>> Bill: 2023 COULD BE AN INTERESTING YEAR IN KENTUCKY.

THE 11:00 SESSION STARTS THIS WEEK WITH AN HISTORIC BUDGET SURPLUS AND A GROWING LIST OF REQUESTS.

THE STATE INCOME TAX IS COMING DOWN, BUT THE SALES TAX WILL BE EXTENDED TO DOZENS OF SERVICES.

PROPONENTS RENEW A PUSH FOR SPORTS BETTING.

THE FILING DEADLINE IS COMING UP NEXT WEEK, AND THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND OTHER CONTESTS COULD BE LIVELY.

TONIGHT WITH A NEW YEAR IN FRONT OF US, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOME YOU TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE: MORGAN WATKINS, CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER FOR TO COURIER-JOURNAL.

ALEX ACQUISTO, REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

AND MARK VANDER HAUF, REPORTER FOR KLKY IN LOUISVILLE.

WE WANT TO NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM WAS TAPED ON DECEMBER 22nd, SO THE STAFF AT KET AND OUR PANELISTS COULD ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS.

TONIGHT WE'LL BE MOSTLY LOOKING AHEAD AT WHAT TO EXPECT AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AS WE HEAD INTO 2023.

SO SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO LOOK MOO THE FUTURE BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR BEST TONIGHT.

MARK, RIGHT BEFORE US THESE TAX CHARGERS COMING.

FECK MONDAY THE SALES TAX GOES ON PARKING AND COSMETIC PROCEDURES, PHOTOGRAPHY, MANY OTHER SERVICES, AND THAT IS COMBINED WITH A DECREASE IN THE STATE INCOME TAX.

SO KENTUCKY IS CHANGING THE WAY IT GETS ITS REVENUE.

>> Mark: YEAH, THIS IS MARKED LEGISLATION FOR THE GOP THIS PAST SESSION, AND THE PHILOSOPHY IS IF YOU TAX CONSUMPTION RATHER THAN PRODUCTION THAT IT'S GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY AND IT'S GOING TO HELP EVERYONE.

WHILE THEY PASS THE MAIN PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN THE 2022 SESSION, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOME FOLLOW-UP WORK IN 2023 TO APPROVE THIS HALF POINT PERCENTAGE DROP IN THE INCOME TAX.

BASICALLY WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS EVERY TIME THERE'S SOLID REVENUE, THERE HAS TO BE GOOD REVENUE GROWTH AND THERE HAS TO BE A REAL HEALTHY RAINY DAY FUND, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO APPROVE A HALF PERCENTAGE POINT REDUCTION IN THE INCOME TAX.

THE GOAL IS TO DO THAT YEAR BY YEAR AND EVENTUALLY GET IT GOWN TO ZERO.

>> Bill: MARK, THAT MONEY CERTAINLY DID ROLL IN IN 2022.

THERE SEEMS TO BE LITTLE REASON TO THINK THAT THAT TREND WOULD NOT CONTINUE, RIGHT?

>> Mark: THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT, AND THE CONSENSUS FORECAST GROUP JUST TOLD LAWMAKERS THAT THEY SEE REVENUE, I BELIEVE THEY SAID IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME AS IT WAS BECAUSE THIS WAS CERTAINLY AN ANOMALY, BUT I THINK WE'LL SEE 7% GROWTH IN REVENUE IN THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR AND THEN MAYBE 3% AFTER THAT.

SO AS LONG AS THE REVENUE STAYS HEALTHY AND THE RAINY DAY FUND LOOKS GOOD, I THINK WE'LL CONTINUE ON SEE THESE GRADUAL REDUCTIONS.

>> Bill: SO MORGAN, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE POLITICS OF THIS.

YOU KNOW, PROPONENTS OF THE CHANGES SAY IT WILL MAKE KENTUCKY MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE WITH STATES LIKE TENNESSEE THAT DON'T HAVE STATE INCOME TAX.

OPPONENTS SAY IT'S REGRESSIVE AND WILL BE HARDER ON POOR KENTUCKIANS AND GIVE WEALTHIER KENTUCKIANS JUST NEG LIKELY ELIGIBLE DEBIT WENT.

IS THIS A GAMBLE FOR KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS?

>> Morgan: SURE, ANY TIME YOU'RE TAKING A BIG SWING ON POLICY, WHICH THIS CERTAINLY QUALIFIES, THAT'S A GAMBLE.

