>> KENTUCKY LAWMAKER CHURN THROUGH A LLOYDED DOCKET OF LEGISLATIVE MEASURES AS THE SAND EM P TRIES FROM THE HOUR GLASS FROM EDUCATION TRASM CREDITS NO PENSION SYSTEM TO BROAD BAND AND MORE.

WE'VE GOT A BREAK DOWN OF SIGNIFICANT BILLS ACTED ON ON DAY 28 OF 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

WE BEGIN WITH DEVELOPMENTS ON EDUCATION LEGISLATION.

TWO SCHOOL CHOICE MEASURES HAVE MERGED INTO ONE AND IT STIRRED PITCH COMMENT TRIP DEUR DAY LONG DELIBERATIONS HOUSE BILL 563 HOOB DUBBED SCHOOLS WITHOUT BOTHERED AND REQUIRING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD DAY DON'T A POLICY ON ACCEPTING NONRESIDENT STUDENTS IF THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO SO.

THE POLICY TAKES EFFECT JULY OF 2022.

IF A STUDENT TRANSFERS THEY COULDN'T PLAY SPORTS FOR ONE YEAR.

THE OTHER PART OF THE BILL CREATES WHAT'S CALLED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS OR TAX CREDITS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS TO DONATE TO WITH PRE-APPROVAL BY STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

IN THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE THIS MORNING CHAD McCOY EXPLAINED THE 5 HP YEAR TIME LIMITED PROJECT THAT COST $25 MILLION A WREER WE BENEFIT KENTUCKY'S NEEDYEST FAMILIES.

>> FAMILIES WHO ARE NOT WEALTHY.

WHO ARE POOR.

WE ARE FOCUSED ON TRYING TO GET MONEY INTO THE HAND OF PEOPLE THAT TONIGHT HAVE OPPORTUNITIES OTHERWISE.

SO IF YOU'RE 175% REDUCED LUNCH LEVEL, THEN YOU CAN APPLY FOR A GRANT AND THE GRANT CAN BE USED FOR FOR A WHOLE BUNCHER OF THINGS AND THE BILL HAS A LIST OF THE ITEMS.

FIRST ONE IS FOR TUITION AT A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

NOT A PRIVATE SCHOOL, A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

AND THEN IT GOES ON AND IT SAYS YOU CAN ALSO USE IT FOR ONLINE CLASSES.

YOU COULD USE IT FOR A TUTOR, BASICALLY ANY EDUCATION THING THAT MOM AND DAD CAN THINK OF THAT A SON OR DAUGHTER MIGHT NEED THIS MONEY IS THERE FOR THEM.

>> UNDER HOUSE BILL 563, A FAMILY OF FOUR MAKING AROUND $85,000 A YEAR COULD APPLY TO RECEIVE MONEY FROM THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS.

AS THE BILL LEFT THE HOUSE LAST WEEK, IT LET THOSE EDUCATION ACCOUNTS BE USED TO PAY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION ONLY AND THE STATE'S MOST POPULATED COUNTIES.

FAYETTE, JEFFERSON AND KENTON BUT NOT ELSEWHERE.

THE SENATE COMMITTEE THIS MORNING SENATE PRESIDENT DAVID GIVENS LOWERED THE POP LAINGS THRESHOLD DOWN TO 90,000.

MEANING FAMILIES IN MORE COUNTIES COULD ACCESS THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO COVER PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION.

>> 9,000 POPULATION THRESHOLD DETERMINED BILL CENSUS AS WE UNDERSTAND IT CAME OVER FROM THE HOUSE.

CURRENTLY, YOU WERE CLOG JEFFERSON, FAYETTE AND KENT TON.

WE ARE ADDING BY LOWERING THIS BOONE, HARDEN, DAVIS, WARREN AND CAMPBELL.

AS THOSE COMMUNITIES WHERE A PRIVATE TUITION AMOUNT CAN BE PAID OUT THE FUNDJ KENTUCKY WITH PROVIDED UP TO $25 MILLION A YEAR FOR 5 YEARS FOR THE TAX CREDITS.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE MEASURE FIND THAT ACCOUNT GRANTING ORGANIZATIONS CAN SPEND 10% OF FUNDING ON EMPLOYEE SALARIES, BENEFITS AND OTHER EXCEPTIONS AND CONTRACT WITH FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FIRMS.

PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCATES TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL TODAY.

