>> Renee: LAWMAKERS DEBATE TAX .

REFORM AND TAX REBATE PLANS, LIMITING CHARITABLE BAIL ORGANIZATIONS, ABORTION RESTRICTIONS, AND QUALIFICATION AND DURATION OF JOBLESS BENEFIT DURING WEEK NINE OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BEFORE WE GET TO AL LEGISLATION TO FREEZE PROPERTY TAXES ON VEHICLES FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS IS ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

HOUSE BILL 6 CALLS FOR OFFICIALS TO USE VALUATIONS FROM LAST yea FOR ASSESSING TAXES ON VEHICLES THIS YEAR AND IN 2023.

FOLKS WHO ALREADY PAID THEIR VEHICLES TAXES THIS YEAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY GET A REFUND, IF THEY'RE OWED ONE, BY THE summer MOVING FORWARD, THE VALUE OF USED VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE BASE ON THE HIGHEST OR LOWEST VALUE FOR DETERMINING TAXES BUT THE M USED CAR OWNERS WERE EXPECTED T DOLE OUT UP TO 40% MORE IN VEHICLE PROPERTY TAXES, LARGELY DUE TO LOW INVENTORY.

AT MID-WEEK THE SENATE APPROVED TH.

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

>> Renee: THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED HOUSE BILL 6 WEDNESDAY, AND TODAY THE HOUSE SIGNED OFF ON THE SENATE CHANGES, SENDING IT ON TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS REVIEW.

LAST MONTH, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO THWART AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE PROPERTY TAXES.

THE HOUSE ENGAGED IN A RARE FRIDAY MARATHON SESSION ON THE HOUSE GOP TAX RESTRUCTURING PLAN THAT LOWERS THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATE FROM 5 TO 4 PERCENT AND INCREMENTALLY DOWN TO ZERO BASED OVER TIME, BASED ON A SET OF TRIGGERS 7:00ED TO STATE REVENU RIGHT NOW STATE INCOME TAXES COMPRISE 40% OF THE STATE BUDGE.

STARTING NEXT YEAR, 2023, HOUSE BILL 8 SLICES KENTUCKY'S INCOME TAX RATE BY 1% AT A COST OF $1.1 BILLION TO THE STATE'S GENERAL fund THE MEASURE ALSO EXTENDS THE SALES OF MORE THAN THREE DOZEN ADDITIONAL SERVICES REPUBLICANS HAVE CALLED NONE ESSENTIAL OR EVEN LUXURY ITEMS.

SERVICES OFF AS HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS, COSMETIC SURGERY, MARKETING, LOBBYING, PARKING AN BODYGUARD SERVICES, SOCIAL EVEN PLANNING, PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINING, AND HOUSEHOLD MOVING AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES LIK UBER AND LYFT AND MORE.

LAST NIGHT WHEN THE BILL WAS HEARD IN COMMITTEE, JASON BAILEY, HEAD OF THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY, CAST IT AS A GIVEAWAY TO THE WEALTHY AND IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY CREATE A $1 BILLION HOLE IN THE STATE BUDGET IN HIS VIEW.

>> HOUSE BILL 8 DISPROPORTIONATELY TAKES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OUT OF THE BUDGET AND DISPROPORTIONATELY GIVES IT ON THE WEALTHY.

65% OF THE DOLLARS WILL GO TO THE TOP 20% OF PEOPLE 37% OF THE PEOPLE WILL GO TO THE TOP 5% PEOPLE.

AND THE BIG WINNERS ARE THE PEOPLE AT THE VERY TOP.

THE THE TOP 1% WILL RECEIVE AN AVERAGE TAX CUT OF $11,000 IN THE FIRST YEAR FROM IN 1 POINT CUT AND WITH THE COMPLETELY ELIMINATION OF INCOME TAX THEY WILL RECEIVE A $55,000 CUT ON AVERAGE EVERY YEAR.

IN CONTRAST, THE TYPICAL KENTUCKY FAMILY WILL GET ABOUT $278 FROM THIS INITIAL CUT.

THAT'S $5 A WEEK.

>> Renee: HASS HOUSE BILL 8 DOESN'T TAX MEDICINE, GROCERIES OR HOME UTILITIES.

