THE OMNIBUS ABORTION MEASURE, THE SENATE TAKES UP A RESOLUTIO AFFIRMING KENTUCKY'S SUPPORT FO UKRAINE, AND A POTENTIAL CHANGE TO LIBRARY BOARDS, ALL ON DAY 3 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPD I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

A DAY AFTER PASSING HOUSE THE OMNIBUS ABORTION BILL SPONSORED BY REPR THE HOUSE PASSED THE MEASURE AN SENT IT TO THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 3 EXPANDS THE PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENTS MINORS SEEKING ABORTIONS MUST OBTAIN, SETS STANDARDS FOR HOW TO DISPOSE OF TERMINATED REMAINS AND PROHIBITS MAILED ABORTION M TATE BROKE DOWN THE BILL ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, SAYING IT'S MEANT TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR WOMEN.

>> HOUSE BILL 3 HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS HUMANITY IN HEALTH CARE.

SOME HAVE STATED THAT INTENT TO ELIMINATE ABORTIONS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, AND MY RESPONSE IS IS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE THAT WITH THE HEARTBEAT BILL WHICH THIS HONORABLE BODY PASSED DURING THE 2019 REGULAR SESSION.

RATHER, THE INTENT OF HOUSE BILL 3 IS TO ENSURE THAT WILE ABORTIONS ARE LEGAL IN KENTUCKY, WE WANT THEM TO BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> Casey: PHYSICIANS WHO PERFORM ABORTIONS WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMS COULD BE SUBJECT TO MEDICAL MALPRACTICE UNDER HOUSE BILL 3.

OPPONENTS OF THE BILL SAY IT WILL RESTRICT ABORTION ACCESS TO PUSH WOMEN TO SEEK RISKIER FORMS OF ABORTION, AND DEMOCRAT LEGISLATORS LINED UP TO SPEAK AGAINST THE MEASURE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JONI JENKINS AND REPRESENTATIVE LISA WILLNER SAY THE BILL WILL PUT WOMEN AT RISK.

>> I WORRY ABOUT WOMEN WHO PERHAPS ARE AT THE END OF THEIR CHILD-BEARING YEARS OR FOR OTHER ERRONEOUS AT RISK FOR A PREGNANCY THAT WILL NOT COME TO TERM, ABNORMALITY OR THE HEALTH OF A WOMAN COMES IN QUESTION.

AND I WORRY THAT AS WE KEEP PUTTING RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS ON DOCTORS, THAT WE ARE GOING TO FINALLY COME TO A POINT IN THIS STATE WHERE NO PHYSICIAN WILL TOUCH A WOMAN THAT'S CONSIDERED AT RISK, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT SOME OF THE PENALTIES THAT THEY MAY BE FORCED TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST.

>> THE BILL IS DANGEROUS TO WOMEN.

IT'S DANGEROUS TO BABIES.

IT'S DANGEROUS TO FAMILIES.

AND EVEN IF WE WERE TO ADOPT THE AMENDMENT I FILED TO SAVE THE LIVES OF MOTHERS AND BABIES, THAT WAS ITS INTENTION, WHAT I LEARNED IS THAT THE BILL IS SIMPLY TOO DANGEROUS TO FIX THROUGH THAT KIND OF OF AMENDMENT, AND BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DECEPTION THAT THIS IS A PRO-LIFE POLICY, I'M NOT GOING TO CALL MY AMENDMENT TODAY.

THIS IS A BILL THAT IS SIMPLY BEYOND REPAIR.

>> Casey: TATE SAYS HOUSE BILL 3 DOES NOT REMOVE ABORTION LAW RELATED TO RAPE AND INCEST ALREADY ON THE BOOKS, BUT NEWPORT REPRESENTATIVE RACHEL ROBERTS SAYS THE BILL DOESN'T PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR RAPE OR SHE PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD MAKE WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT BECAUSE OF RAPE OR INCEST EXEMPT UNDER THE MEASURE.

