♪ ♪ This is a historic moment in the Commonwealth.

>> Where is your money going full crunch.

The numbers in the state spending plans.

You better be thankful.

What our grid is being supplied by coal as we speak and the lights are on.

>> Debate in Frankfort gets heated over the future of Kentuckyian urgent.

And if you vape soon you'll have fewer options.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KU Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Friday March.

29, I'm Casey Parker Bell filling in for Renee Shaw.

>> It's a first historic levels of funding for projects and programs in communities across the state.

Kentucky lawmakers separated recurring expenses from one-time investments in this year's budget process.

House Bill one that lawmakers finalize last night deals with one-time expenditures from the Budget Reserve trust fund to the tune of nearly 3 billion dollars.

Here's some of the highlights.

62 million is going to Medicaid.

230 million is going toward an from the unfunded liability in the pension systems, railroads river ports of drinking and wastewater grants are seeing investments.

100 million is going toward a mega development projects.

A 50 million dollar Western Kentucky Training Academy will be built in Madisonville.

100 million for downtown Belleville revitalization.

10 million for affordable housing in Lexington.

36 million for the Kentucky Horse Park 125 million for the Commonwealth Center for Bio Medical Excellence.

And 35 million in capital improvements.

And commercial airports.

Kentucky universities are also scoring for some of their priority projects.

House Bill one includes 220 million dollars for projects like the aviation program at eastern Kentucky University.

The vet tech program at Murray State University and they applied Energy Research program at the University of Kentucky.

>> This is a historic moment in the commonwealth to where we are spending out of the Budget Reserve trust fund but maintaining a responsible 45 day worth of expenditures across the biennium.

>> House Democratic floor leader Derrick Graham, a Frankfort, the home of Kentucky State University.

I was disappointed that the Republican budget Crafters ignored the historically black universities funding request for nursing building.

>> This is not the first time.

>> That they have not been able to receive the funding that they have requested it.

When they're others.

The other universities.

Particularly the research universities.

And he did the other and the other comprehensive universities.

They have been successful.

This.

>> In this budget.

To get in most of what they want.

And the main thing that Kentucky State University said they wanted.

>> Was this nursing program.

They needed.

They need a new building.

And they have the students and they've been successful.

>> Senate Budget Chairman Chris McDaniel says the allocations reflect a long period of intense fiscal discipline.

>> We found ourselves in the place.

We're called upon to act in ways that we've really never seen before.

At least in my tenure in the General Assembly to invest in the future of the Commonwealth to invest in the future of our communities.

And for all of our people.

>> The Senate approved the plan with one dissenting vote last night.

The House signed off on it.

86 to 10 and it now waits for the governors are V. As we mentioned last night, the General Assembly also passed House Bill 6, the nearly 30 billion state tax dollars funded executive branch budget.

It includes more than 12 billion dollars for schooling, but it does not give across the board raises for school employees as Governor Beshear had requested.

Still, Senate President Robert Stivers have defended the budget on the Senate floor.

>> This is a solid >> budget.

It is the best budget.

>> That has been proposed.

It passed.

By the General Assembly.

>> Today, the Kentucky Education Association issued a statement saying it is, quote, deeply concerned about the General Assembly's lack of investment in Kentucky's educators.

Pay.

Did acknowledge an increase in the Sikh funding, which is the formula used for funding public education in Kentucky.

But the went on to say that it's quote, a true shame.

The Legislature didn't do more to directly address teacher pay in the Commonwealth.

The structure of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has been a topic of conversation for years, especially with expanded forms of gaming Senate bill.

2.99.

Moves the regulatory functions of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission into a newly formed an independent horse racing and gaming Corporation effective July.

1st of this year, under the build, a new corporation would be detached from the public protection cabinet Senate bill.

2.99 keeps the current board in place for 2 years.

The executive director would be named president of the new board.

House speaker David Osborne teamed up with the Senate Majority floor leader to devise the plan.

