>> Bill: GOVERNOR BESHEAR LAYS
OUT HIS $23 BILLION STATE BUDGET
PROPOSAL.
HE WANTS TO STOP CUTS, GIVE SOME
RAISES, AND HIRE MORE SOCIAL
WORKERS.
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS REACT AND
PRESS FOR DETAILS.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS THE
BUDGET SPEECH CONTAIN PUPPY DOGS
AND RAINBOWS.
IS A SPORTS BETTING BILL GOING
TO PASS?
THE STATE AGRICULTURE
COMMISSIONER SAYS THE HEMP
INDUSTRY FACES BUREAUCRATIC
PARALYSIS.
AS WE WATCH FOR A GROUNDHOG,
FEBRUARY COMES IN WARMER.
"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.
BE GOOD EVENING.
I'M BILL BRYANT.
AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT
ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT THE
WEEK'S NEWS IN ITS
COMMONWEALTH.
AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF
WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS
TONIGHT ARE ARE:
MARCUS GREEN, REPORTER FOR WDRB
IN LOUISVILLE.
DEBORAH YETTER REPORTER FOR TO
COURIER-JOURNAL.
AND JOHN CHEVES REPORTER FOR THE
ELECTRICS HERD LEADER.
ALSO TONIGHT LEADERS IN THE
STATE HOUSE PUT A PRIORITY ON
EASING THE TRANSITION FROM
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO THE
WORKFORCE.
AND IN WASHINGTON THE
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL CONTINUES.
KENTUCKY SENATOR MITCH
McCONNELL TRYING TO STEER TO
IT A QUICK CONCLUSION.
BUT FIRST GOVERNOR BESHEAR
UNVEILED HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR
KENTUCKY FOR THE NEXT TWO
YEARS.
HE SAYS THE STATE IS THE IN A
POSITION TO END YEARS OF CUTS IN
SEVERAL AREAS.
>> THE LAST 14 YEARS OF CUTS DID
NOT SIMPLY CUT THE FAT.
THEY WENT DEEP INTO THE BONE
YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
TONIGHT I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT
I AM SUBMITTING A BUDGET THAT
ENDS THESE 14 YEARS OF PAINFUL
CUTS.
[APPLAUSE]
YES, WE HAVE STRUCTURED A
BALANCED, RESPONSIBLE BUDGET
THAT MAKES NO NEW CUTS TO OUR
GENERAL FUND.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Bill: SO THE GOVERNOR SAYS
KENTUCKY IS POSITIONED TO PAY
TEACHERS MORE AND STATE
EMPLOYEES AS WELL, TO END CUTS
TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, TO HIRE
HUNDREDS OF SOCIAL WORKERS.
LET'S TALK ABOUT HIS PROPOSAL,
JOHN.
>> John: WELL, YES, THIS WAS
THE FIRST BUDGET WE HAVE SEEN IN
A GOOD NUMBER OF YEARS, AS THE
GOVERNOR SAID, THAT DIDN'T LOOK
ENTIRELY LIKE AN AUSTERITY
BUDGET.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE CUTS ACROSS THE
BOARD TO A LOT OF CABINETS.
IT DIDN'T ZERO OUT VARIOUS
AGENCIES OUTSIDE OF GOVERNMENT
THAT RELIED ON STATE FUNDING.
HE RAISED OVER THE TWO YEARS
ABOUT $1.5 BILLION FROM EITHER
NATURALLY OCCURRING REVENUE JUST
COMING IN FROM NEW TAX
COLLECTIONS OR FROM NEW REVENUE
SOURCES OR FROM FUND TRANSFERS,
SWEEPING ACCOUNTS THAT WERE
MEANT FOR ONE THING BUT NOW
THEY'RE GOING TO GO INTO THE
GENERAL FUND.
>> Deborah: WHICH IS A TIME
HONORED PRACTICE I SHOULD POINT
OUT.
>> John: TIME HONOR PRACTICE
IN FRANKFORT.
SORRY, YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT WAS
JUST IS IT SITTING THERE AND WE
NEEDED IT.
WE HAVE PLANS FOR IT.
MAYBE YOU'LL GET IT BACK NEXT
TIME.
THAT'S HOW IT GOES.
AS YOU MENTIONED, FOR STATE
EMPLOYEES, FOR EXAMPLE, THESE
ARE PEOPLE THAT FOR MOST OF THE
LAST DECADE HAVE NOT SEEN A PAY
RAISE, AND THE COST OF LIVING
HAS GONE UP, AND BETWEEN THE
STAGNANT WAGES AND THE FACT THAT
FOR NEWLY HIRED STATE WORKERS
YOU DON'T GET A PENSION ANYMORE,
WORKING FOR KENTUCKY STATE
GOVERNMENT DOESN'T LOOK VERY
ATTRACTIVE AND SO HE'S OFFERED
THEM A 1% PAY RAISE FOR EACH OF
THE NEXT TWO YEARS WHICH REALLY
ISN'T GOING TO KEEP UP WITH THE
COST OF LIVING STILL.
