[♪♪] >> Bill: IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, CAMERON CLARIFIES HIS STANCE ON EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY ABORTION BAN AND BESHEAR BEGINS AFDS AIMED AT TRUMP VOTERS.

HOW WOULD A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IMPACT KENTUCKY?

JEFFERSON COUNTY LOOKS AT FIXING SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

ON-LINE SPORTS BETTING BEGINS AS KENTUCKIANS TAKE THEIR CHANCES AND HOPE TO WIN.

HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND IT STARTS OCTOBER.

COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

.

>> GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE LIAM NIEMEYER REPORTER FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

MONICA HARKINS ANCHOR AND REPORTER FOR WDRB IN LOUISVILLE.

AND TESSA DUVALL BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

AND G.O.P.

JAMES COMER OVERSEES HIS FIRST MEETING NOW THAT HE IS IN CHARGE OF AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY AND THE AGRICULTURE DIRECTOR HAS BEEN PICKED TO LEAD THE COLLEGE SYSTEM.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE LATEST ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

REPUBLICAN DANIEL CAMERON HAS COMMENTED AGAIN ON HIS POSITION ON EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S BAN ON ABORTION IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST.

IN A RECORDING AT A CAMERON EVENT, CAMERON SEEMS TO SAY HE WOULD SIGN AN EXCEPTIONS BILL ONLY IF A COURT ORDERED THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS ONE.

CAMERON SAYS IT WOULD NOT BE HIM PRO-ACTIVELY PUSHING FOR EXCEPTIONS.

HIS CAMPAIGN THEN ISSUED A STATEMENT THAT DID NOT INCLUDE A COURT ORDER FOR HIS CONDITION FOR HIM SIGNING AN EXCEPTIONS BILL PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

TESSA, THIS IS A NEW CLARIFICATION FROM CAMERON AND HIS CAMPAIGN?

>> YES.

THERE WAS AN AUDIO RECORDING EMERGED FROM A CAMPAIGN STOP THIS WEEK IN WHICH A WOMAN APPROACHES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SAYS I REALLY LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING BUT I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE WAVERING ON PROTECTIONS FOR LIFE.

NO, MA'AM THIS IS ONLY IF A COURT WOULD MAKE US DO THIS.

IT WOULD NOT BE ME PRO-ACTIVELY DOING THIS.

AND THIS IS NOTABLE BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS ON THE RADIO LAST WEEK SPEAKING ABOUT THE EXCEPTIONS AND HE SAID AT THAT TIME THAT IF THE LEGISLATURE GAVE HIM A BILL SUPPORTING EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST AND AT THAT TIME HE DID NOT MENTION ABOUT A COURT COMPELLING THEM TO DO SO.

THIS RAISES QUESTIONS UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES HE SUPPORT SUCH EXCEPTIONS.

AND WOULD HE BE COMPELLED TO DO SO VERSUS ENCOURAGING THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THAT.

BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT THE CURRENT MAKEUP THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT INCLINED TO DO THAT.

A BILL ADDING THOSE EXCEPTIONS WAS FILED IN THE 2023 SESSION AND IT DID NOT GET A COMMITTEE HEARING.

>> Bill: HE IS MAKING IT CLEAR HE WOULD NOT BE PUSHING FOR AN EXCEPTIONS BILL.

>> AND THAT IS CONSISTENT FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

IT WAS HIS COMMENT LAST WEEK THAT CAUGHT PEOPLE BY ATTENTION BECAUSE IT DID NOT TRACK WITH WHAT HE SAID AND DONE IN HIS ROLE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

YES, THIS COMMENT THAT WE HEARD THIS WEEK REALLY SORT OF MORE ALIGNED WITH WHAT WE HEARD PREVIOUSLY.

I WOULDN'T CALL IT A FLIP-FLOP BUT CERTAINLY IT WAS A LARGE OMISSION THAT HE DID NOT MAKE WHEN HE WAS LIVE ON THE RADIO LAST WEEK.

