>> Bill: ED IN GOVERNOR'S RACE, BOTH CANDIDATES HANDOUT MONEY KEEP THE ROADS HOT AND TRY TO AVOID PITFALLS.

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL WANTS EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY ABORTION BAN.

THE SUMMIT PUTS A FOCUS ON CHALLENGES FACING EASTERN KENTUCKY.

A FEDERAL SHUTDOWN IS AVOIDED BUT IT LEADS TO THE HOUSE SPEAKER BEING OUSTED.

WHERE DID KENTUCKY'S DELEGATION STAND.

THE WEATHER IS SHIFTING AS KEEN LAND STARTS ITS FALL MEET 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 ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE, AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

LAURA CULLEN GLASSCOCK, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF THE KENTUCKY GAZETTE.

AND RUSS CASSADY, REGIONABLE EDITOR OF APPALACHIAN NEWSPAPERS.

ALSO TONIGHT MORE RUMBLINGS ABOUT THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEN THEY HAVE TO DO A BUDGET.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

A NEW POLL RELEASED TODAY BY FOX 56 AND EMERSON COLLEGE SHOWS GOVERNOR BESHEAR WITH A SUBSTANTIAL LEAD OVER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON.

THE POLL SHOWS BESHEAR WITH 49% OF THE VOTE AS FAR AS SUPPORT.

AND CAMERON WITH 33%.

AND 13% OF THE RESPONDENTS SAYING THEY ARE UNDECIDED.

AUSTIN THIS IS I AWIDER GAP THAN PREVIOUS POLLS HAVE SHOWN INCLUDING ONE THAT CAMERON RELEASED EARLIER IN THE WEEK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE LAST ROUND OF POLLS WE'VE HAD SINCE THE GENERAL ELECTION STARTED HAVE ALL BEEN IN THAT MID-TO HIGH SINGLE-DIGIT RANGE FOR BESHEAR'S LEAD.

16 IS REALLY QUITE SOMETHING.

AND EVEN IF IT IS AN OUTLIER IT'S LIKE HOW MUCH OF AN OUTLIER DOES IT HAVE TO BE TO SIGNAL THAT CAMERON IS NECK-AND-NECK WITH BESHEAR.

THAT IS A LOT OF POINTS TO MAKEUP.

SOME OF THE REACTION OF COURSE ON THE BESHEAR SIDE HAS BEEN PROJECTION OF STRENGTH.

ON THE CAMERON SIDE, THEY'VE SORT OF PICKED APART PARTS OF THE POLL THE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE A LITTLE WONKY.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE LESS DEMOCRATIC ACTUALLY THAN THE REGISTERED VOTER POPULATION IN KENTUCKY.

AND 48% OF THOSE WHO RESPONDED TO THE POLL SAID THEY AGREED WITH THE STATEMENT THAT JOE BIDEN STOLE THE ELECTION THAT CAME CLOSER THAN HE WON FAIR AND SQUARE.

SO IT'S AN INTERESTING A LEGIT POLLSTER EMERSON COLLEGE THEY ARE WELL RATED.

BUT LOTS TO CHEW ON IN THIS POLL.

>> Bill: LAURA WHAT ARE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS?

>> ONE THING WITH THE POLL GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S NUMBERS ARE STAGNANT IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLLS THAT CAME OUT FROM THE SUMMER BOTH FROM REPUBLICANS AND INTERNAL POLLS FROM BESHEAR.

BUT HIS RANGE HAS BEEN IN THE 48-51% RANGE WHICH SUGGESTS HE IS NOT MOVING THE NEEDLE TO ME THAT SUGGESTS THAT HE HAS THE VOTERS LOCKED UP.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE TOO POLLS ARE A SNAPSHOT IN TIME.

AND THIS EMERSON POLL HAD 450 PEOPLE IN THE SAMPLE.

SO IT'S SMALL POLL COMPARED WITH 700, 900 AND OTHER POLLS.

SO YOU KNOW, IT'S I WOULD KIND OF AGREE WITH AUSTIN'S POINT IT MIGHT BE AN OUTLIER FOR CAMERON'S NUMBERS THERE.

