[♪♪] [♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

ONE OF THE MEN JOINING US THIS EVENING WILL SERVE AS GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, AND WILL MAKE DECISIONS — AFFECTING YOU -- ABOUT TAXES, JOBS, EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL ISSUES, AND MORE.

WE WILL DISCUSS THOSE TOPICS FOR THE NEXT HOUR WITH OUR GUESTS: GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR, THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

AND ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON, THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X — FORMERLY TWITTER -- AT K-Y TONIGHT K-E-T.

SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR USE THE WEB FORM AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G SLASH K-Y TONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS.

YOU'VE DOPE SEVERAL ENGAGEMENTS AND WE HOPE IT WILL SERVE THE KENTUCKY VOTERS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR THERE'S BEEN A LOT MADE ABOUT THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION YOU HAVE WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS OVER YOUR TIME AS GOVERNOR THE FIRST TERM N2022 AS YOU KNOW, HOW REPUBLICANS FILED THE PROPOSED BUDGET TWO, THREE DAYS BEFORE YOU UNVEILED YOUR BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE A JOINT HOUSE OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, A JOINT ASSEMBLY OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

HOW EFFECTIVELY CAN YOU GOVERN IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IF YOU ARE REELECTED GIVEN THOSE POLITICAL TENSIONS?

>> WELL, I CAN GOVERN AS EFFECTIVELY AS WE HAD THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

FOUR YEARS IN WHICH WE'RE COMING OFF THE BEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WIN STREAK IN OUR LIFETIME.

I'VE SIGNED 627 BIPARTISAN BILLS INTO LAW.

I WORKED WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO CREATE HALF A BILLION DOLLAR POOL FOR CLEAN DRINKING WATER.

INTERNET ACCESS ACROSS KENTUCKY I GOT SPORTS BETTING AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA PASSED THINGS THAT TOOK DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN VOTES THAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD NEVER PASS WHILE I WAS GOVERNOR.

YOU LOOK AT HHR AND BANNING GRAY GAMES THAT IS SOMETHING I WAS FOR BANNING THOSE GAMES MY OPPONENT WAS AGAINST IT.

YET WE WON IN THE LEGISLATURE AND GOT THAT IMPORTANT STEP TAKEN.

WE WORK WELL BEHIND THE SCENES.

IT'S JUST IN POLL PARTICULARS, WHAT HAPPENS OUT FRONT IS OFTEN NOT WHAT YOU SEE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

AFTER THE HOUSE BECAME THE FIRST HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY TO LEAPFROG A GOVERNOR AND SUBMIT A BUDGET WE MET WITH THE SENATE FIVE TIMES FOR AN HOUR APIECE OVER OUR PROPOSED BUDGET AND ENDED UP GETTING ABOUT 80% OF WHAT WE REQUESTED IN THAT, INCLUDING MORE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT INCLUDED TEACHER RAISES THAT BIG ENOUGH BUT CERTAINLY A GOOD STEP.

RECORD INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.

BUT JUST LOOK AT THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN THE HISTORY OF KENTUCKY THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF $5.8 BILLION, 5,000 NEW JOBS THAT TOOK A SPECIAL SESSION US WORKING TOGETHER GETTING IT DONE.

SO DID CREATING THE SAFE FUNDS FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY AND WHAT WE DID FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY AS WELL.

AGAIN, WHAT YOU SEE IN THE FOREFRONT THAT MAKES THE NEWS IS THE DRAMATIC, BUT THE HARD WORK HAPPENS AND WE GET THE JOB DONE.

DONE.

>> Renee: SOME OF THOSE LEADERS APPEARED ON THE PROGRAM AND CRITICS CLAIM YOU'VE TAKEN TOO MUCH CREDIT FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WINS IN KENTUCKY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THAT REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE POLICIES THEY SAY IN FACT ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE RESPONSIBLE FOR KENTUCKY EECONOMIC GROWTH SPURT.

YOUR RESPONSE?

>> IT SHOULDN'T BE TEAM RED OR TEAM BLUE.

WE SHOULDN'T VIEW THE WORLD THROUGH A LENS THAT EITHER IT IS A WIN FOR THIS SIDE OR THAT SIDE.

SINCE I'VE BECOME GOVERNOR WE BROUGHT IN A RECORD 27.5 BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW INVESTMENT MORE THAN ANY GOVERNOR WHETHER THEY SERVED ONE TERM OR TWO TERMS.

THERE'S ENOUGH CREDIT WITH 27.5 BILLION, 48,000 NEW JOBS TO GO AROUND.

WE SET THE LOWEST ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT EVER.

THE LOWEST MONTHLY UNEMPLOYMENT EVER.

THE LODGEST PERIOD OF LOW UNEMPLOYMENT WE'VE SEEN.

TAKE THE FORD DEAL OR ENVISION WE ARE BUILDING THE NUMBER ONE AND TWO LARGEST BATTERY PLANTS ON PLANET EARTH AND THE NUMBER TOIF THAT IS US WORKING TOGETHER.

THAT IS FORD LOOKING AT ME SAYING WE BELIEVE YOU CAN GET THIS BUILT ON TIME AND NEEDING TO GO TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO HAVE NEW TOOLS TO GET IT DONE.

IN AN ELECTION SEASON NOBODY'S EVER GOING TO SAY YOU WORK WELL TOGETHER.

LOOK AT THE THINGS WE'VE DONE.

WE CAPPED THE PRICE OF INSULIN.

WE GOT $200 MILLION TOWARDS THE BRIDGE WHICH GOT US THE LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT IN U.S. HISTORY.

WE'RE GOING TO BUILD THAT WITHOUT TOLLS.

WE'RE FOUR-LANING THE ENTIRE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY.

BUILDING I69 SO FAST THAT INDIANA IS STRUGGLING TO CATCH UP AND IT TAKES LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION TO DO ALL THAT.

>> Renee: GENERAL CAMERON YOU SAID ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THAT YOU'VE HAD THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS AS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CULTIVATE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO ARE IN THE SUPER MAJORITY AS ATTORNEY GENERAL YOU'VE SEEN YOUR ROLE AND YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED YOU WILL DEFEND LEGISLATION THAT IS PASSED BY THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOW DO YOU INTEND ON [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] ON THE THIRD FLOOR?

>> LOOK, I THINK AND BELIEVE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LEGISLATURE AND THIS GOVERNOR GAVE YOU STATS AND STATISTICS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY HE HAS NO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

AND THE GOVERNOR TALKS A LOT ABOUT AN ECONOMY ON FIRE.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THIS ECONOMY IS ON LIFE SUPPORT.

THERE ARE 22,000 FEWER KENTUCKIANS WORKING SINCE THIS GOVERNOR TOOK OFFICE.

OUR MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME HAS DROPPED 12% MAKING THE LAST THREE YEARS THE LARGEST DECLINE IN MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN THIS COMMONWEALTH'S HISTORY.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT AN ECONOMY DESPITE WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT IS ON TIRE.

HE CAN SAY THAT A MILLION TIMES BUT YOU AT HOME KNOW THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

YOU ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH INFLATION THAT IS RUINING YOUR PURCHASING POWER AND IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

CRAZY THAT YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO WOULD ENDORSE THE POLICIES AND THE PRESIDENT WHO HAVE CREATED THIS MESS WE ARE IN.

WHETHER IT BE YOUR INFLATION, MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, THOSE ARE ALL BECAUSE OF A PRESIDENT THAT THIS GOVERNOR HAS ENDORSED.

YOU NEED LEADERSHIP THAT IS GOING TO STAND UP FOR YOU, AND, AGAIN, BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE, I OFFERED AN EDUCATION PLAN, I OFFERED A PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN.

BEFORE I ANNOUNCED THOSE PLANS, I WENT TO THE LEGISLATURE TO GET BUY IN FROM THEM.

I KNOW TO ADDRESS THE VIOLENT CRIME SPIKE AND INCREASE WE'VE SEEN IN KENTUCKY I NEED TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO GET MY PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN DONE.

I'VE TALKED TO THEM.

WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT DONE.

>> Renee: THERE COULD BE AMENDMENTS IN BILL FORM, IF PERHAPS YOU DO HAVE A CLASH OF IDEAS AND CLASH OF POLICY PROPOSALS ARE YOU WILLING TO 0 VETO LEGISLATION THAT THEY PASS?

>> LOOK, I'M WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY FOR THE PEOPLE HERE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

BUT I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD AGREE THAT IT'S BETTER TO HAVE EVERYONE ROWING IN SAME DIRECTION AS OPPOSED TO A GOVERNOR WHO VETOES TAX CUTS WHO VETOED LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WOMEN'S SPORTS FROM PIE LOGICAL MALES AND PROTECT OUR KIDS FROM IRREVERSIBLE PROCEDURES WHO SHUTDOWN OUR STATE FOR TWO YEARS AND DID NOT CONSULT WITH THE LEG SLAR WHEN HE DID THAT.

THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE WE HAVE LEADERSHIP IN THE STATE THAT REFLECTS YOUR VALUES.

ANDY BESHEAR CAN SAY THAT THE ECONOMY IS ON FIRE.

THE EAGLES HAD A SONG THAT SAID SOMETHING TO THE EXTENT OF YOUR LYING IDEAS YOU CAN'T HIDE YOUR LIES EYES.

