[♪♪] >> Bill: WILL KENTUCKY LEADERS WORK TOGETHER NOW THAT VOTERS HAVE CHOSEN DIVIDED GOVERNMENT?

ADVOCACY GROUPS TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY WILL PUSH IN THE 2024 SESSION BEGINS.

>>> SOME REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS INDICATE THEY WILL DISCUSS POSSIBLE EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATE'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN.

>>> A NEW REPORT ABOUT KENTUCKY KIDS FINDS IMPROVEMENTS, BUT SOME MAJOR CHALLENGES AS WELL.

ROCK TOWARD THANKSGIVING WEEK, 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.

>> MELISSA PATRICK, REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS.

AND BILL ESTEP, SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

AND ALSO TODAY A BROADBAND EXPANSION WILL BRING HIGH SPEED INTERNET IN 16 COUNTIES IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN KENTUCKY.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE NEW KIDS COUNT REPORT FROM KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES WHICH GIVES A SNAPSHOT WHERE THINGS STAND WITH YOUNGER KENTUCKIANS IT LOOKS AT EDUCATION, ECONOMIC WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

MELISSA, LITERALLY A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR YOUNG FOLKS.

WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS WE SEE IN SOME AREAS BUT THE MAJOR, MAJOR HURDLES WE FACE?

>> YOU KNOW, I PRIMARILY COVER HEALTH.

SO THOSE HEALTH STATISTICS JUMP AT ME WHERE FEWER WOMEN ARE SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY IN KENTUCKY.

AND ALSO FEWER OF OUR TEENAGERS ARE GETTING PROCEEDING NANT.

SO -- PREGNANT.

THAT IS GREAT NEWS FOR ALL OF US.

BUT THE CHALLENGES ARE THAT WE STILL HAVE ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY THOUGH OUR ECONOMIC NUMBERS ARE IMPROVING.

THE METRICS FOR THAT ARE IMPROVING WE HAVE TOO MANY KIDS LIVING IN POVERTY.

AND ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS THAT THE HEALTH INSURANCE.

WE HAVE 96% OF OUR KIDS PLUS STILL COVERED IN HEALTH INSURANCE BUT THOSE NUMBERS DROPPED AND THEY DROPPED IN WHAT DID A GOOD NUMBER OF THE COUNTIES.

>> Bill: FOSTER CARE NUMBERS ARE ALSO CLIMBING.

>> THEY ARE UP AND THE KIDS IN FOSTER CARE ARE THE NUMBER WHO ARE BEING REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES DROPPED.

THAT IS A CONCERN.

AND THEN WE HAVE A GOOD NUMBER ONE IN SIX OF OUR TEENS ARE STRUGGLING WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

>> Bill: BILL IN FOSTER CARE IS INTERESTING BECAUSE WE ARE LEARNING MORE AND MORE ABOUT THE FACT THAT KENTUCKY DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOSTER PARENTS AND CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN TOUGH SITUATIONS.

>> IT IS A TOUGH SITUATION.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH QUALIFIED FOSTER HOMES.

YOU SEE KIDS HAVING TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN OFFICES AT POINTS.

AND THE FACT THAT YOU SEE MORE KIDS IN FOSTER CARE AND FEWER FAMILY UNIFICATIONS PART OF THAT COMES BACK TO THE DRUG PROBLEM THE STATE HAS.

YOU DON'T HAVE PARENTS THAT THAT KIDS CAN GO HOME TO THAT IS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Bill: ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT THE REPORT SHOWS NEARLY HALF OF KENTUCKY RENTERS ARE SPENDING A THIRD OF THEIR INCOME ON RENT AND UTILITIES.

AND IN SOME PARTS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY THAT NUMBER IS ABOVE 50%.

THAT HAS TO BE A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION?

>> WELL, IT IS AND THE OTHER THING THE REPORT MENTIONED SOME FAMILIES ARE SPENDING 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON CHILDCARE.

