[♪♪] >> Bill: KENTUCKY GOES OVERWHELMINGLY FOR NOW Mr. PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP.

WILL KENTUCKIANS SERVE IN HIS ADMINISTRATION?

KENTUCKY VOTERS REJECT AMENDMENT TWO CONTINUING TO FORBID LAWMAKERS TO SPEND TAX COLLARS DOLLARS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA WINS IN EVERYPLACE IT WAS PUT ON THE BALLOT.

NEW FACES WILL BE ENTERING THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND OTHERS WILL DEPART.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND AFTER THE ELECTION, 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, PHILLIP BAILEY, LOUISVILLE BASED CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR "USA TODAY".

ALEX ACQUISTO, POLITICS AND HEALTH REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

AND JOE SONKA, ENTERPRISE STATE HOUSE REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

ALSO TONIGHT, SHELBY COUNTY VOTERS DECIDE TO KEEP RESIDENTS WHO DIDN'T REALIZE THEY LIVED THERE UNTIL RECENTLY.

AND KENTUCKY ELECTS ITS FIRST BLACK FEMALE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.

WHAT A CAMPAIGN SEASON IT WAS WITH TWISTS AND TURNS AHEAD OF THE VOTE.

IN THE END DONALD TRUMP BECAME PRESIDENT-ELECT AND THE IMPROVED HIS 2020 PERFORMANCE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

REPUBLICANS GAINED CONTROL OF THE U.S. SENATE AND IT MAY ALSO CONTROL THE U.S. HOUSE.

KENTUCKY STATE SENATE LEADER ROBERT STIVERS HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT THE G.O.P.

ROMP.

>> PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

COST OF GROCERIES ARE UP.

THE COST OF FUEL IS UP.

THE COST OF PAYING YOUR MORTGAGE IS UP AND [SPEAKING FRENCH] WITH THEIR POCKET BOOK.

>> Bill: DONALD TRUMP IMPROVED HIS [INAUDIBLE] TRUMP WON KENTUCKY BIG ON HIS WAY TO WINNING NATIONWIDE.

>> LOOK, ROUGHLY 72 MILLION AMERICANS PULLED THE LEVER TO RETURN DONALD TRUMP TO POWER DESPITE A RECORD HAD AT THAT TIME INCLUDED QUESTIONING KAMALA HARRIS' RACIAL HERITAGE, DESPITE THE FACT HE WAS CONVICTED 34 CONVICTIONS AND THE VIOLENCE OF JANUARY 6, 2021.

AN INCREDIBLE COMEBACK FROM OUTCAST TO THE RETURN TO POWER.

I THINK NOT JUST DOING WELL ACROSS KENTUCKY, BILL, WHEN EVERY SWING STATE, RIGHT, WINNING THE POPULAR VOTE.

AND DOING BETTER IN BLUE STATES.

I BELIEVE WINNING THE PRECINCT IN MANHATTAN WHICH IS UNHEARD OF FOR A REPUBLICAN.

THIS IS A RONALD REAGAN SHELLACKING AND DEMOCRATS WILL QUESTION NOT ONLY HAS DONALD TRUMP TRANSFORMED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BUT UNRAVELED THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S CORE CONSTITUENCIES WINNING IN THE STATES AND CHIPPING AWAY AT CONSTITUENCIES FOR MEN OF COLOR, HISPANIC MEN, AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN.

DEMOCRATS FOR YEARS WARNING THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY PEOPLE WERE PREPARED FOR HIM TO LOOK LIKE HE DID IN 2020 DID NOT HAVE THE RESULTS.

PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO DECLARE VICTORY IF HE WAS LOSING.

DEMOCRATS DID NOT ANTICIPATE THAT HE WON BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATIC BRAND AS SO UNPOPULAR GIVEN INFLATION, AND JOE BIDEN'S UNPOPULARITY.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS AND HOW SHE CONDUCTED THE CAMPAIGN WE SHOULD REMEMBER SHE INHERITED THIS AT THE LAST-MINUTE AFTER JOE BIDEN AND HIS ILL PERFORMANCE IN THE DEBATE IN JUNE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WE WANT TO BLAME THE VICE-PRESIDENT FOR THIS BUT DEMOCRATS HAVE A LOT OF SOUL SEARCHING TO DO.

