July 17, 2025 • 26 mins
Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including a new Republican candidate announcing for the 6th Congressional District seat. Panelists: Hannah Pinski, Louisville Courier Journal; Jess Clark, Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting; and Tessa Duvall, Lexington Herald-Leader.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:02):
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:09):
THE FEDERAL TAX AND
SPENDING BILL IS NOW LAW.
WHAT IMPACT WILL IT HAVE IN
KENTUCKY?
MORE CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS
WITH THE RACE GETTING CROWDED IN
CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND A CHALLENGE
TO CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS IN
SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY.
SCHOOLS START IN JUST A FEW
WEEKS.
WITH SOME NEW RULES AND NEW
QUESTIONS.
(00:29):
THE STATE AUDITOR SAYS THE
KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
NEEDS WIDESPREAD IMPROVEMENTS.
HERE IN MID-JULY, COMMENT IS
NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
(00:51):
GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT AND
WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON
KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK AT AND
SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS
IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF
WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS
TONIGHT ARE, HANNAH PINSKI,
POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE
COURIER JOURNAL.
JESS CLARK EDUCATION REPORTER
FOR THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR
(01:12):
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING.
AND TESSA DUVALL, POLITICS AND
PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE
LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE START TO
JULY INCLUDING INDEPENDENCE DAY
AND WE HAVE A LOT TO CATCH UP
ON.
THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL AS IT
HAS BEEN CALLED HAS PASSED AND
IS LAW SIGNED INTO LAW JULY 4TH
(01:32):
T GIVES TAX BREAKS AND CUTTING
SPENDING.
KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS SPLIT ON THE
SPENDING PLAN.
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN BRETT
GUTHRIE AND DEMOCRATIC
CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY HAD
VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS.
>> WE ALSO MADE SURE THAT
ABLE-BODIED AMERICANS WHO GET
FREE HEALTHCARE IF THEY ARE ABLE
TO WORK, WORK FOR IT.
(01:52):
LIKE EVERY OTHER AMERICAN HAS TO
GET UP AND GO TO WORK FOR THEIR
HEALTHCARE.
IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT PEOPLE ABLE
TO WORK, DO WORK.
>> WHAT HE SOLD TO THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE IS HE WOULDN'T TOUCH
MEDICAID THAT IS THE CAMPAIGN
PROMISE NOW HE IS GIVING THE
LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN HISTORY.
IT WILL TAKE HEALTH INSURANCE
AWAY FROM KIDS MOO MY DISTRICT.
(02:14):
46% OF KENTUCKY'S KIDS ARE ON
MEDICAID.
>> Renee (02:17):
TESSA, TWO DIFFERENT
TAKES ON THE SAME BILL THAT HAS
PASS SECOND NOW LAW AND THE
SPENDING PLAN FOR THE COUNTRY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING REPUBLICANS
PLAY UP IS THE ELEMENT OF TAX
CUTS WHEN IT COMES TO TIPS OR
ALSO SEEING THEM TALK ABOUT
ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE SHOULD WORK
IF THEY WANT HEALTH INSURANCE
AND THEY ARE PROTECTING MEDICAID
(02:39):
FROM WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE AND
WHO DOESN'T WANT TO PROTECT TAX
DOLLARS FROM THINGS LIKE THAT.
ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WE ARE
SEEING THE DEMOCRATS PLAY UP
THAT THE CUT TO MEDICAID IS SO
DEEP THAT IT GOES WELL BEYOND
GETTING RID OF WASTE, FRAUD AND
ABUSE AND THE TAX CUTS DISPORL
BENEFIT WEALTHY AMERICANS.
(03:00):
TWO DIFFERENT TAKES FROM OUR
LAWMAKERS.
>> Bill (03:07):
HARM TO RURAL HOSPITALS
AND REPUBLICANS POINT TO A RURAL
HEALTH FUND $50 BILLION WOULD
SAVE HOSPITALS AND DEMOCRATS SAY
IT'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH.
>> I THINK SPECIFICALLY WITH THE
MEDICAID CUTS THE MESSAGING
DEMOCRATS HAVE GONE WITH THIS
WILL HURT RURAL AMERICA.
McGARVEY CALLED THE BILL A
(03:27):
SLAP IN THE FACE OF KENTUCKY AND
ALL RURAL AMERICA.
WE HAD SEEN WARNINGS FROM THE
DIFFERENT GROUPS THE KENTUCKY
HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SAID THE
BILL WOULD ELIMINATE 33,000 JOBS
AND FORCE RURAL HOSPITALS TO
CLOSE OR CUT SERVICES.
WE SAW THE KFF SAY THAT OVER
130,000 KENTUCKIANS ARE EXPECTED
(03:48):
TO LOSE MEDICAID COVERAGE OVER
THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
MOVING FORWARD NOW THAT THIS
BILL IS LAW WE'LL SEE WHAT
IMPACTS IT WILL HAVE IN RURAL
AMERICA AND KENTUCKY AS WELL.
TESSA THE IMPACTS TO
CUT S.N.A.P. FOOD PROGRAMS WERE
DISCUSSED IN FRANKFORT ON
THURSDAY.
IS IT CLEAR WHAT THE RECIPIENTS
(04:10):
WITHIN THOSE PROGRAMS OR
PROGRAMS RUN BY ARE FACING AND
HOW THIS MIGHT BECOME A PART OF
THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AHEAD?
>> RIGHT.
THERE WAS AN ANALYSIS I LOOKED
AT THAT SHOWS 22 MILLION PEOPLE
ACROSS THE NATION COULD LOSE
THEIR BENEFIT COMPLETELY OR
PARTIALLY.
AND WE KNOW THAT KENTUCKY MUCH
(04:32):
LIKE THE DEPENDENCE ON MEDICAID
A LOT OF FOLKS RECEIVE
NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE THIS WILL
BE FELT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND WE DO HAVE THE MAKE AMERICA
HEALTHY AGAIN KENTUCKY TASK
FORCE THAT IS GOING TO TALK A
LOT ABOUT NUTRITION AND IT'S
HARD TO THINK THIS WON'T COME UP
IN SOME FORM OR CAPACITY AS THE
(04:52):
TASK FORCE CONTINUES ITS WORK.
SOME DISCUSSION
PRELIMINARYLY ON THURSDAY.
JESS, SEPARATE FROM THE BIG,
BEAUTIFUL BILL, THERE IS AN 87
MILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL FUNDING
FREEZE THAT THE EDUCATION
COMMISSIONER AND SOME SCHOOL
LEADERS ARE TRYING TO NAVIGATE.
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
(05:13):
TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER IT WILL
RELEASE THE MONEY.
>> RIGHT.
THESE WERE FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY
CONGRESS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO
BE RELEASED ON JULY FIRST.
AND THEY ARE FUNDS THAT
DISTRICTS WERE PLANNING TO USE
FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR THEY HAVE
BUDGETED FOR THE --
IN THE MIDDLE OF FIGURING OUT
WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.
(05:34):
IT'S BEEN CHAOTIC FOR SCHOOL
DISTRICTS IN KENTUCKY.
THE MAJORITY OF IT IS FOR TITLE
2 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND
RECRUITING FUNDS AND ALSO THE
OTHER BIG CHUNK IS FOR THINGS
LIKE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING,
STEM IN THE CLASSROOM, HIRING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND
ARTS AND MUSIC TEACHERS.
(05:54):
AND SO DISTRICTS ARE IN THIS
REALLY DIFFICULT SITUATION WHERE
THEY ARE TRYING TO HAVE TO
DECIDE DO WE TAKE THE GAMBLE AND
HOPE THAT TRUMP RELEASES THE
FUNDS WITHOUT ASKING CONGRESS TO
CANCEL THEM?
