>> Bill: THE STATE LEGISLATURE
ROLLS HARD TOWARD THE FINISH
LINE WITH SOME ISSUES UP IN THE
AIR INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS.
SEVERAL KEY BILLS MOVE THROUGH
THE CAPITAL, INCLUDING ONE
ADDRESSING DRUNK DRIVING CRASHES
AND ONE THAT COULD MEAN LATER
STARTS FOR SCHOOLS.
VICE PRESIDENT PENCE HEADING TO
KENTUCKY TO PUSH A REPEAL AND
REPLACE PLAN FOR OBAMACARE.
AND GOVERNOR BEVIN WILL BE AT
HIS SIDE.
AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH
McCONNELL SAYS MEXICO WON'T
PAY FOR A BORDER WALL.
AS WE SPRING FORWARD THIS
WEEKEND AND MARCH MADNESS GETS
GOING, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET
P.
GOOD EVENING.
I'M BILL BRYANT.
AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT
ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT THE
WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
>> THE WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNAL
OASIS OUR PANEL TONIGHT ARE: #
ADAM BEAM KENTUCKY STATE HOUSE
REPORTER FOR ASSOCIATED PRESS.
KEVIN WHEATLEY, REPORTER FOR
PURE POLITICS ON SPECTER NEWS,
AND DEBORAH YETTER, REPORTER FOR
THE COURIER-JOURNAL.
THERE'S A LOT HAPPENING IN OUR
NATION'S CAPITAL AND CITY STATE
CAPITOL THAT WILL EFFECT THE WAY
FORWARD FOR KENTUCKIANS AND WE
EXPECT A GOOD DISCUSSION THIS
EVENING.
WE'LL BEGIN WITH THE FACT THAT
VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE IS
COMING TO KENTUCKY, LOUISVILLE
SPECIFICALLY, ON SATURDAY TO
PUSH THE REPUBLICAN PLAN TO
REPLACE OBAMACARE.
ADAM, WE KNOW THAT ALSO GOVERNOR
BEVIN WILL BE WITH THE VICE
PRESIDENT.
WE KNOW THAT KENTUCKY
SENATOR RAND PAUL IS AMONG THOSE
NOT ON BOARD AT THIS POINT.
HE HAS REFERRED TO THE PLAN WAS
OBAMACARE LITE.
WHAT'S THIS LOUISVILLE VISIT
ABOUT?
>> EVER SINCE REPUBLICANS HAVE
MEAT PUNCH TAKEN CONTROL OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, EVERYONE HAS
BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BILL TO
COME OUT, AND YOU WOULD THINK
BECAUSE REPUBLICANS ARE IN
CONTROL IT WOULD BREEZE THROUGH.
THERE'S A PROBLEM, AND ONE OF
MANY PROBLEMS THAT THE
REPUBLICANS ARE HAVING, AND
TWICHELL SENATOR RAND PAUL WHO
HE SEIZE THE BILL DOESN'T GO FAR
ENOUGH.
HE CALLED IT OBAMACARE LITE AND
HE DECLARED THE BILL DEAD IN THE
SENATE.
WELL, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
HAS BEEN PUSHING BACK AGAINST
HIM, VERY SUBTLY THIS WHOLE
WEEK.
THEY SENT KELLIE ANN CONWAY TO
LOUISVILLE.
>> Bill: WITH A TWEET FROM THE
PRESIDENT.
>> THEY SENT KELLIE ANNE CONWAY
TO LOUISVILLE.
SHE APPEARED TO THE LARGEST
RADIO MARKET IN RAND PAUL'S
STATE.
SAID THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED.
JUST SAID THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED
WITH HIM.
THE SAME DAY TRUMP USES HIS
TWITTER ACCOUNT, AND THIS IS THE
SAME TWITTER ACCOUNT WHERE HE
HAS CALLED RAND PAUL A SUPPOSED
BRAT,ED SAID HE DOESN'T HAVE A
PROPERLY FUNCTIONING BRAIN
BEFORE BUT ON THIS ONE HE SAID
HE'S MY FRIEND AND HE'S
CONFIDENT HE'S GOING TO COME
AROUND.
AND THE ICING OM CAKE WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE TOMORROW WHEN
VICE PRESIDENT PENCE COMES TO
KENTUCKY, RAND PAUL'S HOME STATE
AGAIN, TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS LAW,
AND GOVERNOR BEVIN'S GOING TO BE
BY HIS SIDE.
YOU WOULD THINK THAT WOULD WORK
OUT GREAT.
BUT THEN TODAY GOVERNOR BEVIN
WAS ASKED ABOUT IT AND HE SAID
HE DIDN'T LIKE IT, EITHER, AND
HE'S WITH RAND PAUL HAD TO
ISSUE.
>> HE'S FOR THE REPEAL BUT HAS
CONCERNS ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT.
>> HE SAID, TRUTH BE TOLD I HAVE
PROBLEMS WITH IT AND I'M WITH
RAND.
IT ADDS ANOTHER LAYER OF
INTRIGUE TO THIS VISIT TOMORROW.
WILL IT BE KIND OF POTENTIALLY
AUK HARDWOOD THAT THEY'RE COMING
HERE TO HAVE TO TOUT THIS LAW
AND HERE BEVIN IS GOING TO BE
APPEARING WITH PENCE AND HE SAID
HE HAS PROBLEMS WITH IT, TOO.
>> AND PAUL HASN'T BACKED DOWN.
