[♪♪] >> Bill: KENTUCKY LEADERS REACT TO THE SHOOTING DEATH OF CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK.

THE ADS AND THE RHETORIC HEAT UP IN NEXT YEAR'S OPEN RACE FOR A U.S. SENATE SEAT IN KENTUCKY.

A GROUP PUSHES FOR MORE THAN $700 MILLION IN NEW SPENDING FOR KENTUCKY SCHOOLS.

THE SUPREME COURT HEARS CASES ON CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING AND OPEN RECORDS RULES.

A WARM STRETCH TO WRAP UP SUMMER AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

[♪♪] >> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE SYLVIA GOODMAN CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

SARAH LADD HEALTH AND POLICY REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN AND HANNAH PINSKI POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN UTAH THAT KILLED CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK HE MADE A STOP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN 2023 AND A MORE RECENT STOP AS WELL.

BOTH PARTIES WERE KICK TO CONDEMN WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: IT IS AN INCREDIBLY VIOLENT MOMENT THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ANYWHERE.

AND AGAIN, WE'VE SEEN RIGHTFULLY EVERYBODY SPEAKING OUT AGAINST IT.

>> THIS IS A HORRENDOUS THING AND THE SIGNAL NEEDS TO BE SENT TO THINKS THEY WILL BE A COPYCAT THEY WILL MEET THE SAME FATE.

>> Bill: WE KNOW THE DIVISIONS AND DISAGREEMENTS ARE REAL IN THIS COUNTRY BUT THIS IS A LEVEL ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM FIND HORRIFYING.

>> AS WE SAW NOT JUST IN KENTUCKY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE SAW POLITICAL LEADERS CONDEMNING THIS ATTACK IT'S SOMETHING WE CANNOT NORMALIZE.

AND A LOT OF POLITICIANS ARE SEEING THIS AS A BACK UP CALL AS WE TALK ABOUT POLITICS NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO FEAR ABOUT THEIR SAFETY FOR EXPRESSING A PERSONAL OPINION.

>> RIGHT.

I THINK HANNAH HIT IS ON THE HEAD THIS IDEA THAT LIKE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK FREELY WITHOUT FEAR AT ANY EVENT PUBLIC EVENT.

AND WE HEARD THAT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

WE HEARD SOME PERHAPS MORE ALARMIST RHETORIC.

A LOT OF PEOPLE FEARING HEIGHTENING OF TENSIONS IN THIS COUNTRY AFTER THIS ATTACK.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO COOL THE TEMPERATURE HERE.

GET BACK TO THE IDEALS OF FREE SPEECH AND CONDEMNING VIOLENCE IN ALL FORMS.

>> Bill: SOME IN KENTUCKY FACED DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR SOME OF THE RHETORIC THAT HAS COME IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THAT.

>> WE HAVE.

WE HAVE.

WE HAVE TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR MADE THE POINT HE HOPES SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOESN'T FURTHER DIVIDE THE COUNTRY.

>> LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I THINK THERE ARE CONCERNS WHETHER OR NOT LIKE WE SAID, IS SPEAKING OUT PUBLIC EVENT ABOUT YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS IS THAT GOING TO MAKE YOU FEAR FOR YOUR LIFE?

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.

AND I THINK BESHEAR HIT IT ON THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD NOT BE DIVIDED ON WE SHOULD VALUE FREE SPEECH AND OUR DEMOCRACY AND VALUE TO HAVE CIVIL DISCOURSE IN KENTUCKY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> Bill: KIRK HAD SPOKEN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN 2023 THAT EVENT WAS INSIDE.

DO ORGANIZERS START TO HAVE TO LEAN THAT WAY FOR SECURITY REASONS?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S CERTAINLY ON A LOT OF MINDS.

IF YOU ARE A SPEAKER GOING TO A COLLEGE CAMPUS I'M SURE SOMETHING YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE MORE POLARIZED IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S ALSO ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE CAN SPEAK FREELY IN A PUBLIC FORUM.

AND MAKING SURE THAT CIVIL DISCOURSE IS POSSIBLE.

WE MIGHT SEE HEIGHTENED SECURITY MEASURES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, MAYBE YEARS.

WE'VE SEEN PLENTY OF HEIGHTENED SECURITY MEASURES ACROSS THE SPECTRUM AND I EXPECT MORE DISCOURSE.

