[♪♪] >> Bill: THE KENTUCKY SENATE PRESENTS ITS BUDGET PROPOSAL AND WILL NOW RECONCILE ITS SPENDING PLAN WITH THE HOUSE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE PRIORITIES.

KENTUCKY VOTERS WILL BE DECIDING ON WHAT SUPPORTERS CALL SCHOOL CHOICE.

AS A PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD ALLOW TAX DOLLARS TO GO TO PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

A SWEEPING CRIME BILL GOES THROUGH DEBATE AND CHANGES.

THREE FINALISTS ARE NAMED FOR KENTUCKY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.

HEADING INTO ST. PATRICK'S DAY WEEKEND, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

MONICA HARKINS, ANCHOR AND REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

AND JESS CLARK, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA.

ALSO TONIGHT IT APPEARS A BILL GRANTING EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S NEARLY TOTAL ABORTION BAN IS DEAD FOR THIS SESSION.

AND IN WASHINGTON, A KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT TEAM UP TO PASS A NATIONWIDE BAN ON NO KNOCK WARRANTS ON THE ANNIVERSARY WEEK OF THE DEATH OF BREONNA TAYLOR.

IN FRANKFORT WHERE THE SAND IS RUNNING OUT OF THE HOURGLASS IN THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, ONE OF THE TOUGH DEBATES OF THE WEEK WAS WHETHER TO PUT A SCHOOL CHOICE AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT.

>> YOU KEEP SAYING PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND THEY DO.

THEY HAVE CHOSEN OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT PUBLIC MONIES ARE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND EVERY PARENT HAS THE RIGHT TO SEND THEIR KIDS WHERE THEY WANT TO SEND THEM.

>> THE DECISION WE ARE ASKING TODAY IS DO WE HAVE FAITH, DO WE TRUST THE VOTERS OF KENTUCKY TO MAKE A DECISION OR ARE WE FEARFUL THAT THEY MAY NOT AGREE WITH US.

THEY MAY NOT AGREE WITH WHAT OUR POSITION IS.

MY VOTE TODAY IS GOING TO BE TO PUT MY FAITH AND TRUST OF THE VOTERS TO MAKE THIS DECISION.

>> I'M AGAINST THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

IF THEY PASS IT I WILL WORK EVERYDAY TO DEFEAT IT AT THE BALLOT BOX IN NOVEMBER.

>> Bill: WELL, IT DID PASS THE LEGISLATURE AND GOING TO THE BALLOT BOX IN NOVEMBER.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING CAMPAIGN AHEAD.

>> DEFINITELY.

AND WHEN GOVERNOR BESHEAR GETS BEHIND A PUBLIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE, WE KNOW THAT HE JUST PROMISED HE IS NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN AND WE SAW THAT IN BOTH ELECTIONS.

HE IS VERY MUCH SO GOING TO PUT FULL FORCE RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION AND STANDING FOR IT.

>> Bill: JESS, THIS IS INTERESTING.

IT'S BEEN A LONG AND LIVELY DEBATE ALREADY AND WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE WILL NO DOUBT LEARN A LOT ABOUT THIS AMENDMENT AND WHAT IT POTENTIALLY COULD DO?

>> YEAH, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] WHY WE ARE HERE AND PUTTING THIS QUESTION TO THE VOTERS IS BECAUSE REPUBLICANS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PASS PROGRAMS THAT WOULD ALLOW THE STATE TO FUND SCHOOL CHOICE INITIATIVES.

THOSE ARE HELP FOR FINANCIAL HELP FOR FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD PRIVATE SCHOOL OR CHAFORTERS SCHOOLS WHICH ARE IN-BETWEEN A PRIVATE AND A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

IT'S RUN A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE A PUBLIC SCHOOL BUT IT HAS A PRIVATE NONPROFIT BOARD OR IN SOME CASES CAN BE RUN BY A FOR-PROFIT COMPANY.

REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED TO PASS PROGRAMS TO ALLOW THIS TO GET OFF THE GROUND IN KENTUCKY.

BUT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE COURTS HAVE AS ONE REPUBLICAN SAID KICKED THEM OUT.

AND SO NOW THEY ARE BACK AND THE COURTS HAVE SAID YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THESE THINGS HAPPEN.

SO THAT'S WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO DO HERE.

