[♪♪] GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M RENEE SHAW, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE MAY 16TH PRIMARY IS A FEW WEEKS FROM TOMORROW.

TONIGHT WE WILL BEGIN A SERIES OF CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CANDIDATES.

LATER YOU WILL HEAR FROM TWO OF THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.

BUT FIRST, THREE REPUBLICANS RUNNING IN THE PRIMARY FOR STATE TREASURER.

WE'RE JOINED IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO BY ANDREW COOPERRIDER, MARK METCALF, AND O.J.

OLEKA.

THEY MET OUR CRITERIA AND ACCEPTED OUR INVITATIONS TO APPEAR.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU TONIGHT, SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY TWITTER AT KY TONIGHT KET, SEND AN E-MAIL TO KY TONIGHT AT OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.ORG/"KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

FOR CALL...

WELCOME ALL OF OUR CANDIDATES THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING FOR THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE OFFICE OF STATE TREASURER AND WHY YOU WANT IT.

WE'LL BEGIN WITH YOU Mr. COOPEMr.COOPERRODER TELL US ABOR BACKGROUND AND WHY YOU ARE QUALIFIED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MY WIFE AND I FOUNDED OUR FIRST COMPANY 3,000 TODAY AND THAT BUSINESS EMPLOYED DOZENS OF KENTUCKIANS.

I DID NOT SET OUT WITH A GOAL TO BE A POLITICIAN BUT IT CHANGED IN 2020 WHEN AT OVERREACHING MANDATES CAME INTO MY COFFEE SHOP IN LEXINGTON BREWED AND DEMANDED MY FAMILY LOSE EVERYTHING OR DID TO JAIL IF WE SERVED A CUP OF COFFEE WHILE STRIP CLUBS AND LIQUOR STORES AND MY SHOP WAS BEING FORCED TO SHUTDOWN.

ON THAT DAY I VOWED TO FIGHT AND SACRIFICE ANYTHING I NEEDED TO IN ORDER TO INSURE THIS OVERREACHING GOVERNMENT GETS OUT OF OUR TAXPAYERS' LIVES AND POCKETBOOKS.

>> AND STATE TREASURER YOU BELIEVE IS THE OFFICE THAT CAN DO IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE IS NOTHING THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO WITHOUT SPENDING MONEY.

WE'VE SAID FOLLOW THE MONEY AND YOU WILL FIND THE OVERREACH AND FOLLOW THE MONEY YOU WILL SEE WHERE OUR GOVERNMENT IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY WHAT THE STATE TREASURER HAS ACCESS TO.

THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE BUDGET AND IT HAS NOT BEEN USED TO CALL OUT OUT OF CONTROL SPENDING SO THAT IS WHAT WE WILL DO.

>> Renee: THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATES THE MONEY HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE FITTING INTO THAT EQUATION.

>> YOU CAN GO TO MY WEBSITE AND CHECK OUT WHAT I CALL THE WASTE REPORT.

WITH THAT NUTS AND BOLTS ACCESS WE WILL SEEK OUT AND FIND OUT OF CONTROL WASTEFUL SPENDING AND BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR LEGISLATORS THEY ARE PART-TIME.

AND IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO KEEP TRACK OF EVERY DOLLAR OUR GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING AND THE MILLIONS WASTED.

SO OFTEN WHEN WE ASK OUR LEGISLATORS TO SPEND LESS THEY SAY WHERE DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THE CUTS?

THEY ARE NOT SAYING THAT TO BE MEAN OR BE IN A CONFLICT WITH THE TAXPAYER THEY ARE SAYING IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW BECAUSE IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO LOOK AT IT.

THE STATE TREASURER PUTTING TOGETHER THAT REPORT THEY CAN DECIDE HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.

THEY SEE A DEPARTMENT SPENDING MONEY IN A WAY IT SHOULDN'T BE.

THEY CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO CUT THE BUDGET OF THAT DEPARTMENT AND ENCOURAGE FISCAL POLICY AS THE GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE.

>> Mr. OLEKA, YOU WORKED WITH THE CURRENT TREASURER, IS THAT THE POWER THAT A STATE TREASURER HAS AND THOSE PURSE STRINGS AND TELL US WHY YOU WANT TO FOLLOW IN ALLISON BALL'S FOOTSTEPS.

>> I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND WHY WE NEED A EXPERIENCED CONSERVATIVE TO BE THE NEXT STATE TREASURER.

MY PARENTS CAME TO THE COUNTRY WITH NOTHING.

MY DAD WORKED THROUGH COLLEGE TO BECOME A PROFESSOR AND MY BECAME A NURSE.

IT WAS THAT LIFE THAT ALLOWED THEM TO BUY A HOUSE IN FRANKFURT AND PUT THEIR THREE KIDS THROUGH COLLEGE AND THEIR BABY BOY IS RUNNING FOR STATE OFFICE.

THEY LIVED THE AMERICAN DREAM AND I WANT TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE, AND DEFEND AND PROMOTE THE AMERICAN DREAM.

I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO DO IT.

I WORKED FOR TREASURER BALL I KNOW THE OFFICE FRONT AND BACK.

THIS IS THE ONLY OFFICE I HAVE RUN FOR OR WORKED IN.

TO ANSWER YOUR OTHER QUESTION Mr. COOPERRODER IS WRONG HOW THE OFFICE WORKS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS EVERY ASPECT OF THE BUDGET WHY I WAS HONORED TO RECEIVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF SENATOR McDANIEL, THE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR IN THE SENATE.

HE UNDERSTANDS HOW THE REPUBLICAN WORKS THE REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB THEY NEED A TREASURER THAT UNDERSTANDS THE OFFICE THEY ARE RUNNING FOR AND I AM THE CANDIDATE TO DO THAT WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS THAT WE STRUCTURALLY CUT THE COST OF GOVERNMENT.

RIGHT NOW IT COSTS 64 CENTS TO WRITE, PRINT AND SEND A CHECK TO THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY IF THEY NEED ONE.

WE CAN DO THIS ELECTRONICALLY AND IT COSTS 3 CENTS.

I WOULD ELIMINATE EVERY CHECK SAVING $3 MILLION GIVING THE ASSEMBLY THAT THEY CAN SPEND SOMEWHERE ELSE.

TELLING SOMEWHAT GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING WHICH IS WHAT THEY ALREADY KNOW.

AND I'M PROUD OF THE WORK WE'VE DONE THUS FAR.

>> Mr. METCALF YOU SAID YOU HAVE CUT THAT STAFF BY 20% AND THAT YOU WOULD DO THE SAME IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.

TELL ME WHERE YOU WOULD MAKE THOSE CUTS IS THAT PERSONNEL?

IS IT OTHER EFFICIENCIES THAT YOU WOULD FIND AND HOW DO YOU VIEW THE ROLE OF A STATE TREASURER?

>> THANK YOU RENEE.

AND THANK YOU KET FOR HAVING US TONIGHT.

FIRST OF ALL LET'S GO TO THE LAST QUESTION FIRST.

HOW DO I SEE THIS OFFICE?

I SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK OUT FOR TAXPAYERS TO RESTORE TO KENTUCKY FISCAL DISCIPLINE.

I AM A PROSECUTOR I AM A COMBAT VETERAN AND OUTSIDER OF FRANK FURTHER.

I BRING THE PERSPECTIVE OF A MAN WHO WATCHED FRANKFURT IN DEBT, THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE FAR BEYOND THE MEANS OF ONE GENERATION TO PAY THOSE DEBTS OFF.

GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

JUST FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF GETTING UP IN THE MORNING AND GOING TO BED AT NIGHT, A TAXPAYER WILL SHOULDER $20,000 THEIR PART OF KENTUCKY'S $16 BILLION DEBT.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO START WITH AN ATTITUDE THAT SAYS WE CAN DO BETTER.

NOW LET'S GO TO WELFARE.

KENTUCKY HAS A WELFARE BILL IN ITS BUDGET OF ALMOST $3 BILLION.

44% OF OUR WORKFORCE IS NOT WORKING.

LET'S GET THEM BACK TO WORK.

LET'S GET THEM THE TRAINING THEY NEED BECAUSE WE KNOW THE TRAINING COSTS A LOT LESS THAN WELFARE.

WE KNOW THAT EDUCATION COSTS A LOT LESS THAN INCARCERATION.

LET'S GET THEM THE EDUCATION THEY NEED AND START WORKING DOWN OUR WELFARE BILL IMMEDIATELY.

ALSO, WHY THIS OFFICE?

THIS OFFICE IS THE PLACE THAT COLLECTS EVERY DIME OF REVENUE AND PAYS IT OUT.

AND IF THERE IS ONE OFFICE SITUATED TO GIVE THE STORY FOR KENTUCKY'S TAXPAYERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A PROSECUTOR WHO HAS RETURNED THE MONEY TO CRIME VICTIMS AND IS A MAN WHO WAS WORN THE CLOTHE OF HIS COUNTRY IN A COMBAT THEATER, I THINK THAT UNIQUELY QUALIFIES ME TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF KENTUCKIANS WHO YEAR AFTER YEAR, FIND THE DEBT IS GOING UP AND NOT COMING DOWN.

AND SO I THINK THAT WHEN YOU ASK THAT QUESTION, I HOPE I'M GIVING YOU THE ANSWER AND THAT TELLS YOU FROM CUTTING MY OWN BUDGET AND REDUCING THE EXPENDITURES IN MY OFFICE I AM PREPARED TO DO THE SAME THING AS TREASURER.

>> Renee: I WILL BE INTERSPLICING QUESTIONS FROM THE VIEWER'S QUESTIONS.

THIS IS FROM FAYETTE COUNTY AND ASK DO THE CANDIDATES SUPPORT PRESIDENT DONALD MILLER Mr. METCALF I BEGIN WITH YOU.

AND I WILL ADD DO YOU BELIEVE THAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WON THE 2020 ELECTION FAIR AND SQUARE?

>> HERE IS WHAT I THINK.

PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ELECTION WAS CONFIRMED BY THE U.S. SENATE.

I'M NOT GOING TO ARGUE WITH THEIR FINDINGS.

ALL THE REPORTS CAME IN FROM THE STATES AND ALL THE TIMES THAT THE -- THAT TRUMP APPOINTED AND BUSH APPOINTED JUDGES LOOKED AT THIS MATTER THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS NO FRAUD.

