WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT: PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FIRST 100 DAYS.

PRESIDENTS, GOING BACK TO, FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT ARE OFTEN JUDGED BY WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISH JUST AFTER TAKING OFFICE.

SINCE HIS SWEARING IN, PRESIDENT BIDEN PUSHED FOR, AND CONGRESS PASSED, A $2 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL 200 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE RECEIVED COVID VACCINATIONS.

HE'S ASKED FOR NEW SPENDING ON INFRASTRUCTURE, EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE.

BUT REPUBLICANS SAY THESE PLANS HAVE AIR HEFTY, HEFTY PRICE tag TO DISCUSS THIS WE ARE JOINED I OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO BY ALLISON MOORE, CORBIN CITY COMMISSIONER AND MAYOR PRO-TEM AND FOUNDER OF MOORE STRATEGIES.

MATT ERWIN, A LOUISVILLE-BASED DEMOCRATIC CONSULTANT.

TREY WATSON, A REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND FOUNDER OF CAPITOL REINS PR AND COLMON ELRIDGE, CHAIR OF TH KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

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IN THE STUDIO, HURRAY.

WE LOVE THAT WHEN WE HAVE THE ENERGY OF EVERYONE IN THE ROOM, SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

I THINK THIS IS ALLISON'S FIRST TIME WITH US, SO YOU GENTLEMEN PLAY NICE.

OKAY?

WE WANT HER TO COME BACK.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS 100-DAY BENCHMARK.

COLMON, I'M GOING TO GO TO YOU FIRST.

WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT STILL?

IS IT JUST FOR THE MEDIA?

WHAT DOES IT SIGNIFY FI TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?

ERS.

LET ME SAY THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

I'VE SPENT THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF HAVING CONVERSATION ABOUT FORTNIGHT AND BABY SHARK SO THIS IS AN -- >> Renee: THIS IS AN ADULT CONVERSATION.

>> WE'RE GETTING INTO MY FASHION NATIONS.

>> Colmon Elridge: I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

I THINK THIS IS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

IF YOU PADUCAH LOOK AT 100 DAYS IN, I WOULDN'T WANT ANYONE TO JUDGE ME IN 100 DAYS BEING A PARENT OR A SPOUSE.

BUT WHAT IT DOES SHOW IS ESPECIALLY FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN IS THE SERIOUSNESS OF WHICH HE HAS ASSUMED OFFICE, THE GRAVITY OF THE MOMENT HAS REQUIRED HIM TO GO BIG, AND SO IN THESE FIRST 100 DAYS AND EVEN BEFORE WHEN HE WAS LAYING IT OUT, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET 100 MILLION PEOPLE VACCINATED.

THAT WAS THE PROMISE.

THAT IN 100 DAYS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 100 MILLION.

WE NOW HAVE 200 MILLION.

MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DOING THE THINGS NECESSARY TO GET THIS COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD BAROMETRIC OF WHERE WE ARE.

BUT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GROUND TO GO BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE FIRST TERM.

SO I WOULD SAY I'M GLAD WE CAN MARK IT, BUT I KNOW THE PRESIDENT IS FOCUSED ON WHAT'S NEXT.

>> Renee: MATT ERWIN, YOU'RE GOOD AT THIS GAME.

ALL OF YOU ARE.

SO IS IT A HARBINGER OF THINGS TO COME BECAUSE YOU HAD, PERHAPS BY DEMOCRATIC MEASURES, A SUCCESSFUL 100 DAYS?

OR IS IT JUST THAT 100 DAYS AND LET'S MOVE ON AND THEN THE REAL HARD WORKS BEGINS?

>> Matt Erwin: I THINK THE 100 DAYS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MARKER SOMEWHERE SO WHY NOT MAKE I 100 DAYS.

BY THAT TIME THE HONEYMOON IS OVER AND THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE AND YOU'RE FINDING OUT THE PACE AND TEMPO OF THE PRESIDENCY.

BY THAT MEASURE PRESIDENT BIDEN HASS COME OUT GUNS BLAZING.

I MEAN, HE SAW, AND WE ALL SAW BIG PROBLEMS THAT THE COUNTRY IS FACING, AND IN THOSE -- IN THESE FIRST 100 DAYS THE PROPOSED BIG SOLUTIONS TO THEM.

SO I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT HE'S SET A MARKER ABOUT THE PACE THAT HE WANTS TO GET THINGS DONE, AND, YOU KNOW, IF THIS PACE KEEPS UP, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AN EXCITING FOUR YEARS FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> Renee: TREY WATSON, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS SAID HE WANTS TO BE A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER, BUT DOES HE SPEAK AND ACT ON THAT RHETORIC DURING THE CAMPAIGN ABOUT BEING A UNIFIER AND COMPROMISE?

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING SO FAR?

>> Tres Watson: THAT'S IF BIGGEST PROBLEM.

I THINK THERE ARE GREAT PARALLELS BETWEEN WHAT WE SAW IN 2009 WITH BARACK OBAMA EARLY IN HER TERM AND WE'RE SEEING THE JOE BIDEN.

PRESIDENT OBAMA TALKED ABOUT POST PARTISANSHIP AND JOE BIDEN TALKED ABOUT UNIT, AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS YOU THEIR IDEA OF UNITY IS YOU COME TO OUR SIDE AND CAPITULATE TO WHAT THEY WANT.

THEY'RE HITTING ON A LOT OF THEMES THAT YOU CAN FIND DANCE PARTNERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, THINGS LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMMIGRATION REFORM.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY THE FAR LEFT PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE, THAT AREN'T LETTING THE PRESIDENT DO WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO TO REACH OUT TO REPUBLICANS.

AND I THINK UNLIKE 2009 WE HAD DEMOCRATS HAD WITH HUGE MARINATES IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

THEY DON'T HAVE THAT AT THIS TIME AND IT RISK SIGNIFICANTLY TALL INSTITUTE HIS AGENDA THE NEXT 100 DAYS.

>> Renee: ALLISON, YOU WORKED FOR MITCH McCONNELL AND BEEN HIS CAMPAIGN SPOKESMAN.

YOU'VE BEEN AROUND THE HALLS OF WASHINGTON FOR A LONG TIME.

WHEN WE HEAR ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN MAKING'S THOSE DECLARATION OF BEING A FINE NEAR AND A COMPROMISER BUT YOU SAID HE IS CAP IT AT A TIME LATING TO THE LEFT EVEN EVE E. EVEN THOUGH HE SAID HE'S GOATS A MODERATE.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKES ON IT?

>> Allison Moore: I THINK WE'RE SEEING IT RIGHT THERE.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN ARE ACTIONS THAT ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN THE RHETORIC HE USED DURING THE CAMPAIGN.

SO RATHER BEING A UNIFIER, HE HAS COMPLETELY GONE OVER TO THE LEFT OF THE PROGRESSIVES' AGENDA AND IS PUSHING THAT AND TAKING MAJOR ISSUES, LIKE AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

THIS FRACTURE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL HAPPENS TO BE INFRASTRUCTURE, NOT INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND PILING TOGETHER THE LIBERAL WISH LIST INSIDE OF IT.

AND THEN EXPECTING, EXPECTING TO GET VOTES OUT OF IT.

AND EXPECTING TO GET THINGS PASSED.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT HOW HE CAMPAIGNED, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT THERE.

>> Renee: LEADER McCONNELL SAID TODAY I BELIEVE WHEN HE WAS AT UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE THAT HE DIDN'T THINK THERE WOULD BE A SINGLE REPUBLICAN WHO WOULD GO FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN BECAUSE TO YOUR POINT, MS. MOORE, IT HAS MORE IN IT IN AN JUST INFRASTRUCTURE.

LET'S START WITH THAT AND THEN WE WANT TO DO COMPARISONS BETWEEN BIDEN AND JBJ, FDR.

IS SHE NEW DEAL OR GREAT SOCIETY?

BUT BALANCE GET TO THAT IN A MOMENT.

BACK TO YOU, MR. COLMON.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE 100 DAY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, HE DID SO PRESIDENT BIDEN IN HIS FIRST A ADDRESS TO CONGRESS LAST WEEK.

HALF OF ADULTS HAVE GOT.

AT LEAST ONE COVID SHOT, 800,000 MORE AMERICANS ARE ENROLLED IN THE ACA.

CHILD POVERTY, HE SAID, IS ON TRACK TO BE REDUCED BY ALMOST A HATCH THIS YEAR.

1.3MILLION JOBS CREATED IN 100 DAYS AND PROJECTED PACE OF GROWTH AT 6% WHICH HE SAID IS THE BEST IN OVER FOUR DECADES.

PRETTY GOOD AGENDA.

PRETTY GOOD ACCOMPLISHMENT SO FAR.

BUT MANY WOULD SAY, AND HE PROBABLY WOULD SAY THAT HE'S PROPOSING BIG PRO-GOVERNMENT AGENDA ITEMS BECAUSE HE BELIEVES THAT GOVERNMENT CAN BE THE SOLUTION, NOT THE PROBLEM.

IS THAT HOW DEMOCRATS GENERALLY SEE THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT?