>> WHEN ASKED IF THEY SUPPORT AN OUTRIGHT BAN ON ABORTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST, A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS AND KENTUCKIANS SAY NO.

THIS BILL IS AN EXAMPLE OF EXTREMISM.

IT GOES AGAINST THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY OF KENTUCKIANS.

IT IS PERHAPS MOST ESPECIALLY CRUEL TO THOSE WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF RAPE AND INCEST AND COULD RESULT IN THEIR SUFFERING THROUGH FORCED CHILDBIRTH AND A LIFETIME OF TRAUMA AROUND IT ALL.

>> Casey: ROBERTS' AMENDMENT WAS VOTED DOWN 24 TO 68.

ATTORNEY AND LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE NIMA KULKARNI ASKED TATE ABOUT DOMESTIC ABUSE SITUATIONS WHERE THE COURTS HAV NOT BEEN INVOLVED, AND SHE SAYS THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY A CHILD MAY NOT TELL THEIR PARENTS THEY'RE PREGNANT.

>> WOULD A PARENT WHO IS IN AN ABUSIVE SITUATION SEEK OUT AND NOTIFY AN ABUSIVE PARENT IF THEY ARE NOT UNDER ANY KIND OF ORDER OF, POTENTIALLY PUTTING BOTH THE PARENT AND THE MINOR OF GREATER RISK OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE?

>> LADY FROM MEADE.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE POINT OF JUDICIAL BYPASS IS.

IN THE INSTANCE THAT THERE IS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION.

>> LADY FROM JEFFERSON 40.

>> WILL SHE YIELD TO ANOTHER QUESTION?

>> SHE WILL YIELD.

>> SO ON PAGE 8, THIS BILL DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY EXEMPTIONS UNLESS THERE'S BEEN AN INJUNCTION OR A CONVICTION OR AN ORDER OF DIVERSION.

I'M ASKING ABOUT PARENTS IN AN ABUSIVE SITUATION WHERE THERE IS NOT ALREADY A COURT INVOLVED.

FOR INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE PURPOSES.

>> LADY FROM MEADE.

>> IN THAT CASE, THERE IS A -- IT WOULD BE AN ALLEGATION THAT HAS NOT BEEN SUBSTANTIATED, AND SO THERE WOULD BE NO PROVISIONS IN THE BILL FOR THAT.

>> AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE THAT WHILE MOST YOUNG PEOPLE DO TALK TO THEIR PARENTS ABOUT THEIR DECISION TO SEEK ABORTION CARE, THOSE WHO DO NOT INVOLVE A PARENT TYPICALLY AVOID DOING SO FOR FEAR OF HARM.

THERE ARE MANY YOUNG PARENTS WHO DO NOT TELL THEIR PARENTS FOR FEAR OF VIOLENCE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER OR FEAR OF BEING KICKED OUT OF A HOME.

OTHERS MAY NOT LIVE WITH OR BE ABLE TO LOCATE THEIR PARENTS.

MANY OTHERS MAY LIVE IN HOUSEHOLD WHERE THE PARENTS ARE ABUSIVE, ABSENT, ADDICTED, OR OTHERWISE DYSFUNCTIONAL.

EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT LAWS REQUIRING PARENTAL CONSENT DO NOT INCREASE THE RATE AT WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE TELL THEIR PARENTS ABOUT PREGNANCIES OR ABORTION c >> Casey: PAMELA STEVENSON HAD A FIERY MESSAGE FOR HER HOUSE C SHE SAYS HOUSE BILL 3 ISN'T PRO.

>> DO WE TALK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WHO HAS A VASECTOMY, WHO DOESN'T?

DO WE MONITOR WHAT MEN DO OR WHAT THEY DON'T DO?

INSTEAD WHAT WE DO IS WE TAKE IT OUT ON WOMEN AND GIRLS CONNELLY AGAINST, I MIGHT ADD, MEDICAL ADVICE, USING GOOGLE AS A SUBSTITUTE.