THEY BELIEVE THE MEASURE WILL REDECT MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO FUND PRIVATE ONES AND CONTEND THAT ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WILL REALLY BENEFIT.

>> AS THESE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS WHICH ARE REALLY VOUCHERS ARE A TROAG AN HORSE TO SCHOOL CHOICE LIKE WE SEE IN FLORIDA, IN ARIZONA.

THIS IS JUST OPENING UP.

BECAUSE THE NEXT SESSION IT WILL BE MORE AND IT WON'T BE POPULATIONS OF JUST 90,000.

EVERY YEAR IT WILL BE EXPANDED AND THE CAPS WILL BE RAISED.

>> THIS BILL PROVIDES FOR NO ACCOUNTABILITY OR OVERSIGHT OF THE BROADLY DEFINED EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDER.

IT'S LITERALLY DEFINED AS A PERSON, ORGANIZATION THAT RECEIVES EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY FUNDS.

THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE CERTIFICATION OR EDUCATION CREDENTIALS, NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS OR ANY OVERSIGHT AT ALL.

IN FACT, THE LANGUAGE IN THE BILL SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS ANY STATE AGENCY FROM EXERCISING OVERSIGHT.

GUARANTEES INDEPENDENCE OF THE PROVIDER.

THIS IS DANGEROUS.

IT LITERALLY PUTS OUR KENTUCKY STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AT THE MERCY OF ONLINE AND IN-PERSON SELF-APPOINTED EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE STATE OR TO THE TAXPAYERS.

>> WE'RE VERY CONCERNED THAT UNDER HOUSE BILL 563 THE RESOURCES THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE PROGRAM WILL FLOW INEQUITIBLY TO LARGER COMMUNITIES, LARGER ECONOMIES AND LEAVE OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES BEHIND.

THERE ARE NO PROHIBITION TION IN THIS BILL FROM EXACTLY THAT BEING ABLE TO HAPPEN AND FROM WEL WEALTHY DONORS ABLE TO TURN A PROFIT ON THIS PROGRAM FOR BEING ABLE TO DECIDE WHICH COMMUNITIES DOWN TO WHICH -- SCHOOL WHICH PERISH GET RESOURCES THAT ARE TAKEN FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RESOURCES THAT WOULD NORMALLY GO THROUGH A STATEWIDE NEEDS-BASED ASSESSMENT THAT WE KNOW FROM LOTS OF RESEARCH, LOTS OF GOOD EVIDENCE HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE AT CLOSING OUR ACHIEVEMENT GAPS IN HELPING STUDENTS WHO ARE IN LOWER INCOME DISTRICTS.

>> CHAD McCOY PUSHED AGAINST THE KRIT ITS OF THE GILL MISCHARACTER OF THE BILL AS SCHOOL VOUCHERS AND LATER REFUTING CLAIMS THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS WOULD BE ON THE LOSING END OF STATE FUNDING.

>> THIS IS MONEY FOR EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC SCHOOL IN KENTUCKY EVERY SINGLE ONE.

SO ALL OF THESE ARGUMENTS THAT THIS IS SOMEHOW TAKING MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE MISPLACED AT BEST AND ARE UNTRUE AT WORST.

AGAIN, LET'S STOP BEING INTELLECTUALLY DISHONEST.

THESE THINGS ARE REGULATED I BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

THERE IS REPORTING THAT IS REQUIRED.

THERE ARE AUDITS THAT ARE REQUIRED.

THESE ARE FOR SERVICES THAT ARE NOT IN FACT OFFERED BY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE.

I WENT TO SCHOOL IN CARTER COUNT AT THIS KENTUCKY.

PUBLIC SCHOOL.

WE DIDN'T HAVE CALCULUS.

SO WHEN I WENT TO VIRGINIA TECH TO BE AN AEROSPACE ENGINEER CALCULUS WAS BRAND NEW FOR ME BUT REHASH FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.

A KID LIKE ME AT THAT SCHOOL COULD HAVE TAKEN AN ONLINE CALCULUS SCHOOL AT MY PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S FOR.

>> HOWS BILL HAD FUNDED ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN AS IT CAME TO THE SENATE BUT THE UPPER CHAMBER STRUCK THAT FROM THE BILL.

IT WOULD HAVE COST ABOUT $ 100 MILLION.

>> THERE IS A STRONG COMMITMENT FROM THE SENATE TO TAKE A VERY, VERY THOROUGH LOOK THIS SESSION AT FUNDING FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN AS THIS PROCESS MOVES ON.