I KNOW THE CONCERN THAT YOU HEAR FROM FOLKS WHO DON'T SUPPORT THE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING ON TAXES IS THAT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE POORER, THEY DON'T BENEFIT AS MUCH FROM GETTING THE INCOME TAX CUT AS SOMEONE WHO IS MAKING A LOT MORE MONEY AND THAT THEY'LL FEEL THE BRUNT OF THE SALES TAX INCREASES HARDER, AND THE OTHER ISSUE BEING IF KENTUCKY DOES KIND OF END UP IN A TIGHTER FINANCIAL SITUATION, AGAIN, WITH LESS POTENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, MAYBE SOME LESS REVENUE COMING IN OR WHATEVER, THAT YOU COULD SEE CUTS TO THE KIND OF SERVICES THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE POORER NEED TO HELP THEM OUT.

>> Bill: SO THEY INTEND TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON REVENUE AND TRY TO STAY AHEAD OF THAT.

SO, MARK, AGAIN, WE HAVE THIS HISTORIC REVENUE, AS WE SAID, AND THIS HISTORIC SURPLUS GOING INTO 2023, AND, OF COURSE, MANY CALLS TO USE SOME OF THAT MONEY THAT'S THERE.

THE GOVERNOR WANTS MORE FOR TEACHERS' PAY AND FOR PRE-K.

THERE ARE CALLS FOR A BONUS FOR STATE RETIREES WHO DEATON GET A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS DO.

WILL LEGISLATIVE LEADERS KEEP THE LID ON THE BUDGET, WHICH NORMALLY THEY ONLY OPEN IT UP IN THOSE EVEN YEARS, OR WILL THEY GIVE IN TO SOME OF THIS PRESSURE TO SPEND SOME OF THE SURPLUS?

>> Mark: THEY CAN'T KEEP THE LID ON.

I THINK THEY HAVE TO AT LEAST CRACK IT OPEN A LITTLE BIT.

THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH ABOUT WILL THEY OPEN IT.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO AT LEAST ADD SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR A NURSING HOME IN BOWLING GREEN, YOU KNOW, WITH INFLATION, THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO OPEN UP THE BUDGET.

THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH STUFF WILL POUR IN AFTER THAT, AND I THINK REPUBLICAN LEADERS HAVE ALREADY SIGNALED THAT THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING BIG LIKE GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS ASKED FOR.

AND REMEMBER, TOO, A LOT OF TALK ABOUT POTENTIAL RECESSION COMING UP.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT INFLATION STILL GOING, INTEREST RATE HIKE, SO I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE GOP IS GOING TO BE HESITANT TO USE A LOT OF THAT SURPLUS.

>> Bill: SO RAINY DAY FUND ESSENTIALLY MEANS IT'S BANKED, RIGHT, UNTIL IT'S NEEDED?

>> Mark: I MEAN, THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO WITH THE BUDGET SURPLUS.

THEY CAN DECIDE TO PUT NIGHT THE RAINY DAY FUND.

THE SAY THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT, IF YOU WILL.

OR THEY CAN DECIDE TO SPEND IT ON NEW INITIATIVES.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF LEEWAY IN WHAT THEY CAN DO.

IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF WHAT THEY FEEL LIKE IS APPROPRIATE.

>> Bill: OBVIOUSLY REPUBLICANS PICK UP A LOT OF SEATS.

THEY NOW HAVE 80 SEATS IN THE STATE HOUSE.

HOW DOES THAT CHANGE THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS IN FRANKFORT, MARK?

>> Mark: WELL, I THINK IT GIVES THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE LEEWAY.

EVERYBODY THINKS THAT PARTIES ARE MONOLITH AND IS THAT EVERYBODY ALWAYS AGREES ON EVERYTHING, AND THEY DON'T ALWAYS IN THE DEMOCRATIC OR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND BOTH PARTIES LIKE TO HAVE CONSENSUS IN THEIR PARTY BEFORE THEY PASS BIG BILLS, SO YOU KNOW THEY ALREADY HAVE A HUGE MAJORITY.

THEY CAN PRET MUCH DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

THIS GIVES THEM A LITTLE MORE WIGGLE.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE NOTABLE FACES.

THERE ARE MANY WHO WILL BE LEAVING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUT THERE ARE SOME FRESHMEN LAWMAKERS OF NOTE AS WELL, AND LET'S TALK, MARK AND MORGAN, ABOUT SOME OF THEM.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE DEPARTURES FIRST.

>> Mark: OH, MAN.

>> Morgan: YEAH, YOU'RE LOSING ALICE FORG KERR IN THE SENATE.

