2022 SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH ISSUES INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS, SPORTS BETTING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND THE STATE BUDGET STILL UP IN THE AIR.

THE LEGISLATURE OVERRIDES MORE VETOES FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR.

MORE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS ARE PASSED IN FRANKFORT.

IN WASHINGTON SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL TAKES A STAND ON THE SUPREME COURT NOMINEE.

AND HAL ROGERS BECOMES THE DEAN OF THE U.S. HOUSE.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG, BUT DON'T LOSE YOUR COAT.

"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 JESS CLARK, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR WFPL IN JUVENILE.

IN LOUISVILLE.

DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR T AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, A KENTUCKY MARINE IS KILLED WHILE SERVING OUR COUNTRY IN NORWAY.

AND A COVID OMICRON SUBVARIANT IS SHOWING UP IN KENTUCKY.

BUT A LONG WEEK IN ENDS WITH LOTS OF MATTERS STILL UP IN THE AIR.

THE HOUSE HAS TAKEN ACTION ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA, SPORTS BETTING AND CHARTER SCHOOLS, BUT THE SENATE HASN'T ACTED ON THOSE MATTERS AS TAX REFORM IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION IN THAT CHAMBER.

THE CHARTER SCHOOL DEBATE HAS BEEN TENSE AND DIVISIVE AND IT WAS A RELATIVELY CLOSE VOTE IN THE HO.

>> THIS IS ABOUT PARENTS, PARENTS NEED CHOICE, AND THIS BILL GIVES CHOICE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> I THINK CHARTER SCHOOLS OFFERS UNFAIR ADVANTAGES TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

I THINK CHARTER SCHOOLS WILL TAKE FUNDING FROM OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS.

>> Bill: JESS, THIS IS A KEY ISSUE PITTING SCHOOL CHOICE AND PUBLIC ADVOCATES AGAINST EACH OTHER, TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATES.

THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE.

THIS HAS REALLY PROVEN TO BE DIVISIVE.

>> Jess: CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE CONTROVERSIAL NOT JUST IN KENTUCKY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A CHARTER SCHOOL IS, IT'S A COMPLICATED IDEA BUT BASICALLY IT IS A SCHOOL THAT IS PUBLICALLY FUNDED WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS BUT IT IS PRIVATELY RUN BY A BOARD THAT HAS A CONTRACT TO RUN THE SCHOOL FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.

>> Bill: AND THERE HAS TO BE AN AUTHORIZER, AND IN THIS CASE THE WAY THIS HAS APPARENTLY EVOLVED IN THIS BILL, THAT WILL BE THE LOCALLY SCHOOL BOARDS, RIGHT?

>> Jess: RIGHT.

SO CHEATERS, YOU HAVE AN AUTHORIZING BODY IN -- CHEATERS.

IN SOCOM KATES THERE'S A CENTRAL TOWARDSER AT THE STATE LEV.

SYMPTOM STATE'S GIVE THAT RESPONSIBILITY OUT.

THIS BILL WOULD MAKE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AUTHORIZERS.

THOSE WOULD BE ABLE TO GRANT CHARTERERS TO GROUPS PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO RUN CHARTER SCHOOLS AS WELL AS THE MAYORS OF LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON AND ALSO THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY.

>> Bill: KIND OF A LITTLE DIFFERENT THERE.

SO IF THE LOCAL SCHOOLS ARE THE AUTHORIZERS, THEN ARE THEY COMPELLED TO AUTHORIZE OR COULD THEY SAY, WELL, WE FEAR THIS WOULD HURT A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT?

>> Jess: SO NO SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ELLING COMPELLED TO AUTHORIZE A CHARTER SCHOOL EXCEPT FOR JEFFERDS COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND -- JEFFERSON COUNTY, AND IT'S NOT CLEAR WHICH DISTRICT BUT A DISTRICT OR A CLASSIC OF DISTRICTS IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY IS UNDER THIS BILL MANDATED TO AUTHORIZE A PUBLIC -- I'M SORRY -- A CHARTER SCHOOL WITHIN THE NECKLACE TWO YEARS.

>> Bill: AND WOULD THE SEEK MONEY THEN, IS IT THAT SIMPLE, THAT IT WOULD FOLLOW THE STUDENT FROM THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL IF THEY WENT THERE?

>> Jess: YES.

