ARE UNDERWAY AS BILLS MOVE ON SPORTS BETTING, SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, ABORTION AND TRANSGENDER ATHLETES.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR VETOES A RESOLUTION IMMEDIATELY ENDING THE COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY AND AN UNEMPLOYMENT BILL.

A NARROWLY TAILORED MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL GETS THROUGH THE WHAT WILL ITS FATE BE IN THE SE A BILL PROPOSES MONEY FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES WHO MAY RESETTLE IN KENTUCKY.

MARCH MADNESS ON THE COURT, A SPRING FEEL IN THE AIR, AND "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 AR JOE SONKA, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

JANET PATTON, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

AND MARK VANDERHOFF, REPORTER FOR WLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT, WHAT ARE THE SHELL BILLS IN LOUISVILLE THAT SAY ON THING BUT MEAN ANOTHER?

AND A PROPOSAL TO MAKE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME PERMANENT STIRS UP DEBATED AND ALSO CONJURES UP SOME KENTUCKY HISTORY.

A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

LET'S BEGIN WITH WHERE THINGS STAND WITH THE STATE BUDGET BEFORE THE DOORS WERE CLOSED TO PRYING EYES.

HOUSE AND SENATE CONFEREES MET IN PUBLIC TO START THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES IN THE SPENDING PLANS.

JOE, WHEN YOU PUT THEM SIDE BY SIDE, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE BUDGET PROPOSES ARE DIFFERENT.

>> Joe: YES, THEY ARE.

THE SENATE VERSION OF THE BUDGET SPENDS ABOUT $1.3 BILLION MORE THAN THE VERSION THAT WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE.

AND WITH THAT LESS SPENDING, THERE'S ROOM ALMOST FOR THE $1 BILLION IN TAX REBATES THAT THE SENATE PASSED AND THE $1.3 BILLION IN TAX CUTS THAT THE HOUSE PASSED, SO IT SEEMS LIKE THE HOUSE FIGURE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE MORE CORRECTLY ON THE TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT AND HOW MUCH IS LEFT TO SPEND BUT THERE'S DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM, SPECIFICALLY, THE SENATE VERSION OF THE BUDGET DOES NOT FUND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTENS WHICH WAS A BIG ITEM THAT THE HOUSE FUNDED.

IT'S FUNDED RIGHT NOW AND THEY WERE GOING TO FUND THE FOR TWO MORE YEARS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKED THAT.

SO THAT'S ONE BIG ITEM THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, WHETHER THAT STAYS OR GOES.

>> Bill: IS THAT ONE TO WATCH MAYBE NEXT WEEK WHEN WE REALLY HEAR THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PROBE BE GETTING THIS BUDGET OUT?

>> Joe: YEAH, THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TECHNICALLY THEY HAVE UNTIL MARCH 30th, THE DAY BEFORE THE VETO PERIOD STARTS, TO COME TOGETHER ON A BILL AND PASS IT QUICKLY, BUT FROM WHAT I'M HEARING FROM THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, CHRIS MCDANIEL, HE THINKS THEY COULD I HAVE THE DONE NEXT WEEK, SO -- >> Bill: SO, MARK, THERE WAS THE SENATE BUDGET, THE HOUSE BUDGET.

THE GOVERNOR BRANCHED HIS BUDGET THAT APPARENT DIDN'T GET MUCH ATTENTION ON THE OTHER FLOOR.

DOES EVERYTHING THAT'S NOT FUNDED THAT THE GOVERNOR CALLED FOR, LIKE PRE-K, GIVE HIM A CHANCE NOW TO GO OUT AND SAY, WELL, THERE'S WHAT I WANTED TO DO?

>> Mark: YEAH, THIS IS THE PERFECT CHANCE FOR HIM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

HE'S GOING TO BRING UP PRE-K A LOT.

HE SAID WE HAD THIS ONCE IN A DIE OF LIFETIME CHANCE TO GET PRE-COMTE GROUND BUT THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T WANT TO.

HE ALWAYS TALKS ABOUT THE FORD BATTERY PLANT, 5,000 JOBS, AND HE TALKS ABOUT ALL THE RECORD RECORD JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS.

I THINK ANOTHER THING YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR BOT CAMPAIGN TRAIL HEAL SAY I WANTED TO SET ASIDE $250 MILLION TO FIND MORE OF THESE MANAGE A SITES TO BRING IN MORE OF THESE DID I GO EMPLOYERS, BUT REPUBLICANS DIDN'T WANT TO.

>> Bill: JOE, IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT UP MUCH WHAT IS WAS WAS IN GOVERNOR'S PLAN GOT A LOT OF CONSIDERATION?

