WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FORE JOINING US.

THERE ARE JUST TWO DAYS REMAINING IN THIS YEAR'S REGULAR -ELECT SESSION BEFORE LAWMAKERS RECESSED FOR THE VETO PERIOD, THEY PASSED 100 PLUS BILLS IN ONE DAY.

IN ADDITION TO TAKING ON BIG ITEMS LIKE TAX REFORM, RESTRUCTURING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS, CREATING NEW RULES FO GETTING JOBLESS BENEFITS AND CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING, LAWMAKERS FINALIZED THE TWO-YEA BUDGET THAT INCLUDES PAY RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS AND FUNDING FOR ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

TODAY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR VETOED PARTS OF THAT BUDGET, INCLUDING A PAY RAISE FOR LAW WALKERS, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND EVEN HIMSELF.

IN IN RECENT DAYS HE ALSO VETOE OMNIBUS ANTI-ABORTION BILL, AIN' BILL BANNING TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM PLAYING SPORTS AND THOSE T LOWER THE PERSON INCOME TAX.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSE AND SENATE WILL CONVENE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND THE GOP SUPER MAJOR HAVE THE NUMERICAL STRENGTH TO OVERRIDE THOSE veto DURING THIS SESSION LAWMAKERS DID NOT PASS A MEDICAL MARIJUAN BILL OR LEGALIZED SPORT BETTING IS IT TOO LATE OR CAN MOST MEASURES MAKE A LAZARUS-LIKE RESURRECTION?

WHAT'LL TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT DIDN'T, AND WHAT CAN STILL HAPPEN WITH OUR GUESTS IN THE LENGTH STUDIO.

CALL IT HANKS, SENIOR VERMONT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS TO THE THE KENTUCKY CHAMBERS ECONOMIES.

JASON BAIL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ECONOMY ASK CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICIES.

JULIA BRIGHT CRIGLER, FOUNDER AT BRIGHT STRATEGIES LLC.

AND TERRY BROOKS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY UTHE ADVOCATES WE WANT TO HEAR FROM SEND US A QUESTION OR COMMENT O TWITTER AT KYTONIGHTKET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO KYTONIGHT@KET.ORG.

OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.ORG/KYT MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE BOX THAT SAYS YOU'RE NOT A ROBOT.

AND YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO ALL OUR GUESTS.

AND WE WELCOME OFF YOU FOR WATCHING.

AS WE MENTIONED GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HELD A PRESS ETCHING BRIEFING EARLIER TODAY TALKING ABOUT HOFF OF MUCH THOSE VOTES AND LINE ITEM ASSOCIATION IN BUDGET.

HE SAID IT WAS A BRIGHT BUDGET, ONE OF THE BEST BUDGETS WE'VE HAD IN RECENT HISTORY, BUT HE ALSO SAID THIS WERE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.

>> BUT THIS BUDGET ISN'T THE BEST IT CAN BE.

AND WHILE WE MAKE SOME GREAT INVESTMENTS IN OUR FUTURE, THE BUDGET CERTAINLY DOESN'T MEET THE MOMENT WHEN IT COMES TO K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION.

IT THANKFULLY PROVIDES A RAISE TO SO MANY BUT IT INTENTIONALLY LEAVES TEACHERS, EDUCATORS AND EVERYBODY WHO WORKS IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OUT, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S WRONG.

IT FAILS TO FUND A NO-BRAINER, UNIVERSAL PRE-K. THAT NOT ONLY WOULD MAKE EVERY KENTUCKY CHILD KINDERGARTEN READY BUT IT'S THE SINGLE FASTEST THING WE CAN DO TO PUT PEOPLE BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT PUTTING PEOPLE BACK INTO THE WOULD FORCE WISH CAN'T MAKE CUTS INTO OUR SAFETY NET PLAME CLAIMING IT'S GOING TO GET THEM BACK AND THEN NOT DO THE SIMPLEST MOBE EFFECT OF THING UNIVERSAL PRE-K THAT WOULD ACTUALLY WORK.

THE ENACTED BUDGET HAS OVER $680 MILLION IN LESS IN ZEKE THAN THE BUDGET PROPOSED.

IT DOES NO FULLY FUND PEOPLE TRANSPORTATION WHICH IS AN OBLIGATION FROM THE STATE.

AND IT DOES NOT FUND UNIVERSAL PRE-K. UNIVERSAL PRE-K IS A NO-BRAINER.

IF WE WANT TO COMPETE WITH OTHER STATES AND COMPETE WITH THE WORLD, LET'S NOT LEAVE ANY CHILDMINDER LET'S HAVE THEMMAL BE KIDNEY READY WHICH IS JUST 9% OF THE EXTRA DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS BUDGET WE COULD HAVE HAD COULD HAVE PROVIDED UNIVERSAL PRE-K FOR EVERY E. CAN CHILD.

I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THIS.

I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT OUR EDUCATORS.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I DISAGREE WITH MOST IN THIS BUDGET, ASIDE FROM NOT PROVIDING THE RIGHT A SEEK, NOT DOING UNIVERSAL PRE-K, IS THE LACKAFF MANDATORY RAISE FOR OUR EDUCATORS.

WE HAD THE MONEY TO PROVIDE TO SCHOOLS, AND IT'S BEEN DONE IN THE PAST, UTAH BUT I'M HERE TO COMMIT EVERY BUDGET THAT I PROPOSE GOING FORWARD AS GOVERNOR IS GOING TO YOU CLIMATE CURRICULUM A MANDATORY RAISE NOT JUST FOR OUR TEACHERS BUT THE ENTIRE STAFF AND GROUP THAT WORK IN OUR SCHOOLS, FROM THE CLASSROOM EDUCATOR TO THE CUSTODIAN.

WE NEED YOU ALL.

>> Renee: JASON BAIL, DO YOU AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR ABOUT WHAT THOSE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES WERE FROM EARLY PRE-K FUNDING TO TO EVEN NOT GETTING A RAISE?

>> YEAH, THIS BUDGET WAS A ONE IN A LIVE-TIME OPPORTUNITY P. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE'VE BEEN WANTING TO DO BUT.

THE PROTECTION WAS ALWAYS, WELL, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY.

THIS TIME AROUND THE BUDGET LEAVES ABOUT $2.75 BILLION UNSPENT.

AND A LARGE PORTION OF THAT GOES TO TAX CUTS, WHICH I'M SURE WE'LL TALK ABOUT LATER.

SO IT DOES NOT FULLY SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY AND RISE TO THE OCCASION IN THE MOST IMPORTANT AND LARGEST PART OF THE BUG WHICH IS K-12 EDUCATION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE MONEY THAT GOES INTO SEEK AND ADJUST FOR EDUCATION IT CONTINUES TO DECLINE.

IT, THE 27% LESS THAN IT WAS BACK IN 2009.

NOT ONLY DUTIES NOT FUND PRE-SCHOOL THERE ARE NOT A DAR MORE FOR PRE-HIGH SCHOOL THIS BUDGET IT.

DOESN'T FULLY FUND TRANSPORTATION WHICH IS A STATE RESPONSIBILITY UNDER STATE LAW.

IT INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF BUT WE'RE STILL AT 70% OF WHAT WE'RE SPEEDS TO DO AS A STATE.

AND TEACHER RAISES ARE PARTICULARLY TROUBLING.

THE BUDGET DOES A GREAT JOB I THINK OF STEPPING UP ON STATE EMPLOYEE RAISES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME WITH 8% RAISES AND HOPEFULLY ANOTHER 12% NEXT YEAR, BUT THE TEACHER RAISES AREN'T HERE, AND THAT'S AFTER A LONG TIME IN WHICH THE AVERAGE TEACHER PAY HAS BEEN GOING DOWN BECAUSE THE SEEK MONEY HAS NOT BEEN GOING INTO LOCAL DISTRICTS.

THE AVERAGE TEACHER PAY HAS BEEN DECLINING.

THE STATE FUNDED TEACHER PAY IS REGULARLY, IN THE BUDGET UP TO 2010 AND THE GREAT RECESSION HIT.

NOW IS THE TIME.

WE'RE WAY PAST THE GREETED RECESSION.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN TO REINVEST, AND IT'S HAPPENING AT A PERIOD WHERE THERE'S WIDESPREAD, WIDELY UNDERSTOOD EMPLOYEE AND TEACHER SHORTAGE.

NOT JUST TEACHERS BUT BUS DRIVERS AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

IT'S GETTING WORSE ALL THE TIME.

IF NEW PENSION PLAN, THE NEW TEACHERS ARE TO START IN JANUARY IS MUCH LESS APPEALING FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO INTO THE PROFESSION.

TEACHERS LEAVING.

AND OTHER STATES ARE LOOKING A BIG RAISES.

MISSISSIPPI JUST PASSED A 10% TEACHER RAISE.

BPA IS LOOKING AT SOMETHING THAT WOULD RANGE EVEN HIGHER THAN THAT.

SO WE'VE GOT TO DO MORE TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT THE QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES WE NEED, AND OUR MOST IMPORTANT AREA, OUR BIGGEST AND OUR CLEAREST CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY IS FOR K-12 EDUCATION, SO I THINK MORE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

>> KATE SHANKS, HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE BUDGET?

THERE WAS HOUSE BILL 499 SEPARATE FROM THE THE BUDGET BUT THIS IS THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT WOULD HELP OFFSET THOSE COSTS FOR EARN CERTAIN WORKERS WHO MAKE A CERTAIN HOUSEHOLD INCOME.

IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH TO GET AT EARLY LEARNING?

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT START.

WE SUPPORTED THAT BILL, WORKED ON IT QUITE A BIT.

WORKED ON IT OVER THE INTERIM.

REALLY HAD TO FOCUS ON CHILD CARE.

THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HEARD FROM STOME OF OUR MEMBERS COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, THAT AS THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH WORKFORCE, STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS, ACCESS TO CHILD CARE, THE COST OF CHILD CARE, CHILD CARE WORKERS, THAT WAS A REAL STRAIN, AND IT'S IMPACTED EMPLOYERS.

SO HOUSE BILL 499 WAS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF DEALING WITH THE CHILD CARE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE WITHIN THE WORKFORCE SPACE.

IT IS ALSO VERY MUCH ABOUT EARLY LEARNING.

EARLY LITERACY.

REALLY EDUCATION.

THERE'S AI LOT OF GREAT STUFF IN THIS BUDGET.

FUNDING ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN WAS IMPORTANT TO THAT.

I KNOW THAT PRE-K DISCUSSION IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK BAER GOING WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PRE-K BUT WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT HOW WE DELIVER THOSE SERVICES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MODEL IN PLACE UTILIZES ALL DIFFERENT WAYS OF DELIVERING THOSE SERVICES.

IN HOME CHILD CARE, CHILD CARE CENTERS THAT YOU MIGHT UTILIZE, THAT I USED WHEN MY KIDS WERE YOUNGER, COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS, IN WORKPLACE PROGRAMS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS PARTICULAR CHILD CARE ECOSYSTEM, WHICH IS VERY FRAGILE RIGHT NOW, IS NOT DISRUPTED TOO MUCH, AND SO I THINK CONTINUING TO INVEST IN CHILD CARE -- THERE I WAS $15 MILLION APPROPRIATION FOR THE EMPLOYEE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHICH YOU WERE VERY EXCITED ABOUT.

WE WILL BE VERY ENGAGED WITH THAT PROGRAM AS THEY DEVELOP IT, AND AS THEY ROLL IT AND IT-OUT AND MAKE SURE EMPLOYERS KNOW THAT THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY.

THE GOVERNOR DID SIGN THAT BILL ON FRIDAY IT.

CAME WITH LOTS OF STRONG SUPPORT SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

WE'RE ALREADY DISCUSSING IT WITH OUR MEMBERS.

BUT IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING I THINK OF THE CHILD CARE DISCUSSION AND THE PUZZLE THAT WE ARE STILL TRYING TO PUT BACK TOGETHER.

IT WAS A CHALLENGE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

AND THEN IT GOT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.

AND I WANT TO MENTION, TOO, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WORKER SHORTAGES, WE ARE SEEING THAT ACROSS ALL SECTORS.

AND SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO PINPOINT, OKAY, WE NEED TO JUST FOCUS ON THIS ONE SECTOR RIGHT NOW OR MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING THESE SPECIFIC -- WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WORKFORCE IN KENTUCKY.

>> BUT THERE ALSO WAS SOME STRATEGIC LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE NURSING SHORTAGE.

>> THERE WAS.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN SEM DIRECT INDUSTRY -- >> WE DID SEE FUNDING, TOO, IN THE BUDGET, AND I THINK WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS TO DRIVE THAT DOWN INTO THE LOCAL CONTROL SPACE, INTO THE SCHOOL BOARDS SCHOOL BOARDS, LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THAT PROFESSION AS WELL.

WE CARE ABOUT THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

>> SO IS THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY OPPOSED TO PRE-K FUNDING BECAUSE IT MIGHT ACTUALLY WORK TO THE DETRIMENT OF PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTERS?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON HOW IT'S DONE AND HOW IT ROLLSAL OUT, BUT WE DO NEED TO PROTECT THE ECOSYSTEM AND WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF DELIVERY MODELS WHEN IT COMES TO CHILD CARE.

YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE STATE AS A WHOLE.

WE HAVE, OF COURSE, OUR URBAN AREAS.

WE HAVE RURAL AREAS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE USING IN-HOME CHILD CARE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE RELYING ON THEIR EMPLOYER TO HELP WITH THAT.

SO WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING IT AS COMPREHENSIVELY AS WE CAN, TO IS NOT DISRUPT THE ECOSYSTEM.

BUT I THINK WHEN WE TALKING ABOUT FUNDING AND WE TALKING ABOUT RESOURCES, THANK YOU WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND ABOUT CHILD CARE AND HOW IT IMPACTS WORKFORCE AND AND OURY IN AS A WHOLE.

>> KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES WAS BEHIND HOUSE BILL 499 SO YOU APPLAUD THAT MOVE BUT HOW WOULD YOU GRADE THE BUDGET OVERALL?

>> RENEE, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO STRESS THAT CHAIRMAN PETRIE AND MCDANIEL'S DID DELIVER IN A LOT OF WAYS FOR KIDS.

YOU SEE, AS KATE REFERENCED, SUPPORT FOR CHILD CARE WITHIN SCHOOLS.

FRYSCs, SUCH AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF SCHOOLS, GOT A BOOST.

WE KNOW THAT BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR KIDS, SO IMPORTANT COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, GOT A BOOST.

WE SAW THAT KCHIP AND HANS WHEN WE ARE WERE RENDER, THE LEVEL OF FUNDING HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED THERE.

ADDITIONALLY, YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT KIDS AND NOT TALK WITH DCBS WORKFORCE.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD ELEMENTS IN THERE.

I THINK THE REALITY THAT WE ALL KNOW IS THAT I BELIEVE ON YOUR SHOW WE KNEW THAT PRE-K WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN GIVEN LEADERSHIP'S OPPOSITION.

WHAT I THINK, IF WE LOOKED AT NATIONAL EXAMPLES OF A SYSTEMIC HOLISTIC APPROACH TO EARLY CHILDHOOD, AND THESE COME FROM MODERATE REPUBLICAN STATES, AND I THINK KENTUCKY HAS TO DO THIS, WE HAVE TO PULL BACK AND MAYBE BEFORE 2024, EARLY CHILDHOOD FOLKS NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND THINK ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSAYS SYSTEM.

THE METAPHOR I WOULD MAKE IS TEN YEARS AGO WHEN I WE TALK TO YOU ABOUT CHILD WELFARE, THAT WAS DONE IN A VERY FRAGMENTED WAY, SO YOU LITERALLY HAD FOSTER CARE ALMOST VERSUS OUT-OF-HOME CARE VERSUS PREVENTION.

WITH SOME CHANGES IN FRANKFORT, WE NOW HAVE A ROBUST REFORM-MINDED CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.

I THINK FOR US TO GET ANYTHING DONE SYSTEMICALLY WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD, WE'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT THAT AS A SYSTEM FROM BIRTH LITERALLY THROUGH KINDLE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, A KATE REFERENCED, YOU HAVE SOME TENSIONS.

FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN VERSUS CHILD CARE ACCESS VERSUS EARLY CHILDHOOD, OTHER SUPPORTS, PRE-K, UNIVERSAL PRE-K.

SO WHAT I HOPE WE COME OUT OF THIS SESSION IS GOOD, ROBUST CONVERSATIONS BEGINNING SOON SO THAT COME 2024, WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT WOULD THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM LOOK LIKE?

AS LONG AS WE HAVE UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND CHILD CARE AND KINDERGARTEN AS DISCREET ELEMENTS, THANK YOU WE'RE GOING TO RUN INTO THIS LOGJAM.

SO I HOPE WHAT I ASSUME IS GOING TO BE A VETO OVERRIDE, WHAT I HOPE THAT DOES IS SPUR ALL OF US TO COME TOGETHER WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WITH FRONTLINE CHILD CARE FOLKS, WITH K-12 EDUCATORS, AND THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN EMULATE SOME OTHER STATES THAT HAVE REALLY REINVENTED EARLY CHILDHOOD INTO MUCH MORE OF A HOLISTIC FOCUSED SYSTEM.

>> BUT JULIA BRIGHT CRIGLER, IS THAT WHERE REPUBLICANS ARE?

BECAUSE TO KIND OF ELABORATE ON WHAT MR. BROOKS JUST MENTIONED ABOUT ONE OF THE FIRST SHOWS WE DID IN PREVIEWING THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PRESIDENT ROSH STIVERS THE NOT THE VALIDITY EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS BUT WHETHER THEY REALLY DO WORK, AND HE MADE THE COMMENT THAT HIGHS CHILDREN OF DIDN'T HAVE:A FORMALIZED PROGRAM AND THEY TURNED OUT FINE, AND MANY FAMILIES WOULD SAY BOTH OF THE FAMILIES HAVE HIGH LITERACY RATES AND THE EXPOSURE THAT PERHAPS PRESIDENT'S STIVERS WAS HE ABLE TO GIVE THEM AND HE TO HIS KIDS.

IS THERE A PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE BUT VALUE OF ELDERLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THAT COULD PREVENT THE IDEA THAT TERRY BROOKS HAS BROUGHT FORTH ABOUT A MORE COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT TO MOVE ELDERLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FORWARD?

>> SURE.

WHEN I THINK YOU LOOK AT THIS BUDGET, 52 OF THIS BUDGET IS TIED UP IN EDUCATION.

UNIVERSAL KIDNEY FUNDING HAS LONG BEEN A INITIATIVE OF FORMER REPRESENTATIVE BAM CARNEY AND I THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS EAGER TO VET YES ON THAT.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS 1 A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING IN THE BACKGROUND ON THAT ISSUE.