SO THE WAY THE BILL WORKS IS THAT ALL OF THE -- ALL OF THE STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING THAT WOULD NORMALLY GO TO A STUDENT IN THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD INSTEAD FLOW TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL THAT THE STUDENT WENT TO INSIDE THE BORDER.

SO IF YOU HAVE -- IF YOU HAD A CHARTER SCHOOL INSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THAT $17,000 A YEAR INSTEAD OF GOING TO JCPS WOULD GO TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL THAT THE STUDENT ATTENDED.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, THE KHSS, THE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GOT VOCAL PLATE IN THE DEBATE AND COMMISSIONER JULIAN TACKETT ENDED UP SAYING THAT A CHARTER SCHOOL COULD BE FORMED FOR A SINGLE SPORT.

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

THEY HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN WORRIED ABOUT SCHOOLS THAT RECRUIT ATHLETES AWAY FROM OTHER DISTRICTS, AND I GUESS TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY, AND I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SOME RIPPLES IN THE CHARTER SCHOOL BILL BUT IT APPARENTLY DID NOT IT.

MOVED ON AHEAD ANYWAY.

>> Bill: THERE WAS SOME TALK OF AN URBAN ACADEMY.

>> Deborah: THAT'S IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY, THE ODD LANGUAGE FORE A, QUOTE, URBAN ACADEMY.

THE STORY WE HAD TODAY SORT OF SUGGESTS THAT IT'S TIED TO A HUGE RIVFRONT DEVELOPMENT AND A DEVELOPER UP THERE WHO HASY SPOKEN IN PAST ABOUT WANTING AN URBAN CASTLEWOOD, AND THAT SAME LANGUAGE APPEARED IN BILL.

>> Bill: JESS, IN A WAY ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FUNDING IS POTENTIALLY TIED UP IN THIS DEBATE AS WELL, THE CHARTER SCHOOL MEASURE, RIGHT?

>> Jess: YEAH, SKO HISTORICAL AT THE STATE HAS ONLY FUNDED A HALF DAY OF KINDERGARTEN.

THAT CHANGED LAST YEAR WHEN THE LEGISLATUREY DECIDED TO FUND FULL DAY OF KINDERGARTEN ACROSS THE STATE IN EXCHANGE, AS A BARGAINING CHIP FOR PASSING ANOTHER SCHOOL CHOICE MEASURE WHICH ALLOWED A TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO BE CREATED FOR PEOPLE TO USE TAX CREDITED TO CREATE A TAX RE.

A LAWMAKERS, BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, REALLY WANT FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FUNDING TO PASS.

IT'S APPEARED IN THE HOUSE BILL BUT NOT IN THE -- I'M SORRY -- THE HOUSE BUDGET BUT NOT IN THE SENATE BUDGET.

THERE IS A BILL TO FUND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN HEARD IN COMMITTEE YET.

SO WE ARE GETTING THE SENSE THAT IT COULD BE USED AS A BARGAINING CHIP HERE.

>> Bill: NEXT MOVE IS THAT THIS GOES TO A COMMITTEE EARLY NEXT WEEK, RIGHT?

>> Jess: YES.

THE CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD IN COMMITTEE ON MONDAY.

>> Bill: NOW, DEBBIE, THE GOVERNOR HAS PROMISED A VETO, A CHARTER BILL OF ANY KIND THAT GETS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE BY THE EXACT NUMBER OF VOTES THAT IT WOULD TAKE TO OVERRIDE A VETO.

THEY CAN'T LOSE ONE VOTE, RIGHT?

THIS IS THREAD TANK NEEDLE.

>> Deborah: NO, THEY CAN'T.

IT PASSED I BELIEVE 41 TO 46 AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE HAVE TO HAVE A SIMPLE MAJORITY TO, IF THEY LOSE ONE VOTE THEY NOT BE ABLE TO OVERRIDE IT.

SO FAR THEY'VE BEEN DOING PRETTY WELL ON THE OVERRIDES BUT THIS ONE COULD BE TOUCHY BECAUSE A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST THE SCATTERED CHARTERED SCHOOL.

>> Bill: IT COULD BE A CHANGE.

>> Jess: RIGHT WHEN IT GOES TO THE SENATE THEY COULD ADD CHANGES.

>> Bill: THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF SCHOOL LEGISLATION THIS YEAR BEFORE THE GENERALLY IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SENATE BILL 1, THE HIGH PRIORITY EDUCATION BILL FROM THE SENATE, WOULD GIVE MORE POWER TO SUPERINTENDENTS.

RIGHT?

>> Jess: RIGHT.

