[♪♪] Good evening.

Welcome to Kentucky Tonight.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Tonight, we recap the 2023 Kentucky General Assembly, which wrapped up last Thursday.

It was an eventful, often emotional session, as lawmakers debated and passed bills related to transgender youth, medical marijuana, sports betting, guns, the income tax, and more.

To discuss what happened, what didn’t, and how you’re affected, we’re joined in our Lexington studio by: State Senator Julie Raque Adams, a Louisville Republican and Senate Majority Caucus Chair; Senate Majority Caucus Chair; State Senator Robin Webb, a Grayson Democrat; State Representative Suzanne Miles, an Owensboro Republican and House Majority Caucus Chair; and State Representative Rachel Roberts, a Newport Democrat and House Minority Whip.

Send us your questions by Twitter at K-Y TONIGHT K-E-T.

Send an email to K-Y TONIGHT at K-E-T dot O-R-G. use the web form at K-E-T dot O-R-G slash K-Y TONIGHT.

Or you can call 1-800-494-7605.

Welcome to all our guests.

I PUT ON TWITTER IT WAS LADIES NIGHT TONIGHT.

IT'S GOOD TOUCH YOU HERE.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE SESSION YOU'VE DONE THE SESSION AND I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE SESSION SOME MORE.

I WILL ASK YOU ALL IF YOU WERE JOURNALIST TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER JOURNALIST, I WILL START HERE, GIVE ME FOUR TO FIVE WORDS LIKE IN A HEADLINE THAT WOULD DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR?

>> TOO MUCH FOR A SHORT SESSION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS?

>> WAY TO LEAD IT OFF STRONG.

HARD DAYS, LARGE VICTORIES, EXHAUSTION.

>> OK. >> HUGE SUCCESSES FOR KENTUCKY BUSINESSES.

>> PROBABLY VERY PRODUCTIVE AND VERY BIZARRE.

>> OK. LET'S START WITH THE BIZARRE.

[LAUGHTER] I THINK WHEN I ASK THIS QUESTION POLITICAL PUNDITS FOR A SEGMENT ON KENTUCKY EDITION SOMEONE DESCRIBED IT AS EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME.

SO BEFORE WE GET INTO WEIGHTY THINGS THE TOP THREE BILLS YOU'RE MOST PROUD THAT PASSED?

REPRESENTATIVE MILES?

>> WELL, MY VERY FIRST THING I WANT TO DO IS TAKE LIBERTY AND CONGRATULATE TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY.

THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP WIN ON SATURDAY.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING EVERYBODY CAN AGREE ON.

>> I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON THAT.

ALMA MATER HAVE TO SUPPORT THEM, SO PIONEERS GO.

PROBABLY IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY DYNAMIC.

WE PERSONALLY HAVE BILLS THAT WE RUN AND I HAD AN EXPUNGEMENT BILL AND IT WAS A SMALL BIT BILL BUT THE PEOPLE IT AFFECTS IS IMPORTANT, TOO.

PROBABLY THE TAX BILL WAS AND CONTINUES TO BE -- >> WHICH SEEMS LIKE EONS AGO.

>> LAST YEAR, THIS YEAR, MOVING FORWARD TO GET TO 4% IN TWO 2024 SEEMS WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS THAT PATH.

THAT IS PROBABLY THE ONE THAT AFFECTS EVERYBODY.

AND THAT'S PROBABLY TWO OF ONES THAT I THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> OK.

SENATOR ADAMS?

>> AND THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO PARTICIPATE IN LADIES NIGHT.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GOOD DISCUSSION.

BUT I THINK WHAT I WAS MOST PROUD OF THIS SESSION IS AFTER IT SEEMS LIKE 100 YEARS WE FINALLY PASSED THE APRN BILL WHICH I THINK WILL EXPAND HEALTHCARE ACCESS PARTICULARLY TO THE RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> THIS EXPANDS THEIR SCOPE OF PRACTICE.

>> YEP.

IT ALLOWS THEM TO PRACTICE WITHOUT A CAP CS.

>> WHICH MEANS?

>> THEY HAVE AN EXPANDED PRESCRIBING CAPABILITY SO THAT THEY CAN ALMOST SETUP A SHINGLE IN ANY PART OF KENTUCKY AND NOT HAVE TO OPERATE UNDER A COLLABORATING AGREEMENT.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S BEEN A POSITIVE FOR OUR STATE.

I WAS ALSO REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE BILL PARTICULARLY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

BECAUSE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE HAD OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE FACILITY CLOSED AND IT'S BEEN A CALAMITY EVER SINCE AND WE NEED A CENTER THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE KIDS WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE AND TO VIOLENCE.

AND THEN I GUESS MY THIRD ONE WOULD BE THE SAFE AT HOME BILL THAT RESPONSE ARED ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHICH ALLOWS ADDRESS PROTECTION FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

AND I THINK IT JUST PUTS THAT ADDITIONAL LAYER OF PROTECTION SO THAT THEY CAN FEEL SAFE IN CONDUCTING THEIR BUSINESS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> SO THIS MIGHT BE A TOUGHER QUESTION SIDE OF THE TABLE.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS?

>> WE DID BIG THINGS THIS YEAR.

I WILL START WITH THE PASSED A BILL TO CREATE A URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM IT'S NEEDED IN OUR STATE WITH THE NATURAL DISASTERS THAT WILL PAY DIVIDENDS AND HELP US HELP PEOPLE IN CRISIS MUCH FASTER.

AND LEGALIZED SPORTS WAGERING AND MEDICAL CANNABIS AND THOSE ARE THINGS IN MY DISTRICT I'VE HEARD MORE ABOUT FROM CONSTITUENTS THAN ANYTHING ELSE SO I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THAT HOME.

BOTH ISSUES ARE THINGS THAT KENTUCKIANS CARE ABOUT AND HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THOSE ARE BIG WINS FOR CONSTITUENTS.

>> SENATOR WEBB?

>> THE APRN BILL WAS CONSENSUS AND THERE WAS AGREEMENT WHICH WAS VERY REFRESHING BUT IT GOES BACK TO MY LEAD IN, GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME.

>> HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN DISCUSSED?

>> BUT TO HAVE CONSENSUS ON THAT ISSUE?

YOU ALMOST [INAUDIBLE] I THINK MEDICAL MARIJUANA I HAVE BEEN A COSPONSOR OF THAT REGULATED, CONTROLLED, FORM BEEN A COSPONSOR OF THAT LEGISLATION I'VE BEEN THERE A WHILE.

I HARKEN BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR PERRY CLARK CHAMPIONED THAT CAUSE.

AND MY FORMER LATE COCOUNSEL'S HOW HAPPY THAT HE WOULD BE AND SOMETIMES HIS NAME STILL COMES UP.

THE JUVENILE JUSTICE ISSUE IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ALL GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS ON.

AND THAT'S WHEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH REALLY CAME TOGETHER NOT ALWAYS BUT ENDED UP MEETING A CONSENSUS ON STAFFING AND SALARY AND SOME IMPORTANT THINGS AS WE LEAD MORE INTO THE POLICY REALM.

AND THEN I'M REALLY PROUD OF MY VISION ONE LIFE LEGISLATION THAT AFFECTS THE THREE STATE 54,000 ACRE SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY PARTICIPATION WITH FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION.

THE NATURETER CONSERVANCY PRIVATE CONTRIBUTION TO PROTECT OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE AND THE ECOSYSTEM THERE.

>> SO WHAT BILLS DO YOU REGRET REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS?

AND YOU CAN'T TAKE A LOT OF TIME HERE.

>> MY BIGGEST REGRET OF THE SESSION IS THAT WE COULDN'T STOP SENATE BILL 150.

HANDS DOWN THAT IS THE BIGGEST REGRET I HAVE OF THE SESSION AND IT WASN'T FOR A LACK OF TRYING ON THE MINORITY PARTY'S PART.

BUT MY THREE YEARS IN OFFICE, THE ONLY TIMES I'VE SEEN THE CAPITOL ABSOLUTELY PACKED WITH PEOPLE IS WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE AWAY THEIR RIGHTS.

