COURT KEEPS KENTUCKY'S ABORTION BAN IN PLACE FOR NOW.

AND OTHER PROPOSALS ABOUT THE PROCEDURE ARE FLOATED IN FRANKFORT.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR JOINS PROTESTERS TO LEGISLATION STRONGLY OPPOSED BY THE LGBTQ C MORE PREDICTIONS AND POSTURING IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AS THE FIRST DEBATES ARE SET.

THOUSANDS OF FORD WORKERS ARE TEMPORARILY LAID OFF IN LOUISVILLE.

WE INCH CLOSER AND closer TO SPRING, AND "COMMENT" IS NEXT O.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT AR TESSA DUVAL, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD- CHRIS OTTS, REPORTER FOR WDRB I AND JOE SONKA, FRANKFORT BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL.

ALSO TONIGHT, A PROPOSAL TO PROHIBIT THE STATE'S UNIVERSITIES FROM OFFERING LIFETIME CONTRACTS.

LET'S START IN FRANKFORT WHERE SOME EMOTIONAL/SOCIAL ISSUES HAVE BEEN SWIRLING THIS LEGISLATIVE session.

THIS WEEK THE STATE SUPREME COURT FINALLY ISSUED A RULING ON ABORTION.

THE COURT IS LEAVING THE TRIGGER BAN IN PLACE AT LEAST FOR NOW.

>> WE'RE ELATED.

>> WE KNOW IT'S NOT THE END OF THE BATTLE, BUT FOR FACILITIES, ABORTION FACILITIES IN KENTUCKY HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR 198 CASE.

THEY WILL REMAIN CLOSED AS THIS CONTINUES.

>> WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE HAD -- TO SAY THERE'S NOT A RIGHT TO ABORTION IN THE CONSTITUTION BECAUSE THERE'S NOT.

THE CONSTITUTION IS MOOT ON THAT ISSUE.

>> WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST RESTRICTIVE, DRACONIAN TRIGGER LAWS IN THE COUNTRY THAT LIAM NATAL OPTIONS EVEN FOR MANY E LEM NEAT OPPOSITES EACH FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE, VICTIMS OF INCEST AND THOSE PARENTS WHO TRAGICALLY LEARN THAT THERE ARE FETAL ABNORMALITIES THAT WILL PREVENT THEIR BABY FROM SURVIVING.

>> Bill: SO TESSA, FIRST ON THE RULING, WHAT IT DOES AT LEAST FOR NOW.

>> Tessa: RIGHT.

SO THIS IS FAR FROM THE END OF THIS COURT BATTLE OVER ABORTION IN KENTUCKY.

AS WE HEARD, THE CURRENT BAN WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOLLOWING THE SUPREME COURT DECISION THIS WEEK.

THIS WAS NO A RULING ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF ABORTION IN KENTUCKY.

SO AFTER THE FALL OF ROE VERSUS WADE, KENTUCKY'S BANS ON ABORTION TOOK PLACE, AND THAT IS WHEN PROVIDERS SUED OVER THOSE BANS.

AND WHAT THIS OPINION SAYS IS THAT THE PROVIDERS DIDN'T HAVE THE STANDING TO SUE OVER THAT AND AGREED THAT THE APPELLATE COURT GOT IT RIGHT IN OVERTURNING A LOWER COURT'S INJUNCTION ON THE ISSUE.

AND SO ESSENTIALLY WHAT THIS OPINION DOES IS IT KIND OF KICKS THE CAN YOU BACK DOWN TO -- BACK DOWN TO LOWER COURTS TO HANDLE THIS.

>> Bill: DO WE START ALL OVER WITH THIS ISSUE, JOE?

HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR IN OVERALL E. ALL QUESTION OF THE LAW'S CONSTITUTIONALITY TO MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH THE SYSTEM?

>> Joe: IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET TO THE STANDING AND WE HAVEN'T HAD THE QUESTION OF THE COULDN'T OF THIS BILL YET, SO WE'RE ALL GOING BACK TO THE STARTING LINE, NOT JUST IN THE CASE OF A TRIGGER BAN WHERE THE ABORTION PROVIDERS DO HAVE STANDING, BUT THE SIX-WEEK BAN WHERE THERE WOULD HAVE A NEW PATIENT, A PREGNANT WOMAN WHO IS A NEW PATIENT WHO WOULD HAVE TO COME IN.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO GO BACK AT THE TIME TOOT SUPREME COURT TO ULTIMATELY DECIDE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF LAWS.

I WOULD DO IT.