The most charitable gaming under this new Corporation.

>> This bill exclusively explicitly excludes.

>> Any type bingo or paper pull tabs, the things that our church picnics do, the things that maybe a booster clubs wrath Lenox, you used to raise money.

Those are all be exactly the same as they were before.

The only chain contemplated change.

And this bill would be that on July one of this year.

There will be a moratorium placed on the expansion.

The new issuance of electronic pulled me to pull tabs which operate much like a hhr machine or a slot machine or any other type of gaming machine those will be a moratorium placed on those until the body until the commission transitions into the new regulatory body.

So until July one of 2005, 25.

>> In 2022 charitable gaming handled over 532 million dollars in gambling receipts.

Speaker Osborne says there's no current oversight.

The requires criminal background checks or compliance with ethics rules and that would change under the new structure commission members would be appointed by the governor as they are now, but they be subject to Senate confirmation under Senate bill.

2.99, some Democrats were concerned about the impact the move would have on charitable game.

>> Is a shift in the power dynamic between the horse racing industry and charitable gaming.

>> And wall, there may be good wishes that there's processes to grandfather in existing.

There still remains a large fear and the south end of Louisville that attacks on Shirley's way gaming charitable gaming.

Well, being.

Over time, seen as a threat and ultimately abolished.

>> The bill cleared the House on a vote of 64 to 28.

There were some other house changes.

The Senate had to sign off on and they did.

There were differences of opinion within party ranks.

There's been no question.

>> In this state about the effects of this.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

We give them a lot of responsibility over the last 5 years, we put them in charge of hhr.

We put them in charge of sports game.

They've been in charge of pari-mutuel wagering and by all accounts, they've done an extraordinary job.

What this bill now recognizes that do they need to be their own a separate entity?

Because they've got a great deal of work to do to the Public Service Commission.

This bill keeps him intact, which is important to me.

The governor's authority to appoint individuals to this commission.

>> Okay.

So much things that the government cannot do or unable to run willing to do.

We do to our care organizations.

We've heard the testimony from individuals from Shirley's way from our churches, from the south about how much they're able to get back to the community through the terrible game.

I want to make sure that we work hard to protect you.

Not limit that.

I know they're concerned at home, not going to be looked at promise you that as long as I'm here all stand and fight for that.

>> Senate bill 2.99 was approved.

25 to 11 and was delivered to the first floor of the Capitol for the governors of you.

According to a federal report, Kentucky led the nation in coal-fired power plant retirements in 2020 ever since lawmakers and Frankfort have made moves to protect coal, powered energy Senate bill 3.49, is a continuation of that effort.

Here's more from Kentucky additions.

Clayton, do.

>> For many Kentuckyian coal are intertwined both Eastern and western Kentucky still have active coal mines.

The bill was even introduced this session to make it the state rock.

But as the coal industry has faced a steep decline in recent decades, debate about its place in the state's economy and energy portfolio remain Senate Bill 3.49.

Would create a new state commission.

It would oversee the retirement of coal-fired power plants.

Some fear the commission could KET the plant open too long.

Burdening ratepayers with renovation costs.

>> I'm particularly concerned that my consumers who are struggling to pay their bills right now won't be able to pay them at all.

If we double down on maintaining coal-fired power plants that have reached the end of their service.

We are doing great work.

There is a and nuclear task force going.

There's excitement about finding other sources of energy.

But this this doesn't help us in that regard.

>> Modern pollution control measures by the Environmental Protection Agency make coal less cost-effective than it used to be.

One Democrat says she respects Cole, but it might be time to start embracing renewable energy.

>> It has kept food on the table.

Lights on.

But it is important for us to know when to pay our respect for an industry in for those who have worked within that industry in who have health repercussions, that they are now suffering from from that industry.

And not continue.

>> To tax Kentucky hands.

>> Because we're not ready for the change.

Others think the exact opposite that the commission would KET utility bills low.

