[♪♪] >> Bill: JUST OVER TWO WEEKS UNTIL ELECTION DAY.

THE CAMPAIGNS BY CANDIDATES AND THOSE FOR AND AGAINST PROPOSED AMENDMENTS KICK UP ANOTHER NOTCH.

KENTUCKY STUDENTS DO WELL IN JUST REPLACED ACT TEST RESULTS.

AND THE RIGHT TO LIFE ORGANIZATION IN KENTUCKY MANY DECLINED TO RESPOND TO A QUESTIONNAIRE ABOUT ABORTION.

KENTUCKY MAY GET A NEW AREA CODE BECAUSE NUMBERS ARE RUNNING OUT IN 502.

THE FALL COLORS START TO POP AND 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, MARIO ANDERSON, ANCHOR AND HOST OF IN FOCUS KENTUCKY FOR SPECTRUM NEWS ONE.

SYLVIA GOODMAN, CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO AND TESSA DUVALL POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

ALSO TONIGHT, THE SUMMIT TACKLED CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR KENTUCKY'S APPALACHIAN REGION.

AND WE'VE LEARNED MORE ABOUT KENTUCKY'S LEGAL ACTION DEPENDS THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM TIKTOK.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE ELECTION THAT IS NOW OVER TWO WEEKS AWAY WITH EARLY VOTING BEFORE THAT AND ABSENTEES BEING FILLED OUT.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TWO ON SCHOOL FUNDING OPTIONS DREW GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS SUPPORTERS OF THE MEASURE ARE ALSO MAKING THEIR CASE.

>> THE STATE BUDGET HAS A CERTAIN AMOUNT AND IF YOU TAKE A CHUNK OF IT OUT THERE'S NOTHING TO REPLACE IT FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

YOU'RE SEEING REAL CHALLENGES IN OTHER STATES AND, AGAIN, SIMPLEST WAY TO PUT IT IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO A PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT ALREADY DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH.

>> WE JUST WANT PARENTS TO HAVE OPTIONS.

AND RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY PARENTS WHO HAVE OPTIONS ARE ONES WHO ARE FINANCIALLY ABLE TO PAY FOR A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

AND WE WANT THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY STUDENT.

>> Bill: TESSA, THIS CONTINUES TO BE MAYBE THE TALKER IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> IT IS.

THIS IS THE STATE-WIDE ELECTION IN KENTUCKY THIS ELECTION CYCLE AND THE DOLLARS TO BACK THAT UP ARE FLOWING.

SO WE KNOW THAT BILLIONAIRE, A G.O.P.

MEGA DONOR JEFF YEAHS PUT $5 MILLION INTO THE BATTLE THAT IS HIS NUMBER ONE ISSUE NOT JUST IN KENTUCKY IT IS A NATIONAL ISSUE HE GETS BEHIND.

WE ALSO KNOW A NUMBER OF EDUCATION GROUPS PUT $3 MILLION INTO THE FIGHT OPPOSED TO THIS AMENDMENT.

SAYING THAT YOU KNOW, THIS IS WE STAND FOR TEACHES AND THIS WOULD BE BAD FOR TEACHERS AND BAD FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT IS WHY THEY ARE SPENDING ON IT.

>> Bill: THE CAMPAIGNS ARE INTENSE.

>> YES, THEY ARE VERY INTENSE.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU SEE A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS DRIVING THAT THIS AMENDMENT COULD MEAN A LOT OF THINGS FOR THE STATE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THE PROPONENTS SAY IT ALLOWS THE LEGISLATURE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS OF HOW SCHOOL CHOICE AND TO START TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION.

THERE'S NOTHING SPECIFIC ATTACHED NO SPECIFIC POLICY.

WE KNOW WILL COME OUT OF THIS AMENDMENT.

SO IT COULD BE A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS.

WE HAVE LOTS OF EXAMPLES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SOME LIKE THE ONES THAT BESHEAR MENTIONED, I THINK HE IS REFERRING IN PART TO STATES LIKE ARDZ ARS WHERE THEY BLEW A HOLE IN THEIR BUDGET WITH AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM.