LAST MOST OF THIS YEAR AND PROBABLY DURING MOST OF THIS GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN IN THE BACKGROUND OF IT TOO.

>> Tessa: WE'RE NOW AT ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS WHERE ABORTION HAS BEEN ILLEGAL IN KENTUCKY, AND SO WHILE,, AS WE HEARD FROM SOME OF THE VIDEO WE SAW JUST A MOMENT AGO, THAT ANTI-ABORTION ADVOCATES ARE EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THIS, THEY ALSO KNOW THAT LIKE THIS IS NOT THE END.

>> Bill: SO, CHRIS, WITH ALL THIS LEGAL LIMBO, AND IT'S OBVIOUS THAT IT WILL CONTINUE FOR SOME TIME, DO ABORTION PROVIDERS OR SHOULD WE SAY FORMER ABORTION PROVIDERS JUST PULL BACK FOR NOW WHILE THIS PLAYS OUT?

>> Chris: YEAH, THEY HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR A LONG TIME AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE.

AS JOE SAID, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE FOR THIS TO WORK ITS WAY BACK UP TO THE SUPREME COURT, MONTHS, A YEAR.

COULD BE EVEN LONGER BEFORE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF IT IS ADJUDICATED.

AND THEN THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES.

THE HERALD-LEADER HAD A REPORT RECENTLY I BELIEVE ABOUT WOMEN WHO ARE HAVING NON-VIABLE PREGNANCIES AND HOW THOSE ARE TREATED, THAT IT'S DIFFERENT NOW BECAUSE OF THE TRIGGER LAW.

SO ALL THAT WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> Bill: AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED BEFORE, SOMETIMES PROVIDER NOW FINDING THEY HAVE TO CONSULT LEGAL FOLKS BEFORE THEY MAKE A DECISION HOW TO TREAT.

>> Chris: RIGHT, AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE TREMENDOUS LIABILITY INVOLVED.

>> Bill: JOE, THIS WEEK IN THE LEGISLATURE, NEW ABORTION BILLS WERE PROPOSED, INCLUDING AN EFFORT TO FURTHER CRIMINALIZE THE PROCEDURE IN AN EFFORT TO HAVE ANOTHER VOTE ON A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS DEFEATED JUST THREE MONTHS AGO IN NOVEMBER.

>> Joe: SENATOR WHITTEN PESTER WESTERFIELD WHO IS VERY OPPOSED TO ABORTION, FILED ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT'S SIMILAR THE TO ONES THAT VOTERS VOTED ON IN DECEMBER.

IT IS ADDED ANOTHER SENTENCE IN THERE TO CLARIFY THAT THE LEGISLATURE THE ONE THAT DETERMINES WHAT ABORTION LAWS WOULD BE AND WHAT EXCEPTIONS THERE WILL BE IF ANY.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT, THE SUCCESS OF THAT BILL IS THAT LEADERSHIP, REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN BOTH CHAMBERS HAS INDICATED THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ACOLYTES AMENDMENTS THIS YEAR NO MATTER HOW POPULAR THEY ARE BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T GET TO VOTE TO THEM UNTIL THE GENERAL ELECTION IN 2024 ANYWAY SO MUCH.

THEY CAN DECIDE WHICH FOUR CONSTITUTIONALITY AMENDMENTS ARE GOING TO BE ON THE ALTERNATE NEXT SESSION SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO IT NOW.

PLUS THEY JUST GOT DEFEATED SO THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE ANOTHER BALLOT AMENDMENT JUST LIKE THAT.

>> Tessa: RIGHT.

SENATOR WESTERFIELD SAID 24 "A" HE HAS PUT FORTH AND THE ONE ON THE BALLOT JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT VOTERS REJECTED IS IT ADDS THAT ADDITIONAL SENTENCE THAT JOE MENTIONED ABOUT SAYING ULTIMATELY THE LEGISLATURE GETS TO MAKE POLICY ON ABORTION, SO THE VOTERS PICK THEIR LAWMAKERS IS AND THE LAWMAKERS GET THE FINAL SAY ON THIS.

>> Bill: TESSA, HOUSE BILL 300 HAS SOME EXCEPTIONS BUT IT ALSO SAYS THAT A WOMAN COULD FACE HOMICIDE CHARGES FOR HAVING AN ILLEGAL ABORTION.

THAT WAS A STEP TOO FAR, EVEN FOR RIGHT-TO-I HAVE LIFE AND FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON WHO HAS BEEN A STRONG ABORTION OPPONENT.