AT WHAT POINT DO WE GET OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S BEDROOM, OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES, OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S MEDICAL DECISIONS AND TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE, THE CHILDREN THAT ARE IN CHILD CARE, FOSTER CARE BEING ABUSED, THE CHILDREN THAT GO HOME HUNGRY EVERY NIGHT, THE CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE PARENTS, THE CHILDREN THAT WANT SOMEBODY TO LOVE THEM AND CAN'T BE ADOPTED, THE ELDERLY PEOPLE THAT ARE ON A YEAR OF HAD LONG WAITING LIST FOR FOOD.

WHY AREN'T WE TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE INSTEAD OF BEING ANTI-ABORTION AND PRETENNING LIKE WE'RE PRO-LIFE.

PRO-LIFE PEOPLE TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY THAT'S IN THE FULL RANGE OF LIFE, FROM BIRTH ALL THE WAY THROUGH death.

>> Casey: REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JIM DUPLESSIS VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLA HE SAYS THE LANGUAGE REQUIRING PARENTS' CONSENT AND REQUIRING IN-PERSON EXAMINATION BEFORE A MEDICATION ABORTION ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT.

DUPLESSIS HAS TWO DAUGHTERS AND SAYS HE WOULD WANT TO BE INFORMED BEFORE THEY HAD ANY MEDICAL PROCEDURE.

>> FOR SOME, THE DEHUMANIZATION AND THE ABORTION ISSUE IS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO FORGET THE FACT THAT A PARENT DESERVES TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

OUR CHILDREN CAN'T GO TO A DOCTOR'S OFFICE WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION.

HECK, OUR KIDS CAN'T GO GET A TATTOO WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION.

WHY ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM HAVE AN ABORTION WITHOUT US KNOWING?

IT'S THE CRAZIEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD.

AND FOR US TO ALLOW ABORTION PILLS THAT YOU CAN LOG ON AND GET MAILED TO YOU WITH NO OVERSIGHT, THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR MY 13-YEAR-OLD, EITHER.

>> Casey: REPRESENTATIVE MELINDA GIBBONS PRUNTY OF BELTO HAS SUPPORTED PREVIOUS MEASURES REGULATING ABORTION IN THE PAST AND IS A COSPONSOR OF HOUSE BIL SHE COUNTERED SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS MADE BY DEMOCRATS ON THE FLOOR.

>> COMING FROM THE HEALTH CARE WORLD, INFORMED CONSENT IS A KEY ISSUE FOR ANY OTHER MEDICAL PROCEDURE, AND I'M NOT SURE WHY ANYONE WOULD WANT IT TO BE ANY LESS FOR ABORTIONS, PARTICULARLY WHEN HAPPENING TO A MINOR.

I WOULD THINK THE ABORTIONS WOULD WANT THAT EXTRA LEGAL PROTECTION TO KNOW FOR A FACT THAT AT LEASE ONE OF THE PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS HAD GIVEN CONSENT AND THAT IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS AND NOT SOMEONE PRETENDING BOB.

H.H.

TO be.

>> Casey: KETURAH HERRON, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S MEMBER, SAYS THE BILL COULD PUT SOME PEOPLE AT RISK BECAUSE OF THE RECORD KEEPING IT REQUIRES.

HOUSE BILL 3 REQUIRES THE STATE TO PUBLISH THE NAMES OF PHYSICIANS PROVIDING MEDICATION.

>> I THINK THAT CREATING PUBLIC LIST OF ABORTION DOCTORS AND ABORTION PATIENTS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND FURTHER, HAVING PUBLIC RECORDS RELATED TO PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IS VERY CRUEL AND IT SHAMES PEOPLE.

HOUSE BILL 3 PUTS PEOPLE'S PRIVACY AND SAFETY A RISK, AND DEATH CERTIFICATES PUBLIC DOCUMENTS ALREADY.

INFORMATION ABOUT ABORTION AND MISCARRIAGES SHOULDN'T BE EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS.

>> Casey: AFTER OVER TWO HOURS OF DEBATE, HOUSE BILL 3 PASSED 77 TO 20.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE S IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VOTE, PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF KENTUCKY AND ACLU KENTUCKY ISSUED STATEMENTS AGAINST THE PASSAGE OF THE MEASURE.