AND ADDITIONALLY, WHEN IT COMES TO KIND OF K THROUGH 12 FUNDING AS A WHOLE, THERE'S BEEN AN ADDITIONAL $525 MILLION JUST IN THAT FIRST YEAR WITH EVEN MORE IN THE SECOND YEAR, SO THAT WAS REALLY KIND OF THE PATH AND THE APPROACH THAT SUPERINTENDENTS AND SCHOOL BOARDS RECOMMENDED WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND FUNDING SO THAT THEY COULD HAVE THE FLEXIBLE TO USE THOSE DOLLARS, WHETHER IT WAS FOR TEACHER RAISES OR SOME OF THEIR TRANSPORTATION SHORTFALLS, ET CETERA.

SO THAT KIND OF WAY OF FUNDING IT DIDN'T MANDATE TEACHER RAISES PER SE, BUT TEACHER RAISES NOT HAPPENING WOULDN'T BE BECAUSE OF THIS BUDGET P IF THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS CHOOSE TO ICE THAT MONEY THAT WAY.

>> BUT PREVIOUS REPORTS WAS PREVIOUS BUDGETS IN TIMES WHEN THERE WERE RAISES DID DO THAT, SO WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE NOW WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT MORE CASH TO WORK WITH?

>> I THINK THEY WANT TO GIVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS FLEXIBILITY, AND SO GIVING THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS AND SCHOOL BOARDS THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO USE THEM HOW THEY SEE FIT BEST FOR THEIR DISTRICT IS REALLY KIND OF PHILOSOPHICALLY IN LINE WITH THE REPUBLICANS IN THE MAJORITIES.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENT ABOUT EDUCATION FUNDING BEFORE WE ME HAVE ON?

CHARTER SCHOOLS?

>> WOULD I SAY ON THE CHILD CARE POINT, I DO THINK IT'S A BOTH AND IN TERMS EXPANDING PRESCHOOL AND PRIVATE VIALED CHILD CARE BUT THE PRIVATE CHILD CARE SERCK HAS BEEN SO HARMED BY BUDGET CUTS OVER THE LAST DECADE.

THEY'RE BEING PROPPED UP NOW BY LITERALLY $760 MILLION IN FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT MONEY THAT WILL BEGIN TO RUN OUT NEXT YEAR.

SO WE HAVE WHAT HAS BEEN A VERY FRAGILE SITUATION IT WOULD BE MUCH, MUCH WORSE IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT MONEY THAT IS GOING TO RUN OUT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THE PILOT PROGRAM AROUND EMPLOYERS IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THAT OR FILL THAT HOLE.

I THINK WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT AMORE DRASTIC THINGS.

THE BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN WAS GOING TO PUT A LOT MORE MONEY IN.

IT'S NOT PASSED CONGRESS YET PRAY.

VERSION OF IT AROUND PRESCHOOL AND CHILD CARE IS STILL A POSSIBILITY BUT WITHOUT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY OR WE'RE GOING TO BE IN A WORSE SITUATION COMING UP.

>> I KNOW THE GOVERNOR DID ISSUE SEVERAL VETOES, AND AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER THE SUPER MARRIAGES OF THE KSPC WILL BE ABLE TO OVERSIDEES SHOULD THEY CHEWS.

IT I'M CURIOUS AND I WILL START WITH YOU, JULIE, ON THIS QUESTION, CHARTER SCHOOLS IN HOUSE PASSED 51 TO 46, BARELY GOT THE SIMPLE MAJORITY.

WILL LAWMAKERS, REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED FOR IT, OF THE 51, 75, WILL THEY TAKE ANOTHER RISK AND VOTE FOR IT TWICE?

>> SURE.

I'M NOT SURE WHY AN ELECTION YEAR ESPECIALLY SO CLOSE TO GOVERNOR OWES RACE WOULD WANT DO GIVE ANDY BESHEAR AND THE KEA A WIN ON THAT.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE NOT NEW PHILOSOPHICALLY.

THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS ALREADY MADE THE DECISION ON SCHOOL CHOICE WHETHER IT'S EOAs, EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS, TAX SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS IS WHAT EM SOME PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT.

>> WHICH WERE LEGALIZED IN 2017.

>> CORRECT.

THE POLICY OF CHARTER SCHOOLS HAPPENED ALREADY.

THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS ALREADY DECIDED THAT.

SO FOR FOLKS TO KIND OF WAIVER OR GO BACK AND FORTH ON A VOTE THEY'VE ALREADY TENANT ON FLOOR, I JUST THINK POLITICALLY AND STRATEGICALLY WOULD PUT THEM IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION WITH THEM HAVING BOTH ADVOCATE FOR SCHOOL CHOICE ANGRY AND PERHAPS LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS OR OTHER FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN VOCAL AGAINST CHARTER SCHOOLS AS WELL.

SO IT WOULD BE ODD, AND I'M NOT SURE, BUT WE'LL SEE.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

>> INTERESTING CAUCUS MEETINGS TO COME.

DO YOU THINK THAT THAT'S THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE SOME VERY FIRE DISCUSSIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?

>> NI ANY TIME YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT VETOES AND OVERRIGHTS, YOU'RE TALK ABOUT THOSE PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES.

OBVIOUSLY WITH THE HOUSE MAJORITY, SENATE MAJORITY BEING REPUBLICAN, THE GOVERNOR BEING A DEMOCRAT 1 YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THOSE THINGS.

I THINK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL ABSOLUTELY REVIEW AND EXAMINE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE THE GOVERNOR'S VETOES.

BUT WITH THAT, I EXPECT THEM TO OVERRIDE MOST IF NOT ALL OF THEM.

>> SO ONE OF THEM, AND SOME OF THEM THE GOVERNOR SAID WERE TECHNICAL IN NATURE, BUT THERE WAS SOME LANGUAGE ABOUT SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE RANKING OF SOCIAL WORKERS WHERE HE WANTED TO MAKE WHERE THERE WOULD BE A LARGER POOL FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE JUST IN DAYS YOU DIDN'T GET THOSE RANK 1 SOCIAL WORKERS.

DO YOU SEE THAT BEING CONTENTIOUS AT ALL?

>> I'M NOT SURE KIND OF THE INNER POLITICS ON THAT WITHIN THE CAUCUSES.

>> IT SEEMS KIND OF MINOR PERHAPS.

>> IT'S CERTAINLY VERY NUANCED AND DETAILED.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE WORKING IN CHILD WELFARE, I THINK THE SOCIAL WORKER ISSUE, WE CAN THROW ALL THE MONEY AT IT IN THE WORLD BUT THERE AREN'T 300 ADDITIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS TO BE HAD, AND SO IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE, AND IT'S NOT A SIMPLE JUST THROW MORE MONEY AT IT KIND OF PROBLEM.

>> YEAH, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT, TERRY BROOKS.

>> I CONCUR WITH JULIA.

I KNOW KNOW HE REPRESENTS CLIENTS THAT ARE IN CHILD WELFARE.

I THINK WHAT WE ALL KNOW IS THAT ADDRESSING FRONTLINE SOCIAL WORKER SUPPORTS IS REALLY COMBATING MALTREATMENT FOR KIDS.

THE THING THAT I THINK, AND THIS IS NOT NEW.

I WAS AT A MEETING JUST LAST WEEK AND SCATTERED FREELANDERER GAVE THE BEVIN ADMINISTRATION PROPER CREDIT WHICH WAS BOTH GOVERNOR BEVIN AND GOVERNOR BASH'S CHFS HAVE AFFECTED WHAT IS REALLY A TOUGH CHALLENGE CHALLENGE WHICH IS HOW TO RESTRUCTURE IS THE CAREER OF BEING A FRONTLINE SOCIAL WORKER.

RIGHT NOW THE REALITY IS THAT IF I'M A FIRST-YEAR FRONTLINE SOCIAL WORKER OR IF I'VE BEEN THERE 20 YEARS, I GET PRETTY MUCH THE SAME COMPENSATION AND HAVE THE SAME RESPONSIBILITIES.

WHAT I HOPE SOME OF THE INCREASED FUNDING CAN DO IS ALLOW THIS ADMINISTRATION TO FOLLOW UP ON THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONA'S EFFORT TO FORM A DIFFERENTIATE CAREER LADDER, THINK ABOUT DIFFERENTIATED ROLES, SO IT'S MORE THAN JUST A PAY RAISE, AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST THE NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS.

IT'S HOW DO WE RESTRUCTURE THAT PROFESSION TO HAVE A SYSTEM THAT'S THERE TO SUPPORT KIDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING JUST REAL TRAGEDIES.

>> SPEAKING OF PAY RAISES, THE GOVERNOR DID VETO THE IN THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET A LINE ITEM THAT WOULD -- OR VETO -- EXCUSE ME, LET ME GET IT OUT -- LEGISLATIVE PAY RAISES.

HERE'S WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID EARLIER TODAY.

>> I LINE ITEMED IN THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET THE 8% RAISE THEY ATTEMPTED TO GIVE TO THEMSELVES.

OVERALL COMPENSATION, THAT'S SALARY PLUS ALL THE PER DIEM AND IS THE REST FOR LEGISLATORS HAS GROWN TO A SWOLLEN $60,000 PLUS ON AVERAGE.

THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE OR CLOSE TO DOUBLE WHAT AN AVERAGE KENTUCKIAN MAKES.

