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January 29, 2025 26 mins
Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including reaction in Kentucky to the inauguration of President Donald Trump and how his early policy decisions could affect the state. Guests: Alex Acquisto, Lexington Herald-Leader; Sylvia Goodman, Kentucky Public Radio; and Marcus Green, WDRB in Louisville.
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Episode Transcript

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(00:01):
[♪♪]

>> Bill (00:09):
KENTUCKY'S EDUCATION
COMMISSIONER PREDICTS A POSSIBLE
MAJOR SHORTFALL IN FUNDING FOR
LOCAL SCHOOLS.
LAWMAKERS WANT MORE INFORMATION.
PRESIDENT TRUMP BEGINS HIS
SECOND TERM AND KENTUCKIANS
REACT TO HIS INITIAL ACTIONS.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR TAKES THE STAGE
IN SWITZERLAND AS A NEW POLL
GAJS HIS KENTUCKY APPROVAL.
A LOUISVILLE PLANT THE SITE OF A

(00:32):
DEADLY EXPLOSION SAYS IT WILL
NOT REBUILD THERE.
AFTER THE COLDER START TO A YEAR
IN DECADES, COMMENT IS NEXT ON
KET.
[♪♪]
GOOD EVENING, I'M BILL
BRYANT.

(00:52):
AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT
ON KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK AT AND
SOME ANALYST OF THE WEEK'S NEWS
IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE
GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING
KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT
ARE, ALEX ACQUISTO, POLITICS AND
HEALTH REPORTER FOR THE
LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.
MARCUS GREEN, REPORTER FOR WDRB
IN LOUISVILLE.

(01:15):
AND SYLVIA GOODMAN, CAPITOL
REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC
RADIO.
EKU AND MURRAY STATE AND WESTERN
PUSHED TO EXPAND IN NEW AREAS
AND LOUISVILLE COULD GET THE
STATE'S FIRST MASSIVE DATA
CENTER.
LET'S BEGIN WITH A SCHOOL
FUNDING ISSUE.
THE STATE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER
SAYS THERE COULD BE A $12
MILLION SHORTFALL IN SEEK

(01:35):
FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOL
DISTRICTS THIS YEAR.
AND IT COULD REACH 40 MILLION
DOLLARS EVENTUALLY.
FIRST, SYLVIA IT'S IMPORTANT TO
EXPLAIN THE SEEK FORMULA.
IT STARTS WITH LOCAL REVENUE AND
THE SEEK MONEY GOES TO SCHOOLS
ACROSS THE STATE.
>> RIGHT.
EXACTLY.
IT IS A COMPLICATED FORMULA THAT

(01:56):
WAS SETUP THANKS TO THE KENTUCKY
EDUCATION REFORM ACT OR CARA.
AND IT TAKES THE FACTORS MANY
PROJECTED BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING
THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
IT PROJECTS THINGS LIKE HOW MANY
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
LEARNERS ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE?
HOW MANY STUDENTS?
WHAT IS THE TOTAL DAILY
ATTENDANCE AT YOUR SCHOOL.

(02:16):
WHAT ARE TRANSPORTATION COSTS
GOING TO LOOK LIKE.
AND OF COURSE, AS YOU MENTIONED
WE ARE INCLUDING LOCAL TAX
REVENUE PROPERTY TAXES.
WHICH CAN VARY GREATLY.
THAT IS WHAT IS AT ISSUE HERE IS
THE ESTIMATIONS THAT THE
DISTRICTS HAVE COME OUT WITH
BEFORE AND HOW THEY COULD HAVE
CHANGED.
THE PROPERTY VALUES ARE
UP SOME AND THAT IMPACTS MORE

(02:39):
REVENUE NEEDING TO COME FROM THE
STATE.
SYLVIA, THE COMMISSIONER SAYS HE
SEES THESE INDICATIONS OF A
SHORTFALL.
HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE
RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DATA
AND OTHER LAWMAKERS HAVE AS
WELL?
>> SURE.
RIGHT, THEY ARE QUESTIONING THEY
NEED TO DIG INTO THE DATA A
LITTLE BIT MORE.
THEY NEED MORE INFORMATION TO
DETERMINE THE SIZE OF THE

(03:00):
SHORTFALL, HOW MUCH LEGISLATURE
MIGHT NEED TO INTERVENE HERE.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT IN A BUDGET
SESSION BUT THEY DO WIGGLE ROOM
TO CHANGE THE BUDGET TO DIG BACK
IN A LITTLE BIT AND CHANGE
THINGS.
SO WE'LL SEE IF THEY DECIDE TO
DO THAT THIS YEAR.
COMMISSIONER FLETCHER
ALSO HAS HAD, YOU KNOW, A LOT ON

(03:21):
HIS PLATE GETTING GOING HERE.
AND AT ONE POINT, AN INTERVIEW
WITH ME THIS WEEK, THE
REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER MAX
WISE SAYS THE G.O.P. IS FUNDING
SCHOOLS AT RECORD LEVELS AND
SAYS THAT LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING
RIGHT NOW TO FIGURE OUT THIS
POSSIBLE SHORTFALL SCENARIO.
>> AND WE ALSO WORK DIRECTLY
WITH KDE.