IN THE SENATE, MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES BACKED SENATE RESOLUTION 153 WHICH CALLS FOR SHOWING SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE.

MAJORITY LEADER DAMON THAYER AND MINORITY LEADER MORGAN MCGARVEY SHARED S. >> NORMALLY WE DON'T VENTURE OUT INTO WORLD POLITICS, BUT I FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THIS BODY SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY TO SHOW ITS SUPPORT FOR THE FREEDOM-LOVING PEOPLE OF THE UKRAINE, FOR THEIR SELF-DETERMINATION, FOR THEIR ABILITY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST A RUSSIAN THUG WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE.

>> THE SPEECH MADE BY THE SENATOR FROM SCOTT, THE RESOLUTION INTRODUCED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THIS SENATE IS MORE THAN SYMBOLIC.

IT SHOWS AGAIN IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS COUNTRY, IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS COMMONWEALTH NO MATTER OUR DIFFERENCES, THAT WE STAND UNITED IN OPPOSITION TO THE ACTS OF VLAD AGAINST AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF Ukraine >> Casey: ANOTHER MEASURE MEANT TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE ALSO PASSED SENATE RESOLUTION 159 ENCOURAGE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LICENSES TO SOME SALES of RUSSIAN-PRODUCED VODKA AS A SHO OF SOLIDARITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF A HOUSE BILL THAT WOULD ADDRESS RISING MOTOR VEHICLE TAX BILLS HAS PASSED THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 6 UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THE SENATE TODAY.

IT WOULD REQUIRE MOTOR VEHICLE ASSESSMENTS TO BE BASED ON AVERAGE TRADE-IN VALUE UNDER CURRENT STATE LAW, ASSESSMENTS ARE BASED ON A CLEA TRADE-IN VALUE, WHICH ASSUMES A VEHICLE IS IN PERFECT CONDITION THE BILL ALSO CALLS FOR REFUNDS FOR ANYONE WHO OVERPAID THEIR VEHICLE TAX.

PANDEMIC-RELATED SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES CAUSED USED CAR VALUES TO SKYROCKET.

SENATOR CHRISTIAN MCDANIEL OF TAYLOR MILL SAYS HIS BILL IS AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE.

>> AS MOST OF US WILL RECALL, AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION'S FINANCIAL CABINET SENT A LETTER TO PROPERTY VALUE ADMINISTRATORS INSTRUCTING THEM AS TO HOW TO PROCEED WITH USED CAR VALUATIONS THIS YEAR, WE BEGAN TO RECEIVE A DELUGE OF CALL FROM ANGERED USED CAR OWNERS WHO SAW THEIR PROPERTY TAXES INCREASE DRAMATICALLY DUE TO THE CURRENT FLUKE IN AVAILABILITY OF USED VEHICLES.

>> Casey: AFTER THE SENATE'S PASSAGE HOUSE BILL 6 WILL GO BACK TOTE HOUSE FOR CONCURRENCE LAST MONTH, GOVERNOR BESHEAR SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO STOP AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE PROPERTY TAXES.

IT ALSO MEANS A TWO-YEAR FREEZE ON THE TAXABLE VALUE OF MOTOR VEHICLES AT LAST YEAR'S LEVELS.

ACROSS AMERICA, SOME BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE REFUSING TO INVEST IN FOSSIL FUEL-BASED ENERGY COMPANIES, INCLUDING COAL AND OIL.

SOME OF THEIR CLIENTS RATHER SEE THE MONEY INVESTED I GREEN ENERGY THAT CUTS POLLUTIO SOME KENTUCKY LEGISLATORS SAY THAT PROGRESSIVE ACTIVISM IS HURTING KEY KENTUCKY INDUSTRIES SENATE BILL 205, IF PASSED, WOULD ALLOW KENTUCKY TO TURN TH TABLES AND BOYCOTT THE BANKS THAT ARE BOYCOTTING KENTUCKY FOSSIL FUELS.

