♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ KENTUCKY SENATOR RAND PAUL SPLITS WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP ON THE POSSIBILITY OF USING THE MILITARY FOR MASS DEPORTATIONS.

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WILL CUT THE STATE INCOME TAX AGAIN.

AND TALK OTHER PRIORITIES FOR THE 2025 SESSION.

THE UAW SAYS IT WILL ATTEMPT TO UNIONIZE THE BLUE OVAL SK VEHICLE BATTERY PLANT NEAR ELIZABETH TOWN.

A NEW KIDS COUNT REPORT SHOWS PROGRESS IN SOME AREAS BUT CONTINUING CHALLENGES.

A LITTLE TASTE OF WINTER ON THIS WEEKEND BEFORE THANKSGIVING, AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ GOOD EVENING, I'M BILL BRYANT AND WE WELCOME YOU TO COMMENT AKENTUCKY, A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS ON THE COMMONWEALTH.

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

SYLVIA GOODMAN, CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO, AND AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON "HERALD-LEADER."

ALSO TONIGHT, A LAWMAKER SAYS THE LAWS LIMITING VAPING PRODUCT SALES TO THOSE OVER AGE 21 HAVE NO TEETH AND MORE TIMEFRAMES ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT LET'S BEGIN WITH SENATOR RAND PAUL SPLITTING WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP ON A KEY ISSUE.

KENTUCKY'S JUNIOR SENATOR SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT THE MILITARY SHOULD NOT BE USED TO DEPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

>> I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF SENDING THE ARMY IN UNIFORMS INTO OUR CITIES TO COLLECT PEOPLE.

I THINK IT'S A TERRIBLE IMAGE AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE USE OUR MILITARY FOR.

WE NEVER HAVE AND IT'S BEEN ILLEGAL FOR OVER 100 YEARS TO BRING THE ARMY INTO OUR CITIES.

ARMY AND OUR MILITARY ARE TRAINED TO SHOOT THE ENEMY.

THEY'RE NOT TRAINED TO GET A WARRANT TO DO WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THE POLICE HAVE A DIFFICULT JOB.

BUT THE PEOPLE REMOVING PEOPLE FROM OUR COUNTRY NEED TO BE A POLICE ENFORCEMENT DOMESTIC AGENCY, NOT THE MILITARY.

>> SIMPLE SYLVIA, WE DO NOT PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP'S POLICY ON THIS AT THIS POINT BUT THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION OF THE POSSIBILITY AND SENATOR PAUL SAYS HE IS AGAINST THE POSSIBLE USE OF THE MILITARY.

>> RIGHT.

SO OBVIOUSLY TRUMP HAS PROMISED THE BIGGEST DEPORTATION THE COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN DURING HIS PRESIDENCY.

HE SAID HE WOULD START RIGHT AWAY.

AND EARLIER THIS WEEK, HE RETWEETED SOMETHING ON TRUE SOCIAL DISCUSSING USING THE MILITARY TO DEPORT PEOPLE UNDER PRESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY RESPONDING TRUE WE CANS CLAIMATION POINTS AND-- WITH EXCLAMATION POINTS AND SENATOR PAUL WAS SAYING THAT WOULD BE, LIKE YOU HEARD, A BIG MISTAKE, THAT WOULD BE A REALLY BAD IMAGE TO SEND NOT JUST TO ABROAD BUT TO OUR OWN CITIZENS TO HAVE THE MILITARY MARCHING IN THE STREETS.

HE REQUEST QUESTIONED THE PRESIDENT'S ABILITY DO THAT.

USUALLY IT'S CONGRESS' POWER TO DEPLOY THE MILITARY.

SO THIS IS PRESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY BUT I SUPPOSE AN ATTEMPT TO GET AROUND THAT BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THAT THERE.

AND SO, I THINK IT'S ALSO WORTH KNOWING THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY OF A MASS DEPORTATION PLAN IN GENERAL, THE COST OF IT WOULD BE ENORMOUS.

THERE IS ALSO QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER ICE HAS THAT CAPACITY WITHIN THE U.S. TO DO IT AS WELL.

THE ICE ASSISTANT FIELD OFFICE DIRECTOR FOR KENTUCKY AREA CAME IN AND TALKED TO THE LEGISLATURE , I BELIEVE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO OR SO AND SAID THIS THE THEY DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE THE CAPACITY FOR SUCH A PLAN.

SO I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE WOULD CARRY THIS OUT AND I SUPPOSE THIS IS ONE OF HIS ANSWERS.

