[♪♪] >> Bill: THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE PASSES A NEW STATE BUDGET AND IT WEIGHTS LINE ITEM VETOES FROM "GOVERNOR'S AWARD IN THE ARTS."

LAWMAKERS PASSED SOME BILLS AND OTHERS DO NOT CROSS THE FINISH LINE.

A TASK FORCE WILL CONSIDER WHETHER THE JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM TO BE SPLIT.

AND RECORD MONEY SPENT.

AND HEADING INTO EASTER WEEKEND FOLLOWED BY A ANNIVERSARY IN OUR STATE.

COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR REPORTER FOREWHAS11 IN LOUISVILLE.

ALEX ACQUISTO REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND SYLVIA GOODMAN CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

ALSO TONIGHT THE STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT GETS AN INDEPENDENT REPORT ABOUT ITS TRANSPORTATION MELTDOWN.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE BIGGEST ITEM, THE STATE BUDGET.

THAT IS THE BLUEPRINT FOR HOW THE STATE WILL SPEND TAX DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

THE PLAN IS A FUSION OF THE STATE HOUSE AND SENATE PROPOSALS IGNORES MANY PROVISIONS THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR REQUESTED WEEKS AFTER HE WON REELECTION.

IT MAKES MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN K-12 EDUCATION T DOES NOT GUARANTEE TEACHERS' RAISES.

BUT REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAY IT IS A RESPONSIBLE PLAN THAT WILL MEAN PROGRESS FOR KENTUCKY.

>> THIS IS A SOLID BUDGET.

IT IS THE BEST BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED OR PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> Bill: OBVIOUSLY THE SENATE PRESIDENT PROUD OF THE SPENDING PLAN HE THINKS IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

ISAIAH THERE'S SIGNIFICANT ONE-TIME SPENDING FOR PROJECTS THAT WE'LL GET TO IN A LITTLE BIT.

A RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

SEEK FUNDING WILL NEARLY BE NEARLY $4600 PER STUDENT IN 2025.

MORE MONEY FOR EDUCATION.

>> THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIG TOPICS GOING INTO THIS SESSION.

EDUCATION TOP OF MIND INTERESTING THE WAY THE SEEK FUNDING INCREASE KIND OF THE WAY IT WAS DIVVIED UP CHANGED FROM WHEN THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED.

IT STARTED AT 4% INCREASE IN SEEK FUNDING THEN 2% GOING TO 26 AND NOW 3% THEN 6%.

OVERALL IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT AN INCREASE, BOTTOM LINE BIG QUESTION WILL IT BE ENOUGH TO MAKE MEANINGFUL RAISES FOR TEACHERS AND ULTIMATELY TO RETAIN THEM AND KEEP THEM FROM OTHER STATES LIKE TENNESSEE WHICH THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS TALKED ABOUT.

>> AND ONE OF THE BIG CHANGES BETWEEN THE HOUSE BUDGET AND THE FINAL ONE THAT PASSED THEY DROPPED LANGUAGE OR SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED LANGUAGE THAT THREATENED TAKEOVER OR STATE INTERVENTION IF THERE WEREN'T SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO TEACHER RETENTION IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS.

AND INSTEAD THAT LANGUAGE HAS BEEN CHANGED NOW IT SAYS THAT THE STATE RECOGNIZES THAT OTHER STATES SURROUNDING KENTUCKY HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THEIR TEACHER SALARIES.

INCREASING THEIR STARTING TEACHER RAISES.

AND THERE IS A QUESTION OF IF THERE'S ENOUGH IN THE SEEK FORMULA TO GIVE THOSE RAISES TO TEACHERS IN ANY SIGNIFICANT WAY TO COMPETE WITH SURROUNDING STATES BUT IT ENCOURAGES DISTRICTS TO CONSIDER THOSE STRONGLY NOW.

>> ESPECIALLY GIVE EASTBOUND INFLATION THAT IS THE QUESTION IS THE FORMULA UPDATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT WORKS WELL RIGHT NOW?