>> SENATE BILL 205 MAKES IT CLEAR THAT KENTUCKY STANDS WITH OUR FOSSIL FUELS COMPANY AND KENTUCKIANS WHO WORK HARD EVERY DAY TO PRODUCE THESE LOW-COST RESOURCES AND POWER FOR OUR NATION.

HERE'S A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT SENATE BILL 2 WILL DO, AND THEN I'LL ALLOW MY GUEST TO COMMENT ON HOW THIS IS AFFECTING THEIR AREAS OF EXPERTISE.

SENATE BILL 205 REQUIRES THE KENTUCKY STATE TREASURER, RIGHT TO MY RIGHT, TO DO TWO THINGS, TO MAINTAIN A LIST OF FINANCIAL COMPANIES WHO ARE BOYCOTTING THE ENERGY INDUSTRY, AND NUMBER TWO, IT'S TO SHARE THAT LIST WITH STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES MAKING INVESTMENTS OF MORE THAN $1 MILLION ANNUALLY.

IT ALLOWS THE TREASURER TO REQUEST WRITTEN CONFIRMS FROM A FINANCIAL COMPANY -- CONFIRMATION FROM A FINANCIAL COMPANY TO SITTER FI THAT THEY HAVE POLICIES DISCRIMINATING GANS FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES IT.

REQUIRES STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO NOTIFY THE TREASURER OF ANY HOLDINGS THAT THEY HAVE WITH FINANCIAL COMPANIES ON THE LIST AND PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL COMPANIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY CLARIFY THEIR ACTIVITIES OR TO CEASE THOSE ACTIVITIES.

IF A FINANCIAL COMPANY DOES NOT CEASE THE BOYCOTTING ACTIVITIES, THE STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITY SHALL DIVEST FROM THOSE HOLDINGS.

NOW, DIVESTING IS NOT A REQUIREMENT IF REASONABLE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT DIVESTING FROM THE SPECIAL FINANCIAL -- FROM THE SPECIFIC FINANCIAL COMPANY WOULD CAUSE STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO SUFFER A LOSS, AND I THINK THAT'S A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT PART.

>> Casey: THE SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE HEARD FROM BALLARD CASSADY, PRESIDENT OF THE KENTUCKY BANKERS ASSOCIATION.

HE SAYS HE DOESN'T LIKE THE WAY FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRIES ARE BEING TREATED, BUT HE SAYS THIS IS THE WRONG S. >> I'M HERE TO SAY THAT SENATE BILL 205 IS NOT THE ANSWER.

IF ENACTED, IT WOULD BE A TREATMENT THAT IS MORE DEADLY THAN THE DISEASE.

BECAUSE IT STRIKES AT THE VERY HEART OF OUR FREE MARKET ENTERPRISE PRINCIPLES.

HERE IN SENATE BILL 205 WE HAVE THE GOVERNMENT DICTATING TO PRIVATE BUSINESSES WHO THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO BUSINESS WITH BY THE MANDATORY CHOKING OFF OF THEIR ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

AN ACTION THAT WAS FIRST TRIED AND DEFEATED IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION UNDER OPERATION CHOKEPOINT.

CONGRESS KNEW THEN THAT THAT'S A LINE THAT WE CAN'T CROSS WITHOUT CREATING A PRESIDENT THAT WE WILL LIVE TO REGRET.

IT'S A LINE MOST RECENTLY CONFIRMED BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN 2018 IN THE CASE OF MASTERPIECE CAKE SHOP ADVICE COLORADO CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION WITH THE RULING THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STAY OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF TELLING PRIVATE BUSINESSES WHO THEY CAN OR CANNOT DO BUSINESS WITH.

SENATE BILL 205, HOWEVER, IS DOING JUST THAT IN A WAY THAT I STRUGGLE TO WRAP MY MIND AROUND, QUITE FRANKLY.

