[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE SESSION IS OVER, BUT THE DEBATE CONTINUES OVER THE 2024 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

REPUBLICANS ARE PRAISING THE BUDGET AND THE SPENDING ON EDUCATION, AS WELL AS THE PASSAGE OF AN ANTI-CRIME BILL.

DEMOCRATS SAY THE MONEY FOR EDUCATION ISN’T ENOUGH, AND THE ANTI-CRIME BILL TURNS THE HOMELESS INTO CRIMINALS.

TO DISCUSS THE SESSION, AND WHAT LAWMAKERS ACCOMPLISHED, WE ARE JOINED — IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIOS -- BY FOUR MEMBERS OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

STATE SENATOR PHILLIP WHEELER, A REPUBLICAN FROM PIKEVILLE; STATE SENATOR CASSIE CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG, A DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE; STATE REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL “SARGE” POLLOCK, A REPUBLICAN FROM CAMPBELLSVILLE; AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE RACHEL ROARX, A DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISVILLE.

WE WANT YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.

YOU CAN SEND THEM BY X — FORMERLY TWITTER -- AT K-Y TONIGHT K-E-T.

SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR 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 OUR GUESTS.

HOPE YOU'VE GOT EN A FEW DAYS TO REST AND UNWIND AFTER AN INTENSE 60-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE WANT TO WELCOME OUR FRESHMEN TO THE SHOW, THANK YOU BOTH POUR BEING HERE WITH US.

I WILL START WITH YOU, SENATOR WHEELER, JUST GIVE US YOUR TOP BILL OTHER THAN THE BUDGET, THAT YOU THINK IS THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION PASSED BY STATE LAWMAKERS THIS SESSION?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT ONE OF THE BILLS THAT I CARRIED I WAS PROUD OF WAS SENATE BILL 280, WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ENORMOUS INJECTION OF MONIES INTO RURAL HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY WHO HAVE STRUGGLED IN RECENT YEARS DUE TO AN IMBALANCE OF MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATE.

WHAT THE SENATE BILL 280 WILL DO IS CONTINGENT UPON FEDERAL APPROVAL PIE THE GOVERNMENT, BUT WE'VE RECEIVED POSITIVE FEEDBACK, IT WILL ALLOW RURAL HOSPITALS LEVEL TWO, THREE OR FOUR TRAUMA CENTERS THAT NEED CERTAIN METRICS AND HAVE A 35% OR HIGHER MEDICAID PAY OR MIX, IT WILL ALLOW THEM TO RECEIVE THE SAME REIMBURSEMENT RATE AS U.K. OR U OF L. THIS IS BEING DOWN WITHOUT PUTTING LIABILITY ON THE GENERAL FUND THROUGH A REVOLVING LOCAL PROVIDER TAX.

AND IT CAN RESULT IN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FLOWING INTO RURAL HEALTHCARE I WAS VERY PROUD OF THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH RECEIVED UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE IN THE FULL COOPERATION OF BOTH SIDES.

>> Renee: WILL THIS HELP THOSE SOME RURAL HOSPITALS FACE CLOSURE?

>> YES.

>> Renee: THIS IS ANECDOTE TO THAT?

>> I HOPE IT IS.

THAT YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN THE BILL WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED, MY INITIAL FOCUS WAS ON THE HIGHER LEVEL OF TRAUMA CENTER OR PIPER MEDICAL CENTER HOPED TO FORM A COLLABORATIVE RESIDENCY PROGRAM WITH THE U PIKE MEDICAL SCHOOL.

THROUGH COLLABORATION AND WORKING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, DONOVAN BLACK MAN, THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION WE WERE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A BROADER BASED PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH I THINK IS TRANSFORMATIVE TO RURAL HEALTHCARE AND PUT A LOT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED.

>> Renee: SO SENATOR, CASSIE CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG, I WANT TO ASK YOU, BIG BILL THAT YOU THINK HAS SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN A POSITIVE WAY?

AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO GIVE US A MISSED OPPORTUNITY PERHAPS?

>> SURE, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

THERE WERE GOOD THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ONE OF THE BIG ONES WAS THE MOMNIBUS BILL DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT KENTUCKY IS TWO OR THREE IN MATERNAL MORTALITY BASED ON WHATEVER NUMBER YOU LOOK AT AND THIS IS A GREAT BILL BIPARTISAN EFFORT LED BY WOMEN LEGISLATORS IT WILL ABSOLUTELY SAVE LIVES.

IT WILL CHANGE THE WAY HEALTHCARE IS SCROIFER SLIVERED IN THE STATE.

AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SESSION AND THE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES, WE DID GOOD THINGS AND WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME FOCUSING ON THE ISSUES THAT DIVIDE US INSTEAD OF PUTTING OUR TIME AND ATTENTION ON THE EFFORTS THAT UNITE US AND DELIVER RESULTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

I THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE WE CUT THE SALES TAX ON GOLD BARS BUT WE DIDN'T CUT THE SALES TAX ON DIAPERS.

WE FAILED TO GIVE OUR TEACHERS A RAISE THOUGH WE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT EDUCATION IS.

WE PASSED THIS CRIME BILL THAT IS GOING TO COST A BILLION DOLLARS FOR OUR STATE OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

AND YET WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO ADDRESS A ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME.

I WANT TO CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES OF THE SESSION AND KEEP US LOOKING FORWARD HOW WE CAN IMPROVE AND BUILD NEXT TIME.

>> Renee: YOU WERE THE SPONSOR OF THE DIAPER TAX BILL EXEMPTING DIAPERS FROM THE SALES TAX AND PERHAPS YOU THOUGHT THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE REVENUE MEASURE?

>> I WAS HOPEFUL IT WOULD BE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS SO MANY KENTUCKIANS ONE OUT OF TWO FAMILIES STRUGGLE TO AFFORD THE DIAPERS THEY NEED AND THERE IS NOT A SINGLE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES DEDICATED ASSISTANCE TO PURCHASE DIAPERS, YOU CAN'T GET THEM WITH MEDICAID, SNAP OR W.I.C.

SOMETHING THAT BABIES NEED AND THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD.

IT IS THE SMALLEST ASK I CAN THINK OF FOR THE STATE TO SAY WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE POCKETS OF THOSE YOUNG FAMILIES WE DON'T WANT THE TAXES ON THE DIAPERS.

OTHER STATEDS HAVE DONE IT AND THEY'VE SEEN AMAZING RESULTS.

DECREASED HEALTHCARE COSTS.

I WILL BE HONEST I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY CHOSE NOT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT MEASURE.

>> Renee: WHAT WAS THE FISCAL PROJECTED FISCAL IMPACT ON THAT?

>> ONLY ABOUT $10 MILLION WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CONTEXT OF OUR BUDGET WHEN WE'RE SPENDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS 10 MILLION TO PUT BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF OUR FAMILIES WELCOMING A NEW CHILD ESPECIALLY THE WAYS FAMILIES IN KENTUCKY ARE STRUGGLING IT IS NOT A BIG ASK.

I'M HOPEFUL IT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT I'VE HAD GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH MEMBERS OF REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AND FOLKS IN BOTH CHAMBERS I'M HOPEFUL IN THE INTERIM WE CAN KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING BECAUSE OUR FAMILIES DESERVE IT.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ONE GOOD AND ONE NOT SO GOOD.

>> MY HIGHLIGHT OF SESSION WAS SOMETHING WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT DURING THE INTERIM SOLVING OUR 1915C WAIVER CRISIS.

WE ADDED 2,000 WAIVER SLOTS FOR THINGS LIKE THE MICHELLE P. WAIVER AND HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED WAIVERS THAT WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT FOR THE FAMILIES ON THE WAIT LISTS FOR YEARS.

AND WE TOOK A BITE OUT OF THAT PROBLEM THIS YEAR AND IN SCENT YEARS FOLLOWING THIS BUDGET.

THAT WAS A GREAT MOMENT THAT I KNOW FAMILIES WITH LOVED ONES WHO HAVE INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ARE GOING TO SEE AN IMPACT IN THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF THIS YEAR.

THE LOW FOR ME THE THING I FEEL LIKE WAS THE WASTE OF TIME, WE STARTED OFF SO SLOW THIS YEAR AND WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON ANTI-DEI, ANTI-SNAP, ANTILABOR AND ANTIDRAG LEGISLATION AS WELL WHEN WE COULD HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON POLICIES THAT WE AGREED UPON AND DONE MORE FOR KENTUCKIANS LIKE TEACHER RAISES AND FOCUSING ON THINGS THAT ARE NOT A TAX ON LOUISVILLE, WHICH IS WHERE I REPRESENT.