AND MOVE FORWARD AND PAY OUT OF
OUR OWN BUDGETS IN THE MEANTIME?
OR DO WE NOT TAKE THE RISK AND
(06:16):
HAVE STAFFING CUTS AND PROGRAM
CUTS.
IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR
DISTRICTS RIGHT NOW.
BUT THE MONEY COULD BE
RESTORED?
>> THE MONEY COULD BE RESTORED.
TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT
THEY ARE THAT INITIAL LOOK AT IT
SAYS TO THEM THAT IT'S
SUPPORTING SOME KIND OF RADICAL
LEFT WING AGENDA.
(06:37):
THERE'S NOT A TIMELINE ON IT.
IF EVENTUALLY, HE COULD RESTORE
IT IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO RESTORE
IT THERE IS AN ACT THAT ALLOWS
HIM TO PROPOSE CANCELING THE
FUNDS COMPLETELY AND CONGRESS
WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
ACT WITHIN 45 DAYS.
SO IN A COUNTRY THAT
HAS BEEN SO POLITICALLY DIVIDED
(06:58):
FOR SOMETIME HERE WE ARE WITH
SOMETHING THAT, AGAIN, IS GOING
TO BE THE DISCUSSION, RIGHT?
THE BUDGET BILL IS PRAISED BY
REPUBLICANS WHO SAY IT IS
CUTTING SOME OF THE WASTE, FRAUD
AND ABUSE OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
IT IS LOWERING TAXES.
IT IS GIVING SOME BREAKS TO SOME
(07:18):
PEOPLE.
AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE
CONCERNS THAT THE CUTS ARE GOING
TO BE HURTFUL.
>> RIGHT.
AND YOU KNOW, THE ADMINISTRATION
HASN'T POINTED TO ANYTHING
SPECIFIC SO FAR IN THAT GIANT --
OVERALL IT'S $6.8 BILLION IN
FEDERAL SPENDING ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
(07:38):
I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT THEY
SPECIFICALLY FIND IN THAT
PACKAGE THAT IS PROBLEMATIC AND
NOT IN KEEPING WITH THEIR
AGENDA.
WE DON'T KNOW THE FUNDS ARE
FROZEN AND DISTRICTS ARE HOPING
FOR THE BEST.
THE COUPLE OF KENTUCKY
REPUBLICANS JOINED THE
(07:59):
DEMOCRATIC MORGAN MCGARVEY IN
OPPOSING THE FINAL PASSAGE.
>> BUT FOR THE MOST DIFFERENT
REASON POSSIBLE.
TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS MASSIE AND
RAND PAUL BOTH VOTED AGAINST THE
BILL NOT OVER THE CONCERNS THAT
REPRESENTATIVE McGARVEY HAD
ABOUT MEDICAID THIS WAS ABOUT
(08:20):
THE NATIONAL DEBT AND THE
PROJECTION IT COULD ADD
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE NATIONAL
DEFICIT.
WELL, WITH ALL OF THIS
SWIRLING THE RACES FOR CONGRESS
NEXT YEAR ARE GETTING
INTERESTING.
IN EASTERN KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC
ATTORNEY NED PILLERSDORF INTENDS
TO CHALLENGE HAL ROGERS NEXT
(08:40):
YEAR.
NED PILLERSDORF MADE HIS
ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE FOURTH OF
JULY.
>> I'M FILMING THIS VIDEO TO
ANNOUNCE I WILL BE A CANDIDATE
FOR CONGRESS IN 2026.
NOT BECAUSE I HAVE ANY
PARTICULAR DISDAIN FOR HAL
ROGERS.
BUT REALLY AT THE END OF THE DAY
IT'S ABOUT WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING
IN MY LAW PRACTICE THAT IS WHAT
IT'S ALL ABOUT, HELPING MY
(09:04):
NEIGHBORS.
SO HANNAH, HERE NED
PILLERSDORF IS SAYING IT'S
NOTHING AGAINST HAL ROGERS, IT'S
BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL CUTS
WHICH ROGERS DID VOTE IN FAVOR
OF.
>> YEAH.
AND I THINK ONE THING WE'VE SEEN
IN THE CAMPAIGN IS THAT THE
POLICY ISSUE HE IS FOCUSING ON
IS NED PILLERSDORF IS RAILING
AGAINST THE MEDICAID CUTS THAT
IS NOTABLE TO THE REGION BECAUSE
(09:25):
KENTUCKY'S FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT IS ONE OF THE MOST
MEDICAID DEPENDENT DISTRICTS IN
THE COUNTRY AND HE IS ALSO
HOPING HIS WORK IN THE LEGAL AND
NONPROFIT SPHERES WILL APPEAL TO
VOTERS.
HE RECRUITED OTHER LAWYERS TO
REPRESENT PEOPLE WHO LOSE FACING
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
BENEFITS AND HELPED FOUND AN
(09:47):
ANIMAL SHELTER HE IS TRYING TO
HAVE THOSE IDENTITIES APPEAL TO
THE VOTERS.
BUT IT'S GOING TO BE AN UPHILL
CLIMB BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE HAL
ROGERS HAS BEEN THERE FOR SO
LONG.
SINCE 1983, 23 ELECTION
VICTORIES UNOPPOSED IN 2024.
BUT, AGAIN, NED PILLERSDORF SAYS
HE WILL TRY TO RUN ON THE
(10:08):
ISSUES?
>> I THINK AS FAR AS DEMOCRATS
WHO COULD MAKE A SOLID RUN AT
THIS HE IS PROBABLY AS BEST AS
DEMOCRATS COULD HOPE TO FIND.
IT IS STILL A CONSERVATIVE
DISTRICT, STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF
PRESIDENT TRUMP AS YOU NOTED.
REPRESENTATIVE ROGERS HAS BEEN
IN OFFICE QUITE A LONGTIME BUT
FOR THE REASONINGS HANNAH SAID
(10:30):
NED PILLERSDORF HAS A LOT OF
NAME RECOGNITION AND CREDIBILITY
IN THE REGION.
WILL HE BE ABLE TO PULL IT OFF?
IT IS AN UPHILL CLIMB.
BUT HE STANDS A CHANCE BETTER
THAN ANY OTHER DEMOCRAT THAT
THEY COULD FIND.
IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY THE
RACE FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT SEAT
OPENING UP BECAUSE CONGRESSMAN
ANDY BARR IS RUNNING FOR THE
(10:51):
U.S. SENATE IS OPTION.
THIS WEEK REPUBLICAN STATE
REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA FRASER
GORDON SAID SHE WOULD WANT TO GO
TO WASHINGTON TO WORK AND NOT
MAKE A SPLASH.
>> THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT
GO TO WASHINGTON AND RUN TO THE
FIRST CAMERA.
I'M NOT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.
I'VE ALWAYS KEPT MY HEAD DOWN.
I DO HAVE A LOW PROFILE I'M
(11:12):
CHAIR OF SMALL BUSINESS AND I'VE
SERVED ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE
REGULATIONS COMMITTEE FOR GOING
ON SEVEN YEARS.
I'M JUST SOMEONE THAT ROLLS HER
SLEEVES UP AND GETS TO WORK.
AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL DO WHEN
I GET TO WASHINGTON.
GORDON'S NAME HAD BEEN
IN THE MIX OF POTENTIAL
CANDIDATES AND NOW SHE HAS
STEPPED FORWARD.
>> RIGHT.
(11:33):
WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING THIS
ANNOUNCEMENT TO COME FOR A
WHILE.
IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU SEE AN OPEN
CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.
SO CERTAINLY A LOT OF FOLKS ARE
EXPECTED TO THROW THEIR NAMES
OUT THERE AND VIE FOR THIS.
