February 10, 2025 • 26 mins
Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including the passage of a state income tax reduction by the legislature signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear. Guests: Austin Horn, Lexington Herald-Leader; Hannah Pinksi, Louisville Courier Journal; and Isaiah Kim-Martinez, WHAS11 in Louisville.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:01):
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:08):
ED KENTUCKY LEGISLATIVE
SESSION RESUMES AND QUICKLY
PASSES ANOTHER CUT TO THE STATE
INCOME TAX AND SIGNED INTO LAW.
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PUSH D.E.I.,
ABORTION, RENTAL REGULATION AND
JUNETEENTH AND OTHER TOPICS ARE
IN THE MIX IN FRANKFORT.
PAMELA STEVENSON FILES PAPERS TO
(00:30):
RAISE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FORA
U.S. SENATE RACE AND AS THEY
AWAIT A HINT FROM MITCH
McCONNELL.
THE EV BATTERY PLANTS NEAR
ELIZABETHTOWN REMAINS ON TRACK.
WE DEAL WITH WILD MID-WINTER
WEATHER AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON
KET.
[♪♪]
(00:55):
GOOD EVENING, I'M BILL BRYANT.
AND WE COME YOU TO "COMMENT ON
KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK AT AND
SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS
IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND THE GUESTS ON PANEL OF
WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS
TONIGHT ARE ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ,
SENIOR REPORTER FOR WHAS11 IN
LOUISVILLE.
HANNAH PINSKI, POLITICS REPORTER
(01:16):
FOR THE COURIER JOURNAL AND
AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER
FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD
LEADER.
ALSO TONIGHT, SENATOR RAND PAUL
WEIGHS IN ON TARIFFS AND OTHER
ISSUES.
UP FIRST, KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS
RESUMED THEIR 2025 SESSION THIS
WEEK.
REPUBLICAN SENATE PRESIDENT
ROBERT STIVERS TALKEDDED ABOUT
REACTING TO SOME OF THE NEW
(01:36):
POLICIES COMING FROM
WASHINGTON.
REPUBLICANS ALSO UNVEILED SOME
FAITH RELATED BILLS.
MINORITY DEMOCRATS UNVEILED AN
AMBITIOUS AGENDA INCLUDING AN
INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE.
BUT THE HEADLINE OF THE WEEK WAS
THE PASSAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN
PRIORITY OF AN INCOME TAX CUT
SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.
(01:57):
WHEN YOU STATE THAT YOU KNOW
IT'S INTERESTING, RIGHT?
WE'LL START OFF NO SURPRISE THAT
THE INCOME TAX CUT WAS PASSED
VERY QUICKLY.
THOUGH SOME LAWMAKERS INDICATE
THEY ARE BEGINNING TO GET
CAUTIOUS AFTER THIS CUT.
>> AND YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE,
BILL, THAT THAT IS GOING TO
(02:17):
CONTINUE.
WE SAW THE TAX REVENUE REPORT
LAST YEAR THAT DID CAUSE SOME
ATTENTION, MAYBE CONCERN FROM
FOLKS EVEN THE GOVERNOR IS LIKE
WHEN DO WE DRAW THE LINE HERE?
ULTIMATELY WE KNOW THEY ARE
COMMITTED TO THIS TO GET IT AS
CLOSE TO ZERO AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE.
YOU SEE OTHERTATES LIKE
(02:39):
TENNESSEE HAVE NO STATE INCOME
TAX THAT IS WHO THEY ARE
COMPETING WITH SPECIFICALLY FOR
JOBS AS THEY TRY TO GROW
ECONOMICALLY HERE.
POLITICS IS
INTERESTING.
BESHEAR SIGNED IT INTO LAW AND
MAKING THE TAX CUT LAW.
HE CALLED IT BIPARTISAN.
YOU KNOW, IS THAT A CONTINUING
SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION TO THE
(03:01):
REPUBLICANS WHO MADE THIS THEIR
PRIORITY TO ELIMINATE THE STATE
INCOME TAX A FEW YEARS AGO?
>>
>> YES, I THINK IT IS A
FRUSTRATION.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT FEELS
LIKE THE VOLUME IS JUST LIKE A
LITTLE LOWER THAN IT WAS BEFORE,
LIKE TWO YEARS AGO OR EVEN ONE
YEAR AGO.
YOU JUST GOT A REAL SENSE OF A
(03:22):
NASHING OF TEETH WHEN SOMETHING
LIKE THIS HAPPENED FAIRLY OR
UNFAIRLY.
BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIME HAS
PASSED AND I THINK REPUBLICANS
AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL HAVE COME
TO THE CONCLUSION THAT ONE, THIS
IT DOESN'T REALLY WORK TOO
MUCH.
HE'S STILL A VERY POPULAR
GOVERNOR BY PRETTY MUCH ALL
(03:43):
METRICS THE MOST POPULAR
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN THIS
STATE.
AND TWO, THERE'S NOT ALL THAT
MUCH UTILITY IN IT ANYMORE.
BECAUSE HE'S NOT BY ALL ACCOUNTS
GOING TO RUN FOR SOMETHING IN
KENTUCKY IN THE IMMINENT
FUTURE.
I THINK BESHEAR IS TALKING TO AN
AUDIENCE OF KENTUCKIANS AND ALSO
POTENTIALLY A NATIONAL AUDIENCE
(04:04):
FOR FUTURE PLANS.
BUT REPUBLICANS SORT OF
CULTIVATING A DIFFERENT AUDIENCE
AT THE SAME TIME.
SO THEY ARE KIND OF --
THERE'S JUST NOT AS MUCH
FRICTION BETWEEN THE TWO.
>> AND YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE THEY
ARE MORE FOCUSED THE SENATE AND
HOUSE LEADERSHIP THEY ARE
LOOKING AT FILLING A SENATE SEAT
IN 2026.
(04:25):
THEY KNOW OR AT LEAST THEY FEEL
CONFIDENT THAT THE NEXT GOVERNOR
THEY WILL HAVE A BETTER SHOT
THAT IS A REPUBLICAN.
THEY ARE LEAVE TO GO MORE MY
SENSE IS TO THE PARTY REPUBLICAN
PARTY OF KENTUCKY TO SORT OF TRY
TO POKE HOLES IN BESHEAR'S
RESUME, POTENTIALLY LOOKING AT A
2028 RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
THERE WAS A CRITICISM
OF HIS TRIP TO EUROPE WHERE HE
(04:46):
MET WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AND
TALKED ABOUT KENTUCKY.
IN FACT, THERE WAS A BILL FILED
IN RESPONSE TO THAT TRIP.
>> YEAH.
HE HAD A FRESHMAN LEGISLATOR TJ
ROBERTS FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY
USE HIS LEGAL PROWESS HE IS AN
ATTORNEY HE FILED AN OPEN
RECORDS REQUEST AND GOT RECORDS
HOW MUCH BESHEAR'S TRIP TO THE
(05:08):
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM COST.
THEY BUDGETED AROUND 80K
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND HE REALLY, I THINK IT WORKED
OUT FOR BOTH PARTIES IN A WEIRD
WAY.
BECAUSE TJ ROBERTS GOT TO GAIN
NOTORIETY AS A FRESHMAN
LEGISLATOR AND GET THE NEWS HITS
AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA LIKES.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BESHEAR, I
THINK, REPRESENTATIVE OF HIS
(05:30):
MOOD AND HOW HE TREATS THIS
CRITICISM, HE JUST FLIPPED IT
BACK ON ROBERTS AND TO QUOTE A
GREAT POP STAR SAID BASICALLY
WHY ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH
ME?
WAS THE LINE.
WILL THE REPUBLICANS BE
ABLE TO CALL THIS SESSION A
(05:50):
SUCCESS IF THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE
THE TAX CUT BE SEEN AS THE
HIGHLIGHT OF THE 2025?
>> I THINK SO, BILL.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT
STIVERS HAS TOLD A LOT OF US
THIS IS A REACTIVE SESSION NOT A
PROACTIVE SESSION.
THERE IS A LOT HAPPENING
FEDERALLY WHEN IT COMES TO
I.C.E. DIRECTIVES WHAT IS GOING
(06:12):
TO HAPPEN WITH THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE
TARIFFS HANGING OVER THE ENTIRE
COUNTRY.
THE REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY IN
LEADERSHIP ARE LOOKING AT THIS
HOW DO WE SORT OF APPROACH
MOVING FORWARD AS FAR AS WHAT
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING
TO REQUIRE OF THE STATE.
SO THERE'S SORT OF WAITING ON
THAT BEFORE THEY REALLY GO INTO
SOME OF THESE OTHER ISSUES THAT
(06:32):
MAYBE THEY WOULD HAVE IN PAST
SESSIONS.
BUT D.E.I., THAT IS GOING TO
COME AROUND THE CORNER.
IT'S INTERESTING THAT
IT'S BUSY IN BOTH CAPITOLS AND
YET THERE ARE INTERSECTIONS AS
WELL.
HANNAH, REQUIRING THE 10 COMMAND
MEANTS TO BE POSTED IN SCHOOLS
IS ONE OF THE RELIGIOUS ORIENTED
BILLS FILED.
YOU DID A PIECE AND LOOKED AT
(06:53):
ALL OF THAT.