MORGAN McGARVEY WHO IS GOING TO CONGRESS TO REPLACE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN YARMOUTH AND HE WAS THE TOP DEMOCRATIC IN THE SENATE SO THAT SHAKES IT UP A BIT.

>> Bill: BEFORE WE MOVE ON, THAT BY THE WAY, SETS OFF MUSICAL CHAIRS IN LOUISVILLE, RIGHT, THE ELECTIONS?

>> Morgan: OH, YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> Mark: WE'VE ALREADY HAD PEOPLE WHO ARE LAYING CLAIM TO HIS SEAT WHO HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY'RE RUNNING FOR THAT.

CASSIE ARMSTRONG A LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCILWOMAN.

AND THEN JUST -- WHAT IS IT?

-- THIS MORNING, I BELIEVE, WE HAD SOMEBODY WHO DECLARED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO RUN FOR CASSIE CHAMBER ARMSTRONG'S METRO COUNCIL SEAT IF SHE GETS ELECTED TO THE SENATE.

>> Bill: SO IT WILL BE -- OBVIOUSLY IT LOOKS LIKE MORE THAN ONE SPECIAL ELECTION.

MARK, DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE INCOMING FACES, SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT YOU WILL BE WATCHING WHO WILL BE ARRIVING ON THE SCENE IN FRANKFORT.

>> Mark: YOU KNOW, TO ME THE MOST INTERESTING FRESHMEN ARE GOING TO BE FOLKS LIKE LINDSEY PETZSCHNER WHO SORT OF RODE THIS WAVE OF FRUSTRATION WITH ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS.

YOU KNOW, THEY WERE OPPOSED TO VACCINES, OPPOSED TO MASK, ON POE TO CRT, THEY WERE BIG SUPPORTERS TRUMP, AND THEY FELT LIKE REPUBLICAN LEADERS DIDN'T DO ENOUGH.

THEY UNSEATED A LOT OF -- THEY UNSEATED A LOT OF ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS LIKE ED MASSIE AND -- KOENIG IN NORTHERN CEP.

AND CLOSER TO MY HOME IN LOUISVILLE LINDSEY KIRCHNER OF OLDHAM COUNTY, VERY OUTSPOKEN.

SHE WENT TO A LOT OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THEM SHAKE UP THE SCENE, MAYBE CREATE HEAD ACHES FOR REPUBLICAN LEADERS BUT I THINK IT WILL BE DIFFERENT.

>> Bill: SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE FOR SOMEBODY TO BECOME A FAMILIAR FACE BUT YOU HAVE NICK WILSON A STATE REPRESENTATIVE OUT OF WHITLEY COUNTY WHO WON SURVIVOR, THE NETWORK TELEVISION SHOW SO HE ARRIVES ON THE SCENE VIRTUALLY KNOWN BY EVERYONE.

>> Mark: YEAH, I WITH AN TOO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LINING UP ON DAY ONE TO GET THEIR PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN WITH HIM, THE SELFIE POTENTIAL IS UNLIMITED HERE.

>> Bill: IT'S GOING TO BE FUN TO WATCH THAT.

ALL RIGHT.

ALEX, WHAT WILL BE THE LANDSCAPE OF ABORTION GOING FORWARD IN KENTUCKY WE'VE WEAN WAITING FOR SUPREME COURT RULING.

WE NOTE THAT WE TAPED THIS PROGRAM DECEMBER 22nd SO IT'S A POSSIBILITY THAT RULING HAS COME, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THERE WAS A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE IN NOVEMBER, AND THERE ARE SIGNALS FROM THAT TO THE LEGISLATURE, SO DOES THAT LEAD TO SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT POTENTIALLY EXPANDING EXCEPTIONS BEYOND THE VERY LIMITED ONES IN THE CURRENT STATE LAW?

>> Alex: I THINK THE LARGER ANSWER, AT LEAST RIGHT NOW, IS WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LANDSCAPE WILL LOOK LIKE, NOR DO WE KNOW IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS NOW A REPUBLICAN SUPER-MAJORITY, WILL TAKE NOTE OF BASICALLY WHAT THEY READ FROM REJECTION OF AMOUNTED 2 WAS.

THAT AS A PRODUCTS OF GOP-BACKED BILL.

JUST TO RECAP, IT WOULD HAVE BASICALLY CHANGED THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO REVOKE OR REMOVE OR PROHIBIT ANY GUARANTEED RIGHT TO ABORTION.