(03:43):
COMMISSIONER FLETCHER WE'RE
HAVING CONVERSATIONS OUR BUDGET
STAFF HAVE SEEN WHERE THE
DISCREPANCY IN DATA COULD HAVE
BEEN.
WE WILL LET THE HOUSE TAKE THE
LEAD ON THIS WHEN BUDGET
SESSIONS START THEY ARE GENERATE
THE REVENUE BILL TO US AND WE
WORK OFF OF THAT.
I DON'T THINK IT IS A MAJOR
CONCERN BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO
HAVE THE GOOD CONVERSATIONS
GOING FORWARD.

(04:03):
WE HAVE RISEN UP DONE THINGS IN
THE PAST WHEN WE FOUND
SHORTFALLS IN THE PAST.
SO, SYLVIA SOUNDS LIKE
LAWMAKERS WOULD BE INCLINED TO
DO SOMETHING IF THIS IS, IN
FACT, A SHORTFALL?
>> YEAH.
WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE WHAT
THEY DECIDE TO DO.
AND TO WHAT LEVEL THEY COULD
DISAGREE WITH THE EXACT HOW MANY

(04:25):
THERE MIGHT BE MORE
CONVERSATIONS WITH SCHOOL
DISTRICTS HOW THEY CAN COVER A
LITTLE BIT OF THAT LOSS.
BUT WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
MARCUS, I KNOW AND YOUR
STAFF LOOKED IN THE IMPACT THIS
COULD HAVE ON THE STATE'S
LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE
JEFER SOUND COUNTY.
>> AND THE JEFFERSON COUNTY.
>> AND THE ESTIMATE IS $3

(04:46):
MILLION IT COULD AFFECT FUTURE
RAISES AND OTHER INCENTIVES.
BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS GOING TO BE
HASHED OUT IN THE SESSION BUT IT
HAS THE ATTENTION OF SCHOOL
DISTRICTS LIKE JCPS WHICH POINTS
OUT THIS IS A RELATIVELY SMALL
AMOUNT OF THE OVERALL BUDGET.
THIS COMES AS A GROUP
OF STUDENTS FILED A LAWSUIT LAST

(05:06):
WEEK SAYING THE COMMONWEALTH IS
FALLING WAY SHORT IN THE
OBLIGATIONS TO FUND PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
THAT GROUP SPOKE OUT AGAIN THIS
WEEK WHEN FLETCHER REVEALED HIS
CONCERNS.
>> RIGHT.
THEY ARE SAYING IT FALLS SO
SHORT IT'S UNDERGROUND
UNCONSTITUTIONAL THEY ARE NOT
MEETING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL
OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE AN

(05:26):
EFFICIENT SCHOOL SYSTEM.
SO ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, WHAT
WE'RE LOOKING AT WHEN IT COMES
TO THIS FUNDING GAP, RIGHT, IS
ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO THE
ORIGINAL DECISION THAT FIRST
CREATED THIS IDEA THAT THE
SCHOOL SYSTEM CAN BE
UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN ITS
INEFFICIENCY IS A FUNDING GAP
BETWEEN THE POOREST AND THE
RICHEST DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

(05:48):
AND YOU KNOW, ACCORDING TO SOME
ORGANIZATIONS, THAT GAP HAS
INCREASED WHEN ADJUSTED FOR
INFLATION SINCE THAT 1990
DECISION.
SO --
1989 DECISION, EXCUSE ME.
I THINK THAT IS ANOTHER THING TO
LOOK AT IS HOW ARE DIFFERENT
SCHOOL DISTRICTS AFFECTED.
JCPS IT IS A SMALL PORTION OF
THEIR BUDGET AND HOW IS THAT

(06:09):
BEING DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE
STATE.
YOU ARE RIGHT THE
RULING WAS IN 89 AND KARA WAS
1990.
AND THE SUPREME COURT MADE THAT
RULING IN 89 DOESN'T IT STILL
HOLD?
>> PRESUMABLY IT DOES.
ALEX, SCHOOLS MAYBE
COMING TO THE LEGISLATURE WITH A
MORE URGENT MATTER FOR THIS

(06:30):
SCHOOL YEAR.
SOME ARE RUNNING OUT OF
NONTRADITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL
DAYS THEY NEED MORE.
I GOT A SENSE IN MY INTERVIEW
WITH LEADER WISE THERE IS NO
GUARANTEE THAT LAWMAKERS WILL GO
THERE, BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE
CONCERNS ABOUT THE HIGH VALUE
THEY PLACE ON IN-PERSON
LEARNING.
>> OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE THOSE