IF THERE WAS WE HAVE NOT FOUND IT.

NOW, AS TO PRESIDENT DONALD DON PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE A FINE PRESIDENT.

HE CUT TAXES AND EXPANDED OUR ECONOMY HE DID THE THINGS HE PROMISED HE WOULD DO.

IF HE WAS THE NOMINEE IN THE FUTURE, I WILL SUPPORT HIM IF IT'S ANOTHER REPUBLICAN, I WILL SUPPORT THAT MAN OR WOMAN WHO GETS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.

>> Renee: SAME TO YOU Mr. COOPERRODER DO YOU SUPPORT PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND DO YOU BELIEVE THE 2020 ELECTION WAS CONDUCTED FAIRLY AND IN ORDER AND THAT JOE BIDEN WAS INDEED THE LEGITIMATE PRESIDENT.

>> TO RETURN TO YOUR FIRST QUESTION.

>> Renee: TO WHICH PART OF THAT QUESTION?

>> I WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION.

TO RETURN TO YOUR FIRST QUESTION WHERE YOU ASKED ME ABOUT THE TREASURER'S OFFICE HAVING THE NUTS AND BOMBS ACCESS YOU CHARACTERIZED AS ME SAYING THAT THE TREASURER HAS THE POWER TO STOP THE SPENDING.

I WAS SAYING THE TREASURER HAS THE ACCESS TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO THE CITIZENS AND THE LEGISLATORS.

>> Renee: GET TO THE QUESTION I ASKED.

>> NOW TO THE QUESTION.

DO I SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP?

ABSOLUTELY.

HE IS THE ONLY DECLARED PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE RIGHT NOW THAT I SEE OUT THERE THAT REPRESENTS MY VALUES THE BEST AND ABOUT THE ELECTION.

I DO NOT KNOW HOW YOU LOOK AT THINGS LIKE THE HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY.

100% TRUE STORY.

THAT HAS BEEN PROVE ESPECIALLY THAT WE HAD GOVERNMENT ACTORS WITHIN THE C.I.A.

AND SOCIAL MEDIA, WE HAD MAINSTREAM MEDIA COLLUDING TO KILL THIS STORY.

THAT REALLY POINTS TO A LOT OF CORRUPTION GOING ON WITHIN THE BIDEN FAMILY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU LOOK AT THAT AND NOT SEE IT AS ELECTIONEERING OR ATTEMPTING TO EFFECT THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTION.

NO I DO NOT BELIEVE TRUMP LOST FAIR AND SQUARE IT'S CLEAR THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS COLLUDING AGAINST HIM IN ORDER TO KEEP HIM OUT OF THE OFFICE.

>> Renee: SO YOU Mr. OLEKA.

>> I DO SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO WORKED WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TWICE.

WHEN I WAS A DEPUTY TREASURER WE WORKED WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ON OPPORTUNITY ZONES TRYING TO PRESENT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR INDEPENDENT PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OPEN.

WE STAVED 10 HOE OWE SAVED 10,000 JOBS AND 50,000 STUDENTS WHERE THEY BELONGS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS FAIRLY ELECTED.

BUT I REVEREND TO REPUBLICANS WE NEED STRONG NOMINEES AND CANDIDATES CAN WIN UP AND DOWN THE BOARD AND WHAT WE'RE ARGUING FOR IS WHO CAN BE OUR BEST CANDIDATE FOR STATE TREASURER.

WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO UNDERSTANDS THE OFFICE AND LEAD AND GET THE JOB DONE.

>> Renee: WHEN IT COMES TO THE 2020 ELECTION YOUR VIEW IS WHAT?

>> THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS DUAL ELECTED.

>> Renee: THIS QUESTION COMES FROM A VIEWER.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON STATE FUNDS USED FOR KRITD CAL RACE THEORY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY EDUCATION AND WE KNOW Mr. COOPERRODER BY LOOKING AT YOUR WEBSITE YOU HAVE STATEMENTS ABOUT I WILL QUOTE WOKE POLICIES THAT MAYBE NOT BE THE TERM YOU USED.

Mr. METCALF YOU TALK ABOUT WOKE INVESTMENT BANKS AND OLEKA YOU TALK ABOUT EXPANDING THE BANKING IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL AND GRCH GOVERN NANCE ARE THOSE THE SAME THING AS CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

Mr. METCALF THEY AREFY THAT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

LET'S GO FIRST OF ALL TO ESG AS YOU PUT IT.

IS ESG PART OF WOKISM I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK IT IS A WE LOOK AT WOKISM BEING CRITICAL RACE THEORY, WE LOOK AT IT AS BEING DIE STRESSORTY, EQUITY AND I -- DIVERSITY AND EQUITY AND INCLUSION AS WOKISM AND THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT.

DO I FAVOR THE APPLICATION OF STATE FUNDS TO TEACH CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION EDUCATION?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> Renee: WE KNOW THAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT BEING TAUGHT AT ANY K-12 SCHOOLS AT THIS TIME.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT'S AGAINST THE LAW IN KENTUCKY.

I FAVOR THAT.

I BELIEVE THAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS A CORROSIVE IDEOLOGY THAT ACCUSES ONE GROUP OF AMERICANS FROM BEING HOSTILE TO ANOTHER GROUP OF AMERICANS, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF RACE I THINK THAT IS WRONG.

I KNOW IT'S WRONG.

AND LET ME ALSO ADD YOU ASK ABOUT WOKE BANKS.

LOOK, WHEN BANKS TELL KENTUCKIANS THAT WE DON'T WANT YOU TO MINE COAL, WE DON'T WANT YOU TO DRILL OIL OR HARVEST NATURAL GAS AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT YOU OUT OF BUSINESS BY CONDEMNING THOSE BUSINESSES, THAT'S WOKISM IN THE GOVERNMENT -- IN THE INVESTMENT BANK SENSE.

AND WHAT I WANT TO DO IS DIVEST US FROM THOSE BANKS AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE INVESTING THE MONIES OF KENTUCKY WHO ARE FRIENDLY TO A PROFITABLE RETURN TO OUR PENSION HOLDERS.

THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING WITH OUR INVESTMENT BANKS.

WE SHOULDN'T BE SCORING BASED POSSIBLE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.

WE SHOULD BE SCORING INVESTMENTS ON DO THEY PROVIDE A PROFITABLE RETURN.

>> Renee: IS THAT CURRENTLY HAPPENING WITH THE BOARD THAT THEY ARE SCORING BASED ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OR WOKENESS?

>> YES, MA'AM, I THINK SO.

BUT I THINK THE INVESTMENT BANKS HAVE GONE ONE STEP FURTHER THEY ARE WANTING TO PUT FOSSIL-FUELS OUT OF BUSINESS.

AND LET'S GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

LET'S GO TO THE SILICON VALLEY BANK.

SILICON VALLEY BANK HAD TWO MEMBERS ONE OF WHOM OR TWO OF WHOM BOTH GIVEN MORE THAN $50,000 EACH TO THE PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS OF HILLARY CLINTON.

THEY HAD NO TRAINING WHATSOEVER TO BE ON A BANK BOARD, NO ACCOUNTING NO FINANCE AND ANOTHER WAS AN LGBTQ ACTIVIST.

NOW, SHE HAD NO OR HE HAD NO TRAINING TO BE ON THAT BANK BOARD.

WE NEED TO BE PUTTING PEOPLE IN POSITIONS WHERE INVESTMENTS ARE MADE THAT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

KENTUCKY HAS AN ONLY 6% RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

THAT IS THE 48TH LOWEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN THE NATION ON ITS INVESTMENT ON ITS PENSION FUNDS.

WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.

>> Renee: Mr. OLEKA YOU AGREE WITH Mr. METCALF WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL GOVERNANCE.

>> I DO AGREE.

AND FOR ME ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE PERSONAL.

ESG GETTING INTO OUR PENSION SYSTEM MY LATE FATHER WAS A PROFESSOR AT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY AND MY MOTHER IS THE BENEFICIARY OF HIS PENSION.

IF OUR PENSIONS ARE GETTING LOWER RETURN US SO FOR ME AS THE STATE TREASURER I WILL FIGHT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE LIKE MY MOTHER GET THE PROPER RETURN AND RESULT WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO GET WITH THEIR PENSIONS.

I WILL FIGHT FOR EVERY KENTUCKIAN LIKE THEY ARE MY MOTHER BECAUSE IN THIS CASE THEY WOULD BE.

>> Renee: WOULD YOU RALLY FOR A COST INCREASE?

>> THE THING WE NEED IS TO WORK WITH OUR PENSION BOARD AND THE PENSIONERS AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RESOURCES WE NEED TO PROVIDE EVERYTHING THAT OUR PENSIONERS NEED.

THIS IS IMPORTANT.

MY MOTHER IS INVOLVED IN THIS.

YOU TALKED ABOUT CRT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS.

CRT IS A WORLD VIEW.

IT IS A BELIEF IF YOU LOOK AT THE ISSUES GOING ON IN THE WORLD THE PROBLEM IS BASED ON RACE.

THERE'S SOME HISTORY OF RACISM IS INVOLVED.

AND THAT IS NOT MY HISTORY AS I SAY TO EVERY REPUBLICAN AUDIENCE I GET THE CHANCE TO, MY PARENTS CAME HERE AND LIVED THE AMERICAN DREAM.

IT WAS WHITE MISSIONARIES THAT GAVE MY PARENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO THE COUNTRY.

MY FAVORITE TEACHER MS. HUNT TOLD ME I WAS A LEADER IF I SAID SOMETHING WAS IMPORTANT THEY WOULD LISTEN TO ME.

THAT WAS A WHITE WOMAN.

AND TREASURER BALL WHO GAVE ME A LIFETIME TO BE THE CHIEF OF STAFF.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE CRT IF THIS WAS GOING ON WHEN I WAS A KID THERE IS NO WAY I COULD BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS I AM NOW.

A BUNCH OF TEACHERS AND LEADERS AND TOLD ME BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF MY SKIN I COULD NOT BE SUCCESSFUL.

THE NOMINEE AS THE NEXT STATE TREASURER WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO CAN FIGHT AGAINST IT AND LEADER ON IT AND BRING PEOPLE OVER TO OUR SIDE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SEE SOMEBODY THAT CAN LEAD.