>> Bill: JOE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT KENTUCKY THERE ARE TWO COUNTIES, METROPOLITAN COUNTIES AND CITIES, WENT BLUE.

THE REST OF THE STATE 118 COUNTIES VOTED RED FOR TRUMP.

>> YEAH, THAT IS JUST MORE OF THE SAME HOW PRESIDENTIAL RACES HAVE GONE IN KENTUCKY AND FEDERAL AND STATE-WIDE RACES HAVE GONE ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHAT IS LEFT OF DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE HOUSE AND STATE SENATE IT'S ALMOST ENTIRELY IN LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON.

SO IT'S JUST A CONTINUE WAKES OF THAT TREND AND IT DOESN'T SHOW ANY SIGNS OF REVERSING OR SLOWING DOWN.

>> Bill: ALEX DID DEMOCRATS MISREAD WHAT MIGHT RESONATETH THIS ELECTION?

>> YOU CAN MAKE THAT ARGUMENT.

IT'S NOT KENTUCKY WAS EVER GOING TO BE A STATE THAT WAS GOING TO VOTE FOR HARRIS-WALZ TICKET BUT THERE'S POLLING AND THINGS LIKE WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS WAS GOING TO TAKEOVER FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN SHE HAD HISTORIC FUNDRAISING.

SHE HAD A FINE NIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO IT.

YOU SAW POLLING SHOWED IOWA GOING FOR HARRIS AND IT DIDN'T.

YOU HAD PEOPLE EXTRAPOLATING KENTUCKY IS A SIMILAR MAKEUP, MAYBE THE MARGIN WOULD BE SLIMMER AND THAT DID NOT PLAY OUT.

I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO HAVE THEY SHOULD HAVE A COME TO JESUS MOMENT ABOUT HOW TO REDEFINE THEIR PARTY PLATFORM.

>> Bill: HARRIS LEANED HARD INTO REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND THAT WAS A BIG PART OF HER CAMPAIGN.

AND DID THAT NOT BRING OUT THE VOTERS THAT SHE ANTICIPATED?

>> IT'S FAIR TO SAY IT DIDN'T BRING OUT THE VOTERS.

MANY PEOPLE IN STATES LIKE KENTUCKY THAT HAVE BANNED ABORTION AND VOTERS IN LEXINGTON AND LOUISVILLE HEARD HER SAY SHE WANTED TO RESTORE ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

WITH THE MAJORITY WHO VOTE WITH THEIR POCKETBOOK, OBVIOUSLY IT DIDN'T RESONATE WITH THEM.

>> AND THE HARRIS CAMPAIGN AND DEMOCRATS WERE BETTING ON THE SO-CALLED SHY HARRIS VOTERS.

HARRIS WAS PALLING AROUND WITH LIZ CHENEY.

YOU HAD A CHENEY OUT HERE ENDORSING A DEMOCRAT.

THEY WERE BETTING WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GROUP OF WOMEN MARRIED TO I ATRUMP SUPPORTING MAN AND NOT REALLY KNOW THEY WOULD NOT PULL THE POLL FOR HARRIS AND THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN LEANING IN AND STEVEN MILLION ALREADY ADVOCATED FOR THAT.

WHAT THE DEMOCRATS LEARNED, THE LEANING INTO TOXIC MASCULINITY AND HOW FATHERHOOD IS NOT IMPORTANT YOU SAW A BACKLASH FROM CONSERVATIVE WORKING CLASS MEN.

>> Bill: VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT J.D.

VANCE HAS EASTERN KENTUCKY CONNECTIONS AND LEANED INTO THOSE.

THE TRUMP-VANCE TICKET GOT 78% OF THE VOTE WHERE HIS FAMILY IS ROOTED.