HE IS STILLS PUSHING ON HIS PLAN
THAT CALLS FOR COMPLETE REPEAL.
HE DOESN'T WANT TO REPLACE.
>> AND HE JUST GOT ELECTED TO A
SIX-YEAR TERM SO HE HAS THE
PRESSURE OFF OF HIM RIGHT NOW.
>> THE GOVERNOR, KEVIN, WAS OUT
LOOKING OTHER THINGS TODAY WHEN
HE MADE THEE COMMENTS.
>> RIGHT.
HE WAS AT THE IT?
TO SAVE OUR CHILDREN.
IT WAS FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION
SUMMIT, AND IT WAS INVOLVING
NON-PROFITS, SOME PEOPLE IN THE
FAITH COMMUNITY, TRYING TO GET
THEM TO I GUESS RECOGNIZE AND
SEE THE PROBLEM THAT IS IN THE
STATE'S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM,
PARTICULARLY TRYING TO FIND
THOSE KIDS A HOME.
THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID MANY TIMES
HE'S SHARED THE STORY AGAIN
ABOUT HOW HE WAS DENIED -- THAT
HIS FAMILY WAS DENIED THE
ABILITY TO ADOPT A FOSTER CHILD
WHO WAS 11 YEARS OLD INTO THEIR
HOME BECAUSE THEY HAD OTHER
CHILDREN.
WELL, HE TURNED AROUND AND, LIKE
OTHER PEOPLE WHO GET DENIED
ADOPTIONS, THEY LOOK ELSEWHERE.
THEY ENDED UP ADOPTING FOUR
CHILDREN FROM ETHIOPIA.
HE MADE A YOKE JOKE THAT
SOMETIMES THEY MIGHT NOT ALL GET
BATHED OR, YOU KNOW, FED THE
RIGHT TYPE OF FOOD, BUT THEY
CARE ABOUT THEM, AND THAT WAS
ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT THE
SYSTEM DENYING THEM SAID THEY
WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF
THESE CHILDREN.
BUT THIS IS JUST PART OF THE
PUSH FROM THE GOVERNOR TO
IMPROVE THE STATE'S FOSTER CARE
SYSTEM, AND WE'VE SEEN
LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS KIND OF
DOVETAILING WITH THAT A LITTLE
BIT WITH SOME OF THE BILLS THAT
HAVE COME THROUGH THE
LEGISLATURE, THE FOSTER CHILD
LICENSE BILL, AND THE VICTIM KIN
BILLS.
AND SO THERE IS THIS NEW
ATTENTION THAT GOVERNOR HAS GOT
ON THE SUBJECT.
>> VERY BIG ISSUE FOR HIM
CERTAINLY, ONE OF HIS HIGH
PRIORITIES.
AND TOMORROW WILL BE ANOTHER
ISSUE THAT WHEN HE CAME INTO
OFFICE, HE SAID THAT WHAT HAD
HAPPENED UNDER HIS PREDECESSOR
WAS NOT SUSTAINABLE, THIS WAS
THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID IN
KENTUCKY, AND LO AND BEHOLD WE
LEARNED JUST BEFORE AIR TIME
TONIGHT THAT FORMER GOVERNOR
STEVE BESHEAR HAS ALSO CALLED A
NEWS CONFERENCE FOR TOMORROW.
RIGHT?
>> YEAH, WE PRESUME IT'S IN
RESPONSE TO WHATEVER MIKE PENCE
HAS TO STAY AND THE GOVERNOR HAS
TO SAY ABOUT THIS MEETING WITH
BUSINESS LEADERS IN LOUISVILLE.
>> IT'S REALLY KIND OF
INTERESTING.
HE CAME OUT SO FORCEFULLY
AGAINST THIS A YEAR AGO.
STARTED A NON-PROFIT.
IT WAS SCANDALOUS AT THE TIME.
HERE YOU HAVE A GUY WHO JUST
LEFT OFFICE AND THE PROTOCOL IS
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SHOW NOT
TEMPERATURES BUT YOU'RE SUPPOSED
TO BE SILENT.
LET THE NEW GUY BE GOVERNOR AND
YOU DON'T GET IN THE WAY.
BUT THEN HE STARTS THIS
NON-PROFIT, AND THEN HE KIND OF
GOES AWAY AGAIN.
YOU DON'T REALLY HEAR FROM HIM
FOR A WHILE.
MAYBE HERIN' MAYBE HE WAS
RAISING MONEY FOR IN NON-PROFIT
BUT THEN HE HAS RESPONSE TO
TRUMP'S ADDRESS DO CONFERENCE
AND NO HE HAS A NEWS CONFERENCE
TOMORROW.
>> SO WHAT WE DON'T KNOW IS HE
NOW A DESIGNATED RESPONDER BY
NATIONAL DEMOCRATS OR IS THIS
UNDER HESS OWN VOLITION HE'S
DECIDED TO DO THIS?
>> LARD TO SAY, BUT I THINK HE
REALLY EDS FEELS HE NEEDS TO
PROTECT HIS LEGACY HERE.
WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT STEVE
BESHEAR'S TIME AS GOVERNOR, I
THINK THE NUMBER ONE THING ON
THE LIST IS THE EXPANSION OF
MEDICAID AND KYNECT, AND HE'S
REALLY FIGHTING HARD TO PROTECT
THE PROGRESS THAT HE SES SEES,
THAT HE FEELS HE MADE, AND HE
WANTS TO PROTECT THAT PUBLICLY.
>> SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL HAS
SAID HE IS ON BOARD WITH THE GOP
PROPOSAL BECAUSE HE SAYS IT'S
THE ONE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP
WILL SIGN AND MAKE IT LAW.
HE IS NOT APPEARING WITH THE
VICE PRESIDENT TOMORROW.
>> NO, HE'S NOT, AND I DON'T
THINK HE'S SAID A WHOLE LOT
ABOUT THIS PUBLICLY OTHER THAN
HE'S GOING TO SUPPORT THE
PRESIDENT'S PLAN AND TRUMP HAS
BEEN LOBBYING FOR IT AS WELL TO
SOME EXTENT IN WASHINGTON.
BUT PENN STATE HAS SORT OF
BECOME THE SALESPERSON ON THIS.
HE'S MADE TWO APPEARANCES
PREVIOUSLY IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS
ON THIS IN WISCONSIN AND OHIO
TRYING TOW PROMOTE THE PLAN, AND
THIS IS SIMILAR WHERE THEY MEET
AT A CONTROLLED SORT OF EVENT
WITH INVITE BUSINESS LEADERS,
AND IT'S NOT AS OPEN TO THE
GENERAL PUBLIC.
>> DEBBIE, WHEN YOU LAY THESE
TWO SIDE BY SIDE, WHEN YOU LOOK
AT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OF
2010 AND THE PROPOSAL FROM THE
HOUSE REPUBLICANS THAT IS BEING
PUSHED, WHAT ARE THE MAIN
DIFFERENCES?
>> THE MAIN DIFFERENCES ARE MOST
OUTSIDE ANALYSIS SHOW THAT FEWER
PEOPLE WILL BE COVERED AND WILL
PROBABLY BE MORE EXPENSIVE, AND
A LARGE PART OF THAT IS THROUGH
A LOT OF AMERICANS BUY THEIR
COMMERCIAL PLANS THROUGH
OBAMACARE THROUGH TAX SUBSIDIES.
FAIRLY GENEROUS TAX SUBSIDIES
FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE.
AND WHICH MAKES IT AFFORDABLE.
THEY MAY PAY UP TO $100 OR LESS
A MONTH FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE.
TRUMP -- OR THE HOUSE PLAN
CHANGES IT TO A TAX CREDIT,
WHICH YOU GET ON YOUR INCOME
TAXES AT THE END OF THE YEAR
AFTER YOU PAY FOR YOUR TAXES,
AND THOSE AREN'T NEARLY AS
GENEROUS.
THEY THINK IT WILL BE HARDERED
FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE TO AFFORD
IT.
THE BIG THING FOR STATES,
ESPECIALLY STATES LIKE KENTUCKY
THAT RELY ON THE MEDICAID
PROGRAM, IS THAT IT WILL
ESSENTIALLY TURN MEDICAID AT
SOME POINT INTO A BLOCK GRANT
PROGRAM WHICH TURNS MONEY OVER
TO STATES AND GIVES THEM MORE
DISCRETION, BUT MOST EXPERTS
BELIEVE IT MEANS FAR LESS MONEY
THAN STATES ARE GETTING NOW IT.
>> WOULD PRETTY MUCH BE A CAP
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW --
>> IT'S AN OPEN CHECKBOOK.
IT'S AN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM.
>> THEY SAY YOU GET THIS MUCH
AND YOU HAVE TO DESIGN JURY
PROGRAM.
THE OTHER THING IT DOES CHANGES
THE WAY THE SUBSIDIES ARE AWARD
PD.
RIGHT NOW IT'S ON INCOME LEVEL.
THIS WOULD BE ON AGE.
AND ARP IS UPSET.
>> EVERYBODY IS UPSET.
THE AARP, ADVOCACY GROUPS,
NURSES GROUPS, HOSPITAL
ASSOCIATION, THEY'RE ALL VERY
UNHAPPY BECAUSE HOSPITALS
BENEFITED FROM THERE BY SHARPLY
CUTTING THE UNCOMPENSATED CARE.
SUDDENLY PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO PAY
FOR THEIR HEALTH COVERAGE, AND
THEY FIGURE IF PEOPLE LOSE IT --
>> BASICALLY THE OLDER YOU ARE,
THE LESS MONEY YOU GET UNDER
THIS PLAN.
>> ALL THESE NUMBERS ARE NOT
FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET
OFFICE BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL
WAITING ON THAT TO SCORE THIS
BILL, AND IT'S INTERESTING TO
HEAR PEOPLE DOWN PLAY THE CBO
NUMBERS BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS
WHAT PEOPLE FROM BOTH PARTIES TO
GO TO SAY, YOU CAN'T PASS --
>> THE NONPARTISAN IS AN --
>> DID A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO COST X
NUMBER OF JOBS.
>> WE MAY NOTE THAT
SENATOR McCONNELL WILL NOT BE
THERE FOR THAT.
SHE IS HEIG TRYING TO SHEPHERD
THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION
THROUGH.
BUT HE DID GIVE AN INTERVIEW THE
TOW POLITICO THIS WEEK IN WHICH
HE SAID THAT MEXICO WILL NOT BE
PAYING FOR THAT BORDER WALL.
HE DIDN'T ELABORATE MUCH BUT HE
PRIDES HIMSELF ON BEING A GOOD
VOTE COUNTER AND PRAGMATIC ABOUT
THINGS.
IS THAT SOME SORT OF SIGNAL TO
THE WHITE HOUSE?
>> I THINK SO.
I MEAN, IT WAS -- DO YOU WANT TO
HEAR THE QUOTE HOW HE SAID IT?