>> Tessa: YES, REPUBLICANS IN FRANKFORT RAN AWAY FROM THIS BILL VERY, VERY QUICKLY BASICALLY SAYING, WHOA, THAT GOES TOO FAR.

THIS IS NOT WHAT WE'RE AFTER.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE -- I'VE SEEN THE PHRASE -- LIFE AFFIRMING CARE.

WE WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE.

WE DON'T WANT TO NOT ACTUALLY CHARGE PEOPLE FOR MURDER, WITH MURDER FOR THIS.

AND, YES, WE'VE HEARD SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THIS.

WE'VE HEARD ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON, WHO HAS BEEN VERY PROUD OF HIS RECORD ON APPORTION AND EDGE CHAING IT IN COURT.

THEY'RE ALL JUST PUTTING A LOT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND THIS BILL FILED BY REPRESENTATIVE CALLOWAY.

AT THE SAME TIME, I'VE GOT TO IMAGINE THAT, YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND THE DEMOCRATS KIND OF SEE THIS AS AN ELECTION YEAR GIFT OF SORTS BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH REPUBLICANS ARE DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM IT, THIS WAS PUT FORTH BY REPUBLICAN, AND AS WE SAW IN CLIP OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR EARLIER, HE TALKS ABOUT HOW EXTREME KENTUCKY'S CURRENT ABORTION BAN IS.

YOU KNOW, NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST OR FOR A FETAL ABNORMALITIES THAT ARE INCOMBAT L. COMPATIBLE WITH LIFE.

THIS IS SOMETHING HE CAN PAINT THE OTHER SIDE WITH A VERY BROADBRUSH.

>> Chris: AND CALLOWAY'S BILL IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE CONTRAST IN REALITY WHEN IT COMES TO ABORTION BECAUSE WE'RE USED TO SEEING ABORTION BILLS ON THE FLOOR, AND SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES GIVING PASSIONATE SPEECHES, CALLING ABORTION MURDER AND CAMPAIGN TRAIL YOU SEE IT REFERRED TO AS MURDER, AND HRE CALLING WAY WITH A BILL THAT'S SIGHING, OKAY, LET'S MAKE IT CRIMINAL HOMICIDE, AND THEY'RE SAYING, NO, NO, WE DON'T MEAN THAT.

SO IT'S INTERESTING CONTRAST.

WHAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE IS THE BILL, THE REPUBLICAN BILL TO ADD EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST AND FETAL ABNORMALITIES WHICH, DURING THE SUPREME COURT ORAL ARGUMENTS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WAS SAYING, WELL, THOSE EXCEPTIONS ARE COMING IN THIS SESSION.

SO FAR WE HAVEN'T SEEN.

IT IF DEADLINE TO FILE BILLS IS NEXT WEEK.

SO WE WILL SATISFY IF A REPUBLICAN PUSHES FOR THAT.

>> Bill: WE WILL BE WATCHING THOSE DEVELOPMENTS.

SESSION IS ALSO GOING TO BE REMEMBERED FOR SOME HIGHLY EMOTIONAL DEBATE AND TESTIMONY ABOUT BILLS GETTING A LOT OF PUSHBACK FROM THE ELECTRICITY COMMUNITY.

SENATOR MAX WISE IS A SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 150 THAT HE SAYS WOULD CURB A WOKE AGENDA IN SCHOOLS.

>> NOTHING IN THIS BILL WOULD PREVENT STUDENTS FROM REQUESTING IDENTIFICATION FOR A NON-BIRTH CONFORMING PRONOUN NOR PREVENT STAFF AND STUDENTS FROM ADDRESSING THOSE STUDENTS WITH NON-CONFIRMING PRONOUNCE.

>> YOU'RE LEGISLATING WHERE THESE PEOPLE CAN YOU SURVIVE, AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THEY CAN'T.

THEY CANNOT WITH THIS SLATE OF HATE THAT YOU ALL HAVE INTRODUCED THIS SESSION.

>> Bill: JOE, THE FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN HELD A RALLY ATTENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.

ITS LEADER CHRIS HEARTMAN YOU JUST HEARD GIVING TESTIMONY INDICATING THAT YOUNG MARGINALIZED KENTUCKIANS FEEL TARGETED BY SENATE BILL 150 AT A TIME WHEN SOCIETY IS BECOMING MORE INCLUSIVE, BUT SENATOR WISE CALL THIS A PARENTAL RIGHTS BIL BILL.

>> Chris: THE PARENTAL ASPECT OF THIS IS IF CERTAINLY SEXUAL TOPICS COME UP IN SCHOOL, THEY HAVE TO NOTIFY THE TEACHERS IN ADVANCE SO THEY CAN OPT TO HAVE THEIR KIDS OUT.