SO IT WILL BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT KENTUCKY VOTERS THINK AND IF THEY DO AGREE THAT THE CONSTITUTION NEEDS TO BE CHANGED THAT THE PROGRAMS CAN GET OFF THE GROUND.

>> Bill: WHAT ABOUT THE WORDING OF THIS AMENDMENT?

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO THE POTENTIAL PASSAGE?

AND IS IT ONE OF THESE THAT IS CONFUSINGLY WORDED ON CRYSTAL CLEAR?

>> DEMOCRATS AND OTHER OPPONENTS HAVE RAISED SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE LANGUAGE OF THE BALLOT QUESTION.

IT STARTS OFF WITH SOME KIND OF LANGUAGE IT SAYS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR CHOICES IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN, COULD YOU APPROVE BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.

AND SO SOME DEMOCRATS HAVE CALLED THAT PROPAGANDA STICK.

YOU GO TO THE BALLOT BOX MAYBE YOU ARE NOT FULLY RESEARCHED AND YOU SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN, YOU MIGHT JUST CHECK YES.

AND THE OTHER ISSUE THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE RAISED IS THAT THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD ACTUALLY NEGATE SECTIONS OF THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION.

AND THESE ARE LIKE BIG SECTIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION.

SOME ARE THE ORIGINAL SECTIONS THAT PROVIDE FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF K-12 EDUCATIONAL SPENDING.

AND SO IN THE ACTUAL BILL WHEN YOU GO TO THE BALLOT, IT WILL LIST THE SECTIONS TO BE NEGATED BUT IT ONLY LISTS THEM BY NUMBER.

AND SO DEMOCRATS HAVE CONCERNS THAT THIS IS TRYING TO HIDE FROM VOTERS WHAT THEY ARE AGREEING TO ESSENTIALLY IGNORE IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

>> Bill: AND WE'VE SEEN COURT ACTION BEFORE WHEN THE BALLOT QUESTION IS NOT SPECIFIC ENOUGH THE COURTS HAVE THROWN IT OUT.

WE KNOW CASEY'S LAW.

>> AND I THINK THAT ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP ON I BELIEVE IT WAS THE HOUSE FLOOR THIS COULD END UP IN LITIGATION.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT TO SEE IN TERMS OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR THIS?

MONICA NOTED THE GOVERNOR IS ENERGIZED AND WILL BE TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE.

THERE WILL BE A POWERFUL FORCES ON BOTH SIDES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND BESHEAR I AM SELF HAS PROVEN TO BE A POWERFUL FORCE WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES ON THE BALLOT.

INCLUDING HIMSELF IN 2023.

AND I THINK IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE A TEST OF HIS NEWLY FORMED NONPROFIT/DARK MONEY GROUP WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT WAS FORMED TO ADVOCATE ON CERTAIN STATE ISSUES.

AND THIS IS A GROUP THAT CAN TAKE IN AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM UNDISCLOSED SOURCES.

SO I WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW MUCH THAT GROUP SPENDS.

AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS WE KNOW THERE ARE OUT OF STATE OPERATORS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE.

JEFF YEAHS IS SOMEBODY WHO DONATED A LOT TO DANIEL CAMERON'S CAMPAIGN WHO IS DEEPLY INVESTED IN THESE KINDS OF ISSUES.

I'D BE SHOCKED IF THERE IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY POURING FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES AND BOTH SIDES.

>> THAT IS ALL I WAS GOING TO ADD THE NATIONAL INPUT.

THERE IS NATIONAL INTEREST.

AND YOU OPEN THIS UP TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF VENTURES.

WE MENTIONED IT'S NOT ALL GOING TO BE CLEAR-CUT THERE ARE WAYS YOU GO FORWARD FROM HERE.

BUT AMERICA IS A BUSINESS PLACE.

>> Bill: AND IT'S DONE DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT STATES.

AND WE WERE TALKING BEFORE AIR TIME WHERE YOU ARE IN KENTUCKY MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO, JESS, WITH YOUR OUTLOOK ON THIS.

>> YEAH, THAT IS TRUE.

THAT WILL BE AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC PLAYING OUT.

REPUBLICANS IN URBAN AREAS JEFFERSON COUNTY, FAYETTE COUNTY, NORTHERN KENTUCKY, TEND TO BE MORE SUPPORTIVE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE SCHOOL OPTIONS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PRIVATE SCHOOLS ALREADY IN THOSE AREAS.