GIVING A RAISE IS NOT ONLY WRONG IN THAT INSTANCE BUT, REMEMBER, THAT GOES INTO THEIR CALCULATION OF THE PENSION THAT IS PAID OUT ULTIMATELY POLICIAL MALT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THEIR LIFETIME.

WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT PENSIONS, DOING SOMETHING THAT INCREASES THEIR OWN, I DO NOT THINK IS RIGHT.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

ITEM GOING LIVE UP TO THE SAME STANDARD BECAUSE YOU LINE ITEM VETOED THE SAME RAISE THAT WAS OTHERWISE GOING TO BE GIVEN TO THE GOVERNOR AND EVERY OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER.

>> SO IS THAT A GOOD IDEA, JASON BAILEY?

>> WELL, THERE'S POLITICS RUNNING THROUGH ALL THESE DECISIONS IN MULTIPLE WAYS.

I THINK THE GOVERN WAGS STRIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THE LACK OF TEACHER AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEE RAISES WHEN HE DID THAT MORE THAN NECESSARILY THE PAY OF THE LEGISLATORS OR THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

AND I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT MISS GIVING.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER OF THIS BUDGET.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN INVESTIGATE IN PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

IN FACT, WE'VE BEEN DISINVESTING NOT ONLY IN PAY, THERE'S BEEN NO RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES FOR TEN OF THE LAST 12 YEARS, AND I MENTIONED THE LAST TEACHER RAISE WAS IN 2010 FROM A STATE LEVEL, BUT WE'VE ALSO TAKEN AWAY THEIR PENSIONS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES WITH SOCIAL WORKERS, IS NOT JUST THE ERODED PAY BUT THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER IN A DEFINE BENEFIT PENSION PLAN.

THAT WAS A RETENTION TOOL THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT IN PUBLIC SECTOR, AND IT'S NOW GONE.

>> I UNDERSTOOD, THOUGH, FROM SOME HOUSE FLOOR DISCUSSION THAT LEGISLATIVE PAY IS ALSO CONNECTED TO LEGISLATIVE STAFF THAT THEY CANNOT BE SEPARATED.

SO IF HE VETOES THE LINE ITEM FOR THE LEGISLATORS WITH DOES THAT NOT AFFECT THE STAFF AS WELL?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

>> YOU I HAVEN'T SEEN THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE ON THAT.

ASSESSABLE TO CROSS OUTED.

HE CANNOT ADD IN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, HE CANNOT ADD IN, BUT IF THEY'RE BOUND IN STATUTE, WOULD THAT ALSO STRIKE OUT THAT FOR THE LRC EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN PRAISED A LOT DURING THIS SESSION AND WHO WE OFTEN SEE VERY LATE AT NIGHT DOING THEIR JOB.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT OTHER VETOES OF SOME VERY CRITICAL BILLS THAT WERE EXPECTED.

THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS.

I DON'T KNOW IF KATE SHANKS, YOU WANT TO GET IN ON THAT DISCUSSION.

I KNOW THE CHAMBER WAS PROBABLY NEUTRAL ON THAT BILL.

>> YAR WE WERE NEUTRAL ON THAT LEGISLATION.

I KNOWY THERE WERE CHANGES MADE ON IN THE EARLY PART OF THE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND WE HEARD ABOUT FROM SOME MEMBERS.

I WILL TELL YOU ON THAT ISSUE THE BENEFIT CLIFFS DISCUSSION IS VERY RELEVANT AND VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

>> EXPLAIN WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT TERM.

>> IT'S WHAT BEE HEARD ABOUT.

WE DID A TOUR OF THE STATE AND VISITED WITH BUSINESSES AND ESPECIALLY IN CERTAIN REGIONS OF THE STATE WHERE PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH DEPENDENT ON CERTAIN GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THE VALUE OF THAT WHEN YOU GO BACK TO WORK OR EVEN GETTING A PAY RAISE OR PROMOTION.

AND IT'S A VERY REAL CONVERSATION WHERE I HAVE EMPLOYERS TELLING ME, I WANT TO PROMOTE THIS PERSON, I WANT TO HIRE THESE PEOPLE.

THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR BENEFITS AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THAT.

AND SO I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT MORE BACKPACKS EVER CONVERSATION ABOUT THE BENEFIT CLIFF SIDE OF THIS.

>> AND THAT WASN'T ANDREASED IN THIS LEGISLATION.

>> IT WAS TALKED ABOUT ELIGIBILITY AND HOW IT'S UTILIZED.

WE DID WORKER WITH REPRESENTATIVE DIXON ON HOUSE BILL 708 AND THAT STARTS THE PROCESS FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STAND POINT UTILIZING CALCULATORS AND HELPING PEOPLE REALIZE THAT TRANSITION POINT FROM BEING RELIANT ON THESE SERVICES TO BEING MORE RELIANT ON THEIR WORK, SELF-RELIANT IN SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILIES, AND SO WE'RE INTERESTED IN THAT BECAUSE WE'RE HEARING ABOUT THAT FROM EMPLOYERS AND HOW THEY'RE INTERACTING WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES AND WITH POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE ENGAGED IN PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

AS TO HOUSE BILL 7, WE WERE NEUTRAL ON THAT BILL.

>> RIGHT.

ALSO COUPLED WITH THE JOBLESS BENEFITS OR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE REFORMS THAT WERE TAKING PLACE WE HEARD SOME IN REGIONS LIKE EASTERN KENTUCKY THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM DEPOPULATION, THAT THOSE MEASURES WILL INDEED DRIVE MORE PEOPLE OUT OF THOSE REGIONS.

YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT CONCERN.

>> IT WAS A BIG PRIORITY OF THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER, OBVIOUSLY A PRIORITY BUILT OF HOUSE.

>> AND IT'S ALREADY BEEN OVERRIDDEN.

>> ALREADY BEEN OVERRIDDEN.

IMPORTANT LEGISLATION.

REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL WEBER WORKED ON THAT.

THERE WERE SEVERAL PROVISIONS.

PROBABLY THE ONE THAT GOT THE MOST ATTENTION TIED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO OUR SITUATION IN THE ECONOMY, OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW 160,000 OPEN ACROSS KENTUCKY, HAVING IT WHERE THE WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT ARE LESS WHEN THE CONDITIONS ARE LIKE THAT.

IT ALSO MADE CHANGES TO WORK SEARCH.

IT MADE CHANGES HAD TO -- IT CREATED A WORK SHARE PROGRAM WHICH IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LAYOFFS.

AND IT ALSO CREATED AN INCENTIVE FOR ADDITIONAL EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS WHERE YOU WOULD GET ADDITIONAL WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT IF YOUING ROLLED IN A PROGRAM LIKE THAT.

A LOVERS LOVE CONVERSATION ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY, AND THAT REGION IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO THE STATE.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN HIT HARD BY THE FALL OF THE COAL INDUSTRY.

WE WERE VERY CONCERNED OVER THE YEARS AS WE SAW THE TRANSITION AWAY SPECIFIC FROM CENTRAL APPALACHIAN COAL WHICH IS, OF COURSE, WHAT'S MINED IN THAT REGION AND HOW IT IMPACTED EASTERN KENTUCKY, AND WE'RE STILL WORKING THROUGH A LOT OF THAT.

YOU MENTIONED DEPOPULATION.

PEOPLE LEAVING THE REGION FOR WORK.

I THINK THAT'S BEEN IN LARGE PART WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN IN EASTERN KENTUCKY OVER THE YEARS AS WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE COAL INDUSTRY.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT EASTERN KENTUCKY AND THE REGION AND WHAT WE CAN BE DOING POLICY-WISE, WHAT WE CAN BE DOING WITH OUR PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT REEMPLOYMENT IN THAT REGION AND TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IT MIGHTING THINGS AS BROAD AS INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOW WE MOVE PEOPLE AROUND WITHIN THE REGION.

BROADBAND AND HOW PEOPLE DO REMOTE WORK.

CHILD CARE, WHAT IS THE CHILD CARE SITUATION LOOK LIKE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THIS.

IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WILL REQUIRE PARTNERS AND SO MANY PEOPLE ARE ALREADY WORKING IN THIS SPACE.

BUT WE HEAR THE CONCERNS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY LEGISLATORS.

WE HEAR THE CONCERNS OF OUR MEMBERS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

AND THIS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO THE CHAMBER.

>> THERE WERE 21 REPUBLICAN LEGISLATOR ACROSS BOTH CHAMBERS THAT VOTED NO ON HOUSE BILL 4 BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THOSE DOLLARS ARE SO CRITICAL WHEN PEOPLE LOSE A FACTORY JOB, LOSE A COAL JOB.

IT KEEPS THE FAMILIES AFLOAT, CIRCULATES THROUGH THE ECONOMY, HELPS LOCAL BUSINESSES AND HELPS THEM FIND A JOB THAT ACTUALLY MEETS THEIR SKILLS AND CAPACITIES AND THEIR FAMILY BUDGET AS OPPOSED TO PUSHING THEM INTO THE NEXT JOB THAT MAY PAY ONLY HEREAFTER OF WHAT THEIR PREVIOUS JOB DID.

SO HOUSE BILL 4 WILL REQUIRE AFTER SIX WEEKS, IF YOU GET A JOB OFFER WITHIN 30 MILES, IT PAYS JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE OF HALF THAN WHAT YOU HAD.

YOU EVER TO TAKE IT OR YOU'LL LOSE YOUR BENEFITS.

IT'S CRUSHING BILL.

IT'S A CRUEL BILL.