AND THEN WE SEE IT IN OTHER STATES THEY HAVE STUCK TO HAVING CHARTER SCHOOLS OR LIMITED VOUCHER PROGRAMS.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT COULD COME OUT OUT OF THIS AMENDMENT YOU'VE SEEN OPPONENTS HONE IN ON VOUCHERS.

THEY ARE POINTING TO STATES WHERE VOUCHER PROGRAMS HAVE REALLY MAINLY HELPED OR SOME OF THE LARGEST GROUPS THAT ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THOSE PROGRAMS ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE KIDS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

BUT WHAT PROPONENTS SUPPORTERS OF THE AMENDMENT ARE SAYING IS THAT KIDS WHO CAN'T AFFORD PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHO CAN'T AFFORD OPTIONS OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS MIGHT BENEFIT MORE FROM THAT AND THE STATE HAS STRUGGLED IN TESTING RESULTS AND WE NEED NEW OPTIONS NEW ALTERNATIVES.

>> Bill: MARIO, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF STATE-WIDE RACES THIS YEAR NO CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT STATE-WIDE BUT YOU'VE TALKED TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN SHE IS IN OPPOSITION TO AMENDMENT 2.

RAND PAUL IS OUT THERE WITH LOTS OF COMMERCIALS THAT IN WHICH HE IS SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THAT AMENDMENT.

SO WE DO HAVE KENTUCKY POLITICAL PERSONALITIES QUITE INVOLVED IN THIS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THIS IS THE STATE-WIDE TALKING POINT.

ALL VOTERS WILL HAVE THIS ON THEIR BALLOT FROM EACH END OF THE STATE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN SHE TOLD ME THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A MORE SEQUENTIAL VOTE THAN THIS AMENDMENT.

BUT SHE SAID IF PASSED THIS WOULD GIVE A BLANK CHECK TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND SHE AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND OTHERS AGAINST THIS AMENDMENT ARE OPPOSED TO.

THIS IS THE SAME GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT HAS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR BUDGET AFTER BUDGET.

THAT IS THEIR SIDE OF THINGS.

I ALSO THE BILL SPONSOR SUSAN MILES THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM OWENSBORO AND SHE SAID THERE'S A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS RELATED TO THIS AMENDMENT.

IF PEOPLE READ THE WORDS OF THE AMENDMENT THERE IS NO SPECIFIC POLICY, NO SPECIFIC FUNDING ATTACHED.

IT'S TO LET THE LEGISLATURE START THE DISCUSSION WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE.

AND SHE WANTS PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT IS WHERE PEOPLE SHOULD VOTE IS JUST LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS FROM THERE.

AND IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT CHARTER SCHOOL OR VOUCHERS THEN YOU ARE ALREADY WAY BEYOND WHAT THE AMENDMENT PROPOSAL IS.

SO, AGAIN, THAT'S WHAT HOW IT'S GETTING STIRRED UP.

>> BUT TO SOME EXTENT, THE LEGISLATURE SORT OF INVITED THAT CRITICISM BY NOT ATTACHING ANY UNDERLYING LEGISLATION OR ALLOWING DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE IN VOTING FOR HOUSE BILL 2.

WHICH IS THE BILL THAT PUT THIS AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT.

SUSAN MILES SAID THAT ANY DISCUSSION OF PROPOSALS OF WHAT IT COULD DO IS NOT RELEVANT BECAUSE THAT IS NOT WHERE THEY ARE AT AND THAT IS TRUE.

AS WE'VE HEARD OPPONENTS ARE SEIZING ON THAT LACK OF CLARITY ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY THIS LOOKS LIKE AND THAT IS WHY THEY ARE GETTING TO PAINT THAT NARRATIVE OF IT CAN BE THIS AND IT CAN BE THAT.

IT'S GOING TO BE BAD BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF PASSED.

THEY ARE GETTING CREATIVE.

>> Bill: IF IF PASSES IN THE 2025 SESSION IT WOULD BE A MAJOR POINT OF DISCUSSION, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, AND I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THE LEGISLATURE TRIED TO DO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE.