>> Colmon Elridge: WELL, LOOK, I THINK IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PARTY'S IDEOLOGY.

IT'S ABOUT MEETING THE MOMENT THAT WE'RE IN.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S FUN TO HEAR MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TALK ABOUT BROKEN PROMISES OF THE PRESIDENT.

JOE BIDEN IS KNOWN FOR MANY THINGS.

HE IS A UNIFIER.

HE IS SOMEONE WHO CAN WORK ACROSS PARTY LINES.

AND HE IS PREPARED TO DO SO.

WHAT HE'S NOT PREPARED TO DO IS TO DO WHAT REPUBLICANS WANT HIM TO DO, WHICH IS THEIR IDEA OF COMPROMISE IS YOU DO EVERYTHING THAT WE WANT OR WE'RE GOING TO HOLD YOUR AGENDA HOSTAGE.

WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THAT ROUTE THIS TIME.

AND WHAT YOU SEE IN WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS PROPOSED, WHAT YOU SEE IN WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS CRISSCROSSING THE COUNTRY VOTING FOR RIGHT NOW IS TO MEET THIS MOMENT THAT WE'RE IN WHERE WE HAVE HAD FOUR YEARS OF DISASTROUS ECONOMIC POLICIES, TRADE WARS THAT HAVE WREAKED HAVOC ON OUR FARMERS, ON THE BOURBON DISTILLER RI HERE IN KENTUCKY, THE BOURBON ECONOMY HERE IN KENTUCKY YOU SEE RECORD DEFICITS.

THEY SAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH TO PAY FOR THIS.

THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH MONEY.

YET WE'RE SILENT, I MEAN YOU COULD HEAR A MOUSE TAP DANCE WHEN DONALD TRUMP'S OWN POLICIES WERE JUST EXPLODING THE COUNTRY'S DEBT.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS TALKING ABOUT AND WHAT HE'S PROPOSING IS INVESTING THE IN AMERICAN PEOPLE.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT INVESTING IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS SORELY NEEDED UPGRADES.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT QUESTIONING IN OUR PEOPLE AND FAMILIES.

-- INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE AND FAMILY.

I THINK WE ALL ARE PARENTS.

TO HEAR THE PRESIDENT PUT THE WEIGHT OF OVAL OFFICE BEHIND THINGS LIKE ALL-DAY PRESCHOOL OR ALL-DAY PRESCHOOL FOR CHILDREN, IT'S HARD TO BE AGAINST THAT.

IT'S HARD TO KNOW THAT REPUBLICANS LAST WEEK IN THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS COULD NOT EVEN STAND UP AND CLAP FOR REDUCING CHILD POVERTY.

SO THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE IDEOLOGY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THIS IS ABOUT A PRESIDENT, A CONGRESS, AND A CONGRESS LED BY DEMOCRATS THAT IS MEETING THE GRAVITY THIS MOMENT WITH SOLUTIONS.

AND, YES, NOR THIS MOMENT GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BE A LEADER IN GETTING THIS COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE DISASTER OF FOUR YEARS THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED.

>> Renee: TREY WATSON I WANT TO U.

TO ANSWER COLMON ELRIDGE BECAUSE PRESIDENT BIDEN DID TALK ABOUT BEING A COMPROMISER AND A UNIFIER AND BEING BIPARTISAN, AND HE STILL TOUTS THESE MAKING BIPARTISAN POLICY POSITIONS BECAUSE MAYBE MOST AMERICANS AGREE WITH HIM BUT REPUBLICANS IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS DO NOT.

IS HE MISCHARACTERIZING THE SUPPORT THAT HE HAS FOR HIS POLICIES?

>> Tres Watson: I THINK SO.

I ALSO THINK THAT HE'S, AGAIN, HE IS HELD HOSTAGE TO A POINT OF WHAT HE CAN GET THROUGH CONGRESS, AND NANCY PELOSI IS HELD HOSTAGE TO THE MAKE-UP OF THEY ARE CAUCUS WHICH HAS TAKEN A DECIDEDLY FAR LEFT SWING.

WHATEVER COMES OUT OF THE HOUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A REAL PROBLEM GETTING IT THROUGH THE SENATE BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE -- REMEMBER IT'S ONLY A FIVE-VOTE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.

SO AGAIN I GO BACK TO 2009, 2010 WHEN THEY HAD ONE BITE AT THE APPLE.

THEY CHOSE THE PATH OF THE ACA.

I THINK THE PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO GO WITH CAP AND TRADE OR SOME OTHER BILL FIRST BUT THEY WENT WITH THE ACA AND YOU HAD A PLOT OF BLUE DOGS LIKE BEN CHANDLER WHO COULD NOT COME BACK AND STOMACH A BILL LIKE THAT.

NOW THEY HAVE FIVE MEMBERS THEY COULD LOSE.

IT'S HARD TO GET SOME OF THESE BILLS THROUGH THE HOUSE MUCH LESS THE SENATE WHERE YOU HAVE SOMEBODY LIKE JOE MANCHIN GETTING READY TO BLOW IT UP.

>> Renee: I WHAT IS GOING TO ASK OF -- ABOUT THAT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT JOE MANCHIN, SOME OF THESE THINGS 2 THIS $4 MILLION PRICE TAGS ARE GOING TO BE HARD FOR THEM TO SUPPORT.

>> Colmon Elridge: MAYBE.

THAT'S THE SHORTS ANSWER.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING HE SAID, THE CHAIRMAN SAID REAL FAST, WHICH IS -- HE WAS TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF THE THINGS ABOUT WHAT JOE BIDEN IS 6 A LEADER.

ONE OF THE THINGS HE'S NOT, THOUGH, IS HE'S NOT STUPID.

SO THIS CALL TO NEGOTIATE WITH REPUBLICANS.

HE SAT THERE FOR EIGHT YEARS WHILE REPUBLICANS SAID BAER WE'RE GOING TO NEGOTIATE WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA.

OBAMA CAME OUT TO TABLE AND THEY HAD THE SAME PLAYBOOK WHICH IS WHICH IS I'M GOING SLOW WALK WHATEVER YOU DO, WATER IT DOWN TO NOTHING AND NEVER VOTE FOR IT.

SO WHEN JOE BIDEN TALKS ABOUT SPENDING THIS TIME, IS NOW IS THE MOMENT.

YOU CAN GET IT DONE.

AND THE REASON THESE THINGS NEED TO GET DONE, AND THE REASON THEY ARE BIG AND EXPENSIVE AND PEOPLE ARE MOANING ABOUT THE PRICE OF THINGS IS BECAUSE THE CAN HAS BEEN KICKED DOWN TO ROAD FOR GENERATION AFTER GENERATION.

THE REASON THEY NEED TO SPEND SO MUCH ON INFRASTRUCTURE IS BECAUSE THE LAST 40 YEARS WE DIDN'T.

THE REASON THAT WE NEED TO SPEND SO MUCH ON HEALTH CARE IS BECAUSE THE LAST 40 YEARS WE DIDN'T.

>> A LOT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH STUFF THAT'S IN THIS IS NOT INFRASTRUCTURE.

A LOT OF THE REPUBLICANS HAVE PUT IN THERE ROADS, BRIDGES.

>> Allison Moore: $100 MILLION REPORTED FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES.

>> Renee: THE REPUBLICAN PACKAGE IS $100 MILLION.

>> THE DEFINITIONCH WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO MOVE A CAR OR A TRUCK TO BE INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT CAN BRING CLEAN WATER TO PEOPLE'S HOUSES.

IT CAN USE INFORMATION ON A BROADBAND NETWORKS THAT DOESN'T EXIST IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> Allison Moore: BUT TRADITIONAL INFRA.

>> A HOSPITAL IS INFRASTRUCTURE.

A SCHOOL IS INFRASTRUCTURE.

>>IES THAT PROBLEM THAT EXISTS A LOT DURING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, AND I'LL GO SPECIFICALLY TO IMMIGRATION WHERE YOU HAD ABOUT 95% AGREEMENT ON AN IMMIGRATION PACKAGE BUT THAT 5% BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT SAID, I WILL VETO ANY BILL THAT IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE, AND THEY LET THE 95% DIE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AGREE ON THE 5, THEY'RE JAMMING EVERYTHING INTO THESE GIANT OMNIBUS BILLS WHEN THEY COULD GET AGREEMENT A WHOLE BUNCH OF THE STUFF IF THEY WERE DONE INDIVIDUALLY, THEY WERE DONE ONE AT A TIME, BUT TRYING TO JAM IT INTO EVERYTHING, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE GOOD STUFF DIE BECAUSE THEY'RE JAMMING STUFF THAT NOT ALL AMERICANS AGREE ON, AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WOULD SAY A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DISAGREE WITH.

>> Allison Moore: AND THERE'S SOMETHING TOLLS CONSIDER IS TO PAY FOR IT.

THE BIDEN ENERGIES WANTS TO RAISE TAXES ON THEY CALL IT BIG CORPORATIONS, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESSES.

THAT'S WHO THIS TAX IS GOING TO HURT.