(06:51):
CONCERNS DATING BACK TO
OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A HUGE
RELIANCE ON NDI DURING THE COVID
EPIDEMIC.
WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF SEVERE
WINTER WEATHER LATELY WHY WE ARE
IN THIS POSITION TO BEGIN WITH.
FAYETTE COUNTY HAS HAD NTI DAYS
THERE ARE DISSCHOOL DISTRICTS

(07:12):
OUT OF NTI DAYS.
IT IS A MATTER OF WILL THE
LEGISLATURE BEND IF SCHOOL
DISTRICTS REQUEST IT OR WILL
THEY STAND FIRM?
AND WE DON'T KNOW YET.
WE DON'T.
AND PRESUMABLY THAT WILL BE
TAKEN UP WHEN THEY RETURN TO
FRANKFORT FEBRUARY FOURTH.
THE FIRST WEEK OF THE TRUMP
PRESIDENCY BROUGHT A FLURRY OF
EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ACTIONS THE

(07:32):
MOST VISIBLE INCLUDED A
CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL
IMMIGRATION.
AND MARCUS ONE OF THE DIRECTIVES
FROM THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
IS TO BE SURE THAT LOCAL
OFFICIALS DON'T STAND IN THE WAY
IN ANYWAY OF ENFORCING
IMMIGRATION LAWS AND MASS
DEPORTATION.
>> CORRECT.
IN FACT, SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN
THE ORDERS AND THE RELATED

(07:53):
POLICY DIRECTIVES GOES A LITTLE
BIT FURTHER AND DOES RAISE THE
POSSIBILITY THAT LOCAL AND STATE
LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD BE
INVOLVED OR COULD BE DEPUTIZED
TO HELP WITH THE ENFORCEMENT
EFFORTS.
IN EFFECT PLACES LIKE LOUISVILLE
WITH A LARGE IMMIGRATION POLICY,
POPULATION, AND YOU KNOW,
LOUISVILLE'S AN INTERESTING CASE
STUDY, BECAUSE THERE IS A 2017

(08:14):
POLICY PUT INTO PLACE IN THE
CITY THAT IS STILL IN EFFECT AND
IT ESSENTIAL SAYS THAT
LOUISVILLE LMPD WILL NOT HELP
FEDERAL AGENTS EXECUTE FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION POLICY.
THEY CAN HELP IN OTHER WAYS BUT
NOT ENFORCE THAT POLICY.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW JURISDICTIONS LIKE
LOUISVILLE COME INTO COMPLIANCE
OR FIGHT WITH SOME OF THE

(08:34):
FEDERAL DIRECTIVES.
BECAUSE LOUISVILLE HAS CLEARLY
PLACED A VALUE ON NOT COMPLYING
WITH THAT IN THE PAST.
UNDER THE FORMER MAYOR GREG
FISHER AND CRAIG GREENBURG SAID
THAT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.
THIS IS SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE
ON IF THE EFFORTS RAMP UP IN
PLACES LIKE LOUISVILLE AND OTHER
BIG CITIES.
SYLVIA SOME SCHOOLS

(08:55):
HAVE ALSO INTRODUCED SOME
GUIDANCE WE'LL SAY?
>> YEAH, EXACTLY.
JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
AS ISSUED A GUIDANCE THAT IF AN
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL A FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL COMES TO
THE SCHOOL THAT THEY SHOULD CALL
JCPS DISTRICT LAWYERS.
THEY SHOULD NOT LET THE OFFICIAL

(09:16):
INTO THE BUILDING.
THEY CAN LET THEM IN AFTER THEY
CALLED THE LAWYER TO THE MAIN
OFFICE AND WAIT FOR FURTHER
INSTRUCTIONS.
SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE TAKEN
FURTHER STANCES, INDIANAPOLIS
THIS IS OUT OF THE STATE, THEIR
SCHOOL DISTRICT SAID TO NOT
COMPLY UNLESS THE OFFICER COMES
WITH A WARRANT.
AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS A NEW

(09:37):
THING FOR A LOT OF SCHOOLS TO
HAVE TO DEAL WITH UNDER THE
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND YOU
KNOW STANDING ORDER THAT YOU
DON'T ENFORCE IMMIGRATION
ACTIONS WITHIN SCHOOLS.
THEY ARE CONSIDERED SENSITIVE
AREAS.
SO THIS IS KIND OF A NEW GROUND
FOR TEACHERS TO RETREAD TO
RECONSIDER HOW THEY ARE GOING TO
ACT IF AN IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL
COMES KNOCKING.

