March 28, 2025 - It's Sine Die in Frankfort as the 2025 KY General Assembly Comes to a Close

Lawmakers leave Frankfort after wrapping up the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly, and it's a big weekend for sports in Kentucky.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
♪

(00:06):
>> Because it's not about equal
opportunity. It's about equal
outcomes, which is impossible.
The legislative session wraps
up in Frankfort. But the new
laws on the books.
>> Absolutely makes no sense.
I challenge you to find in

(00:26):
eastern Kentucky. It thinks
that the EPA hasn't done enough
to regulate anything in eastern
Kentucky.
>> Where the disagreement over
whether a water bill is good
news or bad news for Kentucky.
>> Kentucky's playing defense
better now. Then it did during

(00:47):
the 2 wins over Tennessee.
>> And who has the edge as the
cats and balls go head to head
and the sweet 16.
>> Production of Kentucky
Edition is made possible in
part, but the KET Millennium
Fund.
♪
♪

(01:17):
Good evening and welcome to
Kentucky EDITION for this
Friday March. The 28, I'm Renee
Shaw joining you from our KET
bureau.
>> And the Capitol Annex in
Frankfort. We're here for the
last day of the 2025. Kentucky
General Assembly Session and
we thank you so much for
joining us tonight. So let's
get to the news. We look back
at some of the final action on

(01:39):
this last day of the 2025
session as we begin tonight's
Legislative update, House Bill
4, which gets rid of diversity,
equity and inclusion efforts on
public college campuses will
become law. The Republican
super majority in the state
House overrode the governor's
veto last evening. Our June
last year tells us what the new
law means for the state higher

(02:02):
ed institutions.
>> Dei was already threatened
before the 2025 legislative
session. Lawmakers Criticize
Dei last year and the
University of Kentuckyian
northern Kentucky University
cut their dei offices. But the
University of Louisville held
out keeping mentorships and
scholarships in place for

(02:22):
students like Bradley Price.
>> I'm a with reporters,
scholar and the Martin Luther
King scholar. And I'm very
concerned about already
underfunded programs becoming
more underfunded for price.
You bells, cultural and equity
center is not just some
administrative building.
>> She loves the people who
work there. I always go there.

(02:45):
I'm always talking to miss
Leandre Miss Mary And they
really have helped in toward me
throughout my college
experience and made me feel
safe on campus. The fate of
that office is in jeopardy now
that House Bill 4 is law.
It prohibits hiring admissions
scholarships in contracts based
on religion race. 6.
>> Color or national origin.
It also bans funding for dei

(03:06):
offices, trainings or
initiatives among other things,
Republicans who voted to pass
House Bill 4 in the final days
of the session, say this law
will make things fair.
>> We're seeing the results
of equity
across our institutions and
hiring practices throughout the
United States and a lowering

(03:27):
of standards because it's not
about equal opportunity.
It's about equal outcomes,
which is impossible because we
all come from so many different
backgrounds with different
skill sets. We can never have
equal outcomes of anything.
So this equities that we talk
about is all about lowering
the standard.
>> Our greatest divide as a

(03:48):
commonwealth. And as a nation,
it is not based in race but is
rural and urban. I'm voting
no today because dei on our
college campuses is
not helping poor kids in
Kentucky who are seeking to

(04:08):
further their educational
goals. Regardless of their
immutable characteristics.
>> This legislation is only a
message. To those who are
unwilling.
We're unable to love others
deep enough. To allow them to

(04:29):
seek their own way. level of
success.
>> Democrats pushed back even
at the end against those
claims.
>> It does not equip students
with the tools to compete.
In an increasingly diverse
world. Instead it. It
eliminates resources. It helps
institutions foster an
inclusive.
>> Learning environment.

(04:52):
It sends a message that
diversity is not a strength.
>> And so since we passed this
legislation out of this body,
I've had students coming to me
crying students of color saying
that they feel unsafe, saying
that they feel like this
legislation means that they are
not welcome confused about what

(05:13):
it means for their education,
approved the resources that
support them. And they're
scared.
>> What will the question that
I would ask? Is what would
America be? Without its
enslaved Africans? Think about
the things that we take for
granted the Internet.