AND ACCORDING TO THE CHAMBER, THOUGH, THERE ARE 1.4 MILLION IN THE U.S. CHAMBER SAYS THAT THIS WOULD -- THIS TAX INCREASE WOULD HALT THE RECOVERY OF THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE ALREADY STRUGGLED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT WOULD HALT THEM IN THEIR TRACKS.

>> Colmon Elridge: SO LET'S LEVEL SET FOR A SECOND.

THE REASON THAT REPUBLICANS WILL LET 95 FIRST OF THIS GO AWAY AND --% OF THIS GO AWAY AND HOLD IT HOSTAGE IS BECAUSE THEY -- YA'LL HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO.

YOU HAD FOUR YEARS TO -- AND THE PAST ADMINISTRATION TO DO SOMETHING.

>> WE HAD RECORD WAGE GROWTH.

>> Colmon Elridge: I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, WESTERN KENTUCKY AND THROUGHOUT AMERICA THAT -- >> Matt Erwin: WE COULDN'T HELP OBAMA'S WAR ON COAL THAT LOST THOSE JOBS.

>> Colmon Elridge: WANT TO TALK ABOUT WAR ON COAL.

YOU ALL HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR 30 YEARS.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO STOP IT?

WHAT DID DONALD TRUMP DO FOR FOUR YEARS TO STOP THE WAR ON COAL?

[MULTIPLE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT KRENY.

>> >> Colmon Elridge: YOU CAN'T ROLL IT BAB -- THERE'S ALWAYS A REASON YOUR SAY YOU CAN'T DO THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO.

THIS ISN'T GOVERNING.

IT'SWHINING.

THERE'S A DEMOCRATIC CONTROLLING THE HOUSE AND SENATE SO LET'S WHINE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

LET'S KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD WHICH IS WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS TALKING ABOUT.

IT'S VERY HUMORUS WHO HEAR JOE BIDEN IS KOWTOWING TO NANCY PELOSI.

I KNOW JOE BIDEN.

THAT'S JUST LAUGHABLE.

THAT'S A GREAT TALKING ABOUT POINT BUT IT'S NOT THE TRUTH.

WHAT JOE BIDEN IS DOING -- WHAT JOE BIDEN IS DOING IS GOING BIG, AND AS MATT SAID, HE'S GOING BIG BECAUSE THIS COUNTRY HAS KICKED THE CAN COUN THE ROAD FAR TOO OFTEN AND WHICH I NOW WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE A DECISION.

DO WE WANT A COUNTRY THAT, AFTER HAVING GONE THROUGH THE WORST PANDEMIC IN A GENERATION, LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME AS DID IT IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR.

>> Renee: MR. ELRIDGE, THE REASON HE IS BOWING GOING BIG NOW IS BECAUSE HE HAS TWO YEARS TO DO IT, WE KNOW IN 2022 WHEN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS COME, HE COULD GO THE WAY PRESIDENT OBAMA DID.

ORTHROS HOUSE THE FIRST TWO YEARS AND YOU LOSE THE SENATE THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> Colmon Elridge: I DON'T THINK THERE ARE ANY CHANCES IN 2022 WITH WHAT THIS PRESIDENT IS NOT ONLY TALKING ABOUT DOING BUT ACTUALLY DOING.

I RELISH OUR CHANCES IN 2022, NOT ONLY TO WIN SOME SEATS BACK IN THE DELEGATION THAT HAS CONTINUED TO VOTE AGAINST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND VOTE AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF THIS VERY COMMONWEALTH.

WE'RE WINNING SOCH THOSE SEATS BACK AND TAKE BACK SOME SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE HERE IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE IF REPUBLICANS HAVE OVERPLAYED THEIR HAND.

SOY I HOPE JOE BIDEN CONTINUES TO DO THE THINGS HE'S DOING, CONTINUES TO INVEST IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, CONTINUES TO PASS BILLS THAT ARE PULLING MUCH NEEDED DOLLARS IN INFRASTRUCTURE HERE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH AND GIVES SOMETHING -- INVITE ME BACK.

>> Renee: SURE.

ABSOLUTELY UP.

GUYS ARE ALL SHOE-INS AT THIS POINT AND WEIR WE'RE ONLY 20-SOMETHING MINUTES IN.

THIS QUESTION FROM JERRY SPRINGATE 234 ANDERSON COUNTY.

WHY ARETE E. KENTUCKY'S U.S.

SENATORS NOT SUPPORTING PRESIDENT BIDEN ALBERTA INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE?

WHY DIDN'T SENATOR McCONNELL SUPPORT A NEW BRIDGE HE WAS HE WAS MARINATE LORD AND T. AND SPEAKER IN THE HOUSE IN CINCINNATI?

WHY -- HE SUPPORT THE BRIDGE WHEN HIS WIFE WAS SECRETARY TRAPPINGS?

MS. MOORE, I'LL GIVE YOU THAT QUESTION SINCE YOU ABOUT ACCORDING FOR THE LEADER AND KNOW HIM QUITE WELL.

AND CONSIDERING IF YOU LOOK AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE AND WHETHER NORTHERN KENTUCKY STANDS TO GAIN WITH THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE WHEN THE LEADER HIMSELF HAS CALLED ANTIQUATED AND NEED OF REPAIR, HOW CAN HE WALK AWAY FROM THAT OPPORTUNITY TO REPLACE/REPLACE THAT BRIDGE WHEN SO MUCH IS AT STAKE ECONOMICALLY?

>> Allison Moore: WELL, I KNOW THAT THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE IS A HUGE ISSUE AND EVERYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT GET FIXED.

I THINK THERE'S A MATTER OF STATE VERSUS FEDERAL AND WHOSE INJURIES TICKETS LIES IN.

SO IF IT'S STATE JURISDICTION, THEN THE U.S.

SENATORS FROM KENTUCKY REALLY DON'T HAVE ALL THAT MUCH CONTROL.

>> JUST SOWED SAID THE FACT OF THE MATTER WE'RE BUILDING BRIDGES IN SCHOOLS IN AFGHANISTAN.

WHY CAN'T WE BUILD A BRIDGE IN KENTUCKY.

THAT'S A SIMPLE UNDERSTANDING OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET OR GENERAL ROAD FUNDING WORKS.

THAT BRIDGE IS EXPENSIVE.

IT'S GOING TO BE ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO $4 BILLION DEPENDING ON THE ESTIMATES YOU LOOK TO AND THE MAJORITY OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TO END UP COMING FROM STATE COFFERS.

SO THE WAY THAT BRIDGE IS GOING TO BE FUNDED, YOU KNOW, IT'S -- I.

THAT'S A BIGGERRINGS DISCUSSION AMONG KENTUCKIANS THAT WE'REY GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE AND I DON'T THINK YOU CAN HAVE AGREEMENT IN DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS IN KENTUCKY ON THAT BRIDGE.

RI LYING ON FEDERAL FUNDS DONE GET US THERE BASED ON HOW YOU HAVE TO FUND A PROJECT.

>> Matt Erwin: IT'S ALSO POLITICS VERSUS POLICY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT'S IT.

YOU CAN FULL I FUND THAT BRIDGE IN A BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

HE'S NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

RAND PAUL IS NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR ANYTHING THIS PRESIDENT DOES.

THAT'S WE'RE AT.

>> Renee: THIS IS WHERE THE RUBBER DOES MEET THE PROVERBIAL ROAD.

BECAUSE IF A PROJECT IS GOOD FOR YOUR DISTRICT, FOR YOUR STATE, WHY WOULD YOU NOT VOTE FOR THAT IN ORDER TO JUST MAINTAIN SOME PHILOSOPHICAL OR IDEOLOGICAL BENT AND PERSPECTIVE ABOUT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY OR RESTRAINT?

>> Allison Moore: IT'S ACTUALLY REAL FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RESTRAINT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SEE A PACKAGE AS LARGE AS THIS WITH AS LARGE A PRICE TAG AS THIS, A MULTI-TRILLION DOLLAR PACKAGE WITH ONLY $600 BILLION OF IT BEING DEDICATED TO BUILDING ACTUAL ROADS AND BRIDGES AND TRADITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE BROADBAND.

>> THE REPUBLICANS HAVE EVER HAD OFFERED A PACKAGE TO BUILD A BRIDGE.

THE DEMOCRATS DIDN'T WANT IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE BELLS AND WHISTLE AND CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS ON IT.

>> Colmon Elridge: IT'S AMAZING THAT IT'S VIEWED AS A CHRISTMAS TREE LIBERAL AGENDA TO FUND SCHOOLS.

IT'S A CHRISTMAS TREE LIBERAL AGENDA TO FUND THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IN SOME OF THE VERY PLACES THAT MITCH McCONNELL CLAIMS TO LOVE THE MOST DON'T HAVE CLEAN WATER, DOESN'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO PARTICIPATE.

>> Tres Watson: WE CAN GET INTO THE CONVERSATION.

>> Colmon Elridge: NO, NO, NO.

TREY, TREY, TREY.

I'M SPEAKING.

>> Renee: TIME OUT.

ONE PERSON AT A TIME.

>> Colmon Elridge: SO YOU CAN LET ME FINISH MY COMMENT AND THEN YOU CAN COME UP WITH WHATEVER BABBLY COMIC BOOK YOUR QUESTIONING TO SAY NEXT.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT IT IS A CHRISTMAS FREE LIBERAL AGENDA.