IT WOULD GIVE SUPERINTENDENTS THE POWER TO SET CURRICULUM AND THE POWER TO HIRE PRINCIPALS.

CURRENTLY THAT POWER RESIDES WITH THE SCHOOL-BASED DECISION MAKING COUNCILS WHICH ARE -- EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL HAS ONE.

IF A COUNCIL OF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO HIRE THE PRINCIPAL, THE THEY SET CURRICULUM AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL AND THEY OVERSEE THE SCHOOL BUDGET.

THIS BILL, SENATE BILL 1, WOULD TAKE THE AUTHORITY TO THAT CURRICULUM AND HIRE THE PRINCIPAL AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL COUNCIL AND GIVE IT TO THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT.

>> Bill: NOW, IT ALSO SPOKE TO WHEN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION CAN MEET AS FAR AS NOW OVEN THEY CAN MEET.

>> Jess: RIGHT.

ORIGINALLY IT DID NOT.

THIS IS THE SENATE'S PRIORITY EDUCATION BILL, BUT LAST WEEK SEVERAL UNRELATED MEASURES GOT ADDED TO IT, AND IT HAS SINCE PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS.

ONE OF THOSE MEASURES WOULD PREVENT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIFICALLY, NO OTHER SCHOOL BOARD, JUST THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, FROM MEETING MORE THAN ONCE EVERY FOUR WEEKS TO APPROVE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.

>> Bill: THEY CAN ONLY METED ONCE A MONTH.

>> Jess: ESSENTIALLY ONCE A MONTH.

>> Bill: JOHN BE, THE BUZZ WORD THESE DAYS LOCAL CONTROL, AND THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT IN FRANKFORT, BUT IT MIGHT APPEAR TO CHAR CASUAL OBSERVERS IN THE STATE THAT FRANKFORT LAWMAKERS WANTED TO ASSERT MORE CONTROL OVER CERTAIN MATTERS, AND IS THAT AN EXAMPLE IN EDUCATION?

>> John: IT IS.

SO THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE HAS TALKED IN RECENT YEARS ABOUT NOT LIKING BIG GOVERNMENT, WANTING LOCAL CONTROL.

BUT JUST LOOK AT SOME OF THE SCHOOL BILLS, FOR EXAMPLE, AND YOU CAN CITE ANY NUMBER OF BILLS BUT SCHOOL BILLS ARE A GOOD EXAMPLE.

WE'VE GOT A BILL TELLING THE JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD HOW OFTEN THEY CAN MEET AND WHAT KIND OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS THEY HAVE TO HAVE AT THOSE MEETINGS.

YOU'VE GOT A BILL TELLING MY LOCALLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MERE IN FAYETTE COUNTY AND ALL OF THE SCHOOL BOARDS THAT THEY CAN'T HAVE MASK MANDATES EVEN IF THE LOCALLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD WANTS ONE BECAUSE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MIGHT FLARE UP AGAIN.

EVEN IF THE LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS IT AND IS THAT IS AFTER LAST YEAR THEY REPEALED THE MASK MANDATE AND SAID WE WANT CUPBOARDS TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS, AND THEY CAME BACK THIS YEAR AND SAID, YOU DECIDED IT WRONG.

WE DON'T WANT THE LOCALS TO STUDY ANYMORE.

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SIDE IT OUR WAY.

>> Deborah: THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE LAWMAKER TO POINTED OUT THE IRONY.

WE GAVE THE POWER TO LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO DECIDE ON THESE MASK.

NOW WE'RE TAKING IT AWAY.

>> John: WE'VE GOT ANOTHER BILL TELLING THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TELLING THEM THEY HAVE TO TEACH BARRY GOLDWATER'S SPEECH RIGHT FLEXION TO THE -- BECAUSE THE SENATE CHAIRMAN HAS FOND MEMORIES OF THE SPEECH.

THIS ISN'T LOCAL CONTROL.

THEY JUST LIKE CONTROL.

>> Bill: ONE I MEAN ITEM OF MANY IN 24 BILL, THAT'S A PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE LITTLE BILL.

>> Jess: RIGHT, I THINK JOHN WAS REFERRING TO THE LANGUAGE FROM SENATE BILL 138 THAT GOT WRAPPED INTO THAT MEASURE.

>> Bill: THAT'S ALL PART OF THE SENATE BILL 1 NOW.