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAD TO PUSH FOR PRE-K AND THE GUARANTEED RAISES FOR TEACHERS HE WANTED 11% HE CONCEDES MANY DISICK FROMS WILL MAKE THE DECISION TO GIVE RAISES AND SAYS IT WON'T BE ENOUGH.

>> 2-5% WILL NOT RESOLVE OUR TEACHER SHORTAGE IS NOT ENOUGH TO ULTIMATELY DRAW IN MORE STUDENTS TO THE FIELD.

WE JUST NEED TO DO MORE.

AND NEED TO DO BETTER.

>> Bill: IT'S CLEAR THE LEGISLATURE IS ENCOURAGING THE LOCAL DISTRICTS TO GIVE THESE RAISES BUT THEY DID NOT WANT TO MANDATE THEM.

>> THEY SAID THAT GOING OUT OF THE SEEK FORMULA, BILL, WAS A NONSTARTER THERE WASN'T AN APPETITE FOR IT.

WE'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT CAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO IF THEY PUT ALL THAT SEEK FUNDING TOWARD TEACHER RAISES.

OF I TALKED WITH THE BULLET COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THE WAY THE ORIGINAL BILL WAS STRUCTURED IF HE SAW IT AS IT WAS AND GAVE ALL OF THAT MONEY WITH INCREASE JUST TO EDUCATOR RAISES WITHIN HIS SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT WOULD MEAN 3% AND THAT MEANS YOU GET TO FUND THE OTHER POTENTIAL SIDE PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT STUDENTS IN THE LONG RUN.

>> Bill: AND TRYING TO BALANCE OTHER PRIORITIES AS WELL IN OPERATING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ADDITION TO THE RAISES?

>> OF COURSE, STUDENT TRANSPORTATION HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE IN THIS BUDGET THEY DID SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE FUNDING FOR STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

I BELIEVE IT'S 90% THE FIRST YEAR AND 100% THE SECOND YEAR.

ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS ABOUT THAT PERCENTAGE BECAUSE THAT IS BASED ON PREVIOUS ESTIMATES NOT PROJECTED COSTS FOR FUTURE YEARS.

AND I PREDICT IT WILL STILL BE A BIG TOPIC IS THERE ENOUGH MONEY FOR STUDENT TRANSPORTATION ESPECIALLY IN JCPS.

>> THE GOVERNOR DID POINT OUT HE WAS MORE PLEASED ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION ASPECT.

>> Bill: AND THERE IS A RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT NOT GETTING A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT TO THEIR PENSIONS SINCE 2011 PART OF THE 2013 PENSION LAW REQUIRES HITTING SOME TARGETS BEFORE THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED.

AND SYLVIA IT'S BEEN 13 YEARS NOW SINCE THEIR PENSIONS HAVE GOTTEN A BUMP.

>> IT HAS BEEN AND IT WAS A BIG TOPIC OF DISCUSSION THAT REPUBLICANS WERE NOT SURE ABOUT IF THERE WOULD BE A BUMP IN THAT.

THE BIG TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WAS WHETHER OR NOT THERE WOULD BE A ONE-TIME PAYMENT.

THERE IS THIS IDEA OF A 13TH CHECK THAT BESHEAR WAS PUSHING THAT SOME REPUBLICANS WERE PUSHING.

AND THAT ENDED UP NOT COMING THROUGH.

I REMEMBER ON THE FLOOR, SOUTHWORTH A REPUBLICAN SAID SHE WAS TRYING TO ANSWER CONSTITUENT QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THERE WOULD BE THAT 13TH CHECK.

AT THE LAST-MINUTE.

AND IT DIDN'T COME THROUGH.

AND SHE SAID SHE WAS DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THAT.

>> Bill: WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THINGS NOT IN THE BUDGET.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS.

MAJOR PROJECTS FOR LOUISVILLE.

>> BIG WIN FOR MAYOR GREENBERG'S ADMINISTRATION WHO IS THE CITY I WORK IN PRIMARILY.

I'VE SEEN HIM PROPOSE A LOT OF HIS WISH LIST FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE BACK MONTHS AGO.

