[♪♪] >> Bill: THE LEGISLATURE OVERRIDES A VETO FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR WHICH NULLIFIES LOCAL ORDINANCES ON SOURCE OF INCOME DISCRIMINATION WHEN IT COMES TO RENT.

BEHIND THE SCENES BUDGET TALKS PICK UP AS THE TIME IS TICKING TO GET A TWO YEAR STATE SPENDING PLAN TOGETHER.

DEMOCRATS WALKOUT IN PROTEST OF A BILL ON ALTERNATIVES TO PREGNANCY TERMINATIONS.

KENTUCKY MARKS FOUR YEARS SINCE THE COVID PANDEMIC BEGAN AND MARKS THE LOSSES AND THE LESSONS LEARNED.

ON THIS SPRING FORWARD WEEKEND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: 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 GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ, SENIOR REPORTER FOR WHAS11 IN LOUISVILLE.

SARAH LADD, HEALTH AND POLICY REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

AND RYLAND BARTON, THE KENTUCKY BASED SENIOR EDITOR FOR NPR.

MORE SCRUTINY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND DAYS AFTER SAYING HE WILL LEAVE HIS SENATE LEADERSHIP ROLE, SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL ENDORSES DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT.

A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE FIRST VETO OF THE SESSION FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND THE QUICK OVERRIDE BY THE LEGISLATURE.

HOUSE BILL 18 IS NOW THE LAW OF THE LAND BECAUSE IT CONTAINED AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE.

IT SAYS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CANNOT PASS ORDINANCES THAT BAN LANDLORDS FROM REJECTING PEOPLE BASED ON HOW THEY PAY THEIR RENT.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST OF WHAT WE FEEL WILL BE SEVERAL IN THE PROCESS OF VETO OVERRIDES.

THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE AND THE CITY OF LEXINGTON HAVE A HOMELESS PROBLEM DIRECTLY RELATED TO THEIR BAD POLICIES THAT THEY'VE PASSED.

AND IF THEY WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS FOR LACK OF HOUSING OR BAD HOUSING, A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THOSE TWO CITIES NEED TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

THE STARK WORDS PRESIDENT STIVERS, LEXINGTON AND LOUISVILLE HAD THE LOCAL ORDINANCES IN PLACE TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PEOPLE HOW THEY PAY THEIR RENT AND GET THE MONEY AND THOSE ARE NEWLY AND VOID.

>> HERE IS AN ORDINANCE IN LOUISVILLE'S CASE THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR THREE YEARS SINCE 2020.

IT IS DEFINITELY I CAN SPEAK FOR FOLKS IT IS A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

YOU HAVE THE TWO SIDES.

YOU HAVE STATE LAWMAKERS REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY SAYING THIS IS ABOUT PROPERTY RIGHTS.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, ON THE ON THE OTHER HAND ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU HAVE ADVOCACY GROUPS IN LOUISVILLE BASICALLY SAYING LET THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS THIS IS ONLY GOING TO EXACERBATE ISSUES THAT EXIST.

THERE IS A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSE AND IN THE TENS OF THOUSANDS AND A LACK OF SPACE IN SHELTERS AND IN THEIR WORDS ALL THIS BILL WILL DO NOW LAW, IS LENGTHEN THE STAYS OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED SHELTERS THUS THAT ROOM, THE LACK OF ROOM ISSUE WON'T BE GETTING BETTER.

>> Bill: OPPONENTS TRIED TO BRING UP INCLUDING THE FACT THEY SAID THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP VETERANS WHO GET FEDERAL SUPPORT AT TIMES.

THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT BUY THAT.

>> NOT AT ALL.

YOU HEARD SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS BLAME THIS ON LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON SAYING THIS IS ABOUT BAD POLICY PUTTING THE ONUS ON THEM, THAT THEY NEED TO FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE MORE SPACE.

HOW TO PROVIDE SOME OF THE SERVICES, WHICH, AGAIN, IN HIS WORDS LOUISVILLE HASN'T QUITE PREPARED ITSELF FOR THE ISSUES WE'VE SEEN.