>> YEAH THERE ARE TWO BILLS
FILEDDED IN HOUSE FILED BY
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES ONE
REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO
POST THE 10 COMMAND MEANTS IN
EVERY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY CLASSROOM AND ANOTHER
BILLETS SCHOOL BOARDS TO POST
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS IN ANY
(07:13):
SCHOOL BUILDING, CLASSROOM OR
EVENTED.
SENATE SIDE, ROLLINGS FILED A
BILL THAT WOULD LET PRIVATE
INDIVIDUALS SUE THE GOVERNMENT
FOR VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS
RIGHTS.
THIS DOESN'T COME AS A SURPRISE
THAT HE FILED THIS.
WHEN HE WAS A REPRESENTATIVE IN
THE HOUSE LAST YEAR, HE FILED A
HOUSE BILL THAT WOULD LET
PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS SUE ONE
(07:34):
ANOTHER OVER RELIGIOUS.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW FAR THIS
BILL GOES THIS YEAR.
A LOT TO WATCH IN THOSE
SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE PIECES OF
LEGISLATION OUT THERE.
SENATOR McDANIEL IS PUSHING
HARD FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT THAT THE VOTERS WOULD
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPROVE
OR REJECT.
(07:55):
IT WOULD SUBJECT STAN STHALLY
CURTAIL A GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO
PARDON IN THE LAST WEEK'S IN
OFFICE.
>> THE POWER TO PARDON ALLOWS
ONE PERSON TO OVERRIDE THE
JUDGMENT OF A POLICE OFFICER, A
PROCESS KUFOUR, A GRAND JURY,
JURY, JUDGE AND APPELLATE COURTS
AND IN SEVERAL OF THOSE CASES
THE SUPREME COURT.
AND IMPOSE HIS OR HER UNILATERAL
OPINION UPON THE SCALES OF
(08:17):
JUSTICE.
IS THAT.
ISAIAH THIS HARKENS
BACK TO THE PARDONS ISSUED BY
FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN IN
LATE 2019.
>> AND IT GOT CRITICISM ON BOTH
SIDES OF THE AISLE, BILL.
WE REMEMBER THAT AND WE REMEMBER
HOW MUCH THAT BECAME A
CONTENTIOUS ISSUE AND WITH THE
URINE GOVERNOR IN HIS REELECTION
(08:37):
BID WE KNOW THE CHALLENGER THEN
ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON
USED SOME OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S
PARDONS AGAINST HIM IN A LOT OF
THE ADS SPOKE TO SOME OF THE
CRIMINAL HISTORIES OF SOME WHO
HAD LEFT PRISON.
SO THIS IS ESSENTIALLY SOMETHING
WE'LL SEE ON BOTH SIDES
GOVERNORS MOVING FORWARD.
(09:00):
THE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS CAN ONLY APPEAR ON A
BALLOT IN AN EVEN NUMBERED YEAR
SO THIS WOULD BE NEXT YEAR AND
THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT HAD A
GOOD TRACK RECORD OF
SUCCESSFULLY PUTTING AMENDMENTS
BEFORE THE PEOPLE.
>> YEAH.
I MEAN, YOU PUT IT CORRECTLY.
THEY'VE GONE PRETTY MUCH O FER
(09:20):
ON SUBSTANTIVE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS THERE WAS ONE LAST
YEAR THEY PASSED ON NONCITIZEN
VOTING THAT DIDN'T REALLY MATTER
MUCH.
BUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT LAST
YEAR THE BIG ONE WAS SCHOOL
CHOICE IN 2022 THE BIG ONE WAS
ANTIABORTION AMENDMENT.
BOTH LOST PRETTY EASILY.
SCHOOL CHOICE ESPECIALLY.
(09:40):
REPUBLICANS ARE GENERALLY
HESITANT TO PUT THINGS PACK ON
THE BALLOT HAVING SAID THAT, YOU
KNOW McDANIEL HAS A LOT OF
INFLUENCE HE PASSED THIS BILL
OUT OF THE SENATE B AND HE'S GOT
THE EXTRA INVESTIGATOR NOW OF
CRITICISM OF JOE BIDEN'S PARDONS
WHICH HE MENTIONED ON THE FLOOR
TODAY.
SO, I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE YOU
(10:02):
COULD SEE THIS CROSS THE FINISH
LINE AND MAKE WILL BALLOT 2026.
REPUBLICAN
REPRESENTATIVE KEN FLEMING HAS A
BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE
EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S BAN ON
ABORTION IN CASES OF RAPE OR
INCEST IT IS AWAITING ACTION IN
A COMMITTEE AND IT IS ONE OF
SEVERAL ABORTION RELATED BILLS,
(10:22):
HAND.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DPLEMMINGS'
BILL THAT IS SPONSORED BY TWO
OTHER HOUSE ANDS ARE IT WOULD
ALLOW ABORTIONS.
RAPE OR INCEST WITHIN SIX WEEKS
OF PREGNANCY.
WE HAVE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR YATES
FILED A BILL ADDING EXCEPTIONS
BUT THAT IS FOR RAPE AND INCEST
IN CASES OF FEET TALL
(10:43):
ANOMALIES.
IT'S IMPORTANT THESE WILL BE
DIFFICULT TO PASS.
LAST YEAR YATES FILED THE SAME
BILL AND IT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO A
COMMITTEE HEARING.
THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WILL
GET A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT IS
VERY LITTLE TO NONE TO ME.
>> LET'S READ BETWEEN THE
LINES.
WE'RE ALSO SEEING AT THE SAME
TIME A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE
(11:04):
ABORTION MEDICATION TO SOME
DEGREE MEDICATION ABORTION
ILLEGAL IN THE STATE.
SO THIS IS REALLY A PRIORITY FOR
REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY.
WHY WOULD THESE BILLS BE FILED
AT THE SAME TIME?
THEIR CAUCUS OPERATES BETTER
THAN THAT.
I THINK YOU ALMOST HAVE TO SEE
BEYOND THAT AND WHAT CROSSES THE
FINISH LINE WHAT GETS A
COMMITTEE HEARING WILL SHOW WHAT
(11:24):
THE PRIORITIES ARE.
>> AND ONE THING YOU HEAR FROM
REPUBLICANS WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT
THIS, AND HONESTLY THINK THEY'D
LIKE TO GET BAILED OUT A LITTLE
BIT BY THE COURTS ON THIS ISSUE,
YOU HEAR SOMETIMES THAT THERE
MIGHT BE A JUDICIAL REMEDY
SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE IN ONE
OF THESE LAWSUITS AGAINST THE
LAW.
(11:44):
AND THEY KNOW THIS IS
UNPOPULAR.
AND I THINK THEY WOULD LIKE A
COURT TO STEP IN.
FRANKLY.
>> R.
IT IS A DIFFICULT
DISCUSSION.
WELL, HOUSING AND SHORT-TERM
RENTAL ISSUES HAVE MADE THEIR
WAY FROM CITY HALLS AND
COURTHOUSES TO THE STATE CAPITOL
NOW.
ISAIAH THERE ARE BILLS CALLING
FOR MORE REGULATION, MORE
(12:05):
ABILITY FOR THE CITIES AND
COUNTIES TO HAVE RULES.
BUT THEN THERE'S HOUSE BILL 173
THAT WOULD PROHIBIT ANY LOCAL
GOVERNMENT IN KENTUCKY FROM
KEEPING A REGISTRY OF LANDLORDS
OR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS
FOR ANY PURPOSE AND OTHER BILLS
AS WELL.
>> SURE.
I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW IN
LOUISVILLE WE DO HAVE A RENTAL
REGISTRY OF SORTS ONE THAT THE
(12:25):
MAYOR TOUTED I BELIEVE IT WAS
ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
ESSENTIALLY TO HOLD LANDLORDS
ACCOUNTABLE IN A LOT OF CASES WE
HAVE MANY RUNDOWN FACILITIES IN
LOUISVILLE WHERE FOLKS ARE
UNHAPPY WITH CONDITIONS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU
SEE GO ALONG PARTY LINES.
REPUBLICANS IN GENERAL SORT OF
WANT TO EMPOWER LANDLORDS
(12:46):
PROPERTY OWNERS, KEEP GOVERNMENT
OUT OF THEIR BUSINESS.
AND THEN YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS FEEL
LIKE HEY IF YOU ARE NOT DOING
WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE
DOING WHERE DO WE STEP IN.
IT IS INTERESTING THE
BILLS THAT START AS LOCAL
ISSUES, THAT ARE FINDING THEIR
WAY TO FRANKFORT AND OTHERS THE
STREET RACING BILL THAT COULD
ADD PENALTIES AND THAT IS
SPONSORED BY A LOUISVILLE AREA
(13:07):
HOUSE MEMBER.
THAT'S ALREADY A CITY ORDINANCE
IN METRO LOUISVILLE, RIGHT?
>> IT IS THAT IS THE
HEAD-SCRATCHER HERE.
WE WERE LOOKING FOR CAR
CRUSHING, WE GOT FINES.
AND LOUISVILLE ALREADY HAS
FINES.
YOU ASK YOURSELF OKAY IF THIS
BILL DOESN'T ADD ANYTHING TO
LOUISVILLE IS THIS A STATE-WIDE
CODIFY THAT ACROSS KENTUCKY?