AND IT'S NOTE AT ALL ASSOCIATED WITH LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATES WITH THE HIGHEST LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IN THE COUNTRY, THEY HAVE 26 WEEKS OF BENEFITS.

IN FACT, OF THE STATES WITH THE LOWEST, HALF OF OF THEM HAVE DONE WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IN CUTTING THEM.

THAT'S JUST TAKING DOLLARS OUT OF THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THEM TO RECOVER.

AND MAKING OUR FUTURE RECESSIONS LONGER, DEEPER AND MORE PAINFUL.

>> TERRY BROOKS.

>> BACK TO HB 7, I THINK THERE'S REALLY THREE ASPECT OF THAT I'D LIKE TO LIFT UP, RENEE.

FIRST OF ALL WHY I THINK THAT SPEAKER OSBORN AND REPRESENTATIVE MEAD FRANKLY HAVE BEEN GIVEN ENOUGH CREDIT FOR REALLY LINK.

THE IF YOU LOOK A WHERE THAT BILL STARTED AND WHERE THAT BILL WOUND UP, THEY REALLY DID LISTEN LISTEN.

AND THERE ARE STILL SOME COMPONENTS THAT CONCERN ME, BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK THEM FOR THAT.

SENATOR GIVENS OFFERED A SET OF REALLY STRONG AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE THAT.

E. AT THE 11th HOUR.

SO I THINK FIRST OF ALL WE'VE GOT TO SAY THE BILL IS IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE THAN WHEN IT BEGAN.

>> DO WE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE IT MAY AFFECT AND MAY ACTUALLY LOSE THEIR BENEFITS?

>> I THINK -- WELL, AND I WAS JUST GETTING TO THE POINT.

PART OF WHAT CONCERNS ME ALONG WITH LACKING A FISCAL NOTE AND REALLY THINKING ABOUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO MONITOR THIS WHEN IT'S PASSED, THERE ARE STILL SOME REALLY LINGERING QUESTIONS, AND I'M SURE MY PANELISTS PROBABLY HAVE OTHER CATEGORY.

WHEN KYA LOOKS AT IT, WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANSWER YET, FOR INSTANCE, FOR ARE PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE JUST AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE, ARE THEY EXEMPT FROM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS OR DO THEY HAVE TO DO IT?

A BIG PIECE, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT WE FOCUS ON KINSHIP CARE, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET AN ANSWER WHETHER THE STIPULATIONS FOR FOLKS LACKING DEPENDENTS, DOES THAT APPLY TO FICTIVE KIN FAMILIES OR NOT?

SO FRANKLY, I THINK THAT I'LL DEFER TO MY COLLEAGUES, BUT I THINK THAT ANYBODY THAT THINKS THEY HAVE THOSE HARD NUMBERS, THOSE QUESTIONS HAVEN'T BEEN ANSWERED.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, AND I THINK THIS IS A REAL METANARRATIVE OF THIS SESSION, AND I HAVE A QUESTION MORE THAN AN ANSWER ABOUT THIS, KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS FOR A LONG TIME, AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT BOTH MAJOR AND MINORITY MECHANICS FOR A LONG TIME HAVE SAID THAT KENTUCKY POLICIES NEED TO BE WRITTEN BY KENTUCKIANS.

SO THEY HAVE RID OF THE SORT OF THIS NATIONAL AGENDA -- RESISTED THE NATIONAL AGENDA THAT GROUPS ON LEFT AND GROUPS ON THE RIGHT BRING TO PLAY.

THERE WAS CLEARLY AN EFFORT BY OUTSIDE GROUPS TO WRITE HB 7 FOR KENTUCKY.

ALL YOU'VE GOT TO DO IS LOOK A PARALLEL LEGISLATION.

SO I THINK THAT -- AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN ALL CASES.

A GOOD EXAMPLE IS THAT SENATE BILL 40, WHICH WAS A BILL THAT WAS GOING TO BE VERY NEGATIVE ON CHILD WELFARE AROUND PARENTAL RIGHTS, THERE ARE IDENTICAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN 44 STATES.

SO YOU EITHER BELIEVE IN SPAWNS SPONTANEOUS CALEB SPULE COMBUSTION THAT LAWMAKERS IN MISSISSIPPI AND MONTANA AND FRANKFORT YOU WILL ALL HAVE THE SAME IDEA AT THE SAME TIME OR YOU BELIEVE THAT NATIONAL GROUPS ARE WRITING THE LAWS.

SO I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE LOST, THAT I ASSUME THAT SPEAKER OSBORNE AND REPRESENTATIVE MEADE GOT A LOT OF HEAT FROM NATIONAL PLAYERS WITH BIG MONEY, AND I THINK THEY STOOD UP TO IT.

SO IS THE BILL IDEAL?

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE MANY IDEAL BILLS.

BUT I THINK THEY NEED SOME COMPLIMENTS ON THAT.

BY THE SAME TONING, I HOPE THOSE QUESTIONSIES THAT JUST RAISED, WOULDN'T IT KNOW KIDS AGING OUT OF CARE AND CHOSE KINSHIP FAMILY.

>> AND WE DON'T KNOW THE FISCAL NOTE A THIS WILL THE CABINET FOR HEALTHY AND FOAM SERVICES SAID IT'S GOING TO BE $21 MILLION BUT AS THE BILL EVOLVE THEY EDIT VETO UP TO $21 MILLION.

>> THAT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO THE VERSION OF THE BILL.

THIS ABOUT IS YOU MUCH MORE COMPLEX.

>> DO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AS WE TALK ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESULTS WHAT'S THE ROI OF THIS.

WE'VE GOT TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM THAT IN TWO YEARS WE CAN COME BACK AND SEE WHAT ARE THE RESULTS BECAUSE IF WE DON'T DO THAT, WE'RE GOING TO STILL BE TALKING ABOUT HB 7 FROM A POLITICAL, PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE.

>> OF COURSE, SECRETARY ERIC FREELANDER DID TESTIFY, JULIA, THAT IT WOULD CAUSE HUM TO HAVE TO ADD 500 ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS OF HOUSE BILL 7.

SO CURIOUS ABOUT DO YOU THINK ALL OF THESE MEASURES GET TWEAKED ALONG THE WAY?

DO YOU EXPECT SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO HAPPEN?

IT'S ALREADY PASSED SO I GUESS THEY COULD STILL PASS ANOTHER MEASURE THAT WOULD ADDRESS SOME OF THESE OPEN QUESTIONS THAT MR. BROOKS HAS RAISED ABOUT FICTIVE PUMPKIN AND KIDS AGING OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

>> SURE.

I THINK THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS IN A LOT OF THESE THINGS, RIGHT?

SO KIDS WHO ARE AGING OUT OF SYSTEM SOMETIMES ARE IN INDEPENDENT LIVING.

TO QUALIFY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING ITSELF REQUIRES THAT YOU BE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT OR BE IN SCHOOL OR BE DOING A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF DETAILS INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF THESE ISSUES THAT I'M SURE WILL EITHER GET ANSWERS ON OR BE WORK ON OVER THE INTERIM.

>> RIGHT.

SO THE BIG TOPIC, WE ALWAYS GET ASKED THIS, WILL THE GOVERNOR CALL A SPECIAL SESSION REGARDING MEDICAL CANNABIS AND THEN THE EXCLAMATION POINT SENTENCE THAT'S WHAT HE NEEDS TODAY TOAD FROM A MAYOR FROM MASON COUNTY.

SO THE GOVERNOR DID SAY TODAY THAT HE IS LOOKING INTO ACTIONS THAT HE COULD TAKE, EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT HE COULD EXACT TO DEAL WITH THIS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE ARE AND HE'S TALKING TO WHOEVER TO GET THOSE KIND OF ANSWERS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK IT'S INTRIGUING.

IT'S A UNIQUE STRATEGY.

IT'S CERTAINLY NOT ONE -- >> DOES HE STILL HAVE EXECUTIVE POWER TO DO THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S A QUESTION.

[LAUGHTER] >> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, RENEE, FOR THE COURTS.

BUT IT'S INTERESTING.

CERTAINLY MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS ANIN USUAL THAT'S NOT GOING AWAY, HASN'T GONE AWAY.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVE JASON NEMES DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT FOR HIS DOGGED PURSUIT OF THIS POLICY.

>> WHAT HAPPENED?

WHITNEY WESTERFIELD CHAIR OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TWEETED THAT THE BILL WAS GOING TO GET A HEARING.

>> AND THEY WORKED TOGETHER IN A REALLY GREAT FASHION COMING TOGETHER WEEK AFTER WEEK BEING THROUGH THE BILL RYAN BY LINE TO BE IN A PLACE WHERE WE FELT COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY CHAIRMAN WESTERFIELD WAS NOT ALWAYS THE MAJOR IMPEDIMENT SOME PEOPLE MADE HIM OUT TO BE.

SO THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF OTHER FACTORS.

>> AND THE CAUCUS PERHAPS THAT SUPPORT JUST FELL WAY SHORT, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE FOR A BILL BY REPRESENTATIVE KIM MOSER WHO CHAIRS THIS HOUSE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE.

SHE'S BEEN PUSHING FOR MORE RESEARCH BY THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY SO PERHAPS WE COULD SEE THAT PASS WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY.

>> CORRECT.

THERE ARE TWO DAYS THEY COULD PASS BILLS THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD NOT VOTE.

I WOULD THINK THAT THAN THE WOO BE ONE OF THEM IF THERE'S THAT POTENTIAL AS WELL.

>> DO YOU HAVE INPUT YOU WANT TO HAVE ON MEDICAL CANNABIS?