>> Bill: LET ME TURN TO RUSS OUT OF EASTERN KENTUCKY FOR PERSPECTIVE FROM THERE.

YOU SEE THOSE NUMBERS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE TODAY SAYING THAT THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT MAY BE THE RUNAWAY THAT THAT POLL MAY INDICATE.

ALTHOUGH YOU KNOW, THE VOTING IS JUST GETTING UNDERWAY WITH ABSENTEES AND THE BIG VOTE IS YET TO COME.

>> YEAH, I WOULD BE VERY SKEPTICAL APPLYING PREDICTED MEASURES TO EASTERN KENTUCKY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S BEEN IN THE AREA A LOT DOING PRESENTATIONS AND GROUNDBREAKINGS AND RIBBON CUTTINGS.

THAT BEING SAID I DON'T THINK THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST HERE AND THERE IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN THERE WAS IN 2019.

WE'VE SEEN A STRONG SHIFT FROM DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN IN MANY OF OUR COUNTIES.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT 2019 AND THEN YOU TRY TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN 2023, OR IF YOU JUST USE POLLS THAT DON'T DIP INTO EASTERN KENTUCKY, I THINK IT'S KIND OF ONLY GETTING A PORTION OF THE STORY AND VERY, VERY BAD IDEA WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> MAY I MAKE A QUICK POINT?

IN 2019 WHEN THE GOVERNOR BEAT MATT BEVIN HE TOOK 49.2% OF THE VOTE THEN.

HIS RANGE IN THE POLLS IS ABOUT WHERE HE WAS ON ELECTION DAY IN 2019.

>> Bill: YOU CALLED OUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS A WRITE IN SLATE SO THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME DEPARTURE.

>> THERE IS A WRITE IN SLATE, FISCHBACH FROM BOWLING GREEN AND WILLIAM FISCHBACH I WAS TOLD THEY ARE BROTHERS BUT I HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THAT.

THEY ARE WRITE IN CANDIDATES.

IT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY THEY WILL TAKE THE 24,000 VOTES THE LIBERTARIAN SLATE TOOK IN 2019.

>> Bill: A POSSIBILITY SOMEBODY WOULD WIN WITH LESS THAN 50% OF THE VOTE.

>> AS IN 2019.

>> Bill: RIGHT.

RUSS MADE REFERENCE TO THIS, BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN TALKING MONEY THIS WEEK.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR MADE A BUDGET PROPOSAL CALLING FOR SPENDING FOR ROADS AND WATERLINES AND INTERNET.

HE ALSO HANDED OUT CHECKS AT THE SORRY SUMMIT IN CORBIN.

DANIEL CAMERON ANNOUNCED WHERE THE 800 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH DRUG COMPANIES WILL BE GOING.

SO LET'S RUSS, YOU ARE UP.

LET ME JUST ASK YOU AND YOU MADE REFERENCE TO THAT.

THESE CANDIDATES HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND SOMETIMES IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITIES.

EVEN IF IT IS ELECTION TIME.

>> YEAH.

AND YOU KNOW, FOR THEM TO BOTH ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND THE RESPONSE TO THAT IT'S NOT SURPRISING.

SO MANY FAMILIES HERE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THAT OVER THE YEARS FOR BOTH THOSE CANDIDATES IT'S A GOOD WAY TO CONNECT TO EASTERN PEN KENTUCKY.

ASIDE FROM THE FACT IT'S WELL NEEDED.

WE HAVE SEEN BESHEAR A LOT MORE.

AND HE DOES HAVE A STRONG BASE OF SUPPORT HERE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO TRANSLATE IN THE POLLS.

BUT AMONGST SOME OF THE OFFICIALS AND SOME OF THE OFFICIALS THAT ARE CONSERVATIVE LEANING EVEN INTO REPUBLICAN, HE DOES HAVE SOME SUPPORT FROM THEM AT THIS POINT.