THEY TRIED TO PASS A SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT PROGRAM WHICH IS A VERY CLASSIC SCHOOL CHOICE INITIATIVE THAT OTHER STATES TRIED AND IT GOT STRUCK DOWN BY THE SUPREME COURT OUR CONSTITUTION DOES NOT ALLOW THAT.

THEY'VE TRIED TO INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THEY'VE TRIED TO DO SOME THINGS WE KNOW THOSE ARE ON THE MINDS OF SEVERAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES.

>> Bill: SO THE OPTION IS TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.

>> EXACTLY.

>> Bill: AND THE POLITICAL LINES ARE QUITE INTERESTING.

PARTY IDENTIFICATION IS A FACTOR.

BUT IN MANY CASES IT ISN'T.

I MODERATED A DISCUSSION WITH LAWMAKERS AND SCHOOL LEADERS THIS WEEK, AND G.O.P.

REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN JACKSON OUT OF WARREN COUNTY OPPOSES THE CHANGE.

A REPORT FROM SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY NICK WILSON OF WHITLEY COUNTY IS HEAVILY REPUBLICAN AREA IS TELLING VOTERS TO VOTE FOR AMENDMENT ONE AND IS AGAINST AMENDMENT 2.

SO IT'S NOT ALL D'S AND R'S ON THIS AMENDMENT 2 ISSUE.

>> NOT AT ALL.

AND COLEMAN MENTIONED WE DISCUSSED THAT SHE FEARS THERE IS A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY BECAUSE AGAIN THERE IS UNKNOWN ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT.

BUT THEN AGAIN, SUZANNE MILES SHE TALKED ABOUT SHE AND THE OTHER REPUBLICANS THEY WANT THE AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THE GUARDRAILS WOULD BE IF THEY GO DOWN THIS ROAD.

AGAIN, WE'LL SEE WHAT SHAKES OUT ON NOVEMBER FIFTH ONCE THE VOTES ARE TALLIED.

>> THIS IS REALLY LESS OF A PARTISAN D'S AND R ISSUE.

I THINK WE'LL SEE RURAL AND URBAN DIVIDE ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.

IN PART BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE.

THERE ARE ENTIRE COUNTIES IN OUR STATE THAT ARE RURAL AND DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS.

YOU HAVE THE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL AND PERHAPS YOU HAVE AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THOSE ARE YOUR OPTIONS.

IN A LOT OF RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS.

THEY ARE ALSO LIKE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY PRIDE.

LIKE YOU GO TO THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME, THE BASKETBALL GAME.

HOMECOMING.

THESE ARE TIES IN THESE COMMUNITIES AS WELL.

AND SO I'M SURE WE WILL SEE A LOT OF DEMOCRATS IN LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON WHO DO END UP VOTING IN FAVOR OF AMENDMENT 2 BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND CAN ENVISION WHAT CHOICE WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE ALONG PARTY LINES.

ALTHOUGH IT'S WORTH NOTING IT WASN'T ALONG PARTY LINES IN THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS LARGELY FROM RURAL AREAS, THAT VOTED AGAINST PASSING HOUSE BILL 2 WHICH IS AGAIN THE BILL THAT PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT.

SO YEAH, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE MAP LOOKS LIKE WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE.

>> THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SPEAKING OUT.

SUPERINTENDENTS AND USING INITIALLY PUBLIC RESOURCES, SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS TO SHARE THEIR DISAGREEMENT FOR AMENDMENT 2 BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL COLEMAN ISSUED ADVISORIES AND ALSO SOME OTHER STATEMENTS SAYING THAT HE SUPPORTS THEM SPEAKING OUT AND USING THEIR VOICES BUT NOT USING THE PUBLIC RESOURCES.

IF THEY WANT TO DO THINGS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ON THEIR PRIVATE TIME.

>> Bill: THAT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN AS WELL.

WHO CAN SAY WITH WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE.

REGARDING AMENDMENT 2.

