SIGNS SOME BILLS AND VETOES OTHERS, INCLUDING THE EDUCATION CHOICE INITIATIVE.

LAWMAKERS RETURN NEXT WEEK TO DO VETO OVERRIDES AND TO POSSIBLY DEAL WITH BILLS LEFT IN LIMBO.

COVID NUMBERS CONTINUE TO LOOK ENCOURAGING, BUT SCHOOL LEADERS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SPRING BREA AND INCREASED TRAVEL.

REMEMBERING THE LEGENDARY AL SM WE'LL HEAR FROM SOME WHO TREASURED HIS FRIENDSHIP AND ADMIRED HIS SPUNK.

WE'RE CLONING IN ON April "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

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 ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

MANDY MCLAREN, EDUCATION REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

AND LAWRENCE SMITH, REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT, SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T SAID IN TWO YEARS, KENTUCKY DERBY TICKETS WENT ON SALE TODAY.

BUT FIRST, IN FRANKFORT THIS IS TRADITIONALLY CALLED THE VETO PERIOD.

IT'S THOSE DAYS WHEN LAWMAKERS GO HOME TO LET THE GOVERNOR LOOK OVER WHAT THEY'VE DONE AND PASS GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS VETOED SEVERAL BILLS THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS ALMOST CERTAIN T LATE THIS AFTERNOON BESHEAR ISSUED LINE ITEM VETOES TO THE STATE BUDGET.

LAWRENCE, LET'S PICK IT UP THIS.

THERE'S A LOT TO SORT THROUGH HERE BUT THE ONE WE VETO IS A LINE THAT WOULD DECIDE WHO HAS CONTROL OVER THE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF MONEY COMING IN.

>> Lawrence: RIGHT, BILL.

THAT'S A BIG ONE.

KENTUCKY IS GETTING $2.6 BILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF, DISASTER RELIEF, COVID RELIEF FUNDING.

THE BUG QUESTION IS TO CONTROL THAT.

LAWMAKERS PUT A PROVISION IN THEIR BUDGET THAT SAYS THE GOVERNOR HAD TO GET PERMISSION FROM THEM BEFORE SPENDING THAT.

IN FACT, THERE'S A BIG FINE IF HE SPENDS IT WITHOUT THEIR PER MIX.

OF COURSE THE GOVERNOR HAS NOW VETOED THAT SETTING UP A PROBABLE, VERY LIKELY OVERRIDE COMING UP NEXT WEEK.

>> Bill: ONE OPEN QUESTION, DOES THE GOVERNOR CALL A SPECIAL SESSION IF, AS THEY WOULD WANT HIM TO DO IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ALLOCATE THAT MONEY OR DOES HE GO TO COURT AND TRY TO KEEP THAT IN THE AREA OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

>> Lawrence: IT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

HIS FIRST RESPONSE GENERALLY HAS BEEN WHEN THERE'S A CHALLENGE TO HIS EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, IS TO GO TO COURT, SO THAT NOT BE SURPRISING IF THAT'S THE FIRST STEP HE TAKES.

ASIDE FROM THAT, IF HE WANTS TO SPEND ANY OF THIS MONEY, HE'LL TO HAVE CALL A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE TO GET APPROVAL.

BUT AS I SAID, THIS WILL MORE THAN LIKELY END UP THIS IN COURT.

>> Bill: AND THIS WILL NOT AFFECT THE MONEY THAT'S GOING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, RIGHT?

>> Lawrence: NO.

THIS IS STATE MONEY.

SOME OF THAT MONEY WILL BE DOLED OUT TO SCARES WHY LOCAL ENTITIES BUT IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE AMOUNT GET WHAT THEY WANT DIRECTLY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Bill: I KNOW THERE'S SOME EDUCATION MONEY.

THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER WANTED THAT TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND NOT THROUGH SOME PROCESS AS WELL.

>> Lawrence: THAT'S RIGHT.

SO AS I SAID, THIS WILL LIABLE BE ONE OF THE OVERRIDES THAT'LL BE TAKEN UP RIGHT AWAY BY THE LEGISLATURE, BUT THE QUESTION IS AFTER A LIKELY OVERRIDE, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

ONE BILL THAT IS LESS CLEAR AS TO WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE THE VOTES TO OVERRIDE IS THE GOVERNOR'S STRONG OBJECTION TO THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL.

>> I'M ALSO VETOING HOUSE BILL 563.