IT DOESN'T HURT HIM TO COME INTO THIS AREA AND IT DOESN'T HURT EITHER CANDIDATE FOR THEM TO WEIGH-IN INTO THAT ISSUE.

>> Bill: AUSTIN AS THE DAYS COUNTDOWN AND THE CANDIDATES LOOK FOR REASONS COULD BE ACROSS KENTUCKY AND AGAIN, TRY TO AVOID PITFALLS OUT THERE, HANDING OUT CHECKS IS A GOOD EXCUSE TO BE ON THE ROAD IN THE GOVERNOR'S CASE OR THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT MONEY IN THE CASE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, YOU GO OUT INTO THESE COMMUNITIES AND GET A FREE NEWS HIT BECAUSE YOU MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT YOU ARE COMING INTO TOWN AND ALL THE PEOPLE FEEL SPECIAL THAT YOU SHOWED UP.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR REALLY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.

REPUBLICANS WILL SAY IT'S CYNICAL AND THAT HE IS USING HIS ADMINISTRATION'S PULPIT TO PROMOTE HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN IF YOU NOTICE HE DOESN'T DO ALL THAT MANY CAMPAIGN OFFICIAL STOPS COMPARED TO CAMERON.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME DEMOCRATS SAY THIS IS JUST WHAT YOU GET TO DO WHEN YOU ARE GOVERNOR.

AND REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON CERTAINLY, I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY DELIGHTS IN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SORT OF DO THE SAME WITH THE OPIOID ABATEMENT COMMISSION MONEY THAT HE'S HANDED OUT AS WELL.

>> Bill: HAVE WE ENTERED, LAURA, THE ADON'T MAKE A MISTAKE PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN?

BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO FALL INTO A TRAP HERE WITH A MONTH TO GO.

BUT GIVEN THAT, BESHEAR AND CAMERON HAVE AGREED TO FIVE TELEVISED DEBATES.

THEY WILL BE ON THE TIGHT ROPE.

>> THEY WILL.

HOPING FOR NO OCTOBER SURPRISES.

AT THIS POINT IN CAMPAIGNS IT'S PRETTY COMMON WISDOM THAT AT THIS POINT CAMPAIGNS ARE STILL TRYING TO GET PEOPLE ON THEIR SIDE.

THERE IS A LOT OF UNDECIDED VOTERS.

PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL UNSURE, STILL WATCHING THE ADS WHICH CAN BE INFORMATIVE.

AND SO THERE'S TIME FOR THAT NARRATIVE TO CHANGE FOR THE CAMPAIGNS TO GET PEOPLE ON THEIR SIDE.

IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS OR SO, GETTING CLOSER TO THE CAMPAIGN, THAT IS WHEN YOU START SEEING THE GET OUT OF THE VOTE EFFORTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR FOLKS TO THE POLL.

YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO WASTE TO BRING PEOPLE IN YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR FOLKS TO THE POLL.

THAT IS AT THAT CUSP.

>> Bill: HOW DO WE LOOK AT THIS RACE, AUSTIN?

THERE ARE LOTS OF WAY TO APPLY THE IMA MAGNIFYING GLASS IS IT PARTISAN FACTORS AND REGISTRATION THESE ARE DAYS WHEN PEOPLE GENERALLY FOLLOW THEIR PARTY.

IS IT OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS THAT WE NEED TO BE WATCHING?

>> YES, THERE ARE A LITANY OF WAYS YOU CAN LOOK AT THE RACE THAT ARE ALL EQUALLY VALID.

I KIND OF LIKE TO THINK I SPLIT IT UP IN URBAN, SUBURBAN AND RURAL.

AND THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS.

IN URBAN AND RURAL PLACES IT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A TURNOUT GAME.

CAMERON IS FOCUSING ON THE RURAL COMMUNITIES FOR HIS CAMPAIGN STOPS.

BESHEAR THE ORGANIZATION IS PARTICULARLY STRONG IN LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON WHERE HE WANTS TO JUICE THAT VOTE.

BUT THEN SUBURBAN KENTUCKY IS WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO GET MORE PERSUASION IN PLACES LIKE NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND THE EAST END OF LOUISVILLE AND WARREN COUNTY.

