COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS ON THE STATE'S ABORTION LAW.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR TAKES LIMITED EXECUTIVE ACTION ON MEDICAL CANNABIS AND PUSHES THE LEGISLATURE ON THE I IN WASHINGTON, SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL IS RE-ELECTED REPUBLICAN LEADER WHERE HE'LL AGAIN LEAD THE MINORITY.

CHANGES ARE COMING THAT MAY LOWER YOUR STATE INCOME TAX BUT WILL ADD SALES TAX TO DOZENS OF SERVICES.

A COLD WEEKEND HEADED TOWARD THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

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

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR CHRIS OTTS, REPORTER FOR WDRB I DIVYA KARTHIKEYAN, CAPITOL BUREAU REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO WITH STATIONS IN MURRAY, BOWLING GREEN, LOUISVILLE AND RICHMOND.

AND JOHN CHEVES, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, A SCHOOL BUS CRASH THIS WEEK BRINGS UP DISCUSSION ABOUT SEATBELTS ON BUSES AND OTHER SAFETY questions.

AND KENTUCKY GETS A NEW CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT.

AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT.

THE FUTURE OF ABORTION REMAINS IN LEGAL LIMBO, THOUGH.

AND THIS WEEK THE STATE SPEAKER HEARD ARGUMENTS ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF A NEAR TOTAL BAN THAT BECAME KENTUCKY LAW WHEN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN ROE VERSUS WADE.

IT CAME A WEEK AFTER KENTUCKY VOTERS SAID NO TO AMENDING THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS ABORTION.

DIVYA, YOU WERE THERE AS THE SUPREME COURT LISTENED AND ACTUALLY TALKED BACK A LOT TO THE COUNSEL AS THE CASES WERE MADE FOR AND AGAINST KENTUCKY'S ABORTION BAN CONTINUING TO BE IN EFFECT OR TO NOT BE IN EFFECT DIFFERENTLY RIGHT.

WE HAD TWO DVD, DUSTED MICHELLE PERLE AND JUSTICE ELIZABETH HUGHES WHO WERE REALLY GRILLING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MATTHEW CUNY WHO WAS ARGUING ON BEHALF OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

HE WAS ARGUING TO UPHOLD THE BAN ON THE MAIN ABORTION LAWS, AND THERE WAS THIS BACK-AND-FORTH.

THE TWO MAIN TAKEAWAYS THERE WERE WHETHER THE AMENDMENT, WHICH HAPPENED LAST WEEK AND THE AMENDMENT WAS EDUCATED, WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE INTERPRETATION OF WHETHER THESE BANS SHOULD BE UPHELD OR NOT AND, YOU KNOW, THE SOLICITOR GENERAL WAS BASICALLY PUSHING BACK SAYING THIS AMENDMENT SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED BECAUSE NOW THERE IS NO LANGUAGE IN CONSTITUTION THAT SPEAKS TO ABORTION.

THE WORD "ABORTION" ISN'T THERE.

AND NOW YOU HAD JUSTICE ELIZABETH HUGHES SORT OF PUSHING BACK, SAYING, YOU KNOW, THIS IS IS -- THIS IS THE PUREST FORM OF DEMOCRACY, THAT PEOPLE SHOWED UP AND VOTED AT THE BALLOT.

>> Bill: DID IT SEEM IN SOME CASES THE QUESTIONS MAKING POINTS IN A DIRECTION THAT MAY INDICATE WHERE THE JUSTICE STANDS?

DIFFERENTIAL ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK BOTH JUSTICE MICHELLE DELLER AND JUSTICE HUGHES WERE LOOKING AT WHEN THE ARGUMENT CAME IN ABOUT AN 1890 PRECEDENT COMING IN AND THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION DID NOT TALK ABOUT ABORTION.

THEY DIDN'T CONSIDER IT.

AND JUSTICE ELIZABETH HUGHES BASICALLY SAID, THE MEN WOMEN WEREN'T ALLOWED TO VOTE THEN.

WOMEN COULDN'T OWN PROPERTY THEN.

SO HOW WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO APPLY, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENED IN 1890, IN 2022?

>> Billy:BI THIS IS A BITE OF JUSTICE KELLER ASKING A QUESTION AND AS I SAID MAKING A POINT IN THAT QUERY.

