♪ ♪ SPECIAL SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ADDRESS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

LAWMAKERS PASSED MEASURES TO END MASK MACHINE DATES AND GIVE SCHOOLS FLEXIBILITY FOR REMOTE INSTRUCTION AND AGREED ON ECONOMIC INCENTIVES WORTH $350 MILLION.

WE LOOK AT THE 2021 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SPECIAL SESSION.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

AT A RECORD PACE OF THREE DAYS, KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS ACTED ON SEVERAL COVID ORDERS AFTER THE STATE SUPREME COURT RULED A LOWER COURTERRED IN BLOCKING A RAFT OF LAWS PASSED IN THE REGULAR SEASON REINING IN THE GOVERNOR'S POWER TO ISSUE EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDERS BY ADJUSTING PROCEDURAL RULES THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE EXTENDED THE STATE OF EMERGENCY, EXTENDING MANY OF THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS WHILE AVOIDING OTHERS.

THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST MEASURE TO HIT THE GOVERNOR'S TESKE ON TUESDAY.

HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBOURNE SAID WHILE STARK DECISIONS PERSIST, THE MAJORITY ORDERS HAVE MORE CONSENSUS INCLUDING PROTECTIONS FROM PRICE GOUGING AND EXPANDING SNAP BENEFITS.

THE SPEAKER REASONED SWIFT ACTION BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEMONSTRATES ITS POSITION TASS A CO-EQUAL PARTNER IN GOVERNMENT.

>> THESE ARE ALL EXECUTIVE ORDERS IN THE PUBLIC SPACE ALREADY.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS ASKED TO BE EXTENDED.

NO, WE DID NOT EXTEND EVERY SINGLE ONE THAT HE ASKED US TO EXTEND BUT EVERY ORDER IS AN EXISTING ORDER N. CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR, HE P CONCURRED THAT NOT ONLY DID THE SUPREME COURT RULING, THAT CAME DOWN ALLOWED US AND PERMITTED US TO DO A ONE DAY BILL PROCESS WAVING THE READINGS BUT HE ENCOURAGED US TO DO SO.

BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS AN EFFICIENT USE OF OUR TIME, ESPECIALLY ON THESE THINGS THAT HAVE SO BEEN DEBATED OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

>> SOME OF THE TENETS MIMICKED THE 2021 SESSION BUT OSBOURNE SAID THIS TIME AROUND THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONS.

>> ONE OF THOSE BEING THE INCLUSION OF THE PROVISIONS THAT WE PASSED UNDER SENATE BILL 5 AT THE END OF SESSION DEALING WITH LIABILITY PROTECTIONS, THOSE WILL BE EXTENDED AS WELL AS PROVISIONS FROM SENATE BILL 150 FROM THE 2020 SESSION THAT ALLOWED CERTAIN FLEXIBILITIES, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WITH OTHER ENABLING PROPERTIES THAT WE GAVE TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN PARTICULAR.

>> HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1 ALSO EXTENDS THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR NICHOLAS COUNTY THAT HAS BEEN DEVASTATED BY FLASH FLOODING.

ANY NEW COVID RELATED EMERGENCY ORDER BY THE GOVERNOR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THOSE PROHIBITED IN THE BILL WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.

HJR-1 ADOPTED BY BOTH CHAMBERS ON DAY ONE OF THE SPECIAL SESSION AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR TUESDAY NIGHT.

KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT A STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED SENATE BILL 1.

MEASURE PUTS LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD IN CONTROL OF IMPLEMENTING SCHOOL MASK MANDATES.

MAX WEISS CARRIED IT IN THE SENATE TO GIVE SCHOOLS FLEXIBILITY WITH REMOTE LEARNING FOR SPECIFIC CLASSES OR GRADES AS THEY DEAL WITH THE PANDEMIC AND EASING RULES TO GET RETIRED AND SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS HIRED.

EXPLAINING HOW THOSE COULD HELP SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> DISTRICTS MAY TEMPORARILY SHIFT TO A REMOTE INSTRUCTION FOR TARGETED SCHOOL.

THAT COULD BE A SCHOOL BUILDING, A TARGETED GRADE, A TARGETED CLASSROOM, OR ANY OTHER GROUP DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF COVID DISRUPTION AS IT'S ARTICULATED IN THE SCHOOL SCHOOL BOARD'S PLAN GOING FORWARD.