IF A KID TRIES TO ACCESS CERTAIN SERVICES OR SAYS CERTAIN THINGS, THEY HAVE TO NOTIFY THE PARENTS.

THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS WHAT WE SAW IN THE SENATE DEBATE THIS WEEK WHERE SENATOR KAREN BERG WHO HAD A TRANSGENDER SON HENRY WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE RECENTLY, SHE WANTED A FLOOR "A" AMENDMENT TO SAY LET'S MAKE IN A PARENTS' RIGHT BILL AND IF THERE'S A PARENT WHO HAS A TRANSGENDER CHILD AND WANTS TO BE REFERRED TO ICE CERTAIN NAME OR PRONOUN, THE TEACHER HAS TO REFER TO THEM AS THAT.

THEY DID NOT ALLOW BARBECUE TO PREVENT A TEACHER FROM MISGENDERING THEIR CHILD AGAINST THE PARENT'S WILL.

THEY DID NOT -- THE SENATORS DID NOT ALLOW THAT AMENDMENT TO BE A TODAY.

TO THE BILL BECAUSE THERE WAS A COMMUNITY SUBSTITUTE AND THEY SAID IN WASN'T A 24-HOUR LIMIT, SO IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ATTACH THAT TO THE BILL AND HAVE A VOTE ON IT.

WE'LL SEE IN THE HOUSE WHETHER THAT'S THE FLIP SIDE OF THE PARENTS' RIGHTS ACTUALLY GETS ATTACHED TO THE BILL.

>> Bill: IN PARENTS OPTED OUT AND DID NOT WANT THEIR CHILD, A STUDENT TO TAKE PART OR HEAR A DISCUSSION ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC, WHAT WOULD THEY DO?

>> Chris: THAT STUDENT WOULD BE PULLED OUT AND THEY WOULD HAVE SOME ALTERNATIVE CURRICULUM BUT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE THAT.

THAT KIND OF ALREADY EXISTS, THAT PARENTS CAN YOU OPT-OUT SEX ED.

SO FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, IT WOULD BE A CONTINUATION OF CURRENT POLICY, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE -- THE PARENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED WEEKS IN ADVANCE.

>> Tessa: THAT WAS NOT THE CONTROVERSIAL PART THE BILL.

THE CONTROVERSIAL PART REALLY IS DEALING WITH PRONOUNS AND THE FACT THAT TEACHERS KIND OF GET THE ULTIMATE SAY ON IF THEY ARE WILLING TO USE A STUDENT'S PRONOUNS OR NOT.

AND AS JOE SAID, SENATOR BERG, HER TRANSGENDER SON DIED JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, AND SO THIS HAS BEEN AN EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL COUPLE OF WEEKS IN THE SENATE.

AND WE HAVE HEARD VERY PASSIONATE PLEAS FROM HER.

SHE'S PASSED OUTS PEER-REVIEWED LITERATURE ABOUT USING A TRANS OR NON-BINARY STUDENT'S PRONOUNS, HOW THAT AFFIRMS THEM AND JUST IMPROVES THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, AND ALL FOR NAUGHT.

THE REPUBLICANS STUCK TOGETHER AND EVERY REPUBLICAN WHO WAS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL.

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO NOTE, AS WE HEARD WITH GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR WAS AT THE FAIRNESS RALLY THIS WEEK AND HAS ATTENDED IT BEFORE, AND HE'S ONE OF THOSE LAWMAKERS OUT THERE SAYING THAT THIS IS -- THIS IS REALLY CALLUS WHAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE, FORCING THIS LOO OH QUICKLY AND IN FRONT OF THEIR COLLEAGUE WHO IS STILL GRIEVING HER CHILD.

AND SO I THINK IT'S LIKELY THAT WE'LL SEE GOVERNOR BESHEAR VETO THIS, BUT, OF COURSE, WE KNOW REPUBLICANS HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES.

>> Bill: CHRIS, WE KNOW THERE IS SOME DIVIDE WITHIN THE STATE GOP RANKS ABOUT WHETHER TO EMPHASIZE THESE EMOTIONAL/SOCIAL ISSUES OR TO BE MORE UP FRONT IN SEEKING BUSINESS FRIENDLY POLICIES, AND SIMONS BUSINESSES -- SOMETIMES BUSINESSES TELL SOME OF THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS THAT THEY WANT THEM TO TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS.

>> Chris: RIGHT.