>> Bill: THERE IS A MOVE IN LOUISVILLE TO PUT $10 MILLION IN THE BUDGET FOR EVICTION PROTECTION.

THERE IS A PUSH IN LEXINGTON FOR MORE FUNDING LIKE THAT AS WELL.

ARE CITYING GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME BIG, BOLD, MOVES IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESSNESS ISSUE?

>> BILL, IT'S ALREADY HAPPENING IN LOUISVILLE, THE MAYOR ONE OF HIS PROJECTS HAS BEEN THIS COMMUNITY CARE CAMPUS WHICH WOULD BE A MIX OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, A MIX OF RESPITE CARE, SHELTERS REFITTING RETROFITTING EXISTING BUILDINGS THAT AREN'T BEING USED FORFEIT TO USE TO HELP THE HOUSELESS POPULATION.

THE PROBLEM IS FUNDING IS NOT ALL THERE AND WHEN THEY DO ANNOUNCE THOSE WHO WILL RUN THE PROJECT THERE IS NO TIMELINE AS TO WHEN IT WILL OPEN.

CONSTRUCTION IS IS TENTATIVELY PLANNED TO START TOWARD THE SECOND HALF OF 2024 IT PUTS IT DOWN LINE AND NO NEAR SIGHT OF IT FINISHING.

>> Bill: AND THIS IS THE BIGGER CITIES IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE THIS ISSUE SPREADING TO SMALLER CITIES AND WE'RE HEARING MAJOR CHALLENGES IN SOMERSET AND RICHMOND AND FRANKFORT AND OTHER PLAYS.

THIS IS A STATE-WIDE AND A NATIONAL ISSUE.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT FOLKS HAVE SEEN.

IT'S VISIBLE ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAPPENED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

ON ONE SIDE THE HOUSING ISSUE AND THE OTHER SIDE IT IS AN INCOME ISSUE.

BUT RIGHT NOW ALSO WE ARE AT THIS TIME WHICH THE LEGISLATURE IS CONSIDERING A BILL THAT WOULD IN SOME WAYS CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS CRIMINALIZE FOLKS WOULD CAMP IN PUBLIC PLACES AND PROVIDE OTHER WAYS TO MOVE THEM AND CREATE CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR THAT.

THERE IS A SQUEEZE ON OKAY, IF YOU ARE GOING TO BAN LOCALITIES FROM REQUIRING -- FROM NOT DISCRIMINATING OVER SAY, MAKING LANDLORDS CONSIDER SECTION EIGHT HOUSING WHEN AN APPLICANT HAS THAT AVAILABLE TO THEM, BUT THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE IF THEY DON'T END UP IN HOUSING THEY COULD END UP IN JAIL AND GO THROUGH THE CASCADING PROBLEM WE SEE OF FOLKS GOING DOWN THIS ROAD OF DEALING WITH CRIMINAL CHARGES AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR IT AND ENDING UP IN JAIL.

IT IS A TOUGH TIME AND THERE'S NOT A LOT OF SOLUTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO SOLVE EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BILLS LIKE THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED.

>> Bill: THERE ARE SO MANY FACTORS AS FAR AS THE CAUSES.

PEOPLE END IN THAT SITUATION, RIGHT?

>> SURE.

AND A LOT OF IT THE PANDEMIC LIKE YOU MENTIONED HAD PUSHED THE ISSUES FORWARD EVEN MORE BUT IT GOES BEYOND FUNDING.

ONCE YOU DO SECURE FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING THEN THERE'S THE HE QUESTION OF WHAT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

WHAT MEDIAN INCOME?

WHAT LOW INCOME THRESHOLD DO YOU HAVE TO MEET TO QUALIFY THAT IS WITHIN THESY AS WELL.

WHEN THERE'S PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING THERE ARE ISSUES IS THIS GOING TO BENEFIT THOSE THAT NEED IT THE MOST.

>> Bill: GOOD DISCUSSION ON THAT.

SARAH WRITES ABOUT 10 STORIES A WEEK RIGHT NOW.