(09:58):
ALEX WHAT ARE AREAS
THAT KENTUCKIANS MAYBE WATCHING
AND REACTING TO AFTER THIS
WEEK'S POLICY CHANGES FROM THE
NEW ADMINISTRATION?
>> WELL, I PAID A LOT OF
ATTENTION THIS WEEK TO HOW
REPUBLICANS, PARTICULARLY
ELECTED REPUBLICANS RESPONDED TO
TRUMP'S FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE
ORDERS.
OBVIOUSLY ON HIS FIRST NIGHT IN
OFFICE.
I HAVE TO IMAGINE IF YOU ARE

(10:18):
TRUMP SUPPORTING REPUBLICAN, YOU
REALLY LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SEEING
SO FAR.
HE SET THE STAGE WITH A LOT OF
HIS ASSERTIVE ORDERS HIS FIRST
NIGHT IN OFFICE.
I SAW STATE LAWMAKERS IN THE
G.O.P. CELEBRATING HIS ORDER
DECLARING THERE'S ONLY TWO
GENDERS, MALE AND FEMALE.
OBVIOUSLY HE IS IN THE PROCESS
OF DISMANTLING D.E.I. IN THE

(10:43):
GOVERNMENT.
I THINK THAT A LOT OF THEM ARE
PLEASED WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING.
AND PROBABLY FEEL EMBOLDENED BY
IT.
THERE WAS ALSO AN
EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM THE TRUMP
THAT PAUSES SOME OF THE PROJECTS
UNDER THE BIPARTISAN
INFRASTRUCTURE ACT THAT WAS
PASSED IN 2021 AND MARCUS,
IMMEDIATELY THAT BROUGHT UP
QUESTIONS.
BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO ONLY IMPACT

(11:04):
SOME PROJECTS.
BUT DO WE HAVE ANY INDICATION AS
TO WHETHER IT COULD IMPACT THE
BRENT SPENCE CORRIDOR PROJECT
WHICH IS A BIG TICKET ITEM IN
KENTUCKY?
>> WELL, I THINK PART OF THE
CONCERN EARLIER IN THE WEEK WAS
HOW SLIGHTLY AM BIGGOUSLY THAT
EXECUTIVE ORDER WAS WRITTEN.
IT DID APPEAR TO PAUSE ALL OF

(11:24):
THE PROJECTS THAT RECEIVED
FUNDING FROM THAT BIPARTISAN
INFRASTRUCTURE LAW WHICH FUNDED
A FLURRY OF PROJECTS ACROSS
KENTUCKY.
THERE WAS A --
AND INCLUDING THE BRENT SPENCE
THE BIG TICKET WOULD BE THE
BRENT SPENCE.
THERE WAS A MEMO RELEASED BYES
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WHICH CLARIFIED THE EXECUTIVE
ORDER AND SAID LOOK THIS IS ONLY

(11:45):
APPLYING TO PROJECTS THAT WOULD
FALL UNDER THE GREEN NEW DEAL
AND THE BRENT SPENCE DOES NOT
FALL UNDER THAT AS A HIGHWAY
PROJECT.
IT APPEARS IT'S SAFE AND EVEN
THE GOVERNOR INDICATED HE HAS
LONG-TERM CONFIDENCE IN THE
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING FOR THAT
PROJECT.
HE, THOUGH, DOES HAVE CONCERNS
WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER HAS IT

(12:05):
IS WRITTEN.
AND THERE'S ALSO TALK
ABOUT THE CONSENT DECREE THAT
LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE HAVE
BEEN WORK, OUT WITH THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION, THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT THAT COULD UNDERGO
CHANGES OR COULD BE SCRAPPED
UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
>> IT FACES CHALLENGES AND
ADVOCATES OF POLICE REFORM WERE
CONCERNED ABOUT AS THAT DEAL GOT

(12:27):
PUSHED TOWARDS THE END OF THE
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.
IT DID NOT GET IN FRONT OF A
FEDERAL JUDGE AND THAT JUDGE
RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER OR
NOT HE NEEDS TO SIGN ON TO THAT.
THAT WAS BEFORE THE PRESIDENT
TOOK OFFICE.
HIS ADMINISTRATION REPORTEDLY
RAISED SKEPTICISM ABOUT THESE
TYPES OF CONSENT DECREES.
NOW, LOUISVILLE'S POLICE CHIEF

(12:48):
PAUL HUMPHREY SAID AND THE MAYOR
SAID THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE
WITH THAT AGREEMENT WHETHER
THERE IS A COURT ENFORCED ORDER
THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT SIGNED
WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND
ENSURE THE REFORMS ARE CARRIED
THROUGH TO THE BEST OF THEIR
ABILITY.
THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE TYPE OF
COURT SANCTIONED LEGALITY THEY
HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.