>> AWSES TIN, YOU ATTEMPTED TO GAIN THE SUPPORT OF KENTUCKY'S MOSTLY REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ABOUT WHERE THEY STAND ON DEPORTATION PLANS.

>> YEAH, I THINK AMONG THOSE REPUBLICANS, THE SHORT ANSWER WAS YES.

WE FULLY SUPPORT THIS.

TWO PEOPLE STICK OUT TO ME, JAMES COMER WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE IN GENERAL.

YOU KNOW, HE DIDN'T GET INTO THE WEEDS OF HERE'S THE EXACT PROCEDURE THAT I ENDORSE.

BUT AS SOMEBODY WHO IS CHAIR OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, HE COULD INTERSECT WITH THAT RULE, I WOULD THINK.

ANDY BARR IS SOMEBODY WHO HAS MESSAGED A LOT ON IMMIGRATION AND HE WAS GENERALLY VERY SUPPORTIVE.

HE DID ADD THE CAVEAT, KIND OF GETTING THIS MIDDLE GROUND, WHERE HE SAID IF IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL.

SO THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT RAND PAUL RAISED AS SYLVIA MENTIONED.

SO I THINK GENERALLY PEOPLE ARE ON BOARD ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IN KENTUCKY.

>> THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION THAT LOCAL POLICE ENFORCEMENT MIGHT ALSO BE REQUIRED OF SUCH A ROBUST EFFORT.

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY.

I MEAN POLICE HAVE ALREADY PLAYED A ROLE IN THIS.

JAILS AS WELL IN REPORTING PEOPLE THAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE UNDOCUMENTED TO ICE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A BIG CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES WHEN CITIES DECLARE THEMSELVES SANCTUARIES, THERE IS TALK ABOUT LOUISVILLE POLICE, LMPD'S INVOLVEMENT IN DEPORTATION EFFORTS AND CONTROVERSY WHETHER THEY WERE DOING AS MUCH AS THEY SAY THEY WERE DOING OR AS LITTLE.

THAT COULD BE A TOPIC IN THIS SESSION.

LAWMAKERS MIGHT WANT TO WEIGH IN ON HOW MUCH POLICE ARE INVOLVED IN THAT EFFORT.

>> PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP IS SAID TO HAVE WANTED TO HAVE HIS CABINET PICKED BY THANKSGIVING AND HE HAS BEEN MAKING THOSE APPOINTMENTS VERY QUICKLY, OR THOSE WHO WILL BE RECOMMENDED TO THE SENATE.

THIS WEEK HE HAD TO QUICKLY REMAINS PLACE MATT GAETZ FOR HIS NOMINEE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THERE ARE OTHER OPEN SPOTS.

BUT TODAY AUSTIN WE KNOW CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE OF KENTUCKY INDICATED INTEREST IN THE JOB OF BEING AGRICULTURAL SECRETARY AND THAT WILL BE GOING TO KELLIE LOEFFLER.

>> YES, AND THERE WAS EVEN A GUY WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE GOTTEN A CALL FROM RFK WHO IS GOING TO BE THE H.H.S.

SECRETARY AND SAID THAT THOMAS MASSIE WAS GOING TO BE THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, WHICH I THINK THREW EVERYBODY FOR A LOOP EARLY ON.

BUT, YEAH, CNN IS REPORTING-- I DON'T KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN 100% CONFIRMED BUT THEY'RE REPORTING THAT KELLIE LOEFFLER, FORMER GEORGIA SENATOR IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ON THAT ROLE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THOMAS MASSIE WHO IS AN ALLY OF RFK, BUT WHO WAS ALSO AN ALLY OF RON DeSANTIS IN HIS PRIMARY RUN AGAINST TRUMP WHICH SOME PEOPLE ARE SPECULATING MIGHT HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN HIM NOT ULTIMATELY GETTING THAT ROLE.

HE WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST SURROGATES FOR RON DeSANTIS IN THAT RUN.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR MASSEY'S FUTURE.

DOES HE STAY PUT IN HIS CONGRESSIONAL SEAT AFTER HE BUILT FRANKLY A VERY BIG PROFILE FOR JUST A CONGRESSMAN?

DOES HE LOOK AT RUNNING FOR ANOTHER OFFICE DOWN THE ROAD?

DOES HE LOOK AT BECOMING A SECRETARY OF SOMETHING OR ANOTHER DOWN THE ROAD IN A TRUMP ONE OR ANOTHER REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION.