ANDY BESHEAR IS LYING TO YOU ON THE TELEVISION.

AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE ECONOMY IS NOT DOING WELL.

YOU KNOW IT AT HOME BECAUSE YOU ARE HAVING TO WORK TWO OR THREE JOBS.

YOU KNOW AT HOME BECAUSE WHEN YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE YOUR BILL IS MORE, YOUR GAS IS MORE, YOUR UTILITY BILLS ARE MORE.

SECURING CHILDCARE MORE EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW.

LET'S HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT WILL SAY TO YOU TONIGHT THAT IF I AM THE NEXT GOVERNOR HERE OF THIS COMMONWEALTH WE'LL ELIMINATE KENTUCKY'S INCOME TAX I WANT TO GIVE YOU MONEY BACK INTO YOUR POCKET.

>> Renee: I GAVE YOU TIME TO GIVE YOUR OPENING RESPONSES.

QUICKLY BEFORE WE GO TO YOU Mr. BESHEAR GENERAL CAMERON YOU SAID BESHEAR WILL NOT SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE FAR LEFT WING OF HIS PARTY AND YOU FREQUENTLY DRAWN CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BESHEAR AND PRESIDENT BIDEN.

A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER TONIGHT FROM LOUISVILLE.

YOU'VE ACCEPTED AND TOUTED THE ENDORSEMENT OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND McCONNELL STATED THAT JANUARY 6 THE MOB WAS FED LIES PROVOKED BY THE PRESIDENT AND POWERFUL PEOPLE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH MITCH McCONNELL THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACK ON JANUARY 6, WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> I'M PROUD TO BE ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I'M PROUD TO BE ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT TRUMP IS SUCH A BIG DEAL IN THIS RACE THAN ANDY BESHEAR RAN IN A CAMPAIGN AD TWO WEEKS AGO TRYING TO TOUT THERE WAS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIM AND DONALD TRUMP.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WHEN IT COMES TO JOE BIDEN AND DONALD TRUMP, I THINK MOST PEOPLE AT HOME RIGHT NOW AGREE THAT THINGS WERE BETTER IN TERMS OF THE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET THAN WHAT YOU HAVE IN DC THEY CALL IT BIDENNOMICS THE REST OF US CALL IT RECORD-HIGH INFLATION.

>> Renee: I WANT TO GO TO THE POINT HE MADE ABOUT THERE'S AN AD THAT IS CONNECTING YOU TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THERE IS A MAN FEATURED SAYING I VOTED FOR TRUMP BECAUSE I FELT HE WAS PUTTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST I'M GOING TO SUPPORT ANDY BESHEAR I FEEL LIKE HE IS PUTTING KENTUCKY FIRST.

ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE A CONNECTION TO PRESIDENT TRUMP?

>> FIRST LET ME SAY WHAT WE'VE SEEN TONIGHT IS ONE CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR SOMETHING AND A CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR SOMEONE.

LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT GETTING OUT THERE AND GETTING THINGS DONE.

I KNOW THAT A GOVERNOR CAN'T BE HYPER PARTISAN LIKE THIS CANDIDATE WHO WOULD NOT ANSWER THAT QUESTION ASKED TWICE.

YOU HAVE TO BE TEAM KENTUCKY YOU HAVE TO PUSH ON THOSE THINGS THAT MATTER TO EVERY FAMILY AND SHOULD BE NONPARTISAN LIKE PUBLIC EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE, A GOOD JOB.

>> Renee: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS HANDLING THE ECONOMY WELL?

>> WELL, MY JOB AS GOVERNOR IS TO STAND UP FOR KENTUCKIANS WHETHER THAT IS FOR OR AGAINST ANY PRESIDENT.

THERE WERE TIMES I AGREED AND DISAGREED WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THERE ARE TIMES I AGREE AND DISAGREE WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN.

I DON'T MAKE THAT DECISION BASED ON MY PARTY.

I BASE THAT DECISION ON WHAT IS BEST FOR KENTUCKIANS.

WE'RE DISAGREEING WITH THE PRESIDENT ON EPA RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WON'T WORK.

WHEN YOU ARE BUILDING THE TWO BIGGEST BATTERY PLANTS THE GREENEST RECYCLING PAPER MILL IN THE WORLD THAT BATTERY PLANT IN BOWLING GREEN, THE COMPANY THAT IS GOING TO RECYCLE THE LITHIUM IN OUR PHONES AND BATTERIES IN HOPKINSVILLE.

YOU CAN'T TAKE ONE MEANS OF PRODUCTION OF POWER OFF LINE.

AND YES WE ARE DISAGREEING WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THAT.

BUT, AGAIN, WHY AM I RUNNING THAT AD?

BECAUSE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR WHOEVER THEY WANT NOT STICK TO ONE TEAM OR ANOTHER BUT TO LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES AND SAY WHO IS GOING TO MAKE MY LIFE BETTER.

MY OPPONENT CONSTANTLY TRIES TO MAKE YOU THINK THAT THIS RACE IS SOMEHOW ABOUT WHO IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

AND THAT IS BECAUSE IF IT'S ABOUT THE TWO OF US HE KNOWS HE CAN'T WIN.

ONE OF US HAS A RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND ONE OF THEM RECORDS THE TAX TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

>> Renee: LET'S PIVOT TO COVID.

Mr. CAMERON 19,000 KENTUCKIANS DIED OF COVID YOU HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE TO CLOSING SCHOOLS AND SHUTTERING CHURCHES AND STRIPPING PEOPLE OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES.

IF YOU HAD BEEN GOVERNOR AT THAT TIME, YES OR NO, WOULD YOU HAVE APPROACH TO DO DIFFERENTLY.

HOW WOULD YOU HAVE HAMMED THE PANDEMIC?

>> WELL, I WOULD HAVE DONE WHAT A LOT OF RED STATE GOVERNORS DID, TRY TO GET THE STATES OPEN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

BUT ANDY BESHEAR LIKE GAVIN NEWSOM TRIED TO SHUT THE STATE DOWN FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS AND WE HAVE EXTREME LEARNING LOSS BECAUSE OF IT.

WE'VE GOT CHALLENGES AS IT RELATES TO SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAD TO CLOSE DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

SOME OF THEM HAVE NOT REOPENED.

AND THEN WE HAD A GOVERNOR WHO INFRINGED ON FOLKS' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

I HAD TO TAKE HIM TO COURT BECAUSE HE TRIED TO SHUTDOWN YOUR RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE IF YOU WERE GOING TO CHURCH.

>> Renee: WOULD YOU HAVE SHUTDOWN CHURCHES?

WOULD YOU HAVE SHUTDOWN SCHOOLS AT ANY POINT DURING THE PANDEMIC PARTICULARLY DURING THE ONSET?

>> I WOULDN'T INFRINGE ON YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR SCHOOLS, A LOT OF RED STATE GOVERNORS WERE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO REOPEN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE WERE THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT SHUTDOWN THE CHIROPRACTORS.

AND I'VE HEARD FROM FOLKS THAT TELL ME THE DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE THE SHORT-SIGHTED DECISIONS MADE BY ANDY BESHEAR DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME ARE STILL HAVING DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR PEOPLE.

>> Renee: GENERAL CAMERON YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF SYNC WITH THE POSITION OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO WANTED TO RELAX GUIDELINES AT EASTER AND TOOK ADVISE WITH THE HEALTH EXPERTS THAT KEPT WITH THE MITIGATION MEASURES THROUGH THE FIRST WAVE OF JULY INTO THE SUMMER.

WOULD YOU HAVE GONE THAT LONG?

>> LOOK THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED LEADERSHIP.

I WOULD HAVE OFFERED LEADERSHIP TO THE PEOPLE HERE IN KENTUCKY AND MADE SURE THAT WE STOOD UP FOR YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

NOT ONLY THIS GOVERNOR SHUTDOWN YOUR CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS AND SMALL BUSINESSES HE TRIED TO TELL YOU YOU COULDN'T LEAVE THE STATE WITHOUT COMING BACK AND QUARANTINING FOR 14-DAYS.

THAT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL I TOOK HIM TO FEDERAL COURT AND GOT THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER STRUCK DOWN.

ALSO WHEN JOE BIDEN TRIED TO FORCE VACCINE MANDATES I WENT INTO FEDERAL COURT AND GOT THOSE VACCINE MANDATES HALTED.

YOU DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING FROM ANDY BESHEAR HE ENDORSED JOE BIDEN AND BEHOLDEN TO THE FAR LEFT OF HIS PARTY.

AND LET ME SAY MORE BROADLY, THE GOVERNOR IS CERTAINLY HAS LICENSE TO SORT OF MAKE CLAIMS UP ABOUT THIS AND THAT.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THIS... THAT I AM TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR HOUSE.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME DROPPED BY 12%.

>> Renee: I WANT TO STICK WITH COVID FOR A MOMENT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR DO YOU HAVE MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE STRENGTH AND THE DURATION OF THE COVID RESTRICTIONS AND PARTICULARLY THE FLASHPOINT BEING ON EASTER SUNDAY WHEN STATE TROOPERS WERE CHECKING LICENSE PLATES DO YOU REGRET THAT DECISION, YES OR NO?