(13:29):
WHICH WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE
BECAUSE THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO
FILED IT IS FROM LOUISVILLE.
I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THIS
WAS JASON'S BABY HE HAS BEEN
WANTING TO PUSH THIS FOR A
WHILE.
MAYBE THERE WAS EFFORT TO MAKE
THIS APPEAR OR SHOW AS
BIPARTISAN, RIGHT YOU HAVE TWO
PEOPLE FROM LOUISVILLE AGREE ON
(13:50):
SOMETHING BUT SOMETHING GOT LOST
IN TRANSLATION.
CAR CRUSH THE CAR ON A SECOND
OFFENSE DID NOT MAKE IT INTO THE
BILL.
ALTHOUGH I'M TOLD NEXT WEEK THAT
THAT WILL BE FIXEDED FER AND
REFILED.
>> .
DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO
IDENTIFY TOPICS THAT THEY
BELIEVE CAN GAIN TRACTION AND
(14:12):
SENATE MINORITY LEADER IS
PUSHING TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A
STATE HOLIDAY.
>> WE'RE GOING TO PUSH FOR
JUNETEENTH EVERY TIME I'M HERE
THAT IS FOR SURE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO
NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE JUNETEENTH,
BUT ALSO THAT IT RISES TO THE
STATUS OF OTHER EXCEPTIONS IN
TERMS HOW WE DEAL WITH OUR
(14:32):
WORKFORCE AND HOW WE ALLOW THEM
TO CELEBRATE AS WELL.
WE WILL BE PUSHING FOR THAT AS
WELL.
AUSTIN, JUNETEENTH HAS
BEEN A FEDERAL HOLIDAY SINCE
2021 BUT ATTEMPTS TO PASS IT IN
KENTUCKY HAVE FAILED?
>> YEAH.
IT DOESN'T HAVE A GREAT TRACK
RECORD LEGISLATIVELY.
IT CERTAINLY GOT A LOT OF
SUPPORT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE
(14:54):
AND GERALD NEAL IS SOMEBODY WHO
CAN WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.
HE HAS A GOOD WORKING
RELATIONSHIP WITH ROBERT
STIVERS.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU I
THINK EFFORTS AROUND THIS
HOLIDAY FAIRLY OR UNFAIRLY GET
LUMPED IN WITH D.E.I.,
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
WHICH IS A BIG --
A THING THAT REPUBLICANS
(15:16):
PARTICULARLY NEW WAVE
REPUBLICANS LIKE ELON MUSK'S OF
THE WORLD, REALLY, REALLY DON'T
LIKE.
AND I THINK REPUBLICANS JUST
KIND OF A LOT OF THEM LUMP IT
TOGETHER WITH D.E.I.
SO IT'S HARD TO SEE AN 80%
REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY OR
REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED CHAMBER IN
(15:36):
THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PASS
THIS BILL.
BUT NEVER SAY NEVER WITH
SOMEBODY LIKE GERALD NEAL.
AND STATE GOVERNMENT
USUALLY DOES OBSERVE IT UNDER
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BECAUSE
GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS DONE IT BY
EXECUTIVE ORDER THE LAST FEW
YEARS WE'LL WATCH THAT.
THERE IS A PROPOSED
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FROM
THE DEMOCRATS NOTING THEIR SMALL
(15:59):
MINORITY STAT TO US LEGALIZE
POSSESSION OF AN OUNCE OR LESS
OF MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL
USE.
LOUISVILLE SENATOR YATES, AND
CULL CARNEY HOPE TO GET THAT ON
THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR.
>> AND THIS IS NOT ANYTHING NEW
THEY HAVE TRIED TO THIS IN
PREVIOUS YEARS T WOULD BE ON THE
2026 BALLOT AND WHEN I SPOKE TO
(16:21):
YATES ABOUT THIS HE SAID
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA CAN BE
TRANSFORMATION FOR KENTUCKY
PARTICULARLY IN THE ECONOMIC
SECTOR BUT THE LIKELIHOOD THAT
IT PASSES IN THE SENATE VERY
LITTLE TO NONE.
MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER TOLD ME
IT'S UNLIKELY THERE'S
SIGNIFICANT APPETITE WITHIN THE
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND LISTED
THAT ONE THE KENTUCKY MEDICAL
CANNABIS PROGRAM HAS JUST
(16:42):
STARTED AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO
SEE HOW THAT GOES.
AND TWO, THE POTENTIAL HEALTH
EFFECTS OF RECREATIONAL
MARIJUANA IS SOMETHING THEY ARE
WARY OF.
>> ON THAT POINT I'M CURIOUS TO
KNOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA RELATED
HOUSE DEMOCRATS SORT OF WANT TO
AMEND THE CURRENT STATUTE TO
ALLOW MORE CONDITIONS TO
QUALIFY.
(17:02):
I'M WONDERING ON MAX WISE'S
POINT WOULD THAT BE SOMETHING
THEY WOULD HAVE APPETITE FOR NOW
THAT THAT PROGRAM IS GETTING
RUNNING?
OR A NONSTARTER ACROSS THE
BOARD.
OR DO THEY RUN INTO THE
SLIPPERY SLOPE ARGUMENT THAT THE
OPPONENTS WERE MAKING IN THE
BEGINNING.
>> THAT IS A FAIR POINT.
AUSTIN, THE SENATE
CAUCUS CHAIR THOMAS PUSHING HARD
(17:23):
AGAIN FOR AN INCREASE IN
KENTUCKY'S MINIMUM WAGE.
IT'S BEEN 7.25 AN HOUR SINCE
2009.
>> YES, I THINK IF YOU PUT THE
QUESTION OF JUST MERELY
INCREASING THAT TO MOST
KENTUCKIANS THEY WOULD PROBABLY
AGREE.
I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING OUT ON
A LIMB TO SAY.
HAVING SAID THAT, SOMEBODY ASKED
(17:44):
SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS ABOUT
THIS AND HE PRETTY MUCH PUT DOWN
THE IDEA.
AND CORRECTLY POINTED OUT THAT
YOU REALLY CAN'T HIRE ANYBODY
WHO IS NOT IN LIKE A TIP-BASED
INDUSTRY FOR LESS THAN SAY 12 OR
$13 AN HOUR ANYWAY.
SO WHY CHANGE THE LAW.
(18:05):
AND IT'S WORTH POINTING OUT THE
KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS
HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL ON ISSUES
RELATING TO WAGES AND BUSINESS
IN GENERAL.
AND THIS IS JUST NOT A PRIORITY
FOR THEM.
SO, IT'S HARD TO FORECAST
POSITIVELY FOR THIS BILL, WHICH
IS BACKED BY A DEMOCRAT IN
(18:26):
REGGIE THOMAS.
WE COULD SEE MORE BILLS
FILED AND MORE DISCUSSIONS THE
LAST DAY TO FILE A BILL IN THE
SENATE IS FEBRUARY 18TH AND IN
THE HOUSE IT'S FEBRUARY 19TH.
IN WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY'S SENIOR
SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL FELL
ON STAIRS THIS WEEK AT THE
CAPITOL.
HE SAID TO BE OKAY BUT HAS BEEN
MAKING USE OF A WHEELCHAIR FOR
SAFETY.
(18:47):
AND AUSTIN, THIS APPARENTLY A
MUCH LESS SERIOUS THAN THE
PREVIOUS FALL HE HAD IN 2023 IN
WHICH HE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION.
OBVIOUSLY HE GOT UP AND WENT ON
ABOUT HIS WAY THIS WEEK.
>> THE 2023 INCIDENT, I THINK IS
THE ONE THAT KICKED OFF THE SORT
OF SERIOUS HEALTH INCIDENTS THAT
MITCH McCONNELL HAS HAD.
HE HAS HAD A COUPLE HIGH PROFILE
(19:10):
FREEZE UPS IN FRONT OF CAMERAS.
BUT THIS TIME, HE AS YOU POINTED
OUT, IT DIDN'T SEEM AS SERIOUS
AND HE GOT UP FAIRLY QUICKLY.
THAT SAID, IT HAS KIND OF CAUSED
A LOST CONSTERNATION IN
POLITICAL CIRCLES.
McCONNELL IS 82 YEARS OLD.
HE IS UP FOR REELECTION IN 2026
(19:30):
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ASKING
THE QUESTION, NOT NECESSARILY IS
HE FIT TO SERVE UNTIL 2026 BUT
MORE WOULD HE RUN FOR ANOTHER
SIX-YEAR TERM COME THAT YEAR.
AND THAT IS A QUESTION WE DON'T
HAVE AN ANSWER FOR.
HE HAS NOT ANSWERED
YET.
AND IT WOULD BE AN EIGHTH TERM
POTENTIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
(19:50):
HAS EMERGED.
PAMELA STEVENSON FILED THE
PAPERWORK TO RAISE MONEY FOR A
U.S. SENATE RACE.
>> QUICK, I WANT TO CLARIFY I
SAID FILL A SENATE SEAT THAT IS
NOT CURRENTLY OPEN.
OBVIOUSLY MITCH McCONNELL
WOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE NOT TO RUN
AGAIN.
PAMELA STEVENSON IT IS
INTERESTING THE LAST LOUISVILLE
(20:11):
DEMOCRAT THAT TRIED TO CHALLENGE
OR BACK THEN, A CURRENT U.S.