AND SPEAKING OF WARREN COUNTY, I AM A MAP NERD AND I LIKE TO LOOK AT PLACES THAT COBBLE WEATHERS.

FOR INSTANCE I LIKE TO THINK OF KNOT COUNTY WHICH I THINK BARELY WENT FOR BESHEAR BY 1 POINT IN 2019 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AS A BELLWETHER TO SEE IF FLOOD RELIEF HELPED BESHEAR POLITICALLY BECAUSE THAT WAS A PLACE THAT WAS HIT BY THE FLOODS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

AND LIKEWISE WARREN COUNTY IN THE WEST WAS HIT BY TORNADOES AND THERE IS A THE OF TORNADO RELIEF EFFORTS THERE.

AND IT WAS A VERY CLOSE COUNTY LAST TIME, TOO.

SO I'D LOOK FOR THAT ONE.

IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY MADISON COUNTY IS A BIG BELLWETHER WHICH YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT, BILL.

>> Bill: AS FAR AS THE OPPORTUNITIES ALONG THE WAY FOR EACH CANDIDATE, YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING LAURA AND YOU WROTE AN ARTICLE THAT BESHEAR COULD MAKEUP GROUND IN SOME COUNTIES HE NARROWLY LOST AND MAYBE CAMERON COULD MAKEUP GROUND BY TURNING UP THE TURNOUT IN SOME AREAS WHERE BEVIN PEOPLE DID NOT SHOW UP IN BIG NUMBERS IN 19.

>> THAT IS RIGHT, BILL.

WE DID AN ANALYSIS OF THE VOTE SPREAD BETWEEN BEVIN AND BESHEAR IN 2019.

AND SURPRISINGLY, GOVERNOR BESHEAR CARRIED 23 COUNTIES IN 2019.

TYPICALLY YOU SEE IN STATE-WIDE ELECTIONS THE DEMOCRATS CARRY, JEFFERSON, FAYETTE COUNTY, FRANKLIN HE HAD 23 COUNTIES AND TOTAL OF 41 WHERE HE LOST BY A THOUSAND OR FEWER VOTES.

AND SO THOSE ARE OPPORTUNITIES AND WHILE HE IS HANDING OUT THE CHECKS FOR HIM TO GRAB 10 VOTES HERE, 20 VOTES THERE AND NARROW THE MARGINS IN THE RURAL AREAS.

>> Bill: WELL AS WE NOTED BESHEAR HAS TRIED TO TIE HIMSELF TO POPULAR LEGISLATION AS WELL INCLUDING THE SPORTS BETTING.

THIS WEEK HE PRONOUNCED THE FIRST WEEK OF ON-LINE BETTING SUCCESSFUL.

>> SOME LEGISLATORS SAID THEY WOULD NEVER PASS IT WHILE I WAS GOVERNOR.

AND WE SAID WATCH THIS AND TOGETHER WE GOT IT DONE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY THE JOB IS TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

WE'LL WATCH THE NUMBERS GROW AND THE BEST PART ALL OF IT STAYS IN KENTUCKY HELPING WITH OUR PENSION SYSTEM AND OTHER NEEDS.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE KENTUCKY HAS BEEN ABLE TO STAY HOME AND OUR DOLLARS HAVE NOT GONE TO PAVING ROADS IN INDIANA OR INVESTING IN OTHER STATES.

>> Bill: RUSS, I WILL GO TO YOU.

BESHEAR HAD TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THE TOUGH SITUATIONS AND DARK SUBJECTS IN THE PANDEMIC AND THE NATURAL DISASTERS.

DOES THIS GIVE HIM A BRIGHTER DISCUSSION POINT AT THIS POINT IN THE CAMPAIGN?

>> YEAH, OF COURSE IT DOES.

AND IT'S AN ISSUE THAT COULD BE SPEAKING TO UNDECIDES.

THIS MAYBE SPEAKING OF PEOPLE NOT PLANNING TO COME TO THE POLLS AND IF HE CAN TIE DEEPLY ENOUGH ON THAT ISSUE THAT COULD BE SOMETHING.

