LEGISLATURE PASSES A FLURRY OF BILLS ON A TIGHT DEADLINE AS GOVERNOR BESHEAR NOW CONSIDERS WHAT TO SIGN AND AND WHAT TO VE THE STATE BUDGET IS LEAN.

NO RAISES FOR TEACHERS FOR STATE WORKERS, AND MORE MONEY IN A RAINY DAY FUND.

CAN KENTUCKY BOTH ACCEPT FEDERAL COVID RELIEF MONEY AND OFFER TAX BREAKS?

IT'S AN OPEN QUESTION.

KENTUCKY TOPS 5,000 COVID DEATHS, BUT MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE HAVE NOW BEEN VACCINATED.

HEADING INTO THE FIRST WEEKEND OF SPRING, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON.

GOOD EVENING.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR TH JACK BRAMMER, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD- AND CHRIS OTTS, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

WE LEARNED JUST MINUTES BEFORE AIR TIME TONIGHT THAT THE FOUNDER OF THIS PROGRAM, THE LEGENDARY JOURNALIST AL SMITH, HAS DIED.

HE WAS 94 YEARS OLD.

HE WAS A COLLEAGUE AND A MENTOR FOR ALL OF US.

WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE PIECE LATER FROM AL AS WE WENT BACK TO HIS HOME AREA IN KENTUCKY OF LOGAN COUNTY AND REVISITED THE PLACE THAT HE CAME TO WHEN HE CAME TO OUR STATE AND BECAME SO WELL-KNOWN AND SO BELOVED.

JACK, OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY CERTAINLY, BUT WE ALSO ALL CONSIDER OURSELVES SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE KNOWN AND WORKED AROUND AND WITH AL SMITH.

>> Jack: BILL, KENTUCKY JOURNALISM AND KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS HAD NO GREATER FRIEND THAN AL SMITH.

HE HAD A PASSION FOR JOURNALISM, HE TOOK CARE OF JOURNALISTS.

A LOT OF TIMES BEHIND THE SCENES FINANCIALLY.

Y.

SIDES HIS LOVE FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," HE WAS VERY ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN RURAL JOURNALISM AND HELPED THE INSTITUTE AT KENTUCKY, UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY HEADED BY AL CROSS, ABOUT RURAL JOURNALISM.

WE HAVE CERTAINLY LOST A DEAR, DEAR FRIEND.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, HE FOUNDED THIS PROGRAM IN 1974.

>> Deborah: HE DID.

HE WAS THE FOUNDING HOST OF THIS PROGRAM, AND IT REALLY DOES MARK THE END OF TWO SORT OF GIANTS IN KENTUCKY JOURNALISM AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS BECAUSE OH LINDER PRESS WHO WAS THE FOUNDER OF KET RECRUITED AL SMITH TO BE THE FIRST HOST OF THE SHOW.

HE GOT THE IDEA FOR THE SHOW AND THEN HE WOULD IT BE AND GOT AL TO BE THE FOUNDING HOST, AND IT TOOK OFF FROM THERE, AS EVERYONE KNOWS.

IT'S THE LONGEST-RUNNING PUBLIC AFFAIRS SHOW IN KET HISTORY.

IT STARTED IN '74.

BUT HE DID A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN THAT.

AS JACK POINTED OUT, HE WAS A HUGE PROPONENT AND CONTINUED TO WORK VIRTUALLY ALL HIS LIFE TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE KENTUCKY JOURNALISM.

>> Bill: IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE ASKED TO BE ON THE PROGRAM AND EVEN GREATER HONOR WHEN YOU GOT ASKED BACK, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: IT WAS.

YOU KNEW YOU HAD DONE A GOOD JOB THEN.

BUT AL WAS QUITE THE CHARACTER.

HE WAS A HOST, AND AS SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID, LARGER THAN LIFE.

>> Bill: OUR THOUGHTS ARE WERE MARTHA HELEN AND HIS FAMILY TINE TONIGHT, AND A WILL IT LITTLE BIT LATER, AS WE SAID, WE WILL HEAR A PIECE OF WHEN AL WENT BACK TO LOGAN COUNTY THAT HE SO BELOVED AND WAS SO TRANSFORMATIVE IN HIS LIFE.

THAT WILL BE A LITTLE BIT LATER ON.