SENATOR RAND PAUL WAS CHARLES
BOOKER WHO CAME FROM
LOUISVILLE.
FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE.
SAME DISTRICT AS PAMELA
STEVENSON IT DID NOT WORKOUT FOR
HIM.
WE KNOW HOW HARD IT IS FOR
DEMOCRATS TO WIN A SENATE SEAT
IN KENTUCKY.
AUSTIN WAS TALKING ABOUT WHY NOT
(20:33):
RUN FOR LOUISVILLE MAYOR AND
BOOKER WAS ASKED THE SAME
THING.
SHE RAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
WE'LL SEE WHAT THE END GOAL HERE
IS BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH
ROAD.
THE REPUBLICANS ARE
WATCHING FOR THAT SIGNAL FROM
McCONNELL?
>> I THINK SO, LIKE ISAIAH SAID
IT'S HARD TO CALL THIS OTHER
THAN AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR A
(20:55):
DEMOCRAT.
REPUBLICANS THERE'S A LOT OF
CHATTER AROUND WHO MAY OR MAY
NOT STICK THEIR NECK OUT TO
RUN.
I DON'T THINK WE'LL SEE A LOT OF
PEOPLE STICK THEIR NECK OUT
BEFORE McCONNELL DECIDES.
WE MIGHT SEE ONE, THOUGH.
AND I'M TALKING ABOUT NATE
MORRIS WHO IS A RELATIVE UNKNOWN
RIGHT NOW.
HE IS AN ENTREPRENEUR WHO IS
BASED IN LEXINGTON.
(21:15):
HE FOUNDED RUBICON, THE UBER FOR
TRASH.
BUT HE IS ONE OF THREE NAMES YOU
HEAR WHEN YOU TALK TO
REPUBLICANS ABOUT 2026.
AND THE OTHER TWO ARE NAMES THAT
PEOPLE KNOW.
THAT IS DANIEL CAMERON FORMER
ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO RAN FOR
GOVERNOR AGAINST BESHEAR.
AND THEN ANDY BARR THE SIXTH
DISTRICT CONGRESSALITY REP HERE
(21:37):
IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY FOR A
LONGTIME.
THOSE ARE THE THREE TO WATCH ON
THE G.O.P. SIDE.
AND OF COURSE ANY OF
THAT HAPPENED IT WOULD CREATE
CHURN IN THE HOUSE SEATS.
>> LOTS OF DOMINOES.
A LOT TO WATCH ON
THAT.
THERE WAS TALK ABOUT TARIFFS
THIS WEEK.
SENATOR RAND PAUL OPPOSES
TARIFFS THEY ARE TAXES HE DID
(21:57):
ACKNOWLEDGE WITH ME THAT
PRESIDENT TRUMP DID GET
CONCESSIONS WITH THE THREAT OF
TARIFFS.
SENATOR McCONNELL WAS ON 60
MINUTES JAI ALAI VISIBLE
INTERVIEW, HE ALSO CRITICIZED
THE USE OF TARIFFS.
SO THE KENTUCKY SENATORS DON'T
LIKE THE IDEA OF ACTUALLY
IMPLEMENTING THEM, BUT THEY DO
REALIZE THAT TRUMP MAY HAVE BEEN
(22:18):
EFFECTIVE EARLY ON WITH THE
THREATS.
>> CALLED IT A GAME OF CHICKEN
AND HE WON TWICE, MEXICO,
CANADA.
LONG-TERM THE QUESTION IS WHAT
IS GOING --
ONCE WE GET TO THE 30-DAY MARK
WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK
LIKE.
THE EU TARIFF DEADLINE WOULD
COME BACK INTO THE FOLD 50%
(22:38):
TARIFFS ON ANY IMPORTS FROM THE
EU.
THERE WOULD BE RETALIATORY
TARIFF THERE IS TOO.
AMERICAN WHISKEY WOULD TAKE A
HIT THAT IS WHAT THE
DISTILLERIES ARE LOOKING AT IS
MARCH 31.
ALL RIGHT.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THIS WEEK
THAT THE BLUE OVAL SK BATTERY
PLANTED REMAINS ON TRACK HE DOES
NOT THINK THAT SHIFTING EV
(23:00):
POLICIES FROM WASHINGTON WILL BE
A MAJOR HURDLE.
>> I BELIEVE THAT THE BLUE OVAL
PROJECT IS MOVING FORWARD.
IT HAS AN ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT
WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION CAN'T
CHANGE CONTRACTS EVEN THOUGH
THEY SENT US SOMETHING TO ONE OF
OUR CABINETS SAYING THEY BELIEVE
THEY CAN UNILATERALLY CHANGE THE
(23:22):
TERMS OF ANY EXISTING CONTRACT
OR GRANT AGREEMENT.
TRUST ME THAT IS NOT
CONSTITUTIONAL OR LEGAL.
EV'S ARE THE FUTURE.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MIGHT
IMPACT THE TIMING OF HOW FAST
THAT FUTURE GETS HERE BUT A LOT
OF PEOPLE TRIED TO FIGHT THE
FUTURE AND NO ONE HAS EVER WON.
SO, AGAIN, BESHEAR'S
(23:43):
BULLISH ON SAYING THAT PLANT
WILL BE COMPLETED AND WILL GO
INTO OPERATION.
>> I BELIEVE THEY CLOSED ON A
LOAN WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY MULTIPLE BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS FOR THE PROJECT IN
DECEMBER RIGHT BEFORE THE
TRANSITION TO THE NEW
ADMINISTRATION.
SO THE MONEY THERE IS SOLID.
IT IS JUST A QUESTION OF DOES
THAT SECOND PLANT IN THE BEGIN
(24:04):
BATTERY PLANT GET FIRED UP SOON
AND WHAT DO FUTURE INVESTMENTS
LOOK LIKE?
>> SALES GROWTH WHEN IT COME TO
EV IS NOT WHAT AUTOMAKERS WANTED
IT TO BE.
THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT
TIMING.
WE HAVE TO SAY IT.
EV TAX CREDITS IF THOSE ARE OUT
THE DOOR, LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP
HAS PUSHED FOR, I'VE HAD FOLKS
TELL ME THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT
(24:25):
EV.
SO WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN THE
FUTURE.
THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE
OF KENTUCKIANS HAVING QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE PRIORITY CHANGES
WITHIN THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
AND HOW THEY WILL PLAY OUT.
>> SO WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THE
EFFECTS AND IMPACT OF THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION IN KENTUCKY TO
START OFF, TRUMP HAS SAID HE
WANTS TO CUT DOWN THE SIZE OF
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
(24:46):
DOZENS OF U.S. FOREST EMPLOYEES
SERVING DANIEL BOON NATIONAL
FOREST RECEIVED PROBATIONARY
STATUS THOSE INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO
WORK IN TRAIL MAINTENANCE,
VISITOR INFORMATION AND THE
EXECUTIVE ORDERS HE SIGNED HAS
IMPACTED A COUPLE OF GROUPS
PARTICULARLY THE KENTUCKY
REFUGEE MINISTRIES WITH THE
EXECUTIVE ORDER HE SIGNED
(25:08):
SUSPENDING THE RESETTLEMENT
PROGRAMS AND THE KENTUCKY EQUAL
JUSTICE CENTER WHO SHUT DOWN
OPERATIONS DUE TO LACK OF
FUNDING.
YOU DID REPORTING ON
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND THE I.C.E. ACTIVITY
THERE.
>> SURE.
BOARD CHAIR TOLD ME THERE ARE
STUDENTS THAT HAVE NOT RETURNED
(25:28):
FROM WINTER BREAK BECAUSE OF
PRESIDENT TRUMP RETURNING TO THE
WHITE HOUSE.
JCPS TELLS US THERE HAVE BEEN NO
I.C.E. VISITS YET BUT ALMOST THE
ANXIETY OF IT FOR SOME STUDENTS
AND FAMILIES ARE HAVING AN
IMPACT.
WE SPOKE WITH ONE TEACHER SAYING
ONE OF HER STUDENTS SELF
DEPORTED TO MEXICO HERE
RECENTLY.
NO EEUTS ACTIVITY BUT
(25:49):
THEY ANTICIPATE.
>> RIGHT.
AND A LOT OF IT IS THE IMPACT.
>> THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL
ANNOUNCED THE 60TH DESTINATION,
27 OF THE 120 COUNTIES HAVE A
PLACE ON THE TRAIL.
AN IMPACT STUDY FROM THE
INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES INDICATING THOSE 18
INSTITUTIONS CONTRIBUTE MORE
THAN $2 BILLION TO THE STATE'S
(26:11):
ECONOMY.
READERS OF THE LEXINGTON HERALD
LEADER REMEMBER A BARRIER
BREAKING JOURNALIST WHO DIED.
VANESS DA GALLEDMAN WAS
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR AND
APPEARED ON COMMENT HERE.
SHE AND HER TEAM TACKLED
SUBJECTS LIKE LEXINGTON'S
FAIRNESS ORDINANCE, A SMOKING
BAN, OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS.
SHE WAS A PIONEER IN BLACK
(26:32):
JOURNALIST WHO CLIMBED THE RANKS
TO WASHINGTON AND WORKED IN
LEXINGTON WHERE SHE CALLED IT A
DREAM.