>> SENATOR WEBB, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> I DID NOT SUPPORT THE BARREL TAX EVEN THOUGH BECAUSE OF THE IMPACTS TO SMALLER COMMUNITIES THAT ARE IMPACTED.

AND THE INCENTIVES THOSE COMMUNITIES GAVE A LOT OF THE COMPANIES WHO I SUPPORT AND HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED AND WILL CONTINUE TO.

BUT THOSE INCENTIVES WERE BASED ON REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THOSE COMPANIES AND THE ASSURANCE THE BUDGETARY ASSURANCE MOVING FORWARD AND NOW THAT IS GOING TO BE PHASED OUT.

SO I THINK THERE WAS A BETTER WAY TO DO THAT.

>> EVEN THOUGH THEY MOVE TO DO FROM 15 YEARS TO 20 YEARS.

AND ALLEGEDLY THERE'S SAFEGUARDS THERE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND EMERGENCY?

>> I STILL THINK IT WAS NOT URGENT.

I THINK WE COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER POLICY JOB FOR THE NEXT BUDGET SESSION.

AND THEN THERE'S TO ME THERE'S JUST THINGS GOING ON IN THE INDUSTRY WHETHER IT'S REFORESTATION LIKE IN MY DISTRICT WHEN YOU GET BEHIND A TRUCK OF WHITE OAKS AND SUSTAINABILITY IS A CONVERSATION HAPPENING ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

I WANT THAT MORE TO OCCUR IN KENTUCKY.

AND THEN THERE'S STILL SOME LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE STRUGGLING WITH IMPACTS OF AIR QUALITY.

SO I THINK THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE.

>> WHAT DO YOU WISH SENATOR ADAMS THAT WOULD HAVE, SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOME SORT OF REGRETS OR MAYBE SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T GET PASSED.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAME INTO THE SESSION, I THINK, AGREEING ON IS THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO OPEN UP THE BUDGET.

WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THINGS REALLY TIGHT.

THIS IS A SHORT SESSION AND IT IS NOT A BUDGETARY SESSION.

WELL, AT THE END WE DID END UP OPENING THE BUDGET.

TO TAKE CARE OF A FEW COST OVERRUNS BECAUSE OF INFLATION AND A FEW ITEMS LIKE THAT.

BUT MY POSITION WAS IF WE OPEN IT UP LET'S DO A COUPLE OF INTERESTING THINGS.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN MORE EMPHASIS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAUSE PARTICULARLY IN MY AREA WE HAVE SUCH A DEFICIT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE HAVE A HOMELESSNESS ISSUE.

AND SO I WAS INTERESTED IN SEEING US GO A LITTLE BIT FURTHER ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUE.

HOUSING IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE FOR WESTERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY BECAUSE OF THE DISASTERS WE'VE HAD.

AND.

>> BUT THERE WAS SOME PROVISION FOR THAT?

>> THERE WAS SOME.

SO I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT MORE POLICY DISCUSSION ON THAT.

>> OK.

SENATOR MILES?

>> PROBABLY I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE ADAMS THAT YOU KNOW -- SHE TOOK ME BACK TO THE OLD EPB DAYS.

>> ME, TOO.

[LAUGHTER] >> I KNOW ROBIN AND I LIKE TO SAY WE'RE HOUSE TRAINED.

I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE AS FAR AS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT IS SOMETHING WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT.

PROBABLY THE RURAL JOBS ACT THAT IS SOMETHING WE CONTINUE TO KIND OF SURFACE AND WE PLAY WITH IT A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WE'RE NOT -- >> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WE ARE NOT SURE MAKING SURE WE ARE ACCESS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES TO HAVE ACCESS TO JOBS.

I THINK THERE WERE CONCESSIONS FOR SOME OF THE RURAL AREAS WITH SOME OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WE HAD.

THE ONES THAT HAVE DECLINING POPULATIONS AND GIVE THEM ACCESS.

THAT IS PROBABLY SOMETHING.

BUT OVERALL, THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT TOOK PLACE THIS SESSION WAS PRETTY REMARKABLE.

>> THIS QUESTION FROM ROBERT FROM RUSSELL COUNTY WHAT WAS IT THIS YEAR THAT PUSHED MEDICAL MARIJUANA THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS AT THE GOVERNOR'S DESK WHAT WAS THE FINAL DEAL MAKER AND HOW DID IT GET TO THE COMMITTEE FOR AN UP AND DATE VOTE.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE TWO PREVIOUS SESSIONS AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP SAID OK IT'S IN THE UPPER CHAMBERS COURT AND IT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT WHEN WE FIRST MET RIGHT BEFORE SESSION STARTED AT OUR CAUCUS RETREAT, WE DID A GENERAL POLL.

AND YOU KNOW, HEY WHERE IS EVERYBODY ON THIS ISSUE?

AND SURPRISINGLY, AND KEEP IN MIND THAT WE HAVE SIX NEW MEMBERS IN THE SENATE.

SO THAT IS A LOT OF NEW IDEAS AND KIND OF A FRESH APPROACH OF HOW WE HANDLE THESE ISSUES.

SO THERE WAS A GENERAL CONSENSUS, YES, WE THINK WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD ON IT.

SO AS THE SESSION PROGRESSED, YOU KNOW PRESIDENT'S ENGAGED AND OTHERS THAT ENGAGED.

SENATOR WEST WAS INSTRUMENTAL.

AND WE JUST KEPT TINKERING AROUND WITH IT.

AND INFORMED THE CAUCUS WHERE WE ARE.

WHERE WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO TINKER NEXT.

AND SO OVER THE COURSE OF THE SESSION, WE BUILT SOME CONSENSUS WITH OUR MEMBERS TO THE POINT WHERE EVERYBODY FELT REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH THE PRODUCT.

AND BEFORE WE VOTED ON IT, WE DISCUSSED IT WITH SOME OF THE HOUSE LEADERS OVER THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE COMFORTABLE WITH THE PRODUCT THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THEY WOULD WANT TO PASS.

SO WE PUT IT UP ON THE BOARD AND IT PASSED.

AND I REALLY FELT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE KIND OF KEPT EVERYBODY INVOLVED ALONG THE WAY.

AND SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE NO'S BECAME YES' AND SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE YES' BECAME NO'S.

THERE'S THAT BALANCE DOES IT GO TOO FAR AND DOES IT NOT GO FAR ENOUGH?

I THINK WE STRUCK THE RIGHT BALANCE TO GET ENOUGH MEMBERS TO VOTE YES.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER I THINK SPURRED ANOTHER LAYER OF INTEREST THAT I KNOW THAT MY E-MAILS I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN IT FOR YEARS BUT MY CONTACTS WENT UP FROM JUST A WHOLE NEW DEMOGRAPHIC OF FOLKS WITH THAT AWARENESS AND OTHER STATE'S EXPERIENCE AND IT WAS WHEN YOU HAVE TO ADVISE THE PEOPLE THE CLOSEST PLACE IS ILLINOIS, I THINK THE LOGISTICS OF THAT CAME INTO PLAY AND I THINK IT WAS JUST BOTH BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT COMING TOGETHER THE TIMING WAS RIGHT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS YOU WERE BEHIND THE DEAL FOR A WHILE.

>> WHERE I LIVE ACROSS THE RIVER SIX BROCKS FROM MY HOUSE MEDICAL IS LEGAL.

WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF KENTUCKY BEING LATE TO THE PARTY THERE WERE 37 STATES WE COULD LOOK TO AND KNOW THAT WE HAD ALL OF THAT BACKGROUND AND DATA TO TRY AND GET THIS AS CLOSE TO RIGHT AS WE COULD.

I DON'T THINK THE BILL GOES FAR ENOUGH.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SEEN IT MORE BROADER.

I'M THRILL TO DO WENT THROUGH AND THRILLED THERE IS A PROVISION TO ADD THINGS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY'S PROGRAM SO WE WON'T HAVE TO COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR AS THE BILL GOES ON.