AND THE MEASURE CONTAINS A TAX AMNESTY PRESERVE THAT WOULD EASE INTEREST AND PENALTIES AND ENCOURAGE PAYMENT OF PAST DUE TAX liabilities A FISCAL NOTE PREPARED TO THE ORIGINAL BILL, BUT NOT THE REVISED VERSION THAT STRIKES THE SALES TAX EXPANSION TO SOME SERVICES, INCLUDING ADV INDICATES THAT $160 MILLION WOULD BE RAISED BY THE NEW SERVICES SUBJECT TO THE NEW SALES tax THE STATE'S LARGEST B LOBBYING GROUP, THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER, VIEWS HOUSE BILL 8 AS STRONG STEP FORWARD IN CONTINUING COMPREHENSIVE TAX REFORM IN KENTUCKY AND MAINTAIN THE DRIVING DOWN THE INCOME TAX WILL ATTRACT NEW RESIDENTS AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS AGREE.

IT'S A POINT REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH MADE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY WHEN THE MATTER WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE FULL CHAMBER AS HE CONTRASTED KENTUCKY'S GROWTH TO TENNESSEE.

DEMOCRATS REBUTTED THAT NEIGHBORING STATE'S POPULATION GROWTH, WITH MORE URBAN AREAS AND TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES, IS ABOUT JUST THEIR TAX POLICY.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM CHRISTIAN ON THIS FLOOR KNOW WELL WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

CLASHESVILLE, TENNESSEE AND HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY WERE BOTH ABOUT 25,000 PEOPLE IN 1970.

TODAY, CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE HAS 130,000 PEOPLE, AND WOULD BE THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY IF IT WERE WITHIN THE BORDER OF OUR STATE.

HOPKINSVILLE AS 35,000 PEOPLE, AND THEY ARE MIROVER ABORTED COMMUNITIES AND FORT BALANCE'S BASE STRADES BOTH OF OUR STATE LINES AND THOSE TWO COMMUNITIES.

BUT MEME CHOOSE TO LIVE IN TENNESSEE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A TAX CODE THAT PROMOTES THAT GROWTH AND THAT POPULATION GROWTH.

>> SO WE NEED TO QUIT PRETENDING THAT SOMEHOW YOU CHANGE THIS TAX STRUCTURE AND THIS IS GOING TO TRAU ALL OF THESE JOBS AND ALL OF THESE NEW PEOPLE TO KENTUCKY.

MAYBE THEY'LL JUST DRIVE THEM TO OHIO AND TO NASHVILLE.

MAYBE CINCINNATI AND NASHVILLE WILL PICK UP A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING IN KENTUCKY OR MAYBE THEY'LL JUST STAY IN BROOKLYN AND WORK REMOTELY, WHICH THEY CAN DO, THEY CAN WORK AT MANY EMPLOYERS IN KENTUCKY AND WORK REMOTELY, AND THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE TO WORRY DAILY ABOUT NOT FEELING SAFE BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE AND WHO THEY LOVE.

>> AND I WOULD SAY IF YOU WENT AND FOALED THE PEOPLE IN THE STATES WITH THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF POPULATION, THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION SYSTEM.

THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW YOUR POPULATION.

QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.

THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW YOUR POPULATION, NOT TO BE RANKED NEAR THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE HEALTH CARE INDICATORS LIKE WE ARE IN KENTUCKY.

INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN.

EARLY CHUDE EDUCATION.

>> AS WE CONTINUE TO PUT THESE REGRESSIVE TAXES IN PLACE WE DON'T JUST HURT THE WORKING POOR BUT THEY HURT TRUE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, THE MOM AND POP SMALL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE OUR LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THIS STATE, AND IN THEORY WHO WE WANT TO START DRAWING TO THIS STATE TO REVITALIZE OUR MAIN STREETS.

SO AS YOU CONSIDER THIS, FIRST OF ALL I JUST THINK WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON IT, I DON'T FOLLOW THE MATH THE WAY THAT YOU DO HERE.

I DON'T THINK THE MATH ADDS UP.

AND I ALSO THINK THAT THIS IS REGRESSIVE.

I THINK IT HURTS POOR PEOPLE IN OUR STATE.