AS SHE NOTED SHE KEEPS A LOW
PROFILE IN FRANKFORT AS A STATE
LAWMAKER.
SHE IS NOT ONE THAT IS KNOWN FOR
BIG FLOOR SPEECHES OR MAKING A
(11:56):
SPLASH.
BUT SHE COMES FROM MADISON
COUNTY WHICH IS ONE OF THE MORE
POPULOUS COUNTIES IN THE
DISTRICT.
SO THAT WILL KIND OF GOOD HOME
TURF FOR HER.
SO WE'LL SEE.
WE'LL SEE.
I THINK A LOT OF HOW THIS SHAKES
OUT DEPENDS ON WHO ELSE GETS
INTO THE RACE.
WELL, AND HANNAH, IT
(12:16):
WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF
HER WORKHORSE NOT A SHOW HORSE
KIND OF APPROACH IS APPEALING?
>> I THINK LIKE ALL CANDIDATES
SHE HAS EMPHASIZED SHE WILL BE A
TRUMP MAGA VOICE IN WASHINGTON
BUT SHE IS TRYING TO DISTINGUISH
FROM AN ALREADY CROWDED PRIMARY
BY REALLY WORKING THAT SHE HAS
SMALL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND
SHE WILL HELP THE WORKING CLASS
(12:38):
PEOPLE.
THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN
REPRESENTATIVE RYLAND BARTON'S
MESSAGE --
RYAN DOTSON'S MESSAGING SAYING
HE WILL FOCUS ON SOCIAL
CONSERVATIVE ISSUES WILL HE WILL
SLAY THE WOKE GIANT IN DC AND
INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT MESSAGE
RESONATES WITH THE VOTERS.
(12:59):
AND A POTENTIAL
CANDIDATE DECIDED SHE IS NOT
RUNNING IS STATE SENATOR AMANDA
MAYS BLEDSOE.
TESSA SHE SAID IT IS NOT GOOD
TIMING FOR HER FAMILY.
>> RIGHT.
SHE CITED THINGS WITH HER KIDS
AND MILESTONES SHE DIDN'T WANT
TO MISS AND HER ONGOING
RECOVERY, SHE WAS KICKED BY A
HORSE ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO
(13:19):
AND HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT RECOVERY
FROM THAT UNDERGOING SURGERIES
AS SHE CONTINUES TO HEAL.
FOR THOSE REASONS, SHE SAID THIS
IS JUST NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR
ME AND MY FAMILY.
AND THAT IS RARELY IS IT SO
SIGNIFICANT FOR WHO DOESN'T RUN
IN A SEAT.
THIS WAS A BIG DEAL, BECAUSE SHE
HAS A LOT OF CONNECTIONS.
(13:41):
SHE WAS A COUNCILWOMAN IN
LEXINGTON AND IS ALSO THE
VICE-CHAIR OF THE POWERFUL
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
SHE IS WELL CONNECTED, WELL
LIKED.
SHE WOULD BE COMING FROM THE
MOST POPULOUS CITY IN THE
DISTRICT AND THAT WOULD HAVE
BEEN A HUGE ADVANTAGE IN A
PRIMARY.
SHE --
HER ABSENCE FROM THE FIELD HAS
(14:02):
THE POPE TO SHAKE THINGS UP.
AND MINUTES AFTER
AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE MADE
INTENTIONS CLEAR, RALPH ALVARADO
IS INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR
CONGRESS.
THAT WOULD REQUIRE HIM TO LEAVE
HIS POST AS TENNESSEE'S HEALTH
COMMISSIONER.
AND HANNAH, ALVARADO WAS MATT
BEVIN'S RUNNING MATE IN 2019.
(14:23):
THEY LOST HE LEFT THE STATE AND
MAINTAINED A HOME AND A LOT OF
INTERESTS HERE?
>> YEAH, I BELIEVE HE SAID HE
HAS KEPT TIES TO HIS ROOTS AND
STILL PRACTICED MEDICINE IN
WINCHESTER.
I THINK THE TIMING OF THIS
ANNOUNCEMENT COULD BE MORE THAN
CO-BINS DENTAL IN AMANDA MAYS
(14:43):
BLEDSOE'S POST SHE SAYS THERE IS
AN UPCOMING MALE CANDIDATE
EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE WHO WILL
HAVE HER FULL SUPPORT.
WE WILL HAVE TO SEE IF ALVARADO
HAS THE SUPPORT IN THIS RACE.
RYAN DOTSON THE OTHER
CANDIDATE IS GOING TO WASHINGTON
NEXT WEEK.
HE'S TEASED ON SOCIAL MEDIA STAY
(15:04):
TUNED FOR A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT.
>> WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THAT
IS.
COULD BE AN ENDORSEMENT FROM
PRESIDENT TRUMP.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.
COULD IT BE AN ENDORSEMENT FROM
A MAJOR NATIONAL PLAYER WE HAVE
TO SEE THAT AS WELL.
ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE
CHERLYNN STEVENSON TALKED WITH
ME THIS WEEK ABOUT WHY SHE'S
RUNNING.
>> I THINK THAT IT'S TIME THAT
THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY
(15:25):
HAVE A CHAMPION SOMEBODY WHO IS
GOING TO BAT FOR WORKING
FAMILIES AND TALKING ABOUT THE
ISSUES THAT MATTER TO THEM.
ABOUT HEALTHCARE, ABOUT RAISING
WAGES ABOUT, STOPPING SOME OF
THE CHAOS THAT WE'RE SEEING HERE
FROM THE TARIFFS THAT WE'RE
SEEING AND NOT SOMEBODY THAT
ROLLS OVER AND WANTS TO CUT
TAXES SO THAT BILLIONAIRES CAN
(15:47):
HAVE A TAX BREAK.
HANNAH, WITH THE
DEMOCRATIC TALKING POINTS,
CHERLYNN STEVENSON SEEMS TO
BELIEVE SHE WILL PLAY BETTER IN
A DISTRICT LARGER THAN THE STATE
HOUSE SEAT DISTRICT THAT SHE
LOST A FEW MONTHS AGO.
>> YEAH, AND I THINK IN HER
CAMPAIGN SHE IS HOPING THAT HER
BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE AS A STATE
(16:08):
LEGISLATOR AND HER EXPERIENCE
WINNING TOUGH RACES COULD HELP
HER IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.
AS WE'VE SEEN SHE IS AGAINST A
LOT OF THE TRUMP POLICIES THAT
DEMOCRATS SAID WILL HURT
AMERICA.
LIKE SHE SAID THE TARIFFS THE
MEDICAID CUTS THE S.N.A.P. CUTS
WE'LL SEE IF THAT PLAYS OUT
SEXUALLY BUT SHE IS TAKING THE
(16:32):
NATIONAL MESSAGING.
CHERLYNN STEVENSONS HER
PRIMARY TO WIN.
KLOIBER PROVED IN HIS
UNSUCCESSFUL BID FOR MAYOR OF
LEXINGTON IN 2022 HE IS CAPABLE
OF WRITING A BIG CHECK FOR A
CAMPAIGN.
>> HE DID.
AND WE'RE SEEING THAT CHERLYNN
STEVENSON IS CAPABLE OF RAISING
A LOT OF MONEY.
SHE SENT OUT A NEWS RELEASE THAT
HER CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED OVER
(16:54):
$200,000 WHICH IS NOT A SMALL
AMOUNT OF MONEY.
SO, I THINK, AS I SAID, IT'S
RARE THAT YOU SEE AN OPEN
CONGRESSIONAL SEAT AND WE KNOW
THIS IS ONE THAT DEMOCRATS ARE
HOPING TO FLIP.