(13:10):
AND THERE COULD BE
OUTSIDE ARBITRATION INVOLVING
THIS?
>> ONE OF THE KEY ASPECTS IS
THIS INDEPENDENT MONITOR A THIRD
PARTY TO ENSURE THE REFORMS ARE
ACTUALLY PUT INTO PLACE.
AND THERE IS A CALL FOR THAT
PERSON OR THAT GROUP MONITOR TO
BE IN PLACE WHETHER OR NOT THERE
IS A COURT ENFORCED DECREE.
A LOT OF WASHINGTON

(13:32):
IMPACTING KENTUCKY AND SENATOR
PAUL INTRODUCED A BIPARTISAN
BILL TO REPEAL THE BAN ON THE
POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA APP TIKTOK.
HE SAYS THE BAN INFRINGES ON
FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
>> I THINK THE FIRST AMENDMENT
HAS AN EXCEPTION FOR NATIONAL
SECURITY.
I DON'T THINK IF THAT'S TRUE,
EVERY TIME THEY LIMIT OUR SPEECH
THEY'LL SAY, WELL, IT'S FOR

(13:55):
NATIONAL SECURITY.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
WHY IS IT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY?
I DON'T FEEL MY NATIONAL
SECURITY IS THREATENED BY
TIKTOK.
MARCUS THERE ARE A LOT
OF KEN KENTUCKY KEN CREATORS AND
USERS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE
WATCHING THIS?
>> WHAT I THINK IS INTERESTING
ABOUT THIS ENTIRE SAGA WITH THE

(14:15):
TEMPORARY BAN ON TIKTOK, WITH
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S
ACTION TO GET IT UNBLOCKED FOR A
TIME, I JUST THINK WE'RE DEALING
WITH A MASSIVE SOCIAL MEDIA
PLATFORM THAT HAS MILLIONS OF
USERS ACROSS THE WORLD.
WHETHER IT IS A SALE OR ACTION
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT TIKTOK
WILL GO AWAY.
YOU WOULD THINK THE BUSINESS
INTEREST AND THE AMOUNT OF

(14:36):
REVENUE THIS PLATFORM GENERATES
WILL BE ENOUGH TO CONTINUE IT
GOING FORWARD.
THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW
EXACTLY HOW MUCH SUPPORT THERE
WILL BE FOR LEGISLATION OR HOW
THE ENTDZ GAME IS --
END GAME IS FOR TIKTOK IF IT'S
TO LAST?
>> SURE.
OBVIOUSLY IT WAS A BIPARTISAN
PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO BLOCK

(14:58):
TIKTOK IN FAVOR OF NATIONAL
SECURITY.
OBVIOUSLY WE HAD THE CENTERS ON
BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.
SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL FROM
KENTUCKY WAS A SUPPORTER OF THE
BAN INITIALLY.
IT HAD DEMOCRATIC ALLIES.
AND SO I THINK THERE HAS BEEN
SOME CONCERN THAT TRUMP'S
EXECUTIVE ORDER DOES NOT
SUPERSEDE AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

(15:19):
BUT YOU KNOW, WE'LL HAVE TO SEE
IF THERE'S CHANGE THE MOMENTUM
THAT TRUMP IS IN OFFICE THE
LEADER OF THE PARTY IS SAYING
THIS IS NOT THE DIRECTION THAT
COULD HAVE BIG IMPACTS AND WE'LL
HAVE TO SEE IF THERE'S INTEREST
IN CONGRESS TO RETAKE UP THIS
ISSUE AND CHANGE COURSE.
ALEX SENATOR PAUL WAS
IN THE NEWS FILING A BILL THAT

(15:40):
WOULD STOP FEDERAL FUNDING FOR
PLANNED PARENTHOOD.
>> IT IS ONE PAGE LONG, CALLED
THE DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD
ACT.
IT LIKELY DOES NOT HAVE THE
VOTES BUT I THINK FILING IT
AGAIN AT THIS TIME THREE DAYS
INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SECOND
TERM, CERTAINLY HE HAS THE
PRESIDENT'S SUPPORT IN IT.
I THINK WHAT IS INTEREST

(16:01):
SOMETHING THAT PLANNED PATTERN
HOOD SENATOR PAUL'S REASON IS
THAT PLANNED PATTERN HOOD
PERFORMS ABORTIONS THEY DON'T
WANT TAXPAYER FUNDED ABORTIONS
IT PREVENTS USE OF FEDERAL TAX
DOLLARS TO PAY FOR ABORTIONS.
PLANNED PATTERN HOOD PROVIDES
HEALTH SERVICES ASIDE FROM THAT

(16:23):
TOO.
THIS WOULD FURTHER MARGINALIZE
LOW INCOME PEOPLE ON MEDICAID
WHO USE US AS THEIR REPRODUCTION
HEALTHCARE SOURCE.
I THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING IT'S
SYMBOLIC.
AND ALSO, BEYOND JUST PROVIDING
ABORTIONS PLANNED PARENTHOOD
PROVIDES GENDER HEALTHCARE.

