>> We begin our conversations with candidates and this year's general election.

And today's program, you learn more about the Democratic and Republican nominees for Kentucky State treasurer that's now on ♪ ♪ ♪ >> thank you for for connections today.

I'm Renee Shaw, the Kentucky state treasurer essentially acts as the state's chief financial officer and handles the state's checkbook.

All the money you pay in taxes goes through that office.

The treasurer also sits on several boards and commissions, including the Kentucky teachers retirement system and the Kentucky Lottery.

The Kentucky state treasurer is among the constitutional offices along with Governor.

Kentuckians will decide in November.

The current officeholder Republican Allison Ball is term limited Democrat Michael Bowman and Republican Mark Metcalf are each hoping to replace her.

Here's my conversation with Michael Bowman who saw this post before.

♪ Mister Bowman.

It's a pleasure to have you on the program today.

We appreciate your time.

Thanks for inviting me.

Thank you.

So tell me we want to learn a little bit more about you will hear a lot more about your positions.

Perhaps we have you on the Kentucky tonight engagement.

But tell us about you.

I know you're a 6 generation, Kentucky.

And as you've said on one of your videos on your website.

>> And you come from a union homes and give us some more detail.

You know, it's going to raise Valley station southwest Louisville.

>> I am a my father was a 40 year member of the Postal Workers Union.

you know, growing up, I had the experience understanding what the union met for a home like mine that it provided good paying jobs benefits, things that could support a put food on the table and a roof over your head.

So that's why I'm always proud to say that and I'm proud of the work that my father throughout his working working who is now retired.

He's good.

He's enjoying his retirement.

you know, that's that's my background.

And that's part of the reason why I take positions.

because of those experiences growing up.

I am went to holy Cross high school as well as the University of Louisville and worked for the governor as well as for the Louisville Metro Council and then some time as a a bank officer embrace manager for a U.S. bank.

So so you can throw those cells with Well, you know, I'm a Kentucky haha.

Yeah.

you know, born and raised in that respect as well.

As you know, I I enjoyed my time at U of L, but that's still very >> h******* bleeding blue, OK?

All right, Ali, back there.

That could be a pretty divisive discussion on it sounds what this is not your first foray into running for statewide office and you also run and Jefferson County as well.

So tell us why it this time in your life and then times you've run before.

>> That being in public service in an elected office is important to you?

Well, I think it's it's the quality of of the individuals that are stepping up.

>> We've seen I think some people who have obtained elected office through a of a variety of hate to say it.

Look, that are just honestly not prepared and aren't qualified for the job that they have.

And, you know, my background is unique in that.

I've worked in local government, worked in state government as well in the private sector as a bank officer for a large financial institutions.

So I have a lot of skills that I can bring to bear In particular.

The treasurer's office is what comes to what I'm speaking now, you know, 4 years ago, I contended I was the most qualified person.

Unfortunately, the people of Kentucky chose to remain with with the current treasure.

But I still contend today that I am the most qualified person, in fact, would be the first in nearly 40 years elected to the job that has any type of financial experience.

So I think that's going to be important as we look forward.

And that's what's in the back of my mind is where we moving as a commonwealth.

What do we need for the moment?

And can I can I do anything to help in that?

And I I believe I can.

>> Oftentimes the bill, what we call down ballot constitutional officers, they express themselves about issues that particularly in may not be related to the duties of the office for which they are applying.

Right.

And you said that's the lure that leaders now in Frankfort, which majority Republican are putting quote the wrong thing first.

And you say it's time for that in what would you be able to do if you're elected estate as state treasurer to undo what you see as the wrong things those leaders are doing certainly, you know, I think of Governor Beshear has showing us what it >> that looks he is not quick to be drawn into cultural issues, debates or debates honestly about basic human rights.

That shouldn't be debatable.

He focuses on what's important, creating jobs for Kentucky, ensuring that we are educating our next generation in our children and that we're doing the right things by keeping our promises to people like our teachers are state workers are our first responders.