>> Bill: HE SPENT SOMETIME IN THIS KEY MONTH EXPLAINING HIS POSITION ON THAT ISSUE, RIGHT?

>> YES.

AND THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN HAS KIND OF JUMPED UP ON THIS CHARACTERIZING IT AS A FLIP-FLOP NECESSARILY.

ONE AD THAT THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN HAD THAT GARNERED A LOT OF ATTENTION FEATURED A PERSONAL STORY OF A YOUNG WOMAN OF SEXUAL ABUSE HAS A CHILD WITHOUT AN EXCEPTION OF IN THE TRIGGER LAW FOR ABORTION FOR SOMETHING SAY LIKE RAPE, THAT IT LIMITS WOMEN AND THEIR OPTIONS WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO.

AND IT'S REALLY BEEN A LINE OF ATTACK AGAIN FOR THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN.

>> Bill: CAMERON KNOWS SOME OF THIS BASE WANT AN ABSOLUTE ON THIS STANCE AND BUT ISN'T ABORTION, MONICA, DIFFICULT FOR BOTH OF THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR TO TALK ABOUT IN THIS STATE?

>> IT IS.

AND THAT IS WHY WE SAW IT HAPPEN SO LATE IN THE CONVERSATION.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AD PUT A FACE TO THIS.

AND I THINK WITH AMENDMENT 2 ON THE BALLOT WHEN KENTUCKIANS VOTED TO MAKE THIS NOT SOMETHING THEY WANTED IN THEIR CONSTITUTION, PARTICULARLY EN SHINED THAT THEY VOICED THAT THE REPUBLICAN BASE ISN'T ALWAYS GOING TO VOTE PRO-LIFE.

AND MAYBE THERE WOULD BE AN OPTION FOR REPUBLICANS TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF EXCEPTIONS.

>> Bill: GO AHEAD.

>> THIS POSITION ABOUT EXCEPTIONS THE WAY THAT THE GOVERNOR AND HIS CAMPAIGN ARE FORCING THIS ISSUE BOTH ADS ABOUT ABORTION HAVE NOT SAID THE WORD ABORTION THEY ARE FOCUSED AROUND THESE EXCEPTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE AND INCEST.

SO THEY ARE PUTTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE DEFENSIVE.

HE IS HAVING TO EXPLAIN HIS POSITION AND TRY TO MAKE HIMSELF APPEAR MORE MODERATE.

BECAUSE THE FACT IS MOST PEOPLE DO WANT AT LEAST AT LEAST THE EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

SO WHEN THE GOVERNOR PUTS OUT AN AD FEATURING A YOUNG WOMAN WHO IS NOW COLLEGE AGED STUDENT, SAYING THAT SHE WAS 12 AND WE KNOW VERIFIABLY THAT SHE WAS REPEATEDLY SEXUALLY ABUSED BY HER STEPFATHER WHEN SHE LOOKS IN THE CAMERA AND SAYS YOU WOULD MAKE PEOPLE LIKE ME HAVE TO CARRY THIS CHILD SHE IS NOT WRONG.

THE CURRENT LAW DOES NOT ALLOW FOR PEOPLE IN THAT POSITION EVEN IF THEY ARE CHILDREN TO HAVE THAT EXCEPTION.

>> AND YOU CAN SAY NO TO AN IDEA.

YOU CAN SAY NO TO A CONVERSATION.

BUT IT IS HARDER TO SAY NO TO SOMEONE'S FACE.

WE TALK ABOUT ALL THE TIME WHEN YOU PUT A FACE ON A STORY PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO CARE AND MAYBE THEY DIDN'T CARE BEFORE.

AND ESPECIALLY BEING A MOTHER.

PARTICULARLY WOMEN ONLY FEEL THAT CONNECTION TO THE BABY IN THEIR WOMB AND THE THINGS THAT THAT CAUSES EMOTIONALLY.

>> Bill: AND SPEAKING OF FACES WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE THE CANDIDATES TOGETHER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE DEBATES COMING UP LIAM, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES OBVIOUSLY THAT WILL BE THERE?

>> DEFINITELY.