BUT THEN WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY, THERE AREN'T A LOT OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY IN RURAL EASTERN KENTUCKY OR IN RURAL CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

AND SO WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU KNOW, FUNDING SOME OF THE PROGRAMS, THOSE PROGRAMS MAY NOT BENEFIT PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS.

AND SO EVEN WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, REPUBLICANS ARE VERY SPLIT ON A RURAL-URBAN DIVIDE OVER WHETHER THEY WANT TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS OR NOT.

>> INTERESTING TIMING WITH JCPS YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN LOUISVILLE.

A LOT OF PARENTS CONSIDERING FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME MOVING THEIR CHILD FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL WHEN THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE EVER CONSIDERED THAT.

>> Bill: WELL, IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING CAMPAIGN AHEAD AND WE'LL STAY ON TOP OF THAT.

THE SENATE HAS PUT OUT ITS BUDGET BILL AND IT ADDS MORE THAN $1.7 BILLION FOR ONE-TIME SPENDING ON PROJECTS.

THERE WOULD BE MAJOR MONEY FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS MOSTLY IN GROWTH AREAS.

IT ALSO TRIES TO KEEP THE STATE ON PATH TO EVENTUALLY ELIMINATING THE STATE INCOME TAX.

AUSTIN, HOLDING DOWN SPENDING TO HIT ANOTHER TRIGGER ON THE INCOME TAX REDUCTION, SEEMS TO BE A HIGH PRIORITY FOR THE SENATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY CHANGED THAT LANGUAGE PERMANENTLY TO APPLY TO ANY SPENDING FROM THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND.

AND I MEAN, THEY ARE SPENDING A LOT THIS SESSION.

IT'S OR AT LEAST THEY ARE PROPOSING TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY.

IT'S 1.7 ADDITIONAL FUNDS, BUT TOTAL FROM THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FINANCED IS MORE THAN $3.5 BILLION.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

>> Bill: THAT IS NOT IN THE HOUSE PLAN.

>> THE HOUSE WAS 1.8.

WE'LL SEE MAYBE A MOVE THAT BACK A LITTLE BIT.

BUT IT IS A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT IS ON THESE KIND OF LIKE, MATERIAL PROJECTS.

YOU THINK OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION AND BUILDINGS AND SORT OF GOODIES FOR UNIVERSITIES.

THERE'S JUST A LOT OF STUFF IN THERE.

HONESTLY, A LITTLE MORE THAN I EXPECTED.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT THAT FIND PRODUCT IS.

BUT AGAIN ALL OF THE 3.5 BILLION IS NOT WITHSTANDING THE TRIGGER FORMULA TO HIT THAT INCOME TAX.

WHICH IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIMARY GOAL FOR REPUBLICANS WHEN IT COMES TO FISCAL POLICY AND THE STATE IS GET THAT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ZERO.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROJECTS $100 MILLION TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

>> INTERESTING CHOOSE OF WORDS.

THE REVITALIZATION IS SOMETHING THAT I FEEL THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT AND IT'S NO SURPRISE.

YOU GO DOWNTOWN AROUND 5:00 AND THE PLACE CLEARS OUT AND YOU DON'T SEE THAT IN LEXINGTON.

BUT A LOT OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS SAYING WE NEED HELP.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SURVIVE.

SO THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROJECTS ARE INTERESTING IN THIS.

YES, YOU WILL SEE YOUR TOURISM AVENUES THE BELVIDERE UPDATES TO THAT.

AN INTERESTING ONE WAS THE COMMUNITY CARE CENTER THAT IS GOING TOWARDS THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

SO THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A REVITALIZATION OF BUILDINGS OR INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT'S ADDRESSING THE HOMELESS PROBLEM.

SO MAYBE THIS NEEDED A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT TITLE, BUT IT WOULD GO TOWARDS THAT PROJECT AS WELL AND THAT IS A CRISIS IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA.

>> Bill: THERE'S MONEY FOREAIRPORTS IN LOUISVILLE, LEXINGTON AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>> IT'S ABOUT TIME.

THAT ONE IS A LONGTIME COMING.

THE MOHAMMED ALI AIRPORT IN LOUISVILLE HAS BEEN FACING PROBLEMS NEAR CHAOS.

WE SAW LAST DERBY IT WAS OVERRUN.