AND SOME OF THOSE ARE ON BILLS AND SOME ARE ON DRAMA THAT COMES ALONG.

SOME DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS WALKED OUT THIS WEEK TO PROTEST A DISCUSSION ABOUT ALTERNATIVES TO PREGNANCY TERMINATION A BILL HEARD THAT IS HOW ITS FRAMERS DESCRIBED IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE TATE HAS SPONSORED THE BILL AND IT DOES PITCH ITSELF THE LANGUAGE SAYS IT'S ALTERNATIVES TO PREGNANCY TERMINATION.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE ON THAT, IS THAT ABORTION IS ILLEGAL IN MOST CASES IN KENTUCKY.

BUT THE BILL BASICALLY WOULD REQUIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO COVER PERRY NATAL CARE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT AND YOU LEARN YOUR BABY IS GOING TO DIE, THIS WOULD BASICALLY REQUIRE INSURES TO COVER SORTS OF CARE THAT MAY INCLUDE CREMATION ASSISTANCE OR PASTORAL COUNSELING THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

NOW, A LOT OF HOSPITALS FACILITIES ALREADY HAVE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THIS BILL WILL JUST BE A DUPLICATION OF SERVICES AND WILL EXCLUDE PEOPLE WHO DO END THEIR PREGNANCIES EARLY AND NOT CARRY TO TERM.

AND SO ON THAT VAIN AS SOON AS REPRESENTATIVE TATE SAT DOWN TO DISCUSS HER BILL IN THIS COMMITTEE THIS WEEK, THREE DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS GOT UP AND WALKED OUT OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING.

THIS WAS LINDSEY BURKE, RACHEL ROURKE AND ADRIAN CAMP I WILL.

THEY LEFT THE COMMITTEE ROOM AND WAITED IN THE HALL WHILE THE DISCUSSION HAPPENED AND DECLINED TO VOTE ON IT.

REPRESENTATIVE BURKE SAID THAT SHE SORT OF FELT LIKE IT WAS A PERSONAL ATTACK AND IT MASQUERADES AS HELP FOR GRIEVING PARENTS BUT IS RESTRICTIVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE CERTAIN PLAN YOU HAVE TO CARRY TO TERM.

AND SHE OF COURSE SHARED HER STORY OF A COMPLICATED JOURNEY TO BECOMING A MOTHER.

SHE DEALT WITH INFERTILITY, ILLNESSES, SHE HAD TO GO THROUGH IVF AND HAD A COMPLICATED PREGNANCY WHERE SHE HAD TO ABORT ONE OF HER TWINS.

AND SO SHE SAID SHE FELT LIKE IT WAS A PERSONAL ATTACK AND WAS HE AA COINCIDENCE THIS BILL WAS FILED AROUND THE TIME SHE SHARED THIS STORY.

THEY CAME IN AFTER THE BILL PASSED AND DID NOT RECORD A VOTE.

>> Bill: THEY ARE NOT ON RECORD.

THE STATEMENT WAS MADE BY THE WALKOUT.

>> GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> Bill: DOES IT APPEAR THAT AN EXCEPTION BILL TO THE STATE'S TOTAL BAN ON ABORTION IS GOING TO MOVE BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION?

>> I MEAN WE'RE GETTING DOWN TO THE WIRE.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE INTRODUCED BILLS BEFORE.

WE HAVE A NEW ONE FROM KEN FLEMING WANTING TO ADD THOSE EXCEPTIONS AND CLARIFY THAT DOCTORS COULD TREAT ATOPIC PREGNANCIES THAT REQUIRE ABORTION CARE.

WHO KNOWS.

THEY HAVE NOT MOVED BEFORE.

>> RYLAND, THE WALKOUT WAS MENTIONED AND THIS IS MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE BUT THERE IS ALSO A BILL THAT MAKES IT A CRIME TO INTERRUPT A LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THAT IS OFFERED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BLANTON.

>> THIS COMES UP EVERY YEAR THERE WILL BE A HIGH PROFILE BILL WHERE FOLKS COME FROM AROUND THE STATE TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS ON THEM.

AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOISY AND CROWDED AND SOMETIMES LAWMAKERS MAY HAVE A TOUGH TIME GETTING TO THE SEATS THEY WANT TO BE IN.

THEY'VE CREATED NOW A CRIME IF THIS PASSES IT WOULD BE A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR FOR FIRST OFFENSE OF INTERFERING WITH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND CLASS A ON THE SECOND CHANCE.

THIS IS OPPONENTS SAY THIS IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROTEST AND VOICE THEIR DISPLEASURE WITH BILLS.

AND ALSO THERE ARE CHARGES ON THE BOOKS THAT PEOPLE CAN BE CHARGED WITH.

LAST YEAR THERE WAS A PROTEST 19 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED DURING THE A PROTEST IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LAST YEAR AGAINST THE SENATE BILL 150 THE ANTI-TRANS BILL AND THOSE FOLKS GOT CHARGED, I CANNOT REMEMBER THE CHARGE BUT MISDEMEANOR AND THEY HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE COURT PROCESS AND SOME HAVE BEEN CONVICTED.

>> Bill: THEY WERE IN THE CHAMBER.

WHAT ABOUT IF THERE IS A LOUD PROTEST OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL AND IT IS SO LOUD THAT IT'S DISRUPTIVE TO THE PROCESS.

>> I'M NOT SURE IF THIS BILL WOULD APPLY TO THAT BUT THAT IS WHAT WE REMEMBER ON THE NOISY DAYS THE DAYS OF PROTESTS.

AND THOSE ARE MOMENTS WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE THEY SEE THAT SOMETHING'S GOING ON IN FRANKFORT AND PEOPLE ARE ENGAGING WITH THE PROCESS.

AND FOLKS AGAINST THE BILL ARE WORRIED THERE WILL BE A CHILLING EFFECT IF MORE CRIMES ARE ADDED ON TO THESE PROTEST ACTIONS.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE KENTUCKIANS WILL FACE A PARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS IN THE FUTURE.

THE GOVERNOR MAY VETO THAT BUT WE HAVE SEE HOW EASILY HE IS OVERRIDDEN.

THE BOARD HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY GOVERNORS AND CRITICS ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT SAY THAT HAS BECOME PARTISAN.

THIS WOULD BE A NEW KIND OF ELECTION FOR KENTUCKIANS TO DEAL WITH.

>> AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH THAT, BILL.

YOU SEE AN R OR A D BY NAME AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IS BRINGS IDEOLOGY INTO THE PICTURE WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION, I MEAN WE'VE SEEN CULTURE WARS BECOME A BIG ISSUE INCLUDING ON A STATE LEVEL FROM PRONOUNCE USED FROM TEACHERS TO STUDENTS, TO BOOK BANNING AND YOU CAN GO THROUGH A LIST HERE.

AND YOU COULD ARGUE THAT NOW VOTERS INSTEAD OF JUST SEEING POTENTIAL CANDIDATES OR BOARD MEMBERS UP FOR REELECTION AS JUST EDUCATORS OR STANDING FOR CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL VALUES NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU BRING THE R AND D BY THEIR NAMES YOU MIGHT HAVE VOTERS QUESTION DO THEY ALIGN WITH MY MORALS MY BELIEFS.

>> Bill: HISTORY, RYLAND, WE USED TO ELECT THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION BEFORE CARA WAS PASSED.

>> UNTIL THE REFORM ACT AND LAWMAKERS CELEBRATE THAT HAS A GREAT MOMENT IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

THE POINT OF HAVING A STAGGERED APPOINTED SCHOOL BOARD IT INSULATES THE BOARD FROM POLITICS.

THAT YOU WILL HAVE APPOINTEES THAT STRADDLE THE LINE FROM ONE GOVERNOR UNTIL THE NEXT.

AND THEN ALSO THIS BOARD IS ALSO IN CHARGE OF HIRING THE STATE'S EDUCATION COMMISSIONER.

THIS STARTS TO AFFECT THAT WHOLE PROCESS.

AND WE REALLY HAVEN'T HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS IN A LONGTIME.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THERE WAS SOME BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION TO THIS IN THE SENATE.