A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT ON OUR PROGRAM.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RACED THE CLOCK ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY TO PRESERVE THE ABILITY TO OVERRIDE VETOES FROM THE GOVERNOR.

THE LEGISLATURE CRANKED OUT A STATE BUDGET AND PASSED DOZENS OF OTHER BILLS.

AT $12 BILLION SPENDING PLAN DOES NOT FIGURE IN THE BALLOTS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF ACT, AND THAT HAS SET THE STAGE FOR ONGOING DEBATE.

>> ONE OF THE AMAZING THINGS THIS WILL DO IS BY INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE, INVESTING IN OUR BUSINESSES, INVESTING IN BASIC NEEDS WITH THIS FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY, WE CAN FREE UP OUR GENERAL FUND DOLLARS TO DO SOMETHING BOLD, TO MEET THE NEEDS HAVE OUR HUMAN CAPITAL -- OF OUR HUMAN CAPITAL, OF OUR FUTURE.

THIS BUDGET CANNOT DO THAT.

>> SO I TELL THE PEOPLE WHO SEE THIS AND SAY IT'S A FLATLINE BUDGET, YES, IT IS, BECAUSE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MONEY, THIS 5 TO 6 WILL BILLION DOLLARS AND UNDERSTAND THERE'S GOING TO BE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO ASK.

THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR US 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 MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.

>> Bill: JACK, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET FIRST.

AND WHAT IT DOES AND DOESN'T DO, A PLAN THAT CAME OUT LAST WEEKEND.

>> Jack: YES, IF YOU GOT UP EARLY SATURDAY MORNING AND LOOKED AT THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION WEBSITE, YOU COULD HAVE FOUND THIS REPORT.

IT SAID THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONFEREES PUT TOGETHER.

BASICALLY IT IS A CONTINUATION BUDGET FROM LAST FISCAL YEAR OR THE FISCAL YEAR WE ARE IN NOW WHICH ENDS JUNE 30th.

IT WILL BE JUST FOR ONE YEAR STARTING JULY 1st.

AS YOU MENTIONED, IT HAS NO SALARY INCREASES FOR MOST STATE WORKERS.

IT DOES PROVIDE SOME PAY INCENTIVES FOR STATE POLICE AND THE FOLKS WHO WORK IN THE STATE POLICE CRIME LAB.

SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS IT DOES, PROVIDES A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR SECURITY FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON.

BUT IT PRETTY MUCH LEAVES THE SAME FUNDING LEVEL FOR THE MAJOR PROGRAMS IN THE STATE, WHICH IS EDUCATION AND OUR HUMAN RESOURCES PROGRAMS.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, THERE IS LANGUAGE THAT PUTS THE LEGISLATURE IN CHARGE OF THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT WILL BE COMING IN FROM THE COVID RELIEF ACT.

>> Deborah: RIGHT, AND IT BASICALLY GIVES THEM MORE POWER TO DICTATE WHERE IT GOES AND AUTHORIZE SPENDING FOR IT.

I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT'S GOING TO WORK OUT EXACTLY, WHETHER THEY'LL GET IT ALL PULLED TOGETHER IN THE LAST TWO DAYS OF THE SESSION OR NOT.

JACK SEEMS TO THINK THEY WILL.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Bill: JACK.

>> Jack: I'M OPTIMISTIC.

YEAH, THEY COME BACK MARCH 29th AND SO THEY HAVE SOME TIME TO GET TOGETHER AND WORK ON THIS AND DECIDE HOW TO SPEND THE NEW FEDERAL DOLLARS COMING TO THE STATE, WHICH IS A GODSEND.

IF THEY DON'T FIGURE THIS OUT, AND THE LEGISLATURE KEEPS THE RIGHT TO DECIDE HOW THAT MONEY IS SPENT, IT WILL MEAN THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION.

THE UGLIES LEGISLATORS WOULD COME BACK TO FRANKFORT TO DECIDE WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING.

SO I PERSONALLY THINK IT WOULD BE TO EVERYONE'S ADVANTAGE, BOTH SIDES, IF THEY COULD FIND AND SET SOME PARAMETERS BEFORE MARCH 29th AND 30th BEFORE THEY OFFICIALLY GO HOME.

>> Bill: WOULD IT BE A GAMBLE FOR THEM TO WAIT A SPECIAL CALL FROM THE GOVERNOR, WHICH ME MIGHT BE ABLE TO WRITE VERY TITLE SO THAT HE SETS THE AGENDA FOR A SPECIAL SESSION, RIGHT?