AND THAT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING EVERY YEAR THAT I KNOW MY CONSTITUENTS REALLY FEEL LIKE IS WEIGHED UPON THEM AND WITH MOVING TO METRO COUNT AND MAYORAL ELECTIONS NONPARTISAN THEY FEEL LIKE THEY DIDN'T GET A CHOICE.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE POLLACK GOOD TO SEE YOU.

GIVE US YOUR HIGH AND LOWS?

>> IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT CONSUMER PROTECTION BILLS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THOSE.

HOUSE BILL 15 TO BE THE DATA PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT.

YOU LOOK AT HOUSE BILL 88, WHO IS PROTECTING THE HOMEOWNERS AND MORTGAGE.

WE CAN GO ON TO THE HOUSE BILL 11, PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF PROTECTION BILLS I THINK WAS SUPER ENCOURAGING TO KNOW WE'RE LOOKING OUT FOR OUR PEOPLE AND PROTECTING THEM AND THEIR NEEDS.

AND SO THAT WAS A BIG THING I THOUGHT WAS REALLY ONE OF THE THINGS WE FOCUSED.

OBVIOUSLY THE BUDGET WAS A BIG DEAL.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT I'M SURE BEFORE THIS HOUR IS OVER.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MAYBE THE LOSSES IN THE BUDGET ITSELF COULD WE PREPARE AND PROVIDE THE FUNDING FOR EVERY SINGLE THING OUT THERE?

OBVIOUSLY WE COULDN'T.

I WISH WE COULD.

BUT OVERALL IT'S EXCITING THAT WE KNOW WE GOT A LOT ACCOMPLISHED THIS SESSION.

WE GOT A LOT OF GOOD LEGISLATION DONE AS FAR AS BILLS GO.

BUT THAT BUDGET ITSELF OVERALL WAS AN OUTSTANDING BILL.

>> Renee: MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AS YOU SEE IT?

>> OVERALL NOT REALLY.

WOULD COULD TALK ABOUT THE THINGS OUT THERE, BUT I FEEL LIKE OVERALL IT WAS A REALLY GOOD SESSION OVERALL.

AGAIN, I THOUGHT THE BUDGET WAS REALLY STRONG WHEN WE BREAK IT DOWN.

>> Renee: SENATOR WHEELER ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE HEARD POLITICAL OBSERVERS SAY IS THAT LEADERSHIP DID A GOOD JOB ABOUT KEEPING THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING FOCUSING ON THE BUDGET ON WAYS TO MOVE THE STATE FORWARD.

AND NOT BEING DISTRACTED BY PERHAPS SOME OF THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL WEDGE ISSUES THAT PERHAPS CAN TAKE OCTOBER JEN OUT OF A 60-DAY SESSION.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I THINK THE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH CHAMBERS DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB THIS SESSION.

OF CREATING WHAT OUR SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS LIKES TO CALL THE ULTIMATE POLICY DOCUMENT WHICH IS THE BUDGET AND THAT WAS THE MAIN FOCUS OF THIS YEAR AND DUE TO SOME WISE POLICY CHOICES BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE HAD EXTRA MONEY TO SPEND.

AND I THINK MAKING THOSE TARGETED INVESTMENTS WHICH, YOU KNOW,S CAN TRANSFORMATIVE FOR THE FUTURE ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS THAT AREN'T GOING TO CREATE RECURRING PROBLEMS IN OUR STATE BUDGET IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO THOSE IN A TARGETED FASHION AND THAT WAS THE FOCUS OF OUR LEADERSHIP.

AND I THINK THEY DID A GOOD JOB OF THAT.

AS FAR AS THE SOCIAL ISSUES, I KNOW THAT THEY CAN BE DIVISIVE BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE FACT THOSE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES TO A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS.

WE MAY DISAGREE, I THINK THAT MANY OF THESE POLICIES ARE BROUGHT UP FOR A REASON.

BUT I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WAS A POSITIVE SESSION THAT SHOWED THAT OUR LEADERS ARE FOCUSED ON GROWTH.

AND I WANT TO COMMEND THEM FOR THAT.

>> Renee: GO AHEAD.

>> SO I WAS GOING TO AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE SENATOR WHEELER ABOUT THE BUDGET AND THE FACT WE DID HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD WORK DONE IN THE BUDGET DOCUMENT.

HOWEVER, SENATOR WHEELER'S CORRECT WE DID HAVE A RECORD AMOUNT OF MONEY TO SPEND BUT WE DIDN'T SPEND IT.

BEFORE THE SESSION, OUR RAINY DAY FUND WAS AT A HISTORIC HIGH AND THIS BUDGET DOESN'T TAKE A LOT OF THAT MONEY OUT OF THAT BUDGET SURPLUS.

AND SO IT CONCERNS ME IS I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE WE HAVE BIG PROBLEMS IN THE COMMONWEALTH THAT FAMILIES ARE FACING RISING COSTS, HEALTHCARE IS TOO EXPENSIVE, CHILDCARE IS HARD TO FIND, AND SO WE HAVE REAL PROBLEMS AND WE COULD HAVE PUT THAT MONEY TO WORK FOR KENTUCKIANS.

I'M CONCERNED THAT WE DIDN'T AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE WAY WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT DECISION DOWN THE ROAD.

THE FACT WE DIDN'T INVEST IN THOSE PROBLEMS NOW, HOW MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE ARE THEY GOING TO BE WHEN WE TRY TO SOLVE THEM NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.

>> Renee: THERE WERE INVESTMENTS IN A LOT OF TRANSPORTATION OR LOGISTICS, INVESTMENTS BROADBAND, YOU THINK THOSE WERE WORTHY INVESTMENTS TO MAKE?

>> THERE WERE GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS LOUISVILLE GOT $100 MILLION TO HELP WITH THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AND I LOOK AT THINGS LIKE CHILDCARE AS A MOM OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO FIND CHILDCARE.

WHEN I CALLED FOR MY FIRST KID I WAS TOLD YOU CAN GET IN IN TWO YEARS.

AND THE ADVOCATES THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW THE SPACE WE NEED $300 MILLION TO SAVE OUR CHILDCARE INDUSTRY.

WE PASSED A BUDGET THAT GIVES THEM $40 MILLION AND THEN $50 MILLION.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO MEET THE NEEDS AND I WORRY ABOUT WHAT THAT IS GOING TO MEAN FOR THE INDUSTRY AND THOSE WORKING FAMILIES AND THOSE KIDS THAT WILL MISS OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Renee: YOU WERE SUPPORTIVE OF DANNY CARROLL'S SENATE BILL THAT WAS CALLED THE HORIZON ACT THAT WOULD HAVE DONE THAT $300 MILLION AND PROVIDED GRANTS TO HELP BUOY THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY.

>> I WAS A BIG SUPPORTER OF THAT BILL IT WAS COMMON SENSE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE DELIVERED RESULTS FOR FAMILIES.

AND IT IS A SHAME WE DIDN'T PASS IT.

>> Renee: GO AHEAD.

>> I THINK WHAT YOU HAVE TO WHAT SENATOR CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG MENTIONED WE DO AGREE ON A LOT OF THINGS.

BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WE DON'T NEED TO CREATE SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS IN THE BNG.

WHICH -- BUDGET.

TODAY WE ARE LIVING WITH SOME OF THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY PAST GENERATIONS OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES MOST GLARING EXAMPLE IS THE PENSION CRISIS.

WE HAVE A $60 BILLION MONKEY ON OUR BACK WE HAVE BEEN SLOWLY BAY PAYING DOWN BECAUSE OF POOR DECISIONS THAT CREATED SYSTEMIC DEBITS TO THE STATE BUDGET THAT TAKE UP A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> Renee: OR THE LACK OF FUNDING BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO INVEST IN THEM.

>> EXACTLY.

AND YOU KNOW, SO WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.

I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKING FAMILIES GET ALL THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

I'VE BEEN IN FAVOR OF THAT DURING MY SERVICE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE AND DOESN'T OVERBURDEN WORKING KENTUCKIANS AND KENTUCKY TAXPAYERS WITH SYSTEMIC COSTS THAT CONTINUE TO INCREASE EVERY YEAR.

>> Renee: SO I WANT TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO AN ISSUE THAT REAL-TIME CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY VITACLY WAS CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL UNTIL SENATE BILL 47, SENATOR WHEELER YOU WERE A PART OF THAT EFFORT ALONG WITH STEVEN WEST THAT PROVIDED THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND NOW THIS SESSION IT GOES A STEP FURTHER BY EXPEDITING THE LICENSING FOR THESE BUSINESSES.