SO IT ONLY PASSED 24-14.

THERE WAS HIGH PROFILE SENATORS AGAINST THIS.

THIS WOULD BE A RADICAL CHANGE IN OUT KENTUCKY GOVERNANCE OF EDUCATION WORKS.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Bill: KEEP WATCH ON THAT JEFER SOUND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE.

BUN BILL CREATES A TASK FORCE TO DIVE INTO THE CHALLENGES THE STATE'S LARGEST DISTRICT IS FACING.

THERE CONTINUES TO BE TALK OF POTENTIALLY SPLITTING UP THE DISTRICT.

AND OF COURSE, A LOT OF OPPOSITION TO THAT WITHIN JCPS.

>> WE HEARD THE SUPERINTENDENT RAISE HIS VOICE IN FRANKFORT A FEW DAYS AGO.

AND YOU REALLY HE CONTINUOUSLY USES THIS VERBIAGE HE FEELS LIKE THE DISTRICT IS BEING TARGETED THEY HAVE A RESOLUTION THAT SAYS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH POPULATION OF OVER 75,000, JCPS GETS IDENTIFIED AND IN HIS WORDS HE REALLY FEELS THESE EFFORTS ARE MISGUIDED BECAUSE IN HIS MIND THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT LAWMAKERS NEED TO BE FOCUSING ON.

AND THAT'S GETTING MORE TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.

GETTING MORE BUS DRIVERS IN BUSES AND GETTING MORE STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM FROM AN ATTENDANCE PERSPECTIVE AND THIS KIND OF TASK FORCE RESOLUTION DOES NONE OF THOSE THINGS.

>> Bill: AND THIS WOULD GO FAR BEYOND A ROUTINE FINANCIAL AUDIT?

>> YES.

I TALKED WITH THE SENATOR WHO FILED A SIMILAR BILL IN THE SENATE.

AND THERE'S ELEMENTS OF THIS THE TIMING BILL YOU SEE THEY HAVE TO HAVE A RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT COME OUT BY MID-DECEMBER.

THAT PUTS IT RIGHT A MONTH PRIOR TO THAT FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTING THAT CAN'T BE UNDERSTATED THAT IS MOMENTUM FROM RECOMMENDATION TO POTENTIALLY LEGISLATION.

OF COURSE, THERE'S GOING TO BE A MEMBER OF THE LOUISVILLE MAYOR'S OFFICE A PART OF THIS TASK FORCE.

IF IT PASSES.

SO THAT IS UNIQUE.

AND THERE IS NO PATHWAY RIGHT NOW FOR A SPLITTING OF THE DISTRICT.

THIS HAS A LONG WAY TO GO AND THE STATE SUPREME COURT DOESN'T LOVE BILLS THAT SINGLE OUT PARTICULAR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OR BOARDS.

>> Bill: A LOT TO WATCH IN THE CLOSING WEEKS ON THAT.

THERE IS A SPEECH THERAPY BILL THAT WOULD EXPAND INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THOSE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR STUTTERING AND IT BROUGHT A FORMER U.K. BASKETBALL PLAYER TO ADVOCATE FOR IT.

>> THIS IS WESTERFIELD'S BILL AND REQUIRE HEALTH INSURES TO COVER TREATMENT, THERAPY SESSIONS FOR STUTTERING AND GET RID OF CAPS.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE NEED MORE THAN THE INSURANCE WILL COVER AND THIS WOULD ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

>> Bill: THERE IS A BILL THAT WOULD PLACE MORE RESTRICTIONS ON ADULT ORIENTED BUSINESSES.

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH?

>> IT'S ADVANCING.

IT SAYS THAT ANY BUSINESS THAT REGULARLY HOSTS SEXUALLY EXPLICIT PERFORMANCES COULDN'T BE WITHIN 933 FEET OF A BUSINESS THAT CATERS TO CHILDREN.