THERE WERE PEOPLE MISSING FLIGHTS BECAUSE THE AIRPORT DOESN'T SUSTAIN THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.

AND HERE WE HAVE KENTUCKY DERBY 150, 50 DAYS AWAY?

THE MONEY IS LATE ON THAT ONE TO GET IT IN TIME FOR DERBY.

I THINK THE AIRPORTS ARE LONG AWAITING THESE UPGRADES.

IF YOU LOOK AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY THE CINCINNATI AIRPORT QUOTE-UNQUOTE WE KNOW IT'S CBG THAT TOO COULD USE UPDATES.

>> Bill: SPEAKING OF PROKES FOR NORTHERN KENTUCKY THERE IS A BIG ONE THAT WOULD INVOLVE THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY IN THIS PROPOSAL.

>> IT'S $150 MILLION TO RELOCATE NKU CHASE LAW AND U.K. COLLEGE OF MEDICINE'S NORTHERN KENTUCKY CAMPUS TO DOWNTOWN COVINGTON IN AN OLD I.R.S.

BUILDING IT TICKS OFF -- CHECKS OFF A LOT OF BOXES FOR CONSTITUENCIES LIKE NKU, U.K., DOWNTOWN COVINGTON IT'S ALSO IN SENATE A AND R CHAIR CHRIS McDANIEL'S DISTRICT.

WE'LL SEE IF HE CAN GET IT OVER THE HUMP AND IN THE DISTRICT OF REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE DEETS WHO IS I THINK, IT'S SAFE TO SAY IS ONE OF THE MORE VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUS.

WE'LL SEE IF THIS BECOMES A CAMPAIGN ISSUE FOR HER.

>> Bill: BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE BUDGETS WOULD PUT MORE MONEY INTO K-12 EDUCATION.

THEY DO NOT, JESS, MANDATE TEACHERS' RAISES.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

AND I THINK THE REPUBLICANS WOULD ARGUE THAT THE INCREASES THAT THEY'VE MADE TO SEEK FUNDING OR PROPOSED THEY'VE MADE TO SEEK FUNDING COULD BE USED FOR TEACHER RAISES.

AND SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE SAID THAT THE PREFERRED WAY TO FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO FUND TEACHER RAISES IS IN THAT SEEK FORMULA BECAUSE WHEN IT'S IN SEEK YOU CAN MOVE IT AROUND AS YOU WANT TO GIVE RAISES WHERE YOU WANT.

THE ISSUE, I THINK, THAT SOME SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICIALS HAVE IS THAT THE AMOUNT OF INCREASED FUNDING THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE PROPOSED TO PUT INTO THE SEEK FORMULA IS NOT REALLY ENOUGH TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THE TEACHER SHORTAGE BECAUSE IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO RAISE TEACHER SALARIES MORE THAN IN JCPS IT'S LESS THAN 1%.

MOST DISTRICTS IN-BETWEEN 2-5% AND THAT IS NOT ENOUGH SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY TO MAKE A DENT IN THE TEACHER SHORTAGE.

>> IT'S REALLY INTERESTING BILL, I HAVE TO JUMP IN WHEN I WAS COVERING THIS LAST YEAR, TWO YEARS AGO FOR THE BUDGET WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING.

AND THE TEACHERS' UNION SAYS WE ARE A SELFLESS BUNCH ANYWAYS.

MAYBE IT MIGHT NOT BE THE TEACHERS' DECISION BUT THEY SAY WE DEDICATE OUR LIVES IF THIS IS BETWEEN US GETTING A RAISE AND US FEEDING KIDS AN EXTRA SNACK OR PROVIDING BETTER TRANSPORTATION, THE TEACHERS' UNION HAS SOME OF THE MEMBERS AT LEAST HAVE SAID WELL, I'M GOING TO PICK THE KIDS THAT IS MY PROFESSION THAT IS MY LIFE.

I FIND THAT TO BE AN INTERESTING STANDPOINT.

>> Bill: AND THOSE ARE THE DIFFICULT PRIORITY DECISIONS THE LOCAL BOARD ALSO HAVE TO MAKE.

AUSTIN, THE SENATE BUDGET DID PICK UP ON A PROPOSAL FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO ADD A 13TH MONTHLY CHECK TO RETIRED STATE WORKERS WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT IN A LONGTIME.

>> I THINK IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A DECADE FOR THESE PEOPLE.