THEY COULD BE A BACKFIRE IN THE MORE RURAL AREAS ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN KENTUCKY WHERE THERE'S OPPOSITION AS WELL.

I DON'T THINK IT WOULD MOVE THE NEEDLE MUCH IT IS AN UNDECIDES GAIN.

HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING BUT BENEFIT IF HE CAN MAKE-BELIEVE THAT IS HIS ISSUE HE WAS THE ONE THAT DID THAT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

>> TO RUSS' POINT, THE GOVERNOR CAME OUT WITH HIS INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN AND I THINK THAT IS I'VE NEVER SEEN A GOVERNOR COME OUT WITH A PLAN THAT BOLD THIS EARLY IN THE THIS LATE IN THE CAMPAIGN EARLY THIS -- THIS EARLY IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND I THINK IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE IT WILL COULD STOKE RURAL KENTUCKIANS WHO WANT THE BROADBAND AND WHO WANT THE HIGHWAYS SEWERS AND WATER PROJECTS IN THERE TO GO TO THE POLLS THINKING THEY MIGHT HAVE INFLUENCE TO GET THAT PASSED IN JANUARY.

>> Bill: AUSTIN DON'T YOU ALSO HAVE THE FACT THAT CAMERON IS SAYING I CAN WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND WHEN I MAKE A PROPOSAL MAYBE THEY WILL LISTEN CAREFULLY.

>> THAT IS THE SHADOW HANGING OVER A LOT OF BESHEAR'S PROPOSALS.

AND HE DOES HAVE GOOD REASON, I THINK, TO PUT HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS OUT EARLY BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE JUMPED HIM LAST TIME AND BUCKED TRADITION IN A REALLY BOLD WAY.

BUT I THINK THERE'S WILLING MATT QUESTION IF BESHEAR CAN GET ANY OF WHAT HE WANTS PASSED.

THE LEGISLATURE SAYS THEY ARE ALREADY WORKING ON THE BUDGET.

THEY HAVE NOT REALLY LISTENED TO HIM THERE ARE SOME PROGRAMS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S PAST BUDGET THAT WERE INTEGRATED INTO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY A BUDGET AT THE END OF THE DAY.

BUT THEY ARE MAKING THE ARGUMENT THAT HE IS IRRELEVANT.

AND WITH CAMERON, THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT THEY CAN WORK WITH WHO'S A GOVERNOR THAT WOULD HAVE A LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM THAT WOULD REALLY BE ABLE TO MAKE AN IMPRINT ON KENTUCKY POLICY IN A WAY THAT BESHEAR'S KIND OF HASN'T.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

CAMERON HAS FACED A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER HE SUPPORTS EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY ABORTION BAN IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ME FOR WKYT HE SAID HE WOULD SIGN AN EXCEPTIONS BILL AND WOULD NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW A COURT ORDER TO THE LEGISLATURE IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> THE STATE SUPREME COURT HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS LITIGATION AND MY POINT IS THAT THERE COULD BE A SITUATION WHERE THEY REQUIRE THAT THERE BE ADDITIONAL EXCEPTIONS PLACED IN THAT AND THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT LAW.

AND I WOULD SIGN IT.

>> Bill: IF THEY DID NOT AND THE LEGISLATURE PASSED ONE AND THE REPUBLICANS WOULD SUCCEED YOU, SAID YESTERDAY HE FAVORED.

>> I WOULD SIGN THE EXCEPTIONS BILL.

>> Bill: WELL, AUSTIN, THIS HAS BEEN A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE PUTTING IT LIGHTLY.

THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN WENT ON OFFENSE LATELY WITH AN AD FEATURING A YOUNG WOMAN FROM OWENSBORO.

>> I THINK MOST VIEWERS ARE FAMILIAR IF YOU OWN A TV AND HAVE CABLE YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THE AD FEATURING HADLEY, WHO IS A SURVIVOR OF RAPE.