BUT IT DOES NOT EXPAND THE NUMBER OF CONDITIONS OR THE TYPES OF CONDITIONS THAT WOULD QUALIFY FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS.

TALK TO US ABOUT WHY THE MOVE WAS MADE THIS SESSION TO EXPEDITE THE MOVEMENT TO GET MEDICAL MARIJUANA UP AND GOING?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK THAT IT IS A MEDICINE THAT AS YOU KNOW, CERTAIN PEOPLE, I THINK, HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT GETS IN THE HANDS OF THEM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AND AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE.

YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THE CONDITIONS ARE CONCERNED, IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT BILL TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AT FIRST.

SO I THINK WE DIDN'T WANT TO ROCK THE BOAT.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROGRAM WAS SETUP IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE COULD BE READY TO ROLL OUT IN 2025.

SO THIS WAS, I GUESS WHAT WE COULD GET PASSED.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE POLLOCK WAS THIS A TOUGH VOTE FOR YOU?

>> NOT NECESSARILY.

I HEARD SEVERAL STORIES ABOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS WHAT IT DID TO PEOPLE'S FAMILIES.

THIS BILL WE DID PASS WAS TIGHTEN UP THE DISPENSING PART OF THINGS AND NOT NECESSARILY BEING ON EVERY CORNER OF EVERY STREET IN ALL OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO I LIKE THAT PART OF IT.

BE HONEST I WISH IT STEPPED UP AND PROVIDED THE PHARMACIES IN THERE AS WELL.

BECAUSE IT IS MEDICAL CANNABIS.

AND SO OBVIOUSLY THAT PART OF IT DIDN'T GO THROUGH.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

LIKE SENATOR WHEELER SAID, THINGS WHATEVER WE DO IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HELP OUR FAMILIES, PROVIDE THE TOOLSES AND OBVIOUSLY THIS PART OF IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THEM.

>> Renee: AND THE GUARDRAILS FOR THERE FOR CITIES AND COUNTIES TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT THE BUSINESSES THERE?

THEY HAVE TO ACT ON THAT QUICKLY.

AND ALSO FOR SCHOOLS AS WELL, IF THEY ON TO HAVING -- OBJECT.

THAT IS YOUR CONCERN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT WAS ONE OF MY CONCERNS AS WE WERE SEEING DIFFERENT VERSIONS COMING BACK BEFORE US WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHEN THEY OPT-IN HOW ARE THEY ALLOWED TO OPT-IN AND WAS THERE GOING TO BE AN INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH TO WHERE IF A SCHOOL HAD OPTED IN COULD PEOPLE STILL OPT-OUT FROM ADMINISTERING TO A CHILD.

AND THAT WAS CONCERNING TO ME.

ESPECIALLY IF A CHILD HAD QUALIFIED FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS AND BEEN GIVEN THE CARD AND THAT WAS SEEN AS THEIR HEALTHCARE TO BE DENIED BECAUSE SOMEONE IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING WAS NOT WILLING TO ADMINISTER IT WAS DEEPLY CONCERNING.

OF COURSE WHAT ULTIMATELY THE LEGISLATION ENDED ON FOR FINAL PASSAGE WAS TO ALLOW FOR THAT TRAINING TO OCCUR WITHIN SCHOOLS.

IF A SCHOOL STILL OPTS OUT, THEN THAT WILL -- THOSE POLICIES REMAIN TO WHERE THE STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENROLL.

BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION FOR IF SCHOOLS COULD DENY ACCESS TO A STUDENT BASED ON THEM HAVING THAT MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD AND THAT WAS DEEPLY CONCERNING TO ME.

>> Renee: SENATOR?

>> SO I SHARED MANY OF THE CONCERNS THAT WERE VOICED THAT INITIALLY THE BILL WAS GOING TO BE A WAY TO CREATE BARRIERS TO PEOPLE ACCESSING MEDICAL CANNABIS.

WE KNOW MEDICAL CANNABIS IS POPULAR.

KENTUCKIANS ARE IN FAVOR OF IT.

IT TOOK US TOO LONG HO PASS IT BUT WE HAVE PASSED IT.

I WAS WORRIED WE WERE TAKING A STEP BACK AND GLAD TO SEE A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS PEOPLE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH SAID, HEY, HEY, HEY, WE THINK WE'RE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION PLEASE DO NOT TAKE US DOWN A DIFFERENT PATH AND THE FINAL BILL IS SOMETHING WE COULD ALL LIVE WITH.

>> Renee: ANY OTHER COMMENTS?

>> I WILL SAY THE LAST POINT I WOULD MAKE WE HAVE THE MOST RESTRICTIVE MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW IN THE COUNTRY AND THE LAWS WE PASSED THIS SESSION MADE IT MORE RESTRICTIVE.

>> Renee: AND SOME GROUPS WHO ARE FOR THE EXPANSION WILL MEDICAL CANNABIS SAID AS MUCH.

WAS THERE NOT ANY SENTIMENT TO EXPAND THE LIST OF CONDITIONS THAT WOULD BE QUALIFIED FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS?

>> NOT THAT I HEARD, HONESTLY.

BUT YOU KNOW, AS IS OFTEN SAID WE WILL BE BACK IN NINE MONTHS.

IT WILL BE A NEW SESSION.

AND I THINK ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: YES?

>> I AGREED WITH MY FRIEND BEFORE I WILL DISAGREE.

I DID HEAR FROM FOLKS WHO SAID HERE IS OTHER EVIDENCE-BASED CONDITIONS THAT I HOPE THAT YOU LOOK AT, I HOPE AS YOU CONSIDER WAYS TO REVISE THE STATUTE IN THE FUTURE YOU CONSIDER THESE.

SO I TRUST THE MEDICAL DOCTORS, I TRUST THE MEDICAL EVIDENCE.

I THINK THERE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE AND I HOPE WE CAN HAVE THOSE BIPARTISAN CONVERSATIONS.

>> Renee: THIS QUESTION FROM BRAD PORTER.

TO THE REPUBLICANS.

HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DID OUTSIDE GROUPS LIKE ALEC, AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL HAVE ON THE LEGISLATION INTRODUCED THIS SESSION?

>> I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T THINK I MET WITH ANYBODY FROM ALEC SO I KNOW THEY DIDN'T HAVE INFLUENCE ON ME.

>> Renee: LIKE SENATE BILL 6 WHICH WAS THE ANTI-DEI MEASURE OR OTHER MEASURES THAT PERHAPS ITS INSERT STATE NAME HERE THAT ARE TEMPLATES FROM FLORIDA OR OTHER STATES, WHERE DID THOSE MEASURES ORIGINATE?

DO THEY ORIGINATE FROM ALEC?

>> WELL, I CAN HONESTLY TELL YOU I'VE NEVER GONE TO ALEC TO GET A BILL.

I'M SURE SOME PEOPLE DO AND A LOT OF PEOPLE GO TO THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS.

THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATORS.

THERE'S DIFFERENT RESOURCES IF YOU FIND A TOPIC THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THAT YOU CAN GO TO FOR LEGISLATIVE ADVICE, I GUESS THIS SESSION FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THERE WASN'T ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES THAT I FELT LIKE I NEEDED ANY ADVICE FROM, FROM A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

WHAT YOU GOT OUT OF PHILLIP WHEELER WAS HOMEGROWN.

>> I HAVE NO CONCERNS WITH PEOPLE GOING TO GROUPS FOR ADVICE ON THINGS.

I THINK THAT IS PART OF LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

BUT IT DOES CONCERN ME WE SEE A LOT OF THE NATIONAL GROUPS THAT COME UP WITH THE COOKIE CUTTER POLICY IDEAS THAT THEY ARE PUSHING INTO OUR STATES THAT ARE NOT RESPONDING TO PROBLEMS WE SEE HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHEN YOU ASK ME WHAT MY FAVORITE BILL WAS IT WAS THE MOMNIBUS HERE IS A PROBLEM IN KENTUCKY AND LET'S DEEP DIVE ON THE DATA WHAT IS DRIVING THAT PROBLEM AND LET'S ALL AGREE ON WHAT SOLUTIONS ARE THAT COULD SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

AND I WORRY SOMETIMES WE FLIP THAT PROCESS ON ITS HEAD.

HERE IS A POLICY NOW LET'S FIND A WAY TO JUSTIFY BRINGING THAT TO THE STATE.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS HOW WE SHOULD BE DOING OUR JOB.