>> I'M STRUGGLING WITH WHY THEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THOUGHT IT SO IMPORTANT TO PUT THAT INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION BECAUSE IF NOTHING ELSE, IT COST THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DO THAT.

>> Bill: THAT'S JUSTICE CAROLINA ESSENTIALLY QUESTIONING WHY HAVE THE VOTE IF IT DOESN'T MATTER.

>> EXACTLY.

SHE HAS A POINT.

WHAT REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SHORTLY AFTER AND THE SOLICITOR GENERAL MADE THE SAME ARGUMENT WAS THAT THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON ABORTION LAWS IN THE STATE AFTER THE DOBBS DECISION.

AND THAT'S THE ARGUMENT AND WHAT JUSTICE MICHELLE KELLER IS PUSHING BACK ON WITH THAT, IS THE LEGISLATURE HAS WEIGHED IN MANY, MANY TIMES, AND ONE OF THE TIME IT HAS WEIGHED IN WAS INTRODUCING THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND SO IT WOULD BE -- IT WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE TO SAY THAT THEY'VE NEVER WEIGHED IN ON THIS AND TO NOT CONSIDER THE COOLS AMENDMENT.

>> Bill: JOHN, AS YOU WERE WATCHING IT DO YOU YOU HAVE A SENSE ON HOW THE VOTE OF FAMED AMENDMENT MAY IMPACT THIS CASE?

>> John: IT'S GOING TO HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANCE BECAUSE THE ORAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE COURT WAS SPECIFICALLY HELD AFTER THE BALLOT INITIATIVE.

I MEAN, THEY DELAYED THIS UNTIL AFTER THE NOV 8TH ELECTION BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEE HAD YOU HOW THE AMENDMENT VOTE TURNED OUT.

OF COURSE WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM ALL OF THE ADJUSTMENTS.

SOME OF THEM KEPT THEIR COUNSEL PRIVATE.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW THEY FELT ABOUT THINGS NECESSARILY BUT FOR THOSE WHO SPOKE, THEY CLEARLY GAVE A LOT OF IMPORTANCE TO THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY KENTUCKIANS VOTED NO ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE CONSTITUTION WAS SILENT ON WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IN THE FINAL OPINION WHEN THE COURT HANDS THAT DOWN.

>> Bill: AND THIS IS, REALLY, THIS IS THE CASE ON THE RESTRAINING ORDER.

>> JOE: >> John: WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET A SUPREME COURT OPINION THAT DECIDES THE ISSUE OF ABORTION.

THIS IS JUST TO THE INJUNCTION COMING OUT OF JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT IN LOUISVILLE FROM THIS SUMMER, AND THIS MAKES MY OWN HEAD SWIM, SO, DIVYA, PLEASE CORRECT ME WHEN I GET THIS WRONG ABOUT THREE DIFFERENT WAYS, ABOUT THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT BANS OUT OF LEGISLATURE THAT ARE BEING CHALLENGED RIGHT NOW IN JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT.

THERE'S THE TRIGGER BAN, THE TOTAL BAN THAT TOOK EFFECT WHEN ROE VS. WADE GOT OVERTOURNAMENT TURNED BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

THERE'S THIS SIX WEEK BAN, SOMEWHAT.

CHALLENGED IN JEFFERS CLINICS BY TWO CLINICS THAT HAD BEEN WANTING ON IN LOUISVILLE.

THE CLINICS HADED AND FOR AN JINX TEMPORARILY STAYING THOSE BANS.

THE JEFFERS CIRCUIT COURT AFFIRMED.

I AT THIS TIME COURT OF APPEALS OVERTURNED THAT AND BUT THOSE LAWS INTO EFFECT THEY REQUEST OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THAT'S WHAT THE SUPREME COURT IS HEARING RIGHT NOW.

IT MIGHT TEMPORARILY STAY THE INJUNCTION.

IT MIGHT PERMANENTLY PUT THE INJUNCTION INTO EFFECT.

IT MIGHT ALLOW THE LAWS TO TAKE EFFECT AND THE BANS TO STAY.

IT'S A GOING TO GET KICKED BACK TO JEFFERS CIRCUIT COURT WHERE THE CASES WILL BE HEARD, THE LAWS WILL BE PUT ON TRIAL IN A MORE LEISURELY FASHION, AND IT WILL SLOWLY PERCOLATE BACK UP TO THE APPELLATE COURTS AGAIN.