I THINK IT FAVORS WEALTHY MEME IN OUR STATE.

AND I THINK IT WILL BE YET ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF OUR HOPES TO EXPAND SMALL BUSINESSES HERE.

>> TAX MODERNIZATION MAY BE NECESSARY.

WHY DON'T WE FOCUS TO CREATING REVENUES IN OTHER WAYS?

WHY DON'T WE START BY TRYING TO CREATE INDUSTRIES THAT AREN'T HERE THAT WILL BRING NEW TAXES IN?

BUT GUESS WHAT?

MOST OF THE COUNTRY'S ALREADY DONE AND MANY OF OUR BORDERING STATES ALREADY DO.

I'M TALKING ABOUT GAMING, DECRIMINALIZATION OF CANNABIS.

MORNINGS WE AIN'T GONNA DO THAT EVEN THOUGH MANY IN HERE THAT VOTE AGAINST THOSE THINGS CLAIM TO SUPPORT PERSONAL FREEDOM, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

GIVE ME A BREAK.

>> Renee: THERE WERE MANY REFERENCES TO KANSAS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR DURING THE SPIRITED DEBATE TODAY IN BACK IN 2012 KANSAS SLASHED THE INCOME DAKOTA ACROSS THE BOARD NANETTE TO BOOST THE ECONOMY, BUT THE REALITY FELL FAR SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS NEARLY INTERRUPTING THE STATE AND THE REPUBLICAN HELP CONTROL LEGISLATURE THERE REVERSED THAT TAX POLICY THE MAIN GOP CHEERLEADERS FOR THE TAX BILL CLAIMED THAT IT, COMBINED WITH THE HOUSE MAJORITY'S BUDGET PLAN, HOUSE BELL 1, BUILDS AND PROVIDES ECONOMIC STABILITY AND INVESTS IN CRITICAL SERVICES.

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE CHAIRMAN JASON PETRIE DEFENDED HIS MEASURE AS THE RIGHT FISCAL POLICY GIVEN THE RECORD BUDGET RESERVES THAT REMAIN UNTOUCHED AND THE MORE THAN $1 BILLION UNACCOUNTED FOR.

>> WE'RE NOT KANSAS, NEVER WILL BE, DON'T WANT TO BE, AIN'T GONNA BE.

THIS IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WE MAKE SURE AROUSERS UP BEFORE WE HAVE AN INCREASE.

WE'RE NOT GETTING OUT TOO FAR ABOVE IN FRONT OF OUR SKIS.

WE HAVE TRIGGERS.

WE HAVE SAFEGUARDS.

WE HAVE PAUSES.

THERE'S NO DEFINITE DEBT EXCEPT THE 5 TO 4 AND THE 5 TO 4 PERCENT IS CONTINGENT UPON HOUSE BILL 1 AND WHAT THIS BODY HAS STATED IN A BIPARTISAN VOTE, PUTTING PRIORITIES OUT.

>> DON'T BE SO SCARED.

IT'S NOT YOUR MONEY.

IT'S THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY.

AND AFTER YOU'VE HIT APPROPRIATIONS AND AFTER YOU'VE COVERED AUTO GROUND AND YOU PUT RECORD FUNDING IN AND YOU'VE GOT YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT WELL POSITIONED AND YOU'VE GOT MONEY LEFT OVER, THEN GIVE IT BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS WHO PUT IT IN HERE IN TRUST TO US FOR THEIR BENEFIT.

WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

THERE ARE A MYRIAD OF WAYS TO DO IT.

THIS IS A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY BECAUSE WHAT DO WE DO IN HOUSE BILL 8?

WE STOP TAXING PRODUCTION.

>> HOUSE BILL 8 IS ABOUT PUTTING MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKET FOR THE LONG HAUL SO THAT THEY CAN DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THEIR MONEY.

ISN'T THAT OUR OBJECTIVE?

ISN'T THAT THEIR MONEY ANYWAY?

OUR PERSONAL BUG IS NOT TOO MUCH DIFFERENT MANAGING THAN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

EACH HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THREE OPTIONS TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THE MONEY: SPEND IT, SAFETY OR INVEST IT.