>> To eastern Kentucky representative's offered a strong rebuttal to Democrats.

>> It's easy.

>> For some of us.

To focus on bizarre social justice warrior identity politics.

When they're not having to concern themselves with the basic necessities of life like they are.

My distric simply put the trailer in my district should have a power bill.

That's 4 to 5 times that of a mansion in Louisville or Lexington.

You better be thankful.

That our grid is being supplied by coal as we speak and the lights are on.

>> Until you come with another alternative, this this committee >> is not saying don't bring us alternatives.

Bring this new cooler.

Bring us something that will work.

>> The House passed Senate Bill 3.

49 57 to 37 with the stamp of approval from both chambers and now heads to the governor's desk for his signature or his veto for Kentucky edition.

I'm Clayton Dalton.

School districts will soon be able to hire armed guards to protect their schools.

>> That role is typically filled by school resource officers.

Arrests are owes her actual police officers.

But supporters of Senate bill to say there's not sorrows and retired law enforcement and veterans could be the ones to step up and respond to active shooters targeting children, Senate Bill 2 passed the General Assembly last night.

Opponents say the stakes are too high to get this wrong.

Proponents say the stakes are too high to do nothing.

>> There are requirements in place for these guardians and I understand they're not just people off the street with guns, but never ever has a person with a gun stopped a school shooting.

What his stop.

School shootings are positive, healthy relationships in schools where people report where people report that when there is suspicious activity.

>> There are 400 campuses in Kentucky without their sorrows.

This is not a program that we are just forcing on a district.

They have the permissive language that they can adopt this guardian program if they want to.

>> And it's it's a stopgap.

It measure because there's just not enough sro's to go around.

And we're talking about the safety of our children here.

>> Senate Bill 2 will also try to bolster school mental health.

But educators from both parties have questioned the addition of religious pastors.

Now the school counselors with the right certifications.

The law will go into effect in 2025.

This session, state lawmakers decided they know what's best for the city of Louisville and Jefferson County.

New laws will make Louisville's local elections.

Non-partisan pause rezoning and take a microscope to the local school district.

>> And honestly, I think it's a little bit.

Disingenuous for the senator from Jefferson.

26 to suggest that those of us who don't live in Jefferson County don't have skin in the game when one out of every 6 students in the commonwealth is educated and that system and a part of the budget that we appropriate every year, a significant part of that budget every year goes to the Jefferson County Public School system.

>> House Republicans living in and representing Jefferson County propose these changes.

But Louisville Democrats say they're under attack.

>> I just can't understand.

Why.

We in this chamber.

Don't let.

The local government officials of Louisville Metro who are people act solve these problems for themselves.

>> Today is a landmark day.

For better or for worse.

This bill is the beginning of the end of Louisville, Jefferson County, as we now know it.

>> Changes to Louisville's elections, zoning and first-responder resources were made in House Bill 3.88.

House concurrent resolution.

81 creates a legislative task force to look at the possibility of splitting up Jefferson County Public schools.

The General Assembly approved new vaping regulations and enforcement measures.

Kentuckians would have fewer options when they buy vape House Bill.

One limit sales to brands approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Proponents say cracking down on these products will KET kids from getting them.

How a brand's marketing might target kids is one factor.

The FDA considers when it authorizes vapes opponents in both parties say regulations would close small vape shops without reducing risks for kids.

And lawmakers mad dash to make last night's deadline.

Several bills barely beat the buzzer while others for sidelined.

Renee Shaw, Texas inside Kentucky politics for a quick review of what's passed, what's said and what could be resurrected when lawmakers return in 2 weeks.

>> Thanks, Casey.

It's time for our end of week.

Check in what's been happening in Frankfort.

We know that there are now one of the to recess period and they had day 58 on Thursday night.

A lot of bills passed and some didn't.

And we're going to break down some major pieces of legislation with our good friends at the Piper and Jared Smith, a Piper Smith, a government relations boutique and they do all things well.