WE'VE SEEN A NATIONAL GROUP SAY
THIS IS ONE OF A HANDFUL IN THE
NATION WE THINK WE CAN CAN GET.
(17:14):
AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE MONEY
WILL BE AN ASSET IN A RACE LIKE
THAT.
NOW, THERE IS A GROUP, THAT SORT
OF DOES THE RATINGS ON
PREDICTIONS HOW A DISTRICT MAY
GO.
AND THEY'VE MOVE TO DO FROM FROM
SOLIDLY REPUBLICAN TO LIKELY
REPUBLICAN WHICH STILL FAVORS
THE G.O.P. BUT IS A SHIFT EVER
SO SLIGHTLY IN THE FAVOR OF THE
(17:34):
DEMOCRATS.
SO THAT IS CERTAINLY GIVING
DEMOCRATS IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT
SOME HOPE.
THERE IS NOW
CONFIRMATION THAT THE THREE
MAJOR REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE
CANDIDATES, ANDY BARR AND NATURE
MORRIS WILL ALL SPEAK AT FANCY
FARM THAT COULD BE INTERESTING,
HANNAH?
>> I THINK IT WILL BE
(17:55):
INTERESTING.
AS WE'VE SEEN THESE CAMPAIGNS
AREN'T AFRAID TO THROW PUNCHES
AT EACH OTHER.
AND IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS GOT
HEATED BEFORE ALL THREE NAMES
ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD BE RUNNING
FOR McCONNELL'S SEAT.
NATE MORRIS WHO IS ATTACKING
BARR AND CAMERON WITH
CONNECTIONS TO McCONNELL AND
BAR AND CAMERON ATTACKING MORRIS
(18:17):
FOR LIBERAL POLICIES HE HAD A
RUBICON.
FANCY FARM IS FULL OF JOKES
WE'LL SEE WHAT THE CANDIDATES
BRING FORWARD AND IT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO WATCH.
>> ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS BEEN
INVITED TO FANCY FARM IS SENATOR
MITCH McCONNELL WHO HAS BECOME
THE BOOGIE MAN IN THIS RACE SHOW
HE IS NOT A CANDIDATE.
(18:38):
YOU ARE NOT ONLY SEEING FOLKS
THE THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING AS
FAR AWAY FROM HIM AS POSSIBLE
YOU ARE SEEING THEM PUSH HIM
UNDER THE BUS IN A LOT OF
SITUATIONS.
I PERSONALLY THINK IT WOULD BE
INTERESTING VIEWING IF HE WENT
TO FANCY FARM AND SAT ON STAGE
AND HAD TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO
SAY ABOUT HIM.
(18:59):
MIGHT TEMPER IT.
THERE IS OUR TEASE
FANCY FARM, THE FIRST SATURDAY
IN AUGUST.
JESS, I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU
ARE HERE.
ALLISON BALL SAYS THE KENTUCKY
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEEDS
IMPROVEMENTS.
>> THIS WAS AN AUDIT HER OFFICE
DID AT THE REQUEST OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
AND THE HEADLINE ITEM OF THIS
(19:19):
AUDIT IS THAT THE KENTUCKY
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LET
LAPSE $250 MILLION OVER THREE
YEARS.
NOW, THIS IS A ITEM THAT THE
DEPARTMENT CONTESTS SAYING THEY
HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS
OF BUDGET LAW.
AND THAT THEY CAN'T REALLOCATE
FUNDING FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS
(19:40):
APPROPRIATED FOR SOMETHING ELSE
WITHOUT GETTING GENERAL ASSEMBLY
APPROVAL.
THAT HAS BEEN THE TOP LINE ITEM.
A LOT OF THE STUFF IS VERY
NITTY-GRITTY IN THE WEEDS THINGS
LIKE PROCESS, RECORD KEEPING
PRACTICES, EFFICIENCIES,
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AGENCIES
WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
BUT THERE ARE SOME REALLY
(20:01):
INTERESTING FINDINGS ONE I FOUND
PARTICULARLY INTERESTING WAS
THAT THE KDE AND THE KENTUCKY
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
HAVE NO CENTRALIZED WAY THAT
THEY ARE KEEPING TRACK OF
COACHES WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH STUDENTS.
AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT
AUDITOR BALL WANTS THE
(20:23):
DEPARTMENT OR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
TO TAKE ACTION ON.
SHE IS ALSO AUDITING
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND THE FAYETTE PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM.
JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EXPECTED THIS YEAR AND THOSE
WILL BE COMPREHENSIVE?
>> YES, THE JCPS WILL BE
COMPREHENSIVE SHE HAS SAID THAT
(20:44):
I TALKED TO HER YESTERDAY AND I
KNOW THAT ONE FOCUS OF THAT
AUDIT WILL BE ON SCHOOL SAFETY
THAT WILL BE INTERESTING.
AND THEN THE FAYETTE COUNTY
AUDIT INITIATED OVER SOME
CONCERNS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY
AROUND NEW OCCUPATIONAL TAX THAT
PEOPLE WERE UPSET ABOUT.
16 MILLION SHORTFALL
(21:04):
AND THE PROPOSED TAX.
>> YES.
SO MY INSTINCT IS THAT IT WILL
BE HEAVY ON THE NUMBERS SIDE BUT
SHE TENDS TO LIKE TO DO A BROAD
LOOK AT THINGS.
I WOULD ANTICIPATE A BROAD LOOK.
JCPS SAYS IT'S SHORT
(21:24):
400 TEACHERS?
>> YES.
THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR THE
LAST THREE YEARS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST IF
NOT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN
EDUCATION RIGHT NOW IS THE
EDUCATOR SHORTAGE.
PEOPLE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT
ENTERING THE PROFESSION.
SO OLDER PEOPLE ARE RETIRING.
AND THEN YOU HAVE THIS ALMOST
(21:44):
LIKE I HATE TO CALL IT A DEATH
SPIRAL BUT IT IS AN ISSUE WHERE
BECAUSE THERE ARE SO FEW
TEACHERS WORKING CONDITIONS ARE
REALLY TOUGH YOU HAVE MORE
TEACHERS LEAVING THE PROFESSION.
JCPS I THINK TODAY HAD ONE OF
THE LARGEST HIRING FAIRS THAT
IT'S EVER HAD THEY WILL TRY TO
FILL THE VACANCIES.
IN YEARS PAST SOME OF THE
(22:05):
VACANCIES NEVER GET FILLED SO
KIDS HAVE A STRING OF SUBS FOR A
YEAR AND THE MOST UNFORTUNATE
PART THE VACANCIES ARE
CONCENTRATED IN SCHOOLS THAT
HAVE THE KIDS WITH THE HIGHEST
NEEDS.
LOW INCOME SCHOOLS, KIDS OF
COLOR THAT HAVE THE LEAST ACCESS
TO HIGH QUALITY TEACHING.
SENATE BILL 181
(22:27):
ESTABLISHES REQUIREMENTS HOW
SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS
CAN COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS IT
REQUIRES TRACEABLE
COMMUNICATIONS.
SO IT SETS BOUNDARIES BUT IT
ALSO HAS RAISED A LOT OF
QUESTIONS.
>> THIS HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS LAW WAS SO
THAT ADULTS COULD NOT ENGAGE IN
WHAT IS KNOWN AS GROOMING WITH
(22:49):
KIDS OVER ELECTRONIC
COMMUNICATIONS WHICH DOES
HAPPEN.
AND SO THE WAY OF SOLVING THIS
STATES HAVE DONE THIS IS TO PASS
THE LAW WHERE ADULTS ARE ONLY
ALLOWED TO COMMUNICATE WITH KIDS
ON THE SPECIFIC FORMS OF
COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS.