A LOT OF OPTIONS.

>> IF McDONNELL CONNELL-- IF McCONNELL DOES NOT RUN IN 2026, THAT COULD BE AN OPTION AND THERE MAY BE SEVERAL INTERESTED IN THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR THAT.

>> I THINK SO.

YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT ANDY BARR WHO WE TALKED ABOUT, WHO IS RUNNING FOR HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES CHAIR.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THAT RACE VERY CLOSELY AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR WHETHER LEE HE MIGHT RUN FOR SENATE OR NOT AND THIS IS A CAMPAIGN WHERE YOU CAN TRANSFER, IF YOU ARE A CONGRESS PERSON, YOU CAN TRANSFER YOUR FUNDS TO A SENATE RACE.

JAMIE COMER HAS BUILT UP A BIG PROFILE AND HAS VERY MUCH INGRACIATED HIMSELF WITH PRIMARY VOTERS WHO OFTEN WATCH THE NEWS PROGRAMS THAT HE IS CONSTANTLY ON, RIGHT?

SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO PICK FROM.

NATE MORRIS IS ANOTHER NAME YOU HEAR.

HE IS A BUSINESS PERSON WHO STARTED AN UBER FOR TRASH AND RUBICON, WITH THE BIG SIGN IN DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON IF YOU HAVE DRIVEN BY THAT.

McCONNELL COULD RUN AGAIN BUT IF HE CHOOSES TO STEP ASIDE YOU HAVE DANIEL CAMERON WHO IS A FORMER PROTEGE, DEPENDING HOW YOU LOOK AT IT, OF MITCH McCONNELL HIMSELF.

>> McCONNELL SAID HE WILL BE CHAIR OF THE DEFENSE SUBCOMMITTEE AND RULES COMMITTEE AFTER HE STEPS DOWN AS THE MAJORITY LEADER IN JANUARY.

HE INTENDS TO REMAIN QUITE RELEVANT.

>> AS LONG AS MITCH McCONNELL IS IN THAT SEAT, HE IS GOING TO BE RELEVANT.

THIS PARTICULAR SPOT IN THE SUBCOMMITTEE, I THINK, IS A PLACE WHERE HE IS GOING TO VERY MUCH EMPHASIZE YOU CRANE I WOULD GUESS IN GENERAL IN SUPPORT FOR DEFENSE SPENDING IN AMERICA AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING SPOT WHERE HE MAY BE CHAFE AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WHOSE UKRAINE POLICY IS UNCLEAR BUT HAVE YOU PEOPLE LIKE J.D.

ADVANCE VANCE WHO HAS ARTICULATED HE MAY BE INTERESTED IN PULLING BACK SOME OF THE MONEY AND SUPPORT THAT AMERICA CURRENTLY GIVES TO UKRAINE IN ITS WAR AGAINST RUSSIA.

>> A LOT TO WATCH IN WASHINGTON FROM A KENTUCKY PERSPECTIVE AND FROM WASHINGTON TO FRANKFORT, THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS NOW COMING INTO VIEW AT LEAST AND WE ARE GET SOME IDEA WHAT SOME OF THE PRIORITIES WILL BE.

APPEARING BEFORE THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THIS WEEK, SOME TOP LAWMAKERS SAID CUTTING THE INCOME TAX ANOTHER HALF PERCENT IS THEIR HIGHEST PRIORITY BUT GIVING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MORE FLEXIBILITY ON HOW THEY CAN COLLECT REVENUE APPEARS TO BE MORE ELUSIVE.

SYLVIA, THE MULTIYEAR GOAL OF THE LEGISLATURE UNDER REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN TO GET THAT STATE INCOME TAX TO 0.

THEY INTEND TO CUT AGAIN TOWARD THAT GOAL.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN CLEAR THEY WANT DO THAT IN THE FIRST WEEK.

SINCE THEY'RE TRIGGERED IN THE SYSTEM.

THE FORMULA THEY SET UP HAS BEEN MET.

THEY WANT TO CUT IT AGAIN BY HALF PERCENT.

THEY DID INDICATE AT THAT PREVIEW THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME HESITANCY TO CONTINUE CUTTING RIGHT AWAY, THAT THEY MIGHT WAIT A WHILE UNTIL WE HIT THE TRIGGER NEXT.

IT ALL DEPENDS ON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.

THE FORMULA THEY SET UP HAS TO DO WITH HOW MUCH REVENUE COMES INTO THE STATE COMPARED TO HOW MUCH SPENDING THEY MAKE AND HOW MUCH IS IN RESERVES.