AND YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THE OTHER KEY ISSUES THAT'S PARTICULARLY THE CAMERON CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN PUSHING IS YOU KNOW, SAY THE ONGOING DISCUSSION REGARDING YOU KNOW ACCESS TO FOR EXAMPLE, HORMONAL TREATMENT FOR MINORS FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

YOU KNOW, THERE WAS RECENTLY A U.S. APPEALS COURT KEPT THE BAN ON SUCH HORMONAL TREATMENT FOR YOUTH SB150 FOR THE TIME BEING.

>> Bill: LIFTED A STAY ON IT SO IT WILL CONTINUE OR CAN CONTINUE TO BE ENFORCED.

THESE CANDIDATES ARE MAKING STOPS.

THEY ARE GOING AROUND THIS RECORDING OBVIOUSLY FROM CAMERON CAME FROM ONE OF THOSE.

BESHEAR IS MAKING A LOT OF STOPS AND THEY TOUT THOSE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

ARE VOTERS OUT THERE ENGAGED IN THIS WAY AND COMING UP TO THEM AND PULLING THEM OUT ON SOME OF THE ISSUES?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

NOW WE'RE STARTING TO GET TO ABOUT THE TIME THAT PEOPLE REALLY, REALLY CARE ABOUT THIS.

MAYBE WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS RACE ON THE SHOW A FEW MONTHS AGO ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO WATCH SHOWS LIKE THIS CARE ABOUT THAT.

NOW IT'S UNAVOIABLE WE ARE UNDER 50 DAYS.

AND YOU CAN'T TURN ON YOUR TV OR THE INTERNET YOU CAN'T ESCAPE IT.

NOW PEOPLE ARE REALLY PAYING ATTENTION.

>> Bill: BESHEAR STARTED A NEW AD THAT IS DESIGNED TO LURE REPUBLICAN VOTERS IT FEATURES A JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN WHO SAYS HE VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT BUT WILL SHUNT BESHEAR'S REELECTION.

>> ANDY CUT THE INCOME TAX THAT IS A BIG DEAL, HUGE DEAL.

I VOTED FOR TRUMP BECAUSE I FELT HE WAS PUTTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST.

I'M GOING TO SUPPORT ANDY.

>> Bill: CUT THE INCOME TAX.

THAT IS VERY IRRITATING TO THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE WHO PASS TO DO RIGHT, BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR DID SIGN IT AND THERE WAS ANGER ON THE PART OF THE G.O.P.

AT THE TIME?

>> IT MIGHT BE SURPRISING TO PEOPLE.

THERE IS A LOT OF POLITICKING IN FRANKS FRANKFURT.

WHEN THE OVERALL PLAN WAS PUT FORTH THE GOVERNOR DID VETO THAT INITIAL BILL.

BUT WHAT HE ALSO DID THAT YOU'VE NEVER SEEN PEOPLE WHO PUSH FORWARD A BILL SO ANGRY GETTING SIGNED HE ALSO SIGNED THE BILL THIS YEAR THAT TOOK THE INCOME TAX FROM 4.5% TO 4%.

AND THE GOVERNOR PUT OUT A VIDEO STATEMENT SAYING LOOK IT'S NOT PERFECT I HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT THIS BUT INFLATION IS HIGH I WANT TO PUT MONEY BACK IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS AND THE BUDGET SITUATION IN KENTUCKY ALLOWS US TO DO SUCH.

SO, YES, HE LOWERED THE INCOME TAX BUT IT'S THE REPUBLICANS WHO WERE THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS.

AND WHAT THIS AD CAPTURES IS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S A GOOD MESSENGER AROUND THIS.

LIKE HE CAN HOLD-UP A PICTURE, FIND THAT FOOTAGE WHERE HE SIGNED THE BILL AND HE CAN DO THE SAME WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA HE CAN DO THE SAME WITH SPORTS BETTING.

REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE LOVE TO TALK HOW THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T TALK TO THEM BUT WHAT HE CAN DO IS HE CAN MESSAGE IN A WAY THAT MAKES IT SEEM LIKE HE IS EFFECTIVE AND BIPARTISAN.