IF THAT'S WHAT IT REALLY IS TO FUND SCHOOLS, TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE CLEAN DRINKING WATER, TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH CAN HAVE ACTUAL RELIABLE INTERNET ACCESS TO NOT ONLY MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN IN THIS DAY AND AGE CAN BE EDUCATED BUT ALSO PARTICIPATE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY, WELL, YOU KNOW, FINE, BUT WHAT WE KNOW OF THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA IS THIS IS WHAT THEY DO.

THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT THINGS.

THEN THERE'S A PLAN TO FIX IT, AND THEN THEY SAY, WELL, WE JUST -- WE CAN'T DO THAT.

IT COSTS TOO MUCH.

OR IT'S -- YOU KNOW, AND THEN WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THAT IN TWO YEARS THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO RUN AGAINST JOE BIDEN AND DEMOCRATS SAYING, HE PROMISE TODAY GET ALL THIS STUFF DONE AND DIDN'T DO IT.

>> Tres Watson: THERE'S ONE STATE IS IN THE COUNTRY THAT DOES NOT HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE BROADBAND PLAN DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEMANDED THE GOVERNOR TO WRITE ONE.

THERE IS ONE THAT DOESN'T SPEND ANY OF THE CARES ACT MONEY ON BROADBAND.

ONLY ONE STATE IS IN THOSE TWO BUCKETS.

THAT IS THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

THAT IS WHY THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR BROADBAND WERE TAKEN AWAY THE FROM BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE THEY GRIFFIN MONEY AND BEHANAN DATED TO DO IT BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THEY FAILED TO.

THEY FAILED TO DO IT.

SO WHEN YOU THAT YOU CAN TALK ABOUT BROADBAND IN KENTUCKY YOU LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION AND THAT IS WHERE YOUR ANSWER IS FOR WHY MONEY IS NOT GETTING SPEND FOR BRANT.

IT WAS IN THE CARES ACT.

ANDY BESHEAR DIDN'T SPINNED IT.

>> Renee: NOW THEY HAVE $2 TRILLION PLUS OR $2 BILLION THAT CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PART OF WHICH WOULD BE USED FOR BROADBAND, AND THAT IS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS HAD CONTROL OVER SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT HAPPENS.

MATT ERWIN, WHY NOT COME TO A FIGURE THAT IS MORE PALATABLE TO REPUBLICANS?

YOU KNOW THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO FOR $2 TRILLION.

IF IT'S $800 MILLION OR $600 MILLION IN THEIR PACKAGE, WHY NOT MEET THEM IN THE MILLED?

>> Matt Erwin: BECAUSE THE BILL IS DUE ON THE IMPROVEMENTS WE NEED TO MAKE IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THE BILL AIN'T $600 BILLION.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GENERATION UPON GENERATION OF COMPOUNDING PROBLEMS.

LISTEN, YOUR ROOF IS LEAK.

>>> , AND IT'S LEAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE, AND I TELL YOU IT'S GOING TO COST $30,000 TO POUT A NEW ROOF, AND YOU SAY JUST FIX FIVE OF THE HOLES, FINE, BUT YOU'RE STILL GOING TO NEED TO PAY FOR A NEW ROOF AT SOME POINT.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT.

WE DID NOT MAKE INVESTMENTS IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE DIDN'T.

THE GOVERNMENT DIDN'T DO BIG THINGS.

IT HAD THE GIANT VOLUME.

WE FIGURED THAT THE PRIVATE -- VACUUM.

WE FIGURED THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL TAKE CARE OF THE AND WE'LL JUST CUT TAXES.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THE BILL IS DUE.

>> Renee: THE STRATEGY OF MAKING -- >> Matt Erwin: YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> Renee: WHEN TREY WATSON MENTIONED INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM SEPARATE BILLS PUTTING THEM IN ONE BIG PACKAGE THAT'S OMNIBUS, WHY DO IT THAT WAY?

DEMOCRATS RISK NO REPUBLICAN IS GOING TO COME ONBOARD.

THEY MIGHT HAVE TO DO A -- THINK IT BAER IDENTIFYING A ANOTHER PARTY.

>> Matt Erwin: YOU MADE A POINT EARLIER ABOUT SOMETHING BEING BIPARTISAN BECAUSE IT IS SUPPORTED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE.

DOESN'T TAKE A VOTE IN CONGRESS TO MAKE SOMEONE BIPARTISAN.

IF I SAY -- >> Renee: IN BIDEN'S WORLD.

>> Matt Erwin: IF I SAY EVERYBODY IN KENTUCKY IS GOING TO GET A PUPPY AND EVERYBODY LOVES THAT, BUT THE REPUBLICANS AREN'T GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

NOT A GOOD THERE'S A CLOCK.

WE DON'T HAVE ENDLESS TIME.

WE DON'T HAVE ENDLESS BANDWIDTH TO GET THINGS DONE.

THE PAST YEAR, IS IT DID ANYBODY REALLY HAS SHONE A LIGHT ON SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THIS COUNTRY.

SOME OF US GOT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC REALLY INCONVENIENCED.

IT WAS A TERRIBLE TIME, RIGHT?

SOME PEOPLE GOT DEVASTATED.

SOME FOLKS HAD TO HAVE THEIR KIDS HOME AND WORK FROM HOME.

SOME PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES, THEIR HEALTH CARE, THEIR JOBS.

>> Renee: THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> Matt Erwin: THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

THE PROBLEMS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOLVING ARE NOT PIECEMEAL LITTLE THINGS.

WE'LL FALL SA SLEEP IF CONGRESS TAKES IT IS TIME, DIFFERENCES AROUND LIKE THIS COUNTRY ISN'T FALLING APART IN SOME PLACES, AND IT IS.

THERE IS A TIME TO ACT.

THAT TIME IS NOW.

AND LET'S BUST UP THIS LEGISLATION AND MAKE A BUNCH OF REPUBLICANS FEEL GOOD AIN'T THE WAY WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE THOSE PROBLEMS.

>> Colmon Elridge: THE PROBLEM, RENEE, WITH THE IDEOLOGY IN MEETING THIS MOMENT IS THEY HAVE VIEWED COVID AND THE PARTISANSHIP AS A POLITICAL FOOTBALL.

YOU HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO IS NOT EVEN SPEAKING THAT LANGUAGE RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT'S NOT SPEAKING THAT LANGUAGE RIGHT NOW.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE POLITICS OF IT.

THIS IS ABOUT PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST.

THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR GOVERNMENT IS MOVING MOUNTAINS, RIGHT, TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE.

REPUBLICANS WANT US TO ALWAYS COME TO THEM ALWAYS COME TO THEM WITH OUR HANDS OUT.

WE GET SLAPPED, TOLD WE'RE NOT WORKING HARD ENOUGH.

IF WE COME UP WITH OUR OWN BOOTSTRAPS.

THIS IS A MOMENT WHERE THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING, LOOK, NO, YOU HAVE BEEN HOODWINKED OVER THE PAST 60 PLUS YEARS.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT BEEN DOING THE THINGS THAT IT SHOULD BE DOING.

UNDER DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATIONS.

BUT THE BILL IS DUE.

WE'RE GOING TO GO BIG.

AND WE CANNOT BE THE SAME COUNTRY COMING OUT OF COVID THAT WE WERE GOING IN.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE DOESN'T SUPPORT IT.

IF LIVES THAT WE HAVE LOST DON'T SUPPORT JUST PIECEMEALING IT.

AND FRANKLY THAT IS BIPARTISAN.

THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH THAT ARE WASHINGTON AND FRANKFORT REPUBLICANS.

>> Tres Watson: I THINK THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FAILED THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE BUSH FRACTURED DIDN'T DO NOTHING ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DIDN'T DO NOTHING ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE FRACTURE IS WHERE IF YOU TAKE ALL THIS OTHER STUFF OUT OF BILL IS SAY WE'RE GOING TO BUILD BRIDGES, ROADS, PERFORMANCE, AIRPORTS, GET AMERICA PHYSICALLY MOVING AGAIN AND GET OUR INFRASTRUCTURE UP TO PAR THAT IS SOMETHING BOTH PARTIES CAN AGREE ON.

WE HAVE FAILED.

THE LAST 60 YEARS WE HAVE FAILED AS A COUNTRY.

WE HAVE FAILED AS A BODY PLOK TO DO THAT AND IF JOE BIDEN, IF ANY PRESIDENT WANTS TO COME IN AND MAKE YOUR LASTING, WE ALL REFER TO IT AS THE EISENHOWER INTERSTATE SYSTEM YOU CAN BE THAT PRESIDENT THAT IT IS YOUR MARK BUFFET TO GET ALL THE REST OF THE STUFF OUT AND FOCUS ON THAT ONE BIG THING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALREADY TALKING MIDTERMS.

THERE'S PEOPLE FILING TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

AS MATT SAID, THE CLOCK'S RUNNING.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN DO THESE MASSIVE BIG PROJECTS AND BUILDING ANYMORE.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE MORE FOCUSED.