(05:33):
Cell phones, all the technology
and all the things that out
of the ingenuity of the people
that I my ancestors created
from nothing.
And figured out how to do it
after being MS educated and
mistreated in this country.
>> The General Assembly passed
House Bill 4 overriding the
governor's veto largely along

(05:57):
party lines. The overhaul that
will likely happen on college
campuses could prevent
discrimination lawsuits.
The bill sponsor has said
citing the U.S. Supreme Court's
decision against affirmative
action at colleges. Changes
might also preempt
investigations from the Trump
administration which recently
targeted UK's involvement in

(06:18):
the PhD project. In that case,
UK swiftly cut ties with the
nonprofit that encourages
underrepresented students to
obtain advanced business
degrees. To fall in line at
the state level, universities
will have to prove to the state
auditor their compliance with
House Bill 4 by the end of June
for Kentucky edition. I'm
Jeanne Leffler.

(06:39):
>> Thank you. Jen universities
will also conduct surveys in
the fall asking students and
staff how they how free they
sealed to express their
political opinions. It started
out as a bill about
freestanding, birth centers
with bipartisan support.
But with the added amendment
regarding abortion exceptions
Democrats largely pulled their

(07:01):
support in the waning days of
the session. House Bill 19 drew
intense debate are McKenzie.
Spain has more on last night's
veto override of House Bill 9
D.
>> According to the bill's
language House Bill, 90
clarifies the difference
between illegal abortions and
medically necessary
interventions. A clarification
supporters say is necessary in

(07:22):
light of the state's near total
abortion ban to legally cleared
the way for physicians to save
lives. However, Democrats from
both chambers say this law will
muddy the waters. Not clear
them. Representative Sara
Stalker sees this measure as
a larger political effort to
change abortion laws
nationally.
>> We are witnessing a

(07:43):
calculated attack on women's
health disguised as legislative
clarity. We know that the
anti-abortion playbook is to
redefine medical terms and to
manipulate language and to
erode women's fundamental
rights slowly. This is not just
about Kentucky. It's a national
battle in every state that

(08:04):
codifies this language. Every
state that accepts this live
brings us closer to a national
ban on life saving abortions.
>> However, not every Democrat
opposed the bill. The Floyd
County Representative Ashley
Tackett Lafferty agrees with
her colleagues across the aisle
that the clarifying language
will save lives.

(08:26):
>> I strongly feel we should
unequivocally be protecting the
life of the mother in these
situations.
While very legitimate concerns
have been raised by both
knowledgeable and compassionate
people. I do genuinely feel
that this legislation will help
to save lives.
>> On Monday's Kentucky
tonight, tomorrow we'd are from

(08:47):
Planned Parenthood and the
abortion or of Kentucky right
to life discussed the specific
legal language causing much of
the debate around House Bill 9
D.
>> The doctors, the same
doctors are telling you now
that this isn't going to work
and actually the legal changes
on how that they can defend
themselves in court are going
to make it harder and chill
them and you're not listening
to what we get is because one
of the most important things

(09:09):
we did here was to make sure.
>> Reasonable medical was
included in that exit objective
in his exact actually. What
makes it worse for them?
Reasonable medical judgment
means the range of conclusions
are medical recommendations
that a licensed medical
practitioner with similar
sufficient training and
experience may communicate to
the patient upon current
available medical evidence.

(09:31):
This is subjective and no
longer subjective. And that was
a problem before in past law
attorneys that we work with
have said that this is going to
take away the power of the
providers in emergency
situations and put it in the
hands of judges.
>> Then we have seen it play
across the country and
specifically in Texas providers
are not able to defend their
choices for abortion care bar
fight for their patients in

(09:51):
the courts.
>> Another point of contention
around the spill is the
endorsement or lack thereof
from the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
also known as a Hawk. The
advocacy chair of the Kentucky
chapter of a cog Dr. Jeffrey
Goldberg works closely with
lawmakers on this bill.
However, the Kong Organization

(10:12):
opposes the bill and opponents
claim it doesn't have enough
input from Kentucky. Doctors,
supporters of the bill feel
confident about the medical
input received on the measure.
These were articulated by
>> Cobb and a dog argan
ecologists and gynecologists
are doctors. So doctors

(10:32):
provided tremendous input in
the House Bill. 90. Grateful
for the work that we've done.
We've been questioned as a
majority party. What is our
position on the life of the
mother? It is so clearly
articulated. We should be very
proud of this wonderful
legislation.
>> Now, state law, the sections

(10:53):
of House Bill 9 deep pertaining
to abortion exceptions take
effect immediately for Kentucky
edition. I'm McKenzie spank.
>> Thank you, McKenzie. And
another topic. Environmental
groups are blasting a measure
that they say will harm
citizens who get their drinking
water from wells worsen.
Flooding risks and increase