Those are the things that at the end of the day, I believe is what is most important to people in Kentuckyian we focus on that and we don't get drawn into these unnecessary debate and we can actually come together and build consensus.

That's how we move things forward.

You know, I would be a unique position as treasurer.

One of only 7 people elected statewide for state government.

And that gives me a position to be able to talk about that, whether it's in Louisville, Lexington or in Pike County or Fulton County.

So that's I think how we get past these.

They're looking at the wrong things.

Is that stated and moving us towards.

Paying attention to what's important.

And that's jobs.

Are our families making sure we have people that are being educated properly and they were moving Kentucky in that direction.

Many people would say that, yes, those issues are important.

We call them sometimes the bread and butter the table, the kitchen table conversations right?

>> But also that there are issues like abortion and the some of the transgender issues that have come to the fore of light are also important to many Kentuckians who feel perhaps maybe differently than you and your fail and you're you're the the those who are running this year under the Democratic Party's so is the Democratic Party out of step with what up the majority of Kentuckians want to have focused on.

Well, I'm not going to be to the party as a whole.

I can speak for myself as far as I've been endorsed by organizations like Planned Parenthood, Planned Parenthood, which has.

>> You know, everyone been at the forefront of ensuring that women, reproductive women's reproductive health is being protected as well as the fairness campaign and ensuring that LGBTQ rights are being respected and those are those are issues that when they come up, I'm ready to defend my positions and ensure that we as a government are doing the right.

Thanks for those people.

But that shouldn't be our focus.

Our focus should be what's important to to people in terms of jobs in terms of ensuring that they have what they need, the education that they're receiving.

And I'm not saying the 3rd not interconnected in some ways and a lot of ways they are.

But when we focus on those things and not those those culture issues, those what again, and not trying to categorize them all in one as calling them a culture war.

But when we're talking about those issues like human rights and LGBTQ rights and women's That shouldn't be up for the government to decide it should be the individuals that they have.

They that they should be able to exercise those rights as people.

They have every constitutional right as anyone else.

So they need jobs.

We need education.

And that's what the focus should be when we do those things, we can build consensus in and take us ourselves out of that culture war.

I think that's where we'll be able to move Kentucky forward up a pass away.

And again, like I said, the governor has shown that he's not going to be drawn into that.

And, yeah, I believe that's the best way to go.

>> When you travel the state, I know you're probably doing that extensively.

You probably have somewhere to go after you finish with the with us or do people understand the office of state treasurer?

>> You know, by and large, there are some that There are quite a few people who they they they know what the word treasure would generally mean when it comes to their PTA or social clubs.

But it is something that we do have to explain more often than not and how in-depth it goes.

I believe that's something that a lot of people don't realize is it's not just about balancing the checkbook.

It's ensuring that we're having providing that independent accountability for our tax dollars.

And, you know, the treasure sits on a variety of boards and commissions.

The lottery board, the Higher Education Authority, the the Financial Commission, as well as the investment commission and the Teachers Retirement Board, which are, as we know, been critical over the last few years.

In terms of how we are dealing with policy around the teachers, pensions, how are investing our money?

And that's where the treasure can have an outsized influence.

And I think that's once people realize how deep the treasure the treasurer's writ large is involved in those decisions is when they realize it's and it's an important office that needs to be independently elected.

We don't want to wrap it up in the bureaucracy.

We want to ensure that they are being held accountable to the people directly rather you know, at the whim of the governor or legislature.

>> And you hit on a point that has been a point of contention about whether or not that the state treasurer's office should be even an elected one right to you.

And it seems that you are intimating that it needs to remain as it is.

comes down to who who should be accountable to the people for your tax dollars and an independently elected person ensures that a governor.

>> Doesn't have the unchecked a bureaucratic, you know, leverage that to manage that act.

The tax act like that and just as well as the Legislature, we KET it independent for that very There's there's a variety of history as to why we did that.

You know, before that the Constitution was amended in the the late 1800's.

It was an appointed position by the governor.

So we may get elected for a Very particular reason.

And I believe that still holds true today.

I would rather have more accountability.

That's that's directly influenced by the people of Kentucky.

Then not.