AND I THINK THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE TRUE BIPARTISAN COOPERATION AND DO BIG THINGS WITH INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Renee: ALLISON, JUMP IN.

>> Allison Moore: YES, I AGREE WITH MY FRIENDS OVER HERE, WHAT THEY SAID.

THIS COUNTRY WILL NOT LOOK THE SAME A YEAR FROM NOW, ESPECIALLY IF THE LIBERAL AGENDA IS ABLE TO BE PUSHED THROUGH, AND THE GOVERNMENT IS SUCCESSFUL IN A POWER GRAB BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE WHAT THEY ARE DOING RIGHT NOW IS KIND OF LIMITING THE UPWARD SUCCESS PATHS FOR THE MIDDLE AND LOWER CLASSES.

WE TOOK A REALLY HARD HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND -- >> Renee: YOU'RE GIVING THE CREDIT TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> Allison Moore: THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THIS ADMINISTRATION THAT WE'VE SEEN ALREADY IS YOU SAW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, YOU KNOW, OPERATION WARP SPEED TO GET IT OUT, AND YOU SAW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PASS PPP LOANS ALL WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, THERE WERE FIVE VOTES WITH 90 SENATORS IN SUPPORT.

SO THIS ADMINISTRATION IS, IT SEEMS TO WANT TO KEEP AMERICA DEPENDENT ON THE GOVERNMENT.

EVERYTHING IS JUST GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

>> Colmon Elridge: THAT IS A GREAT TALKING POINT AND NOT AT ALL BUILT IN ANY REALTY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING ON EARTH 2 BUT ON EARTH 1 THAT IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

THE GOVERNMENT IS MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF THIS MOMENT.

NOW, THE PRICE TAG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SO BIG IF DONALD TRUMP AND MITCHELL McCONNELL HAD ACTUALLY HAD A PLAN AND ACTUALLY DONE THE THINGS THAT WERE NEED BE TO DONE -- NEEDED TO BE DONE IN TERMS OF NOT ONLY COVID RELIEF BUT, HECK, ANYTHING.

INSTEAD WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT ON ONE HAND DONALD TRUMP WAS SAYING, OH, THE MIL CLASS IS GROWING.

NO, IT ACTUALLY WASN'T.

HE WAS SAYING, OH, WE PUT ALL THESE AFRICAN AMERICANS BACK TO WORK.

REALLY?

NO.

NOTING UNLESS YOU'RE KANYE WEST LIL WAYNE.

SO THE FACT THAT IT'S NOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WHO IS STOPPING UPWARD MOBILITY BY SIMPLY INVESTING -- THE JOBS THAT WOULD BE CREATED ALONE IN THE PACKAGE THAT THE PRESIDENT IS CRISSCROSSING THE NATION TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW -- >> Allison Moore: YOU MEAN GOING TO ALL THE CAMPAIGN STATES.

NOT CRISSCROSSING THE NATION.

HE IS STOPPING AT MAJOR POLITICAL STOPS.

>> Colmon Elridge: I'M SORRY.

SO HE'S GOING TO CAMPAIGN STATES AND THAT'S NOT CRISSCROSSING THE NATION?

OKAY.

WE GET GEOGRAPHY IS A BIT INTERESTING WITH YOUR DEMOCRAT VERSUS YOUR REPUBLICAN.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THE REASON UPWARD MOBILITY HAPPENS IN DEMOCRATIC -- UNDER DEMOCRATIC ENERGIZES ISY BECAUSE WE DON'T LIVE IN A FANTASY WORLD WHERE TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS WORKS.

>> Allison Moore: HERE IN REALTY WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT 1.4 SMALL BUSINESSES AND 13 MILLION AMERICANS AFFECTED BY THIS CORPORATE TAX HIKE.

>> THEY'RE BRINGING THE TAX BACK TOWHERE THEY WERE FOR GEORGE H.W.

BUSH.

>> >> Tres Watson: WE DIDN'T HAVE THE INTERNET WITH GEORGE H.W.

BUSH.

>> Allison Moore: THE MAJOR PANDEMIC BUSINESSES STRUGGLED TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Matt Erwin: TALK ABOUT BRINGING THE MIDDLE CLASS UP, UPWARD MOBILITY, WITH RESPECT TO FORMER DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTS IN MY LIFETIME, CLINTON, OBAMA, AND I WAS BORN DURING THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION, NOT A MILLENNIAL, BUT HERE'S THE THING, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I HAVE STEEN A PRESIDENT TACKLE A PROBLEM DIRECTLY TO WORKING PEOPLE.

WE'RE NOT LAWN DIGNITARY THROUGH SOME TAX BREAK.

WE'RE NOT SAYING, WELL, YOU'LL GET THIS THING IF YOU JUST ITEMIZE YOUR TAXES.

WE'RE NOT FOCUSING ON THE TOP 5%.

IT'S CUT AFTER CUT AFTER CUT TO THE TOP OF THE HEAP.

>> Renee: SO WHEN IT COMES TO INCOME INEQUALITY, WHAT'S THE SOLUTION THORN RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 AN HOUR?

THAT BUSINESSES SAY WOULD END UP COSTING 12:00 THEIR JOBS.

>> Matt Erwin: PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS DONE FOR d AND THEY HAVEN'T HAD A MINIMUM WAGE SINCE 2007.

IT'S A HORRIBLE IDEA TO SUBSIDIZE BUSINESSES BY LETTING THEM PAY WAGES.

>> Tres Watson: A WAGE IN KENTUCKY SHOULD NOT BE THE CAME AS A WAGE IN MANT.

>> Matt Erwin: FINE.

SET IT HIGH INNER MANT BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD HELP THEM OUT BY GETTING THEM PAID MORE.

BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT -- I'M SORRY TO RESPOND TO YOUR QUESTION, WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS, THINGS LIKE UNIVERSAL PRE-K. >> Kirt: EVER.

>> Renee: OR TO HELP INCOME INEQUALITY IS WHAT I ASKED.

>> Matt Erwin: GET PEOPLE TO WORK, YOU KNOW.

START BUILDING THING AS A COUNTRY AGAIN.

IT'S REAL FUNNY TREY EARLIER TEN MINUTES OR SO AGO WAS TALKING ABOUT YOU JUST CAN'T PASS THESE BIG BILLS.

WE USED TO.

WE USED TO DO BIG THINGS AS A COUNTRY.

BUILT THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM, THE HOOVER DAM, WENT TO THE MOON.

NOW IT'S LIKE THIS PESSIMISM ON THE RIGHT.

WE CAN'T DO THAT.

THE GOVERNOR CAN'T DO THAT.

THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES.

>> Renee: WHAT'S WRONG WITH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO HELP GET SOME OF THOSE THINGS ACCOMPLISHED?

>> Matt Erwin: PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IS NOT GOING THE HELP THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS IN AMERICA.

IT'S NOT GOING TO LIFT 30% OF CHILDREN IN AMERICA LIVE IN POVERTY.

WHY SHOULD WE SET UP I SYSTEM WHERE SOMEBODY GETS TO MAKE A BUCK OFF THAT?

NOT EVERYTHING THE GOVERNMENT DOES HAS TO CREATE THIS INDUSTRY WHERE SOMEBODY GETS RICH.

SOMETIMES THE GOVERNMENT CAN JUST DO THINGS BECAUSE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO IT.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

I SWEAR TO YOU, NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I SEEN A PRESIDENT SO FOCUSED ON GETTING THINGS DONE, AND THAT'S WHY PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE MIDTERMS.

OH, IT'S GOING TO BE JUST LIKE 2010 AGAIN.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

I REALLY DON'T KNOW BECAUSE BIG THINGS ARE GOING TO GET DONE AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET DONE QUICKLY.

>> Renee: WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.

WE'LL BE AROUND FOR THAT.

I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT ONE THING THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN DID NOT MENTION THE OTHER NIGHT, AND THAT WAS IMMIGRATION, AND WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A BURGEONING CRISIS THERE AT THE PORTED.

COLEMAN ELRIDGE, WHY NOT PUT FORTH MORE IDEAS ABOUT IMMIGRATION THAT COULD CURRY FAVOR WITH REPUBLICANS?

IS THERE A MIDDLE GROUND THERE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED?

>> Colmon Elridge: I HOPE THERE IS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS AN IMMIGRATION POLICY THAT HAS DEFIED I THINK ANY SEMBLANCE OF HUMANITY, AND SO THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TOPICS THAT I REALLY HOPE WE CAN PUT POLITICS ASIDE.

WE HAVE CHILDREN THAT ARE STILL SEPARATED FROM THEIR PARENTS BECAUSE OF HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE POLICIES THAT CAME OUT OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT WE ALSO KNOW IS -- AND THIS IS WHERE THE PRESIDENCY MATTERS -- WE HAD A PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION THAT VIEWED AND ACTIVELY USED THE PULPIT OF THE MOST POWERFUL OFFICE IN THE LAND TO OTHERRIZE IMMIGRANTS TO THIS COUNTRY, TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IF YOU'RE IMMIGRATING TO THIS COUNTRY AND UNLESS YOU COME FROM CERTAIN VERY PLAINLY WHITE COUNTRIES, WERE YOU GOING TO BE A DEFICIT TO THIS COUNTRY INSTEAD OF AN ASSET.