>> Jack: RIGHT.

THE ONLY THE GOVERNOR CAN SET THE AGENDA, AND HE COULD WRITE IT SO TITLE, BUT IF HE TRIES TO DID TIGHTLY, BUT IF HE TRIES TO PLAY GAMES LIKE THAT, THEY COULD TRY TO GET BACK AT HIM EVEN MORE NEXT SESSION, SO THREE-QUARTERS THE HEALTHIEST APPROACH WOULD BE ALL SIDES MEET BEFORE MARCH 29th AND COME UP WITH A SPENDING PLAN FOR THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

CHRIS, THERE IS A BIG PENDING QUESTION HERE.

CAN KENTUCKY ACCEPT THE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF MONEY WITH THE STRINGS ATTACHED N. AND OFFER UP TAX BREAKS THAT ARE IN THIS BUDGET PLAN?

>> Chris: YEAH, AND THEY APPROVED HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF NEW TAX BREAKS IN THAT FLURRY HAVE BILLS THAT PASSED EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

DEMOCRATS AND THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY HAVE BEEN SAYING WE CANNOT OFFER THESE NEW TAX BREAKS BECAUSE NOT ONLY WILL THEY DRAIN MONEY FROM THE STATE, IT WILL COST DOUBLE BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE TO PAY MONEY BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE STIMULUS BECAUSE OF THE LANGUAGE IN THAT NEW FEDERAL MONEY, BUT KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE HAVE SAID THAT THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE INTERPRETED THAT BROADLY.

ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON JOINED OTHER REPUBLICAN ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN ASKING THE U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY NOT TO INTERPRET THE LANGUAGE OF THE NEW STIMULUS BILL SO BROADLY AS TO INCUR ON THE STATE'S ABILITY TO SET THEIR OWN TAX POLICIES.

SO IT'S KIND OF AN OPEN QUESTION, BUT DEMOCRATS AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN WARNING THAT THESE TAX BREAKS COULD BE REALLY EVEN MORE COSTLY THAN THEY NORMALLY ARE.

>> Bill: BECAUSE IT SAID THE TAX BREAKS COULD NOT BE FUNDED BY THAT MONEY.

>> Deborah: I THINK THAT WAS INTENTIONALLY INCLUDED IN FEDERAL LANGUAGE OF THE RELIEF ACT TO AVOID STATES FROM RUSHING OUT AND ENACTING A LOT OF CUTS, COUNTING ON THE FEDERAL MONEY TO MAKE IT UP, SO HOW IT'S INTERPRETED COULD BE A PROBLEM FOR KENTUCKY.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Bill: CHRIS, THE REPUBLICANS SAY THAT THESE TAX INCENTIVES ARE DESIGNED TO BRING IN THE BUSINESS AND TOURISM AND TO BRING JOBS THE TO COMMONWEALTH.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS OFFERED TO COMPANIES?

RESISTANCE >> Chris: RIGHT.

A BUNCH OF NEW ONES WERE PASSED THIS PAST WEEK AND THEY PRESUMABLY COULD OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO ON THESE.

THESE ARE THINGS LIKE $100 MILLION TO REHABILITATE HISTORICAL PROPERTIES, $75 MILLION TO REIN-STATE THE FILM TAX CREDIT THAT, ACCORDING TO JACK'S PUBLICATION, THE BEVIN ADMINISTRATION ACTUALLY DID I AWAY WITH A FEW YEARS AGO, SEDATING THAT THOSE TAX BREAKS WERE NOT WORTH THE BANG FOR THE BUCK ECONOMICALLY IN ATTRACTING MOVIE PRODUCTION TO THE STATE.

EVIDENTLY LAWMAKERS NOW THINK THAT THEY ARE, AND THEY PUT THAT BACK.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS LIKE CRYPTO CURRENCY, WHICH IS THESE CENTERS THAT MINE FOR BITCOINS WITH TONS OF COMPUTERS THAT USE A GIANT OREMOUS AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY.