THE LAWSUIT THAT'S BEFORE THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT RIGHT NOW FROM THE TWO ABORTION PROVIDERS BASICALLY CONTESTS THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE TRIGGER LAW WHICH IS A BAN ON ABORTION WITH NO MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS.

IS THAT AS TO IS THE YOU CANNOT PRODUCT OF A GOP-BACKED BILL.

THE BIG QUESTION IS NOW IS THAT THE TRIGGER LAW IS ACTUALLY LAW, AGAIN, IT WAS CRAFTED BEFORE ROE VS. WADE WAS OVERTURN, AND IF MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS ARE QUITE VAGUE, WE'VE HEARD FROM MANY DOCTORS WHO SAY THE THAT MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS ARE NOT ADEQUATE.

THEY ARE PUTTING HOSPITALS IN REALLY PRECARIOUS POSITIONS, NO ALLOWING DOCTORS TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE.

THIS IS I'VE HEARD I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY DOCTORS TALK ABOUT IT THAT WAY.

WHETHER LAWMAKERS WILL TAKE NOTE EITHER OF THAT OR WHAT THEY WILL READ FROM VOTERS' REJECTION OF A CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION THAT THEY PUT ON THE BALLOT.

THE CAUCUS HAS BEEN PRETTY QUIET UP TO NOW.

I HAVE POLLED THEM HIGHS, ALL SITTING AND INCOMING MEMBERS, TO SEE NOW THAT WE ARE IN THIS NEW LANDSCAPE WHERE ABORTION IS BANNED IN KENTUCKY, AND AGAIN DEPENDING ON WHAT THE STATE SUPREME COURT RECEDES DECIDES, WHETHER 3 DECIDE IS TO TEMPORARILY BLOCK THAT LAW, WHAT DOES THE CAUCUS THINK, AND THEY HAVE BEEN MUM UP TO NOW, AND HONESTLY THEY PROBABLY WILL BE UNTIL THEY GO BACK TO SESSION JANUARY THIRD.

IF ANYTHING IT HAS JUST BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT HOW DIVISIVE THE ISSUE IS, BUT IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER OR NOT BASICALLY REPUBLICANS WILL YIELD ANY GROUND.

SO FAR, WALK IT BACK, ADD RAPE OR INCEST EXCEPTIONS OR EXCEPTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO NOT INHIBIT ROUTINE, YOU KNOW, OB/GYN HEALTH CARE.

I'VE HEARD THAT FROM SAY ITING LAWMAKER TOO.

SO IT'S KIND OF UNCLEAR AT THIS POINT.

BUT I THINK THEY ARE PUT ON THE SPOT WHERE THEY HAVE TO AT LEAST COMMENT OR DO SOMETHING.

SO WE'LL SEE.

EVEN IF THAT SOMETHING IS NOTHING.

>> Bill: YOU WHEN THE BUT WHEN YOU HAVE POLLED THEM AND ASKED THIS QUESTION, AND I THINK THE WORD YOU USED IS MUM, YOU HAVEN'T HEARD A LOT OF CHARTER.

>> Alex: NO, BASICALLY I'VE GOTTEN A DOZEN RESPONSES, AND THEY ARE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY PRETTY VOCAL ABOUT THE ISSUE.

AGAIN, IT'S A MASSIVE BODY AND THEY ARE OVERWHELMINGLY, AT LEAST NOT TALKING ABOUT IT PUBLICALLY YET.

WE'VE HEARD, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM JACK BRAMMER, AS WE ALL REMEMBER FROM THE HERALD-LEADER, CAUGHT SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS AT AN EVENT BASICALLY ASKING WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO, AND HE WAS PRETTY CLEAR THIS WAS A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER NOVEMBER 8th THAT THE CAUCUS HADN'T HAD A CHANCE TO BASICALLY COME TOGETHER TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO.

THEY WERE PROBABLY ACTIVELY DOING THAT RIGHT NOW.

BUT IT IS HARD TO GET A PULL AT THIS POINT.

AND, OF COURSE -- AND I WILL SAY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS HAD CHANCES IN THE PAST TO VOTE ON EXCEPTIONS, AND THEY VOTED THEM DOWN, SO WE KNOW TO A DEGREE BUT THEY'VE NEVER VOTED ON THEM NOW THAT ABORTION IS ACTUALLY ILLEGAL FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.

>> Bill: LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OTHER ISSUES LIKELY TO COME UP, WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT.

MORGAN AND MARK, SPORTS BETTING IS EXPANDED GAMING AND SPORTS BETTING GOING TO BE A HOT TOPIC?