AND SO WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE HAPPENING IS THAT THE PRESIDENT IS FOCUSED ON IMMIGRATION.

HE IS FOCUSED ON HOW TO CONTROL THINGS AT THE BORDER WHILE ALSO PROMOTING A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY TO BUILD THIS COUNTRY AND DESERVE TO HAVE A PLACE OUT OF THE SHADOWS IN THE MOST POWERFUL CRIT IN WORLD.

>>> SEEMS LIES HIS ELLEN FA CISE THE OTHER NIGHT WAS AMERICA FIRST, WHICH IS HOW THAT DIFFERENT AS TRUMP WAS ESPOUSING AS AMERICA FIRST?

>> Colmon Elridge: I THINK UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN AMERICA FIRST, ONE, DOESN'T MEAN AMERICA ALONE, AND, TWO, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT AMERICA IS CLOSING ITS DOORS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FLEEING ALL SORTS OF ATROCITIES.

AMERICA FIRST MEANS THAT WE LIVE UP TO THE VALUES THAT WE ESPOUSE ACROSS THE PLANET, WHICH IS THAT BRING ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR HUNGRY, YOUR WEAK.

BRING ME FOLKS THAT OTHERWISE MAY LIVE UNDER THE MOST HARSH CONDITIONS THAT WE CAN IMAGINE AND SOME THAT FRANKLY WE CAN'T IMAGINE.

THAT'S THE AMERICA THAT JOE BIDEN TALKED ABOUT WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT RESTORING THE SOUL OF THIS COUNTRY, THAT'S THE AMERICA THAT JOE BIDEN WAS TALK ABOUT.

THAT'S THE AMERICA THAT PERMEATES NOT ONLY THROUGH THE DOMESTIC AGENDA BUT THIS -- THE ISSUES AT THE BORDER AND TO OUR INTERNATIONAL CAPACITY AS WELL.

>> Renee: SO THE CONVERSATION IS, AND WE SEE THE FAULT LINE VERY CLEARLY BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, THAT DEMOCRATS AT THE PARTY OF OUTCOMES, REPUBLICANS THE PARTY OF OPPORTUNITY.

ASK IT AS SIMPLE SIMPLE AS THAT, TREY WATSON?

THERE SHOULD BE NO GUARANTEE OF AN OUTCOME BUT THE GUARANTEE TO THE ACCESS.

>> Tres Watson: ABSOLUTELY.

AND ON IMMIGRATION I THINK OUR PARTY -- I'LL FREESTYLE AND GIVE MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS -- I THINK OUR PARTY HAS MADE A TREMENDOUS MISCALCULATION WHEN IT COULD ALSO TO IMMIGRATION BECAUSE IF YOU'RE RISK CAN LIFE AND LIMB TO COME ACROSS A BORDER OR YOU'RE WAITING IN LINE FOR 15, 20 YEARS WHERE YOU'RE IMMIGRATING FROM ABUSERS IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IS BROKEN, YOU'RE NOT COMING TO IS YOU CAN OFF THE GOVERNMENT.

YOU'VE TOLD THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE IF YOU WORK HARD AND YOU PUT YOUR SWEAT TO THE GRINDSTONE YOU CAN MAKE SOMETHING OF YOURSELF.

THAT'S THE REPUBLICAN PHILOSOPHY.

PEOPLE WANT TO COME HERE AND START BUSINESSES.

GUESS WHAT?

ESPECIALLY COMING TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE AND RELIGIOUS.

THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTERS.

>> Renee: SO YOU'RE SAYING THE REPUBLICANS HAVE MISSED THE MARK ON THIS.

>> Tres Watson: THEY ARE PEOPLE FLEEING SOCIALIST GOVERNMENTS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VOTE TOTALS HUGE INCREASES IN LATINO COMMUNITIES ESPECIALLY PEOPLE FROM VENEZUELA, NICK RAQQA, EAST ASIA.

HUGE INCREASES IN REPUBLICAN IN THE ASIAN COMMUNITIES AND IT'S BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS SWING MORE LEFT TO A SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT THAT THESE PEOPLE FLED THEIR COUNTRIES TO GET AWAY FROM.

I THINK THIS PARTY HAS MISSED THE BOAT.

THE LAST ONE THAT TRIED HEART WAS GEORGE BUSH AND TORPEDOED HIS SECOND TERM TRYING TO.

BARACK OBAMA SAID IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT ALL, I WON'T SIGN IT.

HE KNEW THAT WOULD KILL THE BILL.

TRUMP, I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO TALK ABOUT HIS POLICIES.

HIS ARE THE POLICIES THAT WERE NOSE OBJECTIONABLE AT THE BORDER BEGAN UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO DEAL WITH THE INCOMING HORDES.

REPUBLICANS ARE MISSING THE CHANCE.

THEY'RE MISSING A CHANCE TO CULTIVATE A HUGE BASE OF VOTERS WHO I BELIEVE WOULD TEND TO SUPPORT REPUBLICAN POLICIES IF WE HELPED THEM GET IN, HELPED THEM BECOME CITIZENS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY BETTER AND THEY'LL MAKE OUR PARTY BETTER BETTER.

>> Referee: SO DOES MITCH McCONNELL SUBSCRIBE THE TO PHILOSOPHY OF TREY WATSON?

>> Allison Moore: I WOULD -- >> Renee: YOU'RE NO LONGER A SPOKE PERSON.

>> Allison Moore: I WOULD SAY, OF COURSE, I'M SURE THAT HE WOULD TAKE YOUR ADVICE ANY DAY ON EVERYTHING YOU SAY, BUT I MEAN SENATOR McCONNELL HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED A LEGAL PATH TO IMMIGRATION.

HIS WIFE IS A LEGAL, NOT ILLEGAL, IMMIGRANT IN THIS COUNTRY, AND I KNOW THAT SHE IS TO A LOT OF NATURALIZATION CEREMONIES, AND THEY CELEBRATE THAT.

SO I MEAN, I AGREE WITH FLOATER MOST PART ABOUT SUPPORTING THE LEGAL PATH.

>> Tres Watson: I THINK ONE THING TO DO IS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RECORD HERE.

IF IT'S A HYBRID THING.

A A FULL PATH.

THAT'S ABOUT BIGGEST DIVIDING POINT AND THAT'S WHAT KILLED THE BILL THE INUM BA ADMINISTRATION.

BUT AGAIN, 95% THAT WE CAN GET DOWN TO HELP FIX THE PROBLEM AT THE BORDER IN THE SOUTH.

THE BACKLOGS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR CITIZENSHIP.

>> Allison Moore: IF BIDEN IS GOING TO GO BIG AND TAKE ISSUES HEAD ON, CALL IT WHAT IT IS, A CRISIS AND GO DOWN THERE.

THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO TAKE A BIG ISSUE HEAD ON.

>> Renee: AND WHY DOESN'T HE DO THAT?

>> Matt Erwin: WHAT HE'S NOT GOING TO DO AND TREY GLOSSED OVER IT.

I WON'T EVEN TALKING ABOUT TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION POLICIES.

IS TURN AMERICAN POLICY, OUR POLICY ON WHO GETS TO TURN OUR COUNTRY INTO THIS POUNDTIVE THING THAT COLMON TOUCHED ON WELL, WHICH IS WE WANT TO TAKE OUR KIND OF PEOPLE, NOT JUST EVERY PEOPLE, OUR KIND OF PEOPLE.

>> Renee: A MEANS TEST.

>> Matt Erwin: WAS THAT THE FIRST OR SECOND THING HE DAS PRESIDENT WAS SHUT DOWN THE IMMIGRATION FROM MUSLIM COUNTRIES UNTIL WE GET THIS WHOLE THING FIGURED OUT?

SO WHAT YOU CAN'T DO IS TURN IMMIGRATION INTO THIS PUNITIVE RACE-DRIVEN, YOU KNOW, ANGRY DIVISIVE THING.

IT IS A PROBLEM.

SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

YOU CANNOT GO ONE STEP BACKWARDS TO WHERE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS, WHICH IS WE WANT OUR PEOPLE, NOT JUST ANY PEOPLE.

>> Tres Watson: THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PARTIES PREADVERTISING THAT THAT PREVENTED COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM GETTING DONE.

MY WHOLE POINT IS, AGAIN LIKE TRANSPORTATION, LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU KNOW, LET'S GET THIS 95% THAT WE AGREE ON DONE AND WE CAN FIGURE OUT THE REST LATER.

>> Matt Erwin:Y YEAH, EXCEPT FOR, TREY, THERE IS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER A LONG TIME, THERE'S A LOT OF PRIVILEGE IN THAT STATEMENT.

THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DON'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF INCREMENTALISM.