WITH HOUSE BILL 8 AND HOUSE BILL 1, WE ACCOMPLISH A SMART WAY, A RESPONSIBLE WAY, TO SPEND AND SAVE MONEY WITH HOUSE BILL 1, AND NOW WE ARE INVESTING IN PEOPLE WITH HOUSE BILL 8 FOR THE LONG TERM.

>> Renee: AFTER ABOUT MORE THAN THREE HOURS OF DEBATE ON THE FLOOR, THE TAX PLAN PASSED THOUSANDS 67 TO 23, AND IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE WHEN THE SENATE CONVENES ON MONDAY, A PLAN TO GIVE LAWMAKERS PAY RAISES WILL BE IN ITS INBOX.

IT'S EMBODIED IN THE LEGISLATIV BRANCH BUDGET HOUSE BILL 243 THAT GIVES STAFF AND LAWMAKERS 6% SALARY BUMP.

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE CHAIRMAN JASON PETRIE SAID ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY THAT LAWMAKERS HADN'T SEEN A PAY RAISE SINCE 2008.

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER JONI JENKINS, WHO IS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION, QUESTIONED THE FAIRNESS AND TIMING OF RAISES FOR LEGISLATOR.

>> I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN FAVOR OF RAISING LEGISLATIVE PAY APPROPRIATELY.

I THINK THERE IS NO PRICE THAT WE CAN PUT ON DEMOCRACY, AND I THINK WE, OUR PAY BEING PART-TIME SOMETIMES IS A BARRIER FOR ALL KIND OF FOLKS TO RUN AND SERVE IN THIS BODY, AND I THINK WE NEED ALL VOICES HEARD.

BUT IN A YEAR WHEN WE ARE NOT GUARANTEEING RAISES FOR TEACHERS TEACHERS, EVEN THOUGH I VOTED FOR THIS I BELIEVE IN 2008, I DON'T QUITE REMEMBER, WHEN WE ARE TYING OUR PAY TO WHAT WE GIVE TO STATE EMPLOYEES OR THE CPI, WHICH IS EVER GREATER, SEEMS UNFAIR IN THIS TIME OF HIGH INFLATION AND WHAT WE HAVE JUST AGAIN THROUGH.

>> Renee: MINORITY LEADER JENKINS UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO REMOVE LEGISLATOR COMPENSATION FROM THE BILL THAT ALSO RAISES PAY FOR LEGISLATIVE STAFF, BUT IT WAS SNAGGED BY PARLIAMENTARY.

UNDER HOUSE BILL 243, LEGISLATIVE STAFF PAY RAISES AMOUNT TO ABOUT $1.6 MILLION.

THE SALARY HIKE FOR LAWMAKERS COMES TO ABOUT 234,000 TOTAL THE PROPOSITION DREW SHARP CRITICISM FROM SOME IN THE HOUSE.

>> I AM STUNNED, STUNNED THAT THIS BODY VOTED TO REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS OUT OF COMMITTEE, THAT WE CONTINUE THE ASSAULT ON POOR PEOPLE, ON WORKING FAMILIES, AND WE WANT A RAISE?

WOW!

IT DOESN'T EVEN LOOK GOOD.

IT DOESN'T SMELL GOOD THAT YOU WANT THE KENTUCKIANS TO SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES, BUT YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO SACRIFICE AND NOT GET A RAISE FOR A JOB YOU ASKED FOR!

>> WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF OURSELVES TO GIVE OURSELVES A RAISE AND IGNORE THE THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS IN THIS COMMONWEALTH WHO HAVE RISEN TO THE DUTIES OF EDUCATING OUR CHURN THROUGH TWO -- OUR CHILDREN THROUGH TWO YEARS OF COVID, NOE NUEVO TEACHING, MTI.

WE ASK THEM TO WATCH FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES HELP WE ASK THEM TO DO THE WORK OF TEN PEOPLE, AND YET WE REFUSE TO GIVE OUR TEACHERS A RAISE WHILE YOU SIT HERE AND THE MAJORITY PARTY VOTES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN POCKETS.

>> Renee: THE HOUSE ALSO APPROVED RAISES FOR ELECTED AND NON-ELECTED JUDICIAL BRANCH EMPLOYEES IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH BUG THAT THE CHAMBER ALWAYS APPROVED today.