AND I DON'T REALLY SEE BUSINESS REALLY GETTING INVOLVED IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION HERE IN KENTUCKY.

LIKE I THINK ABOUT THE SITUATION WITH DISNEY IN FLORIDA AND THE BLOW-UP THAT HAPPENED THERE A YEAR OR TWO AGO.

I REALLY DON'T SEE ANYTHING LIKE THAT GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

I THINK GREATER LOUISVILLE, INC., LOUISVILLE METRO CHAMBER IN LOUISVILLE DID COME OUT AGAINST SENATE BILL 150, BUT GENERALLY THE BUSINESS INTERESTS JUST WANT TO KEEP ---- KEEP IT FOCUSED ON ALL OF THE ECONOMIC AND FISCAL POLICIES THAT ARE ADVANCING NOW UNDER REPUBLICAN CONTROL.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER LEGISLATION.

CHRIS, A BATTLE OVER SO-CALLED GRAY MACHINES RAGES ON, THE SUBJECT OF A LOT OF SPENDING BY LOBBYISTS RIGHT NOW WITH THE TWO SIDES REALLY BATTLING IT OUT OVER THERE.

>> Chris: THEY'VE GOT COMMERCIALS.

JOE CAN YOU TELL YOU THE EXACT NUMBERS THAT THEY'VE SPENT ON LOBBYING, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A HELICOPTER A LOT.

-- AHEC A LOT.

>> Joe: YOU'VE GOT KENTUCKIANS AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING WHICH IS A GROUP THAT'S FINANCIALLY BAGGED BY THE HORSE INDUSTRY, AND YOU HAVE KENTUCKY MERCHANTS AND AMUSEMENT COALITION, WHICH IS BASICALLY BACKED BY PACE-O-MATIC WHICH IS THE MAIN SKILL GAMES, GRAY MACHINES, WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM, THEY'RE THE MAINMAKER.

MAKER.

THERE WERE $320,000 OF TV AND RADIO AD SPENT BY THESE TWO GROUPS JUST IN JANUARY.

I GO THROUGH THESE I OBJECT LOOING FIGURES EVERY MONTH AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN A MONTH AND WE'RE JUST THROUGH JANUARY.

WE DON'T EVEN HAVE THE TWO BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE DEBATED.

>> Chris: WHAT'S PERPLEXING ABOUT THAT IS APPARENTLY THE MONEY HAS NOT GONE INTO DRAFTING THE BILLS THAT WILL BE PROPOSED BECAUSE THERE WAS ONE THAT WAS FILED THIS WEEK TO TAX AND REGULATE, BUT APPARENTLY THE COALITION THAT WANTS TO TAX AND REGULATE THESE GAMES, THEY SAY THIS IS NOT OUR BILL.

OUR BILL IS COMING NEXT WEEK.

I DID A STORY A FEW WEEKS AGO WHERE I GOT TO SEE THESE THINGS IN ACTION.

I STILL HAVE AN IDEA A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO GRAY MACHINES.

BUT I THINK THE SUPPORTERS EVER OF THIS ACTUALLY BROUGHT THEM TO THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK TO GIVE THE LEGISLATURES AN EDUCATION.

>> Joe: PAUSE OHMATIC BROUGHT AN RV IN THE PARKING LOT BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION AND THE CAPITOL AND THE MANSION AND THEY WERE I HAVE THE INVITING LEGISLATOR TO COME ON THERE AND PLAY A DEMONSTRATION OF THE GAME, AND -- >> Chris: WAS THERE ANY MONEY?

>> Joe: NO, THERE WASN'T REAL MONEY.

THEY USED FAKE MONEY.

I PLAYED A FEW GAMES AND THEY SAID AS OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON THEY HAD FOUR LEGISLATORS COME AND PLAY.

THEY WILL TO HAVE NOTE THAT ON THEIR LOBBYING REPORT.

>> Bill: WE KEEP HEARING A SPORTS BETTING BILL IS LIKELY COMING NEXT WEEK.

>> Joe: YES, LIKELY COMING NEXT WEEK.

THE DEMOCRAT HAS FILED A SPORTS BETTING BILL BUT IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A REPUBLICAN BILL IF IT MOVES.

SO THERE WILL BE A BILL.

SENATOR DAMON THAYER IS A BIG SUPPORTER OF SPORTS BETTING.

ITSIDE DIED IN THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAULK LAST YEAR.

HE'S OPTIMISTIC THAT IT'S GAINED MORE SUPPORT THERE IN THAT CAUCUS.