>> THIS IS ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND I SHOW PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC I WAS WILLING TO MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS EVEN IF IT COST ME.

I PUT POLITICS OUT THE WINDOW AND I MADE THE BEST DECISIONS I COULD TO SAVE AS MANY LIVES AS POSSIBLE.

YES, THEY WERE TOUGH.

BUT YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT IS HARD WHEN YOU ARE IN A ONE AND 100-YEAR PANDEMIC.

>> Renee: YOU WOULD DO IT AGAIN THE SAME WAY.

>> HE COULDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION WHETHER HE WOULD HAVE MADE ONE OR TWO DECISIONS AND I HAD TO MAKE THEM EVERYDAY.

THESE ARE BATTLEFIELD CONDITIONS.

I STOOD UP AND DID A PRESS CONFERENCE EVERYDAY FOR A YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

AND I READ OFF EVERY DEATH DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

IT WAS REAL.

AND ACTING LIKE IT WASN'T ACTING LIKE WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN THE STEPS IS A SLAP IN THE FACE FOR ALL THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS THAT MARCHED INTO THE COVID WINGS WHICH HE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PPE.

>> Renee: DID YOU GO TOO FAR?

>> I BELIEVE WE MADE THE BEST DECISIONS WE COULD WITH THE INFORMATION WE HAD.

I WAS THE FIRST GOVERNOR IN THE COUNTRY TO PRIORITIZE TEACHERS FOR VACCINES.

THIS ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYING HE WOULD HAVE SENT TEACHERS INTO CLASSROOMS POORLY VENTILATED, OLD BUILDINGS BEFORE THEY COULD GET THE OPTION TO GET A VACCINE.

>> Renee: LET ME ASK YOU WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOLS -- >> TEACHERS WITH SIGNIFICANT HEALTH CONDITIONS, POTENTIALLY TO THEIR DEATH.

>> Renee: WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOLS LET'S TALK ABOUT LEARNING LOSS.

MANY WOULD SAY THAT'S ONE THING YOU DID IGNORE YOU DID NOT HAVE A STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH THE LEARNING LOSS THAT STUDENTS WHO HAD BEEN HELD UP DURING THE PANDEMIC AT HOME AND NOT IN A TRADITIONAL SCHOOL SETTING OR IN HYBRID SITUATIONS THAT YOU CANNOT -- DID NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THAT.

>> THIS IS HAPPENING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND PRIMARILY BEEN DRIVEN BY NOT HAVING ENOUGH EDUCATORS.

IF YOU WANT TO CATCH A KID UP ON MATH THEY HAVE TO HAVE A MATH TEACHER IN THE ROOM EVERYDAY.

IF YOU WANT TO CATCH UP A KID ON READING YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ENGLISH TEACHER IN THE ROOM EVERYDAY.

WE PAY OUR TEACHERS SO POORLY IN THIS COMMONWEALTH WE HAVE SOME OF THE LARGEST TEACHER SHORTAGES THAT YOU SEE ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

I'VE PUSHED FOR TEACHERS RAISESES MY EDUCATION FIRST PLAN WOULD PROVIDE 11% ACROSS THE BOARD RAISE.

IT WOULD MOVE US FROM 44TH TO THE MID-20s.

AND 40TH IN AVERAGE TEACHER PAY TO THE MID-20s.

THIS IS A COMPETITION FOR TALENT NOT JUST WITH IS YOURING STATES RAISE -- SURROUNDING STATES AND OTHER PROFESSIONS.

>> Renee: DO YOU PROPOSE IN YOUR BUDGET PROVISIONS TO HAVE TUTORING SERVICES OR OTHER ADDITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WHO WERE BEHIND?

>> WE PROPOSED SIGNIFICANT RAISES FOR OUR TEACHERS TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS A TEACHER IN EACH CLASSROOM.

WE PROPOSED EXTRA LEARNING RESOURCES IN TERMS OF TEXTBOOKS AND TECHNOLOGY AND I SAID AT THE TIME THAT WE OUGHT TO BE USING THOSE DOLLARS TO ADDRESS ANY CHALLENGES THAT WERE COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE PUSHED FOR MORE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES KNOWING THAT THAT WAS A CHALLENGE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

BUT MORE SO DURING IT.

YES, YOU SAW THE MOST ROBUST REQUEST FOR EDUCATION FUNDING THAT YOU'VE SEEN IN A BUDGET IN A DECADE IN MY LAST ONE AND WE GOT A LOT OF IT BUT WE DIDN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT.

IN THIS BUDGET IT'S TIME TO STEP UP AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CLASSROOM HAS A TEACHER FOR EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR.

>> Renee: GENERAL CAMERON YOUR EDUCATION PLAN?

>> I HAVE TO GO BACK.

YOU ASKED THE GOVERNOR IF HE REGRETS RELATED TO COVID.

AND HE SAID NO.

GAVIN NEWSOM AS FAR LEFT AS GAVGAVIN NEWSOM SAID HE HAD REGS BUT THIS GOVERNOR BECAUSE OF PRIDE WON'T TELL YOU BUT OUR KIDS SUFFERED.

TALKING ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING AT YOUR HOUSE.

YOUR KIDS ARE BEHIND BECAUSE OF THIS SHORT-SIGHTED DECISION THAT ANDY BESHEAR MADE.

>> Renee: WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY TO CATCH THE KIDS UP?

>> WITH THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN THIS IS A PLAN ABOUT MAKING SURE WE HAVE 16-WEEK PROGRAM FOR ANY PARENTS THAT ARE WATCHING THIS IS A 16-WEEK PROGRAM AFTER SCHOOL INSTRUCTION AND SUMMER INSTRUCTION.

WE'RE GOING TO PAY OUR TEACHERS TO BE A PART OF THIS AND ASK STUDENT TEACHERS TO BE A PART OF IT.

CATCH OUR KIDS UP ON READING SCIENCE AND MATH.

WE KNOW AT HOME WATCHING THAT YOUR KIDS ARE BEHIND NEARLY 50% OF OUR KIDS CAN'T READ AT GRADE LEVEL.

29% CAN DO SCIENCE.

MATH ABOUT THE SAME AT GRADE LEVEL.

AGAIN WE NEED TO CATCH OUR KIDS UP.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I STAND HERE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT AS SOMEONE WHO WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREES AND BELIEVES IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

I GREW UP IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM MY WIFE SPENT SEVEN YEARS TEACHING IN THE COUNTY FIFTH AND THIRD GRADE.

MY SISTER-IN-LAW TEACHES.

I WANT TO INCREASE THEIR SALARIES AND EAR HERE IS THE OTHER THING THAT IS IMPORTANT.

I HEAR FROM A LOT OF TEACHERS ACROSS KENTUCKY THAT LEFT THE CLASSROOM BECAUSE OF DISCIPLINE ISSUES, PART OF MY PLAN IS TO HELP RESTORE DISCIPLINE TO THE CLASSROOM IF THERE'S DISRUPTION IN THE CLASSROOM A TEACHER IS EMPOWERED.

>> Renee: THE LEGISLATURE DID THAT WITH HOUSE BILL 538.

>> WE NEED TO DO MORE TO RESTORE DISCIPLINE TO EMPOWER OUR TEACHERS TO REMOVE DISRUPTION.

>> Renee: THAT IS WHAT THAT LAW WOULD HAVE DONE.

>> .

>> DANIEL CAMERON APPROACH TO EDUCATION INCLUDES VOUCHERS.

IT WILL TAKE TENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS AWAY FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SEND IT TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

HE WILL TELL YOU IT IS NOT IN HIS PLAN.

IN JULY HE SAID THIS RACE IS ABOUT VOUCHERS.

AND YOU CAN ASK HIM DIRECTLY.

>> Renee: LET'S ASK HIM DIRECTLY DO YOU SUPPORT VOUCHERS?

>> I SUPPORT WHAT I'VE ALWAYS SAID I SUPPORT CATCHING UP OUR KIDS.

MY PLAN IS -- >> Renee: THE SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDITS.

>> MAKING SURE WE CATCH THE KIDS UP.

WE'VE DEAN ANDY BESHEAR EDUCATION PLAN AND IT SHUTDOWN OUR SCHOOLS FOR TWO YEARS.

>> Renee: YOU WOULD BE FOR SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

>> I SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE NEED TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY AND CHOICE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE AT THE SAME TIME LOOK MORE THAN 90% OF OUR KIDS ARE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

PARENTS AT HOME THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR KIDS ARE CAUGHT UP THIS GOVERNOR SHUT OUR SCHOOLS DOWN FOR TWO YEARS.

WE SUFFERED LEARNING LOSS.

>> LOOK IN THE CAMERA AND ANSWER THE QUESTION.

I OPPOSE VOUCHERS.

100%.

THEY STEAL MONEY FROM OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SEND THEM TO OUR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THE REASON HE WON'T ANSWER IS HE SUPPORTS VOUCHERS.

HE HAS TIME AND TIME AGAIN BUT WHAT IS CONCERNING HE WON'T BE HONEST WITH YOU.

AND ANSWER A DIRECT QUESTION AND LOOK IN THE CAMERA.