(11:15):
water costs for everyone.
Senate Bill 89 which rolls back
protections for Kentucky's
navigable waterways by aligning
state regs with federal ones
will become law. Coal companies
tap. The measure has really
from burdensome state rules
that can hamper industry and
home construction. Most
Democrats side with the state
cabinet and environmental
groups who claim current
protections are working for

(11:36):
nearly a 3rd of Kentuckians who
rely on well, water while
Republicans maintain a rules
change is long overdue.
>> But a lot of us downstream.
Who have public water systems
that are filtered and treated
will be OK because we have
mechanisms in place in those
water treatment centers to take

(11:58):
care of that pollution. That is
going to be added upstream and
it'll be taken care of by those
treatment centers. But it's
going to cost more because
we're gonna have to treat those
waters. We're going to have
to add more chemicals because
there's going to be more
pollution before we can push it
back out to safely drink it
in our homes. It absolutely

(12:19):
makes no sense.
>> I challenge you to find an
eastern Kentuckyian that thanks
that the EPA hasn't done enough
to regulate anything in eastern
Kentucky. I made my baby in
water that comes the mine in
Fleming neon Kentucky. If I
thought for a second that we

(12:39):
were going to compromise the
water systems of eastern
Kentucky. I would be voting no,
but that's not what this bill
does. I'm ashamed these
environmental groups and
they're lying and fear tactics.
I don't blame the people at all
for what they're hearing.
And I'm sure that I'd be scared
about. We're told all these

(12:59):
lies that have been told.
But the truth of the matter
is, you're waters are
protected. Your waters are
protected. Felt if you look at
the definition of navigable
waters.
It includes virtually
everything but ditches and mud
put us of puddles. So if you
want to find some people who

(13:19):
think that we need to
take it easy on the regulations
go to eastern Kentucky where we
are suffering from the lack
of jobs from federal overreach
and tell me that federal
overreach doesn't go far
enough.
>> The House and Senate voted
to override the governor's veto
of Senate Bill 89 last night
and it will now become law.

(13:41):
While state lawmakers have been
busy reversing the governor's
rejection of almost 2 dozen
bills this week. Governor Andy
Beshear used to spend, though,
to endorse a number of bills
that includes the Senate's top
priority Bills. Senate Bill,
one, the bill establishes the
Kentucky film Office that will
help entice filmmakers to the
state and to promote growth

(14:02):
of the Kentucky's film
industry. A bill regulating
cannabis infused drinks is now
also law in Kentucky. Senate
bill 2 of 2 sets limits on
intoxicating ingredients and
directs the Department of
Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC
to regulate the growing
industry of have infused
beverages. The law also

(14:22):
temporarily extend certain
sales permissions while the
regulatory framework is
finalized and House Bill 2 away
was also signed into law this
week. It requires school
districts to adopt a policy
for cell phone use during
instructional time in the
classroom. The bill also
mandates schools must use an
Internet firewall to block
social media on school devices.

(14:42):
Supporters see the bill as a
positive step towards
increasing student learning
and decreasing bullying and
school.
The League of Women Voters of
Kentucky held one final rally
on the last day of the session
today to advocate for
legislative transparency, which
they say the lack thereof has
kept Kentuckians from fully
participating in the Democratic

(15:05):
process.
>> And to celebrate civic
engagement, I'm here because
too often than not Kentucky's
legislative session is anything
but open and accessible to the
people it serves, especially
its students.
>> For years, members of our

(15:26):
team have but it's high time.
We put the and possible for us
to us. And those are posted
us. And that's giving us a
little time to prepare.
And students from

(15:49):
across the state
we even get into an
altercation. The public.
>> Conservation. The record
means these
2 corrections.
>> A 24 hour freeze for the

(16:15):
record. The one which
♪
in turn for the upcoming
session. And we're talking.
>> And what he has carefully
documented reports. It's the
data that was that were sent to

(16:36):
>> One example in 1990, only
3% of the House bills that
became law is some sort of fast
track. The
new year.
>> That's not up to 37%.
In 2020.
In the Senate, just 2% of bills
passed in 1990, east fans try
to and 23% in 2024. No laws

(16:56):
without us about this isn't
just a slogan. It's a
fundamental principle of
democracy.
And school is ignored. It's
to Kentucky legislators.
>> In the legislative process,
more transparent, making it

(17:16):
work session and list of those
that are directly affected by
your decisions. And to my
fellow students don't let their
staff to KET showing a key test
of time and KET organized
because this democracy doesn't
just belong to those in office
belongs to us.
>> State lawmakers also voted
on more measures light today

(17:38):
and will update you on those
on Monday night's broadcast of
Kentucky Edition.
♪
♪
In Sports News, High School and
college hoops are back in

(17:59):
action heading into the
weekend. Kentucky is still
banned, saying hoping to make
it to the Elite 8 as a future.
Wildcat is making a name for
himself in the high school
arena. Our Lauren Rogers checks
in with the veteran
sportscaster D*** Gabriel at
the state tournament. As we go
inside tent hockey sports.