ARGUING AGAINST KENTUCKY'S TRIGGER BAN ON ABORTION WHICH HAS NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST.

AND THAT WASN'T AN ISSUE A MONTH AGO IN THIS RACE.

BUT EVER SINCE AN AD BEFORE THAT AND PARTICULARLY THIS AD, IT'S BEEN ONE THAT HAS DOMINATED THE DISCUSSION.

AND AS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE EXCHANGE CAMERON HAS SHIFTED HIS POSITION A LITTLE BIT.

HE IS FULLY BACKED THE TRIGGER BAN IN THE PAST.

AND HAS KIND OF SEGUED INTO THIS PLACE OF SORT OF SUPPORT FOR EXCEPTIONS.

MAYBE NOT ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT.

BUT IT HASN'T BEEN THE SMOOTHEST TRANSITION FROM ONE TO THE OTHER.

HE'S SAID HE WOULD DO IT IF A JUDGE MADE HIM DO IT.

AND THEN HE SAID THE LEGISLATURE IF THEY HANDED IT TO HIM HE WOULD SIGN IT.

HE HASN'T SAID IF HE WOULD ADVOCATE FOR IT.

JUST YET.

SO IT'S BEEN A THORNY ISSUE FOR HIM TO WORK THROUGH SO FAR.

>> Bill: THE ISSUE ALSO HAS SPILLED OUT INTO OTHER RACES.

G.O.P.

NOMINEE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN SAID THIS WEEK THAT HE FAVORS EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY ABORTION LAW.

HE GAVE THIS ANSWER TO MARCH WRO ANDERSON OF SPECTRUM NEWS 1.

>> WE WOULD RETRAUMATIZE THESE WOMEN BY FORCING THEM TO HAVE A CHILD THAT WAS CONCEIVED OUT OF RAPE OR INCEST.

WHILE I WILL ENFORCE THE LAW AS PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IS THE JOB.

I AM PRO-LIFE.

BUT I SUPPORT THE EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND FOR INCEST.

TO NOT RETRAUMATIZE THESE WOMEN.

AND I WOULD ASK CALL IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THAT ISSUE.

>> Bill: LAURA THIS IS OCTOBER AN ISSUE WITH WEEKS TO GO NOW NOT RACE.

>> I THINK THE ISSUE PUTS SOME REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IN A TOUGH SPOT ESPECIALLY WITH INDEPENDENTS AND MAYBE CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS WHO MIGHT VOTE REPUBLICAN FOR OTHER REASONS.

BUT SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAW NOW THE STRICTNESS OF IT THE LACK OF EXCEPTIONS, PEOPLE ARE SEEING THAT THAT IS NOT NUANCED ENOUGH TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.

>> Bill: HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR THE DOWN TICKET RACES TO GET ATTENTION WITH ALL THE ATTENTION ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE?

>> IN ONE WORD, VERY.

>> Bill: RIGHT.

>> IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO BREAK THERE.

AND ONE EXTRA POINT ON THE ABORTION DEBATE, I THINK IT MAY BE WORTH REWINDING THE CLOCK TO THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEN THERE WAS A BILL PROPOSED BY A REPUBLICAN JASON, TO ADD EXCEPTIONS TO THE ABORTION BAN THAT WENT ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.

HAD THE LEGISLATURE MOVED ON THAT AND PASSED THAT BILL THIS WOULD NOT BE WHERE WE ARE HAVING THE FIGHT ON THIS ISSUE.

I THINK REPUBLICANS MIGHT BE KICKING THEMSELVES.

>> Bill: RUSS IN THE RACE FOR STATE AUDITOR, ALLISON BALL, THE TREASURER, TOLD RENEE SHAW ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR TURNED DOWN HER REQUEST FOR AN AUDIT OF THE TEAM WESTERN KENTUCKY AND TEAM EASTERN KENTUCKY DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS.

YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO THAT.

>> WE HAVE.

SINCE THE BEGINNING WE DID ASK THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION A COUPLE DIFFERENT REQUESTS FOR AN ACCOUNTING WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THAT FUNDING.