OBVIOUSLY, A BUDGET BEGINS WITH A CERTAIN SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ALL SIDES AGREE WITH, BUT -- >> Joe: IN THE HOUSE NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO BUILD THEIR BUDGET BEFORE THE GOVERNOR BUILT THEM, BUT BUT THANK YOU THE ADMINISTRATION IS PRETTY GRATEFUL THAT THEY DIDN'T LISTEN TO THE SENATE.

THE SENATE DID LISTENING TO THIS.

OM SOME THINGS AND INCLUDED THEM IN THEIR BUDGET.

IT'S TRUE THE REALLY BIG ITEMS, THE PRE-K FUNDING THAT THE GOVERNOR WANTED, THAT'S NOT IN THERE, AND REALLY A LOT OF THE K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION.

>> Bill: THE COUNCIL ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, ERIN THOMAS HAS SAID THEY'RE OKAY WITH THE FUNDS THE UNIVERSITIES ARE GETTING.

WE'LL WATCH IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS IT IS ALL PUT TOGETHER ON THE BUDGET.

JANET, THERE IS A PROPOSAL FROM SENATOR CRITIC MCDANIEL THAT WOULD APPROPRIATE $50 MILLION TO HELP RESETTLE REFUGEES IN KENTUCKY.

THE STATE HAS A HISTORY OF WELCOMING REFUGEES, AND SENATOR MCDANIEL POINTS OUT THAT THIS COULD HELP WITH THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES.

>> Janet: YEAH, HE DID FRAME IT AS A WAY TO BOOST THE LABOR POOL.

IT'S INTERESTING THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE LIMITED JUST TO THE UKRAINIAN REFUGEES, ALTHOUGH THAT WAS CLEARLY THE FOCUS AND WHY SO MANY PEOPLE WERE SUPPORTIVE.

HE SAID IT WOULD BE FOR ANY FAMILIES FLEEING ARMED INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT.

IT WOULD PROVIDE A $10,000 FOR UP TO 5,000 FAMILIES, CREATE AN OFFICE FOR REFUGEES TO HELP THEM WITH TUITION, THE KENTUCKY PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, STUFF LOOK THAT.

AND IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING THAT IT WAS SENATOR DANNY CARROLL WHO POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND THE E. HAD TO COAST THOSE IN THE KENTUCKY REFUGEE MINISTRY SAID YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> Bill: DO WE KNOW IF THAT BILL HIS IN TRACTION YET?

>> Joe: I THINK IT'S RECEIVING RATE INNINGS HOUSE SO IT MIGHT BE ON ITS WAY.

>> Bill: JANET, WE CONTINUE TO SKI KENTUCKIANS LOOK FOR WAYS TO HELP UKRAINE AND THE PEOPLE THERE IN THE VERY TOUGH SITUATION.

SOME OF IT IS SYMBOLIC.

SOME OF IT IS REAL, IT'S MONEY.

>> Janet: YEAH, THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST TWO RESTAURANTS HERE IN LEXINGTON THAT I KNOW OF, ONE A BARBECUE PLACE THAT RAISINGED ABOUT $5,000 TO A DAY OF SUPPORT AND THAT'S CORRECT THEN ANOTHER ONE BREVITY COFFEE AND FATHER SIT CO-WHO RAISE $7,000 FOR REFUGEES FLOODING INTO MOLDOVA.

>> Bill: THERE I WAS MARCH I THINK IN RICHMOND TOMORROW.

LOTS OF EVENTS GOING ON IN COMMUNITIES.

ALL RIGHT.

THIS WEEK GOVERNOR BESHEAR VETOED A RESOLUTION TO END KENTUCKY'S STATE OF EMERGENCY EARLY.

HE SAYS $50 MILLION IN FOOD STAMP THE BENEFITS ARE ON THE LINE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THROUGH WHAT'S CALLED JOINT RESOLUTION 150, HAS TRIED TO END OUR STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE COVID PANDEMIC.

THAT WOULD CUT OFF ALL THESE EXTRA BENEFITS AND TAKE FOOD DIRECTLY OFF THE TABLES OF HALF A MILLION KENTUCKIANS WHO DESPERATELY NEED IT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

SO, MARK, THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN EASILY OVERRIDING THE GOVERNOR'S VETOES.

SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS SAYS KENTUCKY CAN GET ITS $50 MILLION WORTH OF FOOD STAMPS WITHOUT A STATE OF EMERGENCY BEING IN PLACE.

>> Mark: YEAH, I THINK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO OVERRIDE THIS FOR SURE.