I WAS AT A CHARLIE KIRK EVENT HE WAS HERE ENDORSING NATE MORRIS.

SO I MEAN, IT'S GOING TO BE ON PEOPLE'S MINDS FOR A WHILE.

BUT WE'VE HEARD PLENTY OF PEOPLE SAYING THEY ARE NOT PLANNING ON CANCELING THEY WILL KEEP GOING.

>> Bill: WE HAVE A DEFAULT CONVERSATION WHERE GUN CONTROL AND GUN RIGHTS ARISE AFTER A SITUATION THAT IS VISIBLE WITH GUN INCIDENTS AND THIS CAME AFTER EARLIER IN THE WEEK BEFORE THIS A LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCILMEMBER CALLED ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO LET LOUISVILLE MAKE ITS OWN GUN ORDINANCES.

>> STATE LAW SAYS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN'T MAKE THEIR OWN RULES WHEN IT COMES TO HOW YOU PURCHASE A GUN OR HOW YOU REGULATE THAT SORT OF THING.

AND IT ALSO DICTATES HOW GUNS ARE DISPOSED OF IF THEY ARE USED IN A CRIME AND THE POLICE CONFISCATE THAT GUN.

THAT SET AT THE STATE LEVEL.

A LOUISVILLE COUNCILMAN, A DEMOCRAT, BASICALLY HAS INTRODUCED THIS RESOLUTION AND IS ASKING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO SAY LOUISVILLE CAN MAKE THEIR OWN RULES.

YOU CAN SET YOUR OWN STANDARDS THERE.

AND HIS THINKING IS THAT LOUISVILLE NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE A WAITING PERIOD WHEN SOMEONE GOES TO PURCHASE A GUN, BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU SEE IN THESE SORTS OF SHOOTINGS WHERE THE PERSON OBTAINED THE GUN LEGALLY.

HIS THOUGHT PROCESS WAS IF WE CAN GIVE THEM TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE PLANNING TO DO, WHAT THEY INTENDED TO DO, MAYBE THEY WILL HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS AND NOT DO IT.

HOWEVER, I'M NOT SURE IT REALLY COULD GO ANYWHERE.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT SPOKESMAN I TALKED TO DEFENDED THE LAW ON THE BOOKS AND SAID IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE UNIFORMITY IN ALL COUNTIES SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

>> Bill: NOT A PATCHWORK OF RULES.

>> NO.

>> Bill: THIS IS A TRAGIC SITUATION THIS WEEK THAT KENTUCKIANS ARE HOPEFULLY LOWERING THE TEMPERATURE IN THESE DISCUSSIONS.

>> AS HANNAH SAID, WE SEE EVERYONE ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM SAYING THAT EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY OR BELIEVE.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE KENTUCKY U.S. SENATE RACE GETTING ATTENTION ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THREE CANDIDATES ARE BATTLING OUT.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR, FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON AND BUSINESSMAN NATE MORRIS ALL LOOKING FOR SUPPORT.

ALL THREE ARE TRYING TO ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND BARR HAS AN AD UP WITH TRUMP WISHING HIM WELL.

BUT IT DOES STOP SHORT OF AN ENDORSEMENT.

>> I HELPED TRUMP DELIVER THE LARGEST TAX CUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY, KEEP MEN OUT OF GIRLS' SPORTS AND FUND THE LARGEST DEPORTATION EFFORT WE'VE SEEN.

>> GOOD LUCK, I HEAR GOOD THINGS.

>> Bill: AND THE STRATEGY OF TRYING TO GET PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BACKING IS PLAYING OUT WITH ALL THREE OF THESE CANDIDATES.

>> YEAH, I THINK THROUGHOUT THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WE'VE SEEN ALL THREE CANDIDATES KEEP THE SAME CONSISTENT STRATEGY IN MESSAGING.

LIKELY JUST SAW BARR IS FOCUSING HIS MESSAGE SAYING HE IS ALREADY IN THE HOUSE VOTING TO PASS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S AGENDA WITH NATE MORRIS WE HAVE HEARD THAT HE MET WITH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND HE IS REALLY EMPHASIZING THE RELATIONSHIPS HE HAS WITH DONALD TRUMP JR. AND VICE-PRESIDENT J.D.

VANCE AND WITH DANIEL CAMERON, DURING THE 2023 GUBERNATORIAL RACE HE WAS ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SAID IF I'M ELECTED TO THE SENATE I WILL HELP TRUMP PASS HIS AMERICA FIRST AGENDA.