ALL OF THAT FLUCTUATES CONSTANTLY.

ESPECIALLY THE REVENUE NUMBER, RIGHT SO IF THERE IS ANY CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY, THEY THAT MIGHT REALLY SCREW WITH THE FORMULA A LITTLE BIT AND WE HAVE TO PULL BACK ON THOSE CAN YOU TELL US IN THE FUTURE.

SO THEY INDICATED THAT THAT IS A POSSIBILITY AND IT MIGHT TAKE A LONG TIME TO GET TO ZERO.

>> AUSTIN, IT WAS MENTIONED THAT GIVING THE CITIES AND COUNTIES MORE FLEXIBILITY AND DISCRETION ABOUT HOW THEY CAN COLLECT REVENUE MIGHT BE MORE CHALLENGING.

MOST OF THEM RELY ON OCCUPATIONAL TAXES, SOMETHING THE STATE WANTS TO DO AWAY WITH AT THAT LEVEL.

BUT CHANGES COULD REQUIRE AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, AND THAT'S BEEN A TOUGH SELL AS WE'VE SEEN.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ARE ON A LOSING STREAK RIGHT NOW.

THEY COULD PERHAPS LEARN A THING OR TWO FROM THE PARKS AMENDMENT RACE HERE IN LEXINGTON THAT WON OVERWHELMINGLY.

IT WAS A TAX INCREASE.

GENERALLY PEOPLE THINK IT'S VERY HARD TO SELL VOTERS ON TAX INCREASES, YOU KNOW, THE NO NEW TAX BRAND OF POLITICS.

BUT WITH THAT AS A TEMPLATE, THEY CAN MAYBE MAKE IT A SUCCESS.

>> ANOTHER THING THAT KEEPS COMING UP ABOUT THE STATE SALES TAX, POSSIBLE EXEMPTION THERE, SARAH, A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, JUST AN ONGOING DISCUSSION AHEAD OF THE SESSION.

AND THERE IS A PUSH TO ELIMINATE THE SALES TAX ON MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MAYBE TO TRY TO INCENTIVIZE CITIES TO LOOKSEN THEIR ZONING RULES TO ALLOW THOSE IN MORE PLACES.

>> THIS IS AN ONGOING CONVERSATION BECAUSE KENTUCKY HAS OFTEN HAD THE ISSUE WHERE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH HOUSING.

A REPORT CAME OUT THIS WEEK SAYING THAT KENTUCKY IS MORE THAN 200,000 UNITS SHORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND NO COUNTY IN KENTUCKY HAS ADEQUATE HOUSING TO MEET THE NEED AND THE DEMAND AND OF COURSE IT INTERESTS ME FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH.

SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE HOUSING, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT BASIC NEED MET, YOU ARE OVERHEATED IN THE SUMMER, YOU ARE COLD IN THE WINTER.

YOU ARE SICK, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE SO THIS IS-- IT KEEPS COMING UP.

>> THAT CAME UP IN THE KIDS COUNT REPORT.

>> IT CAME UP IN THE KIDS COUNT REPORT AND THIS IS ANOTHER THING THAT CAN REALLY NEGATIVELY AFFECT KIDS LONG-TERM IF THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HOUSING IN THEIR FAMILY SITUATION GROWING UP.

>> SYLVIA, WE ALSO HEARD DURING THE EVENT THIS WEEK AND IN SOME OTHER DISCUSSIONS THAT SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAYS HE HOPES THE LEGISLATURE CAN HELP TROUBLED SCHOOLS.

THERE IS STILL A STANDING SUPREME COURT RULING THAT LED TO AKARA THAT SAYS KENTUCKY SCHOOLS SHALL BE ADEQUATE AND EQUITABLE.

>> STIVERS HAS SAID BEFORE THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS HE SUPPORTED AMENDMENT 2, WHICH FAILED PRETTY SPECTACULARLY ON THE BALLOT THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE LEGISLATURE TO SPEND MONEY ON NON-PUBLIC EDUCATION STIVERS HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT IT IS TARGETED AT JEFFERSON JEFFERSON COUNTY AND LOUISVILLE'S WEST END WHERE HE SAYS THAT EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES ARE ESPECIALLY POOR, AND REALLY HAVE BEEN FOCUSING IN ON THAT ONE SPECIFIC AREA, WHICH IS WHY REPUBLICANS SAID WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRY DIFFERENT AVENUES.

