THEREFORE, THE STUDENT COULD BE UTILIZED AND INFLUENCED BY TEACHERS WHO WANT A CERTAIN THING FROM THE BOARD.

I BELIEVE THAT ALSO IT DOES PROVIDE ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION, THAT RETIRED TEACHERS CAN BE ON THE BOARD THAT HAVE ALL OF THE EXPERIENCE THAT A CURRENT TEACHER WOULD HAVE, THEREFORE, I DON'T SEE THE NEED TO ADD ANOTHER PERSON THAT IS A CURRENT TEACHER ON THE BOARD.

I KNOW THAT RETIRED TEACHERS CURRENTLY IN TOUCH WITH REGULAR TEACHERS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SO THEREFORE, MR. PRESIDENT, I DON'T SEE THE NEED FOR ENLARGING THE BOARD WITH THOSE TWO FOLKS THAT ARE ON THE BOARD, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NON-VOTING MEMBERS.

>> Casey: SENATOR ROBIN WEBB SAYS SHE HAS CONFIDENCE THAT A STUDENT WOULD BE A VALUABLE ADDITION TO THE BOARD.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S ALSO A PRETTY GOOD TRAINING GROUND FOR OUR YOUTH TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESSES SUCH AS THIS THAT AFFECT NEM AND POLICY DIVISIONS MADE THAT AFFECT THEM.

I THINK WE HAVE A RICH, FERTILE GROUND TO PICK FROM WHEN IT COPS TO OUR STUDENTS IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.

WE ENCOURAGE THEM AND WE FUND THE SCHOOLS AND WE FUND THE INITIATIVES, WHETHER IT'S 4-H OR FFA OR YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS, FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA.

YOU COULD PICK OUT OF ANY OF THOSE CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND GET SOMEBODY COMPETENT TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

SO I'M FOR THE AMENDMENT.

>> Casey: THOMAS' FLOOR AMENDMENT FAILED IN A VOICE VOTE.

THE LEGISLATION WENT ON TO PASS THE SENATE 29-7 AND NOW GOES BACK TO THE HOUSE.

A PLAN TO PUT NEW KENTUCKY TEACHERS INTO A HYBRID PENSION PLAN IS INCHING CLOSER TO LAW.

HOUSE BILL 258 SPONSORED BY HE BEEN RON REPRESENTATIVE C. ED MASSEY WAS PASSED OUT OF SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

THE MEASURE PLACES NEW TEACHERS INTO A HYBRID PENSION PLAN THAT COMBINES DEFINED BENEFIT AND CONTRIBUTION PLANS AND RAISES THE RETIREMENT AGE FOR NEW TEACHERS TO 57.

MASSEY SAYS WORK FROM A BROAD VARIETY OF INTEREST GROUPS LED TO WHERE THE BILL IS TODAY.

>> THIS BILL DOES NOT AFFECT ANYBODY CURRENTLY IN THE SYSTEM.

IT DOESN'T AFFECT ANY CURRENT TEACHERS.

IT DOESN'T AFFECT ANY RETIRED TEACHERS TEACHERS.

IT'S A TRUE HYBRID THERE IS A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION COMPONENT, AND THAT IS THE SOCIAL SECURITY REPLACEMENTS COMPONENT.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION COMPONENT.

TEACHERS NOW INSTEAD OF WORKING 27 YEARS WILL HAVE TO WORK 30 YEARS, AND IN ADDITION THEY WILL PAY MORE INTO THE SYSTEM.

THERE IS A PORTABILITY PIECE.

THERE IS -- WHERE THEY CAN PUT MONEY IN.

IF THEY STAY IN THE SYSTEM FOR FIVE YEARS AND THEN THEY WERE TO LEAVE, ETHICAL NOT ONLY TAKE THEIR CONTRIBUTION FROM THEIR PIECE BUT THEY COULD ALSO TAKE THE STATE'S CONTRIBUTION AS WELL AS INTEREST.

IF THEY DON'T STAY IN FIVE YEARS, THEY CAN JUST TAKE OUT THE PIECE THAT THEY'VE CONTRIBUTED IN THERE.