>> Renee: CAN YOU GIVE US AN EXAMPLE?

>> I THINK LAST SESSION WHEN WE SAW ATTACKS ON THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY PARTICULARLY ON TRANS KIDS THOSE WERE COMING FROM NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAD THE BIG POLICIES SAYING HEY HERE IS A TEMPLATE IN YOU WANT TO PASS A LAW IN YOUR STATE HERE IS WHAT IT COULD LOOK LIKE.

>> I DISAGREE WITH THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN WE FOUND OUT THAT SOME VERY CONCERNING SURGERIES WERE HAPPENING RIGHT HERE RIGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ON MINOR CHILDREN.

I WOULD DISAGREE ON THAT POLICY.

I THINK THAT SENATE BILL 150 WAS A NECESSARY MEASURE TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM EXPERIMENTS WHICH IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE DATA COMING OUT OF THE EUROPEAN RIGHT NOW IS HIGHLY CONCERNING THAT IT'S SHOWING LONG-TERM DAMAGE TO CHILDREN AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

AND I WAS PROUD TO SUPPORT SENATE BILL 150 AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT HAD ANY IMPETUS ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE POLLOCK?

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CONFERENCES, I AM AFFILIATED WITH INCOAL NATIONAL COALITION OF INSURANCE LEGISLATORS I AM AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENT I SERVE AS A VICE-CHAIR OF BANKING AND INSURANCE IT'S IMPORTANT WE GO TO THE CONFERENCES BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO HEAR FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS AND HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON ACROSS OUR COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

WE BRING IN WHAT IS GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THESE DIFFERENT CONFERENCES AND EACH ONE OF US I'VE NEVER BASKETBALL TO ALEC, BUT WE'RE ALL AFFILIATED WITH SOME SORT OF CONFERENCE TO GET A FEEL.

BUT OUR NUMBER ONE VOICE THAT WE WANT TO HEAR FROM FOR ME, IS OUR CONSTITUENTS HERE IN KENTUCKY.

WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

WHETHER THAT IS THROUGH A POLL, WHETHER IT'S CLUE THE CHAMBER MEETINGS, A CIVIC, WHATEVER IT IS THOSE CONCERNS COME TO US QUITE OFTEN AND THAT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING THOSE NEEDS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE IN KENTUCKY TO FRANKFORT.

>> Renee: HOW DO YOU SEE IT?

>> WELL, I THINK THE TOPIC OF PERSONAL INTEREST CAME UP SEVERAL TIMES FROM THE PUBLIC THIS SESSION FOR WHY WERE CERTAIN LEGISLATORS BRINGING CERTAIN BILLS AND THAT HAPPENED ON EVERYTHING FROM THE TOPICS OF AIR POLLUTION TO THE TOPIC OF CHILD LABOR.

I THINK WE SAW OUTSIDE GROUP INFLUENCE ON THE ANTI-SNAP BILL AND THE ANTI-CHILD LABOR LAWS AND I BELIEVE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE HOUSE READ OFF THE GROUPS SUPPORTING AND LOBBYING FOR THE ANTI-SNAP AND ANTILABOR BILLS.

OFTEN SOMETIMES THOSE COMMENTS GET RULED OUT OF ORDER BUT THOSE ARE ALL PUBLIC RECORD THROUGH OUR LRC CHANNELS WHERE LOBBYING GROUPS HAVE TO LIST WHAT BILLS THEY ARE LOBBYING FOR.

AND WE HAVE SEEN MONEY FROM FLORIDA AND VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE INTERESTS COMING INTO KENTUCKY AND TRYING TO TEST THE WATERS FOR WHAT CAN PASS HERE.

>> Renee: SPEAKING OF I WANT TO THAT LABOR BILL HOUSE BILL 500 BY PHILLIP PRATT EMPLOYERS WOULD NOT HAVE TO REQUIRE LUNCH AND MEAL BREAKS THAT DIED IN THE HOUSE IT DIDN'T GET OUT OF YOU ALL'S CHAMBER.

SO WHY?

>> AFTER LOOKING AT IT, DIGGING INTO IT AND SEEING WHAT WAS THERE AND LISTENING TO OUR CONSTITUENTS, BAD BILL.

>> Renee: BAD BILL.

>> IT IS THAT SIMPLE AND I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE MORE ENCOURAGING MOMENTS OF SESSION TO ME TO LEARN WHEN THERE IS A PUBLIC OUTCRY AND FOLKS DIVE IN TO THE LEGISLATION AND IS IT GOING TOO FAR AND WE CAN COME TO CONSENSUS AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO STOP THIS, THAT IS ENCOURAGING TO ME.

>> Renee: WE'RE GETTING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT.

A PROVISION OF THAT NEXT WEEK WHEN IT DEALS WITH HOMELESSNESS.

LET ME GO TO THE QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

WHY FIRST BEFORE I GET TO THAT, WHY WAS THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT CRAFTED THE WAY IT WAS TO INCLUDE THOSE PROVISIONS WHEN IT COMES FROM NNS I WILL REFER TO YOU THAT IS THE CHAMBER OF ORIGIN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO, YEAH, I MEAN THAT PARTICULAR BILL TOOK CARE AND BROUGHT IN DIFFERENT INTERESTS WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOMELESS COMMUNITY AND ACTS OF PEOPLE THERE.

AND PUT THAT ALTOGETHER.

SO THERE'S BASICALLY TWO PARTS OF THAT BILL AND WE PUT IT INTO ONE.

AND SO OBVIOUSLY CRIME IS A HUGE, HUGE TOPIC.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET CONTROL OF CRIME.

>> Renee: SO THERE WAS DATA THAT SHOWED THAT THE HOMELESS ARE COMMITTING VIOLENT CRIME?

>> SO THE HOMELESSNESS AND THAT PART OF THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY ATTACKING THEM FOR CRIME.

THE HOMELESS PART OF THAT IS LOOKING TO SAY HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

WHETHER IT'S PROVIDE THAT SHELTER, PROVIDE THE SOURCES YOU NEED, WHETHER IT IS ADDICTION, WHETHER IT'S FOOD WHATEVER IT IS.

BUT THE PART OF THAT PART IS THAT HOMELESSNESS WAS BASICALLY IN FRONT OF STORES, IN FRONT OF PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOOD.

SO WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO SAY IS LOOK, I KNOW THERE IS A ISSUE WE KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE.

LET'S FIND A WAY TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE STREETS IN SOME OTHER PLACES OF SHELTER WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE'VE GOT TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT.

BUT THAT WAS THE INTENTS IN MY OPINION OF HOUSE BILL 5 WAS ABOUT.

>> Renee: ROBERT CUMMINGS FROM RUSSELL COUNTY HE BROUGHT UP THAT QUESTION AND THERE IS A CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT COURT INVOLVING AN OREGON RULING SAID IT RESULTED AMOUNTED TO CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT.

IS THAT HOW YOU SEE IT?

>> IT IS.

THERE ARE ALREADY CRIMES THAT IF A PERSON WHO DOES NOT HAVE SHELTER IS CAUSING SOME SORT OF PROBLEM, LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE THE TOOLS TO ADDRESS THAT.

THINGS LIKE TRESPASSING, LIKE DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

WHAT WE SAW IN THIS LAW WAS FRANKLY CRUELTY.

IT WAS SAYING IT IS A CRIME TO EXIST IF YOU DON'T HAVE SHELTER.

YOU CAN'T BE IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SPACE, YOU CAN'T GO TO A PARK OR A SCHOOL YOU CAN'T BE ANYWHERE.

WHEN AN OFFICER COMES UP TO YOU AND SAYS CEASE AND DESIST YOUR ACT OF BEING HOMELESS AND YOU SAY WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO GO THEY CHARGE YOU WITH A MISDEMEANOR.

AND THAT IS GOING TO RESULT YOU IN POSSIBLY HAVING COURT DATES AND POSSIBLY JAIL TIME AND FINES AND THINGS ON YOUR EMPLOYMENT RECORD HAVING BARRIERS TO HOUSING IN THE FUTURE ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

SO NOT ONLY DOES IT NOT ADDRESS ANY OF THE UNDERLYING CAUSES THAT LED SOMEONE TO BE IN THE SITUATION THEY ARE IN, IT CREATES MORE BARRIERS FOR THEM MOVING FORWARD.

I SEE THIS AS A CRUEL BILL.

IT'S BENEATH WHO WE ARE AS KENTUCKIANS AND I REMIND FOLKS IT WAS THE REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THAT STOOD UP AND SPOKE AT LENGTH AGAINST THIS BILL.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION.