>> Bill: THEY CAN ALLOCATE MONEY AND HE CAN HANDOUT THE CHECKS.

>> EXACTLY.

>> HE CARRIED ON FROM I GUESS, BEING THE FACE DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH ALL THE PRESS CONFERENCES, TO CARRYING ON IN MORE LESS COVID TIMES NECESSARILY.

>> Bill: REGISTERED REPUBLICANS NOW DO OUTNUMBER REGISTERED DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE AND THEY HAVE 10% INDEPENDENT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THERE ARE MORE REPUBLICAN REGISTERED VOTERS THAN DEMOCRATS.

AND IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE BESHEAR WAS ELECTED IN 2019.

IS IT KEY FOR HIM TO TRY TO LURE SOME REPUBLICANS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT WHAT THAT AD WAS TRYING TO DO.

TALKING ABOUT TAXES.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT REALLY GETS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THEY WANT TO TEACH KEEP THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY AND THAT IS A BIG TALKING POINT FOR THIS GROUP AND HE WAS ON TRACK WITH TRYING TO GRAB THAT BASE.

>> Bill: CAMERON DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP PACE WITH BESHEAR ON TV ADS BUT THE POLITICAL ACTIONS COMMITTEES DO HAVE MANITOBA AND THEY ARE STAYING ON THE AIR.

THE LATEST FROM A REPUBLICAN AFFILIATED GROUP ATTEMPTS TO QUESTION BESHEAR'S HONESTY.

>> WHAT ELSE IS HE LYING ABOUT.

ON JOBS HE CLAIMS RECORD GROWTH.

FEWER KENTUCKIANS ARE WORKING TODAY THAN WHEN BESHEAR STARTED AND A MILLIKEN KENYANS ARE LIVING IN FORESTRY.

>> THE LAW FORBIDS THE GROUPS FROM COORDINATING THE MESSAGE WITH THE CAMERON CAMPAIGN.

BUT HE IS CERTAINLY NOT DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM THEIR EFFORTS.

IN FACT HE REPOSTED THAT AD ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT'S TRYING TO MAKE BESHEAR OUT TO BE UNTRUTHFUL IS THAT A LANE FOR CAMERON?

>> I THINK THEY HOPE SO.

THAT IS WHY WE'VE SEEN IT REPEATED WITH SENATE BILL 150 AND THE SURGICAL PROVISION FOR TRANS YOUTH.

IN ADDITION TO TRYING TO MAKE THE GOVERNOR APPEAR UNTRUTHFUL WHAT IT'S TRYING TO DO IS LINK HIM TO PRESIDENT BIDEN WHO IS EXTREMELY UNPOPULAR IN KENTUCKY AND OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE CAMERON CAMPAIGN VERY MUCH DOES NOT WANT TO BE TALKING ABOUT ABORTION.

THEY HAVE PUT OUT A LOT OF STATEMENTS AND SO HAS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY AND THE PACTS FOCUSING ON TIES THEY CAN CREATE BETWEEN GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND PRESIDENT BIDEN.

YES, THAT AD THEY ARE LYING FOR A LIVING THAT IS CATCHY.

PEOPLE WILL GRAB HOLD OF THAT.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, MORE WEEKS TO GO IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH, OF COURSE.

NOBODY KNOWS THE FULL IMPACT OF A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ON KENTUCKY.

AS WE'RE ON THE AIR LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT IT LOOKS LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

THERE ARE PREDICTIONS THERE WOULD BE PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE WHO RELY ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR PAYCHECKS AND ASSISTANCE.

LIAM, WHAT DO WE KNOW WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN HERE?

>> IT'S LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

AND BASED OFF OF THE VARIOUS REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL AND BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS MASSIVE, THE STAKES ARE WIDE RANGING.

THERE WAS A WHITE HOUSE REPORT EARLIER THIS MONTH MENTIONING THAT BECAUSE OF OUR GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN 120,000 KENTUCKIANS COULD LOSE ACCESS TO FOOD BENEFITS THROUGH WIC.