THEY PASSED SPECIAL TAX BREAKS TO ATTRACT THOSE TO THE STATE.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF LITTLE GIVEAWAYS THAT WERE ADDED AND, OF COURSE, THE CRITICISM IS THAT WHEN WE WON'T SEE THE COST OF THESE BECAUSE THE MONEY WON'T BE COMING IN THE DOOR IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Bill: THERE'S A LOUISVILLE PROJECT AS WELL THAT IS GETTING SOME ATTENTION.

>> Chris: YEAH, EFFORT THAT.

THERE'S A LINE IN -- THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE'S A LINE IN ONE OF THESE TAX BREAK BILLS THAT SAYS WE'RE AUTHORIZING ONE SPECIFIC HOTEL, AND IT DIDN'T SAY WHICH ONE OR A REHAB OF ONE SPECIFIC HISTORIC PROPERTY.

EXCUSE ME.

AND IT MET CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

I DIDN'T SPECIFIC SOLEIL WHICH ONE.

SO DEMOCRATS WERE LIKE, THERE'S A MYSTERY HOTEL PROJECT IN HERE, AND THE REPUBLICANS ON THE FLOOR WERE LIKE, WE'RE NOT SURE THAT THAT'S -- WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

WITH THE HELP OF MY COLLEAGUE, LAWRENCE SMITH, WE WERE ABLE TO GET TWO VERY HIGH OF RANKING REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEXT DAY THAT IT IS SPECIFICALLY MEANT FOR THE SEALBOCH HISTORIC HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

IT WOULD PROVIDE THE OHIO COMPANY THAT IS RENOVATING THAT A $6 MILLION TAX BREAK POTENTIALLY IF THEY APPLY AND GET IT, AND THEY'VE DONE -- THEY'VE HIRED LOBBYISTS AND SPENT A LOT ON LOBBYING, AND THE COURIER REPORTED TODAY THAT THEY'VE ALSO MADE A LOT OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THESE VERY LAWMAKERS, AND THAT APPEARS TO BE MONEY WELL SPENT BECAUSE IT WILL COME BACK IN SPADES IN THAT BREAK IS APPROVED.

>> Deborah: THAT'S CORRECT.

WE REPORTED TODAY THAT THEY HAVE DONATED GENEROUSLY, THE OHIO OWNERS AND OTHERS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTERPRISE HAVE DONATED GENEROUSLY TO REPUBLICAN CAUSES AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO HOLD THE KEY HERE.

INTERESTINGLY, IT STARTED LAST YEAR, BUT I THINK THE PANDEMIC RELIEF SHUT DOWN IN THE LEGISLATURE STOPPED IT SO THEY CAME BACK THIS YEAR AND WERE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Bill: SO WE'LL SEE WHAT THE VETOES ARE AND HOW THE LEGISLATURE REACTS IN OVERRIDING THOSE ON THE BUDGET.

VERY IMPORTANT KEY PIECE OF LEGISLATION THIS YEAR.

NOW THERE ARE SOME OTHER IMPORTANT PIECES.

SCHOOLS, THE FEDERAL RELIEF ACT PROVIDES MONEY FOR SCHOOLS, AND VALERIE HONEYCUTT REPORTED FOR THE HERALD-LEADER TODAY SOME CONCERNS THAT EDUCATION DR. JASON GLASS SAYS THAT THE MONEY INTENDED FOR SCHOOLS COULD POTENTIALLY GET TIED UP IN POLITICS, JACK, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH DIRECT ACCESS THE SCHOOLS HAVE TO THE CASH.

>> Jack: YES, BILL.

THIS IS ANOTHER CASE WHERE LAWMAKERS SAID THEY SHOULD DETERMINE WHERE THIS MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT, AND THE COMMISSIONER GLASS SAYS IT SHOULD BE LEFT UP TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER ARGUMENT, ANOTHER SQUABBLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN FRANKFORT, AND WE'LL SEE HOW THAT'S PLAYED OUT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, THERE IS A SCHOOL CHOICE BILL THAT WENT THROUGH A LOT OF CHANGES BEFORE IT STARTED GOING CHAMBER TO CHAMBER.

REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO ROUND UP ENOUGH VOTES NOW TO OVERSIDE RIDE AN EXPECTED VETO FROM THE GOVERNOR ON THAT.

IN LARGER DISTRICTS IT WOULD ALLOW ACCOUNTS THAT COULD HELP PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO CHOOSE TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS MONEY TO DO THAT.

