[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE 2024 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES JANUARY SECOND.

SINCE 2024 IS AN EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR, THIS WILL BE A 60-DAY SESSION AS LAWMAKERS CREATE A STATE BUDGET.

BUT WHAT ELSE WILL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TAKE UP?

AND HOW MUCH COOPERATION, OR FRICTION, SHOULD WE EXPECT BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE’S REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITIES, AND THE JUST-REELECTED DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR?

TO DISCUSS ALL THIS, WE ARE JOINED IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO BY: STATE SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS, A LOUISVILLE REPUBLICAN AND SENATE MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIR; STATE SENATOR ROBIN WEBB, A DEMOCRAT FROM GRAYSON; STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUZANNE MILES, AN OWENSBORO REPUBLICAN AND HOUSE MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIR; AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE LINDSEY BURKE, A DEMOCRAT FROM LEXINGTON.

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.

WE'RE CALLING THIS TONIGHT LADIES NIGHT.

AND WE'VE GOT POWERHOUSES WITH US AND WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

WE WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 7TH AND HOW IT'S GOING TO AFFECT WHEN THE LAW MAKING SESSION BEGINS IN JUST UNDER TWO MONTHS.

SIX WEEKS.

IT'S WE'RE HERE.

>> WE ARE HERE.

>> WE ARE HERE.

>> Renee: I WILL START WITH YOU SENATOR.

RECENTLY WHEN DAMON THAYER WAS ASKED ABOUT WORKING WITH THE NEWLY REELECTED GOVERNOR HE WAS QUOTED AS SAYING THERE'S NO INCENTIVE OR REASON FOR US TO WORK WITH HIM.

HE DOESN'T DESERVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REPRESENT OPERATION ESPECIALLY AFTER THE CAMPAIGN.

NOW IS THIS SENTIMENT WIDESPREAD IN THE G.O.P.

CAUCUS OR HE IS SPEAKING OF A PERSON OF JUST ONE?

>> WELL, I THINK THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON TONIGHT.

AND I THINK THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION ARE KIND OF THEY ARE NOT THAT SEQUENTIAL.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT THINGS WILL GO THE WAY THEY HAVE THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

I THINK THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL PROBABLY REMAIN THE SAME.

I HAVE A FEELING IT WILL BE BUSINESS AS USUAL HAPPENING.

>> Renee: IS THAT GOOD OR BAD?

>> WELL, I THINK UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE -- THERE REALLY IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

WE ARE THE LEGISLATIVE MAKING BODY.

BUT IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT REALLY GOOD LEGISLATION WE NEED TO HAVE INPUT ABOUT HOW IMPLEMENTATION IS GOING, WHAT DO THEY NEED, WHAT BARRIERS DO THEY NEED TO BE REMOVED TO BE MORE SUCCESSFUL ON THEIR END OF THINGS.

WHAT KIND OF DOLLARS WOULD MAKE THEM MORE SUCCESSFUL ON THEIR END OF THINGS.

SO THAT COLLABORATIVE APPROACH IS REALLY IMPORTANT, I THINK, TO MAKE GOOD PUBLIC POLICY FOR THE CITIZENS OF KENTUCKY.

AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE ADMINISTRATION ENGAGING WITH US.

DO I THINK THEY WILL?

I'M NOT SURE BUT I HOPE THEY WILL.

I THINK FOR RIGHT NOW, IN MY OPINION, THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WILL PROBABLY BE LIKE THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

>> Renee: DO YOU THINK THAT SENATOR WEBB?

>> I'M HOPEFUL WE WILL HAVE COMMUNICATION BETTER COMMUNICATION AND -- >> Renee: WAS THAT THE SAME WITH THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAT YOU WEREN'T HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FIRST FLOOR?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN GOVERNORS THAT HAVE DONE BETTER.

I THINK IN COMMUNICATING WITH US.

I DON'T LOOK AT -- I AM AN INSTITUTIONALIST.

I LOOK AT MY BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

AND THE BODY AS A WHOLE.

AND I THINK IT'S NOT A PARTISAN THING WHEN YOU COMMUNICATE FROM EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE, IT SHOULD BE THE WAY THE CONSTITUTION INTENDED, AND THAT IS CHECKS, BALANCES, COMMUNICATIONS AND IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET A GOOD PRODUCT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK IT'S REQUIRED, IT'S NECESSARY.

AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY IN THE NATION WANT US TO WORK TOGETHER.

THE BEST WE CAN.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

I WILL ASK YOU REPRESENTATIVE MILES WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DO YOU AGREE WITH SENATOR ADAMS THAT THE LAST FOUR YEARS ARE AN INDICATOR WHAT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS MAY BE LIKE?

>> I HAVE TO SAY I AGREE WITH BOTH OF OUR SENATORS.

BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE'VE GOT SOME OPPORTUNITIES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO HAVE BETTER COMMUNICATION THAN WE'VE HAD THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE POLICIES HAVEN'T BEEN CHANGED AS FAR AS WE ARE STAYING THE COURSE AND WHAT I SAY THAT AS FAR AS THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX, A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE SET OUT TO DO AND THE PLANS WE'VE MADE WE'VE STAYED THE COURSE ON THAT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE GOVERNOR PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE GOVERNOR PARTICIPATE IN WHENEVER WE HAVE AGENCIES BROUGHT BEFORE US HOW WE HELP GET CHILDREN OFF THE FLOORS AND IN BUILDINGS.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO YOU KNOW, WE WELCOME HIM THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO COMMUNICATE AND WORK WITH US OBVIOUSLY.

BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KIND OF THE POLICY SIDE OF IT AND SO WE'LL STAY THE COURSE ON OUR JOB.

>> Renee: AND WE OFTEN HEAR WHEN WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE PANELISTS THERE IS SUCH THING AS LEGISLATIVE INDEPENDENCE YOU ARE A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT I'M SURE WE WILL HEAR THAT REPEATED COME JANUARY SECOND.

REPRESENTATIVE BURKE IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU, FRESHMAN, SO WE'RE GLAD TO BAPTIZE YOU BY FIRE.

BUT THIS GROUP IS A MUCH FRIENDLIER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I REALLY DO BELIEVE WE WOULD HAVE BIPARTISAN SUCCESS.

>> Renee: I WILL LEAVE MY COMMENTARY TO MYSELF ON THAT ONE.

I WANT TO ASK YOU JUST ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE THERE COULD BE A SENSE OF BUOYNESS WITHIN THE PARTY THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR DECISIVELY WON REELECTION AND HE WON AS A PRO-CHOICE CANDIDATE ONE WHO CAME OUT AGAINST LEGISLATION DEALING WITH THE LGBTQ IA PLUS COMMUNITY THAT HE TOOK PROGRESSIVE STANDS, UNION STANDS.

WHAT DOES THIS SAY TO YOU ABOUT HOW THE MESSAGE OF DEMOCRATS IS RESONATING IN THE KENTUCKY ELECTORATE RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, I THINK THE KENTUCKY VOTERS SPOKE LOUDLY AND CLEARLY WHEN THEY REELECTED "GOVERNOR'S AWARD IN THE ARTS."

THEY BELIEVE HE IS A STRONG LEADER.

THAT HE IS COMPASSIONATE AND KIND AND HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB ON OUR ECONOMICS.

KENTUCKY HAS BEEN IN THE BEST POSITION IN MANY YEARS PARTIALLY DUE TO THE THINGS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND DUE TO THE WAY HE HAS ATTRACTED BIG BUSINESS TO KENTUCKY.

GREAT JOBS ARE BEING PLACED ALL OVER THE STATE BECAUSE OF THE WORK GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS DONE.

AND I THINK THAT MEANS SOMETHING TO STRUGGLING KENTUCKY FAMILIES LOOKING FOR A WAY TO STAND ON THEIR OWN TWO FEET.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

YOU MENTIONED REPUBLICANS ARE READY TO STAY THE COURSE.