YOU DESERVE A GOVERNOR THAT WILL DO THAT WHETHER THE ANSWER -- >> Renee: WHY WILL YOU NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION?

>> I AGREE WE NEED TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY AND CHOICE BUT THIS PROGRAM AND POLICY I PUT FORTH IS ABOUT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> ARE YOU FOR VOUCHERS?

>> YOU WERE FOR SHUTTING OUR SCHOOLS DOWN FOR TWO YEARS.

DID YOU SHUT OUR SCHOOLS DOWN FOR TWO YEARS AND DO WE HAVE LEARNING LOSS.

ANDY BESHEAR SHUT YOU DOWN FOR TWO YEARS.

YOUR KIDS ARE BEHIND ON LEARNING IN READING, SCIENCE AND MATH THOSE INDICATORS FOR SUCCESS.

A PARENT AT HOME WATCHING RIGHT NOW WANTS TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS ARE READY TO GO TO COLLEGE UNDER THIS GOVERNOR WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

>> I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY HE WON'T SAY IT.

HE SA I HAD IN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND LOOKED AT THE CAMERA BUT HE WON'T BE HONEST WITH YOUR VIEWERS TO SAY A VIEW HE HAS.

IT IS NOT HARD TO BE HONEST AND LOOK IN A CAMERA AND SAY HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT VOUCHERS.

>> Renee: IF YOU ARE SENT A BILL AS GOVERNOR THAT HAS SCHOOL VOUCHERS WOULD YOU SIGN THAT MEASURE INTO LAW.

>> I WOULD SIGN IT BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW THAT CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN IS ABOUT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I CANNOT STRESS THAT ENOUGH.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR TEACHERS ARE IN POSITION TO BUILD DECK CONNECTIONS AND THE CLASSROOM IS AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE ENOUGH FOR THE STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND AND BE FREE FROM DISRUPTIONS.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REMOVE THE BUREAUCRACY THAT EXISTS IN THE CLASSROOM AS WELL.

>> WHILE TAKING TENS OR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OUT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SENDING THEM TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

YOU CAN'T HAVE A PUBLIC SCHOOL PLAN IF IT INCLUDES VOUCHERS.

YOU CAN'T TAKE THE FUNDING OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO SUCCEED.

>> .

>> CATCH UP PLAN BECAUSE CLEARLY THE PUBLIC EDUCATION PLAN THAT I PUT FORTH SAID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT VOUCHERS.

THE REASON THE GOVERNOR CONTINUES TO GO DOWN THIS LINE OF QUESTIONING IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT HE IS SOFT ON THIS ISSUE.

AGAIN HE HAS NO REGRETS AS IT RELATES TO COVID.

YOU HAVE NO REGRETS RELATED TO COVID AND SHUTTING THE SCHOOLS DOWN.

>> MY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CHOSE SOMEONE WHO VOTED FOR MATT BEVIN'S SEWER BILL THAT WOULD HAVE STOLEN THE PENSIONS OF EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE AND HE SAID HE WANTED THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> Renee: LAST PART ON THIS GENERAL CAMERON.

>> THE REASON OUR PENSIONS ARE IN THE MESS THEY ARE IN IS BECAUSE THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION AND HIS FATHER'S ADMINISTRATION AND DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP SWIPED THE PENSIONS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THEY TOOK MONEY OUT TO PAY FOR PET PROJECTS AND THAT IS THE REASON TEACHERS' PENSIONS ARE IN THE SAME THEY ARE IN.

THE KENTUCKY TEACHERS RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION JUST SENT A LETTER TO OUR STATE LEGISLATURE, THE REPUBLICAN RUN STATE LEGISLATURE APPLAUDING THEM FOR MAKING THE PAYMENTS TO OUR PENSION SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY MAINTAIN SOLVENCY.

THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN DOING RIGHT BY MAINTAINING THE SOLVENCY AND MAKING THE OBLIGATED PAYMENTS.

AND I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT BUT ALSO MAKE SURE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH A PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT IS WORKING BEST FOR OUR KIDS SO THAT THEY CAN BE THE BEST.

>> I'M PROUD AS GOVERNOR THAT I HAVE PUT IN MY BUDGET NOT ONLY FULLY FUNDING OUR PENSIONS BUT EXTRA MONEY FOR OUR PENSIONS ARE PROPOSED BUDGET AND WHAT WHAT IT'S RESULTED IN IS PENSIONS BEING IN THE BEST PLACE THEY HAVE BEEN IN A DECADE.

DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.

WE HAVE HAD TWO BOND RATING UPGRADES SOMETHING WE HAD NOT SEEN IN 13 YEARS AND WHAT EACH SAID WAS BASED ON THIS ADMINISTRATION, WORKING WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WE HAVE OUR HOUSE AND SOME OF THE BEST FINANCIAL SHAPE IT'S BEEN.

WE'VE HAD THE THREE BIGGEST BUDGET SURPLUSES AND THE PENSIONS OF EVERY TEACHER, POLICE OFFICER AND FIREFIGHTER AND SOCIAL WORKER ARE AS SAFE AS THEY HAVE BEEN IN A LONGTIME.

THIS AFTER OUR LAST GOVERNOR TRIED TO ILLEGALLY CUT THEM AND HIS AG SAID HE WOULD HAVE DEFENDED THAT LAW AND FOUGHT TO HAVE CUT THOSE RETIREMENTS.

>> Renee: THIS IS A SCENARIO OF A SCHOOL EDUCATOR OR ADMINISTRATOR WHO SHARED THIS STORY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR HOPEFULLY THINGS IMPROVED.

THIS MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IS PART OF A SMALL RURAL DISTRICT 40 MINUTES FROM LEXINGTON WHERE TEACHERS SALARIES ARE HIGHER.

A LOT OF THE STAFF WORK MULTIPLE JOBS TO PAY LIVING EXPENSES.

THERE WERE NINE TEACHERS VACANCIES AND SCHOOL WAS TO START IN ONE WEEK AND THERE WERE NO APPLICANTS.

ADMINISTRATORS WERE LEFT TO LOOK FOR STEALING EMPLOYEES FROM OTHER SCHOOLS.

HOW WOULD YOU LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD ACROSS KENTUCKY TO ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND HOW MUCH EDUCATION SHOULD THE TEACHERS HAVE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR?

>> WELL, THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS PAY OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES CLOSER TO WHAT THEY ARE WORTH.

LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I SECURED THE LARGEST RAISE IN HISTORY FOR THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE.

WE HAVE MORE TROOPERS AND MORE APPLICATIONS.

WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO RAISE SALARIES FOR SOCIAL WORKERS MORE SOCIAL WORKERS TO BETTER PROTECT OUR KIDS.

OUR CORRECTIONS OFFICERS.

WE FINALLY GOT TO A PLACE WHERE MORALE IS TURNED DOWN AND WE'RE SEEING THE APPLICATIONS.

OUR EDUCATORS DESERVE A RAISE.

IT IS AN 11% RAISE FOR TEACHERS, BUS DRIVERS, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS IT TAKES THAT VILLAGE OF A SCHOOL.

AND LAST TIME WHILE I DID GET RECORD FUNDING FOR K-12 THEY DID NOT MANDATE THAT CERTAIN AMOUNTS GO TO RAISES AND THAT MEANT SOME DISTRICTS DID THIS MUCH AND SOME DISTRICTS DID THAT MUCH AND WE HAVE TO HAVE EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVING FILLED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE VACANCIES.

MY PLAN WOULD MOVE US FROM 44TH IN STARTING TEACHER PAY TO THE MID-20s.

IT WILL WORK.

>> Renee: GENERAL CAMERON.

>> THERE HE GOES AGAIN.

THIS IS TV ANDY TELLING YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS FRANKFORT ANDY PROPOSED IF YOU ARE A TEACHER WHEN HE WAS RUNNING IN 2019 PROPOSED A $2,000 RAISE.

YOU DIDN'T GET IT.

HE PROPOSED A 5% RAISE.

YOU DIDN'T GET IT.

NOW HE IS PROPOSING AN 11% RAISE AND YOU DIDN'T GET IT.

THE REASON YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN THOSE BECAUSE THIS GOVERNOR HAS NO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

I'VE TALKED ABOUT MY PLAN AND WANTING TO INCREASE THE PAY OF OUR TEACHERS.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE OF DISCIPLINE.

AS I'VE TALKED TO TEACHERS I TALKED TO ADMINISTRATORS FROM OLDHAM COUNTY LAST WEEK THEY DIDN'T SEE THE RAISE AND SOME TEACHERS HAVE LEFT AND GONE TO OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE IMPROVE THE SALARIES THAT OUR TEACHERS HAVE AND MAKE SURE THAT THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY ARE LEARNING AND TEACHING IS CONDUCIVE TO THOSE THINGS.

>> Renee: WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT HAS BEEN PASSED AND LAW?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE FOCUS ON AS A STATE WE'VE ALREADY HAD REQUIREMENT THAT THERE BE SRO'S IN ADDITION TO THAT WE NEED TO PUT MONEY BEHIND OUR SRO'S AS A STATE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

THERE ARE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE TRIED THEIR BEST TO COMPLY BUT THEY NEED RESOURCES.

AND I WANT TO HELP IN MAKING SURE WORKING WITH OUR LEGISLATURE BECAUSE I HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS TO GET THAT DONE, THIS GOVERNOR DOES NOT.