THE PROBLEM THIS YEAR IS THAT BECAUSE THIS IS AN ODD NUMBER YEAR, YOU NEED AN EXTRA THRESHOLD OF VOTES IN ORDER TO GET A BILL LIKE THAT THROUGH.

SO THAT'S GOING TO BE THE BIG HURLED FORE THAT BILL IS REACHING THAT EXTRA VOTE FRESH HOLD OR IF IT CAN'T IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

>> Bill: A LOT OF MONEY WAS VOTED ON THE SUPER BOWL IN OTHER STATES.

TESSA, SENATOR WHITNEY WESTERFIELD HAS FILED A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT OVER FUNDS THAT ARE INTENDED FOR VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS.

WE KNOW THAT COMES AFTER THERE WAS MONEY INTENDED FOR VICTIMS OF THE WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADO THAT ENDED UP IN THE WRONG HANDS.

>> Tessa: RIGHT.

I HAD SOME REPORTING A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT TALKED ABOUT HOW CHECKS FROM THIS TEAM WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADO REY RELIEF FUND WHICH WAS PAID FOR ENTIRELY BY CHARITABLE DONATIONS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE DECEMBER 2021 TORNADOES, HOW SOME OF THESE ENDED UP IN THE WRONG PEOPLE'S HANDS.

AND THE ISSUE IS WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY.

WE'RE HEARD EXAMPLES OF SOME RECIPIENTS, THEY ACTUALLY PASSED AWAY BETWEEN FILING THEIR CLAIM AND THE CHECK BEING MAILED OUT BECAUSE THERE WAS ABOUT A YEAR SPAN THERE, OR THERE WAS A PRINTING ERROR OR IT GOT LOST IN THE MAIL, BUT WE ALSO KNOW SOME DID GO TO THE WRONG PEOPLE, AND HOW MANY OF THE 218 CHECKS, WHICH IS THE NUMBER IT'S NOW UP TO, 218 THAT HAVE BEEN CANCEL BIDE THE TREASURY, WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE TO THE WRONG PEOPLE AND HOW MANY MORE MAY STILL BE OUT THERE.

AND SO WHAT SENATOR WESTERFIELD IN HIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE ARE ESSENTIALLY JUST LIKE A REALLY THOROUGH ACCOUNTING, REPORTING OF THESE FUNDS.

AND, OF COURSE, IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND SO REPUBLICANS ARE QUITE UP IN ARMS ABOUT THIS.

THE PHRASE "A MESS OF EPIC PROPORTIONS" WAS USED EARLIER THIS WEEK TO DESCRIBE THE FUNDS.

>> Bill: CHRIS, A BILL THAT REWOP A JUVENILE YOU JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IT COMES OF RESPONSE IN VIOLENCE AT JUVENILE FACILITIES AND OTHER PROBLEMS ACROSS THE STATE.

WHAT DOES IT HAD DO?

>> BILL: >> Chris: IT DOES A NUMBER OF THINGS BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS AS YOU SAID REOPENING THIS YOUTH DETENTION CENTER, JUDITH JAIL THAT WAS IN LOUISVILLE FOR A LONG TIME AND THEN IN 2019 THE CITY WAS HAVING BUDGET PROBLEMS AND THEY SUPPLIED L. DECIDED TO CLOSE IT.

I THINK THE FEELING AMONG CITY OFFICIALS AT THE TIME IS THIS IS A STATE FUNCTION, WE SHOULDN'T BE PAYING FOR THIS.

NOW THE STATE IS COMING IN WITH ABOUT $9 MILLION TO REFURBISH AND REOPEN THIS FACILITY.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR LOUISVILLE BECAUSE WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE, TEENAGERS ARE ARRESTED FOR SERIOUS CRIMES, THEY'RE TAKEN FAYETTE COUNTY, ADAIR COUNTY, ALL OVER THE STATE, WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT ON FAMILIES LOGISTICALLY, SO I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT I THINK MAYOR GREENBERG IN LOUISVILLE IS IN FAVOR OF REOPENING THE FACILITY.

>> Bill: I DON'T, A BILL PREFILED ON THURSDAY NOT ALLOW LIFETIME CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYEES OF STATE UNIVERSITIES.

THAT WOULD NOT IMPACT UK, COACH JOHN CALIPARI BUT IT WOULD APPLY TO ANY FUTURE CONTRACTS.

>> Joe: IT WAS INSPIRED BY HIM BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN EFFECT.

THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE FLANNERY FILED HEIGHT.