IT DOES A FEW THINGS.

IT GIVES THE GOP A TALKING POINT.

THEY CAN SAY WE GOT RID OF THESE COVID RESTRICTIONS IT.

ALSO UTZ PUTS A FEATHER IN THE CAP OF THE BILL'S SPONSOR SENATOR DONALD DOUGLAS.

HE IS THE ESTABLISHMENT'S PREFERRED CHALLENGE AND HE'S FACING A CHANGE FROM ANDREW COOPER RYDER.

I THAN THE WOO BE SURPRISED IN THIS COMES BACK UP ON THE CAMPAIGN FRAIL THE IN GUBERNATORIAL RACE, TOO.

HERB BARBIERI WILL SAY YOU WERE SO OBSESSED ABOUT TAKING AWAY THESE RESTRICTIONS WHICH WEREN'T EVEN REALLY MAJOR RESTRICTIONS THAT YOU COST US $50 MILLION.

>> Joe: NOSE MOST OF RESTRICTIONS WE ALL KNOW ABOUT ENDnd LAST SEPTEMBER SO THEY'RE ALREADY GONE AT THIS POINT.

REALLY THE ONLY THING THIS IS CONCRETELY EFFECTING THE SNAP BENEFITS.

>> Janet: AND WHAT'S INTERESTING IS HOW MANY MILLIONS WOULD HAVE GONE TO ROBERT STIVERS' DISTRICT.

I MEAN, THOSE ARE THE DISTRICTS THAT ARE GETTING THE MOST IN SNAP RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: WELL, THE GOVERNOR ALSO VETOED A BILL TODAY, AND THIS HAS A REAL URBAN/RURAL GUIDE ON IT, AN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BILL.

>> Joe: SO THIS WOULD BE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTION ON THE ELIGIBILITY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

IT'S 26 WEEKS NOW.

IT NOW INDEXES IT.

IT COULD LOWER IT TO AS MUCH AS 12 WEEKS ELIGIBILITY.

IF IT WENT INTO EFFECT TODAY, IT WOULD BE 14 WEEKS AND IT ALSO INCREASES THE JOB SEARCH REMITS.

NOW, WHEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE VOTE TO OVERRIDE THIS, IT'S GOING TO TOUCH OFF ANOTHER REALLY EMOTIONAL DEBATE.

WHEN THIS PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE YOU WILL RURAL REPUBLICANS STANDING UP AND VERY EMOTIONALLY DECRYING THIS BILL.

SENATOR WHEELER IN THE SENATE HAD TEARS THROUGH HIS ENTIRE SPEECH ABOUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO HURT PEOPLE, POOR PEOPLE IN HIS EASTERN KENTUCKY DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE JOB PROSPECTS THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE IN URBAN AREAS.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR -- AND MANY PEOPLE SAID THAT THIS IS GOING TO CREATE DEPOPULATION FROM THOSE EASTERN KENTUCKY AREAS BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ANY JOBS AND, YOU CAN'T KEEP YOUR BENEFITS IN EFFECT, AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S VETO MESSAGE HE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THE LACK OF DISPARITY OF JOBS BETWEEN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND SOME URBAN AREAS.

SO ONCE THIS COMES UP FOR AN OVERRIDE VOTE, IT PROBABLY WILL HAVE THE VOTES.

THEY JUST NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJOR BUT IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER EMOTIONAL DEBATE.

>> Bill: THINS SINCE THIS IS RAT THIS POINT VERY IMPORTANT 1 WHAT DOES THIS BILL DO IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, WE USE THE TERM INDEXES, UNEMPLOYMENT AND SO FORTH.

IT IS SAYING THAT IT USES SOME STATEWIDE NUMBERS, AND THOSE COULD BE VERY DIFFERENT IN LOUVRE AND LEXINGTON, NORTHERN KENTUCKY AS OPPOSED TO THE RURAL AREAS.

>> Joe: NAW, IT'S STATEWIDE INDEXES IT FROM NINE TO 12 MONTHS EARLY SO IF THERE'S HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT THERE WOULD BE MORE WEEKS AVAILABLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

IF THERE IS WAS VERY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FEWER WEEKS UNEMPLOYMENT AVAILABLE.

SO IT'S -- BUT IT'S STATEWIDE IT.

DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE IN PIKEVILLE OR LOUISVILLE.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF WEEKS.

>> Bill: I'VE HEARD SOME TALK ABOUT SOME JOBS ARE SEASONABLE AND SOME REGULARLY GET UNEMPLOYMENT AND THAT THAT COULD AFFECT THAT AS WELL.

WE'LL WATCH.