HE SAID IT KIND OF KIND WITH A
SMILE AFTERWARDS.
>> IT WAS TWO WORDS.
IT WAS LIKE UH, NO.
>> AND IT'S INTERESTING.
HE IS IS, YOU KNOW, A VERY
ADEPT, OBVIOUSLY MASTER OF THE
SENATE, AND HE KNOWS WHAT BILLS
ARE GOING TO PASS AND WHAT
BUILTS AREN'T GOING TO PASS, AND
HE ALSO ELABORATED IN THAT
INTERVIEW THAT THERE ARE PARTS
OF THE BORDER WHERE YOU
PHYSICALLY CAN'T BUILD A FENCE,
A WALL OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO
CALL THE IT.
YOU JUST CAN'T BUILD ANYTHING
THERE.
AND SO IT'S ALMOST LIKE HE'S
TRYING TO DOWN PLAY --
>> EXPECTATIONS?
>> -- EXPECTATIONS ON THAT,
GETTING ANOTHER COUNTRY TO PAY
FOR IT THROUGH, YOU KNOW, THESE
RENEGOTIATING TRADE DEALS,
TARIFFS, THAT SORT OF THING.
SO YOU KIND OF SEE HIM,
McCONNELL BEING A LITTLE BIT
OF A GOVERNOR -- WHEN TRUMP
START TO HAMMER ON THE RHETORIC,
YOU CAN KIND OF SEE HIM SLOWING
HIM DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
>> WELL, SO AS WE'RE WATCHING
WASHINGTON VERY CAREFULLY AND
ALL OF THE KENTUCKY PLAYERS
INVOLVED IN THE MIX OF NATIONAL
ISSUES, FRANKFORT IS ALSO
BUZZING AS THE 2017 LEGISLATIVE
SESSION IS NOW ROARING TOWARD
ITS ADJOURNMENT.
KEVIN, THE PUBLIC SCHOOL YEAR
COULD AS A RESULT LATER UNDER
SENATE BILL 50 IT.
REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO HAVE A
COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT THE SCHOOL
CALENDAR AND CONSIDER STRETCHING
OUT THE SUMMER.
>> RIGHT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN
CHAMPIONED BY THE SENATE
MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER DAMON
THAYER FOR A FEW SESSIONS NOW.
IT WOULD GIVE SCHOOLS THE
FLEXIBILITY IF THEY CHOOSE, TO
ADJUST THEIR CALENDAR, IF THEY
DON'T GO ANY EARLIER -- IF THEY
DON'T START SCHOOL ANY EARLIER
THAN THE MONDAY CLOSEST TO
AUGUST 26th.
FINALLY GOT THAT OUT.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO MEET THE
REQUIRED 170 DAYS OF INSTRUCTION
DAYS.
>> BUT THE HOURS.
>> THE HOURS.
AND SENATOR THAYER SAYS THIS IS
SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP THE
TOURISM INDUSTRY BECAUSE IT WILL
LENGTH THE AMOUNT OF SUMMER
VACATION THAT FAMILIES CAN TAKE,
THAT THERE ARE ARGUMENTS IN THE
PAST ABOUT THE STATE FAIR.
THAT'S AROUND THE TIME THAT SOME
SCHOOLS GO BACK.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE
TOURISM INDUSTRY IS BACKING IT
AND WOULD HOPE TO BOOST THEIR
NUMBERS A LITTLE BIT IN THE
STATE.
>> AND ONE OF THE THINGS THEY
KEPT STRESSING THAT THIS IS
VOLUNTARY.
THEY AREN'T GETTING INTO ISSUES
OF LOCAL CONTROL.
BUT I THINK WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO
SEE IS THAT THESE COMMITTEES,
THEY HAVE TO BE FORMED AT EACH
DISTRICT, AND THEIR
RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GOING TO BE
PUBLIC AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING
SEE SOME PUBLIC PRESSURE PUT ON
THESE SCHOOL BOARDS TO ADOPT
THESE PLANS, AND THAT COULD BE
THE INTRIGUING PART OF THIS.
>> DO SOME SCHOOL BOARDS TRY TO
BUILD IN SNOW DAYS THEY MIGHT
MISS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BY
STARTING EARLY?
>> THAT'S THE INCENTIVE IF YOU
ADOPT THIS PLAN, IF YOU MOVE
YOUR SCHOOL START DATE TO THE
MONDAY KLOSE TO AUGUST 26th
YOU WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THAT 170
DAYS RULE.
YOU COULD STILL -- YOU STILL
HAVE TO GET THE NUMBER OF HOURS
IN WHEN I WHICH I THINK IS
1,056.
YOU CAN CORRECT ME.
YOU CAN FUDGE A LITTLE BIT ON
THE THE DAYS TO GIVE THAL 62
MORE FLEXIBILITY.
THAT'S THE INCENTIVE THEY'RE
OFFERING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO
GET THIS BILL DONE.
>> THERE'S A BILL PUSHED BY
SENATOR ROBERT BENVENUTI ON ITS
WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK IT.
SAYS THOSE CONVICTED OF A
VEHICULAR HOMICIDE WHILE
IMPAIRED ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR
SHOCK PROBATIONS.
>> FAIRLY INTERESTING.