WE TALKED WITH PEOPLE THIS WEEK WHO SAID THEY HOPE HE BECOMES A VOICE FOR APPALACHIA.

IS THAT LIKELY?

>> I THINK J.D.

VANCE WAS PICKED FOR THE ROLE BECAUSE HE WAS THE BETTER MESSENGERS FOR THE LUNCH PAIL GROUP OF GUYS DRIVING IN APPALACHIAN, HE IS EXPECTED TO BE THE ADVOCATE IN CHIEF FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SEEN AS THE HEIR APPARENT TO THE MAGA MOVEMENT IN 2028.

HE IS KNOWN TO PUT HIS FOOT IN HIS MOUTH ON THE PODCASTS.

BUT, LOOK, YOU WILL SEE J.D.

VANCE GOING THROUGH PARTS OF THIS COUNTRY WHERE PRESIDENT TRUMP IS POPULAR, REINVIGORATING THAT BASE FROM TIME TO TIME.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE HOW HE'S GOING TO NAVIGATE DONALD TRUMP'S PERSON APARTMENT.

WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN JANUARY 6 WITH MIKE PENCE.

IT WAS J.D.

VANCE WHO WAS OUT HERE CALLING TRUMP AMERICA'S HITLER.

SO IN MANY WAYS I'M INTERESTED TO SEE HOW VANCE WILL BEHAVE AND HOW HE WILL BE TREATED BY TRUMP HE IS KNOWN TO GO UP AND DOWN FROM TIME TO TIME.

>> Bill: WE'RE STARTING TO HEAR ABOUT CABINET PICKS AND POTENTIAL FOLKS IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THOMAS MASSIE OF KENTUCKY MENTIONED BY SOME FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

HE SEEMS INTERESTED.

HE ALSO INDICATES NOTHING HAS BEEN OFFERED AT THIS POINT.

YOU ARE HEARING HIS NAME AND OTHERS FOR OTHER POSTS.

>> AS THE TRUMP TRANSITION FORMS YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS MENTIONED IN THE LEGISLATIVE OR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

THOMAS MACY'S NAME HAS BEEN THROWN AROUND.

AND DANIEL CAMERON.

I HEAR RYAN QUARRELS NAME THROWN OUT AND BRETT GUGHTS THINK BEING CHAIRMAN OF ENERGY AND COMMERCE SHOULD THE REPUBLICANS KEEP THEIR MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.

YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS.

DONALD TRUMP HAS AN AFFINITY FOR KENTUCKY HE WAS THE FIRST STATE THAT WAS CALLED FOR HIM.

AND SENATOR McCONNELL WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE SECOND ADMINISTRATION.

>> Renee: DID YOU MENTION JENNINGS?

>> THE STAR MEDIA WISE REPUBLICANS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY TURNED SCOTT JENNINGS INTO A STAR I HEAR HIS NAME MENTIONED AS PRESS SECRETARY.

I THINK HIS KIDS WERE TOO YOUNG FOR THAT JOB FOR HIM BUT SCOTT ON "CNN" ADJUDICATED HIMSELF WELL FOR THAT POSITION.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY HAS A HUGE STAKE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES INCLUDING BATTERY PLANTSES GOING UP IN CITIES AND IT COULD BE LOTS OF FOLKS EMPLOYED.

DOES TRUMP'S ELECTION BRING UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE LANDSCAPE FOR EV'S GIVEN THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS PUSHED HARD FOR INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO SWITCH TO GREEN VEHICLES.

>> THIS IS AN INDUSTRY RELIANT ON FEDERAL MANDATES IN ORDER TO BOOST THAT INDUSTRY.

AND DONALD TRUMP RAN ON CRITICIZING BIDEN FOR SAYING HE WANTED TO ELIMINATE ALL GAS POWERED CARS.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER HE IS GOING TO SCRAP THOSE INCENTIVES AND MANDATES WITH THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS.

NOW, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS CALLED KENTUCKY THE NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

WE'VE GOT THE HUGE TWIN PLANTS COMING IN GLENDALE.