>> Amina: AN ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS TO ORIGINAL BILL, NOT THE SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE PASSED TODAY, ESTIMATES THAT KENTUCKY WILL STAVE OVER $3.5 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE.

OPPONENTS TO THE MEASURE SAY MAKING CHANGES TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR NEW-HIRES WILL MAKE KENTUCKY LESS ATTRACTIVE FOR PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS WILE HOSE IN FAVOR SAY THE HYBRID PENSION PLANS MAKES FLEXIBILITY THAT THE TEACHERS NOW WANT.

LEBANON SENATOR JIM ETHNIC SPOKE TO THE CHANGES IN THE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE.

>> IN THIS BILL ANY BENGALS HAVE TO BE SUSPENDED BECAUSE THE PLAN DROPPED BELOW 90%, IT'S IMPLIED THAT THERE'S -- THAT THEY'RE NOT -- WHEN THE TRS PUTS THOSE BACK INTO PLACE, THAT THEY ARE NOT RETROACTIVE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN ONE YEAR, IN THE PLAN DROPPED BELOW 90% FUND AND THEY CHOSE TO DROP THE COLA FOR A YEAR ON THIS PLAN, THEN THE NEXT YEAR THEY REIMPLEMENTED THE COLA, THEY WOULDN'T ABLE TO GO BACK AND MAKE UP THAT ONE YEAR.

THERE WOULD BE NO RETROACTIVITY ON THOSE.

THE ONLY PERSPECTIVE ON THOSE BENEFITS.

ALSO, IT PROVIDES THAT THERE'S NO SECOND RETIREMENT ACCOUNT ONCE A TEACHER RETIRES AND GOES BACK TO WORK, THEY WILL NOT ABLE TO OPEN ANOTHER RETIREMENT ACCOUNT.

>> Casey: KENTUCKY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT EDDIE CAMPBELL SAYS HE HASN'T SEEN THE SENATE'S CHANGES TO HOUSE BILL 258 BUT SPOKE TO THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ABOUT HIS ORGANIZATION'S CONCERNS.

>> INCREASING THE RETIREMENT AGE FROM 55 TO 57 REALLY DOES NOTHING TO HELP THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE OBLIGATION OF THE COMMONWEALTH IS ONLY TO PAY THE 10% EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION.

THAT IS FIXED IN THE BILL, AND RAISING THAT FROM 55 TO 57 DOES NOTHING TO RAISE THAT RETIREMENT AGE.

WE UNDER THAT THERE WAS SOME ISSUES WITH THE MULTIPLIERS, BUT IF THAT'S NOT IN THE BILL, WE APPRECIATE THAT THAT WAS NOT ADDRESSED.

AS FOR THE SECOND RETIREMENT, OUR RETIRED EDUCATORS ARE MOST QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED SUBSTITUTES AND FORBIDDING THAT SECOND TRS RETIREMENT GROUNDWATER THEM TO RETURN IS GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THAT.

RETIREMENT ACCOUNT IT.

MEANS THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY SOCIAL SECURITY ON THOSE BENEFITS, AND THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THOSE SOCIAL SECURITY, AND TRS BENEFITS FROM THOSE SECOND RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ACCOUNTS.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 258 WITH ITS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE PASSED THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE AND NOW HEADS TO THE THAT THE FOR CONSIDERATION BY TUPPER CHAMBER.

de VOTERS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE MORE FLEXIBLE NOW THAT HOUSE BILL 4 HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE KENTUCKY HOUSE.

THE HOUSE AGREED WITH THE SENATE'S CHANGES TO HOUSE BILL 4 WHICH WILL NOW ALLOW DATES FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO BE SET IN STATUTE AS OPPOSED TO IN THE CONSTITUTION.

HOUSE BILL 4 WOULD THE SENATE'S CHANGES IPAD THE OUTS AT 78-16.

-- PASSED THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE ALSO GAVE FINAL A RESOLVE TO HOUSE BILL 402 WHICH WOULD RAISE IT FOR FLAGRANT CHILD SUPPORT FOR.

THAT'S ALL FOR OUR DAY 27 COVERAGE OF THE 2021 KEB GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-800-633-9650.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHON OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 PM EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.