SAID HE WAS HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO DIDN'T WANT CALIPARI TO HAVE A LIFETIME CONTRACT OR ANY COLLEGE EMPLOYEE IN STATE EMPLOY TO HAVE A LIFETIME CONTRACT.

THE TRICK WITH THAT, MOST PEOPLE -- CAL PARE'S LIFETIME CONTRACT IS KIND OF A LEGENDARY THING AND UK SAYS A NO ACTUALLY A LIFETIME RA CONTRACT.

THE.

THE CONTRACT ENDS IN 2029.

I DON'T THINK THIS BILL WOULD BE FILED IN CALIPARI WAS GOING FOR HIS THIRD CONSECUTIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR BUT UK IS STRUGGLING THIS YEAR AND THEREFORE YOU HAVE THE BILL FILED.

>> Bill: AND HOUSE BILL 1 WAS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BESHEAR TODAY.

IT WOULD LOWER THE ESTATE INCOME TAX, WHICH HAS LONG BEEN THE GOAL OF REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THE STATE INCOME TAX.

AND IF YOU WONDER IF THERE IS ANY POLITICS AT PLAY HERE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAD RESERVATIONS BUT HE SIGNED IT HAD ANYWAY.

THE THE REPUBLICANS CRITICIZED THE GOVERNOR FOR SIGNING THEIR BILL.

>> HOW DARE YOU SIGN OUR TOP PRIORITY BILL OF THE SESSION.

REPUBLICANS SAID THIS WAS A BLATANTLY POLITICAL MOVE BY BESHEAR, HE WAS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION, AND HE LET ALL HIS DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS IN HOUSE AND SENATE HUNG THEM OUT TO DRY BECAUSE THEY ALLOTTED VOTED AGAINST IT.

BESHEAR SAID THIS IS DIFFERENT.

I WOULD BE IN FAVOR IF I WAS IN FAVOR OF SALES TAX CUTS LAST YEAR BUT HE INSTEAD ADDED THE -- TOOK AWAY THE EXEMPTION ON A BUNCH OF SALES TAX SERVICES.

SO HE'S TRYING TO THIN A THREAD NEEDLE HERE, AND REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE CRITICIZED HIM IF HE VETOED IT TOO.

DAMON THAYER STOOD ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND SAID, I DARE TO YOU VETO THIS.

>> Bill: WE WILL MAKE NOTE THAT THE REVENUE DID GO UP DESPITE THE CUTS, AND SO THAT I WAS PART OF WHAT GAVE EVERYBODY I THINK SOME -- SOME COVER OR RELIEF, RIGHT?

>> THIS WON'T BE THE LAST WE HEARD OF THIS BILL AND BESHEAR'S DECISION ON SIGNING IT CERTAINLY.

>> Chris: WHAT PEOPLE SAY, SORRY, BILL, ON THAT, THE CRITICISM THOUGH OF THE OVERALL POLICY IS THAT WE'RE IN THIS, YOU KNOW, UNIQUE TIME WITH LOW UNENJOYMENT AND THAT THESE CONDITIONS WON'T LAST FOREVER AND THERE WILL COME A DAY WHEN THE REVENUE DOESN'T MATERIALIZE AND THE INCOME TAX WILL NOT BE RAISED AT THAT POINT, SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT CRITICS OF THIS POLICY WOULD SAY IN RESPONSE.

>> Bill: WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE FORD PLANT IN LOUISVILLE?

IT HAD SOME TEMPORARY LAYOFFS THIS WEEK.

>> Chris: YEAH, THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOWN ANOTHER WEEK.

THEY'RE DOWN THIS WEEK.

THEY'VE BEEN OFF AND ON FOR MONTHS.

THIS IS A PILLAR OF THE LOUISVILLE ECONOMY.

OVER 3,000 JOBS.

SEVERAL SUPPLIER PLANTS THAT ALSO FEED PARTS INTO THIS PLANT.

THEY'RE HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE NEW FORD ESCAPE THAT THEY'RE MAKING.

THEY'VE NOT REALLY BEEN TOO FORTHCOMING ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY THE ISSUE IS.

BUT I DID A LOOK BACK STORY JUST ABOUT HOW THAT VEHICLE HAS REALLY CARRIED THE PLANT FOR THE LAST DECADE, BUT IT'S NOT AS POPULAR AS IT USED TO BE.

ITS SALES ARE WAY DOWN COMPARED TO WHAT THEY WERE FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO.

SO WHAT COMES NEXT, THE YOU THE FUTURE OF EVs.