THE FIRST PLANT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO START PRODUCTION EARLY NEXT YEAR AND THE SECOND PLANT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THAT IS GOING TO GET OFF THE GROUND.

THERE IS A THE OF UNCERTAINTY IF KENTUCKY IS BANKING THE ECONOMIC FUTURE ON THIS.

IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS DO IN THE NEXT TERM.% >> Bill: WE'LL WATCH THAT.

WITH THE DEFEAT OF HARRIS, GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR IS EMERGING IN THE EARLY TALK ABOUT THE 2028 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND WHEN REPORTERS ASKED HIM ABOUT THAT WEEK HE DID NOT DISMISS IT BUT SAID HE IS FOCUSED ON THE TASK AT HAND.

>> PROUD TO BE THE GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY.

EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO BE GOVERNOR EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE REST OF MY TERM.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS IN THE FUTURE.

BUT RIGHT NOW, MY ONLY FOCUS IS ON THIS JOB IS ABOUT MAKING SURE I CONTINUE TO STAND UP FOR KENTUCKIANS AND ALL AMERICANS TO ENSURE THEIR RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED.

>> Bill: PHILLIP, DO YOU EXPECT BESHEAR TO CONTINUE HIS EXPLORATION OF THE NATIONAL SCENE IN THE YEARS JUST AHEAD?

>> I WAS IN NORTH CAROLINA ON ELECTION NIGHT WHEN JOSH STEIN WON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IN THE TAR HEEL STATE AND ANDY BESHEAR WAS THERE.

HE IS CERTAINLY POPULAR IN THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS CIRCLE HE COULD BE CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION.

LOOK, BEING IN NORTH CAROLINA A LOT OF DEMOCRATS WERE TELLING ME WE HAVE NOT HAD AN HONEST PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY SINCE 2008.

DEMOCRAT YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT FEEL DEMOCRATS GOT WHAT THEY DESERVED THEY'VE HAD A BOTTLENECK WHO THE CANDIDATES SHOULD BE.

YOU WILL HAVE A FREE-FOR-ALL IN 2028.

GAVIN NEWSOM, GRETCHEN WHITMER.

I HAVE DEMOCRATIC CONSULTANTS TALKING ABOUT STEVEN A. SMITH OF ESPN.

WHEN IT'S THAT OPEN, SOMEONE LIKE ANDY BESHEAR WHO IS A MODERATE, AT LEAST IN THE SCALE OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY, MODERATE GOVERNOR.

AND SOMEONE WHO HAS A NICE GUY'S APPEAL.

HE CERTAINLY WILL BE MENTIONED AS A CANDIDATE IN THE FUTURE.

>> Bill: BESHEAR CLAIMED INTEREST IN THE 2026 SENATE RACE, THE LONGEST SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL WILL RETIRE WHO WILL BE THE CANDIDATES IN THAT RACE?

>> ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THE QUESTION IS WHO IS NOT GOING TO BE IN TERMS OF BIG NAMES.

YOU WILL HAVE THOMAS MASSIE IF HE DOESN'T JOIN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HE WOULD HAVE AN INTEREST IN IT.

ANDY BARR WOULD HAVE AN INTEREST IN IT.

DANIEL CAMERON WOULD LOVE TO FIND A HOME, I'M SURE AND THAT'S A SEAT HE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN.

COULD BE BRETT GUTHRIE.

WE DON'T KNOW IF KELLY CRAFT IS DONE WITH POLITICS.

ALL THOSE CANDIDATES HAVE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IT'S WHOEVER GETS THE NOD OF APPROVAL FROM DONALD TRUMP IS GOING TO BE THE FAVORITE IN THAT RACE JUST LIKE DANIEL CAMERON WAS IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE LAST YEAR.

>> Bill: AND ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT WON A U.S. SENATE RACE SINCE 1992.

SO, ARE THEY LIKELY TO SEE THAT POTENTIAL OPEN SEAT AS OPPORTUNITY?