ALL RIGHT.

THERE WAS ANOTHER DEBATE ABOUT TIGHTENING UP RULES FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS.

HOUSE BILL 7 COMES AFTER SEVERAL BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN RECENT YEARS THAT WOULD RESTRUCTURE HOW PROGRAMS LIKE MEDICAID AND FOOD ASSISTANCE ARE PROVIDED.

>> WE WILL REGRET TAKING THESE ACTIONS JUST TO FEEL THE SATISFACTION OF CATCHING AND PUNISHING AN INFINITESIMALLY SMALL NUMBER OF POOR PEEL WHO ARE DOING THING WERE THING.

DOR PEOPLE.

>> AT LAST TO SUM IT UP, THE ONLY WAY, THE ONLY WAY YOU LOSE YOUR BENEFITS IS THAT YOU EITHER VIOLATE THE LAW OR YOU ARE AN ABLE-BODIED ADULT WITH NO DEPENDENTS THAT DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

JANET, SPEAKER PRO-TEM DAVID MEADE PUSHING FOR REFORMS AND WATCHDOG MEASURES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AS HE LAST DONE IN RECENT YEARS.

OPPONENTS SAY THAT THE CHANGES ARE TOO HARSH FOR THOSE IN NEED.

>> Janet: ONE THING THAT THEY POINT OUT IS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COULD BE IMPACTED HAVE JOBS.

THESE ARE THE WORKING POOR.

PEOPLE WHO MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF HOURS FROM WEEK TO WEEK.

AND ONE OF THESE NEW REQUIREMENTS IS THAT YOU HAVE TEN DAYS TO REPORT IF YOUR INCOME HAS CHANGED.

SO IF YOUR BOSS GIVES YOU OVERTIME OR AN EXTRA SHIFT AND YOU HAVE TO PICK THAT UP, YOU HAVE TO REPORT IT OR YOU COULD BE ACCUSED OF FRAUD, YOU COULD LOSE YOUR BENEFITS, YOU COULD EVEN BE BANNED FROM HAVING THEM EVER AGAIN, SO IT GETS TO BE KIND OF A CHAOTIC SYSTEM.

IT COULD TRIGGER THIS SORT OF DOWNWARD SPIRAL FOR PEOPLE AS ONE THING THAT OPPONENTS POINT OUT.

>> Joe: AND ONE OF THE CRITICISMS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP BY SECRETARY ERIC FREE LENDER IN COMMITTEE WAS IN ORDER TO HAVE THIS INTERIOR BUREAUCRACY THERE IN PLACE TO MONITOR THIS, HE WOULD NEED 500 MORE WORKERS N., AND AS WE KNOW FROM THE STATE OF SOCIAL WORKERS RIGHT NOW, IT'S REALLY HARD TO KEEP ANY SOCIAL WORKERS BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN LOSING SO MANY OF THEM, SO THIS WOULD -- 500 ADDITIONAL WORKERS, THAT'S GOT TO BE A CONSIDERABLE PRICE TAG, YET THERE IS NO FISCAL NOTE YET ON THIS BILL SO WE DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC DOLLAR FIGURE FROM THE LRC ON WHAT THIS IS GOING TO COST.

>> Mark: I THINK THE FACT THAT THEY PASSED THESE TWO BILLS, THOUGH, SPEAKS TO HOW DESPERATE THE SITUATION FOR EMPLOYERS IN KENTUCKY WE RANK 48 IN THIS WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNTRY.

YOU'VE GOT HELP WANTED SIGNS UP ALL OVER THE STATE.

EVERYWHERE I GO.

WHEN I TALK TO BUSINESS OWNERS, THEY SAY THEY ARE DESPERATE FOR WORKERS.

AND I THINK THAT THE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS THAT COULD CONNECT OUR UNEMPLOYED TO THESE JOBS ARE PRETTY HUGE LIST.

I THINK THESE BILLS ARE LOW-HANGING FRUIT THAT REPUBLICANS SEE AS WAYS TO HELP THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHETHER OR NOT YOU BELIEVE THEY WILL ACTUALLY HELP.

>> Joe: AND THERE'S OTHER LEGISLATION, LEGISLATORS ARE LOOKING OUT FOR EMPLOYERS.

THEY FROZE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, CONTRIBUTION RATE OF EMPLOYERS& THEY'RE ALSO GIVING I THINK ANOTHER $130 MILLION OR SO IN ARPAIO FUNDS TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND, ARPA FUND, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TAXES THAT EMPLOYERS ARE PAYING ARE AS LOW AS BOB.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S CERTAINLY AN ONGOING ISSUE, AND IT, TOO, AGAIN CONTINUES TO BE DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATURE AND WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT BILL GOES THIS TIME AROUND.