YOU'VE GOT THE GEN GLENDALE MASSIVE PAT RI PLANTS AND COULD THIS PLANT BECOME AN EV CENTER.

ALL THOSE QUESTIONS ARE HUNDRED IN THE AIR AT THE MOMENT.

>> Bill: THE CITY OF ASHLAND SHUT OFF ITS WATER INTAKE TEMPORARILY OUT WHAT THEY HEAD HAS BEEN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION.

THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT THIS TRAIN RERAIMENT UP IN LOWE OHIO.

HOW MANY CONCERN IS THERE DOWN RIVER?

>> Chris: FRANKLY THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN THE IN COMMUNITY.

I'M SURPRISED HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP.

THE LOUISVILLE WATER COMPANY HAS SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT THEY'VE TESTED AND THEY'RE NOT DETECTING ANY HARMFUL CHEMICALS, THAT THE WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK.

THERE'S -- I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS UNTIL THIS WEEK.

THERE'S LIKE A CONSORTIUM OF THE STATES CALLED ORSANK A THAT IS FOUR OHIO RIVER STATES AND -- WATER ISSUES AND THEY ALSO HAVE BEEN TESTING AND HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING REACHING LEVELS OF CONCERN IN TERMS OF CONTAMINANTS.

SO IT APPEARS NOT TO BE AN ISSUE, ACCORDING TO ALL OF AUTHORITIES WHO ARE LOOKING AT THIS.

>> Bill: THE JEFFERSON COUNTY GOP IS SCHEDULED A DEBATE FOR MARCH 7th THAT SPECTRUM NEWS WILL CARRY ON CABLE, AND CAMERON, HAM RON, QUARLES AND CONNECTION HAVE SAID YES.

NO INDICATION KELLY CRAFT WILL BE THERE BUT SHE SAYS SHE IS AGREEING TO A COUPLE OF DEBATES, I THINK.

WHAT DO WE MAKE OF THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AT THIS POINT?

>> Tessa: WELL, WE KNOW THAT KELLY CRAFT HAS BEEN OFF THE AIR FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW, WHICH IS PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL CONSIDERING HOW MUCH SHE HAD SPENT ON TELEVISION ADS SO FAR.

YES, SHE IS ALSO SITTING OUT THIS FIRST DEBATE THAT'S COMING UP IN JUST A FEW WEEKS.

AND SO IT'S KIND OF MAKES YOU WONDER IS SHE RE-- REFORMULATING HER MESSAGE OR HER TEAM OR HER STRATEGY.

DOES SHE NEED MORE TIME TO PREPARE FOR NUT FUTURE DATES.

NOTELY THE FIRST DEBATE THAT HE HAS AGREED TO GO ON IS THE KENTUCKY SPORTS RADIO DEBATE IN APRIL, AND SHE POSTED A PICTURE OF HERSELF WITH MATT JONES NOT TOO LONG AGO.

I JUST WONDER IF THEY'RE RELATED AT ALL.

>> IT'S REALLY INTEREST.

USUALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A CANDIDATE DUCKING DEBATE IT'S THE FRONTRUNNER WHO ALREADY HAS A BIG LEAD AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GO IN FRONT OF A AN AUDIENCE AND MAKE A BIG MISTAKE AND HURT THEMSELVES.

BUT IT'S NOT CAMERON IN THIS CASE, IT'S CRAFT.

YOU FIGURE A CANDIDATE IN THE POLLS WHO IS SO FAR BEHIND YOU WOULD WANT TO GET IN FRONT OF AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> Tessa: AND REALLY DANIEL CAMERON HAS BEEN ABLE TO SIT BACK AND LET KELLY CRAFT MAKE SOME OF THESE MISSTEPS THAT SHE HAS.

>> AND THEY KEEP COMING, YEAH.

>> Bill: CHRIS, QUICKLY A NEW RULING MEANS THAT THE TRAINER BOB BAFFERT WON'T BE AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

>> Chris: HE HAD ASKED FOR A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION ON A BAN CHURCHILL HILL DOWNS PUT ON HIM AFTER A POSITIVE TEST OF A BANNED SUBSTANCE, SO HEEL NOT ANYBODY THE DERBY WHICH GOES UNUSUAL.

>> Bill: YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED NEW GRAPHICS AND BACKGROUND HERE TONIGHT AS THE KET DREW CREW THAT IS FRESH END ZONE THINGS UP.

I'M IN MY TENTH YEAR OF HOSTING COMMENT AND OUR COMMITMENT RAMES TO GIVE YOU THE WEEK'S NEWS AND ANALYSIS OF WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.