THEY HAVE BEEN CLAMORING FOR SOMETHING.

IT'S NOT A PERMANENT ADJUSTMENT.

BUT IT IS 75 MILLION DOLLARS AND IT'S TIERED SO THE LESS YOU MAKE, THE MORE YOU GET.

AND THE LONGER THAT YOU'VE BEEN RETIRED, THE MORE YOU GET AS WELL.

ONE THING BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE BUDGET, I THINK IT IS WORTH LINGERING ON LOUISVILLE A LITTLE BIT.

LOUISVILLE GOT A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS VERSION OF THE SENATE BUDGET.

AND I HAVE TO WONDER IF THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE NEW MAYOR AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE'S BEEN KIND OF AN AND THERE ARE CERTAINLY BILLS ADVANCED THAT HE DOES NOT LIKE.

BUT DOES THIS SIGNAL A SHIFT IN THE WAR ON LOUISVILLE NARRATIVE?

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Bill: HE SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED HARD TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP.

>> ON THE OTHER SIDE, THOUGH, THE MAYOR ASKED FOR A LOT MORE THAN THIS.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, BUT TO YOUR POINT HE DID GET SOME OF HIS ASKS.

>> AND LEXINGTON GOT $10 MILLION.

FOR THE AIRPORT.

>> YOU SHOOT HIGH.

IT APPEARS THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A BILL TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS TO THE ABORTION BAN.

THAYER GAVE ME A BRIEF BUT DEFINITIVE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION THIS WEEK DO YOU BELIEVE THE LEGISLATURE WILL PASS SOME KIND OF BILL THAT PROVIDES SOME EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATE'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN WHEN IT COMES TO RAPE AND INCEST?

>> I DON'T.

WE DON'T HAVE THE VOTES FOR IT.

>> Bill: STARK ANSWER.

>> DEFINITIVE HE SAID IT THERE CLEAR AND WELL.

I THINK THE PREGNANT WOMEN CARRYING NONVITAL FETUSES AND HOW THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS CARE IS A BILL THAT SHOWED WHERE THE G.O.P.

WANTS TO TAKE THIS AND INSTEAD OF PASSING SOMETHING WITH MAYBE EXCEPTIONS, THEY ARE PASSING LEGISLATION THAT COULD INSTEAD OFFER WRAP AROUND SERVICES WHERE THE EXCEPTIONS WOULD HAVE NEGATED THAT IN ALL OF ITS TOTALITY.

>> Bill: THIS BECAME AN ISSUE IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND REPUBLICANS SAID THEY YOU SUPPORTED SOME EXCEPTIONS.

THAYER SAYS THE VOTES ARE NOT THERE.

>> YES, I WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE THEY WON'T FORGET ABOUT THIS BEING A HUGE ISSUE IN 2023.

WILL THEY TRY TO MOVE ON SOMETHING BEFORE 2027 COMES AKNOCKING.

WE'LL SEE.

>> Bill: THE COMPREHENSIVE CRIME BILL REFERRED TO AS THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT IS GETTING CLOSER TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

AND SPARKED A LOT OF DEBATE.

SUPPORTERS SAY THE STATE NEEDS TO CRACKDOWN ON CRIME WITH PROVISIONS LIKE EYE THREE STRIKES RULE.

OPPONENTS SAID THE BILL LACKS SOLUTIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF HOMELESSNESS WHICH HAS BEEN INTERESTING MONICA THAT IT'S PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE BILL.

THAT HAS BEEN THE THING THAT HAS BEEN TROUBLING TO SOME.

>> FOR SURE.

EVEN JOURNALISTS.

JOURNALISTS TRYING TO COVER THIS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU WORK IN TV HOW DO YOU PUT DOWN 76 PAGES INTO A MINUTE-AND-A-HALF OF UNDERSTANDABLE, COMPREHENSIBLE PIECES THAT PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND.

BUT I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS IN LOUISVILLE THAT ARE WORKING TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS HAD CONCERNS WITH THE LANGUAGE IN WHICH COULD THIS CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS?

AND THEN WHAT PROBLEM DO WE HAVE OF PUTTING MAYBE SOMEONE WHO STRUGGLES WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR MENTAL HEALTH BACK INTO A JAIL AND THEN PAYING THE MONEY THAT GOES TO THE JAIL.

I WANT TO SAY QUICKLY THE FISCAL NOTE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR FOLKS.