JUST THOSE TWO EXPENSES RENT AND CHILDCARE TAKING UP TWO-THIRDS OF THEIR INCOME AND MORE THAT THAT WITH 50%.

SOME IS A REFLECTION IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THERE'S NOT ENOUGH QUALITY RENTAL HOUSING.

SO WHAT IS AVAILABLE THEY GET A PREMIUM PRICE FOR.

>> Bill: ISAIAH WELCOME APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN FOR THE FIRST TIME.

YOU LOOKED AT THE KIDS COUNT REPORT, WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU?

>> YOU KNOW ON THE TOPIC OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH LIKE BILL MENTIONED THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE'RE SEEING THROUGHOUT JCPS NOT HAVING ENOUGH TEACHERS AND BUS DRIVERS.

WE UNDERSTAND THE PROFICIENCY READING, MATH, READINESS ARE ALL ISSUES POINTED OUT IN THIS REPORT AND I GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES TERRY BROOKS.

HE MENTIONED THIS CONCEPT OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO WATCH OVER THE KIDS WHO HAVE REALLY NOWHERE TO GO FOR THE FIRST FEW HOURS AFTER SCHOOL GETS DONE.

HOW DO YOU INCENTIVIZE MORE VOLUNTEERS MORE PEOPLE TO WORK IN THOSE ENVIRONMENTS BEYOND JUST PAY.

TERRY WAS TALKING ABOUT TAX CREDITS, LOAN FORGIVENESS, PAID SABBATICLES OTHER WAYS YOU CAN GET PEOPLE IN THESE CLASSROOMS TO TEACH AND CARE FOR KIDS BEYOND PAY RAISES.

>> Bill: AND MELISSA THAT LAYERS ON TO THE WORKFORCE ISSUE, IF PARENTS DON'T HAVE CHILDCARE IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GO TO THEIR JOBS?

>> MUCH OF THERE WAS AN ESSAY IN THE REPORT THAT TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THE WORKFORCES THAT TOUCH CHILDREN.

WHETHER IT'S SOCIAL WORK, MENTAL HEALTHCARE, TEACHERS, BUS DRIVERS AND WE HAVE A SHORTAGE IN ALL OF THOSE AREAS TO SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN.

SO, YES, THE TWO ISSUES ARE TIGHTLY COMBINED.

>> Bill: BILL, A TOUGH SITUATION FOR BUSINESSES I KNOW THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS WORKFORCE ISSUE STATE-WIDE.

BUT THERE ARE, AGAIN, LAYERS AND LAYERS TO IT.

>> I MEAN IT IS A COMPLICATED QUESTION.

I WAS TALKING WITH A DAYCARE OPERATOR THIS WEEK WHO WAS TALKING ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND ENOUGH HELP AND BECAUSE THERE ARE RATIOS YOU HAVE TO HAVE "X" NUMBER OF TEACHERS FOR "X" NUMBER OF KIDS SO SHE IS NOT AT CAPACITY SHE CANNOT FILL HER DAYCARE BECAUSE SHE CANNOT FIND WORKERS AND CAN'T PAY ENOUGH TO THE WORKERS.

SHE SAID THERE IS A CHICK-FIL-A RESTAURANT THAT IS ABLE TO PAY MORE THAN SHE CAN.

HOW YOU SOLVE ALL THAT, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT BUT IT IS A TOUGH ISSUE.

>> Bill: IF PEOPLE WANT MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN LOOK UP THE KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATE'S WEBSITE AND SEE THE FULL REPORT.

IN FRANKFORT THE PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR INAUGURATION DAY WHEN GOVERNOR BESHEAR WILL BEGIN A SECOND TERM.

SUPER MAJORITY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE GIVING SOME HINTS ABOUT HOW THEY WILL BE WILLING TO COOPERATE WITH THE GOVERNOR WHO JUST WON THAT SECOND TERM.

AND ISAIAH TALKED TO SENATE PRESIDENT ABOUT THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, IS THERE SOMETHING THAT HE CAN DO THE GOVERNOR CAN DO?