>> Jess: IT IS ALL PART OF SENATE BILL 1, AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THAT LEGISLATION THAT JOHN WAS TALKING ABOUT, IT PREVENTS -- IT REQUIRES TEACHERS TO TALK ABOUT THE UNITED STATES HISTORY IN A VERY SPECIFIC WAY THAT A LOT OF HISTORIANS AND EDUCATORS ARE WORRY ABOUT WHITEWASH THE ROLE OF RACISM IN SHAPING SOCIETY.

>> Bill: OTHER LEGISLATION.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONTINUING TO WORK OUT THEIR DIFFERENCES ON A STATE BUDGET.

THAT'S THE ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT LAWMAKERS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION HAVE TO GET DONE.

WHERE DOES THAT DISCUSSION APPEAR TO BE?

AND, JOHN, I ASKED THE QUESTION AGAIN, ARE THE TAX RELIEF MEASURES TIED UP IN THE BUDGET DISCUSSION?

>> John: YEAH, LAST TIME I DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD BE, AND AS IS SO OFTEN THE CASE, I WAS WRONG BECAUSE I THINK NOW THEY PROBABLY PRETTY MUCH ARE.

I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO SEE THE BUDGET AND AT SOME POINT LATER WE WOULD SEE THE TAX CHANGES COME OUT BUT WE'VE ON-THE-ONLY GOT A FEW WORKING DAYS LEFT IN THE SESSION.

NEXT TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY ARE THE LAST REGULAR WORKING DAYS.

THEN THEY TAKE THE VETO BREAK.

HOUSE BILL 1 IS THE BUDGET.

THEY'VE WEAN WORKING IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BEHIND THE SCENES TRYING TO WORK OUT THE DIFFERENCES.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THEY'RE TOO FAR APART.

THE HOUSE BUDGET WAS A LITTLE BIGGER.

CINCINNATI BUDGET WAS A LITTLE SMALLER.

THEY HAD SOME DIFFERENCES IN PAY RAISES, LOCAL SCHOOL FUNDING, HOW MUCH DEBT DO YOU INCUR, THE THAT SORT OF THING, BUT SURELY IT'S NOT LIKE THE OLD DAYS WHERE THE DEMOCRATS CONTROLLED THE HOUSE AND THE REPUBLICANS CONTROLLED THE SENATE.

SO I WOULD IMAGINE NEXT WEEK WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE FINAL BUDGET COME OUT.

WE SHOULD ALSO SEE -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL BE HOUSE BILL 8, THE TAX BILL OR SOME OTHER BILL BUT WE'LL SEE TAX CHANGE BILL THAL COME OUT, AND EACH OF THEM HAD THEIR OWN PLANS FOR TAX CUTS.

THOUSANDS WANTED THE GRADUAL ELIMINATION OF THE INCOME TAX, EXPANSION OF THE SALES TAX MORE THAN $1 BILLION OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS IN COSTS.

SENATE HAD THE ONE-TIME INCOME TAX REBATES, MORE THAN $1 BILLION.

I DIDN'T THINK THEY COULD DO BOTH OF THOSE AT THE SAME TIME.

THE SENATE BUDGET CHAIRMAN CHRIS MACK DEMOCRAT TOLD RENEE SHAW ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" THEE THEIS THEY CAN.

THEY'VE GOT TO GET BOTH OF THESE ON IT BEFORE THEY ADJOURN FOR THE VETO BREAK, SO WHATEVER THEY DO, IF GOVERNOR PRESSURE VETOES IT, THEY CAN OVERRIDE HIM.

THEY DON'T WANT TO PUTTED IT OFF FOR THE LAST 200 DAYS BECAUSE IF THEY COME BACK, WHATEVER THEY DO THE LAST TWO DAYS IN GOVERNOR WASHER VETOES IT, HE GETS THE LAST SAY.

>> Bill: AND THAT'S CLOSE TO $2 BILLION, RIGHT?

>> John: IT WOULD BE.

IF THEY DID EVERY TAX BREAK THAT THEY WANTED, IN THEORY IT TWO IS YOU CAN UP ALL OF THE SURPLUS FUNDS THIS YEAR, ALL OF THE EXTRA MONEY, EVERYTHING ELSE.

I DON'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, ANY GREAT INSIGHTS INTO THIS, BUT IT WOULD CERTAINLY CONSUME ALL OF THE EXTRA MONEY THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I'D HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF EVERYONE DOES, IN FACT, GET THEIR COMPLETE TAX CHANGE WISH LIST.

>> Bill: WATCHING THAT CAREFULLY.

