[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT: HOW THINGS LOOK, AT THE MIDPOINT OF KENTUCKY’S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TOMORROW IS DAY NUMBER 17 OF THE 30-DAY SESSION.

TONIGHT, WE’LL TALK ABOUT WHAT’S LIKELY TO HAPPEN IN THE REMAINING WEEKS.

LAWMAKERS HAVE FILED MORE THAN 11-HUNDRED BILLS.

LEFT TO BE RESOLVED: MEASURES ON REMOTE WORK FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, THE POSSIBILITY OF KENTUCKY VERSION OF THE FEDERAL ‘DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY,’ HOW TO DEAL WITH LOST SCHOOL DAYS DUE TO WEATHER AND ILLNESS, DEI, ABORTION BAN EXCEPTIONS, AND MORE.

WE HAVE FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS JOINING US IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO: STATE SENATOR DAVID GIVENS, A REPUBLICAN FROM GREENSBURG AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE; STATE SENATOR DAVID YATES, A DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE AND SENATE MINORITY WHIP; STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVEN RUDY, A REPUBLICAN FROM PADUCAH AND HOUSE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER; AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE AL GENTRY, A DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE AND HOUSE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

YOU CAN SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X — FORMERLY TWITTER -- AT PUB AFFAIRS KET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR USE THE WEB FORM AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G SLASH K-Y TONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO ALL OUR GUESTS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

DAY 17, WOO-HOO.

GOING BY REALLY FAST OR REALLY SLOW I'LL LET YOU ALL DETERMINE WHICH.

I WANT TO START UP WITH OF THE TOPICS I DID NOT MENTION WAS ABOUT FLOODS AND WE KNOW TODAY WE HAD NEWS THAT PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAD APPROVED GOVERNOR BESHEAR REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION AND FEDERAL AID.

22 PEOPLE ARE NOW CONFIRMED DEAD FROM THE FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND THE FLOODING LAST WEEK IN THAT ONE-TWO PUNCH WE HAD LAST WEEK.

THE EXPEDITED DISASTER WILL HELP FUNDING FOR 10 KENTUCKY COUNTIES.

MY QUESTION TO YOU LEADER RUDY IS THAT GOING TO BE ENOUGH?

AND WHAT ARE STATE LAWMAKERS TALKING ABOUT WHERE POSSIBLY MORE RELIEF PARTICULARLY FOR STORM VICTIMS CAN COME IN?

>> RIGHT.

WE'RE CERTAINLY MONITORING THAT.

WE ARE LIKE YOU SAID, 17 I DAYS INTO THE SESSION WE HAVE TIME.

WE CAN ACT QUICKLY WHEN NECESSARY.

WE WILL BE MONITORING.

WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THE NEEDS ARE, WHAT THE SPECIFIC ASKS ARE.

WE'RE GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE FEDERAL MONEY IS COMING IN.

AND WE WILL BE MONITORING THE SITUATION HAVING ONGOING CONVERSATIONS AND HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO HELP WHERE NEEDED.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IT'S GOOD, BECAUSE ACTIONS OF PREVIOUS GENERAL ASSEMBLIES THAT WE DO HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNTED AND ARE ABLE TO HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY.

PRIOR TO 2017 IF WE HAD A DISASTER LIKE THIS, THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND WAS ZERO.

AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY AND THE MONEY AROUND.

THE MONEY WILL BE THERE WHEN NEEDED BUT WE WHRB GOOD STE WARDS OF TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS.

>> Renee: WILL THE MEASURE HAVE TO BEGIN IN THE HOUSE?

>> TECHNICALLY, THE CONSTITUTION SAYS REVENUE MEASURES MUST ORIGINATE IN THE HOUSE NOT APPROPRIATIONS.

BUT TYPICALLY, ON A BUDGET BILL WE TYPICALLY START THOSE IN THE HOUSE.

BUT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH THE SENATE.

WE'LL HAVE BILLS WE CAN AMEND SHOULD WE NEED THAT AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS WILL BE GOING ON FORWARD.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE THE HOUSE AND SENATE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRS WORKING WITH LEADERSHIP AND THE MEMBERS TO MAKE SURE IN THE EFFECTED AREAS AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY GETS WHAT THEY NEED.

THERE'S STILL $4 FILE MILLION IN WK SAFE WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GIVE THE GOVERNOR FLEXIBILITY WITH THAT AS WELL.

BUT I THINK IT'S JUST WE'RE ONLY A WEEK OUT FROM THIS STUFF IT'S TOO EARLY TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE PLENTY OF FLEXIBILITY.

BUT ALSO KEEPING IN MIND WE DON'T NEED TO BE WASTING THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY.

>> Renee: THOSE WERE FUNDS SETUP FOR THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOODS AND THE WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADOES.

>> EXACTLY.

>> Renee: THERE IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN OR TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

SENATOR GIVENS YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT COULD BE DONE AND CONVERSATIONS THAT THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS HAVING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

>> LET ME START BY THANKING YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO BE ON THE PROGRAM.

IT IS ALWAYS A JOY TO SEE YOU AND GLAD YOU ARE DOING WELL AND APPRECIATE THE COVERAGE.

WE'VE HAD GREAT CONVERSATIONS AS LEADER RUDY INDICATED.

THERE'S BEEN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN LEADERSHIP IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

WE'VE HAD COMMUNICATION WITH THE GOVERNOR.

HAD ONE BRIEFING EXPECTING ANOTHER THIS WEEK.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU AND YOUR VIEWERS ON MONDAY OF NEXT WEEK WE INTEND TO HOLD A JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDRESSING THE FLOOD NEEDS AGAIN.

IT'S SAD TO SAY WE'VE HAD EXPERIENCE IN THIS SPACE.

IN SOME WAYS THERE'S BENEFIT THERE.

WE HAVE GREAT FIRST-RESPONDERS.

WE HAVE FOLKS ON THE GROUND THAT ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB AND THEY HAVE IMPROVED THEIR GAME AS A RESULT OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

WE HAVE ABOUT 45 MILLION THAT WE'RE CARRYING FORWARD ON TOP OF THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS $28.5 TO 29 MILLION FOR NGE'S NONGOVERNMENTAL EXPENSES THAT HE HAS AUTOMATIC ACCESS TO.

WE'RE HERE FOR 13 DAYS ALMOST A MONTH A LITTLE OVER A MONTH THAT WE'RE STILL IN SESSION.

WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS.

WE WANT TO BE PRUDENT AND WISE GUARDIANS OF THE TAXPAYERS' FUNDS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME THIS IS A SPACE THAT I ARGUE THAT STATE GOVERNMENTS NEED TO STAND IN.

YOU HEAR LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FEMA.

AND IN MY MIND FEMA IS THAT SIX MONTHS TO EIGHT MONTHS TO THREE YEARS OUT TIME-FRAME.

THE STATE GOVERNMENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS.

AND I THINK YOU'LL SEE KENTUCKY DO WELL ONCE AGAIN.

>> Renee: AND SO THAT MEET SOMETHING NEXT MONDAY.

>> YES.

MONDAY AFTERNOON.

>> Renee: WE'LL MIKE SURE THAT KET WILL BE THERE TO BRING COVERAGE LIVE AND ON-LINE.

WELCOME THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME HERE AT OUR TABLE.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND WHAT YOU ARE HEARING THOUGH THIS IS NOT IN YOUR DISTRICT, CERTAINLY YOU ARE HEARING FROM FOLKS ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT THE IMPACT AND SEEING THAT?

>> ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEING PART OF THE LEGISLATURE IS ONCE YOU ARE ELECTED OUTSIDE OF THE RACE EVERYTHING ELSE YOU BECOME A SENATOR FOR KENTUCKY.

AND SO MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT LOST LIFE AND DEVASTATION AND UNFORTUNATELY WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE.

AND I'M HOPING LIKE BEFORE, THAT WHEN YOU HAVE THIS TYPE OF DEVASTATION IT WILL TRANS END ANY KIND OF POLITICS AND WE ALL COME TOGETHER AND RALLY AROUND THAT.

RIGHT NOW KENTUCKY IMMEDIATELY WE HAVE A GOOD RESPONSE.

WE HAVE A GOOD HISTORY OF TAKING CARE.

BUT HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE BETTER.

MY WORRY IS AFTER THAT IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T LEAVE THESE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT THAT LONG-TERM.