YEAH, HE NEEDS TO CREATE A RELATIONSHIP NOT JUST WITH ME OR DAVID OSBORNE BUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS A WHOLE.

SO IF THERE'S POLICY THAT HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT OUR DOORS ARE OPEN AND IT WOULD BE UP TO HIM TO GIVE US A PHONE CALL OR KNOCK ON OUR DOORS.

>> Bill: SO ISAIAH WHEN YOU HEAR THAT, IS THE PRESIDENT EXTENDING AN OLIVE BRANCH?

OR SETTING PARAMETERS WITH THE GOVERNOR?

>> PROBABLY SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.

IT'S VERY CLEAR YOU HEARD HIM SAY IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO HIM.

SENATE PRESIDENT STIFFERS, AND MAJORITY LEADER I TALKED WITH BOTH AND THEY MADE IT CLEAR THIS RELATIONSHIP IS STILL VERY MUCH NOT MENDED YOU COULD SAY.

THERE'S FRUSTRATION THERE THERE'S RESENTMENT THERE IS THE WORD THEY USED.

WHEN IT COMES TO MENDING THAT RELATIONSHIP, STIFFERS MADE IT CLEAR THAT BESHEAR'S TEAM HIS OFFICE WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE VERY FIRST STEP.

HE MENTIONED SOMETHING TOWARD THE END OF OUR INTERVIEW, HE SAID MADE IT CLEAR ONCE GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S SECOND TERM IS OVER, MANY OF THESE REPUBLICANS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL STILL BE THERE, SAYING OUR PLAN IS GOING TO GO THROUGH REGARDLESS.

>> Bill: BILL, THIS HAS BEEN A TORTURED RELATIONSHIP WILL THAT CONTINUE?

>> YOU HAVE TO SEE GOING FORWARD.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE THE ISSUE OF GETTING REELECTED IN A SECOND TERM.

MAYBE THEY CAN FORM A DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP BASED ON THE FACT THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR WON'T BE RUNNING FOR REELECTION AS GOVERNOR.

HE CAN'T.

I SAW SENATOR STIFFERS AT AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN MANCHESTER A WEEK AGO MONDAY AND HE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE ADMINISTRATION HAD HELPED WITH SEVERAL PROJECTS IN HIS DISTRICT.

AND HE MENTIONED ROCKY ADKINS USED TO BE THE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER NOW AIDE TO GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND HAS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE FOR YEARS.

SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE WOULD BE HOPE FOR MAYBE A DIFFERENT TONE IN THAT RELATIONSHIP.

GOING FORWARD THIS TIME.

>> Bill: I DID A LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST AND REALLY DID GET THE SENSE ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS SAID WE APPROPRIATE MONEY AND WE DON'T GET THANKED.

WE'VE PASSED THE LEGISLATION YOU ASKED FOR AND NOBODY SHOWS APPRECIATION.

AND THIS IS A GROUP OF SUPERINTENDENTS AND ONE OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS SAID MAYBE YOU ARE RIGHT.

SO THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A RESPECT SITUATION THERE.

>> IT'S HUMAN NATURE YOU WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR WHAT YOU DID.

AND THE LEGISLATORS THEY MAKE TOUGH CHOICES AND THEY WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THAT AND.

THEY HAVE FELT AT TIMES LIKE GOVERNOR BESHEAR TOOK CREDIT FOR THINGS THAT WERE THEIR THE LEGISLATURE HAD DONE AND HE TOOK CREDIT FOR THAT IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE WORKED OUT.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN GET BEHIND YOU HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA, YOU HAVE SPORTS BETTING WE SEE HOW MANY DOLLARS COMING IN.

I MEAN THE FOUR PLAN DOWN SOUTH THESE ARE ALL REALLY BIG THINGS THAT A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS ARE EXCITED ABOUT AND SEEMINGLY BESHEAR HAS BEEN THE FRONT MAN ON THAT.

>> BESHEAR ADVOCATED BUT IT TAKES THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THAT.