IN ADDITION, MR. CHAIRMAN, I WANT TO POINT OUT FOR ALL THOSE THAT ARE FEARFUL OF THE IMPACT THIS IS GOING TO HAVE OF THE DAMAGE THAT IT'S PERCEIVED TO POTENTIALLY DO, THIS IS 5-YEAR TIME LIMITED PILOT PROJECT.

AGAIN A-5-YEAR TIME LIMITED PILOT PROJECT.

PROOF OF CONCEPT, IF THIS CONCEPT IS GOOD, AND IT SUCCEEDS AND █IT'SEMBRACEDBYTH TAXPAYERS AND THE FAMILIES OF THE COMMON WEALTH, VERY LIKELY WE WILL MOVE TO EXPAND IT FURTHER ACROSS THE STATE.

US FAILING TO DO THAT SUNSET THIS IS PROJECT THE.

FOR EVERYONE THAT'S SAYING YOU'RE CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE FOREVER, THE END OF THE WORLD IS COMING AS IT RELATES TO PUBLIC FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, THIS IS A PROOF OF CONCEPT, 5 YEARS IN A GEOGRAPHICALLY LIMITED AREA.

>> JEFFERSON COUNTY DEMOCRAT SAID THAT SCHOOL KIDS IN THE JCPS SYSTEM ALREADY HAVE PLENTY OF SCHOOL OPTIONS.

HE SAID THE BILL FAILS TO GET AT WHAT'S AT THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM WITH STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

>> THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IS NOT CHOICE.

THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IS THAT THERE'S AT A BASE LEVEL, THR TWOR TWO TYPES OF PARENTS AND TWO TYPES OF KIDS.

CHOOSERS AND NON-CHOOSERS.

MY PROBLEM IS THIS BILL DOES NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE NON-CHOOSERS.

AND SO THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT THE CHOICE FOR KIDS TO HAVE SOMEONE IN THEIR LIFE, A KINDERGARTEN STUDENT IS NOT GOING TO APPLY TO GO TO A DIFFERENT SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE IN THEIR LIFE WHO CARES ABOUT THEIR EDUCATION.

THIS BILL DOESN'T GET TO THAT.

WHETHER IT'S VOUCHERS OR NOT, WHAT THE BILL DOES IS PULL GENERAL FUND DOLLARS BECAUSE IT'S AS I READ IT, I THINK IT'S STILL THIS ONE, IT'S A DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR CREDIT WHICH IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN A TAX DEDUCTION.

IF YOU MAKE $100,000 A YEAR YOU MAKE 5,000 STATE INCOME TAVMENT.

YOU CAN USE EVERY BIT EVER YOU MONEY THAT WOULD COME TO THE STATE GENERAL FUND AND PUT IT TOWARDS ONE OF THESE EOAs.

THEREFORE YOU'RE NO LONGER PAYING STATE INCOME TAX.

IT DRAINS TOES RESOURCES FROM THE STATE BUDGET.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT I SKYPE A RESIDENT OF BOONE COUNTY AND A MOTHER OF FOUR WHO IS AN ADVOCATE FOR SCHOOL CHOICE.

SHE SAYS TWO OF HER SONS FAIRED BETTER AT PRIVATE SCHOOLS ACADEMICALLY.

BUT DUE TO FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS SHE HAD TO TRANSFER HER SONS BACK TO PUBLIC SCHOOL.

AFTER NOTICING THAT ONE'S GRADES STARTED TO SLIP.

MADE A TOUGH FINANCIAL DECISION.

RE-ENROLL HIM IN PRIVATE SCHOOL.

SHE SAID THE SCHOOL CHOICE WOULD LESSEN FOONL BAIRM YERS 0 LOWER AND MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES.

SHE SHARED A BIT OF HER STORY WITH US TODAY.

>> I HAVE ANOTHER SON AND HE TWOANT PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR PRESCHOOL AND THEN I COULDN'T AFFORD IT ANYMORE SO I HAD TO PUT HIM BACK INTO PUBLIC SCHOOL.

BUT HE DIDN'T DO GOOD IN PUBLIC SCHOOL.

HE ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER SO THE CLASSROOM SETTING OF 27 KIDS DIDN'T WORK FOR HIM.

HE HAVE NEEDED A SMALLER CLASSROOM SIZE.

