LAW NOW IN EFFECT PROVIDES SOME
ANSWERS AND RAISES SOME QUESTIO
BEFORE HEADING TO FANCY FARM
NEXT WEEK, BOTH MAJOR CANDIDATE
FOR GOVERNOR SPEND SOME TIME IN
EASTERN KENTUCKY. UNIVERSITY OF
KENTUCKY IS SHORT OF DORM SPACE,
AND SOME DISTRICTS DON'T HAVE E
KENTUCKY'S TWO SENATORS GO
AGAINST EACH OTHER ON A FUND FO
9/11 BUT TEAM UP ON A BOURBON B
SUMMER HEAT RETURNS FOR THIS
LAST WEEKEND OF JULY, AND
"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.
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
AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF
WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS
TONIGHT ARE: MATT MARKGRAF, NEWS
DIRECTOR AT WKMS IN MURRAY
COVERING THE JACKSON PURCHASE
AND PENNYROYAL REGIONS.
OF KENTUCKY MORGAN WATKINS,
REPORTER FOR COURIER-JOURNAL.
AND DANIEL DESROSIERS, POLITICA
WRITER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD
ALSO TONIGHT RUMBLINGS OF A NEW
CANDIDATE IN KENTUCKY'S 6TH
DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE
ABOUT THE LETS GET RIGHT TO THE
PASSAGE OF I NEW LAW THAT GIVES
RELIEF TO REGION UNIVERSITIES
AND QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
THAT WERE ABOUT TO GET HIT WITH
CRIPPLE PENSION BILLS IT ALSO
GIVES THOSE ENTITIES SOME OPTIO
A FEW REPUBLICANS JOIN DEMOCRAT
IN OPPOSITION, BUT THE GOP
MAJORITY PUSHED IT THROUGH.
DANIEL, LIVELY DEBATE ON THOSE
DEMOCRATIC PROPOSALS BUT THE
GOVERNOR'S BILL MADE IT THROUGH
INTACT.
>> BASICALLY EVERYTHING WENT
ACCORDING TO PLAN.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAD THE
VOTES TO PASS IT, AND HE HAD THE
VOTES TO PASS IT IS.
A NARROW MARGIN 1 ONLY 42 VOTES
SUPPORTING IT IN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES BUT IT GOT
THROOP THE GOVERNOR HAD HIS
BILL-SIGNING CEREMONY WHERE HE
SAID IT WAS A REGNASHING MARKCLY
THING RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO.
THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE
EMPLOYEES OF THESE QUASI-HEFT
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES WHO MIGHT
BE LEFT OUT TO DRY BECAUSE
THEY'VE BEEN IN A PENSION SYSTEM
AND IF THEIR EMPLOYER CHOOSES TO
LEAVE THEY MAY NO LONGER GET
THOSE SAME KIND OF BENEFITS.
THE GOVERNOR STRIKE TO INVOKE
THE HUMAN RESPONSE AND HE SAID
THE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE HAPPY
BECAUSE THIS MEANS WE'RE SHORING
UP THE PENSION SYSTEM IN THE
LONG-TERM.
>> DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING THE
FREEZE IS ILLEGAL WITHOUT THE
PERMISSION OF THE PENSIONERS.
BEVIN SAYS IT'S A STEP TOWARD
FINANCIAL SOLVENCY.
>> EXACTLY.
>> Bill: THE DEMOCRATS PUSHED
THE ALTERNATIVES AND THEY WERE
HEARD, BUT ULTIMATELY THEY DON'T
HAVE NUMBERS.
>> Daniel: AND THAT'S KIND OF
HOW THINGS WORK.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE POWER
STRUCTURES OF THE LEGISLATURE,
RIGHT?
THE REPUBLICANS ARE IN THE
MAJORITY AND THEY CONTROL ALL
THREE MOVING PIECES HERE.
AND SO THE DEMOCRATS CAN TALK
ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE PROPOSALS
AND HOW THEY HAVE DIFFERENT
SOLUTIONS, BUT THAT DOESN'T
MRS. LI MEAN THAT THEY'LL BE
ABLE TO GET VOTED THROUGH AND
GET A VOTE.
>> Bill: SO THE BILL IS NOW
LAW.
IT DOES FEATHER IN THOSE COSTS
TO THOSE ENTITIES, THE REGIONAL
UNIVERSITIES AND TO ABOUT 108 I
THINK QUASI-GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES.
THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE HEALTH
DEPARTMENTS.
>> PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.
HEALTH.
DEPARTMENT, FOCUS DEMENTS THAT
ARE AFFECTED BY THAT, REGIONAL
UNIVERSITIES SO THE STATE
UNIVERSITIES EXCEPT FOR U OF L
AND OF UK ARE AFFECTED, AND SO
THE NEW LAW KIND OF GIVES THEM A
BREAK ON SOME INCREASES PRETTY
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THEIR
COSTS FOR PENSIONS, WHICH HAS
BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE REGIONAL
UNIVERSITIES.
THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING -- ERROR
THEY'RE ALWAYS BUDGET CONSCIOUS,
UNDERSTANDABLY.
KENTUCKY IN PARTICULAR.