>> Bill: AND IF NOT PART OF THIS IS A 15 WEEK BAN THAT WOULD HAVE RAYMOND.

>> John: RIGHT.

STILL IN THE BACKGROUND IS THE 15 WEEK ABORTION BAN THAT IS ON THE BOOKS.

>> Bill: YA, IF THE INJUNCTION IS UPHELD, WHAT WOULD THE EFFECT SEEM TO BE ON ABORTION ACCESS?

>> DIVYA: IF THE INJUNCTION IS UPHELD, IT WOULD ONLY TEMPORARILY ALLOW ABORTION IN THE STATE, YOU KNOW, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT HEARING BUT IT WILL, I THINK THE INTERPRETATION WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE CIRCUIT COURT'S HEARING IN SOME WAY BECAUSE IF IT IS TEMPORARILY BLOCKED, IT IS SOME SORT OF A FIGHTING CHANCE FOR ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES BECAUSE THEY CAN ARGUE FURTHER IN THE COURT THAT THERE IS A RIGHT TO ABORTION IN THE CONSTITUTION.

BUT IF IT IS BLOCKED, THAT COULD SORT OF BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT FOR ABORTION RIGHTS VOKES ADVOCATE TO TAKE THEIR ARGUMENT TO THE CIRCUIT COURT.

>> Bill: CHRIS OTTS, OBVIOUSLY DOCTORS AND MEDICAL PROVIDERS, HOSPITALS ARE HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL OF THIS LEGAL LIMBO, RIGHT?

>> Chris: RIGHT.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON AND THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE IN FAVORCH THESE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS HAVE SAID THAT IN CASES OF TRUE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES THAT THE LAW WOULDN'T PREVENT -- PREVENT THAT, BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LOT OF LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY ON THE LINE, AND I THINK THE FEAR FROM THOSE WHO OPPOSE THESE POLICIES IS THAT PROVIDERS WILL FELLOW ERR ON THE SIDE OF DOING -- NATURALLY ERR ON THE SIDE OF DOING LESS TO ENSURE THEY ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LAW IN KENTUCKY AND WHAT IMPLICATIONS THAT COULD HAVE FOR PATIENT CARE AND EMERGENCIES.

>> Bill: DIVYA.

>> DIVYA: THE STAKES ARE VERY HIGH FOR MEDICAL PROVIDERS AT THIS POINT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE TRIGGER LAW ALSO HAS IN IT THE FACT THAT PROVIDING ABORTIONS WOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A CLASS D FELONY WITH ONE TWO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON, SO IT'S ALREADY LAID OUT, AND WHAT JUSTICE MICHELLE KELLER REALLY BROUGHT UP AND THEY HAD A LONG BACK-AND-FORTH ABOUT IT WAS WHAT ARE MEDICAL PROVIDERS SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN A MEDICAL DECISION IS BETWEEN A PREGNANT PERSON AND THE DOCTOR.

SHOULD THEY CALL UP THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY NEED -- WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW FOR A MEDICAL DECISION?

WHAT DOES MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS, LIFE-THREATENING MEDICAL COMMISSIONS MEAN?

WHO DEFINES THAT?

DOES THE DOCTOR DO THAT OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL?

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

THE CASE YET TO BE DECIDED, AND WE WILL GET THAT RULING AT SOME POINT HERE.

AND WE'LL AWAIT.

THIS WEEK GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TOOK A LIMITED EXECUTIVE ACTION TO ALLOW SOME USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS.

IT CAME AFTER HE CONVENED AN ADVISORY GROUP AND AFTER THE STATE SENATE BLOCKED A BILL APPROVED BY THE STATE HOUSE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

JOHN, WHAT DID THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS DO?

>> John: THIS IS A FAIRLY LIMITED DECISION BY THE GOVERNOR.

THIS IS NOT A CASE OF SMOKE THEM IF YOU GOT THEM, FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE MARIJUANA, SO STARTING JANUARY 1st YOU CAN LEGALLY POSSESS UP TO 8 OUNCES OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN KENTUCKY IF YOU HAVE ONE OF 21 SPECIFIED MEDICAL CONDITIONS, AND JUST FOR A FEW, CANCER, LEAPS, ALS ON ALLOW GEHRIG ACEDIAS CAN BE GLAU COMB, A SEVERE AND CHRONIC PAIN.