LET'S START WITH EDUCATION BECAUSE THAT IS ALWAYS THE BIG ISSUE AND THERE IS A FEW MORE WE'LL GET TO I PROMISE.

EDUCATION CONSUMES THE LARGEST PORTION OF THE STATE BUDGET.

BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT THAT THERE IS SOME SCHOOL FUNDING ISSUES, RIGHT, THAT THE SIKH FUNDING NEEDS TO BE TWEAKED THERE IS A GROUP WORKING ON THAT.

SENATE PRESIDENT SAID IN A TV INTERVIEW IN LOUISVILLE THAT THE FORMULA USED TO DECIDE HOW MUCH MONEY THE LEGISLATURE INVESTS IN EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS COULD BE OUTDATED.

WHAT DOES THIS SAY SENATOR ADAMS WILL WE SEE ACTION ON THIS THIS COMING SESSION?

>> I THINK WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SEEK FUNDING THAT FORMULA ITSELF IT MAY BE OUTDATED BUT THAT IS QUITE A HURDLE TO CLIMB.

I AM ASSUMING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE WE ARE GOING INTO A BUDGET CYCLE.

BUT YOU KNOW, TAKE JEFFERSON COUNTY FOR EXAMPLE.

WHAT I'M HEARING AS FAR AS CONVERSATIONS RELATIVE TO THE SEEK FORMULA I DON'T LIKE WHAT I'M HEARING.

>> Renee: WHAT ARE YOU HEAR?

>> IF ANY ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE, PEOPLE WHO HAVE A MORE ROBUST PROPERTY TAX ARE GOING TO BE LOSERS IN WHAT COMES OUT FROM THE STATE IN THE SEEK FUNDING.

SO WHEN YOU GET INTO THOSE CONVERSATIONS YOU HAVE TO BE REALLY CAREFUL BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE WINNERS AND LOSERS WHEN YOU ADJUST ANYTHING.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THAT FRONT.

BUT AS FAR AS EDUCATION AS A WHOLE, I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT I HAVE LEARNED SINCE I'VE BEEN IN FRANKFORT IS THAT ONE SIZE DOESN'T FIT ALL.

SO JEFFERSON COUNTY IS REALLY DIFFERENT THAN AN OWEN COUNTY OR BUTLER COUNTY OR A TREMBLE COUNTY.

SO IN TRYING TO MAKE EDUCATION POLICY, WHAT MIGHT BE A REALLY GOOD FIT FOR JEFFERSON, WHICH IS SCHOOL CHOICE, DIVERSITY OF CHOICES THAT YOU CAN HAVE OUR POPULATION IS GREATER THAN MOST OF THESE OTHER -- THAN EVERY OTHER COUNTY MIGHT NOT WORK FOR THAT COUNTY.

SO WE HAVE TO BE REALLY COGNIZANT ABOUT NUMBER ONE, HOW DO WE MAKE KIDS THRIVE.

HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THAT?

NUMBER TWO, HOW DO WE TAKE CARE OF OUR EDUCATORS.

AND NUMBER THREE, IN ANYTHING THAT YOU DO, DON'T CUT EDUCATION.

BECAUSE THAT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO OUR WORKFORCE, TO OUR GROWTH, TO EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES.

EDUCATION PLAYS THAT KEY ROLE.

IT IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER IN OUR SOCIETY.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BUDGET.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY BEING AN OUTLIER WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE REST OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE, MANY PEOPLE WOULD FEAR WHEN YOU SAID MAYBE QUESTION ABOUT WELL, DOES THAT MEAN THE STATE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO GET IN THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING THE JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT?

>> I HAVE BEEN CLEAR THAT I DON'T THINK THAT THE STATE NEEDS TO BE RUNNING THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> Renee: DO YOUR COLLEAGUES AGREE?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVEN'T HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH THEM.

I DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS THE RIGHT ANSWER FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY.

WE ARE DOING MORE OF A HOLISTIC APPROACH LOOKING AT JEFFERSON COUNTY, IS IT TOO BIG.

THAT IS AN ESSENTIAL QUESTION.

HOW COULD IT BE MORE -- HOW COULD IT DELIVER FER DELIVER EDUCATIONAL SERVICES BETTER?

THAT IS AN ESSENTIAL QUESTION.

>> Renee: SPLITTING THE DISTRICT UP IS A VIABLE OPTION?

>> WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY IS CURRENTLY LOOKING THAT QUESTION.

WHAT DO WE DO WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY AND THEY WILL HAVE A REPORT READY FOR US IN JULY OF '24.

>> Renee: AFTER THE SESSION.

>> AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT OUR PEER CITIES AND HOW THEY DELIVER THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

I'LL TAKE INDIANAPOLIS, INUNANIMOUS POLICE IS LARGER THAN -- INDIANAPOLIS IS LARGER THAN JEFFERSON COUNTY BUT THEY HAVE 11 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN INDIANAPOLIS.

WE HAVE ONE.

OTHER CITIES HAVE GOTTEN IT RIGHT.

LET'S LOOK AND SEE WHAT IS WORKING IN SOME OF THE OTHER COMMUNITIES AND SEE IF WE CAN'T TRANSLATE THAT BACK TO MY HOMETOWN.

>> Renee: WHAT ARE YOU HEARING SENATOR WEBB WHEN IT COMES TO THIS AND PARTICULARLY JEFFERSON COUNTY?

>> JEFFERSON COUNTY AS DIFFERENT AS MY DISTRICT IS BEING IN RURAL AND EASTERN KENTUCKY JEFFERSON COUNTY AS FAR AS THE SEEK FORMULA, THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO MAKE US CHANGE IT IF WE DON'T TAKE ACTION BECAUSE OF THE DISPARITY THAT PRESENT AND SOME OF THE DISTRICTS ARE IN A BAD POSITION OR WORSE POSITION BASED ON THE FORMULA.

SO IF WE DON'T DO THAT, I ANTICIPATE LITIGATION.

BUT AS DIFFERENT AS JEFFERSON COUNTY AND MY DISTRICTS ARE WE HAVE A LOT OF SAME PROBLEMS.

TRANSPORTATION IS NOT JUST AN ISSUE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

IT IS AN ISSUE IN MY DISTRICT GETTING BUS DRIVERS, RETAINING BUS DRIVERS.

SAME THING WITH TEACHERS.

I HAVE TWO OTHER STATES COMPETING FOR OUR EDUCATORS.

AND KENTUCKY'S SALARY IS ONE OF THE LOWEST.

WE'VE GOT TO DEAL WITH THOSE BASIC FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURAL ISSUES FIRST.

AND IT'S GOT TO BE WITH PARITY ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> Renee: TEACHER PAY IN YOUR VIEW IS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION AS YOU LOOK TO THE 2024 SESSION?

>> I THINK BEING A BUDGET SESSION I THINK IT SHOULD BE FOREMOST AND OF COURSE, WE ARE URGING THE DISTRICTS TO EVALUATE THAT.

AND LOOK.

BUT WE'VE GOT TO ADDRESS THE SEEK FORMULA BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO -- THE KENTUCKY STATE CONSTITUTION REQUIRE IT IS.

>> Renee: WE KNOW THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS INCREASED THE SEEK FUNDING TO THE MONEY THAT IS GIVEN TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AND MOST OF THEM GAVE RAISES THEY WEREN'T THE SAME AMOUNT.

SO DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE -- >> WHEN YOU INCREASE THE FUNDING THROUGH THE YEARS OTHER THINGS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY.

SO EVEN THOUGH THE FUNDING HAS BEEN INCREASED WE'VE SEEN CUTS IN SOME SERVICE AREAS.

>> Renee: THE SUPPORT SERVICES AFTER SCHOOL THAT KIND OF THING.

I WANT TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THIS AS WELL.

TEACHER PAY THAT WILL BE A BIG QUESTION IT WILL COME IN.