AND IT'S WORTH POINTING OUT, AND
THIS ISN'T MEANT TO BE A KNOCK
ON THE GOVERNOR BUT A 1%
INCREASE, A 1% INCREASE FOR
HIGHER ED, A 1% INCREASE FOR
SCHOOLS, NEXT YEAR THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES THAT
INFLATION WILL BE ABOUT 2.1%, SO
THESE VERY MODEST INCREASES.
IN SPENDING PROBABLY WON'T EVEN
KEEP UP WITH THE COST OF
LIVING.
>> Bill: DID HE SEEM TO WANT
TO CROSS THE THRESHOLD OF BEING
ABLE TO SAY THE CUTTS ENDED.
>> John: EXACTLY, A 1%
INCREASE IS BETTER THAN LOSING
MONEY, AND A LOT OF THESE PLACES
HAVE BEEN LITERALLY LOSING MONEY
SO IT'S BENEFICIAL THE
PROVERBIAL PUNCH IN THE MOST.
>> Deborah: YEAR AFTER YEAR
WHEN THE BUDGET TAME QAIM
THROUGH THERE WOULD BE A
PERCENTAGE IS OF CUTS TO
AGENCIES FOR MANY AGENCY.
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MAY
NUMBER OF YEARS NOW.
>> Josie Raymond: IN HIGHER
ED, POST-SECONDARY, HIGHER
EDUCATION THEY WERE HOPING FOR A
6% INCREASE FOR FUNDING FOR
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ONE
YEAR AND AN 8% INCREASE THE NEXT
YEAR, AND I WAS AT A HOUSE
SUBCOMMITTEE BUDGET HEARING
WHERE HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS
WERE SAYING STILL OUR FINGERS
ARE CROSSED AS THE BUDGET WORKS
ITS WAY THROUGH.
MAYBE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO 6 AND
8 PERCENT INCREASE BUT STILL DO
BETTER THAN 1%.
>> Marcus: THIS BUDGET
PROPOSAL ALLOWS THE GOVERNOR TO
KEEP A PAWN PROMISE THAT HE MADE
TO GIVE TEACHERS A RAISE.
NOW IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE
$2,000 RAISE IS ACTUALLY MORE
LIKE A BONUS.
IT WOULD BE A ONE-TIME BONUS IN
FISCAL 2021 BUT IT DOES ALLOW
HIM TO KEEP AT LEAST ONE OF THE
PROMISES HE MADE ON THE CAMPAIGN
TRAIL.
>> Bill: I'M CURIOUS ABOUT
THAT BECAUSE I HEARD THAT.
IT IS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE
BUDGET AND NOT THE SECOND OR
DOESN'T RECUR?
>> Marcus: I BELIEVE IT'S A
ONE-TIME, A ONE-TIME BONUS.
>> Deborah: YOU MAINTAIN
DOESN'T GO INTO THEIR BASE
SALARY AND STAY THERE?
I WASN'T AWARE OF THAT.
>> Marcus: I'M NOT REALLY
SURE.
>> Bill: I HAD HEARD THAT.
WHICH IT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING
WEEK TO SORT ALL OF THIS OUT,
RIGHT?
I MEAN, IT'S A COMPLICATED
DOCUMENT, OBVIOUSLY.
>> Deborah: THEY DIDN'T HAVE
MUCH TIME TO GET IT TOGETHER.
>> Bill: I INTERVIEWED THE
GOVENOR TODAY, AND SHE HAD AT
THIS POINT THERE'S UGLIES
CONSULTATION GOING NOW BETWEEN
HIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.
AS WE ALL KNOW, THERE WAS SOME
CRITICISM BY LEGISLATIVE
LEADERSHIP ABOUT THEM FINING OUT
WHEN THE PUBLIC DID ABOUT THE
BUDGET PROPOSAL.
>> Deborah: BUT IT WAS A
BIPARTISAN SNUB.
HE DIDN'T INFORM DEMOCRATIC
LEADERS EITHER/OR THE
REPUBLICANS.
THEY ALL COMPLAINED THAT HE DID
GIVE THE PRESS A BRIEFING IN
ADVANCE.
I WOULD SAY THE RESPONSE FROM
THE LEADERSHIP, THE REPUBLICAN
LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND
SENATE WAS LUKEWARM.
THEY JUST APPEARED POLITE BUT
UNENTHUSED ABOUT SOME OF HIS
PROPOSALS AND THOUGHT THEY WERE
OVERLY AMBITIOUS AND DID
COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TRANSFERS
THAT IT RELIES ON TO SOME
EXTENT.
>> Bill: LET'S HEAR JUST A
LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.
REPUBLICANS EXPRESSED
FRUSTRATION THAT THEY DIDN'T
KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S
SPENDING PLAN UNTIL AFTER
REPORTERS DID AND AFTER THE
SPEECH WAS GIVEN.
THEY QUESTIONED SOME OF THE
NUMBERS AND KET'S RENEE SHAW GOT
REACTION FROM SPEAKER OSBORNE
AND SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS.
>> WELL APPARENTLY WE ARE MORE
FLUSH WITH CASH THAN WE POSSIBLY
IMAGINED WE WERE COMING INTO IT,
BUT, LOOK AT THIS POINT IN TIME
I BELIEVE THAT IT'S -- IT'S NOW
TIME TO GET DOWN TO WORK, AND
TRULY DIG INTO THESE NUMBERS,
TRY TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT
HE HAS JUST PROMISED.