IF YOU HURD PURCHASED THE MEMORABILIA MARIJUANA IS IN A PART THE U.S. WHERE IT'S URGE CAN LEGAL AND THAT'S 38 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BUT NOT KENTUCKY BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT A BIG FAN, IF YOU HAVE A CERTIFICATIONS FROM AIR LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO SO THAT YOU'VE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ONE OF THOSE 21 MEDICAL CONDITIONS, THEN YOU CAN HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA UNDER THOSE LIMITED CONDITIONS.

SO AGAIN, A FAIRLY LIMITED POOL OF ELIGIBILITY BUILT.

THE GOVERNOR IS MAKING VERY BROAD USE OF HIS PARDON POWER UNDER THE CONSTITUTION TO SAY PEOPLE PROACTIVELY ARE PARDONED FROM HAVING WHAT'S A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE LEVEL OF MARIJUANA IN THESE CONDITIONS.

>> Bill: HOW, WITH DIVYA, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS PUSHING BACK AND THE GOVERNOR IS PUSHING THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE THIS LAW.

>> DIVYA: EXACTLY.

AND I THINK THE BLOWBACK FROM REPUBLICANS AS WELL AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON DOES HE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS.

THIS IS NOT THE EXECUTIVE'S JOB.

THIS IS THE LEGISLATURE'S JOB.

BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY THE JOB OF THE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE BESHEAR HAS BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THIS FOR A LONG TIME, A TASK FORCE, A COMMITTEE, POLLING.

HE'S TRYING TO GET HIS DUCKS IN A ROW IN A WAY.

I THINK THIS HAS SORT OF JOLTED REPUBLICANS BECAUSE TIME AND TIME AGAIN THE IN LEGISLATURE THEY HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO PASS MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION BUT IT'S LANGUISHED.

>> Chris: IT SEEMS FAIRLY OBVIOUS THAT BESHEAR IS ATTEMPTING SOME APPLICABLE SAVVY HERE WHERE HE'S THINKING THAT PROCESS ARGUMENT LIKE THE ONES THAT HIS OPPONENTS ARE MAKING ARE NOT REALLY WHAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT AND HE'S IDENTIFIED A VERY POPULAR ISSUE IN KENTUCKY THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT MOVED ON, AND HE SAYS, I'M GOING TO MOVE ON THIS AND BASICALLY DARE THEM TO OVERUNDER THE WHAT I'VE DONE BECAUSE I'M LOOKING OUT THERE AND I SEE THAT IT'S POPULAR.

SO WE WILL SATISFY IF THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A POLITICAL SUCCESS FOR HIM.

>> Bill: WELL, WE'RE GOING TO SEE ON SOME THINGS HE'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO PRESS THE LEGISLATURE OBVIOUSLY.

ALSO, ASKING FOR SOME MONEY ON EDUCATION AHEAD OF THE SESSION.

HE'S CALLING FOR USING SOME OF THE STATE SURPLUS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TEACHERS AND TO FUND PRE-KINDERGARTEN.

THIS IS WHAT HE TOLD ME IN AN INTERVIEW THAT WILL AIR THIS WEEKEND ON WKYT.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN EXPECTED BUDGET SURPLUS, THE LARGE NEST OUR HISTORY COMING UP.

AT ONE $.357 BILLION, WE COULD AFFORD 5% RAISES FOR EVERY EDUCATOR OUT THERE AND BILL FILL THOSE VACANCIES TO CATCH YOU ARE YDSTIE KIDS.

AND WE COULD CONSTITUTE UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND STILL HAVE THE THIRD LARGEST BUDGET SURPLUS OF ALL TIME.

>> Bill: JOHN, THE LEGISLATURE IS COMING IN FOR WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE SHORT SESSION, THE 30 DAYS.

SUPERINTENDENTS ARE ASKING FOR MORE MONEY FOR SCHOOLS' SAFETY AND SECURITY.

THE GOVERNOR OBVIOUSLY HAS HIS PRIORITIES.

WILL THEY OPEN THE BUG AND ALLOCATE SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY TO EDUCATION?

>> John: DO I THINK THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO GIVE THE GOVERNOR A WIN ON TEACHER PAY RAISES GOING INTO A GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION YEAR?