LOOKING AT THIS RIGHT NOW, WHEN RAY SCHOOL HAS AN OUTBREAK OR LARGE QUARANTINE SITUATION HAPPENING, THE DISTRICT IS SAYING WE ARE CLOSING BECAUSE OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL NOT SO BAD BUT WE ARE CLOSING BECAUSE OF THE ELEMENTARY.

THESE 20 TEMPORARY DAYS WOULD GIVE THE SUPERINTENDENT, ALONG WITH THEIR POLICY THAT THEY DEVELOP TO LOOK AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SAY LET'S PUT THEM ON REMOTE.

BUT LET'S NOT SHUT DOWN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.

IF IT'S A CLASSROOM, A GRADE, LOOK AT THAT.

NOW THERE IS 20 OF THESE GIVEN.

20 OF THESE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE FUNDING THAT WE PUT BACK IN THIS WITH THE AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE, THE FLEXIBILITY OF STILL HAVING THOSE TNI DAYS IF THEY HAVE THEM AND LOOKING AT IT FROM THIS APPROACH, WE HOPE THIS WILL GIVE THE DISTRICTS THE FLEXIBILITY THEY MAY NEED TO GET THROUGH THIS SEMESTER.

>> HE SAID THE BILL GIVES FLEXIBILITY TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS NOW AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN MAKE CHANGES IN JANUARY WHEN THEY RETURN FOR REGULAR SESSION IF NEEDED.

MANY SENATE DEMOCRATS PRAISE THE FLEXIBILITY GIVEN TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN SENATE BILL 1 BUT LINED UP TO OPPOSE THE MEASURE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE.

HE ASKED WHY LEGISLATORS TRUSTED THEM TO MAKE DECISIONS ON EVERY OTHER PART OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM BUT WON'T ALLOW THEM TO MAKE A DECISION ON MASKING.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE IN PLACE THAT CAN DEAL ONE CERTAINTY.

WE KNOW THIS IS AN UNCERTAIN SITUATION.

IT'S DEMONSTRATED ITSELF OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND YET EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE SOME THAT FEEL THEY DO NOT WANT TO VEST THAT DISCRETION IN THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH, WHO I HAPPEN TO HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF, OKAY, WE CAN DISAGREE ON THAT BUT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND NOW WE WOULD NOT GIVE SOME CAPACITY TO THE COMMISSION OF EDUCATION TO DEAL WITH THOSE THINGS THAT ARE UNFORESEEN BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT TIME WE COME BACK.

THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> LOUISVILLE SENATORS MORGAN MCGARVEY AND KARENBURG ACCUSED THE SENATOR OF ABDICATING RESPONSIBILITY BUT LEAVING THE DECISIONS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SAID THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED NON-TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION DAYS AND GIVEN MORE FLEXIBILITY TO USE THEM.

THEY CRITICIZED REPUBLICANS FOR WHAT THEY SAID WAS GOING AGAINST BILLS PASSED DURING THE 2021 REGULAR SESSION.

>> WHEN OVER 300,000 OF OUR KIDS ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO BE VACCINATED, WHY ARE WE DEBATING A BILL THAT TAKES AWAY ANYONE'S ABILITY ON THE LOCAL OR THE STATEWIDE LEVEL TO PROTECT OUR KIDS?

WHEN WE DID HOUSE BILL 1 JUST THIS YEAR, THE MAJORITY IN THIS CHAMBER VOTED AND SAID THAT TO REMAIN OPEN IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE IN, A SCHOOL, A BUSINESS, A NON-PROFIT HAD TO FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE OF THE CDC OR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, WHICH EVER WAS THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE, WELL, THE GUIDANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE GUIDANCE OF THE CDC RIGHT NOW COULD COULD NOT BE CLEARER.

TO HAVE KIDS SAFELY IN SCHOOL, WHICH IS WHERE WE WANT THEM, YOU MUST WEAR A MASK.

AND WHEN OVER 300,000 OF OUR STUDENTS AREN'T OLD ENOUGH TO BE VACCINATED THAT'S THE ONLY PROTECTION THEY HAVE.