>> MEANING THAT IS PART OF THE THOUGHT PROCESS THEY GOT IT THROUGH.

>> Bill: NOW THAT HE IS REELECTED DOES HE TAKE A BACKSEAT SOME?

>> YOU KNOW THAT CHANGES THE CALCULUS.

>> Bill: AND ISAIAH, DOUG PROFIT ASKED YOU THE OTHER NIGHT ON YOUR NEWSCAST ON WHAS DOES THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR IS BASKING IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT, AND IS MENTIONED AS A PLEN SHALLOW OWE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DOES THAT FEED INTO THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE?

>> THE EASIEST WAY TO ANSWER THAT WHEN REPORTERS ASKING THE STHER THIS WEEK IF THEY FELT THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S CALLS FOR BIPARTISANSHIP WERE HALLOW, THEY ANSWERED THAT DUBBING DOWN SAYING THAT THEY ARE FRAUDULENT IN HIS WORDS.

HE BELIEVES THAT BESHEAR POSITIONING HIMSELF IN THIS CASE FOR A RUN FOR NATIONAL OFFICE.

THESE WERE HIS WORDS AND YOU CAN IMAGINE IF HE IS SAYING THIS TO US IT'S LIKELY THESE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT THE ARE HAPPENING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

>> Bill: THERE WAS A REPORT BY "THE NEW YORK TIMES" INDICATING THAT NATIONAL DEMOCRATS WILL SPEND MONEY AND SUBSTANTIAL MONEY IN STATES LIKE KENTUCKY WHERE THERE IS A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND A MAJORITY LEGISLATURE HELD BY THE REPUBLICANS.

BUT THE DEADLINE IN KENTUCKY IS COMING UP JANUARY FIFTH.

IF DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO FILE CANDIDATES AND GET INTO THIS, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE.

BUT ARE THERE ANY HINTS THERE WILL BE ANY STRONG ATTEMPT TO BUY THE DEMOCRATS TO DENT THAT SUPER MAJORITY?

>> WELL, YOU SAW THE ANALYSIS AFTER THE ELECTION THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF COUNTIES THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR WON EARLY THIS MONTH.

THAT TRUMP HAD WON IN 2020.

THAT'S CREATED THINKING THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO PICKOFF SOME OF THOSE PLACES.

NOW, WHETHER THEY WILL PUT MONEY INTO THAT, WE JUST DON'T KNOW THAT YET.

>> ADDING TO THAT A LITTLE BIT I HAD A CHANCE TO BE ON A ZOOM CALL THE DAY AFTER GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS REHE ELECTED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION BEYOND THE WAR CHEST THE CAMPAIGN, THEY TALKED THAT THEY FELT THEY CRACKED THIS CODE IF YOU WILL WHEN IT COMES TOET BOOING WHO THEY DEEMED TO BE EXTREME REPUBLICANS IN RACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ABORTION, AS BILL TOUCHED ON WE SAW HOW MANY ADS CAME OUT WHAT HERE IS' TEAM HAD BEING REFERENCED THAT WILL BE A BIG IN THEIR MINDS AS WELL AS THIS CONCEPT OF VISION VERSUS DIVISION RUNNING FOR SOMETHING NOT SOMEONE.

ALL THE WORDS THAT BESHEAR'S CAMPAIGN RAN WITH, THEY FEEL LIKE THAT KIND OF RHETORIC IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT, WILL DEEM WELL NOT JUST HERE IN THE STATE BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT ABORTION A LITTLE BIT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ELECT RUSSEL COLEMAN REITERATED HE SUPPORTS EXCEPTIONS FOR KENTUCKY BAN IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST.

HE SAYS IT IS NOT AN EASY ISSUE SO WOMEN ARE NOT REVICTIMIZED.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE INDICATED THEY WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THAT.

DO SOME OF THEM WANT TO GET THAT OFF THE TABLE?