THAT GIVES ME FAITH IN KENTUCKY FRANKLY, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT PROVISIONS LIKE THIS TELLING FOLKS IT IS A CRIME TO BE WHO YOU ARE IF YOU DON'T HAVE HOUSING I THINK IS BENEATH US.

>> I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT GIVES POSSIBILITIES FOR THOSE WHO ARE LIKELY HOMELESS BECAUSE THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION, 95% OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE ON THE STREETS GENERALLY HAVE SOME OTHER PROBLEM WHETHER IT BE ADDICTION WHICH IS PROBABLY THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OR MENTAL HEALTH.

AND -- MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> THAT IS DOCUMENTED DATA?

>> IT'S FOR EVERYBODY TO SEE IF YOU GO TO LOUISVILLE AND SEE WHAT YOU SEE THERE.

I MEAN, WHAT WE DO HAVE IS MORE TREATMENT BEDS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY THAN ANY OTHER STATE PER CAPITA AND THAT IS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.

BUT HOUSE BILL 5 GIVES THE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT AND GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

BUT YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING FROM ADDICTION THERE ARE POSSIBILITIES AND DIFFERENT PATHWAYS.

HOUSE BILL 5 SAYS THERE ARE TWO YOU CAN CHOOSE.

YOU CAN CHOOSE THE PATH WAY THAT LEADS TO CITATIONS IN COURT OR CHOOSE THE PATHWAY OF TREATMENT.

AND LEARNING A SKILL.

LEARNING GIVING YOURSELF AN OPPORTUNITY TO EARN MONEY TO FEED YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

SO YOU KNOW, BUSINESS OWNERS AND PEOPLE THAT WANT TO ENJOY PUBLIC PARKS AND STUFF, THEY HAVE RIGHTS TOO.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT CRUELTY.

THIS IS ABOUT GIVING PEOPLE THE NUDGE TO GET THE KIND OF HELP THEY NEED SO THAT THEY CAN GET OUT OF THAT HOMELESS SITUATION.

>> Renee: BUT THE NATURE OF THE FINES AND POSSIBLE JAIL TIME, DOES THAT MAKE SENSE FOR THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE NOTHING?

>> WELL, LIKE I SAID, THERE ARE PATHWAYS.

IT IS A CHOICE.

YOU CAN CHOOSE A CHOICE OF BETTERMENT THROUGH TREATMENT OR YOU CAN CHOOSE A CHOICE TO CONTINUE LIVING THE LIFE THAT YOU ARE LIVING.

AND I THINK WE WANT PEOPLE TO BETTER THEMSELVES IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

AND WE CANNOT HAVE, I MEAN, PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS THAT ARE FOR ALL KENTUCKIANS BEING TURNED INTO ILLEGAL CAMPING GROUNDS THAT ARE FULL OF EXCONSENT DECREE MEANT AND DRUGS AND NEEDLES.

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

THIS GIVES PEOPLE A NUDGE TO GET INTO TREATMENT AND TO GET BETTER.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT EVERYBODY HOPES.

>> SO ALL OF THE EVERYTHING SENATOR WHEELER JUST SAID ABOUT BETTERMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES CHANCES FOR JOB, EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT BILL.

I WOULD VOTE FOR THAT BILL.

THAT IS NOT WHAT IS IN HOUSE BILL 5 WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS.

ALL THAT BILL DOES IS MAKE IT A CRIME TO NOT HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO BE.

AND I THINK THAT IS CRUEL.

>> IT'S NOT ALL THE BILL DOES.

THE BILL HAS MORE THAN 18 POLICY PROVISIONS WITHIN IT.

EVERYTHING FROM MORE PER PERSIST FELONY OFFENDERS LAW, WE HAVE NON-DATA-DRIVEN APPROACHES IN THE BILL THAT THE SPONSOR READ OFF OVER 100 SOURCES OF SO-CALLED SUPPORTED EVIDENCE FOR THE BILL THAT WAS THEN VIA THE NEWS.

REPORTED AS NOT BEING FACTUALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.

THE BILL WAS A LOT OF BILLS FROM YEARS PAST THAT DIDN'T PASS ON THEIR OWN AND GOT JUMBLED UP INTO ONE AND THIS IS THE BIGGEST CRIMINAL JUSTICE MEASURE SINCE 2011 AND WITH IT LACKING STAKEHOLDER INPUT AND DATA-DRIVEN SOURCES IT'S CONCERNING FOR WHAT THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY LOOKS LIKE ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE LIMITS HOW MUCH FUNDING FOR THINGS LIKE OUR CORRECTIONS UNIT THAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CAN EXPEND WHEN WE ARE AT A SESSION AND I'M WORRIED WITHOUT AN UPDATED CORRECTIONS IMPACT STATEMENT THAT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW THE LEVEL OF BURDEN AND STICKY SITUATIONS THAT THIS IS GOING TO PUT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS INTO AND MORE OVERBURDEN CORRECTIONS SYSTEM THAN WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.

>> Renee: TO REPRESENTATIVE'S POINT WE DO REMEMBER MANY OF US 2011 WHEN THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO THE PENAL CODE AND FOCUS ON SECOND CHANCE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

IS KENTUCKY RETREATING FROM THOSE PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF SECOND CHANCE, REENTRY, SUCCESSFUL REENTRY AND REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY WITHOUT PUNITIVE MEASURES?

>> I'M ALL FOR SECOND CHANCES AND I THINK KENTUCKY HAS SHOWN THAT THROUGH THE COMMITMENT TO TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION.

WHEN YOU COMMIT A VIOLENT CRIME YOU NEED TO DO THE TIME.

YES, THERE HAS BEEN ENHANCEMENTS WE HAVE A THREE STRIKES LAW FOR THREE VIOLENT OFFENSES.

IF YOU'VE COMMITTED THREE VIOLENT OFFENSES YOU NEED TO BE LOCKED UP AND REMOVED FROM SOCIETY.

WHY SHOULD DECENT LIVING PEOPLE SUFFER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET YOUR ACT STRAIGHT AND YOU PRESENT A DANGER TO SOCIETY?

>> Renee: THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

SENATOR WHEELER MAKES AND WE HEARD THAT FROM ONE OF THE MAIN SPONSORS REPRESENTATIVE 19 MUST WHO SAYS HOW MANY MORE CHANCES DO YOU GET IF YOU RAPE AND MURDER?

>> I UNDERSTAND VIOLENT CRIME IS A PROBLEM.

AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL SCARED AND WE NEED MEASURES TO PLACE TO ADDRESS IT.

AND WE KNOW THAT SOMETIMES THESE TOUGH ON CRIME BILLS THEY MAKE PEOPLE FEEL GOOD BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT LOCKING PEOPLE UP DOESN'T MAKE PEOPLE SAFER.

KENTUCKY HAS THE SIXTH HIGHEST INCARCERATION RATE IN THE WORLD.

AND SO JUST LOCKING PEOPLE UP WAS THE SOLUTION TO REDUCING CRIME KENTUCKY SHOULD BE ONE OF THE SAFEST PLACES THERE IS.

WE KNOW IT'S MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT AND WE HAVE TO INVEST IN FOLKS AND GIVE FOLKS OPPORTUNITIES ON THE FRONT END AND THE BACK END.

I WORRY WHAT WE DID WE SAID WE'RE TAKING THIS TOUGH ON CRIME APPROACH, WE ARE GOING TO PUT MORE PEOPLE IN JAIL AND THAT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS.

AND NOW WE HAVE THIS IDEA THAT WE'VE SOLVED IT AND WE WILL MOVE ON.

I'M WORRIED WE DUG OURSELVES A BIGGER HOLE.

>> LOOK I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE FINAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

BUT I DO KNOW THAT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN VIOLENT CRIME PARTICULARLY IN OUR STATE'S LARGEST CITY, LOUISVILLE MURDER HAS GONE UP SUBSTANTIALLY IT'S BECOMING A PROBLEM.

IT'S BECOMING A PLACE FOR GANGS AND FENTANYL FLOWING ACROSS OUR SOUTHERN BORDER IN HUGE AMOUNTS BECAUSE ALL THE PRESIDENT WON'T GET HIS ACT TOGETHER AND CONTROL THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

THE REASON WHY YOU HAVE BILLS LIKE THIS, THEY DON'T JUST EMERGE FROM A VACUUM.

THERE IS A SERIOUS INCREASE IN CRIME THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

AND CLEARLY THE 2011 MEASURES FOR SECOND CHANCES HAVEN'T REALLY RESULTED IN WHAT WE HOPED TO ACHIEVE.