I THINK IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT DURING THIS SESSION, SPECIFICALLY PROBABLY JCPS.

>> AND ALSO AHEAD OF THE SESSION WE ARE HEARING MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT KIDS HAVING ACCESS TO VAPING MATERIALS AND SARAH, SENATOR JIMMY HIGDEN WHO SAYS THE CURRENT AGE RESTRICTION OF 21 HAS NO TEETH AND HE PROPOSES THE STATE ABC HAVE MORE AUTHORITY OVER RETAILERS, RIGHT?

>> HE DOESN'T HAVE A DRAFT YET.

HE IS WORKING ON THAT.

PART OF HIS PLAN MAY CHANGE BUT BASICALLY HE SAID WHAT WE HAVE ISN'T EFFECTIVE AND THERE WERE KIDS WHO TESTIFIED IN COMMITTEE THIS WEEK AFTER HE SPOKE SAYING YOU CAN GO TO ANY GAS STATION OR CONVENIENT STORE AND GET A VAPE AND NOT HAVE TO SHOW I.D.

SO THERE IS THE CONCERN THAT THERE IS EASE OF ACCESS AND SELLERS AREN'T FOLLOWING THE RULES AND THEY ARE SELLING TO MINORS.

SO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IS GIVE ABC MORE AUTHORITY, GIVE THEM THE POWER TO COME INTO FACILITIES THAT ARE SELLING VAPES AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS WITHOUT A WARRANT, CONFISCATE ANYTHING THAT IS ILLEGAL BUT ALSO HE WANTS TO KIND OF FINE BUSINESSES, FIRST CLERKS THAT SELL TO MINORS AND BUSINESSES AFTER FIRST-- AFTER THE NEXT TIME THEY VIOLATE THAT, BASICALLY.

AND PUT THAT MONEY TOWARD PREVENTION PROGRAMS THAT WOULD TEACH YOUTH ABOUT THE DANGERS OF VAPING AND HOW IT WOULD BE UNSAFE.

AND YEAH, HE SAID WHAT WE HAVE IS NO TEETH.

HE WANTS TO STRENGTHEN IT UP A LITTLE BIT AND KEEP VAPES OUT OF THE STANDS HANDS OF KIDS.

>> KENTUCKY HOUSE DEMOCRATS MADE HISTORY THIS WEEK ELECTING THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO BE THEIR CAUCUS LEADER AND AUSTIN THAT IS LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE PAMELA STEVENSON WHO WILL BE THE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER.

>> YEAH, THEY ELECTED A WHOLE NEW SLATE OF LEADERS.

YOU'VE GOT STEEFNLSON, AL GENTRY AS CAUCUS CHAIR AND LINDS LINDSAY BURKE OF LEXINGTON AS WHIP.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THEY DO.

YOU KNOW, CAN THEY TAKE THE CAUCUS IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAN IT CURRENTLY IS?

CAN THEY LEVERAGE THOSE NUMBERS THAT THEY HAVE?

I DON'T KNOW.

>> IT'S STEEP, ISN'T IT?

WHEN YOU HAVE WHAT, I DON'T KNOW, 19, 20 SEATS OR SO IN THE HOUSE?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

IT KIND OF RAISES THE QUESTION OF WHAT DO YOU FOCUS ON WHEN YOU ARE THAT SMALL IN NUMBER?

DO YOU FOCUS ON THE LITTLE POLICY WINS OR DO YOU FOCUS ON MESSAGING.

DO YOU REALLY JUST USE THE SESSION AS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO USE OUR BULLY PULPIT, OUR TIME ON THE FLOOR, OUR SPEECHES WE ARE GOING COORDINATE WELL TO MESSAGE AS BEST WE CAN AGAINST REPUBLICANS.

I'M SURE THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO BOTH, BUT ESPECIALLY KNOWING PAM STEVENSON IS IS WELL KNOWN FOR HER FLOOR SPEECHES.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE EMPHASIS IS.

>> IF SHE CAN SPOT A BILL WHERE THERE IS LUKE WARM REPUBLICAN SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, 30 VOTES OR SO AND SWING THE DEMOCRATS IN A DIRECTION, MAYBE THEY CAN DEFEAT SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE... >> IT'S POSSIBLE.

I MEAN IT'S BEEN REALLY RARE THE PAST COUPLE OF SESSIONS.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BASICALLY IGNORED THE DEMOCRATS ON MOST EVERYTHING.