AND WE'VE SEEN AS MY FRIEND AND SENATOR GIVENS POINTED OUT, THREE MONTHS, FOUR MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FEMA AND FUNDS ARE THERE TO CONTINUE THIS.

THAT DOES WORRY ME RIGHT NOW.

KENTUCKY AND YOU WILL HEAR KENTUCKY IS A POOR STATE, SOMETIMES YOU CALL IT A RECIPIENT STATE BECAUSE WE GIVE FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE GIVE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE GET BACK $2.40.

SO WHENEVER WE HAVE DRAMATIC CUTS IN GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND SOURCES LIKE FEMA AND THOSE THINGS IT REALLY HURTS PLACES LIKE KENTUCKY.

SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS KNOW THAT.

THEY UNDERSTAND THAT AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE LONG-TERM HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF KENTUCKY.

SO THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE GOING TO HAVE THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING AROUND BUT WE GET THOSE HELP BACK FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SURE THE FAMILIES CAN BE PROSPEROUS AGAIN.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE?

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THANK YOU, RENEE FOR HAVING ME BACK IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE BEEN ON.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE THE CONCERNS WITH DAVID HERE YATES AND SAY MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

AND YEAH, WE NEED TO GIVE THE HELP THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE.

AND WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE TO DO THAT, I THINK.

I GOT AN INTERESTING STAT HERE THAT I RAN CROSS SAW A REPORT THAT SAID THAT SINCE 2011 OF THE NINE COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE DECLARED FEDERAL DISASTERS EIGHT OF THEM ARE IN KENTUCKY.

EIGHT MOST OF THE MOST NINE.

PROBABLY DID NOT SAY THAT CLEARLY I'M SORRY.

THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING A LOT AND HAPPENING IN AREAS THAT NEED A LOT OF ASSISTANCE AND FORTUNATELY, THERE'S NEVER A GOOD TIME FOR A DISASTER.

BUT FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED WHILE WE HAVE BEEN IN SESSION.

AND ALLOWS US TO ACT FAIRLY QUICKLY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US RETHINK WHAT WE DID A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN IN SETTING BUDGETARY LIMITS FOR THE GOVERNOR TO ACT ON INITIAL RESPONSES, I'D LIKE TO SEE HIM HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY AND MORE DOLLARS TO REACT IN CASE WE ARE NOT IN SESSION.

BECAUSE IT WOULD REQUIRE A SPECIAL SESSION TO COME IN AND FILL IN THE DOLLARS THAT AREN'T THERE TO ADDRESS.

WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET WITH RAIN.

WE HAVE A SATURATED GROUND AND WHERE WE HAD THE WETTEST MONTHS IN THE YEAR COMING UP AROUND THE CORNER FROM TORNADO SEASON AS WELL.

SO I'D LIKE TO SEE US RETHINK THAT AND GET MORE FLEXIBILITY TO THE GOVERNOR TO ACT AS AN EXECUTIVE WHEN HE NEEDS TO.

>> Renee: AND THE GOVERNOR HAS ASKED FOR LIFTING THAT SPENTING CAP TO GIVE HIM THAT SPENDING CAP.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT HE HAD $50 MILLION IN EMERGENCY FUNDING AT HIS FIXER TIPS THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

AND WE FEEL STRONGLY AS THE POLICY MAKING BRANCH, THE ONES WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF BALANCING THE STATE'S CHECKBOOK, THAT $50 MILLION IS ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY.

SHOULD HE NEED MORE, AND CAN JUSTIFY THAT AND YES, WE'RE IN SESSION NOW I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THE FLOODS THAT HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, IT WAS IN JULY, I BELIEVE.

AND WE WENT INTO A THREE-DAY SPECIAL SESSION AND ABLE TO GET THAT RELIEF APPROPRIATED IN VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

WE JUST THINK MAJOR POLICY SHIFTS LIKE THAT AND MAJOR DOLLARS SPENDING THAT WE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE CALLED IN AND CONSIDERED WITH THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE'RE CERTAINLY OPEN TO IT.

BUT GIVING BLANK CHECKS SIMPLY IS NOT ANYTHING THAT WE IN THE MAJORITY ARE INTERESTED IN DOING.

WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE.

BUT WE THINK WE HAVE TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS.

>> Renee: WOULD YOU IN LARGE HIS SPENDING CAP FOR THIS INSTANCE RIGHT NOW OR WOULD YOU PREFER IF THAT IS EXPENDED THAT HE COMES BACK TO YOU IN A SPECIAL SESSION THAT CAN COST TAXPAYERS 69,000 A DAY.

>> 69, 70,000 A DAY VERSUS 50 MILLION.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE DIFFERENCES THERE, WE'RE WILLING AND ABLE TO COME IN, CALL TO THE SPECIAL SESSION WE DID IT IN AUGUST TWO YEARS AGO.

AND WE STILL HAVE MONEY LEFTOVER THAT WE APPROPRIATED AND EK SAFE BACK THEN.

>> THOSE CAPS DO RESET.

KEEP IN MIND, UNDER THE CURRENT CAP HE HAS 28.5 MILLION UNSPENT.

JULY THE FIRST, THOSE CAPS RESET.

SO HE'S GOT 75 MILLION THEN A COMBINATION OF 50 AND 25 FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD.

IF YOU ADD THE 75 AND THE 28 HE HAS OVER 100 MILLION OF SPENDING AUTHORITY RIGHT NOW WITHOUT US GIVING HIM ADDITIONAL AND WE ARE IN SESSION AND WE CAN DO THAT AND IT'S LIKELY WE'LL POSITION MONIES IN ANOTHER FUND SIMILAR TO THE EAST KENTUCKY OR THE WEST KENTUCKY FUND TO DO THAT.

>> Renee: BEFORE MARCH 28TH.

>> BEFORE WE ADJOURN.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY $75 MILLION OF DISCRETIONARY MONIES FOR A GOVERNOR TO USE IN TIMES OF CRISIS, THAT'S A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND I AGREE WITH LEADER RUDY IF WE INCUR I PRAY WE DON'T.

BUT IF WE INCUR THE DISASTER THAT IS GOING TO COST MORE THAN $75 MILLION, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE CALLED IN WE NEED TO BE HERE TO ADDRESS.

BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE OTHER PIECES THAT WILL BE IMPACTED.

CASE IN POINT, YOU MENTIONED WE WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT SCHOOL DAYS.

THESE DISASTERS IMPACTED THOSE SCHOOLS.

THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKEUP DAYS OR PROVIDE MEANS FOR DAYS TO BE RECOVERED.

THERE WOULD BE LOTS OF THINGS ADDRESSED IN A SPECIAL SESSION WHICH CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD BE GREATER THAN $75 MILLION.

>> Renee: AND WE'LL GET TO THE LOST SCHOOL DAYS IN JUST A MOMENT.

I DO WANT TO GO TO A QUESTION FROM JEFF SIMS AND A COMMENT.

HE IS FROM CALDWELL COUNTY HOW DOES THE LEGISLATURE HANDLE 1100 BILLS IN A SHORT SESSION THAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE RESOLUTIONS.

IT'S 1200 WHEN YOU INCLUDE THAT.

DOES THIS NEGATIVITY AFFECT THE ABILITY TO ACT?

SHOULD THERE BE A CAP ON THE NUMBER OF BILLS INTRODUCED?

AND I'M GOING TO GO TO YOU DAVID GIVENS BECAUSE YOUR CAUCUS DID THAT, RIGHT?

>> SO Mr. SIMS ASKED A GREAT QUESTION WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DEBATE WITHIN OUR CAUCUS CAN WE DO IT NN THE CONSTITUTION DOESN'T PROVIDE ANY MECHANISM AND WE DON'T WANT THE RULES TO LIMIT ANYONE.

YOU CAN FILE AS MANY BILLS AS YOU WISH TO FILE.

AMONG THOSE YOU MAY HAVE 30 BILLS OR ONE OR TWO GOOD IDEAS.

WHAT WE'VE DONE IS A VOLUNTARY LIMIT SELF IMPOSED LIMIT AMONG OUR CAUCUS TO SAY TRY TO LIMIT IT TO FIVE.

TRY TO LIMIT IT TO FIVE.

>> Renee: DID PEOPLE COMPLY?

>> WE'VE HAD SOME COMPLIANCE AND OUTLIERS AND THAT IS THE NATURE OF WHAT WE DO.