WE KNOW THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASK PUSHING IT HARD OF, SAYING KENTUCKY IS LOSING OUT ON MONEY TO NEIGHBORING STATES THAT HAVE IT.

>> Mark: I MEAN, WE'VE SEEN IT SESSION AFTER SESSION, AND I JUST THINK IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE THAT WAY THIS YEAR AS WELL.

MAYBE I'M WRONG.

LAST YEAR IT PASSED PASSED 2 HOUSE, AND OVER IN THE SENATE IN THE FINAL DAYS SENATOR DAMON THAYER TRIED TO PUSH IT THROUGH.

HE SAID I THINK HE HAD TWO OR THREE NO VOTES.

SHE ALSO SAID THOSE TWO OR THREE NO VOTES WERE OUTGOING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE, SO HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT SOME INCOMING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE MIGHT BE YES VOTES AND MIGHT INCREASE THE ODDS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU STILL HAVE STRONG OPPOSITIONS FROM THE MOST POWER OF GUY IN THE SENATE, PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS, AND THAT CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT.

>> Bill: MORGAN, HEARING ANYTHING ON THAT ONE?

>> Morgan: I THINK HE'S RIGHT.

ONE THING THAT I DO THINK YOU COULD HEAR ABOUT ON KIND OF THE GAMBLING FRONT IS THIS ISSUE WITH GRAY MACHINES AS THEY'RE SOMETIMES CALL BECAUSE THEY KIND OF OPERATE IN THIS LEGAL GRAY AREA WHERE THEY LOOK LIKE SLOTS.

THE PEOPLE WHO SAY THEM SAY THEY'RE NO GAMES OF PURE CHANCE SO THEY REQUIRE SOME LEVEL OF SKILL SO THEY'RE NOT GAMBLING.

THERE WAS TALKING ABOUT BANNING THEM LAST YEAR BUT THAT DIDN'T ENDS UP PASSING.

THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE THEM ARE SAYING LIKE, HEY, ALLOW US, REGULATE US, TAX US, GET THE REVENUE, AND SO I DO EXPECT TO SEE SOME DEBATE ON THAT.

WHETHER OR NOT WITH THE OTHER BILLS THAT YOU SEE, WHETHER YOU SEE MOVEMENT ON IT, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT.

>> Bill: ALEX, WE KEEP HEARING TALK OF POSSIBLE LEGISLATION ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR TOOK SOME LIMITED EXECUTIVE ACTION, AND POLLING SHOWS KENTUCKIANS GENERALLY FAVOR IT.

BUT IS THERE ANY SENSE THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS LIKELY TO MAKE ANY KIND OF MOVE ON THAT?

>> Alex: IT'S KIND UNCLEAR AT THIS POINT.

SOMEBODY ELSE CAN CHIME IN HERE TOO.

IT'S SORT OF UNCLEAR.

ALSO, BILL, YOU KIND CUT OUT WITH THAT LAST QUESTION SO TO BE HONEST I DIDN'T HEAR ALL OF IT.

>> Bill: THAT WAS IT, AND I'LL LET THE OTHERS WEIGH IN.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA, DOES THE LEGISLATURE TAKE ACTION?

>> Morgan: WE'LL SEE.

I DO THINK THE WHOLE ISSUE OF THE SENATE, NEW SENATORS, LIKE THAT -- THE SENATE HAS BEEN THE ISSUE LATELY WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

IT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO CLEAR THE SENATE.

BUT WITH NEW BLOOD COMING INTO THE CAUCUS, MAYBE THAT CHANGES IT.

AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR CERTAINLY IS KIND OF LIKE PUSHING THEM TO DO IT.

NOW, WHETHER YOU CAN MAKE A PRETTY STRONG ARGUMENT THAT THE SUPER MAJORITIES IN THE LEGISLATURE DO NOT CARE WHAT BESHEAR WANTS THEM TO DO, BUT WITH HIM PUTTING OUT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO AT LEAST MAKE I LESS PUNITIVE FOR PEOPLE TO USE IT, I.

HE'S SAYING ARE YOU GOING TO DO ANYTHING?

BECAUSE I'M STEPPING?