ABOUT THE GOVERNOR HAD ONE IDEA THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE HAD ANOTHER IDEA.

WHERE DOES THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUS STAND ON HOW TO APPROACH TEACHER PAY?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT EVER SINCE WE BECAME THE MAJORITY WE MADE A FOCUS ON MAKING SURE THE PENSIONS WERE PAID FOR.

WE PUT FUNDING IN THOSE ITEMS.

YOU KNOW AS FAR AS WHERE WE DID THE FUNDING THIS PASTIME, TOWARDS THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO GIVE THEM FLEXIBILITY SO THEY COULD ACTUALLY INVEST THAT FUNDING WHERE IT NEEDED TO GO.

I THINK THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT WAS ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE TRUSTED THE LOCALS TO TRY TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS ON TRYING TO INVEST IN THEIR TEACHERS AND THEIR STAFFING IN THEIR BUS DRIVERS EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEEDED AS FAR AS THAT GOES.

I THINK WE'VE ALREADY STARTED DOWN THAT PATH THAT MINDSET.

THE OTHER SIDE TO THAT IS MAKING SURE WE EDUCATE EVERY CHILD.

THAT WE'RE TRYING TO FUND EVERY CHILD TO BE EDUCATED AND HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT EVERY OTHER CHILD HAS.

I THINK THAT'S THE DISPARITY SOMETIMES IN THE PAST HAS BEEN.

SO I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK TOWARD THAT.

BUT I ALSO THINK THAT WE ARE AT A STARTED DOWN THAT PATH TO KIND OF GIVE FLEXIBILITY TO THE LOCAL DISTRICTS TO MAKE DECISIONS.

WE LISTENED TO THEM THAT IS WHAT THEY TOLD US SAID DON'T BE BIG BROTHER, BIG SISTER, ALL THE TIME FROM THE STATE HOUSE.

GIVE US FLEXIBILITY SO THAT WE CAN -- BECAUSE NOT EVERY DISTRICT IS THE SAME WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

NOT EVERY DISTRICT IS THE SAME.

THE DISPARITIES YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE THAT MIGHT BE LOCALLY.

>> Renee: BUT THAT ALSO BY HAVING DIFFERENT COUNTIES DECIDE DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS DECIDE HOW MUCH THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE THEIR EDUCATORS COULD CREATE A PIDDING WAR.

YOU CAN GO TO A DIFFERENT COUNTY IF YOU ARE IN A RURAL COUNTY AND 40 MILES FROM LEXINGTON YOU MIGHT DEFECT UP THE ROAD BECAUSE THERE IS A BETTER FINANCIAL PICTURE FOR YOU.

SO THERE'S GOOD AND OFFSETS TO THAT AS WELL.

DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAY REPRESENTATIVE BURKE?

>> I DO.

AND I THINK THAT IS AN EXCELLENT POINT.

I SUPPORT GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S PROPOSAL FOR 11% RAISES FOR THE TEACHERS.

IT'S TIME THAT WE DO SOMETHING ESPECIALLY AS WE'VE TAKEN TEACHERS OUT OF THE GOOD PENSION SYSTEM THAT EXISTED BEFORE.

IT DOESN'T GIVE TEACHERS ANY INCENTIVE TO STAY IN KENTUCKY AND KEEP TEACHING IN KENTUCKY IF THEIR FUTURE LOOKS DISMAL BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SET THEM UP FOR RETIREMENT SUCCESS.

I THINK ALSO ABOUT OUR BUS DRIVERS.

AS WE'VE MENTIONED TRANSPORTATION IS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE STATE AND THAT IS IN LARGE PART BECAUSE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HASN'T BEEN FULLY FUNDING SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION.

WE'VE BEEN AT 70% FUNDING FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

AND IF WE WOULD PAY OUR PART, WE WOULDN'T HAVE SO MANY KIDS COMING HOME LATE WE WOULDN'T BE WORRIED ABOUT THE BUS STOP BEING TOO FAR AWAY.

THE ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO STEP UP THEIR GAME AND DO LESS TALK AND MORE ACTION.

>> Renee: HAS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY UNDERNEATH THE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY FULLY MEET THE SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS?

>> I THINK THAT THE ANSWER TO THAT IS THAT IT'S TRANSPORTATION FUNDING HAS NEVER BEEN QUOTE FULLY FUNDED.

AND THE OTHER CAVEAT IS WE TALK ABOUT WELL, WE NEED TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION.

WHAT IS THAT NUMBER?

WE NEED TO FULLY FUND TRANSPORTATION?

WHAT IS THAT NUMBER?

I'VE ASKED BOTH OF THOSE QUESTIONS AND I'VE NEVER GOTTEN A NUMBER.

SO IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK IN PLATITUDES THEN WE'LL TALK IN PLATITUDES BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK REAL MONEY LET'S TALK REAL MONEY.

IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WE NEED A NUMBER.

>> Renee: WHO DOES THE NUMBER COME FROM?

>> I ASSUME IT WOULD COME FROM EACH OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS.

AGAIN, I THINK THAT DRIVING A BUS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY ROADS IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN DRIVING A BUS IN BUSY JEFFERSON COUNTY CONGESTION.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

AND.

>> PART OF IT IS A WORKFORCE ISSUE LIKE EVERY SECTOR OF EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING AND IN KENTUCKY WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING BUS DRIVERS AND WE'RE JUST WORKING ON WAYS TO WORK WITH AGENCIES AND THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND EVERYBODY ELSE SHORT OF LEGISLATION TO SEE IF WE CAN'T GET A FEW MORE AND I MEAN THERE'S SIMPLE IT'S MORE COMPLEX THAN THROWING MONEY AT IT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE WORKFORCE THERE, BUT WE'VE GOT ONCE AGAIN, TO INCENT SOMEONE TO DO THAT AND WE'RE JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER SECTOR IN THE PRIVATE -- >> Renee: WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE.

WE UNDERSTAND THERE COULD BE A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON SCHOOL CHOICE THAT COMES BEFORE STATE LAWMAKERS.

WE KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH VOTE AND THIS IS NOT JUST A D OR R ISSUE.

BACK IN 2021 WE LOOK IN MARCH WHEN YOU OVERRODE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF HOUSE BILL 563 AT THE COURT WEIGHED IN ON THAT BILL PASSED 51-42 IN THE HOUSE.

AND 23 WHICH WAS WHAT IT NEEDED YOU KNOW IN THE SENATE.

NOW CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS NEED 60% SO THAT IS 23 VOTES IN THE SENATE, AND THE HOUSE.

SO THIS WASN'T A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

BUT YOU ARE LOOKING TO DO THAT SINCE THE SUPREME COURT SAID YOU CANNOT DO WHAT YOU DID BEFORE.

HOW DOES IT LOOK, ON THE PROSPECTS MAYBE IT'S BETTER IN YOUR CHAMBER THANTH MAY BE IN REPRESENTATIVE MILES'?

>> WE GO BACK TO EACH OF US REPRESENTS VERY DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.

SO WHAT MIGHT BE AN EASY VOTE FOR ME, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A VERY DIVERSE DELIVERY SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN LOUISVILLE.

YOU HAVE CATHOLIC, YOU HAVE PRIVATE, YOU HAVE PUBLIC, YOU HAVE HOME SCHOOL, YOU HAVE ALL OF THE COMPONENTS.

AND SO THIS IS NOT A SQUARERY VOTE FOR ME TO PUT AN EDUCATIONAL CHOICE INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE VOTERS TO DECIDE.

IN THE RURAL COUNTIES THEY HAVE FABULOUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THAT'S THEIR METHOD.

THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE HESITANT.

IT REALLY IS IT IS A TOUGH VOTE FOR A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WE ALL SERVE WITH.

BECAUSE LET ME TELL YOU, NUMBER ONE, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TAKE ANY MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THIS VAIN OF HAVING EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.

I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE'S OBJECTIVE.