I'M DOING SO BECAUSE IF IT BECOMES LAW, THIS MEASURE WOULD GREATLY HARM PUBLIC EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY BY TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SENDING IT IT TO UNACCOUNTABLE PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS WITH LITTLE OVERSIGHT.

>> Bill: MANDY, LET'S DISCUSS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IF THIS BECOMES LAW.

HOW WOULD IT CHANGE THINGS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR STUDENTS?

THIS IS A PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE BILL, THE EDUCATION CHOICE BILL.

>> Mandy: SURE.

BEFORE WE EVEN GET INTO WHAT THE GOVERNOR WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT THERE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THIS BILL THAT PASSED WAS TO PROVIDE SOMETHING CALLED PORTABILITY FUNDING, WHICH IS ACTUALLY PRETTY CONTROVERSIAL ON ITS OWN IN A LOT OF THE COUNTRY.

IT WOULD ALLOW STUDENT DOLLARS TO FOLLOW CHILDREN ACROSS DISTRICT LINES, AND A LOT OF THE INDEPENDENT DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN SEEKING THIS TO BE ABLE TO SORT OF ENTICE OR ALLOW CHILDREN FROM COUNTY DISTRICTS INTO THEIR UNDER-ENROLLED SYSTEMS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR SAID HE IS WILLING TO TALK MORE ABOUT AND WORK WITH INDEPENDENT DISTRICTS ON.

WHAT HE WAS VERY CLEAR AND WHAT HE WAS NOT WILLING TO NEGOTIATE ON WERE THESE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS BASICALLY.

SO VERY SIMILAR TO A STEP THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE TAX CREDIT INCENTIVES FOR FOLKS TO DONATE TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT THEN FUNNEL THIS MONEY INTO CHILDREN, AND THIS TIME AROUND IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

THIS MONEY COULD GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION AND IN THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN STATE BUT IT COULD ALSO GO TO STUDENT TO BE ABLE TO USE FOR REALLY A SLEW OF EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, FROM PAYING FOR TUTORING, PAYING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION THERAPIES, IF YOU NEED A NEW LAPTOP TO DO YOUR SCHOOL WORK, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE SOME ONLINE CLASSES.

SO THERE'S REALLY A BEVY OF OPTIONS THERE.

BUT, OF COURSE, THIS ALL COMES BACK TO HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST, AND THE CRITICS SAY THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF AN ATTEMPT TO REALLY SIPHON MONEY FROM THE GENERAL FUND THAT SHOULD BE GOING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S ESTIMATED THAT OVER FIVE YEARS IT COULD COST THE STATE $125 MILLION.

AND AGAIN, A LOT OF THE ATTENTION IS ON THESE URBAN DISTRICTS AND THE POTENTIAL THAT THIS COULD BE USED TO REMOVE STUDENTS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INTO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, BUT I WILL NOTE IN THAT SPEECH THAT BESHEAR GAVE THIS WEEK HE REALLY WAS TRYING TO MAKE A CASE THAT IT'S GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO RURAL DISTRICTS AS WELL BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE HE'S GOING TO NEED SOME VOTES TO ENSURE THAT HIS VETO IS NOT OVERRIDDEN.

>> Bill: YOU COULD HAVE THE SPECTER OF INDEPENDENT DISTRICTS LURING FROM CROWN DISTRICTS AND INDEPENDENTS AND THAT THING AS WELL WITHIN THE PUBLIC SYSTEM, RIGHT?

>> Mandy: ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONING THERE ABOUT WHAT IMPACT THAT COULD HAVE, SOME CONCERNS ABOUT SEGREGATION.

IF YOU HAVE A MORE ADVANTAGED INDEPENDENT DISTRICT THAT CURRENTLY DOESN'T HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH ITS NEIGHBORING COUNTY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S ALLOWED TO ATTRACT FAMILIES FROM NEARBY, WHAT I THINK FOLKS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IS THAT YOU COULD SEE SORT OF A FLOOD OF MORE ADVANTAGED FAMILIES TO SORT OF COALESCE IN THESE INDEPENDENT DISTRICTS THAT YOU THINK OF ANSWERING RAJ, YOU THINK OF SOME IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY THAT TEND TO BE ANCHORAGE -- MORE ADVANTAGED TO BEGIN WITH.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, LET'S TALK NUMBERS HERE WHICH IS WHAT WILL BE IMPORTANT ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

THIS PASSED THE HOUSE WITH 48 VOTES.