(18:23):
>> It is a big weekend for
boys. High school basketball.
Sweet 16 quarterfinals taking
place today. And there is a
notable team that is not in
play. That is Saint You were
just telling our Kelsey Stars a
couple of weeks ago with strong
team. They are. They've been
top ranked all season. So tell
us more about that big upset
Jefferson Town pulling that
off.
>> I'm going to say not only do
they lose, they lose from

(18:44):
another team from Greater
Louisville in J Town which used
to be in the 7th region, moved
into the 6 and had success.
They are coached by a gentleman
who works at GE Appliance part
works a 3rd ship over night and
by day is a basketball coach
and a pretty darn good one.
So, yeah, they take out the top
team in now. Probably the team
to beat is a team that plays

(19:05):
later tonight. Great crossing,
which Mr. Basketball Malachi
Moreno on it and they had a
huge crowd last night. He
played really well. So but
there have been a lot of great
games this year. We've all been
talking about that only one or
2 blowouts. All the rest of
them have been really highly
contested. It's been a lot of
fun.
>> It is. It's so much fun to
watch when those games are
close. Now, not really a close
game last night. Great crossing

(19:27):
with that decisive victory.
Elbert Davis County. Any big
takeaways from that game and
you consider them a new
favorite to win this whole
thing.
>> Now, I really do it because
of Malachi. Murray know the
biggest reason. But, you know,
he was just quietly awesome.
You know, any a good stats, not
great statute after the game,
he said I'd rather talk about
my teammates. It's a team game.

(19:48):
And to that end, he had 5
assists last night to go along
with all the points and all
the rebounds. But that's the
way they play. And I was
talking to the guy sitting next
to me. It broadcast a game of
got that one tonight on the
radio. But I said, you know,
they don't look at him on
offense very much. He can go
get it off the back board.
Of course. But the other guys
are capable of scoring as well.
He's got a teammate. Mitch
Dawson going the more it

(20:10):
stated, the one prospect.
So it's not just him. It's a
really good guy payment.
Got to the semifinals last
year. Disappointed not to win
it all. So, yeah, I think
they're the favorite.
>> And a lot of people are
watching Malachi, of course, 7
voter, as you said, Kentucky,
Mister Basketball. What the
areas that humbles there, it is
all about his teammates as
well. But yeah, he has been

(20:32):
I know a standout in the
tournament in a future Wildcat
is already signed to play with
the Cats next season. Yeah.
A lot of Kentucky fans are
showing up just to see him play
here. Yeah. And it was a little
bit in doubt. But I kind of had
the inside track on it because
my daughter teaches at his
school. She teaches special
needs kids.
>> Malachi and some of his
basketball team mates help her
with the special needs.
Children are grateful for that.

(20:54):
And she has met so many
recruiters, you know, through
the last couple of years, she
called me up and that the North
Carolina coach of the Indiana
coach one day she said I just
met Mark Pope. So I had a
pretty good idea that Malachi
was going to Kentucky.
>> Anneliese getting
comfortable man playing there
on the court at Rupp Arena
throughout the tournament.
So let's talk more about the
cat supports they take on

(21:16):
Tennessee tonight, hoping to
advance to the Elite 8. They've
already beaten Tennessee twice
this season. And I'll tell ya
deck what my dad used to always
say, which is hard. It's hard
to beat a team 3 times. Do you
echo that and what do you think
our guys chances of advancing
in the tournament?
>> Well, I use echo that fact,
right up until the point
earlier this week that a buddy
of mine texted me empirical

(21:40):
data information that said and
I don't know the breadth and
scope of this, but he but
basically said teams that have
won twice. Have a 72.0. 6 1%
chance of winning the 3rd time.
We'll see. It's it's
case-by-case, I know. But
here's what I do know.
Kentucky's plane defense better
now than it did during the 2
wins over Tennessee and the
first game, Tennessee helped by

(22:04):
jacking of 45, 3 pointers.
Now the ball's didn't do that.
The second game of Kentucky
still won. But since that
point, Kentucky is cracked up
its defensive intensity and
capabilities. And I like
Kentucky's defense against
Tennessee's offense more than
I like Tennessee's offense
versus Kentucky Derby. So I do
like Kentucky's chances at all.