P IT PITS THE BANKING INDUSTRY AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, BOTH OF WHICH ARE -- AGAINST GOVERNMENT ENTITIES WHICH ARE OUR CUSTOMERS.

THAT'S A LOSE-LOSE SCENARIO IN PART BECAUSE IT TREATS FINANCIAL GOES EVER INSTITUTIONS AS THE PROBLEM IT.

TREATS US AS THE VILLAIN.

SENATE BILL 205 REQUIRES THAT THE TREASURER TO COMPILE WHAT I WILL CALL A BLACKLIST OF PUBLICALLY-TRADED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHO ENGAGE IN THE ENERGY COMPANY BOYCOTTING.

WHEN ENGAGING IN ENERGY COMPANY BOYCOTTING IS -- WHAT IT IS ISN'T PERFECTLY CLEAR EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE READING OF THE PROPOSED DEFINITION, BUT A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION CAN BE PRESUMED TO HAVE ENGAGED IN IT IF THE TREASURER DOES NOT RECEIVE A TIMELY AFFIRMATION OF THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION'S ACTIVITIES.

THOSE BLACKLISTED INSTITUTIONS ARE THEN COMMUNICATED TO GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WHICH ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING INTO AND ARE REQUIRED TO GET OUT OF $100,000 AND HIRE EXTRAS AND KEEP FROM HAVING INVESTMENTS IN THOSE COMPANIES THAT COULD INCLUDE THE SIMPLE ACT OF STOCK OWNERSHIP.

THIS APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM IGNORES SOME REALITIES AND RUNS A HIGH-RISK OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Casey: MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE VOTED YES TO THE BILL SENDING IT TO THE FULL SENATE.

PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, BUT AREN'T PART OF AN INCORPORATED CITY, WOULD BE ABL TO FORM NEW CITIES IF HOUSE BIL 314 BECOMES LAW.

THAT'S NOT ALLOWED NOW UNDER THE MERGED GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT PASSED BY VOTERS IN 2000.

REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MILLER, WHO SERVES PART OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, SAYS MORE INDEPENDENT CITIES WOULD MEAN BETTER POLICE PROTECTION AND THE ABILITY TO KEEP TAX MONEY CLOSER TO HOME.

>> CRIME HAS SOARED.

CRIME, I POLLED MY CONSTITUENTS OVER THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, AND AS TO WHAT THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS, AND NEVER BEFORE HAS CRIME BEEN IN THE TOP FOUR ISSUES.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE NORMAL.

ROADS, BUSINESS, JOBS, HEALTH.

CRIME IS NUMBER ONE BY A FAR MARGIN NOW.

MERGER COULD NOT PASS TODAY.

THAT IS IF ANYBODY TELLS YOU THAT, THE THEY ARE LYING TO YOU.

MERGER COULD NOT PASS TODAY.

WE NEED TO GET THE FREEDOM TO PEOPLE IN MY AREA, IN REPRESENTATIVE BRATCHER'S AREA TO BREAK OUT.

I HAVE AREAS THAT WANT TO BE ACQUIRED, ANNEXED BY THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, AND WHICH PROVIDE POLICE PROTECTION.

THE 6,000 LIMIT, THERE ARE ONLY FOUR JEFFERSON COUNTY CITIES OUTSIDE OF METRO ITSELF THAT ARE LARGER THAN 6,000, AND THEY ALL HAVE POLICE PROTECTION BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT CITIZENS WANT RIGHT NOW.

THIRD AFRAID OF THEY'RE AFRAID OF CRIME RIGHT NOW, AND TO DENY CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO HAVE BETTER POLICE PROTECTION BECAUSE EVERY TIME -- EVERY TIME A NEW DOLLAR SHOWS UP AND IT'S LARGELY PROVIDED BY THESE AREAS IN TERMS OF THE GROWTH, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST GROWING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, IT'S GETTING TAKEN IN TO PAY FOR THINGS INSIDE THE Watte >> Casey: WATTERSON REFERS TO THE WATTERSON EXPRESSWAY, OFTEN SEEN AS AN UNOFFICIAL GUIDING DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN THE OLD CITY OF LOUISVILLE AND THE REST OF THE county.