AND I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE WE DO THAT.

>> LET ME CORRECT A FACT.

OUR LAST BUDGET DID END UP PROVIDING RAISES IT WAS UP TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HOW MUCH.

ON AVERAGE IT WAS 3-5%.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY TEACHERS THAT DID NOT GET RAISES.

>> THIS PLAN WE DO A LOT MORE.

BUT TO SAY EDUCATORS DID NOT GET RAISES IN THE LAST BUDGET IS FLAT OUT UNTRUE.

>> THERE ARE TEACHERS THAT DID NOT GET A RAISE.

I KNOW THIS FIRSTHAND.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE STATISTICS THEY DID IT 3% ON AVERAGE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> SOME TEACHERS LEFT THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

>> AGAIN, A MANDATORY 11% RAISE WE'LL GET THE JOB DONE.

>> Renee: THIS QUESTION TO YOU Mr. CAMERON NO STATE TRIED TUTORING PROGRAMS HAS BEEN ABLE TO HIRE ENOUGH TUTORS TO RUN SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS WHY DO YOU THINK KENTUCKY WILL BE DIFFERENT?

>> WE ARE USING AS A MODEL A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM OCCURRING IN TENNESSEE.

THERE IS ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT IS OCCURRING RIGHT NOW IN UTAH AND SO WE BELIEVE BASED ON THOSE PLANS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST WE CAN GET THE TEACHERS AND THEN ALSO STUDENT TEACHERS INVOLVED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY INSTRUCTORS FOR THIS PLAN.

THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN IS A PLAN ABOUT OUR FUTURE.

IT'S ABOUT OUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO FUEL THE WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE.

AGAIN WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

BUT THE GOVERNOR SHUTDOWN OUR SCHOOLS.

HE CAN TALK ABOUT ALL HE WANTS ON EDUCATION.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE AGING SCHOOL FACILITIES THIS IS ANOTHER CONCERN OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

KENTUCKY HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF AGING SCHOOL FACILITIES WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR PROVIDING SAFE, SECURE, EQUITABLE FACILITIES FOR EVERY KENTUCKY STUDENT REGARDLESS OF THEIR ZIP CODE?

>> OUR LEGISLATURE MADE SOME MOVEMENTS TO IMPROVE FACILITIES AND I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT WORK ALONGSIDE THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE GOOD FACILITIES FOR OUR KIDS TO LEARN IN.

I KNOW JCPS BUILT NEW FACILITIES RECENTLY.

BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT WORK ACROSS OUR COMMONWEALTH.

IN FACT, IN JOHNSON COUNTY THEY ARE WORKING TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY THERE.

BUT NEED ADDITIONAL HELP FROM THE LEGISLATURE AND FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND I WILL BE WILLING TO PARTNER WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO CONTINUE AND FINALIZE THEIR BUILDING PROJECT.

>> Renee: GOVERNOR BESHEAR?

>> I'M PROUD TO BE THE GOVERNOR THAT PROVIDED $240 MILLION TO RENOVATE OUR CAREER AND TECHNICAL PROGRAMS.

INSIDE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT WAS A HUGE INFUSION CELEBRATED ALL OVER THE STATE.

AGAIN, BIPARTISAN PLAN WORKED ON THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

JOHNSON COUNTY IS GETTING $10 MILLION THROUGH THAT PROGRAM.

WE GOT TO WORK ON HAVING MORE BOND CAPACITY FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES WHEN THEY CAN'T BRING ALL OF THE FINANCING UP FRONT.

YOU LOOK AT WHERE I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL IN LEXINGTON HENRY CLAY NOW BEING ONE OF THE OLDEST SCHOOLS THAT IS THERE.

SEEING THE CHALLENGE THAT THESE LOCAL COMMUNITIES HAVE IN THE COSTS OF A NEW BUILDING MEANS THE STATE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO STEP UP.

LET ME SAY WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT DOING THINGS EQUITABLY MAKE SURE YOU ARE LOOKING AT MORE THAN JUST THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

WHERE JOBS ARE.

I WAS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE BIGGEST JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE AND WE THINK AT LEAST 20 YEARS, 350 NEW JOBS PAYING ALMOST $30 AN HOUR.

I'M PROUD TO BE THE GOVERNOR THAT IS HELPING TO BUILD THE FIRST HOSPITAL IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE IN 150 YEARS.

I'M PROUD TO BE THE GOVERNOR THAT IS WORKING WITH PIKEVILLE MEDICAL CENTER ON TWO PEDIATRIC AUTISM CENTERS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE EDUCATION OF OUR KIDS, THE BUILDINGS ARE IMPORTANT OUR TEACHERS ARE IMPORTANT BUT HAVING A STABLE FAMILY WITH GOOD JOB AND HEALTHCARE WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE TWO HOURS IS CRITICAL TO THE WELL-BEING OF THAT CHILD.

>> Renee: NORMA HATFIELD PRESIDENT OF KIN SHIP FAMILIES OF KENTUCKY KENTUCKY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF CHILDREN RAISED BY GRANDPARENTS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IS IN THE TOP 10 OF STATES I THINK WE'RE NUMBER SIX.

DO YOU HAVE A PLAN TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR PREVENTION OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT FOR KINSHIP CAREGIVERS.

>> KIN SHIP CARE IS AMAZING A CHILD WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE ANYBODY LOOKING OUT FOR THEM.

AND KENTUCKY MOST OF THE TIME HAS A GRANDPARENT I HAD TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS DURING COVID BECAUSE I KNEW SO MANY OF THOSE CHILDREN WERE GOING HOME TO A GRANDPARENT OLDER, MORE AT RISK AND THE IDEA THAT THEY COULD BRING SOMETHING HOME AND LOSE THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD THAT CARES ABOUT THEM, WEIGHED ON ME DAY IN AND DAY OUT AND WAS PART OF THE DECISION MAKING.

WE'RE WORKING TO FREE UP MORE DOLLARS FOR KIN SHP CARE THERE IS A FOSTER CARE PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH KIN SHIP BUT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH TOO MANY HOOPS.

WE KNOW OUR CHILDREN ARE BEST WHEN THEY HAVE SOMEONE THAT TRULY LOVES THEM AND SUPPORTS THEM AND THAT MEANS ESPECIALLY WHEN THOSE ARE OLDER KENTUCKIANS WE NEED TO DO OF THE WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THEIR NEEDS ARE MET.

WHY FRISKIES IN THE SCHOOL ARE SO CRITICAL.

THEY ARE THE GROUP THAT GETS IT TO THEM.

OUR SENIOR MEALS AND MEALS THROUGH SCHOOL ARE SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE COULD SEE MORE CHALLENGES WITH HUNGER IN THAT GROUP.

IT'S WHY WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES IN EACH AND EVERYONE OF OUR COMMUNITIES SO EACH GRANDPARENT OR ANYBODY ELSE IN KINSHIP CARE, THANK YOU FOR CARE BEING THAT CHILD AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH YOU TO GIVE THEM THE BIGGEST BRIGHTEST FUTURE POSSIBLE.

>> Renee: Mr. CAMERON?

>> I TOO WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH I'M GRATEFUL FOR OUR GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER KIN THAT ARE HELPING STEP IN TO HELP OUR CHILDREN.

I'VE SEEN THIS FIRSTHAND WITH THE DRUG AND OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

THAT IS RAVAGED SO MANY COMMUNITIES AND WE'VE HAD A LOT OF KIN STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO HELP WITH KIDS WHOSE PARENTS MIGHT BE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

BUT ON THIS TOPIC, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE SO THAT KINSHIP CARE IS EXPANDED AND THAT WE ARE THAT BREAKING UP THOSE FAMILY UNITS.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE SEEN WITH THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AS OF LATE UNDER THIS GOVERNOR, IS THAT TOO MANY KIDS ARE SLEEPING ON FLOORS IN DILL LAP DATED BUILDINGS.

THAT HAS TO END AND PART OF THE SOLUTION IS EXPANDING KINSHIP CARE I WILL WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO FIND THOSE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN DOLLARS TO EXPAND THAT CARE AND GIVE YOU THE RESOURCES YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN.

>> Renee: I WANT TO SHIFT TO TALK ABOUT STATE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS.

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO THERE WERE ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING THE STATE'S YOUTH DETENTION CENTERS.

OFFICIALS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADVOCACY SAID SOME JUVENILE OFFENDERS WERE BEING KEPT IN ISOLATION FOR UP TO 21 DAYS AT A TIME.

AND DPA OFFICIALS SAID THAT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF SUICIDE, DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS AND IT WAS BEING USED AS PUNISHMENT AGAINST THE RULES.

EVEN THE SECRETARY, SAID IN RESPONSE TO THIS, BUT IF IT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO TRY AND PRESERVE SAFETY WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

AND HE PROVIDED DETAILED ON PROLONGED ISOLATION THAT WAS NEEDED WHEN IT WAS ACCEPTABLE.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR DOES THIS CONCERN YOU THAT PRACTICES LIKE THESE ARE HAPPENING TO YOUTH OFFENDERS AND IS THAT THE RIGHT APPROACH AND DID YOU KNOW OF IT?