DAVID WILLIAMS USED TO SAY WHEN ALL YOU'VE GOT IS A HAMMER EVERYTHING LOOKS LIKE A NAIL.

>> Renee: FORMER STATE SENATE PRESIDENT AND NOW JUDGE.

>> SO IT IS THE NATURE OF WHAT WE DO.

AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS A BAD THING BECAUSE WHEN YOU TAKE AN IDEA AND SIN THIZ IT ON THE PAPER YOU START TO LOOK AT IT DIFFERENTLY.

NOW, I THINK THE TOTAL IS 11020 BILLS.

I'D SAY PROBABLY 20% MIGHT MAKE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS BUT THE OTHERS MAYBE THE GENESIS OF GOOD IDEAS FOR US TO TALK ABOUT IN THE INTERIM.

I WOULD LIMIT IT BUT WE NEED TO TRY TO REIN IT IN AND FOCUS SOME.

>> Renee: THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS DID NOT HAVE THE SAME AGREEMENT.

>> ASK THIS GENTLEMAN HOW MANY HE FILED.

>> Renee: THAT IS WHAT I WAS GETTING TO A FRIENDLY ASK HOW MANY YOU FILED?

>> SO NORMALLY, EACH INDIVIDUAL SENATOR WILL HAVE SOME PRIORITY BILLS THAT YOU THINK ARE IMPORTANT.

A LOT OF TIME BEING PART OF A SUPER MINORITY IN THE SENATE, WE DON'T HAVE THE MEMBERS EITHER.

SO A LOT OF TIMES TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE HAVING YOUR PRIORITIES AND ISSUES ADDRESSED PER PERSON WILL LIKELY HAVE TO BE MULTIPLIER EFFECT THAT DOES BALANCE OUT.

THE OTHER PART IS AS THE WHIP AS LOT OF TIMES I WILL FILE THE BILLS THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FELL BETWEEN THE CRACKS.

IF THERE ARE BILLS AND I LOOKED AND SAID THIS WAS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED AND I WENT THROUGH I USUALLY HAVE THINGS PREDRAFTED.

AND THERE'S I BELIEVE THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT DESERVE AT LEAST AN OPEN DEBATE.

AND THE PEOPLE OUT THERE KENTUCKIANS THEY MAY CALL ON THIS ISSUE AND MAYBE IT DOESN'T GET THROUGH THE COMMITTEE BUT IT'S DEBATED IT'S HEARD.

AND THAT IS MY OPPORTUNITY TO LET MY CONSTITUENTS' VOICES BE HEARD.

OR IF IT'S ANOTHER BILL THAT I DON'T THINK IS GREAT BUT MAYBE MY BILL CAN BE ADDED ON AS AN AMENDMENT WE'VE SEEN THAT EVERY SESSION IN SOME FORM.

YOU SEE A LOT OF INNER FIGHTING BUT WE WORK MAKING THINGS BETTER AND BEING PART OF THE MINORITY I LEARNED GETTING THE IDEAS OUT THERE WILL BE INCLUDED IN OTHER BILLS.

YOU MAY NOT GET THE CREDIT FOR IT WE CAN PARTICIPATE IN PART OF MAKING KENTUCKY A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

>> Renee: IS THAT HOW YOU SEE IT REPRESENTATIVE?

>> YEAH, THE WAY I SEE IT WE'RE IN THE SUPER MINORITY AND THEY DON'T PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THE BILLS WE FILE.

IF YOU FILE A LOT OF THEM SOME WILL WINDUP GETTING PASSED ONCE THEY PUT THEM IN THEIR NAMES.

>> Renee: SO THAT IS THE SEGUE TO AN ACTION LAST WEEK IN THE STATE SENATE AND DEALING WITH THE STATE WORKFORCE AND GOING BACK TO WORK.

AND THERE WAS A SENATE BILL 79 BY THE SENATE BUDGET CHAIR THAT DEALT WITH THE TECHNICAL THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO STATE WORKERS.

AND THEN THERE WAS A BIG AMENDMENT TO THAT.

THAT WOULD REQUIRE MORE THAN 30 SOMETHING THOUSAND STATE WORKERS TO COME BACK TO THE OFFICE NO MORE REMOTE WORK THEY HAD TO BE IN THE OFFICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

-YEAR-OLD IF THAT WAS A I DON'T RECALL IF THAT WAS A SECOND BILL BUT THIS SESSION HAPPENED AFTER THE FILING DEADLINE OR THE SAME DAY.

I WANT TO ASK YOU, ONE ABOUT THE TECHNIQUE OF HOW THAT MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION BECAME ATTACHED TO A BILL THAT WAS RELATED.

AND THEN TALK ABOUT THE MERITS OF BILL.

LET'S START WITH THE PROCESS FIRST.

>> GLAD TO ADDRESS THE PROCESS AND YOUR QUESTION IS WELL STATED.

RENEE IT IS DIRECTLY RELATED.

THERE IS NO CONCERN ABOUT THE PROCESS.

THIS BILL WAS TITLED DEALING WITH STATE EMPLOYEES.

IT WAS A CLEAN UP BILL THAT THE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RESOURCES FOLKS APPROACHED LEADER McDANIEL ABOUT.

AND SAID BILL 79 IS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION WE NEED TO PASS.

IN THE LAST FEW MOMENTS, BUT CERTAINLY WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF PROCESS BECAUSE WE HAVE A 24-HOUR RULE ON AMENDMENTS AN AMENDMENT WAS FILED BY ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE.

AND IT BECAME THE CRUX OF THE ARGUMENT AROUND THE BILL AND THIS IS THIS TELEWORK PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

IT DID PASS THE SENATE.

IT WAS NOT A UNANIMOUS VOTE.

IT MADE IT TO THE HOUSE.

I FEEL LIKE THE HOUSE WILL TAKE IT UP AND DO CONSIDERABLE WORK AND PROBABLY DISENGAGE THE AMENDMENT SWIFTLY BASED ON THE NOISE WE'VE HEARD.

BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE NOISE AND REASON FIRST.

THIS IS A MEGA PHONE AND AND IT IS A SHAME WE HAVE TO USE THIS MEGA PHONE BUT OF ALL THE CALLS WE GET OF CONSTITUENT GRIPES, THIS IS THE ONE THAT TOUCHES THE HEART OF THE MATTER.

AND IT'S ASTOUNDING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION IS NOT HEARING AND RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGE.

AND THAT CHALLENGE FALL AS LONG THE LINES OF IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET SIDING WORK DONE FOR UTILITIES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT DONE BECAUSE NO ONE IS IN THE OFFICE.

IF ARE YOU TRYING TO GET A VEHICLE REGISTRATION A TITLE FOR A REBUILT VEHICLE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT DONE.

NO ONE IS IN THE OFFICE.

THE PHONES AREN'T BEING ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS ARE NOT BEING DEALT WITH AND THE TRANSACTIONAL NATURE WHERE THE CITIZEN MEETS GOVERNMENT IS NOT BEING DONE EFFICIENTLY.

WE CAN GO ON AND ON IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET AND THE LICENSING HEADACHES.

THE LINES OF PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE PROCESS OF GETTING A DRIVER'S LICENSE IS THE NUMBER ONE FRUSTRATION I HEAR ABOUT.

AND IT IS A SHAME WE HAD TO RESORT TO THIS MEGA PHONE BECAUSE WE HAVE GREAT STATE WORKERS WE HAVE GREAT EMPLOYEES.

AND ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TALENT TODAY INVOLVES TELEWORK THAT IS THE NATURE OF IT.

BUT IF YOU ARE A CUSTOMER-FACING INDIVIDUAL IN AN OFFICE THAT'S UNOCCUPIED AND TRYING TO WORK-FROM-HOME AND YOU ARE NOT ANSWERING THE PHONE BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT OTHER THINGS GOING ON, IT'S NOT A GOOD INVESTMENT OF TAXPAYER TIME AND MONEY TO NOT BE SERVED WELL.

THAT IS WHERE THIS AROSE FROM.

>> Renee: THAT IS THE ORIGIN STORY IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE FEEDBACK YOU WERE GETTING FROM CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THEIR FRUSTRATIONS WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

WAS IT NOT INSPIRED SOME BY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE RECENT ACTIONS ON REQUIRING FEDERAL WORKERS ONE TO EVEN PROVE THAT WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST WEEK BUT ALSO MANY OF THEM SAYING YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE OFFICE.