WE'LL SEE IF TRUMP DOES ENDORSE WHAT MESSAGING STICKS.

>> Bill: IS THERE ANYWAY TO KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS AN EDGE IN GETTING THAT ENDORSEMENT?

>> IT'S HARD TO TELL AT THIS POINT.

ALL THREE CANDIDATES HAVE WHAT THEY SEE AS DIFFERENT STRENGTHS AS WELL AS DIFFERENT WEAKNESSES.

FROM FOLKS THE QUESTION TRUMP WILL HAVE WHEN MAKING THE DECISION IS WHO DOES HE THINK IS GOING TO WIN IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY?

THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE MAIN FACTORS IF HE DOES MAKE A DECISION TO ENDORSE SOMEONE.

>> TRUMP MIGHT NOT ENDORSE ANYBODY THAT IS NOT AN IMPOSSIBILITY.

>> Bill: WHICH HAS HAPPENED.

TO THE POINT ON THE SUPPORT AND WE SAW BARR RELEASE A POLL THIS WEEK THAT SHOWED HIM GAINING.

BUT THEN CAMERON CALLED IT FAKE THOUGH IT SHOWED HIM AHEAD.

>> YEAH, THAT WAS INTERESTING.

BARR FRAME TO DO THE POLL AS SURGING AHEAD.

AND NAME ID IS GOING UP HE REPRESENTS A SIZABLE DISTRICT ONE IN KENTUCKY PEOPLE OUT OF HIS DISTRICT DON'T KNOW HIM THAT WELL.

IT SHOWS HEY I'M GETTING A LEG UP IN THE POLLS AND CLOSING THE GAP WITH CAMERON BUT THAT GAP EXISTS.

CAMERON HAS A NATURAL LEG UP BECAUSE HE HAS RUN STATE-WIDE CAMPAIGNS BEFORE AND SUCCESSFUL AS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND UNSUCCESSFUL AS GOVERNOR.

BUT HE DID WIN THE PRIMARY WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.

OBVIOUSLY CAMERON DOESN'T LIKE ANY POLL THAT SHOWS A GAP CLOSING BUT THIS IS INTERNAL POLLING IS WORTH NOTING AND WE ARE A LONG WAY OUT FROM THE PRIMARY.

WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO THE FILING DEAD LINE YET.

>> Bill: THE UNDIEDINGS HAVE TO BE LARGER THAN IN A POLL.

THIS WEEK, THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER DID A DEEP DIVE INTO THE BUSINESS THAT MORRIS FOUNDED RUBICON A DIGITAL WASTE COMPANY AND THE ART NOTES HE BUILT THE BUSINESS AND TOOK IT PUBLIC AND LEFT IN 2022 AND SOME INVESTORS EXPRESSED FRUSTRATIONS IN THE STORY.

INTERESTING BACK STORY BECAUSE HE HAS TO RUN ON HIS BUSINESS RECORD HE HAS NO RECORD AS A ELECTED OFFICIAL.

AND OF COURSE, HE SEES THAT AS AN ASSET?

>> HE IS LEANING HEAVILY ON HIS BUSINESS BACKGROUND.

HE'S POSITIONED HIMSELF AS A GARBAGE MAN, OBVIOUSLY IT WAS A SOFTWARE COMPANY THAT DEALT WITH GARBAGE AND HE DID MAKE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

HE MADE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THAT COMPANY.

HIS COMPONENTS HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP BEFORE THAT THE STOCK DID TAKE A DIVE AFTER HE LEFT.

BUT MORRIS SAYS HE IS PROUD OF THE BUSINESS HE BUILT.

INTERESTING TO SEE IF A LOT OF VOTERS TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> Bill: A LOT TO SEE IN THE NEXT WEEKS AHEAD.

INCLUDING HANNAH, WE'LL SEE IF THE FIELD IS COMPLETE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE THERE COULD BE ADDITIONAL CANDIDATES?

>> LIKE WE HAVE NOT REACHED THE FILING DEADLINE YET AND THERE'S POTENTIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES THINKING ABOUT JUMPING IN THE RACE WHO COULD.