IT TAKES 51 VOTES TO OVERRIDE A GOVERNOR'S VETO, AND OPPONENTS HAVE BEEN HAVE BEEN LOUD IN RECENT DAYS.

WHERE IS THIS HEADED?

>> Lawrence: WELL, THIS MAY BE THE MOST INTERESTING OF OVERRIDE VOTES TO WATCH.

IT HAS POTENTIALLY, THE POTENTIAL TO BE PERHAPS THE ONE THAT BESHEAR HAS THE CHANCE TO UPHOLD.

YOU'RE RIGHT, THIS PASSED.

>> WILL BY 48 TO 47 IT.

NEEDS 51 TO OVERRIDE.

SUPPORTERS I TALKED TO TODAY THINK THEY HAVE THE VOTES.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF LAWMAKERS THAT WERE ABSENT IN THE HOUSE ON THAT VOTE ON THE DAY THE VOTE HAPPENED THAT WILL BE THERE MONDAY AND TUESDAY, BUT THEY ARE ALSO PUTTING OUT A LITTLE BIT OF A CARROT, ACTUALLY IT'S A BIG CARE POPPET THEY'RE SAYING IN THIS PASSES, THEY WILL THEN -- CARROT.

THEY'RE SAYING IF THIS PASSES THEY WILL PUT FORTH ANOTHER BILL THAT WILL FULLY FUND ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN WHICH IS WHAT MANY LAWMAKERS HAVE WANTED FOR A LONG TIME, SO THERE'S THIS ENTICEMENT OUT THERE TO PERSUADE A VOTE ON SCHOOL CHOICE SAYING IF YOU DO THAT, WE'LL ALSO FUND ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

>> Bill: SO KIND OF A GIVE-AND-TAKE ON THAT.

>> Mandy: BILL, CAN I TALK REAL QUICK ON THAT?

I JUST THINK IT'S INTERESTING.

THIS IS A STATE THAT'S TALKED A LOT IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN RECENT YEAR, AND LIKE LAWRENCE SAID, THIS IS REALLY KINDERGARTEN.

A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND THIS, THAT KENTUCKY DOES NO FUND ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE GOTTEN SO USED TO, BUT LAWMAKERS IN OUR USING THAT AS BAIT.

I JUST THINK THAT'S SOMETHING TO POINT OUT.

>> Bill: SOMETHING TO WATCH.

MANDY, WILL WAS ANOTHER VETO FROM THE GOVERNOR ON BALE THAT WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGE RETIREMENT SCENARIOS FOR FUTURE TEACHERS.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO WORK LONGER.

THE RETIREMENT INCOME SCENARIO WOULD CHANGE.

THOSE WHO ARE PRESSING FOR IT SAY THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM SUSTAINABLE FOR THE LONG HAUL.

SOME OBEY OPPONENTS SAY IT WOULD BE HARDEDDER HARDED TO RECRUIT NOOYI TEACHERS UNDER THIS.

>> Mandy: THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

WE SAW IT A LOT UNDER GOVERNOR BEVIN AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE BECAUSE THE STATE DOES FACE RAIL FISCAL REALTY HERE IS HOW HAD TO SUSTAIN THIS PENSION SYSTEM GOING TODAY ARE.

OBVIOUSLY THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE HERE HAS BEEN PUSHING FORE SORT OF A HYBRID PLAN IN WHICH, IF YOU'RE A NEW TEACHER HIRED IN KENTUCKY, YOU WOULD NOT GET A PENSION LIKE OTHER TEACHERS IN THE STATE HAVE BEEN BUYING INTO FOR GENERATIONS, AND THERE'S REAL CONCERN THERE IN A STATE THAT ALREADY STRUGGLES IN A LOT OF DISTRICTS, PROBABLY ALL OF THEM, TO HIRE ALL THE TEACHERS THAT THEY NEED, AND THAT IF KENTUCKY MOVES AWAY FROM THE GUARANTEED PENSION BENEFIT PLAN, THAT IT STRUGGLE RECRUITING MORE TEACHERS TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

>> Lawrence: THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS, OF COURSE, IS REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, SUPPORTERS OF THIS SAY WITHOUT CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM, IT WILL EVENTUALLY COLLAPSE ON ITSELF.

THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP GOING THE WAY IT IS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE ARGUING.

>> Bill: RIGHT, SORRY THAT THEY HAVE TO PUT MORE REVENUE IN FROM THE GENERAL FUNDS.