I THINK IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE OF US TO TAKE AWAY THE ABILITY TO PROTECT OUR KIDS IT'S AN ABDICATION OF OUR DUTY GIVEN THE RESOURCES WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US HERE TO PUT ALL OF THIS ON THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT TO FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE SAFELY SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL BECAUSE BY MAKING THIS DECISION ON MASKING, WHICH IS A BASIC BASIC PUBLIC HEALTH RULE THAT WE HAVE USED ACROSS THIS NATION FOR THE HISTORY OF THIS NATION WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE, WE HAVE TAKEN A BASIC PUBLIC HEALTH TOOL.

WE HAVE TAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR USING THAT TOOL AWAY FROM OUR GOVERNOR, WHO IS WILLING TO PUT THE RESPONSIBILITY ON HIS SHOULDER.

WE TOOK IT AWAY FROM HIM AND NOW WE ARE REFUSING TO PUT THE RESPONSIBILITY ON OURS.

>> BENTON SENATOR DANNY CAROL APPLAUDED THE MEASURE THAT WOULD END THE MANDATE FOR DAYCARE STATEWIDE SAYING LOCAL STRICTS SHOULD HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY, NOT THE STATE.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR KASS LIN APPLAUDED LOCALITIES GETTING DECISION MAKING POWER.

HE PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT TO AN EARLIER VERSION OF SENATE BILL 1 THAT WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM REQUIRING MASKS.

>> THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT SEE THE KIDS EVERY DAY AND, THAT LIVE THAT LIVE NEXT TO THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE EVERY DAY FOR THESE KIDS THEY WILL GO THROUGH GREAT PAINS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DECISIONS THAT THEY MAKE IN EVERY AREA OF THE COVID RESPONSE FOR THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT THE IS IN BEST INTEREST OF THEIR CHILDREN.

THE ENCOURAGEMENT I WANT TO GIVE TO THE PARENTS LISTENING AT HOME, YOU NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, TO TALK TO YOUR SUPERINTENDENTS AND HAVE YOUR VOICES HEARD IN YOUR DISTRICTS CLOSEREST TO YOUR HOME AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO DO.

>> ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC SENATOR VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE.

GRAYSON SENATOR ROBYN WEBB SAID SHE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE FISCAL IMPACT THE MEASURE COULD HAVE ON SCHOOLS SPECIFICALLY FROM THE TEST TO STAY MODEL BUT IT PUTS SCHOOLS IN A BETTER POSITION THAN THEY WOULD BE WITHOUT IT.

>> WHAT I DO LIKE ABOUT THE BILL, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT TEST TO STAY, I'M ANXIOUS HOW THE PILOT PROGRAM GOES FORWARD BECAUSE SOME OF THE COST ESTIMATES ARE A LITTLE HEAVY ON MY FISCAL MIND AND SOME DISTRICTS IT WILL WORK BETTER THAN OTHERS.

AND WE NEED TO MONITOR THAT CLOSELY.

WE WILL BE BACK HERE IN A FEW MONTHS.

WE HAVE 100 OR SO DAYS UNTIL WE COME BACK AND LESS INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS DUE TO CHRISTMAS AND THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS.

I THINK WE CAN LIVE WITH THE MEASURE.

>> WEBB JOINED BY FELLOW DEMOCRAT DENNIS PARROT VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE PASSING 28-8.

THE KENTUCKY HOUSE TOOK UP SENATE BILL 1 AFTER IT WAS PASSED BY IT THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE USED A PROCEDURAL MOVE TO ALLOW THEM TO REPLACE SENATE BILL IS PASSED BY COMMITTEE WITH SENATE BILL 1.

THE TWO MEASURES MIRRORED EACH OTHER AND BECAUSE THEY WERE IDENTICAL, IT ALLOW THE HOUSE TO REPLACE THEIR MEASURE WITH THE SENATE'S AND VOTE ON IT IMMEDIATELY.

VOTES IN THE HOUSE SPLIT MAINLY ALONG PARTY LINES.

PATTY MENTOR SAID THE MASKING PROVISIONS WERE CONCERNING.

STUDENTS THAT ARE DISABLED OR AT RISK FOR COVID, ESPECIALLY NEED THE PROTECTIONS PROVIDED BY MASKING.