ESSENTIALLY SAYING WE WANT HELP IN THESE PROJECTS, COMMUNITY CARE CAMPUS TO HELP THE HOUSELESS POPULATION.

REVITALIZING THE BELVIDERE AND DOWNTOWN AS A WHOLE BUT NEEDED STATE MONEY AND HELP.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE SEEING ONE-TIME SPENDING APPROVED $50 MILLION OVER THE COURSE OF TWO FISCAL YEARS.

THAT IS $100 MILLION ALL GOING TOWARD DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL IT WILL BE A HELP FOR THE CITY AND A WIN FOR HIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> Bill: NEW SPENDING ACROSS THE STATE AND THERE ARE THINGS NOT IN THERE.

JUVENILE JUSTICE HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT A LOT.

AND IT WAS TALKED ABOUT A LOT IN THE SESSION.

THERE'S BEEN A RECENT CHANGE AT THE GUARD IN THE ADMINISTRATION AS TO WHO OVERSEES THAT.

BUT NOT THE MONEY FOR THESE PROPOSED FACILITIES?

>> YEAH.

SO DANNY CARROLL PROPOSED THIS IT IS A BIG CHANGE TO AN OVERHAUL TO DJJ THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND IN THIS BILL HE CALLED FOR TWO NEW FACILITIES FOR GIRLS ONE WOULD BE LOCATED IN FAYETTE COUNTY AND ONE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

AND HE ALSO CALLED FOR A FACILITY WHO CALLED IT CUTTING EDGE THIS IDEA THE SPECIFIC FACILITY TO TREAT AND HELP KIDS WITH EXTREME BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES.

CALLED HIGH ACUITY YOUTH IN THE BILL.

AND DJJ HAS HAD SEVERE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.

AND THEY NEED TO MAKE BIG CHANGES AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BESHEAR CALLED FOR IS SEPARATING GIRLS AND BOYS, SEPARATING VIOLENT AND NOT VIOLENT BUT THAT WOULD TAKE RETROFITTING OF EXISTING FACILITIES TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN AND THAT IS EXPENSIVE.

AND THERE'S NOT THE MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR THAT.

IT'S FOR A FEW FACILITIES THERE'S MONEY BUT FOR THE NEW FACILITIES THEY CUT ALL THE MONEY OUT IN THE SENATE BUDGET AND NOT NOW.

>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR HAS DECISIONS TO MAKE HE HAS LINE ITEM VETO HE CAN LINE THINGS OUT OF THE BUDGET AND HE CAN BE OVERRIDDEN AND LIKELY WILL BE GIVEN THE SUPER MAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

HE CAN PUT HIS PRIORITIES OUT THERE.

AND HE CANNOT ADD TO THE EXPENDITURES.

>> HE CANNOT ADD.

AND BASICALLY, THE LEVEL OF AUTONOMY THAT HE HAS HE CAN LINE ITEM VETO BUT HE HAS NO POWER IT'S SYMBOLIC.

HE CAN SAY THIS MATTERS TO ME AND EASILY GET OVERRIDDEN AND HE WILL.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH THE BUDGET PROCESS CAREFULLY, OF COURSE, THE LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN FOR TWO DAYS TO OVERRIDE VETOES AND MAYBE PASS OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD NOT THEN BE SUBJECT TO A VETO OVERRIDE BECAUSE IF THE GOVERNOR AT THAT POINT MAKES A VETO, THEN THERE'S NO TIME AND NO OPPORTUNITY IF THE LEGISLATURE TO OVERRIDE IT.

LOTS OF LEGISLATION HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT AT LENGTH IN THIS SESSION.

AND THERE WAS A LEGISLATIVE SURPRISE A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS FROM FUNDING DEI OFFICERS DID NOT MAKE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE DESPITE A LOT OF TALK ABOUT IT.

>> IT DIDN'T.

AGAIN THIS WAS PROPOSED POLICY THAT REPUBLICANS ANNOUNCED WOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR THEM THIS SESSION.