And I think that's why the treasures job should remain elected.

The other responsibilities that you listed about the number of boards that the state treasurer serves on.

>> Unclaimed property is probably one thing that a lot of Kentucky citizen citizens understand and more connected to or know about in some way because perhaps they have benefited from that.

And we know that the current treasurer, who is a Republican Allison Ball, has had record setting levels of unclaimed property being restored, monetarily or otherwise to Kentucky ends.

This is the lost and found if you will.

A lot of people applaud that program.

Do you think it needs changing in any way and would you give her kudos for the job she's done in handling that particular part of the job?

I would say that, yes, there are ways to improve that that program.

I think you know, given technology being what it is today, there are certainly ways that we can make it into the more easily accessible and less cumbersome.

One of the biggest complaint I hear from people about.

>> The unclaimed property process is that it is overly cumbersome and I think that again, with technology being what it is, there is no reason why we can't do that.

And the first in the unclaimed property fund itself is a source of the revenue to be able to implement those changes without really tapping into general fund dollars.

So those are those are things and it in a moment ministration in the treasurer's office would something that we would we would You I think that this is the treasure has been responsible for unclaimed property.

We've seen the fund itself grow from Treasure.

Miller's.

200 and roughly 200 million dollars to now.

It sits at around 800 million dollars as a fun.

So I think it's yes, I'll give each treasure they're due for for maintain that program and the knowledge of it.

But I think there is a process ways that we can improve.

You know, having worked in a large financial institution and understanding, you know how we records and KET track of this type of of stuff that.

Should be easy to do with technology.

And that's where I would focus ensuring that we can and bring the treasurer's office out to the state.

I think that's something that has been not been done well, is that?

Doling into these communities across Kentuckyian ensuring that they know and understand what the treasure does and the services that the treasurer's office with that.

>> How optimistic are you the second time around?

You still have the same candidate at the top of the ticket.

Absolute may not have as a deep coattails is perhaps you'd like.

If you think that even has power to bring you into victory, why do you think this time could be different?

>> Well, I think there is a difference and the person at the top of the ticket this time around in terms of he's not the challenger.

He is the incumbent.

And not only is he the incumbent, he is a remarkably popular incumbent.

And I think there is a desire to send him to help in Frankfort that he needs to be able to to continue for 4 more years.

while there may not have been coattails 4 years ago, it's certainly possible that he has those now.

But I'm not relying on that.

I'm getting out across the state.

We're doing our job putting that.

As you said, shoe leather to the pavement and getting in front of those people and letting know why I'm more qualified than my opponent.

And why can leave this office and be a good partner with the governor for the next 4 years to ensure that we're doing the right things for Kentucky.

Well, at the moment, thank you so much.

It's been pleasure.

Sitting down speaking with you.

Thank you.

And I appreciate it.

>> Say whether us on connections as we next hear from Republican nominee for state treasurer Martin Metcalf, who's had a careers as a prosecutor and holds the rank of lieutenant colonel and the U.S. Army Reserve.

♪ Mark Metcalf, thank you so much for being with us today.

We appreciate some time.

It's an honor and a privilege.

Thank you.

So you're running for one of the constitutional offices, state treasurer.

We'll get to why in a moment.

But let's talk a little bit about you and your background and where you come from and your lived.

Experience that can reform.

>> How you would operate that office if you're selected.

Tell us about yourself.

>> Overnight, thanks for the question.

I'm a native of Garrett County.

He served his county attorney for 22 years.

I'm sure.

Beach Commonwealth's Attorney first assistant Commonwealth's attorney for 3 years.

those in the Kentucky Army National Guard for 29 years the veteran of Iraq and over the course of my we focused as you would expect in the guard, the folks on the soldier in the county attorney's office, we focus on the private individual and it's not just about prosecution.

It's about helping the child support as the case may be with the addicted, making sure that they get into.

Rehab and hopefully I can redeem their lives that way.

But county attorney's offices are full service prosecution offices that look at the individual as well as your circumstances in order to serve them better.

>> Right.