(22:24):
I would feel like I can if I
talk too much about it.
>> But March Madness, anything
can happen. But one thing's for
certain it's going to be a fun
game to watch, right? So let's
talk women's college basketball
news from Morehead State this
week. They have a new leader
at the helm of that program.
Tell us more about her.

(22:44):
>> Ashton felt asked what a
name that into the state and
its coaches, her players said
in Syria play. But I gotta
think she plays the way the Fed
House family plays. And that is
head down nose to the
grindstone hard work
fundamentally sound there and
play that way. Kentucky's his
father played that way. Will he

(23:04):
play that with the all the felt
ounces? They have different
skill sets, but it all comes
down to the same thing. They
work their tails off, have a
feeling. That's what we will
see at more at stake. And so
on.
>> The Gabriel, thank you for
breaking it all down for as we
sure appreciate your time and
have an excellent weekend.
We know you have a lot of fun
games to watch.
>> Thanks so much.

(23:39):
>> As always, you have an
eclectic list of weekend
options from daffodils to oust
when you're not watching
basketball. That is our Toby
gives has more. And this look
at what's going on around the
Commonwealth.
♪
>> Starting tomorrow at the

(24:00):
Louisville Zoo is the safari
adventure. When you visit the
zoo through April 20th, you can
also challenge yourself with a
scavenger hunt special
challenges and trivia. Compete
for prizes are just have fun
and eggs. in a new way.
But you'll have a food at this
next event. The McCracken

(24:20):
County Public Library is
hosting discovered the world of
owls on Thursday. The live
birds and learn how to identify
the sights and sounds of owls
in your neighborhood.
This weekend is the mountain
mystical market in Morehead.
Check out the photography,
psychic readings, handcrafted
products and more. This roaming

(24:40):
metaphysical market is bringing
some magic to the mountains
starting tomorrow.
And taking it those the U.S.
won't want to miss the 58th
annual Bardstown and take show
starting next Friday. Unique
goods from all over the country
will be for sale, including
part jewelry, furniture and
more shot from over 50 antique
dealers at this great event.

(25:06):
Historic downtown. Bellevue
comes to life every first
Friday of the month and April's
of and is just around the
corner. Shops and restaurants
will be open later than usual
for a special sip and stroll
leaning check out the local
spots and start your weekend in
Bellevue.
Fireside Tales are on tap and

(25:27):
downtown Somerset this weekend
stopped by tap on main this
Sunday to hear live story
tellers whisking away with
urban legends, personal stories
and tales of adventure. Grab a
drink and enjoy a night of
community storytelling.
We're in the middle of daffodil
days at Middle Springs farm in
Paris. Scavenge for Easter

(25:48):
eggs. Take pictures in the
giant Easter basket and of
course, pick a lot. So
definitely this is the perfect
spring event for the whole
family. Don't miss out. And
that's what's happening around
the commonwealth. I'm told to
get yours.
>> Thank you as always. To
begins on Monday, we'll take a
trip north. We'll check out

(26:11):
Maysville as part of our
continuing series. We Call
Mondays on May. That takes you
to the great cities and towns
and counties all the ground
around our great commonwealth.
So what's happening in Mason
County? We'll find out Monday
night on Kentucky edition and
make sure you tune in Monday
night at 8 o'clock Eastern
because we will have a roundup
of the legislative session this

(26:32):
time around with legislative
leaders and others who will be
joining us to talk about what
happened this session and stick
around tonight, though, on
comment on Kentucky. Join Bill
Bryant and a panel of working
journalist as they review the
final days of the 2025.
Kentucky General Assembly
session, including the veto
overrides. Plus the change in
leadership at the University of

(26:52):
Louisville. That and more
tonight with Bill Bryant at
8 Eastern 7 central right here
on KET. We thank you so much
for joining us tonight. We'll
see you Monday night. You can
always connect with us on the
ways you see on your screen,
Facebook, Instagram and X,
formerly known as Twitter sign
up for email newsletters to see

(27:12):
what's going on at KTNV.
Look for Kentucky. Addition on
the PBS video app.
>> On your mobile device and
smart TV and send us a story
idea to public affairs at KET
Dot Org. Thanks very much for
watching. Have a great weekend
and I'll see you Monday night.
Take good care.
♪