>> Bill: WE KEEPS KNOCK TO GO DOWN IS GOVERNOR BESHEAR HE SAYS HE IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

INSTEAD GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S PODCAST WENT NATIONAL ON CIRRUS XM RADIO AND MADE NATIONAL TV APPEARANCES WHICH HE DESCRIBED THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH HE MIGHT RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

>> SO, THIS YEAR, TRYING TO DO WHAT I CAN TO BE A REASONABLE VOICE.

NEXT YEAR HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION WE WILL WIN IN A LOT OF PLACES AND THE CHANGE THE MAP.

AFTER THAT I WILL SIT DOWN AND IF MY FAMILY THIS I CAN HEAL THIS COUNTRY I WILL CONSIDER IT.

IF THERE IS SOMEBODY ELSE I WILL SUPPORT THEM.

I CARE ABOUT THE UNITED STATES THAN ANY TITLE I COULD HAVE.

>> Bill: BESHEAR IS FINDING HIS WAY TO A NATIONAL AUDIENCE AS GOVERNOR OF A RELATIVELY SMALL STATE.

HE IS SMACKDOWN ANY TALK THAT HE IS GOING TO RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE SOME DEMOCRATS ARE PRESSING HIM FOR THAT.

WHAT IS HE UP TO RIGHT NOW?

>> I MEAN I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY FOR THE PAST YEAR HE HAS WORKING ON BUILDING UP HIS NATIONAL PROFILE AND BUILDING HIS NAME ID IF HE DOES DECIDE TO MAKE A 2028 PRESIDENTIAL RUN.

WE'VE SEEN HIM TRAVEL TO IOWA AND MET WITH HUGE DEMOCRATIC DONORS.

I THINK HE IS LAYING THE GROUND AND THE SEEDS TO MAKE THIS NATIONAL RUN IN 2028.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL SEE HOW THE PODCAST DOES.

AHEAD OF THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION HERE IN KENTUCKY NOW A FEW MONTHS AWAY ISSUES ARE STARTING TO EMERGE FEDERAL CUTS TO THE S.N.A.P.

PROGRAM WILL SHIFT COST TO THE THE STATE.

ARE KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HANDLE THAT BEFORE THEY START CRAFTING THAT STATE BUDGET?

>> THEY ARE.

I MEAN THEY HEARD ABOUT THESE NEW COST AND INTERIM COMMITTEE MEETING AND WHAT THEY KNOW THEY WILL HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR AN INCREASE IN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS WHICH IS EXPECTED TO COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BOTH THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 AND 2028.

I HAD SPOKEN TO SENATOR McDANIEL ABOUT THIS CHAIR OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE AND HE TOLD ME THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS CAN BE ABSORBED IN THE STATE BUDGET FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND IT IS SOMETHING THEY CAN DO.

THE SECOND PART AND WHAT WE DON'T KNOW KENTUCKY COULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOME OF S.N.A.P.

'S BENEFITS BASED ON THE PAYMENT ERROR RATE AND THAT IS A PROVISION PASSED IN THE BUDGET BILL.

>> Bill: WHAT IS AN ERROR RATE?

>> TRYING TO PUT IF IN SIMPLE TERMS WHEN A HOUSEHOLD RECEIVES MORE OR LESS THAN THE BENEFIT AMOUNT.

RIGHT NOW THAT TOLERANCE LEVEL IS $57.

AND IF THE RATE IS GREATER THAN 6% FOR A STATE, THEN THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY A PERCENTAGE OF THE BENEFIT COSTS.

>> Bill: ARE THERE OTHER AREAS THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HAVE TO COVER IN TERMS OF CUTS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> YEAH, I MEAN ONE OF THE BIGGEST CUTS WAS TO MEDICAID.

MEDICAID IS A HUGE POT OF MONEY THAT KENTUCKY GETS EVERY YEAR TO PAY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE'S HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE STATE.

AND ESSENTIALLY WHAT COULD START AFFECTING KENTUCKY IS QUICKLY IS ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CHECKS THAT WILL BE A BIG ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN FOR THE STATE.

WE DON'T HAVE ESTIMATES ON THAT THE STATE IS PUTTING THAT TOGETHER.

THAT COULD BE A LOT OF EXTRA STAFFING NEEDS.

>> Bill: IN TERMS OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO DO THE CHECKS?

>> IF WE ARE IGNORING OTHER CUTS MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE PEOPLE TO DO THE WORK.

WE DON'T HAVE ESTIMATES BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO GRAPPLE WITH THAT.

>> Bill: AND SARAH, WE KNOW THAT CHILDCARE IS A HUGE ISSUE IN KENTUCKY.