>> AND FOR THE CHILDREN WHO LIVE WITH A DISABILITY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROTECTING THEM UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND NOT EXCLUDING THEM FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR MANY CHILDREN WHO LIVE WITH DISABILITY OR LIFE THREATENING ILLNESSES THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GOING DO.

>> PAMELA STEVENSON AND JOSIE RAYMOND OPPOSE THE BILL BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF THE STATEWIDE SCHOOL MASK MANDATE.

THEY SAY THE STATE SHOULD ACCOUNT LOSE OPTIONS TO COMBAT COVID.

>> ALL 120 COUNTIES ARE IN ORANGE OR RED, WHICH MEANS THAT THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC IS RAVISHING KENTUCKY.

AND YET, WE ARE SENDING OUR KIDS INTO THE LION'S DEN.

WE TOOK SOMETHING THAT WAS SO SIMPLE WEAR A MASK.

GET VACCINATED, SOCIALLY DISTANCE AND WE'VE COMPLICATED IT TO THE POINT WHERE MANY OF OUR KIDS, OUR STUDENTS WILL NOT BE PROTECTED AND IT CREATES A BIG PROBLEM FOR KENTUCKY BECAUSE IF THE KIDS CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL MASKED, THEN PARENTS CAN GO TO WORK AND THEN THE BUSINESSES SAY THEY DON'T HAVE WORKERS.

>> I'M TIRED OF WEARING A MASK.

I'M TIRED OF MY FIRST AND SECOND GRADER WEARING MASKS.

I'M TIRED OF TRYING TO SCRUB THE DORITO DUST OFF THE BACKS OF THESE DAMN THINGS.

I'LL BE THE FIRST IN LINE FOR MY KIDS TO GET THE VACCINE BUT WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A TIMELINE FOR THAT YET.

UNTIL THEN, IT'S MASKS THAT ARE KEEPING THEM IN SCHOOL, CATCHING UP AFTER UNDENIABLE LEARNING LOSS LAST YEAR.

>> HOUSE MINORITY WHIP VOTED IN FAVOR OF SENATE BILL 1.

SHE SAID SHE TRUSTS THE SCHOOLS IN HER DISTRICT TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS BUT HAS CONCERNS ABOUT OTHERS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> BUT I'M SCARED TO DEATH FOR SOME OF THE KIDS IN THESE OTHER DISTRICTS.

I'M SCARED THAT THE LEADERS ARE LISTENING TOO MUCH TO POLITICS OR TO VERY VOCAL MINORITY IN THEIR DISTRICTS OR EVEN TO PEOPLE WHO ARE THREATENING THEM.

WE HAVE SCHOOL BOARDS IN THIS STATE WHO ARE AFRAID TO MEET IN PERSON BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN THREATENED DRY RIDGE REPUBLICAN SAID SHE AGREES WITH MOST OF THE PROVISIONS IN SENATE BILL 1 BUT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

LOUISVILLE REPUBLICAN SAID IT WASN'T WHAT HE WANTED TO SEE EITHER BUT IT IS NEEDED AND ALTHOUGH IT WASN'T EXACTLY WHAT ANYONE WANTED, IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE STATE.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS OPEN.

SO IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS BILL, I THINK IF YOU VOTE AGAINST THIS BILL I UNDERSTAND YOU WANT MORE.

I WANT MORE ALSO BUT IF YOU ARE VOTING AGAINST THIS BILL YOU ARE VOTING AGAINST THE EXTRA 20 DAYS OF REMOTE LEARNING, YOU ARE VOTING AGAINST THE TESTING TO KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED BUT NOT TESTED POSITIVE YOU ARE VOTING AGAINST ALLOWING YOUR LOCAL STRICT FOR THE FLEXIBILITY GO-TO-GO 1062 HOURS.

I KNOW YOU ARE NOT GETTING EVERYTHING YOU WANT BUT IF YOU VOTE NO, YOU ARE VOTING AGAINST THESE THINGS WHETHER YOU ARE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, WHATEVER YOU SAY, STAND FOR THESE THINGS.