>> THIS WAS ALL PUPPIES DOGS AND
RAINBOWS -- PIP DOGS AND
RAINBOWS BUT IT IS NOW TYPE AND
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAUGHT MY
EYE IS HE'S GOING TO USE
ONE-TIME DOLLARS FROM
SETTLEMENTS TO BOLSTER THIS
BUDGET.
HOW MUCH IS THAT?
THAT'S A STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE
USING ONE-TIME DOLLARS TO FIRE
RECURRING EXPENSES.
>> Bill: ALL RIGHT.
THERE'S SOME FRANKFORT TERMS
FLOWING OUT THERE.
STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE AND FUND
TRANSFERS.
>> John: THERE'S A LITTLE BIT
OF DISINGENUOUS TALK THERE.
SENATOR STIVERS IS RIGHT THAT
IT'S STRUCTURALLY IMBALANCED
WHEN IT'S A NOT RECURRING.
ON THE OTHER HAND THEY ADO
THAT.
SENATE AND HOUSE SIGNED OFF FOR
IT FOR GOVERNOR BEVIN FROM THEIR
OWN PARTY AND GOVERNOR STEVE
BESHEAR BEFORE.
THERE'S SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS,
AGAIN, IN FUND TRANSFERS AND
OTHER MONEY THEY GRABBED IN
GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S BUDGET.
THERE WAS TWICE THAT, MORE THAN
$600 MILLION IN FUND TRANSFERS
IN EACH OF GOVERNOR BEVIN'S
BUDGETS WHICH THE LEGISLATURE
SIGNED OFF ON.
SO IF YOU THINK FUND TRANSFERS
ARE A BAD IDEA, THIS IS ONLY
HALF AS BAD OF AN IDEA AS THEY
WERE UNDER GOVERNOR BEVIN.
>> Bill: IS THE FUND TRANSFER
ANY MORE COMPLICATED THAN IF
THERE IS A $100,000 ALLOCATION
ON A LINE AND $50,000 WAS SPENT,
THAT THE OTHER $50,000 IS --
>> John: WE'VE GOT SOMETHING
CALLED THE PETROLEUM STORAGE
TANK REMOVAL FUND, AND I MAY
HAVE IT A LITTLE BIT WRONG BUT
THESE ARE THE UNDERGROUND GAS
TANKS A GAS STATIONS.
THEY LEAK LEAD, BENZENE, THE
OTHER TOXIC ELSE CHEMICAL INTO
THE ENVIRONMENT.
WE'VE GOT GET RID OF THEM.
PROPERTY OWNERS ASKED FOR MONEY
FROM THE STATE TO CLEAN UP THE
SOIL.
IT'S A SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEM AND WE'VE GOT A BIG I
POT OF MONEY TO DO IT.
EVERY BUDGET CYCLE WE RAID THAT
FUND TO BALANCE THE GENERAL
FUND, AND THIS IS A REAL THING
BECAUSE THAT MONEY WAS SUPPOSED
TO GO FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
CLEANUP.
BUT THE MONEY WAS SITTING THERE,
AND SO WE USED IT TO BALANCE THE
BUDGET, TO DO GOOD STUFF FOR
SCHOOLS, DO GOOD STUFF FOR
PARKS, DO STUFF FOR PRISONS THAT
E. THAT WE NEED TO DO.
WAS THE MONEY JUST SITTING
THERE?
YES.
DID IT HAVE ANOTHER PURPOSE THAT
WE WANTED TO ADDRESS?
YES.
AND YOU MULTIPLY THAT BY DOZENS
OF BANKING ACCOUNTS THROUGHOUT
STATE AGENCIES AND THOSE ARE
FUND TRANSFERS.
>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE
EVER REVENUE.
THERE WOULD BE IN THE BESHEAR
BUDGET AN INCREASE OH CIGARETTE
TAXES.
>> Deborah: YES, HE'S
PROPOSING A 10 CHRISTIANITY PACK
INCREASE ON CIGARETTES, WHICH IS
PRETTY MODEST.
IT WENT UP 50 CENTS TWO YEARS
AGO, I BELIEVE.
THE ADVOCATES HAD ARGUED FOR A
DOLLAR A PACK SAYING THAT WOULD
DISCOURAGE SPOKE SMOKING AND
BRING IN MORE REVENUE P THEY
SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE AND GOT 50
CENTS CENTS A PACK.
HE'S ALSO PROPOSING A TAX ON
VAPING PRODUCTS SOMEWHAT LESS
THAN WHAT REPRESENTATIVE JEREME
MILLER OF LOUISVILLE HAS
SUGGESTED.
AND ADVOCATES ARE REALLY,
REALLY, REALLY, THEN WANT A
VAPING TAX BECAUSE THEY SAY THIS
WILL DISCOURAGE YOUTHS FROM THIS
EXPLOSION OF VAPING AMONG YOUTHS
WHO ARE NOW GETTING ADDICTED TO
NICOTINE BECAUSE THAT'S PRODUCTS
ARE FARRELL FAIRLY CHEAP AND
EASILY ACCESSIBLE.
SO.
THERE IS NO EXCISE TAX ON THEM
NOW.
THAT ESCAPED THE BUDGET SOMEHOW
LAST TIME AROUND.