WAS THAT A PART OF THE EQUATION AND THINKING THIS IS THE TIME FOR KENTUCKY TO DO SIMILARLY?

>> I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE SO THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR OVER A YEAR.

THERE'S BEEN A YEAR OF GENUINE FRUSTRATION.

I DON'T THINK ANYTHING IN WASHINGTON D.C. WAS INFLUENCING THIS AMENDMENT.

>> SENATOR YATES YOU HAD STRONG COMMENTARY ABOUT THE BILL AND THE 10 BECAUSE THERE WERE REPUBLICANS WHO SIDED WITH DEMOCRATS IN VOTING AGAINST IT.

WHAT WERE YOUR OBJECTIONS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I DO APPRECIATE SOME OF THE COMMENTS I WOULD HAVE TO DISAGREE AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A LOT OF MIMICKING FROM THE FEDERAL WHAT YOU SEEING AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AS A STATE SENATOR PART OF MY JOB IS CONSTITUENT CONCERNS AND LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROPERLY ADDRESSED AND WE ALL HAVE THOSE FRUSTRATIONS.

IT IS A WORKFORCE ISSUE NOT JUST IN STATE GOVERNMENT BUT A WORKFORCE ISSUE.

AND SO I FIRST I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE HARD WORK THAT OUR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ARE DOING.

OUR LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION OUR STAFF.

THE AMOUNT OF MESSAGES THAT I GOT IMMEDIATELY SO FRUSTRATED UPSET BECAUSE I MEAN THE ONES I WORK WITH SOMETIMES THEY PUT IN 12-14 HOUR DAYS AROUND THE CLOCK AND IF THIS AMENDMENT PASSES THIS IS LITERALLY TAKING A HAMMER AND DESTROYING A ENTIRE WORKFORCE.

I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PICK UP THAT PHONE CALL AND CALL THEM BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE A LABOR VIOLATION.

THEY WOULDN'T WORK FROM THEIR E-MAIL AT HOME.

PEOPLE HAVE SETUP WHEN YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYEE EMPLOYER RELATIONSHIP YOU KNOW YOU WILL HAVE A DEAL WORKED OUT.

IF YOU COME IN AND SAY THIS IS PART OF MY BENEFITS PACKAGE I WORK-FROM-HOME TO COME IN AND TAKE THAT AWAY IS UNWORKABLE IT IS NOT SMART I STOOD UP AGAINST IT.

I THINK THE BILL I THOUGHT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A BILL THAT WAS FINE AND THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT PUT ON THERE THAT WOULD JUST REMOVE WORKING FROM HOME THE TELEWORK.

I THINK WE CAN HAVE PROCESSES WHERE MANAGEMENT CAN BE BETTER AND HAVE BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY OVERSIGHT.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT MONEY INTO THAT.

BUT I THINK THIS IS RECKLESS.

IT WOULD COST US AS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO DO THIS.

AND I THINK I DON'T SEE WE'RE GOING TO IMPROVE OUR WORKFORCE BECAUSE THE MESSAGE I GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING I'M DONE I'LL QUIT.

>> Renee: BACK TO SOMETHING THAT YOU SAID ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU SAID THAT PEOPLE WHO AFTER THEY'VE DONE THEIR SHIFT IN THE OFFICE, AND THEN THEY GET AN E-MAIL LET'S SAY IT'S 8:24PM WOULD IT BE ILLEGAL FOR THAT WORKER TO RESPOND TO THAT E-MAIL?

>> IF WE PUT THIS AS WRITTEN I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE A LABOR VIOLATION ON THERE.

SO ON MY WAY HERE I WAS CONTACTING SOMEONE IN OUR STAFF.

IT WAS 6:45 AND THEY WERE WORKING BECAUSE WE ARE IN SESSION AND THEY ARE DEALING WITH CONSTITUENT CONCERNS.

I BELIEVE THIS WOULD BE PASSED ON ITS FACE THAT WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF THE LABOR LAW.

AND I THINK THAT IT ALSO MAKES IT'S NOT FLUID IT'S NOT FLEXIBLE AND TODAY'S WORKFORCE YOU HAVE TO BE AT THAT TIME.

MY WIFE, LINDSEY, SHE WORKED AT HUMANA AND THEY WENT THROUGH AND FIGURED OUT EACH INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT AND HOW IT MADE IT MORE EFFICIENT.

THE LAYOFFS THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE AND THEY FOUND OUT SOME DEPARTMENTS THEY NEED TO BE THERE.

SOME DEPARTMENTS YOU DO TELEWORK.

YOU CAN'T TAKE A HAMMER AND WIPE IT OUT.

I THINK THERE COULD BE CHANGES BEFORE THIS AMENDMENT WAS FILED, IT WAS STATED ON THE FLOOR THEY HAD NOT TALKED TO THE HEADS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

THEY HAVE NOT TALKED TO THE HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENT.

I THINK IT'S POLITICAL AND WE CANNOT DO THAT WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> Renee: IT IS NOT JUST THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUT THE JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES THERE WOULD BE NO MORE TELECOMMUTING.

>> IT WAS WRITTEN TO INCLUDE ALL THREE BRANCHES.

WHEN YOU HAVE 400 MILLION DOLLARS OF TRANSPORTATION CABINET ACTIVITIES THAT NEED TO BE PUSHED OUT, ROADWORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THERE'S NO PERMITS ISSUED, CONTRACTS ARE BEING HELD UP THIS IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME THIS IS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION NOT JUST AMONG CONSTITUENTS.

THIS IS THE FUTURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND WHY THIS ADMINISTRATION WHY THIS BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION IS NOT ACTING ON THIS, I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE EXAMPLES OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND THE HEADACHES WE'VE HAD JUVENILE JUSTICE, THE HEADACHES THERE, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE THAT ACTS.

AND WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT.

AND THAT'S FRUSTRATING.

>> Renee: THE PERSONNEL CABINET SECRETARY MARY ELIZABETH BAILEY HAD QUESTIONED WHETHER THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH CAN DICTATE TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WHAT THEIR WORK SCHEDULES SHOULD BE.

DO YOU THINK IT'S OVERREACH?

HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY IT'S NOT?

>> WE TRIED THIS GOVERNOR BE EFFECTIVE FOR A LONGTIME.

OUR DICTATES ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED.

>> Renee: NOW THIS IS IN YOUR POSSESSION OR WILL BE WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT?

>> WELL, WE'RE STILL FOCUSED ON HOUSE BILLS RIGHT NOW AT THIS POINT IN THE SESSION.

WE WILL CERTAINLY BE LOOKING AT THE SENATE BILLS OVER THE NEXT COMING DAYS AND FIGURE OUT WHICH ONES WE WILL PROCEED WITH AND WHICH ONES WE WON'T.

PRESIDENT GIVENS I WANT TO DISAGREE WHEN YOU SAID YOU THOUGHT 20% OF THE 1100 BILLS FILED WOULD BECOME LAW I'M CHEERING FOR LIKE 5 TO 10% RATHER THAN 20.

BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK WE UNDERSTAND THE INTENT.

WE UNDERSTAND CERTAINLY WHAT THE SENATE'S SAYING.

WE SHARE SOME OF THOSE SAME FRUSTRATIONS.

BUT I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT THE PARTICULAR WORDING OF WHAT EXACTLY WOULD BE THE WAY IT IS NOW A FULLY ANTICIPATE OUR STATE GOVERNMENT TEAM LOOKING AT THIS MATTER AND IF THEY WANT TO PROCEED IT WILL CERTAINLY BE DIFFERENT THAN THE WAY THAT IT PASSED THE SENATE.

>> Renee: SO ON ITS FACE, AND IN A GENERAL CONCEPT, IS IT EMBRACED BY THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS?

>> THINK AS PRESIDENT GIVENS ARTICULATE TO DO WELL WE SHARE SEVERAL OF THE SAME FRUSTRATIONS ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET IT BACK WE THINK IT SHOULD BE ON THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION.

IT'S NOT IN OUR BEST INTEREST TO BE HR MANAGERS.

BUT KIND OF LIKE WITH UI A FEW YEARS AGO, IF YOU FORCE US TO BE WE CAN BE.

WE ARE THE LAW MAKING BODY.

WE WOULD PREFER THEM TAKE CARE OF THIS THEMSELVES.