>> Renee: YOU WERE INVOLVED IN A BILL THAT FORMED A COMMISSION THE OPPORTUNITY THE COMMISSION ON RACE AND OPPORTUNITY.

THAT WAS IN RESPONSE TO BREONNA TAYLOR AND GEORGE FLOYD IN THE SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT OF 2020.

HOW DO YOU RECONCILE YOUR ACTIVITY WITH THAT COMMISSION AND WHAT YOU'RE ESPOUSING TONIGHT?

>> EASY MY OPINION THAT WAS BEEN THIS... RACISM IS BAD DIVERSITY IS GOOD AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IS BEST.

>> Renee: IF YOU ARE AN ANTIRACIST ARE YOU WOKE?

>> NO.

THIS IS MY OPINION OF ANTIRACISM IT'S ONLY WHO BELIEVES EVERYBODY DESERVES THE SAME OPPORTUNITY REGARDLESS OF YOUR BACKGROUND THAT COALITION PASSED A PRO-LIFE BILL IT WAS HB212 AND AS A RESULT WE FOCUS IN KENTUCKY ON THE MATERNAL MORTALITY OF WOMEN AS WELL AS BABIES.

MY INTEREST IS WE ARE GOING TO BE HONEST WE NEED TO BE PRO-LIFE AND VALUE KIDS AND BABIES AND MOTHERS THAT IS MY POSITION AND I CAN DO THAT AND LEAD IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> Mr. COOPERRODER ON YOUR WEBSITE YOU TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT IS FUNDING TOO MUCH OF THE WRONG THINGS AND ONE OF THE THINGS YOU POINT OUT IS EQUITY COACHING FOR STATE STAFFERS AT THE TUNE OF $4,769,237.

AND YOU SAY STATE SPENDING ON DEI IS OUT OF CONTROL.

EXPOUND ON THAT, SIR.

>> FIRST I WANT TO EXPLAIN WHAT DEI IS.

DEI IS ROLLING IN THE LGBTQ GENDER THEORY MIXED WITH THE CRITICAL RACE THEORY DIVERSITY ROLLED INTO ONE INITIATIVE.

FRANKLY, I DON'T CARE WHAT GENDER YOU ARE.

I DON'T CARE WHAT SKIN COLOR YOU ARE.

I CARE THAT YOU CAN DO THE JOB.

AND EVERY DOLLAR WE SPEND TRYING TO SOMEHOW SEEK OUT AND FIND PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR SKIN COLOR OR GENDER IS COMPLETELY WASTED.

WE SHOULD BE ABOUT THE RESULTS TO OUR TAXPAYERS.

AND CONTINUING TO SPEND MONEY SOCIAL ENGINEERING ALSO THAT CREATES -- WE HAVE A LOT OF DIVISION GOING ON IN OUR COUNTRY AND STATE AND A LARGE PART IS BECAUSE WE TAKE EACH OTHER'S MONEY AND SPENDING FOR THINGS WE DON'T ALL AGREE ON.

AND EARLIER WHEN I TALKED ABOUT OUT OF CONTROL SPENDING YOU ACKNOWLEDGED THAT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN YOUR QUESTION IS SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICANS AT LEAST NOW ARE FIGHTING ON INCLUDING AND ESG THE S PART IS SOCIAL, THE DEI STUFF AND REPUBLICANS ARE FIGHTING ON THIS AND I POINT TO I DON'T BELIEVE THE LEGISLATURE THE SPENDING IS GOING ON BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TAKING STEPS TO END IT AND THAT IS THE STATE TREASURER WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE CONSISTENT ON THIS.

AS YOU POINTED OUT, Mr. OLEKA, HE WAS VERY FORWARD ON THIS ISSUE.

IN FACT TWO WEEKS BEFORE DECLARING FOR OFFICE HE HOSTED DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION SUMMIT IN GEORGETOWN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

YOU CAN'T SUDDENLY SWACH OF SWITCH YOUR VIEWPOINT WHEN YOU DECIDE YOU WANT TO RUN AS A CONSERVATIVE FOR STATE TREASURER BECAUSE THIS ISSUE IS HOT.

YOU HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT.

THIS IS AN ISSUE ME HAS BEEN CONSISTENT ON FOR QUITE SOMETIME GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO PROTESTS THAT WE PUT ON FOR SCHOOLS ABOUT SCHOOLS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE TEACHING IN THE SCHOOLS AS FAR AS THAT GOES.

AND EARLIER YOU HIT UPON KRT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS.

LET ME POINT OUT A POLICY IN FAYETTE COUNTY.

THEY LOOKED AT THE LATE POLICY AND THEY SAID IT LOOKS LIKE MINORITIES ARE BEING PUNISHED AT A HIGHER RATE THAN WHITE CHILDREN SO THAT MUST MEAN IT'S RACIST THAT IS CRT AND LOOKING AT SEEING A RAIN DIFFERENCE IN OUTCOME AND THE THING ITSELF MUST BE RACISM.

ONE IT SAYS TO MINORITIES YOU CANNOT BE HELD TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS WHITE CHILDREN THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE STANDARDS FOR THE MINORITY CHILDREN ONLY AND TREAT THEM DIFFERENTLY.

AND AT THE SAME TIME IT ROBS US OF SOLVING THE ISSUE THE.

I HAZARD TO GUESS THE ISSUE IS NOT THEIR SKIN COLOR THE ISSUE IS THAT THEY HAVE SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLDS AND THAT PARENT IS WORKING AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE SOLVED.

OUR LATE POLICY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WE WANT SKID -- >> Renee: THE ROLE OF THE TREASURER IS TO BE INVOLVED WITH FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS WHEN DRESSING LATE POLICIES?

>> TAX DOLLARS BEING TAKEN FROM CITIZENS AND THEM BEING USED TO AFFORD THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THAT HAS GOT TO BE REPORTED TO OUR LEGISLATURE.

IF THEY ARE RECEIVING STATE FUNDS AND IT'S SOMETHING GOING AGAINST THE VALUES AND VIEWS OF KENTUCKIANS THAT HAVE PUT THE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE, THEN IT SHOULD BE CALLED OUT AND REPORTED TO THAT LEGISLATURE.

SO ABSOLUTELY.

IF THEY ARE RECEIVING STATE FUNDS IT IS ABSOLUTELY WITHIN THE STATE'S PURVIEW TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT LOTTERY.

THE STATE TREASURER SERVES ON THE TEACHER PENSION FUND, THE LOTTERY BOARD, THE STATE TREASURER SERVES ON.

THIS QUESTION FROM CHRISTIAN COUNTY WHAT ARE THE CANDIDATES THOUGHTS WITH THE LOTTERY THAT INCLUDES MONEY FOR EDUCATION YET LOCAL BOARDS ARE RAISING TAXES AND LIMITING PUBLIC'S SAY IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS WHILE INSTITUTING CONTROVERSIAL POLICIES LIKE DEI.

WE'LL START WITH YOU Mr. OLEKA.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE FUND EDUCATION ACROSS THE BOARD.

I BELIEVE THAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED WHAT THEIR KIDS ARE LEARNING AND THE DOLLARS SHOULD FOLLOW THE STUDENTS.

WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT CUTTING, MAKING SURE THAT THE TREASURER HAS A ROLE IN THE WAY MONEY IS SPENT.

ONE OF THE WAYS IS WORKING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO POOL RESOURCES, OHIO HAS DONE THIS.

YOU CAN POOL DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS AND POOL THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER.

INVEST THEM TOGETHER.

SO YOU GET A BETTER RUSH AND BASICALLY COUNTIES HAVE MORE CASH FLOW TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

THEN COUNTIES CAN PUT THAT MONEY TOWARDS EDUCATION OR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY CAN PUT IT TOWARDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AS A RESULT COUNTY RESPECTABLE TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES BASED ON SERVICES AND GIVE THAT MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE TO SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO.

THE LOTTERY SHOULD FUND EDUCATION PROPERLY.

I WANT TO BE THE TREASURER WITHIN THE PURVIEWS OF THE JOB TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THEIR PEOPLE THRIVE AND SUCCEED.

>> Renee: Mr. METCALF?

>> WHETHER GAMBLE SOMETHING A GOOD THING.

GAMBLING PUNISHES THE MOST POOR AMONG US AND THOSE WHO TEND TO PARTICIPATE IN LOTTERY TICKETS AND NOW I SUSPECT ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPORTSBOOK THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED.

IT WILL BE UP TO ME TO ENFORCE THE LAW.

AS FAR AS THE GAMING COMMISSION IS CONCERNED THE I THINK THE GAMING COMMISSION THE LOTTERY COMMISSION.

AND WHAT I INTEND TO DO IS THIS... WE ARE GOING TO TARGET MONIES FOR EDUCATION THAT WILL AVOID CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND DEI.

WE ARE GOING TO TEACH THE FUND THE BASICS.

THAT IS HOW WE GET GOOD STUDENTS AND GOOD OUTCOMES.

I PROSECUTE MATTERS IN WHICH CHILDREN COME TO SCHOOL AND THEY ARE HUNGRY, THEY ARE SCARED, AND THEY'VE BEEN TRAUMATIZED AT HOME.

THE WHOLE IDEA ABOUT BEHIND A FAMILY IS THAT MOM AND DAD RAISE THEIR CHILDREN.

I DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT THE DYSFUNCTION AFFECTS THESE CHILDREN EVERYDAY.

I INTEND TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE SCHOOLS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO BRING THESE CHILDREN UP-TO-DATE WITH THEIR PEERS.

AND SO THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AS ANY OTHER CHILD THAT COMES FROM A MORE AFFLUENT HOME OR A HOME WHERE MOM AND DAD ARE TOGETHER.

SO THAT THE IDEA THAT GAMBLING PROCEEDS ARE BEING USED TO EDUCATE THAT IS A FACT IN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: WHETHER OR NOT YOU DISAGREE WITH IT OR NOT.

>> I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF FUNDING THINGS THROUGH GAMBLING I BELIEVE IT AGAIN, IT PREYS UPON THE POOREST AMONG US.

BUT SINCE IT'S HERE WE ARE GOING TO BE USING THOSE MONIES AND TARGET THEM TOWARDS THESE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS WHERE KIDS HAVE NOT HAD THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES AND THAT INCLUDES WHERE I SEE THEM IN DNA COURT.