THERE HAVE BEEN CUTS IN A LOT OF
STATES TO HIGHER EDUCATION, BUT,
YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE
2008 RECESSION, BUT WHILE A
THOUGHT OF LOT OF OTHER STATES
HAVE STARTED FUTURE MORE MONEY
BACK INTO THEIR HIGHER ED
SYSTEM, KENTUCKY HAS CUT FOR THE
LAST DECADE.
THE REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES ARE
ALREADY HAMSTRUNG FROM US JUST
FROM THE CUM LAW TV IMPACT OF
THOSE CUTS.
SO WHEN YOU HAVE A PENSION
SYSTEM WITH AS MANY FINANCIAL
DIPLOMAS AS OURS DOES, STUFF
LIKE THIS GETTING A REPRIEVE IS
A BIG DEAL FOR THEM.
>> Bill: IT ALSO GIVES THEM
OPTIONS AND SOME BIG DECISIONS
TO MAKE IN THE COMING MONTHS.
YOU'VE TALKED TO THE PRESIDENT
OF MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY ABOUT
WHERE THEY MAY HEAD.
>> YEAH, I'VE TALKED WITH MURRAY
STATED PRESIDENT BOB JACKSON
MOUNTAINS PAST.
HE ALSO TESTIFIED, HE ALSO IS A
FORMER STATE SENATOR.
SOME VIEWERS MIGHT REMEMBER
SENATOR BOB JACKSON.
BASICALLY TEN YEARS HE SAID THE
KERRYS RATE WAS.
LAST YEAR IT WAS 39%.
WITHOUT THAT RATE FREEZE THAT'S
ONE ASPECT OF THAT, THAT WOULD
GO TO 84 SPERSE.
HE SAID THE STATE BASE
APPROPRIATION HAS REDUCED.
TEN YEARS AGO IT WAS
$56 MILLION.
IT'S GOING CROSSWISE.
I THINK HE ARTICULATED WELL THE
CHALLENGES THAT REGIONAL
UNIVERSITIES ARE FACING.
>> Bill: WHAT DOES HE INTEND
TO DO IN TERMS OF KEEPING MURRAY
STATE IN OR CONTINUING WITH THE
PENSION SYSTEM OR WHAT?
>> Matt: WHAT HE TOLD THE
SENATORS WAS THEY'RE GOING TO
WEIGH ALLOVER THEIR OPTIONS, GET
ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS, BONDING
CAPACITY WITH TALK WITH
FINANCIAL ADVISERS AND MAKE SOME
DETERMINATIONS MOVING FORWARD.
>> TO TAKE THE LUMP-SUM, TO PAY
OFF AN INSTALLMENTS OR HE SAID
POSSIBLY EVEN STAY IN THE
SYSTEM.
>> Bill: SIMILAR RESPONSES
FROM SOME OTHER.
>> Matt: KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
PRESIDENT SAID THE PENSION
RELIEF BILL WAS THE BEST OF
CHALLENGING OPTIONS AND THERE'S
DIFFICULT DECISIONS AHEAD.
>> Daniel: THERE ARE ALSO
HEALTH DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE
SAYING WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO
ABSORB THIS HIT AND IS THAT IT
SYSTEM.
MY BEWHO HAVE HAD COLLEAGUE JOHN
CHEVES PROVIDE THE GARRETT
COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND
THE GUY IN CHARGE SAID THEY NEED
TO DO LAYOFFS AND THEY
ELIMINATED A POSITION TO TRY AND
ABSORB THE HIT THAT THEY'RE
GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE FOR PAYING
THE FULL AMOUNT IN TERMS OF
THEIR PENSION OBLIGATIONS.
AND SO THAT MEANS SOME THINGS.
THAT MEANS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO
HAVE A SLOWER RESPONSE TIME,
THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE
ABLE TO DO AS MUCH AS THEY USED
TO DO IN THE PAST.
BUT THEY SEE IT EVEN IF THEY
LEAVE THE SYSTEM IT'S GOING TO
BE A MASSIVE COST.
SO THERE'S A NO-WIN SITUATION
AND THEY'D RATHER ENSURE THAT
THEIR OLDER EMPLOYEES CONTINUE
TO GET THEIR PENSIONS AND THEY
CAN CONTINUE DOING WHAT THEY'RE
DOING.
>> Bill: CHEVES' REPORTING WAS
THEY ARE GOING TO DO THIS IN
LUMP-SUM.
>> Daniel: NO, THEY'RE GOING
TO TRY TO STAY IN THE SYSTEM AND
PAY THE FULL POS.
>> Bill: IS ANYBODY IN A
POSITION TO DO THIS IN A
LUMP-SUM OR IS IT GOING TO BE
THOSE WHO DO EXIT, WILL THEY TRY
TO PAY OFF THEIR OBLIGATIONS IN
INSTALLMENTS?
MONK WE'LL SEE.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THESE
AGENCIES ARE WEIGHING.
I THINK WHAT MAKES IT IS
DIFFICULT IS EITHER WAY YOU'RE
LOOKING AT A REALLY BIG
FINANCIAL HIT.
YOU CAN EITHER DO THE LUMP-SUM,
WHICH OBVIOUSLY YOU'VE GOT TO BE
ABLE HONDA OVER THAT MONEY,
RIGHT?
OR IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT A WE'RE
GOING TO STAY IN AND WE JUST
HAVE TO PREPARE FOR COST
INCREASES, YOU HAVE TO FIND A
WAY TO PAY FOR THAT.
PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO
THE UNIVERSITIES, YOU THINK
ABOUT DEFINITELY IN TERMS OF THE
THE EMPLOYEES AND THERE HAVE
BEEN -- THIS HAS BEEN TALK OF IF
YOU GET INTO A FINANCIAL BIND,
YOU MAY HAVE PLAYOFFS, BUT I
THINK WITH UNIVERSITIES IN
PARTICULAR, FOR THEM WHEREVER
THEY GET INTO A FINANCIAL BIND,
UNFORTUNATELY THERE COULD BE
IMPACTS ON THE STUDENTS WHEN IT
COMES TO TRYING TO FIND MONEY IF
YOU'RE NOT GETTING IT FROM THE
STATE OR IF YOU'RE EXPENSES TO
THE STATE PENSION SYSTEM IS
GOING UP.
YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT, THEN WE
HAVE TO RAISE, MAYBE RAISE
TUITION WHICH IS ALREADY
SOMETHING STUDENTS HAVE DEALT
WITH YEAR AFTER YEAR, SO I THINK
STUDENTS HAVE SOME SKIN IN THIS
TOO.
>> Daniel: AND THE THING TO
KEEP IN MIND IS THEY HAVE UNTIL
APRIL TO DECIDE.
SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THESE
CHIPS FALL FOR A LITTLE BIT.
WITH THAT THERE WAS TALK OF
LITIGATION ON THAT BILL BUT IT
APPEARS THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL
ANDY BESHEAR IF HE WERE TO SUE
ABOUT THIS, HE'S GOING TO WAIT
UNTIL LATER.
>> Bill: THERE WAS SOME
LANGUAGE INSERTED BY THE
GOVERNOR'S TEAM IN THAT BILL
THAT WOULD SEEM TO MAKE
LITIGATION SOMEWHAT LESS
LIKELY.
>> Daniel: BASICALLY IF IT
GETS STRUCK DOWN T. BY THE
COURTS, THE WHOLE BILL FALLS
APART AND THE REALLY COMPONENT
PART TO THE WILL IS IT CONTAINED
A FREEZE IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND
HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HAD TOW PAY
ERR TOWARD THEIR PENSION
OBLIGATION AND THAT FREEZE IS
IMPORTANT FOR MAINTAINING THEIR
BUDGETS AND THAT SORT OF THING.
IF IT WERE TO BE CHALLENGED IN
COURT AND STRUCK DOWN, THAT
FREEZE WOULD COME DOWN TOO.
>> Matt: CAN I POINT OUT
THERE'S 118 STATE QUASI-ANSWERS,
130 REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES IS A
THEY HAVE DIFFICULT DECISIONS TO
MAKE AHEAD.
THAT'S A LOT OF CONVERSATION
AROUND THE STATE, AND THIS ISN'T
EVEN THE PENSION REFORM, THAT
COMPREHENSIVE PENSION REFORM
THAT WE'LL HAVE BEEN WAITING
FOR.
>> Bill: YOU'RE RIGHT.
I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT.
NOW SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS WILL
COME DOWN TO THE MORE LOCAL
LEVEL AS TO HOW THEY'RE GOING TO
PROCEED, AND THERE WILL BE SOME
PRESSURES THERE LOCALLY AS
WELL.
SO TO MATT'S POINT, MORGAN, IS
PENSION REFORM STILL A MOVING
TARGET?
IS IT STILL UP IN THE AIR ABOUT
A LOT OF THINGS BEING DISCUSSED
WHEN THE REGULAR SESSION BEGINS
IN JANUARY?
>> Morgan: WITHOUT A DOUBT,
THE PENSION SYSTEM AND PENSION
REFORM, THAT'S GOING TO BE A
TOPIC OF CONVERSATION IN
FRANKFORT WHEN THE LEGISLATORS
COME BACK FOR THEIR FULL SESSION
IF ONLY JUST FROM A BUDGETARY
STANDPOINT, REGARDLESS OF HUGE
PENSION REFORM BILL LIKE THEY'VE
PASSED IN THE PAST IS GOING TO
BE UP FOR DEBATE, THEY'RE GOING
TO BE TALKING ABOUT WE STILL
HAVE THESE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
AND HOW DO WE BALANCE THAT WITH
THE NEED TO FUND K-12 EDUCATION
AND HIGHER EDUCATION AND HEALTH
DEPARTMENT, ALL THESE DIFFERENT
THINGS THAT THE STATE'S
RESPONSIBLE FOR.
SO I THINK JUST FROM A BUDGET
STANDPOINT WITH PENSIONS ARE
GOING TO BE IN DISCUSS, AND I
THINK GIVEN JUST THE SIZE OF THE
HOME, OF THE CHALLENGES, IF
YOU'RE A PUBLIC OFFICIAL IN
KENTUCKY, THIS IS SOMETHING YOU
HAVE TO BE TALKING ABOUT AND
LOOKING AT POTENTIAL
LEGISLATION.
>> Matt: IF I CAN JUST MENTION
REALLY BRIEFLY, THAT PENSION
CONVERSATION IS HAVING RIPPLE
EFFECTS ACROSS THE STATE.