DEBBIE, THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA SEEMS TO BE BACK WHERE IT WAS LAST TIME.

IT WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE AND IN LIMBO IN THE SENATE.

>> Deborah: YEAH, CLEARED THE HOUSE JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MAYBE AND NOW IT'S BACK IN THE SENATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S NOTE MOVING EVEN THOUGH IT'S PICKED UP SOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AMONG SENATORS WITH-DAY MOAN THAYER SAYING THEY 49 VOTES.

I THINK THE JASON NEMES, THE PREVENT FROM LOUISVILLE, SAID DO HAVE THE VOTES IF THEY COULD GET IN IT FRONT OF THE FLOOR.

>> Will: GEORGE DANIEL CAMERON HAD RESERVATIONS.

ABOUT INTRODUCING A MARIJUANA BILL OF ANY KIND CITING THE STATE CITY'S DRUG PROBLEMS.

DEBBIE, A SENATE COMMITTEE PASSED THE OMNIBUS ABORTION MEASURE.

>> Deborah: YES, THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S MOVING RIGHT ALONG, HOUSE BILL 3 SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE NANCY TATE AND IT ADDS SO MANY RESTRICTIONS TO ABORTION RANGE FROM MINORS GETS ABORTIONS TO WHO OVERSEES MEDICATION ABORTIONS THAT ADVOCATES HAVE SAID HER WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPLY WITH AND WOULD LIKELY MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ACCESS TO ABORTION IN KENTUCKY, ABSENT A LEGAL CHALLENGE WHICH IS SURE TO COME.

>> Bill: JOHN, SPORTS BETTING IS THROUGH THE HOUSE BUT SENATE PRESIDENT ROBBER STIVERS SAID THERE IS NO ENERGY FOR IT IN THE SENATE.

IS SPORTS BETTING AS FAR AS IT'S GOING TO GET THIS SESSION?

>> John: YOU WOULD THINK SO, BUT THE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE ADAM KOENIG SAID IN A ET 2020 TODAY THAT HE IS STILL CENTERING CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATORS.

HE SAID DON'T SAY DEAD YET.

IT'S BEEN ASSIGNED TO SENATE LICENSE AND OCCUPATIONS WHICH DOES HAVE A MEETING SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S NECESSARILY GOING TO GET OUT OF IT, BUT REPRESENTATIVE KOENIG IS STILL TWISTING ARM.

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR AGGRESSIVELY COMPLAINED AFTER LAWMAKERS OVERRODE OF SOME OF HIS VETOES, INCLUDING AB UNEMPLOYMENT BILL AND A RESOLUTION TO END THE COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY.

>> BECAUSE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENDED THE STATE OF EMERGENCY, KENTUCKIANS WILL GET AT LEAST ONE LESS MONTH OF EMERGENCY SNAP BENEFITS.

THAT MEANS FOR 500,000 KENTUCKIANS, MAINLY CHILDREN AND SENIORS, THAT GO HUNGRY, THEY HAVE $100 LESS TO BUY FOOD AT A TIME WHEN FOOD COSTS MORE.

I THINK THAT'S WRONG.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, OBVIOUSLY BARBER TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION TO HURLCI AT LAWMAKERS.

>> Deborah: HE DID.

HE WAS TALKING ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WHICH THEY OVERRODE HIS VETO ON THE BILL TO CUT BACK UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND DID RESOLUTION ENDING THE PANDEMIC EMERGENCY SIX WEEKS EARLY, CALLING THEM CRUEL BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY RESOLUTION DOES, IN FACT, CAUSE THE STATE TO FOR FIT A MONTH'S WORTH OF EXTRA FOOD STATEMENTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHICH AMOUNTS OF TO ABOUT $50 MILLION.

SO, YEAH, HE WAS PRETTY HARSH IN HIS CRITICISM.

HE TRIED TO VETO, OF COURSE, THE EMERGENCY RESOLUTION ON FOOD STAMPS, BUT THEY OVERRODE THAT.

>> Bill: HE ALSO INDICATED HE'D VETO A BILL THAT CHASING CHANGES ON YOU THE PUBLIC -- THAT WORKS.

>> Deborah: THAT'S END.

ING AND IT WOULD BE A DRAMATIC CHANGE TO THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC BENEFITS IN KENTUCKY RANGE FROM MEDICAID TO GOOD STAMPS TO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN PUSHING THIS BILL AS A WAY TO PUT MORE ACCOUNTABILITY INTO THE SYSTEM.