THE LRC SAYS THE AMOUNT IS REALLY HARD TO PINPOINT.

AND DEMOCRATS SAYING NO, IT'S MILLIONS AND MILLIONS.

AND IT'S JUST NOT CLEAR ON THAT.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, THE GOVERNOR IS HINTING THAT HE IS LIKELY TO VETO THIS BILL, RIGHT?

DOES HE RISK BEING ACCUSED OF BEING SOFT ON CRIME IF HE DOES THAT?

>> I THINK HE CERTAINLY DOES RISK THAT.

BUT THE PRESSURES IN MY OPINION ARE REVERSED.

WE SAW IN HIS VETO SORT OF BEHAVIOR PRE2023 WHEN HE WON REELECTION, HE DIDN'T VETO BILLS LIKE THERE WAS A PRO GUN PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT HE SORT OF ALLOWED TO PASS INTO LAW.

TO AVOID SIMILAR KIND OF COMPLAINTS.

I THINK HIS FOCUS IS ON SOMETHING ELSE IN THE FUTURE NOT TO SAY THAT HE HAS ALREADY PLANNED THAT FAR IN ADVANCE.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SOMEBODY LIKE CURRENT VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS SHE GOT HIT HARD IN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT BECAUSE SHE DID ADOPT SOME TOUGH ON CRIME POLICIES.

SO I THINK HE WOULD RISK TAKING A LOT MORE DAMAGE FOR HIS FUTURE IF HE DIDN'T VETO THIS BILL.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A PRESIDENTIAL RACE, BILL.

>> Bill: WELL, THE GOVERNOR'S TRAVELING AROUND INTERESTING PLACES.

ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE ALL BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON THE DEBATE ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OR DEI THERE'S A BILL TO ADDRESS THAT IN THE STATE'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

JESS, WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> THIS IS SB6.

SENATE BILL 6.

THIS IS A BILL THAT IS PROPONENTS SAY IS AIMED AT ALLOWING FOR MORE FREE FLOW OF DISCOURSE ON PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

THEY SAY THAT CONSERVATIVE STUDENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO FREELY EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ESPECIALLY ABOUT GENDER ON CAMPUSES.

AND SO THEY -- THE MEASURE WOULD ESSENTIALLY FORCE ALL PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES TO DISBAND THEIR DEI OFFICES.

GET RID OF ALL THEIR DEI OFFICERS AND COMPILE A LIST OF ALL DEI EMPLOYEES OVER THE PAST, I THINK SINCE 2019 AND SUBMIT THAT TO LAWMAKERS.

IT IS A VERY EXTENSIVE BILL AND IT DOES A LOT OF THINGS SIMILAR TO MAYBE NOT AS BIG AS HOUSE BILL 5 BUT IS STILL A BEAST OF A BILL.

AND THIS BILL PASSED THE.

>> HOUSE.

>> PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY.

THANK YOU.

AND IT NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE SENATE FOR CONCURRENCE.

IT'S LIKELY TO FLY THROUGH BECAUSE THE VERSION THAT PASSED THE HOUSE IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT LAWMAKERS IN THE SENATE WANTED.

>> Bill: THE DEI FOLKS IN FLORIDA WERE FIRED WHEN THEY PASSED A BILL THERE.

SO WE'LL SEE.

>> YES.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

THREE FINALISTS NAMED FOR KENTUCKY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER BUDDY BARRY, ROBBY FLETCHER AND JIM FLYNN.

BARRY HAS BEEN SUPERINTENDENT OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SINCE 2010.

FRENCHER IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF LAWRENCE COUNTY SCHOOLS SINCE 2014 AND FLYNN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION EXPECTS TO HOLD INTERVIEWS MARCH 18TH AND 19TH.

SO THIS IS A FAST TRACK SITUATION TO TRY TO GET THIS BEFORE THE SENATE BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION?

>> YES.

YOU KNOW LAST YEAR, THEY PASSED A MEASURE THEY WANT TO GET SOMEONE IN QUICKLY.

WE HAVE AN INTERIM COMMISSIONER FOR A WHILE.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TURNOVER IN THAT POSITION.

SO HAVING SOMEONE SELECTED BEFORE THE LAWMAKERS GO HOME WOULD ALLOW THIS PROCESS TO MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY AND GET SOMEONE IN THERE.