PROBABLY NOT, NO.

AGAIN, IT'S A 30-DAY SESSION.

IT'S TRADITIONALLY NOT A BUDGET YEAR.

THEY PASS A TWO-YEAR BUDGET IN THE EVEN YEARS.

WE JUST DID THAT LAST YEAR.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY WE THEY NEVER CRACK P OPEN THE BUDGET IN A EP YEAR.

THEY SPENT HUNDREDS IN FILM INDUSTRY AND OTHERS THAT HIRED THE RIGHT LOBBYISTS IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE SPECIALISTS SO THEY'LL SPEND MONEY WHEN THE RIGHT PEOPLE ASK, BUT THE GOVERNOR IS NOT THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

>> Bill: CHRIS, A LOT OF TAX CHALLENGES ARE COMING AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

KENTUCKY'S HIT THE REVENUE TRIGGERS FOR LOWERING THE ESTATE INCOME TAX, BUT THE SALES TAX IS GOING TO BE EXTENDED AND SOME MAY BE SURPRISED THAT COME THE FIRST OF THE YEAR IT WILL GO ON PHOTOGRAPHY, PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINERS, MASSAGES, BODY ART LIKE TATTOOS, RENTAL FOR A VENUE LIKE A WEDDING OR A PARTY OR A MEETING, MANY OTHER AREAS.

ALL OF THAT, AGAIN, MAY COME -- MAY COME WITH SOME SURPRISE JANUARY 1.

>> Chris: BILL, I WOULD LIKE TO -- I'M HAVING A STORY DID I AS YOU SPEAK.

I'M WONDERING WHOSE JOB IS IT TO SIT BACK AND SAY WHAT ARE THE THINGS HAPPENING IN KENTUCKY THAT WE CAN ADD SALES TAX TO BECAUSE WHEN YOU READ THIS LIST, OKAY, THAT, THAT, THAT.

WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS THAT THE GOP LEGISLATURE IS ON A LONG-TERM MISSION TO REDUCE KENTUCKY'S RELIANCE ON THE INCOME TAX AND TO REPLACE THAT WITH SALES TAXES.

STATES GET REVENUE IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, AND THEY GET THEIR REVENUE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

IN INDIANA THE INCOME TAX IS LESS THAN IN KENTUCKY BUT THEY HAVE 7% TAX ON ALL OF YOUR UTILITIES.

IN TENNESSEE THERE'S NO INCOME TAX BUT YOU BUY ANYTHING IN NASHVILLE AND IT'S LIKE 10% SALES TAX.

SO THE DIFFERENCE IS THE PHILOSOPHY ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM, AND THE REPUBLICANS WOULD LIKE TO MOVE KENTUCKY TO MORE OF WHAT'S CALLED ON A CONSUMPTION-BASED TAX STATE.

NOW, THERE ARE SOME VERY BIG ITEMS THAT LIMIT THEIR ABILITY TO REPLACE THE REVENUE USING SALES TAXES SUCH AS GROCERIES, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, RESIDENTIAL UTILITIES, SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THEY'RE EVER WILLING TO, POLITICALLY TO ENACT SALES TAXES ON THOSE MEGA ITEMS AND HOW FAR THEY CAN GET THE INCOME TAX DOWN.

>> Bill: I THINK THERE ARE MORE EXEMPTIONS THAN THERE ARE ITEMS THAT ARE TAXABLE.

BILL ESTEP FOLLOWED THAT OVER THE YEARS CERTAINLY.

I'M CURIOUS, YOU MINGED ENERGY AND CERTAINLY WE KNOW THAT KENTUCKY'S A BIG PLAYER NOW IN THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE BUSINESS WITH THESE BATTERIES, BUT HYBRID VEHICLE MADE HERE IN KENTUCKY BY TOYOTA IS IN SUCH HIGH DEMAND THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING UP, RIGHT?

>> Chris: THE TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID, GOVERNOR BEVIN, THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR NONSUITED NEAR THE TAIL END OF HIS TENURE IN 2019, THAT THEY WOULD BE ADDING THAT VEHICLE THE TO THE PLANT IN GEORGETOWN.

THIS IS A MARKET, THEY MAKE CAMERAS THERE, HAS DECLINE.