YOU KNOW THERE MAY BE IMPACTS ON NATIONAL PARKS RESTRICTED ACCESS TO PLACES LIKE MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK AND THEMES ONGOING DISASTER AID.

THERE WAS A STORY OUT TODAY THAT FROM A NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM OUTLET THAT MENTIONED THAT FEMA WAS RUNNING OUT OF MONEY AND THAT INCLUDED MONEY THAT WAS GOING TO A PERRY COUNTY HOME BUYBACK PROGRAM THAT PERRY COUNTY THE JUDGE EXECUTIVE THE FISCAL COURT WAS USING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF THEIR OWN MONEY HOPING TO GET REIMBURSED THROUGH FEMA FOR BUYING OUT HOMES, RESIDENCES THAT ARE FLOOD-PRONE.

AND THAT MONEY JUST ISN'T THERE AND IT'S CRIPPLING RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: THE V.A.

HOSPITALS MADE THE POINT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE THERE ARE ASSURANCES OUT THERE AS WELL.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL DID NOT WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN AND MANY PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THE UNCERTAINTY IT BRINGS.

YOU KNOW, BUT NOBODY KNOWS WHO THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO BLAME IF THERE'S PAIN?

>> RIGHT.

MITCH McCONNELL HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

WE KNOW OBVIOUSLY THE WHITE HOUSE DOES NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.

THIS PUTS SCRUTINY ON THE HOUSE AND SPECIFICALLY HOUSE REPUBLICANS.

>> Bill: ON-LINE SPORTS BETTING STARTED IN KENTUCKY THIS WEEK.

TWO LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN NAMED POLICYMAKERS OF THE YEAR FOR PROMOTING SPORTS BETTING AND ON-LINE GAMBLING.

MONICA IT WAS NOT EASY TO GET SPORTS BETTING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND NOW IT'S DONE OFF TO A FAST START.

>> A FAST START IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE HOW QUICKLY IT PICKED UP TRACTION.

4.5 MILLION OF IN-PERSON SPORTS BETTING.

AT OUR HORSE TRACKS ACROSS THE AREA.

SO WITH THE SPORTS BETTING NOW WITH THE RIGHT HERE, AVAILABLE AT ANY POINT AND WE HAVE A FULL FOOTBALL SEASON AHEAD OF US ESPECIALLY COLLEGE AND NFL.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A VERY FAST FALL FOR SPORTS BETTING.

>> Bill: INCHING TO THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH A LOAD OF ISSUES INCLUDING THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION WILL BE THE BUDGET.

AND LIAM WE MENTIONED THE INCOME TAX REDUCTION WHICH HAPPENED VERY EARLY IN THE SESSION THIS YEAR.

BUT NOW THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THAT WILL CONTINUE THIS YEAR?

>> YEAH.

SO THERE'S TWO TRIGGERS FISCAL TRIGGERS THAT GO BASICALLY THE STATE HAS TO MEET TO BE ABLE TO LOWER THE INCOME TAX BY A HALF PERCENTAGE POINT.

YOU KNOW, WITH THE STATE BUDGET OFFICE CAME OUT AND SAID RECENTLY THAT ONLY ONE OF THE TWO FISCAL TRIGGERS WERE MET.

THERE WAS ENOUGH MONEY IN THE STATE'S RAINY DAY FUND, BUT NOT ENOUGH TAX REVENUE CAME IN TO JUSTIFY THE CURRENT FRAMEWORK THAT AGAIN, THE REPUBLICAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS PUT IN PLACE TO LOWER THE INCOME TAX.

I'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS BEFORE WITH SANDRA McDANIEL, THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS REVENUE COMMITTEE AND HE SAYS THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP WITH THE CURRENT FRAMEWORK THEY HAVE.

THAT IF THE STATE DIDN'T MEET BOTH FISCAL TRIGGERS TO LOWER THE INCOME TAX THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO IT.