IT DID HAVE A RECENT CHANGE THIS WEEK RIGHT BEFORE IT PASSED THE SENATE WHICH WOULD ALLOW BUSINESSES ALREADY IN THAT VICINITY TO BE GRANDFATHERED IN AND THEY WOULD NOT FACE PENALTIES FOR BEING THERE.

>> Bill: THAT CAUSED A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

>> SURE.

WITH A DRAG PERFORMER IN LOUISVILLE WHO GOES BY THE STAGE NAME MAY OWE NAZ AND THE SENATOR THE SPONSOR, TALKED ABOUT A CONVERSATION THAT THEY HAD.

HE WAS CALLING TO MEET HER AND HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.

THEY APPARENTLY DID.

AND THAT LED HER TO CHANGE SOME OF THE LANGUAGE BECAUSE IN HER MIND SHE DIDN'T NECESSARILY SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DRAG PERFORMANCE AND ONE THAT MIGHT BE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT.

THAT WAS CLEARED UP THROUGH THE CONVERSATION ACCORDING TO HER.

>> Bill: CIVIC EDUCATION BILL SEEMS TO HAVE TRACTION IT WOULD REQUIRE A COURSE BE TAUGHT IN HIGH SCHOOLS ABOUT HOW THE COUNTRY FUNCTIONS.

WHICH -- >> THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT THESE DAYS AND WHETHER PEOPLE ARE EDUCATED ENOUGH IN HOW IT WORKS.

SO A GROUP THAT WAS AFFILIATED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE ADAMS CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF KENTUCKIANS CIVICS KNOWLEDGE AND FOUND WHILE THE STATE WASN'T THE BACK OF THE LINE ON THIS, THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE.

PACK IN TERMS OF CIVIC EDUCATION.

ONLY FIVE OUT OF 10 KENTUCKIANS COULD NAME ONE OF THEIR LAWMAKERS.

IT DID SHOW MORE PEOPLE KNEW WHO KENTUCKY'S GOVERNOR WERE THAN THE PRESIDENT WHICH I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO STATE GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS A PASSION OF OURS MORE PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE HOW STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS BECAUSE LAWMAKERS HAVE SO MUCH ABILITY TO AFFECT OUR LIVES AND PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

THIS WOULD BE A CLASS REQUIRING FOLKS TO LEARN MORE.

>> Bill: THERE'S SO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE NATIONAL NARRATIVE THESE DAYS WHEN WHAT MATTERS TO YOU LOCALLY IS YOUR MAYOR YOUR COUNTY JUDGE AND YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES IN THE STATE HOUSE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND ALL THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

THESE ARE FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

AND YEAH, THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET MORE INVOLVED AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS BECOME HARD WITH SOCIAL MEDIA AND FOLKS PAYING A LOT MORE ATTENTION TO NATIONAL NEWS AND THERE'S BEEN SHUTTERING OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ESPECIALLY IN SMALLER TOWNS.

IT'S ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM.

>> Bill: WE KEEP HEARING BEHIND THE SCENES THERE ARE BUDGET TALKS UNDERWAY WE DON'T HEAR A LOT ABOUT THAT.

THE SENATE IS CONSIDERING EXACTLY WHAT IT WILL SEND BACK TO THE HOUSE.

>> RIGHT.

WE'RE IN THIS MID-PROCESS THE HOUSE PASSED THE BUDGET AND THE SENATE WILL COME UP WITH THEIR VERSION IT COULD BE DIFFERENT BUT WE ARE IN THE AGE FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE A LOT OF SAME PRIORITIES THAT THEY WILL DISCUSSIONS HAVE PROBABLY BEEN HAPPENING AT SOME LEVEL WHAT THE FINAL VERSION OF THE BUDGET WILL LOOK LIKE BUT THEY NEED TO GET THAT PASSED AHEAD OF THE GOVERNOR'S VETO BREAK IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THEIR ABILITY TO OVERRIDE THE VETO IN THE LAST TWO DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE NEXT WEEKS WILL BE CRITICAL FOR LAWMAKERS IN PASSING THAT FINAL VERSION OF THE LEGISLATURE'S VERSION OF THE BUDGET.