>> SURE IT CONCERNS ME I RUN TOWARDS PROBLEMS AND NOT AWAY FROM THEM.

I INHERITED A DJJ SYSTEM THAT WAS BROKEN.

THEY LOST YOUNG LADY UNDER THE LAST GOVERNOR IN A FACILITY NOW CLOSED.

WHEN I CAME IN, WE WERE PAYING OUR DJJ OFFICERS UNDER $30,000 A YEAR.

TO DO DANGEROUS WORK.

WE WERE CRITICALLY UNDERSTAFFED AND WE NOW HAVE GOTTEN THE SALARIES UP TO $50,000 AND ARE GETTING THANKFULLY MORE PEOPLE.

WHEN I CAME IN, WE HAD BOYS AND GIRLS IN THE SAME FACILITIES OUR CORRECTIONS SYSTEM WOULD NEVER DO THAT.

IT PUTS PEOPLE AT TOO MUCH RISK.

WHEN I CAME IN WE HAD FACILITIES SOMEONE AWAITING TRIAL FOR MURDER WAS NEXT TO SOMEONE FOR TRUANCY AND THAT IS SKIPPING SCHOOL AND WHAT HAPPENED IS SOMEONE AWAITING TRIAL FOR A SERIOUS CRIME THAT DOESN'T SEE A FUTURE WOULD BE VIOLENT, WOULD BE DISRUPTIVE AND TO PRESERVE EVERYBODY'S SAFETY THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE LOCKDOWNS.

AND WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN IS THAT CHILD THAT IS THERE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THAT WE NEED TO GET THE SERVICES WE CAN THE INTERVENTION SHOULD WORK AND GET BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK WAS NOT GETTING THOSE SERVICES.

AGAIN, BECAUSE OF HOW THE SYSTEM WAS SETUP.

I TOOK ACTION.

WE SEPARATED GIRLS FROM BOYS.

WE NOW HAVE DIFFERENT FACILITIES BASED ON THE LEVEL OF CRIME SOMEONE IS ACCUSED FROM.

>> Renee: IS ISOLATION APPROPRIATE?

WHAT THAT MEANS ON THE LOWER LEVEL FACILITIES WE ARE HAVING ALMOST NO DISRUPTION AT ALL AND GETTING ALL OF THOSE SERVICES.

I DON'T LIKE ISOLATION AS A TOOL.

BUT IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT HAS ATTACKED REPEATEDLY A NUMBER OF OFFICERS PUT THEM AT RISK, I MEAN I KNOW DJJ OFFICERS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES SO SERIOUSLY THEY CAN'T COME BACK.

WE THINK ABOUT THESE KIDS AND SOME ARE SMALL SOME ARE HUGE.

THEY ARE MEN BUT STILL JUVENILES.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FIRST.

AND THEN WE NEED TO PROVIDE ALL THE SERVICES WE CAN.

>> Renee: Mr. CAMERON YOUR VIEW ON THIS?

>> LOOK, WHETHER IT'S OUR JUVENILE FACILITIES WHICH WE'VE SEEN UNDER THIS GOVERNOR TOO MANY INSTANCES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND OTHER BAD INSTANCES WHETHER IT IS AT THE CAMPBELL COUNTY FACILITY, THESE CHALLENGES ABOUND.

AND WHAT THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T SAY TO YOU IS THAT HE HAS HELD ANYBODY ACCOUNTABLE.

THE FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THOSE OFFICES AT DJJ ARE STILL IN THOSE OFFICES.

HE HASN'T FIRED A PERSON.

AND WHEN I'M THE NEXT GOVERNOR WE'RE GOING TO CLEAN HOUSE BECAUSE YOU AS CITIZENS YOU AS PARENTS, YOU AS FOLKS CONCERNED ABOUT OUR YOUTH, NEED TO KNOW THAT FOLKS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IF THIS SORT OF CONDUCT OCCURS.

AND THAT'S MY COMIMENT TO YOU TONIGHT AND LOOK AT THE END OF THE DAY WHETHER IT'S THIS OR THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE OR THE TEAM KENTUCKY FUND NOW UNDER AUDIT THIS GOVERNOR HAS FAILED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT.

>> RENEE -- >> Renee: HAVE YOU HELD ANYONE ACCOUNTABLE IN DJJ?

>> WE HAVE HELD THE JUVENILES ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY ATTACK SOMEONE AND DJJ OFFICERS HAVE BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE WE HAVE FIRED WARDENS FROM THESE FACILITIES.

AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SEE THE WORLD THROUGH PARTISAN LENS.

HE CAN'T PUT BLAME ON THE LAST ADMINISTRATION WHERE WE SAW THESE CHALLENGES.

HE TALKED ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT BUT HE WON'T TELL YOU THAT MATT BEVIN FIRED 90 PEOPLE OR TRANSFERRED THEM OUT OF THE SYSTEM AND CLOSED ALL OUR RURAL OFFICES WHICH MADE THAT SUCH A CHALLENGE.

YOU CAN'T LEAD TEAM KENTUCKY IF EVERYTHING GOOD IN THE WORLD IS BECAUSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND EVERYTHING BAD IS BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNOR.

LISTEN YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GOVERN FOR EVERY FAMILY AND TAKE THAT PARTISAN HAT OFF THE MOMENT YOU ARE ELECTED AND DO YOUR BEST FOR EVERYONE.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

THERE WERE TOO MANY KENTUCKIANS WAITING TOO LONG FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS.

DOES THE ADMINISTRATION TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE FAILURES OF THE UI SYSTEM AND HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO GET MONEY TO FIX THE FLAWS?

>> IF I HAD HAD A CRYSTAL BALL IN THE PANDEMIC, ONE THING I WOULD HAVE DONE WAS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION THAT STARTED IN JANUARY AND THE PANDEMIC HIT IN MARCH, I WOULD HAVE PUSHED EVERY SINGLE DAY TO REPAIR THE CUTS THAT MATT BEVIN AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MADE CUTTING 90 INDIVIDUALS 90 TRAINED INDIVIDUALS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PROCESSING CLAIMS.

I WOULD HAVE WORKED TO HAVE REOPENED THE RURAL OFFICES THAT MATT BEVIN AND THAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAD CLOSED.

IF WE HAD KNOWN WHAT WAS COMING AND WE HAD THE RESOURCES THAT WERE THERE DURING THE LAST ADMINISTRATION WE COULD HAVE DONE MUCH BETTER.

THE OTHER PROBLEM IS I INHERITED A IT SYSTEM THAT IS OLDER THAN I AM.

AND SUDDENLY IT SAW THE MOST CLAIMS IT'S SEEN AND MOST SOPHISTICATED CYBER ATTACKS.

HE TRIES TO TURN US AGAINST EACH OTHER.

TRIES TO GET US ANGRY AT EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE REAL ENEMIES OUTSIDE OF THIS COUNTRY AND THEY ATTACKED US TIME AFTER TIME TRYING TO SEND MILLIONS OF FAKE CLAIMS TO MAKE IT HARDER TO HELP OUR PEOPLE.

EVERYDAY WE STROVE TO DO BETTER.

YES I WAS THE GOVERNOR.

I AM THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP I'M NOT GOING TO RUN AWAY FROM PROBLEMS.

WE ARE UPDATING THAT IT SYSTEM.

WE HAVE VENDORS DOING FINAL PRESENTATIONS RIGHT NOW TO GET A STATE-OF-THE-ART NEW IT SYSTEM THAT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE'VE COME IN AND ADDED SECURITY THAT STOPS THE CYBER ATTACKS THAT MAKES PEOPLE PROVE WHO THEY ARE AND IT IS NOT A FALSE CLAIM UP FRONT.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING EVERYDAY TO MAKE SURE IF THIS EVER HAPPENS AGAIN, NOBODY HAS TO STAND IN THOSE LONG LINES.

>> Renee: I WANT TO GET TO A FEW QUESTIONS THAT HAVE COME IN FROM VIEWERS.

THIS FROM JOHN HENDERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS WE TALK ABOUT TEACHERS WHAT ABOUT YOUR MAINTENANCE WORKERS, BUS DRIVERS, CUSTODIANS, CAFETERIA EMPLOYEES, WE SEEM TO BE FORGOTTEN THE SCHOOLS CANNOT OPERATE WITHOUT THESE PEOPLE WE NEED PAY INCREASES ALSO.

Mr. CAMERON, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO Mr. DOUGLAS?

>> I AGREE WITH Mr. DOUGLAS AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR LEGISLATURE THAT WILL BE A PRIORITY AS WELL.

AGAIN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM NEEDS HELP.

AND WE NEED A GOVERNOR THAT IS GOING TO RUN TOWARDS THIS ISSUE AND NOT ONLY RUN TOWARDS IT BUT BRING THE LEGISLATURE ALONGSIDE ME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE EXPANDING THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT OUR KIDS HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR WE HAVE WORLD CLASS EDUCATION SYSTEM ONE THAT IS ABOUT READING, WRITING AND AND MATH.

AND I WANT TO FOCUS ON THAT.

I WANT TO BUILD THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST VERSION OF OUR STUDENTS THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN.

THAT MEANS MAKING SURE OUR STAFF OUR ADMINISTRATION HAS THE RESOURCES THAT IT NEEDS TO DO THE JOB.