>> WELL, I IMAGINE THAT IF AS WAS DISCUSSED EARLIER, IF THERE IS A BIG INFLUX OF DEMOCRATS RUNNING AGAINST THEM, AND THEY WILL KNOW THAT ON JANUARY FIFTH WHO IS ON THE BALLOT AND FOR THE PRIMARY.

AND THEN THAT IF THEY FEEL THAT THE COMPETITION IS THERE THAT THEY WILL VERY SERIOUSLY CONSIDER MAKING AN EXCEPTION FOR INCEST AND RAPE WHEN IT COMES TO ABORTION.

BECAUSE IT IS A POPULAR, THERE WAS A POLL THAT NEARLY 54, 55% OF KENTUCKIANS DID NOT SUPPORT THE LAW AS IT'S WRITTEN RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THERE'S ENERGY TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.

AND I THINK IF THEY FEEL THE COMPETITION THEY WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> AND IT'S WORTH NOTING THIS IS PART OF A LARGER CONTEXT, RIGHT.

POLLS SHOW THAT MOST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SUPPORT ABORTION AT SOME LEVEL.

WHETHER IT'S SIX WEEKS OR 12 OR 15, BUT THEY SUPPORT EXCEPTIONS WHAT ARE THEY.

THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE AND YOU'VE SEEN THAT PLAY OUT IN THE COUNTRY.

KENTUCKY TURNED DOWN THE AMENDMENT A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

OHIO A COUPLE WEEKS AGO PUT A RIGHT ABORTION INTO THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

KANSAS.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY YOU'VE SEEN PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT, THEY THE ABORTION SUPPORTERS COME OUT ON TOP AND THEY HAVE IN SEVERAL RED STATES AND THAT CREATES IMPETUS IN KENTUCKY TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

>> Bill: THE FIRST THING WE'LL KNOW ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR IS HOW HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL IS TREATED AND IF IT IS LOOKED AT AND IS PART OF THE PLAN THAT THE REPUBLICANS PUT FORTH.

>> SURE, BILL.

IT'S EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE A KEY PART IN ALL THIS.

YOU HAVE GOVERNOR BESHEAR TALKING A LOT ABOUT TEACHER RAISES.

IT'S BEEN PART OF HIS EDUCATION FIRST PROPOSAL THIS CONCEPT OF 11% STATE-WIDE RAISES FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS INCLUDING OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY.

AND THEN YOU HAVE MANY OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE SAYING WE GOT TO STAY WITHIN THIS FORMULA, THIS SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR DECADES WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE ALL THIS MONEY THAT YOU GIVE OUT TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS BUT THEY DO WITH IT WHAT THEY WANT.

THEIR FOCUS REPUBLICANS MORE SO IS SCHOOL CHOICE.

AND, OF COURSE, THAT MEANS A POTENTIAL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WE CAN GET INTO THAT.

>> Bill: GO AHEAD.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE A POLITICAL FOOTBALL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD.

THE SENATOR THAYER MENTIONED IT'S ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT ECHOED THAT.

THIS GOES BACK TO 2022.

WE HAD THAT CHARTER SCHOOL BILL PASSED AND STRUCK DOWN.

NOW THE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO GO ABOUT THIS A DIFFERENT WAY.

AEND IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION, TO ALLOW SOME OF THE PUBLIC FUNDS TO GO TOWARD GETTING CHARTER SCHOOLS UP AND RUNNING AND THEIR GOAL IS TO GET THE AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT AND HAVE THE VOTERS DECIDE.

>> Bill: THAT MAY BE ONE OF THE INTERESTING ISSUES.

PRIORITY ONE HAS TO BE PASSING THE STATE BUDGET AND WE KNOW THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY TO FUND IT LOOKS LIKE PROGRAMS AT THE CURRENT LEVEL IF NOT INCREASES.

BUT NOT ENOUGH TO TRIGGER A REDUCTION IN THE STATE INCOME TAX WHICH IS A VERY HIGH PRIORITY FOR LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICANS.

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN AND THAT MAY BE SOMETHING YOU SEE COME BACK UP IN TERMS OF CHANGING THAT FORMULA.

THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO GET THE STATE INCOME TAX TO ZERO AS IT IS IN TENNESSEE AND SO THEY WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT GUIDELINE TO DO THAT.

BUT WHEN YOU SAY THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY.

I MEAN, BUT DIVIDING THE PIE IS ALWAYS HARD.

BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF COMPETING PRIORITIES A LOT OF COMPETING NEEDS OUT THERE.

>> Bill: BACK TO THE EVENT I DID WITH THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENTS, YOU ASK ABOUT SCHOOL RAISES, TEACHERS RAISES AND THE ISSUE OF SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION COMES UP AND HOW THOSE COSTS HAVE BALLOONED.

TRANSPORTATION.

SO THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPETING PRIORITIES.

>> WELL, THINK ABOUT GOVERNOR BESHEAR, HE HAS SAID UNIVERSAL PRE-K IS HIS PRIORITY AND THAT ADDS COSTS INTO THE SYSTEM, TOO.

DIVIDING THAT UP IS ALWAYS A STRUGGLE.

>> Bill: JEFFERSON COUNTY LOOKS LIKE IT WILL GET ATTENTION IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH REGARDS TO SCHOOLS?

>> WHEN YOU HAVE THE SITUATION THAT JCPS HAD ON AUGUST 9TH WHEN YOU HAD A KID THE FINAL KID BEING DROPPED OFF JUST BEFORE 10:00 THAT IS GOING TO GET A LOT OF ATTENTION.

RECENTLY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DEALT WITH SOME SICK OUTS, SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS CANNOT STRIKE THAT HAPPENED ON A FRIDAY AND A MONDAY AND LED THEM TO HAVE TO CANCEL A LOT OF ROUNDS ESPECIALLY ON THAT MONDAY.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS TO BE TALKED ABOUT.

I TALKED WITH REPRESENTATIVES JAMES TIPTON AND HE LEADS EFFORTS POLICY WISE WITH EDUCATION HE SAID THEY WILL CONSIDER POSSIBLY A BILL TO GIVE MORE AUTHORITY TO BUS DRIVERS, TO LET THEM IN ESSENCE HANDLE THESE SITUATIONS WHERE DISCIPLINE BECOMES A BIG PROBLEM THAT IS WHAT THEY'VE SAID AND TOLD THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

BUT THE QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU GET MORE BUS DRIVERS INTO THE BUSES.

>> Bill: WE'RE BACK TO THAT.

SO, THAT'S BASICALLY WHERE WE ARE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

NOW THOSE WHO WILL TAKE OFFICE IN FRANKFORT ARE BEGINNING TO HIRE THEIR STAFFS AND LAYOUT THEIR PLANS.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ELECT RUSSEL COLEMAN SAYS THIS PRIMARY ROLE WILL BE PROTECTING KEN CANADIANS HE DID AN INTERVIEW WITH ME, COLEMAN REITERATED HE WILL WORK HARD TO BRING LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TOGETHER AND HE SAYS HE HOPES HE AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR CAN WORK TOGETHER.

>> THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY HAVE SPOKEN THEY HAVE REELECTED "GOVERNOR'S AWARD IN THE ARTS."

AND THEY'VE ASKED ME TO DO A JOB AND REELECTED HIM.

I VIEW ANY OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE I WILL DO THAT.

THAT SAID I'M TASKED TO ENFORCE THE LAWS AS PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT THERE'S BEEN A HISTORY OF FRICTION BETWEEN KENTUCKY GOVERNORS AND ATTORNEYS GENERAL WHEN THEY ARE OF OPPOSITE PARTIES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ELECT ACKNOWLEDGES HE WAS FOR DANIEL CAMERON FOR GOVERNOR AND EXPECTED HIM TO BE ELECTED.