ALL RIGHT.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH THAT.

WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEIR DECISIONS RIGHT TO LIFE OF KENTUCKY ENDORSED FAR FEWER LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES IN 2024 THAN IT DID IN 2020 AND 2022.

AND INFORMATION ON THE GROUP'S WEBSITE INDICATES A LARGE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES DID NOT RESPOND TO ITS QUESTIONNAIRE.

TESSA, IS THAT AN INDICATION THAT THE ABORTION ISSUE IS A THORNY ONE FOR CANDIDATES RIGHT NOW TO NAVIGATE AND SOME ARE JUST WANTING TO AVOID IT?

>> YOU COULD TAKE IT THAT WAY.

THE KENTUCKY LANTERN HAD A GREAT STORY DIVING INTO THIS ISSUE.

THEY FOUND THAT OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES ENDORSED BY THE RIGHT TO LIFE IN STATE HOUSE RACES FALLEN BY ALMOST HALF.

IT'S HALF WHAT IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO.

AND SO TO GET THE DORPLTD YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT THE SURVEY.

AND WE'VE SEEN ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FALL OF ROE A COUPLE YEARS AGO THIS HAS BECOME A MOBILIZING ISSUE FOR A LOT OF VOTERS AND NOT SOMETHING THAT FALLS ALONG PARTY LINES THE WAY THAT PEOPLE THOUGHT PROBABLY IN A PREDOBBS WORLD.

SO TAKE FOR EXAMPLE, THE 2023 GOVERNOR'S RACE.

WHERE THE ANSWERS THAT REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE TIME DANIEL CAMERON GAVE THEY REALLY WERE USED AGAINST HIM.

AND THAT WAS JUST THE RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY RIGHT TO LIFE SURVEYS.

IF YOU ARE AN URBAN REPUBLICAN.

AND YOU TAKE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AND SAY YOU CHECK THE BOX THAT SAYS YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF EXCEPTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE AND INCEST.

THAT IS NOT A STANCE THAT THE RIGHT TO LIFE CONSIDERS TO BE PRO-LIFE.

SO WHAT YOU DO IF YOU CHECK THAT BOX IS YOU SET YOURSELF TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN BE PRIMARIED BY SOMEONE WHO CAN GET A 100 AND USE THAT AGAINST YOU IN A PRIMARY.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, CHECKING THAT BOX OR NOT CHECKING THAT BOX AND YOU DO NOT IT SUPPORT EXCEPTIONS CAN BE USED AGAINST YOU IN A GENERAL.

IT'S REALLY A TRICKY THING FOR A LOT OF CANDIDATES.

>> Bill: AT THE SAME TIME THEY DID EXPRESS SOME SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATES WHO DID NOT RESPOND AND SAID BASED ON THEIR TRACK RECORD THAT THEY WENT AHEAD AND EXPRESSED A PREFERENCE FOR THOSE CANDIDATES.

IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING.

AND IT DOES APPEAR, SYLVIA, THAT A LOT OF RACES TO WATCH ARE SORT OF IN THE URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS.

I KNOW YOU ARE COVERING A COUPLE OF RACES IN LOUISVILLE THAT ARE HARD-FOUGHT.

AND EITHER SIDE COULD WIN.

>> YEAH.

AND SOME OF THE RACES ABORTION IS A BIG ISSUE AND BOTH CANDIDATES ARE AVOIDING TALKING ABOUT ABORTION IN PARTICULAR.

AND AMENDMENT 2 IS PLAYING A BIG ROLE.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT QUITE A BIT.

PLAYING A HUGE ROLE IN THE RACES IN SUBURBAN DISTRICTS IN SOUTHWEST LOUISVILLE WHERE REPUBLICANS MADE UP GROUND IN TWOOTD.

MADE UP GROUND THEY GAINED A LOT OF GROUND IN 2022 IN THE SOUTHWESTERN DISTRICTS AND DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO GET THEM BACK AND SOME PLACES REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO GET MORE GROUND IN SUBURBAN DISTRICTS.