COVERING SOME BOYLAN MEETINGS IN
WEST KENTUCKY, IN MARSHALL
COUNTY WITH KENTUCKY, PENSIONS
AND THE RISING PENSION COST WAS
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE
BUDGET, IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE
BUDGET GOING INTO THIS YEAR HAS
FEWER DOLLARS FOR LOCAL
NON-PROFITS THAT RELY ON COUNTY
GOVERNMENT FUNDS WHO SAY WE
CAN'T GIVE YOU AS MUCH BECAUSE
OF THE PENSION COSTS THAT WE'RE
HAVING TO DEAL WITH, AND SO THAT
LEFT A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY CHARGED
WITH DOING MORE FUNDRAISING ON
THEIR OWN, A SENIOR CITIZEN
CENTER WEEKS IT PROMPTED THEIR
CLOSURE IN BENTON.
MCCRAKEN COUNTY SIMILAR STORY.
YOU HAVE SPECIAL ADVOCATES FOR
LOBBYING TO NOT HAVE THEIR
FUNDING REDUCED AND IF COUNTY
GOVERNMENT SAID OUR HANDS ARE
TIED BECAUSE THE PENSIONS ARE
SLIM AND THE BUDGETS ARE HIGH.
>> Bill: WE KNOW MANY OF THE
PUBLIC POOLS HAVE BEEN CLOSED
FOR THE SUMMER.
ON AND ON.
RIPPLE EFFECTS GO.
LET'S SEE WHERE THIS ALL GOES
WITH THE PENSIONS AS WE MOVE
INTO THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND
LET'S TALK ABOUT CAMPAIGN 2019.
ANDY BESHEAR'S CAMPAIGN
ANNOUNCED THIS EVENING THAT IT
IS AGREEING TO FIVE TELEVISED
DEBATES.
THOSE TO BE HELD IN THE PADUCAH,
LOUISVILLE, LEXINGTON AND
NORTHERN KENTUCKY, SO THAT'LL BE
INTERESTING.
YOU'LL BE ON THE PANEL.
I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE INVITED TO
THE IF IT IS ONE IN PADUCAH.
>> Matt: THAT'S WHAT I'M
FOAMED I'M LOOKING FORWARD IT.
>> Bill: THAT SHOULD BE
INTERESTING.
SO AS WE START TO LOOK AT --
FIRST LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.
THOSE DEBATES.
HOW WILL THAT GO?
WHAT DO YOU LOOK TO SEE, DANIEL,
IN THOSE?
>> Daniel: I MEAN, SO THE REAL
THING HERE IS WE KIND OF KNOW
WHERE EACH ONE STANDS, WHERE
THEY STAND ON POLICIES AND THAT
SORT OF THING.
BUT THEY'LL BE ON A STAGE
TOGETHER IN FRONT OF AN
AUDIENCE, AND IT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY GO
AFTER EACH OTHER AND WHAT THEY
TRY TO DO.
SO MATT BEVIN HAS DEFINITELY
TRIED TO GO AFTER THE
ADMINISTRATION, THE STEVE
BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION IN PART
TO UNDERCUT THE POPULARITY OF
FORMER GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR
WHO LEFT OFFICE PRETTY POPULAR.
AND HE HAS HAD THIS MESSAGE OF
HE'SENING CONTRACT UP FRANKFORT,
MUNG OUT THE STALLS.
ANDY BESHEAR, MATT BEVIN IS AN
UNPOPULAR GUY.
HE'S GOING TO GO AFTER MATT
BEVIN AND SAY THIS IS YOUR DON'T
LIKE HIM.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
THE CONTRASTING VIEWS FROM THE
STATE.
WE'LL BE SEEING IT FIVE TIMES IN
A ROW.
IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO
SEE IF THERE ARE LOCAL ISSUES
THAT GET BROUGHT UP AT THE
DIFFERENT DEBATES IN DIFFERENT
AREAS TO GET THEM TO TRY AND
TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE FOR A
LITTLE BIT.
>> Bill: AND THE CHALLENGE TO
JOURNALSISTS WILL BE TO HAVE AN
INTERESTING SET OF ISSUES TO
DISCUSS, AND SOMEBODY MENTIONED
AS WE WERE PREPARING FOR THE
SHOW SO THAT THEY'RE NOT ALL THE
SAME.
SOME OF THE ISSUES DO GET
DISCUSSED THAT IS PERTINENT TO
DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE.
WE KNOW A BIG EVENT IS COMING UP
NEXT WEEK AND WE'RE LOOKING
FORWARD TO TO BEING OUT THERE.
FANCY FARM TO PROVIDE COVERAGE
ON KET.
WE'LL HAVE "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY"
OUT THIS NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AND
COVERAGE ON THE SATURDAY
AFFERENT SPEECHES AND SO FORTH.
SO, MATT, WE KNOW THAT FANCY
FARM REALLY IS A FUNDRAISER FOR
A SMALL CHURCH OUT THERE.
IT'S BECOME A POLITICAL
DESTINATION OVER THE DECADES.
THEY USED TO GET SPEECHES UNDER
WHAT WAS CALLED THE LIAR'S TREE
UNTIL IT WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
AND THEN MOVED TO NOW A COVERED
PAVILION.
IT'S A PRETTY NICE LOCATION OUT
THERE.
CERTAINLY A LOT OF HTTP:
>> Matt: IT'S A FUNDRAISER FOR
ST. JEROME'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
IT'S A STORIED TRADITION.