>> Deborah: IT'S A SYSTEM WHERE PEOPLE COULD DONATE TO THIS SORT OF POOL OF I GUESS SCHOLARSHIP OR VOUCH ARE MONEY THAT THEN COULD BE USED IN SOME OF THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THIS.

JEFFERSON IS ONE OF THEM.

I THINK NORTHERN KENTUCKY AS WELL FOR PARENTS TO USE AT PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR I BELIEVE EVEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT CHARGE TUITION IF THEY WANT TO GO OUT OF THEIR DISTRICT, AND THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY CONTROVERSIAL.

AS YOU CAN WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FOLKS AND SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE, AND THERE WAS KIND OF A RUCKUS OVER IT TUESDAY NIGHT BILL OF FINALLY PASSED JUST 48-47.

>> Bill: SO IT PASSES WITH 48 VOTES.

IT TAKES TAKES 51 VOTES ON OVERRIDE A VETO.

SO ARE THEY IN THE PROCESS NOW OF TRYING TO ROUND UP THOSE ADDITIONAL VOTES?

AND HAS THIS AWAKENED THE OPPOSITION TO TRY TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING?

>> Deborah: I WOULD SAY YES AND YES.

I'M SURE THEY'RE DEFINITELY TRYING TO SCURRY IN AND GET IT VETO PROOFED, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I THINK AS PEOPLE REALIZED WHAT IT WAS AND IT ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THAT NIGHT IT RHYMED OPPOSITION.

I HEARD DR. MARTY POLLIO ON A RADIO SHOW TODAY SAYING HE WAS DEFINITELY A POSED TO IT.

THEY JUST FIGURE THIS TAKES MONEY OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND AS MANY PEOPLE REMINDED US, AND HE DID AGAIN TODAY, THIS IS A YEAR WHERE THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE ANY NEW MONEY FOR TEXTBOOKS.

>> Bill: JACK, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS ALSO INCLUDES A ON O.

POTENTIAL TRANSFER OF PUBLIC-TO-PUBLIC.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF A FAMILY DETERMINED THAT THEY HAD CHILDREN IN WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS A FAILING SCHOOL, THEY COULD MOVE THEM TO ANOTHER DISTRICT, RIGHT?

>> James: RIGHT.

THAT'S ANOTHER PROVISION OF THE.

I THINK IN THIS INTERIM WE HAVE, WE CALL AT THIS TIME VETO VEST WHERE LAWMAKERS GO HOME WHILE THE GOVERNOR CONSIDERS WHETHER TO VETO THESE BILLS, THERE'S GOING TO BE LIGHT OF PRESSURE ON LAWMAKERS TO VETO THIS BILL, PARTICULARLY FROM TEACHERS AND THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.

>> Bill: AND A TEACHERS PENSION BILL IS ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

IT IMPACTS FUTURE HIRES, JACK.

>> Jack: YEAH, JUST FOR NEW-HIRES.

RIGHT NOW TEACHERS GET A SET CONTRIBUTION FOR THEIR RETIREMENT.

THEY KNOW WHITES GOING TO BE.

AND THIS WILL, FOR NEW TEACHERS, YOU WOULD HAVE THIS PROVISION THAT THEY CAN HAVE LIKE THE 401(K) STYLE OF SYSTEM OF RETIREMENT, AND A LOT OF EDUCATION OFFICIALS AND FOLKS DON'T LIKE THIS.

THEY SAID IT'S GOING TO BE HARDER TO TRACT TEACHERS INTO THE PROFESSION, AND THEY WANT TO MAINTAIN THE SYSTEM AS IT IS.

>> Bill: VOTERS WILL FACE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN 2022.

IT CALLS FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO BE ABLE TO EXTEND ITS SESSIONS.

KENTUCKY VOTERS NARROWLY APPROVED ANNUAL SESSIONS IN 2000.

JUST 52% OF THE VOTERS WENT FOR THAT 21 YEARS AGO.

BEFORE THAT THEY MET EVERY TWO YEARS.

WILL THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY NOW ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO MEET LONGER?

>> Deborah: I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC IS A BIG FAN OF POLITICS THESE DAYS.

IT SEEMS LIKES THEY'RE ALL DISILLUSIONED WITH IT AND EXTENDING THE SESSIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE COME BACK IN ESSENTIAL SECONDS, HAVE BEEN CONTROVERSIAL ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY WEREN'T EFFECTIVE.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO BE TO BE WELL AT THE TIME PUBLIC.