>> BUT I THINK ANOTHER THING THAT IS IMPORTANT IS IF WE HAVE A GOVERNOR CAMERON THERE COULD BE A DIFFERENT CALCULATION MADE IN FRANKFURT IT'S BEEN A REPEATED PROMISE HE IS GOING TO BE THE GOVERNOR THAT GETS THE INCOME TAX TO ZERO PERCENT.

HOW THAT HAPPENS HE HAS NOT SAID WE DON'T KNOW IF HE WOULD SUPPORT CHANGING THE TRIGGERS BUT HIS DESIRE TO GET IT ZERO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND ALSO THERE'S ALSO A PRECAUTIONARY TALE IN THE FORM OF KANSAS WHICH IS WHY KENTUCKY HAS THE TRIGGERS VERY INCREMENTAL APPROACH IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.

MONICA, AT THE SAME TIME THE CITIES AND COUNTIES SAY THE STATE FORCES THEM TO RELY ON AN INCOME TAX THE OCCUPATIONAL TAXES AND THEY ARE SEEKING REVENUE FLEXIBILITY.

IF THE STATE DOES EVENTUALLY ELIMINATE ITS INCOME TAX THE ONLY MONEY COMING OUT OF PAYCHECKS WOULD BE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE LOCALITIES?

>> IT'S INTERESTING, TOO, WE SAW SEVERAL COUNTIES GRIPE ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF THE BOURBON BARREL TAX THAT PHASED OUT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT EVERY COUNTY.

YOU ARE DOUBLING DOWN ON THE MONEY THAT THE COUNTIES AND CITIES RELY ON AND WE'RE NOT SURE HOW THAT CAN CHANGE AND HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE TO TAKE IN AND YOU SEE IT IN LOUISVILLE THEY ARE TRYING TO DRAW IN MONEY WHEREVER THEY CAN TO HELP WITH WHATEVER THEY CAN.

>> Bill: THE MAYOR SAID THE SWITCH TO WORK-FROM-HOME ARRANGEMENTS HAS REALLY HIT HIS CITY VERY HARD.

AND THEY'VE HAD TO DO REBUDGETING THERE.

MONICA, HOUSE REPUBLICANS RELEASED A PLAN AIMED AT ADDRESSING THE SURGE IN VIOLENT CRIME?

>> DEFINITELY.

THEY WENT OFF CAMERON'S PLAN.

THERE WERE SIX SIMILARITIES, DEATH PENALTY FOR THE KILLING OF A COP.

THE SKP POST WIRETAPPING CHANGES TO THE PAROLE BOARD AND CHANGES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND CARJACKING IT WAS MASSIVE THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS IS TO ADDRESS PEOPLE'S SAFETY AND HOW THEY FEEL AND THE WAY THEY ADDRESSED IT WAS BRINGING BIGGER CHARGES TO THE FOLKS AND ONE OF THEM, THE DEATH PENALTY.

THEY BROUGHT UP THE DEATH PENALTY AND INCREASING THAT AS A POSSIBLE CHARGE FOR FOUR CRIMES.

HERE IS THE KICKER, SINCE 2008 KENTUCKY HAS NOT HAD AN EXECUTION WITH THE DEATH PENALTY.

I ASKED THE SPONSOR IS THIS AN ANTIQUATED METHOD AND HE SAID NO.

YOU HAD ANOTHER SAYING HE DOES NOT STAND FOR THE DEATH PENALTY.

THERE'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING THINGS IF THIS HAPPENS IT'S NOT EVEN A BILL.

>> Bill: SOME DIVISION.

>> THIS WAS PRESENTED BY REPUBLICANS FROM THE LOUISVILLE AREA BUT NOT ALL REPUBLICANS ARE ONBOARD WITH IT.

REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX RAISED CONCERNS AS HAVE SEVERAL MORE LIBERTY MINDED REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WIRETAPPING.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CIVIL LIBERTIES TYPES FEEL VERY UNEASY ABOUT.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS CURRENTLY ACCESSIBLE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN KENTUCKY.

>> IT'S FREEDOM.

>> AND RIGHT HOW DO YOU DEFINE A GANG?

THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT DEFINITIONS IN THAT.