THAT IS DEPENDENCY, NEGLECT AND ABUSE.

AND THESE CHILDREN COME FROM BACKGROUNDS THAT I THINK MOST OF US WOULD BE GLAD WE DIDN'T COME FROM.

SO THESE CHILDREN ARE THE LEAST AMONG US AND WE NEED TO BRING THEM UP WITH THEIR PEER GROUPS.

>> Renee: Mr. COOPERRODER?

>> ON THE LOTTERY THERE ARE TWO BIG ISSUES.

THE FIRST ISSUE LAST YEAR REVENUES WENT UP BY 5.7% AND THE CASH CONTRIBUTIONS BACK TO THE STATE ONLY WENT UP BY 1.7% OVER THE LAST YEAR.

THAT IS A 4 PERCENTAGE POINT DIFFERENCE WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM MOVE IN TANDEM BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND THAT 4% EQUALS $14 MILLION THAT IS UNACCOUNTED FOR THAT WENT INTO INFLATED OVERHEAD AND EXTRA EXPENSES THAT THE LOTTERY ADDED ON AND WE HAVE TO BE ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPANY OPERATING OUR LOTTERY AND SEE WHY IS OUR REVENUES AND OUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR STATE NOT MATCHING.

THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

HERE IS THE SECOND THING... AS OF TWO YEARS AGO KENTUCKY BECAME ONE OF SEVEN STATES THAT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE LOTTERY TICKETS ON A CREDIT CARD.

THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

I DON'T CARE HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT GAMBLING THE STATE TREASURE'S OFFICE IS TASKED WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY IT'S THE OPPOSITE TO BUY A LOTTERY TICKET ON A CREDIT CARD.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A POSITION YOU ARE DOING THAT YOU ARE DOING WRONG.

>> Renee: YOU BELIEVE IN SMALLER GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO MAKE CHOICES FOR THEIR PERSONAL LIVES?

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOTTERY OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

SO WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE OVERSIGHT OVER WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING.

AND AS I SAID, ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO PURCHASE LOTTERY TICKETS ON A CREDIT CARD TO TURN AROUND AND GIVE MORE MONEY TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF SMALL GOVERNMENT.

NOW, GOING TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT EDUCATIONAL FUNDING, AS I SAID IN MY LAST ANSWER IF SOMEBODY IS RECEIVING A DOLLAR FROM THE STATE THEN WE DO HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE OVERSIGHT OVER THAT.

THE INDIVIDUAL WAS FROM CHRISTIAN COUNTY, RIGHT, I BELIEVE THEY ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH CONSOLIDATING HIGH SCHOOLS IN THAT COUNTY.

AND THAT'S CAUSING A LOT OF ISSUES.

IT'S CREATING FARTHER BUS RIDES WHERE EDUCATIONAL CHOICE HAS GOT TO COME INTO PLAY.

MONEY FOLLOWING THE STUDENT.

ON A FREE MARKET REWARD GOOD SCHOOL BEHAVIORS AND PUNISH BAD SCHOOL BEHAVIORS.

>> Renee: SO YOU BELIEVE THAT TAXPAYER PUBLIC MONEY SHOULD GO TO PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES TO RUN CHARTER SCHOOLS YOU SUPPORT THAT AND OTHER EXPANSIONS OF SCHOOL CHOICE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

RIGHT NOW WHAT WE SEE GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOLS IS NOT WORKING.

KIDS CANNOT READ.

THEY CAN'T DO MATH THEY ARE GETTING WORSE AND WORSE EVERY YEAR.

THEY ARE MORE DEPRESSED.

WE HAVE THE SADDEST GENERATION OF CHILDREN IN OUR HISTORY.

IT'S NOT WORKING.

A GREAT EXAMPLE HERE IN LEXINGTON LCA PROVIDES A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION BUT ONLY CHARGES AROUND $13,000 A YEAR.

>> Renee: ALEX ACQUISTO CATHOLIC.

>> ALEX ACQUISTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY.

1313,000 A STUDENT AND LEXINGTON SCHOOLS ARE SPENDING MORE.

AND THEY ARE ABLE TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS FOR LESS AND HIGHER QUALITY EDUCATION.

THAT IS A CONVERSATION WE NEED TO BE HAVING.

>> Renee: SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT MORE IN A LITTLE BIT THIS QUESTION TO Mr. OLEKA.

I'M READING THIS.

IN OJ WORKED FOR ALLISON BALL WHY IS IT NOT TIME FOR CHANGE IN KENTUCKY'S TREASURER'S OFFICE WHAT IS THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT BY TURNING THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> TREASURER BALL HAS BEEN THE BEST TREASURER IN OUR HISTORY.

WE PROTECTED KENTUCKY TAXPAYER DOLLARS AGAINST WASTE AND FRAUD AND ABUSE.

WE IMPROVED TRANSPARENCY.

WE MADE SURE TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL LITERACY SO EVERY HIGH SCHOOL KID HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

THIS IS SUCCESS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GOOD REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN MISSING FOR GENERATIONS FOR KENTUCKY.

IF I AM NOMINATED I THINK WE CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK.

ON THIS ISSUE OF EDUCATION THIS IS WHERE EXPERIENCE IS GOING TO MATTER MORE.

WHEN I WAS IN THE TREASURE'S OFFICE WE PASSED A 529 BILL SO THE PARENTS CAN USE THOSE DOLLARS ON PRIVATE EDUCATION FUND.

WHEN I RAN THE ASSOCIATION FOR INDEPENDENT KENTUCKY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WE PUSHED TO MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY WITH THEIR STUDENTS TO USE OTHER COLLEGE TUITION GRANTS TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND EXPAND THOSE DOLLARS.

IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A LEADER IN COOL CHOICE YOU WANT A LEADER TO MAKE SURE THAT DOLLARS FOLLOW STUDENTS TO PROVIDE A GOOD QUALITY EDUCATION I AM THE CANDIDATE.

HAVING RUN A HIGHER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND HAVING A DOCTORATE IN EDUCATION.

WHEN WE ARE LOOKING FOR LEADERS IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE SHOULD DO, CHANGING STATUTES, CHANGING THE LOTTERY THAT IS NOT WHAT THE TREASURER DOES.

REPUBLICANS NEED A NOMINEE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE OFFICE THEY ARE RUNNING FOR AND RECOGNIZE THIS IS NOT A LEGISLATIVE POSITION THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATOR OR SOMEONE THAT MAKES LAW.

AND THE LAST THING WE NEED IS SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW THE OFFICE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO.

IF REPUBLICANS WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS EXPERIENCED AND CONSERVATIVE I AM THE ONE CANDIDATE THAT CAN GET THAT JOB DONE.

>> Renee: Mr. METCALF?

>> I FAVOR THE USE OF TAX FUNDS TO SUPPORT THROUGH SCHOOL VOUCHERS PRIVATE EDUCATION.

IT'S BEEN UPHELD BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND I'M CERTAIN WE CAN APPLY THE FUNDS WELL LOCALLY IN OUR PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO DO THE VERY SAME THING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHICH IS IMPROVING THE OUTCOMES OF OUR STUDENTS.

AND PROVIDING COMPETITION WITH OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS GET BETTER WHEN THERE'S COMPETITION MOST BUSINESSES DO.

SINCE SCHOOLS ARE COMPETING FOR DOLLARS I BELIEVE WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE DOING IS ALLOWING THE PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS TO HAVE THE SAME DOLLARS THAT ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH SCHOOL VOUCHERS AND THAT HAVE BEEN UPHELD BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

GOING TO THE LEADERSHIP ISSUES.

AND THIS RACE THERE'S ONLY ONE CANDIDATE WHO HAS THE EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE ACROSS THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF MY EDUCATION AND MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.

BOTH AS A SOLDIER, AS A PROSECUTOR AND AS AN OUTSIDER TO THIS WHOLE PROCESS.

I SEE THINGS WE CAN DO THAT HAVE BEEN MISSED BY BOTH MY GOOD FRIENDS TONIGHT.

WHAT I HOPE TO DO MS. SHAW IS DO THIS, START AFRESH.

LOOK AT WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

LOOK AT WHAT NEEDS TO BE KEPT AND GO FORWARD.

ON DAY ONE I INTEND TO SIT DOWN WITH MY STAFF AND DO THIS: NUMBER ONE, LET'S FIND A WAY TO SAVE THE TAXPAYERS MONEY.

THAT IS THE FIRST JOB.

PAY THE BILLS AND THEN THIS LAST THING, SAVE THE PENSIONS FROM THE DEPREDATIONINGS THAT HAVE DONE BY WOKE INVESTMENT BANKS WHO REFUSE TO INVEST IN FOSSIL-FUELS COMING FROM KENTUCKY AND WE HAVE THE LARGEST THE THIRD LARGEST STORE OF COAL IN THE NATION.

WE HAVE PETROLEUM RESERVES AND THE SECOND LARGEST AMOUNT OF NATURAL GAS IN THE NATION WE ARE NOT EXPLOITING THESE BECAUSE WE ARE BEING HELD BACK BY THE INVESTMENT BANKS THAT DECIDED THAT THE WINNERS WILL BE THE GREEN TECHNOLOGIES NOT THE LOWEST COST MOST EFFICIENT MEANS BY WHICH PEOPLE CAN FUEL THEIR CARS AND THEIR HOMES.

>> Renee: SO I WANT TO GIVE THE OTHER TWO A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD DO DAY ONE.

THIS IS A POPULAR TOPIC ABOUT UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

THE STATE LOST AND FOUND.

SO Mr. COOPERRODER I WILL BEGIN WITH YOU.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO MAKE THAT PROCESS EASIER BY WHICH YOU CAN FILE FOR A CLAIM OR KNOW THAT MAYBE YOU HAVE PROPERTY OR A CHECK THAT COULD BE WAITING FOR YOU.

HOW WOULD YOU SIMPLIFY THAT PROCESS.

>> THREE POINTS HERE TO MAJOR.

WHEN IT COMES TO LOST PROPERTY WHEN MONEY GETS TURNED INTO YOUR NAME AND WEST VIRGINIA DID THIS, AUTOMATING THE PROCESS OF CRAWLING THE DATABASE.

I AM AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CAN DO THIS.