BUT, HE STARTS THERE BY SAYING HE WILL NOW COLLABORATE WITH THE GOVERNOR AND TRY TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> WELL, SOMETHING THAT RESONATES WITH ME AT LEAST OR WITH LOUISVILLIANS THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO IS THE FACT THAT THE REPUBLICANS IN THIS CASE, DANIEL CAMERON BEING ONE, RUSSEL COLEMAN SIMILARLY HAD NOT BEEN AFRAID TO REFERENCE THE HOMICIDE RATES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND LOUISVILLE RATES OF VIOLENCE THAT WE'RE SEEING ACROSS THE STATE IN SOME CASES.

AND THEY VERY CLEARLY SAY THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY NEED TO ADDRESS FIRST AND FOREMOST WHILE IN SOME CASES YOU HAD THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYING THE WORDS PEOPLE DON'T FEEL SAFE, FOLKS LIKE RUSSEL COLEMAN FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY SAYING THAT MANY CASES FOLKS AREN'T SAFE.

AND I THINK THAT IS RESONATED.

>> Bill: YOU MAKE A POINT THAT AT LEAST FOR NOW IT DOES NOT APPEAR THERE'S NATURAL REASON THAT THIS GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL BE POLITICAL ENEMIES.

>> Mr. COLEMAN AND THE GOVERNOR, I MEAN, THE CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL Mr. CAMERON AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR RAN AGAINST EACH OTHER AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE ARE WITH WITH RUL COLEMAN.

AND BESHEAR CANNOT RUN ANOTHER TERM WHATEVER Mr. COLEMAN DECIDES TO RUN FOR GOING FORWARD IT WON'T BE AGAINST BESHEAR.

>> Bill: ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON WORKING IN HIS POSITION ANNOUNCED $102 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH WALGREENS AND IT WAS REACHED IN BOON COUNTY REQUIRES WALGREENS 0 MONITOR AND REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES REGARDING OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS.

>> THIS IS JUST ONE MORE RESULT OF THE LAW CASE THAT IS TRYING TO FIND SOME RESTITUTION TO HELP KENTUCKIANS WITH THEIR ADDICTION ISSUES.

AND SO THAT MONEY WILL GO BACK INTO THAT BIG POT AND THE OPIOID ABATEMENT COMMISSION IS WORKING VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT MONEY IS SPENT FOLLOWING GUIDELINES TO HELP DECREASE OPIOID USE DISORDER IN THE STATE.

>> Bill: HERE IS ENCOURAGING NEWS.

MORE PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO KENTUCKY.

THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU ESTIMATING 113,000 PEOPLE CAME TO KENTUCKY FROM ANOTHER STATE IN 2022.

THE STATES PEOPLE MOST OFTEN MOVE TO KENTUCKY FROM ARE OHIO, INDIANA AND TENNESSEE.

THOSE ARE ALSO THE STATES THAT KENTUCKIANS MOST OFTEN MOVE TO.

BUT IT'S ENCOURAGING BECAUSE WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT OUTMIGRATION.

>> YES.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT KENTUCKY'S ON THAT.

I MEAN, THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE, LEXINGTON, LOUISVILLE, NORTHERN KENTUCKY AREA.

SAW SEEN GOOD GROWTH.

SCOTT COUNTY, MADISON COUNTY ARE THE FASTEST GROWING IN THE STATE BUT YOU SEE POPULATION LOSS IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST.

YEAH IT'S GOOD TO GET THE POPULATION BUT IT'S NOT EVEN ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Bill: MELISSA A CHALLENGE THE MARCH OF DIMES GAVE KENTUCKY AN F FOR PRETERM BIRTHS WHICH IS THE LARGEST CAUSE OF INFANT DEATHS.

>> WELL, AND IT ALSO IS AN INDICATOR THAT A CHILD WILL HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS THROUGH ITS LIFE.

SO IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT NUMBER IS SO HIGH.

I THINK 11.7% OF THE CHILDREN ARE BEING BORN PRETERM.

AND THAT'S HOW WE EARNED THAT F. BUT IT'S NOT SO SURPRISING.

WE HAVE HIGH SPOKING RATES, HIGH OBESITY RATES AMONG WOMEN AND ALL OF THAT IS SORT OF A PRECURSOR TO LOW TERM BABY.