SHE WAS 71.
THAT IS COMMENT.
HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:08):
ED KENTUCKY LEGISLATIVE
SESSION RESUMES AND QUICKLY
PASSES ANOTHER CUT TO THE STATE
INCOME TAX AND SIGNED INTO LAW.
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PUSH D.E.I.,
ABORTION, RENTAL REGULATION AND
JUNETEENTH AND OTHER TOPICS ARE
IN THE MIX IN FRANKFORT.
PAMELA STEVENSON FILES PAPERS TO
(00:30):
RAISE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FORA
U.S. SENATE RACE AND AS THEY
AWAIT A HINT FROM MITCH
McCONNELL.
THE EV BATTERY PLANTS NEAR
ELIZABETHTOWN REMAINS ON TRACK.
WE DEAL WITH WILD MID-WINTER
WEATHER AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON
KET.
[♪♪]
(00:55):
GOOD EVENING, I'M BILL BRYANT.
AND WE COME YOU TO "COMMENT ON
KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK AT AND
SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS
IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND THE GUESTS ON PANEL OF
WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS
TONIGHT ARE ISAIAH KIM-MARTINEZ,
SENIOR REPORTER FOR WHAS11 IN
LOUISVILLE.
HANNAH PINSKI, POLITICS REPORTER
(01:16):
FOR THE COURIER JOURNAL AND
AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER
FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD
LEADER.
ALSO TONIGHT, SENATOR RAND PAUL
WEIGHS IN ON TARIFFS AND OTHER
ISSUES.
UP FIRST, KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS
RESUMED THEIR 2025 SESSION THIS
WEEK.
REPUBLICAN SENATE PRESIDENT
ROBERT STIVERS TALKEDDED ABOUT
REACTING TO SOME OF THE NEW
(01:36):
POLICIES COMING FROM
WASHINGTON.
REPUBLICANS ALSO UNVEILED SOME
FAITH RELATED BILLS.
MINORITY DEMOCRATS UNVEILED AN
AMBITIOUS AGENDA INCLUDING AN
INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE.
BUT THE HEADLINE OF THE WEEK WAS
THE PASSAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN
PRIORITY OF AN INCOME TAX CUT
SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.
(01:57):
WHEN YOU STATE THAT YOU KNOW
IT'S INTERESTING, RIGHT?
WE'LL START OFF NO SURPRISE THAT
THE INCOME TAX CUT WAS PASSED
VERY QUICKLY.
THOUGH SOME LAWMAKERS INDICATE
THEY ARE BEGINNING TO GET
CAUTIOUS AFTER THIS CUT.
>> AND YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE,
BILL, THAT THAT IS GOING TO
(02:17):
CONTINUE.
WE SAW THE TAX REVENUE REPORT
LAST YEAR THAT DID CAUSE SOME
ATTENTION, MAYBE CONCERN FROM
FOLKS EVEN THE GOVERNOR IS LIKE
WHEN DO WE DRAW THE LINE HERE?
ULTIMATELY WE KNOW THEY ARE
COMMITTED TO THIS TO GET IT AS
CLOSE TO ZERO AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE.
YOU SEE OTHERTATES LIKE
(02:39):
TENNESSEE HAVE NO STATE INCOME
TAX THAT IS WHO THEY ARE
COMPETING WITH SPECIFICALLY FOR
JOBS AS THEY TRY TO GROW
ECONOMICALLY HERE.
POLITICS IS
INTERESTING.
BESHEAR SIGNED IT INTO LAW AND
MAKING THE TAX CUT LAW.
HE CALLED IT BIPARTISAN.
YOU KNOW, IS THAT A CONTINUING
SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION TO THE
(03:01):
REPUBLICANS WHO MADE THIS THEIR
PRIORITY TO ELIMINATE THE STATE
INCOME TAX A FEW YEARS AGO?
>>
>> YES, I THINK IT IS A
FRUSTRATION.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT FEELS
LIKE THE VOLUME IS JUST LIKE A
LITTLE LOWER THAN IT WAS BEFORE,
LIKE TWO YEARS AGO OR EVEN ONE
YEAR AGO.
YOU JUST GOT A REAL SENSE OF A
(03:22):
NASHING OF TEETH WHEN SOMETHING
LIKE THIS HAPPENED FAIRLY OR
UNFAIRLY.
BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIME HAS
PASSED AND I THINK REPUBLICANS
AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL HAVE COME
TO THE CONCLUSION THAT ONE, THIS
IT DOESN'T REALLY WORK TOO
MUCH.
HE'S STILL A VERY POPULAR
GOVERNOR BY PRETTY MUCH ALL
(03:43):
METRICS THE MOST POPULAR
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN THIS
STATE.
AND TWO, THERE'S NOT ALL THAT
MUCH UTILITY IN IT ANYMORE.
BECAUSE HE'S NOT BY ALL ACCOUNTS
GOING TO RUN FOR SOMETHING IN
KENTUCKY IN THE IMMINENT
FUTURE.
I THINK BESHEAR IS TALKING TO AN
AUDIENCE OF KENTUCKIANS AND ALSO
POTENTIALLY A NATIONAL AUDIENCE
(04:04):
FOR FUTURE PLANS.
BUT REPUBLICANS SORT OF
CULTIVATING A DIFFERENT AUDIENCE
AT THE SAME TIME.
SO THEY ARE KIND OF --
THERE'S JUST NOT AS MUCH
FRICTION BETWEEN THE TWO.
>> AND YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE THEY
ARE MORE FOCUSED THE SENATE AND
HOUSE LEADERSHIP THEY ARE
LOOKING AT FILLING A SENATE SEAT
IN 2026.
(04:25):
THEY KNOW OR AT LEAST THEY FEEL
CONFIDENT THAT THE NEXT GOVERNOR
THEY WILL HAVE A BETTER SHOT
THAT IS A REPUBLICAN.
THEY ARE LEAVE TO GO MORE MY
SENSE IS TO THE PARTY REPUBLICAN
PARTY OF KENTUCKY TO SORT OF TRY
TO POKE HOLES IN BESHEAR'S
RESUME, POTENTIALLY LOOKING AT A
2028 RUN FOR PRESIDENT.
THERE WAS A CRITICISM
OF HIS TRIP TO EUROPE WHERE HE
(04:46):
MET WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AND
TALKED ABOUT KENTUCKY.
IN FACT, THERE WAS A BILL FILED
IN RESPONSE TO THAT TRIP.
>> YEAH.
HE HAD A FRESHMAN LEGISLATOR TJ
ROBERTS FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY
USE HIS LEGAL PROWESS HE IS AN
ATTORNEY HE FILED AN OPEN
RECORDS REQUEST AND GOT RECORDS
HOW MUCH BESHEAR'S TRIP TO THE
(05:08):
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM COST.
THEY BUDGETED AROUND 80K
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND HE REALLY, I THINK IT WORKED
OUT FOR BOTH PARTIES IN A WEIRD
WAY.
BECAUSE TJ ROBERTS GOT TO GAIN
NOTORIETY AS A FRESHMAN
LEGISLATOR AND GET THE NEWS HITS
AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA LIKES.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BESHEAR, I
THINK, REPRESENTATIVE OF HIS
(05:30):
MOOD AND HOW HE TREATS THIS
CRITICISM, HE JUST FLIPPED IT
BACK ON ROBERTS AND TO QUOTE A
GREAT POP STAR SAID BASICALLY
WHY ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH
ME?
WAS THE LINE.
WILL THE REPUBLICANS BE
ABLE TO CALL THIS SESSION A
(05:50):
SUCCESS IF THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE
THE TAX CUT BE SEEN AS THE
HIGHLIGHT OF THE 2025?
>> I THINK SO, BILL.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT
STIVERS HAS TOLD A LOT OF US
THIS IS A REACTIVE SESSION NOT A
PROACTIVE SESSION.
THERE IS A LOT HAPPENING
FEDERALLY WHEN IT COMES TO
I.C.E. DIRECTIVES WHAT IS GOING
(06:12):
TO HAPPEN WITH THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE
TARIFFS HANGING OVER THE ENTIRE
COUNTRY.
THE REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY IN
LEADERSHIP ARE LOOKING AT THIS
HOW DO WE SORT OF APPROACH
MOVING FORWARD AS FAR AS WHAT
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING
TO REQUIRE OF THE STATE.
SO THERE'S SORT OF WAITING ON
THAT BEFORE THEY REALLY GO INTO
SOME OF THESE OTHER ISSUES THAT
(06:32):
MAYBE THEY WOULD HAVE IN PAST
SESSIONS.
BUT D.E.I., THAT IS GOING TO
COME AROUND THE CORNER.
IT'S INTERESTING THAT
IT'S BUSY IN BOTH CAPITOLS AND
YET THERE ARE INTERSECTIONS AS
WELL.
HANNAH, REQUIRING THE 10 COMMAND
MEANTS TO BE POSTED IN SCHOOLS
IS ONE OF THE RELIGIOUS ORIENTED
BILLS FILED.
YOU DID A PIECE AND LOOKED AT
(06:53):
ALL OF THAT.