AFTER ALL THIS IS A LOT OF DONATIONS THAT ARE BEING HANDLED BY THE GOVERNMENT THAT ARE GOING IN SOME CASES AND MANY CASES TO PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS.

SO IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHEREAS A JOURNALIST LIKE YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.

AT THIS POINT, HOWEVER, THERE'S NOT BEEN A LOT OF TRANSPARENCY ON THAT.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME ACCOUNTING BUT NOT THE THOROUGH ACCOUNTING AND TRANSPARENCY THAT I THINK WE AND A LOT OF US IN THE STATE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

SO I THINK IT WOULD BE BEHOOVE THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO CONSIDER SOME WAY TO BRING TRANSPARENCY TO THAT AND BRING THAT OUT.

IF A DOWN TICKET CANDIDATE IS BRINGING THAT UP, IT CAN'T BE FAR BEHIND OR IT CAN'T BE IGNORED BY THE CANDIDATE AS A POSSIBLE ISSUE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> Bill: WE MENTIONED THE GROUP SORRY, SHAPING OUR APPALACHIAN REGION HELD A SUMMIT IN CORBIN AND THERE WAS TALK ABOUT OPTIMISM IN THE REGION.

I MODERATED A PANEL WHERE SPEAKERS AND SAID KENTUCKY IS GETTING IT RIGHT AND ADDRESSING THE OPIOID AND ADDICTION CRISIS BECAUSE WE ARE FACING UP TO IT.

RUSS THERE WAS CLEARLY AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE AND THE PEOPLE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY ARE OUT OF THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE THEY ARE DEALING WITH ADDICTION?

>> YES, THERE IS.

AND LOOKING INTO THAT ISSUE IT'S NOT JUST THAT ISSUE ALONE.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN A CHANGE IN THE WAY WE LOOK AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SOMEWHAT.

IT'S NOT BEEN LIKE FORMAL BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS OCCURRED IN WHICH EASTERN KENTUCKY IS LOOKING AT EDUCATION.

AS ONE OF THE KEYS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INSTEAD OF BRINGING THE COMPANIES IN AND TRYING TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE.

THERE IS A LOT OF EFFORTS UNDERWAY ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF HEALTHCARE.

WE HAVE A GOT A PROPOSED DENTAL COLLEGE GOING IN.

PROJECT HEART AT PIPER MEDICAL CENTER BRINGING TOGETHER COMMUNITY ASSETS SUCH AS ELEMENTARY, HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION ALL THE WAY UP INTO COLLEGE TO TRACK PEOPLE AND INTO HEALTHCARE FIELDS.

IT'S ALSO IT IS A FIELD IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN MAKE GOOD MONEY BUT ALSO PROVIDES A MUCH-NEEDED SERVICE AND FILLS MUCH-NEEDED GAPS IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT MORE OF THAT ALONG WITH THE INCREASED EMPHASIS ON RECOVERY.

ALL THOSE THINGS ARE MAKING A BETTER WORKFORCE AND THAT IS THE INTENT, I THINK OF ALL THAT.

>> Bill: THE HISTORY BOOKS HAVE TO BE REWRITTEN AFTER THIS DRAMATIC WEEK IN WASHINGTON WHEN THE U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER WAS THROWN OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

CONGRESSMAN KEVIN McCARTHY TOSSED OUT AFTER MOVING A STOPGAP SPENDING BILL TO KEEP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATING.

MOST OF KENTUCKY'S DELEGATION VOTED TO KEEP McCARTHY AS SPEAKER WITH THE ONLY DEMOCRATIC MEMBER BEING THE ONLY ONE FROM THE BLUEGRASS STATE VOTING AGAINST THE SPEAKER.

AUSTIN, A LOT OF POSITIONING AND CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY HAS BEEN QUITE VISIBLE BEFORE AND AFTER THIS VOTE.

>> YEAH.

I THINK DEPENDING ON YOUR POLITICAL SPECIAL SITUATION, KENTUCKY IS EITHER BLESSED OR CURSED WITH HOW PROMINENT THE FEDERAL DELEGATION IS IN WASHINGTON.