>> I DON'T WANT TO BURY YOUR PLAYED.

PROBABLY HAVE TO TALK TO YOUR GUESTS FLEXION WALK.

>> SPORTS BETTING TOO.

LAZARUS, THESE THINGS HAPPEN.

IT COULD BE RESURRECTED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WHAT'S THE ODDS ON?

>> I THINK IT'S CLOSER THAN IT WAS.

I THINK OUR COLLEAGUES AND FELLOW ADVOCATES ARE WORKING HARD AT IT TIRELESSLY.

THEY WORKED OVER IF VETO RECESS STILL REACHING OUT THE MEMBERS TO TRY TO GET THE VOTES.

AT THIS POINT I THINK IT'S AS CLOSE AS IT CAN BE AND WE'LL JUST HAVE TO PATE N. THOSE PLAS TWO DAYS.

>> AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A BIG REVENUE GENERATORS.

20-SOMETHING MILLION MAYBE SO THE AMENY.

US THE FOR DOING IT IS WHAT?

IS THERE AN URGENCY?

>> IT'S HAPPENING.

PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS BETTING.

WE HAVE NEW DATA COMING OUT THAT IN MARCH HALF A MILLION KENTUCKIANS TRIED TO WAGER ON SPORTS AND WERE DENY BECAUSE THERE'S GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTRAINTS.

IF YOU'RE NOT IN A STATE THAT LEGALIZEY SPORTS BETTING YOU DO NOT GET TO PARTICIPATE ON THE SPORTS BETTING PLATFORMS ARE AVAILABLE.

AND SO WE KNEE PEOPLE WANT TO DO THIS.

WE WOULD BE THE 34th STATE.

>> PEOPLE ARE ALREADY DOING IT.

THEY GO ACROSS THE BRIDGE AND HEAD INTO INDIANA.

THE SPONSOR, REPRESENTATIVE ADAMIG KOENIG WHO IS A HUGE CHAMPION FOR BUSINESS AND SOMEBODY YOU WANT RUNNING YOUR LEGISLATION HAS CRAFTED A VERY DETAILED BILL THAT LAYS OUT HOW IT'S HANDLED AND HOW IT'S REGULATED AND TAXED AND HOW IT WOULD BE MANAGED, AND SO HE'S PUT SO MUCH WORK NIGHT AND SO MANY ADVOCATES ARE WORKING ON IT.

WE'RE WORKING ON IT.

BUT WE HAVE TWO DAYS LEFT AND IT'S GOT TO GET THROUG THE SENATE.

>> SO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT SAYS THEY ARE THE FEET ARE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WHY ARE THEY BUCKING THIS?

>> I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO A LOT OF SOCIAL ISSUES.

>> SO CONCERNED ABOUT PROBLEM GAMBLING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> JASON BAILEY, DO YOU CONSIDER THIS TO BE A REGRESSIVE TAX THE ON POOR?

>> EXPERTS BOATING BEGG?

I THINK IT'S HAPPENING TIE CERTAIN DEGREE.

I THINK THAT THE ISSUE IS THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW IT, WE NEED TO TAX IT PROPERLY AND THAT'S BEEN THE ISSUE THROUGHOUT ALL THESE -- BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE THAT'S OUT THERE HOUSE BILL 608 THAT ARE AROUND SO-CALLED GRAY MACHINES.

>> THESE ARE THE SLOT-LIKE MACHINES THAT YOU SEE IN THE BACK OF GAS STATIONS AND CONVENIENCE STORES BE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF THEM POPPING UP IN RURAL COUNTIES.

THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.

AND THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE HAVE SLAPPED STICKERS ON THERE SAYING IF YOU PUT YOUR MONEY HERE, YOU'RE HELPING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> I DO THINK IT'S A DIRECT COMPETITOR WITH THE LOTTERY BECAUSE.

>> AND THE LOTTERY CORPORATION HAS TESTIFIED TO THE SAME.

>> WHEN 70% OF THE MONEY YOU PUT IN THE LOTTERY GOES BACK TO COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS, NOTHING IS COMING BACK FROM THESE MACHINES.

SO I THINK THAT THERE'S A REAL DANGER THAT IT END UP BEAGLE A NET LOSS TO TOWER BUDGET.

>> AND WE SHOULD THAY A THAT 608 OUTLAWS THEM BUT THERE WAS QUESTION ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WHY AREN'T E TALKING ABOUT REGULATING THEM?

>> I THINK THE REASON IS BECAUSE OF THE LOTTERY.

I THINK WE COULD REGULATE AND TAX THEM EXPEND UP WITH LESS MONEY.

WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S -- THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH GAMBLING DOLLAR, AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT IN KENTUCKY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS IS AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND PARTICULARLY HHR, THE SLOT MACHINES, AS THEY EXPLODE IN GROWTH, THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE LIMITS ON PEOPLE'S MONEY.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AS MANY SLOT MACHINES PER CAPITA AS OHIO JUST FROM HRR ALONE.

SO TO THE EXTEND YOU ALLOW IT YOU HAVE TO BE SURE YOU TAX IT 3 BECAUSE I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD AGREE NO MATTER YOUR POSITION ON THE SOCIAL ISSUE, IT SHOULD BE TADD.

>> THERE WAS DISCUSSION ON THE HOUSE FLOOR IF PEOPLE ARE DOING IT AND IT'S NO REGULATED, IT NEEDS TO LEGISLATED.

THE PARE MULETUAL RACING SUPPORTS OUR HOURS RACING AND SO UNIQUE TO KENTUCKY JASON'S RIGHT.

WE LOOK AT THE REPORT.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF HOW WE FUND THIS FINANCIAL AID AND THESE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, AND WHEN WE TALKING ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TALK ABOUT EDUCATIONAL ATTAIN WANT WEEK MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES IS CRITICAL, AND SO YOU DO EAT AWAY AT THAT AND I THINK THE LEGISLATURE WAS DECIDED FROM A POLICY STAND POINT THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT.

FUNDING THOSE PROGRAMS ARE IMPORTANT.

FUNDING OUR HORSE INDUSTRY AND FUNDING PURSES AND THE RACING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE IS IMPORTANT.

BUT THESE GRAY MACHINES LIVE IN THE GRAY AREA.

>> THAT'S WHY THEY'RE CALLED THAT, RIGHT?

>> THEY'RE VERY GRAY.

THE FACT THAT THE FOP IS GETTING SOME FUNDING, IT'S STILL NOT CHARITABLE GAMING WHICH IS ALSO LLOYD IN KENTUCKY.

>> PUT THE MOM AND POP STORES IN THESE SMALL TOWNS ARE BENEFITING FROM IT.

THEY DON'T WANT IT TO GO AWAY, RIGHT?

>> I THINK THEY'RE ADVOCATING FOR IT BUT THERE'S STILL THE CONCERN IT'S NOT REGULATED, NOT TAXED AND IT'S NOT OVERSEEN IN THE WAY THAT THE OTHER LIMITED GAMING PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY ALREADY ARE.

>> SO ANY PREDUCTIONS ON WHERE THAT MIGHT GO?

JUST NOWHERE?

>> A LOT OF DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.

IT WOULD BE ONE IF BROUGHT IT UP WITH IT'S GOING TO TAKE HAD A LOT OF TIME.

THEY HAVE TO ALLOT THAT TIME IN THOSE FINAL 48 HOURS.

>> AND THEY ALSO RISK IF THEY PASS LEGISLATION, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR COULD VETO IT AND THEY HAVE NO RESOURCE.

BUT THAT MAY NOT BE A BILL THAT HE MAY NOT -- >> IN THE INDUSTRY WINS IF THEY DO NOTHING.

IF THEY TAX AND REGULATE OR GET RID OF IT.

AND THIS IS A DELIVERED STRATEGY ON TO, TO GO IN QUIETLY WITH GET THESE CONVENIENCE STORES SIGNED UP, GET THE FOP, THAT MONEY TO THE FOP.

THIS IS HOW THEY ROLLED THE OUT IN OTHER STATES.

AND IT'S REALLY A PROBLEM.

AND IF THERE'S A LOGJAM ON THIS, THEN IT WILL JUST EXPLODE EVEN MORE.

>> SO A REALLY HARD PIVOT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HEARD -- NOT SO MUCH GRACE.

I STUMBLED OVER SOMETHING EARLIER I COULDN'T GET OUT SO YOU SAW I'M NOT GRACEFUL.

THE REPRESENTATIVE LISA WILLNER WROTE A RECENT PIECE BUTTALLAL SYMBOLIC WAR ON LOUISVILLE, AND I'M GO GOING TO TOWN TO YOU JULIA BRIGHT CRIGLER.

SNOOT BILL 1 WHICH ADDRESSES CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN A WAY ALSO TAKES AIM AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD ABOUT TELLING THEM HOW THEY HAVE TO MEET AND OTHER OPERATIONAL MATTERS.

AND WE HEARD A LOT OF CONVERSATION THAT THERE'S THIS WAR ON LOUISVILLE TO GOVERN THEM IN A TWAY THAT NO OTHER SCHOOL BOARD IS GOVERNED OR EVEN CITY ORGANIZATIONS.

SO CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

SO SENATE BILL 1 GOT LOADED UP WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUES, IF YOU WILL.

IT HAD SENATOR JOHN SCHICKEL'S LANGUAGE, SENATOR MAX WISE'S.

>> FORECAST PRINCIPAL HIRING SELECTION AND THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS MORE POWER.

>> THAT'S WHAT IT ORIGINALLY WAS.