>> Bill: THE STATE PLANS TO CAP THE COST OF INSULIN FOR BYTES.

>> Deborah: THAT'S BEEN AN EFFORT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND A HUGE RELIEF TO A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE WHO DEPEND ON IT BECAUSE THE PRICES STARTED SOARING A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

NOW IT'S CAPPED AT $30 FOR A 30-DAY SUPPLY.

>> Bill: JACK, THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT PASS A TRANSPORTATION BUDGET YET, SO ASSUMING IT DOES BEFORE ADJOURNMENT, IT'S LEFT OPEN FOR THE GOVERNOR TO LINE ITEM VETO SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT MAY BE IN WHATEVER DOES PASS.

>> Jack: HE CAN'T, CAN, AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR CAN USE THAT AS SOME LEVERAGE IN THE NEXT TWO DAYS ON OTHER BILLS AND TRY TO GET WHAT HE WANTS FROM THAT BECAUSE THERE HAS TO BE A TRANSPORTATION BUDGET IN SOME FORM.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, THE NO KNOCK WARRANT BILL DID NOT MAKE ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AS THE LAS BEFORE THIS BREAK.

>> Deborah: NO, IT'S ONE OF THE ONES THAT'S STILL HANGING, AND IT WAS FAIRLY CONTROVERSIAL BECAUSE ATTICA SCOTT'S BILL NEVER REALLY GOT ANY TRACTION.

THE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY.

I THINK STIVERS WAS THE ORIGINAL SPONSOR OF THE ONE THAT MADE ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, BUT IT GOT SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGED, AND CRITICS SAID IT REALLY WEAKENED THE IMPACT AND IT'S STILL PENDING.

>> Bill: CHRIS, WE KNOW HOW TROUBLED THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN.

IT WAS CRUSHED BY THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS.

WE NOW KNOW THAT IT'S ESTIMATED THAT HALF OF THE CLAIMS ARE FRAUDULENT, WHICH IS ANOTHER ISSUE.

YOU DID A STORY THIS WEEK THAT LOOKED AT HOW SOME REACHED OUT AND GOT SOME SPECIAL ASSISTANCE.

>> Chris: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT, BILL.

I ACTUALLY OBTAINED SOME TEXTS MESSAGES INVOLVING THE FORMER UNEMPLOYMENT DIRECTOR, A GUY NAMED MUNCIE NAKAMARA.

VERY AILED EARLIER THIS WEEK HE DIED OF AN A MARINATE SUICIDE.

BUT HE HAD CHALLENGED HIS FIRING BY THE SHEAR ADMINISTRATION, AND AS PART OF THAT PROCESS THESE TEXT MESSAGES WERE PRODUCED, AND IN A FEW OF THEM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR REACHES OUT TO HIM AND TO HIS BOSS AND SAYS, "HEY, GUYS, I NEED TO YOU CALL SOMEBODY.

THIS PERSON DOES MY HAIR, SO OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TEQUILA CARE OF HER."

WHAT HE IS EDGES D. TAKE CARE OF HER.

THESE MESSAGES SHOW THAT THE BOSS OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM WOULD IMMEDIATELY SNAP TO ANY OF THESE REQUESTS FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OR FROM OTHERS.

THERE'S INDICATIONS THAT ROCKY ADKINS MAY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THIS SAME ACTIVITY.

AND HE WOULD CALL THEM DIRECTLY, THESE PEOPLE ON THE PHONE AND HELP THEM WITH THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS AND HELP THEM GET THEM SHAPED OUT STRAIGHTENED OUT.

THIS IS AT THE SAME TIME, BILL, THAT THE ADMINISTRATION, THE STATE IS NOT EVEN OPENING 400,000 eMAILS THAT WERE SENT FROM PEOPLE OUT THERE IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO ARE ABSOLUTELY DESPERATE, NOT TO REACH THE UNEMPLOYMENT DIRECTOR BUT JUST A CALL CENTER WORKER.

, AND COULD NOT DO SO.

SO THE CONTRAST THERE IS WHAT I THOUGHT MADE THE STORY.

>> Bill: INTERESTING STORY.

WELL, THE COVID-19 TRENDS IN KENTUCKY LOOK ENCOURAGING AFTER A YEAR OF BATTLING THE PANDEMIC.