AND NUMBER TWO WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE WORKING.

AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL LIKE THAT THIS IS SOME SORT OF A DOG PILE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION BECAUSE IT'S REALLY NOT.

AND SO WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WORKS IN EACH DISTRICT.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SUPPORT OUR DIFFERENCES BECAUSE THE OBJECTIVE IS IF THIS SCHOOL IS NOT ALLOWING THAT CHILD TO THRIVE, THEY SHOULDN'T BE STUCK THERE.

THAT CHILD NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO THRIVE IN WHATEVER ENVIRONMENT THAT CHILD CAN THRIVE.

AND SO IF IT'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS, GREAT.

IF IT'S PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

GREAT.

IF IT IS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

GREAT.

IF IT IS A CHAFORTER SCHOOL, GREAT.

BUT THAT SHOULD BE OUR FOCUS IS THAT THE ARE OUR KIDS THRIVING.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE BURKE HOW WOULD YOU VOTE ON A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW THE VOTERS TO DECIDE ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE?

>> WELL, FOR ME PERSONALLY, THAT'S A SIMPLE NO.

FAYETTE COUNTY I'M FORTUNATE TO BE RAISING A CHILD HERE IN FAYETTE COUNTY AND WE HAVE PHENOMENAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THAT'S IN LARGE PART DUE TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

I DON'T THINK THAT THE VOTES ARE THERE IN THE HOUSE.

I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE THAT THREE FIFTHS WILL SUPPORT.

HOWEVER, I WANT TO POINT TO ARKANSAS, ARKANSAS DID A SIMILAR CHANGE TO WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED IN KENTUCKY WITH SCHOOL CHOICE VOUCHERS.

IN ARKANSAS THE YEAR AFTER THIS WAS BROUGHT TO BE A NEW PROGRAM, 95% OF THOSE VOUCHERS WENT TO STUDENTS ALREADY IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

SO WHAT THAT SAYS TO ME, IS THAT THIS DIDN'T INCREASE EDUCATIONAL CHOICE FOR MOST PEOPLE.

ALL IT DID WAS SUBSIDIZE CHOICES THAT WERE ALREADY BEING MADE BY PARENTS WHO COULD MAKE THEM BECAUSE OF WEALTH OR ACCESS.

SO FOR ME THAT'S NOT THE MOVE WE NEED TO BE MAKING IN KENTUCKY.

I WANT EVERYONE TO SUCCEED NOT JUST THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A LEG UP.

>> Renee: TO THAT WHAT DO YOU SAY REPRESENTATIVE MILES AND SPEAK WHERE YOUR CAUCUS IS ON THIS ISSUE?

>> I WANT TO CIRCLE BACK A LITTLE BIT TO THE FUNDING QUESTION THAT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT FUNDING RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THAT WE CAN'T IGNORE THE ISSUES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE IN THE CLASSROOMS WHAT TEACHERS ARE DEALING WITH.

I DON'T THINK IT'S ONLY PAY THAT IS AFFECTING OUR EDUCATORS RIGHT NOW.

AND FOR THAT MATTER, THE CHILDREN.

BECAUSE WITH THE CRIME THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, A LOT OF THINGS BEYOND JUST THAT PART OF IT, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PAY ATTENTION TO THAT ALSO.

IT'S JUST NOT ABOUT THE FUNDING.

WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES THAT THE ARE TAKING PLACE.

AS FAR AS A LOT OF THE CHOICES THAT ARE MADE, WE'VE GOT LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES THINGS THAT ARE ALREADY GOING ON IN OUR STATE THAT ARE SCHOOL CHOICE WITH THE INNOVATION CENTER THE INNOVATION ACADEMY.

THEY HAVE DONE FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL NOW THEY'VE MOVED TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THEY HAVE MORE OF A FACILITATOR TYPE TEACHING THE STUDENTS ARE NOT ONLY FROM DAVIS COUNTY THEY ARE OUTSIDE THE COUNTY THAT PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

THEY ARE DOING PHENOMENAL.

I WOULD PUT THAT SCHOOL UP AGAINST ANY SCHOOL.

AND WE'VE GOT WONDERFUL SCHOOLS IN DAVIS COUNTY, ABSOLUTELY ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE DOING WELL.

BUT THE STEM SCHOOLS ACROSS WE'VE GOT SO MANY DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE CAN EVEN START DOWN THE PATH WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER SCHOOL CHOICE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT WE MAY NEED TO GO FURTHER AS FAR AS GIVING MORE OPPORTUNITIES AND MAKING IT A LITTLE BIT MORE I CAN SAY LOCALLY THEY REALLY FOUGHT HARD WITH LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND LOTS OF THINGS TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY DID.

AND I WOULD HOPE AT SOME POINT IN TIME OUR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WOULD MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO GIVE EVERY CHILD AN OPPORTUNITY AND THAT'S THE PATH I WANT US TO BE ABLE TO WORK.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ONE OR THE OTHER.

IT CAN'T BE ALL OR NOTHING.

AND THAT IS WHERE I THINK IS THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE RIGHT NOW.

AS FAR AS OUR CAUCUS GOES WE HAVE NOT REALLY DISCUSSED THAT VERY MUCH AT THIS POINT.

I THINK YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE WE ARE ALL GETTING READY TO HAVE OUR RETREATS AND DISCUSSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE RETREATS.

WHERE WE GO FROM HERE, OBVIOUSLY THE NUMBER ONE ITEM IS THE BUDGET.

SO TO ME THAT IS WHERE I'M FOCUSED AND WHERE ALL OF OUR BUDGET REVIEW SUBCHAIRS HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE WE PASSED THE LAST BUDGET TO WORK TOWARDS THAT.

>> Renee: I WILL COME BACK TO THAT IN A MOMENT.

SENATOR WEBB.

>> BECAUSE I HAVE THOUGHTS.

IN TEXAS LIKE TODAY, GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WAS TO INCLUDE VOUCHERS.

AND THAT FAILED.

AND 20 SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS FROM RURAL DISTRICTS JOINED DEMOCRATS IN KILLING THAT PROVISION OF THE BILL.

I'M NOT SAYING IT COULDN'T COME BACK.

I THINK THAT'S SORT OF INDICATIVE OF THE STATE OF HOW THE VOTE WOULD GO PERHAPS.

I THINK ALL MY COLLEAGUES HAVE MADE GOOD POINTS BUT WE HAVE SOME SCHOOL CHOICE IN KENTUCKY.

I HAD A SON IN PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL HELPED FOUND THAT SCHOOL.

BUT I THINK WHEN YOU -- I'VE BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE HEARD THE PRIOR DISCUSSIONS FROM A NATIONAL STANDPOINT WHERE NATIONAL SPECIAL INTERESTS ARE DISMANTLING PUBLIC EDUCATION, SO THEY GET SOME OF THAT MONEY WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT.

I HAVE SEVERE CONCERNS WITH WHAT HAPPENED IN OTHER STATES WITH CHARTER SCHOOLS, FLORIDA, AND OTHER STATES.

I MONITORED THIS FOR TWO DECADES.

SO I'VE GOT LEGITIMATE CONCERNS ABOUT LOSING OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO DON'T GET CHERRY PICKED TO GO TO SOME OF THESE SCHOOLS AND GET LEFT BEHIND.

AND I THINK I ALWAYS LOOK AT ANY AMENDMENT FROM A LEGAL CONSTITUTIONAL STANDPOINT AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

BUT I THINK THERE IS JUST MANY LAYERS OF THAT POLICY THAT YOU NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

>> Renee: AND CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE ALLOWED IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND JEFFERSON COUNTY THAT IS WHAT THE LAW SAID THE PILOT PROJECT.

>> NONE HAVE BEEN APPROVED.

>> Renee: NONE HAVE BEEN APPROVED.

WHY IS THAT?