ADVOCATES SAY IT MAKES IT SO COMPLICATED AND HARD TO APPLY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD LOSE BENEFIT AND WOULD COST THE STATE A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, A COST ANALYSIS BY THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES SOWED SHOWED IT COULD COST AS MUCH AS $400 MILLION JUST TO ADMINISTRATOR AND IMPLEMENT THE BILL AND OVERSEE IT.

>> Bill: THAT RECURRING OR TO SET THAT UP?

>> Deborah: SOME OF IT'S START-UP COSTS ABOUT THE SOME OF IT'S RECURRING.

ANOTHER ESTIMATE BUT IT CLOSER TO $250 MILLION BUT THE CABINET SECRETARY ERIC FRIEDLANDER SAID THEY WOULD NEED 500 EMPLOYEES JUST TO MONITOR THIS AND THE BENEFIT RECIPIENTS.

>> Bill: AND THE BENEFIT RECIPIENTS WOULD REPORT.

>> Deborah: THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THEY HAVE TO REPORT, CHANGES IN SITUATION, INCOME.

THEY COULD THAT NOW.

THIS HAS MORE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

>> Bill: CRAB METAL WOULD HAVE TO HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT CATLYTIC CONVERTERS.

THAT IS A BIG ISSUE AND THE PORCH PILOT BILL IS ON ITS WAY TO BEING LAW.

JOHN, OTHER THINGS THIS WEEK.

IT GOT BUSY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY WITH SOME THINGS MOVING THROUGH.

>> John: TODAY WE SAW A BILL THAT WOULD TAKE THE DEATH DEATH PENALTY OFF THE TABLE IN CASES WHERE SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED AND DEMONSTRATED IN A PERSON'S PAST.

THE SENATE PASSED THAT AFTER A PASSIONATE FLOOR DEBATE.

THIS HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT FOR YEARS IN KENTUCKY.

IT WOULD NOT RETROACTIVE TO PEOPLE CURRENTLY ON DEATH ROW.

SOME PEOPLE OPPOSED IT BECAUSE THEY WORRIED IT WAS A SLIPPERY SLOPE THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY ALTOGETHER IN KENTUCKY.

I DON'T THINK THINK THAT'S A REALISTIC RISK AT THIS POINT.

BUT THERE'S AN INTERESTING MOMENT IN THE KENTUCKY SENATE.

>> Deborah: THAT'S FINAL PASSAGE, AND I THINK IT WAS SURPRISING TO SEE THAT BILL PASS AFTER YEARS OF CONTROVERSY.

>> Bill: WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING RIGHT NOW?

BEDS IS WEDNESDAY IS ABOUT IT VETO-FREE ACTION, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: YEAH, THE HOUSE BILL 3, THE ABORTION BILL, STILL HAS TO GET FINAL PASSAGE IN THE SENATE.

SENATOR WISE ALSO HAS A BILL PENDING IN THE BAN ABORTIONS AFTER 15 WEEKS.

THERE'S A NURSE PRACTITIONER BILL.

THEY'RE -- THAT PASSED THE HOUSE AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET IT BEFORE THE SENATE THAT WOULD PROPPED DOLLARS BRO'EN THEIR PRESCRIBING AUTHORITY WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM DOCTORS.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK SOME POLITICS LIKE THIS HASN'T BEEN SOME POLITICS, BUT ATTORNEY DANIEL AM CAMERON PROVIDE APPLICABLE INTRIGUE WHISKED ASKED HIM IF HE PLANS TO RUN FOR RER ELECTION.

HIS ANSWER FOR WKYT'S IS LEFT THE DOOR WIDE OPEN.

>> I TENDS TO BE ON THE BALLOT IN 2023.

McKIDNEYS AND I ARE UNDERTAKING THE CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR US.

OBVIOUSLY WITH THE NEWBORN AT HOME -- >> HANG ON A SECOND.

I'M HEARING SOMETHING HERE.

YOU TEND TO BE ON BALLOT.

YOU DIDN'T NECESSARILY SAY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> I INTENDED TO BE ON THE BALLOT.

>> YOU'RE NOT SAYING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE?

>> WELL, WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL SORT OF -- EVERYTHING THAT'S ON THE TABLING.

>> Jonathan: EVER.

>> Bill: WELL, WOULD CAMERON BE A WILDCARD AS REPUBLICANS CONSIDER THEIR OPTIONS FOR 2023?