THE BILL'S COSPO REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES, TESTIFIED FOR IT, ALONGSIDE TWO MEMBERS OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL WHO OPPOSE IT.

REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE BROWN OF THE LEXINGTON QUESTIONED IF THI SHOULD BE A STATE MATTER AT ALL.

>> I'M A NATIVE OF LEXINGTON, AND IT APPEARS TO ME TWO THINGS.

ONE IS THAT WHEN LOUISVILLE DID ITS MERGE GOVERNMENT, A MESS WAS CREATED BY NOT INCORPORATING THE WHOLE COUNTY INTO MERGE GOVERNMENT.

I DON'T KNOW ALL PARTICULARS, BUT THE SECOND THING I SEE IS THAT THIS IS A MATTER THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON COUNTY.

I THINK THAT WE'RE OUT OF PLACE IN TALKING ABOUT HOW WE WOULD DEAL WITH THAT FROM THE STATE'S PERSPECTIVE, THAT THAT IS A LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY ISSUE AND IT IS NOT AN ISSUE OF COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

>> GO AHEAD, REPRESENTATIVE NEMES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THAT.

THE PROBLEM IS WE CAN'T HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IN LOUISVILLE WITH RESPECT TO WHETHER OR NOT TO INCORPORATE THE CITIES BECAUSE STATE LAW PROHIBITS IT.

ALL WE'RE DOING REMOVING THE PROHIBITION ON STATE LAW AND LETTING THE CLUNE COMMUNICATION IN LOUISVILLE GO THROUGH.

75% OF THAT AREA WANTS IT.

I ALSO WANT TO NOTE JUST REAL QUICKLY, MY GOOD FRIENDS HERE, AND THESE PIRES REALLY GOODY.

, TRYING TO DO WHAT THEY THINK IS BEST IN REPRESENTING THEIR CONSTITUENTS BUT THERE'S AT LEAST ONE DEMOCRAT THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO IN MY AREA, THE SUBURBAN AREA THAT DON'T AGREE AND NEITHER DO THE OTHER SUBURBAN DEMOCRATS OR COUNCIL THEN THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WOULD THE INCORPORATION QUESTION.

THEYAL THREE, GREAT THEN, DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR THEIR STINTS, ALL COME FROM INSIDE THE WATER ZONE.

THIS IS NOT A UNIFIED QUESTION.

LEAVE THE QUESTION TO LOUISVILLE.

BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, THE STATUTE HAS TO BE CHANGED.

THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR.

THE LET LOUISVILLEANS DECIDE.

BUT RIGHT NOW THEY WANT FRANKFORT TO DECIDE.

NOT LOUISVILLE.

WE WANT LOUISVILLE TO DECIDE.

BUT THE STATE LAW HAS TO CHANGE IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> Casey: MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE BILL, SENDING IT TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

A SENATE BILL SEEKS TO LIMIT TH POWER OF LIBRARY BOARDS AND GIV JUDGE EXECUTIVES RECOURSE TO CHANGE THEM.

PIKEVILLE SENATOR WHEELER SAYS LIBRARIES ARE IMPORTANT TO KENTUCKY'S COMMUNITIES BUT THAT SOME OF THEM ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEIR CURRENT STRUCTURE.

HE EXPLAINS SOME OF THE PROVISIONS IN SENATE BILL 167, WHICH HE SAYS WILL BRING TRANSPARENCY TO LIBRARY BOARDS.

>> THE CURRENT TAXING DISTRICT ARE UNACCOUNTABLE TO THE VOTERS AT LARGE.