TO ME IT WOULD BE SIMPLE OF CAPPING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN WORK REMOTELY ON A DAY AND LETTING THE HR PERSON IN EACH BRANCH FIGURE THAT OUT INSTEAD OF AN ENTIRE OFFICE BEING GONE FOR WEEKS AT A TIME.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE GENTRY?

>> YES, FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO SAY I THINK OUR GOVERNOR IS DOING A GOOD JOB AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY BELIEVE THAT TOO.

WHICH IS WHY HE WAS REELECTED IN WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A RED STATE VOTING 60/40.

I THINK HE IS DOING A FABULOUS JOB.

GLAD TO HAVE HIM AS MY CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

REGARDING THE BILL, AS REPRESENTATIVE SAID WE'RE FOCUSED ON HOUSE BILLS.

HAVE NOT BEEN MANY SENATE BILLS THAT WE'VE ADDRESSED.

THERE THERE WERE TWO THAT PASSED LAST WEEK AND I SAID WTF I WON'T SAY WHAT THAT MEANS BUT YOUR LISTENERS PROBABLY DO.

AND I THINK A GOOD BILL WAS MADE A BAD BILL BY THIS AMENDMENT.

I THINK THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE TECHNOLOGY IS CREATING THE WHOLE TELEWORKING MOVEMENT.

THIS REALLY GOT PLENTIFUL DURING THE COVID DAYS.

AND I KNOW WE HAD A LOT OF CHALLENGES FROM TELEWORKING.

ESPECIALLY IN INNER-CITIES WITH COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES SHOWING A LOT OF VACANCIES AND THERE ARE A LOT OF CHALLENGES AND EVERY CITY IN THE COUNTRY IS DEALING WITH.

BUT AS FAR AS INEFFICIENCY?

NO I THINK IT SAVES COSTS.

I THINK IT IS MORE EFFICIENT.

I THINK IT HELPS WITH RETENTION.

I THINK IT HELPS WITH RECRUITMENT.

IT MAKES A JOB MORE -- I WOULD RATHER HAVE THAT KIND OF A JOB IF I COULD HAVE ONE DAY OR TWO DAYS A WEEK WHERE I COULD WORK-FROM-HOME AND THERE'S RESEARCH THAT SAYS IT'S MORE EFFICIENT.

I DON'T THINK THE TELEWORKING WITH OUR STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IS CAUSING US TO BE IN LINES IN REGISTRATION.

>> Renee: WHAT ABOUT THE BUILDINGS SITTING VACANT?

YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THE WATER AND THE ELECTRICITY WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE ONE OR THE FULL CAPACITY OF THE TEAM, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THAT IS CORRECT.

BUT ARE WE HAVING THOSE SAME PROBLEMS WITHIN STATE GOVERNMENT?

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING GOOD TO LOOK AT.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, WE ARE HELPING WORKERS SAVE DOLLARS THEMSELVES, TOO.

ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE LONG COMMUTES AND LONG TRAVELS.

DO WE WANT THIS TO TURN INTO LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON EMPLOYEES WORKING IN STATE GOVERNMENT?

THERE IS A LOST OF ADVANTAGES THERE IN TIMES OF INFLATIONARY CHALLENGES AND WE'RE TRYING TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO HELP PEOPLE KEEP SOME OF THE DOLLARS IN THEIR POCKETS.

IF THEY CAN SAVE WITH TRAVEL COSTS OR SAVE A LITTLE BIT WITH CHILDCARE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE THEY CAN STILL GET THE WORK DONE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING DONE FROM A REMOTE AREA AND MY WIFE'S WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR REMOTELY FOR YEARS BEFORE COVID.

SO SHE'S VERY EFFICIENT AT WHAT SHE DOES.

>> Renee: WELL, WHEN A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE HAD A PROGRAM WITH ALL FRESHMEN LEGISLATORS AND ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF YOUR CAUCUS DID WELL ON THE PROGRAM.

MITCHWHITNEY AUSTIN.

HE IS FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY HOW REMOTE WORK ALLOWED PEOPLE IN HIS AREA TO STILL DO STATE GOVERNMENT WORK WITHOUT HAVING TO MAKE THE TWO-HOUR COMMUTE.

IT OPENED UP A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES THAT IN THEIR AREA WERE VERY RESTRICTED.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO HIM?

>> I THINK HE'S SPOT ON.

I THINK TECHNOLOGY IS A GOOD THING.

AND I THINK AS WE LOOK AT THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'RE IN, I THINK REMOTE WORK IS PART OF THE FUTURE.

YOU ARE TALKING TO SOMEBODY WITH A FOUR HOUR COMMUTE TO FRANKFORT.

I SEE SOME ADVANTAGES OF IT.

BUT I THINK THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION IS IS BEGAN AND WE'RE IN THIS TRANSITION PERIOD WHERE RIGHT NOW IS NOT THE PERFECT TIME FOR HAVING ALL STATE OFFICES BEING ABLE TO WORK REMOTELY AND I THINK SENATOR GIVENS ARTICULATED IT WELL THEY FULLY ANTICIPATE WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THIS BUT THEY WANTED TO SEND A LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE.

I UNDERSTAND THEIR MESSAGE.

I UNDERSTAND THEIR FRUSTRATION.

I SHARE THEIR FRUSTRATION.

IT IS NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL.

BUT, LOOK, GOVERNOR, PLEASE GET THE PERSONNEL CABINET WHATEVER FIGURE THIS OUT TO WHERE THE FUNCTIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT CAN CONTINUE AND WISELY USE THE TECHNOLOGY AND NOT JUST DO A BLANKET EVERYBODY CAN WORK-FROM-HOME WHEN WE NEED PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE.

>> Renee: IF THE ADMINISTRATION WERE TO SAY WE FIGURED THIS OUT.

>> THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.

>> Renee: THERE WOULDN'T BE A NEED WITH SB79.

>> NO NEED FOR THE FLOOR AMENDMENT.

THIS IS ADDRESSING A SYMPTOM OF A BIGGER PROBLEM THE EFFICIENCY WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

I WILL GO BACK THE CONSTITUENT COMPLAINTS THAT WE RECEIVE ON A REGULAR BASIS, REVOLVE AROUND GOVERNMENT NOT PROVIDING ADEQUATE SERVICE IN A TIMELY AND EFFICIENT FASHION.

MEETING THE CUSTOMER BECAUSE THESE ARE CUSTOMERS.

THAT HAVE TO INTERACT WITH STATE GOVERNMENT.

THEY CAN'T SHOP ANYWHERE ELSE.

THEY ARE LIMITED AND FORCED.

AND THAT IS THE RULE.

THEY HAVE TO SHOP WITH STATE GOVERNMENT FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, DRIVER'S LICENSING THE LINES WE'VE SEEN IN THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET HAS REALLY GOTTEN TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM.

A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> RENEE, IF I MAY, WE GET THE PRIVILEGE SOMETIMES OF GOING TO NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCES.

MOST OF US ARE BUSINESS PEOPLE WE KNOW THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE JUST IN KENTUCKY THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT LOTS OF STATES, CITIES AND PRIVATE EMPLOYERS ARE FACING AS WELL.

SO WHEN WE WORK TO EXPAND BROADBAND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE WHERE THEY CAN PARTICIPATE INTO THAT WORK SPACE.

THERE WON'T BE AN ALL OR NOTHING.

THERE SHOULD BE PLACES THAT YOU CAN DO FROM HOME AND SOME JOBS WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE IN SEATS IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

BUT THIS WAS RECOLLECT BUILDING.

AND THE BODY OF THE STATE SENATE AND WE DON'T JUST PASS LEGISLATION THAT CAN DESTROY PEOPLE'S LIVES OR TO SCARE THEM.

THESE ARE EMPLOYEES THEY ARE OUR STATE WORKERS AND THEY MATTER.

AND YOU SHOW THEM THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE.

AND IF I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR FIGURE THIS OUT NO ONE FIGURED IT OUT COMPLETELY AND IT IS A COST AS WELL.

IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO GET THEIR BUTT INTO THE OFFICE EVERYDAY SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN IF YOU ARE GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE TELEWORK.

THOSE CHANGES BACK AND FORTH.

THERE IS I DON'T THINK THERE IS AN EASY FIX ALL I -- I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO PLACE THE BLAME ON OUR GOVERNOR.