>> Renee: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER?

>> I WANT YOUR VIEWER TO KNOW THAT I HEAR HIM, I SEE HIM AND I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT HE AND EVERYONE ELSE IS IN THE EDUCATION OF EVERY CHILD.

LOOK AT OUR BUS DRIVERS.

WE HAVE HUGE SHORTAGES ACROSS THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WE'VE HAD SOME DISTRICTS THAT HAVE HAD CHALLENGES GETTING KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL SAFELY BUT WE HAVE A LEGISLATURE THAT SHORTED ONE DISTRICT $18 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION FEES THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO UNDER LAW PROVIDE.

MY OPPONENT'S PLAN DOESN'T HAVE A RAISE FOR YOU IN THE PLAN.

READ IT.

MINE HAS AN 11% ACROSS THE BOARD RAISE BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS EVERY OTHER EDUCATOR WE NEED EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.

YOU ARE INVALUABLE HANG ON HELP IS ON THE WAY.

WE CARE ABOUT YOU.

>> Renee: DOES YOUR PLAN OMIT THAT?

>> THE GOVERNOR TALKS ABOUT UNIFYING THIS COMMONWEALTH BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, IN THE LAST TWO QUESTIONS HE HAS THROWN THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR UNDER THE BUS HE ALSO JUST THREW THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE UNDER THE BUS EVEN THOUGH HE CLAIMS HE WANTS TO WORK WITH THEM.

Mr. DOUGLAS IF YOU ARE WATCHING AT HOME KNOW I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU.

I WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED AND I WILL WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATURE.

TO GET THESE BIG THINGS DONE ON EDUCATION ON GETTING VIOLENT CRIME UNDER CONTROL, ON PROTECTING THE FAMILY UNIT, YOU NEED TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE NOT THROW THEM UNDER THE BUS.

>> THAT IS YET ANOTHER QUESTION THAT THIS CANDIDATE REFUSES TO LOOK IN THE CAMERA AND ANSWER.

THE QUESTION WAS: IS IT IN YOUR WRITTEN PLAN?

AND HE WON'T ANSWER BECAUSE IT'S NO.

>> CAN I SAY THIS, RENEE?

ANDY BESHEAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE PLANS HE PROMISED YOU $2,000 THEN 5% AND NOW 11% HE HAS HAD THE PLANS AND NONE OF THOSE RAISES HAVE OCCURRED.

>> Renee: THIS IS A GOOD YES OR NO A HARD PIVOT TO ABORTION.

Mr. CAMERON DO YOU PERSONALLY FAVOR ALLOWING LEGAL ABORTIONS IN KENTUCKY IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST, YES OR NO?

>> LOOK, IF THE LEGISLATURE BRINGS ME THOSE EXCEPTIONS I WILL SIGN IT.

LET ME SAY THIS, RENEE, I'M PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S WORST NIGHTMARE.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS FUNDING ANDY BESHEAR'S CAMPAIGN THE SECOND LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR.

I WILL NOT BOW TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD WAS FOUNDED BY MARGARET SINGER WHO ABSOLUTELY WANTED TO DESTROY THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

I AM THE WORST NIGHTMARE FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

I AM A PRO-LIFE CANDIDATE.

ANDY BESHEAR IS A PRO ABORTION CANDIDATE HE WANTS MORE ABORTIONS AND WANTS YOU THE TAXPAYER TO PAY FOR IT.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS RUNNING SO HARD AGAINST ME BECAUSE I AM A NIGHTMARE I AM THE TYPE OF PERSON MARGARET SINGER THE PERSON WHO FOUNDED PLANNED PARENTHOOD SAID DIDN'T DESERVE TO LIVE.

WE HAVE TO END THIS CULTURE THAT ANDY BESHEAR'S CREATED HERE.

WE NEED TO ESTABLISH A CULTURE OF LIFE.

I WILL BE A GOVERNOR THAT PROMOTES LIFE AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE LIFE AFFIRMING OPTIONS AND THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

>> Renee: WE WANT TO DO MORE OF THAT IN JUST A MOMENT.

I WOULD LIKE A DIRECT ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.

SO YOU SAY THAT IF YOU ARE SENT A BILL OR IF THE COURT WERE TO ORDER IT, BUT FROM A PERSONAL CONVICTION, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST ABORTION SHOULD BE A LEGAL OPTION FOR WOMEN IN KENTUCKY YES OR NO, SIR?

>> LOOK IF THE LEGISLATURE BRINGS ME THAT BILL I WILL SIGN THOSE EXCEPTIONS.

>> Renee: BUT YOU WILL NOT PUSH OR ADVOCATE FOR IT?

>> I THINK IF THE LEGISLATURE IF THEY WORK ON THIS I WILL SIGN THOSE EXCEPTIONS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I AM THE PRO-LIFE CANDIDATE AND ANDY BESHEAR IS THE PRO ABORTION CANDIDATE.

>> OVER THREE DEBATES MY OPPONENT HAS BEEN ASKED THIS NINE TIMES AND HE HAS REFUSED TO LOOK IN THE CAMERA AND ANSWER IT ONCE.

YOU DESERVE A GOVERNOR WHO WILL LEVEL WITH YOU.

HERE LET ME SHOW HIM HOW TO DO IT I BELIEVE THE VICTIMS OF RAPE AND INCEST DESERVE OPTIONS THERE HAS TO BE AN EXCEPTION.

SOME OF THE GIRLS ARE AS YOUNG AS NINE YEARS OLD AND MY OPPONENT WOULD MAKE THEM CARRY A RAPIST'S BABY.

A RAPIST SHOULD NEVER HAVE MORE RIGHTS THAN THE VICTIM.

HE HAS SHOWN YOU WHAT THE ANSWER IS.

HE SUPPORTED THE BILL WITH NO EXCEPTIONS AND CELEBRATED IT.

HE IS DEFENDING IT IN COURT AND HIS LAWYERS ARE SAYING THAT NINE-YEAR-OLD RAPED BY A FAMILY MEMBER IS NOT HARMED BY HAVING TO CARRY HER RAPIST'S BABY THAT IS WRONG.

OUR PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER AND YOU DESERVE A GOVERNOR THAT CAN LOOK IN A CAMERA AND ANSWER THE QUESTION.

>> Renee: GENERAL CAMERON, YOU WERE ONE OF 19 REPUBLICANS WHO SIGNED ON TO A LETTER OPPOSING PROPOSED FEDERAL PRIVACY RULES BLOCKING STATE OFFICIALS FROM GETTING MEDICAL RECORDS OF WOMEN WHO SEEK ABORTIONS OUT OF STATE.

BY SIGNING THAT LETTER ARE YOU WANTING TO CRIMINALIZE WOMEN FOR SEEKING ABORTIONS OR PUNISHING THE ABORTION PROVIDERS.

WHAT IS THE END GOAL?

WHY SIGNING THE LETTER?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT I'VE BEEN ON THE RECORD THERE WAS A BILL OFFERED THAT TRIED TO CRIMINALIZE A WOMAN WHO MIGHT BE CONSIDERING AN ABORTION AND I CAME OUT STRONGLY AGAINST THAT BILL.

BUT, AGAIN, LET ME GO BACK TO THE VERY POINT OF HOW THIS CONVERSATION ORIGINATED.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS RUNNING HARD AGAINST ME.

THEY ARE THE SECOND LARGEST DONOR TO ANDY BESHEAR.

ANDY BESHEAR IS TRY TOGAS LIGHT YOU TONIGHT.

HERE IS A GOVERNOR THAT WHEN HE WAS IN MY POSITION REFUSED TO DEFEND A 20-WEEK BAN ON ABORTION.

HE VETOED A 15-WEEK BAN ON ABORTION.

AND TOLD THE TAXPAYERS HE WANTS YOU TO PAY FOR THE ABORTIONS AND REFUSED TO SIGN A LAW THAT WOULD PROTECT A BABY AFTER A FAILED ABORTION.

HE WANTS NO LIMITS ON ABORTIONS AND HE IS BACKED BY PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

THE REASON PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS RUNNING SO HARD THEY WERE FOUNDED BY A LADY THAT WANTED TO DESTROY THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> Renee: Mr. BESHEAR I WANT TO ASK YOU WHERE DO YOU STAND WHEN IT COMES TO LATE TERM ABORTIONS DO YOU BELIEVE A WOMAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO TERMINATE A PREGNANCY AT ANY POINT IN HER PREGNANCY INTO THE 9TH MONTH?

>> I HAVE BEEN CLEAR SINCE I STARTED RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT I AM IN FAVOR OF REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION ESPECIALLY LATE-TERM ABORTIONS.

BUT, AGAIN THIS ATTORNEY GENERAL WON'T ANSWER THE QUESTION.

HE SIGNED A LETTER SAYING THAT HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO COME AFTER YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS IF YOU GO OUT OF STATE FOR CARE.

YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS ARE PRIVATE.

THEY ARE YOURS.

BUT THIS ATTORNEY GENERAL WANTS TO BULLY YOU AND INTIMIDATE YOU.

AND WHEN HE SIGNS A LETTER SAYING HE WANTS TO COME AFTER YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS, BELIEVE HIM.

NOOFER.