I HAVE A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND THAN MY OPPONENTS I OWN A SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND ENGINEER COMPANY TO ALERT CITIZENS IS STRAIGHTFORWARD I KNOW THE PEOPLE TO BUILD IT FOR NEXT TO NOTHING.

PROBABLY WOULD VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME.

HERE IS THE SECOND THING, WHEN WE LOOK AT RIGHT NOW THE STATE TREASURER HAS A BOOTH THAT THEY PUT UP EVERY YEAR AT THE STATE FAIR WE NEED TO EXPAND THAT OUTGOING TO AS MANY FAIRS AS POSSIBLE.

GETTING OUT OF THE OFFICE AND GETTING IN FRONT OF CITIZENS WHO SEARCHED TO SEE HAVE LOST PROPERTY AND LESS THAN 50% ARE RAISING THEIR HAND.

GETTING OUT IN FRONT IS A WAY THEY CAN SEARCH.

AND THE THIRD THING PART OF THE REASON WHY WE HAVE $800 MILLION OF LOST PROPERTY IS BECAUSE WHEN SOMEBODY PASSES ON AND MONEY GETS TURNED INTO THE STATE, THE HASTIER HAVE TO GO THROUGH -- HEIRS HAVE TO GO THROUGH PROBATE COURT AND THE COST MAKES IT NOT WORTH IT TO THEM.

THE MONEY COLLECTS DUST IN THE ACCOUNTS FOR ALL TIME.

WE HAVE TO STREAMLINE THAT PROCESS LOOK WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP PEOPLE THROUGH IT AND AT THE SAME TIME MAKING SUGGEST SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGES.

AND THIS SETS ME APART FROM MY OPPONENTS I HAVE THE RIGHT BACKGROUND IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE AN EXPERIENCED POLITICIAN YOU HAVE TO HAVE COMMON SENSE.

OJ WAS IN CHARGE OF LOST PROPERTY AND HE FAILED TO GET THESE THINGS IMPLEMENTED.

WE'VE SEEN THAT FAILURE.

WE NEED SOMEONE WHO CAN LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS DIFFERENTLY AND IDENTIFY IT.

ONE QUESTION ABOUT ALLISON.

SHE WAS THE FIRST REPUBLICAN STATE TREASURER WE'VE HAD SINCE 1933.

FROM CONSERVATIVE STANDPOINT WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TO COMPARE TO WHETHER IT WAS DOING A GOOD JOB OR BAD JOB AND WE NEED TO SEE CHANGES AS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT LOST PROPERTY AND THE LOTTERY, AND AS WE TALKED ABOUT GETTING THE GOVERNMENT UNDER CONTROL.

>> Renee: Mr. OLEKA YOU WERE THE DIRECTOR FOR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FOR A YEAR, WHAT COULD YOU HAVE DONE BETTER AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO BETTER SHOULD YOU BECOME TREASURER?

>> I AM HAPPY TO RECEIVE THIS QUESTION.

WE DID VERY WELL.

AGAIN THIS IS AN AREA THAT WHERE ANDREW IS CONFUSED.

WHEN I WAS THE DIRECTOR OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY WE RETURNED $25 MILLION TO THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY IT IS A RECORD FOR A SINGLE YEAR.

FOR THE RECORDS WE HAVE I DID THE BEST JOB WE ACTUALLY CUT DOWN A THREE MONTH BACKLOG FROM 90 DAYS TO ZERO DAYS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CUTTING THROUGH THE RED TAPE AND GETTING RID OF BUREAUCRATIC BLOCKAGE I WAS THE ONLY ONE ABLE TO DO IT.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT MY RECORD, I HAVE A CLEAR RECORD OF SUCCESS.

AND MENTIONED BY ANDREW HE HAS A BUSINESS THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO EMPLOY TO IMPROVE THIS PROCESS.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT RENEE.

THIS IS HOW IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE OFFICE AND HOW IT WORKS.

THERE IS A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PROCESS WHERE I HIRE A THIRD PARTY VENDOR TO TEAR UP THE CONTRACT WOULD BE ILLEGAL.

TO HIRE A COMPANY THAT YOU OWN OR FRIENDS OF YOURS IS CORRUPT.

I LOOK AT REPUBLICANS AND SAY WE DON'T NEED A CORRUPT POLITICIAN AS OUR NEXT STATE TREASURER AND WE DON'T NEED SOMEBODY WHO DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE OFFICE.

WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO CAN LEAD AND I GO BACK TO TREASURER BALL SHE HAS BEEN A GREAT TREASURER I'M PROUD TO HAVE HER ENDORSEMENT.

WE DON'T HAVE MANY EXAMPLES WHAT REPUBLICANS LOOK LIKE THE ONE WE'VE GOT IS THE ONE WE HAVE WHO LOOKED AT ALL THREE OF US AND SAID WHO DO I WANT TO ENDORSE AND DO THE JOB BEST AND SHE CHOSE ME THAT SHOULD BE A GOOD INDICATOR FOR REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS WHO HAVE CHOSEN THEIR TWICE TO BE TREASURE EVER.

SHE SAYS I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE TO DO THE JON AND I AGREE.

>> Renee: REAL QUICKLY I SAID I WOULD GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD DO ON DAY ONE IF EFFECTED STATE TREASURER, GO.

>> FIRST TO OJ'S POINTS HE STARTED OFF WITH I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT USING MY COMPANY TO SOMEHOW DO WORK FOR TREASURER'S OFFICE.

ACTUALLY I AM THE ONLY PERSON AT THIS TABLE WHO HAS DONE AN RFP AND WON THEM WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

CONTRACTS THAT I DROPPED WHEN I BEGAN TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

I UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RFP'S AND RFB'S AND THE ENTIRE PROCESS AS FAR AS HIRING YOUR FRIENDS AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THE ONLY EXPERIENCE YOU HAD RELATABLE TO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE WAS A MIDDLE SCHOOL BEYOND VOLUNTEERING ON A CAMPAIGN.

I FAIL TO SEE HOW HIRING A FRIEND THAT IS HOW YOU GOT YOUR JOB.

FOLLOWING UP ON THAT DAY ONE WE ARE GOING INTO A BUDGET YEAR.

WE'VE GOT TO GET TOGETHER OUR WASTEFUL SPENDING REPORT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT.

OTHERWISE WE'LL MISS THAT EVERY TWO-YEAR BUDGET REPORT.

AND WE'VE GOT TO GET THAT REPORT.

>> Mr. OLEKA AND Mr. METCALF FINAL WORD.

>> TWO THINGS I WOULD DO ON DAY ONE EXPAND THE LIST OF COMPANIES TO PROTECT TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND WE ARE PROTECTING TAXPAYERS BY BEING CLEAR ABOUT THE CHECKS I MENTIONED BEFORE.

WE WOULD ELIMINATE EVERYONE WE COULD AND MAKING SURE KENTUCKIANS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

THEY NEED A LEADER SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE AMERICAN DREAM THAT IS THE STORY I'VE LIVED MY PARENTS CHOSE AMERICA AND KENTUCKY CHOSE THEM.

AND I ASK YOU TO CHOOSE ME TO BE YOUR STATE TREASURER.

>> Renee: Mr. METCALF FINAL WORD.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN TO KET.

>> Renee: 30 SECONDS, PLEASE.

>> IN ARLINGTON COUNTY KENTUCKY THERE ARE SIX MINES GOING FULL TILT PROVIDING COAL AND JOBS TO KENTUCKIANS.

THEY ARE PROVIDING SOME OF THE RICHEST COAL TO BUSINESSES NOT CHINA ANYMORE BUT TO NORTH CAROLINA.

IT'S BECAUSE THE GREEN TECHNOLOGY HAS FAILED.

WHAT I WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN IS THESE PEOPLE HAVE JOBS AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT TAXPAYERS GET THEIR VALUE FROM THIS OFFICE AND GET THEIR MONEY BACK AND WE SHRINK THE DEBT AND THE PENSION FUNDS SO IT IS SAFE FOR OUR PENSION HOLDERS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN IT'S BEEN A ROBUST AND INFORMATIVE CONVERSATION.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU TO GET TO MAY 16TH.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH RICHARD HEATH THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER THAT IS COMING UP RIGHT AFTER THIS BREAK.

AT KET EDUCATION IS ALL WE DO.

WE SPARK LEARNING EVERYDAY.

FROM THE FREE AND ENGAGING CONTENT AVAILABLE AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP EDUCATORS ENGAGE THEIR LEARNERS AND FROM THE HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS WE WELCOME TO THE KET MEDIA LAB EVERY YEAR TO THE THOUSANDS MORE WHO EXPLORE THE COMMONWEALTH THANKS TO OUR VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS.

KET IS HERE TO SUPPORT EDUCATION.

ON AIR, ON-LINE, AND IN THE CLASSROOM.

KET WHERE LEARNING COMES TO LIFE.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR STAYING WITH US ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M REN WE ARE JOINED BY RICHARD HEATH REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

HIS OPPONENT JONATHAN SHELL DECLINED OUR INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS BY TWITTER AT...

SEND AN E-MAIL... OR USE THE WEB FORM AT... OR YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL...

WELCOME Mr. HEATH REPRESENTATIVE HEATH.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> LET'S GET RIGHT TO IT IN THE TIME WE HAVE REMAINING.

YOU NARROWLY LOST THIS RACE BACK IN 2015.

AND THE PRIMARY.

YOU'RE MAKING A SECOND ATTEMPT AT IT.

WHY AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH SHOULD YOU HAVE SUCCESS THIS TIME AROUND?

>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.

YES, I RECEIVED 91200 VOTES IN 2015 AND THE COMMISSIONER RECEIVED I MISS TO DO BY THREE QUARTERS OF 1%.

I'VE BEEN ASKED AM I GOING TO RUN AGAIN AND MY QUESTION IS I HAVE NOT RULE TO DO OUT.

I WAS ENCOURAGED TO RUN FOUR YEARS AGO AND I SAID NO I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT COMMISSIONER QUARELS HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AND THERE'S NO REASON TO RUN AGAINST A SITTING REPUBLICAN.

I WAITED PARTIALLY EIGHT YEARS AND MAKING SURE I HAD THE HEALTH AND THE DRIVE TO PUT MYSELF THROUGH THE STATE-WIDE RACE AND SERVE THE COMMONWEALTH AS THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.