>> Alex: WELL, AND NOW -- SORRY, BILL, JUST TO CHIME IN, NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT THE QUESTION WAS, I THINK IT COULD BE INTERESTING, TOO, TO SEE IF LAWMAKERS DO OR DON'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE WE, AGAIN, ESPECIALLY REPUBLICANS, HAVE BUCKED WHEN BESHEAR HAS ASSERTED HIS EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, AND WE HEARD FROM REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE EVEN HISTORICALLY SUPPORTED MEDICAL MARIJUANA BE BE GET PRETTY ANGRY A BESHEAR FOR THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER.

SO WITH THAT, IF THAT HOSTILITY REMAINS, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE BASICALLY IF THEY DRAFT ANYTHING AND WHAT IT IS THAT THEY WILL DRAFT.

>> Bill: NOW, MARK, ANY THOUGHT ON THAT?

>> Mark: NUMBER TWO, SENATOR DAMON THAYER IS OPPOSED TO IT.

NUMBER ONE, SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS IS OPPOSED TO IT.

AND FOR THOUGH REASONS I THINK IT WON'T PASS.

>> Bill: THERE YOU GO.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS TWO PRE-FILED BILLS THAT WOULD RESTRICT QB K EQUITY LGBTQ YOUTH P ONE WOULD PRESENT DOCTORS FROM IDENTIFYING A SEX A ANYTHING OTHER THAN MALE OR FEMALE.

ON THE WOULD BAN THOSE USING BATHROOM ALIGNING WITH THEIR GENDER IN SCHOOLS.

ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE MORE BILLS LIKE THIS OR A LOT OF DEBATE ABOUT THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN FILED?

ALEX?

>> Alex: I THINK IT'S LIKELY.

I MEAN, CERTAINLY OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS SHOWN THAT TO BE A TACT IN THE PAST.

JUST LAST SESSION SENATE BILL 83, I THINK IT WAS, WAS A BILL OSTENSIBLY TO PROTECT WOMEN'S SPORTS, AND BASICALLY WHAT IT DOES IS BAR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TRANS FEMALES FROM PARTICIPATING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

BESHEAR VETOED IT.

HIS VETO WAS OVERRIDDEN.

AND ONE OF THE THING THAT HE NOTED, AND I GUESS I KIND OF WANT TO WARN VIEWERS FOR A SECOND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT DEATH BY SUICIDE, ONE OF THE THING HE NOTED IN HIS VETO LETTER WAS THAT LAWS LIKE THESE, AND OBVIOUSLY HE'S A DEMOCRAT AND A LOT OF DEMOCRATS HAVE VOICED THIS AS A REASON FOR OPPOSING LAWS LIKE THESE, HE BASICALLY SAID THAT HE ACKNOWLEDGED DIFFICULTIES FACED BY OUR TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY, AND THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE ACCEPTANCE AND CONNECTION TRANSGENDER CHILDREN EXPERIENCE THROUGH SCHOOL SPORTS WHICH, THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE, CAN REDUCE SUICIDE RATES SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND MANY DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE HOUSE HAVE -- IN THE DELIBERATION OF THAT BILL SPECIFICALLY, AND AGAIN YOU CITED TWO OTHERS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PRE-FILED, CITED HOW, YOU KNOW, THEIR PERSPECTIVE IS THAT LAWS LIKE THESE CAN BE DANGEROUS TO TRANS POPULATIONS.

THAT ISSUE HIT HOME, WE JUST HEARD THIS PAST WEEK THAT SENATOR KAREN BERG, WHO IS ONE OF THE STATE SENATORS WHO WAS IN VOCAL OPPOSITION TO THAT BILL, LOST HER 24-YEAR-OLD SON WHO IS TRANS, BY SUICIDE, AND JUST SORT OF BRINGS HOME THIS POSSIBILITY THAT TEEN SUE SEWED IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM GENERALLY, BUT TRANS SUICIDE SPECIFICALLY IS A HEIGHTENED PROBLEM AND UNDOUBTEDLY WE ARE GOING TO HEAR THAT SORT OF FRICTION AND THAT I GUESS VITRIOL FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER PLAY OUT IN THIS SESSION, BUT I DO EXPECT MORE BILLS TO BE FILED.

MORGAN, FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN.

>> Bill: AND, MORGAN, SINCE OUR CONVERSATION DID GO TO THAT CONCERN, LET'S PUT THE 988 NUMBER UP THAT IS AVAILABLE, THE NATIONAL SUICIDE AND RICES LINE OFLINE, AND THERE ARE OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

>> Morgan: YES, ABSOLUTELY.

IF YOU'RE IN CRISIS, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP AND HELP IS AVAILABLE.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS TRANS PEER SUPPORT, YOU CAN CALL TRANS KENTUCKY AT (859)448-5428.