WE HAVE HEALTH ISSUES THAT WE CAN WORK ON TO DECREASE THAT RATE AND HOPEFULLY THAT IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN GOING FORWARD.

>> Bill: THE HOLIDAYS QUICKLY APPROACH.

HEALTH ISSUES ARE OUT THERE AS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE TRAVELING AND GATHERING.

WE THOUGH THAT LOUISVILLE WASTEWATER SAMPLES SHOW A SURGE IN FLU VIRUS.

IT'S OUT THERE.

COVID REMAINS AND THERE IS THIS RSV CONCERN.

>> Dr.

STACKS SPOKE THIS WEEK AND SAID IF YOU ARE OUT SHOPPING AND EATING OUT AND BUSY RESTAURANTS AND SOCIALIZING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS YOU WILL YOU WILL BE EXPOSED TO COVID.

EVEN IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, YOUR EXPOSURE IS THERE AND YOU CAN LIKELY HAVE A MILDER CASE BUT YOU STILL MIGHT GET IT.

RSV HOSPITALIZATIONS IN CHILDREN ARE ON THE RISE.

AND SO AS YOU SAID THE FLU WE'RE LOOKING THAT THE FLU SEASON IS RIGHT UPON US.

SO HERE WE ARE THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, YOU KNOW, THE GENERAL ADVICE IF YOU ARE SICK STAY HOME.

>> Bill: THE TRIPLE THREAT IS OUT THERE.

A MAJOR BROADBAND EXPANSION IS SUPPOSED TO BE SERVICE?

>> THIS IS IT WAS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK, 30.7 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

WHAT IT DOES IT GO TO PROVIDERS LIKE YOUR LOCAL TELECOM TO EXTEND THEIR SERVICE OUT TO HOMES.

SO IT WILL BE 33,000 HOMES IN 16 COUNTIES THAT WILL GET BETTER ACCESS.

>> Bill: A MISTRIAL IN THE BRENT CASE, A FEDERAL JURY COULD NOT DECIDE WHETHER HE VIOLATED THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF BREONNA TAYLOR AND NEIGHBORS WHEN HE FIRED HIS GUN.

>> AFTER THREE WEEKS AND WE LISTENED TO BAKER RIGHT AFTER THAT DECISION WAS MADE OR NONDECISION YOU COULD SAY AND HER WORDS WERE MISTRIAL DOES NOT MEAN ACQUITTAL.

WHICH WAS THEIR WAY OF SAYING THERE'S HOPE HERE.

SHE BELIEVES ACCORDING TO HER SOURCES SHE SAID THE PROSECUTOR SAID THIS CASE THEY INTEND TO RETRY THIS CASE.

SO IT IS SOMETHING.

HE HAS BEEN ACQUITTED IN STATE COURT SO THIS IS A DIFFERENT SITUATION, BUT WE'LL HAVE TO SEE AS IT GOES ON.

OUT OF THE 12 JURORS 11 OF THEM WERE WHITE ONLY ONE WAS BLACK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS TALKED ABOUT AMONGST SOME OF THE EXPERTS THAT WE SPOKE TO.

THIS WILL BE SOMETHING WHERE THE DOJ IS SAYING IN THEIR STATEMENT THEY ARE SEEING ALL OPTIONS.

>> Bill: A FORMER SHERIFF'S DEPUTY IS GOING TO JAIL.

A WOMAN A COURT BAILIFF.

BUT SHE HELPED RUN A COCK FIGHTING OPERATION AND SENTENCED TO A MONTH IN JAIL AND EIGHT MONTHS ON HOME DETENTION.

>> Bill: AN ISSUE BEEN AROUND A LONGTIME.

TRAVEL IS EXPECTED FOR THANKSGIVING AND COLDER WEATHER LOOKS LIKELY WE HOPE YOU ARE SAFE AND COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS ON THANKSGIVING.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS EDITION OF "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

AND WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD THANKSGIVING WEEK AHEAD.