SO I THINK WE HAD TO LOOK AT A DIFFERENT WAY AND HOUSE BILL 5 PRESENTS A REASONED TO APPROACH BUT A TOUGH APPROACH.

>> BUT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WHAT SENATOR WHEELER IS SAYING IS NOT NECESSARILY WHAT THE DATA HAS SHOWN.

WHAT THE DATA HAS SHOWN IS NATIONALLY WE SAW AN INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY RELATED TO COVID, RELATING TO SHUTTING DOWN THOSE IMPORTANT SOCIAL SUPPORTS AND WE HAVE SEEN IT GO DOWN SINCE THROUGHOUT THE STATE WE'VE SEEN VIOLENT CRIME DECREASE.

EVERYONE DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE ALL AGREE ON.

AND WE HAVE RESEARCH THAT THOSE US THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE.

LET'S TAKE THE BILLION DOLLARS AT LEAST A BILLION WE DON'T KNOW THE ACTUAL PRICE TAG OF HOUSE BILL 5 BUT AT LEAST A BILLION DOLLARS THAT WE'RE PLANNING TO SPEND ON JUST LOCKING PEOPLE UP WITH NO SAFETY GAINS, LET'S INVEST THAT IN THINGS THAT RESEARCH HAS SHOWN US ACTUALLY DO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES ASAFE.

>> Renee: A PIVOT NOW TO THE QUESTION FROM LEXINGTON.

THE VIEWER ASKS IS IT TRUE THAT JEFFERSON AND FAYETTE COUNTY ARE THE ONLY TWO COUNTIES THAT DON'T RECEIVE WHAT THEY HAVE PAID IN STATE TAX DOLLARS?

IF THAT IS THE CASE WHY ARE THE REPUBLICANS EXPLAIN ABOUT SOCIALISM WHERE THOSE COUNTIES ARE THE BIGGEST BENEFACTORS OF SOCIALIST SPENDING END QUOTE.

REPRESENTATIVE POLLOCK?

>> WELL, I AM IN THE RURAL PART OF THE STATE.

AND EVERYBODY HAS A VOICE.

AND I'M NOT SURE TOTALLY DOLLARS GOING TO LOUISVILLE, LEXINGTON LET'S BE HONEST LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON ARE THE POWERHOUSES INCOME AND EVERYTHING INVOLVED.

BRINGING DOLLARS IN OVERALL.

BUT AS A WHOLE, I THINK, AGAIN, THE OUR BUDGET AND THINGS OF THAT SORT HOW OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT IS THE OVERALL PICTURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND WHETHER IT LOOKS LIKE TAKING CARE OF THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD, WHETHER IT'S TAKING CARE OF A TORNADO COMING ACROSS, WHETHER IT IS THE STATE INCOME TAX LOWERING TO GENERATE PEOPLE COMING TO THE STATE OF KENTUCKY TO DO BUSINESS, TO LIVE, AND THAT'S HAPPENING.

OVERALL, I THINK WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN THAT AREA.

AND WE'LL JUST SEE.

AGAIN, LIKE SENATOR WHEELER WAS SAYING, WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION AND LOOK AT THINGS AND THEN ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.

WE TALK ABOUT HOUSE BILL 5 I WILL GO BACK THERE, I AM INTERESTED TO HEAR FROM THE BUSINESS OWNERS IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE IT'S BEING AFFECTED BY ALL THE CRIME AND THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE STEPS IS IT AN ABSOLUTE PERFECT BILL?

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT IS.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING TO START ON AGAIN, THAT PARTICULAR BILL IS AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME.

THE CARJACKERS, THE RAPISTS THE ATTEMPTED MURDER PEOPLE.

I WILL SHOUT-OUT TO MY JAILER, BARRY BRADY WHO IS PROVIDING PROGRAMS FOR HIS INMATES WHO ARE GETTING CLOSE TO GETTING OUT AND PUTTING THEM IN THE WORKFORCE.

THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS WE NEED TO DO AND PROVIDE AND FUND AND HELP IN DOING WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE THESE PEOPLE ARE THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES NOT TO GO BACK TO WHAT GOT THEM HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Renee: DID THE STATE PROVIDE THAT FUNDING?

>> I TELL YOU I HOPE SO.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE LIKE THE SENATOR SAID WE'VE GOT EVERYBODY INCARCERATED WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HOW WE'RE DOING THINGS AND THAT IS ONE OF THE GREAT WAYS AND I APPLAUD BARRY BRADY TO DO THOSE THINGS AND OTHER JAILS ACROSS THE STATE THAT PROVIDING THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> TO FOLLOW-UP ON THAT AND I UNDERSTAND THE WHAT GENTLEMAN MAY BE SAYING TONIGHT WE CAME TO KET BECAUSE IT'S IN LEXINGTON KENTUCKY I DROVE HERE WITH MY FATHER TONIGHT AND BEFORE WE CAME TO THE STUDIO WE ENJOYED A NICE DINNER AND SPENT ABOUT $100 THAT $100 THE POINT I MAKE TO THE GENTLEMAN IS IT'S NOT ALL YOUR MONEY.

THAT MONEY COMES IN FROM ALL OVER THE STATE TO THE METROPOLITAN AREAS BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES HERE AND A LOT OF THINGS.

TO SAY THAT ALL THIS MONEY BELONGS TO LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON, I THINK IGNORES THE FACT THAT MUCH OF THAT MONEY COMING IN IS FROM OTHER REGIONS OF THE STATE INCLUDING EASTERN AND WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> NOW THAT I KNOW SENATOR WHEELER IS HAVING FANCY DINNERS BEFOREHAND I WILL TAG ALONG WITH HIM.

WHAT IS IMPLICIT IN THE QUESTION IS THIS IDEA THAT PEOPLE IN I WILL SPEAK FOR LOUISVILLE BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE I REPRESENT, FEEL LIKE LOUISVILLE IS NOT GETTING ITS FAIR SHAKE IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT I'VE SEEN ANYTHING THAT LOOKS AT THE BUDGET AND THE TAXES AND SQUARES IT ALL AWAY.

BUT I WILL SAY THAT I HEAR FROM FOLKS WHO ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WAY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS SESSION FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER STARTED PASSING LAWS TO EXPLICITLY OVERRIDE OUR LOUISVILLE LOCAL LAWS LIKE OUR SOURCE OF INCOME DISCRIME CREATION LIKE OUR PET SHOP LAWS T SPEAKS TO THE IDEA PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY LARGELY AGREE WITH THE IDEA OF LOCAL CONTROL.

IT IS A BIPARTISAN IDEA.

PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE MAKING DECISIONS HOW YOU SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

AND PEOPLE IN LOUISVILLE THINK THIS IDEA OF LOCAL CONTROL IS SOMETHING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CHUCKED OUT THE WINDOW.

AND I HAVE TO SAY I AGREE WITH FOLKS.

>> Renee: HAVE YOU ANSWER THAT SENATOR WHEELER THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE ABOUT STATE'S RIGHTS.

AND NOT BEING INFRINGED UPON BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IS NOW THE REPUBLICAN DOMINATED GENERAL ASSEMBLY INFRINGING ON HOME RULE?

>> WELL, I THINK AS A STATE SENATOR OR A STATE REPRESENTATIVE, YOU NOT ONLY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR DISTRICT YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMONWEALTH AS A WHOLE.

AND THAT INCLUDES I THINK I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CHILDREN AND SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING IN LOUISVILLE.

AND WHEN YOU SPEAK TO THE INCOME DISCRIMINATION BILL I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROPERTY OWNERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

I MEAN WHEN YOU HAVE A GOVERNMENT COMING IN THAT IS ESSENTIALLY FORCING YOU TO TAKE RENTERS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT HAS MANDATES, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS INAILABLE RIGHTS WHEN THEY PUT THEIR INVESTMENT IN A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT DO THAT WITH AN EXPECTATION OF RETURN.

AND THE HUD PROGRAM AND SOME OF THE PROGRAMS HAVE CERTAIN STANDARDS THAT HAVE TO BE MET AS WELL AS CERTAIN INCOME CAPS.

NOT ALL LANDLORDS ARE MULTIMILLIONAIRES.

SOME ARE JUST SMALL BUSINESSMEN.

AND THEY BUY A PIECE OF PROPERTY WITH A CERTAIN EXPECTATION OF RETURN.

WELL, IF THEY ARE FORCED INTO A PROGRAM THAT DOESN'T ALLOW THEM TO GET THAT EXPECTATION OF RETURN, WHICH FORCES CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES UPON THEM, YOU MAY PUT THAT PERSON OUT OF BUSINESS.