>> WHO WOULD WANT THE JOB TO BE IN THAT COMPANY?

ROCKY ATKINS WOULD BE A NAME TOSSED OUT AND CHARLES BOOKER MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT.

IT COULD BE JACQUELINE COLEMAN.

MAYBE SHE WILL DO IT IN 2026.

A LOT WILL DEPEND WHAT HAPPENS OVER THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS.

WILL THERE BE BUYERS REMORSE RETURNING DONALD TRUMP.

THE REPUBLICANS CANNOT THINK THIS IS A MANDATE FOR DONALD TRUMP TO BEHAVE ANYWAY HE WANTS TO.

SOME COMES FROM A FRUSTRATION WITH THE ECONOMY AND HOW JOE BIDEN ADMINISTERED THE WHITE HOUSE.

IT COULD BE A BACKLASH HERE THAT WE ANTICIPATE THAT CAN HELP DEMOCRATS.

JOE IS RIGHT, THIS IS A REPUBLICAN STATE THROUGH AND THROUGH AND ANYONE WHO GETS DONALD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT IS THE FAVORITE.

>> ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE YOU HAVE THE 2026 SENATE RACE AND YOU HAVE THAT GOVERNOR'S RACE, THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

I THINK DEMOCRATS SEE THAT AS A MUCH, MUCH PORE WINNABLE RACE THAN A FEDERAL RACE IN 2026 STATE-WIDE.

THAT COULD BE IF ROCKY ATKINS IS INTERESTED IN WINNING A SEAT, AND JACQUELINE COLEMAN SHE WOULD BE MORE WILLING TO GO FOR THE 2027 RACE.

THE TROUBLE FOR DEMOCRAT IS GOING TO FIND SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO BE THE FACE TO GO OUT THERE TO TAKE ON REPUBLICANS AND TRUMP IN 2026.

THAT IS A VERY, VERY TOUGH TASK.

>> Bill: PHILLIP YOU SAID YOU DO NOT BELIEVE EVEN AFTER HE STEPS DOWN FROM LEADERSHIP THAT McCONNELL WILL BECOME IRRELEVANT OR HIS NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> I THINK MITCH McCONNELL WILL BE MORE POWERFUL IN SOME WAYS.

HE IS GOING TO COMMAND 10, 12 SENATORS LOYAL TO HIM.

HE CAN CAUSE MISCHIEF FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE BEST PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SOON TO BE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

IT WAS DONALD TRUMP AND MITCH McCONNELL WORKED TOGETHER TO GET THE YOUNG CONSERVATIVES ON THE BENCH.

IF YOU ZEBRA SO BECOMING I KNOW THAT HE DOES NOT WANT RICK SCOTT TO BE THE MAJORITY LEADER.

AND THE SAME WAY THAT NANCY PELOSI WAS THE MOSQUITOER EMERITUS FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

MITCH McCONNELL WILL BE THE SPEAKER EMERITUS.

>> Bill: AND WE SEE IT McCONNELL IS LEANING INTO HIS LEGACY AT THIS POINT, ISN'T HE?

>> HE IS.

HE IS COASTING HE WILL BE ON THE WAY OUT.

HE IS ON THE WAY OUT.

I SAW HIM AT A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENT IN LOUISVILLE AND HE WAS SORT OF WAXING NOSE TALLICLY THE THINGS HE IS MOST PROUD OF HIM ACCOMPLISHING AND CLEAR ABOUT THE FACT HE IS EXCITED TO STEP DOWN AND HAND OVER THE TORCH.

BUT, YEAH, I THINK HE IS READY TO HAND OVER LEADERSHIP ROLE, BUT ALSO WANTING TO HIGHLIGHT ALL THE THINGS HE HAS DONE.

>> Bill: INCLUDING BEING VERY OPEN IN A BIOGRAPHY.

WHERE HE OPENED UP.

>> HE DID.

AND WE LEARNED THINGS ABOUT HIM THAT WE DIDN'T PREVIOUSLY KNOW.