AND SO THIS IS BEING ROLLED OUT
ACROSS THE STATE.
THE PUSHBACK IS THAT TEACHERS
(23:10):
AND OTHER STAFF ARE SAYING HEY I
CAN'T UM COMMUNICATE WITH MY
NEPHEW OR WE'VE GOT BASEBALL
PRACTICE AND I CANNOT TEXT ALL
THE KIDS THAT MY SON IS FRIENDS
WITH TO DO A CAR-POOL.
SO IT'S CREATED A LOT OF
HEADACHES.
YOU KNOW, TIPTON, THE CHAIR OF
THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
(23:32):
AND HE SAID THERE MAYBE ROOM FOR
IMPROVEMENT OVER THE NEXT
SESSION.
BUT, IT IS BEING IMPLEMENTED
RIGHT NOW.
SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW IT PLAYS OUT.
NEW RULES FOR PHONES IN
CLASSROOMS THIS FALL.
THE SCHOOLS ARE FIGURING THAT
OUT, I GUESS?
>> LOTS OF NEW RULES INVOLVING
(23:52):
TECHNOLOGY.
SO, YES, THERE IS A DISTRICTS
ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A POLICY
BANNING OR RESTRICTING USE OF
CELLPHONES IN SCHOOLS AND
JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
THEY HAVE GONE WITH THE MOST
RESTRICTIVE POLICY WHICH MEANS
STUDENTS CANNOT USE THEIR PHONE
AT ALL THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY
DURING CLASS AND DURING LUNCH,
(24:13):
DURING RECESS IN THE HALLWAYS.
AND SO, YEAH, IT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT
CHANGES SCHOOL CULTURE.
AND IN FRANKFORT THE
LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMISSION
FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE THAT
DEMOCRAT DANIEL GROSSBERG MAY
HAVE CREATED ETHICS VIOLATIONS
SO THE CASE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
(24:33):
>> IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND NOT NEAR
OVER HE PUT OUT A STATEMENT
SAYING HE LOOKS FORWARD TO BEING
CLEARED AT A HEARING AND THAT
HEARING WILL BE OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC THAT WILL BE INTERESTING
TO SEE.
ANOTHER POSSIBLE CUT
WE'RE WATCHING THE APPALACHIAN
REGIONAL COMMISSION COULD BE
FACING CUTS UP TO 93% UNDER THE
(24:54):
DISCRETIONARY BUDGET PROPOSAL
FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
THAT IS A PARTNERSHIP INVOLVING
13 STATES GOES BACK TO 1965.
>> THIS PROPOSAL WILL TAKE THE
BUDGET FROM $200 MILLION DOWN TO
$14 MILLION.
WE SAW A COALITION OF GROUPS
INCLUDING SEVERAL IN KENTUCKY
SIGN LETTERS URGING CONGRESS TO
PLEASE MAINTAIN THIS FUNDING
LEVEL AS IT HAS BEEN BEFORE.
(25:15):
AND HANNAH, STATE
REPRESENTATIVE BILL WESLEY
ANNOUNCED HE IS RUNNING FOR THE
SENATE SEAT AND BRANDON SMITH OF
HAZARD WHO HELD THE SEAT INTENDS
TO RUN FOR REELECTION.
>> IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS WAS A
CURVEBALL ON THE SENATE CAUCUS
SIDE.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE MOVING
FORWARD.
(25:37):
EXOR EXAM --
FOR EXAMPLE WHO WILL HAVE THE
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS' SUPPORT SMITH
HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 2008 HE IS
THE INCUMBENT.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF
LEADERSHIP WILL BACK HIM UP.
I THINK IT'S ALSO INTERESTING WE
HAVE TWO REPUBLICANS BUT THEY
ARE DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER.
FOR EXAMPLE, WESLEY IS FOCUSED
ON THE SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE
(25:57):
ISSUES AND SMITH IS THE CHAIR OF
THE NATURAL RESOURCES SENATE
COMMITTEE VERY DIFFERENT FOCUSES
ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
A COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER
IS PARTNERING WITH KENTUCKY
PROUD ALEX MILLER IS FROM
LANCASTER AND THE NEWEST BRAND
AMBASSADOR FOR KENTUCKY PROUD
PRODUCTS.
JONATHAN SHELL CALLS MILLER AS
(26:19):
KENTUCKY AS IT GETS AND SAYS HE
COULDN'T BE A BETTER MATCH.
THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" WE
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK
AHEAD.
[♪♪]
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:09):
THE FEDERAL TAX AND
SPENDING BILL IS NOW LAW.
WHAT IMPACT WILL IT HAVE IN
KENTUCKY?
MORE CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS
WITH THE RACE GETTING CROWDED IN
CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND A CHALLENGE
TO CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS IN
SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY.
SCHOOLS START IN JUST A FEW
WEEKS.
WITH SOME NEW RULES AND NEW
QUESTIONS.
(00:29):
THE STATE AUDITOR SAYS THE
KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
NEEDS WIDESPREAD IMPROVEMENTS.
HERE IN MID-JULY, COMMENT IS
NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
(00:51):
GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT AND
WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON
KENTUCKY", A LOOK BACK AT AND
SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS
IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF
WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS
TONIGHT ARE, HANNAH PINSKI,
POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE
COURIER JOURNAL.
JESS CLARK EDUCATION REPORTER
FOR THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR
(01:12):
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING.
AND TESSA DUVALL, POLITICS AND
PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE
LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE START TO
JULY INCLUDING INDEPENDENCE DAY
AND WE HAVE A LOT TO CATCH UP
ON.
THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL AS IT
HAS BEEN CALLED HAS PASSED AND
IS LAW SIGNED INTO LAW JULY 4TH
(01:32):
T GIVES TAX BREAKS AND CUTTING
SPENDING.
KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS SPLIT ON THE
SPENDING PLAN.
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN BRETT
GUTHRIE AND DEMOCRATIC
CONGRESSMAN MORGAN MCGARVEY HAD
VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS.
>> WE ALSO MADE SURE THAT
ABLE-BODIED AMERICANS WHO GET
FREE HEALTHCARE IF THEY ARE ABLE
TO WORK, WORK FOR IT.
(01:52):
LIKE EVERY OTHER AMERICAN HAS TO
GET UP AND GO TO WORK FOR THEIR
HEALTHCARE.
IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT PEOPLE ABLE
TO WORK, DO WORK.
>> WHAT HE SOLD TO THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE IS HE WOULDN'T TOUCH
MEDICAID THAT IS THE CAMPAIGN
PROMISE NOW HE IS GIVING THE
LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN HISTORY.
IT WILL TAKE HEALTH INSURANCE
AWAY FROM KIDS MOO MY DISTRICT.
(02:14):
46% OF KENTUCKY'S KIDS ARE ON
MEDICAID.
>> Renee (02:17):
TESSA, TWO DIFFERENT
TAKES ON THE SAME BILL THAT HAS
PASS SECOND NOW LAW AND THE
SPENDING PLAN FOR THE COUNTRY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING REPUBLICANS
PLAY UP IS THE ELEMENT OF TAX
CUTS WHEN IT COMES TO TIPS OR
ALSO SEEING THEM TALK ABOUT
ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE SHOULD WORK
IF THEY WANT HEALTH INSURANCE
AND THEY ARE PROTECTING MEDICAID
(02:39):
FROM WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE AND
WHO DOESN'T WANT TO PROTECT TAX
DOLLARS FROM THINGS LIKE THAT.
ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WE ARE
SEEING THE DEMOCRATS PLAY UP
THAT THE CUT TO MEDICAID IS SO
DEEP THAT IT GOES WELL BEYOND
GETTING RID OF WASTE, FRAUD AND
ABUSE AND THE TAX CUTS DISPORL
BENEFIT WEALTHY AMERICANS.