A GROUP HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR
THIS FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS AFTER
SOME I THINK WHAT THEY THOUGHT
WERE EGREGIOUSLY LENIENT SHOCK
PROBATION SENTENCES INVOLVING
DRUNK DRIVERS WHO KILLED PEOPLE,
AND IN ONE CASE KNOW A WOMAN WHO
KILLED A -- A DRUNK DRIVER
KILLED A 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN
LOUISVILLE GOT OUT AFTER FIVE
MONTHS ON A FIVE-YEAR SENTENCE.
TWO MONTHS.
LEGISLATORS HAVE CONCERNED ABOUT
IT.
ONE IS THEY FEEL LIKE SHOCK
PROBATION PROBABLY SHOULD BE UP
TO THE JUDGE, BUT THEMES TO BE
THE WRITER WENT THROUGH BOTH
CHAMBERS AND IS WAITING TO BE
SIGNED INTO LAW.
>> I REALLY LEARNED A LOT ABOUT
SHOCK PROBATION THROUGH THIS
PROCESS.
BASICALLY THE IDEA BEHIND IT IS
YOU GET SENTENCE TODAY THIS LONG
SENTENCE AND THEY LEAVE YOU IN
JAIL AND THEY THINK YOU'RE SO
SHOCKED BY IT THAT YOU'RE SCARED
STRAIGHT AND THEY LET OUT.
>> APPARENTLY THIS IS ONE
EXAMPLE CITED THAT SOMEONE
SERVED 62 DAYS.
>> THAT WAS THE TWO MONTHS OF A
FIVE-YEAR SENTENCE.
>> THERE'S AN ANTI-GANG BILL
ALSO MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH.
IT WOULD MAKE IT A FELONY TOW
RECRUIT GANG MEMBERS IN
KENTUCKY.
RIGHT NOW THAT'S A MISDEMEANOR,
SO THAT'S A BUMP UP IN THAT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
INTERESTING BABE DEBATE TO THAT,
TOO, BECAUSE A LOT OF OF THE
ISSUES OF RACE CAME INTO THAT
DEBATE BOUGHT THEY FELT THIS
MIGHT BE USED IN PROFILING OR
IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT'S
REALLY HARD TO PROVE, AND SO
THERE'S A LOT OF BIG QUESTIONS
ABOUT THAT GOING FORWARD, BUT IT
ULTIMATE PASSED.
>> SOMETIMES IT WILL BE ALL
CALM, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN
IT'S ON OVER THERE WHEN
SOMETHING COMES UP ATTORNEY
GENERAL ANDY BESHEAR WAS I HAVE
HAD LIVID WHICH SENATORS
CONSIDERED A BILL THAT WOULD
STRIP HIS OFFICE OF A LOT POWER
AND TRANSFER THOSE DUTIES OVER
TO THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
AND THIS REALLY CAME UP BECAUSE
LAST YEAR GENERAL BESHEAR SUED
THE GOVERNOR THREE TIMES, AND SO
WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS
BASICALLY TAKE AWAY HIS
ABILITY --
>> AND HE PREVAILED AT AT LEAST
TWO OF THOSE.
>> IT WOULD TAKE THE ABILITY OF
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SUE THE
GOVERNOR.
MEDICAID FRAUD.
HELP ME OUT.
>> CONSUMER PROTECTION CASES.
>> AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
RATE CASES.
RIGHT.
THOSE ARE VERY LARGE AREAS P.
BUT IT WOULD TAKE AWAY
EVERYTHING ELSE AND GIVE IT TO
THE GOVERNOR.
AND SO ATTORNEY GENERAL BESHEAR
WAS VERY LIVID ABOUT THIS AND HE
VIEWED THIS AS KIND OF LIKE --
POWER GRAB IS HOW HE DESCRIBED
IT.
>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL UNDER
THE CONSTITUTION IS REQUIRED TO
BE A PRACTICING LAWYER FOR EIGHT
YEARS.
THE GOVERNORS ARE NOT.
WE GO MANY YEARS BETWEEN HAVING
ATTORNEYS WHO ARE GOVERNORS,
RIGHT?
>> RIGHT.
>> THEY'RE GENERAL COUNSELS.
>> WHAT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT
THIS BILL IS IT POPPED, AS
THINGS OFTEN DO IN THE THE FINAL
DAYS OF LEGISLATURE, AS A
NOTORIOUS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
TO AN EXISTING BILL DEALING WITH
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SO
NO ONE SAW IT UNTIL IT POPPED UP
IN AN 8:00 A.M. COMMITTEE
MEETING.
ON THE 20th SOMETHING DAY OF
THE SESSION.
>> WE SHOULD NOTE THAT IT DIDN'T
PASS.
THEY ADJOURNED BEFORE THEY COULD
VOTE ON IT BUT IT COULD COME
BACK UP ON TUESDAY OR IT COULD
GO AWAY.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN JUST A
MESSAGE SENT.
>> DID ANYBODY BRING BRING UP
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PARTY
CONTROL IF EITHER OF THOSE
OFFICES CHANGE?
>> THAT IS WASN'TING.
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN WHITNEY
WESTERFIELD A REPUBLICAN WHO
LOST TO ANDY BESHEAR FOR
ATTORNEY GENERAL IN NOVEMBER, HE
SAID, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE REAL
PROBLEMS WITH THIS IS WHAT IF IN
A COUPLE OF YEARS THERE'S A
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND
REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT
THE SUPER MAJORITY IS LIKE, HE
SAID THEY WERE GOING TO REGREET
THAT WE PASSED THIS.