(16:44):
AND SENATOR PAUL HAS SPOKEN OUT
AGAINST AND SO IS TRUMP AND IT'S
IN KEEPING WITH THAT PLATFORM.
FORMER PRESIDENT JOE
BIDEN PARDONED DEMOCRATIC PARTY
JERRY LUNNDER AGAIN HE WAS
CONVICTED OF FUNNELING THOUSANDS
OF DOLLARS INTO HIS DAUGHTER'S

(17:05):
U.S. SENATE RACE.
ALEX, BIDEN MENTIONED HIM HAVING
HEALTH PROBLEMS AND SHOWING
REMORSE IN HIS IN RELEASING
THAT.
>> RIGHT.
I BELIEVE A YEAR AGO HE HAD A
STROKE.
AND, YEAH, JERRY RELEASED A
STATEMENT AND THIS IS A FACTOR
THAT PRESIDENTS WHEN THEY ISSUE
THE PARDON POWER THEY CONSIDER.
HOW MUCH REMORSE DOES SOMEBODY

(17:26):
SHOW.
HE HAS TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR
HIS ACTIONS.
HE SOUGHT ATONE.
AND IS WORKING TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE
MOST VULNERABLE.
DEVELOPERS ARE WANTING
TO TURN 150 ACRES IN LOUISVILLE
INTO A MASSIVE DATA CENTER WHAT
DOES THAT MEAN AND WHAT DOES IT

(17:47):
LOOK LIKE AND KENTUCKY SO FAR IN
LEFT OUT OF THESE BIG DATA
CENTERS?
>> THIS IS ONE OF THE FASTEST
GROWING INDUSTRIES, FRANKLY IN
THE U.S. AND THE WORLD.
IT'S REALLY SATISFYING A NEED
FOR RAPID PROCESSING OF THE
TYPES OF DATA WE USE WHEN WE USE
OUR CELLPHONE AND STREAM A
MOVIE, PLAY AN ON-LINE GAME.

(18:08):
THESE BIG COMPANIES LIKE
FACEBOOK AND MICROSOFT THEY ARE
BUILDING THE BIG CAMPUSES TO PUT
THOUSANDS OF SERVERS AND OTHER
COMPUTER HARDWARE INTO BUILDINGS
TO PROCESS THIS DATA SO IT'S
FASTER AND FASTER AND FASTER.
AND LOOK NO FURTHER IN
JEFFERSONVILLE INDIANA, META, IS

(18:29):
BEING ONE OF THESE FACILITIES.
NOW A GROUP OF DEVELOPERS BASED
IN LOUISVILLE AND VIRGINIA,
TEAMING UP IN THE JOINT VENTURE
TO BUILD ONE.
DON'T HAVE A TENANT YET.
BUT THE GOAL THEY'VE TOLD ME IS
TO BRING IN ONE OF THE BIG HYPER
SCALERS.
THESE ARE THE, AGAIN, HOUSEHOLD
NAMES IN THE TECH INDUSTRY TO
BUILD ONE OF THESE AND THEY CITE

(18:50):
THE LEGISLATION PASSED BY THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE TAX
BREAKS ON SALES TAX.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT THESE
FACILITIES USE A TON OF
COMPUTERS AND OTHER THINGS.
YOU GIVE THEM A SALES TAX BREAK
THAT IS THE MOST POPULAR
INCENTIVE IN THE U.S. FOR THESE
TYPES OF FACILITIES.
BY THE END OF THIS YEAR I
IMAGINE WE'LL KNOW WHO THAT
TENANT IS.

(19:11):
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO
START SOON.
IT'S PUTTING KENTUCKY IN THE
GAME AND WE HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT
PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THAT SALES
TAX EXEMPTION AND ALSO BECAUSE
SOME OF THESE OTHER MARKETS LIKE
COLUMBUS OHIO AND NORTHERN
VIRGINIA ARE GETTING SATURATED
AND THERE IS A NEED FOR CHEAPER
LAND AND CHEAPER ELECTRICITY AND
AMPLE WATER AND LOUISVILLE FITS

(19:31):
ALL THOSE BILLS.
I WONDERED WHY IT WOULD
BE IN A METRO AREA AND YOU HAVE
TO HAVE ALL OF THOSE
INFRASTRUCTURAL PARTS.
>> AND THIS IS ALSO A VERY RARE
PIECE OF LAND IN LOUISVILLE IT'S
150 ACRES CLOSE TO THE RIVER.
THE COMPANY WHOSE PLANT
EXPLODED IN NOVEMBER KILLING TWO
WORKERS AND INJURING OTHERS SAYS
IT WILL NOT REBUILD AT THAT