SOME SAYING IT KEEPS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PARENTS OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.

WE KNOW THERE ARE PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS THAT.

THIS WEEK NEW MEXICO BECAME THE FIRSTTATE TO APPROVE UNIVERSAL CHILDCARE A $600,000 PROGRAM OUT THERE.

THAT IS A HEAVY LIFT.

WHAT A SOLUTION LIKE THAT POSSIBLY BE PROPOSED IN FRANKFORT?

>> I'M SURE ONE LIKE THAT WILL BE PROPOSED.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY THAT IT WILL PASS.

THERE'S CONFLICTING APPETITE ABOUT THAT.

IN SOME CORNERS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT UNIVERSAL CHILDCARE IT IS BIPARTISAN.

YOU HEAR DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN PEOPLE ALIKE WILL SAY CITING RESEARCH THAT IF A CHILD HAS ACCESS TO EARLY EDUCATION THAT IS QUALITY, THAT IS GOOD EDUCATION, THEY LIVE LONGER THEY LEARN BETTER, THEY LEARN FASTER.

AND IT SETS THEM UP FOR BETTER SUCCESS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU KNOW, YOU WILL HEAR PEOPLE SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO PROP UP AN INDUSTRY OR THE PERCEPTION THEY ARE PROPPING UP AN INDUSTRY.

IN ORDER FOR THAT TO BE SUCCESSFUL THE PROPONENTS HAVE TO PROVE AND CONVINCE PEOPLE IN LEADERSHIP THAT IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL IN THE LONG-RUN WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMY.

AND WE'VE SEEN DATA TO BACK THAT UP SAYING WE COULD GET MILLIONS BACK INTO THE ECONOMY AND MORE MOTHERS IN THE WORKFORCE.

IT HITS WOMEN THE HARDEST WHEN THEY CARE FOR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD CHILDCARE.

>> Bill: THE HOW IS THE BIG QUESTION.

IS IT DIRECT PAYMENTS?

STATE RUN FACILITIES?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT PEOPLE DON'T AGREE.

I'M SURE WE WILL HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS IN 2026 WE'VE HAD THEM THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

I THINK IT'S WORTH FOLLOWING CLOSELY HOW THAT WILL BE PROPOSED AND WHAT GETS ACCEPTED.

>> Bill: INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE AS WELL.

IS ANOTHER OPTION TALKED ABOUT.

>> SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WHO RESEARCH THIS OFTEN PUSH IS FINDING A WAY FOR A EMPLOYER TO HAVE A CHILDCARE CENTER OR BENEFIT THAT HAS PARENTS.

AND MAKING SURE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FUNDS CHILDCARE FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS.

IF YOU WORK IN A CHILDCARE FACILITY MAKING SURE YOU STILL CAN GET FREE CHILDCARE THROUGH THAT JOB.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROPOSALS.

ZONING IS ANOTHER ONE THAT IS UNDER THE RADAR.

BUT ZONING FOR CHILDCARE CAN BE CLEARED UP A LITTLE BIT ADMINISTRATIVELY.

>> Bill: WITH THAT BUDGET SESSION COMING, SOME PUBLIC EDUCATION SUPPORTERS CALLED FOR KENTUCKY TO PUT ANOTHER $718 MILLION IN THE STATE BUDGET FOR SCHOOLS.

>> THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO RAISE SEEK FUNDS BY 14%.

FULLY FUND SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION.

AND INVEST $38 MILLION TOWARDS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TEXTBOOKS AND CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY.

>> Bill: THE GROUP IS PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS KENTUCKY THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IT IS A BOLD REQUEST AND THEY NOTE THAT PER PUPIL SPENDING HAS NOT KEPT UP WITH INFLATION IN KENTUCKY SINCE 2008.

>> YEAH.

AND IT'S WORTH NOTING OUR SCHOOLS KENTUCKY WAS FOUNDED TO COMBAT AMENDMENT 2 THE SCHOOL CHOICE AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOTS.

AND THEY ARE CALLING FOR THE $718 MILLION FIGURE THAT NUMBER MIGHT BE FAMILIAR TO SOME CLOSE POLITICS WATCHERS BECAUSE IT'S THE PRICE TAG FOR THE NEXT HALF PERCENT BUDGET CUT.