THERE WERE THREE TOTAL ANTI-DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION BILLS TWO OF THEM TARGETED HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE ONE THAT CAME OUT AS THE FRONTRUNNER WHICH AS YOU SAID DIED LAST NIGHT WOULD DISMANTLE AND DEFUND DEI OFFICES THE PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF DEI EMPLOYEES AROUND THE STATE.

UNIVERSITY SPOKE OUT AGAINST IT.

DON'T KNOW WHY IT WAS LEFT ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR IT SEEMS TO BE POLITICS.

THE LEAD SPONSOR OF THE BILL THAT WAS SENATE BILL 6 WHICH AGAIN THE SENATE CHOSE NOT TO VOTE ON LAST NIGHT WAS COMMANDEERED FROM THE INITIAL LEAD SPONSOR BY HOUSE REPUBLICAN AND I BELIEVE OR I HAVE TO ASSUME THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T APPRECIATE THAT.

SO THEY CHOSE NOT TO VOTE ON IT.

>> Bill: AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE JOB LOSSES AND THE UNIVERSITIES MADE THAT POINT.

DO YOU THINK THAT IN PART CARRIED.

>> YOU HAVE TO WONDER.

UNIVERSITY SAYING WE DON'T APPRECIATE THIS BILL.

ON THE OTHER HAND REPUBLICANS SAID THE COST SAVINGS OF BY ELIMINATING THE POSITIONS WOULD BE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

HARD TO SAY WHICH ONE WON OUT IN THE END.

>> Bill: THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT PASSED WITH SOME CHANGES.

THERE WAS A TOUGH PUSH FOR A TOUGH ON CRIME BILL.

BUT THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW EXTENSIVE IT WAS AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT IT ADDRESSED, INCLUDING SOME SAYING THAT THE HOMELESS POPULATION WOULD BE TARGETED.

>> YEAH, SO THE BILL IT WAS HUGE IT WAS A MASSIVE BILL AND INCLUDED DIFFERENT ELEMENTS AND HARD TO PARS THROUGH AND LIST OUT IN DEPTH.

BUT IT INCLUDED A THREE STRIKES LAW FOR VIOLENT FELONY OFFENDERS AND INCLUDED AN EXPANSION OF THAT VIOLENT OFFENDER STATUTE.

THE DEFINITION WHAT COUNTS AS AVIOLENT CRIME.

THAT WAS THE TOUGH ON CRIME ELEMENT BUT THERE WERE ELEMENTS THAT WEREN'T ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT INCLUDES A BAN ON STREET CAMPING WHICH A LOT OF ADVOCATES HAVE TAKEN ISSUE WITH.

IT'S BEEN HEAVILY DISCUSSED ON THE FLOOR.

THERE WERE SOME NOMINAL CHANGES TO IT THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

FOR EXAMPLE THEY TOOK OUT A BAN ON ALL FEDERAL FUNDING OF FIRST HOUSING FIRST PROGRAMS AND BANS STATE MONEY ON THOSE PROGRAMS.

IT WILL DID TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AS IT STARTED.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY CONTROVERSIAL AND SOME DEMOCRATS CALLED IT UNCONSCIONABLE.

BUT THE ARGUMENT IS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND THIS IS THE WAY THEY WANT TO DO IT.

>> SO INTERESTING TOO IN THE TWO-HOUR DISCUSSION BEFORE IT RECEIVED THE FINAL APPROVAL YESTERDAY, YOU HEARD IN ONE SPECIFIC MOMENT REPRESENTATIVE BOWMAN WHO WAS GETTING GRILLED BY DEMOCRATS FOR THE MAJORITY OF THAT TIME TO THE POINT WHERE THEY HAD TO LIMIT ANSWERS AND DISCUSSION.

HE SPECIFICALLY SAID THE WORDS THIS BILL IS MIGHT BE PARAPHRASE SOMETHING NOT ABOUT GETTING TO THE ROOT CAUSE.

WHICH I THOUGHT WAS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THAT IS PRETTY MUCH BEEN THE ARGUMENT FOR THIS ANTICRIME BILL THAT SO MANY ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN MAKING THAT IT DOES NOT DO.