THE MONEY COMES FROM PRIVATE DONORS.

IT IT COMES FROM WEALTHY DONORS THEY ARE ABLE TO DONATE.

MY KID IS?

PUBLIC SCHOOL.

I WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO JEOPARDIZE HIS EDUCATION.

COMPETITION BRINGS EXCELLENCE SO I THINK THAT WILL GIVE THE KIDS THAT ARE IN LOWER TO MIDDLE CLASS COMMUNITIES MORE CONFIDENCE ABOUT THEMSELVES, THAT THEY FEEL THEY'RE GOING TO BE BETTER EQUIPPED.

MY PERSONAL STORY I WASN'T EQUIPPED FOR COLLEGE WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

SO I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A NURSE, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT EDUCATION BACKGROUND.

SO I WASN'T ABLE TO COMPLETELY MY NURSING DEGREE.

DY GET MY ASSOCIATENESS SCIENCE FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS DEGREE BUT I COULDN'T MOVE ON.

THAT DISCOURAGED ME.

IF MY MOTHER WAS ABLE TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ME, I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN WHAT I DREAMT TO BE.

>> THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE ADVANCED THE AMENDED HOUSE BILL 563 ON A VOTE OF 6-2.

IT WAS TAKEN UP BY THE FULL SENATE MEMBERSHIP THIS AFTERNOON.

THAT'S WHERE LEXINGTON REGGIE TOM HASTIZATION THE MEASURE DOESN'T STR ANY CONTACTS FOR HOW OR EVEN IF PRIVATE SCHOOLS WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

BILL DOESN'T LAY OUT THE TYPES OF SCHOOL'S MONEY FROM THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS WOULD GO TO AND LACKS REQUIREMENTS IN DETERMINING THEIR EDUCATION EFFECTIVENESS.

>> WHO ARE THESE EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT THIS BILL TALKS ABOUT?

I'VE LOOKED AT THE BILL.

I SEE HOW THEY'RE DEFINED.

BUT I DON'T SEE ANY KIND OF REGULATION.

I DON'T SEE ANY KIND OF LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THEM.

I DON'T SEE ANY KIND OF EDUCATION EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEM.

I DON'T SEE ANY KIND OF BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR THEM.

NO CERTIFICATION.

NOT LIKE THE TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE BLED HERE TODAY, THAT WE KNOW THEY GOT TO TO TO GET EDUCATION.

COLLEGE EDUCATION.

THEY HAVE TO GET THE RIGHT CERTIFICATION.

WE REGULATE TEACHERS TO DEATH.

MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.

WE REGULATE TEACHERS TO DEATH.

THESE EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO HAD THIS MONEY THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND ON THESE STUDENTS, WHO ARE THEY?

WHAT REGULATIONS DO THEY HAVE?

WHAT OVERSIGHT ARE WE GOING TO PROVIDE FOR THEM?

>> THE SENATE AMENDED HOUSE BILL 563 LOWERS THE POPULATION THRESHOLD FOR QUALIFYING FOR THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS BUT SENATOR WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BILL LIKE HER FELLOW DEMOCRATS SAYS THE MEASURE WON'T HELP SCHOOLS IN RURAL KENTUCKY.

>> IF I HAD A CHILD GO TO PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.

I'VE HAD CHILDREN IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS AN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BUT THE RURAL POOR SCHOOLS OR THE RURAL PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE NOT IN MY HUMBLE OPINION GOING TO BENEFIT FROM THIS.

25 MILLION OR 100 MILLION OR WHATEVER IT IS.

I SEE IT PREJUDICE IN RURAL DISTRICTS.

>> PROPONENTS OF THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL INSIST WEALTHY FAMILIES WON'T BENEFIT FROM THE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM AS AT THAT AIMS TO HELP THOSE STUDENTS IN GREATEST NEED OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT WHO COMES FROM FAMILIES WITH MEAGER MEANS.

>> LET'S FACE IT, YOU KNOW THAT SCHOOL CHOICE ALREADY EXISTS HERE IN KENTUCKY.

IT EXISTS IF YOU HAVE MONEY AND IF YOU'RE WEALTHY.

I WOULD ARGUE THAT JUST ABOUT EVERYONE IN THIS CHAMBER HAS THE MEANS TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE.

WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR DOES.

I CAN SEND MY KIDS TO ANY SCHOOL IN KENTUCKY THAT I WANT.