(19:54):
SITE.
MARCUS, LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR
WELCOMED THAT NEWS?
>> MAYOR GREENBURG SINCE SHORTLY
AFTER THE EXPLOSION SUGGESTED
THEY LOOK ELSEWHERE.
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO FATAL
EXPLOSIONS IN THAT PLANT IN 20
YEARS.
NEIGHBORS IN LOUISVILLE'S
CLIFTON NEIGHBORHOOD ARE FED UP.
THEY DON'T LIKE LIVING NEXT TO
THAT TYPE OF FACILITY.
EVEN THOUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS

(20:15):
BUILT UP AROUND THE FACTORY TO
BEGIN WITH YEARS AGO, BUT MAYOR
GREENBURG IS SUGGESTING THEY
LOOK ELSEWHERE THEY ARE LOOKING
AT OTHER SITES IN KENTUCKY.
IS THE COMPANY IN THE
PROCESS OF PAYING OUT CLAIMS
THERE MUST BE A LOT GOING ON
THERE?
>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST
FRUSTRATING PARTS BECAUSE THEY

(20:37):
HAVE BEEN WAITING AS WINTER SET
ON TO GET THE DAMAGES
ASSESSMENTS DONE.
THOSE ARE COMPLETE ACCORDING TO
THE COMPANY AND NOW THEY ARE
BEGINNING TO BEGIN TO PAY OUT
THESE INSURANCE CLAIMS.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS
RETURNED TO KENTUCKY FROM
SWITZERLAND WHERE HE ADDRESSED
THE WORLD ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
HE SAYS HE MET WITH COMPANIES

(20:59):
THAT EMPLOY THOUSANDS OF
KENTUCKIANS.
SYLVIA SOME REPUBLICANS
CRITICIZE BESHEAR'S TRIP.
DO WE GET A SENSE HE COULD COME
BACK AND ANNOUNCE JOBS OR
EXPANSIONS?
>> WELL, I'M NOT SURE YET I'M
SURE WE WILL FIND OUT IN THE
COMING MONTHS OR YEARS IF THAT
TRIP ENDED UP PANNING OUT.
IT IS CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST
TIME BESHEAR HAS DONE

(21:20):
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO BOOST
KENTUCKY'S PROFILE AND HIS OWN A
LITTLE BIT.
I THINK IT WAS LAST YEAR IN THE
SUMMER HE WENT TO SOUTH KOREA
AND JAPAN TO TALK WITH EXISTING
COMPANIES IN KENTUCKY.
AND PROSPECTIVE COMPANIES TO
ENGAGE IN TRADE CONVERSATIONS.
IT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST
TIME AND IT'S ABOUT TALKING UP

(21:42):
KENTUCKY PART OF WHAT GOVERNORS
DO.
THEY TALK UP THEIR STATE TO
OTHER STATES, TO LAWMAKERS, AND
TO BUSINESSES.
ALL RIGHT.
A MORNING CONSOLE POLL PEGS
GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S APPROVAL
RATING AT 65%.
THAT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN
THE COUNTRY.
AND THE HIGHEST OF ANY DEMOCRAT.
AND VERY INTERESTINGLY,

(22:02):
PRESIDENT TRUMP GOT 65% OF THE
VOTE IN KENTUCKY IN NOVEMBER.
SO YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR OF ONE
PARTY AND A PRESIDENT OF THE
OTHER BOTH WITH STRONG SUPPORT
IN THE BLUEGRASS STATE IT IS
INTERESTING.
>> SO ME THIS IS WHAT A REALLY
GOOD INDICATOR OF WHAT MAKES
KENTUCKY SUCH A POLITICALLY
FASCINATING PLACE, RIGHT?
GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS OBVIOUSLY A

(22:23):
WELL LOVED DEMOCRAT.
ELECTED TO TWO TERMS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS TOO.
HE WAS THE FIRST STATE CALLED
FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP HE WON BY
WIDER MARGINS THE SECOND TERM.
IT'S INTERESTING TO LOOK AT HOW
BOTH PARTY ALSO VIEW THE OTHER
RESULTS.
BECAUSE IF YOU ARE GOVERNOR
BESHEAR A DEMOCRAT YOU CAN SAY
CLEARLY CONSTITUENTS LIKE WHAT
I'M DOING AND REPUBLICANS CAN

(22:44):
SAY THE SAME THING BECAUSE THEY
ARE PUSHING POLICY SIMILAR TO
TRUMP'S.
IT GOES TO SHOW THAT NO
POLITICAL PARTY IS A MONOLITH.
MARCUS YOU HAD A
THOUGHT?
>> I THINK ALEX IS SPOT ON WE
ARE AN UNUSUAL STATE WE HAD A
LOT OF REPUBLICANS CROSSOVER TO
VET FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND IT
SHOWS A CLEAR DISTINCTION THE