>> ROBERT BENVENUTI WHO IS A
REPUBLICAN, OF COURSE, LISTED
HIS ATTORNEYS CONCERNS WITH THE
PAST ATTORNEYS GENERAL, BEN
CHANDLER, BRINGING STUMBO, ANDY
BESHEAR, AND THEY'RE OF COURSE
ALL DEMOCRATS, AND WHEN SOMEONE
POINTED OUT THAT COULD CHANGE
BE, HE SAID, OF COURSE, IT WOULD
CUT BOTH WAYS BUT DIDN'T SEEM
CONCERNED.
>> AND THE GOVERNOR WON'T RADIO
TODAY AND BASICALLY SAID HE
SUPPORTS IT BECAUSE HE FEELS
LIKE HE'S HAVING TO SUE THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER THINGS
LIKE TRANSGENDER BATHROOMS WHEN
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD NOT.
SO HE WANTS THIS ABILITY.
>> TO NOT JUST TO DO IT WHEN HE
WANTS TO BUT THAT THAT BE THE
DUTY OF THE OFFICE.
>> BUT AGAIN THAT CUTS BOTH
WAYS, AS YOU SAY.
>> THE YOU BLUE LIVES THE MATTER
BILL HAS PASSED.
THERE WAS SURPRISINGLY STRONG
DEBATE ON THAT ISSUE.
>> IT WAS.
IT WAS VERY INTERESTING.
IT CAME IN THE SENATE FOR FINAL
PASSAGEIT.
IT HAD BEEN A CONTENTIOUS NISH
THE HOUSE BUT IN THE SENATE THE
TWO AFRICAN-AMERICAN SENATORS
BOTH EXPRESSED -- AND IS THIS IS
ALL VERY POLITE LIKE THEY DO IN
THE SENATE AND COUCHED IN
PROCEDURAL TERMS, BUT THEY BOTH
EXPRESSED DEEP-SEATED FEELINGS
ABOUT RACE AND HOW THE
UNDERLYING ISSUE WAS RACE, AND
HOW THEY FELT THIS THIS WAS
TRIGGERED BY DID BLACK LIVES
MATTER MOVEMENT, AN EFFORT TO
CHILL THAT, AND THEY ESSENTIALLY
SAID THIS ISSUE IS STILL HERE,
IT'S UNDER THE SURFACE, AND
UNTIL YOU SEE THAT, IT'S JUST
GOING TO KEEP GOING.
OF COURSE, THE BILL PASSED.
>> PEOPLE WOULD BE IN WORSE
TROUBLE FOR SHOOTING A POLICE
DOG GOING FORWARD ANOTHER
ANOTHER BILL.
>> MEANDER UNDER KENTUCKY LAW IF
YOU SHOOT A POLICE DOG OR INJURY
THE DOG AND THE DOG MAKES A FULL
RECOVERY EBI, YOU ARE ONLY
CHARGED WITH A MISDEMEANOR AND
THAT HELPED IN HARN NORTHERN
KENTUCKY WHERE A POLICE DOG WAS
SHOT TWICE, SAVED THE OFFICER'S
LIFE BUT RECOVERED, AND SO THEY
COULD ONLY CHANNELING THE DIE
ABOUT A MISDEMEANOR.
HE DID GO TO JAIL ON OTHER
CHARGES BUT IT DID UPSET THE
LOCAL OFFICIALS SO THEY PASSED
THE LAW AND SENT IT TO THE THE
GOVERNOR.
>> A REAL I.D. LAW HAS PASSED
AGAIN, AND LAST YEAR THE
GOVERNOR VETOED AT A AFTERIT
PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS.
THIS MEANS THAT YOU COULD
BASICALLY CHOOSE TO KEEP A
STANDARD DRIVER'S LICENSE AS YOU
HAVE NOW OR RENEW UNDER A
VERSION THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE
UNDER THE FEDERAL RULES TO GET
ON AN AIRPLANE.
AND APPARENTLY, COME
JANUARY 18th OF 2018, THE TSA
SCREENING GATE WILL DENY YOU IF
YOU DO NOT HAVE A REAL I.D.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
BUT I THINK THAT IN THIS CASE
EVEN IF THEY PASS THIS LAW, IT'S
GOING TO TAKE THEM A COUPLE
YEARS I THINK TO GET EVERYTHING
IN PLACE.
I THINK WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS
THEY'LL GIVE KENTUCKY ANOTHER
EXTENSION, BUT IF THEY DON'T
PASS THE LAW, THERE WILL BE NO
EXTENSION AND THEN YOU'LL BE OUT
OF LUCK AT THE AIRPORT.
>> THEY'RE LUCKY THEY GOT AN
EXTENSION.
THEY WERE SCRAMBLING TO GET IT
ONCE THE LAST ONE RAN UP, AND
THERE WAS ACTUALLY A PRETTY
BRIEF GAP WHERE PEOPLE WEREN'T
ALLOWED TO GO INTO MILITARY
BASES.
AND THE BIG THING ABOUT THIS
BILL I THINK TO WIN SOME SUPPORT
FROM CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS IS
TO MAKE THIS AN OPTIONAL THING,
NOT FORCE PEOPLE TO HAVE TO SHOW
THEIR BIRTHY CERTS OR ANYTHING
LOOK THAT.
THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SHOW
TO THE LOCAL COURTS.
>> AND ANOTHER THING TO ADD TO
THAT, I THINK TO GET MORE VOTES
IS THEY'RE GOING TO CHARGE, IF
YOU ARE NOT A U.S. CITIZEN
THEY'RE GOING TO CHARGE YOU AN
EXTRA $30 WHICH THEY SAID COVERS
THE COST OF THE EXTRA HOOPS THEY
HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH TO GET YOU
A REAL I.D.