CONSUMERS MOVING TOWARD SUVs.

WE'VE HEARD SO MANY OF ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES, CAN WILL VEHICLES.

IT'S THE FUTURE.

WE'RE GOING TO BE THE PAT BATTERY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE AUTO MARKET RIGHT NOW IS MORE OF A INCREMENTAL STEP TOWARD ELECTRIFICATION AND HE'S WHERE TOUT HAS BEEN WITH THESE HYBRIDS, AND THIS VEHICLE THAT IS MADE HERE IN KENTUCKY IS THROUGH THE ROOF IN TERMS OF SALES, UP 43% THIS YEAR WHEN THE OVERALL INDUSTRY IS DOWN 12 PER SO YOU AT QUITE A SUCCESS STORY.

>> Bill: YOU'VE ALSO BEEN REPORTING ON THE ROLL-OUT OF THE EV STATIONS, WHERE ARE PEOPLE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PLUG IN THEIR CAR.

>> Chris: RIGHT.

I TALKED TO TRANSPORTATION SCATTERED JIM GRAY THIS WEEK.

SOME TIME LATER THIS YEAR YOU'LL BEGIN TO SEE THE FEDERALLY CHARGING STATIONS.

THAT'S PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT WAS PASSED.

KENTUCKY HAS SOMETHING LIKE $85 MILLION OR SO, INCLUDING LOCAL FUNDS OR MATCHING FUNDS TO PUT THOSE IN.

AND HE THEY'RE GOT IT FOCUS ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS 1 CELEBRATES INTERSTATES.

EVERY 50 MILES THERE WILL BE A CHARGING STATION.

SOME INTEREST OFFING THINGS, THOUGH, WILL THEY BE FREE LIKE WATER FOUNTAINS TO THE PUBLIC?

UNCERTAIN.

THE LEGISLATURE APPARENTLY, I BELIEVE, IN THE LAST BILL -- I NEED TO CHECK THIS OUT -- BUT THEY PUT IN A TAX ON THE ELECTRICITY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, SO WHO PAYS THAT TAX IF THE STATIONS ARE FREE?

SECRETARY GRAY SAID THAT ALL OF THIS STILL NEEDS TO BE WORKED OUT AND THEY'RE SEEKING BIDS BASICALLY FROM CONTRACTORS WHO WOULD PUT IN THOSE CHARGING STASIS.

>> Bill: WE'RE ALL LIVING A LITTLE HISTORY.

IN WASHINGTON KENTUCKY SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL WILL REMAIN MINORITY LEADER DESPITE A CHALLENGE AN ATTEMPT TO DELAY THE VOTED AFTER REPUBLICANS FAILED TO HIN W. AN MINORITY SCOTT TOOK ON McCONNELL.

BUT AFTER A THREE-HOUR ME GO McCONNELL PREVAILED 37 TO 10 OVER SCOTT.

McCONNELL THEN EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION.

>> WE HAD A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE VARIOUS DIFFERENCES.

PEOPLE HAD A CHANCE TO LISTEN TO BOTH CANDIDATES.

AND I'M PRETTY PROUD OF 37 TO 10.

>> Bill: JOHN, YOU WERE NOT SURPRISED BY THE OUTCOME OF THAT LEADERSHIP RACE, RIGHT?

>> John: NO.

WHETHER YOU LIKE McCONNELL OR NOT, AGREE WITH HIM OR DISAGREE WITH HIM HE KNOWS HOW TO RUN AND INWITH AN ELECTION.

>> Bill: AND HE HAS A LOT OF IIOUs.

HE'S HELPED A LOT OF SENATORS WIN CAMPAIGNS AND GET MOO THE SENATE.

>> Chris: WHEN REPUBLICANS HAD A DISAPPOINTING PERFORM IN ELECTION, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE AREA OF UNCERTAINTY WAS WHETHER SENATOR McCONNELL WANTS TO CONTINUE LEADING THE PARTY, AND YOU GET THE SENSE FROM THIS LEADERSHIP ELECTION THAT IF HE IS GOING TO GO OUT, IT'S GOING TO BE ON HIS OWN TERMS AND THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO BE DISPLACED.

>> Bill: ALSO OUT WASHINGTON AND AFFECTING KENTUCKY THIS EVENING, THE BIDEN GO ADMINISTRATION IS REQUESTING ANOTHER $100 MILLION FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD RELIEF THAT WOULD PRIMARILY BE TO HELP WITH AGRICULTURE.

