Now turning back to the state capitol here in Frankfort yesterday, the House and Senate overrode the governor's line item vetoes and House Bill 757, the state revenue bill that includes several business and individual tax changes.

A portion of that bill authorizes a privately funded statue of U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell for the state Capitol rotunda during his news conference in April.

The governor talked about why he didn't think Senator McConnell deserved a statue and the rotunda.

I will also tell you that with everything going on in our country right now, Mitch McConnell could have prevented it.

Mitch McConnell was that person who could have stepped forward after impeachment and prevented this new term, where we have tariffs that are making things cost too much for our families, where we're in a war with Iran that hasn't been explained to our people or to Congress, where gas is spiking at such a significant level.

So I'm not in favor of it on these issues.

On to Kentucky tonight.

On Monday night, Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne talked about why they think McConnell deserves the honor.

This individual has been in office for 40 years, has impacted this state, has impacted this nation, and has impacted this world as no other Kentuckian has done.

Maybe ever, except for possibly two people, one being Lincoln and Henry Clay.

I don't know if that is the criteria, how you argue that any other person has been around for a little less and 41 years, 40 years that, has been on every national news story has been considered the most prominent Republican win, in the nation, which makes him the most prominent Republican in the world.

When there was an individual, be it, Clinton, Obama or or any other Democrat elected official to the presidency, this was the, opposition to that individual.

And so I find it hard to argue, with that rationale.

Mr.

speaker, I would agree.

I think that, clearly, leader McConnell is, the most certainly the most consequential, Kentucky political figure of my lifetime.

And I would submit to you in the history of the Commonwealth, and also, I think in the history of this country, he will he will be recorded in the history books as being one of the most significant figures in American political history.

It doesn't mean you have to like him, you know, when, when, if you read the history books, you know, Henry Clay was less than admired person, at many times in his, his political career, was a very controversial figure.

That's what's helping Berkeley.

And Allen Berkeley was it was an absolute partizan.

That, that was, was controversial, at times that I don't think that we have to say that we are broadly accepting these as, as as well-liked people, but their, their political significance, that have have molded the shape of, this commonwealth in this country.

Those comments were part of a broader conversation about the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly's regular session and its accomplishments.

You can see more of that online on demand@ksat.org slash K-Y tonight,