>> Bill: A BILL DEALING WITH PUBLIC RECORDS IS MOVING BUT WITH CHANGES IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> THIS RAISED A LOT OF WORRIES A COUPLE WEEKS AGO IN HOW IT WOULD REMOVE THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC RECORDS THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

AND IT HAS BEEN PAIRED BACK AND OPEN RECORDS ADVOCATES ARE STILL WORRIED THAT IT WOULD SHIELD SOME THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT NAMELY THINGS THAT END UP ON TEXT MESSAGES.

THERE IS A REQUIREMENT THAT OFFICIALS ONLY USE THEIR COMPUTERS AND OFFICIAL MACHINES FOR PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.

BUT, THERE'S JUST A LOT OF GREAT EXAMPLES OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS USING THEIR PERSONAL DEVICES FOR PUBLIC BUSINESS.

ONE OF THE GREAT ONES IS THE JCPS BUS DEBACLE LAST YEAR AND SOMETHING REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN USING TO PUSH FOR THIS AUDIT OF JCPS.

THERE'S A LOT OF IMPORTANCE TO HAVING ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS.

>> Bill: SARAH IS A CHILDCARE BILL GOING TO GET THROUGH?

>> WE ARE GETTING LATE IN THE GAME AND THE SPONSOR OF THE BIGGEST CHILDCARE BILL THAT WE'VE SEEN SAID THIS WEEK HE IS CONCERNED BECAUSE HE IS GETTING DOWN TO THE WIRE ON IT.

BECAUSE HE DID SAY THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT SPENDING $300 MILLION ON A SINGLE INDUSTRY.

AND SOME LAWMAKERS ARE JUST RELUCTANT TO PUT THAT MUCH MONEY INTO IT.

HE SAYS IT'S WORTH EVERY PENNY.

SOME LAWMAKERS DID SUGGEST TO HIM HE SAID THAT MOTHERS SHOULD STAY HOME AND TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN.

AS FAR AS I KNOW NO ONE SUGGESTED THAT FATHERS DO THE SAME AND ALL THE COMPLICATIONS OF EVERY SINGLE WORKING MOTHER LEFT THE WORKFORCE WHAT WOULD THAT DO TO THE ECONOMY.

>> AND THE ADDED ELEMENT YOU CAN'T TAKE $300 MILLION AND MAKE IT 150 IT'S ALL BUILT AROUND THAT PRICE TAG.

YOU TAKE THAT DOWN AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE BILL CRUMBLE.

>> Bill: SPECIAL ELECTION WOULD BE USED TO SELECT A VACANT SENATE SEAT, WHICH PREVIOUSLY HAS BEEN AN APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR AND THAT WILL BE A CHANGE.

>> THIS POPPED OFF AFTER MITCH McCONNELL ANNOUNCED HE WOULD RESIGN FROM HIS LEADERSHIP POSITION FROM THE U.S. SENATE AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

HE HASN'T SAID HE IS GOING TO RESIGN HIS SEAT HE WILL STAY UNTIL 2026.

THIS BILL POPPING UP AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THAT WILL HAPPEN.

THIS IS A CHANGE HOW IT WORKS.

RIGHT NOW IF THERE IS A SENATE VACANCY THE GOVERNOR WOULD APPOINT A REPLACEMENT.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL THE GOVERNOR PICKS FROM A LIST OF PEOPLE SELECTED FROM THE PARTY OF THE OUTGOING SENATOR.

AND THIS WOULD DO AWAY WITH THAT AND MAKE IT A SPECIAL ELECTION AND THAT WOULD BE CALLED BY THE GOVERNOR.

BUT THAT'S THE ONLY AUTHORITY THAT THAT POSITION WOULD HAVE OVER DECIDING WHO IS NEXT IN THAT OFFICE.

>> Bill: AND SPEAKING OF SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL, HE HAS ENDORSED DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT.

HERE'S WHAT HE SAID TO REPORTERS ABOUT THE ENDORSEMENT.

>> FEBRUARY THE 25TH, 2021, SHORTLY AFTER THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL, I WAS ASKED A SIMILAR QUESTION.