SO THEY WANT TO ADD THAT AND
THAT WOULD BRING IN MORE
REVENUE.
>> Bill: SPORTS BETTING IS
PART OF THE REVENUE SIDE, AND
ONE SOURCE TOLD ME TODAY THAT
SUPPORTERS ARE STILL TRYING TO
LINE UP REPUBLICAN VOTES IN THE
HOUSE TO TRY TO GET THAT PASSED
ALONG WITH SOME DEMOCRATS.
IS THAT GOING TO GET THROUGH
BOTH CHAMBERS?
>> Marcus: THAT IS ONE OF THE
BIGGEST QUESTIONS OF THIS
SESSION SO FAR, IS WHAT ARE THE
PROSPECTS FOR THIS SPORTS
GAMBLING BILL.
IT SAILED OUT OF COMMITTEE BUT
JUST THIS WEEK THE FAMILY
FOUNDATION DECLARED THE BILL IN
TROUBLE, AND THERE IS A QUESTION
ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT DOES
HAVE LEGS GOING FORWARD, AND THE
GOVERNOR IS COUNTING THAT
REVENUE AS PART OF HIS REVENUE
PLAN FOR THIS BUDGET.
HE'S COUNTING SOME THINGS THAT
HE KNOWS HE HAS SOME REPUBLICAN
SUPPORT FOR.
AT LEAST REPUBLICANS SUPPORT
SPORTS BETTING.
CAN IT MAKE IT OUT OF HOUSE BUT
ALSO THE SENATE.
>> John: THE BUDGET DEPENDS ON
SPORTS GAMBLING PASSING.
THE BUDGET DEPENDS ON THE HIGHER
TAX ON LIMITED LIABILITY
ENTITIES.
I MEAN, IF THE LEGISLATURE
DOESN'T GO ALONG WITH SOME OF
THESE INCREASES OR MEW SOURCES
OF REVENUE THEN WHAT DOESN'T
GETS PAID FOR?
>> Bill: IT'S NOTABLE HE DID
NOT PREDICATE HIS PLAN ON ANY
MONEY FROM CASINOS.
>> Deborah: HE WAS VERY CLEAR
ABOUT THAT.
HE STRONGLY EMPLOYEES HAVE IN
CASINOS.
HE THINKS WE'RE LOOKING MONEY
OUT OF STATE.
IT WOULD BRING A LOT OF MONEY
BACK TO KENTUCKY.
THE SENATE DECLARED IT DEAD ON
ARRIVAL SO HE'S NOT PROPOSING IT
FOR NOW.
>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR DID
INCLUDE THE HIRING OF 350 NEW
SOCIAL WORKERS WHO WOULD COME IN
TO HANDLE A HEAVY CASELOAD.
IS THAT THE REASON -- I MEAN, IS
BURN-OUT THE REASON WE HAVE SUCH
DIFFICULTY APPARENTLY IN FILLING
THOSE POSITIONS?
>> Deborah: I THINK THAT'S THE
NUMBER ONE REASON.
WHEN OF GOVERNOR BEVIN AND HIS
ADMINISTRATION DID GET A LITTLE
MORE MONEY IN FOR RAISES FOR
STATE SOCIAL WORKERS, BUT WHEN I
TALKED TO THEM LAST YEAR FOR
SOME WORK I DID, THEY
INDICATED -- I MEAN, SOME OF
THEM ARE CARRYING CASE LOADS OF
40, 50, 60 FAMILIES OF CHILD
ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES.
THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL IS 17 PER
WORKER.
THE STATE CLAIMS IT IS AVERAGE
IS 19, BUT MANY OF THESE WORKERS
TELL ME THAT THE REAL NUMBERS OF
WAY OVER THAT DEPENDING ON WHERE
YOU WORK AND WHAT THE
SITUATION'S LYING LINING IN YOUR
COMMUNITY AND THEY'RE EXHAUSTED
AND BURNED OUT.
I HAVE TALKED TO WORKERS WHO
WERE LEFT FOR WORK IN THE
PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE IN THE PAST HEAD OF SOCIAL
SERVICES HEAD UNDER BEVIN SAID
IT'S A REVOLVING DOOR.
>> Bill: HOW LONG WOULD IT
TAKE TO IDENTIFY AND HIRE AND
TRAIN 350 NEW SOCIAL WORKERS?
>> Deborah: I THINK THAT WOULD
TAKE PROBABLY A COUPLE OF
YEARS.
IT TAKES MONTHS TO GET THE
GET THEM TO THE POINT WHERE
THEY'RE ABLE TO CARRY CASELOADS
AND THEN YOU HAVE TO ASSUME
YOU'RE NOT LOSING OTHERS AS FAST
AS YOU BRING THE NEW ONES IN.
>> Bill: THE GOVERNOR COULD
NOT CRAFT A BUDGET PROPOSAL
WITHOUT ADDING MORE MONEY FOR
CORRECTIONS WITH THAT LARGE
PRISON POPULATION WE HAVE.
WE CALLED THAT A MORAL ISSUE.