I LOOK FORWARD TO AND I HOPE I GET TO BE A PART IN THE NEXT 18-20 MONTHS OF PROMULGATING ALL OF THOSE REGULATIONS AND THE GUIDELINES THAT ARE GOING TO GO INTO PLACE TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE VIABLE PRODUCT FOR PATIENTS IN KENTUCKY AND FARMERS.

I DO WORRY THAT THE BILL IS TOO RESTRICTIVE AND THERE WON'T BE ENOUGH OF A MARKET FOR GROWERS AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE THE WAY THE HEMP MARKET WENT IN THE STATE.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE AND MANY OF US ARE EXCITED TO BE PART OF THAT WORK.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MILES?

>> WELL, I POINT OUT THAT 25% OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARE NEW.

SO THINK ABOUT THAT.

A FOURTH OF OUR CHAMBER ARE NEW MEMBERS.

SO THAT KIND OF CHANGES THE DYNAMICS A LITTLE BIT.

AND I BELIEVE IT'S OVER 80% HAVE SERVED LESS THAN FOUR YEARS.

THAT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE OF SHIFT AND CHANGE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

I DO THINK PART OF IT KIND OF CAME FROM THE COMMITMENT FROM SENATOR WEST AND ALSO REPRESENTATIVE AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS PART OF THE PROCESS OF WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN 2025.

SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH, WE'VE GOT TIME TO WORK ON THAT AND TRY TO GET IT TO A SAFE SPACE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE FARMERS BEING INVOLVED AND THAT'S BEEN THE BIG HESITATION OF MINE FROM DAY ONE OF WHAT PRODUCTS ARE LEGALIZED AS PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES TO PUT ON THAT PRODUCT?

AND THAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT.

THEY THINK ABOUT THE END RESULT.

BUT I KNOW SENATOR WEBB COMES FROM AN AREA THAT YOU'RE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS BEING PUT ON YOUR FOOD, WHAT'S THE PRODUCT GOING TO BE THAN YOU ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE GET THERE TO A SAFE SPACE WHERE *FRT THE PRODUCT -- EVERYTHING, THE PRODUCT IS SAFE AND THE DISPENSING IS SAFE.

I'M HOPEFUL WE CAN GET THE FARMERS BACK INVOLVED AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ENGAGED SO WE KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF SOME OF THE SIDE EFFECTS MAYBE WITH OTHER PRESCRIPTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I THINK WE'VE GOT MORE WORK TO DO ON IT.

BUT THE DYNAMIC OF THE LOGISTICS OF THE CHAMBER HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THAT.

>> I WANT TO PUT A PIN IN THAT AND THE CHAMBER.

AND THAT 80% IN THE CHAMBER HAVE BEEN THERE LESS THAN FIVE YEARS, I THINK HE SAID.

THAT POINT.

I DO WANT TO ASK ABOUT FRICTION OVER SENATE BILL 150.

EVEN SPORTS BETTING.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES AND YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES IN YOUR CAUCUS.

>> YES.

>> DID IT EXPOSE ANY FISHERS OR FRACTURES WITHIN YOUR PARTY TO THE GRANDER PUBLIC?

AND DID IT HOW DID LEADERSHIP HANDLE THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK A LOT OF IT COMES DOWN TO THE DYNAMICS OF GROWING PAINS.

I MEAN, WE'RE AT 80 MEMBERS NOW.

I CAME IN AT NUMBER 46.

AND SO YOU HAVE SUCH A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC NOW AT 80 MEMBERS.

AND SOMETIMES WHENEVER MY COLLEAGUE HERE WILL CALL DOWN AND SAY WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN THERE?

WE KIND OF REGROUP AND SHE WILL SAY 80.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH 80?

>> I KNOW.

>> AND WE SAY THE SAME THING WHENEVER I REACH OUT TO THE OTHER SIDE AND THEY'LL SHAKE THEIR HEAD AND I WILL GO MULTIPLY THAT BY FOUR.

SO I THINK YOU HAVE GROWING PAINS WITH THAT.

AS FAR AS DYNAMICS.

BUT YOU KNOW IT'S KIND OF A LOT OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT, YOU KNOW, THE BOWLING GREEN NURSING HOME THAT IS A 10-YEAR PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS.

>> THE VETERANS CENTER.

>> THE VETERANS CENTER THAT REPRESENTATIVE CHAMPIONED THAT BUT THAT HAS BEEN A 10-YEAR PROCESS.

THE SPORTS GAMBLING.

MULTIPLE YEAR.

THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA MULTIPLE YEAR.

>> ARE YOU SAYING THE NEW MEMBERS ARE NOT AS PATIENT?

THEY WANT CHANGES FASTER AND FURTHER AND MORE IN DEPTH.

>> THAT COMES WITH ANY YOUTH IN ANY OCCUPATION THAT YOU COME INTO WHENEVER YOU COME IN.

FRESHMEN'S OF ANY CATEGORY WHETHER IT BE IN SCHOOL, IN WORK, WHEREVER IT MAY BE ARE PROBABLY LESS PATIENT THAN THOSE THAT START TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW THINGS WORK AND HOW YOU BE PRODUCTIVE.

AND I DO THINK THAT THAT'S MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

WE ARE IN A SOCIETY OF INSTANT GRATIFICATION RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S A REAL STRUGGLE WHENEVER WE'RE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS.

IT'S TAKEN US A LONGTIME TO GET TO A LOT OF THE THINGS ON WORKFORCE SPECIFICALLY.

OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

WE'VE WORKED MULTIPLE ITEMS ON THAT.

WE'VE WORKED ON THE TEACHER SHORTAGE THIS YEAR AND ALSO THE FLIP SIDE TO IT WE TRY TO MAKE IT SAFER IN THE CLASSROOM FOR THE TEACHERS SO YOU'RE TRYING TO DO A BALANCING ACT OF MULTIPLE THINGS SAME WAY WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I HEARD FROM HOME QUITE A BIT CONCERN OVER THE RISING CRIME OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND WHAT WE DO WITH THAT.

PEOPLE ARE NOT VERY PATIENT.

AND I THINK ALL OF US CAN SAY WHEN WE FIRST GOT THERE WE WEREN'T VERY PATIENT WE REALLY THOUGHT YOU WALK IN THE DOOR AND YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT.

AND EVERYONE'S GOT TO THINK LIKE YOU AND IT WAS EVIDENT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BOARD EVEN IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS A LOT OF TIMES WE ARE DIVIDED ON OUR VOTES.

>> ANYBODY IN HOUSE LEADERSHIP ON THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS FEEL THREATENED IN THEIR POSITIONS PERHAPS THEY MAY NOT BE WHERE THEY CURRENTLY ARE?

>> I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY SAY THREATENED.

I FEEL LIKE WE'VE DONE OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY ESPECIALLY IN CAUCUS TO HAVE THEIR SAY AND COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY, CONSTANTLY ENCOURAGING THEM TO REACH OUT TO MEMBERS, COMMUNICATE WITH THE ONES THAT MAY BE HAVE LIKE MINDED PRODUCTS THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON.

BUT ALSO IF THEY ARE TOTALLY AGAINST SOMEONE'S WORK WITH THEM TO FIND OUT WHERE WE CAN FIND COMMON GROUND AND I THINK THAT'S BEEN THE END RESULT OF A LOT OF LEGISLATION.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU REPRESENTATIVE MILES ON THE FINAL DAY, ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE SESSION THERE WERE SOME COMMITTEE REASSIGNMENTS THAT INVOLVED REPRESENTATIVES CALLAWAY, RAYBURN, PHOEUZER AND TATE.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS SOME HAVE SAID IT WAS OUT OF RETALIATION FOR BUCKING HOUSE LEADERSHIP.

I WANT YOU TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ABOUT THOSE COMMITTEE REASSIGNMENTS AND THEN WE'LL DISCUSS IF THAT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE THAT WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT AS MUCH?