I'M HERE SO I HAVE THAT DRIVE AND THAT AMBITION AND THE HEALTH TO DO THAT.

BUT, YEAH, I WANT TO BE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE TO BE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE THIS IS NOT A STEPPING STONE OR A TRAINING GROUND FOR THE NEXT OFFICE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING THE LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT I HAVE TO THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND USE THAT TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD LEND YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

I GREW UP ON A SMALL FARM IN GRAY COUNTY.

MY PARENTS HAD A HOGG OPERATION, AND RAISED CORN TO FEED THE HOGGS.

I HAD FOUR BROTHERS FOUR SISTERS AND I AM EIGHT OF THE NINE KIDS.

AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, I RAISED CORN, SOYBEAN AND TOBACCO AND EARNED A MASTERS DEGREE IN AGRICULTURE.

SO FARMING TOOK A DIVE ABOUT THAT TIME.

THIS WAS IN THE MID-80s.

AND I PIVOTED AND WENT TO THE AG BUSINESS SIDE TOOK A JOB MANAGING THE GRAY'S COUNTY CO-OP STORE.

SO I SERVED ON THE FARMERS FROM BEHIND THE COUNTER, SEED, FERTILIZER, KELL CAL FARM SUPPLIES.

AND THEN IN 2012 I RAN FOR THE OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND 2017 BECAME CHAIR OF THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

SO MY EXPERIENCE LEVEL KEEPS RISING.

>> Renee: TELL US ABOUT THE MAIN ISSUES THAT ARE FACING FARMERS.

WE KNOW THE COST OF FERTILIZERS AND THE SEEDS AND FARM EQUIPMENT INCREASED LIKE EVERY OTHER GOOD AND SERVICE HAS AND NOT TO MENTION LOW WATER CONDITIONS WE DEALT WITH LAST YEAR.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN ISSUES YOU ARE HEARING THEY WANT THE AG COMMISSIONER TO TACKLE.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT I'VE BEEN CAMPAIGNING FOR A YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

I SIGNED A LETTER OF INTENT A YEAR AGO AUGUST SO WE CAMPAIGNED THROUGH TWO STATE FAIRS AND HAD A CHANCE TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE AND FARMERS ACROSS THE STATE.

WHAT I HEAR CONSISTENTLY FROM THEM IS LIKE EVERY OTHER BUSINESS WORKFORCE, THE FARMERS THAT RELY ON HELP TO RUN THEIR FARM AND OPERATION, STRUGGLE TO FIND HELP.

AND THEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN LIKE A LOT OF OTHER BUSINESSES, YOU MENTIONED THE FERTILIZER PRICES THAT GOT WAY OUT OF HAND IN 2022 CROP YEAR THIS YEAR SEEMS TO BE OFF TO A BETTER START.

I HAD ONE FERTILIZER DEALER TELL ME IN LATE FALL THEY WERE PAYING 6,000 A TON FOR USE RHEA.

AND I WAS TALKED TO HIM FEBRUARY OR EARLY MARCH AND THE PRICE DROPPED TO 400 A TON.

THE SUPPLY CHAIN HAS CORRECTED ITSELF A LITTLE BIT.

I ANOTHER COMMON CHEMICAL IS ROUNDUP.

IN 2022 THE PRICE WENT THROUGH THE ROOF AND IT HAS COME BACK DOWN AND GOTTEN MORE REASONABLE.

FUEL PRICES ARE STILL HURTING OUR FARMERS.

AND IT'S NOT TO SAY THAT EVERYTHING'S COMPLETELY BETTER IN THE 2023 CROP YEAR BUT IT HAS IMPROVED OVER 2022.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE POWER OF THE AG COMMISSIONER TO MITIGATE ANY OF THOSE THINGS?

>> VERY LITTLE TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH YOU.

THE FARMERS THEMSELVES KNOW HOW TO SHOP WHEN A GOOD TIME THEY ARE BUYING SO THEY CAN GET THE BEST PRICE ON INPUT COSTS.

MANY HAVE LARGE FUEL TANKS SO THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR FUEL DIRECT IN SEMI LOADS.

AND THEY ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO CUT THEIR COSTS AND IMPROVE THEIR BOTTOM LINE.

OBVIOUSLY I HAVE AN OPEN DOOR.

I WELCOME THEIR INPUT IF THEY SEE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE FROM THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FROM THE STATE LEVEL, I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ADDRESS THAT.

>> Renee: I WANT TO GET TO A POINT THAT YOU MADE ABOUT LABOR AND LABOR SHORTAGES WHICH RUNS THE GUAM MUTT ACROSS -- GAMUT ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIES.

MIGRANT LABOR IS CRITICAL TO THE KENTUCKY AG ECONOMY AND HOW SHOULD IMMIGRATION POLICY BE ADDRESSED TO MAKE SURE THE FARMER HAVE THE LABOR THEY NEED?

>> THE FARMERS DEPEND ON THE H2A WORKERS ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT GROW CROPS LIKE TOBACCO.

BUT WHEN I TALK TO THE TOBACCO FARMERS NOW USING H2A WORKERS THE PRICE OF THE WORKERS CONTINUE TO GO UP AND SOME OF THE FARMERS ARE SCRATCHING THEIR HEAD AND SAYING WELL THE WORKERS ARE MAKING MORE MONEY THAN I AM AFTER THE CROP IS SEWED AND I LOOK AT WHAT I'VE PAID OUT IN LABOR IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH LONGER I WILL DO THIS.

THAT IS CONTROLLED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THE H2A PROGRAM AND THE FARM BILL.

WE NEED TO PASS THAT INFORMATION ON TO OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION AND I HAVE A GOOD RAPPORT WITH OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION TO MAKE SURE THEY REALIZE THAT UNATTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF CONTINUING TO RAISE THE COST OF H2A WORKERS SO THE POINT THAT THE FARMERS IS NOT GOING TO GET A RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT INITIATIVES TO GET MORE OF KENTUCKY PRODUCTS EXPANDED TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.

WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT?

>> YES, OBVIOUSLY KDA HAS A PROGRAM FOR THAT AND HAVE PEOPLE IN PLACE THAT DO THAT.

SO WHAT I WANT TO DO IF I BECOME THE NEXT COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, IS SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE INDIVIDUALS RUNNING THAT PROGRAM AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING AND ASK THEM IF THERE'S ANYTHING THEY NEED THAT THEY DON'T HAVE AND IS THERE SOMETHING THAT THEY SEE THAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER EITHER AS THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND THAT PROGRAM OR WORKING WITH OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION TO EXPAND OUR MARKETS.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA AS YOU KNOW BECAUSE YOU VOTED I WILL LET YOU TELL HOW YOU VOTED KENTUCKY WILL BECOME THE 38TH STATE IN THE U.S. TO HAVE A MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW.

I WANT YOU TO TELL US HOW YOU VOTED ON THAT.

SOME FARMERS BELIEVE WHO ARE GROWING HEMP THAT THEY ARE WELL POSITIONED TO GROW MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

A TWO-PART QUESTION DID YOU VOTE FOR IT WHEN YOU HAD THE CHANCE IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND DO YOU BELIEVE THAT FARMERS ARE WELL POSITIONED AND SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEIZE ON THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GROW CANNABIS FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES?

>> I DID VOTE NO IN THE 2023 BILL.

WE HAD THAT BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE IN 2020 AND I WORKED WITH THE BILL'S SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVE AND THE CHAIR OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AT THAT TIME, REPRESENTATIVE PETRI, AND WE HAD A REALLY TIGHT WRITTEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL.

AND I VOTED YES IN 2020.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE THIS TIME IT WAS MORE NARROW THIS TIME?

>> WHEN I GOT BACK HOME TO DISTRICT 2 THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT I WAS SURPRISED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT AGREE WITH MY VOTE.

SO THE BILL COMES BACK IN TWOONT AND WE HAD AN UNDERSTANDING WE WOULD NOT ASK OUR HOUSE MEMBERS TO VOTE UNTIL THE SENATE AGREED TO TAKE IT UP SO THE BILL COMES BACK IN 2022 AND I ASK REPRESENTATIVE KNEE MUST YOU ARE TELLING ME THE SENATE WILL TAKE IT UP THIS TIME AND HE SAID I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SENATE IS GOING TO DO I HAVE TO BE A NO AFTER FINDING OUT MY CONSTITUENTS DID NOT LIKE THE BILL.

LET ME TALK ABOUT THE FARMERS GROWING MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THE BILL WE HAD IN 2020 THERE WAS ALL INDOOR GROWN.

SO WE HAD INDOOR GROWN, FILTERED AIR COMING INTO THE BUILDING, FILTERED AIR GOING OUT SO THERE IS NO CROSS CONTAMINATION.

AND THEN IT WOULD BE DISPENSED THROUGH PHARMACIES AND IT WOULD BE PRIMARILY PILL FORM THERE'S NO HOMEGROWN, NO SMOKING, AND SO YOU WOULDN'T SEE MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWN ON THE SCALE THAT HEMP HAS BEEN GROWN.

TWO DIFFERENT PRODUCTS ALTOGETHER.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

SOME WOULD SAY IT'S FALLEN SHORT OF THE PROMISE HOW DO YOU VIEW THE ROBUST OR MAYBE LACKLUSTER NATURE OF THE HEMP INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS AG COMMISSIONER TO BOY WI IT.

>> I HAVE THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN FRANKFURT IN 2013 WHEN COMMISSIONER INTRODUCED THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP BILL.

THAT WAS THE FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT ME AS A NEW FRESHMAN COULD SINK MY TEETH INTO AND DIVE INTO IT AND PITCH IN AND HELP.

SO WE HAD HIGH HOPES FOR INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

WE THOUGHT IT HAD A GREAT FUTURE.

I WILL GIVE YOU A PERSONAL EXAMPLE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY WE HAD A COMPANY COME IN AND START A $40 MILLION PROCESSING PLANT AT THE EDGE OF MAYFIELD AND WE THOUGHT THIS IS FIXING TO GO GABBING BUSTERS.

GANG BUST EARTHS.

THEY HAD CONTRACTEDS WITH FARMERS GROWING AND THEY PUT IN PIVOTS AND THE COMPANY GOES BANKRUPT BEFORE THE PROCESS AND PLAN IS FINISHED.

THE FARMERS DID NOT GET PAID.