BUT THERE ARE THOSE RARE ISSUES WHERE IT CAN GET, YOU KNOW, IT CAN GET DRAMATIC.

>> THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS RELEASED A REPORT THIS WEEK THAT SAYS THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IN KENTUCKY HAS BECOME LESS TRANSPARENT AND MORE RUSHED IN RECENT YEARS AND SYLVIA, YOU COVERED THE RELEASE OF THAT REPORT.

>> I DID.

THEY FOCUSED ON, IN THEIR PREVIOUS REPORT IN THEIR FIRST REPORT THEY RELEASED LAST YEAR THEY FOCUSED ON FOUR TECHNIQUES THAT LAWMAKERS USE TO SKIRT OR MAKE USE OF THEIR RULES IN A WAY TO FAST TRACK LEGISLATION, TO SPEED IT UP AT THE LAST MINUTE SO IT'S HARDER TO PUT AN INPUT IS WHAT THE LEAGUE SAID.

AND THEY ADDED ANOTHER FOR THIS YEAR, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, SHELL BILLS WHICH IS WHEN THEY FILE LEGISLATION TOWARDS CLOSE TO THE END OF THE FILING DEADLINE AND THEN LATER SLOT IN MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL TEXT.

WE SAW A FEW OF THOSE THIS SESSION.

OR YOU KNOW, WHEN A COMMITTEE CONSISTENTLY CANCELS THEIR MEETINGS OR HOLDS SURPRISE MEETINGS OUTSIDE OF THEIR NORMAL HOURS.

THEY DID THAT FOR A FEW CONTROVERSIAL BILLS THIS SESSION INCLUDING HOUSE BILL 2 WHICH CREATED AMENDMENT TWO THAT WE SAW ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR.

THEY FOCUS ON A FEW DIFFERENT ISSUES AND BASICALLY THE TOP LINE OF THE REPORT IS THAT THEY RELEASE THE FIRST ONE, SHOWED AN UPTICK IN THESE FAST TRACK MANEUVERS AND THAT IT REALLY HASN'T CHANGED MUCH SINCE THEY RELEASED THAT REPORT LAST YEAR.

CONTINUED USING THOSE MANEUVERS, INCREASED IN THE HOUSE AND, YEAH.

>> DID LEGISLATORS COMMENT ABOUT IT?

>> THIS TIME AROUND, NO.

I ASKED SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP AND THEY HAD NOTHING TO SAY TO ME.

BUT LAST YEAR, SPEAKER OSBOURNE DID SPEAK ON THE FLOOR ABOUT THIS REPORT AND ALSO SOME VARIOUS SPEECHES THAT WERE MADE ABOUT THE RULES FROM DEMOCRATS AND A FEW REPUBLICANS ABOUT THE USE OF THESE MA MAMA NUFERS AND THE OVERUSE OF LEADERSHIP POWER AND OSBOURNE BASICALLY SAID THAT THE REPORT OVERSTATED THAT THESE TECHNIQUES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN USED IN THE LEGISLATURE; THAT THE PEOPLE IN POWER HAVE ALWAYS USED THAT POWER TO MOVE THINGS ALONG.

AND THAT ALSO HE POINTED THAT ONE POINT WHERE THE HOUSE WAS TAKEN OVER BY REPUBLICANS, THE MANEUVERS DID DIP BUT THEY'VE SINCE GONE BACK UP.

SO THAT WAS BASICALLY HIM SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE WAY WE ARE DOING THINGS AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

>> THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED A NEW MAYOR OF VERSAILLES THIS AFTERNOON.

THEY HAD GONE SIX WEEKS AFTER THE MAYOR OVER THERE HAD TAKEN A JOB WITH THE LEAGUE OF CITIES.

SIX WEEKS WITH NO MAYOR IN VERSAILLES.

>> YEAH, IT WAS AN ODD PERIOD OF TIME.

THE CITY COUNCIL REALLY COULDN'T AGREE ON WHO TO MAKE MAYOR BECAUSE MULTIPLE MEMBERS WANT THE POSITION.

HE LANDED ON LAURA DAKE, A LONG TIME CITY COUNCIL MEMBER THERE IN VERSAILLES.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT SHE DOES, HOW SHE FEELS FILLS THAT ROLL, TROGGETT IF YOU LOOK AT THE JOB HE GOT AT KLC IS AN INDICATION OF THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT THAT THEY GOT.

HE WAS A WELL LIKED MAYOR.