SPORTS BETTING APPEARS TO HAVE MOMENTUM THIS WEEK.

A SERIES BILLS FROM REPRESENTATIVE ADAM KOENIG, A REPUBLICAN IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY, ATTEMPTS TO SATISFY BETTORS AND THOSE WHO SAY THAT WE COULD CREATE A PROBLEM BY CREATING MORE GAMBLERS AND TROUBLED GAMBLERS.

JANET, THIS BILL HAS PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY.

GENEROSITY THAT'S RIGHT.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE.

WHAT DIDN'T -- HASN'T COME UP YET IS THE $225 MILLION FUND FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING THAT CAPERIG ALSO WANTS TO CREATE WITH THE POKERSTARS SETTLEMENT FUND, AND ANOTHER BILLION THAT HE HAS AS PART OF HIS SLATE OF GAMBLING BILLS AND IS THE PARI-MUTUEL BETTING REFORM BILL.

BUT, YEAH, THE SPORTS BETTING, THAT ACTUALLY DID GET THROUGH PRETTY EASILY THIS TIME, RIGHT?

>> Joe: IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT IT ACTUALLY GOT TO THE FLOOR.

IN 2020 IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OUT OF COMMITTEE AND IT JUST DIED IN HOUSE BECAUSE THERE WAS THAT DIVIDE THE IN REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUSES, THE SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES WHO ARE ANTI-EXPANDED GAMING AT ALL, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO OTHER MORE ECONOMIC FREEDOM, LET PEOPLE HAVE THEIR GAMBLING IF THEY WANT IT FACTION, AND THEY JUST HAPPEN THE NOW HAVE THAT MAJORITY OF SUPPORTED SO THEY WERE ABLE TO GO FORWARD, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT DEBATE ALL THE WAY IN THE HOUSE AGAIN, WHICH FACTION OF THE SENATE IS GOING TO WIN OUT.

>> Bill: AND I THINK IT WAS 30 REPUBLICAN VOTES AGAINST IT.

>> Jennifer: YEAH, 30 AGAINST AND ABOUT 48 FOR THAT BILL.

SO IT WAS PRETTY CLOSE AND IN THE SENATE IT'S GOING TO -- I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT -- >> Mark: THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SENATE LEADERSHIP.

>> Joe: AND YOU HAVE DIFFERENCES IN SENATE LEADERSHIP.

>> Bill: YOU DO.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS HE TAKES ONE POTION, AND THE SENATE MAJOR LEADER TAKES ANOTHER.

>> Mark: I WOULDN'T DOUBT THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DAMON THAY ARE CARRIES THIS IN THE SENATE.

HIS COUNTERPART SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Joe: HE SAID IT'S A NON-ISSUE.

PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT IT.

WHICH IS FUNNY BASS MANY OF THE LEGISLATORS FROM THE HOUSE WERE SAYING, WE HEAR ABOUT THIS ON THIS ISSUE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

PEOPLE REALLY, REY WANT THIS.

SO WE'LL SEE IF HE CHANGES HIS MIND, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW HE SOUNDS LIKE A NO.

>> Bill: DOES THE FACT THAT SURROUNDING STATES HAVE MADE CHANGES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR WHAT COULD BE HAPPENING THIS TIME?

>> Mark: THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST TALKING POINTS.

THEY'RE SAYING WE'RE LETTING OUR MONEY GO ACROSS THE RIVER OR ACROSS THE BORDER.

IN FACT, ONE STORY I 2 THIS GUY TOLD ME OH HIS LUNCH BREAK SIMONS HE DRIVES ACROSS THE RIVER BECAUSE HIS PHONE AS A LOCATER DEVICE AND IT COULD TELL WHETHER HE'S IN KWE OR WERE HE'S IN INDIANA.

>> Joe: AND KENTUCKY ANDERS SPENDING OR GAMBLING $2 BILLION EVERY YEAR ON GAMBLING IT'S ESTIMATE.

WE'RE JUST NOT GETTING ANY OF THE TAX REVENUE FROM THAT.

>> Bill: JANET, ANOTHER TAX ISSUE OUT THERE IS REGULATING THE SO-CALLED GRAY GAMBLING MACHINES THAT ARE OPERATING, THAT'S WHY THEY'RE CALL AD THAT, IN A GRAY AREA.

>> Janet: THESE STARTED POPPING UP ABOUT A YEAR AGO IN KENTUCKY, CONVENIENCE STORES, RESTAURANTS, BARS AND HAVE REALLY MUSHROOMED ALL OVER THE STATE.