>> WELL, I THINK IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AS FAR AS CHANGING COMMITTEES.

OFF AND ON YOU WILL SEE COMMITTEES CHANGE.

>> WHY THE LAST DAY?

>> THE LAST DAY WAS GOING INTO THE INTERIM SO WE START LOOKING AT THINGS AND SEEING WHERE WE ARE.

LIKE WE SAID WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW AND WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE PEOPLE ARE AND WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THEM.

>> WAS IT RETALIATION FOR ANY ACTIONS OR VOTES?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY IT'S SPECIFICALLY RETALIATION SO MUCH AS WE HAD MEMBERS THAT PUSHED BACK WITH US TO SAY SOMETHING'S GOT TO BE DONE WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT'S GOING ON.

AND SO I WOULD THINK MOST OF THE THINGS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE LAST DAY AND CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE, WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF OUR MEMBERSHIP ASKING.

>> SO WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT OR SOME ONE MENTIONED ABOUT GOING TOO FAR I THINK I COULD ALMOST HEAR REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS SAY SENATE BILL 150 WENT TOO FAR.

AND EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE MEMBERS IN BOTH CAUCUSES THAT SAID THE MEASURE WENT TOO FAR AND THERE WAS ROBUST DISCUSSION.

I HAVE TO ASK: WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, WE TALK ABOUT TEACHER SHORTAGE THE FACT THAT KIDS ARE STRUGGLING TO HAVE EFFICIENCY IN MATH AND LITERACY A LOT OF EXJEN OF THE SESSION WAS SPENT ON SENATE BILL 150, HOUSE BILL 470.

AND THESE TRANSGENDER ISSUES.

WHY WAS THAT GIVEN SO MUCH PROMINENCE IN A SESSION WHEN SO MANY ISSUES ARE PRESSING THAT PERHAPS ANOTHER PART OF THE ELECTORATE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ADDRESSED.

>> .

>> SURE I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE DIALOGUE AROUND THOSE BILLS.

IF YOU GO BACK TO ABOUT JUNE, REALLY THE CONVERSATION STARTED ON THE BILLS A COUPLE OF PEOPLE PREFILED.

THERE WAS AN INTERIM COMMITTEE HEARING ABOUT IT.

WE ALL KNEW THAT THIS WAS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A CONVERSATION ONCE SESSION STARTED IN JANUARY.

SO THOSE CONVERSATIONS WERE HAPPENING.

AND I KNOW FROM MY CONSTITUENTS WERE WEIGHING IN ON THINGS, TOO.

I THINK AS WE WENT THROUGH THE SESSION, WE STARTED OUT WITH CUTTING THE INCOME TAX AND WE ENDED UP PASSING SPORTS WAGERING.

BUT IN A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF IN-BETWEEN THERE.

BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE INK SO TO SPEAK WAS AROUND THAT 470-150.

I WANT TO PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE.

A MAJORITY OF THE INK WAS ON THE BILLS WE DID A LOT OF OTHER REALLY WONDERFUL THINGS TO MOVE THE COMMONWEALTH FORWARD.

I THINK THE WAY THAT THE BILL STARTED OUT, IS NOT THE WAY THE BILL ENDED UP.

AND I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION.

FOR ME PERSONALLY, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WERE NO BARRIERS, NO OBSTACLES TO ANY KIND OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT OR ACCESS TO ANY KIND OF COUNSELING THERAPY OR MENTAL HEALTH.

THAT ENDED UP IN THE FINAL PRODUCT.

SO THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> THOUGH THE FINAL PRODUCT HAD BATHROOM USE ANG AND THE PRONOUN ISSUE.

>> THAT GOT TACKED ON YOU KNOW HOW THINGS HAPPEN AT THE END.

SO YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE FRUSTRATION IS I DON'T LIKE THE BILL.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO THINK THE BILL INTRODUCED WAS THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED AND THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK TO MAKE IT IN MY OPINION, A LITTLE BIT MORE PALATABLE FOR WHAT WE ENDED UP PASSING.

>> I THINK THIS BILL STILL NEEDS WORK.

AND IT WAS VERY CONFLICTING.

MY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND OTHER COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN ON THE COMMITTEE SENATOR CAROL'S COMMITTEE WE ARE THE ONES THAT HEARD THE EVIDENCE AND WE ARE THERE AND WE HAVE THE CHAIRMAN THAT HAD HE THOUGHT A BETTER IDEA BASED ON THE EVIDENCE AND THE TESTIMONY THAT HE HEARD.

I AM AN INSTITUTIONAL PROCESS NERD AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR NEW MEMBERS TO LEARN THE PROCESS AND LEADERSHIP TO LEAD.

AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WHAT THAT.

I'M OLD SCHOOL AS A STAFFER AND A MEMBER.

SO YOU HAVE LEADERSHIP TO LEAD AND THEY LEAD THE CAUCUS IT'S NOT ALWAYS PRETTY ESPECIALLY NOW WITH THE EXTREMISM AND DIVISION IN THE PARTIES.

I SAY THERE'S THREE PARTIES IN EACH PARTY.

AND NATIONAL LEVEL AND HERE.

LET'S FACE IT.

A LOT OF DYNAMICS COME INTO PLAY WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DYNAMIC OF A CAUCUS WHICHEVER ONE IT IS.

THAT BILL I'VE GOT MY LAWYER HEAD ON SAYING THAT THAT BILL HAS CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES AND THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THAT WE PROTECT EVERYBODY'S PARENTAL RIGHTS AND WE PROTECT ALL THE CHILDREN.

SO MY CONFLICT THERE IN LIES.

AND I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET THAT BILL BACK IN SOME FORM AND I THINK WE STILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO FINESSE THE ISSUES THAT SENATOR AND OTHERS HAVE ON THAT.

AND WE GET A GOOD PRODUCT.

I'M ALL ABOUT GETTING A GOOD PRODUCT.

I HATE GOING TO COURT AND A JUDGE SAYING WHAT WERE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU DID THIS?

BECAUSE IT TAKES TIME.

AND THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO LEARN.

THE NEW MEMBERS NEED TO LEARN.

THIS IS A PROCESS.

IT IS AN INSTITUTION IT'S IMPORTANT AND YOU HAVE TO USE YOUR INTERIM COMMITTEE PROPERLY.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS, PUBLIC INPUT.

AND THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE DISCUSSED IN A CIVIL DISCOURSE WITH BOTH PARTIES PRESENT AND THE PUBLIC SUNSHINE HELPS IN MY EXPERIENCE AND OPINION.

>> WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS?

>> WE SPENT THE FIRST HALF TALKING ABOUT HOW POLITICS IS A PATIENCE PRACTICE.

GOVERNMENT IS A PATIENCE PRACTICE.

AND YES, A LOT OF US COME IN AND WE EXPECT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THINGS DONE AND GET FRUSTRATED HOW SLOW THE PROCESS.

IT TOOK 10 YEARS TO GET A VETERANS NURSING HOME IN BOWLING GREEN BUT WE WERE ABLE TO GET THIS THROUGH AND CRAM MORE STUFF ON IT IN A MATTER OF DAYS AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY THE ENTIRE TIME THROUGH I WAS PART OF THE EARLY DECISIONS BUT IT BECAME A PRIORITY SO MUCH SO WE PUT OUR RULE BOOKS ASIDE AND WILLING TO ALL COMMITTEES ON SIX MINUTES NOTICE WE DIDN'T LET SUNSHINE IN AND THAT'S WHERE WE ENDED UP WITH PEOPLE VOICING THEIR FRUSTRATION IN THE CAPITOL BECAUSE IT WASN'T THE NORMAL PROCESS.

I FEEL LIKE THIS IS SHINEY PENNY LEGISLATION.

SOMETHING COMES UP EACH YEAR THAT IS A SHINEY PENNY THAT WE FOCUS ON TO THE DETRIMENT OF AFFORD ABSENTEE BALLOT HOUSING AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEING FULLY FUNDED TO THE MYRIAD ISSUES THAT THE ARE AFFECTING EVERYDAY KENTUCKIANS WHAT WE HEAR ABOUT THE MOST WHEN WE TALK TO OUR CONSTITUENTS.