>> Deborah: I THINK THERE'S STILL SOME JOSS KNEELING THAT RACE.

THE ONLY DECLARED CANDIDATE RIGHT NOW IS MIKE HARMON THE STATE AUDITOR BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE INTERESTED IN IT 37 RYAN QUARLES THE AG COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN MENTIONED.

NOW DANIEL CAMERON COULD BE EYEING THAT.

>> John: I HAD THOUGHT THAT GENERAL CAMERON WAS THE HEIR APPARENT TO SENATOR McCONNELL.

>> Deborah: THEN, OF COURSE, KELLY CRAFT WAS RUMORED TO BE THE FRONTRUNNER IN THE REPUBLICANS FOR GOVERNOR.

>> Bill: WHO?

>> Deborah: KILAUEA CRAFT BENGALS RIGHT, THE FORMER AMBASSADOR.

SENATOR AFL ALVARADO.

MAX BYPASS I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT SO WE'LL SEE.

BUT NOW THIS INTERESTING ANSWER THERE FROM DANIEL CAMERON.

DEBBIE, GOOD NEWS ON THE COVID FRONT BUT THE WORD IS DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN, RIGHT?

>> Deborah: RIGHT.

THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF IN JEFFERSON COUNTY HAD A BRIEFING TODAY WHERE HE SAID THE NEW SUBVARIANT VA 2 WHOSE BEEN FOUND IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN KENTUCKY, AND IT WILL LIKELY AT SOME POINT BECOME THE DOMINANT VARIANT, HOWEVER REMEMBERREST THERE IS SOME BELIEF THAT IT'S NOT -- ALTHOUGH IT'S MORE CONTAGIOUS, IT'S NOT PASS SERIOUS IN TERMS OF ILLNESS AS THE OTHER MULTIPLE VARIANTS WE'VE HAD OF COVID, AND HE ALSO DID NOT THINK THAT, AT LEAST AT THIS POINT, THAT THE U.S. WOULD SEE THE KIND OF SURGE THAT THEY'VE SEEN IN EUROPE AND ENGLAND WITH THIS PARTICULAR VARIANT.

>> Will: BUT AGAIN WE WILL WATCH.

IN WASHINGTON SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH McCONNELL SAID THIS WEEK THAT HE WILL NOT VOTE TO CONFIRM JUDGE BROWN JACKSON, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN NOMINATED FOR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

MCCONNELL SUGGESTS HIS MAIN REASON IS THAT SHE WOULD NOT TAKE A STAND ON WHETHER THE COURT SHOULD BE ENLARGED.

>> BUT AFTER STUDYING THE NOMINEE'S RECORD, AND WATCHING HER PERFORMANCE THIS WEEK, I CANNOT AND WILL NOT SUPPORT JUDGE JACKSON FOR A LIFETIME APPOINTMENT TO THE SUPREME COURT.

>> Bill: DEBBIE, McCONNELL SAYS THE QUESTION WAS A SOFTBALL FOR YOUNG BROWN AND THAT SHE WOULDN'T ANSWER IT.

>> Deborah: IT'S NOT HER DECISION.

THEY PRESSED HER ON WHETHER SHE THOUGHT THEY SHOULD ADD MORE MEMBERS TO THE SUPREME COURT.

SHE SAID THAT'S NOT HER CALL.

SHE'D BE HAPPY TO SERVE ON THE COURT WHATEVER CAPACITY IT IS.

I THINK McCONNELL IS BEING STRATEGIC.

HE CALLED HER THE COURT-PICKERS PICK AND THAT WOULD GIVE VOTERS SOMETHING TO THE PEOPLE IN MIND WHEN THEY GO TO THE MIDST TERMS.

>> Bill: IT WAS.

♪ THAT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AS NOMINEE JUSTICE AMYY CONE BARRETT ALSO SIDESTEPPED THAT QUESTION B.

MANSION, APPARENTLY SENATOR MANSION OF WEST VIRGINIA IS A YES VOTE, AN INDICATION THAT SHE WILL BE CONFIRMED.

>> Deborah: THEY WILL HAVE THE 50 VOTES OF DEMOCRATS PLUS THE VICE PRESIDENT AT WITH A TIE-BREAKING VOTE TO GIVE HER CONFIRMATION.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY CONGRESS THAT.

HAL ORANGES HAS JUST BECOME THE LONGEST CONTINUOUSLY SERVICE MEMBER OF HOUSE.

AS A RESULT HEAL BE TO THE INFLUENTIAL STEERING COMMITTEE.