AND IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT DISTRICTS WHERE THE REGISTRATION SEEMS TO POINT DEMOCRAT, THAT IN 2023 THEY VOTED IN A BLOWOUT FOR BESHEAR.

SOME OF THE DISTRICTS ARE REPRESENTED BY REPUBLICANS.

AND FOR EXAMPLE, IN RENT CALLOWAY'S DISTRICT BOTH WOULD POINT TOWARDS DEMOCRAT AND SHE WON IN 2022.

SO I THINK BOTH SOME OF THE FOCUS THE TIGHTEST RACES WILL BE IN THOSE AREAS.

>> Bill: SOUTHWEST LOUISVILLE RACE IS ONE YOU ARE WATCHING WITH RACHEL ROURKES.

>> THAT IS A DEMOCRAT ACTUALLY WHO SHE WON BY A TIGHT MARGIN IN 2022.

BESHEAR WON IN A BLOWOUT IN 23.

WE HAVE TO WATCH TO SEE WHICH ONE WINS OUT.

IS IT GOING TO BE A WIN FOR REPUBLICANS IN THAT AREA OR WILL RACHEL HOLD ON?

>> Bill: YOU MAY MAKE YOUR DECISIONS GOING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IS THERE AND AMENDMENTS, THE STATE HOUSE RACES, THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

SCHOOL BOARDS AND SOME CASES AND OTHERS.

AND THEN MAYBE ON YOUR BALLOT SOMETHING SHOWS UP LIKE MEDICAL MARIJUANA NOT IN EVERY LOCALITY BUT IN SOME MARIO AND THE FAYETTE COUNTY CLERK THIS WEEK SAID THAT WHICH THAT IS NOT ON THE BALLOT IN LEXINGTON THERE IS A PARK TAX THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT IN A SECOND.

THE FAYETTE COUNTY CLERK TOLD ME SHE USES THE TERM KNOW BEFORE YOU GO YOU NEED TO STUDY THAT BALLOT OR IT WILL TAKE YOU LONG TIME IN LONG LINES TO VISIT THE POLLS.

>> RIGHT.

DEPENDING WHERE YOU MAY LIVE IN FAYETTE COUNTY, YOU MAY HAVE A CITY COUNCIL RACE FOR YOUR DISTRICT OR YOU MAY HAVE A STATE REPRESENTATIVE RACE THAT OR MAYBE A STATE SENATE RACE IN FAYETTE COUNTY, THE VOTER TURNOUT IN THE MAY PRIMARY WAS ONLY 13%.

BUT THEN IN THE NOVEMBER 2023 ELECTION THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND ALL THE STATE-WIDE CONSTITUTIONAL RACES 42% TURNOUT BUT IN THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, RACE BACK IN 2020 THERE WAS 61%.

THERE'S GROWTH TO IMPROVE THE NUMBERS FOR VOTER TURNOUT AND THEY'VE INCREASED THE LOCATIONS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE OFFICIALLY WHEN THE NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING STARTS.

THEY HOPE TO GET PEOPLE TO SHOW UP.

AND THERE'S BEEN 11,000 ABSENTEE BALLOTS REQUESTED FOR FAYETTE COUNTY.

A LOT OF INTEREST AND WE'LL SEE WHERE THINGS SHAKE OUT.

>> Bill: WE'VE COME TO A POINT WHERE ELECTION DAY IS THE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

YOU HAVE MANY OTHERS AHEAD OF THAT.

TESSA THAT PARK TAX IN LEXINGTON IT IS AN EFFORT TO RAISE MONEY TO IMPROVE THE PARK SYSTEM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT WOULD GENERATE $8 MILLION TO SUPPORT IMPROVEMENTS IN LEXINGTON'S PARKS.

THIS PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER WOULD WORKOUT TO $53 A YEAR.

AND THE LAST TIME THAT A TAX QUESTION WAS PUT BEFORE LEXINGTON VOTERS WAS 2004 AND IT WAS SUPPORTED LATINX TRAN.

>> Bill: AND THROUGHOUT THE ELECTION.