>> YEAH THERE ARE TWO BILLS
FILEDDED IN HOUSE FILED BY
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES ONE
REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO
POST THE 10 COMMAND MEANTS IN
EVERY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY CLASSROOM AND ANOTHER
BILLETS SCHOOL BOARDS TO POST
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS IN ANY
(07:13):
SCHOOL BUILDING, CLASSROOM OR
EVENTED.
SENATE SIDE, ROLLINGS FILED A
BILL THAT WOULD LET PRIVATE
INDIVIDUALS SUE THE GOVERNMENT
FOR VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS
RIGHTS.
THIS DOESN'T COME AS A SURPRISE
THAT HE FILED THIS.
WHEN HE WAS A REPRESENTATIVE IN
THE HOUSE LAST YEAR, HE FILED A
HOUSE BILL THAT WOULD LET
PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS SUE ONE
(07:34):
ANOTHER OVER RELIGIOUS.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW FAR THIS
BILL GOES THIS YEAR.
A LOT TO WATCH IN THOSE
SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE PIECES OF
LEGISLATION OUT THERE.
SENATOR McDANIEL IS PUSHING
HARD FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT THAT THE VOTERS WOULD
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPROVE
OR REJECT.
(07:55):
IT WOULD SUBJECT STAN STHALLY
CURTAIL A GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO
PARDON IN THE LAST WEEK'S IN
OFFICE.
>> THE POWER TO PARDON ALLOWS
ONE PERSON TO OVERRIDE THE
JUDGMENT OF A POLICE OFFICER, A
PROCESS KUFOUR, A GRAND JURY,
JURY, JUDGE AND APPELLATE COURTS
AND IN SEVERAL OF THOSE CASES
THE SUPREME COURT.
AND IMPOSE HIS OR HER UNILATERAL
OPINION UPON THE SCALES OF
(08:17):
JUSTICE.
IS THAT.
ISAIAH THIS HARKENS
BACK TO THE PARDONS ISSUED BY
FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN IN
LATE 2019.
>> AND IT GOT CRITICISM ON BOTH
SIDES OF THE AISLE, BILL.
WE REMEMBER THAT AND WE REMEMBER
HOW MUCH THAT BECAME A
CONTENTIOUS ISSUE AND WITH THE
URINE GOVERNOR IN HIS REELECTION
(08:37):
BID WE KNOW THE CHALLENGER THEN
ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON
USED SOME OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S
PARDONS AGAINST HIM IN A LOT OF
THE ADS SPOKE TO SOME OF THE
CRIMINAL HISTORIES OF SOME WHO
HAD LEFT PRISON.
SO THIS IS ESSENTIALLY SOMETHING
WE'LL SEE ON BOTH SIDES
GOVERNORS MOVING FORWARD.
(09:00):
THE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS CAN ONLY APPEAR ON A
BALLOT IN AN EVEN NUMBERED YEAR
SO THIS WOULD BE NEXT YEAR AND
THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT HAD A
GOOD TRACK RECORD OF
SUCCESSFULLY PUTTING AMENDMENTS
BEFORE THE PEOPLE.
>> YEAH.
I MEAN, YOU PUT IT CORRECTLY.
THEY'VE GONE PRETTY MUCH O FER
(09:20):
ON SUBSTANTIVE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS THERE WAS ONE LAST
YEAR THEY PASSED ON NONCITIZEN
VOTING THAT DIDN'T REALLY MATTER
MUCH.
BUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT LAST
YEAR THE BIG ONE WAS SCHOOL
CHOICE IN 2022 THE BIG ONE WAS
ANTIABORTION AMENDMENT.
BOTH LOST PRETTY EASILY.
SCHOOL CHOICE ESPECIALLY.
(09:40):
REPUBLICANS ARE GENERALLY
HESITANT TO PUT THINGS PACK ON
THE BALLOT HAVING SAID THAT, YOU
KNOW McDANIEL HAS A LOT OF
INFLUENCE HE PASSED THIS BILL
OUT OF THE SENATE B AND HE'S GOT
THE EXTRA INVESTIGATOR NOW OF
CRITICISM OF JOE BIDEN'S PARDONS
WHICH HE MENTIONED ON THE FLOOR
TODAY.
SO, I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE YOU
(10:02):
COULD SEE THIS CROSS THE FINISH
LINE AND MAKE WILL BALLOT 2026.
REPUBLICAN
REPRESENTATIVE KEN FLEMING HAS A
BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE
EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY'S BAN ON
ABORTION IN CASES OF RAPE OR
INCEST IT IS AWAITING ACTION IN
A COMMITTEE AND IT IS ONE OF
SEVERAL ABORTION RELATED BILLS,
(10:22):
HAND.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DPLEMMINGS'
BILL THAT IS SPONSORED BY TWO
OTHER HOUSE ANDS ARE IT WOULD
ALLOW ABORTIONS.
RAPE OR INCEST WITHIN SIX WEEKS
OF PREGNANCY.
WE HAVE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR YATES
FILED A BILL ADDING EXCEPTIONS
BUT THAT IS FOR RAPE AND INCEST
IN CASES OF FEET TALL
(10:43):
ANOMALIES.
IT'S IMPORTANT THESE WILL BE
DIFFICULT TO PASS.
LAST YEAR YATES FILED THE SAME
BILL AND IT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO A
COMMITTEE HEARING.
THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WILL
GET A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT IS
VERY LITTLE TO NONE TO ME.
>> LET'S READ BETWEEN THE
LINES.
WE'RE ALSO SEEING AT THE SAME
TIME A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE
(11:04):
ABORTION MEDICATION TO SOME
DEGREE MEDICATION ABORTION
ILLEGAL IN THE STATE.
SO THIS IS REALLY A PRIORITY FOR
REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY.
WHY WOULD THESE BILLS BE FILED
AT THE SAME TIME?
THEIR CAUCUS OPERATES BETTER
THAN THAT.
I THINK YOU ALMOST HAVE TO SEE
BEYOND THAT AND WHAT CROSSES THE
FINISH LINE WHAT GETS A
COMMITTEE HEARING WILL SHOW WHAT
(11:24):
THE PRIORITIES ARE.
>> AND ONE THING YOU HEAR FROM
REPUBLICANS WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT
THIS, AND HONESTLY THINK THEY'D
LIKE TO GET BAILED OUT A LITTLE
BIT BY THE COURTS ON THIS ISSUE,
YOU HEAR SOMETIMES THAT THERE
MIGHT BE A JUDICIAL REMEDY
SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE IN ONE
OF THESE LAWSUITS AGAINST THE
LAW.
(11:44):
AND THEY KNOW THIS IS
UNPOPULAR.
AND I THINK THEY WOULD LIKE A
COURT TO STEP IN.
FRANKLY.
>> R.
IT IS A DIFFICULT
DISCUSSION.
WELL, HOUSING AND SHORT-TERM
RENTAL ISSUES HAVE MADE THEIR
WAY FROM CITY HALLS AND
COURTHOUSES TO THE STATE CAPITOL
NOW.
ISAIAH THERE ARE BILLS CALLING
FOR MORE REGULATION, MORE
(12:05):
ABILITY FOR THE CITIES AND
COUNTIES TO HAVE RULES.
BUT THEN THERE'S HOUSE BILL 173
THAT WOULD PROHIBIT ANY LOCAL
GOVERNMENT IN KENTUCKY FROM
KEEPING A REGISTRY OF LANDLORDS
OR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS
FOR ANY PURPOSE AND OTHER BILLS
AS WELL.
>> SURE.
I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW IN
LOUISVILLE WE DO HAVE A RENTAL
REGISTRY OF SORTS ONE THAT THE
(12:25):
MAYOR TOUTED I BELIEVE IT WAS
ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
ESSENTIALLY TO HOLD LANDLORDS
ACCOUNTABLE IN A LOT OF CASES WE
HAVE MANY RUNDOWN FACILITIES IN
LOUISVILLE WHERE FOLKS ARE
UNHAPPY WITH CONDITIONS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU
SEE GO ALONG PARTY LINES.
REPUBLICANS IN GENERAL SORT OF
WANT TO EMPOWER LANDLORDS
(12:46):
PROPERTY OWNERS, KEEP GOVERNMENT
OUT OF THEIR BUSINESS.
AND THEN YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS FEEL
LIKE HEY IF YOU ARE NOT DOING
WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE
DOING WHERE DO WE STEP IN.
IT IS INTERESTING THE
BILLS THAT START AS LOCAL
ISSUES, THAT ARE FINDING THEIR
WAY TO FRANKFORT AND OTHERS THE
STREET RACING BILL THAT COULD
ADD PENALTIES AND THAT IS
SPONSORED BY A LOUISVILLE AREA
(13:07):
HOUSE MEMBER.
THAT'S ALREADY A CITY ORDINANCE
IN METRO LOUISVILLE, RIGHT?
>> IT IS THAT IS THE
HEAD-SCRATCHER HERE.
WE WERE LOOKING FOR CAR
CRUSHING, WE GOT FINES.
AND LOUISVILLE ALREADY HAS
FINES.
YOU ASK YOURSELF OKAY IF THIS
BILL DOESN'T ADD ANYTHING TO
LOUISVILLE IS THIS A STATE-WIDE
CODIFY THAT ACROSS KENTUCKY?
(13:29):
WHICH WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE
BECAUSE THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO
FILED IT IS FROM LOUISVILLE.