>> JENNIFER:
>> John: HE SAYS THE GOVERNOR
HAD ALREADY WARNED US A COUPLE
WEEKS AGO THAT HE'S GOING TO
HAVE TO ADD MORE THAN
$100 MILLION JUST IN THE NEXT
TWO AND A HALF YEARS TO DEAL
WITH THE RISING INCARCERATED
POPULATION.
WE GOT ABOUT 24,000 PEOPLE
BEHIND BARS.
AND WE'VE GOT SOME OLDER
CRUMBLING STATE PRISONS.
WE'VE GOT TWO PRIVATE PRISONS
UNDER LEASE CONTRACT WITH THE
STATE.
THE GOVERNOR WOULD LOVE TO
SHRINK THAT INMATE POPULATION.
WE CAN SAVE $12 MILLION FOR
EVERY 1,000 FEWER INMATES WE
HAVE, BUT IT'S NOT UP TO HIM.
HE DOESN'T GET TO FILE A BILL IN
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO ANY LAW
THAT WE WOULD PASS THAT WOULD
SOMEHOW LOOK LIKE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE REFORM THAT WOULD
INCARCERATE FEWER PEOPLE, THAT'S
GOING TO BE UP TO THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.
I MEAN, ALL HE CAN DO IS KIND OF
PUSH IT, USE THE BULLY PULPIT,
AND AGAIN WE'RE STILL WAITING,
YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING
RIGHT NOW THAT LOOKS LIKE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM COMING
OUT OF OF THE LEGISLATURE AT
THIS POINT.
>> Deborah: IT WOULD BE A
SIGNIFICANT RESTRUCTURING THINGS
LOOK THE PAROLE SYSTEM, THE
PENAL CODE, THE REENTRY, ALL OF
THAT.
IT WOULD TAKE A MAJOR OVERHAUL.
THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE
WILL FOR THAT.
>> John: IT WOULD.
THIS ISN'T SOMETHING YOU DO A
DAY 30 OF THE 60-DAY SESSION.
THIS IS WHAT YOU DO THE SPRING
BEFORE.
YOU GET EVERYBODY COMFORTABLE
AND GET THEM ONBOARD AND
CONVINCE THEM ALL HECK ISN'T
GOING TO BREAK LOOSE IF YOU GET
SMARTER ABOUT HOW YOU HANDLE
INCARCERATION.
JUST A WAY OF EXAMPLE, BY THE
WAY, THE THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS SENT OUTS A NEWS
RELEASE THIS EVENING SAYING IT'S
GOING TO SHUT DOWN THE BELL
COUNTY JAIL BECAUSE THEIR SMOKE
REMOVAL SYSTEM IS UNSAFE, IT'S A
FIRE SAFETY THING, AND WE LOOKED
UP THE NUMBERS OUT OF CURIOSITY,
IT'S A 59 BED JAIL THAT'S GOT
ABOUT 130-SOMETHING PEOPLE
PEOPLE.
IT'S 200% OF CAPACITY AND IT'S
HOLDINGS STATE INMATES SERVING
FELONY TIME.
THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING YEARS IN
THE BELL COUNTY JAIL WHICH HAS
TWO AND A HALF TIMES AS MANY
PEOPLE IN IT THAT'S GOING ON ALL
OVER THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS POWERLESS TO
STOP IT.
>> Bill: WE TALKED ABOUT 1%
INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR HIGHER
EDUCATION BUT THE REGIONAL
UNIVERSITIES AND THESE
QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES ALL
FACE PENSION SITUATIONS AND BIG
DECISIONS RIGHT NOW AND SOME BIG
NUMBERS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO
WORK WITH.
>> Deborah: YOU'RE TALKING
ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM A MAJOR
REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES ON DOWN TO
LIKE THE INDIVIDUAL DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND THE
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH
AGENCIES.
OFF THEM DON'T HAVE A MAGIC WAY
TO GO OUT AND RAISE MONEY.
THEY RELY ON THEIR STATE MONEY,
WHATEVER THEY CAN BILL FOR
SERVICES.
>> John: THEY WERE LOOKING A
JUMP FROM 49% OF THEIR PAYROLL
AS A PENSION CONTRIBUTION RATE
TO 93% CAN WHEN CHARITABLE
ORGANIZATIONS A LOT OF COUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENTS SAID WE'RE
GOING TO HAVE TO CLOSE.
WE'RE ALREADY CURRENT SERIOUS
JOBS.
SO GOVERNOR BESHEAR TRIED TO
OFFER THEM A COMPROMISE IN HIS
BUDGET.
HE SAID, I'LL CAP, STINNED
SEVEN-DAY FORECAST YOU JUMPING
FROM 49% TO 93%, I'LL MEET YOU
HALFWAY.
I'LL CAUGHT UP 67% OF YOUR
PAYROLL WHICH IS STILL VERY
HEFTY, AND I'LL THROW IN A
LITTLE EXTRA.
SO KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
WON'T GET THE 93% BUT IT WILL
GET THE 84 CONTRIBUTION RATE.
IT'S A LOT OF NUMBERS.
I KNOW IT'S COMPLICATED.
ESSENTIALLY I WILL SUBSIDIZE THE
REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES AND THESE
COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, THESE OTHER
SO-CALLED QUASI-USUALLY
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.
THAT'S MY WAY OF HELPING YOU.