IF YOU'RE FLEEING ONE OF THESE COUNTRIES THAT YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT, AND WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT SOCIALISM ACTUALLY IS VERSUS WHAT REPUBLICANS SAY IT IS, WHEN YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE FLEEING THINGS LIKE THAT, THEY DON'T HAVE -- WHEN YOU'RE FLEEING GUERILLA WARFARE, YOU DON'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF INCREMENTALISM.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF PEACE AMALGAA HEALTH CARE BILL TOGETHER OR AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL OR AN ECONOMIC BILL IN THESE MOMENTS WHERE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE DISTRESSED, AND SO, YOU KNOW -- >> Renee: BUT TAKING THE WHOLESALE APPROACH IS STILL CAUSING MANY MILLIONS TO BE DISPLACED.

THE PROBLEMS ARE STILL PERSISTING BY WAITING TO DO SOMETHING NONE INCREMENTAL.

>> Colmon Elridge: THE PROBLEMS ARE PERSISTING BUT I'LL TELL YOU I WOULD RATHER BE JOE BIDEN AND SAYING, NO, WE'RE NOT KING THIS DOWN THE ROAD.

IT MAY MAKE ME A ONE-TERM PRESIDENT BUT WE'RE NOT KING THESE PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD ANY MOTHERMORE.

>> Tres Watson: IF YOU CAN GET THE GOOD, GET THE GOOD.

>> Colmon Elridge: AGAIN, I WOULD SAY FROM WHERE WE'RE SITTING IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, THAT MAY SOUND REALLY GREAT TO YOU.

BUT I GUARANTEE WHERE ACTUAL PEOPLE ARE IN SOME OF THE MOST HARD HIT PLACES IN THIS COUNTRY, WHETHER THEY'RE URBAN AREAS OR RURAL AREAS, THIS INCREMENTALISM THAT HAS DEFINED FRANKLY BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES, THERE'S A REASON THAT JOE BIDEN SAYS IT'S NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO BET AGAINST AMERICA.

PEOPLE THINK THAT'S HOCHY AND UNCLE JOE BEING FOLKSY.

NO.

WE DO BIG THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY.

IF WE CANNOT DO BIG THINGS, WE NOT CONTINUE TO BE THIS BEACON LIGHT ACROSS THE WORLD.

IT'S EITHER WE'RE GOING TO DO THESE BIG THINGS AND SAY, LOOK, MAYBE TO PASS 95% WOULD BE GREAT, BUT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN 2021 WHEN WE HAVE THESE HOST OF ISSUES THAT ARE GOING TO HOLD US BACK WITH, WE HAVE HAVE WE'VE GOT TO GO BIC.

GETS THIS DONE.

AND IF RASP ARE GOING TO STAND N. THE WAY OF THAT, IF REPUBLICANS ARE PREPARED TO STAND IN THE THE WAY OF ENDING CHILD POVERTY, IF REPUBLICANS ARE WILLING TO STAND IN THE WAY OF BUILDING ROADS AND BRIDGES AND PUTTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK, IF REPUBLICANS REALLY WANT TO HOLD SMALL BUSINESSES HOSTAGE SO THEY CAN GET TAX BREAKS FOR AMENDS WHO DOES NOT NEED THEM AND DID NOT ASK FOR THEM.

FEEL FREE.

>> Tres Watson: IT'S LAUGH ANNAL TO SAY THE REPUBLICANS ARE AGAINST ENDING CHILD POVERTY, COLMON.

IT'S LAUGHABLE.

>> Colmon Elridge: IT'S NOT ONLY NOT LAUGHABLE -- >> Tres Watson: YESILITIES.

>> Colmon Elridge: LAST WEEK NOT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN CLAPPED, STOOD UP, SAID WHY WELL YES PRESIDENT BIDEN OWNING CHILD POVERTIES.

>> Tres Watson: I'M SORRY, I -- >> Colmon Elridge: WHERE ARE THE POLICIES, TREY?

WHERE ARE THE POLICIES TO END CHILD POVERTY?

WHERE ARE THE POLICIES FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO END CHILD POVERTY?

TELL ME.

I'M ALL EARS.

I WAS ONE OF THOSE KIDS.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE AROUND THE TABLE BUT I WAS ONE OF THOSE KIDS, AND HEARD GEORGE H.W.

BUSH AND CALL MY MOTHER A WELFARE MOM.

SO TELL ME EXACTLY WHERE THE MANY POLICIES ARE FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND I'M ALL EARS, BUT WHATY WHAT WE SAW LAST WEEK AND WHAT WE SAW OVER THERS COST LAST FOUR YEARS IS A REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT CANNOT GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER ENOUGH TO EVEN END CHILD POVERTY YOU.

SAY IT'S LAUGHABLE BECAUSE YOU'VE NOT BEEN ONE OF THOSE KIDS.

>> Tres Watson: IF YOU'RE STRIVING AN ENTIRE PARTY AND AN ENTIRE POLICY AGENDA TO WHO STOOD UP AND CLAPPED.

>> Colmon Elridge: TREY, THAT IS CUTE AND ON BRAND ABOUT WHAT REPUBLICANS DO.

I JUST SAID, LIKE LET'S LEAVE LAST WEEK BEHIND.

TELL ME THE POLICIES THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS RIGHT NOW TO END CHILD POVERTY.

TELL ME WHAT DONALD TRUMP'S POLICY WAS OR GEORGE H.W.

BUSH.

>> Renee: LET HIM ANSWER.

LET HIM ANSWER.

>> Tres Watson: REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNMENT IS THERE TO HELP PEOPLE.

WE'RE NOT THERE TO -- WE'RE THERE TO GIVE YOU A HAND UP, NOT TO PICK YOU UP AND DRAG YOU UP.

>> Colmon Elridge: WHAT IS THE POLICY TO END CHILD POVERTY?

>> Tres Watson: IT'S FOR JOB CREATION AND EDUCATION.

THAT'S ALL WE NEED.

THAT'S WHAT ENDS CHILD POVERTY.

>> Colmon Elridge: HOW WAS THAT GOING UNDER DONALD TRUMP?

PRESIDENT.

>> Allison Moore: SINCE WHEN IS THIS ISSUE INFRASTRUCTURE?

>> Matt Erwin: WHAT YOU CANNOT DO TO SOLVE THIS, I DON'T HAVE ALL THE SOLUTIONS.

IY KNOW TREY DOESN'T HAVE ALL THE SOLUTIONS BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT WILL NOT DO IT.

TAX CUTS.

AIN'T GOING TO SOLVE CHILD POVERTY.

BY THE WAY, CHILD POVERTY IS GROWN-UP POVERTY.

IT'S POOR PEOPLE'S CHILDREN, RIGHT?

THEY'RE NOT POOR BY THEMSELVES.

THEY'RE KIDS WHOSE MOM AND DADS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF THEM THE WAY THEY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

RIGHT?

SO I JUST, I THINK THAT IF YOU WANT TO LIFT UP CHILDREN, IF YOU WANT -- THEN LET'S INVEST IN THEIR PARENTS.

>> Allison Moore: EXACTLY.

>> Matt Erwin: LET'S BUT THEIR PARENTS BACK TO WORK.

>> Allison Moore: EXACTLY.

>> Matt Erwin: JUST DON'T MAKE IT TOO EXPENSIVE.

>> Allison Moore: IN THAT CASE I AGREE WITH YOU.

BUT WHAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS DOING HERE IS THEY'RE SAYING THE PAY FOR IS TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESS.

TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> Matt Erwin: TAXES PAY FOR THINGS IN GOVERNMENT, THOUGH.

WHEN YOU SPEND MORE MONEY, TAXES GO UP.

THEY DON'T PERPETUALLY GO DOWN.

>> Renee: WHY TAX THE BUSINESSES AND JOB CREATORS I THINK IS ALLISON'S POINT.

>> Matt Erwin: FIRST OFF, BUSINESSES GET TAXED.

THEY GETS TAXED ON THEIR PROFITS.

IF YOU'RE AN INDIVIDUAL ORE A BUSINESS THAT BRINGS IN 400 -- I THINK IT'S $400,000, YOU'RE TAX RATE IS GOING UP.

RIGHT?

IT'S GOING UP TO WHERE IT USED TO BE BECAUSE THE COUNTRY HAS RUN OUT OF MONEY.

THE COUNTRY HAS RUN OUT OF MONEY.

WE CANNOT KEEP CUTTING TAXES AND EXPECT MORE TO COME IN.

THAT IS A POLITICAL SCIENCE EXPERIMENT THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING MY ENTIRE LIFE AND IT DOESN'T WORK.

>> Tres Watson: I'LL SAY SOMETHING A BIZARRE STATEMENT THAT'S GOOD THAT JOE BIDEN HAS DONE IS INVESTING MORE MONEY, GETTING THE IRS MORE MONEY TO GO AFTER AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE PAYING THE TAXES THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE, INC. PAYING.

THAT'S ONE PROBLEM WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF LAWS, AND IT RANGES THE GAM BEFORE IT EVERYTHING YOU THINK OF WHERE THE LAWS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS AREN'T BEING ENFORCED AND I'D LOVE TO SEE US COLLECT THE TAXES THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT A BIG RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF MONEY THAT'S HANGING OUT THERE, AND I'LL GIVE BIDEN TOTSCH ARMING THE IRS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ANYBODY LIKE TAX CHEATS.

LET'S SEE HOW MUCH MONEY WE CAN COLLECT.