HOUSE BUDGET CHAIRMAN JASON PETRIE SAYS THE GOP WANTS TO GIVE 6% RAISES ACROSS THE BOARD: EXECUTIVE, JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A MYRIAD OF REASONS FOR THOSE RAISES FROM KSB BEING SPECIAL ISSUES AND CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEY WERE TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT SOCIAL WORKERS AND ESSENTIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WE HAVE TREATED THEM DIFFERENTLY.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT TEACHERS AND PUSHED MONEY BACK UNDER THE LOCAL DISTRICTS BY THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THEIR DISCRETION TO BE USED BY THEIR LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT'S THEY'RE PRIORITY IN THEIR AREAS.

IT'S DISINGENUOUS, JUST ABSOLUTELY DISINGENUOUS TO CONTINUE THIS FALSE NARRATIVE THAT THERE'S NO RAISES.

YOU WANT MANDATED RAISES 1 NOT RAISES.

WELL, LOCAL CONTROL, WE TRIED TO GIVE IT SEPTEMBER.

WE TRIED TO GIVE IT AGAIN, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GIVE IT.

AND THE LAST OF THOSE MANDATED RAISES IS TO TAKE OVER THE CURRICULUM AND EVERYTHING ELSE!

WE DON'T WANT THAT.

WE'RE TRYING TO LET THEM USE THEIR DISCRETION BASED ON WHAT'S ABOUTS THERE.

>> MY YES VOTE, I'M NOT RUNNING AGAIN, WAGS FOR OUR LRC STAFF WHO ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY DESERVE EVERY PENNY OF IT, AND ALSO IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

IF WE WANT THE, WE'LL SAY THE COLLEGE, UNEDUCATED COLLEGE PERSON TO BE ABLE TO SIT IN THIS OFFICE, WE NEED TO MAKE THIS OFFICE PAID ENOUGH FOR A PERSON WHO IS CURRENTLY THAT A FACTORY CAN LEAVE THAT JOB AND COME HERE AND WORK.

THEY CAN'T GIVE UP THEIR FACTORY JOBS FOR THREE MONTHS TO COME DOO THIS JOB.

AND IT DOESN'T PAY THEM ENOUGH TO DO THAT.

WE NEED TO HAVE -- AND THE LADY FROM JEFFERSON ALLUDED TO THAT.

WE NEED TO GET IN LEGISLATURE TO A LEVEL THAT LETS EVERYBODY THAT WANTS TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE RUN FOR THE OFFICE.

RIGHT NOW YOU ALMOST HAVE TO BE WEALTHY TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE.

>> Renee: THE 6% PAY INCREASE FOR STATE LAWMAKERS AND THEIR STAFF WAS APPROVED 69 TO 17 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

JOBLESS BENEFITS FOR OUT-OF-WORK KENTUCKIANS ARE FACING A SEISMI SHIFT UNDER A REFORM MEASURE THAT'S INCHING CLOSER TO THE LEGISLATIVE FINISH LINE.

HOUSE BILL 4 WAS APPROVED BY THE SENATE YESTERDAY.

THE MEASURE INCREASES JOB SEARCH REQUIREMENTS AND CHANGES THE DURATION OF BENEFITS BASED ON ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND WHETHE A CLAIMANT IS PURSUING JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

SHEPHERDSVILLE REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL WEBBER SAYS THE BILL HE'S SPONSORING GIVES GIVES OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP KENTUCKIANS FIND AND KEEP A JOB HE EXPLAINED ANOTHER SECTION OF THE BILL THAT CREATES A WORK SHARE PROGRAM THAT COULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR JOB IN TOUGH TIMES.

>> 27 STATES IMPLEMENTED IT.

IT CAN HELP EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES.

THE WORKERS CONTINUE TO WORK A PORTION THEIR HOURS AND THEY RECEIVE A PORTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

THIS KEEPS THE WORKERS FROM BEING PERMANENTLY LAID OFF OR LOSING THEIR POSITIONS.

THIS PROCESS ALSO ALLOWS WORKERS TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THEIR EMPLOYER BENEFITS, SUCH AS THEIR HEALTH CARE AND THEIR RETIREMENT SAVINGS.

AGAIN, THAT'S A WORTHWHILE PROGRAM.

I THINK IT HEPATITIS THE WORKERS.