I REMEMBER HE CAME AND TALKED TO MY SENIOR YEAR COMMUNITY ACTIVISM CLASS WOODFORD COUNTY HIGH AND HE IS REALLY GOOD AT THAT KEEPING HIS NAME OUT THERE SO WE WILL SEE HOW HE FILLS HIS SHOES.

>> THE KENTUCKY KIDS COUNT FOR 2024 RELEASED THIS WEEK SHOWS IMPROVEMENT IN SOME AREAS AND CONTINUING CHALLENGES OUT THERE AS WELL.

THE PERCENTAGE OF KIDS COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE DROPPED SOME.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE CONCERNING POINTS.

>> YEAH, AND THAT'S ACCORDING TO 2022 DATA SO WE DON'T HAVE 23 OR 24, BUT YEAH, MINORS, PEOPLE UNDER 19 IN KENTUCKY WHO ARE INSURED DROPPED BY ABOUT 1%.

THAT'S FROM 2017 TO 2022.

BUT THE TWO NUMBERS THAT I THINK STUCK TOUT ME MORE THAN THAT-- STUCK OUT TO ME WERE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN ARRIVING AT KINDERGARTEN READY TO LEARN DROPPED 3 PERCENTAGE POINTS SO THAT'S A LOT.

AND SO THAT MEANS, YOU KNOW, KIDS HAVEN'T BEEN INTRODUCED TO PRINTED MATERIAL.

MAYBE THEY DON'T HAVE LETTERS ON THEIR FRIDGE.

MAYBE NO ONE HAS READ TO THEM AT NIGHT AND THEY'RE NOT REALLY READY TO LEARN TO READ AND IN A LOT OF CASES, SCHOOLS ARE NOT READY FOR THEM TO TEACH THEM IN A WAY THAT IS RIGHT FOR THAT UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL.

SO THAT'S CONCERNING TO ADVOCATES.

AND THEN THE OTHER POINT IS THAT ABOUT ONE IN FIVE KENTUCKY CHILDREN ARE DEALING WITH TWO OR MORE ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES SO THAT MIGHT BE BEING ABUSED, NEGLECTED, NOT HAVING ENOUGH FOOD, GOING TO BED HUNGRY, BEING COLD, ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

AND THIS DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE STORY I DID, BUT THE CHILD FATALITY REVIEW PANEL ALSO MET THIS WEEK AND THEY SPENT FIVE HOURS GOING THROUGH DETAILS OF CASES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND TORTURE IN SOME CASES.

IT HIGHLIGHTS THE FACT THAT IN A LOT OF WAY, KENTUCKY'S CHILDREN ARE NOT DOING WELL AND ADVOCATES JUST KEEP HAMMERING THIS ISSUE THAT, THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO DO SOMETHING VERY REAL TO ADDRESS THIS.

AND SOMEHOW GET KENTUCKY INTO A BETTER SPOT WITH THE CHILDREN.

>> BIG CHALLENGES.

THERE IS AN EFFORT UNDER WAY BY THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS TO UNIONIZE.

THE BLUE OVAL SK BATTERY PLANT NEAR ELIZABETH TOWN.

OPERATIONS ARE SET TO BEGIN THERE NEXT YEAR AND THE GOAL IS TO EVENTUALLY EMPLOY 6,000 WORKERS AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID HE IS PROUNION BUT HE SAID THE DECISION ON THAT IS UP TO THE PLANT WORKERS.

>> I AM A PROUNION GOVERNOR.

I ALWAYS WILL BE.

WHAT MY HOPE IS, IS THAT THE COMPANIES THAT ARE INVOLVED WILL STAY NEUTRAL AND LET THIS BE A TRUE DECISION OF THE EMPLOYEES.

>> AUSTIN, HADN'T THERE BEEN EARLIER REPORTING THAT THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN FORD AND UAW THAT WOULD MEAN THE BATTERY PLANT WOULD NOT LIKELY BE UNIONIZED AND NOW WE HAVE THIS EFFORT UNDER WAY?

>> THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT AND THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER OUTLETS, I THINK, SAID THAT THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN FORD AND UAW THAT THE PLANT WOULD INITIALLY NOT BE UNIONIZED, AT THE START WAS THE VERBIAGE USED.

THAT WAS A HEAD SCRATCHER FOR SOME IN THE PLANT.

I EVEN TALKED TO SOME WORKERS THERE WHO WERE UNCERTAIN ON WHAT THAT MEANT.

BUT IT REALLY WAS JUST THIS PLANT WILL NOT START OUT AS A UNION PLANT.