>> I'M PRERP ITCH OF THE FACT THAT IT RETURNS THE MASK MANDATE BACK TO LOCAL CONTROL BY DOING AWAY WITH IT AND ALLOWS THOSE DECISIONS TO BE MADE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL SO THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS INSTEAD OF UNELECTED BUREAUCRATS ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DECISIONS THAT THE THEY MAKE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

THAT SAID THERE ARE SOME OF US THAT WOULD REGARDS HAVE SEEN THAT DECISION BE ABLE TO BE MADE BY PARENTS THEMSELVES.

>> THE HOUSE GAVE SENATE BILL 1 FINAL PASSAGE 70-25 AND SENT TO IT THE FIRST FLOOR FOR THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE AND KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR LINE ITEM VETOED THE MEASURE LATER IN THE NIGHT.

IT WASN'T ABLE TO BE LINE ITEM VETOED WHILE MORGAN MA GARVY SAID IT WAS.

>> THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, THE FORMER ATTORNEYING, HAS ONCE AGAIN LINE ITEM VETOED A BILL THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO LINE ITEM VETO SENATE BILL 1 IS AN EDUCATION BILL ABLY EXPLAINED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SENATE FLOOR BY THE SENATOR FROM TAYLOR.

SO OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT CONCEDING ANYTHING, WE DON'T BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR HAD THE LOCAL AUTHORITY TO ISSUE THE LINE ITEM VETOES.

>> YOU LOOK AT LINES SEVEN AND EIGHT, THERE IS AN ROPTION IN THE BILL ITSELF I THINK THE APPROPRIATION MAKES THE LINE ITEM VETO OF THE GOVERNOR AN APPROPRIATE VETO.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD VOTE TO OVERTURN IT ON PROCEDURAL GROUNDS.

>> "OUT OF AN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION.

THE SENATE OVERRODE THE VETO 2 IS-6, THE HOUSE 69-THE 4.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT A STATEWIDE MANDATE WAS OUTLAWED LEAVING IT UP TO BUSINESSES CALLS ON THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES TO INCREASE COVID-19 VACCINE AND TESTING ACCESS AND REQUIRES THE CREATION OF REGIONAL CLINICS TO PROVIDE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT.

RALPH ALVARADO SAYS THE BILL GIVES THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH MORE LEEWAY THAN HE WOULD PREFER.

>> WOULD I LIKE TO DIRECT THE CABINET TO DO THINGS SPECIFICALLY.

MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I'M A DOCTOR USED TO GIVING ORDERS BUT THE CABINET HAS LET DOWN A LOT OF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY WHEN I'VE TALKED TO THEM AND WE SHOULD TELL THEM DIRECTLY WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING.

THIS REQUIRES THEM TO ASSIST AND SUPPORT.

>> KARENBURG SAID THE LEGISLATURE WAS MAKING A POWER GRAB FROM THE GOVERNOR.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS SAYS DECISIONS MADE EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC I GO GOVERNOR BESHEAR DRASTICALLY CHANGED HOW KENTUCKY WOULD FAIR LATER POINTING TO THE SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE SNEAD FOR SENATE BILL 2.

>> IN IDEA IDEA YIDDISH IS A WORD, AN EMBARRASSMENT THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE SUBSTITUTE FOR THE PEOPLE WHOSE JOB IT IS TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC HEALTHCARE CRISES.

THIS IS WHAT THEY DO.

AND BECAUSE I HONESTLY THINK BECAUSE OF HUBRIS BECAUSE OF A SENSE THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE MORE POWER BE I AM, REGARDLESS WHO IS GOING TO GET HURT.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE NURSES AND THE DOCTORS AND THE RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS.

FOR WHICH FOR WHICH HE HAS LIVED AND MADE A PROFESSION OF.

YOU WANT TO GET THROUGH THIS, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT HAVING THE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL FOLLOWING THE CDC GUIDELINES.

DID WE FOLLOW IT LAST YEAR WHEN CDC Dr. FAUCI AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAID THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS TO BE IN IS SCHOOL?

AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WEAR A MASK BUT WHAT DID WE DO?

NO, WE DIDN'T FOLLOW IT THEN BECAUSE IT WASN'T CONVENIENT TO THE NARRATIVE SO YOU WANT TO SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT UNMITIGATED FAILURE AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY, THERE HAS BEEN NO DECISIONS BY THIS BODY OR THAT BODY DOWN THERE ONLY THE DECISIONS MADE ON THE FIRST FLOOR, FIRST FLOOR THAT WERE WRONG.