SOMETHING THAT THERE IS PEOPLE SAYING WE WANT, WE WANT, BUT, YET, THERE'S BEEN NO APPROVAL WHAT'S BEEN THE BARRIERS FOR THE APPROVAL?

>> AND I DON'T KNOW I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING THAT SENATOR WEBB SAID AND THAT IS IT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

SO THE TRUTH IS ALL WE'RE DOING IS GIVING VOTERS THE ABILITY TO SAY YES OR NO.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT AS IF THE FOUR OF US HERE ARE GOING TO BE DECIDING THE POLICY WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE AND THE VOTERS WILL TELL US YES OR NO.

SO I THINK THAT'S KIND OF THE SIMPLE.

>> Renee: WOULD YOU ALREADY HAVE ENABLING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ONCE THE VOTERS RATIFY IT, THEN IT CAN GO INTO ACTION?

>> THEN, YOU WOULD HAVE TO TAKE, I THINK THAT NEXT STEP.

IF THE VOTERS SAID YES.

THEN WE WOULD -- DEPENDING HOW THAT IS CRAFTED BACK TO SENATOR WEBB'S POINT, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU MONKEY AROUND WITH THE CONSTITUTION.

WHAT DOES THE QUESTION LOOK LIKE.

>> USUALLY NOT GOOD.

>> WHAT ARE THE VOTERS SAY.

DO THEY GIVE YOU A THUMBS UP OR A THUMBS DOWN AND YOU GO IN AND YOU SAY, HEY, THIS COULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WOULD EVERY COMMUNITY EMBRACE IT?

PROBABLY NOT.

WOULD SOME COMMUNITIES EMBRACE IT?

PROBABLY.

BUT IT WOULD JUST BE SOMETHING THAT I THINK WOULD UNFOLD AND IF IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR A COMMUNITY I CAN SEE THEM EMBRACING IT.

BUT IT IS NOT A MANDATE.

YOU'VE GOT TO DO THIS IN OWEN COUNTY OR BUTLER COUNTY.

IS IT THE RIGHT THING?

>> Renee: AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE PROPOSED QUESTION WOULD BE CRAFTED.

BECAUSE MARCY'S LAW, THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT SAID YOU HAVE TO GIVE SOME INFORMATION.

SO SOMETIMES MORE INFORMATION CAN CAUSE CONFUSION AND NOT CLARITY WITH VOTERS THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE VOTING ON.

SO THAT WOULD BE A HURDLE.

ANYMORE POINTS ON THAT?

GO AHEAD REPRESENTATIVE BURKE.

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE YOUR POINT SENATOR ADAMS THAT NOT EVERY MUNICIPALITY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE US UP ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SCHOOL CHOICE.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS THESE ARE EVERYONE'S TAX DOLLARS.

AND IT'S FINE FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY TO CHOOSE SOMETHING AND OWEN COUNTY TO CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE BUT THE MONEY ATTACHED TO THE STUDENTS THROUGH SEEK FUNDING OR A VOUCHER IS ALL OF OUR MONEY.

SO THEN FOR IT TO BE PERMISSIBLE FOR IT TO GO TO A FAITH-BASED SCHOOL OR FOR IT TO GO TO OTHER PRIVATE SCHOOL, THAT'S FUNDING THAT WOULD BE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM COMMUNIST OF EXISTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE INFORMED PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND GOVERNMENT AND CAN PARTICIPATE WITH US.

AND I AGREE WITH SENATOR WEBB THAT THE LACK OF OVERSIGHT THAT WE FIND IN A LOT OF THESE SORT OF FLY BY NIGHT POPPED UP TO COLLECT THE CHECK AND OH, I'M OUT OF MONEY SO I'M LEAVING SCHOOLS THOSE EXIST AND THOSE HURT STUDENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T WASTE THE PRECIOUS TAX DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE ON SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GOING TO HELP KENTUCKY STUDENTS.

>> IF I MAY ADD IN ON THAT A LITTLE BIT OF THE CONCERN WITH THAT, I THINK THE NUMBERS OF CHILDREN THAT ARE NOT BACK IN SCHOOL FROM COVID, THE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN THAT ARE HOME SCHOOLED NOW, THE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN THAT ARE NOT SHOWING UP FOR SCHOOL, THE AMOUNT OF TRUANCY, THE AMOUNT OF ATTENDANCE WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE NUMBERS RIGHT NOW.

AND QUITE FRANKLY THAT AFFECTS THE SEEK FORMULA DEPENDING WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE IN THAT SCHOOL.

SO I THINK IS IT 13 DAYS IS WHAT THE AVERAGE IS FOR I THINK THAT WE HEARD THAT TO NOT BE PRESENT.

>> PERSISTENT TRUANCY.

WHEN WE ARE LOOKING THE THAT I'M LOOKING AT THAT TIME FROM THE STANDPOINT THE CONCERN OF ALL THOSE CHILDREN OUT THERE THAT ARE NOT GETTING MAYBE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY OR ACCESS TO AN EDUCATION.

BECAUSE IF THEY ARE NOT IN THE CLASSROOM THEY WILL NOT BE LEARNING.

AND I'M NOT SAYING AS FAR AS IF THEY ARE IN THE HOME SCHOOL THEY MIGHT HAVE A REGIMENT THAT THEY CAN DO SOMETHING WITH THAT.

BUT IF THEY ARE ENROLLED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THEY ARE NOT IN THE CLASSROOM, WE'RE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THAT CHILD AND THAT PARENT FOR THAT MATTER OF WHY THAT CHILD IS NOT THERE.

WHY DOES THE PARENT NOT HAVE FAITH TO MAKE THAT CHILD BE IN SCHOOL.

WHAT IS WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE THINGS, TOO, TO FIND OUT WHY THE CHILDREN ARE NOT IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT IS A CONCERN.

>> Renee: AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP COULD BE AS OPPOSED TO AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE.

THAT MEANS SOMETHING AND SO I KNOW THAT'S BEING EVALUATED RIGHT NOW.

WE'LL GET TO THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE THING YOU MENTIONED WAS ABOUT TRIGGERED IN MY MIND MENTAL HEALTH STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH.

WE KNOW THAT THE 2019 SCHOOL SAFETY ACT WHICH TACKLED THIS AFTER THE TRAGIC MARSHALL COUNTY HIGH SHOOTING DEADLY SHOOTING AND WE KNOW THAT 250 STUDENTS PER COUNSELOR IN SOME SCHOOLS DO THAT AND SOME SCHOOLS DO BETTER.

BLESS YOU.

BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN FUNDING DELIBERATELY PUT BEHIND THAT EFFORT.

CAN WE EXPECT THAT?

2024?

>> I THINK THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING CLOSER AT A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT SPECIFICALLY ON THE FUNDING BUT I THINK AS FAR AS WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THE CRIME THINGS AS FAR AS THAT GOES.

THE MENTAL HEALTH, ALL THE AVENUES AS FAR AS ACCESS FOR THE COUNSELORS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A TASK FORCE THIS SUMMER.

WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE TASK FORCES FOR THAT MATTER AND I HOPE WE'LL GET IN MORE OF THOSE.

I THINK THE TASK FORCE WAS DIRECTLY GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT BILL AND SEE WHAT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED, WHAT HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED, WHAT HAS WORKED AND WHY IS IT NOT IMPLEMENTED.

WE HAVE THINGS THAT THE FUNDING WAS PUT THERE FOR, AND THEY HAVEN'T HAPPENED IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO YOU KNOW, WHY?

SO I THINK THAT THE TASK FORCE HOPEFULLY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER THEY'VE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE ITEMS AND REEVALUATE IF WE NEED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO I MEAN THAT IS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE ITEMS AND REEVALUATING AT THE TIME THAT'S WHAT WE SAID WE NEED TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFER WE NEED OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS AND OUR PARENTS EVERYONE TO FEEL WELCOME THAT WHEN THEY WALK IN THE SCHOOL THEY ARE IN A SAFE SPACE NO MATTER WHAT.