AND ONCE AGAIN HAVE A FULL-TIME PERMANENT COMMISSIONER AT THE HELM OF KENTUCKY'S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> Bill: AND IF THE AMENDMENT PASSES THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD WOULD BE ELECTED IN A PARTISAN WAY, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, IT HASN'T MOVED IN A WHILE.

BUT IT DOES HAVE SOME JUICE BEHIND IT WITH SENATE MAJORITY WHIP MIKE WILSON SUPPORTING IT.

I THINK IT WILL MAKE FOR INTERESTING POLITICAL DYNAMICS.

EDUCATION IS AN ISSUE WE KNOW THAT VOTERS GENERALLY IN THE U.S.

PREFER GENERIC DEMOCRATS ON EDUCATION.

AN ISSUE LIKE CRIME THEY PREFER GENERIC REPUBLICANS.

I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYED OUT IF IT BECAME LAW.

>> Bill: THIS WEEK MARKED FOUR YEARS SINCE THE DEATH OF BREONNA TAYLOR IN LOUISVILLE.

TWO LAWMAKERS USED THE ANNIVERSARY TO CALL FOR A BAN AND NO KNOCK WARRANTS.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY I DON'T KNOW A BETTER WAY TO COMMEMORATE COMING UP ON THE FOURTH YEAR OF BREONNA'S MURDER.

I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM THAT CONTINUE TO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO BREONNA NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

IF PASSED, THIS LEGISLATION WILL BAN NO KNOCK WARRANTS NATIONWIDE.

>> WE'LL HAVE EMERGENCIES WHERE PEOPLE DO GO IN VERY QUICKLY BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE THE NORM IT SHOULD BE THE EXCEPTION AND ONLY UNDER EXCEPTIONAL EMERGENCY CONDITIONS WHEN SOMEONE'S LIFE IS BEING THREATENED.

>> Bill: WELL, IT IS ALWAYS INTERESTING.

MONICA WHEN YOU GET A REPUBLICAN LIKE RAND PAUL AND A DEMOCRAT MORGAN McGARVEY TO STAND SOMETHING ON AN ISSUE?

>> ACTUALLY RAND PAUL BROUGHT THIS UP IN 2020.

MORGAN WAS NOT IN CONGRESS YET THIS SEEMINGLY A NO-BRAINER WHEN HE HAS BEEN THE ONE TO BRING IT FORWARD.

THE CAVEAT HERE, THOUGH, IS SENATOR PAUL DOESN'T ALWAYS GO ALONG WITH HIS PARTY.

BECAUSE A REPUBLICAN IS YOU WERE ING THIS FORWARD DOESN'T MEAN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN CONGRESS IS BACKING THIS AT ALL.

>> Bill: AUSTIN THERE'S TALK ABOUT CHILDCARE AND THIS MAJOR PROPOSAL THE HORIZON'S ACT, DOES IT LOOK LIKE THAT HAS LOST MOMENTUM?

AND IF SO, AREN'T FOLKS ON EDGE OUT THERE AS FAR AS EVEN PARENTS?

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE ON EDGE.

I MEAN IT'S CALLED A CHILDCARE CLIFF CRISIS FOR A REASON.

ALL THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT ARE DRYING UP.

AND IT DOES SEEM AS THOUGH THIS INDIVIDUAL BILL, THE HORIZON'S ACT IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME.

NOW, WE COULD SEE MORE FUNDS COME THROUGH TO CHILDCARE IN THE BUDGET.

THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE IN THE SENATE VERSION.

BUT CHILDCARE ADVOCATES SAY IT FELL WAY SHORT STILL.

>> Bill: JESS, WHAT WILL YOU BE WATCHING THE NEXT WEEK OR SO?

>> PROBABLY, SB6, THE DEI BILL I'M INTERESTED TO HEAR FROM MORE STUDENTS AND UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES ABOUT WHAT THAT WILL MEAN FOR THEM IN IT PASSES.

>> Bill: YOU WILL HAVE YOUR ECLIPSE GLASSES?

>> YES, WE'RE READY.

>> Bill: AND SPORTS BETTING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARCH MADNESS IN KENTUCKY?

>> YEAH.

I'M SURE LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE READY TO BET ON REED SHEPHERD'S STATS.

I'M CHECKING THE U.K. GAME RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK.

I THINK WE'RE LOSING.

>> Bill: YOU ARE A MULTITASKER.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AND MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.