>> SENATE BILL 2 PASSED SENATE AND MADE ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE WHERE THEY USED THE SAME PROCESS THEY DID WITH SENATE BILL 1 TO TAKE THE MEASURE UP IMMEDIATELY.

HOUSE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER SAID THE LEGISLATURE WANTED TO HELP COMBAT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND TOOK SAME AT THE GOVERNOR FOR NOT ALLOWING THEM TO DO SO.

SINCE THIS PANDEMIC BEGAN, ALL WE'VE WANTED IS TO SAY GOVERNOR, INCLUDE THE POLICY MAKING BRANCH IN YOUR DECISIONS AND HE REFUSED TO DO SO SO WE CAME IN THE FIRST WEEK OF SESSION AND WE SAID YOU ARE STILL THE GOVERNOR, YOU STILL HAVE EMERGENCY POWERS, BUT IF YOU WANT TO GO ON FOR MONTHS AT A TIME WHEN THOSE EMERGENCY POWERS WERE GIVEN TO HIM BY A PREVIOUS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THEY NEVER ENVISIONED A PANDEMIC THEY ENVISIONED FLOODS, DROUGHTS.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO SUSPEND LAWS FOR MONTHS, YOU NEED OUR APPROVAL TO DO SO.

IF YOU ARE BEHIND YOUR FIRST RESPONDERS 100%, YOU WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THEM.

WE COULD HAVE DONE THAT BUT WE DIDN'T AND I LIKE THIS FRANK DISCUSSION.

WE HAD PEOPLE IN HERE WHO SAY THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR FIRST RESPONDERS AND WE DIDN'T DO IT AND WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT AND WHY?

YES, WE HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION AND WE WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE, WE WANT TO DO IT AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE I'M ALL FOR SMALLER GOVERNMENT AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT, OKAY BUT THINK ABOUT WHAT WE JUST HEARD THAT WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER IN THIS SESSION, IN THIS HOUSE.

THERE IS NOT WORKING TOGETHER SAME THINGS BEING COMPLAINED ABOUT WITH THE FIRST FLOOR HAPPENING TO THE MINORITY PARTY.

>> THE HOUSE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO SENATE BILL 2, 69-24, GOVERNOR BESHEAR LINE ITEM VETO PARTS OF SENATE BILL 2 INCLUDING THE BAN ON STATEWIDE MASK MANDATES THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVERRODE THE VETOES MAKING SENATE BILL 2 LAW.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEASURE NOT RELATED TO GOVERNOR AS PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S CALL HAS BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW.

SENATE BILL 5 TAKES $350 MILLION FROM THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND APPROXIMATELY 1.9 BILLION IN IT TO OFFER FORGIVABLE LOANS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WORTH MORE THAN $2 BILLION.

THE MEASURE RECEIVED OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

THE STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CABINET WILL MONITOR AWARDS FROM THE FUND AND REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY EVERY NOVEMBER.

THURSDAY FLOOR LEADER DAMON THAYER LIKENED THE MEASURE THE TO RECRUITMENT OF THE TOYOTA PLANT IN HIS DISTRICT.

KENTUCKY IS IN THE RUNNING FOR AT LEAST ONE SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT THAT COULD BE SITUATED IN GLENDALE IN HARDIN COUNTY BUT THE FUND IS AVAILABLE TO ANY BUSINESS THAT WANTS TO MOVE TO THE STATE.

>> THIS WILL FRONT LOAD ALREADY EXISTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES GIVING THEM PRESENT VALUE TO ALLOW THE CABINET TO COMPETE FOR THESE PROJECTS WITH OTHER STATES THAT, QUITE FRANKLY, Mr. PRESIDENT, OFFER MORE LUCRATIVE INCENTIVES THAN KENTUCKY DUGS DOES.

THERE ARE OTHER STATES, MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW, DEEP RED REPUBLICAN STATES, COMPETING FOR THESE PROJECTS WHERE THEY WRITE A CHECK UP FRONT IN ORDER TO ATTRACT THESE PROJECTS.

AND IF WE DO NOT SUCCEED IN LANDING ONE OF THESE PROJECTS, NONE OF THIS MONEY WILL BE SPENT.

>> FORMER STATE LAWMAKER ROCKY ADKINS.