THE PAVILION DOES LOOK NICE BUT
DON'T LET THAT FOOL YOU BECAUSE
IT IS HOT.
IT'S AS HOOT FANCY FARM.
THERE'S BARBECUE.
THERE'S A SPIRITED ATMOSPHERE,
THRONGS OF PEOPLE AND
POLITICIANS STRIKE TO BARB EACH
OTHER.
SO, YEAH, IT'S A KENTUCKY
TRADITION.
I THINK CONGRESSMAN COMER WAS IN
PADUCAH RECENTLY.
HE SAID EVERY KENTUCKIAN NEEDS
TO COME OUT TO FANCY FARM AND
EXPERIENCE IN IT PERSON AT LEAST
ONCE.
HE OAKLAND JO, YOU MIGHT NOT
EVER TO GO BACK AFTER YOU'VE
GONE ONCE.
I WOULD DEFINITELY AGREE IT IS
WORTH SEEING IN PERSON AND I
THINK THIS IS THE YEAR YOU'RE
GOING TO WANT TO GO OUT AND DO
IT.
>> Bill: YOUR COLLEAGUE AND
MENTOR JACK BRAMMER SAID THIS IS
THE YEAR TO GO IF YOU HAVE I DO
NOT NEVER BEEN TO FANCY FARM.
>> Daniel: I THINK JACK SAYS
THAT EVERY YEAR.
[LAUGHTER]
YEAH, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY GOING
TO BE A BIG YEAR, RIGHT?
THIS IS A BIG ELECTION YEAR AND
YOU'VE GOT TWO GUBERNATORIAL
CANDIDATES WHO HAVE BEEN AT EACH
OTHER'S THROATS SINCE I GUESS
2015 BASICALLY.
AND SO YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THEM
ON A STAGE IN AN ENVIRONMENT
WHERE IT'S ENCOURAGED FOR THEM
TO REALLY GO AFTER EACH OTHER.
AND THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT
GOVERNOR BEVIN HAS BEEN IN A
COUPLE OF YEARS.
AND HE'S KIND OF DONE MIXED
THINGS AT FANCY FARM.
ONE YEAR HE REALLY WENT AFTER
HIS I DON'T KNOW THE AND HE
TRIED TO DO THE TRADITIONAL
ATTACK LINE.
ANOTHER YEAR HE JUST KIND OF
SAID THIS IS THE WORST FORM OF
POLITICAL SPEECH IN KENTUCKY AND
WE'RE JUST GOING TO DO THE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INSTEAD.
SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
WHAT MATT BEVIN WE SEE, AND I
HAVE A FEELING IT WILL BE THE
ONE THAT REALLY GOES AFTER ANDY
BESHEAR.
>> Bill: IN A SITUATION LIKE
THAT, IT'S TOUGH, RIGHT?
I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE YELLING AT
EACH OTHER.
IT REALLY IS A CRUCIBLE OF
PRESSURE SITUATION LIKE THAT.
>> Morgan: I WENT MY FIRST
FANCY FARM WAS IN 2016 SO IT WAS
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SO I
REMEMBER THAT ONE BEING REALLY
ELECTRIC.
PEOPLE TOLD ME STORIES, I WONDER
WHITES REALLY GOING TO BE LIKE,
AND THEY WEREN'T EXAGGERATING.
PEOPLE WERE REALLY INTO IT ON
BOTH SIDES.
SO I DO, I THINK -- AND THEN THE
INTERVENING YEARS HAVE BEEN A
LITTLE CHILLER.
BUT I THINK, YEAH, THIS YEAR
IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT DIFFERENT
WITH SERIOUS STUFF ON THE LINE,
AND NOT US J FROM THE GOVERNOR'S
LEVEL BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
RACE IS REALLY TENSE, SO I THINK
THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE
INTERESTING.
IT'S KIND OF A WHO'S WHO OFTE
POLITICS WHICH IS KIND OF FUN TO
SEE.
>> Matt: THE ENTIRE BALLOT IS
GOING TO BE THERE.
I THINK FOR A LOT OF VIEWERS OF
FANCY FARM YOU MIGHT SEE THEMES
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE DOWN
TICKET BALLOTS IN ALL THESE
RACES.
WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IS THE
FUTURE OF KENTUCKY FOR THE NEXT
COUPLE OF YEARS AND WHICH WAY
YOU WANT IT TO GO.
>> Bill: YOU TALKED ON A A
WILL I BE TAIRIAN CANDIDATE WHO
SAID HE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK
AND DOESN'T KNOW IF HE'S BEEN
INVITED.
>> Matt: THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
IS ON THE BALLOT, TOO, AND I
SPOKE TO THEIR DEFINED GOVERNOR
JOHN HICKS AND HE SAID THEY'RE
STILL WAITING FOR THEIR
INVITATION TO BE ON THE STAGE
BUT HE PROMISE HE WILL BE AT
FANCY FARM, SO I THINK YOU WILL
SEE THE LIBERTARIANS AT LEAST IN
SOME CAPACITY.
>> Bill: BEFORE THEY HEAD
WEST, AND IT WILL BE AN EXCITING
WEEKEND IN GRAVES COUNTY, BEVIN
AND BESHEAR WERE BOTH IN EASTERN
KENTUCKY THIS WEEK WHERE THEY
BOTH TRAILED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE
PRIMARIES.