SO ANOTHER POINT THAT REPRESENTATIVE MADDOX MADE WAS THE BILL IS NOT WRITTEN.

WE DIDN'T SEE HOW ANY OF THIS IS DEFINED.

I WOULDN'T ANTICIPATE THIS HAS SMOOTH SAILING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE ALREADY CONCERNS ARE OUT THERE.

>> Bill: THERE IS A RENEWED ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND THERE'S OPTIONS ON THE TABLE NOW INCLUDING PAYING PARENTS TO DRIVE THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL?

>> I KNOW IT SOUNDS CRAZY.

LITERALLY PAYING SOME PARENTS TO DRIVE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL.

IT IS A SMALL GROUP OF KIDS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS WITH THE HIGHEST NEED CHILDREN THAT NEED ACCESS TO PRE-K.

THEY PASSED THAT.

THEY WILL PAY PARENTS $5 A DAY TO TAKE THEIR KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL ONLY IN THIS PROGRAM.

THE ONLY KIDS IN THE AREA THAT ARE ABLE TO HAVE FREE BUSING IS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

OTHER THINGS WITH THE BUSING WE SAW THE BOARD FORGIVE FOUR DAYS OF SCHOOL BUT KIDS HAVE TO MAKEUP TWO DAYS FOR SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T DO.

SO I KNOW PARENTS WILL BE UPSET THAT.

JPCS SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THE DAYS WHICH EVERY KID GETS FREE ACCESS TO SCHOOL BUSES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY MIGHT BE OVER.

THEY MIGHT DISCUSS BUSING FOR MAGNET AND TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

>> Bill: A LOT OF DISCUSSION AHEAD.

STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARELS HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM.

TESSA HE SAID AFTER HE LOST THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR IN MAY THAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR A FUTURE IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> RIGHT.

HE SAID HIS PUBLIC SERVICE WAS NOT OVER AND NOW WE KNOW WHAT THAT IS AND IT MIGHT EXPLAIN HIS FANCY FARM SPEECH.

THERE WERE NO JOKES OR JABS A BRIEF STATEMENT.

AND YEAH, I THINK WE PERHAPS SEE WHY THAT WAS.

>> Bill: THE KIND OF CALM YOU PROJECT WHEN YOU ARE UP FOR A JOB.

[LAUGHTER] >> YOU DON'T WANT TO RUFFLE FEATHERS OF THE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE HIRING YOU.

>> Bill: IN WASHINGTON JAMES COMER, REPUBLICAN WHO REPRESENTATIVES THE FIRST DISTRICT HELD THE FIRST IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY HEARING INTO PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN THURSDAY COMER SAYS HE IS DETERMINED TO FIND AND REVEAL EVIDENCE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

>> SINCE ASSUMING OUR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE UNCOVERED A MOUNTAIN OF EVIDENCE REVEALING HOW JOE BIDEN ABUSED HIS PUBLIC OFFICE FOR HIS FAMILY'S FINANCIAL GAIN.

FOR YEARS, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS LIED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE OF AND PARTICIPATION IN HIS FAMILY'S CORRUPT BUSINESS SCHEMES.

>> Bill: LIAM THIS IS A BRIGHT SPOTLIGHT FOR COMER WHO ALREADY HAD GOTTEN A LOT OF ATTENTION.

HE IS EAGER TO CONVINCE THE PUBLIC THAT HIS INQUIRY WILL BEAR FRUIT?

>> DEFINITELY.

AND DEPENDING ON WHAT POLITICAL YOU WERE KIND OF DEPENDING ON HOW YOU VIEWED HOW THAT COMMITTEE MEETING WENT.

DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO CRITICIZE THESE PROCEEDINGS AS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

AND THAT THERE ISN'T ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO EVEN AMOUNT AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN WITNESSES DID MENTION DURING THE HEARING THAT THERE WASN'T EVIDENCE COMPILED BY REPUBLICANS ON THE COMMITTEE DIDN'T AMOUNT TO AN IMPEACHMENT IN AND OF ITSELF BUT COULD AMOUNT TO AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

DEMOCRATS ARE CRITICIZING THIS AS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

GIVEN THAT BIDEN IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

THAT A LOT OF THE EVIDENCE IS RELATED TO HUNTER BIDEN AND NOT JOE BIDEN.