(03:00):
TWO DIFFERENT TAKES FROM OUR
LAWMAKERS.
>> Bill (03:07):
HARM TO RURAL HOSPITALS
AND REPUBLICANS POINT TO A RURAL
HEALTH FUND $50 BILLION WOULD
SAVE HOSPITALS AND DEMOCRATS SAY
IT'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH.
>> I THINK SPECIFICALLY WITH THE
MEDICAID CUTS THE MESSAGING
DEMOCRATS HAVE GONE WITH THIS
WILL HURT RURAL AMERICA.
McGARVEY CALLED THE BILL A
(03:27):
SLAP IN THE FACE OF KENTUCKY AND
ALL RURAL AMERICA.
WE HAD SEEN WARNINGS FROM THE
DIFFERENT GROUPS THE KENTUCKY
HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SAID THE
BILL WOULD ELIMINATE 33,000 JOBS
AND FORCE RURAL HOSPITALS TO
CLOSE OR CUT SERVICES.
WE SAW THE KFF SAY THAT OVER
130,000 KENTUCKIANS ARE EXPECTED
(03:48):
TO LOSE MEDICAID COVERAGE OVER
THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
MOVING FORWARD NOW THAT THIS
BILL IS LAW WE'LL SEE WHAT
IMPACTS IT WILL HAVE IN RURAL
AMERICA AND KENTUCKY AS WELL.
TESSA THE IMPACTS TO
CUT S.N.A.P. FOOD PROGRAMS WERE
DISCUSSED IN FRANKFORT ON
THURSDAY.
IS IT CLEAR WHAT THE RECIPIENTS
(04:10):
WITHIN THOSE PROGRAMS OR
PROGRAMS RUN BY ARE FACING AND
HOW THIS MIGHT BECOME A PART OF
THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AHEAD?
>> RIGHT.
THERE WAS AN ANALYSIS I LOOKED
AT THAT SHOWS 22 MILLION PEOPLE
ACROSS THE NATION COULD LOSE
THEIR BENEFIT COMPLETELY OR
PARTIALLY.
AND WE KNOW THAT KENTUCKY MUCH
(04:32):
LIKE THE DEPENDENCE ON MEDICAID
A LOT OF FOLKS RECEIVE
NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE THIS WILL
BE FELT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.
AND WE DO HAVE THE MAKE AMERICA
HEALTHY AGAIN KENTUCKY TASK
FORCE THAT IS GOING TO TALK A
LOT ABOUT NUTRITION AND IT'S
HARD TO THINK THIS WON'T COME UP
IN SOME FORM OR CAPACITY AS THE
(04:52):
TASK FORCE CONTINUES ITS WORK.
SOME DISCUSSION
PRELIMINARYLY ON THURSDAY.
JESS, SEPARATE FROM THE BIG,
BEAUTIFUL BILL, THERE IS AN 87
MILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL FUNDING
FREEZE THAT THE EDUCATION
COMMISSIONER AND SOME SCHOOL
LEADERS ARE TRYING TO NAVIGATE.
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
(05:13):
TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER IT WILL
RELEASE THE MONEY.
>> RIGHT.
THESE WERE FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY
CONGRESS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO
BE RELEASED ON JULY FIRST.
AND THEY ARE FUNDS THAT
DISTRICTS WERE PLANNING TO USE
FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR THEY HAVE
BUDGETED FOR THE --
IN THE MIDDLE OF FIGURING OUT
WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.
(05:34):
IT'S BEEN CHAOTIC FOR SCHOOL
DISTRICTS IN KENTUCKY.
THE MAJORITY OF IT IS FOR TITLE
2 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND
RECRUITING FUNDS AND ALSO THE
OTHER BIG CHUNK IS FOR THINGS
LIKE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING,
STEM IN THE CLASSROOM, HIRING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND
ARTS AND MUSIC TEACHERS.
(05:54):
AND SO DISTRICTS ARE IN THIS
REALLY DIFFICULT SITUATION WHERE
THEY ARE TRYING TO HAVE TO
DECIDE DO WE TAKE THE GAMBLE AND
HOPE THAT TRUMP RELEASES THE
FUNDS WITHOUT ASKING CONGRESS TO
CANCEL THEM?
AND MOVE FORWARD AND PAY OUT OF
OUR OWN BUDGETS IN THE MEANTIME?
OR DO WE NOT TAKE THE RISK AND
(06:16):
HAVE STAFFING CUTS AND PROGRAM
CUTS.
IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR
DISTRICTS RIGHT NOW.
BUT THE MONEY COULD BE
RESTORED?
>> THE MONEY COULD BE RESTORED.
TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT
THEY ARE THAT INITIAL LOOK AT IT
SAYS TO THEM THAT IT'S
SUPPORTING SOME KIND OF RADICAL
LEFT WING AGENDA.
(06:37):
THERE'S NOT A TIMELINE ON IT.
IF EVENTUALLY, HE COULD RESTORE
IT IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO RESTORE
IT THERE IS AN ACT THAT ALLOWS
HIM TO PROPOSE CANCELING THE
FUNDS COMPLETELY AND CONGRESS
WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
ACT WITHIN 45 DAYS.
SO IN A COUNTRY THAT
HAS BEEN SO POLITICALLY DIVIDED
(06:58):
FOR SOMETIME HERE WE ARE WITH
SOMETHING THAT, AGAIN, IS GOING
TO BE THE DISCUSSION, RIGHT?
THE BUDGET BILL IS PRAISED BY
REPUBLICANS WHO SAY IT IS
CUTTING SOME OF THE WASTE, FRAUD
AND ABUSE OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
IT IS LOWERING TAXES.
IT IS GIVING SOME BREAKS TO SOME
(07:18):
PEOPLE.
AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE
CONCERNS THAT THE CUTS ARE GOING
TO BE HURTFUL.
>> RIGHT.
AND YOU KNOW, THE ADMINISTRATION
HASN'T POINTED TO ANYTHING
SPECIFIC SO FAR IN THAT GIANT --
OVERALL IT'S $6.8 BILLION IN
FEDERAL SPENDING ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
(07:38):
I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT THEY
SPECIFICALLY FIND IN THAT
PACKAGE THAT IS PROBLEMATIC AND
NOT IN KEEPING WITH THEIR
AGENDA.
WE DON'T KNOW THE FUNDS ARE
FROZEN AND DISTRICTS ARE HOPING
FOR THE BEST.
THE COUPLE OF KENTUCKY
REPUBLICANS JOINED THE
(07:59):
DEMOCRATIC MORGAN MCGARVEY IN
OPPOSING THE FINAL PASSAGE.
>> BUT FOR THE MOST DIFFERENT
REASON POSSIBLE.
TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS MASSIE AND
RAND PAUL BOTH VOTED AGAINST THE
BILL NOT OVER THE CONCERNS THAT
REPRESENTATIVE McGARVEY HAD
ABOUT MEDICAID THIS WAS ABOUT
(08:20):
THE NATIONAL DEBT AND THE
PROJECTION IT COULD ADD
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE NATIONAL
DEFICIT.
WELL, WITH ALL OF THIS
SWIRLING THE RACES FOR CONGRESS
NEXT YEAR ARE GETTING
INTERESTING.
IN EASTERN KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC
ATTORNEY NED PILLERSDORF INTENDS
TO CHALLENGE HAL ROGERS NEXT
(08:40):
YEAR.
NED PILLERSDORF MADE HIS
ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE FOURTH OF
JULY.
>> I'M FILMING THIS VIDEO TO
ANNOUNCE I WILL BE A CANDIDATE
FOR CONGRESS IN 2026.