THE DARK SIDE, KENTUCKY'S DEATH TOLL, HAS NOW SURPASSED 5,000, BUT A BRIGHTER NOTE, DEBBIE, IS KENTUCKY IS GETTING VACCINES OUT AND, IN AN ACT, AT A FASTER PACE THAN OUR NEIGHBORING STATES.

>> Deborah: THEY ARE.

THE VACCINATIONS ARE REALLY RATCHETING UP AND THERE ARE OVER 1 MILLION NOW AND THE GOAL IS TO, I BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR SAID YESTERDAY, IS TO GET EVERYONE VACCINATED, EVERY ADULT WHO WANTS A VACCINATION VACCINATED BY MAY THERE'S EVER 1st WHICH ALSO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S GOAL.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING IN APRIL THEY ARE OPENING A VACCINE SUPER CENTER AT CARDINAL STADIUM WHICH WILL BE THE LARGEST ONE IN KENTUCKY IT IS WILL DO 4,000 TO 500 SHOTS A DAY AND HAVE 24 LANES OF CARS GOING FOR SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

>> Bill: SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING LESSENED, RESTAURANT AND BAR RESTRICTIONS EASED UP SOME AS OF POINT BARKS OPEN UNTIL 1:00 A.M. AND THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED INTO LAW A BILL THAT ALLOWS TAKE-OUT ALCOHOL AS WELL PERMANENT AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

JACK, THE PETITIONERS WHO UNSUCCESSFULLY SOUGHT THE REMOVAL OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ROBERT CAMERON AND ROBOT GERTH WERE SENT BILL THAT IS TOPPED $60,000, AND THOSE PAYMENTS IT LOOKS LIKE WILL BE CHALLENGED NOW.

>> Jack: YEAH, STATE LAW SAYS THEY HAVE TO PAY, AND THAT PRICE WAS DETERMINED BY THE IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE.

IT WAS A HEFTY PRICE, BUT A LOT OF LAWYERS AND LEGISLATORS SPENT A LOT OF TIME.

BUT IT DOES SEEM RIPE FOR A LAWSUIT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY SENATOR RAND PAUL, WE'VE SWITCHED FROM FRANKFORT TO WASHINGTON HERE IF YOU'RE GETTING WHIPLASH, AND THE NATION'S TOP INFECTIOUS DISEASE DOCTOR DR. ANTHONY FAUCI WENT BACK AND FORTH ON CAPITOL HILL.

PAUL ACCUSED FAUCI WEARING MASKS FOR SHOW.

>> YOU'RE TELLING EVERYBODY TO WEAR A MASK WHETHER THEY HAVE HAD AN INFECTION OR A VACCINE.

WHAT I'M SAYING IS THEY HAVE IMMUNITY AND EVERYBODY AGREES THEY HAVE IMMUNITY.

WHAT STUDIES DO YOU HAVE THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE VACCINE OR HAVE HAD THE INFECTION ARE SPREADING THE INFECTION?

THE IF WE'RE NOT SPREADING THE INFECTION, ISN'T IT JUST THEATER.

>> NO, IT'S NOT.

>> YOU'VE HAD THE VACCINE AND YOU'RE WEARING TWO PLAQUESED.

ISN'T THAT THEATER.

>> HERE WE GO AGAIN WITH THE THEATER.

LET'S GET DOWN TO THE FACTS.

>> Bill: DWEEB PAUL SAYS IF YOU ARE VACCINATED OR HAVE HAD COVID NO MASKS SHOULD BE REQUIRED AND WE TRIED TO MAKE THE CASE THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE EAGER TO GET VACCINES IF THEY WERE PROMISED THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WARE E. WEAR ARE MASK AFTER THAT.

>> Deborah: PUNCH MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE THAT TO BE TRUE, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IMMUNITY LASTS ONE OF US COVID, AND I THINK AS PAUL ERRONEOUSLY STATED IN THAT HEARING, NO ONE IN HIS STATE HAD BEEN REINFECTED, ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL.

IN FACT THERE WAS CASE OF THAT LAST WEEK IN KENTUCKY WHERE SOMEBODY WHO HAD BEEN VACCINATED AND WAS READMITTED WITH A REINFECTION.

SO -- AND THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THEY DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IMMUNITY LASTS ONCE YOU'RE VACCINATED OR WHETHER PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED CAN TRANSMIT IS DISEASE EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT SICK.