THAT MONEY THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY COULD HELP THE STATE DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

BUT THEY WERE CLEAR THEY WERE NOT SAYING WHERE THAT MONEY SHOULD GO THEY ARE SAYING THAT COULD BOLSTER DIFFERENT THINGS ACROSS EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY.

YOU MENTIONED THE PER PUPIL RATE THAT IT HAS NOT KEPT UP WITH 2008 INFLATIONARY FIGURES.

AT THE SAME TIME, REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS SAID THEY ARE INVESTING RECORD AMOUNTS IN EDUCATION.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU INCLUDE ALL THE MONEY THAT THEY'VE INVESTED TO PAY DOWN UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY WHICH IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WE'RE TRYING TO FUND EDUCATION BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE MONEY GOING INTO CLASSROOMS.

>> Bill: TWO THINGS CAN BE TRUE, RIGHT?

WE SPOKE TO THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE WHILE THE CAPITOL IS BEING RENOVATED THEY WENT TO DANVILLE AND HEARD ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHETHER THE STATE CAN SETUP A FUNDING PLAN FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THE CHARTERS PASSED IN 2017 AND HOUSE BILL 9 CAME LATER AND THE ARGUMENTS ARE STARK.

>> YES, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING DEBATE HAPPENING.

WHAT THE STATE IS ARGUING OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS ARGUING IN FAVOR IS THAT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AS ANYONE WHO IS FOLLOWING THE AMENDMENT 2 DEBATE LAST -- THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT ALLOW TAX DOLLARS TO GO OUTSIDE OF THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM WITHOUT A VOTE AT LEAST.

SO THE OPPONENTS TO THIS MEASURE PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATES, SAY THAT THIS IS GOING OUTSIDE OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

THESE CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE NOT GOVERNED BY THE SAME BODIES AND THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT OTHER COMMON SCHOOLS ARE GOVERNED BY AND THEREFORE THEY SHOULD NOT COUNT AND THE FUNDING MECHANISM IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> Bill: AND WE EXPECT A DECISION LATER?

>> YES.

WHO KNOWS WHEN.

>> Bill: ON ANOTHER MATTER THE SUPREME COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHETHER PERSONAL DEVICES AND PHONES USED BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE SHIELDED FROM THE STATE OPEN RECORDS LAW.

THAT VERY INTERESTING CASE?

>> THAT IS ANOTHER ONE THAT THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT HAD HEARD.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE DECIDED NOT TO COMPLY WITH THE OPEN RECORDS REQUEST OF NOT PROVIDINGS TEXT AND E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS BY PRIVATE PHONE OR E-MAIL.

AND THE COURT OF APPEALS RULED AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT AND WHAT THEY SAID THE SUPREME COURT IS THAT THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY IF THEIR PRIVATE PHONES ARE SUBJECT TO OPEN RECORDS LAWS.

MEANWHILE THE OTHER SIDE WAS ARGUING IF WE ALLOW THIS RULE THAT THE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T HAVE TO RELEASE THOSE RECORDS, DOES THIS ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO CONDUCT BUSINESS OUTSIDE OF THE PUBLIC VIEW.

>> Bill: THAT IS, AGAIN, A CLOSELY WATCHED CASE.

KENTUCKY'S NEW MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW WENT INTO EFFECT AT THE START OF THE YEAR NO DISPENSARY IS OPEN YET.

THERE HAVE BEEN DELAYS AND FRUSTRATIONS NO DISPENSARIES THERE ARE A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS WHO RECEIVED CARDS.

>> LAST COUNT I SAW WAS 13,000 KENTUCKIANS WHO HAD CARDS.

IT'S WORTH A REFRESHER THAT TO GET THESE YOU HAD TO HAVE A CHRONIC ILLNESS THAT COULD BE PAINFUL.

IT WOULD APPLY TO PEOPLE WITH CANCER AND PTSD PEOPLE WHO NEEDED MEDICAL RELIEF FOR PAIN THAT COULDN'T BE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED OTHERWISE.

THEY ARE WAITING A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED.

I BELIEVE GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID HE HOPES AND BELIEVES THAT SOMETHING CAN BE OPEN BY THE END OF THE YEAR WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING YET.

>> Bill: YOU'VE COVERED STORIES INCLUDING ONE NEW DEVELOPMENTS FRIDAY.