So let's head Budget past House Bill one and House Bill 6.

These are important things constitutionally for them to do.

Yes, very important.

>> And you saw, you know, they broke away the rainy day fund in the House Bill.

One.

And so you saw a lot of big ticket items and more in the House Bill.

One House Bill 6 was kind of the, you know, the the general budget that usually always there.

You records increase in a public education funding.

You saw a transportation covered for the first time in the second year and you saw a lot.

A lot of infrastructure needs are met and, you know, not really impressed with the rule water.

They did.

A lot of water staff decide the session, which is frankly has been needed for a while.

We've been reading a lot about some of the woes across the state, particularly in western Kentucky, in eastern Kentucky.

So big wins for the budget.

Still no k still no PRE K right.

>> Teachers didn't get their mandated state races but we heard from Robert Stivers saying, you know what he's hearing from school superintendent says we didn't fare so badly and that there could be a potential 9 point.

Something percent raise that they're able to give.

>> So that's that's going to depend on the on the school district, depending on how they fall out into the sea formula, which is the state's primary funding formula for public education.

By far.

I mean, this is probably the first time in a decade I've seen full funding for transportation and there are some scuttlebutt out there whether it's truly full funding because it's based on last year's numbers.

But the truth is that's how we found all budget last year's numbers.

So you want to refute that.

And the other to sticky wicket here is that honestly, teacher salaries are the the authority for setting teacher salaries are at the local level with your locally elected school board.

And so I think that's why you've seen the legislature really stick to that model.

I do want to also say the budget, really some interesting and significant health care investments, particularly in those Michelle P waivers.

Those slc way versus supports for community living.

Those are our waivers that have very, very long wait lists in the Department and there for people supporting people at home who have, you know, significant impairments that really don't want to be or need to be institutionalized but can have the support.

And those were pretty significant investments as Higher Ed had some big wins to Murray State and more head and >> UK, a chase law except for Kentucky State University.

And we heard some of those who represent that institution or where that institution have a beef about that.

Yeah, I think a minority leader there, Graham Christmas, the budget and our checkers McDaniel had a little back and forth in the conference committee over And I think majority leader's fair stepped in and said we need to see some plus to for some good stuff.

>> Before we're ready to fully recommit to invest in this >> So we'll But that's died and that's done.

So there's other things that are done, exclamation point that it is school safety, which happened like I think the vote was like 11, 40 late late.

And so there was some things that were removed, that some of us to know about today.

Actually, this bill fell out how.

>> So Senate Bill 2 is.

is.

The school safety bill of the year and it's important that, you know, this is a bill to any number.

That's a low number for the Senate or the House is a priority piece of legislation.

So it is rather unusual for them to have waited until 11.

Something you last hour that is essentially the last day that would be to approved to do so.

There was a last-minute committee amendment added earlier in the week that would have added pastoral counselors to the trauma informed care team.

Lot of questions about constitutionality on that.

And obviously just a First Amendment and a separation of church and state.

And so the establishment clause clearly made that a little bit difficult.

And I don't think anyone wanted that bill to go to court said that was stripped out at the very last thankfully.

And so now we have a school safety bill that really aimed at trying to help schools continue to catch up with all the mandates that were in the school Safety Resiliency Act in 2019, it's a long road.

We're still not there, but Senate bill to help them get the right.

So and a 2019 to have school resource officers are SR rose.

A lot of schools can afford to do that.

So now these armed guardian to could volunteer mean you could hire them.

But I would volunteer to or former.

>> Military, retired military and police personnel.

So I guess everybody feels good about where this bill landed.

At the end of the day.

1, 1, 1, can hope.

Yeah, but you know, it's also in the budget that that was put together.

There's another $20,000 per SRO per opera school.

>> That's going help districts tremendously.

Especially districts have already done the hard work of making sure that their schools comply with state law without having the funding.

I think the next step on this is making sure we have that funding for mental health counselors, right?

Yeah.

I was going to say that's probably where it still is.