THE I THINK WE HEARD IN TESTIMONY YEARLY EARLIER IN THE WEEK THEY WERE UP 42% JUST SINCE THE LAST HEARING IN NOVEMBER ON THIS, SO LAST A LOT OF THEM COMING IN, AND THAT DEBATE GOT VERY EMOTIONAL, VERY HEATED, AND WAS NOT NEARLY AS STRAIGHTFORWARD A VOTE.

I THINK THAT THAT ONE IS A LITTLE BIT SQUISHIER BECAUSE YOU HAD THE ANTI-ALL GAMBLING PEOPLE WHO STOOD UP AND SAID, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

LAST SESSION WE WERE OUT HERE AND YOU CONVINCED US WE HAD TO VOTE FOR HISTORICAL HORSE RACING.

HOW IS THIS ANY MORALLY DIFFERENT IN YOU CAN MAKE ALL THE ARGUMENTS WITH HOW IT IS DIFFERENT OR WHAT IT DOES OR HOW THE GAMES ARE PLAYED, YOU THE ABOUT THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST GAMBLING, PERIOD, FULL STOP, AND THEY DON'T WANT ANY OF IT, AND THEY THEY SEE THIS AS VERY HYPOCRITICAL, WE'RE BANNING ONE AND WENT FOR THAT ONE.

THEN YOU HAVE THE OTHER PEOPLE OH TOTAL AT THE OPPOSITE END THE SPECTRUM SAYING, YEAH, BUT THERE'S CONVENIENCE STORES, SMALL MOM AND POPS, HER THEY WANT IT, WANT TO KEEP IT AND WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE REVENUE.

THERE WAS A MOVE TO TRY TO FAYETTE COUNTY AND REGULATE IT.

INSTEAD, AND THAT COMMITTEE SUB DIDN'T GET ADOPTED, SO, I DON'T KNOW, I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO COME BACK UP AND COULD COME BACK UP IN THE SENATE.

>> Joe: YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THE DIVIDE IN THE HOUSE CAUCUS AGAIN BETWEEN THE PRO-GAMBLING AND ANTI-GAMBLING FACTION, YOU HAD REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS 52 GAT WHO SAID WE'RE HERE HELPING THE BIG GUYS LIKE CHURCHILL DOWNS BUT NOT HELPING THE LITTLE GUYS, THE RETAILERS WHO RELY ON REVENUE FROM THESE MACHINES TO STAY IN BUSINESS.

>> Bill: AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA HAS BEEN A PERSIST ISSUE IN RECENT YEARS.

THIS WEEK THE DEBATE WAS INTENSE AGAIN AS THE HOUSE PASSED A NARROW BILL WITH A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS.

>> THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS BILL IS THAT THAT 85-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AND THAT 43-YEAR-OLD FATHER AND ERIC CRAWFORD CAN GO AND GET PRODUCT THAT'S MADE IN KENTUCKY BY KENTUCKIANS, TESTED IN KENTUCKY, AND IT'S SAFE.

I.

>> AND I GUESS WE CAN SAY IT'S FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES, AND I GUESS WE COULD ALL GO HOME AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELF.

WE'VE HELPED SOME PEOPLE.

WE CAN JUSTIFY IT AS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

I DIDN'T COME TO FRANKFORT FOR LIQUOR, FOR GAMBLING, OR FOR MARIJUANA.

>> Bill: JOE, A VERY RESTRICTIVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL PASSED THE HOUSE.

THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH A LOT OF SUPPORT, IT APPEARS WITH THE PUBLIC WHEN YOU LOOK A POLLING, BUT DOES IT FACE AN UPHILL CLIMB IN THE SENATE?

>> Joe: WELL, THIS IS THE FIRST TYPE THAT THE SENATES REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS REALLY GOING TO GET A STRONG -- A GOING TO RECEIVE THIS BILL AND MAYBE GET IT TO COMMITTEE.

SOME TIME THIS WEEK YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE REPRESENTATIVE NEMES AND THE SENATE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN WHITNEY WESTERFIELD GIVE THEIR PITCH FOR THIS BILL IN THAT CAUCUS ROOM AND SEE IF THEY CAN GET MAJORITY SUPPORTED AND GET TO A COMMITTEE.