And many people may not make that assumption when they hear about a prosecutorial role such as the county attorney that they think very much of law and order and not trying to help people with wraparound services as we often hear them called.

So it's interesting to hear you define the position of such headed in that think rep around is probably the best as you develop herd.

It's.

It's the kind of office where you can do more good in the morning that many attorneys can do a When you look at it.

>> That means that people praying to the county attorney's office is that have to do as the Sadr addiction.

Yeah, I'm with being victims.

And also with the child support issues you're talking about the kinds of services that to find point being able to help people with their lives.

And when you're talking about child support in particular, you're talking about the difference between a family being able to make ends meet to reverse is not being able to.

Yeah.

>> We were talking before we started taping helping children who are vulnerable in order to have them have food for the weekend.

And you and your wife are very involved in that and you and your your military background.

Also informs that activity as well.

Talk about why that's so important in your Internet and appreciate your bringing that up because it's an important aspect of what the Kentucky Army National Guard does.

>> When you think soldiers, you think of we got the Kentucky Army National Guard is a medium size guard in a small state that time deploys everywhere.

And it's very busy all the time.

But the other side of the story is that we in every place where there's a disaster right in the unit was activated and we came all the several states in Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, where our members live and Kentucky and we're delivering meals to Kentucky ends who did not have water did not have a food all of from the top down.

We're handing food out to people in Western Kentucky, in particular job, the wind storms in Mayfield, Graves, County and the water in Breathitt County and the E-street a key counties most impacted by the flooding.

The guard is their right.

>> And we saw that heroic footage right of folks being airlifted from what could have been their demise in their death.

Those flood waters, right?

I mean, been lifted up and rescued.

I mean, it was remarkable and it got attention from U.S.. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who talked about his bravery and the commitment of the Kentucky Air National Guard and others who served to help people in these intense times of crisis right here.

National Guard can leave that out.

They're ready.

It's a bad thing.

You have to call also KET in mind that when we talk about drug it you're it's your Kentucky Army national and Kentucky Air National Guard which drops federal assets FBI, DEA and Kentucky State police on the growth fields that are now coming up in the Washington National Forest, the Jefferson National Forest, Smoky Mountain National Forest in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

So we're begin to law enforcement in those areas.

And there those are overlook missions.

As I said, you think of soldiers we think of the guard and it's not always that all.

Yeah.

>> I know your experience also lends you to have a lot of interaction and probably even expertise when it comes to the drug scourge pride in this state and this nation.

And it seems like someone over intractable problem.

We make some progress and then we it kind of ebbs and What do you think?

And this is not necessarily something that the state treasurer takes on, but do you how do you view this is one of the big issues and concerns facing Kentucky ends well for so again, it's about people that's important thing we can do.

He's create an environment where people can.

>> And safe and not be a dependent on the on the assets of government.

But if so, the government is there to act decisively to Kentucky to help Americans.

The most important thing that I can tell you that the treasurer's office is that it has a large role and making certain that our children have fiscal knowledge so they can begin their lives, being able to open up a checking account, being able to balance the checking account, understanding that to start a business.

It's more than just putting a shingle on the door.

Let's talk the retirement funds of Kentucky he heard me say that I'm pushing back against the esg movement which stands for environments, Social and governmental.

It is an effort as as I the left to basically commandeered the assets contained in our retirement funds and direct them towards green technologies.

Summly.

And we know that in Kentucky we have tremendous Cole and we have 8500 years over on mine coal in the United States.

A lot of which is located in eastern Kentucky.

We have miners ready to go to work.

Cole is 30 times cleaner than it was 10 years ago because it can be mind cleanly and effectively and efficiently.

They can also be burned also awaited has I much less impact on the environment.

So what we need to be doing is he's leveraging those assets to create wealth in Kentucky.

So that.

Our people are there are dependent only on the hand at the end of their own sleeve and not upon government.

My my role as treasure.

His advance.

That and make certain that that older people, especially those in need.

But also the taxpayers and take care of those in need are dignified by government.