WE CAN GO THROUGH EACH INDIVIDUAL JOB IT'S BASE IT DOWN TO DIVISION EACH BUT JOB AND WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN.

WITH THE SCHOOLS SOMETIMES WHEN THERE IS AN EPIDEMIC SOMEBODY IS SICK THEY WILL SHUT IT DOWN AND LET THEM WORK-FROM-HOME AND THAT IS NECESSARY TO KEEP IT FROM SPREADING.

WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY IN PLACE.

WE NEED TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THAT AND MAKE SURE KENTUCKY WESTBOUND MORE EFFICIENT AND CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKFORCE OUTSIDE OF THE LOCAL AREAS.

>> Renee: SO SOMEWHAT RELATED, THIS QUESTION OR COMMENT FROM KAREN FROM BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY WILL WE AEVER ALLOW COUNTIES TO EACH RATE DRIVER'S LICENSING OFFICES AGAIN THEY WERE MORE EFFICIENT.

>> THEY WERE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

THE CHALLENGE WE FACE WHEN REAL ID CAME OUT AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID SOLELY THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN HANDLE REAL ID.

THEN WE WERE FACED WITH THE JUDICIAL BRANCH AND THE CIRCUIT CLERKS DOING THE STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE IT WAS GOING TO BE SUPER INEFFICIENT FOR US TO HAVE TWO BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT DOING DRIVER'S LICENSING.

THAT IS WHAT FORCED THE CONSOLIDATION INTO THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET.

THIS IS ANDY BESHEAR'S PROBLEM TO SOLVE.

AND I FULLY BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR HAS THE ABILITY AND HAS THE FUNDS THE NUMBERS WE'VE SEEN IS THAT THE FEES COLLECTED WERE $10 MILLION GREATER THAN THE EXPENSES INCURRED BY TRANSPORTATION CABINET FOR PRODUCING THESE DOCUMENTS.

$10 MILLION OF REVENUE ABOVE THE COST TO PRODUCE DRIVER'S LICENSING.

THERE'S $10 MILLION THAT CAN BE SPENT TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS AND EFFICIENCIES AND DIRECTLY TO HER POINT WE NEED MORE OFFICES.

>> Renee: ALL RIGHT.

FINAL WORD ON THAT WE'LL MOVE TO THE NEXT TOPIC.

KIND OF LIKE A GAME SHOW.

THAT'S OFF THE CONVERSATION OFF AIR CONVERSATION.

KENTUCKY DOGE.

COUPLE OF ITEMS HERE.

THERE IS A HOUSE RESOLUTION 50 THAT ESTABLISHES THE KENTUCKY DISCIPLINE OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE EXECUTIVE BRANCH EXPENDITURES AND IDENTIFY AREAS TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND SENATE BILL 257 THAT CREATES THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

I WANT TO ASK ONE BASIC QUESTION WOULD CREATING AN OFFICE OVER GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY ADD TO THE PERCEPTION OF BUREAUCRATIC BLOAT?

PRESIDENT GIVENS.

>> I THINK EFFICIENCY IS A DHAL WE FACE ALL THE TIME.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE EFFICIENCIES WE'VE FOUND.

IN MY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE WE HAVE SEEN GREAT IMPROVEMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

IN 2015 TO TODAY, IF YOU LOOK WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO, PENSION FUNDING.

HIGH HIGHEST LEVEL.

EDUCATION HIGHEST LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.

THOSE ARE CRITICAL NEEDS THAT WE MUST FUND.

WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND IT'S OVER $5 BILLION WHEN IN 2015 IT WAS ZERO.

AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO ALL OF THAT IN A PERIOD OF TIME WE'VE LURED -- LOWERS THE PERSON INCOME TAX TO 3.5% IN 2026.

WE'VE FOUND EFFICIENCIES AND GROWN THE ECONOMY AND GROWN THE COMMONWEALTH DESPITE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE EFFICIENCIES.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WE FACE AND IT FRUSTRATES ME WE HAVEN'T SOLVED IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS WANTING TO START IN KENTUCKY YOU HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, DOR, YOU HAVE TO WORK THROUGH YOUR LOCAL COUNTY OFFICIALS AND CITY OFFICIALS.

THE BARRIERS WE PUT UP TO SOMEONE STARTING A BUSINESS IN KENTUCKY ARE FRUSTRATING TO ME.

YOU GO TO AMAZON AND ORDER A BOOK THEY WILL TELL YOU ALL THE BOOKS EVERYBODY LIKE YOU ORDERED.

WE CAN'T SEEM TO TELL PEOPLE IF YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM.

SO THERE'S LOTS OF EFFICIENCIES THAT CAN BE FOUND.

I AM A FAN OF US SEARCHING FOR EFFICIENCIES I AM NOT AFRAID OF US TRYING TO REFINE AND DO A BETTER JOB.

NOW, DO I WANT TO POLITICIZE US DOING IT?

I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT.

>> Renee: SOME PEOPLE WHEN THEY HEAR THAT CONSIDERING WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL FEAR SETS IN.

BECAUSE WE HEAR ABOUT FEDERAL LAYOFFS AND PINKSLIPS AND MAYBE SOME JUSTIFICATION THAT SEEMS A LITTLE MURKY ABOUT WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE LET GO.

AND SO THERE IS SOME CONCERN THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A REPLICATION OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON WITH THIS EFFORT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> ONE BRIEF THOUGHT AND I KNOW YOU NEED TO GO TO SOMEONE ELSE I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN DC IS DRIVEN BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

THIS IS THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO ANYTHING LIKE WHAT THAT EXECUTIVE BRANCH IS DOING NOR WOULD I PROMOTE US DOING ANYTHING IN THE DESTRUCTION GOING ON IN WASHINGTON D.C. >> Renee: YOU CALL IT DESTRUCTION.

>> I CALL IT DESTRUCTION.

>> Renee: DO YOU CARE TO ELABORATE.

>> NO I DON'T.

>> SINCE 2021 WE'VE HAD KENTUCKY DOGE OUR DOGE IS CALLED CHAIRMAN PETRIE.

AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE WE HEAR ABOUT FRAUD, WASTE AN CONTRIBUTION.

FLETCHER HAD DOGE THAT FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE.

WE ARE GOING TO ELIMINATE THE EFFICIENCIES.

WHEN I WAS BUDGET CHAIR PRIOR TO 2021 WE DIDN'T HAVE EXTRA MONEY.

WE KNEW HOW BARE BONES THE STATE BUDGET WAS.

BUT LAST YEAR, WE FOCUSED IN ON HOUSE BILL 6 WHICH BECAME THE BUDGET HOUSE BILL 1 WHICH HAS SPENDING OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET FOR ONE TIME INVESTMENT AND I'M PROUD OF THAT.

ON HOUSE BILL 6 TO FOCUS IN ON THE BUDGET THROUGHOUT HOUSE BILL 6 IS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS WHERE WE EXPECT THE ADMINISTRATION TELL US WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THIS MONEY WE'RE APPROPRIATEIATING.

AND FOR THE MOST PART THEY ARE EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T LIKE IT, GIVING US THOSE REPORTS AND PROVIDING THEM.

AND SENATOR McDANIEL WORKS VERY WELL WITH REPRESENTATIVE PETRIE AND HIS TEAM.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER BECAUSE WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

AS WE LOOK AT THE BR SUBS AND WE CAN -- >> Renee: BUDGET REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEES.

>> LOOKING AT THOSE INDIVIDUAL BUDGETS, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING DEEP DIVES.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU CONSTANTLY SAY IF YOU READ HOUSE BILL 6 YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SEE FLUFF AND WASTE.

YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF DOLLARS THAT WE WANT TO KNOW WHERE THAT IS GOING WITH REPORTING.

BUT OFTEN THAN NOT HOW ARE THEY DOING THIS?

AND THE ANSWER IS IT'S IN THE BASE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

THAT MEANS THE MONEY IS APPROPRIATED, KRS ALLOWS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO DO THIS AND THIS AND IT FALLS UNDER THIS BUDGET UNIT.

WELL, CHAIRMAN PETRIE LIKES TO CALL IT BASE DIVING THAT IS WHAT HE'S GETTING INTO.

WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO THE BASE AND WE HAVE SOFTWARE THAT WILL MAKE US MORE EFFICIENT THAT THE BUDGET TEAM, THE POWELLSY MAKING BRANCH THE TEAM IN CHARGE OF THE STATE'S CHECKBOOK WE WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE SOFTWARE AND HIS GOAL IS TO GET EVERYTHING DOWN TO THE PAPER CLIPS SOLD OR USED BY STATE GOVERNMENT HAVING EVERY BIT OF THAT OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO LET EVERYBODY SEE WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.

THAT WAY, IF EVERYBODY CAN SEE WHERE THE MONEY'S GOING THEN YOU CAN START THE CONVERSATION AND PEOPLE WILL BE LIKE WHAT IS THAT?

AND WE MIGHT FIND EFFICIENCIES AND THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT.

WE'RE FOCUSED ON THIS BASE DIVING THAT WAS GOING ON.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE AND THIS IS LIKE MAKING HEADS SPIN ALWAYS WHEN WE'VE BASED BUDGETS WE START WITH THE BASE WHAT THEY GOT LAST TIME AND WE GO UP OR DOWN.

WE ARE LOOKING AT PROBABLY PULLING OUT TWO OF THESE BR SUBS AND FOCUSING ON ZERO BASE BUDGETING SAYING YOUR BUDGET IS ZERO, JUSTIFY EVERY PENNY YOU ASK FOR WE ARE GOING TO RESET.

THAT IS DOGE KENTUCKY WITHOUT TAKING A CHAINSAW OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND I SUBMIT THAT WHAT THE TAXPAYERS WANT AND WHAT THE TAXPAYERS EXPECT AND WHAT THEY DESERVE.

>> Renee: THAT IS A PROCESS THAT WOULD START NOW SO WHEN YOU ARE READY TO DO THE BUDGET.

>> CHAIRMAN PETRIE AND HIS TEAM DURING THE INTERIM WILL BE WORKING ON THIS AND WE FULLY PLAN TO RELEASE THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE BUDGET EARLIER THAN LAST TIME AND IT WAS EARLY LAST TIME.

>> Renee: BEFORE THE GOVERNOR.

SO I WANT TO GO TO THIS SIDE ABOUT THAT.

BECAUSE ONE THE DEPUTY DIRECTORS UNDER BUDGET DIRECTOR FOR MATT BEVIN WAS JUST HERE LAST WEEK TWO WEEKS AGO, AND HE HAS IN AND EDITORIAL THAT APPEARED IN A COUPLE OF NEWSPAPERS LISTED ORGANIZATIONS BY WHICH THERE SHOULD NOT BE GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION.

TEACH FOR AMERICA, THE CENTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT THERE WERE 10 ITEMS THAT HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SERVICES THAT PERHAPS COULD FALL UNDER KENTUCKY DOGE.

WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS BASE FUNDING THE ZERO BASE FUNDING DOES THAT RAISE ALARM BELLS TO YOU ABOUT WHERE THAT ENDS UP GOING?

>> FIRST OF ALL, TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT IN GOVERNMENT NOT NEW.

I THINK BACK WE DIDN'T GO FAR BACK AS WILKERSON 40 YEARS AGO IMPLEMENTED ONE OF THE FIRST DEPARTMENTS OF EFFICIENCY.

NO, I WAS PRESIDENT OF THE METRO COUNCIL AND THAT WAS MY I WANTED TO DO THAT.

I WHAT IS NECESSARY AND WHAT HAS CHANGED WHAT TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY IMPROVE.

HAVE WE DONE AND THAT IS RESPONSIBLE.

YOU DO IT IN A WAY THAT DEPARTMENT HEADS KNOW YOU ARE WORKING WITH THEM NOT AGAINST THEM.

SO YOU CAN'T COME IN LIKE WE'VE SEE FEDERALLY AND TAKE A CHAINSAW TO IT AND DESTROY.

YOU WORK WITH YOUR INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS AND YOU WANT TO DIVE DEEP INTO THE WEEDS IT'S IMPORTANT.

I THAT DEPARTMENT HEADS SHOULD BE KNOWING WHERE THE MONEY IS SPENT AND TOODS YOU WANT TO HAVE A FORM OF EFFICIENCY BUT NOT POLITICAL AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE WITH THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY WE'VE JUST NOW KENTUCKY IS SO FAR BEHIND HAVE WE IMPLEMENTED CERTAIN TECHNOLOGIES THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO?

I THINK WE WOULD BE FUR AREA LOCK THAN WE ARE NOW.

WE'VE GOTTEN BY WE'VE HAD RECORD PROFITS AND INVESTMENT IN KENTUCKY YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

WE'VE KICKED BUTT AND DRAWING IN NEW WORKFORCE AND SETTING RECORDS AFTER RECORDS.

BUT WHEN THAT TAKES A DOWNTURN THAT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL OF YOUR I'S DOTTED AND T'S CROSSED AND YOU ARE EFFICIENT.

I WOULD NEVER SAY AND I THINK WE SHOULDN'T MAKE SURE WE HAVE PROPER OVERSIGHT, ACCOUNTABILITY AND EFFICIENCY BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT IN A PROPER WAY.

AND I THINK ALSO WHENEVER YOU ARE PUTTING SOMETHING TOGETHER WITH IMPLEMENTAL COSTS AND THE BUREAUCRACY EXPANDS AND IF IT'S SO BIG THEN IT BECOMES INEFFICIENT.

AND SO THAT HAS TO BE YOUR BALANCE AT ALL TIMES.

LIKE ANY COMPANY THAT YOU HAVE TO RUN YOUR GOVERNMENT IN A WAY THAT YOU ARE DOING A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS.

BY IMPLEMENTING SOME A NEW DOGE KENTUCKY INTO IT IF YOU IMPLEMENT IN A WAY THAT WILL COST TAXPAYERS MORE MONEY YOU ARE PLAYING POLITICAL GAMES THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING IF WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER AND GOING THROUGH EACH POLICY, I THINK THAT IS POSITIVE AND I THINK WE CAN DO IT.

>> Renee: DO YOU SEE THAT AS POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE?

>> I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS EFFICIENCY.

I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS TO ROOT OUT ANY KIND OF AS THESE GUYS OFTEN SAY WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY THAT WOULD BE DEFENSE THAT.

NOW, HOW WE GO ABOUT THAT MIGHT CREATE CONCERNS IF WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW, I THINK MY SIDE IS GOING TO HAVE CONCERNS.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHO IS DOING WHAT, WHO IS SEEING WHAT PRIVATE INFORMATION, IT MIGHT BE GETTING THEIR HANDS ON AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING WITH THAT.

THERE'S QUESTIONS THAT SURFACE.

BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, ANYTIME WE CAN CREATE EFFICIENCIES, IT IS A GOOD THING.

>> Renee: SO LET'S IN THE SEVEN-AND-A-HALF MINUTES WE HAVE I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING WE STARTED 50 SOMETHING MINUTES AGO ABOUT LOST SCHOOL DAYS AND THIS IS ALWAYS A BIG TOPIC, EDUCATION WE COULD SPEND A WHOLE SHOW AND PERHAPS WE WILL ON EDUCATION MATTERS.

AND LAST WEEK, THE HOUSE COMMITTEE AND THEN THE HOUSE WE LEARNED THAT THERE WERE 64 OF KENTUCKY 170 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS USED NONTRADITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS.

OTHER 40 DISTRICTS HAVE ONE LEFT AND WE HAVE A LOT OF THE SCHOOL YEAR REMAINING WITH THE WEATHER AILMENTS AND THE PHYSICAL AILMENTS THE HEALTH AILMENTS THAT CAUSED SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HAVE ISSUES KEEPING THE KIDS IN SEATS.

HOUSE BILL 241 SEEMS TO BE A REMEDY.

>> WE SENT IT DOWN TO THE SENATE LAST WEEK.

AND WE FULLY ANTICIPATE CHANGES.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE SENATE ON THIS.

BUT WE THINK IT'S TIMELY BECAUSE PART OF THE PROVISIONS IS ADDING ALLOWING THEM TO ADD TIME TO THE DAY.

SO THE LONGER WE WAIT ON THAT, THE LESS BENEFIT THEY GET FROM IT.

I THINK IT'S LIKE YOU GOT TO ADD IF YOU ADD 15 MINUTES A DAY, FOR TWO WEEKS, YOU MIGHT PICK UP A HALF-DAY.

>> Renee: YOU HAVE TO GET 1062 INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS INTEREST WE FULLY ANTICIPATE WE KNOW IT'S NOT PERFECT.