THE DOWNSIDE AS WE DISCOVERED
THURSDAY, THE KENTUCKY
RETIREMENT SYSTEM'S DIRECTOR
TESTIFIED AND SAID THAT MEANS
WE'RE GOING TO BE SHORT TENS OF
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WE WERE
EXPECTING.
THAT MEANS YOU'RE NOT MAKING THE
FULL PENSION PAYMENT YOU SAID
WERE YOU MAKING.
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HEMMED AND
HUD WITH US WHEN HE ASKED HIM.
THAT'S RIGHT.
WE'LL BE $25 MILLION SHORT A
YEAR OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS,
$50 MILLION TOTAL.
>> Bill: BUT ALSO MINUTES OUT
HE'S PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO
IT.
>> John: YEAH, IT'S BETTER
THAN IT WAS THIS YEAR.
SO IT'S $50 MILLION SHORT OVER
TWO YEARS, BUT IN THE GOVERNOR'S
DEFENSE, IF WE ASK THESE QUASIS
TO GIVE EVERYTHING, SOME OF THEM
ARE JUST GOING TO COLLAPSE, SO
THIS IS A NO-WIN SCENARIO.
>> Bill: TRANSPORTATION.
MARCUS, ISSUES WERE MENTIONED.
WERE THEY CONFRONTED HEAD-ON
UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN?
>> Marcus: WELL, THE GOVERNOR
DID RELEASE HIS HIGHWAY PLAN.
THIS IS THE MAIN ROAD SPENDING
DOCUMENT.
IT NOW IS GOING TO GO INTO THE
LEGISLATURE FOR THEIR TAKE AND
ULTIMATELY CRAFT SOMETHING THAT
WILL GOVERNING HOW THE NEXT
COUPLE OF YEARS GO.
BUT THE BIG QUESTION, I THINK,
FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE IS WHAT IS
GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE GAS TAX
AND WHETHER OR NOT THE
LEGISLATURE OR THE GOVERNOR WILL
COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF RAISING
THE GAS TAX AND DOING OTHER
TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION
MODERNIZATIONS, AS IT'S CALLED,
CHANGING THE MAIN FORMULA THAT
ADDRESSES HOW RURAL AND URBAN
AREAS GET THEIR FUNDING.
THE GOVERNOR'S NOT COME OUT AND
TAKEN A POSITION ON THE GAS TAX,
AND I THINK THE ELEPHANT IN THE
ROOM RIGHT NOW IS A BILL, SENATE
BILL 4 WHICH IS A BILL THAT
WOULD OVERHAUL HOW THE GOVERNOR
APPOINTS A TRANSPORTATION
SECRETARY.
THIS IS BALE SPONSORED BY
SENATOR STIVERS AND
SENATOR ERNIE HARRIS,
SENATOR JIMMY HIGDON.
THIS BILL WOULD ESSENTIALLY
CREATE A BOARD CALLED THE
TRANSPORTATION BOARD, AND THAT
BOARD WOULD PRODUCE NOMINATIONS
AND THE GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE TO
CHOOSE AMONG THOSE NOMINEES WHO
THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY
WOULD BE, AND THAT BOARD WOULD
ALSO HAVE CONTROL OVER THE FIRST
DRAFT OF THE HIGHWAY PLAN.
SO ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE GOING
TO HAVE TO PLAY OUT.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHERE THIS
BILL GOES, BUT THE GOVERNOR'S
PLAN AS IT STANDS REALLY
EMPHASIZE HEADS RURAL ROADS, I.
EMPHASIZES GUARDRAILS AND STATE
OF REPAIRS, THE MOUNTAIN
EXPANSION IN EASTERN KENTUCKY
AND PROVIDES MONEY FOR THE I69
BRIDGE BETWEEN COMMANDERS
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, TO CONTINUE
ALONG.
IT DOESN'T FUND IT BUT IT ALLOWS
IT TO CONTINUE TOWARDS
ULTIMATELY A FINANCING PLAN
THAT'LL ALLOW THAT PROJECT TO
MOVE FORWARD.
>> Bill: AND AS MUCH AS WANT
HAD TO PLAN TRANSPORTATION
PROJECTS THINGSING HAPPEN.
CELLULAR EARLIER THIS WEEK WE
DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THE I275 BARGE
WAS STRUCK BY A BARGE ON THE
WHOA RIVER WHAT EXPENSE WILL
BE.
FORTUNATELY THAT WAS MINIMAL.
BUT WE HAD THE SITUATION IN
LOUISVILLE A LITTLE BAG, THE
FERRY BRIDGE.
YOU CAN HAVE AN EARTHQUAKE
SITUATION.
TRANSPORTATION COSTS CAN QUICKLY
RISE.
>> Marcus: RIGHT.
AND AGAINST THAT BACKDROP IS A
MAJOR NEW CHANGE THIS FISCAL
YEAR WHICH IS KENTUCKY HAS LOST
WHAT ARE CALLED TOLL CREDITS.
THIS ISN'T REAL MONEY BUT THIS
IS MONEY THAT THE STATE'S BEEN
ABLE TO USE AS A MATCH FOR
FEDERAL PROJECTS IN THE PAST,
AND THAT MONEY HAS FINALLY
DRAPED.