YOU CAN ALSO CALL, IF YOU'RE AN LGBTQ YOUTH, YOU CAN CALL THE TREVOR PROJECT AT (866)488-7386 OR VISIT THE TREVOR PROJECT.ORG AND THEY CAN HELP YOU.

>> Bill: MARK, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, AND WE'LL KNOW A FEW DAYS AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION EXACTLY WHO IS IN BECAUSE THE FILING DEADLINE COMES UP.

WE DO KNOW THAT ONE PERSON HAS ALREADY GOTTEN OUT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX.

SO WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THE RACE?

THE CROWDED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

>> Mark: WELL, WHEN YOU'VE GOT 12 PEOPLE IN THE PRIMARY AND YOU ONLY TAKE ONE OUT, YOU'VE STILL GOT 11, AND THEN WE HAVE THESE RUMORS OF OTHER PEOPLE, INCLUDING FORMER GOVERNORS, WHO MIGHT HOP BACK IN SO WE COULD GET UP TO THAT 12, DOZEN OR MORE MARK PRETTY QUICKLY.

WE'LL SEE.

AND IT WASN'T SOON AFTER -- IT WASN'T SOON AFTER MADDOX ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WAS EXITING THE RACE THAT RUMORS STARTED TO FLY THAT SHE WAS GOING TO POTENTIALLY JOIN POSSIBLE BID BY BEVIN.

THERE'S GOING TO BE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS PRIMARY, IT'S ALMOST GOING TO BE HARD TO COVER, KEEP TRACK OF EVERYBODY, BUT I HAVE A FEELING IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY -- PRIMARY.

>> Bill: AND HARD TO GET A LOT OF THEM ONSTAGE CERTAINLY.

YOU AND I HAVE DONE DEBATES.

ONE, TWO, THREE CANDIDATES.

THAT'S MANAGEABLE.

BUT WHEN IT GETS TO THIS POINT.

KELLY CRAFT ANNOUNCED THAT MAX WISE IS HER RUNNING MATE IF SHE'S THE NOMINEE.

DO YOU THINK WE'LL SEE MORE CANDIDATES DO THAT THOUGH THAT IS NO LONGER REQUIRED BY STATE LAW?

>> Mark: I DO.

I RALLY DO.

I THINK THAT YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN THIS RUMOR ABOUT A POSSIBLE BEVIN-MADDOX MATCH-UP.

THERE'S ALSO A RUMOR GOING AROUND THAT BILL FEWER OF, HE WAS A CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE, CURRENTLY MAYOR OF JEFFREY TOWN.

THERE'S ALREADY RUMORS GOING AROUND THAT HE MIGHT JOIN RYAN QUARLES ON HIS TICKET.

MAYBE IN YEARS PAST WE WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN THIS, BUT IF ONE PERSON DOES IT, I THINK THE OTHER CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO SAY, WELL, IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT MIGHT AS WELL TOO TO TAP INTO THAT ADVANTAGE.

BASICALLY YOU'RE TRYING TO TAP INTO THAT VOTING BLOCK AND THEIR FUNDRAISING.

>> Bill: AND WITH WHAT IS THE PATH TO VICTORY?

IS IT GEOGRAPHY?

IS IT MONEY?

SAME NAME IDENTIFICATION?

HOW DO YOU GET THERE?

>> Mark: I THINK ALL THE CAMPAIGN STRATEGISTS ARE ASKING THAT EXACT SAME QUESTION.

I MEAN, I THINK IN THE END IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO NAME RECOGNITION AND MONEY, AND SO WE'RE -- I HAVE A FEELING THAT WE'LL QUICKLY SEE THAT BIG FIELD NARROW DOWN TO MAYBE TWO OR THREE FRONTRUNNERS.

THOSE WILL PROBABLY BE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU WILL SEE ON THE MAJOR DEBATE, MAYBE ONE OR TWO OTHERS, AND THE FRONTRUNNERS ARE GOING TO BE THE ONES WITH THE MOST NAME RECOGNITION.

I MEAN, I HATE TO SAY WHO THEY'RE GOING TO BE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SLIGHT ANY OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO.

MONEY AND NAME RECOGNITION.

>> Bill: MORGAN, YOU DO NOT ROLL THE DICE.

IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY, RIGHT?

>> Morgan: NO, NO, BUT HONESTLY WITH THIS MANY PEOPLE, YOU COULD SEE SOMEONE WIN THE PRIMARY WITH LIKE NOT THAT BIG OF A PERCENTAGE OF THE VOTE IF YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE.