I COULD MOVE TO ANY DISTRICT, TO ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL I WOULD WANT TO GO TO.

I WOULD SENT MY PRIVATE SCHOOL I WANT TO BECAUSE I HAVE THE MEANS.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF POOR KIDS, WHITE, BROWN AND BLACK THAT DON'T HAVE THE SAME OPTIONS THAT I DO OR THAT WE DO.

WHAT PUBLIC EDUCATION FAILS TO SEE IS THERE'S A PROBLEM.

THERE'S A REASON YOU'RE DEALING WITH HOME SCHOOLING AND YOU'RE DEALING WITH PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO YOUR CUSTOMER.

YOU'RE BENDING WALLS AROUND YOURSELF.

AND YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THAT ANY LONGER.

YOU THINK THIS IS BAD TODAY, IT'S JUST GOING TO GET WORSE UNLESS YOU COME TO THE TABLE AND UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES FACING EDUCATION.

>> THE SENATE PASSED THE RESIZED 563, 21 TO 15.

IN THE HOUSE, JUST A BIT ^ ING A. DEMOCRATS RAILED AGAINST THE MEASURE DENOUNCING IT AS A SLAP IN THE FACE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS EQUATE TD TO A BAIL OUT TO PAR PAROCHIAL AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>> WE DIDN'T TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INITIATE FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILD EDUCATION.

WE CUT ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN.

WE DIDN'T INCREASE SEED FUNDING.

WE DIDN'T PROVIDE FUNDING FOR TEXTBOOKS.

AND YET WE'RE GOING TO GIVE A $25 MILLION TAX CREDIT TO PAROCHIAL AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

AND YET OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE -- TO VEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND WE'RE RUNNING FROM THAT.

>> THE HOUSE GAVE IT FINAL PASSAGE ON A RAZOR THIN VOTE OF 48-47.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

A COMMON CLAIMS MEASURE WAS USED AS THE VEHICLE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION MATTERS.

ITEMS IN THE SENATE AMEND WOULD HOUSE BILL 405 INCLUDE 5 MILLION TO THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE FOR PERSONNEL NOR 2 MILLEN WRO AG TO PROSECUTE FRAUD REEMENT WOULD TO COVID MONTH TOY FUND A STUDY GROUP ON SCHOOL SPHUNDING GOVERNOR'S USE OF FEDERAL STIMULUS DOLLARS THE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIRP REGGIE THOMAS CLAIMS IT TIES THE GOVERNOR'S HANDS IN SIGNING THE PLAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE CONSENT EVER LAWMAKERS BEFORE SPENDING BILLIONS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO KENTUCKY.

>> WE ARE PART-TIME LEGISLATURE.

SO ONCE THIS SESSION ENDS, THEN WE'RE DONE AS WE'RE A CALLED BACK INTO SESSION BY THE GOVERNOR.

BUT THE NEEDS OF THE STATE GO FORWARD.

AND AFTER WE ADJOURN ON MARCH 30 OF THIS YEAR, KENTUCKIANS WILL STILL HAVE NEEDS, WILL STILL HAVE ISSUES, WILL STILL HAVE INTERESTS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, AND WE'VE GOT A CHANCE HERE WITH THIS PASSAGE OF AMERICAN RESCUE ACT SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $4 BILLION COMING TO KENTUCKY TO REALLY DO SOME HELPFUL AND BOLD INITIATIVES FOR THE STATE.

PERSON WHO CAN DO IT IS SOMEONE DULY ELECTED LET ME EMPHASIZE THRKS BY THE ENTIRE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMON WEALTH AND THAT'S THE GOVERNOR.

>> THE SENATE PASSED THE MEASURE 30-6.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE WERE AT A STALEMATE ON THE BILL BUT NEGOTIATORS HAVE HASHED OUT A COMPROMISE THE HOUSE FINISHED DEBATING THE BILL IT 173 TO 23 AND IT NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICANSES CLASHED OVER A BILL AT THAT ORIGINALLY SOUGHT TO ENSURE RACIAL GENDER AND POLITICAL DIVERSITY ON THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT OVERSEES KENTUCKY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THE SENATE CHANGED WORDING TO REMOVE TWO NONVOTING MEMBERS A TEACHER AND STUDENT.

HOUSE BILL 178 IS THE BILL IN DISPUTE.

SPONSOR STEVE SHELDON SAID HE RETUCK AND CONCEDE TO THE CHANGE.