KENTUCKY WILL HAVE A NEW CHIEF JUSTICE IN YARN WHY LAWRENCE VAN METEOR OF LEXINGTON WAS CHOSEN BY HIS COLLEAGUES TO LEAD THE COURT NEXT FOUR YEARS.

HE WILL REPLACE CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN MINTER WHO IS RETIRING AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE JOHN VAN METER SERVED ANOTHER EVERY SECTION.

>> Joe: HE AS LEXINGTON NATIVE AND A NEIGHBOR MINE.

NO PERSONAL BIAS, THOUGH.

WHEN I WAS AT THE HERALD-LEADER'S COURTHOUSE REPORTER IN THE 1990S, HE WAS A FAYETTE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE AND, OF COURSE, THE DISTRICT COURT, AS ALL LAWYERS CAN TELL YOU, IS THE LEAST GLAMOROUS PART OF THE SYSTEM POP IT'S DOCKETS FULL OF SHOPLIFTING AND DRUNK DRIVING.

HE WORKED HIS WAYNE TO CIRCUIT COURT IN FAYETTE COUNTY AND THE COURT OF APPEALS BEFORE JOINING THE SUPREME COURT AND NOW HE'S GOING TO BE CHIEF JUSTICE WHICH MEANS HE RUNS THE WHOLE JUDICIAL BRANCH.

HE'S ALWAYS HAD A REPUTATION, AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, AS A HARD WORKER AND A ACCIDENT GUY.

>> Bill:ING JO, THERE IS WANT YOU REST OVER THE WEEKEND AT A JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER IN ADAIR COUNTY.

STILL UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

>> John: UNFORTUNATELY, THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE WHICH RUNS THESE AROUND THE STATE CONTINUES TO HAVE ASSAULTS, RIOTS, STAFF GETTING HURT, YOUNGER CHILDREN GETTING HURT.

I SAY CHILDREN.

IT'S TEENAGERS BUT AGES 12 UP TO 18.

THERE I WAS TEENAGE GIRL AT THE ADAIR COUNTY FACILITY WHO WAS APPARENTLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED DURING THE RIOT LAST FRIDAY NIGHT.

SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND TREATED.

THERE WAS A STAFF MEMBER WHO WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND TREATED.

THESE CENTERS ARE BADLY UNDERSTAFFED.

THEY CAN'T HIRE ENOUGH TOME TO WORK THERE.

THERE'S BEEN CALLS FOR PEOPLE TO BE FIRED BUT THEY GO THROUGH COMMISSIONERS AT THE DEPARTMENT JUVENILE JUSTICE ALMOST EVERY YEAR.

IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT FIRING MORE OF THEM WILL DO.

THEY NEED TO HIRE 34678 BADLY.

>> Bill: YA THERE I WAS BUS CRASH IN McLAUGHLIN COUNTY AND THE DRIVER AND SOME ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL.

IT REMINDS US OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN AND REOPEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT SCHOOL BUS SAFETY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IT THIS POINT THE 234-6789TSB REQUESTS THIS MAIN REGULATORY BODY, DOES NOT HAVE MUCH POWER.

THE STATES THAT NEED TO ENACT LAWS ON SEATBELT REGULATIONS, ON SCHOOL BUSES.

THE DEFENSE REALLY HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT THESE ESTATES ARE HIGH AND PADDED.

THE SECOND BEING HOW CAN YOU EVICT THESE CHILDREN DURING AN EMERGENCY LOOK A FIRE WHEN THEY'RE IN SEATBELTS.

AND JUST NINE STATES IN THE U.S. HAVE REGULATIONS ON SEATBELTS IN SCHOOL BUSES.

IT'S ALSOEN AND TO RETROFIT SCHOOL BUSES WITH SEATBELT.

>> Bill: BUT AGAIN THE NTSB DOES RECOMMEND THE SEATBELTS SO THAT WILL BE AN ONGOINGS DISCUSSIONS.

CHRIS, THE CINCINNATI NORTHERN KENTUCKY AIRPORT IS GETTING A DIRECT FLIGHT TO LONDON, ENGLAND, HAS COMING UP, RIGHT?