WHEN I IS SAW HIM HE MENTIONED HOW ONE OF THE THINGS HE IS MOST PROUD OF IN HIS LEGACY IS HELPING TO ARRANGE THE CURRENT SUPREME COURT.

WHICH IS PROBABLY THE THING THAT WILL LIVE ON THE LONGEST.

HE IS IN THAT MINDSET.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

AFTER TUESDAY, THE KENTUCKY CONSTITUTION WILL BE AMENDED TO EXPLICITLY BAR NON-U.S. CITIZENS FROM VOTING IN KENTUCKY ELECTIONS.

THAT WAS AMENDMENT ONE AND IT PASSED EASILY.

BUT VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED AMENDMENT TWO ON SCHOOL FUNDING.

IN FACT, IT LOST IN EVERY COUNTY.

ALEX, WAS THIS A MISREAD ON THE PART OF THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT ATTITUDES ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOL DOLLARS?

WAS THE ANTI-AMENDMENT TOO MESSAGING THAT EFFECTIVE?

>> I THINK IT WAS BOTH TO BE HONEST.

AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THIS BECAUSE AMENDMENT TWO WHICH WAS APRODUCT OF A BILL PASSED BY THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED GENERAL ASSEMBLY, OBVIOUSLY ELECTED BY THE ELECTORATE, FELL BY DOUBLE-DIGITS [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] IN SHUT DOWN OF THIS PROPOSAL THAT THEY HAD MADE.

AND HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE SINCE 2021 AND 2022 TRIED TO PASS TWO BILLS TO THIS END ONE CHARTER SCHOOL BILL AND ONE THAT WOULD ALLOW TAX CREDITS FOR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS.

BOTH ENDED UP IN THE COURTS AND THE SUPREME COURT SAID IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONALITY IN THE STATE TO ALLOCATE TAX DOLLARS FOR NON-COMMON SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE RECOURSE WAS TO LET'S CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION AND THAT REQUIRES VOTER INPUT.

I THINK IT FAILED FOR A HANDFUL OF REASONS.

ONE, BECAUSE TEACHERS ARE A STRONG FORCE IN THIS STATE.

AND TWO, I THINK THERE ARE STILL SORT OF ILL FEELINGS AMONG MANY TEACHERS THE ONES I'VE TALKEDDED TO WHO HAVE FELT SLIGHTED, PERPETUALLY BY LAWMAKERS IN FRANKFORT DATING BACK TO WHEN BEVIN WAS IN POWER AND THE REVAMPING OF THE PENSION SYSTEM AND THERE'S MISTRUST IN THE TEACHERS.

AND PUBLIC EDUCATION HAS NOT BEEN FULLY FUNDED IN A WHILE.

COUPLE THAT WITH THE FACT THAT THE NO ON TWO CAMPAIGN WAS EFFECTIVE.

THEY HARNESSED A CLEAR-CUT MESSAGE.

THEY SAID AMENDMENT TWO WOULD DIVERT MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS THOUGH THE AMENDMENT DID NOT ASK TO DO THAT THAT WAS THE INTENTION AND IT WOULD CREATE A VOUCHER PROGRAM.

THAT WASN'T IN THE VOUCH OF QUESTION BUT IT'S BEEN IN THE STATE OF THE GOAL.

THE YES ON TWO DID NOT HAVE COHESIVE MESSAGING.

THEY TALKED ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE BUT THEY COULDN'T DEFINE IT AND THAT IS WHY IT FAILED SPECTACULARLY.

>> Bill: IS THIS SOMETHING THAT COMES BACK IN THE FUTURE OR DOES A CONVINCING DEFEAT AT THE POLLS LIKE THAT, MAKE THAT UNLIKELY?

>> ACTUALLY I THINK IT'S LIKELY THEY WILL TRY AGAIN.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT.

AS ALEX MENTIONED, THE METHOD THAT THEY CHOSE TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION WAS VAGUE AND BROAD AND THEY HAD NO SPECIFIC LEGISLATION COMPANION TO SAY WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO.