MANY WERE BEWILDERED WHY THE SENATE THOUGHT THE CHANGE WAS NECESSARY.

>> BUT THE QUESTION IS, WHY NOT?

WHAT PROBLEM WOULD THEY BRING TO THE DEPARTMENT OR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THEN LET'S THINK ABOUT WHAT BENEFIT IT IS TO HAVE AN ACTIVE TEACHER SHARING THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS, EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T GET TO VOTE BUT SHARING THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ABOUT HOW DECISIONS OF THE BOARD IMPACT THEM.

>> IF WE HAD AN AGRICULTURE BOARD, WITHOUT A FARMER ON IT, IF WE HAD A POLICE BOARD WITHOUT A POLICE MAN ON IT, IF WE HAD A BAR ASSOCIATION WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY ON IT, WOULDN'T FLOAT.

>> ON A ROLL-CALL VOTE, THE HOUSE REJECTED SENATE REES MOVES WHAT TEACHER AND STUDENT AS NONVOTING MEMBERS.

KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION 20-68.

RESOLUTION ON THE MATTER CAME LATE TONIGHT.

SENATOR MIKE WILSON THE MAJORITY WHIP ANNOUNCED A COMPROMISE HAD BEEN REACHED.

>> OUR CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF THE SENATOR FROM TAYLOR AND THE SENATOR FROM JEFFERSON 13 HAVE MET AND AGREED THAT WE HAVE PUT THEM BACK IN AND AGREED WITH THE HOUSE THAT THOSE SHALL BE SELECTED FROM THE ONE OF THE ACTUAL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, THE SIX CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ROTATING.

THE STUDENT AND THE ALSO THE TEACHER FROM DIFFERENT DISTRICTS BUT IT HAS TO ROTATE EACH YEAR, AND THEY WILL SERVE EACH EACH ONE THEM WILL SERVE FOR ONE YEAR.

STUDENT HAS TO BE A JUNIOR AT THE TIME THEY ARE NOMINATED AND THEY WILL SERVE THEIR SENIOR YEAR AND THEN THE ACTUAL SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE DONE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITH THEIR REGULATIONS.

>> THE SENATE ADOPTED THE COMPROMISE ON HOUSE BILL 178 ON A VOTE OF 30-3.

AT THE TIME OF OUR LIVE BROADCAST TONIGHT THE HOUSE HAD NOT YET VOTED ON IT.

NEWLY HIRED TEACHERS WILL SOON BE PLACED IN HYBRID PENSION PLAN DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE FROM CURRENT TEACHERS HOUSE BILL 258 CREATES A NEW TIER IN THE PENSION SYSTEM THAT WOULD COMBINE THE PENSION AND RETIERMD AGE TO 57.

THAT'S UP FROM 55.

IT WAS IN THE HOUSE'S VERSION OF THE BILL.

TEACH HE WERE GROUPS PREFER THE SYSTEM REMAIN UNCHANGED A THES BELIEVE IT WILL MAKE IT HARDER TO ATTRACT NEW EDUCATORS TO THE PROFESSION.

NEW TEACHER RETIREMENT PLAN IS EXPECTED TO SAVE THE STATE OVER $3.5 BILLION OVER 30 YEARS.

DAMON THAYER SAYS THE SENATE SHOULD BE DOING MORE.

>> MR. PRESIDENT I THINK WE NEED TO START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT LOOKING AT THE REFORMS THAT WERE PASSED HERE IN 2018 AS PART OF SENATE BILL 151.

THOSE CHANGES OUTSIDE THE CONTRACT FOR CURRENT TEACHERS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AND I BELIEVE THERE IS A BET ARE PLAN OUT THERE TO CONSIDER FOR NEW EMPLOYEES.

HOWEVER, THIS DOES MOVE THE BALL FORWARD.

IT IS A GOOD BILL.

AGAIN, IT DOESN'T GO AS FAR AS I WOULD LIKE.

>> THE MEASURE RESPOND SORD BY HOUSE REPUBLICAN RECEIVED A SHARP REBUKE FROM DEMOCRATS ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY.

>> I THINK WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS REALLY DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM EVEN GOING INTO EDUCATION.

BY REDUCING THEIR BENEFITS SAYING SOME YEARS THEY CAN GO UP, SOME YEARS THEY CAN COME DOWN.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE WITH WHAT THIS BILL DOES.