>> DURING THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A LAW SAYING IF YOU ARE ARE INCARCERATED IN KENTUCKY YOU CANNOT USE PUBLIC FUNDS FOR ELECTIVE MEDICAL PROCEDURES AND CARE AND THAT INCLUDED HORMONE THERAPY THAT A TRANSGENDER KENTUCKIANS USE.

THERE'S BEEN A LAWSUIT THAT THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF KENTUCKY IS INVOLVED IN AGAINST THAT.

AND TODAY, A JUDGE RULED THAT THE LAW CAN STAY IN EFFECT WHILE THIS CASE THAT THEY FILED MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURTS.

THEY ASKED HIM TO BLOCK IT AND HE SAID NO.

>> Bill: AND THE OTHER STORY THIS WEEK?

>> SO THERE WAS A SOCIAL WORKER IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY WHO HAS BEEN CLEARED IN THE BOARD THAT GOVERNS HIS WORK SAID HE DID NOT VIOLATE THE LAW WHEN HE MADE A SOCIAL MEDIA POST SAYING THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO AFFIRM THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

HE DID THIS DURING PRIDE MONTH AFTER HIS EMPLOYER SAID HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.

HE WAS FIRED.

AND THE LAW FIRM THAT SUPPORTS KIM DAVIS AND HER EFFORTS TO OVERTURN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS TRYING TO HELP HIM GET HIS JOB BACK AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN DO THAT.

>> Bill: CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE CLAIMS HE IS NEARING THE SIGNATURES NEEDED TO PASS THE DISCHARGE PETITION THAT HE IS PUSHING THAT WOULD FORCE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO RELEASE ALL OF THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN FILES.

JAMES COMER'S OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CONTINUES ITS INVESTIGATION.

>> RIGHT.

IT'S INTERESTING WE HAVE TWO KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS CENTRAL TO THIS DEBATE.

THOMAS MASSIE HAS BEEN LEADING THE CHARGE FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE TO GET THIS ON THE FLOOR TO GET PEOPLE TO VOTE ON RELEASING THE EPSTEIN FILES.

SO FAR HE HAS BEEN MINIMALLY SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING HIS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO JOIN HIM ON THAT PETITION.

I BELIEVE HE HAS GOTTEN THREE OTHER REPUBLICANS TO DO SO INCLUDING MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE.

BUT HE NEEDS ONE MORE.

AND TO GET THAT ON TO THE FLOOR THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE RESOLUTION WILL PASS.

THAT JUST BRINGS IT TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.

AND IT HASN'T MADE IT THERE YET.

HE SAYS HE IS GOING TO KEEP PUSHING.

HE SAYS HE THINKS HE HAS OTHER REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES HE CAN CONVINCE ON THAT.

>> Bill: WE'RE HEARING EARLY REPORTS OF FLU AND COVID CASES ARE ON THE RISE AND CVS PHARMACIES RELAXED RULES ON VACCINES?

>> BECAUSE OF CHANGES ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, BEFORE CVS SAID YOU NEED A PRESCRIPTION IN ORDER TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE NOW AT THE C.D.C.

APPROVED IT FOR SOME YOU DON'T NEED THE PRESCRIPTION.

BUT I BELIEVE YOU HAVE TO FALL UNDER A CERTAIN GROUP IN ORDER TO RECEIVE IT.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT IS BECAUSE THAT EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL HAS BEEN RESCINDED AND THAT WHAT MADE THE COAST 19 VACCINES VIRTUALLY TO ANYONE ONE HERE.

>> THOSE OF US OLD ENOUGH REMEMBER THE 24TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE DIED THAT DAY.

INCLUDING KENTUCKIAN EDWARD THOMAS EARHART HE WAS OFFICER FIRST CLASS FROM MOREHEAD HE WAS JUST 26 AND SERVED OUR COUNTRY FOR YEARS BEFORE BEING AT THE PENTAGON ON THAT DAY.

AND LONG TIME REPUBLICAN LEADER AND ONE TIME CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, HAS DIED, BOBBY HOLES CLAW, THE CLERK.

SHE BOBBIE HOLSCLAW WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 1999 AND SERVED FOR 26 YEARS AND RAN FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION IN 2011 AND LOST THE PRIMARY.

BUT SHE BUCKED THE POLITICAL WINDS AND WAS ELECTED SEVEN TIMES IN DEMOCRATIC LEADING JEFFERSON COUNTY.

BOBBIE HOLSCLAW WAS 91.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.