WHEN THE NO ON 2 PEOPLE SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE A VOUCHER PROGRAM IT WAS HARD TO DISPUTE THAT.

I THINK THEY WILL TRY IT AND BE MUCH MORE NARROW HOW THE CONSTITUTION IS CHANGED.

AND HAVE ACTUAL COMPARISON LEGISLATION TO GO WITH IT.

THEY MIGHT JUST SAY CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THEY MIGHT GO NARROW AND SAY THE SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT.

MAKING IT BROAD AND NOT REVEALING WHAT YOUR ACTUAL PLAN IS GOING TO BE FOR HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THAT WAS THE BIGGER RECORD.

IF THEY TRY THAT AGAIN THEY WILL LOSE AGAIN.

>> THE REPUBLICANS BRAGGED ABOUT HAVING CONTROL OF THE PEOPLE'S BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT AND THE MAJORITY THEY HAVE.

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT A BALLOT INITIATIVE HAS BEEN PUT IN FRONT OF KENTUCKY VOTERS AND REPUBLICANS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO OUT PACE THE POPULATION WITH THE CONSERVATIVE QUESTIONS ON ABORTION LAST YEAR.

THEN IT WAS TRYING TO SAY THEY ARE GOING TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SCREWING AROUND WITH PUBLIC EDUCATORS HAS NOT GONE WELL.

IF COLEMAN RETURNS TO KENTUCKY TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

>> IT'S NOT LIKE THEY WERE OUT SPENT THEY SPENT AROUND $8 MILLION BEHIND THE YES ON TWO SIDE.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE THEY WERE OVERWHELMED BY THE OPPOSITION HERE.

>> Bill: MEDICAL MARIJUANA WILL BE LEGAL IN KENTUCKY STARTING JANUARY 1.

AND CITIES AND COUNTIES HAD A LOCAL OPTION AS TO WHETHER THEY WOULD ALLOW THE DISPENSING OF MEDICAL CANNABIS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

VOTERS THEN WERE ASKED IN SOME COMMUNITIES TO GO TO THE POLLS AND MAKE THAT DECISION WHEREAS LOCAL LEADERS MADE IT IN MOST PLACES.

>> YES, IT WAS 53 CITIES AND 53 COUNTIES THEY PUT IT TO THE VOTERS.

I WAS SUSPECTING MOST TO PASS.

BUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM PASSED COLLECTIVELY.

IT WAS NEARLY 70% OF THE VOTE.

SO IT WAS NOT CLOSE.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE STATE WILL ALLOW MEDICAL CANNABIS BUSINESSES TO OPERATE.

EITHER FROM PASSING THE ORDINANCE OR FROM THE VOTE THIS WEEK.

THERE ARE ONLY A SMALL NUMBER, SMALL NUMBER OF COUNTIES THERE ARE 20 COUNTIES WHERE IT IS BANNED.

BUT WITHIN MOST OF THOSE THE LARGEST CITY IS GOING TO ALLOW THOSE BUSINESSES.

THERE ARE ONLY FOUR COUNTIES WHERE IT'S COUNTY-WIDE, NO BUSINESSES.

IT'S UP TO THE CANNABIS, THE STATE MEDICAL CANNABIS LOTTERY WHETHER THERE'S GOING TO BE A BUSINESS THAT HAS A LICENSE THERE.

>> Bill: AND VOTERS SAID YES EVERYWHERE IT WAS ON THE BALLOT.

>> NATIONALLY CANNABIS BALLOT REFERENDUMS RARELY LOSE IN AMERICA.

IT WASN'T THAT MUCH OF A SURPRISE.

>> Bill: THE MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATURE WILL NOT CHANGE MUCH BUT THERE WILL BE NEW FACES.

CHERYL LYNN STEVENSON LOST HER SEAT TO VANESSA GRASSLE.

SHE TOLD ME SHE WOULD SUPPORT A BILL TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S NEARLY TOTAL ABORTION BAN AND WILL NOT JOIN THE RIGHT TO LIFE CAUCUS.