KENTUCKY'S A LAMONT HAS DRAPED.
NOW KENTUCKY IS GOING OVER USE
STAGNANT FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR ITS
MATCH.
>> Bill: ARE WE GOING TO MAKE
THE ON THE REAL IDs BY THIS
NEW DEADLINE OF THIS YEAR?
>> Marcus: I ONLY GET THAT
QUESTION ABOUT 500 TIMES A DAY,
SO RIGHT NOW THE STATE DOES HAVE
TO GET IT DONE BY OCTOBER THE
1st AND THE TRANSPORTATION
CABINET IS OVERSEEING THAT
ROLL-OUT.
I DON'T KNOW WHEN JEFFERSON
COUNTY IS GOING TO GET THEIRS.
>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME
OTHER OFF-THE-BUDGET TOPICS A
BIT.
DEBBIE, THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS
WANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF
WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION WHERE
KENTUCKY RANKS VERY LOW.
>> Deborah: YEAH, THAT'S AN
INTERESTING STATISTIC.
WE DO RANK LOW.
ON THE OTHER HAND, AS FOLKS ON
THE OTHER SIDE WILL POINT OUT,
IT HAS TO DO WITH NUMBER OF
ELDERLY, DISABLED, AND AGING
POPULATION, AND AS WELL AS
STUDENTS AND OTHERS WHO CAN'T
WORK.
BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON WE DO
HAVE A LOWER WORKFORCE
PARTICIPATION.
THEY'D LIKE TO SEE MORE IN.
SO THEY CAME UP WITH HOUSE
BILL 1 WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTS AND
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE TO GET
INTO THE WORKFORCE.
THIS FOLLOWS A YEAR-LONG OR
SIX-MONTH SERIES OF MEETINGS ON
THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REFORM
TASK FORCE THEY CREATED WHICH
THEY HEARD FROM FOLKS ALL OVER
THE STATE, AND I THINK WERE
SURPRISED TO REALIZE THAT A LOT
OF PEOPLE WERE WORKING BUT ARE
IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY CAN'T
WORK MORE HOURS OR THEY LOSE
THEIR FOOD STAMPS OR THEY LOSE
THEIR HEALTH CARE, AND SO THIS
BILL ATTEMPTS TO ADDRESS WHAT'S
CALLED THE BENEFITS CLIFF SO YOU
DON'T FALL OFF THE CLIFF AS SOON
AS YOU MAKE A LITTLE MORE MONEY
OR TAKE A BETTER JOB.
>> Bill: THAT'S THE PRIORITY
BILL IN THE HOUSE.
JOHN, KENTUCKY HOUSE VOTED TO
STRENGTHEN THE LEGISLATIVE
ETHICS CODE BY ADDING SEXUAL
HARASSMENT.
>> John: YES.
THIS IS THE BILL BY
REPRESENTATIVE KIMBERLY MOSER.
IT CAME OUT OF YOU THE HOUSE
TODAY.
THE LEGISLATIVE ETHICS
COMMISSION WOULD GET THE
AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE CASES OF
SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION, SEXUAL
HARASSMENT INVOLVING LAWMAKERS,
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE STAFF
AND BE LOBBYISTS, AS I
UNDERSTAND IT.
THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE HOUSE
SEXUAL HARASSMENT SCANDAL WE SAW
A FEW YEARS AGO UNFORTUNATELY.
AND IT GOES TO THE SENATE NOW
FOR ACTION THERE.
>> Bill: THE HEMP INDUSTRY HAS
HAD A LOT TO CELEBRATE IN RECENT
YEARS, INCLUDING THE NATIONWIDE
LEGALIZATION, WHICH WAS REALLY
THE PUSH WAS STARTED HERE IN
KENTUCKY, BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN
THERE ARE SOME REAL CONCERNS
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE
INDUSTRY.
>> John: THERE ARE.
WE HAD TWO COMPANIES, JENN
CANADA AND WINCHESTER, AND THE
OWNER OF SUNDSTRAND IN
LOUISVILLE WHO BOTH WOUND UP IN
BANKRUPTS THEY WEEK.
DIFFERENT SETS OF PROBLEMS BUT
BOTH CAME DOWN TO CASH FLOW
ISSUES, DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY
TO PAY THEIR BILLS.
AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE AT
THE SAME TIME THIS LAST WEEK
GOVERNOR BESHEAR OVERSHAW GIVING
$1 MILLION TO YET ANOTHER --
HEMP INDUSTRY BEEN HERE IN
KENTUCKY.
SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.
BUT THE HEMP FARMERS SEEM TO BE
SORT OF STRUGGLING TO FIND
ENOUGH PLACES TO GIVE THEIR
CROPS.
WRITE-IN QUARLES, THE
AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER, MET
WITH THE FDA IN WASHINGTON AND
SORT OF BEGGED THEM TO CREATE A
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR HEMP
PROCESSING, AND CREATE SOME
CERTAINTY IN THIS MARKET.