AND FRANKLY, IN THE COMMONWEALTH WE WANT EVERYONE TO FEEL LIKE WHEN THEY GO INTO THE WORKFORCE EVERYWHERE THEY GO THAT THEY CAN FEEL SAFE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MILES, TO THAT POINT, IT REALLY STRIKES ME AS ALMOST DISINGENUOUS TO SAY THAT AFTER OUR LAST SESSION GIVEN THAT TRANS STUDENTS WERE IN THE CROSSFIRE FROM THE MAJORITY OF THAT SESSION.

WE CAME AT THEM FROM THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT.

AND WE IMPLICATED THE SCHOOLS IN THAT, TOO.

SO I AM TERRIBLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS PARTICULARLY MARGINALIZED STUDENTS AND I WANT FOR ALL STUDENTS TO FEEL WELCOME IN KENTUCKY.

AND IF THAT'S THE GOAL THAT WE SHARE WHICH I SINCERELY BELIEVE IT IS, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU AND I KNOW THAT YOU WANT FOR KEN DEN TO THRIVE AND KENTUCKIANS TO FEEL SAFE, THEN WE OUGHT TO BE LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE STATE-WIDE FAIRNESS TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT WE ARE NOT BACKWARD AND BIGOTED BUT WE ARE A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND THEY ARE LOVED FOR WHO THEY ARE AND THEY DON'T NEED TO HIDE THEMSELVES TO BE FULLY ACCEPTED AND TO THRIVE HERE.

>> WELL, IT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING I FEEL LIKE WITH THAT STATEMENT, THE NARRATIVE OF THE THINGS THAT TOOK PLACE DURING SESSION AND A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT I DON'T I THINK THE NARRATIVE FROM ONE SIDE OF THE AISLE WAS THAT WE WERE UNDER ATTACK FOR CERTAIN THINGS.

AND I WOULD DISAGREE THAT THAT WAS NOT THE INTENT BY ANY MEANS.

AND YOU KNOW I HEAR IT OFTEN THAT WE JUST REALLY DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO EVERYONE AND MAKE SURE WE KEEP EVERYONE ACCOUNTED FOR.

BUT IT ALL CAME BACK A LOT OF TIMES TO THE CONVERSATION OF A PARENT NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS GOING ON IN A SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I THINK IF PEOPLE GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE NEWS MOST RECENTLY I BELIEVE IT'S ANDERSON COUNTY, I BELIEVE IS THE MOST RECENT THING THAT PUTS A MAGNIFYING GLASS ON TO MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE JOB OF THE EDUCATOR TO RAISE THAT CHILD.

THAT CHILD HAS PARENTS, HOPEFULLY HAS PARENTS AND HAS ACCESS TO THAT.

>> Renee: I WANT TO ASK THERE WAS LANGUAGE IN THE KDE MADE THEIR INTERPRETATION AND ISSUED GLANCE BUT THE LANGUAGE COULD SEEM MURKY TO SOME AND ALLOW SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS AND NOT OTHERS.

WILL THERE BE QUOTE-UNQUOTE CLARIFICATION BY THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHEN IT COMES TO SB150?

>> I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

EVERY BILL THAT WE PASS, I DON'T KNOW THAT I'VE EVER SEEN A PERFECT BILL.

>> ALL THE ONES I'VE PASSED ARE PERFECT.

I'M NOT SURE ABOUT YOU ALL.

>> ALL HER BILLS HAVE BEEN PERFECT.

>> .

>> Renee: THERE IS A LARGER QUESTION ABOUT HOW MUCH CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ISSUE ALSO DOMINATE THE 2024 SESSION AS MANY SAY IT DID IN THE 23 SESSION AND THERE WERE OTHER DYNAMICS POSSIBLY AT PLAY EVERYONE HERE POTENTIALLY IS ON THE BALLOT IN 2024.

SO WILL WE SEE SOME OF THOSE SAME ISSUES COME TO BEAR WHEN IT COMES TO LGBTQ, WHETHER THAT'S WITH STUDENTS OR WITH PERFORMANCES, ET CETERA THAT WE SAW IN WEE.

>> THERE MAYBE BUT I CAN SAY OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS ON THE BUDGET.

I LOOK AT THAT IS OUR NUMBER ONE RESPONSIBILITY TO FOCUS ON THAT.

AS FAR AS ADJUSTMENTS, I HAVE -- >> Renee: CAN YOU KEEP YOUR CAUCUS FOCUSED ON THAT?

YOU CANNOT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM FILING BILLS BUT HOW MUCH OXYGEN CAN THAT TAKE WILL LEADERSHIP ALLOW IT TO OCCUPY SHALL I SAY?

>> I THINK YOU RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE LEADERSHIP THAT HAS 80 IN OUR CAUCUS.

AND THAT IS A LOT OF PERSONALITIES.

AND EACH EVERYONE OF US HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILE BILLS AND WE REALLY DO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR IF THEY'VE GOT THINGS OUT THERE.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, TO GET THOSE VOTES PASSED YOU HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE JOIN YOU ON THOSE VOTES.

NO ONE PASSES A BILL ON THE FLOOR BY THEMSELVES.

AND I THINK THAT THAT PLAYS A HUGE ROLE IN THAT.

AS FAR AS PLAYING FAVORITISM ON ONE OR THE OTHER JUST TO HAVE RANDOM VOTES ON THE FLOOR FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE THEIR VOICE WAS HEARD I DON'T SEE THAT PATHWAY.

I THINK THAT WE REALLY TRY HARD AS FAR AS THE AMOUNT OF TIME WE SPEND WE TRY TO FOCUS IN ON WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THE CAUCUS THE DIRECTION YOU ARE WANTING TO GO, THE DECISIONS, THE POLICIES THAT WE'RE FOCUSED IN ON.

I WISH THAT I COULD TELL YOU WITH A CRYSTAL BALL WHAT SESSION IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

MY INTENT WOULD BE THAT THE BUDGET WOULD BE ALL THE OXYGEN.

I WOULD HAVE NEVER DREAMED IN A MILLION YEARS THIS PAST SESSION WHAT TOOK UP MOST OF OUR TIME FOR THE PERCENTAGE OF ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT TOOK PLACE WERE OVERSHADOWED BY A LOT MORE OF THE SOCIAL THINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT'S JUST KIND OF REALLY HURTS YOUR HEART SOMETIMES WHENEVER YOU ARE WORKING ON THINGS AND YOU HAVE SO MANY GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE GOING OUT THERE AND ESPECIALLY, I MEAN, IN ON THE HEALTHCARE THEY'VE REBRANDED HEALTH FORCE KENTUCKY ON THE NURSING SHORTAGE.

I MEAN, THAT TOOK PLACE DURING SESSION.

DID IT GET A LOT OF ATTENTION?

NO.

BUT IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES.

IT WILL CHANGE THE SAFETY OF OUR PATIENTS.

IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE WHOLE WORKFORCE IN THAT AREA OVER A 17-COUNTY DYNAMIC.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHERE ALL THE OXYGEN WENT.

AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE GREAT THINGS THAT TAKE PLACE WHEN WE GET ALONG AND ALL AGREE ON THINGS THE MEDIA DOESN'T PAY ATTENTION TO THAT.

AND IT'S DISHEARTENING SOMETIMES.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO ADD, GOING BACK TO THE MENTAL HEALTH, IS THE CHANGE.

WE PASSED THE LAW THAT SAYS THAT YOU CAN NOW HAVE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT WITHIN THE SCHOOLS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE NURSES ARE REQUESTING TO HAVE A NURSE IN EVERY SCHOOL NOW.

AND SOME SORT OF COMPONENT THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT MENTAL HEALTH, THAT ONE-ON-ONE TOUCH THAT MAYBE THAT STUDENT NEEDS AT THAT TIME.

SO I'M TAKING THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.