>> Renee: SPENCER FROM CENTRAL CITY TO YOU, ALLISON MOORE, WHY WOULD REQUIRING THE 55 BIGGEST COMPANIES WHO PAY NO TAX TO PAY TAXES HURT THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ALREADY HAVE BEEN PAYING TAXES?

>> A MEAN, IF ANYBODY THINKS THAT JEFF BESOS IS GOING TO BE HURT BY A CORPORATE TAX HIKE, THEN THEIR PAYING ATTENTION TO THE TAX SITUATION NOW.

WHAT THIS TAX INCREASE IS GOING TO HURT IS SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS AMERICA.

LIKE I SAID, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CHAMBER OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IT AFFECTS ABOUT 13 MILLION WORKERS.

SO COMING OUT OF A PANDEMIC WHERE A LOT OF U.S. SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE STRUGGLED, HAVE HAD TO RELY ON THE PPP LOANS, A LOT OF THE WORKERS HAVE BEEN LAID OFF, THEY'RE RELYING ON UNEMPLOYMENT, THERE IS -- RIGHT NOW FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO COME BACK AND LEVY ANOTHER TAX ON TOP OF IT, AFTER THEY'VE ALREADY STRUGGLED TO STAY OPEN, WHICH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S GOING TO END UP HURTING IS PAYROLL.

>> Renee: THEY'RE GOING TO CUT PAYROLL, MAYBE LOWER WAGES.

SO HOW DOES THAT BENEFIT THOSE WHO YOU IS A SAY YOU WANT TO HELP BRING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ECONOMICALLY?

>> Colmon Elridge: WHAT I KNOW OF PRESIDENT BIDEN IS THAT THAT IS NOT -- THAT IS NOT THE OUTCOME.

AND WHAT HE IS PROPOSING IS FRANKLY WHAT MATT HAS BEEN SAYING.

SOUNDS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD BUT IT HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING TRUE.

WE'RE SIMPLY RESETTING THE TAX FLOOR TO WHERE IT WAS.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE COURSE OF THESE LAST 20 YEARS, AND THAT'S BEING KIND, IS WE HAVE SEEN TAXES GET LOWERED ON PEOPLE WHO, QUITE FRANKLY, DIDN'T ASK FOR IT.

YOU KNOW, THE RICH WEREN'T ASKING FOR THESE TAX BREAKS.

THEY GOT THEM BECAUSE THEIR FRIENDS WERE MITCH McCONNELL AND THEIR FRIENDS WERE IN POWERFUL PLACES TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO MAKE MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF THESE SMALL BUSINESSES AND THESE VERY WORKERS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

AND SO LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD SO THAT, AS MATT SAID, PEOPLE WHO NEED TO PAY THE TAXES THAT THEY NEED TO PAY ARE PAYING THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE AS A COUNTRY BEEN FOOTING THE BILL FOR THEM FOR DECADES, AND IT'S NOT WORKED.

THAT'S THE THING.

IT'S NOT WORKED.

IT IS NOT LIFTING PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY.

IT'S NOT ADVANCING THE MIDDLE CLASS.

IT'S NOT DOING ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WISH LIST FOR WHAT TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS DOES.

AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE HURT BEHIND IT.

AND SO WHEN ALLISON SAYS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS IS INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS IS HOW PEOPLE NOT ONLY GO TO WORK, HOW THEY CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES, BUT HOW THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE AMERICAN DREAM, HOW THEY CAN CLIMB THAT LADDER OF SUCCESS.

THIS IS INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE WHO NEED AT THIS TIME MOST.

>> Renee: LET'S MOVE ON.

>> Mark: THERE'S ALWAYS MONEY FOR RICH PEOPLE.

YOU TRY TO WORK WORKING PEOPLE WITH SOMETHING THEY NEED AND IT'S ALWAYS THE BILL IS TOO BIG.

YOU COULDN'T GET THAT BILL SMALL ENOUGH FOR AN REPUBLICAN VOTE.

>> Tres Watson: THE SMALL BUSINESS IN CORBIN CAN'T PICK UP AND MOVE THEIR FACILITY TO MEXICO.

THESE LARGE COMPANIES, THEY CAN AND THEY WILL IF WE TAX THE HELL OF THE OUT OF THEM.

THEY'RE GOING TO PICK AND UP MOVE TO INCOMES MEXICO OR TO SOUTHEAST ASIA WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY TAXES AND THEY HAVE MUCH CHEAPER LABOR.

IF WE WANT TO KEEP AMERICAN WORKERS WORKING HERE WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW NOT TO MAKE THEM PICK UP AND MOVE.

IT'S GOING TO BE BOUGHT AND SOLD HERE.

BUT WE WANT IT TO BE MADE HERE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT AND RAISING TAXES ON THESE PEOPLE IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

>> Renee: IN THE THREE AND A HALF MINUTES WE HAVE RACHELLEING LET'S SEE IF THERE'S A MEASURE ON WHICH THERE'S MORE COMPROMISE.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

HOLLY SHARES GOING TO APPRECIATE THIS.

HELLO, HOLLY.

SHE'S GOING THE BUY PIZZA IS WHAT SHE SAYS IN HER TWEET TO ME.

SO IS THIS AN AREA WHERE THERE IS AND THERE HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY BIPARTISAN COOPERATION, NOT JUST IN THE POLLS OF PUBLIC OPINION BUT LETTERS WHERE IT MATTERS THE MOST IN CONGRESS AND WASHINGTON, D.C.?

>> WHERE IS THE NEXT PHASE OF THAT?

IS IT THE GEORGE FLOYD POLICING ACT?

ASK IT SENATOR TIM SCOTT'S PROPOSAL?

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE WHEN IT COMES TO WHETHER THAT'S POLICING AS A FORM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM OR SOME OTHER FORM?

>> Colmon Elridge: WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN, AND WE'VE NOT MENTIONED HER, BUT VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE FOCUSING ON NOT ONLY AS A MATTER OF POLICY BUT IT IS PERSONAL.

IT'S DEEPLY PERSONAL.

TO THE VICE PRESIDENT.

IT'S PERSONAL TO FOLKS LIKE ME.

AND WHAT I HOPE WE FIND IS THAT YOU HAVE SOMEBODY LIKE TIM SCOTT WHO YOU, PUTTING ASIDE THE HORRENDOUS NATURE OF HIS RESPONSE LAST WEEK, HAS BEEN VERY SERIOUS ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

YOU HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION THAT IS -- WE'VE BEEN SAYING GOING BIG -- IS GOING TO GO BIG ON CRIMINOLOGIST REFORM.

IT'S A CAMPAIGN PROMISE AND JUST A NECESSITY.

AND SO I DO HOPE THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME MIL GROUND THERE.

WE DESPERATELY NEED IT.

WE KNOW, AS THE PRESIDENT SAID, THAT WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT IS BIASED AND FRANKLY RACIST AND THAT THE INABILITY TO REFORM IT IS GOING TO MEAN MANY MORE PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF COLOR, POOR PEOPLE END UP BEHIND BARS FOR CRIMES THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE INCARCERATED FOR.

>> Tres Watson: IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A QUICK FIX.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG ROAD.

I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE TERM "DEFUND THE POLICE" GOT OUT BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT DEFUNDING THE POLICE, IT'S ABOUT REALLOCATING FUNDS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT DEFUNDING THE POLICE ARE REALLY MEANING BUT THE TERM HAS CREATED SOME PARTISAN ISSUES, BUT I DO THINK THERE IS BROAD PAR IS AN CON COUSINS THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BOTH IN TERMS OF REALLOCATING WHERE ON MONEY GOES TO MAKE POLICING MORE EFFECTIVE AND ALSO MAKE POLICY CHASING BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OFZATIONS WHERE POLICE ARE ACTING ON BAD POLICIES.

AND SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT TACK THAT CAN BE DONE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE QUICK BUT I DO THINK THERE'S BROAD BIPARTISAN CONSENSUS TO ACT AND TO BE BEGIN TO MAKE CHANGES THAT IS GOING TO BE LASTING AND GENERATIONAL AND I HOPE IT AGAINST DONE.

>> Renee: NEXT WEEK I'M GOING TO DO A BIG SHAMELESS PLUG, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF POLICING IN AMERICA, AND WE DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS IT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GET DOWN NIGHT NEXT MONDAY A 8:00.

THANK YOU ALL.

THIS IS A GOOD DISCUSSION.

WE'VE GOTTEN COMMENTS ABOUT THIS IS A PRECURSOR TO FANCY FARMER IN AUGUST, AND WE'LL BE THERE FOR THAT.

MAYBE THIS COULD BE THE CREW THAT SETS-UP US UP FOR THAT.

IT'S GOOD.

I LOVE IT.

THANK YOU AT HOME FOR WATCHING.

YOU CAN JOIN FRIDAY NIGHT BILL BRYANT AND A PANEL OF REPORTERS WHO WILL TALK ABOUT ALL THIS WEEK'S NEWS, "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

I'LL SEE YOU NEXT MONDAY NIGHT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF POLICING IN AMERICA.

TAKE GOOD CARE UNTIL THEN.