>> I WILL LIKELY SUPPORT IT.

IT'S AN ISSUE WHERE I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE TO HAVE OPTIONS FOR KENTUCKIANS WHO ARE IN REALLY DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE.

SO, YES, I THINK IT WILL COME BACK UP IF IT'S NOT THIS SESSION, MAYBE IN THE NEXT.

>> Bill: WOULD YOU BE LIKELY TO JOIN THE RIGHT TO LIFE CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE?

>> I DON'T PLAN TO JOIN.

THAT ISSUE IS VERY DIVISIVE.

I THINK IT'S MORE OF A RELIGIOUS AND MORAL AND ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS GET TIED UP IN IT.

>> Bill: WILL WE SEE MORE REPUBLICANS BE OPEN TO EXCEPTIONS GIVEN THE ROLE IT HAS PLAYED?

>> POTENTIALLY.

WE HAVE SORT OF ASKED OURSELVES THIS THE LAST TWO REGULAR SEESIONS.

I THINK IT'S INTERESTING HOW CANDID SHE IS.

AND HER MENTIONING SHE IS NOT GOING TO JOIN THE RIGHT TO LIFE CAUCUS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAUCUS IS BECOMING LESS RELEVANT THEY ARE A CAUCUS THAT DOES NOT BELIEVE IN EXCEPTIONS TO THE ABORTION BAN.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE MORE REPUBLICANS LIKE HER POTENTIALLY THERE IS A POSSIBILITY.

BUT WHO KNOWS.

>> Bill: IN THE LEXINGTON AREA, DEMOCRAT ADAM MOORE WON A SEAT THAT REPUBLICANS HELD FOR DECADES.

HE DEFEATED THOMAS JEFFERSON WHO WON IN THE PRIMARY.

MOORE ALSO PLAYED TO THE CENTER.

HE WORKED HARD AND HE MAY PUSH FOR LIFTING THE SALES TAX ON SERVICES RATHER THAN THE NEXT REDUCTION IN THE INCOME TAX.

JOE, IN A WILD WRITE IN CASE IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY SCOTT MADEN EMERGED FROM 11 CANDIDATES.

>> THIS WAS A TWO-WEEK SPRINT OF WRITE IN CANDIDATES WHERE IT WAS 11 CANDIDATES WHO FILED TO RUN AFTER THE DEATH OF SENATOR TURNER.

SCOTT MADEN HAD THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSEMENTS.

HE RECEIVED 7,000 WRITE IN VOTES WHICH IS A LOT FOR A WRITE IN CANDIDATE BUT LESS THAN THE 30-40,000 THAT MOST CANDIDATES GET.

>> THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN ELECTED TO THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT.

>> I THINK THIS AS MUCH AS PEOPLE ARE ON THE LIBERAL SIDE UPSET ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WITH VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS, I THINK JUDGE GOODWINE IS A GOOD SIGN PROGRESS IS STILL HAPPENING IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

SHE JOINS ANGELA ANGELA ALSO BRD LISA ROCHESTER THE FIRST FEMALE BLACK SENATOR ELECTED IN DELAWARE.

DESPITE WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE HARRIS LOSS, ACROSS THE COUNTRY OUR RACIAL DEMOCRACY IS ALIVE AND WELL.

>> Bill: ALCOT DEFEATED PATTY MEN.

ER IN BOWLING GREEN.

NORTON HOSPITAL WILL BE OPENING IN LOUISVILLE NEXT WEEK, APPARENTLY MONDAY THAT IS AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT AND NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" WITH A SPECIAL ONE-HOUR EDITION.

FOR ALL THESE DECADES WE'VE TALKED ISSUES AND ASPIRATIONS FOR KENTUCKY AND WE LOOK FOR A GOOD DISCUSSION AS WE CELEBRATE THIS PROGRAM'S GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY.

AGAIN, THAT IS NEXT WEEK.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" FOR THIS WEEK.

MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.