>> Renee: , A QUESTION ABOUT A PROPOSAL A BILL REQUEST NUMBER 8 BY SENATE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN WESTERFIELD AND HE FILED THIS AND TALKED ABOUT IT WITH THE SENATE CAUCUS IN 2022 AFTER THE DOBBS DECISION ABOUT GIVING WOMEN MAKE ABORTION LESS ATTRACTIVE.

AND THIS WOULD CALL FOR MEDICAID SUPPORTS FOR LACTATION SERVICES AND BREAST-FEEDING SERVICES THAT THERE WOULD BE A TUITION WAIVER PROGRAM FOR PREGNANT WOMEN WHO WERE IN HIGHER EDUCATION AT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES.

AND EVEN GIVE MONEY TO THE KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION SO THAT PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER FIVE COULD HAVE A PLACE TO STAY.

DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS SOUND GOOD TO YOU AND WOULD YOU PUT THOSE IN A BUDGET PROPOSAL TO SUBMIT TO THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

>> ALL THOSE THINGS ARE, AREN'T ABOUT HAVING OPTIONS THEY ARE ABOUT SUPPORTING PREGNANT WOMEN, YES, I'VE EXPANDED MEDICAID AND THE COVERAGE FOR WOMEN WHO ARE EXPECTING AND AFTER THEY HAVE HAD A CHILD.

ABSOLUTELY, ANY SUPPORT THAT WE CAN GIVE TO A YOUNG MOM IN KENTUCKY.

LOOK AT WHAT SCHOLAR HOUSE DOES IN LOUISVILLE AND AROUND THE STATE PROVIDING HOUSING FOR PRIMARILY SINGLE MOTHERS AND SINGLE FATHERS.

HELPING THEM WITH THEIR KIDS AT THE SAME TIME GETTING AN EDUCATION, GETTING THAT FIRST HOUSE.

THOSE ARE AMAZING PROGRAMS.

AND, YES, IF SENATOR WESTERFIELD OR OTHERS WANT TO WORK WITH US ABOUT HOW WE PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT FOR ALL EXPECTING MOTHERS IN KENTUCKY THAT IS ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING.

>> Renee: GENERAL CAMERON ARE YOU ONBOARD WITH THAT IDEA?

>> I SUPPORT SOME OF THE LIFE AFFIRMING OPTIONS THAT SENATOR WESTERFIELD AND OTHERS PROPOSED.

IF YOU WANT TO ESTABLISH A CULTURE OF LIFE YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT MOTHERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

AND THERE WERE BABY BOXES THAT EXIST ACROSS KENTUCKY THAT GIVE A MOTHER AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE OVER HER BABY IN THE EVENT SHE IS NOT WANTING OR IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THAT CHILD.

I THINK ANY OF THESE LIFE AFFIRMING OPTIONS ARE REALLY CRITICAL.

AND I WILL SUPPORT THEM AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ALONGSIDE SENATOR WESTERFIELD AND OTHERS IN OUR LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE THOSE LIFE AFFIRMING OPTIONS.

>> Renee: THERE IS A FEW QUESTIONS COMING IN AND WE WILL HAVE FOUR MINUTES REMAINING.

OFF TOPIC BUT A GOOD QUESTION.

TO YOU BOTH, WOULD YOU RUN FOR THE SENATE IF A VACANCY OPENS DURING YOUR TERM AS GOVERNOR?

>> NO.

LISTEN I LOVE SERVING AS YOUR GOVERNOR.

I GET TO WAKE OF EACH DAY TO DO MY VERY BEST FOR YOU AND MY PLEDGE IS TO SERVE A FULL FOUR YEARS.

>> Renee: GENERAL CAMERON.

>> AND THAT IS WHERE I START MY DECISIONS IF WILL AND LILA ARE HAPPY WE WANT TO KEEP THAT GOING THEY ARE TEENAGERS IT'S TOUGH.

>> THE ANSWER IS NO.

MCKENZIE AND I HAVE A 21-MONTH-OLD WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS COMMONWEALTH IS A SHINING CITY ON A HILL A MODEL FOR THE REST REST OF THE NATION.

WE WANT THIS COMMONWEALTH TO BE ONE HE STAYS IN AND GROWS UP IN AND PERHAPS GETS MARRIED IN AND HAS HIS OWN KIDS.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT THIS COMMONWEALTH TO BE.

ONE IN WHICH WE RESPECT OUR CITIZENS' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

GOING FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL TO GOVERNOR IS REALLY GOING FROM DEFENSE TO OFFENSE.

IT'S MAKING SURE YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT RESPECTS YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT WILL PROTECT WOMEN'S SPORTS FROM BIOLOGICAL MALES MAKING SURE YOU WILL HAVE A GOVERNOR TO FIGHT TO PROTECT OUR KIDS FROM THESE TRANSGENDER SURGERIES AND ISSUES THAT MIGHT HURT THE INNOCENCE OF YOUTH.

>> Renee: THAT QUESTION TO GOVERNOR BESHEAR DID YOU KNOW THAT U.K. HEALTHCARE WAS PROVIDING NONGENITAL SURGICAL SURGERIES TO MINORS WHEN YOU HAD THE AD THAT SAID THE SURGERIES ARE NOT BEING PERFORMED IN KENTUCKY DID YOU KNOW THE SURGERIES HAD BEEN PERFORMED?

>> I AM A GOVERNOR THAT WILL LOOK AT YOU AND ANSWER THE QUESTION.

NO, I DIDN'T KNOW.

I OPPOSE GENDER REASSIGNMENT SURGERIES FOR MINORS.

THE BILL CHAMPIONED BY MY OPPONENT TURNS OUR EDUCATORS INTO THE GENDER POLICE.

IT TEARS AWAY THE FREEDOMS OF PARENTS TO MAKE COMPLICATED MEDICAL DECISIONS FOR THEIR KIDS.

I'M ALWAYS GOING TO SIDE WITH PARENTS.

I AM ONE.

AND BIG GOVERNMENT SHOULD NEVER COME IN AND TRY TO MAKE THOSE MEDICAL DECISIONS FOR YOU.

>> Renee: I WANT TO ASK THIS QUESTION.

>> RENEE IF I MAY.

THE GOVERNOR JUST TOLD YOU A LIE.

HE TOLD YOU THAT HE WAS AGAINST GENDER TRANSITION SURGERIES BUT HE VETOED THE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT OUR KIDS FROM THAT.

AS GOVERNOR WILL TELL YOU ANYTHING ON TELEVISION BUT WHEN HE GOES TO FRANKFORT HE VETOES LEGISLATION AND HE LETS 2,000 CRIMINALS OUT OF JAIL TO PREY ON OUR COMMUNITIES AND INCREASE OUR VIOLENT CRIME.

>> THAT BILL HAD A LOT OF PIECES TO IT AND THIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KNOWS IT.

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE] GENDER ASSIGNMENT SURGERIES.

BECAUSE HE COULD HAVE VETOED IT.

>> TURN OUR EDUCATORS INTO THE GENDER POLICE AND TEAR AWAY THE FREEDOM OF PARENTS TO MAKE MEDICAL DECISIONS HE WOULDN'T HAVE TALKED OVER ME IF HE DID NOT KNOW I WAS RIGHT.

THERE WERE MULTIPLE PIECES AND OUR PARENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE COMPLICATED MEDICAL DECISIONS INSTEAD OF GOVERNMENT.

>> Renee: A SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS GONE SO FAR AS TO PULL BOOKS FROM SHELVES.

106 BOOKS ONE IS A GRAPHIC NOVEL ABOUT ANNE FRANK.

DO YOU THINK IN THAT REGARD SB150 HAS GONE TOO FAR IN TERMS OF BOOK BANNING?

>> I HAVE NOT SEEN THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT COMMUNITY.

I GENERALLY TRUST OUR LIBRARIANS AND OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

THEY HAD SYSTEMS LIKE THIS IN PLACE BEFORE.

BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE DON'T GO SO FAR THAT WE PICK ON A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ALREADY SO MARGINALIZED.

I BELIEVE THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE CHILDREN OF GOD.

ALL OF THEM.

AND WHEN WE PASS LEGISLATION THAT WE KNOW FROM THE SCIENCE WILL INCREASE SUICIDES OF OUR YOUTH, I THINK WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN THE SUICIDE PREVENTION AND NOT IN THE SUICIDE CAUSING BUSINESS.

BUT, AGAIN, THIS WAS ALL PASSED FOR POLITICAL POINTS.

THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD PUT THOSE KIDS IN THAT SITUATION JUST FOR VOTES IN AN ELECTION, IS WRONG AND SHOWS A LACK OF LEADERSHIP.

>> Renee: WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

SORRY FOR THE LACK OF TIME.

WE COULD STAND ANOTHER HALF HOUR FOR SURE.

NEXT MONDAY, WE’RE JOINED BY THE CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DEMOCRAT JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND REPUBLICAN ROBBY MILLS.

BE SURE TO JOIN US EACH WEEKNIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR ‘KENTUCKY EDITION.’ AND JOIN BILL BRYANT AND A TEAM OF WORKING JOURNALISTS TO DISCUSS THE NEWS OF THE WEEK ON GHT EASTERN, SEVEN CENTRAL.AY AT HAVE A GOOD WEEK.