>> Bill: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WAS PASSED CALLING FOR A TASK FORCE TO CONSIDER SPLITTING UP THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THAT RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT COMES IN THAT FORM MEANS THE GOVERNOR CANNOT VETO IT.

>> IT'S VETO-PROOF WHICH MEANS.

>> Bill: IT WILL HAPPEN.

>> IT IS HAPPENING THIS TASK FORCE IS HAPPENING WHICH MEANS A RECOMMENDATION'S REPORT WILL BE COMING DOWN IN DECEMBER.

SO THAT'S JUST OVER EIGHT MONTHS FROM NOW AS FAR AS WHAT IT WILL TELL OR HOLD, THAT IS A WAIT-AND-SEE PROCESS.

BUT THE TIMING OF IT WAS SO INTERESTING.

THAT AUDIT COMING OUT, THE TABLED VOTE FOR JCPS BECAUSE OF THE AUDIT.

THE BOARD DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WAS SMART TO VOTE ON CUTTING POTENTIALLY 14, 15,000 STUDENTS FROM BUS TRANSPORTATION.

SO IT'S SAFE TO SAY I TALKED WITH THE SENATOR ABOUT IT YESTERDAY AND DOES IT ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE AND SHE SAYS IT WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE TASK FORCE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WE MENTIONED ALSO THAT AMONG THE SWIRLING LEGISLATION IS THE LOUISVILLE METRO LOUISVILLE VOTES NOW FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES THAT IS THE CITY OFFICES WILL BE NONPARTISAN.

>> THAT IS JUST THE PORTION OF THIS BILL.

BUT THAT GETS A LOT OF ATTENTION ESPECIALLY GIVEN JEFFERSON COUNTY'S PREMIERINGER HISTORY.

YEAH IF YOU ARE LOOKING IF THE GOVERNOR CHOOSES NOT TO VETO IT OR IF HE DOES AND IT GETS OVERRIDDEN WE ARE LOOKING AT NONPARTISAN MAYORAL AND METRO COUNCIL ELECTIONS PUSHING FORWARD BUT THERE IS AN AMENDMENT IN THIS BILL THAT PUTS A HOLD ON ANY CHANGES TO LOUISVILLE'S LOCAL LAND USE LAWS.

WHICH IS A BIG DEAL, BECAUSE MAYOR GREENBERG WANTS TO CHANGE THAT TO MAKE FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> THAT BILL DOES OTHER THINGS TOO MORE COMPLICATED TO DISCUSS.

MAYBE THE NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS AND MIGHT BE LESS VISIBLE TO PEOPLE.

IT REQUIRES THAT THE URBAN CORPS REIMBURSE SUBURBAN FIRE DISTRICTS FOR ANYTIME EMS SERVICES HELP PEOPLE.

THAT HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.

IT IS UP CLEAR IF THE CITY HAS THE MONEY FOR THAT, HONESTLY.

AND ANOTHER THING THAT IT DOES IT LAST-MINUTE CHANGED THE POLICE LMPD ACCOUNTABILITY STRUCTURE THAT WAS A BIG CHANGE.

IT DOES A LOT OF THINGS THIS BILL TO DO WITH MERGERS AND IT WENT BEYOND MERGER.

>> Bill: THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAS TO BE RECONCILED BECAUSE THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT VERGES AIMED AT HELPING SCHOOL DISTRICTS HIRE EMPLOYEES WHO DON'T HAVE RECORDS OF ALLEGED SEX ABUSE OR OTHER MISCONDUCT.

AND WE ALL KNOW UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE REPORTED A LOT OF SUCH SITUATIONS IN RECENT YEARS.

>> AND COLLEAGUES OF MINE DID A GOOD INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE.

THIS BILL WOULD BAR DISTRICTS FROM ENTERING INTO NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS RELATING TO AN EMPLOYEES' MISCONDUCT RELATED TO A MINOR STUDENT.

SO IT INCREASES TRANSPARENCY AND INCREASES THE REPORTING MECHANISMS EVEN OVER IN ALLEGED INCIDENTS, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVEN IF SOMEBODY HAS HAD AN ACCUSATION LOBBED AGAINST THEM THE DISTRICT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPORT THAT IF A FUTURE DISTRICT ASKED ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE AND YOU COULD NOT SIGN AN NDA NOT ALLOWING IT TO BE TALKED ABOUT.