THERE WAS SOME CONCERN ON IT ON OUR SIDE.

WE THINK THE -- WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO GET TO THE SENATE AND LET THEM WORK ON IT IF THEY CAN COME UP WITH A PERFECT BILL GREAT.

IF THEY CAN'T WE NEED TO GET IT TO CONFERENCE AND FIGURE IT OUT.

>> Renee: IT GIVES DAYS ONCE YOU GET TO JUNE FOURTH IF YOU ARE STILL IN SCHOOL THAT WOULD BE INCONVENIENT NOT JUST BECAUSE OF SUMMER VACATION PLANS BUT ATTENTIVENESS OF STUDENTS THE THAT POINT.

THERE COULD BE WAIVING OF FIVE DAYS.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK PRESIDENT GIVENS ABOUT THIS MEASURE AND WHERE THE SENATE MAY ALTER IT?

>> WE HAVE STARTED CONVERSATIONS WITH THE BILL'S SPONSOR AND YOUR LEADERSHIP, LEADER RUDY WE'LL TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT IT AND WE'LL DO SOMETHING QUICKLY.

WE WILL FIND A WAY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE TAXPAYERS AND THE CITIZENS WITH THE STUDENTS AND THE FAMILIES AND FIND THAT BALANCE.

A DAY OF SCHOOL COSTS $20 MILLION IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

SO WAIVING DAYS IS NOT SOMETHING WE TAKE LIGHTLY BUT WE DO UNDERSTAND THE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS THAT WORK HARD ARE FACED WITH CHALLENGES WHEN WE GO PAST A CERTAIN DATE.

SO LEARNING CAN STILL HAPPEN.

I'VE NOT BEEN AS IMPRESSED WITH NTI AS I WISH I COULD BE.

WE SEE SO MUCH FRUSTRATION IN THAT SPACE.

I'M CONFIDENT IT HAS TO BE DIFFICULT TO WEAVE WHERE YOU ARE IN THE CURRICULUM OF THE YEAR WITH A SUDDEN SNOW DAY THAT POPS UP.

BUT I WOULD HAVE HOPED WE COULD HAVE COME OUT OF COVID WITH MORE ROBUST INSTRUCTION THAN WHAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE DISTRICTS SENDING HOME PACKETS OF PAPERS.

AND THAT DISAPPOINTS ME.

I WOULD HOPE WE COULD BE FUR AREA LONG DIGITALLY AND VIRTUALLY FOR LEARNING TO CONTINUE HAPPENING.

SO IF NOTHING ELSE THIS GIVES US ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE A LIGHT ON TRYING TO IMPROVE THAT NTI PROCESS BUT I THINK WORKING WITH THE COMMISSIONER WE WILL FIND A WAY FORWARD.

>> Renee: THE COMMISSIONER IS INVOLVED IN THIS AND THEY HAVE TO PETITION HIM FOR THE APPROVAL.

>> THE IMPORTANCE ALSO OF YOU DON'T REALIZE HOW MANY PARTS AND INDIVIDUALS MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET IN KENTUCKY STILL AND WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE WE BRIDGE THAT DIVIDE.

WE'VE GOT TO BE FLEXIBLE WITH OUR SCHOOLS OUR K-12.

AND WE REALLY DO.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN MEET THE CHILDREN WHERE THEY ARE.

SO YOU HAVE SOME TEACHERS GOOD AT NTI AND SOME GETTING AROUND TO IT AND THAT IS SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.

I HAVE ONE THAT IS U.K., GOING SHE IS A FRESHMAN THERE.

AND A LOT OF HER CLASSES THAT SEIZE THAT ABILITY.

I THINK IT'S ALL HOW IT'S ABLE TO PUT THE CLASS FORWARD.

SO I DON'T THINK THERE IS ALL FIX AND THE PERFECT BILL I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN FRANKFORT A PERFECT BILL BUT I THINK WE CAN HAVE A GOOD BILL.

>> HOUSE BILL 15.

ONE OF HIS BILLS.

>> BUT I DO THINK THIS IS ONE THAT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

MAYBE IT CAN BE SOME TYPE OF BLENDED VERSION.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RESPOND.

AND IT'S TOO IMPORTANT.

OUR EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY HAS GOT TO BE OUR TOP PRIORITY.

EARLIER IT WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW WE'VE INCREASED THAT FUNDING.

WE ARE STILL UNDER FUND OUR EDUCATION DRAMATICALLY AND PART OF THAT IS RELATED TO THE SERVICE OF THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY IT'S IMPORTANT WE GET THIS RIGHT.

>> Renee: UNDER FUNDING BUT GETTING BACK TO THESE WHAT WE CALL NTI DAYS?

>> I THINK I SUPPORTED THE BILL THAT WE SENT FROM THE HOUSE.

AND I THINK MOST OF MY COLLEAGUES DID.

I THINK NTI AGAIN THIS IS A TECHNOLOGY THAT BE THANKFUL THAT WE CAN OFFER SOME SORT OF SCHOOLING WHEN WE ARE OUT OF SCHOOL.

NOW, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE BEST THING FOR SOME KIDS WE KNOW THAT.

IT'S NOT PERFECT.

WE HAVE WORK TO DO TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM.

I HAVE TWO KIDS DURING COVID, THAT WERE IN SCHOOL AND WE HAD A LOT OF NTI GOING ON AND ONE OF THEM DID POORLY UNDER THAT AND THE OTHER ONE DID BETTER.

SO IT'S NOT ALL BAD.

THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN WORK ON THERE AND IMPROVE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> Renee: WHAT IS HOUSE BILL 15?

>> JUST A SIMPLE BILL THAT MADE ME VERY POPULAR IN CERTAIN AGE DEMOGRAPHIC OF KENTUCKY CITIZENS IT LOWERS THE PERMIT AGE TO 15 LIKE ALL OUR SURROUNDING STATES.

>> Renee: AND THAT PASSED THE HOUSE.

>> I FULLY ANTICIPATE THE SENATE WILL PICK THIS UP.

>> WE HAVE IT ALREADY.

>> SPEED OVER AIRWAY AND DRIVE AT AN APPROPRIATE SPEED INTO THIS MAYBE THE FIRST SEGMENT I HAVE A 15-YEAR-OLD AT HOME THAT IS WATCHING.

>> Renee: AND INTERESTED IN THAT BILL IT WILL BE PERSONALLY LOBBYING FOR IT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT NAME, IMAGE LIKENESS AND WE HAVE TO HAVE SUBSEQUENT SHOWS AS THE WANING DAYS OF THE SESSION CARRY ON.

WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR THIS WEEK WHAT IS A BIG BILL THAT WILL BE MOVING OUT OF THE SENATE?

>> WE'RE GOING TO PICK UP THE SCHOOL DAYS BILL THIS WEEK WE WILL BE WORKING ON THAT AND POSSIBLY HAVE A VERSION THAT WE'RE GOING TO PASS BACK TO THE HOUSE BY THE END OF THE WEEK AND GO INTO QUICK CONFERENCE AND FIND OUR WAY FORWARD.

>> Renee: OKAY.

LEADER RUDY.

>> HOUSE BILL 9 AND WE ARE LOOKING AT MEDICAID IT'S EATING UP MORE AND MORE OF THE BUDGET.

AND ANOTHER THING THAT THE CHAIRMAN IS WORKING ON.

>> Renee: BEFORE YOU GET GUIDANCE FROM THE FEDS?

>> SO HOUSE BILL 9 WOULD CREATE A SIMILAR TO PPOB, A MEDICAID OVERSIGHT.

>> Renee: THE PUBLIC PENSION OVERSIGHT BOARD.

>> ALL THINGS MEDICAID NEED TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE THIS GROUP BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS WOULD BE MORE SPECIFIC WITH A MIXTURE OF LEGISLATORS AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

>> Renee: A LOT TO FOLLOW.

AND CAN YOU FOLLOW EACH WEEKNIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 INTRAVERBAL ON KENTUCKY EDITION.

YOURS TRULY WILL BE THERE TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH IT ALL AND JOIN BILL BRYANT ON FRIDAY NIGHT ON "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" WHERE A TEAM OF JOURNALISTS DISCUSS ALL OF THIS AND MUCH MORE ON FRIDAY AT 8:00 P.M.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU REAL SOON.

TAKE GOOD CARE.

SO LONG.