PURE SPECULATION IS WILL YOU SEE LIKE RIGHT WITH THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL RACE, YOU ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAD PEET BUD JUDGE DROPPED OUT AND YOU HAVE THESE PEOPLE DROPPING OUT AND CLEARING THE PATH FOR BIDEN AND PROBABLY BEAUT JUDGE GOT A JOB WITH BIDEN SO I WONDER IF YOU WILL SEE THE FIELD CAN BE I'LL DROP TO BE YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND WE'LL KIND OF TRY TO BUILD A STRONGER TICKET THAT WAY.

OR IF PEOPLE ARE LIKE, NO, I'M GOING FOR IT YOU WILL A, I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET THAT JUST ENOUGH OF A PERCENTAGE TO WIN AGAINST THE OTHER 12 PEOPLE.

>> Mark: THESE THINGS ARE SO UNPREDICTABLE.

NOBODY PREDICTED THAT BEVIN WOULD HAVE BEEN THE GOVERNOR.

EVERYBODY THOUGHT IT WAS A RACE BETWEEN HEIMER AND COMER.

>> Bill: AND WE DO NOT HAVE A RUNOFF PROVISION ANYMORE.

IT LOOKS LESS LIKELY THAT THAT'LL BE PUT IN BEFORE THIS ELECTION BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE A CHANGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREAM.

LET ME ASK REAL QUICK, MORGAN, DO YOU THINK GOVERNOR BESHEAR QUIETLY SITS BACK AND LETS THE REPUBLICANS FIGHT IT OUT OR DOES EF-TO DO SOME THINGS TO REMAIN VISIBLE DURING THEIR PRIMARY SEASON?

>> Morgan: JUST LOOKING AT THE WAY HE HAS HANDLED THINGS SO FAR, OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT -- IT'S NOT 2023, AND THEY'LL HAVE TO DO SOME CAMPAIGNING TO WIN, BUT HIS REAL FOCUS HAS BEEN SAYING, LOOK WEEK I'M FOCUSED ON MY JOB AS GOVERNOR, I'M FOCUSED ON DEALING WITH THE FLOODING AND THE FALLOUT FROM THE FLOODING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND REBUILDINGS WESTERN KENTUCKY AND EDUCATION AND, YOU KNOW, THE PANDEMIC, MEDICAL MARIJUANA, WHAT HAVE YOU, SO I THINK YOU'LL SEE HIM REALLY STILL TRYING TO FOCUS ON THAT, LIKE TO HAVE THAT LINE OF BEING A GUY FOCUSED ON HIS JOB, SOMEONE THAT HOPEFULLY I THINK FOR HIS CAMPAIGN AND FOR HIM, LIKE SOME REPUBLICANS, CAN LIVE WITH.

MAYBE THEY LIKE HOW HE'S HANDLED CRISES IN PARTICULAR AND KIND OF TRY TO FOCUS ON THAT AND STILL HOLD ONTO THAT.

BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE DEPENDING ON HOW INTENT SOME OF THE DEBATES AND SOME OF THE EAT I DON'T LOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE REPUBLICANS CANE HAPPEN.

I WONDER IF HE'LL FEEL 2 NEED TO SPEAK OUT.

>> Bill: A LOT OF DOWN BALLOT RACES IN THE YEAR HAPPENED.

ALEX, JUST A FEW SECONDS LEFT BUT CAN WE GET BEYOND WHAT COVID HAS DONE?

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE PANDEMIC IS OVER, BUT IT IS NOT, RIGHT?

>> Alex: RIGHT.

I THINK IF YOU TOOK A RANDOM POLL OF THE PUBLIC, PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY FUNCTIONING AS THEY WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

I THINK IF WE WERE TO LOOK BACK FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, FORWARD AND ASK INFECTIOUS DISEASE DOCTORS EXCEPT DEEMOLOGIST WHAT THE FUTURE SHOULD LOOK LIKE WITH A LIFE WITH COVID, WHICH IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE HERE JUST LIKE FLU, HE THÈ WOULD SAY AMERICANS NEED TO ADOPT WEARING MASKS DURING COLD SEASON, AND I THINK THAT WOULD HONESTLY MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BUT WHO KNOWS IF PEOPLE WILL DO THAT.

I THINK THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING RAMPANT RSV AND COVID SPREAD RIGHT NOW.

>> Bill: THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" OUR SPECIAL EDITION.

I THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE RETURN LIVE NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT.