[♪♪] >> Bill: A BUSY WEEK IN THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE ANTI-D.E.I.

LEGISLATION PASSES THE HOUSE OTHER ISSUES ARE DEBATED AND ONE LAWMAKER WANTS TO KILL HIS OWN BILL.

TARIFFS ARE RAISING CONCERNS AMONG MANY KENTUCKY BUSINESS OWNERS THE BOURBON, CONSTRUCTION AND AUTO INDUSTRIES ARE AMONG THOSE SPEAKING OUT.

A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE A KENTUCKY DOGE TO FIND WASTE IN STATE PASSES THE SENATE AND MORE SPECULATION ABOUT MEXX YEAR'S OPEN U.S. SENATE RACE.

ON THE WEEKEND THAT WE SPRING FORWARD AND IT STARTS TO FEEL LIKE IT, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

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

OUR WORKING KENTUCKY TURN LISTS ARE LIAM NIEMEYER, RECORDER FORKED KENTUCKY LANTERN.

HANNAH PINSKI POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE COURIER JOURNAL AND MARCUS GREEN REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

ALSO TONIGHT A CLASH OVER A PROPOSAL TO LIMIT STATE REGULATION OF WATER POLLUTION.

THESE DAYS, THOUGH, WE FIND OUR EYES DARTING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND FRANKFORT AND OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE TARIFF CONCERNS THAT BUBBLED UP WHEN LEVEES WERE ANNOUNCED AND MOSTLY PUT ON PAUSE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS THIS TARIFF STRATEGY WILL MAKE THE COUNTRY SAFER AND MORE PROSPEROUS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS COUNTRIES TARGETED ARE STRONG ALLIES OF THE U.S. AND THE UNCERTAINTY WILL HURT KENTUCKY INDUSTRIES.

>> YOU DON'T MAKE YOUR PRODUCT IN AMERICA HOWEVER UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION YOU WILL PAY A TARIFF AND SOME CASES A RATHER LARGE ONE.

OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE USED TARIFFS AGAINST US FOR DECADES AND NOW IT'S OUR TURN TO START USING THEM AGAINST THOSE OTHER COUNTRIES.

>> WE NOW HAVE ENOUGH DATA TO SHOW THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFFS ARE HARMING THE AMERICAN ECONOMY AND THEY ARE CERTAINLY GOING TO HARM KEN EN KEN'S KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY.

THESE TARIFFS ARE A BAD IDEA.

IT'S NOT JUT ME THAT IS SAYING IT.

MITCH McCONNELL IS SAYING IT.

RAND PAUL SAID IT WHEN YOU HAVE THE TWO REPUBLICAN SENATORS AND THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR SAYING SOMETHING IS A BAD IDEA BECAUSE IT IS A BAD IDEA.

>> Bill: SO HERE WE ARE.

AND THE PRESIDENT PAUSED THE AUTO TARIFFS SAYING COMPANIES HAVE AN TOPP TO START BUILDING MORE CARS IN THE U.S. OR INDICATING THEY WILL DO THAT, MARCUS.

THEN HE DECIDED TO HOLD OFF ON OTHER TARIFFS AND ANNOUNCED SOME MAY COME IN IN APRIL.

WE KNOW THE PRESIDENT SEES THIS AS A POWERFUL NEGOTIATING TOOL AND HE WANTS SOME THINGS OUT OF THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.

BUT HOW MUCH UNCERTAINTY IS OUT THERE BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH TARIFFS?

>> WHATEVER THE LONG-TERM EFFECTIVENESS MIGHT BE TO THE TARIFFS IN A COUPLE OF YEARS IF THEY DO SUCCEED, OBVIOUSLY RIGHT NOW THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY JUST LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE STOCK MARKET AND EBBS AND FLOWS.

THE DOW FINISHED UP BUT IT HAD BEEN UP AND DOWN AND STEEP DROPS.

THERE IS A LOT OF WHIPLASH BUSINESSES IN PARTICULAR EARLY KENTUCKY'S AUTO INDUSTRY WHICH IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DRIVER HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT THEM.

YOU NOT ONLY HAVE THE SIGNIFICANT FORD PLANTS IN LOUISVILLE AND TOYOTA IN GEORGETOWN YOU HAVE A NETWORK OF AUTO SUPPLIERS MORE THAN 500 AUTO SUPPLYING COMPANIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE EMPLOYED AND THE NETWORK OF AUTO BUILDING IS SO INTERNATIONALLY CONNECTED.

SO EVERYONE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE PATH FORWARD.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO NOT TAKE A STEEP HIT RIGHT NOW.

WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL LONG-TERM IN THE SHORT-TERM THERE'S UNCERTAINTY AND PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE PATH FORWARD AND WE HAVE A ROUND COMING IN APRIL.

A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY RIGHT NOW IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY.

>> Bill: LIAM WE TALKED TO A DEALER WHO HAS BEEN HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN IN THE CAR BUSINESS OVER 100 YEARS AND HE SAYS HE AND ORDEALERS WANT TO GET THIS BEHIND THEM IN SOME WAY?

>> SURE.

AND A LOT OF ANXIETY, UNCERTAINTY PEOPLE ARE FEELING IS REMINISCENT OF THE FIRST TRUMP TERM WITH TARIFFS.

I REMEMBER TALKING WITH FARMERS IN WESTERN KENTUCKY WHO WERE NERVOUS ABOUT IMPACTS ON SOYBEAN PRICES AND INPUTS AND SOME OF THOSE SAME FARMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ANXIETIES.

WHETHER IT'S AGRICULTURE OR CAR DEALERS SHIPS YOU KNOW, TARIFFS AFFECT CAN AFFECT A WIDE SLEW OF KENTUCKY INDUSTRIES.

THERE WAS AN INTERESTING FACTS THAT WERE SHARED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE STATE ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS, CANADA IS THE NUMBER ONE TRADING PARTNER FOR KENTUCKY AND MEXICO IS NUMBER THREE.

I MEAN REGARD BUILDING IF YOU ARE -- REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AUTOS OR AG OR BOURBON IT'S GOING TO BE FELT IN KENTUCKY.

AND OBVIOUSLY DEALING WITH THE UNCERTAINTY AND MOVING THROUGH THE UNCERTAINTY WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS ARE.

>> Bill: HANNAH THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE IS APPLYING PRESSURE.

AND SAYS THESE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL U.S.

BORDERS ARE PROTECTED AND FENTANYL IS NO LONGER COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.

IN ONE CANADIAN PROCESS WE SAW BOURBON REMOVED FROM THE SHELVES.

THAT WAS A STARK VISUAL.

>> YES.

INDEED WAS.

SO THIS WEEK TRUMP HAD A PHONE CALL WITH THE CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER WHERE HE EXPRESSED HE WAS HAPPY WITH THE PRIME MINISTER'S RESPONSE TO ADDRESS FENTANYL TRAFFICKING.

SO IN ORDER FOR ANY PROGRESS MADE FORWARD FOR THE TARIFFS TO BE LIFTED HE WANTS THE PRIME MINISTER TO ADDRESS THAT TRAFFICKING BEFORE THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN.

AND AS LIAM POINTED OUT, KENTUCKY HAS A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH CANADA, EXPORT BILLIONS OF PRODUCTS THERE INCLUDING BOURBON.

AND AS WE SAW, KENTUCKY'S TWO REPUBLICAN SENATORS ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THIS POLICY.

WE HAD SENATOR RAND PAUL WHO SAID KENTUCKY INDUSTRIES REACHED OUT TO HIM UNHAPPY WITH THE UNCERTAINTY AND REITERATED HIS SUPPORT TO FIGHT DEPENDS THE TARIFFS.

AND SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL SAID WHILE IT IS TIME FOR AMERICA'S NEIGHBORS TO TAKE THE BORDER CRISIS SERIOUSLY, TARIFFS ARE A BAD POLICY.

>> Bill: MARCUS WE'LL WATCH THIS.

>> WE WILL AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, AMONG SIGNATURE INDUSTRIES BOURBON HAS ELEVATED ITSELF IN THE LAST DECADE OR TWO DECADES.

AND THERE IS A NATIONAL NARRATIVE IN SOME CORNERS THAT BOURBON IS EXPERIENCING A BUST OR IT'S ABOUT TO TURN A CORNER AND MEANT PERHAPS DECLINE IT'S REACHED CAPACITY AND IT IS A DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR BOURBON.

WE'VE SEEN LAYOFFS IN LOUISVILLE AND HEADLINES NOT FAVORABLE TO THE BOURBON.

>> Bill: PRETARIFF.

>> THIS IS ANOTHER HIT AT LEAST OF PUBLICITY HIT THAT BOURBON IS TAKING AND TRYING TO WEATHER.

>> Bill: WE WILL BE WATCHING.

TO FRANKFORT, THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE IS HEADING INTO ITS FINAL REGULAR WEEK BEFORE A BREAK UNTIL THE VETO PERIOD.

THIS WEEK THERE WAS TENSE DEBATE AND PROTESTS AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES BEFORE THE HOUSE PASSED ANTI-D.E.I.

LEGISLATION.

>> HISTORICALLY, AMERICA HAS STRIF EN FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY NOT SUBJECTIVE EQUITY.

WHICH D.E.I.

NOW PURSUES THROUGH DISCRIMINATORY ADMISSIONS, HIRING AND SCHOLARSHIPS STANDARDS THAT SHIFT WITH ADMINISTRATION'S WHIMS.

>> WE HAVE D.E.I.

IN CIVIL RIGHTS.

NOT SIMPLY TO PROMOTE EQUALITY IN THE FUTURE BUT AS A REPAYMENT AND RESTITUTION OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WHAT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN TODAY.

>> Bill: MARCUS, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOU HAVE SOME INFORMATION INDICATING THIS IS LIKELY TO PASS NEXT WEEK?

>> I'M TOLD THAT HOUSE BILL 4 WILL GET THROUGH THE SENATE AND AVOID THE SORT OF ISSUE THAT OCCURRED LATE IN THE SESSION LAST YEAR THAT LED TO THAT SIMILAR BILL NOT PASSING.

THIS WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE D.E.I.

PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES THAT STILL HAVE THEM.

THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ELIMINATE THEM BY THE END OF JUNE.

IT WILL AFFECT SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA.

KENTUCKY IS EXPERIENCING ONE OF THESE BIG FRONTS IN THE CULTURE WARS.

THIS HAS BEEN A PROMINENT MOVE THAT REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURES AND REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE PURSUED THEY BELIEVE THE PEND USE LUMP HAS SWUNG IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

MORE MERIT BASED AND DEFENDERS BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE.

>> IT WOULD ALSO THE STATE AUDITOR WOULD BE DOING COMPLIANCE AUDITS OF UNIVERSITIES REGARDING D.E.I.

AND I MEAN IN TERMS OF IT NOT HITTING THE SNAGS OF LAST YEAR, REPRESENTATIVE DECKER HAD THE D.E.I.

ANTI-D.E.I.

BILL LAST YEAR THAT MORPHED INTO A SENATE BILL.

IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THAT WON'T BE THE CASE THIS TIME AROUND.

>> Bill: IT COULD BE A LIVELY DEBATE BECAUSE 16 AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN ATTACHED.

16 FLOOR AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN ATTACHED ALL BY DEMOCRATS SO FAR.

AND THIS IS NOT A NEW IDEA THIS IS SOMETHING THE HOUSE PITCHED LAST YEAR THAT THE SENATE NEVER TOOK UP.

BUT ROBERT STIVERS TOLD REPORTERS THERE WAS A GROUP OF SENATORS AND REPUBLICANS DISCUSSING HOW DO WE WANT TO TACKLE D.E.I.

MOVING FORWARD SO THAT THERE IS AGREEMENT ON A SOLUTION TO WHAT THEY SEE AS A PROBLEM.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS ONCE IT GETS TO THE SENATE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DEBATES SINCE IT DID NOT GET TAKEN UP LAST YEAR.

>> Bill: UNIVERSITY LEADERS ARE WATCHING THIS TAKE PLACE AND SORT OF KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO IF IT DOES PASS?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

I THINK ONE THING TO POINT OUT IS THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OR THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE INVITED LEADERS FROM KENTUCKY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO TESTIFY ON D.E.I.

INITIATIVES.

AND I BELIEVE IT WAS THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY HAD A ROLLED BACK SOME INITIATIVES.

SO THEY COULD CLAIM THEY COULD BE IN THE CLEAR IF THIS PASSES.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF IT DOES PASS THIS SESSION.

>> Bill: A BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE MORE NTI DAYS FOR SCHOOLS HAS ALSO ENDED UP BEING AMENDED THAT HAS LED THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL TO WITHDRAW HIS SUPPORT FOR IT.

>> YES.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TIM ANY TRUITT'S BILL HE WANTED TO ADDRESS INSTRUCTIONAL TIME AND LET THE STATE GRANT FIVE RELIEF DAYS AND ALLOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO EXTEND INSTRUCTION HOURS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH JUNE.

THAT BILL PASSED THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON THE OR ORDERS OF THE DAY FOR SOMETIME.

THIS WEEK IT WAS RECOMMITTED TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO ATTACH LANGUAGE FROM A SENATE BILL THAT WOULD PROTECT VIRTUAL ACADEMY IN KENTUCKY FROM SHUTTING DOWN BECAUSE OF A KDE CAP.

REPRESENTATIVE TRUITT WAS NOT HAPPY.

HE WENT AS FAR DURING THAT MEETING THAT WILL SAY I WILL TRY AND KILL THE BILL WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOUSE.

>> Bill: BECAUSE HE OPPOSED THAT OR DID NOT WANT TO SEE HIS BILL WATERED DOWN IN THAT WAY?

>> HE HAS CONCERNS OVER THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

YOU KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THAT THE COMPANY BEHIND IT HAS SOME LAWSUITS IN OTHER STATES AS WELL AS MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS.

SO HE SAID THIS COULD HARM PUBLIC SCHOOLS THIS COULD HARM SCHOOLS IN MY DISTRICT.

AND SO SENATOR STEVE WEST WHAT IS CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TOLD ME THIS IS A PART OF THE PROCESS NEGOTIATION.

THERE WERE CONCERNS IN THE SENATE THAT BOTH BILL WOULDS NOT BE ABLE TO PASS ON ITS OWN, HENCE THEY HAD MERGE TO DO TOGETHER.

>> Bill: HE WANTS A CLEAN BILL ON NTI WHICH IF NOT PASSED THEY WILL BE HAVING CLASSES IN JUNE IN A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> Bill: THAT IS WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT.

A BILL THAT WOULD LOWER THE AGE AT WHICH KENTUCKIANS COULD GET A DRIVER'S PERMIT PASSED THE SENATE FROM 16 DOWN TO 15.

IT HAS AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE SO THAT MEANS IT WOULD GO RIGHT INTO EFFECT.

>> SURE IT'S BEEN VIEWED AS A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUE.

I MEAN I REMEMBER THAT GROWING UP OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY THERE ARE STATES THAT ALLOW FOLKS MINORS WHO ARE 15 TO BE ABLE TO GET THEIR LEARNER'S PERMIT BEING ABLE TO HAVE A CAR AND DRIVE TO ONE'S JOB IT JUST IT'S COMMON SENSE.

BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S BEING SEEN AS TRYING TO GET MORE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT IN THE WORKFORCE AND TO VARIOUS JOBS.

>> Bill: MORE FOCUS ON YOUNG PEOPLE BILL SPONSORED BY MIKE HE HAVE MEREDITH PASSED THE HOUSE THAT WOULD REQUIRE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMPLETE A FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE BEFORE THEY COULD GRADUATE.

>> IT IS A BIPARTISAN BILL.

IT WOULD REQUIRE EARLY AS THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR STARTING IN THE 9TH GRADE STUDENTS WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THESE CLASSES ON INVESTING AND TAXES AND BUDGETING AND THINGS I THINK ALL OF US CAN AGREE ARE IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEY BEGIN TO MANAGE MONEY.

PEOPLE WAIT WAY TOO LONG TO LEARN THE BASIC SKILLS AND THIS IS AN EFFORT TO CEMENT THAT IN INSTRUCTION.

>> Bill: AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A DEBATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN KENTUCKY AS WELL.

AND HOUSE BILL 18 WOULD EXTEND A MORATORIUM ON NEW MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS A CONCEPT IN LOUISVILLE KNOWN AS THE MISSING MIDDLE.

SO WHAT IS BEING CONSIDERED?

>> BASICALLY, LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR A DEMOCRAT, GREG GREENBURG IN HIS HOUSING STRATEGY HE WANTS TO HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE CITY'S LAND RULES ALLOW CERTAIN TYPES OF DUPLEXES AND HOUSING IN PLACES THAT ARE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WITH BIGGER LOTS.

HE CALLS THAT MIDDLE HOUSING AND HE WANTS TO CHANGE THOSE RULES.

WELL, THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS PUSHING BACK AGAINST THAT, BECAUSE SOME OF THE AREAS ENVISIONED WOULD BE IN MORE TRA DISTINCTIONAL SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES OUTSIDE THE EXPRESSWAY, THE TWO BIG RINGS IN LOUISVILLE.

SO THE MAYOR WANTS THAT.

THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO EXTEND A MORATORIUM FOR A TWO MORE YEARS FIRST AGREED TO LAST YEAR.

PROHIBITING LOUISVILLE FROM MAKING ANY CHANGES TO THE LAND RULES.

NOW THERE ARE AMENDMENTS TO THIS LEGISLATION THAT COULD PROVIDE CARVE OUTS CLOSER TO THE TRADITIONALSY OF LOUISVILLE.

CRITICS VIEW IT AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE WAR ON LOUISVILLE AND VIEW IT AS REPUBLICANS TRYING TO GOVERN A DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED AREA FROM AFAR.

THE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A WISE MOVE BECAUSE IT IS NOT IN KEEPING WITH SOME OF THE WAYS THAT LAND SHOULD BE USED.

IT IS AT ITS FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL, A STRUGGLE IN HOW TO USE LAND.

>> Bill: ALONG THE SAME LINES A BILL WOULD REQUIRE CITY ZONING BOARDS TO CONSIDER MANUFACTURED HOUSING THE SAME AS CONSTRUCTION BUILDS?

>> RIGHT THIS BUILD WOULD SAY THAT LOCAL ZONING BOARDS GOVERNMENTS CAN DISCRIMINATE THEY HAVE TO ALLOW MANUFACTURED HOUSING IN PLACES THAT HAD SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE AND AND IT'S GOTTEN SUPPORT.

I WAS READING THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS THE LEAGUE OF CITIES IS RAISING CONCERNS IT COULD HARM CITIES BECAUSE YOU ALLOW THESE TYPES OF HOUSING YOU COULD REDUCE PROPERTY VALUES THAT REDUCES PROPERTY TAX REVENUE A BIG DRIVER OF REVENUES FOR CITIES ACROSS THE STATE INCLUDING RURAL AREAS.

WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL PLAY IS TO BE DETERMINED.

I DID THINK IT WAS INTERESTING THEY RAISED THAT OBJECTION.

>> Bill: A COUPLE DECADES AGO CITY LEADERS MADE NO SECRET THEY WERE ZONING MANUFACTURED HOUSING OUT OF TOWNS IN MANY CASES OR MAKING IT VERY LIMITED AREAS.

>> BUT KENTUCKY LIKE LOUISVILLE AND THE REST OF THE STATE HAS A HOUSING SHORTAGE AND A LOT OF THE BILLS ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO PUT HOUSING BACK INTO AREAS SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THESE SHORTAGES.

>> Bill: TIMES CHANGE.

LIAM THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION ABOUT SENATE BILL 39 IT WOULD LIMIT THE STATE'S ABLE TWO TO REGULATE WATER INFLUENCE THE SPONSOR IS SCOTT MADE EN OF PINEVILLE HE WOULD UNBURDEN COAL MINING AND HOME CONSTRUCTION AND OPPONENTS SAY IT WOULD BRING MORE POLLUTION.

>> SENATE BILL 89, BASICALLY, IT'S HARKENS BACK TO A 2023 SUPREME COURT U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING WHERE BASICALLY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO REGULATE WATER POLLUTION WAS LIMITED AND SENATOR MAIDEN WANTS TO TAKE THE STATE DEFINITION OF WATERS THAT ARE REGULATED BY THE ENERGY ENVIRONMENT CABINET WITH THAT WEAKENED FEDERAL STANDARD.

A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE OPPOSED TO THIS.

CYLUS HOUSE AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES HAD A RALLY A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE KENTUCKY RIVER IN FRANKFORT THIS WEEK SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE BILL.

THEY ARE WORRIED IT COULD OPEN THE DOOR UP TO MORE WATER POLLUTION, ESPECIALLY OF CONCERN IS GROUND WATER POLLUTION POTENTIALLY.

A NUMBER OF KENTUCKIANS IN RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE EASTERN KENTUCKY, WEST KENTUCKY IN PARTICULAR, GET THEIR WATER THROUGH PRIVATE WATER WELLS.

AND YOU KNOW, GROUND WATER POLLUTION COULD POTENTIALLY LEECH INTO THAT.

SO THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION THE BILL IS IN THE HOUSE NOW IN POSSESSION OF THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE.

THE CHAIR SAYS HE'S WORKING ON THE BILL TO POTENTIALLY CHANGE IT TO MAYBE PROTECT GROUND WATER.

THERE'S SOME SKEPTICISM AMONGST ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS THAT ANY CHANGES WOULD COME GO FAR ENOUGH TO PROTECT GROUND WATER.

BUT WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

PROBABLY CHANGES IN THE NEXT WEEK.

>> Bill: A LOT OF EYES ARE ON IT.

HANNAH GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS SEEKING MORE MONEY TO DEAL WITH THE FLOODING WE EXPERIENCED IN FEBRUARY SAYING IT'S GOING TO COST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON TOP OF THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT IS COMING IN.

AND HE SAYS IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO ACT BECAUSE THEY PUT A CAP ON WHAT HE CAN SPEND IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

>> SO HIS ADMINISTRATION TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEEK AT A JOINT MEETING.

AND THAT $50 MILLION CAP IS PART OF A PROVISION IN THE STATE BUDGET THAT THEY PASSED LAST YEAR.

AND THAT MONEY IS APPROPRIATED AND LABELED AS A NECESSARY GOVERNMENT EXPENSE RELATING TO NATURAL DISASTERS.

STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR JOHN HICKS SAID THEY ARE CONFIDENT THEY WILL HIT THAT CAP AND ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE IT.

LEADERSHIP FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE NOT COMMITTED TO THIS.

I BELIEVE HOUSE SPEAKER OSBORNE SAID YOU FOR, WE DON'T WANT TO START ISSUING BLANK CHECKS WE DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE INFORMATION.

MEANWHILE, SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS HE FEELS CONFIDENCE THAT -- CONFIDENT THAT SOMETHING WILL PASS AS TO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WE DON'T KNOW YET.

>> Bill: THE LEGISLATURE WANTED TIGHT OVERSIGHT OF EMERGENCY SPENDING WHEN IT PASSED THAT LAW, RIGHT?

SO THAT'S WHY HE SAYS NO BLANK CHECKS.

WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT ONE GOES IN THAT CASE.

THE LEGISLATURE IS IN THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW OF TRYING TO CREATE A KENTUCKY VERSION OF DOGE.

IT WOULD LOOK FOR WASTE AND ABUSE.

WE HAD THE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED STATE AUDITOR IN KENTUCKY WHO IS CHARGED WITH THAT.

BUT ALLISON BALL SAYS THE GROUP COULD HELP HER DO HER JOB.

>> SHE TESTIFIED THIS WOULD GIVE HER OFFICE THE ABILITY TO MORE CONSISTENTLY MONITOR A LOT OF THE TOPICS AS OPPOSED TO THE SORT OF BIG AUDITS ON A SINGLE ISSUE THAT AUDITORS ARE CHARGED WITH PRODUCING.

OF COURSE THIS WOULD BE A KENTUCKY VERSION OF THE VERY CONTROVERSIAL OR VERY LAUDED NATIONAL INITIATIVE UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LED BY ELON MUSK TO CHANGE THE WAY THE FEDERAL AGENCIES WORK.

NOT ONLY ARE THERE ROLES THAT THE STATE AUDITOR HAS BUT AGENCIES HAVE INSPECTORS GENERAL THAT CREEP INTO THIS TERRITORY AS WELL.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING IN ONE OF THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS CHRIS McDANIEL REPUBLICAN SENATOR SAID WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DO THIS PROPERLY.

IF WE DO IT WELL IT WILL BE A GREAT THING.

IF WE DO IT WRONG WE WILL BE LAUGHED AT.

AND THAT IS THE TENSION THAT WHATEVER THEY DO IS NOT OVERLAPPING WITH OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES IT'S DONE MORE SURGICALLY THAN THE FEDERAL DOGE EFFORT IS BEING DONE.

>> Bill: HEMP DRINKS WOULD BE -- IT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY TO BEING BANNED THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE MADE IN THAT BILL.

>> SURE.

IT IS A BILL THAT EMERGED LATE THIS SESSION.

THERE'S THESE DRINKS HEMP DERIVED THC CANNED BEVERAGES THAT HAVE GAINED POPULARITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND POPPING UP IN CONVENIENCE STORES AND OTHER PLACES.

AND MORE AND MORE STATE LEGISLATURES ARE LOOKING AT REGULATING THEM SIMILAR TO, SAY, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR DIFFERENT STATE LEGISLATURES ARE TAKING DIFFERENT APPROACHES.

BUT INITIALLY THIS BILL PUT A MORATORIUM A TEMPORARY BAN ON THE SALE OF SUCH BEVERAGES WHICH CREATED AN OUTCRY FROM THE HEMP INDUSTRY IN THE STATE SAYING THAT IT WOULD CRIPPLE SMALL BUSINESSES.

IT'S BEEN CHANGED TO WHERE NOW THERE IS A SMALL CAP ON A SMALL AMOUNT OF FIVE MILLIGRAMS OF THC PER CANNED BEVERAGE AND REGULATED SIMILAR LIKE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHICH I RECEIVED A TEXT EARLIER TODAY THAT THE HEMP ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT FOR THE STATE STILL ISN'T HAPPY WITH THE BILL.

THERE IS A LOT OF DISAGREEMENT HOW THE BEVERAGES SHOULD BE REGULATED.

THE BILL IS ADVANCING.

>> Bill: ALSO, IN YOU IN THE SESSION, FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVE ADAM MOORE IN LEXINGTON IS SERVING AS A VETERANS CAUCUS AND REPUBLICAN AARON REED IS THE CO-CHAIR OF THAT.

LOTS OF MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

ALL RIGHT WE HAVE AN UNUSUAL U.S. SENATE RACE AN OPEN SEAT COMING UP IN KENTUCKY NEXT YEAR.

DUE TO SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL'S DECISION TO STEP ASIDE AFTER HIS TERM ENDS.

THIS WEEK THERE WAS REPORTING AND NO DENIAL THAT RODKY ADKINS COULD BE INTERESTED IN THE NOMINATION THAT COMES AS REPUBLICANS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A POTENTIALLY COMPETITIVE PRIMARY.

SO THERE IS CERTAINLY A LOT TO WATCH IN THAT REGARD, WE KNOW THAT IN 2019 ADKINS WAS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR.

>> I MEAN, ROCKY ADKINS IS A FASCINATING DEMOCRATIC FIGURE.

HE'S GOT RURAL ROOTS HE HAS DONE WELL IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

HE'S HAD SOME ANTIABORTION STANCES HE IS PERHAPS VIEWED AS MORE MODERATE COULD DO WELL AND TAKE VOTES AWAY FROM REPUBLICANS IN THE AREAS WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE TRADITIONALLY WELL.

OBVIOUSLY LONG TIME LEGISLATOR HE HAS NAME RECOGNITION AND THAT WOULD ENHANCE IF HE WERE TO RUN FOR THIS.

PAMELA STEVENSON ALSO EXPRESSED INTEREST SHE DID NOT FARE WELL IN THE STATE CAMPAIGN RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

INTERESTING DYNAMICS FOR THOSE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES.

>> AND YOU KNOW WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE BENCH FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE-WIDE RACE, IT'S IN TERMS OF WHO HAS THE ABILITY HAS SHOWN THE ABILITY TO WIN AND TO PICK UP RURAL AREAS ALONG WITH THE BIG METROS THAT ARE DEMOCRAT BASTIENS LOUISVILLE, LEXINGTON, PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY LOOKING AT ROCKY BECAUSE IF HIS ABILITY TO PICK UP EASTERN KENTUCKY COUNTIES.

>> Bill: REPUBLICANS WON EVERY U.S. SENATE RACE SINCE 1998.

DANIEL CAMERON JUMPED IN MINUTES AFTER McCONNELL MADE HIS ANNOUNCE MANY.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR TOLD SUPPORTERS HE WANTS TO RUN.

THOMAS MASSIE, AND NATE MORRIS GETTING MENTIONED.

WE'RE WATCHING ALL SIDES OF THAT.

FIVE YEARS SINCE THE FIRST CASE OF COVID IN KENTUCKY.

BUT KENTUCKY HAS LOST MORE THAN 20,000 PEOPLE.

THAT WAS A DARK TIME.

IT'S TESTED ALL OF US IN MANY, MANY WAYS.

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY.

I THINK ONE THING COMING OUT OF COVID AND WHAT PEOPLE SAW IS GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS HOSTING THOSE DAILY PRESS CONFERENCES.

AND I THINK A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS FELT LIKE THEY WERE IN THIS TOGETHER GETTING THROUGH IT.

SO IT'S VERY INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE WE WERE FIVE YEARS AGO VER VUSE WHERE WE ARE NOW.

>> Bill: SOME WAYS IT SEEMS LIKE A LONGTIME AGO AND IT SEEMS ONGOING.

>> I REMEMBER SITTING IN A VERY CROWDED COMMITTEE ROOM SITTING ON THE FLOOR WATCHING Dr. STACK ADDRESS LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE FIRST CASE OF COVID.

SHORTLY AFTER IT HAPPENED RIGHT AROUND FIVE YEARS AGO.

AND IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING TIME, I THINK.

WE STILL HAVEN'T FULLY UNPACKED EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED.

DIZZYING TIME BUT IT WAS A TIME IN WHICH THE GOVERNOR ELEVATED HIS STATUS NOT JUST IN A STATE ROLE BUT NATIONALLY.

>> Bill: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS THIS WEEKEND FORMER KENTUCKY GOVERNOR FORD LONG OPPOSED IT NOTING THAT SCHOOL KIDS HAVE TO STAND IN THE DARK WAITING FOR A BUS BUT IT DOES BEGIN AT 2:00 A.M. SUNDAY.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

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