AND I SAID I WOULD SUPPORT THE NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT EVEN IF IT WERE THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

>> Bill: OKAY.

SO THERE IT IS.

>> IT IS A REMARKABLE CHANGE IN TONE.

MITCH McCONNELL HADN'T TALKED TO DONALD TRUMP SINCE LATE 2020.

HE SAID THAT HE WAS PRACTICALLY AND MORALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSURRECTION ON THE U.S. CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021.

THEY HAVEN'T TALKED SINCE THEN AND THOUSAND FOR THE SERVICE OF THE PARTY HE IS UNITING BEHIND THE PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT.

>> Bill: THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF COVID IN KENTUCKY WAS THIS WEEK AND A LOT OF TALK WHO WE LOST AND WHAT WE LEARNED.

>> WE HAD A CEREMONY AND RANG THE BELL LIKE WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC A LOT IN HONOR OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIED.

WE LOST 20,000 KENTUCKIANS TO COVID OVER OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS THERE'S RESEARCH TO BE DONE.

LONG COVID VACCINES.

SO WE WILL BE CONTINUING TO TALK ABOUT THIS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> Bill: AND IT RESET THE MEASLES VACCINATIONS ARE AT A LOW RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE BLOWBACK DURING THAT TIME IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> LOTS MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE NEED FOR VACCINES.

>> Bill: WHAT IS THE UPDATE ON THE SECOND STREET BRIDGE OVER IN LOUISVILLE?

AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE'S TROUBLE WITH THE SHERMAN MINTON BRIDGE KENTUCKY HAS ITS WAY OF KEEPING PEOPLE FROM GOING TO INDIANA RIGHT NOW?

>> KEEPING THEM ON THEIR TOES.

AND YOU ADD I'VE BEEN REPORTING ON THE ISSUES WITH RIVER LINK AND THE 65 BRIDGES YOU CAN'T WIN NO MATTER WHAT WAY YOU DPVMENT WE HAD DOUG OUR ANCHOR SENDING ME AN UPDATE ON TWITTER BASICALLY SAYING THEY ARE WORKING ON GETTING THAT REPLACEMENT STEEL TO FIX SOME OF THE RAILING THERE.

THERE'S THAT HOLE.

THE SIDEWALK ONE LANE STILL CLOSED THEY ARE WORKING ON DEVELOPING A CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE TO FIX THAT.

NO CLEAR DATE AS TO WHEN THAT WILL HAPPEN AND THEY ARE COMMUNICATING WITH FOLKS ON THE SHERMAN MINTON TO SEE WHEN AND WHERE.

>> LARGE AND IMPORTANT STRUCTURES.

MAYFIELD MAYOR RECEIVED A NATIONAL HONOR FOR HER LEADERSHIP DURING THE DECEMBER 2021 TORNADO OUTBREAK.

SHE WAS RECOGNIZED WITH THIS NATIONAL DISASTER LEADERSHIP AWARD.

PRESENTED THIS WEEK BY LEADERS LINK A NONPROFIT THAT HELPS COMMUNITIES PREVENT, PREPARE FOR AND RECOVER FROM DISASTERS.

>> AND THE KENTUCKY JOURNALISM HALL OF FAME'S 2024 INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED.

PETER MANIAC IS A FORMER EDITOR AND MANAGER OF THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

DEBRA TAYLOR GIBBONS A FORMER EDITOR AND PUBLISHER AND PROFESSOR.

THE REVEREND FORMER BUSINESS REPORTER NOW RELIGION COLUMNIST AT THE LATINX TOWARD HERALD LEADER.

ELIZABETH RYAN IS A RETIRED PROFESSOR WHO WAS A RADIO REPORTER.

SHELDON SCHAEFER WROTE 25,000 STORIES IN 44 YEARS AT THE COURIER JOURNAL.

AND KYLE VANCE WHO SHARED THIS PULITZER PRIZE FOR HIS COVERAGE OF STRIP MINING IN KENTUCKY.

THE INDUCTIONS WILL BE IN THE KENTUCKY STUDENT CENTER.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.