AND THEY CAN GO THROUGH THE PROCESS JUST LIKE THEY'RE GOING THROUGH NOW AND THAT DOESN'T VIOLATE THE AGREEMENT.

>> THERE IS A SECOND PLANT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BECOME OPERATIONAL AT SOME POINT.

>> YEAH, THE FIRST PLANT, I THINK, STARTS PRODUCTION MAYBE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.

AND THE SECOND PLANT HAS BEEN PAUSED, THE EV INDUSTRY IS FEELING KIND OF UNCERTAIN WITH THE ELECTION OF DONALD TRUMP WHO HAS SHOWN SOME AMOUNT OF DISDAIN FOR EVS AND THE INCENTIVES AND THE REGULATIONS THAT SUPPORT THAT INDUSTRY.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTION MARKS.

>> YOU OF L HEALTHCARE SAID IT'S ENDING ITS CONTRACT WITH UNITED HEALTHCARE, BAPTIST HEALTH DOING THE SAME?

>> YEP, BAPTIST DID IT LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE.

U OF L HEALTH IS ENDING ITS CONTRACT WITH UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN AND THAT GOES INTO EFFECT MAY 1.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SENIORS WHO ARE IMPACTED DO HAVE OPEN ENROLLMENT SO THEY CAN ENROLL IN A DIFFERENT PLAN THROUGH DECEMBER 7.

AND FOR NOW, THIS ONLY APPLIES TO FACILITIES LIKE THE HOSPITALS AND URGENT CARE.

SO THEY WILL BE OUT OF NETWORK STARTING MAY 1 BUT YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE WOULD STILL BE IN NETWORK FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

>> THE WOMAN CHALLENGING KENTUCKY'S ABORTION LAWS WILL BE OUT OF STATE-FOR-AN ABORTION.

>> SHE IS KNOWN BY THE PSEUDONYM OF MARY POE, HER LAWYERS FILED THIS WEEK LETTING THE JUDGE KNOW SHE HAS TRAVELED OUT OF STATE.

GOT AN ABORTION, SHE IS NO LONGER PREGNANT BUT THE CASE IS GOING TO PROCEED AND THEY MADE THE ARGUMENT SHE IS STILL A LEGITIMATE CANDIDATE TO BE PLAINTIFF BECAUSE SHE MET THE STANDING REQUIREMENT, IN THEIR VIEW, AT THE TIME OF FILING.

>> SYLVIA, THE PRACTITIONERS WHO CAN PRESCRIBE MEDICAL MARIJUANA WILL SOON BE REVEALED.

THERE WILL BE A PORTAL OPENING UP AHEAD OF THE STATE PROGRAM, SUPPOSEDLY BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1.

>> YEAH, SO PEOPLE CAN START VISITING THEIR DOCTOR TO GET THAT MEDICAL CANNABIS CERTIFICATION CARD I SUPPOSE STARTING ON DECEMBER 1, I BELIEVE.

ACCORDING TO BESHEAR, 154 SOME DOCTORS AND A.P.

RNS HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE PROGRAM SO PEOPLE CAN START GETTING ALL READY FOR JANUARY 1, ALTHOUGH AGAIN, IT'S STILL QUESTIONABLE WHETHER OR NOT THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING JANUARY 1.

IT'S LOOKING POTENTIALLY UNLIKELY.

BUT SOME POINT NEXT YEAR CAN START GETTING THAT IN STATE.

>> WE LEARNED TODAY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN SIGNED A LETTER ASKING CONGRESS TO PASS THE KIDS ONLINE SAFETY ACT.

>> HE IS ONE OF ABOUT 30 I BELIEVE ATTORNEYS GENERAL SAYING DO SOMETHING BY THE END OF THE YEAR TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFER WHEN THEY'RE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> WE LEARNED THIS WEEK 280 MINORERS WILL LOSE THEIR JOB IN PIKE COUNTY, SUBSIDIARY OF ALLIANCE PARTNERS MAKING THAT ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK.

THOSE GOOD MEALS THERE WILL BE ON THE TABLE LATER THIS WEEK.

AND SO WHETHER YOU ARE GETTING READY TO GATHER FOR A BIG MEAL FOR THANKSGIVING OR MAYBE DOING ONE OF THOSE TURKEY TROTS OUT THERE OR RESTING UP FOR THE SALES ON BLACK FRIDAY, WE CERTAINLY HOPE THAT YOU AND YOURS HAVE A VERY SAFE THANKSGIVING WEEK AHEAD.

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