>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW MANY PEOPLE RENEW A STANDARD
LICENSE AND THEN TRY TO GET ON A
PLANE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF
YEARS.
>> QUITE SURPRISED.
>> DEBBIE, SOME FAMILIES HAVE
BEEN CLOSELY WATCHING
LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO HELP THE
MENTALLY ILL.
IT'S CALL TIM'S BILL.
>> TIM'S LAW.
THAT'S ANOTHER ONE THAT'S BEEN
AROUND FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS NOW.
IT'S NAMED AFTER A MAN HERE IN
LEXINGTON WHO CYCLED IN AND OUT
OF HOSPITALS AND JAILS
REPEATEDLY THROUGHOUT HIS
LIFETIME.
HE'S DECEASED NOW.
BUT WHAT THEY'RE SEEKING IS TO
HAVE A JUDGE BE ALLOWED TO ORDER
OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR
SOMEONE.
RIGHT NOW A JUDGE CAN
INVOLUNTARILY ADMIT SOMEBODY TO
A HOSPITAL FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT
THEN THEY STABILIZE AND GET OUT,
AND THE FAMILIES SAY FOR SOME
SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE WHO
CAN'T RECOGNIZE THE NATURE OF
THEIR ILLNESS IT'S JUST GOING TO
KEEP REPEATING ITSELF.
SOME STATES HAVE TRIED THIS
COURT-ORDERED OUTPATIENT
TREATMENT AND HAVE HAD SOME
SUCCESS WITH IT.
SO THE BILL DID PASS A COMMITTEE
AND IS HEADED TO THE FULL HOUSE
FOR WHAT THEY HOPE IS FINAL
PASSAGE.
>> LANDLORDS NOT BE LIABLE IF A
TENANT'S DOG BIT SOMEONE UNDER A
BILL SPONSORED BY STATE
REPRESENTATIVE STAN LEE WHO IS
ALSO CELEBRATING THE FACT THAT
HE SAYS HIS PROPOSALS ARE
GETTING HEARD IN THE REPUBLICAN
DOMINATED LEGISLATURES AT THIS
POINT.
THAT WAS A LAW THAT HAD A LOT OF
INTEREST.
>> AND THIS CAME FROM A 2012
SUPREME COURT OPINION THAT FOUND
A LANDLORD TO BE LIABLE IN THE
EVENT OF A DOG BITE, AND SOME OF
THE ARGUMENTS IN THIS ONE REALLY
BOILED DOWN TO ARE PEOPLE GOING
TO HAVE, LOUISVILLE LANDLORDS --
LAND LOWERS WOULD HAVE TO PAY
HIRE LIABILITY INSURANCE.
CURRENTLY THEY HAVE -- IF THEY
ARE LIABLE FOR DOG-ESQUE
ATTACKERS, SOME PEOPLE ARE
AGAINST THE BILL AND IT PASSED
BY A WIDE MARGIN.
IT WOULD BE A LITTLE MORE
DIFFICULT FOR DOG OWNERS TO FIND
OUNCE AND THAT SORT OF THING.
THE ORIGINAL BILLS WAS SENATE
BILL 12 WHICH TURNED INTO THE
LOUISVILLE BILL.
>> THE LOUISVILLE BILL.
>>
>> Bill: A BILL ABOUT
RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL
EXPRESSION IN SCHOOLS PASSED THE
LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK, ADAM.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
IT'S KIND OF REFERRED AS TO
CHARLIE BROWN LAW.
YOU REMEMBER AN EASTERN
KENTUCKYAL 62 DISTRICT A YEAR OR
SO AGO THERE WAS A PERFORMANCE
OF A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS,
AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT STRIPPED
OUT THE FAMOUS SCENE WHERE LINE
US READS THE CHRISTMAS STORY
FROM THE BIBLE.
THEY SAID THEY DID THAT THE ON
THE COUNSEL OF THEIR ATTORNEY.
THIS LAW WOULD TRY TO PROTECT
THAT AND SAY ANY RELIGIOUS
EXPRESS OR POLITICAL SPEECH
WOULD BE PROTECTED IN SCHOOLS.
>> AS TIME IS TING FOR THE
LEGISLATURE AND FOR US, WHERE DO
THINGS STAND FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS
RIGHT NOW?
AND THEY BE THERE'S A
NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS BILL.
>> THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION.
CHARTER SCHOOLS, THAT'S THE BIG
THING LEFT.
ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO
IT.
IT'S VERY CONTROVERSIAL.
IT PASSED THE HOUSE.
IT SEEMS THEY HAVE RUN INTO SOME
PROBLEMS IN THE SENATE.
>> THE TWO BIG THING AT LEAST
FROM NICK STORM REPORTED THIS
WEEK THAT THERE ARE SOME
CONCERNS ABOUT OTHERRERS.
WHO IS ALLOWED TO --
AUTHORIZERS.
WHO IS ALLOWED TO APPROVE THESE
CHARTER SCHOOLS.
THE HOUSE PASSED AN AMENDED
VERSION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE
MAYORS OF LEXINGTON AND
LOUISVILLE PLUS THE SCHOOL
BOARD, AND THERE'S ALSO A
PROVISION IF AN APPLICATION GETS
DENIED THEY CAN APPEAL TO THE
STATE BOARD OF ACCESS EDUCATION
WHICH IS APPOINTED BY THE
GOVERNOR.