BUT YOU KNOW COMER REMAINS COMMITTED.

HE SAYS THAT THIS IS HOW INVESTIGATIONS WORK.

THAT THEY ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD FROM HERE.

>> AND HE REALLY WANTED TO FROM THE BEGINNING.

I MET WITH HIM IN JANUARY IN WASHINGTON D.C.

THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO DO AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR POLITICIANS TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON PROMISES AND AT LEAST HE CAN SAY HE IS DOING IT.

>> Bill: AND THAT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HAS BROAD RESPONSIBILITIES CAN LOOK INTO LOTS OF THINGS.

THIS HAS BEEN THE MAIN THRUST OF HIS FOCUS.

LIAM YOU WROTE ABOUT CRYPTO CURRENCY MINING OPERATION IN PIKE COUNTY APPROVED FOR SOME ELECTRICITY DISCOUNTS.

THOSE ARE ENERGY INTENSIVE, RIGHT?

>> YES.

FOR THOSE WHO AREN'T AWARE WHAT CRYPTO CURRENCY MINING IS IT'S BASICALLY, ALMOST IN A LOT OF CASES ALMOST THESE WAREHOUSES OR STORAGE CONTAINERS FILLED WITH THESE COMPUTERS THAT USE A TON OF ELECTRICITY.

AND WHAT THE COMPUTERS ARE DOING THEY ARE SOLVING BASICALLY THESE COMPLEX MATH PROBLEMS TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS FOR CRYPTO CURRENCIES.

THE KENTUCKY PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE REGULATOR HAS BEEN MAKING A LOT OF DECISIONS FOR THEEUS THESE CRYPTO CURRENTTY COMPANIES WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD GET ELECTRICITY DISCOUNTS.

THESE OPERATIONS USE TONS OF ELECTRICITY.

MULTIPLE MEGAWATTS COMPARABLE TO FACTORIES.

BUT IN REALITY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEM THEY ARE SMALL LOCATIONS OF COMPUTERS.

LOTS OF COMPUTERS.

LIKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF COMPUTERS.

>> Bill: AS WE HEAD INTO OCTOBER WE KNOW WINTER IS COMING WE'RE JUST NOW BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THE UTILITY COMPANIES ARE FACING DURING THAT HORRIBLE ARCTIC BLAST AROUND CHRISTMAS OF LAST YEAR.

>> CORRECT.

DURING THE RECENT KENTUCKY PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HEARING THEY TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE WINTER STORM FAILURES WITH THEIR POWER PLANTS AND IT WAS REVEALED THAT NOT ONLY DID THEIR NATURAL GAS PIPELINE SUPPLYING SOME OF THE NATURAL GAS PLANTS FAILED THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH COAL, TOO.

YOU KNOW.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER OR NOT THAT AFFECTS LG AND EKU'S WHETHER OR NOT THE COMMISSION APPROVES THE RETIREMENTS OF THE COAL PLANTS THAT THEY ARE PROPOSING.

BUT ANYWAY.

>> Bill: THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT.

ALL RIGHT.

FORMER GOVERNOR BRERETON JONES WAS LAID TO REST AFTER LYING IN STATE AT THE KENTUCKY CAPITOL.

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND ADMIRERS CAME TO BID FAREWELL WHO WAS A LEADER IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY BEFORE AND AFTER HIS TERM AS GOVERNOR IN THE 1990s.

SOME SPOKE OF HIS INTEGRITY AND TIME AND AGAIN PEOPLE REMARKED HOW CLOSE HE WAS TO HIS FAMILY DESPITE HOLDING POWERFUL POSITIONS AND WIELDING INFLUENCE IN KENTUCKY AND BEYOND.

TUNE IN MONDAY FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

RENEE SHAW WILL HOST CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR AUDITOR AND FOR STATE TREASURER.

THAT'S COMMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.