LET'S LOOK AT THE GEOGRAPHY OF
THIS RACE.
THE GOVERNOR WAS THERE FOR SOME
ROAD ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND BESHEAR
MADE SOME STOPS IN COAL MINING
COUNTRY YESTERDAY.
CAN EASTERN E. CAN BE A KEY TO
THIS RACE?
>> Daniel: EASTERN KENTUCKY IS
REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THIS
STATE.
THE WEST HAS BEEN DEEP RED.
EASTERN USED TO BE DEMOCRATIC
BUT THEY LOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP
BUT THEY'RE ALSO MAD AT MEN OF
SO YOU'VE GOT THIS PERFECT STORM
OF BOTH ANDY BESHEAR AND MATT
BEVIN ARE HAVING TO GO THERE,
GIVE FACE TIME TO REALLY TRY AND
EARN THE VOTES THERE BECAUSE
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PRIMARY
ROCKY ADKINS WON MOST OF THAT
TERRITORY IN THE PRIMARY AND GO
FORTH WON IT IN THE --
>> Bill: THE ADS ARE OUT THERE
THERE.
PRO-BESHEAR HAVE HIS -- WHILE
PRO-BEVIN USE FOOTAGE OF
PRESIDENT TRUMP AND TRY TOW TIE
BESHEAR TO DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL
FIGURES.
>> Daniel: PARTS OF WHAT WE'RE
SEEING FROM THE RGA IS THEY'RE
EGG REAL GOING AFTER BESHEAR,
IT'S McCONNELL 101 WHERE YOU
DEFINE YOUR I DON'T KNOW THE
EARLY AND DRAG THEM DOWN.
EINSTEINING THE DL.BGA INSTEAD
OF GOING AFTER THE GOVERNOR,
THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO PUMP ANDY
BESHEAR UP AND TALK ABOUT THE
THINGS THAT HE'S DOING IN THE
TWO 15-SECOND SPOTS THAT THEY
RELEASED TODAY.
THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT TWO OF
HIS PLATFORMS OF ATTORNEY
GENERAL WITH THE RAPE KIT
BACKLOG AND WHAT HE'S BEEN DOING
TO GO AFTER CHILD SEX PRET
TORS.
>> Bill: U.S. SENATE UPDATE.
COLIN WILL SPEAK ON STAGE, AND
WE EXPECT OTHERS WILL BE'S FANCY
FARM.
AMY -INCOME GRATH.
>> APPLE MCFADDEN GRAPH IS NOT
GOING TO FANCY FARM.
HER DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT IS
GOING.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT McCONNELL,
ONE OF HIS FORM AIDES IS RUNNING
FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THAT'S
AN INTERESTING RACE WHERE THE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S
ASSOCIATION IS USING THE MITCH
McCONNELL TACTIC.
DANIEL CAMERON IS.
HE'S REALLY GONE AFTER GREG
STUMBO.
>> HE CALLED STUMBO A DEADBEAT
DAD AND HE CALLED CAMERON A
LIAR.
>> Daniel: I DON'T EXPECT THAT
TO STOP UNTIL AFTER THE
ELECTION.
>> Bill: WE'RE ALSO HEARING IT
COULD GET INTERESTING IN THE
60s DISTRICT WHERE ANDY HELD
OFF AMY McGRATH.
NOW AWAY HERE FROM JOSH HICKS, A
VERNAL FORMER POLICE OFFICER
GETTING IN NEXT WEEK.
>> Daniel: HE LOST TO
REPRESENTATIVE STAN LEE IN A
STATE HOUSE RACE IN 2018.
IT SEEMS IT'S GOING TO BE ALL
BUT INEVITABLE THAT HE JUMPS
INTO THIS RACE, AND HE'S SAYING
THAT I'M A RURAL GUY WHO CAN
KIND OF TALK TO RURAL
KENTUCKIANS AND SHOW THEM THAT
DEMOCRATS AREN'T NECESSARILY
WHAT YOU SEE ON FOX NEWS.
BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY GOING
TO BE PAY CAKEWALK FOR HIM.
THERE ARE OTHER NAMES THAT ARE
BEING MENTIONED IN THE PRIMARY.
ONE OF THIS IS EYE STEVE BESHEAR
AIDE.
HE'S BEING BEING COURTED BY
FOLKS.
AND THE OTHER IS THAT CONS THAT
THE APPLICABLE NAME ALISON
LUNDERGAN GRIMES.
GRAND SHE HAD HER STRUGGLES OF
LATE BOTH IN THE SECRETARY OF
STATE'S OFFICE AND HER DAD IS
UNDERGOING A TRIAL STARTING NEXT
WEEK AND SO ON ITS GOING TO
BE -- I THINK THAT SHE HAS TO
KIND OF WAIT AND SEE HOW THE
TRIAL WAS HER FATHER BEFORE SHE
CAN KIND OF THINK ABOUT ANY KIND
OF POLITICAL OFFICE THAT WE
WOULD RUN FOR.
>> Bill: THERE WAS A BILL
PROPOSE BY REPRESENTATIVE JERRY
MILLER FOR 27.5 EXAMINERS EXCISE
TAX ON e-GRETS, VIDEOTAPING BY
TEENAGERS.