LAST NOVEMBER THE FDA HAD ISSUED
A WARNING LETTER AND TOLD
AMERICANS YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL
CONSUMING FDA FOOD PRODUCT, YOU
NEED TO BE BEWARE OF THE SOME OF
THE HYPE OF CBD THAT YOU SEE IN
THE STORES AND ALL THE
ADVERTISEMENTS BECAUSE THEY SAID
THEATRE REALLY REGULATING THIS
AND IT'S THE WILD WEST, AND THAT
COOLED OFF COMPANIES BIKE
STARBUCKS AND PEPS COTHAT WERE
THINKING OF GETTING INTO CBD AND
GETTING INTO HEMP.
>> Bill: LENDERS.
>> John: IT'S EARLY DAYS FOR
HEMP, AND I LOT OF FARMERS ARE
SITTING ON BIG BATCHES OF CROP
AND HAVING A HARD TIME SELLING
IT NOW SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
SEE HOW THIS SHAKES OUT.
>> Bill: KENTUCKY BEFORE A NEW
HEALTH INJURIES DR. STEVEN STACK
WHO ONCEDDED UP THE AMERICAN
HEALTH SPONTANEOUS WE HAVE HAD A
MAJOR FLU SEASON AND
CORONAVIRUS.
HEAL HE'LL HAVE A LOT ON HIS
PLATE IMMEDIATELY.
DEBBIE, FINALLY, FINALLY THERE
IS ENCOURAGING NEWS ABOUT
OVERDOSE DEATHS AND EVEN AN
INDICATION THAT AT LEAST
NATIONALLY LIFE EXPECTANCY IS
ONCE AGAIN STARTING TO LENGTHY.
>> Deborah: YES, AFTER SEVERAL
ALARMING YEARS OF DECLINE, LIFE
EXPECTTY THEY CAME OUT WITH
STATISTICS THIS MONTH OR LAST
MONTH THAT CANCER DEATHS ARE
DECREASING AND OVERDOSE DEATHS
ARE DECREASING, WHICH IS LEADING
TO A SLIGHT INCREASE IN LIFE
EXPECTANCY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
SEVERAL YEARS.
>> Bill: THE BESHEAR
ADMINISTRATION HAS APPROVED
PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S ABORTION
CLINIC APPLICATION IN
LOUISVILLE.
>> Deborah: YES, THAT WAS A
FOUR-YEAR BATTLE WITH THE BEVIN
ADMINISTRATION WHO DECLINED TO
APPROVE THEIR LICENSE TO PROVIDE
ABORTIONS IN KENTUCKY, AND TODAY
WE LENDER THE BESHEAR
ADMINISTRATION HAS REAPPROVED
THEIR LICENSE TO BEGIN GIVING
ABORTIONS WHICH WOULD KENTUCKY.
>> Bill: WE HAVE MAJOR PLAYERS
IN WASHINGTON AND U.S. SENATOR
MITCH McCONNELL AND SENATOR
RAND PAUL, AND THE IMPEACHMENT
TRIAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP APPEARS
TO BE HEADED TOWARD A CONCLUSION
WEDNESDAY AT THIS POINT.
McCONNELL HOPING TO STEER
THINGS TO A FAST CONCLUSION
THERE.
SENATOR PAUL STORMED OUT OF THE
CHAMBER AFTER CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN
REPORTS, DECLINED TO READ HIS
QUESTION THAT WOULD HAVE
REVEALED WHO THE WHISTLE BLOWER
WAS.
>> Deborah: TWICE.
>> Bill: IT WASN'T AIN'TING
WEEK RIGHT THERE.
FORTNIGHT VIOLENCE.
THE KENTUCKY ATHLETICS
ASSOCIATION BANNED FORTNIGHT
FROM BEING PLAYED COMPETITIVE IN
SCHOOLS.
GAMING IS BIG NOW AND
COMMISSIONER YOU'LL JAN TACKETT
SAID THERE'S TOO MUCH VIOLENCE
AND NO PLACE FOR SHOOTER GAMES
IN SCHOOLS, WHICH WAS AN
INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT THERE.
BRADY INDUSTRIES, QUICKLY, SOME
NEW DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
>> Deborah: THE COMPANY
ANNOUNCED THAT CRAIG BUSHARD,
THE CEO OF THE COMPANY, HAD
STEPPED DOWN AS CEO AND CHAIRMAN
OF THE BOARD.
THIS IS THE PROJECT ON EASTERN
ASHLAND AREA TO CREATE A BIG
ALUMINUM MILL THAT STARTED UP
BEVIN ADMINISTRATION.
BUSHARD WHO WAS SET ON SOME
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT COMING BACK
TO THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED
WHEN HE ARRIVED THAT HE IN FACT
HAD NOT RESIGNED AND HE WAS
STILL YO AND CHAIRMAN OF THE
BOARD.
>> Bill: AND WELL, KENTUCKY
NATIVE LOWER ET CETERA A LYNN
THE COAL MINE AREAS DAUGHTER
SAID COUNTRY MUSIC IS DEAD.
THE 87-YEAR-OLD LYNN SAID EVERY
TYPE OF MUSIC SHOULD BE SAVED,
AND SHE SAID "KEEPING IT COUNTRY
WILL KEEP THE FANS LISTENING."
STAY TUNED IMMEDIATELY AFTER
COMMENT OR "LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE."
AND TUNE IN MONDAY A 8, 7:00
CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."
RENEE SHAW WILL HOST A
DISCUSSION ON BOATERS SPORTS