NOT BECAUSE I HAVE ANY
PARTICULAR DISDAIN FOR HAL
ROGERS.
BUT REALLY AT THE END OF THE DAY
IT'S ABOUT WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING
IN MY LAW PRACTICE THAT IS WHAT
IT'S ALL ABOUT, HELPING MY
(09:04):
NEIGHBORS.
SO HANNAH, HERE NED
PILLERSDORF IS SAYING IT'S
NOTHING AGAINST HAL ROGERS, IT'S
BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL CUTS
WHICH ROGERS DID VOTE IN FAVOR
OF.
>> YEAH.
AND I THINK ONE THING WE'VE SEEN
IN THE CAMPAIGN IS THAT THE
POLICY ISSUE HE IS FOCUSING ON
IS NED PILLERSDORF IS RAILING
AGAINST THE MEDICAID CUTS THAT
IS NOTABLE TO THE REGION BECAUSE
(09:25):
KENTUCKY'S FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT IS ONE OF THE MOST
MEDICAID DEPENDENT DISTRICTS IN
THE COUNTRY AND HE IS ALSO
HOPING HIS WORK IN THE LEGAL AND
NONPROFIT SPHERES WILL APPEAL TO
VOTERS.
HE RECRUITED OTHER LAWYERS TO
REPRESENT PEOPLE WHO LOSE FACING
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
BENEFITS AND HELPED FOUND AN
(09:47):
ANIMAL SHELTER HE IS TRYING TO
HAVE THOSE IDENTITIES APPEAL TO
THE VOTERS.
BUT IT'S GOING TO BE AN UPHILL
CLIMB BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE HAL
ROGERS HAS BEEN THERE FOR SO
LONG.
SINCE 1983, 23 ELECTION
VICTORIES UNOPPOSED IN 2024.
BUT, AGAIN, NED PILLERSDORF SAYS
HE WILL TRY TO RUN ON THE
(10:08):
ISSUES?
>> I THINK AS FAR AS DEMOCRATS
WHO COULD MAKE A SOLID RUN AT
THIS HE IS PROBABLY AS BEST AS
DEMOCRATS COULD HOPE TO FIND.
IT IS STILL A CONSERVATIVE
DISTRICT, STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF
PRESIDENT TRUMP AS YOU NOTED.
REPRESENTATIVE ROGERS HAS BEEN
IN OFFICE QUITE A LONGTIME BUT
FOR THE REASONINGS HANNAH SAID
(10:30):
NED PILLERSDORF HAS A LOT OF
NAME RECOGNITION AND CREDIBILITY
IN THE REGION.
WILL HE BE ABLE TO PULL IT OFF?
IT IS AN UPHILL CLIMB.
BUT HE STANDS A CHANCE BETTER
THAN ANY OTHER DEMOCRAT THAT
THEY COULD FIND.
IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY THE
RACE FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT SEAT
OPENING UP BECAUSE CONGRESSMAN
ANDY BARR IS RUNNING FOR THE
(10:51):
U.S. SENATE IS OPTION.
THIS WEEK REPUBLICAN STATE
REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA FRASER
GORDON SAID SHE WOULD WANT TO GO
TO WASHINGTON TO WORK AND NOT
MAKE A SPLASH.
>> THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT
GO TO WASHINGTON AND RUN TO THE
FIRST CAMERA.
I'M NOT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.
I'VE ALWAYS KEPT MY HEAD DOWN.
I DO HAVE A LOW PROFILE I'M
(11:12):
CHAIR OF SMALL BUSINESS AND I'VE
SERVED ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE
REGULATIONS COMMITTEE FOR GOING
ON SEVEN YEARS.
I'M JUST SOMEONE THAT ROLLS HER
SLEEVES UP AND GETS TO WORK.
AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL DO WHEN
I GET TO WASHINGTON.
GORDON'S NAME HAD BEEN
IN THE MIX OF POTENTIAL
CANDIDATES AND NOW SHE HAS
STEPPED FORWARD.
>> RIGHT.
(11:33):
WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING THIS
ANNOUNCEMENT TO COME FOR A
WHILE.
IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU SEE AN OPEN
CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.
SO CERTAINLY A LOT OF FOLKS ARE
EXPECTED TO THROW THEIR NAMES
OUT THERE AND VIE FOR THIS.
AS SHE NOTED SHE KEEPS A LOW
PROFILE IN FRANKFORT AS A STATE
LAWMAKER.
SHE IS NOT ONE THAT IS KNOWN FOR
BIG FLOOR SPEECHES OR MAKING A
(11:56):
SPLASH.
BUT SHE COMES FROM MADISON
COUNTY WHICH IS ONE OF THE MORE
POPULOUS COUNTIES IN THE
DISTRICT.
SO THAT WILL KIND OF GOOD HOME
TURF FOR HER.
SO WE'LL SEE.
WE'LL SEE.
I THINK A LOT OF HOW THIS SHAKES
OUT DEPENDS ON WHO ELSE GETS
INTO THE RACE.
WELL, AND HANNAH, IT
(12:16):
WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF
HER WORKHORSE NOT A SHOW HORSE
KIND OF APPROACH IS APPEALING?
>> I THINK LIKE ALL CANDIDATES
SHE HAS EMPHASIZED SHE WILL BE A
TRUMP MAGA VOICE IN WASHINGTON
BUT SHE IS TRYING TO DISTINGUISH
FROM AN ALREADY CROWDED PRIMARY
BY REALLY WORKING THAT SHE HAS
SMALL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND
SHE WILL HELP THE WORKING CLASS
(12:38):
PEOPLE.
THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN
REPRESENTATIVE RYLAND BARTON'S
MESSAGE --
RYAN DOTSON'S MESSAGING SAYING
HE WILL FOCUS ON SOCIAL
CONSERVATIVE ISSUES WILL HE WILL
SLAY THE WOKE GIANT IN DC AND
INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT MESSAGE
RESONATES WITH THE VOTERS.
(12:59):
AND A POTENTIAL
CANDIDATE DECIDED SHE IS NOT
RUNNING IS STATE SENATOR AMANDA
MAYS BLEDSOE.
TESSA SHE SAID IT IS NOT GOOD
TIMING FOR HER FAMILY.
>> RIGHT.
SHE CITED THINGS WITH HER KIDS
AND MILESTONES SHE DIDN'T WANT
TO MISS AND HER ONGOING
RECOVERY, SHE WAS KICKED BY A
HORSE ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO
(13:19):
AND HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT RECOVERY
FROM THAT UNDERGOING SURGERIES
AS SHE CONTINUES TO HEAL.
FOR THOSE REASONS, SHE SAID THIS
IS JUST NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR
ME AND MY FAMILY.
AND THAT IS RARELY IS IT SO
SIGNIFICANT FOR WHO DOESN'T RUN
IN A SEAT.
THIS WAS A BIG DEAL, BECAUSE SHE
HAS A LOT OF CONNECTIONS.
(13:41):
SHE WAS A COUNCILWOMAN IN
LEXINGTON AND IS ALSO THE
VICE-CHAIR OF THE POWERFUL
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
SHE IS WELL CONNECTED, WELL
LIKED.
SHE WOULD BE COMING FROM THE
MOST POPULOUS CITY IN THE
DISTRICT AND THAT WOULD HAVE
BEEN A HUGE ADVANTAGE IN A
PRIMARY.
SHE --
HER ABSENCE FROM THE FIELD HAS
(14:02):
THE POPE TO SHAKE THINGS UP.
AND MINUTES AFTER
AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE MADE
INTENTIONS CLEAR, RALPH ALVARADO
IS INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR
CONGRESS.