IT'S A GROWING CONCERN THAT WAS
SUPPOSEDLY TO RAISE $35 MILLION
TO THE STATE FOR PENSIONS.
>> Morgan: PER YEAR.
DEFINITELY A BIG REVENUE BOOST
IF THEY DECIDE TO KNOCK THE
TAX.
THE BIG DRIVER BEHIND THIS IS A
RISING CONCERN ABOUT TEENAGE USE
OF E-CIGARETTES.
THE THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF
IT'S NOT CAMPAIGNS FOR YOUTHS
THAT HAVE PRETTY SUCCESSFUL
TURNED TEENS AWAY FROM YOUR
TRADITIONAL CIGARETTES, BUT
E-CIGS HAVE BECOME VERY
POPULAR.
I A RECENT REPORT SAID USE AMONG
HIGH SCHOOLERS IN KENTUCKY HAS
NEARLY DOUBLED.
SO THE THOUGHT IS THAT YOU MAKE
THEM MORE EXPENSIVE AND MAYBE
THAT KIND OF CUTS DOWN ON THE
INTEREST OR THE ABILITY OF TEENS
TO AFFORD THAT.
BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO
SEE WHAT THEY DO WITH THIS.
THE IDEA IS TO TAX THEM JUST AS
THOUGH THEY WERE REGULAR
CIGARETTES ALTHOUGH SOME FOLKS
SAY THIS IS BETTER THAN STING TO
MARL BROTHERS.
ABOUT IT WILL BE INTEREST T.
MARL BROTHERS ONE OF THE
LOBBYISTS, THAT SPENT THE MOST
OVER THE LAST PERIOD WAS A
TOBACCO GIANT ALTRIA THAT HAS A
STAKE IN ONE OF THE BIG eCIG
COMPANIES SO IT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO SEE JUST HOW ALL
THOSE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS
PLAY INTO IT.
ALTHOUGH THE COMPANY HAS BEEN ON
RECORD SAYING WE ENT DON'T
SUPPORT YOUTH USE OF
E-CIGARETTES BUT YOUNG PEOPLE
ARE USING THEM.
>> Daniel: BUT THEY SELL
FLAVORED --
>> Morgan: IT SEEMS
REPUBLICANS ARE BEHIND THIS AND
YOU WOULD EXPECT THEM TO BE PRO
TAX BUT THERE ARE REPUBLICANS
BEHIND THIS.
>> Bill: KENTUCKY'S TWO
VISIBLE SENATORS WENT AGAINST
EACH OTHER ON THE COMPENSATION
FUND.
McCONNELL PUSHED IT AFTER
THERE WAS PRESSURE.
PAUL VOTED AGAINST IT SAYING THE
COUNTRY DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY.
>> Daniel: HE WAS ONE OF ONLY
TWO VOTES HA WERE VOTING AGAINST
IT, AND THAT BILL GOT A LOT OF
ATTENTION AS WELL BECAUSE YOU
HAD JON STEWART FROM THE DAILY
SHOW TRYING TO PUSH THAT THING
IN WASH TO MAKE SURE IT GOT TO
HELP THE PEOPLE THAT TOOK CARE
OF US.
>> Matt: IT'S PERMANENT
FUNDING.
RAND PAUL SAID HE SUPPORTS THE
FIRST RESPONDERS BUT HE WAS
DISMAYED THAT IT DIDN'T HAVE
FUNDING.
THE OTHER SENATOR WA UTAH
SENATOR MIKE LEE.
>> Bill: ON THAT SAME DAY PAUL
ANNOUNCED SUPPORT FOR BOURBON
MAKERS AND McCONNELL ALSO
SUPPORTS THAT MEASURE.
IT WOULD EXTEND A PROVISION IN
THE TAX CODE.
>> Daniel: AND SENATOR PAUL
GOT CRITICISM FOR THIS.
THE DAY AFTER HE TRIES TO BLOCK
THIS THING BECAUSE OF THE 9/11
RESPONDER BILL BECAUSE OF
FUNDING HE'S ON THE RECORD
SUPPORTING A TAX CUT FOR
BOURBON.
AND HIS OFFICE SAID THEY WOULD
FIND MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS TAX
CUT.
BUT THE OPTICS OF IT WASN'T
NECESSARILY THE BEST THING FOR
SENATOR PAUL THERE.
>> Bill: MINERS WENT TO
WASHINGTON, DC, FOR A MEETING
WITH SENATOR McCONNELL THIS
WEEK.
>> Matt: YES, SOME MINERS FROM
APPALACHIA WENT UP AND WERE SORT
OF LOBBYING FOR MORE FUNDING FOR
BLACK LUNG, TO DEAL WITH THE
BLACK LUNG, AND SOME DEMOCRATS
IN CONGRESS INTRODUCED
LEGISLATION FOR THAT ADDITIONAL
FUNDING ON TUESDAY.
>> Bill: MORGAN, IT'S ALMOST
BACK TO SCHOOL UNIVERSITY AND OF
KENTUCKY IS EXPECTING RECORD
ENROLLMENT, SO MUCH SO THEY'RE
HAVING TROUBLE FINDING HOUSING
SPACE FOR STUDENTS.
>> Morgan: YEAH.
ON THE ONE HAND THIS GOES A
SYMPTOM OF SUCCESS FOR UK.