THE WAY THE BOARDS ARE CURRENTLY SET UP, THE BOARD BASICALLY RECOMMENDS ITS OWN REPLACEMENTS, AND ONCE THOSE REPLACEMENTS ARE RECOMMENDED, THE COUNTY JUDGE/EXECUTIVE ESSENTIALLY HAS TO, IS COMPELLED TO PICK FROM ONE OF THE NOMINEES MADE BY THE LIBRARY BOARD EVEN IF THAT PARTICULAR BOARD MEMBER, THE COUNTY JUDGE WHO IS THE ELECTED RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL, FEELS IT'S NOT ADEQUATELY REPRESENTING THE VOICES OF HIS VOTERS OR IS BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

>> Casey: WHEELER SAYS HE BROUGHT THIS BILL FORWARD BECAUSE OF A SITUATION IN LAWRENCE COUNTY.

THAT COUNTY'S JUDGE/EXECUTIVE EXPLAINED THEIR SITUATION TO TH SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE.

>> MY LIBRARY HAD $6.5 MILLION IN THE BANK, AND WHEN WE QUESTIONED THEM TO TRY TO GET THEM TO LOWER THE RATE OR WHATEVER, THEY WOULDN'T, AND WE HAVE -- WE'RE A POOR COUNTY -- WE HAVE TO RELY ON THE TAXES AND THEIR TAX RATE WAS ALMOST AS HIGH AS OUR TAX RATE.

>> Casey: JEAN ROARK, WHO RUNS A PUBLIC LIBRARY IN FRANKFORT, SAYS MOST LIBRARIES ARE RUN RESPONSIBLY AND THAT SENATE BILL 167 COULD TURN THEM INTO TOOLS USED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.

>> AND THE BOARD IS THE ONE WITH THE OVERSIGHT FOR THE SPENDING AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR COMMUNITIES IS A CHARGE TO TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY, AND SO CREATING -- ALLOWING THE ONE PERSON, THE CHIEF JUDGE/EXECUTIVE, TO APPOINT BOARDS COULD CREATE MORE PROBLEMS FOR A LOT OF OTHER BOARDS THAN NOT.

IT COULD BE CREATING A POLITICAL ENTITY THAT LIBRARIES REALLY HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING.

WE NEED TO BE NON-PARTISAN AND REPRESENTATIVE OF EVERYONE AND INCLUSIVE OF EVERYONE IN OUR co >> Casey: SHEPHERDSVILLE REPUBLICAN MIKE NEMES SAYS HE I CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROVISION I THE BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE CHANGE IN ALL LIBRARY BOARDS.

HE ASKED WHEELER ABOUT THAT DURING TODAY'S SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE.

>> DO YOU FEEL THAT MAYBE BLOWING UP THE BOARD, STARTING ALL OVER IS KIND OF EXCESSIVE H.?

>> YOU AND I HAVE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS ON THAT, SENATOR NEMES, AND I WOULD ENTERTAIN AN AMENDMENT BECAUSE I HAVE MET WITH SOME OF MY LIBRARIES EVEN HE TODAY, AND I WOULD SAY THAT MOST OF THE BOARDS IN THE STATE ARE PROBABLY FUNCTIONING WELL, BUT THERE ARE A FEW THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONING WELL, AND UNDER THE CURRENT WAY THE STATUTE IS SET UP, THERE'S JUST REALLY NO WAY TO GET OUT FROM UNDER A POORLY FUNCTIONING >> Casey: WIL SCHROEDER VOTED AGAINST THE BILL IN COMMITTEE.

HE SAYS HE HAS A LOT OF CONCERN WITH THE BILL.

>> WE HEARD A PRETTY BAD STORY FROM THE JUDGE TODAY, BUT I THINK IT GETS TO SET BLANKET POLICY SOMETIMES THAT ARE GOING TO IMPACT ACROSS THE STATE FOR THIS SITUATION I THINK CAN BE A LITTLE DANGEROUS.

A FEW YEARS AGO, AS MENTIONED, WE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT I BELIEVE I WAS A COSPONSOR ON WHERE THE FISCAL COURT HAD TO SIGN OFF ON ANYTHING OVER THE COMPENSATING RATE, AND I DO THINK THAT WAS A GOOD WAY TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THE CONCERNS.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 167 PASSED THE SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 8 TO THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 39 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME FOR "LE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-80 YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.

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

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