AND THEN NOBODY HAS A HOME.

SO YOU KNOW, ON OCCASION WHEN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SEEM TO GO TOO FAR IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS STATE SENATORS AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE SURE TO REIN IN OVERREACH.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE?

>> TO THAT POINT, I THINK THAT BILL IN PARTICULAR WAS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF IF YOU DIDN'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN A HUD PROGRAM, THERE IS A LOT OF UNITS THAT DON'T MEET STANDARDS FOR THAT HUD PROGRAM.

AND WOULD NOT QUALIFY BASED ON NOT BEING ABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION I MADE THAT POINT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO NOT PARTICIPATE IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T WANT TO DO.

AND LOUISVILLE PASSED A LAW TO ENSURE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DISCRIMINATION FOR THE SOURCE OF INCOME.

WE ALREADY HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS.

WE LACK UNITS.

BUT WE ALSO LACK ESPECIALLY IN MY DISTRICT, IS QUALITY HOUSING.

AND THINGS THAT MAYBE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE OFTEN AREN'T BECAUSE THEY CAN'T PASS THE INSPECTION.

>> Renee: YES.

>> I HATE TO DISAGREE WITH MY FRIEND SENATOR WHEELER BECAUSE WE GET ALONG ON A LOT OF THINGS BUT I WILL DISAGREE WITH THE CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SOURCE OF INCOME LAW A LAW TO PREVENT FOLKS FROM BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

BUT THE BIGGER THING THAT I THINK IS SORT OF THE THEME WE SAW IS THIS IDEA OF TAKING LAWS, LOCAL LAWS, POPULAR LAWS I SERVED ON LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL I NEVER ONCE HAD SOMEONE CONTACT ME ABOUT THE LAW.

IT WAS A POPULAR LAW.

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN FOLKS IN FRANKFORT DON'T LIKE THE LAW AND WANT TO UNDO IT AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS HOW DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE.

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU NEED TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS AND IT MAKES PEOPLE NOT TRUST GOVERNMENT WHEN YOU SEE FOLKS DISCONNECTED FROM THE PROBLEM COMING IN AND TRYING TO EXPLICITLY NAME WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO TRYING TO UNDO THIS LAW AND I WORRY.

I THINK LOCAL CONTROL IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF US CAN AGREE ON AND I HOPE WE'RE NOT MOVING AWAY FROM IT.

>> THE PARTICULAR BILL SPONSORED BY BY REPRESENTATIVE RYAN DODSON WHO HAS A PORTION OF FAYETTE COUNTY AND WAS CONTACTED BY HIS CONSTITUENTS IN THE RENTAL BUSINESS THAT WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS LAW.

SO I THINK THAT THAT BILL WAS IN FACT PASSED WITH THE INTEREST OF CERTAIN CONSTITUENTS OF PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT LEXINGTON AND LOUISVILLE IN MIND.

>> Renee: SO YOU INTIMATED EARLIER, ABOUT PERHAPS I MY PHRASEOLOGY WAR ON LOUISVILLE.

A LOT OF LOUISVILLE CENTRIC LEGISLATION.

ASIDE FROM THE HOUSE BILL 18 THAT WE DISCUSSED ABOUT SOURCE OF INCOME, WHAT ELSE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT WAR ON LOUISVILLE?

>> SO WE SAW IN HOUSE BILL 388 WHICH WAS OUR MERGER BILL COMING THROUGH, SOME THINGS THAT SORT OF PUT IN PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT LOUISVILLE CAN DO WITH ITS OWN ZONING AND OWN LAND USE.

WE SAW LOUISVILLE PASSED A POPULAR BIPARTISAN WE HAD TWO REPUBLICAN LOCAL OFFICIALS COME UP AND SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE LAW IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SOMETHING TO DO WITH PET SHOPS GETTING RID OF PUPPY MILLS.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK THE PHRASE ON LOUISVILLE I DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS THE PHRASE THAT I WOULD NECESSARILY USE BECAUSE I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE DIVISION AND THIS IDEA THAT LOUISVILLE AND THE STATE ARE DIFFERENT AND I THINK WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN DIVIDES US.

AT THE SAME TIME, IT DOES WORRY ME, AGAIN, THAT LOUISVILLE THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF THE STATE, IT IS GOOD THAT WE FOCUS ON IT, AND GOOD WE ARE CONCERNED WITH IT BUT ARE WE LISTENING TO IT AND MAKING SURE WE EMPOWER THE COMMUNITIES AND THE DECISION MAKERS IN LOUISVILLE TO SOLVE THOSE PROBLEMS.

I KNOW THAT WHEN I WAS ON METRO COUNCIL WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT LAND USE.

WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS IN OUR CITY.

EVERYONE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN WILL TELL YOU IT'S ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES.

AND WE HAD A CITY ADMINISTRATION THAT SAID WE'RE TAKING STEPS WE HAVE A TASK FORCE AND WORKING ON THAT AND THEN WE SEE A BILL WITH THE PROVISION THAT UNDOES THAT WORK OR PUTS A ROADBLOCK TO DOING THAT WORK AND MOVING FORWARD.

AND THAT CONCERNS ME.

>> Renee: SO WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION, YOU MENTIONED THE WORD EQUITABLE SOME WOULD SAY THAT KIDS SOME KIDS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AREN'T GETTING AN EQUITABLE EDUCATION AND A TASK FORCE CAN DO AN EXAMINATION TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE BETTER OUTCOMES FOR THE KIDS IN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY DISTRICT.

SOME FEAR IT COULD LEAD TO SPRINGTERRING THAT DISTRICT INTO SMALLER ONES.

>> THIS NEW BUT TILTED TASK FORCE THAT WILL STUDY JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THIS IS ANOTHER STUDY WE HAVE HAD MANY STUDIES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT HAVE NOT LED TO THE ANSWERS THAT I GUESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD LIKE TO FIND.

BUT THERE'S ALSO GOING TO BE ANOTHER STUDY THE AUDITOR WILL DO A SEPARATE STUDY OF JCPS AND THE FEAR IS THAT WE ARE SEARCHING FOR AN ANSWER THAT SPLITTING UP JCPS WILL SOLVE THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE FACING.

AND WE KNOW THIS TO NOT BE TRUE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS LEFT AS AN OPEN ENDED WELL, WE COULD BE LOOKING INTO THAT MORE THAT COULD BE A RECOMMENDATION THAT COMES FROM THE STUDY.

IT WAS FRAMED BY THE BILL'S SPONSOR AS NOTHING BEING OFF THE TABLE THAT WE NEED THIS STUDY OR TASK FORCE TO HELP GET RECOMMENDATIONS AND SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

IF IT WERE THAT EASY WE HE HAVE WE HAVE ALREADY DONE IT.

AND I FIND THAT THIS IS JUST ANOTHER STUDY.

INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY TAKING ACTION THAT OUR STUDENTS NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

OF COURSE THIS WAS A BUDGET YEAR, SO THINGS LIKE THE SEEK FORMULA WAS HOT ON OUR MINDS.

FOR ME, IN MY DISTRICT, WE HAVE A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF NON-ENGLISH AS THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE STUDENTS.

AND I THINK THAT NUMBER WAS ORIGINALLY FOR THE SEEK WEIGHT WAS ASSIGNED IN 2008 THAT NUMBER WAS ARBITRARILY ASSIGNED AND IT HASN'T INCREASED SINCE WITH INFLATION.

THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR DISTRICTS ESPECIALLY IN JCPS THAT DON'T HAVE EQUITABLE FUNDING AND THAT RETURN TO THEM THAT THEY NEED TO SEE TO HAVE SUCCESS.

IT IS DEFINITELY NOT EQUITABLE.

AND STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT IF IT WERE TO BE SPLIT UP WOULD NOT ALSO GET THE GREAT MAGNET PROGRAMS AND SPECIALTY SCHOOLS LIKE CHURCHILL SPARKS THAT SPECIALIZES FOR STUDENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIESES.

AND TAP SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES WHO ARE PREGNANT AND HAVE CHILDREN.

THOSE ARE PROGRAMS THAT WITHOUT THE ECONOMY OF SCALE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BEING INTACT THE WAY IT IS TODAY THEY WOULDN'T GET THOSE SERVICES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

>> Renee: YOUR ALL'S RESPONSE TO SOME PEOPLE WOULD SAY MEDDLING INTO JEFFERSON COUNTY.