NOW THE SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE GOVERNOR CALLED THE MEASURE A GAME CHANGER IN POSITIONING THE COMMONWEALTH TO COMPETE IN THE ECONOMY OF THE FUTURE.

>> USING OUR EXISTING INCENTIVES, WE ARE NOT CHANGING ANYTHING THE ONLY THING WE ARE DOING INSTEAD OF USING THEM ON THE BACK END, WE ARE FRONT LOADING THESE INCENTIVES TO THE FRONT OF THE PROJECT AND FROM THAT, THE COMMONWEALTH WILL BENEFIT FROM PHENOMENON RESOURCES COMING FROM ANY LOANS THAT WOULD BE GIVEN FROM THIS FORGIVABLE LOAN POOL THAT YOU ARE SETTING UP.

THIS PUTS US IN THE GAME.

>> THURSDAY RETIRING SHELL BYVILLE COUNTY PASSED A NO VOTE SAYING ONE PROJECT COULD POTENTIALLY REAP HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS UP FRONT.

>> I'VE GOT A LOT OF COMPANIES IN MY COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BEEN THERE 20, 30, 40 YEARS, GREAT CONTRIBUTORS TO THE COMMUNITY, GREAT CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR YOUTH SPORTS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THAT NEVER HAVE GOTTEN ANY INCENTIVES.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE COMPETING FOR JOBS.

WE HAVE AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF LESS THAN 3%.

CAN'T FIND WORKERS NOW.

WE ARE PUTTING A CRUNCH OF OTHER BUSINESSES THERE.

THE HOUSE APPROVED THE MEASURE LATE THURSDAY NIGHT ON A VOTE OF 91-2.

TO EASE PANDEMIC PRESSURES EXPERIENCED IN HEALTHCARE, LONG-TERM CARE AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE MONEY ALLOTTED TO THE STATE HEALTH CABINET IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS CRITICAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS IN AREAS LIKE COVID-19 TESTING, ASSISTING PROVIDERS IN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT AND IT WAS EXPLAINED THURSDAY NIGHT WHERE THE 69 MILLION WAS COMING FROM.

>> $69 MILLION IS COMING, IS BEING FOUND AND REAPPROPRIATED FROM AN APPROPRIATE MADE THIS LAST SESSION FOR THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND POXLY 157 MILLION WAS APPROPRIATED TO GO TOWARD THAT ISSUE, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE THAT APPROPRIATION EXCEEDED MORE THAN WHAT WAS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

AND SO THE DITCHES OF THE EXCESS APPROPRIATION RESULTS IN THE 69 MILLION PLUS IN THE BILL SO WE ARE REAPPROPRIATING THE MONEY THAT WAS APPROPRIATED.

REPURPOSEING THE MONEY.

>> CONTENDING LAWMAKERS ARE DULY CONSTITUTED TO PUT STIPULATIONS ON THE USE OF THE 69 MILLION DRY RIDGE REPUBLICAN TRIED TO MUSCLE AN AMENDMENT ADDRESSING FORCED VACCINATION BY EMPLOYERS SAYING SHE HEARD FROM HEALTHCARE WORKERS ACROSS THE STATEúCON MANDATES.

>> I THINK THAT EVERY PERSON, EVERY CITIZEN IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY HAS A NATURAL RIGHT TO BODILY INTEGRITY.

EVERY PERSON BORN AND UNBORN.

AND ALTHOUGH I DON'T FEEL THAT IT IS THE APPROPRIATE ROLL OF AN EMPLOYER TO FORCE SOMEONE TO RECEIVE A VACCINE AGAINST THEIR WILL, AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE LICENSED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING TOLD BY THEIR EMPLOYERS ALL OVER THE STATE THAT THEY EITHER GET THE VACCINE OR LOSE THEIR JOB.

>> HER MEMBERED DIED ON A PROCEDURAL VOTE.

SENATE AWARDED UNANIMOUS PASSAGE EARLIER IN THE DAY.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF THE 2021 SPECIAL SESSION OF THE KENTUCKY DWHRERM CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE AND COVERAGE OF ORAL ARGUMENTS IN THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT.

JOIN RENEE SHAW MONDAY NIGHT FOR KENTUCKY TONIGHT FOR KET, I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.