NOW ENCOURAGING NEWS FOR KENTUCKY STUDENTS THIS WEEK.

KENTUCKY IS RANKED THIRD IN THE NATION AMONG THE NINE STATES THAT REQUIRE GRADUATING STUDENTS TO TAKE THE TESTS.

51,000 KENTUCKY STUDENTS TOOK THE ACT, STUDENTS DID BEST IN READING SCORED 19.2 OUT OF 36.

THAT IS GOOD TO SEE, ENCOURAGING?

>> IT'S ENCOURAGING TO SEE STUDENTS DO BETTER.

WE SAW MIXED RESULTS FROM THIS YEAR'S ASSESSMENT HOW PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE DOING ON KENTUCKY STANDARDIZED TESTING.

GOOD TO SEE POSITIVE RESULTS COMPARED TO OTHER STATES AND LOOKING INTERNALLY AS WELL.

>> Bill: YOU GOT A LOOK AT THE LAWSUIT THAT ALLEGES THAT TIKTOK HAD A STRATEGY TO INFLUENCE SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL THAT IS ONE OF THE ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED IN THE SUIT, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, EXACTLY.

IT WAS NOT AN ALLEGATION OF ILLEGAL CONDUCT.

I SHOULD MAKE THAT CLEAR.

THE LAWSUIT WAS ALLEGING HARM AGAINST CHILDREN.

IN TRYING TO PROVE WHAT TIKTOK'S INTENTIONS WERE IN KENTUCKY THEY MENTIONED FOR EXAMPLE THEY HAD THIS PLAN TO TRY TO INFLUENCE SENATOR McCONNELL AS TO THE BENEFITS OF TIKTOK INCLUDING BY TRYING TO PICK OUT SPECIFIC KENTUCKY BUSINESSES AND THEIR ACCOUNTS TO SHOW THAT TIKTOK COULD BENEFIT THEM.

AND THE REASON IT WAS INTERESTING TO ME AT LEAST, IS IT WAS LIKE A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAINS HOW THE COMPANIES TRY TO LOBBY TO LAWMAKERS.

ANOTHER THING THEY DID IS IT IS HAD A POLL OF TIKTOK USERS IN KENTUCKY WHERE THEY ASKED THEM IF IT WOULD SUPPORT A CONGRESSMAN OR CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE WHO SUPPORTED A BAN OF TIKTOK.

THEY SAID THEY RUN A LOT OF FOLDS TO CHECK OUT PUBLIC PERCEPTION.

BUT IT SHOWS A LITTLE PEEK BEHINDED CURTAIN WHAT A MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY DOES TO TRY TO SHAPE THEIR IMAGE.

>> Bill: IT WAS INTERESTING THAT SAYS KENTUCKY WAS CONSIDERED A TOP MARKET FOR TIKTOK.

>> AND ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THAT IS IF YOU LOOK THEY HAD A SURVEY OF GEN ZERS, ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THAT, IS GEN ZERS AND MILLENNIALS THEY USE TWO-THIRDS OF THEM USE TIKTOK WHICH IS A LARGE PERCENTAGE.

HOWEVER ACROSS THE COUNTRY IT'S HIGHER.

I THINK 95% OF PEOPLE UNDER 18 I NEED TO DOUBLE-CHECK THAT NUMBER USE TIKTOK.

AND SO THAT'S A REALLY HIGH PERCENTAGE NATIONALLY.

I THINK THEY IDENTIFIED THAT ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS IN KENTUCKY THERE WAS ROOM FOR GROWTH FOR THEM.

>> Bill: SOME OF THAT SUIT IS UNDER SEAL.

MARIO YOU TALKED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL COLEMAN WHO FILED THE SUIT.

>> I DID.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE MAYBE TIKTOKERS AND DANCING TRENDS THAT PEOPLE DO ON THAT PLATFORM.

I HAVE NOT DONE THE DANCING BY THE WAY.