HE SOLD NEE VLADIMIR PUTIN MAY HAVE CHOSEN TO INVADE UKRAINE AFTER BIDEN'S LOW POLLING NUMBERS BUT HE DID NOT COMMENT IN BIDEN'S ACTION IN RESPONDING TO THE SITUATION.

>> I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE DO HAVE COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLILY.

WE DARE NOT GET INVOLVED IN THAT BATTLE ALTHOUGH YOUR URGE STOOD SO THE STOOD TO.

SEEING THE HORRIBLE PREEMPT PEOPLE ARE ENDURING.

>> Bill: KENTUCKIANS CONTINUE TO SHOW FOR UKRAINE.

THERE IS A STATEWIDE EVENT AT THE STATE CAPITOL LAST NIGHT.

THERE WERE MANY CHURCHES AND OTHER GROUPS THAT ARE GIVING SYMBOLIC AND MONETARY SUPPORT.

THE KENTUCKY INVESTMENT BOARD HAS VOWED TO KEEP THE STATE'S FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS OUT OF RUNNER FUNDS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> John: RIGHT.

THE STATE SWEPT COMMISSION WHICH HANDLES THE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS FOR THE STATE, NOT THE PENSION FUNDS, THE AGENCY'S SHORT-TERM FUNDS, HAD A RESOLUTION RECENTLY TO KEEP U.S. -- THE TO KEEP THE STATE'S MONEY OUT OF INVESTMENTS, DIRECT RUGGLES INVESTMENTS UNTIL U.S. SANCTIONS LISTED ON RUSSIA.

THIS WAS AT THE DIRECTION OF TREASURER ALLISON BALL.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

JESS, WE WERE MENTIONING THAT THE COAST SITUATION.

BUT IT WILL APPEAR TO THAT FINALLY MOST SCHOOLINGS ARE READY TO RETURN TO TRADITIONAL GRADUATIONS AND PROMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AS WE HEAD TOWARD THAT TIME OF THE YEAR?

>> Jess: YEAH.

I THINK BASED ON THE WAY SCHOOLS DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN OPERATING THESE LAST FEW MONTHS, I THINK IT'S PROBABLY FAIR TO SAY THINGS WILL LOOK FAIRLY, QUOTE/UNQUOTE, NORMAL GOING FORWARD.

THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IS MEETING ON TUESDAY TO VOTE ON THEIR PLAN FOR GRADUATION WHICH INCLUDES AN IN-PERSON GRADUATION.

>> Bill: JEFFERSON COUNTY IS ALSO REDISTRICTING THE SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW, AND WE DON'T MEAN THE BOARDS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SCHOOLS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF, OBVIOUSLY A LOT AT STAKE AND A LOT OF EMOTIONS INVOLVED IN THAT, SO THAT IS A PROCESS THAT'S CAREFULLY WATCHED.

>> Jess: RIGHT.

JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SINCE THE '70s HAS REALLY BEEN A POSTER CHILD FOR INTEGRATION, SCHOOL INTEGRATION, RACIAL INTEGRATION IN A VERY SEGREGATED CITY.

THAT IS DONE BY BUSING KIDS FROM THE MAJORITY BLACK AND LOW-INCOME, AND TO WHITER AND WEALTHIER AREAS OF TOWN.

THE PLAN WOULD ACTUALLY GIVE KIDS IN WEST END AN OPTION TO STAY IN THE WEST END OR GO TO THE HISTORIC SCHOOLS THEY'VE GONE TO.

SO IT WOULD -- DR. PULLIO SAID IT WOULD INCREASE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR STUDENTS IN THE WEST END BUT IT WOULD AM WILL CERTAINLY WORSEN RACIAL.ORG SEGREGATION IN THE DISTRICT.

>> Bill: A KENTUCKY MARINE WAS AMONG THE FOUR KILLED WHEN THEIR HELICOPTER CRASHED DURING TO A TRAINING SER EVERY AND CISE IN NORWAY.

IF JACOB MOORE DIED IN THE CRASH.

HE JOINED IN 2018, STATIONED IN NORTH CAROLINA.

FRIENDS AND FORMER TEACHERS IN NORTHEASTERN KENTUCKY DESCRIBED DESCRIBED HIM AS KIND AND RESPECTFUL.

CORPORAL MOORE WAS 24 YEARS OLD.

TUNE IN MONDAY FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW WILL HOST A DISCUSSION ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND JOBLESS BENEFITS.