I WAS TALKING WITH OTHER FOLKS
EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND THEY SAID
WE WANT MORE STUDENTS TO BE
STAYING ON CAMPUS US THAT BASS
ASSOCIATED WITH BETTER LEVELS
SUCCESS, BETTER GRADES, MORE
INVOLVED WITHS CAMPUS LIFE, BUT
THEY'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
YOU HAVE THE MAJORITY OF
FRESHMEN, WHICH IS A RECORD
NUMBER OF FRESHMEN COMING IN
THIS YEAR WANT TO STAY ON CAMPUS
AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF
SOPHOMORES WHO SAY I LOVE
STAYING IN THE DORM SO MUCH I
WANT TO STAY AGAIN.
SO THEY'VE BEEN CONVERTING STUDY
ROOMS IN THE DORMS WHICH WERE
DESIGNED TO BE ABLE TO CONVERT
THEM.
THEY'RE ALSO CONVERTING SOME RA
ROOMS WHICH IS MORE
CONTROVERSIAL.
THERE'S AN ONLINE PETITION GOING
ON.
>> Bill: LED TO A LOT OF COAST
OF CONTROVERSY.
>> Morgan: RAS ARE NOT HAPPY.
>> Bill: THE KENTUCKY
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS GOING
TO START RECRUITING TEACHERS,
SAYING THERE'S A 5,000 JOB
VACANCY SITUATION IN THE STATE.
>> Morgan: THEY'VE HAD AROUND
5,000 JOBS THAT HAVE BEEN OPENED
UP DURING THIS YEAR, AROUND AN
THOUSAND OR MORE OFES HAVE BEEN
JUST IN THE LAST MONTH.
BASICALLY THEY HAVE MORE
OPENINGS THAN THEY CAN FILL.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVING A HARD
TIME GETTING GOOD CANDIDATES,
QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, AND THEY
HIGHER ED LEVEL STATEWIDE
THERE'S BEEN A DOCUMENTED
DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF
STUDENTS WHO ARE EARNING
EDUCATION DEGREES IN THE FIRST
PLACE.
I THINK PARTLY BECAUSE PEOPLE
HEAR THE STUFF ABOUT LOW PAY AND
FOCUS ON TEST SCORES.
THEY'LL BE TRYING TO DRUM UP
INTEREST.
>> Bill: DR. AARON THOMAS
HEADS UP THE COUNCIL ON
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION SAID
THEY NEED TO GO AT THAT IMAGE
AND MAKE STUDENTS AWARE OF
BENEFITS AND REWARDS AND THE
PROFESSIONAL JOB THAT TEACHERS
HAVE.
SO THAT IS GOING TO BE
INTERESTING AS WELL.
MATT, THE UPDATE FOR SOME ASIAN
CARP OUT AT KENTUCKY LAKE.
>> Matt: YEAH, WELL,
SENATOR McCONNELL HAS SAID
THAT ASIAN CARP IS HIS NUMBER
ONE ISSUE IN WEST KENTUCKY.
AN BIOACOUSTIC FISH FENCE IS
BEING TESTED NEXT WEEK.
INDUSTRIAL PARK IN BALLARD
COUNTY IS EXPANDING
SIGNIFICANTLY THE PRESIDENT OF
TWO RIVERS FISHERIES SAYS THAT
THEY PLAN ON PROCESSING
78 MILLION POUNDS OF ASIAN CARP
IN THE NEXT SIX YEARS.
AND THERE'S AN ASIAN CARP
FISHING TOURNAMENT IN OCTOBER.
AND I WOULD SAY THAT ASIAN CARP
IS PRETTY TASTY.
>> Bill: YOU'VE SAID THAT
BEFORE.
MARSHALL COUNTY, THE SCHOOL
SHOOTING TRIAL.
UPDATE US ON THAT QUICKLY.
>> THERE'S A QUICK UPDATE ON
THAT.
THERE'S A SUPPRESSION HEARING
NEXT MONTH TO STRESS SOME
EVIDENCE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THE DEFENSE IS
TRYING TO DO.
ARE SHORTLY AFTER THE SHOOTING
THERE WAS HAD AN INTERVIEW THAT
THE SUSPECT DID WITH SOME
POLICE.
THE DEFENSE SAYS THAT PROCESS
WASN'T HANDLED PROPERLY.
THE PROSECUTION SAYS OTHERWISE
AND SAYS THE YOUNG WILL
DETERMINE THE FACTS THE O.
THAT.
I'MERED TODDLE IT'S GOING TO BE
LENGTHY.
>> Bill: ATRIAL TRUDGE DISMISS
A LAWSUIT AGAINST NICK SANDING
AGAINST THE POST.
>> Daniel: GOOD NEWS FOR THE
1st AMENDMENT.
>>>
>> THAT'S THE COVINGTON CATHOLIC
STUDENT WHO STOOD FACE TO FACE
WITH A --
>> THE PRESIDENT OF ANTHONY
POWERS WILL BE ON THE FUTURE
LINING THE
AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
BUT THE GROUP OF 28 MEMBERS
TOGETHER TO MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS.
HE'S THE ONLY ONE FROM
KENTUCKY.
MONDAY AT 8 EASTERN/7 CENTRAL
"KENTUCKY TONIGHT."
RENEE SHAW AND GUESTS WILL