I DO THINK THAT GOVERNMENT WORKS BEST WHEN IT'S PATIENT AND HEALTHY FRICTION AND I WORRY THERE ISN'T HEALTHY FRICTION WITH A SUPER MAJORITY IN BOTH CHAMBERS THAT INSTEAD THERE IS JUST UBER POLARIZATION AND THE ABILITY OF SOME OF THE MOST EXTREME IDEAS TO GET RUSHED THROUGH.

>> THERE ARE SKEPTICS WHAT WAS PASSED WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ANTI-TRANS MEASURE, LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY MEASURE THAT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE HAD AN INFLUENCE AND AS WE SEE THIS MEASURE EVEN ON THE CONGRESSIONAL LEVEL, THE U.S. HOUSE ACTED ON A PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL.

IS THAT WHAT IS DRIVING THE AGENDA?

IS IT THE FACT THAT THE SPONSOR IS A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE TO A REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE DID THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT?

>> I WOULD HAVE TO ANSWER HONESTLY NO.

THE GUBERNATORIAL POLITICS DID NOT PLAY A ROLE.

I THINK THAT YOU'VE SEEN IN STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THAT THESE ISSUES ARE BUBBLING UP AND THEY ARE BUBBLING UP AS A RESPONSE TO COVID BECAUSE PARENTS WERE FINALLY ENGAGED IN WHAT THEIR KIDS WERE LEARNING BECAUSE THEY WERE LEANING OVER THEIR SHOULDER WHILE THEY WERE ON-LINE.

AND THIS IS A RESPONSE TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT AT PROFICIENCY LEVEL IN READING AND MATH.

AND PARENTS WANT TO REENGAGE AGAIN.

SO I THINK THAT THIS IS BIGGER THAN GUBERNATORIAL POLITICS.

THIS IS PARENTS NOW FEELING LIKE OK, I'VE BEEN REMISS IN ENGAGING AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY CHILD'S SCHOOL AND WHAT MY CHILD IS LEARNING AND WHY AREN'T THEY THRIVING?

AND SO I THINK THAT'S THE GENESIS OF WHERE THIS CAME FROM.

AND WE HAD A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS THAT HAD A LOT OF ENERGY ABOUT PURSUING THESE INITIATIVES.

AND SO.

>> WERE THOSE FOR THOSE PARENTS WHO HAD THOSE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY ISN'T MY CHILD THRIVING DID THEY GET THE ANSWER FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS TIME ASH?

>> I THINK IT'S AN ONGOING QUESTION AND AN ONGOING ANSWER.

I THINK THAT TO SENATOR WEBB'S POINT, YOU HAVE TO ENGAGE YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND FIND OUT WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW THEY ARE FEELING AND ARE THEY GETTING THE REMEDY THAT THEY WANT?

SO WE JUST WRAPPED UP ON THURSDAY, I THINK THAT WE'LL FIGURE OUT DURING THE INTERIM IF WE WENT TOO FAR OR NOT FAR ENOUGH.

BACK TO THAT ORIGINAL POINT THAT I MADE.

AND IT'S OUR JOB AS LEGISLATORS TO NEVER TURN OFF OUR EARS WE HAVE TO ALWAYS CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ELECT US AND WHO ARE THE TAXPAYERS.

AND THEY ARE OUR BOSSES.

SO WE HAVE TO BE PROTECTIVE OF WHERE THEY ARE.

>> I THINK MANY PEOPLE EXPECTED ABORTION ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED OCCURRING THIS SESSION THERE WERE FIVE BILLS FILED BY BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

AND SO THE FACT THAT NONE OF THEM ADVANCED.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY REPRESENTATIVE MILES?

>> WELL, I THINK WE'VE COME A LONG WAY AS FAR AS THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT AND I THINK OUR CAUCUS HAS RECOGNIZED THE GREAT STRIDES THAT WE'VE MADE.

THE ADDITIONAL SIDE TO THAT, WAS THE I BELIEVE THERE WAS A NATAL BILL THAT WE WERE SPECIFIC I KNOW THAT WAS A NEW SENATOR THAT BROUGHT THAT BILL WITH THE HELP OF SENATOR ADAMS.

SO YOU KNOW THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I HAD AN INTEREST IN MAKING SURE THAT EVERYTHING WE'RE MOVING FORWARD AND MAKING SURE WE'RE LOOKING AT POST PART TESTIMONY DEPRESSION AND CONTINUING TO LOOK AT FOSTER CARE AND ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS AS FAR AS THAT GOES.

I THINK WE ARE AT A DIFFERENT PLACE AND PROCESS AS FAR AS THAT GOES.

BUT JUST TO KIND OF BRING UP ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SAID IT WAS LIKE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION, THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT WE HAVE PUT INTO EDUCATION SINCE WE'VE FLIPPED THE HOUSE HAS BEEN REMARKABLE.

AND THAT'S NOT ONLY THE AMOUNT OF SEED FUNDING BUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO THE PENSION SYSTEM AND I THINK THAT EVEN GOES TO SHOW THE FUNDING THAT WILL BE OUT OF THE SPORTS WAGERING THAT WILL GO TOWARDS THAT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THINGS THAT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE PROCESS AND ALWAYS BEEN PART OF HOW DO WE MAKE KENTUCKY MORE COMPETITIVE AND HOW MUCH DO WE INVEST IN THAT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS, LAST YEAR, YOU HAD PROPOSED SOME AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD CARVE OUT EXCEPTIONS IN ABORTION LAWS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE PROPOSED ADDING THOSE EXCEPTIONS.

WHITNEY HAD A MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS REJECTED IN NOVEMBER.

DO YOU WISH THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN UP?

>> WHEN I ASKED FOR THE AMENDMENT THE BARE MINIMUM CAN WE AT LEAST MAKE THESE EXCEPTIONS IN THE CASE OF RAPE AND INCEST 68% WERE WILLING TO PUT A NO VOTE WE CAN VOTE YES OR NO OR ABSTAIN AND 68 WERE WILLING TO SAY NO.

NOT EVEN IN THE CASE OF RAPE AND INCEST.

I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT DIDN'T MOVE.

I THINK THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FAILING BY A WIDE MARGIN WAS TELLING.

I WILL ALSO SAY THAT I TOO AM GLAD THAT THE PARRY NATAL BILL MOVED AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE SEE HAPPEN THE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN'S CAUCUS FOR YEARS PUT FORWARD A SLATE OF 20 BILLS THAT DEAL WITH MATERNAL HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND WE'RE ALL HERE TO DO GOOD POLICY.

I SAY THAT BECAUSE IT IS A SMALL POT SHOT AND YOU BROUGHT IT UP AND IT WAS FUN TO SAY.

BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS I DON'T CARE THAT IT CAME THROUGH BY SOMEBODY ELSE.

IT WAS A GOOD BILL THEN AND IT'S GREAT NOW AND I HOPE MORE OF THE 20 BILLS WILL START TO MOVE AND WE CAN REALLY START TO FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHICH IS MAKING SURE WE CAN SUPPORT FAMILIES IN KENTUCKY THAT PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE IN THE STATE BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE WELCOME IN THE STATE.

BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THERE ARE JOBS FOR THEM IN THE STATE AND THEY CAN AFFORD TO LIVE HERE AND THERE'S GOOD SCHOOLS FOR THEIR KIDS AND A GREAT COMMUNITY THAT THEY WANT TO BE PART OF.

THAT IS WHAT WE REALLY NEED HERE.

I AM HOPEFUL THAT WOMEN WILL HAVE MORE ACCESS IN THE FUTURE.

I AM DISHEARTENED THAT WOMEN HAVE NO ACCESS AT ALL RIGHT NOW.

AND I THINK ALL OF THIS LAYERS ON.