THAT TELLS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO INTO EDUCATION WHO WANT TO COMMIT THEIR LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE WHO SEE SOME BENEFIT IN EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION THAT, HEY, YOU'RE -- THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING.

>> WE SHOULD BE MORE RECOGNIZING THE TEACHERS MORE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WE SHOULD BE PAYING THEM MORE.

WE SHOULD BE INCENTIVIZING THEM MORE.

WE SHOULD BE GIVING THEM TEXTBOOKS AND SOFTWARE AND THINGS THAT THEY NEED AND NOT CUTTING THEIR PROGRAMS, NOT CUTTING THE BENEFITS.

BECAUSE IT'S AN UNSTABLE MECHANISM.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING MORE OF.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT MERE.

>> HOWS BILL 258, THAT RESTRUCTURES THE TEACHER PENSION SYSTEM FOR NEW HIRES PASSED THE SENATE 25-11 AT 10:40 TONIGHT ABOUT 40 MINUTE ^ ING A THE HOUSE AWARDED MEASURE FINAL PASSAGE AFTER SOME INTENSE AND SPIRITED DEBATE ON A VOTE OF 63-34.

FOR STUDENTS WHO THINK A SECOND CHANCE AT THEIR LOST SCHOOL YEAR DUE TO PANDEMIC RELATED INTERRUPTIONS WOULD SERVE THEM WE SENATE EDUCATION CHAIRMAN MAX WISE WANT GO GIVE K-12 STUDENTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS THE CHANCE AT A DO OVER.

SENATE BILL 128 IS THE BILL AND IT'S ANTICIPATED THAT 3 TO 5% OF KENTUCKY KIDS MAY REPEAT A YEAR IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY WHICH COULD COST THE STATE ANYWHERE FROM 6 TO $10 MILLION.

IT COULD TRIGG AREA SHORTFALL IN BASE SCHOOL FUNDING THAT WAS ADDRESSED IN THE STATE BUDGET THAT WAS PASSED LAST NIGHT.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVE RILEY CARRIED THE MEASURE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THIS AFTERNOON.

>> THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW STUDENT FROM KIDDER GARTEN THREUM THE 12th GRADE TO BE RETAINED REGARDLESS OF THEIR GRADE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY PASSED CLASSES OR FAILED CLASSES IF THEIR PARENTS FEEL LIKE IT'S IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO STAY BACK ANOTHER YEAR OF SCHOOL, THAT THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW THEM TO DO THAT.

IT ALSO HAS SOME OTHER COMPONENTS TO IT INVOLVING EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WHICH WOULD ALLOW STUDENTS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL TO HAVE A FIFTH YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY AS LONG AS THEY MEET THE KHS RULES THE 19-YEAR-OLD RULE THAT INDICATES ANYBODY WHO WAS BORN AFTER AUGUST 1 IN THEIR SENIOR YEAR, IS ELIGIBLE BUT IF WILL HE A BORN JULY 31 OR BEFORE, THEY TURN 19 THEY'RE INELIGIBLE DURING THEIR 16 YEAR YORE.

>> SOME EXPRESSION CONCERN ABOUT CLASSROOM SIZES IF KID ARE ALLOWED TO REPEAT A YEAR ESPECIALLY IF COVID REVICKS TION ON SPACING ARE STILL IN EFFECT.

BILL PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR PARENTS TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR THEIR CHILD TO RE-TAKE A SCHOOL YEAR TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD THAT DECIDES WHETHER TO ACCEPT ALL REQUESTS.

THOSE BOARDS WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO GRANT REDO REQUESTS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

IT'S ALL OR NONE.

SENATE BILL 128 WAS AWARDED FINAL PASSAGE ON A HOUSE VOTE OF 92-5.

NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

REMOTE OR VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION FOR SCHOOL KIDS BROUGHT INTO CLEARER FOCUS THE NIED FOR A BOOST IN THE STATE'S BROAD BAND SERVICES TO CONNECT THOSE IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS.

KENTUCKIANS RANKED 42 IN HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS.

HOUSE BILL 32 WOULD USE A QUARTER AFTER BILLION DOLLARS 2.4 BIM I DON'T KNOW IN FEDERAL STIMULUS COMING TO KENTUCKY FOR A BROAD BAND DEPLOYMENT BY ELECTRIC KEY OOPS.