AND IT'S RAH GOTTEN LOAD P UP WITH QUITE A FEW PICTURES WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND, TOO, JEFFERSON COUNTY IS UNIQUE TO THE REST OF THE STATE.

IT IS DIFFERENT.

BOTH IN THE POPULATION IT SERVES BEING AN YOU URBAN AND AND THE IN BEHEMOTH OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT IT IS.

IT'S ALMOST TEN TIMES BIGGER THAN OUR OTHERRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THIS ALSO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT ALMOST GOT TAKEN OVER BY THE STATE DUE TO A LOT OF THE FILE SPURS AND INEQUITIES WITHIN THE SYSTEM THAT EXISTS.

THERE'S ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES.

CERTAINLY THERE'S INEQUITIES IN HOW EDUCATION IS BEING CARRIED OUT THERE.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF DISPARITIES AMONG THOSE COMMUNITIES OF HOW THEY'RE RECEIVING THEIR GASE EDUCATION.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE IS DOING A RIGHT THING IN TAKING A SECOND LOOK.

>> AND GIVING MORE POWER TO THE SUPERINTENDENT MARTY POLLIO.

>> AND THEN EMPOWERING HUM TO MAKE SOME OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO SAY THIS IS KIND OF YOUR LAST SHOT TO REALLY TAKE CONTROL OF THIS SITUATION MAYBE BEFORE THE STATE STEPS IN.

>> YOU YOU'RE A JEFFREY COUNTIAN.

>> THEY SPENT ABOUT THREE DECADES A PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR.

I SPENT.

AND FOUR OUR GRAND JCPS STUDENTS.

SO THIS IS PERSONAL AS WELL AS PHILOSOPHICAL.

I THINK FIVE YEARS AGO, TEN YEARS AGO JEFFERSON COUNTY NEEDED EXTERNAL INTERVENTION THAT FRANKLY DIDN'T HAPPEN.

I THINK THAT THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT, AND YOU SHOULD NEVER INVEST SOLUTIONS IN A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL -- THAT'S RISKY -- BUT HE HAS EARNED TURN, HE HAS DONE TO TURN THE DISTRICT AROUND.

SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT JULIA MENTIONED, UNACCEPTABLE GAPS IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC AND RACIAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR KIDS THAT WAS FRANKLY IGNORED OR SOFT-PEDALED FOR DECADE.

DR. POLLIO HAS ABOUT AN VERY UP FRONT IN ADDRESSING THOSE.

SO ONE THING THAT I HOPE THE LEGISLATURE WILL DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER LEGISLATION THEY PASS FITS THE CURRENT CONDITIONS.

SO DON'T LEGISLATE FOR HISTORY.

A PART OF THAT BILL, IF I CAN TALK JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE HOLISTICALLY, THAT IT'S ONE OF THOSE TWO OR THREE METANARRATIVES THAT I MENTIONED.

I TALKED ABOUT ONE OF THOSE.

ANOTHER REAL QUESTION I HAVE, AND I THINK THIS BILL GOES TO THE HEART OF IT, IS I'M CURIOUS WHETHER A NORTH STAR FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONTINUES TO BE LOCAL AUTONOMY.

THAT HAS BEEN A CLARION CALL.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I GET THAT FOLKS WHO DON'T SUPPORTAL LOCAL AUTONOMY, I GET FOLKS WHO DO SUPPORT IT.

WE HAVE SEEN THEM, ASPRINS, TAKE ACTION ON MASKS AT AL LOCAL LEVEL.

THE WHAT THIS BILL DOES, AND THERE ARE SOME OTHER BILLS WEEK IT REALLY IS A SEMINAL SHIFT.

JULIA MENTIONED THE LATE REPRESENTATIVE CARNEY.

ONE OF TEACHERS OF THE 2019 LANDMARK LEGISLATION THAT REPRESENTATIVE CARNEY AND MAX WISE PASSED, THAL SCHOOL SAFETY AND RESILIENCY ACT, LOTS OF GOOD THINGS IN THERE.

A MAJOR, A MAJOR PLUS WAS DISCRETION FOR SUNTS AND PRINCIPALS.

WHAT REPRESENTATIVE CARNY AND SENATOR WISE SAID, WAS YOU KNOW BEST HOW TO PROTECT YOUR KIDS.

NOT THIS SESSION.

THIS SESSION THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS SAID, WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN SROs OR DON'T BELIEVE IN SROs, YOU'RE GOING TO GET ONE.

>> AND IF YOU CAN'T, YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL SAFETY MARSHAL TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO GET THERE.

>> ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE, RENEE, NOT RELATED HAD TO THIS BILL BUT AGAIN THIS METANARRATIVE, SENATOR SCHROEDER HAD PUT FORTH A BILL THAT WAS SO SIMPLE.

IT SAID THAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES NEEDED THE AUTONOMY OR SHOULD HAVE THE AUTONOMY TO REGULATE HOW E-CIGARETTES AND VAPING PRODUCTS WHY ADVERTISED.

DIDN'T MANDATE ANYTHING.

IT SAID THAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES NEEDED AUTONOMY.

WHERE HE WASSED IMMEDIATE IS WHEN WE KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS MARKETED AS MAGIC UNICORN VAPING, IT'S PROBABLY NOT TO GET JASON TO BUY IT BUT INSTEAD TO GET THAT MIDDLE SCHOOL KID.

AGAIN, THAT WAS DEFEATED.

IT WAS NOT HEARD.

SO AGAIN, WHAT I HEARD WAS NOT LOCAL AUTONOMY FOR THAT.

>> YOU CALL THAT LEGISLATIVE DESCRIBES SCHIZOPHRENIA.

>> >> YOU MAY SAY THAT.

MY TAKEAWAY FROM SB AS WELL AS WHAT IT DOUSE TO SBDM COUNCILS, TAUFIQUE POSITIONS FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY, HIGHLIGHTS JUST WHAT YOU SAID.

ONE OF MY LINGERING QUESTIONS IS FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE MAJORITIES IS YOU CAN'T DEFUND LOCAL CONTROL UNLESS YOU'RE NOT FOR LOCALLAL CONTROL.

SO IS THAT A STILL NORTH STAR OR HAVE SENATE REPUBLICANS AND SENATE HOUSE MEMBERS BECOME THE BIG REPUBLICAN PARTY WHERE -- >> WE HAVE HEARD ADAM KOENIG MADE THAT POINT BEFORE WHEN IT CAME THE TO MASK MANDATES THAT THAT DID NOT PASS.

THAT WAS LYNN BECHLER'S BILL THAT GOT OUT OF THE HOUSE BUT THE SENATE DID NOT TAKE IT UP, AT LEAST NOT YET, AND THERE WAS SOME SCHISM FROM THE PORT, WE SAY WE'RE FOR LOCAL CONTROL, WE REALLY MEAN HOME RULE, AND IN SOME CASES PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT THE EPITOME OF LOCAL CONTROL?

RIGHT.

SO THERE'S THAT ARGUMENT.

IT DOESN'T GET MORE LOCAL THAN PARENTS HAVING CHOICE, WHICH WE HEAR ON SCHOOL CHOICE AS WELL.

I THINK COMING OUT OF CODE AND COVID HAS SO RADICALLY CHANGED BOTH HOW WE HANDLE PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY AND HOW WE HANDLE EDUCATION POLICY AND REALLY EVERYTHING WE DO, WE'VE HAD TO LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY, NOT JUST LOCAL CONTROL VERSUS NOTAL LOCAL CONTROL, AND SO I THINK THAT DEBATE KIND OF WAIVERS BACK AND FORTH ON ISALLAL LOCAL CONTROL ALWAYS BEST OR WHEN YOU HAVE A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS SUCH AS COVID ARE THERE TIMES WHEN WE NEED TO WEIGH IN OR DO WE NEED TO GO, INSTEAD OF LOCAL CONTROL, TO THE PARENT, PARENTAL CONTROL?

AND SO I THINK IT'S A DEBATE THAT BOTH PARTIES ARE HAVING.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO SCOL SCHOOL RESOURCE SWASHES MANY WOULD SAY THAT'S SHOULD BAL LOCAL CONTROL BECAUSE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES HAVE DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDINGS AND EDUCATIONAL WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> SURE.

I THINK SOME TIME WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO BE REACTIONARY IN MAKING LEGISLATURE AND WA WE HAVE SEEN IN JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS WITH GUN VIOLENCE AND JUVENILES I THINK IT'SAL NATURAL FOR SOME FOLKS TO BE INTERESTED.

>> THERE'S TWO BIG RISKS ABOUT THE WAY THAT WE ARE -- THIS SESSION HAVE APPROACHED LOUISVILLE.

BECAUSE THERE'S MORE BILLS THAN THAT.

THERE'S ALWAYS HB 314 WHICH BEGINS TO TAKE APART THE MENTIONER AND CAN TAKE DOLLARS OUT OF URBAN SERVICES DISTRICT AND TO THE MORE RURAL PARTS OF -- AND, YOU KNOW, THE MERGER WAS A BIG DEBATE.

AND YOU REMEMBER AT THE TIME ABOUT -- AND THERE ARE -- YOU KNOW OBJECT IT IS IT'S OUR STRONGEST ECONOMIC ENGINE, LOUISVILLE, AND IF WE AFFECT THE WAY THAT IT'S ABLE TO OPERATE AND THE CHOICES THAT IT MAKES, IT WILL TRICKLE DOWN TO POTENTIALLY HARM THE ENTIRE STATE.