IT'S LEFT A SOUR TASTE IN OUR MOUTH FOR INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

THERE ARE SITUATIONS ACROSS THE STATE WHERE INDIVIDUALS WHAT I THINK HAVE DONE IT RIGHT.

THEY GREW THEIR BUSINESS GRADUALLY.

THEY ARE INTEGRATED.

THEY GROW THE PRODUCTS OR BUY THE HEMP FROM THEIR NEIGHBORS.

THEY PROCESS IT.

AND THEY TAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE RETAIL CUSTOMER.

MANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS FIND THE USE FOR THE FIBER AND THE SEED AND THE CBD OIL THEY ARE GETTING THREE INCOMES FROM THAT PLANT.

AND THOSE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE MAKING IT WORK.

SO THAT TELLS ME IT CAN WORK.

THERE IS ANOTHER COMPANY HEMP WORKS IN CALLAWAY COUNTY THAT TAKES THE FIBER AND PRODUCES FLOORING OUT OF IT FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM HARDWOOD FLOORING.

SO THERE'S PROOF OUT THERE THAT THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP HAS A PLACE.

THERE IS A MARKET FOR IT.

I THINK THE WAY IT WAS TACKLED WAS OVERPROMISED UNDELIVERED AND THE COMPANY DIDN'T HAVE THE BACKING TO DO WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO AND WE CAN GET PAST THAT AND MOVE ON.

>> Renee: THERE IS A QUESTION COMING IN AND I WILL GET TO THAT IN A MOMENT.

HOW DOES THE AARGH COMMISSIONER I AM AG COMMISSION IMPACT NONFARM WORKERS?

>> YES.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ASKED THAT QUESTION IN THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF OF CAMPAIGNING I WAS ASKED TODAY AT ANOTHER EVENT I WAS AT ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF LOUISVILLE WHAT DOES THE AG COMMISSIONER DO AND THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT DO 0.

SO THE SIMPLE EXPLANATION ONE OF THEM IS EVERY TIME YOU FILL UP WITH GAS IF YOU LOOK ON THE GAS PUMP THERE IS A STICKER THAT SAYS THIS PUMP WAS INSPECTED BY THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OR COMMISSIONER AND THAT IS ONE AREA.

WHEN THE INDIVIDUALS GO TO THE SUPERMARKET AND BUY PRODUCTS IN BULK AND THEY HAVE TO BE WEIGHED THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INSPECTS THOSE SCALES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE WEIGHING ACCURATELY.

THE ENTIRE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

OUR I GUESS OUR FOOD STATE IS UNDER -- SAFETY IS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

WHEN I MANAGED THE CO-OP STORE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WOULD CHECK OUR FERTILIZER SCALES AND CHECK TO SEE THAT THE SEED WE WERE SELLING TO FARMERS WAS NOT OUTDATED AND THE GERM NATION IS WHAT IT SAID ON THE TAG THEY WOULD TAKE SAMPLES AND MAKE SURE WE WERE SELLING QUALITY PRODUCTS.

THEY WOULD CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHEMICAL JUGS WERE LABELED AND STORED.

THEY WERE I GUESS A SAFETY NET FOR THE CONSUMER.

>> Renee: AND AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES.

>> IT GOES ON AND ON.

THERE'S 200 EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

AND 86 MILLION BUDGET.

IT IS A LARGE OPERATION.

>> Renee: Mr. HEATH THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

WE APPRECIATE YOU AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU AS YOU MAKE THE FINAL PUSH TO MAY 16TH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AFTER THE BREAK, SIERRA ENLOW DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER I WILL HAVE HER NEXT.

DON'T GO AWAY.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH US ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M RENEE SHAW.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY SIERRA ENLOW, DEMOCRATIC KATD FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

HER OPPONENT MALONE DID NOT MEET OUR CRITERIA TO APPEAR.

WE STILL WANT YOU TO SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS BY TWITTER AT...

SEND AN E-MAIL TO... OR USE THE WEB FORM AT... OR YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL...

WELCOME MS. ENLOW IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WE HAVE A QUICKEN GAUGE.

HERE WE'LL GET RIGHT TO IT.

TELL US WHY YOU WANT TO BE KENTUCKY NEXT AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

>> SURE.

ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT.

AND YOU KNOW THIS POSITION AS COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE HAS BEEN MY DREAM JOB AND IT'S WHAT I'VE TOLD PEOPLE I WANTED TO PURSUE AS PART OF MY CAREER SINCE I WAS FFA.

>> I GREW UP IN A GENERATIONAL FARM AND I KNOW THE FIRSTHAND THE VALUE OF HARD WORK AND I'VE CONTINUED THAT COMMITMENT THROUGH AGRICULTURE AT MY MASTERS DEGREE AND MY UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AS WELL.

SINCE MY TIME AT U.K.

I SPENT MY CAREER FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC DEVELOP.

AND HOW WE DRIVE STRONG JOBS AND GOOD JOBS FOR KENTUCKY'S COMMUNITIES I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT BROUGHT A BILLION INVESTMENT THROUGH KENTUCKY BOTH ON THE PRIVATE PUBLIC SIDES OF IT AND I THINK THIS RACE SHOULD BE ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOW WE'RE BUILDING STRONG RURAL ECONOMIES FOR OUR FARMERS AND DRIVING JOBS FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

I'M LOOKING TO TALKING ABOUT THAT MORE ANSWERING DIFFERENT QUESTIONS WITH YOU TODAY.

>> Renee: LET'S START THERE AND TALK ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY.

WE KNOW THERE ARE FARMERS WHO HAVE INSTALLED SOLAR SYSTEMS AND I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHERE DOES THE AG COMMISSIONER AS YOU SEE IT, BE A PART OF THAT TO HELP SMALL FARMS BENEFIT FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY AND BACKGROUND WE KNOW THE LATEST FIGURES FROM THE U.S. ENERGY ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION SHOWS KENTUCKY IS LAST IN TERMS OF WIND AND SOLAR PRODUCTION IN THE U.S. AT THE END OF MARCH.

HOW DO WE GO FROM BEING DEAD LAST TO SOMEWHERE BETTER AND DO YOU SUPPORT MORE EMBRACING OF RENEWABLE ENERGIES?

>> SURE AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES IT IS A GREAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUESTION.

WE KNOW THAT PROGRESS IS COMING AND WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR IT CORRECTLY.

WITH OUR AG COMMUNITIES WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS WE CAN PUT SOLAR FARMS ON PRIME AGRICULTURAL LAND OR EXISTING BUILDINGS AND THERE ARE GOOD OPTIONS FOR KENTUCKY FARMERS, AND NOT JUST KENTUCKY FARMERS BUT RURAL BUSINESSES AS THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE USDA GRANTS.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE OUR FARMERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RESOURCES THAT THE USDA IS PROMOTING AND MAKE SURE WE'RE SUPPORTING FARMERS THROUGH THAT PROCESS OF GETTING THE APPLICATIONS FILLED OUT AND SUBMITTED IN GOOD TIMELINE SO THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL THAT IS A GREAT WAY WE ARE BRINGING OUT OF STATE TO KENTUCKY AND SUPPORTING THE RENEWABLE SOLAR PROGRAM IN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: SHOULD THERE BE A TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WHO INSTALL SOLAR SYSTEMS?

>> THERE ARE EXISTING TAX INCENTIVES.

THERE IS A FEDERAL INCOME TAX CREDIT AVAILABLE FOR IT THAT IS ON TOP.

USDA REASON GRANTS AND ALSO OTHER TAX SAVINGS THROUGH COST SEGREGATION AND OTHER DEAPPRECIATION BENEFITS ON YOUR TAXES.

IT COSTS YOU A LITTLE BIT UP FRONT AND IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A LOCAL OR STATE PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS THAT UP FRONT COST AND OFFSET TO GO SO THE FARMERS CAN IMPLEMENT THESE NEW SOLAR OPTIONS AND REALLY BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS THEY ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT.

>> Renee: WHAT ARE FARMERS TELLING YOU THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH RIGHT NOW THEY HOPE THE NEXT AG COMMISSIONER WILL ADDRESS?

>> I THINK FARMERS ARE STRUGGLING WITH A FEW THINGS.

AND I THINK IT REALLY COMES BACK TO THAT TALENT ISSUE AND BEING ABLE TO FIND TALENT TO COME BACK AND WORK ON YOUR FARMS AND HELP TRANSITION YOUR FARMS.

I THINK WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THAT TRANSITION TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS IN KENTUCKY.

I KNOW FIRSTHAND HOW HARD IT IS TO RETURN TO THE RURAL COMMUNITY AND HAVE A VIABLE LIFESTYLE IN THAT COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK IN THE AG COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS OF LOOKING HOW WE CREATE GOOD JOBS IN THE COMMUNITIES BOTH ON AND OFF THE FARM AND HOW WE HELP CREATE NEW AMENITIES TO HELP SUPPORT FARM BUSINESSES.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC FARM.

IT'S ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEIR ACCOUNTANTS AND ATTORNEYS THAT CAN HELP SUPPORT THAT ENTERPRISE WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE BANKERS TO UNDERSTAND THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION CYCLES AND WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE TRAINING OUR NEXT GENERATION OF RURAL RESIDENTS TO COME BACK TO THOSE PRO-ACTIVE JOBS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Renee: THE AVERAGE AGE OF FARMER IS 62?

HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE A YOUNGER AND NEWER GENERATION TO TAKE IT UP AND TRY TO MAKE A LIVELIHOOD OUT OF IT.

>> THAT STARTS WITH BETTER TRANSPARENCY THROUGH THE AG COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND THE DEVELOPMENT FUNDS.

THE AG COMMISSIONER CONTROLS A DISCRETIONARY FUND THROUGH THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FUNDS.

AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW WE'RE USING THOSE TO SUPPORT MINORITY FARMERS AND FARMERS NEW TO THE INDUSTRY AND FARMERS COMING BACK TO THE FARMS.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE CURRENT GOOD DATA FROM OUR CURRENT COMMISSIONER WHERE THE GRANTS ARE GOING AND HOW THEY ARE SUPPORTING NEW FARMERS AND DIVERSITY WITHIN AGRICULTURE.

AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY'VE BEEN GOING TO THE SAME EXISTING FARMERS YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> Renee: DO YOU KNOW OR UNDERSTAND IF WOMEN AND OTHER MINORITY FARMERS ARE ACTUALLY CLUED IN TO THAT PROCESS?