AND WE HAVE SENT LOUD MESSAGES THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT WOMEN ARE LESS VALUED IN THE STATE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE LGBTQ ARE LESS VALUED IN THE STATE AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL STOP THAT NOW AND START MOVING TOWARDS THINGS MORE UNIFYING AND HELP TO GROW OUR STATE AND HELP TO ENTICE PEOPLE TO LIVE HERE AND STAY HERE.

>> ANY FURTHER COMMENT SENATOR WEBB ON THAT?

>> ABORTION LEGISLATION?

>> IT WAS NOT SURPRISING TO ME DUE TO THE AMENDMENT AND THE CHILLING EFFECT I THINK THAT THAT HAD ON ANYTHING MOVING FORWARD AT THIS POINT.

BUT I THINK WE'LL SEE IT.

>> IN 2024?

>> TO BE A BUDGET YEAR, 60 DAYS IT'S DOUBLE THE FUN.

[LAUGHTER] >> CAN'T WAIT.

>> TOO SOON, RENEE, TOO SON.

IT IS VERY MUCH TOO SOON.

>> WITH ALL THE WORKS IN PROGRESS AND THE SOLAR SITING BILL IT IS AN EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS IT IS A FRAMEWORK WE WILL BE MEETING AND WE WILL BE BACK IN JANUARY ALREADY.

SO ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO GET ATTENTION THAT NEED ATTENTION.

>> RIGHT.

I DO WANT TO REVISIT THE PROCESS.

WE DID HEAR AND REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO ABOUT HASTILY CALLED COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND NOT GETTING THE REVISIONS OF A BILL IN PROPER TIME FOR LAWMAKERS THEMSELVES TO REVIEW IT, LET ALONE PUBLIC AND PRESS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US THE PROCESS GIVE US A CIVICS LESSON HOW THAT WORKS AND WHERE THE RULES BEND TO EXPEDITE THE PASSAGE OF CONTROVERSIAL MEASURES?

>> THE RULES WERE NOT BENT THE RULES WERE FOLLOWED.

THE RULES WERE NOT VIOLATED.

I GO BACK IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO WHEN I FIRST GOT THERE AND SERVING IN THE MINORITY.

>> I WAS THERE WITH YOU.

>> YOU WERE THERE WITH ME, EXACTLY.

AND I REMEMBER GETTING A LETTER FOR ME TO SIGN OFF FOR A COMMITMENT TO VOTE FOR THE BUDGET BILL PRIOR TO EVER SEEING A BUDGET BILL IF I WOULD GET MY CO-SEVERANCE PROJECTS IN MY COUNTIES.

AND I WAS LIKE HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE THAT SPEAKER WANTED ME TO SIGN ON TO A LETTER THAT WAS DRAFTED BY THE CHAIRMAN RAND AT THAT TIME.

TO COMMIT TO SOMETHING IN EXCHANGE FOR MY VOTE FOR SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T SEE.

AND SO AS FAR AS THE PROCESS HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY ESPECIALLY, ESPECIALLY ON THE BUDGET ITEMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD TO VOTE ON BILLS BEFORE THAT THE COPIES WERE SO HOT YOU COULDN'T HARDLY TOUCH THEM LAYING ON YOUR DESK BEFORE YOU VOTED ON THEM.

A HISTORY LESSON BECAUSE AT THE TIME YOU COME IN, THINGS HAVE CHANGED DRASTICALLY.

AND YOU KNOW, THERE'S PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT LIKE HOW THINGS ARE NOW.

BUT I FEEL LIKE ON A DAILY BASIS REPRESENTATIVE GRAHAM AND I LAUGHED HE WILL SHAKE HIS HEAD HE WILL SAY THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW.

BECAUSE I REMEMBER SITTING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND THEY WOULD RECESS AND THEY WENT TO LEXINGTON ON A BUS FOR A FUNDRAISER WHILE WE SAT THERE AND WAITED FOR THEM TO COME BACK.

AND THERE'S NOT A TIME THAT WE DON'T RECESS FOR A CAUCUS MEETING OR RECESS FOR ANYTHING AT ALL.

THAT I DON'T LET THE MINORITY GIVE THEM A HEADS UP, GIVE THE STAFF A HEADS UP TO LET THEM KNOW THEY WILL BE OUT FOR A LITTLE BIT.

I KNOW IT'S KIND OF HARD TO UNDERSTAND IF YOU DIDN'T LIVE IN THAT TIME.

BUT AS FAR AS TYPICALLY THE RESPECT THAT IS ON THE FLOOR, THE RULES THAT ARE FOLLOWED.

ALL THE THINGS THAT WE FOLLOW THE RULES.

THERE WERE NOT ANY RULES VIOLATED.

THIS TIME WE FOLLOWED THE RULES.

AND THAT WAS PART OF THE PROCESS AS FAR AS THAT WENT.

AS FAR AS THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND NOTICES, YOU KNOW THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE LAST DAYS OF SESSION.

IT IS NOT UNCOMMON.

BUT IT WAS THE IRONY OF IT TO BE THERE AT A TIME PERIOD WHENEVER YOU WEREN'T NOTIFIED IF THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS TOOK PLACE.

I MEAN THAT WAS A TIME THAT I WAS THERE WHENEVER I FIRST GOT THERE.

>> I'VE BEEN THERE A LONGTIME.

>> SHE HAS STORIES.

>> THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.

WE STILL HAVE BILLS THAT I DIDN'T GET TO READ THEY WERE NOT ON MY COMPUTER IF YOU SEE ME VOTING NO OR YOU SEE ME PASSING WHICH I RARELY PASS, BUT THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT.

I DON'T COMMIT TO A BILL THE SPORTS BETTING COMES TO MIND.

I SAID BOYS I'M NOT COMMITTING ANYTHING UNTIL I READ IT.

IT'S WORKED WELL FOR ME AND THAT IS WHERE I AM.

I'VE BEEN ON THE RECEIVING I GUESS AND GIVING END OF THE SHENANIGANS AND HE HERE IN THE MAJORITY YOU MAKE THE RULES, LIKE I SAID THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.

IT HAPPENS IN EVERY CHAMBER ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN CONGRESS.

SO WE BOTH HAVE ALL HAVE PROCEDURAL ISSUES WHEN IN THE 11TH HOUR.

SO AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN THE MAJORITY.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENT ON THAT?

BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT ISSUES?

>> NO, I COULD SHARE STORIES.

BUT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS TO HEAR MY STORIES I'M GOOD.

>> AND LET'S TALK ABOUT POLICY.

>> THE INSIDE STUFF IS COOL.

I THINK OUR AUDIENCE APPRECIATES IT.

WE MENTIONED SEVERAL BILLS YOU ALL LISTED OFF THE ONES YOU ARE MOST PROUD AND THERE'S SOME THAT DIDN'T GET A LOT OF ATTENTION IF WE THINK ABOUT HOUSE BILL 1, IT SEEMS LIKE EONS AGO THAT REDUCE THE PERSON INCOME TAX A HALF PERCENT BEGINNING JANUARY 1 OF 2024.

WE STARTED OFF WITH THIS AND HERE IS THE QUESTION I THINK, TOO, WE WERE TOLD BY MEMBERS OF YOUR PARTIES WHO SAT HERE, OH, WE WON'T DO MUCH THIS SESSION WE ARE GOING TO DO TWEAKS, NO MAJOR PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

>> IT WAS JUST THE OPPOSITE.

>> TALK ABOUT MANAGING EXPECTATIONS.

[LAUGHTER] >> I'LL TELL YOU WE TOOK CARE OF SO MANY ISSUES THAT HAD BEEN LINGERING FOR SO MANY YEARS THAT IT WAS REMARKABLE TO ME THE AMOUNT OF WORK PRODUCT THAT WAS PRODUCED FROM THIS SESSION.

AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF SO MUCH WE DID.

I'M TELLING YOU, THE BARREL TAX IS GOING TO BE HUGE FOR ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE INDUSTRIES.

JUVENILE JUSTICE, THAT WAS READY, RIPE AND READY TO ROLL FOR THE CHILDREN ACROSS THIS COMMONWEALTH.