BARR HAS BEEN ONE OF THOSE THAT HAS BEEN A LITTLE MORE UNDER THE RADAR OF LATE.

AND THIS OPPORTUNITY THE SPEAKER DEBACLE, I THINK FROM A COMMUNICATIONS STANDPOINT HE HAS JUMPED ON IT AND BEEN A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE PRO McCARTHY, I THINK SLIGHTLY MORE ESTABLISHMENT WEIGHING OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, HE I THINK, ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONE-ON-ONE DEBATES THAT WE'VE SEEN ON "FOX NEWS" HIM AND NANCY MACE WENT AT IT ON THAT NIGHT THAT IT HAPPENED.

SO IT'S AN INTERESTING MOVE FROM BARR AND HE HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> Bill: LAURA DOES HE HAVE SOMETHING ELSE IN MIND?

>> MAYBE.

LINING UP SOME OTHER DOWN THE ROAD.

IT'S INTERESTING TOO IN THE FEDERAL DELEGATION THAT THERE'S SAY SPLIT IN WHO THEY ARE SUPPORTING FOR SPEAKER THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WITH ANDY BARR SUPPORTING STEVE SCALISE AND THOMAS MASSEY IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT SAYING ON SOCIAL MEDIA HE SUPPORTS JIM JORDAN.

>> Bill: BACK TO FRANKFURT THE BUDGET IS GOING TO BE THE MAJOR ISSUE COMING UP IN THE SESSION.

AND WE'LL SEE AS GROUPS LET THE LAWMAKERS KNOW WHERE THEY STAND AND THEN THE PRESSURES THAT BROUGHT TO BEAR, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S ON THE TABLE.

KENTUCKY REVENUE DIDN'T HIT THE MARKS FOR THE TO TRIGGER FURTHER INCOME TAX CUT YET.

EDUCATION WILL BE ON THE TABLE.

WHAT FORM THAT LOOKS LIKE WE DON'T KNOW YET IT DEPENDS WHO WINS THE GOVERNOR'S RACE THEY BOTH HAVE VASTLY DIFFERENT PLANS FOR EDUCATION FOR THE STATE.

>> Bill: AND BY THE WAY CAMERON SAYS HE INTENDS TO ELIMINATE THE INCOME TAX AND I ASKED HIM WOULD YOU OVERRUN THE STATE LAW AS IT IS WITH THE TRIGGERS HE WOULDN'T ANSWER THAT.

HE SAID HE WOULD WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT IS INTERESTING.

>> YEAH, I THINK I WOULD EXPECT THAT POSTURE FROM A CAMERON ADMINISTRATION THE LEGISLATURE LED ON THE ISSUE.

AND TWO MORE QUICK ISSUES ARE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

YOU WILL SEE ONE LIKELY SCHOOL CHOICE RELATED ONE AND ANOTHER LOCAL TAXATION ONE.

>> Bill: QUICKLY, WHAT IS THE SPECULATION IN MADISON COUNTY ABOUT BIG EMPLOYER POSSIBLY COMING IN?

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL PUBLIC ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN.

A PURCHASE OPTION ON A BIG PIECE OF LAND A REZONING ON THAT SAME PIECE OF LAND IN THE CITY OF RICHMOND THAT'S REALLY IN THE COUNTY.

IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO BUCKY'S IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH WHERE THAT IS ON I-75.

AND ALL SIGNS POINT TO A VERY LARGE DEVELOPMENT CIRCLING THAT REGION THE COUNTY'S BUZZING.

>> Bill: KEEP WATCH ON THAT.

KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION ESTIMATES A 20% VACANCY RATE AMONG NURSING JOBS.

MIDWAY UNIVERSITY IS TRYING TO HELP ADDRESS THE NURSING SHORTAGE WITH A FAST TRACK PROGRAM YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT ON THEIR WEBSITE.

TUNE IN MONDAY FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" RENEE SHAW WILL HOST CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE AND AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

THAT IS COMMENT HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.