>> Bill: WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT PASSED AND DID NOT PASS AND IT'S QUITE AN INTERESTING SESSION BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT DIDN'T CROSS THE FINISH LINE.

ANIMAL CRUELTY KENTUCKY WILL STRENGTHEN THE ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS.

>> IT DID.

AND THE BIG FACE IS OBVIOUSLY ETHAN WHICH VIEWERS WILL REMEMBER ETHAN WAS AT THE STATE HOUSE THAT WAS A BIG BILL THAT PASSED.

ANOTHER ONE AND THIS IS SPONSORED BY LEADERSHIP IS THE SENATE VACANCY AGAIN TAKING THE ABILITY AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT A REPLACEMENT TO U.S.

SENATOR SHORTLY AFTER THAT, U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL ANNOUNCED -- HE WOULD BE STEPPING DOWN.

AND IF YOU FOLLOW THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THERE ARE MANY BILLS PROPOSED.

A SLIM MAJORITY GET PASSED BUT THIS YEAR THERE WERE BIG ONES THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT.

>> ON THE SENATE VACANCY BILL, TOO, REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP USED THE WORD CEREMONIAL TO DESCRIBE THE GOVERNOR'S POSITION AND YOU SEE SOME OF THE BILLS NOW KIND OF IN THAT SAME VAIN BILL TAKING POWERS AWAY FROM HIM WHETHER IT BE APPOINTMENT OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

>> Bill: LET ME CLARIFY McCONNELL STEPPED DOWN FROM THE LEADERSHIP POSITION.

HE HAS NOT SAID WHETHER HE WILL RUN IN 2026 FOR REELECTION.

ALEX, SENATOR CARROLL'S HORIZONS ACT FAILED THERE IS MONEY FOR CHILDCARE IN THE BUDGET.

BUT IT WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO OFFSET THE FEDERAL SUBSIDIES THAT WILL SUNSET.

>> RIGHT.

I THINK IF YOU ASK SOME PEOPLE THIS WAS LOFT PROPOSAL TO BEGIN WITH.

THE FISCAL NOTE WAS $300 MILLION TO FUND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

SENATOR CARROLL HAS BEEN A BIG ADVOCATE OF THIS.

THAT WAS LEFT ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR.

ANOTHER BIG BILL WAS THE MOMENT BUS BILL THAT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE PREGNANCY A QUALIFYING CONDITION TO GET COVERED BY MEDICAID AND INCREASED FINANCIAL SAFETY NETS AROUND PREGNANT WOMEN AND NEW MOMS THAT DID NOT RECEIVE FINAL PASSAGE.

A NUMBER OF BILLS WE CAN TALK ABOUT THEM IF YOU WANT, ONE TO REGULATE ADULT ORIENTED BUSINESSES THAT ENDED UP NOT PASSING.

>> AFTER GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

BACK AND FORTH ON THE WORDS AND IT WASN'T IN THE BILL.

>> THE DEFINITION OF DRAG IT SEEMED LIKE THERE COULD BE DRAG STORY HOUR BUT IT DID NOT GET FINAL PASSAGE.

>> Bill: THIS WAS YOUR FIRST SESSION WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> SHE DID A GREAT JOB.

>> Bill: NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

THERE'S WHIPLASH.

>> THERE IS.

I AM LEARNING I MEAN, LAST DAY I HAD THIS GOOGLE DOCUMENT FULL OF ALL THE DIFFERENT BILLS I WAS TRYING TO WATCH AND SO MANY OF THEM THAT I WAS EXPECTING ALL OF THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT, ALL OF THIS ARGUMENT ABOUT DIDN'T EASTERN COME UP.

THERE WERE A LOT OF BILLS THAT CAME UP AT THE LAST-MINUTE THAT I THINK FOR EXAMPLE, SB2 THAT CREATES THE SCHOOL GUARDIANS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SRO'S THAT GOT LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES OF DISCUSSION PER EACH SIDE.