>> Bill: CHRIS, I NEED A QUICK ANSWER ON THIS.

SUPPLY CHAINS ARE INTERRUPT FOR TOYOTA AND FORD.

THEY HAVE MAJOR PLANTS IN 63, AND THAT IS SECONDS THEM BACK.

>> Chris: YEAH, THIS IS A GLOBAL SHORTAGE OF COMPUTER CHIPS THAT'S AFFECTING ONE PARTICULAR PLANT, LOUISVILLE ASSEMBLY.

THEY ARE DOWN AGAIN TODAY BUT WILL BE BACK UP AGAINST NEXT WEEK.

>> Bill: AS ME MEANINGS EARLIER, OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY OF AL SMITH WHO PASSED AWAY TONIGHT.

HE WAS A HECK OF A JOURNALIST, A MENTOR AND A FRIEND FOR JOURNALISTS ACROSS THE STATE.

WHEN HE CAME TO KENTUCKY, HE LANDED IN RUSSELLVILLE, AND A FEW YEARS AGO HE WENT BACK FOR A VISIT.

>> WHEN I GOT OFF THE BUS TO RUSSELLVILLE IN 1958, SLIGHTLY HUNG OVER, IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE, AND I WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON.

AN OVERCAST DAY IN OCTOBER RECENTLY, I REVISITED MY RUSSELLVILLE ROOTS, REMINISCED ABOUT THE DAYS OF OLD, AND MET NEW FRIENDS WHO CARRY ON THE WORK I ONCE DID IN THAT NEWSPAPER OFFICE ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE DOWNTOWN.

>> I'VE BEEN RUN UNFORTUNATE NEW ORLEANS.

I WAS A DRUNK.

AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW IT BUT THEY HIRED ME BECAUSE THEY DESPERATELY NEEDED AN EARTH JUST LIKE IN YOUR CASE, THEY DESPERATELY NEEDED AN EDITOR, AND THEN SUDDENLY I HAD AN EPIPHANY.

I SAID, MY GOD, WHY AM I RUNNING AWAY FROM THESE FOLKS?

THEY TOOK ME WHEN NOBODY ELSE WOULD HIRE ME.

INSTEAD OF LEAVING I BOUGHT THE DAMN PAPER AND I STAYED 20 MORE YEARS.

THAT'S ANOTHER STORY.

>> Bill: THE GREAT AL SMITH WHO HAS DIED TODAY AT AGE 94 AND CERTAINLY BEING REMEMBERED TONIGHT IN THE JOURNAL STIM COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE STATE, AND, OF COURSE, BY THE FOLKS HERE AT KET.

AND FLOUT NEXT WEEK WE'LL BE -- THROUGHOUT NEXT WEEK WE'LL BE REMEMBERING AL SMITH AS WELL ON THIS PROGRAM.

ALSO, RON CLARK WHO IS WATY FORMER CITY EDITOR OF THE PADUCAH SUN HAS DIED IN HIS NEARLY 44 YEARS AT THE SUN, HE OVERSAW COVERAGE AND CHECKED THE FACTS ON STORIES BEFORE THEY HIT THE PRESSES.

RON CLARK WAS 72.

KENT TAYLOR, WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF THE LOUISVILLE-BASED CHAIN TEXAS ROADHOUSE WHICH HAS A NATIONWIDE PRESENCE, DIED BY SUICIDE YESTERDAY.

HIS FAMILY SAYS THAT IT CAME AFTER STRUGGLING WITH SYMPTOMS FROM COVID-19.

KENT TAYLOR WAS 65 YEARS OLD.

AND MOREHEAD STATE THE ONLY TEAM REPRESENTINGNET MEN'S NCNA TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR BUTTKE HAS TWO TEAMS IN THE WOMEN'S TOURNAMENTS.

KENTUCKY AND LOUISVILLE WILL PLAY SUNDAY AND MONDAY RESPECTIVELY.

WHILE THE EAGLES FROM MOOR HEADED ARE HOPING TO PULL OFF AN UPDATE LATE FRIDAY AGAINST VIRGINIA.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN MONDAY AT 8:00 EASTERN, 7:00 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW WILL BE HOSTING A DISCUSSION ON SCHOOL CHOICE.

REMEMBERING AL SMITH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," AND HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.