BUT RUSSELL COLEMAN ATTORNEY GENERAL HE ALONG WITH 40 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERALS, SIGNED ON TO THE LAWSUIT WANTING TO REQUIRE THE SURGEON GENERAL TO PUT A OFFICIAL WARNING LABEL TO THAT PARTICULAR APP AND IT SAYS THAT BECAUSE OF THE ADDICTIVE NATURE OF THE APP AND THEN ALSO TIKTOK IS KNOWN TO HAVE INFLUENCE FOR SELLING VARIOUS PRODUCTS AND AGAIN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THAT THEIR DATA SHOWS IF TIKTOK IS CAUSING DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND SUICIDAL IDEATION.

SO A LOT OF DISCUSSION AROUND THOSE NEXT STEPS WITH WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

RUSSEL COLEMAN IS LEADING THE CHARGE ON BEHALF OF KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: HAS THERE BEEN A RESPONSE YET FROM TIKTOK?

>> YES, YES.

I HAVE LOTS OF OF STATEMENTS FROM TIKTOK.

THEY HAVE SAID ABOUT THE CONCERNED ABOUT HARM FOR CHILDREN THEY HAVE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE ONE OF THE TARGETS THAT THE LAWSUIT IS SAYING TIKTOK KNEW THEY WERE INEFFECTIVE.

AND THEY HAVE SAID ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE McCONNELL COMPLAINT THE ALLEGATION ABOUT McCONNELL LOTS OF COMPANIES DO THAT SORT OF THING.

IT'S STANDARD PRACTICE IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THE SOURCE OF IT WAS HELD THIS WEEK IN PIKEVILLE AND TESSA, KENTUCKY CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR ANSWERS FOR APPALACHIA.

THE CONSENSUS THERE ARE GOOD IDEAS AND NO ONE SIZE FITS AYOU WILL APPROACH TO BOOSTING THE ECONOMY AND HEALTH OUTCOMES AND IMPROVING EDUCATION AND OUR APPALACHIAN REGION.

>> RIGHT.

THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN GRANTS ANNOUNCED THAT WOULD GO TOWARD WATER PROJECTS, DEVELOPMENT, JOB TRAINING, TOURISM AND THE LIKE.

A LOT OF FOLKS WALKING AWAY WITH MONEY AFTER THAT CONFERENCE TODAY.

>> Bill: ON HIS WAY TO THE SUMMIT HAL ROGERS VISITED MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY AND SECURED $10 MILLION FOR THE SPACE SCIENCE CENTER SAYS HE IS WORKING ON GETTING $7 MILLION.

MARIO, THAT PROGRAM IS GROWING.

IT HAS CRUCIAL SUCCESSES.

ROGERS SAYS AEROSPACE INDUSTRY IS ONE POTENTIAL AREA OF GROWTH FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> SURE IS ESPECIALLY WITH IT BEING SO RURAL AND MOREHEAD BEING AROUND AND THE SCIENCE CENTER IS A BIG DEAL TO THE UNIVERSITY AND THAT COMMUNITY AND SHOWS THAT HOW ROGERS STILL HAS POWER IN WASHINGTON D.C. CHAIRING THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS HE IS ABLE TO SEE ALL THE MONEY THAT IS COMING IN THAT IS AVAILABLE AND WANT IT DISTRIBUTED BACK TO KENTUCKY.

>> Bill: JOE SONKA REPORTS THAT LAND PURCHASED WITH STATE FUNDS FOR A NEW WORKFORCE TRAINING CENTER IN SOMERSET IS GETTING SCRUTINY THERE LOCALLY.

>> SOME OF THE TOP OFFICIALS IN PULASKI COUNTY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS LAND DEAL THAT USES STATE DOLLARS.

$1.3 MILLION LAND DEAL BETWEEN THE TOP G.O.P.

OFFICIAL IN THAT COUNTY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SELLING TO THE CENTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT.

HE BOUGHT THAT PROPERTY TWO YEARS AGO FOR SIX TIMES LESS THAN THAT $1.3 MILLION THAT IS A BIG INCREASE THERE.

AND THERE'S CONCERNS FROM THE OFFICIALS IN THAT COUNTY THAT IT IS A MISUSE OF STATE DOLLARS THAT IS BEING AMPLIFIED.