(23:05):
WAY PEOPLE VIEW NATIONAL RACES
AND LOCAL RACES.
NATIONAL POLITICS IS A TOTALLY
DIFFERENT BEAST AND IT'S CLEAR
THE WAY KENTUCKIANS VOTE.
KENTUCKY ATTORNEY
GENERAL COLEMAN SUED THE
GOVERNMENT OVER FOSTER CARE
RULES.
>> THESE ARE BIDEN ERA FOSTER
CARE RULES A MANDATE.
THAT BROADENS SUPPORT IN

(23:27):
REQUIREMENTS FOR FOSTERING AND
ADOPTION CARE AGENCIES CARING
FOR LGBTQ YOUTH.
IT FOR EXAMPLE, IT REQUIRES
AGENCIES TO PLACE THEM IN SAFE
AND SUPPORTIVE HOMES.
RUSSELL COLEMAN IS A REPUBLICAN
AND HE SORT OF SIGNALED HE MIGHT
TAKE LEGAL ACTION HE HAS DONE
THAT.

(23:48):
HIS ARGUMENT IS THE DEPARTMENT
OVERSTEPPED ITS AUTHORITY AND
THAT IT DISADVANTAGES
RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED FOSTER
GROUPS LIKE SUNRISE CHILDREN'S
SERVICES BAPTIST RUN WHO MIGHT
NOT WANT TO ADHERE TO THOSE
MANDATES.
THREE UNIVERSITIES ARE
HOPING TO GAIN PROOMS EKU WANTS

(24:09):
TO START A SCHOOL OF OS PATHIC
MEDICINE AND WESTERN IS PUSHING
UP FOR FIVE NEW PROGRAMS.
ON EKU'S PROPOSAL, THEY THOUGHT
IT WAS FULL STEAM AHEAD AND TOLD
DO A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND THEY
HAVE DONE THAT AND IT'S COME
BACK POSITIVELY FOR THEM.
>> RIGHT.
IT APPEARS THERE IS NO MAJOR

(24:29):
FEASIBILITY CONCERNS.
THEY HIRED DELOITTE TO DO THE
FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR ALL FOUR
AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING
PRESENTING THOSE FINDINGS TO THE
LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY RETURN TO
SESSION IN EARLY FEBRUARY WITH
ESSENTIALLY IS A GREEN LIGHT.
NEW AREAS.
MURRAY STATE WANTS THE COLLEGE
OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND WE

(24:51):
SEND 70 STUDENTS A YEAR OUT OF
STATE.
THE LEGISLATOR WHO FILED A BILL
LIMITING BLOOD DONATIONS FROM
COVID VACCINATED PEOPLE SAID IT
WAS A MISTAKE?
>> THE BILL WOULD BLOCK
HOSPITALS FROM TRANSFUSING BLOOD
THAT UNLESS IT TESTS NEGATIVE

(25:11):
FOR SPIKE PROTEINS, FOR
SYNTHETIC MRNA OR COVID
ANTIBODIES.
SHE SAID THAT IS A MISTAKE AND
IF IT MOVED FORWARD, SHE WOULD
CHANGE IT.
ALL RIGHT WE WILL WATCH
ON THAT.
THE THOROUGHBRED WORLD IS

(25:31):
REMEMBERING FORMER KEENELAND
PRESIDENT TED BASSETT HE LED
KEENELAND ESTABLISHED ITS
INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE.
BEFORE THAT HE HAD BEEN THE
DIRECTOR OF KENTUCKY'S STATE
POLICE.
HE SETUP A TRAINING COLLEGE THAT
IS NOW THE EKU COLLEGE OF
JUSTICE AND ESTABLISHED TROOPER
ISLAND AND OVERSAW THE HIRING OF

(25:52):
THE FIRST BLACK TROOPER IN
KENTUCKY.
BASSETT FOUND IT IMPORTANT TO
RECORD HISTORY SUCH AS QUEEN
ELIZABETH'S VISIT TO KEENELAND
IN 1984.
TED BASSETT WAS 103 YEARS OLD.
AND FOLKS IN PO BOWLING GREEN
ARE REMEMBERING THAT CITY'S
FIRST WOMAN MAYOR WHO DIED AT
AGE 85, PATSY SLOANE WAS A

(26:14):
TEACHER AT BOWLING GREEN HIGH
SCHOOL FOR 31 YEARS AFTER TOLD A
WOMAN COULDN'T WIN SHE WAS THE
FIRST WOMAN ELECTED TO THE
COMMISSION IN 1977 AND LED THE
TICKET.
AND IN 1988 SHE WAS TOLD AGAIN
SHE COULDN'T BE ELECTED MAYOR
AND SHE WON THAT RACE.
THE CITY'S CONVENTION CENTER IS
NAMED FOR PATSY SLOANE.

(26:35):
HTHAT IS
COMMENT.
HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.
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