MANDY, AN EDUCATION BILL THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED WOULD GIVE STUDENTS THE OPTION OF REPEATING A SCHOOL YEAR IF A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ALLOWED IT.

>> Mandy: YEAH, OBVIOUSLY THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR EDUCATION, EVEN WITH THE BEST REMOTE TEACHING AND HYBRID TEACHING.

KIDS HAD A ROUGH YEAR WITH LEARNING, NO MATTER WHAT, AND THE INTENT OF THIS BILL IS REALLY TO GIVE PARENTS AN OPTION IF THEY WANT THEIR CHILD TO SORT OF REPEAT THAT YEAR TO TAKE CLASSES OVER AGAIN AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, AND IT WOULD ALSO GIVE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES A FIFTH YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY.

BUT IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO WHETHER OR NOT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS ALLOW THIS IN THEIR DISTRICT, SO WE MIGHT SEE A VARIATION ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

ALEX, LET'S GET YOU BUSY, CHECK YOU INTO THE GAME HERE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT, AS SCHOOLS ARE PLANNING TO OPEN HERE AND ARE IN OPERATION RIGHT NOW BUT THEY HAVE A FEW WEEKS THAT THEY ARE PLANNING TO GO THIS YEAR AND THEN, OF COURSE, LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT YEAR, THE CDC HAS CHANGED THE RECOMMENDATION ON SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND THIS AFTERNOON THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ADOPTED THOSE NEW CHANGES.

>> Alex: RIGHT, AND WHAT THAT'S CHANGES ARE RATHER THAN HAVE STUDENTS BE 6 FEET APART IN CLASSROOM, THE CHANGE IS THAT THEY CAN BE 3 FEET APART WHICH IS SUBSTANTIAL AND HAVE A DIRECT EFFECT ON CLASS AM RADIO CAPACITY.

ONE THING MANDY WAS SAYING BEFORE THE SHOW IS THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE WORKED PAINSTAKINGLY TO SO IT PLANS FOR TURN OUT CLASSROOM EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN MOST CASES ONLY FOR A FEW MONTHS.

MANY HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR THE 6 FEET OF DISTANCING AND MAY NOT ADJUST TO THE 3 FEET THIS SCHOOL YEAR BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY'LL PROBABLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

>> Bill: IT'S GOING TO BE A FAST AND FURIOUS FINISH TO THE SCHOOL YEAR GIVEN THAT SOME OF THEM HAVE SPRING BREAKS, THEY HAVE THESE ASSESSMENT TESTS THAT ARE UPCOMING.

THIS IS A GOOD PLACE, LET'S START TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COVID SITUATION, AND WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT IS PENDING IN FRANKFORT IN A BIT.

COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO COME DOWN.

THERE ARE ENCOURAGING SIGNS THAT THAT WILL CONTINUE AS A TREND.

WHAT NUMBERS ARE YOU LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW?

AND WHAT ARE THEY SHOWING YOU?

>> Alex: THE ONES THAT I THINK ARE MOST TELLING ARE THE STATEWIDE POSITIVITY RATE WHICH TODAY IS 2.8% WHICH IS LOW AND ALSO THE RATE OF VACCINATIONS IN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE VACCINATED SO FAR MORE THAN 28% OF THE POPULATION, WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT.

EACH WEEK AND ACTUALLY EACH DAY IN MARCH WE VACCINATED AT LEAST 22,000 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE.

BESHEAR HAS EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY THIS WEEK.

ON MONDAY HE OPENED ELIGIBILITY TO ADULTS 50 AND OVER.

THIS COMING MONDAY HE OPENED IT TO ADULTS 40 AND OVER.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN EARLIER THIS MONTH SAID THAT HE HOPES TO GET EVERYBODY ELIGIBLE FOR A VACCINE BY MAY 1st.

BESHEAR HAS SAID THAT HE WANTS TO BEAT THAT AND SAID THAT APRIL 12th IS HIS GOAL.

SO THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF VACCINE RIGHT NOW IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE ALMOST 600 VACCINE SITES.

AND SO WE ARE STILL IN THE PHASE WHERE THERE IS HIGH DEMAND FOR VACCINE NOW AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE 50% MARK, YOU'LL HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, WHICH IS GENERALLY THE MARK WHERE MOST OF THE NATIONAL SURVEYS SAY THAT 50% OF THE POPULATION WILL WILLINGLY GET A VACCINE.