>> Bill: THE OFFICIALS INDICATE THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING.

NO DEAL IS DONE?

>> NO.

THE LAND DEAL ACCORDING TO COUNTY OFFICIALS THEY BELIEVE THAT IT COULD BE CLOSED ON MONDAY.

BUT IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT THE TIMELINE IS.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THIS WEEK AT THE EPA CAN CONTINUE TO LIMIT AND REGULATE COAL EMISSIONS WHILE A CHALLENGE IS UNDER REVIEW.

TESSA, OPPONENTS SAY THE REGULATIONS ARE OVER THE TOP.

THE EPA IS OVERSTEPPING ITS AUTHORITY.

THOSE IN FAVOR CALL THE RULES REASONABLE AND THE VERY REASON THE EPA EXISTS.

>> RIGHT.

AND THIS IS A TEMPORARY RULING JUST TO SAY THAT THE RULE CAN STAY IN EFFECT UNTIL A FEDERAL JUDGE AND AT PEELS COURT CAN WEIGH-IN ON THE RULE ITSELF.

>> Bill: IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE SUING TO GET THE BRENT EXPENSE BRIDGE CORRIDOR PROJECT PUT ON HOLD ALLEGING TRFS NOT ENOUGH CONSIDERATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THAT MASSIVE PROJECT.

SO THAT'S ONE WE WOULD EXPECT WITH A MAJOR PROJECT LIKE THAT THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY?

>> SURE.

IT IS A COMPLEX PROJECT ONE THAT BESHEAR HAS TALKED ABOUT A LOT ESPECIALLY CAMPAIGNING.

AND IT'S BOUND TO BE CONCERNS ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A MASSIVE PROJECT.

AND IT'S STILL GOING FULL STEAM AHEAD FROM MY UNDERSTANDING.

AND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

>> Bill: TESSA THE TRIAL IS UNDERWAY AS OF FRIDAY IN LOUISVILLE.

AND TESTIMONY STARTED IN THE AFTERNOON.

>> SO THIS IS THE THIRD TRIAL FOR FORMER LMF OF PD OFFICER RELATED TO THE MARCH 2020 SHOOTING OF BREONNA TAYLOR THIS IS HIS SECOND FEDERAL TRIAL.

THE FIRST ENDED WHEN THE JURY WAS DEADLOCKED ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES AND TRIED AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR THIS SAME SHOOTING.

AND WAS ACQUITTED ON THOSE CHARGES.

SO WE WILL SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT.

THEY HAVE SEATED 15 JURORS SO THAT WILL END UP BEING 12 JURORS ON THREE ALTERNATES.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE THE STATE WILL BE GETTING A NEW AREA CODE.

THE LANTERN REPORTS THERE IS A DWINDLING SUPPLY OF NUMBERS IN THE 502 GROUP.

A GROUP FILED AN APPLICATION TO CREATE AN OVERLAY MEANING WITHIN 502, YOU COULD HAVE ANOTHER SET OF AREA CODES, RIGHT?

>> AREA CODES ARE A SENSE OF PLACE, RIGHT?

YOU ARE FROM THE 270 OR 606 PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.

>> THEY DO.

>> AND THE 606 THEY SAY 606 BY GOD.

>> .

>> Bill: SO THAT WILL BE INTERESTING IN THERE ARE TWO CODES WITHIN ONE AREA WE'LL SEE.

THERE IS A NEW OPTION FOR A LICENSE PLATE IN KENTUCKY FEATURING THE RED RIVER GORGE.

THE LICENSE PLATES WENT ON SALE FRIDAY A PORTION OF THE SALES AND RENEWAL GO TO A NONPROFIT GROUP THAT CONDUCTS SEARCHES FOR LOST OR INJURED HIKERS IN THE GORGE.

THE PLATE IS DONE BY KEVIN OSBORNE A MEMBER OF THE RESCUE TEAM.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VISIT THE GORGE EVERY YEAR AND IT HAS AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR ROCK CLIMBING.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.