And then we have and that they have in in in my candidacy, a man who will go out and advocate on behalf of taxpayers to cut the budget where where we find waste and to do the things that I think of as being sort of common sense to call that when you look at it we have a 16 billion dollar direct debt of Kentucky east of Kentucky's taxpayers.

That's a $20,000 debt on every taxpayer in Kentucky.

So how do we lower that?

We have 27,000 people that still haven't come off the welfare rolls.

When you get them off the welfare rolls and they you put them into productive employment.

More people to pay down the debts of Kentucky.

But it also means more taxpayers.

It means more people who can live on their own and not depend upon others.

And so what I'm interested in doing is taking that message forward.

>> When you talk about the state budget and the deaths of Kentucky, do you believe there's more than just public assistance programs that need revision and reform?

Do you see and have evidence of widespread waste, fraud or abuse and other the state government agencies and departments.

>> Let's see.

This is a top-down effort working with the auditor working with the assets, the great people in the auditor's office and in the treasurer's office and in every major Department of State government finding waste in getting rid of it.

Starting with the smallest programs up to the largest one of the things we can immediately is to say if you're going to be on welfare, we're going to require that you engage in public interest work, you know, help cleaning up a park help city helping out of the daycare.

These are the kinds of things that people can do besides just looking for If you're going to take from the public, you should be willing to give back to the public.

And I think that that we don't need to lose sight of that.

The the whole idea of welfare as we know it today, his to make certain that people have that safety net so they don't go without but also dance from them while they're receiving those funds to do something to give back to their >> I want to go back to why you're running for this office is what was the reason?

Was there a particular moment in time?

Will it ignited the clarification that this is the past.

But I should next.

Take.

>> This tough decision.

I love my job.

But I thought that with what I saw in the U.S. she movement coming out against call.

One of the things that the the the left is out for season is doing is saying that there is that we should not have fossil fuels at all this fossil fuels that have created the cheapest energy on the planet to be able to power businesses and homes and to look at the fact that I'm in Western Kentucky.

Just this year we have rolling blackouts from TVA and in eastern Kentucky where money.

More call that we can use in Kentucky.

Where is that cold going well in in in some of the colon in Harlan County is going to places.

One is going to it's found Rico and the Chinese are buying.

But the North Carolinians are buying it, too, because the Green Technologies field in both Western Kentuckyian in eastern Kentucky skews me and in North Carolina.

And so now that North Carolina is buying Kentucky, call to power those plants that they wound down when they tried to replace coal and natural natural gas with.

Green technologies.

He just doesn't work yet and may not for a long time to come.

We need to KET in mind that the esg movement, which is hostile to fossil fuels.

Has a component and that component is found in China.

The manufacturers, many of the solar panels and their manner of manufacturing releases more carbon into the atmosphere.

The mining coal burning coal >> Many people would say that sounds like a stretch for the office of the state treasurer to be involved in.

It seems like that would be underneath a different environment or a different cabinet level position.

Energy environment or something else.

Can you make that makes sense to the viewer at home?

Sure.

>> The state treasurer of Kentucky is mandated to report to the General Assembly about those businesses that are discriminating against fossil fuels.

If I'm going to be active in advocating what some of the things that Kentucky does best, which is produce energy, then I'll be asking Kentucky's to take a second look at these esg movement that diminish the importance of fossil fuels.

Not just to not just empowering Kentucky but impairing the United States.

And the other thing to KET in mind is because many of the utilities in Kentucky are trying to make that transition solely to green technologies.

The biggest impact has been felt in eastern Kentucky where the cost of huge electric utilities has gone up 18% this year.

>> Well, thank you, Mister Mark Metcalf.

It's been a pleasure to sit with you on that side of the studio.

We appreciate your time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Renee, thank you for joining us today.

KET, Kentucky.

Tonight.

We'll have the candidates and the statewide constitutional contests debate.

The issues.

>> And the races for the offices they seek.

Make sure you tune NH Monday night in October at 8 Eastern 7 central for that and join me next week on connections.

As we talk to the candidates running for state auditor, you can always connect with me all the ways you see on your screen and in the main time you take good care and I'll see you soon.

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