I WAS REALLY STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP.

BUT IT SHOWS YOU THAT AT THE LAST-MINUTE THEY PUSH THROUGH A LOT OF BILLS THE THE END OF THE DAY.

>> Bill: AND WE KNOW THERE WILL BE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS AFTER THE SESSION BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE MORE CAN BE ADDED BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS.

ONE MEASURE IS CALLED SCHOOL CHOICE.

ITS DETRACTORS NOTE IT WOULD ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO DIRECT TAX DOLLARS TO PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

LIEUTENANT COLEMAN TOLD ME IN AN INTERVIEW SHE AND THE GOVERNOR WILL WORK HARD TO TRY TO STOP THE AMENDMENT AT THE BALLOT BOX.

>> THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO GO ON THE BALLOT FOR PEOPLE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT PUBLIC STATE DOLLARS TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS IS GOING TO BE A WATERSHED MOMENT FOR EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY.

I CANNOT THINK OF A MORE DEVASTATING DECISION THAT COULD HAPPEN FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> Bill: WELL, ISAIAH THIS WILL RETURN GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT COLEMAN TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THAT THEY JUST GOT FINISHED WITH, RIGHT?

>> YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS IS SOMETHING THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH.

EDUCATION IS BOTH THEIR BREAD AND BUTTER.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN HAS A TEACHING BACKGROUND.

GOVERNOR WHAT HERE IS HAS RUN HEAVILY ON EDUCATION.

AND WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT THIS AMENDMENT TWO IS ABORTION, BUT DEMOCRATS FEEL CONFIDENT LAST TIME WE HAD A MAJOR AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT HERE IN KENTUCKY THAT IT GOT VOTED DOWN AND I CAN IMAGINE THEY HOPE FOR THE SAME WITH THIS AMENDMENT.

>> Bill: SUPPORTERS OF SCHOOL CHOICE SAY CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE TRAPPED IN TROUBLED SCHOOLS AND POINT TO THE ISSUES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

OTHER STATES HAVE HAD SUCH BATTLES IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS IS FRAMED AND UNFOLDS.

>> FOR SURE INTERESTING.

I THINK THERE IS A CONVERSATION, TOO, ABOUT EQUITY AND A PLACE LIKE JEFFERSON COUNTY WHERE THERE IS A PLETHORA OF ALTERNATIVE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ATTEND IS DIFFERENT FROM IF YOU LIVE IN A RURAL COUNTY IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

BUT TAX DOLLARS IF THIS PASSES WHICH WILL ASK THE QUESTION OF CAN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS IT WILL TAKE FROM THE SAME POT THAT DOLLARS WILL COME STATE-WIDE AND AN INTERESTING ARGUMENT BECAUSE OF REPUBLICANS SAY WE WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY DON'T YOU AS A PARENT WANT YOUR STUDENT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY?

AND DEMOCRATS SAY BUT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS UNDERFUNDED AND IF YOU WANT TO SEND YOUR KID TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL PAY THE COST.

>> Bill: THERE'S BEEN RECORD SPENDING BY LOBBYISTS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVER $6 MILLION BY 800 GROUPS TRYING TO INFLUENCE LAWMAKERS.

A LOT OF MONEY.

>> IT IS A LOT OF MONEY AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY IS JUST THAT POLITICS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE AND THE STAKES ARE GOING TO GET HIGHER.

>> Bill: THE DEADLY BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN BALTIMORE GOT EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION THIS WEEK.

THERE MAYBE CONSIDERABLE FALLOUT COMING EVEN IN KENTUCKY.

SOME EXPERTS SAY AUTOMOBILE DELIVERY FARMING AND GROCERY PRICES COULD BE IMPACTED.

AND WE FOR WHAT BRIDGE CHALLENGES ARE LIKE IN KENTUCKY.

>> SURE.

OBVIOUSLY A DIFFERENT SITUATION YOU HAVE A CARGO SHIP THAT MASSIVE.

WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED NOT RECENTLY.