WHEN WE GET TO THAT POINT, WE'LL PROBABLY START TO VO DOWN.

>> Bill: BECAUSE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE WHAT IS CALLED HERD IMMUNITY, YOU HAVE TO GET HIGHER THAN THAT.

AND SOME DOCTORS ARE REGISTERING SOME CONCERNS THAT WE MAY HIT A CEILING HERE.

>> Alex: DEFINITELY, I THINK THE WHOLE HIT A CEILING EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

HERD IMMUNITY IS THOUGHT TO BE BETWEEN 70 AND 80% SO YOU HAVE 50% OF THE POPULATION WHO WILL WILLINGLY GET A VACCINE, YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO OUTTREATMENT OF REMAINDER OF THAT POPULATION TO CONVINCE THEM TO GET A VACCINE.

SO WHILE IN KENTUCKY WE MIGHT MAKE THE VACCINE AVAILABLE EVERYBODY TO PIE THE MIDDLE OF APRIL, THAT CERTAINLY DOESN'T MEAN THAT EVERYBODY WHO IS ELIGIBLE WILL SIGN UP.

>> Bill: SCHOOLS ALSO DO SEEM TO BE MOVING TOWARDING WANTING TO HAVE THOSE GRADUATION CEREMONIES, SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE PROMS.

THEY ALSO, THOUGH, HAVE THESE LINGERING CONCERNS ABOUT THESE SPRING BREAKS AND THE TRAVEL THAT MAY OCCUR AND POSSIBLY BRING VIRUS BACK FROM OTHER PLACES.

SO THEY'RE REALLY AT THIS POINT HAVING TO LOOK IN SEVERAL DIRECTION.

>> Alex: IT'S A BALANCING ACT.

I MEAN, I KNOW THAT ESPECIALLY HIGH SCHOOLS, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO OFFER IN-PERSON EVENTS FOR MOST OF THEIR HIGH SCHOOLERS.

SOME ARE TRYING TO PLAN IN-PERSON GRADUATIONS, AND AS YOU SAID, PROMS.

AND THEN YOU HAVE COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO ARE GOING TO GO ON SPRING BREAK TO PLACES WHERE THERE ARE HIGHER CONCENTRATIONS OF PEOPLE, DEPENDING ON THEIR HEALTH CONDITIONS, MOST COLLEGE STUDENTS PROBABLY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A VACCINE YET.

SO THERE ARE STILL CHANCES FOR COVID-19 TO SPEWING IN KENTUCKY.

THE THINKING IS THAT -- SPIKE IN KENTUCKY.

THE THINKING IS THAT EVEN A PIKE WON'T BE AS SIGNIFICANT AS THE SPIKES WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR KEEPS TALKING ABOUT HOW IT'S A RACE AGAINST THE VARIANTS ALSO BECAUSE MOST OF THE VARIANTS OUT THERE ARE MORE CONTAGIOUS.

WE ALREADY KNOW THAT SOME VARIANTS ARE IN KENTUCKY, AND SO IT'S DEFINITELY A BALANCING ACT, AND JUST THE GOAL IS TO TRY TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID THAT RISK.

>> Bill: MANDY, ARE ANY OF THE SCHOOLS LOOKING AS FAR AHEAD AS NEXT YEAR OR ARE THEY, WE FINALLY HAVE THEM BACK INIANS WE HOPE WE CAN KEEP THEM THERE AND DEAL WITH THE ASSESSMENT TESTS AND ALL OF THAT THAT'S COMING UP?

>> Mandy: YEAH, NI IT'S TRYING TO MAKE IT DAY BY DAY RIGHT NOW.

OBVIOUSLY WE SEE WAVES QUARANTINES IN SCHOOLS THAT HAVE REOPENED FOR IN-PERSON CLASSES.

IN MAY THERE WILL BE A THREE-WEEK WINDOW WHERE DISTRICTS WILL BE DOING K-PREP TESTING, SO IT'S REALLY TRYING TO MAKE IT TO THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

I THINK WE'LL DEFINITELY SEE ROBUST SURP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND THEN I THINK LONG TERM WE WILL SEE MORE OF A DISCUSSION AROUND WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC THAT POCKED WORKED FOR STUDENTS, AND YOU HEAR, TALKING TO SOME TEACHERS AND SOME PARENTS, THAT FOR SOME STUDENTS VIRTUAL LEARNING WAS REALLY GREAT FOR THEM BECAUSE IT PROVIDED THEM FLEXIBILITY, YOU HAVE A LOT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT ARE YOU GO JELING JOBS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS GAVE THEM, EXCUSE ME, AN OPPORTUNITY TO SORT OF DO THEIR EDUCATION AROUND THAT SCHEDULE, AND WE MIGHT HOPE THAT NO CHILD HAS TO JUGGLE THAT, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT KIDS ARE AND WE MIGHT SEE A PUSH IN THE STATE TO OFFER MORE VIRTUAL OPTIONS.