THERE'S ALSO QUESTIONS ABOUT
FUNDING.
RIGHT NOW IN THE BILL IT SAYS
MONEY FOLLOWS THE KID.
>> WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS.
>> RIGHT, THERE ARE SOME
EXCEPTIONS, BUT THERE'S STILL
SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, AND I
THINK, CORRECT ME IF I'M YONG,
BUT DIDN'T HOUSE SPEAKER HOOVER
SAY THERE WAS A DEADLINE ON THIS
NEXT WEEK?
>> YEAH, HE SAID THEY HAVE TO
PASS IT BY WEDNESDAY OR THEY'RE
NOT PASSING IT BECAUSE THEY'RE
NOT GOING TO COME BACK IN THE
TVEIDT OH PERIOD TO DO IT.
MEANWHILE,.
>> MEANWHILE THE NEIGHBORHOOD
BILL LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE
INDICT VINE.
THEY WERE TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE
TRYING TO SEIZE CONTROL OF
JEFFERSON COUNTY IS WHAT THIS IS
ALL ABOUT.
KEVIN BRATTER WHICH WANTS KIDS
TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THEIR LOCAL
SCHOOLS, THE SPONSOR.
AND THEY AMENDED TO IT MAKE IT
JUST ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, BUT
IT'S STILL KIND OF FOUNDERING IN
THE SENATE RIGHT NOW AMID
CONNECTION.
>> A BILL THAT WOULD PROHIBIT
SMOKING ON KENTUCKY SCHOOL
PROPERTIES LOOKS DEAD, RIGHT?
>> IT WOULDN'T JUST PROHIBIT
SMOKING.
IT WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF ANY
AND ALL TOBACCO PRODUCT AT
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL EVENTS.
THE SPEAKER SAID IT'S NOT
HAPPENING THIS YEAR.
>> ANYTHING ON YOUR WATCH LIST
AS FAR AS LEGISLATION?
>> THE CRIME BILL EXTEND
PENDING.
WHITNEY WESTERFIELD HAD TO A
BILL PENDING TO TRY TRO FORM THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM A LITTLE
BIT, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S THE
ONE THE GOVERNOR SUPPORTED
BECAUSE IT OFFERED AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR INMATES TO WORK
AND TRY TO GET THEM BETTER
FOLLOWED ONCE THEY ARE WERE
RELEASED FROM PRISON.
THAT COULD STILL PASS.
IT'S JUSTOVER IN THE HOUSE I
BELIEVE RIGHT NOW.
>> ADAM, WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?
>> REALLY IT'S THE CHART SCHOOL
BILL AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
SCHOOLS BILL.
THAT'S THE TWO GIG E. BIGGEST
THINGS PENDING.
>> PERFORMANCE BASED FUNDING.
>> FOR THE UNIVERSITIES.
DEB, I KNOW YOU HAVE LONG KEPT
TABS ON KENTUCKY'S CHILD
PROTECTION SYSTEM THROUGH
SEVERAL ADMINISTRATIONS.
THERE IS A FEDERAL REPORT OUT,
VERY TOUGH ON THE SYSTEM HERE.
>> YEAH, KWE FARED POO VIDEO
POORLY.
THE FEDS WHICH, OF COURSE,
SUPPLY MOST OF THE MONEY FOR
KENTUCKY'S CHILD PROTECTION OR A
GREAT PORTION OF IT DO A
PERIODIC REVIEWS AND THEY FOUND
KENTUCKY LACKING IN ALL SEVEN
BENCHMARK AREAS WHEN IT COMES TO
CHILD WELFARE AND CHILD
PROTECTION.
IT'S THE USUAL STUFF THAT'S
BUILT UP OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS.
LACK OF FUNDING WITH TURNOVER OF
SOCIAL WORKERS, HIGH DEMAND ON
THE SYSTEM.
>> GOV BEVIN GAVE ABOUT A 20%
PAY RAISE TO STATE JUVENILE
JUSTICE WORKERS.
I RAISES SALARIES FOR MORE THAN
400 EMPLOYEES TO KEEP THEM TO
THE JOB.
>> THEY HAD MORE THAN 100%
TURNOVER.
LAST YEAR THEY HIRED 151.
THEY LOST 180.
THAT'S UNSUSTAIN SABEL FOR A
STATE AGENCY.
>> KSU BOARD OF REGENTS SET TO
MEET MONDAY.
KEVIN, THEY GOING TO PIRE IR
HIGH PRESIDENT?
Y.
>> DON'T KNOW.
THERE'S THERE HAVE BEEN
CONCERNS.
THE LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE
JOB.
THE FACULTY SENATE IS RIGHT NOW
CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT
THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE A VOTE OF
NO CONFIDENCE ON THE BOARD.
>> INTERIM PRESIDENT AARON
THOMPSON IS NOT IN THE MIXED
APPARENTLY.
>> NO, HE'S A GUY THAT IS PRETTY
WELL LIKE ON THE CAMPUS.
>> THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT STORM
DAMAGE IN HICKMAN AND FULTON
COUNTY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
INVESTIGATING THAT.
AND GOVERNOR BEVIN HAS RETURNED
FROM LEADING A ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT TRIP TO JAPAN.
BY THE WAY, KENTUCKY'S ANNUAL
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DOWN TO 5% IN
2016.
IT HAD BEEN 5.3% IN 2015.
THAT'S THE LOWEST ANNUAL RATE
SINCE THE YEAR 2000.
THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."
WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD WEEK
AHEAD.