I MEAN WE JUST HEARD HORROR STORIES WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THESE FACILITIES AND IT WASN'T RIGHT FOR THE KIDS THEN.

SO THAT COLLABORATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION WAS GREAT.

LOWERING THE TAX CUT.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

ROBIN SENATOR WEBB BROUGHT UP THE WE PASSED THE SOLAR BILL WHICH WAS ANOTHER HUGE ENDEAVOR TO REALLY INTRODUCE A NEW DYNAMIC FOR ENERGY IN THIS STATE AND ALSO PROTECT PRIVATE PROPERTY.

SO I COULD GO ON AND ON.

BUT FOR 30 DAYS WE REALLY CLEARED A LOT OFF THE BOARD AND I THINK IT'S ALL FOR THE BETTERMENT OF KENTUCKY.

>> SOME BILLS WE OFTEN DON'T TALK ABOUT MUCH YOU HAVE LOFTON'S LAW THAT MAKES HAZING A CLASS D FELONY IF IT RESULTS IN INJURY OR DEATH.

YOU HAD THE CONDITIONS SB4, ROBBIE MILLS' BILL FROM HENDERSON DEALING WITH CONDITIONS TO CLOSE A COAL-FIRED FIRE PLANTED AND YOU HAD THE UTILITY COMPANIES SAYING WE'RE LOOKING TO MOVE INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND THIS IS GOING TO KEEP US FROM DOING THAT.

AND POSSIBLY EVEN COST NOT JUST US MORE BUT CUSTOMERS MORE.

ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT THAT MAY HAVE SOME BACKFIRING LATER ON?

>> YOU KNOW, AND I CAN'T GIVE YOU AN ANSWER RIGHT NOW.

I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT SECURITIZATION AND NEW CON TENS WITHIN THE -- CONCEPTS WITHIN THE ENERGY SPACE.

AND I KNOW I'M VERY CLOSE WITH KU THEY ARE MY PROVIDERS IN LOUISVILLE.

AND I REALLY RELY ON THEIR EXPERTISE TO TELL ME WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THEM.

FOR ME, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

>> IF YOU HEAR THE TESTIMONY ON THE ENERGY COMMITTEE AND THE CONCERNS AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

WHEN TBA EXPERIENCED THE BROWNOUT ANDS AND THE BLACKOUTS WE HAVE EV'S INVESTMENT STATE INVESTMENT PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO RELY ON ELECTRIC CARS WE HAVE AN INSECURE GRID.

IF YOU SAT IN ON SOME OF THE COMMITTEES ON THE GRID CAPACITY, INSECURITY, THESE CONVERSATIONS HAVE TO OCCUR AND SOMETIMES THEY ARE DIFFICULT.

AND IT IS NOT ALWAYS AS BAD AS ONE LETS ON.

THAT BILL IS NOT A CHICKEN LITTLE BILL.

THAT WILL CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION THAT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR ENERGY DIVERSIFICATION AND RELIANCE AND IT'S A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE.

IT IS A INDUSTRIAL ISSUE.

AS WELL AS YOU SAY THE POWER BILLS AND THE UNRELIABILITY FOR OUR CITIZENS IN OUR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

I'M GLAD ROBBIE BROUGHT THE BILL.

IT SURE TRIGGERED A LOT OF CONVERSATION THAT WILL CONTINUE TO.

>> YEP.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENT ON THAT?

>> WELL, I HAVE TO AGREE COMPLETELY.

I THINK WHENEVER WE HAD THE TESTIMONY ESPECIALLY WHEN WE GO BACK TO THE BROWNOUTS AND BLACKOUTS AT THAT TIME, THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAD WITH THAT IF WE DO NOT HAVE AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE AND ACCESS TO IT THAT IS THE OTHER THING, THERE WAS ANOTHER BILL ON ESG WHICH HAS BEEN A BIG THING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE INVESTMENTS ARE BASED ON THE BEST OUTCOMES FOR THOSE INVESTMENTS ON OUR PENSIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT RATHER THAN POLITICS AND THINGS DRIVING THAT BUS WHAT THEY ARE INVESTING IN AND MAKING SURE THAT THE INVESTMENTS MAKING SURE THAT OUR ENERGY SOURCE IS BASED ON THE MOST AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE.

AND IT IS THE SAME WAY WITH INTERNET.

WE'VE WORKED ON THAT FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND FINALLY WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THE CO-OPS PEOPLE IN MY AREA ARE EXCITED BY THE FIBER THAT IS RUN INTO THE INTERNET BUSINESS.

SO THAT'S THAT WAS -- THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT THAT HAS BEEN A LONGTIME COMING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

LOFTON'S LAW THAT WAS PERSONAL TO US IN THAT AREA.

TO KNOW THAT FAMILIES THAT YOUNG MAN'S FAMILY AND THE CONCERNS THERE TRYING TO KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE AT SCHOOL AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I THINK THERE WERE MANY, MANY ITEMS THAT WORKFORCE WITH THE HEALTHCARE, THE WORKFORCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE WORKFORCE THERE WERE ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF THINGS THIS TIME.

A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED IN 30 DAYS FOR SURE.

>> FIREARMS LEGISLATION HAPPENED.

KENTUCKY IS IT NOW A SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY STATE WHERE YOU KNOW, WE CAN I GUESS NOT GO ALONG WITH FEDERAL FIREARMS BANS.

BUT, YET, SAVANNAH MADDOX HAD A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR WHAT CALLED CAMPUS CARRY IF YOU ARE OVER 21, YOU COULD CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS ON CAMPUS.

WHY ONE AND NOT THE OTHER?

>> I THINK WE'LL START DOWN THAT PATH.

WE WORK ON TRYING TO COME UP WITH A LIST OF TASK FORCE A LOT OF BILLS PASSED THAT WANT TASK FORCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN HAVE HAVE A TASK FORCE ON THAT SO IF THE UNIVERSITIES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

>> WHICH THEY ARE NOT FOR THEY SAY?

>> WELL, THEY MAY GET TO A POINT WHERE THEY MAY BE FOR SOMETHING.

I THINK WE CAN ALL FIND COMMON GROUND SOMETIMES HOW WE KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

I THINK THAT THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES THERE FOR TASK FORCE HERE IN THE INTERIM TO LOOK AT THINGS AND BE METHODICAL TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS INVOLVED IN THE CONVERSATIONS.

LIKE WE SAID, AS FAR AS 150 DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

THOSE CONVERSATIONS STARTED EARLY LAST YEAR SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS AND THINGS BEING BROUGHT TO US AND THE CONCERNS.

SO I THINK THAT WE'LL JUST HAVE TO LOOK.

I KNOW SEVERAL STATES HAVE DONE DIFFERENT THINGS.

I THINK THE SECOND AMENDMENT I THINK IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE CONCERN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

OF WHAT MAY BE EXECUTIVE ORDERS FROM OUR PRESIDENT WAS A CONCERN.

AND I KNOW SENATOR WEBB IS SHAKING HER HEAD AT ME ON THAT ONE, TOO.

BECAUSE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGS NEAR AND DEAR TO HER WHENEVER YOU TALK ABOUT THE GUN RIGHTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> I'M SO OLD AND REPRESENTATIVE MILES AND I ARE FROM AN AREA WHEN WE WENT TO SCHOOL YOU WOULD HAVE A GUN RACK IN YOUR PICKUP TRUCK AND YOU MIGHT HAVE A .22 ON THAT GUN RACK.

I THINK THERE ARE COMPONENTS I'VE TALKED TO SOME OF THE UNIVERSITIES AS WELL, A LOT OF MOVING PARTS THAT WOULD HAVE TO GO ALONG WITH THAT AS FAR AS EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND CERTAIN LIABILITY ISSUES AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT MERIT A SERIOUS DISCUSSION.

>> RIGHT.

>> I DON'T SEE A LOT OF UPTICK FOR THE DISCUSSIONS I PUT FORWARD A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE MADE A TAX EXEMPTION FOR GUN SAFES AND TRIGGER LOCKS AND I COULD NOT GET A COMMITTEE HEARING.