>> Bill: OLIVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WEREN'T HELD LAST YEAR ARE COMING BACK CAUTIOUSLY.

KENTUCKY DERBY TICKET WENT ON SALE TODAY AND THEY PLAN FOR A PRETTY SIZABLE CROWD A OAKS DAY AT THE DERBY.

>> Lawrence: RIGHT NOW THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT 40 TO 50 PERCENT OCCUPANCY IN THE GRABBED STANDS, UP TO 60% IN SOME PRIVATE SUITES.

THEY'RE BUILDING SOME NEW SEATING IN ALONG.

FIRST TURN AND ALSO BUILDING RESERVE SEATING IN THE INFIELD.

CHURCHILL DOWNS IS TALKING WITH FROM 25,000, MAYBE 30,000 PEOPLE FORE NOW THAT COULD INCREASE IN RESTRICTIONS LET UP BETWEEN NOW AND DERBY DAY.

>> Bill: GIRLS AND BOYS SWEET SIXTEEN COMING TO RUPP ARENA.

THESE CARDINALS GUNG TO FILL UP ALL OF A SUDDEN.

OF THE LAWMAKERS WILL BE DECIDING WITH HER COME TO WRAP UP THE 2021 SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LAWRENCE, THE GOVERNOR DID A LOT OF VETOES.

SOME OF THOSE INCLUDE CHANGING THE WAY A U.S.

SENATOR VACANCY WOULD BE FILLED IN KENTUCKY.

THE GOVERNOR WOULD NOT ABLE TO DO THAT BY HIMSELF OR HERSELF.

>> Lawrence: RIGHT.

THE GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW HAS SOLE AUTHORITY TO MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT UNDER THIS BILL THAT HE VETOED.

THEY WOULD BE -- THE GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE FROM THREE PEOPLE CHOSEN BY THE PARTY OF THE PERSON WHO IS LEAVING THE ROLE, THE SENATOR WHO IS LEAVING, HE WOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE FROM THOSE THREE PEOPLE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS THAT VIOLATES THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION.

HE VETOED IT.

IT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE OVERRIDDEN.

IT COULD BE A COURT CASE.

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THOSE SENATE SEATS IN REPUBLICAN HANDS SHOULD ONE OF THEM LEAVE WHILE BESHEAR WAS ON INFORMS.

>> Bill: THE OPEN RECORD PROPOSAL THAT WOULD SHIELD SOME LEGISLATIVE RECORDS WILL COME UP FOR AN OVERRIDE SEQUEL, LAWRENCE.

>> Lawrence: YEAH, RIGHT NOW IF YOU WANT TO APPEAL A DEFINITELY AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST OF LEGISLATIVE RECORDS, YOU CAN GO TO COURT.

WELL, UNDER THIS NEW BILL THAT WAS VETOED, YOU HAVE TO GO BEFORE A PANEL OF LEGISLATORS.

SO CRITICS SAY THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO SHIELD LEGISLATORS FROM OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS.

>> Bill: ALEX, OBVIOUSLY MANDY WAS TALKING ABOUT THE CHANGES WITHIN THE SCHOOLS AND HOW SOME THINGS WILL BE PERMANENT.

IT APPEARS TELEHEALTH IS HERE TO STAY AND IT'S QUITE POPULAR EVEN THOUGH AT THE TIME IT WAS JUST A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO SEE PHYSICIANS WHEN WE JUST STARTED IN THE PANDEMIC.

BUT SOME HEALTH-RELATED BILLS WERE SIGNED INTO LAW.

>> Mandy: RIGHT, INCLUDING A TELEHEALTH BILL.

I THINK IN THE BEGINNING WHEN WE FOUND OUT ALL HEALTH CARE VISITS HAD TO BE VIRTUAL FOR THE TIME BEING, IT SEEMED SORT OF INCONCEIVABLE AND HOW WOULD THAT BE THE SAME.