Still lagging even since 2019 dei bill that would have targeted Kentucky's colleges and universities seems to be dead or at least if they do pass it.

The governor will have total power to veto.

It may well have forfeited their right to override it.

>> That's right.

And this is really saw a lot but a lot of conflict between the Senate and the House on the D I The Senate's version was.

Tolerable for for public good.

And you know, the eyes and every Fortune 100 company, every Fortune 100 company has a dei section.

So not the same tax dollars are buying public universities.

I get that however, the House's version so draconian that it looked the question is could you give scholarships to black students only or to Catholic Mayor Pitts companions, only, you know, I just said the House version was very, very over the top.

A lot of people thought and the Senate was like, we're not going to deal with this.

We know we're We're not to cut a deal, something that that that they didn't like it a home.

>> So what could we see?

Just one bill name or 2, 1, or 2 that we could see when we go back.

April, 12th, that be resurrected.

I would have to see the momnibus bill, which is House Bill 10.

A lot of important steps for pregnant mothers early, you know, or our earliest little learners and livers.

>> Are babies.

And so hopefully that possibly paid leave.

But I don't know that has the legs to make it the final minute.

Hopefully the bombing of us at the very alert, very least and what that would do is it's a it's a pretty sweeping reform of one of the biggest things that would do would be to allow pregnant mothers to have a a special enrollment period for health insurance and cover.

Those liked Haitian services and buy insurance from a new mom.

So we know that those are 2 things that will definitely help the health of the mom help the babies and things we would definitely want to see.

>> We're going give the lady the last word course and of course and wish her well.

So you're on the wide shot.

You see she has a friend on her foot there.

And the next time you see here, hopefully she'll be just to footed.

Yeah.

Haha.

Yes.

Thank you all.

Good to see you.

Going to say thank you.

♪ ♪ >> We have everything from Easter events to reptiles as our Toby Gibbs looks at what's happening around the Commonwealth.

♪ >> Families in McLean County should hop on over to Sacramento for the local fire departments.

Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow morning.

The Sacramento battlefield will be chock full of Easter eggs, including some excellent prizes.

On top of that, every kid gets surprise bag.

So this event is a great way to kick off Easter weekend.

You're invited to the wall and Flax Garden Party.

Spring market in Somerset tomorrow.

This pop-up market will be showcasing ecliptic creative products from talented artisans across Kentucky.

Expect to find homemade goods Uniqlo.

The guy takes home decor and more enjoy the food photo opportunities.

And of course, great shopping at the Garden Party Spring Market tomorrow.

This to claim minded folks in Madisonville will want to check out this next to that.

A reptile exotic show and metaphysical magic market.

The postman do says, Mark, it is a traveling expo, bringing its oddities to the Ballard Convention Center this weekend.

Check out the artist that abysmal accessories and live animals for sale at this unique market experience.

If you haven't been to daffodil days and Middle Springs farm in Paris, there's still time to experience this perfect spring events.

Bring the whole family out to pick that funnels.

Take pictures, paid Easter eggs play with giant bubbles and more that the Delta days runs on weekends through April 14th.

Sure to check it out.

Calling all the dancing queens and bawling grain.

You don't want to Miss Mania.

The ABBA tribute at the Capitol.

This tribute act isn't just performing the iconic disco pop music.

It's recreating the costumes, charisma and unforgettable energy of Abbott.

Whether you long for the golden era of the 70's or you just love Mamma Mia, this concert is for years and that's what's happening around the commonwealth.

I'm told the Good >> There's lots of fun to be had across the Commonwealth this next week.

Did you cause a top destination for people who want to get a front row seat for the April 8?

The clips.

Find out what else is happening in this western Kentucky town and our Mondays on main series Monday on Kentucky Edition.

We hope you'll join us again Monday night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky Edition, we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our Kentucky Edition.

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Have a great weekend.

I'm Casey Parker Bell and we'll see you next week.

♪