I THINK THAT WILL BE SOMETHING REALLY GOOD THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT IN THE BUDGET.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT KIND OF HOW MENTAL HEALTH IS REALLY TRANSVERSING A LOT OF ISSUES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, WE HAVE MATERNAL MORTALITY TASK FORCE AND PART OF THAT WE'RE DIGGING INTO POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND HOW THAT IS AFFECTING THAT SEGMENT OF OUR POPULATION AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH BECAUSE THEY GO HAND IN HAND.

SO I THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF MENTAL HEALTH BEING DISCUSSED AND FUNDED IN MANY DIFFERENT AVENUES WHICH IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING, WHICH I THINK WE NEED TO DO AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN ON A SIDE NOTE I REALLY WANT TO WORK ON RAISING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES IF WE DON'T START TO LOOK AT MEDICAID AND REIMBURSEMENT RATES IN THIS BUDGET WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOSE PROVIDER TO WEST VIRGINIA, TO VIRGINIA, TO TENNESSEE, TO MISSOURI.

AND WE'VE GOT TO GET A HANDLE ON THAT.

SO I'VE ACTUALLY PUT OUT A CHARGE TO THE ADMINISTRATION LET'S LOOK AT THESE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN TOUCHED IN 20 PLUS YEARS AND THAT IS BEING GENEROUS 20 PLUS YEARS AND LET'S START TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT PRICE TAG LOOKS LIKE AND LET'S SEE IF WE CAN'T GET MOVEMENT ON THAT.

>> Renee: AND I THINK THAT IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

AND EXPERTISE THEY ALL FROM SENATOR KAREN BIRD TO STEVEN MEREDITH AGREED.

>> BUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS HUGE WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE RATES AND WE HAVE TO UP THOSE NUMBERS.

>> Renee: SO YOU HAVE WHAT IS IT, OVER $3 BILLION EXTRA CASH ON HAND DO YOU SEE THAT GOING TOWARD THAT?

>> I THINK THAT IF I COULD SPEND $3 BILLION, HOW WOULD I SPEND IT?

NO, BUT I THINK THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT.

I ALSO THINK THAT IF WE'RE EVER GOING TO SOLVE OUR WORKFORCE CHALLENGES, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT CHILDCARE.

BECAUSE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES DON'T SOLVE THEMSELVES WITHOUT CHILDCARE.

AND SO.

>> Renee: IF YOU LOOK AT THE BILL THAT YOU REPRESENTATIVE WORKED ON WITH DANNY CAROL, THAT PROVIDED $15 MILLION FOR EMPLOYEE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE BUT YET PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW THAT EXISTED.

>> YES, IT'S ALMOST AS IF WE NEEDED A MARKETING PLAN FOR THE $15 MILLION WHICH IF I KNEW THERE WAS A POT OF $15 I NEED TO GO AND SEE WHAT THAT IS ALL ABOUT.

BUT IT'S TRUE.

I THINK PART OF WHAT WE DO IN FRANKFORT WE ASSUME THAT IT TRANSLATES INTO EVERYBODY'S EVERYDAY LIVES.

AND IT JUST DOESN'T.

WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF COMMUNICATING THAT HEY, THERE IS AN EMPLOYEE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM LET'S SEE WHO CAN BE ELIGIBLE TO TAP INTO IT.

SO THAT'S ON US A LITTLE BIT THAT WE PUT THE MONEY THERE WE DID THE RIGHT THING AND NOW WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE THAT IT'S THERE.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

WELCOME BACK.

>> JUST IN CASE.

>> Renee: IT'S ALLERGY SEASON WE GIVE GRACE FOR THAT.

I DO WANT TO GET TO A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS REAL QUICK.

LET ME HIT TO THE BIG ISSUE ABORTION.

EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

FOR KENTUCKY'S NEAR TOTAL BAN ABORTION.

WE'VE HEARD MAYBE LEADERSHIP TALK ABOUT THERE COULD BE RECEPTIVITY TO THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IT.

AND WHAT SAY YOU?

>> WELL, I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY BILLS.

AS FAR AS THE CONVERSATION, I DO THINK IT CAME UP ON THE EXCEPTIONS.

IF I KNOW THE PERCENTAGE CORRECTLY, I THINK THAT IS 2% IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ON THIS SPECIFIC ITEM AS FAR AS IF THERE'S EXCEPTIONS.

I THINK THERE IS ROOM FOR A CONVERSATION WITH IT.

BUT I DON'T REALLY SEE THAT BEING THE FOCUS OF THIS SESSION.

I REALLY I STILL CIRCLE BACK TO THE BUDGET.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE EXTRA MONEY WE HAVE.

I DON'T LOOK AT IT AS EXTRA MONEY.

I LOOK AT IT WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB ON TRYING TO GET FUNDING SAVED GET OUR CREDIT RATINGS UP WE ARE IN A BETTER SITUATION ON THAT AND ALSO IF WE HAD NOT DONE THE BUDGET THE WAY WE'VE DONE IT THE LAST COUPLE TIMES WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE THE FUND FOR THE DISASTERS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE.

AND THAT WAS FUNDING THAT WE SET ASIDE AND HAD IT READY FOR THEY CALL THE RAINY DAY FUND I LOOK AT IT AS A CRISIS FUND SO WE HAVE THAT.

>> ANOTHER HALLMARK OF BIPARTISAN TRUST AND WORKING TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU KNOW, YOU GIVE THE EXECUTIVE AND I'VE BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE EXECUTIVES THAT FLEXIBILITY.

BUT WE'VE SEEN WHERE IT PAYS OFF TO GET WHOEVER IS IN THAT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WHOEVER WHATEVER PARTY IT IS, THAT RAINY DAY FUND NEEDS TO BE THERE AND REPRESENTATIVE MILES MENTIONED ABOUT THINGS WE DO THAT GOES UNNOTICED UNTIL.

BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE HALLMARKS I THINK OF WORKING TOGETHER.

WITH THE EXUSE BRANCH IS HAVING THE FAITH IN THAT BRANCH TO DO WHAT THEY DID.

AND WITH THE MONEY THAT WE SET ASIDE.

SO THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

>> Renee: LET ME GO BACK TO THE QUESTION I ASKED AND THAT WAS ABOUT RAPE AND INCEST.

WE KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE JASON 19 MUST, THE WHIP IN THE MOUSE PROPOSED THAT AND REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND, OR MAYBE IT WAS ROBERTS, IN A PREVIOUS SESSION I REMEMBER CORRECTLY NOW PROPOSED THAT THE YEAR BEFORE.

SO THIS HAS COME UP BEFORE IT IS ANYTHING A NEW TOPIC.

SENATOR ADAMS WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IN YOUR CAUCUS?

>> WE ARE I THINK OUR AMENDMENT ON RAPE AND INCEST WAS INTRODUCED BY SENATOR HARPER ANGEL.

AND AS YOU KNOW, I VOTED FOR THAT EXCEPTION.

AND SO I WAS COMFORTABLE WITH THAT VOTE.

BUT I'M ALSO ONLY ONE MEMBER OF A 31-MEMBER CAUCUS.

SO TO SAY THAT WE HAVE VERY DIVERSE OPINIONS ON WHAT THE RIGHT APPROACH IS ON THIS VERY SENSITIVE TOPIC, I THINK YOU COULD SAY THAT WE PROBABLY HAVE 31 APPROACHES TO THIS TOPIC.

WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO OUR CAUCUS RETREAT AND I HAVE A FEELING THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE ROBUST CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE SEE IF THERE'S ANY COHESION ABOUT WHERE WE'RE COAL LESSING IS THERE SOMETHING THAT WE AGREE ON IS THERE SOMETHING WE DON'T AGREE ON BUT THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT I THINK I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO.

BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE THEM.

AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> Renee: AND WILL THERE BE QUEUES TAKEN FROM THE KENTUCKY ELECTORATE WHO HAS REJECTED THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WAS PROPOSED AND THEN MANY WOULD SAY THAT FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO HAVE A VICTORY TO BE REELECTED IN A RED STATE, AND RAN ON THAT ISSUE, THAT THAT SIGNALS PERHAPS THERE IS EMBRACING OF THAT BY KENTUCKY VOTERS.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE POLITICAL OPTICS OF IT, DOES IT MAKE MORE SENSE FOR REPUBLICANS TO GET ONBOARD?

OR DEMOCRATS WHO ARE PRO-LIFE?

>> AND I THINK THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GRAPPLE WITH THAT.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST TWO ELECTION CYCLES IS A VERY DIFFERENT SENTIMENT FROM THE VOTERS POST DAUBACHS THAN PREDOBBS.

>> THE NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH THE NATIONAL POLITICAL WIND AND THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS I THINK FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT, YOU WILL SEE SAW BACK WATER TAKEN IN THE LAST ELECTION.

I AM ONE OF THOSE WOMEN WHO WAS FORCED TO MAKE A CHOICE THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO LIVE WITH THE BIRTH OF MY SON.

AND I'VE BEEN THERE AND HAD TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

AND I MADE IT I LOVE MY COLLEAGUES BUT I DON'T WANT THEM MAKING THAT DECISION FOR ME.

I MADE IT IN A CRITICAL MOMENT WITH MY GOD.

AND HE'S ONE OF THE LOVES OF MY LIFE.

I'VE BEEN THERE IN THAT WOMAN'S SHOES AND IT IS VERY IMPACTFUL AND THAT IS A DECISION TO BE MADE WHEN YOUR LIFE IS ON THE LINE AND OTHER LIVES THAT YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

IT IS A HEAVY THING TO BEAR.

>> SENATOR, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE TO SHARE THAT.

BECAUSE I THINK IF WE WERE ALL SO BOLD WE REALIZE THIS IS NOT A MARGINAL ISSUE.

JUST LAST YEAR DURING THE ELECTION CYCLE, I HAD A PREGNANCY THAT INVOLVED FEET TALL ABNORMALITY.

AND I LOST A CHILD.

AND I DON'T WANT ANYBODY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAKING THAT DECISION FOR ME.

AND I THINK THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY DESERVE BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAVE.

AND I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE RESPECT KENTUCKY WOMEN ENOUGH TO LET THEM MAKE A DECISION THAT IS ONLY GOING TO IMPACT THEM AND THEIR FAMILY.

BECAUSE NOT A SINGLE MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMES TO MY HOME TO WEIGH-IN ON HOW I RAISE MY FAMILY AND I HAD TO DO WHAT I HAD TO DO TO PROTECT MY OTHER CHILD.

AND I DON'T REGRET IT ALTHOUGH IT HURTS MY HEART AND I MADE IT THAT DECISION WITH THE MINISTER AT MY CHURCH AND MY HUSBAND.

SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN KICK ABOUT.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN WAIT ANOTHER YEAR.

THAT IS WHY I FILED LAST YEAR, A FULL ROLLBACK TO THE WAY IT USED TO BE.

AND THAT IS WHAT I THINK WE REALLY NEED.

BUT AM I WILLING TO SETTLE FOR EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND ZEST AND FEAL AN ANOTHER MALT BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GOOD ENOUGH BECAUSE THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THESE ARE CRITICAL LIFE ALTERING DECISIONS THAT OF THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO BUSINESS MAKING.

WE'RE DOING POORLY ENOUGH AT THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO MANAGE AND NOW WE'RE GETTING INTO MICRO MANAGING THE HARDEST DECISION THAT ANYONE WILL EVER MAKE.

I PERSONALLY WOULD SUPPORT ANYTHING AT THIS POINT PROVIDED THAT IT ALLOWS A WOMAN WITH HER DOCTOR TO MAKE THE DECISION THAT ALLOWS HER TO LIVE AND SUCCEED AND HAVE THE FAMILY THAT SHE WANTS.

AND SO I HOPE THAT WHILE WE'RE WORKING ON THE BUDGET WE CAN COME TO SOME BIPARTISAN SOLUTION SO THAT WOMEN WHO ARE IN CRISIS AND NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THE PEOPLE THAT THEY LOVE, CAN DO THAT WITHOUT HAVING TO FLEE TO ANOTHER STATE AND WORRY IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE PROSECUTED FOR IT LATER.

>> Renee: ARE THERE ANY BILLS OR DISCUSSION ABOUT PROSECUTING WOMEN WHO SEEK AND GET ABORTIONS OUT OF STATE?

THAT DID NOT ADVANCE LAST SESSION.

>> WHITNEY WESTERFIELD, HE HAS A BILL THAT HE'S GOING TO FILE AND HE GAVE IT TO ME AND I READ IT TWO MONTHS AGO I APOLOGIZE JER WESTERFIELD THAT I DON'T HAVE THE TALKING POINTS AT MY FINGERTIPS.

BUT HE HAS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN HOW HE'S BROUGHT HIS CHILDREN INTO THE WORLD.

AND SO YOU KNOW LIKE I SAID WE ALL COME AT THIS AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT I KNOW THAT WAS REALLY HARD ALSO AND I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

BUT REPRESENTATIVE HAS A DIFFERENT STORY THAN SENATOR WESTERFIELD HAS A DIFFERENT STORY.

AT SOME POINT, I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND SHARE THOSE MOMENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN EACH OF OUR FAMILIES AND MAYBE HOPEFULLY COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT RELATIVE TO THIS ISSUE.

>> Renee: AS I UNDERSTAND IT, SENATOR WESTERFIELD'S BILL WOULD SEEK TO MAKE ABORTION THE LEAST DESIRABLE CHOICE BY OFFERING PREGNANCY SUPPORTS.

MAYBE THAT IS MEDICAID EXPANSION OF SERVICES AND SEVERAL POINTS THAT DON'T COME TO MY MIND BUT I ASK THE CANDIDATES THE QUESTION WOULD THEY VOTE FOR SUCH A MEASURE THAT WOULD PUT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND THOSE OTHER THINGS MONEY BEHIND SUPPORTING THE CHILDREN THAT ARE BORN.

SO IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT CONVERSATION AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CANDOR AND SHARING.

>> THAT BILL WHICH I THINK IS JOKINGLY ROVER REFERRED TO AS THE MOMNIBUS BILL IS PHENOMENAL.

AND I COULDN'T HAVE WRITTEN A BETTER PIECE OF LEGISLATION MYSELF.

I THINK THAT IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WANTS TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT SHOWING KENTUCKY FAMILIES THAT THEY MATTER THEN THAT IS EXACTLY THE TYPE OF BILL THAT WE NODE TO BE SUPPORTING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

I CAN GUARANTEE THAT ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WOULD THROW THEIR WEIGHT BEHIND IT IN A HEART BEAT BECAUSE IT DOES WONDERFUL THINGS LIKE ALLOW MOMS TO GO TO COLLEGE TUITION FREE IF THEY ARE PREGNANT.

TO HAVE HOUSING SUPPORT WHILE THEY ARE PREGNANT.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

ALL SORTS OF REALLY IMPORTANT SERVICES THAT ARE JUST CONSPICUOUSLY ABSENT IN KENTUCKY IF WE WANT WOMEN TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS HOW TO LIVE THEIR LIVES AND SUCCEED AND RAISE FAMILIES THAT IS THE TYPE OF LEGISLATION WE NEED.

AND I WAS THRILLED TO SEE IT.

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

I APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO MUCH.

FOR BEING HERE AND WE WILL PICK UP THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW ANOTHER NIGHT.

WE WILL BE GONE NEXT MONDAY NIGHT FOR PBS PROGRAMMING BUT THE FOLLOWING MONDAY DECEMBER FOURTH WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND MORE THAT WE DIDN'T GET TO TONIGHT.

I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT FOR KENTUCKY EDITION.

UNTIL THEN, TAKE GOOD CARE.