TURNS OUT IT WORKS PRETTY WE'LL.

IT'S EXTREMELY ACCESSIBLE.

SO LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED AS YOU MENTIONED.

THAT BASICALLY MAKES IT EASIER FOR MEDICAL CENTERS TO OFFER TELEHEALTH AND TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THOSE SERVICES.

PLENTY OF THOSE VISITS WILL BE REPLACED BY IN-PERSON VISITS NOW AND IN THE UPCOMING YEAR, BUT JUST LIKE VIRTUAL LEARNING IS BETTER FOR SOME HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, TELEHEALTH VISITS ARE BETTER FOR SOME PEOPLE.

>> Bill: THE COST OF INSULIN WOULD BE CAPPED AT $30 A MONTH.

LAWRENCE, QUASI-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND SOME STATE UNIVERSITIES GOT RELIEF IN BIG PENSION BILLS THAT ARE HEADED THEIR WAY.

>> Lawrence: RIGHT.

UNDER THIS NEW FORMULA THEY NOW CAN PAY A FIXED AMOUNT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THEY HAVE HOVER A PERIOD OF 30 YEARS.

BEFORE THEY WERE PACING AN EVER CHANGING AMOUNT BASED ON A STATEWIDE AVERAGE, AND SOME OF THESE SMALL ENTITIES WERE LOOKING AT 80% OF THEIR PAYROLL BEING DEVOTED TO PENSIONS, AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T SUSTAIN THAT.

WITH THIS NEW METHOD THEY CAN NOW PAY OVER TIME.

THE BUDGET FOR IT, THAT MEANS THEY CAN KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN AND PROVIDING SERVICES.

>> Bill: LAWRENCE, WHAT'S LEFT FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY?

>> Lawrence: THE BIG ONE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT JEFFERDS COUNTY IN LOUISVILLE SER SENATE BILL 4, THE NO KNOCK WARRANT BILL THAT SENATOR -- SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS IS PROPOSING.

IT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH FOR SOME DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS HERE.

THEY WANT A FULL BAN ON NO KNOCK WARRANTS.

THERE ARE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, SO WELL WE'LL SEE WHAT THE FINAL VERSION LOOKS LIKE AND HOW MUCH SUPPORT IT WILL GET IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

CRYSTAL WILKINSON OF LEXINGTON, A MULTI-AWARD WINNING NOVELIST HAS BEEN APPOINTED KENTUCKY POET LAUREATE BY GOVERNOR BESHEAR.

SHE'S THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO BE GIVEN THE OR NOT.

THEY WILL BE ON KENTUCKY WRITERS DAY APRIL 23rd IN A VIRTUAL CEREMONY.

HOW DO YOU SAY GOODBYE ON AN ICON.

AL SMITH GUIDE AT AGE 94.

I WAS 11 YEARS OLD GROWING GROWING UP IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY WHEN AL SMITH STATES ARE AS THE HOST ON COMMENT "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," THE FIRST HOST OF THE PROGRAM.

HE BUT KET FOUNDER LYNN PRESS' VISION IN FULL MOTION.

I DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES BEING TALKED ABOUTEN ABOUT THEN BUT IT WAS CLEAR TO ME EVEN THEN THAT AL SMITH WANTED KENTUCKY TO ASPIRE TO BE BETTER.

IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE A PANELIST ON "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" AS IT IS NOW TO HOST THE SHOW THAT AL CREATED.

AND MANY OF US HAVE GOT OUR CHANCES TO BE IN FRONT OF KET CAMERAS AND IN AL'S PRESENCE HAVE BEEN REMINISCING A LOT THIS PAST WEEK.

>> TO ME AL SMITH WAS A MENTOR AND A CLOSE PERSONAL FRIEND, BUT FOR THE MAJORITY OF KENTUCKIANS I THINK HE WAS PROBABLY THAT UNCLE THAT YOU JUST LOVED, YOUR FAVORITE UNCLE, THE GUY THAT HAD ENDLESS STORIES, WAS REALLY SMART, AND ALSO HAD THAT LITTLE FUNNY STREAK TO HIM.

THE PERSON THAT YOU REALLY WOULD GO TO IF YOU WANTED TO FIND OUT SOMETHING ABOUT KENTUCKY HISTORY OR KENTUCKY POLITICS OR KENTUCKY GOVERNMENT OR WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE WEEK.