AND THE SECOND THING IS, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR I HEARD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT ISSUES OF RACIAL QUESTIONING THE.

IF YOU REMEMBER, THEY CREATED THE COMMISSION ON RACE AND OPPORTUNITY.

BILLS LIKE ONES THAT WOULD LIMIT HOW HISTORY IS BEING TAUGHT, ET CETERA.

THOSE ARE BEING OPPOSED.

IF CHARTER SCHOOL BILL OPPOSED BY THE LAWMAKERS WHO ACTUALLY LIVE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES IN LOUISVILLE WHERE A HUGE PORTION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE ENTIRE STATE LIVE.

WE RISK, IF WE DO THE WRONG THING, AND THIS SCUTS 14 YEAH GOES BACK PRETTY LONG.

THE THE LEGISLATURE HAS PREEMPTED MIDGE IN LOUISVILLE, PREEMPTED FAMILY LEAVE LAWS, A THOUGHT OF THINGS THAT WOULD ADDRESS SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

WE RISK HURTING OUR STRONGEST ECONOMY AND I HAD WEANING THE RACIAL GAPS THAT LAST YEAR THERE WAS I LOT OF TALK ABOUT, I THINK A LOT OF WELL OF HAD MEANING INTEREST IN ADDRESSING.

>> RENEE, I WANT TO PICK UP ON ONE THING JASON SAID BECAUSE I TOLD YOU I HAD THREE QUESTIONS.

ONE DEALT WITH ARE WE GOING TO STAND UP TOAL LOCAL ENTITIES OR NATIONAL ENTITIES TRYING TO WRITE KENTUCKY LAW.

ARE WE FOR OR AGAINSTAL LOCAL AUTONOMY.

THE THIRD ONE IS I'M REY INTERESTED IN WHAT JASON RAISED WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COMMITMENT AROUND RACIAL EQUITY?

REPRESENTATIVE HEAVRIN AND SENATOR GIVENS DID A MASTERRALFUL BE JO, A MASTERFUL JOB OF CO-CHAIRING THE COMMISSION ON RACE.

THEY HAD ROBUST DISCUSSIONS.

THEY INVITED DIVERGENT VIEWS, AGAIN, BOTH OF THOSE LEGISLATORS WERE TERRIFIC AS CHAIRPERSONS.

WE HAD THE HONOR OF BEING AT THE LAST SESSION THAT THEY HELD THE TUESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, AND I LEFT THERE SO OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE HEAVRIN AND SENATOR GIVENS AND OTHER LEGISLATORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TALKED ABOUT A VERY DISCREET POLICY AGENDA, COMMON GROUND, RESEARCH-BASED, WELL FOCUSED.

I REALLY THOUGHT -- AND MY QUESTION WAS WERE WE GOING TO HAVE AN OMNIBUS BILL OR DISCREET BILLS.

THE ANSWER IS WE HAD NO BILLS.

AND SO AGAIN, UNLIKE MY COLLEAGUES, I DON'T HAVE ANSWER.

I'VE GOT QUESTIONS.

MY QUESTION IS ARE WE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING RERAMPED SO THAT WE CAN PICK UP THAT MANTLE AROUND RACIAL AND FRANKLY ZIP CODE EQUITY THAT WAS TALK ABOUT THE.

AGAIN, THE COMMISSION ON RACE NEEDS TO BE PRAISED.

MY QUESTION IS WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR GOOD WORK?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> WELL, MAYBE ONE POSSIBLE ANSWER IS THIS NATIONAL DEBATE SURROUNDING CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

RIGHT?

THAT SB 1 SEEMED TO BE THE ANSWER TO THE CRITICAL RACE THEORY BILLS THAT WERE A LOT MORE SEVERE OR ROBUST IN THEIR NATURE IN THE HOUSE, THAT SB 1 GAVE THAT POWER TO THE SCHOOL BOARDS FOR SUPERINTENDENT TO MAKE THOSE COMMISSIONS, WHETHER IT WAS CURRICULA OR PRINCIPAL SELECTION.

BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SB 138 GETS ATTACHED TO IT.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

WAS THAT A BLM ADDITION?

WAS THAT -- A WELCOME ADDITION OR FRIENDLY ADDITION OR PERHAPS SOMETHING DONE POLITICAL TO GET SOMETHING ELSE DOWN THE ROAD?

>> YEAH, I'M NOT SURE ON THE PROCESS OF THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE.

I KNOW AT ONE POINT SB 1 REALLY WANTED TO GIVE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT TO THOSE SCHOOL BOARDS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, TO HAVE TO OVERSIGHT ON THEIR CURRICULUM, SO I'M NOT -- I DIDN'T WORK ON THOSE ISSUES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ATTICA SCOTT DID SAY WHEN SHE MADE HER FLOOR SPEECH AGAINST SB 1, HOW IS IT THAT WE'VE GOP TO THIS WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS COMMISSION ON RACE AND OPPORTUNITY THAT WE LAND HERE WITH THIS BILL THAT COMBINES BOTH OF THOSE MEASURES TOGETHER.

I DO WANT TO ASK KATE, FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE WHAT WAS THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY FROM THE CONTINGENCY, THE CONSTITUENCY THAT YOU REPRESENT?

WHAT DO THEY WISH WOULD HAVE HAPPENED?

IS IT MORE REMOTE WORK OPTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BE SEIZED?

WHAT WAS IT?

>> IT'S A GENERAL FOR THE SESSION, IT'S HUARD QUESTION TO ANSWER BECAUSE WE GOT SO MANY THINGS DONE THIS SESSION.

IT'S A HARD QUESTION.

WE SAW A LOT OF WORK DONE ON WORKFORCE, THE CHILD CARE BILL, THE TAX REFORM BILL, HOUSE BILL 8 WHICH WE SUPPORTED.

IT WAS SO IMPORTANT GETTING A PLAN ON THE BOOKS FOR HOW WE'RE GOING TO DRIVE DOWN INCOME TAX.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF STATES IN 2012.

INDIANA, OHIO ANNOUNCED THEY WERE GOING TO REDUCE THEIR INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX.

WE KNOW FROM THE CENSUS DATA THAT STATES THAT HAVE NO OR LOW INCOME TAX OUTGREW STATES THAT HAD A HIGHER ONE.

>> TENNESSEE HAS A 9 AND 3-QUARTER.

IT'S LIKE TITHE.

>> BUT WE SOOTY SEE THAT THE INCOME TAX IS NO TO LOW INCOME TAX.

I THINK THAT I WAS HUGE WIN FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY PUBLIC AFFAIRS PUTTING ON PAPER AND IN STATUTE THE PLAN.

JUST GIVE AS YOU PLAN, DRIVE DOWN INCOME TAXES AS LOW AS YOU CAN GET IT.

IT'S A RESPONSIBLE CAREFUL PLAN.

I THINK THERE WILL BE MORE CONVERSATIONS.

SO WHEN YOU ASK WHAT'S LEFT ON THE TABLE,AL THERE BE MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TAX REFORM.

THERE'S BUSINESS TAXES 1 THE LIMITED LIABILITY ENTITY TAX.

WE TALKED ABOUT SPORTS BETTING.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE IMPORTANT IN THE LAST TWO DAYS, THESE GRAY MACHINES.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF BILLS I WANT TO MENTION QUICK IN THE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM STAYS.

SENATOR WHEREFIELD'S BILL THAT RELATES TO PULLING THEM PEOPLE OUT OF SYSTEM GETTING THEM INTO TREATMENT IF THIS HAVE A SUBSTANCE USE OR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER AND GETTING THEM ON THE RIGHT PATH.

THEN SENATE BILL 163 THAT THE ELIGIBILITY OF KEES PROGRAM FUND THROUGH LOTTERY DOLLARS FOR KIDS TO HAVE A VEL FEE CONVICTION.

WE NEED TO MAYBE SURE PEOPLE CAN ACCESS THOSE RESOURCES SO THEY CAN GET THE EDUCATION THEY NEED FOR THE JOBS IN THE FUTURE.

WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK THE LAST TWO DAYS OF SESSION FOCUSING ON THOSE PARTICULAR BILLS, MAKING INSURE THEY GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

PUT WORKINGS AHEAD, WORKFORCE, CHILD CARE, MORE ON TAX ROW REFORM.

>> NOT ON THESE TWO DAYS.

CAN YOU GIVE ME SOMETHING IN 20 SECOND, JASON BAILEY.

>> HOUSE BILL 40 IS VERY CONCERNING.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE HUGE TAX CUT THAT GOES PRIMARILY TO THE WEALTHY.

MILLIONAIRES WILL GET AN $11,000 A YEAR TAX CUT, AND IT'S NOT PAID FOR.

YOU WE USED TO TALK ABOUT TAX REFORM AND REVENUE NEUTRAL.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF RIGHT NOW THE FROM THE STIMULUS FROM THE PANDEMIC AID.

THAT'S NOT GO LAST AND THAT BILL WILL BLOW A HOLE IN OUR BUDGET.

>> THIS CONVERSATION WILL BE CONTINUED AND BE THE QUESTION ABOUT THE CONSTABLES GETTING TRAINING, I DO BELIEVE THAT BILL PASSED.

NOM SURE WHERE IT STANDS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE GOVERNOR VETOED IT OR NOT BUT WE'LL HAVE AN ANSWER MR.EAU WEDNESDAY NURSE NIGHT WILL BE THE LAST TWO NIGHTS "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE" ANOTHER 11:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME.

I'LL BE WILL WITH YOU AT THE CAPITOL.