I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THIS
WAS JASON'S BABY HE HAS BEEN
WANTING TO PUSH THIS FOR A
WHILE.
MAYBE THERE WAS EFFORT TO MAKE
THIS APPEAR OR SHOW AS
BIPARTISAN, RIGHT YOU HAVE TWO
PEOPLE FROM LOUISVILLE AGREE ON
(13:50):
SOMETHING BUT SOMETHING GOT LOST
IN TRANSLATION.
CAR CRUSH THE CAR ON A SECOND
OFFENSE DID NOT MAKE IT INTO THE
BILL.
ALTHOUGH I'M TOLD NEXT WEEK THAT
THAT WILL BE FIXEDED FER AND
REFILED.
>> .
DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO
IDENTIFY TOPICS THAT THEY
BELIEVE CAN GAIN TRACTION AND
(14:12):
SENATE MINORITY LEADER IS
PUSHING TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A
STATE HOLIDAY.
>> WE'RE GOING TO PUSH FOR
JUNETEENTH EVERY TIME I'M HERE
THAT IS FOR SURE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO
NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE JUNETEENTH,
BUT ALSO THAT IT RISES TO THE
STATUS OF OTHER EXCEPTIONS IN
TERMS HOW WE DEAL WITH OUR
(14:32):
WORKFORCE AND HOW WE ALLOW THEM
TO CELEBRATE AS WELL.
WE WILL BE PUSHING FOR THAT AS
WELL.
AUSTIN, JUNETEENTH HAS
BEEN A FEDERAL HOLIDAY SINCE
2021 BUT ATTEMPTS TO PASS IT IN
KENTUCKY HAVE FAILED?
>> YEAH.
IT DOESN'T HAVE A GREAT TRACK
RECORD LEGISLATIVELY.
IT CERTAINLY GOT A LOT OF
SUPPORT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE
(14:54):
AND GERALD NEAL IS SOMEBODY WHO
CAN WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.
HE HAS A GOOD WORKING
RELATIONSHIP WITH ROBERT
STIVERS.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU I
THINK EFFORTS AROUND THIS
HOLIDAY FAIRLY OR UNFAIRLY GET
LUMPED IN WITH D.E.I.,
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
WHICH IS A BIG --
A THING THAT REPUBLICANS
(15:16):
PARTICULARLY NEW WAVE
REPUBLICANS LIKE ELON MUSK'S OF
THE WORLD, REALLY, REALLY DON'T
LIKE.
AND I THINK REPUBLICANS JUST
KIND OF A LOT OF THEM LUMP IT
TOGETHER WITH D.E.I.
SO IT'S HARD TO SEE AN 80%
REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY OR
REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED CHAMBER IN
(15:36):
THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PASS
THIS BILL.
BUT NEVER SAY NEVER WITH
SOMEBODY LIKE GERALD NEAL.
AND STATE GOVERNMENT
USUALLY DOES OBSERVE IT UNDER
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BECAUSE
GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS DONE IT BY
EXECUTIVE ORDER THE LAST FEW
YEARS WE'LL WATCH THAT.
THERE IS A PROPOSED
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FROM
THE DEMOCRATS NOTING THEIR SMALL
(15:59):
MINORITY STAT TO US LEGALIZE
POSSESSION OF AN OUNCE OR LESS
OF MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL
USE.
LOUISVILLE SENATOR YATES, AND
CULL CARNEY HOPE TO GET THAT ON
THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR.
>> AND THIS IS NOT ANYTHING NEW
THEY HAVE TRIED TO THIS IN
PREVIOUS YEARS T WOULD BE ON THE
2026 BALLOT AND WHEN I SPOKE TO
(16:21):
YATES ABOUT THIS HE SAID
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA CAN BE
TRANSFORMATION FOR KENTUCKY
PARTICULARLY IN THE ECONOMIC
SECTOR BUT THE LIKELIHOOD THAT
IT PASSES IN THE SENATE VERY
LITTLE TO NONE.
MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER TOLD ME
IT'S UNLIKELY THERE'S
SIGNIFICANT APPETITE WITHIN THE
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND LISTED
THAT ONE THE KENTUCKY MEDICAL
CANNABIS PROGRAM HAS JUST
(16:42):
STARTED AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO
SEE HOW THAT GOES.
AND TWO, THE POTENTIAL HEALTH
EFFECTS OF RECREATIONAL
MARIJUANA IS SOMETHING THEY ARE
WARY OF.
>> ON THAT POINT I'M CURIOUS TO
KNOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA RELATED
HOUSE DEMOCRATS SORT OF WANT TO
AMEND THE CURRENT STATUTE TO
ALLOW MORE CONDITIONS TO
QUALIFY.
(17:02):
I'M WONDERING ON MAX WISE'S
POINT WOULD THAT BE SOMETHING
THEY WOULD HAVE APPETITE FOR NOW
THAT THAT PROGRAM IS GETTING
RUNNING?
OR A NONSTARTER ACROSS THE
BOARD.
OR DO THEY RUN INTO THE
SLIPPERY SLOPE ARGUMENT THAT THE
OPPONENTS WERE MAKING IN THE
BEGINNING.
>> THAT IS A FAIR POINT.
AUSTIN, THE SENATE
CAUCUS CHAIR THOMAS PUSHING HARD
(17:23):
AGAIN FOR AN INCREASE IN
KENTUCKY'S MINIMUM WAGE.
IT'S BEEN 7.25 AN HOUR SINCE
2009.
>> YES, I THINK IF YOU PUT THE
QUESTION OF JUST MERELY
INCREASING THAT TO MOST
KENTUCKIANS THEY WOULD PROBABLY
AGREE.
I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING OUT ON
A LIMB TO SAY.
HAVING SAID THAT, SOMEBODY ASKED
(17:44):
SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS ABOUT
THIS AND HE PRETTY MUCH PUT DOWN
THE IDEA.
AND CORRECTLY POINTED OUT THAT
YOU REALLY CAN'T HIRE ANYBODY
WHO IS NOT IN LIKE A TIP-BASED
INDUSTRY FOR LESS THAN SAY 12 OR
$13 AN HOUR ANYWAY.
SO WHY CHANGE THE LAW.
(18:05):
AND IT'S WORTH POINTING OUT THE
KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS
HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL ON ISSUES
RELATING TO WAGES AND BUSINESS
IN GENERAL.
AND THIS IS JUST NOT A PRIORITY
FOR THEM.
SO, IT'S HARD TO FORECAST
POSITIVELY FOR THIS BILL, WHICH
IS BACKED BY A DEMOCRAT IN
(18:26):
REGGIE THOMAS.
WE COULD SEE MORE BILLS
FILED AND MORE DISCUSSIONS THE
LAST DAY TO FILE A BILL IN THE
SENATE IS FEBRUARY 18TH AND IN
THE HOUSE IT'S FEBRUARY 19TH.
IN WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY'S SENIOR
SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL FELL
ON STAIRS THIS WEEK AT THE
CAPITOL.
HE SAID TO BE OKAY BUT HAS BEEN
MAKING USE OF A WHEELCHAIR FOR
SAFETY.
(18:47):
AND AUSTIN, THIS APPARENTLY A
MUCH LESS SERIOUS THAN THE
PREVIOUS FALL HE HAD IN 2023 IN
WHICH HE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION.
OBVIOUSLY HE GOT UP AND WENT ON
ABOUT HIS WAY THIS WEEK.
>> THE 2023 INCIDENT, I THINK IS
THE ONE THAT KICKED OFF THE SORT
OF SERIOUS HEALTH INCIDENTS THAT
MITCH McCONNELL HAS HAD.
HE HAS HAD A COUPLE HIGH PROFILE
(19:10):
FREEZE UPS IN FRONT OF CAMERAS.
BUT THIS TIME, HE AS YOU POINTED
OUT, IT DIDN'T SEEM AS SERIOUS
AND HE GOT UP FAIRLY QUICKLY.
THAT SAID, IT HAS KIND OF CAUSED
A LOST CONSTERNATION IN
POLITICAL CIRCLES.
McCONNELL IS 82 YEARS OLD.
HE IS UP FOR REELECTION IN 2026
(19:30):
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ASKING
THE QUESTION, NOT NECESSARILY IS
HE FIT TO SERVE UNTIL 2026 BUT
MORE WOULD HE RUN FOR ANOTHER
SIX-YEAR TERM COME THAT YEAR.
AND THAT IS A QUESTION WE DON'T
HAVE AN ANSWER FOR.
HE HAS NOT ANSWERED
YET.
AND IT WOULD BE AN EIGHTH TERM
POTENTIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
(19:50):
HAS EMERGED.
PAMELA STEVENSON FILED THE
PAPERWORK TO RAISE MONEY FOR A
U.S. SENATE RACE.
>> QUICK, I WANT TO CLARIFY I
SAID FILL A SENATE SEAT THAT IS
NOT CURRENTLY OPEN.
OBVIOUSLY MITCH McCONNELL
WOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE NOT TO RUN
AGAIN.
PAMELA STEVENSON IT IS
INTERESTING THE LAST LOUISVILLE
(20:11):
DEMOCRAT THAT TRIED TO CHALLENGE
OR BACK THEN, A CURRENT U.S.
SENATOR RAND PAUL WAS CHARLES
BOOKER WHO CAME FROM
LOUISVILLE.
FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE.
SAME DISTRICT AS PAMELA
STEVENSON IT DID NOT WORKOUT FOR
HIM.
WE KNOW HOW HARD IT IS FOR
DEMOCRATS TO WIN A SENATE SEAT
IN KENTUCKY.
AUSTIN WAS TALKING ABOUT WHY NOT
(20:33):
RUN FOR LOUISVILLE MAYOR AND
BOOKER WAS ASKED THE SAME
THING.
SHE RAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
WE'LL SEE WHAT THE END GOAL HERE
IS BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH
ROAD.
THE REPUBLICANS ARE
WATCHING FOR THAT SIGNAL FROM
McCONNELL?
>> I THINK SO, LIKE ISAIAH SAID
IT'S HARD TO CALL THIS OTHER
THAN AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR A
(20:55):
DEMOCRAT.
REPUBLICANS THERE'S A LOT OF
CHATTER AROUND WHO MAY OR MAY
NOT STICK THEIR NECK OUT TO
RUN.
I DON'T THINK WE'LL SEE A LOT OF
PEOPLE STICK THEIR NECK OUT
BEFORE McCONNELL DECIDES.
WE MIGHT SEE ONE, THOUGH.
AND I'M TALKING ABOUT NATE
MORRIS WHO IS A RELATIVE UNKNOWN
RIGHT NOW.
HE IS AN ENTREPRENEUR WHO IS
BASED IN LEXINGTON.
(21:15):
HE FOUNDED RUBICON, THE UBER FOR
TRASH.
BUT HE IS ONE OF THREE NAMES YOU
HEAR WHEN YOU TALK TO
REPUBLICANS ABOUT 2026.
AND THE OTHER TWO ARE NAMES THAT
PEOPLE KNOW.
THAT IS DANIEL CAMERON FORMER
ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO RAN FOR
GOVERNOR AGAINST BESHEAR.
AND THEN ANDY BARR THE SIXTH
DISTRICT CONGRESSALITY REP HERE
(21:37):
IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY FOR A
LONGTIME.
THOSE ARE THE THREE TO WATCH ON
THE G.O.P. SIDE.
AND OF COURSE ANY OF
THAT HAPPENED IT WOULD CREATE
CHURN IN THE HOUSE SEATS.
>> LOTS OF DOMINOES.
A LOT TO WATCH ON
THAT.
THERE WAS TALK ABOUT TARIFFS
THIS WEEK.
SENATOR RAND PAUL OPPOSES
TARIFFS THEY ARE TAXES HE DID
(21:57):
ACKNOWLEDGE WITH ME THAT
PRESIDENT TRUMP DID GET
CONCESSIONS WITH THE THREAT OF
TARIFFS.
SENATOR McCONNELL WAS ON 60
MINUTES JAI ALAI VISIBLE
INTERVIEW, HE ALSO CRITICIZED
THE USE OF TARIFFS.
SO THE KENTUCKY SENATORS DON'T
LIKE THE IDEA OF ACTUALLY
IMPLEMENTING THEM, BUT THEY DO
REALIZE THAT TRUMP MAY HAVE BEEN
(22:18):
EFFECTIVE EARLY ON WITH THE
THREATS.
>> CALLED IT A GAME OF CHICKEN
AND HE WON TWICE, MEXICO,
CANADA.
LONG-TERM THE QUESTION IS WHAT
IS GOING --
ONCE WE GET TO THE 30-DAY MARK
WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK
LIKE.
THE EU TARIFF DEADLINE WOULD
COME BACK INTO THE FOLD 50%
(22:38):
TARIFFS ON ANY IMPORTS FROM THE
EU.
THERE WOULD BE RETALIATORY
TARIFF THERE IS TOO.
AMERICAN WHISKEY WOULD TAKE A
HIT THAT IS WHAT THE
DISTILLERIES ARE LOOKING AT IS
MARCH 31.
ALL RIGHT.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THIS WEEK
THAT THE BLUE OVAL SK BATTERY
PLANTED REMAINS ON TRACK HE DOES
NOT THINK THAT SHIFTING EV
(23:00):
POLICIES FROM WASHINGTON WILL BE
A MAJOR HURDLE.
>> I BELIEVE THAT THE BLUE OVAL
PROJECT IS MOVING FORWARD.
IT HAS AN ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT
WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION CAN'T
CHANGE CONTRACTS EVEN THOUGH
THEY SENT US SOMETHING TO ONE OF
OUR CABINETS SAYING THEY BELIEVE
THEY CAN UNILATERALLY CHANGE THE
(23:22):
TERMS OF ANY EXISTING CONTRACT
OR GRANT AGREEMENT.
TRUST ME THAT IS NOT
CONSTITUTIONAL OR LEGAL.
EV'S ARE THE FUTURE.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MIGHT
IMPACT THE TIMING OF HOW FAST
THAT FUTURE GETS HERE BUT A LOT
OF PEOPLE TRIED TO FIGHT THE
FUTURE AND NO ONE HAS EVER WON.
SO, AGAIN, BESHEAR'S
(23:43):
BULLISH ON SAYING THAT PLANT
WILL BE COMPLETED AND WILL GO
INTO OPERATION.
>> I BELIEVE THEY CLOSED ON A
LOAN WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY MULTIPLE BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS FOR THE PROJECT IN
DECEMBER RIGHT BEFORE THE
TRANSITION TO THE NEW
ADMINISTRATION.
SO THE MONEY THERE IS SOLID.
IT IS JUST A QUESTION OF DOES
THAT SECOND PLANT IN THE BEGIN
(24:04):
BATTERY PLANT GET FIRED UP SOON
AND WHAT DO FUTURE INVESTMENTS
LOOK LIKE?
>> SALES GROWTH WHEN IT COME TO
EV IS NOT WHAT AUTOMAKERS WANTED
IT TO BE.
THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT
TIMING.
WE HAVE TO SAY IT.
EV TAX CREDITS IF THOSE ARE OUT
THE DOOR, LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP
HAS PUSHED FOR, I'VE HAD FOLKS
TELL ME THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT
(24:25):
EV.
SO WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN THE
FUTURE.
THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE
OF KENTUCKIANS HAVING QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE PRIORITY CHANGES
WITHIN THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
AND HOW THEY WILL PLAY OUT.
>> SO WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THE
EFFECTS AND IMPACT OF THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION IN KENTUCKY TO
START OFF, TRUMP HAS SAID HE
WANTS TO CUT DOWN THE SIZE OF
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
(24:46):
DOZENS OF U.S. FOREST EMPLOYEES
SERVING DANIEL BOON NATIONAL
FOREST RECEIVED PROBATIONARY
STATUS THOSE INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO
WORK IN TRAIL MAINTENANCE,
VISITOR INFORMATION AND THE
EXECUTIVE ORDERS HE SIGNED HAS
IMPACTED A COUPLE OF GROUPS
PARTICULARLY THE KENTUCKY
REFUGEE MINISTRIES WITH THE
EXECUTIVE ORDER HE SIGNED
(25:08):
SUSPENDING THE RESETTLEMENT
PROGRAMS AND THE KENTUCKY EQUAL
JUSTICE CENTER WHO SHUT DOWN
OPERATIONS DUE TO LACK OF
FUNDING.
YOU DID REPORTING ON
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND THE I.C.E. ACTIVITY
THERE.
>> SURE.
BOARD CHAIR TOLD ME THERE ARE
STUDENTS THAT HAVE NOT RETURNED
(25:28):
FROM WINTER BREAK BECAUSE OF
PRESIDENT TRUMP RETURNING TO THE
WHITE HOUSE.
JCPS TELLS US THERE HAVE BEEN NO
I.C.E. VISITS YET BUT ALMOST THE
ANXIETY OF IT FOR SOME STUDENTS
AND FAMILIES ARE HAVING AN
IMPACT.
WE SPOKE WITH ONE TEACHER SAYING
ONE OF HER STUDENTS SELF
DEPORTED TO MEXICO HERE
RECENTLY.
NO EEUTS ACTIVITY BUT
(25:49):
THEY ANTICIPATE.
>> RIGHT.
AND A LOT OF IT IS THE IMPACT.
>> THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL
ANNOUNCED THE 60TH DESTINATION,
27 OF THE 120 COUNTIES HAVE A
PLACE ON THE TRAIL.
AN IMPACT STUDY FROM THE
INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES INDICATING THOSE 18
INSTITUTIONS CONTRIBUTE MORE
THAN $2 BILLION TO THE STATE'S
(26:11):
ECONOMY.
READERS OF THE LEXINGTON HERALD
LEADER REMEMBER A BARRIER
BREAKING JOURNALIST WHO DIED.
VANESS DA GALLEDMAN WAS
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR AND
APPEARED ON COMMENT HERE.
SHE AND HER TEAM TACKLED
SUBJECTS LIKE LEXINGTON'S
FAIRNESS ORDINANCE, A SMOKING
BAN, OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS.
SHE WAS A PIONEER IN BLACK
(26:32):
JOURNALIST WHO CLIMBED THE RANKS
TO WASHINGTON AND WORKED IN
LEXINGTON WHERE SHE CALLED IT A
DREAM.
SHE WAS 71.
THAT IS COMMENT.
HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.
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