>> Renee: BUSINESS GROUPS SUPPORT THE MEASURE, SAYING THE MEASURE WILL HELP IMPROVE IF STATE'S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

BUT LABOR GROUPS HAVE DENOUNCED IT AS A SCHEME TO FORCE JOBLESS KENTUCKIANS BACK TO WORK, POSSIBLY AT A LOWER WAGE.

THERE WAS BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION TO THE MEASURE IN THE SENATE THURSDAY WITH LAWMAKERS SOUNDING OFF WITH SOMETIMES EMOTIONAL COMMENTARY.

>> BUT I FEAR THIS BILL WILL CAUSE GREAT MISERY.

I'M ALL FOR BUSINESS SUCCEEDING.

AND I'M ALL FOR PEOPLE WORKING.

I'VE ALSO SEEN MANY GENERATIONS WITH A CYCLE OF POVERTY HAS BROKEN MEN'S SOULS, CAUSED THEM TO TURN TO DRUGS, AND RUIN THE MORAL FABRIC OF MANY COMMUNITIES THAT ONCE STOOD STRONG.

AND YET I'VE ALSO SEEN MANY OF THE SAME PEOPLE THAT ARE PROMOTING THIS BILL PROMOTE THE OUTSOURCING OF THOSE AMERICAN JOBS, THAT HAVE LED TO THE CLOSURE OF THESE FACTORIES.

WHOSE ONLY GOAL IS TO BOTTOM DOLLAR.

>> WE HAVE A THEORY THAT SOMEHOW, THAT IF YOU BECOME MORE STRINGENT ON THOSE REQUIREMENTS, YOU INCREASE THE WORKFORCE.

THAT'S THE THEORY.

OUR RULE BETWEEN THIS EDUCATED BODY IS TO TEST THOSE THEORIES.

SO WE LOOK AND SEE WHAT BEST PRACTICES HAPPEN IN OTHER AREAS.

WE KNOW THAT THAT THEORY DUBS PAN OUT.

MORE STRINGENT THE REQUIREMENTS DOES NOT INCREASE THE WORKFORCE.

SO WHILE WE CAN PLAY, HEY, THAT'S COMMON SENSE, WE ACTUALLY GET TO STEP BACK AND LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES WHAT'S HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND, NO, THAT'S NOT THE FACT, IT IS NOT THE CASE.

IT PLY SIMPLY PUTS THE BURDEN OUR CONSTITUENTS.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 4 PASSED THE SENATE 22 TO 13 ON Thursday A SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE ATTACHED TO THE MEASURE SENDS I BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR IT TO AGREE WITH OR REJECT THE SENATE IF THE HOUSE APPROVES THE SENATE-AMENDED MEASURE, IT'LL HEAD TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE SENATE THIS WEEK SENT ITS PLAN TO GIVE KENTUCKIANS A REBATE ON THEIR 2020 TAXES TO THE KENTUCK SENATE A&R CHAIR CHRISTIAN MCDANIEL IS THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 194.

IF PASSED, MCDANIEL SAYS THE BILL WOULD MEAN A $500 TAX REBATE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO PAID STATE INCOME TAX LAST YEAR.

THE AMOUNT WOULD GO UP TO $1,00 FOR MARRIED COUPLES.

>> AND THE AVERAGE RURAL FAMILY MAKES $38,400 PER YEAR.

AND FOR THAT FAMILY THAT MAKES $38,400 PER YEAR, THIS ADDITIONAL $3,000 OF COSTS THAT THEIR FAMILY IS BEARING AS A RESULT OF RAMPANT INFLATION IS SIMPLY A BURDEN MORE THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR.

>> Renee: MANY DEMOCRATS PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE MEASURE THEY ARGUE NOT ALL KENTUCKIANS STAND TO BENEFIT.

THEY ALSO BELIEVE ACTION ON THE MEASURE IS PREMATURE, AS THE STATE BUDGET IS STILL A WORK IN DEMOCRATS WEREN'T ALONE IN THEI.

>> WHO HAD HERE IN KENTUCKY YOU HAVE 507,000 KENTUCKIANS WHO ARE BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL WHO THIS BILL WOULD NOT HELP.

WOULD NOT HELP.

BUT WHAT THAT DISCUSSION ALSO FAILED TO MENTION ABOUT KENTUCKY AND YOU HAVE 970,000 KENTUCKIANS, MR. PRESIDENT, WHO ARE EITHER AT OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE POVERTY LEVEL BUT BELOW 133% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL.

AND THEN LET ME ALSO ADD, MR. PRESIDENT, THAT THIS BILL DIDN'T MENTION ABOUT ANOTHER 500,000 RETIREES IN THE STATE.

LET'S DO THE BATH.

WE HAVE 500,000 PLUS 500,000 PLUS 970,000.

WE'VE GOT 2 MILLION PEOPLE.

MR. PRESIDENT, I MENTION THAT BECAUSE EVERY ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE I JUST IDENTIFIED DO NOT PAY TAXES IN THIS STATE.

AND SO THEREFORE, THIS BILL WOULD NOT IMPACT THEM WHATSOEVER.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD OF WORK THAT'S GONE INTO THIS.

I LIKE THE THOUGHT OF GIVING MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE THAT PAY IN AND WORK AND EARN THIS, BUT AT THIS POINT, WITH ALL OF OUR OUTSTANDING PENSION LIABILITY, WITH ALL OF THE OTHER DEBTS THAT WE HAVE, I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT IT'S THE MOST BUYS AND EFFICIENT USE OF OUR MONEY, AND FOR THAT REASON I VOTE NO.

>> Renee: THE TAX REBATE PLAN CLEARED THE SENATE 28 TO 7.

SENATE BUDGET CHAIRMAN CHRIS MCDANIEL SAYS IF THE BILL BECOMES LAW, TAXPAYERS CAN EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE MONEY BY THE SUMMER.

ATTEMPTS TO LEGALIZ BETTING HAVE CIRCULATED IN THE CAPITOL FOR A FEW SESSIONS NOW, AND KENTON COUNTY REPUBLICAN ADAM KOENIG SHOWED HIS HAND, LOOMING WITH A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK, IN FILING MEASURES ON PRESUME WAGERING TAXATION AND PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING TAXATION AND SPORTS GAMING.

CANADAIG WANTS TO LEGALIZE MOST FORMS OF SPORTS GAMING FROM FANTASY SPORTS TO ONLINE POKER AND HAS A FRAMEWORK TO TAX them ANOTHER BILL ADDRESSES PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING OR WHERE BETTORS BET AGAINST ONE ANOTHER AND EQUALIZES THE TAX ON THE BETS.

KOENIG EXPLAINS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO MAKE ALL OF THE WAGES ARE ON PARI-MUTUEL THE SAME.

SO RIGHT NOW IF YOU GET BETTY ON A WHAT'S CALLED AN ADW LIKE THE TWIN SPIRES APP HERE IN KENTUCKY, THERE ARE SOME OTHER APPS BUT WE'RE JUST GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE KENTUCKY-BASED ONE, ON AN ADW, THE TWIN SPIRES APP, THAT IS TAXED AT ONE-HALF OF 1%.

NOW, IF YOU WAGER ON AN HHR MACHINE OR LIVE AT A TRACK ON A RACE THAT'S HAPPENING THAT'S TAXED A 1.5%.

IF YOU MAJOR ON A SIMULCAST RACE, SO YOU GO TO A TRACK AND YOU WAGER ON A RACE THAT'S GOING ON SOMEWHERE ELSE, THAT'S TAXED AT 3%.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE ALL THOSE THE SAME.

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE TAXED AT 1.5%.

>> Renee: 3 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAVE LEGALIZED SPORTS GAMING.

SO MANY ARE NOT YET UP AND RUNNING.

REPRESENTATIVE KOENIG SAYS THOSE EFFORTS IN OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN BIPARTISAN.

HE BELIEVES GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T STAND IN THE WAY OF AN ENTERPRISE THAT COULD PAY OFF FOR KENTUCKY.

HOUSE BILL 606 SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE EXCHANGE DEMOCRAT ALAN GENTRY OF LOUISVILLE SEEKS TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING.

UNDER THE PROPOSAL, RACETRACKS WOULD BE ALONG THE YOU AMONG THE VENUES LEGALLY ALLOWED TO ACCEPT BEATS ON OTHER SPORTS.