>> Chris: YEAH.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A BRITISH AIRWAYS COMPLETE FLIGHT AND THEIR SECOND FLIGHT TO EUROPE.

ARE THERE ALSO A DELTA FLIGHT THAT GOES TO PARIS, ACCORDING TO WCPO.

GOOD NEWS, THE CINCINNATI AIRPORT USED TO BE NORTHERN KENTUCKY AIRPORT USED TO BE A HUB FOR DELTA SO WILL WERE A LOT MORE FLIGHTS GOING THROUGH THERE 15 YEARS AGO OR SO.

>> Bill: THE DELTA CONNECTION.

>> Chris: BUT THIS IS A TRUE INTERNATIONAL, AND IN LOUVRE YOU CAN GO INTERNAZIONALE TO CHINA IF YOU CAN PACK YOURSELF INTO A BROWN BOX AND GO ON UPS BUT THAT'S ABOUT THE ONLY INTO THE THAT WE HAVE OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

>> Bill: THERE'S BEEN A TREND TOWARD UNIONIZATION.

A LOT OF PLACES IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA ESPECIALLY WOODFORD PRESERVE PRODUCTION WORKERS DECLINED TO JOIN A UNION.

>> Chris: IT'S NOT A UNIFORM TREND, OBVIOUSLY, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN MORE UNION ELECTIONS AND -- BUT OVERALL UNION DENSITY IN KENTUCKY ACTUALLY HAS DECLINED A BIT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

OF COURSE, THE STATE WENT RIGHT TO WORK IN 2017 WHICH IS THOUGHT TO HAVE SOME RAM IF I CAUTIONS THERE FOR -- RAMIFICATIONS FOR HOLDING UNIONS TOGETHER.

>> Bill: AND TOPGOLF IS FINALLY OPENING IN LOUISVILLE.

THAT'S BIG NEWS IN THE STATE AS WELL.

>> Chris: IT IS A BIG DEAL, AND IT'S PROBABLY 50% OF LOCAL NEWS IN LOUISVILLE THIS WEEK WAS, TAKE A LOOK AT TOPGOLF, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST IN IT.

IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TOPGOLF IS, THINK ABOUT A BOWLING ALLEY MEETS A DRIVING RANGE.

AND THAT'S IT.

IF WE CAN GET AN IKEA AND A SHAKE SHACK 1 OUR QUALITY OF LIFE WILL BE TOTALLY SET.

>> Bill: DIVYA, CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Bill: INTERESTING END OF THE YEAR AS THE LEGISLATURE IS GETTING READY TO COME IN.

THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO GET A LOT DONE BUT THEY WILL HAVE 30 DAYS TO WORK.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

NOT CHARTER, BUT LOOKING AT THE PRE-FILED BILLS, THERE'S BEEN SOME INTERESTING ACTIVITY.

WE'RE EXPECTING MORE BILLS TO COME IN.

BUT, YEAH, THE AGENDA SEEMS TO BE FOCUSED ON -- THERE'S BEEN SOME BILLS FOCUSED ON TRANSGENDER ATHLETES THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AS WELL, SO THAT'S AN INDICATOR WHERE THIS COULD GO.

>> Bill: SOME OF THE REGULAR SAFETY IN BARS I THINK IS ANOTHER AREA, SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

FORMER WESTERN KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN AND STATE SENATOR CAROL HUBBARD, JR. IS BEING LAID TO REST THIS WEEKEND IN MURRAY.

HUBBARD WAS A STATE SAN ANTONIO FROM 1967 TO 1974, THEN A CONGRESSMAN FROM 19 VIVE TO 1992.

HE WAS A DEMOCRAT WHEN THOSE UNDER THE ROOFER DOMINATED POLITICS.

AFTER LEAVING CONGRESS HUBBARD SPENT TIME IN A FEDERAL PRISON OVER CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS BUT HUBBARD LATER PRACTICED LAW AND MANY REMEMBER HE CONTINUED TO REACH OUT WITH PERSONAL NOTES AND REMAIN ENGAGED IN CIVIC EVENTS.

HE WAS 85.

AND A GROUP OF KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS ARE HOME AND SPENDING TIME WITH THEIR FEAST IN NEARLY A YEAR.

THE 1st BATTALION 145th INFANTRY MOUNTAIN WARRIORS MADE IT BACK SAFELY.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

CROO