DO THEY KNOW THESE GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE IS IS THERE INTENTION THAT MAKING SURE THEY ARE APPLYING?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE SEEN FROM MY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IS THEY THINK BECAUSE YOU HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO THE APPLICATIONS THAT MEANS THEY WILL GET EQUAL RESULTS IN THE DIVERSITY AND THE RESULTS THEY WANT FOR THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS TRUE.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EQUALITY AND EQUITY.

IN THESE PROGRAMS AND I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT GIVING MINORITY FARMERS AND WOMEN FARMERS EQUITABLE ACCESS AND NOT NECESSARILY EQUAL ACCESS TO THAT.

AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS PROVIDING WRAP ASH SERVICES TO HELP THE FARMERS WHO MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF UNDERSTANDING THE PROGRAMS, PRIOR TO BEING AWARE OF THE PROGRAMS, HAVING THEM HAVE THAT TYPE OF SUPPORT SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE SUCCESS AND EQUAL SUCCESS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THESE PROGRAMS NOT JUST EQUAL SUCCESS IN THE AVAILABILITY OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE PROGRAMS.

>> Renee: I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT MIGRANT LABOR AND I ASKED THIS QUESTION OF REPRESENTATIVE HEATH AND HE MADE THE POINT THAT THE H2A PROGRAM THAT IS IS BECOME EXPENSIVE FOR FARMERS TO AFFORD THE LABOR FROM MIGRANT WORKERS SO MUCH SO THAT THEY THE FARMER ARE MAKING LESS THAN THE MIGRANT WORKERS.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE CASE AND WHAT AS AG COMMISSIONER WHAT COULD YOU DO ABOUT IT?

>> I THINK AGRICULTURE INPUTS ARE INCREASING IN THEIR PRICE.

AND FARM PRICES ARE NOT NECESSARILY INCREASING AT A RATE THAT MATCHES THAT.

I DO THINK THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THE AG COMMISSIONER CAN DO AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS THE AG COMMISSIONER CANNOT DO.

THE H2A PROGRAM IS NOT ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IT WILL REQUIRE CROSS AGENCY COLLABORATION AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WILL SEE HAVING A DEMOCRAT COMMISSIONER AND DEMOCRAT IN THE GOVERNOR.

I DO ALSO THINK THAT THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP SUPPORT FARMERS INCREASE THE RECALL OF THEIR FARM PRODUCTS.

AGRICULTURE IS THOUGHT OF AS A PERFECTLY COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY WHERE WE ONLY GET BETTER PRICES IF WE ARE ABLE TO DIFFERENTIATE OUR CROPS THAT COMMISSIONER IN KENTUCKY IS ONE OF THE FEW OFFICE CERTIFICATION OFFICES FOR ORGANIC PRODUCE RUN THROUGH A STATE AGENCY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND WE HAVE TO EXPAND THAT TO CREATE BETTER PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH WITH FARMERS.

WE KNOW THAT SUICIDE RATES HAVE BEEN CLIMBING THE DATA GOES BACK TO 2017 AND THERE ARE 109 FARMERS OVER A SEVERAL-YEAR PERIOD THAT DIED BY SUICIDE.

UNIQUE STRESSORS THAT FARMERS FACE.

THAT PERHAPS OTHERS OF US NOT IN THAT COMMUNITY DON'T UNDERSTAND.

TALK TO US ABOUT THAT AND WHAT AS AG COMMISSIONER WOULD YOU DO TO IMPROVE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF FARMERS?

>> I DO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO OUR KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THEIR EARLY INITIATIVES IN THIS PARTICULAR SPACE.

AND I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PARTICULARLY STRONG ISSUE FROM A LOT OF RURAL COUNTY FARMERS WHERE I GREW UP AND BEEN ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE OUR FFA MEMBERS ENGAGED IN ADVOCATING FOR THIS ISSUE.

BOTH ON THE LOCAL LEVEL AND IN FRANKFURT TO GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK THAT THE WORK THATDALE DOBSON IS DOING THROUGH THE AG SAFETY PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT IN TACKLING THAT.

FARMERS ARE REALLY LIKE FACING THE SAME PRESSURES OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES ARE FACING AND ENTREPRENEURS.

AND IT IS MORE MAGNIFIED BECAUSE WE ARE ABLE TO PUT THAT OUT OF THE DATA FROM THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.

IT IS VERY HARD TO RUN YOUR OWN SMALL BUSINESS WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS A FARM OR A SMALL BUSINESS IN A RURAL COMMUNITY.

AND WE JUST AREN'T GIVING THOSE PEOPLE THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED.

AND NOR DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IF THEY DON'T HAVE HEALTHCARE DO WE HAVE GOOD SUPPORT IN AVAILABILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR IT.

THERE'S JUST SO MANY ISSUES TO THIS PROBLEM THAT'S VERY COMPLEX.

AND IT'S SOMETHING I'M CERTAINLY LOOKING FORWARD TO TEASING OUT AND SPENDING TIME TO TALK TO OUR CORPORATIONS IN KENTUCKY THAT WE KNOW THAT CAN BE GOOD PARTNERSTH THAT AND THAT COMES DOWN TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE GOOD HEALTH PLANS AND PLAYING OFF OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH HUMANA AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE TO PUT GOOD PILOT PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO LEARN HOW WE CAN TACKLE THIS ISSUE.

>> Renee: FOOD INSECURITY ACCORDING TO FEEDING AMERICA ONE IN EIGHT KENTUCKIANS FACES HUNGER ONE IN SIX CHILDREN WHO YADS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT REDUCING FOOD INSECURITY IN KENTUCKY WHERE KENTUCKY HAVE ACCESS TO MORE HEALTHIER FOOD OPTIONS.

>> IT IS A TWO-FOLD PROBLEM.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS ACCESS TO FOOD.

AND WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH GROCERY STORES ACROSS THE STATE AND WE DON'T HAVE GROCERY STORES IN THE RIGHT LOCATIONS TO INCREASE THE ACCESS TO FOOD AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN PURCHASE THAT FOOD.

THAT IS THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IS MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT GROCERY STORES LOCATED IN THE RIGHT AREAS.

AND THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE WHY THE AG COMMISSIONER IS AS IMPORTANT TO RURAL VOTERS.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THROUGH TAX INCENTIVE WORK.

MY WORK AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT FOCUSES HOW WE DRIVE BUSINESSES INTO CERTAIN AREAS AND CREATE GOOD TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAMS TO DO THAT AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS TO CREATE THAT POLICY.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO TAKE A DEEP LOOK AT IS WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN CREATE A GOOD INCENTIVE FOR RETAIL OPTION AND MAKE SURE WE'RE PROMOTING THAT.

THE SECOND ASPECT OF FOOD INSECURITY WE DON'T HAVE MONEY TO PURCHASE FOOD AND THAT IS TRUE IN SOME COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GETTING GOOD JOBS IN PLACE AND KEEPING SUPPORT PROGRAMS ACTIVE WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED.

I REALLY BELIEVE AND I WILL USE THE LAW FROM THE FFA CREED I BELIEVE BELIEVE IN MORE CHARITY WHERE IT'S NEEDED AND LESS DEPENDENCE UPON THAT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT AND SAY WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PRO SLIDE THAT CHARITY WHEN WE NEED IT AND PROVIDE THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHEN WE NEED IT AND CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LESS DEPENDENCE ON THOSE SYSTEMS.

>> Renee: WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT THE AG COMMISSIONER DOES OUR PREVIOUS GUEST TOLD US IT'S MORE THAN JUST FARMING IT'S FROM THE PUMP TO THE STICKERS TO ROLLERCOASTERS RIDES INSPECTIONS.

SO TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MAYBE EXPANDED IN THE ROLE OF THE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT OR WHAT NEW INITIATIVE WOULD YOU BRING TO THE TABLE?

>> I REALLY THINK THAT THE AG COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE SHOULD BE YOUR CHIEF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER AND ADVOCATING TO BRING MORE RURAL MANUFACTURING JOBS TO KENTUCKY AND NEED TO PLAY A STRONG ROLE IN THAT.

THAT HAS AN IMPACT IN A FARM IMPACT FOR OUR FARMERS.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT A SOYBEAN PROCESSING PLANT ARE WE PULLING IN KENTUCKY PRODUCTS FOR THAT SUPPLY CHAIN.

AND THAT'S WHERE YOUR AG COMMISSIONER CAN PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE AND DO WORK TO MAKE SURE THOSE SUPPLY CHAINS ARE BUILT IN THE RIGHT WAY.

AND IN A REALLY DRIVING JOBS FOR KENTUCKY RESIDENTS.

BOTH ON THE FARM AND IN THE LOUISVILLE'S ECONOMY OR URBAN ECONOMY AND THAT IS AGAIN BACK TO THE POINT THAT THE AG COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE ELECTED BY EVERY VOTER IN KENTUCKY AND NOT JUST THE VOTERS WITH FARM ID'S IT DOES TOUCH ON EVERY PERSON'S LIFE ACROSS THE STATE.

>> AND YOU BELIEVE IT SHOULD REMAIN AN ELECTED POSITION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I ALSO REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT THE AG COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE AN OFFICE THAT DOES ACTUAL WORK AND IS FOCUSED ON IMPLEMENTING GOOD POLICY THAT IS PASSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO SHOW THAT AND EXPLAIN SPEND THAT TIME SETTING UP A GOOD MARKET FOR KENTUCKY FARMERS NOT JUST GROW OPERATIONS THAT ARE GROWING BUT DRIVING HOW DO WE BUILD PROCESSING PLANTS AND HOW DO WE KEEP THIS AS A HEALTHY ECONOMY AND ECOSYSTEM FOR A NEW KENTUCKY CROP AND NEW OPPORTUNITY.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE HAVING YOU.

AND WE WILL BE TRACKING YOU AND OTHERS IN THE CAMPAIGN UP UNTIL MAY 16TH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THIS EVENING ON THIS EXTENDED EDITION OF "KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

NEXT, WEEK ON MONDAY, A CONVERSATION WITH FIVE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR AND BE SURE TO JOIN US EACH WEEKNIGHT 6:30 FOR KENTUCKY EDITION.

I WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.