SOMETIMES THAT ENDS UP BEING SHINY PENNY LEGISLATION TO GET PEOPLE TO LOOK OVER HERE INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON WHAT EVERYDAY KENTUCKIANS ARE IMPACTED BY.

AND THAT SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY BILL I THINK IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

WE'RE SAYING WE DON'T BELIEVE IN THE SUPREMACY CAUSE.

OTHER STATES ARE CAUGHT UP IN LITIGATION.

I WISH WE STOPPED PASSING BILLS WE KNOW WILL GET CAUGHT UP IN LITIGATION.

IF WE DON'T THINK IT IS A PROPER BILL WE SHOULDN'T PASS IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND DEPENDING ON THE COURTS TO RIGHT OUR WRONGS.

>> AND YOU LEFT OUT AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES.

>> WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> [LAUGHTER] >> MILE MARKERS.

>> AND THAT WOULD REMOVE FENTANYL STRIPS FROM THE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA LAW IT IS DECRIMINALIZES THE USE FOR THAT AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS TO TEST DRUGS FOR THE PRESENCE OF FENTANYL GETTING A LITTLE DAB CAN DO YOU IN.

SO THAT HAS BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.

GOVERNOR SIGN TO DO ON FRIDAY.

SO THIS IS A HARM REDUCTION APPROACH.

AND JUST REMEMBER I REMEMBER BACK IN 2013, WAS IT?

WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT NEEDLE EXCHANGE HOW TABOO THAT WAS.

AND I REMEMBER IN THE WANING HOURS A GENTLEMAN WHO IS NO LONGER IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS PUSHING THAT BILL TOWARD THE LAST DAY TOWARD THE BUZZER TO GET THAT PASSED.

SO THINGS DO CHANGE.

>> AND YOU KNOW, TO YOUR POINT ABOUT HOW THINGS CHANGE, WE PASSED A BILL THIS SESSION A PUBLIC HEALTH BILL THIS SESSION THAT ALLOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIV POSITIVE TO DONATE THEIR ORGANS TO HIV POSITIVE RECIPIENTS AS PART OF THAT WE DID THE PARTNER THERAPY ON THE HIV TESTING.

YOU TALK ABOUT COMING A LONG WAY ON SOME OF THESE THINGS.

I MEAN THESE ARE IMPORTANT MATTERS.

AND SOME OF THESE SMALLER ITEMS WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT DURING THE EPB TISH RIM RIGHT, BIG TIME?

>> OF COURSE WE WILL ABSOLUTELY WE WILL.

IT JUST SETS THE STRUCTURE UP IN PLACE FOR PRETTY WELL THE FUTURE.

THESE ARE COMING THEY ARE IN OTHER STATES.

AND WE JUST NEED TO HAVE A STRUCTURE IN PLACE AND BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

>> THERE'S CONCERNS ABOUT LOSS OF JOBS AND SAFETY AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

>> I'M NOT AS WORRIED ABOUT THE LOSS OF JOBS.

THE NUMBERS WE HAVE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, FOR NEED OF TRUCK DRIVERS, WE'RE BEGGING PEOPLE TO GET THEIR CDL'S RIGHT NOW.

AS FAR AS THE LOSS OF JOBS, I TRULY DON'T SEE THAT BEING AN ISSUE AS FAR AS THAT GOES.

THE SAFETY WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE SAFE.

WE DO NEED AND I KNOW I THINK THE LAST-MINUTE THAT THE AMOUNT OF INSURANCE ON IT WENT UP DRASTICALLY AS FAR AS THE AMOUNT OF INSURANCE.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO OCCUR THE INSURANCE AMOUNTS WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL ENOUGH TO COVER THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND STILL UNCERTAIN TECHNOLOGY IN A LOT OF WAYS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MILES YOU ARE MAKING A PLUG FOR DE KET.

IF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING THEY ARE ON-LINE AS THEY HAPPEN IN OUR ARCHIVES WE CAN STAY IN THE KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> AND THOSE ARE HELPFUL.

I MEAN THAT IS THE THING ABOUT IT, PEOPLE ASK YOU KNOW, WE'RE PART-TIME LEGISLATORS BUT BY THE TIME YOU DO YOUR INTERIM COMMITTEES AND STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME THAT YOU DON'T SEE US ON TV THAT WE SPEND WORKING ON THINGS.

BUT THE INTERIM MEETINGS AND THE LEGISLATION GOING THROUGH THOSE COMMITTEES IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO VET THOSE THROUGHOUT THE INTERIM.

>> IN THE THREE MINUTES WE HAVE, IN THE BUDGET WHICH WAS A MUST DO IN 2024 WHAT IS ON THE LIST?

CAN YOU GET YOUR CRYSTAL BALL OUT TO SEE?

>> OH, YOU KNOW, THE BUDGET HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN SO INTERESTED IN.

THE CO-SEVERANCE I KNOW SENATOR WEBB AND I WORKED ON THAT FOR YEARS AND YEAR AND WE FINALLY HAVE THAT PLACE WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING BACK TO THE COUNTIES PROUD OF THAT.

BUT I JUST THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A SURPRISE ALMOST OF WHAT COMES UP OR WHAT POPS UP THAT IS REALLY A NEW ITEM THAT WE DIDN'T THINK OF.

I THINK THAT THIS SESSION I COULD HAVE NEVER TOLD YOU THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY WHAT THE END RESULT OF THE BILLS WOULD BE.

I'M NOT SURPRISED AND THINK THERE WERE 600 BILLS IN THE HOUSE FILED.

AND THE END RESULT OF THE AMOUNT THAT MAKE THROUGH WERE PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL AT THE END OF THE DAY.

BUT I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING SPECIFIC ON THAT.

I DO HOPE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD ON SOME OF THE PORT PARTUM.

I -- POSTPARTUM.

AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND WE HAVE GOOD DATA AND MAKE SURE OUR RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT IS GOOD THAT WE HAVE DATA TO BACK SOME OF THESE THINGS UP.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO.

>> I'D -- I WOULD IF I HAVE A PLUG FOR NEXT SESSION IS I WANT TO WORK ON SOME MORE HEALTH ISSUES.

KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NEW RFP'S FOR THE MCO'S IN KENTUCKY AND I WANT TO LOOK AT FOCUSING ON OUTCOMES, KENTUCKY IS STILL A VERY UNHEALTHYTATE AND I THINK WE NEED TO HOLD OUR MCO'S FEET TO THE FIRE AND MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING GOOD OUTCOMES AND MAKING KENTUCKIANS HEALTHIER WITH THE DOLLARS WE ARE SPENDING.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US WORK ON AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE AND INCREASING CRISIS IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE A LOOMING CRISIS IN OUR POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND TEACHING PROFESSION WHERE WE'RE LOSING PEOPLE TO THESE PROFESSIONS.

WE HAVE VACANCIES IN MY TOWN THAT WE CAN'T GET FIREFIGHTERS TO FILL.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND GOING TO BECOME MORE OF A PUBLIC CRISIS HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS IF WE DON'T START LOOKING AT IT WITH AN EYE TOWARDS SOLUTIONS.

AND I HOPE WE'LL KEEP WORKING ON THE MATERNAL HEALTHCARE BILLS AS WELL.

>> .

>> 15 SECONDS.

>> I WILL BE RESPONDING TO SOME OF OUR LEGISLATION IN LIGHT OF COURT.

RESPONSES I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON THAT.

>> SHE IS A LAWYER.

>> WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS THAT IS WHY WE HAVE JOBS.

JUVENILE JUSTICE IS A CONTINUATION AND I USED TO LIVE IN HAZARD AND LAST WEEK I PROMISED PEOPLE WE WOULDN'T FORGET THE FLOOD VICTIMS >> YES.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

WE'LL SEE YOU MONDAY NIGHT AND TALK TO INTEREST GROUPS ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK HAPPENED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I'LL SEE YOU THEN.