>> THAT IS JUST SPECULATION WITH ALL DREW RESPECT WHAT THE REST STATED I DON'T THINK THERE'S PREDETERMINED OUTCOME AS A RESULT OF THE STUDY.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT PRINCIPALLY IS THAT CHILDREN IN JEFFERSON COUNTY WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING THE EDUCATION THAT EVERY CHILD IN THE COMMONWEALTH DESERVES, ARE GETTING THE EDUCATIONS THAT THEY NEED.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY FAILING SCHOOLS WITHIN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE KNOW THAT WHAT THE TRANSPORTATION THERE WERE KIDS LEFT HOURS WAITING ON THE SCHOOL BUS.

THAT IS SIMPLY INEXCUSABLE THAT SUCH A THING LIKE THAT CAN HAPPEN.

YET WE ALSO KNOW AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT FIGURE, CASSY MIGHT BE ABLE TO CORRECT ME BUT THEY HAD $250 MILLION IN RESERVES AT THE TIME THEY WERE BLAMING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR UNDERFUNDING TRANSPORTATION.

SO IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM THE MONEY WAS THERE TO FIX IT AND YET THEY DIDN'T STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO DO IT.

>> Renee: THAT IS A GOOD POINT BECAUSE WE HEARD THE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS MAKE THAT POINT ON THE SENATE FLOOR SOMETIME DURING THE SESSION THAT $250 MILLION WERE IN RESERVES ONLY $50 MILLION IS NEEDED.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE OTHER $200 MILLION?

AND WHY DO THOSE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES STILL PERSIST?

>> WE SAW SENATOR NEAL GIVE A RESPONSE TO THAT AND FRANKLY, I DON'T KNOW THE WEEDS OF THE ACCOUNTING HOW MUCH MONEY THERE IS OR IS NOT.

I THINK THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY DON'T WANT US SITTING HERE TO FIGURE ARE YOU KEEPING TOO MUCH?

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WE ARE FULLY FUNDING OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND WHAT WE KNOW FOR A FACT RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT.

WE HAVE UNDER INVESTED IN TRANSPORTATION AND THE BUDGET DOESN'T HAVE MONEY FOR TEXTBOOKS AND TEACHERS HAVE NOT GOTTEN A RAISE AND WE ARE NEAR THE BOTTOM IN TEACHER PAY WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO INVEST FULLY IN OUR JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

AND SO TO SIT HERE AND SAY WELL, JCPS HAS THIS PROBLEM OR THAT PROBLEM WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING PART OF THE PROBLEM WE HAVE NOT PUT ENOUGH MONEY INTO THAT SCHOOL SYSTEM IS NOT FAIR AND DOING A DISSERVICE AND I WORRY THAT SOMETIMES WE START PLAYING POLITICS INSTEAD OF FOCUSING HOW WE DELIVER SOLUTIONS FOR KENTUCKY KIDS.

>> Renee: TO YOUR POINT THERE WAS DEBATE ABOUT TRUANCY AND ABSENTEEISM, AND JEFFERSON COUNTY HAS A 38% ABSENTEEISM RATE AND RURAL COUNTIES HAVE AS MUCH AS 50%.

>> AND THAT IS A REAL PROBLEM.

AND AS WE SEE A LOT OF BROKEN HOUSEHOLDS OR HOUSEHOLDS WHERE DRUGS ARE AN ISSUE THAT A LOT OF TIMES, YOU KNOW, THAT THESE KIDS AREN'T GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED AND GETTING TO CLASS WHERE THEY CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF.

AND IT PAINS ME GREATLY THAT IS GOING ON IT CONCERNS EVERYBODY ON THIS PANEL.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS A SINGLE MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHO FEEL THAT CHILDREN AREN'T OUR FIRST PRIORITY.

IT'S JUST HOW DO WE GET THERE IN THE BEST WAY, THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY AND THE MOST PERMANENT WAY WE'RE ALL SEEKING OUT AND WE HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS HOW TO GET THERE.

BUT I THINK WHAT IS GOOD IS WE ARE UNITED ON TRYING TO DO BETTER FOR TO CREATE A FUTURE FOR THE CHILDREN OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: FOR THE CHILDREN WHO ARE IN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED HOUSEHOLDS PERHAPS IT IS NOT THE IDEAL TWO-PARENT SITUATION DOES THIS STATE BUDGET ADDRESS THE BASIC NEEDS OF POVERTY AND ECONOMIC INSECURITY?

>> I THINK WE HAVE INCLUDED LOTS OF FUNDS.

COULD WE HAVE INCLUDED MORE?

YEAH.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT CAN WE SUSTAIN THE PROGRAMS THAT WE CREATE?

WE HAVE TO DO IT RESPONSIBLY.

I MEAN, ACTUALLY I MENTIONED SENATE BILL 280 PREVIOUSLY, IF IT IS APPROVED ON A FEDERAL LEVEL IT WILL BE THE SECOND LARGEST EXPANSION OF MEDICAID AFTER STEVE BESHEAR IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY I'M PROUD OF THAT BILL IT WILL GET THE GOOD QUALITY HEALTHCARE IN RURAL KENTUCKY.

IT IS DONE THAT IT DOESN'T PLACE ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON THE GENERAL FUND AND DONE IN SUCH A WAY THAT IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT YOU'VE SEEN, SINCE WE'VE HAD REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITIES WE ARE ADDRESSING THE STATE'S PROBLEMS WITH RECORD GROWTH AND RECORD TAX RECEIPTS AND WE ARE MAKING TARGETED INVESTMENTS WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED TO SOLVE THE ISSUES.

>> Renee: IT IS A FORM OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> JUST WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION FUNDING, WE'RE ADDING $612 PER PUPIL IN THIS BUDGET FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

MORE $612 MORE PER PUPIL, WHICH, AGAIN IT GOES BACK SENATOR WHEELER MENTIONED WE DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENT LOCAL DISTRICTS PROGRAMS THAT THEY PROVIDE.

BUT WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO PROVIDE THEM THE TOOLS THAT THEY GET.

ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT WE MENTIONED IT EARLIER OUR FOCUS SEEMED LIKE I'VE BEEN THROUGH THE SESSION THREE TIMES NOW, RENEE.

THIS IS MY SECOND BUDGET.

OUR FOCUS IS TO SAVE THE PENSIONS THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY ALMOST AT ZERO.

AND SO THAT'S BEEN OUR FOCUS.

WE ARE REALLY CLOSE WE ARE AT 60% FUNDING FOR TEACHERS' PENSIONS AND STATE PENSIONS WE ARE REALLY CLOSE AND I APPLAUD THE WORK WE'RE DOING.

AND WE'RE GOING TO OBVIOUSLY LOOK INTO WHAT IS LOOKS AFTER THAT.

BUT THAT WAS ALMOST GONE.

THE OTHER PART I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU IS COMMUNICATION WITH MAYOR GREENBERG WHETHER IT'S OUR NEW COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, Dr. ROBBY FLETCHER.

THOSE COMMUNICATIONS NOW AND WE MENTIONED TASK FORCE THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE AND TALK ABOUT AND REALLY HAVE A GOOD HOLD AND CONTROL ON HOW WE HANDLE THESE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN THE INTERIM LEADING UP TO NEXT YEAR'S SESSION.

>> Renee: THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOU WILL BE TALKING ABOUT?

>> TO GO BACK TO YOUR EARLIER QUESTION ABOUT CHILDREN AND POVERTY, I THINK EVERY SINGLE DAY ABOUT THE FACT THAT ONE OUT OF FIVE KENTUCKY CHILDREN LIVES IN POVERTY IN OUR STATE RIGHT NOW THIS MINUTE.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL THINK ABOUT AND WE SHOULD BE WORKING EVERYDAY TO ADDRESS IT.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

>> Renee: QUICK?

>> PAID-FAMILY-LEAVE IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING WE BEGAN HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW TO MOVE THAT NEEDLE FORWARD.

WE TOOK SOME INITIAL VOLUNTARY FIRST STEPS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT CONVERSATION.

>> Renee: THERE'S REPUBLICAN FAVOR OF THAT AS WELL.

IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING THIS NICE DEBRIEFING ON THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT JUST WAS.

WE'LL KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT AND PARTS OF IT AS WE EVOLVE.

JOIN US EACH WEEKNIGHT FOR KENTUCKY HE EDITION.

AND WE BRING YOU THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE.

AND BILL BRYANT WILL BE IN THE INSTUDIO FRIDAY TO US CAN THE NEWS OF THE WEEK AT 8:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON KET.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL TALK ABOUT HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS RIGHT HERE ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

UNTIL I SEE YOU TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

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