AMONG THE PACKAGE OF BILLINGS, LEXINGTON REPUBLICAN KILLIAN TYMONY IS A COSPONSOR AFTER MEASURE SEEKING TO OUTLAW WHAT'S CALLED GRAY MACHINES THAT ARE OPERATING ACROSS THE STATE, WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTEDLY GETTING A CUT OF PROCEEDS.

>> ONE MESSAGE THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEND CLEARLY WITH THIS BILL IS THAT WHEN DEALING WITH KENTUCKY, PARTICULARLY WITH GAMING, ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS INSTEAD OF PERMISSION IS SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T LIKE FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT.

>> Renee: THE GAMING BILLS WERE MILD EARLY THIS WEEK.

REPRESENTATIVE ADAM KOENIG HOE CHAIRS THE LICENSING AND OCCUPATIONS COMMITTEE WHERE THE BILLINGS ARE LIKELY TO BE HEARD, BELIEVES THERE'S ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR THEM TO PASS THE HOUSE.

A MULTI-FACETED PRO-LIFE BILL FROM THE HOUSE MADE UP OF MEASURES IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SENATE.

ADVOCATES CHEERED IN COMMITTEE AND LATER AT A CAPITOL ROTUNDA RALLY THIS WEEK AS THE MEASURE WAS GAINING MOMENTUM.

HOUSE BILL 3 RESTRICTS ABORTIONS IN KENTUCKY, BUT CRITICS CONTEND IT WON'T STOP ABORTIONS FROM HAMMING ALTOGETHER, JUST THE STAY OF ONES.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE NANCY TATE OF MEADE COUNTY IS THE SPONSOR HOUSE BILL 3 THAT STRENGTHENS PARENTAL CONSENT OF MINORS SEEKING ABORTIONS, CODIFIES THE DISPOSAL OF TERMINATED REMAINS AFTER PREGNANCY LOSS, OUTLAWS MAILED ABORTION MEDICATION, AND PROHIBITS TAXPAYER-FUNDED ABORTIONS IN KENTUCKY.

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

SOME HAVE AT A TIME STATED THE EXTENT INTENT TO LEM INNATE ABORTIONS IN STATE OF KENTUCKY, AND MY RESPONSE IS WE HAVE DONE THAT WITH THE HEARTBEAT BILL WHEN WHICH THIS OWN RABBLE BODY ADS PASSED DURING THE 2019 SESSION.

RATHER HOUSE BILL 3 IS TO ENSURE WHILE ABORTIONS ARE LEGAL IN KENTUCKY WE WANT THEM TO BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> Renee: HOUSE BILL 3 WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE TO PUBLISH THE NAMES OF ALL PHYSICIANS PROVIDING CHEMICAL ABORTIONS AND CREATE A STATE-RUN PORTAL GIVING THE PUBLIC THE ABILITY TO NON-LY SUBMIT COMPLAINTS ABOUT ABORTION PROVIDERS.

AND THE STATE WOULD ISSUE BIRTH-DEATH CERTIFICATES FOR ALL ABORTIONS.

OPPONENTS OF THE BILL SAY IT WILL RESTRENGTH ABORTION ACCESS AND PUSH WOMEN TO S.E.E.K.

MORE DANGEROUS THE WAYS TO TERMINATE THEIR PREGNANCIES.

>> THE BILL IS DANGEROUS TO WOMEN.

IT'S DANGEROUS TO BABIES.

IT'S DANGEROUS TO FAMILIES.

AND EVEN IF WE WERE TO ADOPT THE AMENDMENT I FILED TO SAVE THE LIVES OF MOTHERS AND BABIES, THAT WAS ITS INTENTION, WHAT I LEARNED IS THAT THE BILL IS SIMPLY TOO DANGEROUS TO FIX THROUGH THAT KIND OF AMENDMENT.

AND BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DECEPTION THAT THIS IS A PRO-LIFE POLICY, I'M NOT GOING TO CALL MY AMENDMENT TODAY.

THIS IS A BILL THAT IS SIMPLY BEYOND REPAIR.

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

IT'S NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SENATE.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 41 AND WEEK NINE OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

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WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN MONDAY NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL TIME FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

THANKS SO VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND A GREAT WEEKEND TO COME.