IN OUR NEWSROOM IN LOUISVILLE, IMMEDIATELY WHEN THIS HAPPENED WE THOUGHT SHERMAN BRIDGE AND CLARK MEMORIAL WITH THE SEMI TRUCK DANGLING OFF HOW CLOSE SITUATIONS CAN GET TO BEING CATASTROPHIC IT WAS IN BALTIMORE.

AND THAT IS WHEN YOU ARE THANKFUL.

>> Bill: THE A.T.F.

CLOSED THE INVESTIGATION IN THE MASS SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED AT OLD NATIONAL BANK IN LOUISVILLE THEY MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY.

>> THEY DESTROYED THE RIFLE ASSUMING THE FAMILY OF THE GUNMAN ASKED FOR AND SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND VICTIMS' FAMILIES ASKED FOR AS WELL.

AS FAR AS CLOSING THE INVESTIGATION, MORE OF A FORMALITY.

THEY SAID THEY AGREE OR HAVE THE SAME FINDINGS THAT LMPD HAD WHEN THEY ISSUED THE REPORT BACK JUST BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

>> Bill: IN THIS COMING WEEK WILL MARK 50 YEARS SINCE THE DEVASTATING TORNADO SUPER OUTBREAK OF 1974.

THERE WERE 26 TORNADOES IN KENTUCKY ON APRIL 3 AND 4.

THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION WERE FELT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH IN LOUISVILLE AND SMALLER TOWNS AND RURAL AREAS MANY HAVE BEEN RECALLING THOSE DAYS AND THE COMEBACK THAT FOLLOWED.

ALEX, THE IMAGES OF THAT WHETHER YOU LIVED THROUGH IT OR LOOKING AT IT AS HISTORY, REMIND US OF THE VOLATILE WEATHER AND JUST SCARY SCENES.

>> SCARY SCENES AND THE WEATHER IS BECOMING MORE VOLATILE BUT I HAVE TO IMAGINE IF YOU LIVED THROUGH THAT OR ALIVE AND REMEMBER IT BEING REPORTED IT BEING A PIVOTAL POINT MOMENT IN TIME HOW CATASTROPHIC AND IT'S LIKE ETCHED INTO YOUR MEMORY FOREVER.

>> Bill: I CAN TELL YOU IT IS.

AND YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE THOSE VERY TOUGH MEMORIES OF THAT TIME.

>> MY DAD LIVED THROUGH THAT HE TOLD ME COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL, I THINK THIS WAS HIM, HE SAW HOUSES NEAR HIS DESTROYED.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT AND LIKE ALEX WAS SAYING THE WEATHER IS ONLY GETTING MORE VOLATILE THAT IS REPORTS WE'RE SEEING INTERNATIONALLY.

AND YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD CATASTROPHIC WEATHER EVENTS RECENTLY THAT IT'S VERY POIGNANT.

>> Bill: A LOT TO WATCH.

>> WE ACTUALLY WHAS WE'RE TALKING WITH FOLKS 50 YEARS LATER AND YOU CAN IMAGINE THE CALLS WE'VE GOTTEN MANY OF THEM PEOPLE DO REMEMBER.

>> Bill: CECIL DUNN IS BEING REMEMBERED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO KENTUCKY INCLUDING BEING THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR WHO LOOKED INTO THE DEADLY BEVERLY HILLS SUPPER CLUB FIRE THAT HAPPENED IN 1977.

AND AS A LEADER IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY IN LEXINGTON HE WORKED VERY HARD TO END HOMELESSNESS, HE WAS 86.

AND FORMER U.S.

SENATOR AND VICE-PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE JOSEPH LIEBERMAN WAS LAID TO REST ON FRIDAY.

KENTUCKIANS REMEMBER HE DEBATED DICK CHENEY AT CENTER COLLEGE IN DANVILLE DURING THE 2000 RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

LIEBERMAN STAYED IN RICHMOND IN THE DAYS BEFORE THE DEBATE AND DELIGHTED STUDENTS AND FACULTY BY MAKING APPEARANCES ON THE EKU CAMPUS.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

THANK YOU THAUF.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.