DAVID GIVENS MADALLER RAITIONS TO THE MEASURE IN COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

>> THE LANGUAGE WE HAVE IN THE BILL SAYS THERE IS HERE BY APPROPRIATED FEDERAL FOUNDS INSPECT $250 MILLION IN FIST FISCAL YEAR 2122 TO THE BROAD BAND DEPLOYMENT FUND WITH NO MORE THAN 50 MILLION WITH WHICH TO BE AWARDED BEFORE APRIL 1, 2022.

WE'RE SAYING THE MONEY IS THERE.

BUT WE'RE SAYING WAIT -- SPEND UP TO 50 MILLION FROM JULY 1 THROUGH THE END OF MARCH OF NEXT YEAR, 50 MILLION IS THERE TO GET THINGS ROLLING.

>> THE SENATE BUDGET PANEL, THE FULL SENATE MEMBERSHIP AND FULL HOUSE APPROVED THE REVISED BROAD BAND BILL TODAY.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATES SCORD A COUPLE OF VICTORIES MEASURE THAT RAISES FELONY AND THEFT THRESHOLD FROM $500 TO $1,000 IS HEADED TO THE GOVERNORS' DESK THE NEW THRESHOLD IN HOUSE BILL 126 IS COMPARABLE TO NEIGHBORING STATES WEST VIRGINIA, VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE AND OHIO.

THE GOV ALREADY TO VIEW REVIEW HOUSE BILL STATE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT WITH I SHALL YOU'LLING CERTIFICATES OF EMPLOYABILITY TO OFFENDERS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE TRAINING IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS WHILE BEHIND BARS.

IT IS ALSO PROVIDES LIABILITY PROTECTION TION FOR EMPLOYERS, MAKES SURE FORMER OFFENDERS HAVE NECESSARY IDs AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

REFORMS TO KENTUCKY'S VOTING PROCEDURES THAT MANY BELIEVE WILL EXPAND VOTER ACCESS AND IMPROVE SECURITY ARE INCHING CLOSER TO PASSAGE ALLOWS FOR THREE DAYS OF IN-PERSON VOTING INCLUDING A SATURDAY, PROVIDES FOR COUNTY WIDE VOTING CENTERS AND ONLINE VOTER SERVICES PORTAL TO TRACK BALLOTS KNOW WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN COUNTED.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

FINAL VERSION OF THE BILL DREW THIS RESPONSE FROM TWO SENATE FLOOR LEADERS.

>> GOING FORWARD, ONLY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THE MANNER IN WHICH AN ELECTION IS HELD.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THIS BILL TODAY, MR. PRESIDENT.

WE INDEED ARE TRANSFORMING THE WAY IN WHICH WE WILL ELECT OUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND WE WE WILL ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALLOT TO ELIMINATE THINGS LIKE VOTER FRAUD, CHEATING AND THE LIKE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> WE ALL SAW THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING MORE VOTING OPTIONS THIS LAST YEAR.

I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THE BIPARTISANSHIP TO HAVE KENTUCKY BE A MODEL ELECTION WHERE WE HAD MULTIPLE VOTING OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE AND INCREDIBLE TURNOUT BECAUSE OF IT.

IN FACT, I STOOD UP BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EVEN MORE VOTING OPTIONS YOU WILLED IN THIS BILL.

>> THE SENATE PASSED HOUSE BILL 574, 33-3 AND IT NEED THE HOUSE TO SIGN OFF ON THE SENATE CHANGES BEFORE IT HEAD TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THERE'S A LOT OF OUTSTANDING LEGISLATION AND LAWMAKERS ARE BURNING THE MIDNIGHT OIL TO GET BILLS PASSED THE GOVERNOR HAS 10 DAYS STARTING TO ISSUE VETOES OF MEASURES PASSED.

FOR THE FINAL TWO DAYS OF THIS YEAR'S SESSION.

IF THEY PASS BILLS ON THOSE DAYS THEY FORFEIT AN OPPORTUNITY TO OVERRIDE ANY GOVERNOR'S VETOES AS THE SESSION HAS TO CONCLUDE ON MARCH 30.

TUNE IN IN COMMENT ON KENTUCKY FOR A RECAP OF ALL THAT'S BEEN GOING ON AND ANALYSIS OF KEY MEASURES PASSED SO FAR THIS SESSION.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WILL RETURN ON MONDAY.

ON KET.

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND I WILL SEE YOU SOON.