WITH IT E. WHITNEY WESTER NEEDLE WAS AGAINST THIS BILL TWO YEARS AGO AND NO HE'S BEEN WORKING WITH REPRESENTATIVE NEMES ALL THROUGH THE RESILIENT AND HE'S TO THE POINT WHERE HE'S FOR THIS BILL, SO I THINK THE TWO OF THEM TOGETHER MIGHT HAVE A GOOD CHANCE, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THROUGH AGAIN STIVERS AND THAYER WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY, VERY SKEPTICAL OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA, SO WHENEVER THAT CAUCUS IS NOT GOING TO GET TO THE COMMITTEE.

>> Bill: MARK, HOW MUCH FRUSTRATING WAS THERE FROM PROPONENTS THAT IT WAS SO NARROWLY TAILORED, WHICH IS WHAT OBVIOUS THE ADVOCATES ARE DOING TO TRY TO GET IT PASSED.

>> Mark: I THINK PRIVATE PEOPLE WERE FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THE LIST OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD QUALIFY WAS SO SMALL, AND WHY YOU COULD CONSUME EDIBLE AND YOU COULD VAPE, DIDN'T YOU SUFFOLK THE FLOWER OR THE BUD OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT WHICH IS OFTEN THE LEAST EXPENSIVE WAY TO CONSUME IT.

PUBLICALLY HOWEVER, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HESITANT TO CRITICIZE THE BILL TOO MUCH BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S AN UPLITTLE BATTLE AND DON'T WANT TO RUFFLE ANY FEATHERS.

THEORY HOLDINGS THEIR BREATH.

>> Bill: MANY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT STILL REFER THE TO A SLIPPERY SLOPE, AND THEY SAY THAT IN THEIR ENFORCEMENT ATTEMPTS THEY FEAR THAT PEEP WILL SAY, WELL, IT'S MEDICINE.

>> Joe: BUT I THINK A REY GLARING ABSENCE WHEN THIS BILL WAS IN THE HOUSE WAS THERE WASN'T ANYONE FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE TO SAY THIS IS TERRIBLE AND THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO DRASTIC PROBLEMS AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES LIKE AT THE DO ON A LOT OF OTHER BILLS, SO I THINK THEIR SILENCE ALSO SAID A LOT, THAT THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY A TERRIBLE, A TESCH THING IF YOU GO FOR THIS.

>> Bill: WE'LL HAVE TO WATCH TO THAT ONE.

JANET, SENATE BILL 321 WOULD OUTLAW ABORTION IN KENTUCKY AFTER 15 PBS OF PREGNANCY.

>> Janet: YEAH, THAT PASSED THE SENATE THIS WEEK, AND THAT MIRRORS THE MISSISSIPPI LAW THAT'S GOING TO BE -- THAT IS BEFORE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE EXPECTING A RULING ON IT THIS SPRING.

IT WOULD BE A PRETTY BIG CHANGE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW KENTUCKY SAT 2026 OF PREGNANCY.

I THINK THAT -- IS AT 20 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY.

I THINK WHAT SENATOR WISE SAID WAS HE WANT TO BE READY, THAT IN THE SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN ROW V. WADE AND LETS THE MISSISSIPPI LAW STAND, THEN THIS WOULD GO INTO EFFECT.

OPPONENTS OF THE BAIL THAT, AND THE OTHER MEASURE ON ABORTION ON THE ABORTION BILL IN THE HOUSE, SAY THAT IT WOULD HARP WOMEN WHO NEED SAFE, LEGAL ACCESS TO THIS FORM OF HEALTH CARE.

>> Bill: MARK, SENATE BILL 43 PROHIBITS TRANSGENDER FEMALE ATHLETES FROM PLAYING GIRLS SPORTS.

THAT DEBATE HAS BEEN EMOTIONAL.

>> Mark: WATCHING SOME OF THESE KIDS TO TALK ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO BE A TRANSGENDER EXCELLENT ADOLESCENT AND THEN SPORTS IS THE ONE THING THAT THEY HAVE AND THEY'RE GENUINELY AFRAID THAT THAT SPORT IS GOING TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM.

BUT THEN ON THE OTHER HAND LISTENING TO FOLKS TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THESE TRANSGENDER ATHLETES WHO WERE COMPETING AT THE BOTTOM AS MALES BUT THEN WHEN THEY TRANSITION TO TRANSGENDER FEMALES, WERE ALL OF A SUDDEN AT THE TOP, THEY HAVE AN ARGUMENT WHAT IF YOUR DAUGHTER I WAS GREAT SWIMMER, MAYBE ONE OF THE BEST SWIMMERS IN THE STATE BUT THEN A TRANSGENDER FEMALE CAME ALONG AND BUMPED HER OUT OF CONTENTION?

>> Bill: I DON'T, DOES THE GOVERNOR VETO THAT BILL?

>> Joe: PROBABLY SO.