>> WHEN I WAS OLDER, HE DIDN'T LIKE TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES AND ASK E.ED ME TO DO IT, WHICH I WAS GLAD TO DO.

HE'D DRIVE HIS BIG MERCK OVER TO MICE HOBBY, SLIDE BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT AND OFF WE'D GO.

BUT DRIVING BACK TO LEXINGTON, WE'D HAVE A VIGOROUS DISCUSSION.

OF KENTUCKY POLITICS AND POLITICIANS, OF KENTUCKY HISTORY, OF BIG DAY JOURNALISM AND JOURNALISM ETHICS.

I GOT A PRO BONO CLASS FROM THE MASTER.

>> HE WAS SO MUCH FUN, SO ENERGETIC AND SO KIND OF CHALLENGING THAT IT WAS EASY TO FORGET THAT HE WAS BRILLIANT, UTTERLY BRILLIANT.

I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT I WAS PART OF THAT FELLOWSHIP OF JOURNALISTS THAT HE GREETED THROUGH "COMMENT."

HE WHAT IS A GREAT TEACHER, A GREAT MENTOR TO ME AND TO HUNDREDS OF JOURNALISTS.

>> AL BELIEVED THAT REPORTERS SHOULD BE WATCHDOGS, AND HE WORKED TIRELESSLY ON OPEN RECORDS AND OPEN MEETING.

HE BELIEVED GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO ITS CONSTITUENCIES, BUT HE ALSO THOUGHT THAT GOVERNMENT COULD BE A SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS AND HELP THOSE WHO NEEDED HELP.

AND I THINK HE FELT THE SAME WAY ABOUT REPORTERS.

WE SHOULD SERVE OUR AUDIENCES.

IF HISTORY OF KENTUCKY JOURNALISM IS EVER WRITTEN, I THINK AL'S PLACE IN IT IS QUITE SECURE.

>> MOST KENTUCKIANS KNOW AL SMITH AS THE FOUNDING HOST OF COMMENT BUT THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT AS AWARE AWARE OF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO JOURNALISM I STARTED WORKING FOR HIM IN 1975 WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT OF KENTUCKY PRESS ASSOCIATION AND GETTING PAST SOME REALLY GOOD OPEN RECORDS AND OPEN MEETINGS LAWS.

THEN HE WENT ON TO FOUND THE INSTITUTE FOR RURAL JOURNALISM AND COMMUNITY ISSUES WHICH I RUN, STANDS FOR PROPOSITION THAT RURAL AMERICANS DESERVE GOOD JOURNALISM AS MUCH AS URBAN AMERICANS.

THAT'S A PRETTY BIG LEGACY, AND IT WILL ALL NEVER BE KNOWN BECAUSE AL SMITH MENTORED SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE ME.

>> Bill: AS MANY HAVE SAID, AL WAS INTERESTED IN EVERYTHING AND QUESTIONED EVERYTHING.

HERE'S A QUICK LOOK BACK AT HIS 33 YEARS HOSTING "COMMENT."

>> IT'S TIME FOR KET 'CATS NEWS ANALYSIS PROGRAM, "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

HERE WITH HIS GUESTS IS YOUR HOST FOR THE PROGRAM, AL SMITH.

>> I'M GOING SLOW YOU AN UNEXPECTED QUESTION.

>> THIS GUY OVER HERE IS A POLITICAL WRITER FOR STATE'S LARGEST PAPER, HAT GOT THE GOVERNOR UP AGAINST THE WALL AGAIN SAYING WHY IS HE DOING THIS?

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS FELLOW?

I WAS HEALED BY THE STORIES OF THE PAST AND I CREATED A NEW LIFE.

I THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING ME SHARE IT AND FOR SHARING YOURS.

HISTORY IS THE COMPASS FOR THE FUTURE.

WE LOOK BACK, AND THEN WE GO FORWARD, AND IF WE'RE LUCKY, WE JOURNEY TOGETHER IN WISDOM AND FAITH AND PERHAPS EVEN LOVE.

THAT'S "COMMENT" FOR NOW.

THANKS, AND GOODBYE.

[APPLAUSE] >> Jonathan: AL WAS ONE OF A KIND TO SAY THE LEAST AND KENTUCKY WILL MISS HIM.

TUNE IN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PROGRAM FOR AN INTERVIEW THAT BILL GOODMAN DID WITH AL SMITH IN 2012.

AND MONDAY NIGHT FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" WHEN RENEE SHAW WILL DISCUSS THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.