IT'S BEEN A STRAIGHT PARTY LINE FOR THE MOST PART IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

MOST DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN VERY EMOTIONALLY AND VERY STRONGLY AGAINST THIS BILL, SO I WOULD ASSUME THAT WE VETOES THAT.

>> Bill: I WANT TO ASK YOU, I DON'T, WHILE WE HAVE YOU, YOUR EXPERTISE, EVERY SESSION WE HEAR ABOUT THESE SHELL BILLS THAT CARRY A TITLE THAT MAY ULTIMATELY HAVE KNOWING TO DO WITH WHAT THAT BILL IS ALL ABOUT.

NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT THAT BILL IS ALL ABOUT.

IS THIS JUST AN ODD FRANKFORT PROCLIVITY?

>> Jennifer: THEY'RE LITTLE PLACEHOLDER BILLS THAT LEGISLATOR FILE AND THEY HAVE A PARAGRAPH AND THERE'S ONLY A WORD OR TWO CHANGE BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY'LL BE BROUGHT TO A COMMITTEE AND THAT MORNING YOU WILL HAVE A COMMITTEE SUB BROUGHT IN AND IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY BILL ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SUBJECT, AND IT COULD BE 50 PAGES LONG AND REALLY COMPLICATED, SO LEGISLATOR USE IT AS A PLACEHOLDER FOR LEGISLATION THAT THEY HAVEN'T FINISHED DRAFTING, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S TO SLIP THINGS IN THERE THAT YOU DO NOT WANT A COMMITTEE ROOM IF YOU HAVE ANGRY PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT, SO THE PUBLIC REALLY DOESN'T HAVE ADVANCED NOTICE OF IT, AND SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE BENIGN AND SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE NON-CONTROVERSIAL.

SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE A $1 BILLION TAX BILL.

>> Bill: AND SURPRISE PEOPLE.

JANET, TIM DAVIS RETURNED TO THE NEWS LATE THIS WEEK.

>> Janet: THAT'S RIGHT.

LATE TODAY FEDERAL JUDGE DAVID BUNTING RULED ALMOST SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE FACT THAT SHE VIOLATED THE RIGHTS OF TWO SAME-SEX COUPLES WHEN SHE REFUSE TODAY ISSUE THEM MARRIAGE LICENSES IN 2015.

NOW THIS CASE WILL GO TO A JURIAL WHICH WILL DECIDE DAMAGES, WHETHER THE COUPLE IS OWED DAMAGES.

>> Bill: MEDINA SPIRIT'S FIGHT TYPED IN COURT.

JANKLOWS THERE I WAS HEARING LAST WEEK.

WE'RE EXPECTING JUDGE WINGATE TO GIVE AS A RULING ON WHETHER HE WILL STAY BOB BAFFERT'S 90-DAY SUSPENSION FROM THE KENTUCKY HORSE RACING COMMISSION.

EITHER WAY IT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE APPEALED TO THE KENTUCKY COURT OF APPEALS.

>> Bill: MARCH MADNESS GOES ON.

KENTUCKY IS IDENTITY IT OBVIOUSLY.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH MURRAY STATE NOW.

AND LOUISVILLE HAS HIRED A NEW COACH, MARK.

>> Mark: YEAH, I WAS AT THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY IN LOUISVILLE WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED KEN PAYNE WILL BE THE FIRST BLACK COACH OF THE UofL MEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM, AND, BOY, HE IS JUST SUCH -- HE'S A POWERFUL SPEAKER.

I DIDN'T REALIZED HOW POWER OF A SPEAKER HE REALLY IS BUT HE TALKED ABOUT COMING YOU WANT OUT OF POVERTY GROWING UP IN MISSISSIPPI STATE, AND WHEN I TALKED TO CURRENT PLAYERS THEY WERE LIKE, THIS GUY GETS US.

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE GOOD LUCK TO HIM.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.

COULD IT BECOME PERMANENT?

THAT'S UNDER DISCUSSION IN WASHINGTON.

FORMER EDGED WELL FORD ALWAYS SAID IT CONFUSES COWS AND KILLS PEOPLE.

HE WAS NOT A FAN OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.

SIGHTS SEEING TRIP TO FOSTER WILL SOON BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT 10 THE CAPITOL DOME?

SIGNIFICANT NEEDED HAVE REPAIRS.

SCAFFOLD OF COURSE WILL GO UP AROUND IT THEY'LL HAVE TAKE A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO GET IN PLACE AND THE PROJECT MAY TAKE A COUPLE YEARS.

TUNE IN MONDAY FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW HAD HOST A DISCUSSION ON ABORTION THE BILLS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."