THAT WOULD REQUIRE HIM TO LEAVE
HIS POST AS TENNESSEE'S HEALTH
COMMISSIONER.
AND HANNAH, ALVARADO WAS MATT
BEVIN'S RUNNING MATE IN 2019.
(14:23):
THEY LOST HE LEFT THE STATE AND
MAINTAINED A HOME AND A LOT OF
INTERESTS HERE?
>> YEAH, I BELIEVE HE SAID HE
HAS KEPT TIES TO HIS ROOTS AND
STILL PRACTICED MEDICINE IN
WINCHESTER.
I THINK THE TIMING OF THIS
ANNOUNCEMENT COULD BE MORE THAN
CO-BINS DENTAL IN AMANDA MAYS
(14:43):
BLEDSOE'S POST SHE SAYS THERE IS
AN UPCOMING MALE CANDIDATE
EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE WHO WILL
HAVE HER FULL SUPPORT.
WE WILL HAVE TO SEE IF ALVARADO
HAS THE SUPPORT IN THIS RACE.
RYAN DOTSON THE OTHER
CANDIDATE IS GOING TO WASHINGTON
NEXT WEEK.
HE'S TEASED ON SOCIAL MEDIA STAY
(15:04):
TUNED FOR A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT.
>> WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THAT
IS.
COULD BE AN ENDORSEMENT FROM
PRESIDENT TRUMP.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.
COULD IT BE AN ENDORSEMENT FROM
A MAJOR NATIONAL PLAYER WE HAVE
TO SEE THAT AS WELL.
ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE
CHERLYNN STEVENSON TALKED WITH
ME THIS WEEK ABOUT WHY SHE'S
RUNNING.
>> I THINK THAT IT'S TIME THAT
THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY
(15:25):
HAVE A CHAMPION SOMEBODY WHO IS
GOING TO BAT FOR WORKING
FAMILIES AND TALKING ABOUT THE
ISSUES THAT MATTER TO THEM.
ABOUT HEALTHCARE, ABOUT RAISING
WAGES ABOUT, STOPPING SOME OF
THE CHAOS THAT WE'RE SEEING HERE
FROM THE TARIFFS THAT WE'RE
SEEING AND NOT SOMEBODY THAT
ROLLS OVER AND WANTS TO CUT
TAXES SO THAT BILLIONAIRES CAN
(15:47):
HAVE A TAX BREAK.
HANNAH, WITH THE
DEMOCRATIC TALKING POINTS,
CHERLYNN STEVENSON SEEMS TO
BELIEVE SHE WILL PLAY BETTER IN
A DISTRICT LARGER THAN THE STATE
HOUSE SEAT DISTRICT THAT SHE
LOST A FEW MONTHS AGO.
>> YEAH, AND I THINK IN HER
CAMPAIGN SHE IS HOPING THAT HER
BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE AS A STATE
(16:08):
LEGISLATOR AND HER EXPERIENCE
WINNING TOUGH RACES COULD HELP
HER IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.
AS WE'VE SEEN SHE IS AGAINST A
LOT OF THE TRUMP POLICIES THAT
DEMOCRATS SAID WILL HURT
AMERICA.
LIKE SHE SAID THE TARIFFS THE
MEDICAID CUTS THE S.N.A.P. CUTS
WE'LL SEE IF THAT PLAYS OUT
SEXUALLY BUT SHE IS TAKING THE
(16:32):
NATIONAL MESSAGING.
CHERLYNN STEVENSONS HER
PRIMARY TO WIN.
KLOIBER PROVED IN HIS
UNSUCCESSFUL BID FOR MAYOR OF
LEXINGTON IN 2022 HE IS CAPABLE
OF WRITING A BIG CHECK FOR A
CAMPAIGN.
>> HE DID.
AND WE'RE SEEING THAT CHERLYNN
STEVENSON IS CAPABLE OF RAISING
A LOT OF MONEY.
SHE SENT OUT A NEWS RELEASE THAT
HER CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED OVER
(16:54):
$200,000 WHICH IS NOT A SMALL
AMOUNT OF MONEY.
SO, I THINK, AS I SAID, IT'S
RARE THAT YOU SEE AN OPEN
CONGRESSIONAL SEAT AND WE KNOW
THIS IS ONE THAT DEMOCRATS ARE
HOPING TO FLIP.
WE'VE SEEN A NATIONAL GROUP SAY
THIS IS ONE OF A HANDFUL IN THE
NATION WE THINK WE CAN CAN GET.
(17:14):
AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE MONEY
WILL BE AN ASSET IN A RACE LIKE
THAT.
NOW, THERE IS A GROUP, THAT SORT
OF DOES THE RATINGS ON
PREDICTIONS HOW A DISTRICT MAY
GO.
AND THEY'VE MOVE TO DO FROM FROM
SOLIDLY REPUBLICAN TO LIKELY
REPUBLICAN WHICH STILL FAVORS
THE G.O.P. BUT IS A SHIFT EVER
SO SLIGHTLY IN THE FAVOR OF THE
(17:34):
DEMOCRATS.
SO THAT IS CERTAINLY GIVING
DEMOCRATS IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT
SOME HOPE.
THERE IS NOW
CONFIRMATION THAT THE THREE
MAJOR REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE
CANDIDATES, ANDY BARR AND NATURE
MORRIS WILL ALL SPEAK AT FANCY
FARM THAT COULD BE INTERESTING,
HANNAH?
>> I THINK IT WILL BE
(17:55):
INTERESTING.
AS WE'VE SEEN THESE CAMPAIGNS
AREN'T AFRAID TO THROW PUNCHES
AT EACH OTHER.
AND IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS GOT
HEATED BEFORE ALL THREE NAMES
ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD BE RUNNING
FOR McCONNELL'S SEAT.
NATE MORRIS WHO IS ATTACKING
BARR AND CAMERON WITH
CONNECTIONS TO McCONNELL AND
BAR AND CAMERON ATTACKING MORRIS
(18:17):
FOR LIBERAL POLICIES HE HAD A
RUBICON.
FANCY FARM IS FULL OF JOKES
WE'LL SEE WHAT THE CANDIDATES
BRING FORWARD AND IT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO WATCH.
>> ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS BEEN
INVITED TO FANCY FARM IS SENATOR
MITCH McCONNELL WHO HAS BECOME
THE BOOGIE MAN IN THIS RACE SHOW
HE IS NOT A CANDIDATE.
(18:38):
YOU ARE NOT ONLY SEEING FOLKS
THE THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING AS
FAR AWAY FROM HIM AS POSSIBLE
YOU ARE SEEING THEM PUSH HIM
UNDER THE BUS IN A LOT OF
SITUATIONS.
I PERSONALLY THINK IT WOULD BE
INTERESTING VIEWING IF HE WENT
TO FANCY FARM AND SAT ON STAGE
AND HAD TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO
SAY ABOUT HIM.
(18:59):
MIGHT TEMPER IT.
THERE IS OUR TEASE
FANCY FARM, THE FIRST SATURDAY
IN AUGUST.
JESS, I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU
ARE HERE.
ALLISON BALL SAYS THE KENTUCKY
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEEDS
IMPROVEMENTS.
>> THIS WAS AN AUDIT HER OFFICE
DID AT THE REQUEST OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
AND THE HEADLINE ITEM OF THIS
(19:19):
AUDIT IS THAT THE KENTUCKY
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LET
LAPSE $250 MILLION OVER THREE
YEARS.
NOW, THIS IS A ITEM THAT THE
DEPARTMENT CONTESTS SAYING THEY
HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS
OF BUDGET LAW.
AND THAT THEY CAN'T REALLOCATE
FUNDING FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS
(19:40):
APPROPRIATED FOR SOMETHING ELSE
WITHOUT GETTING GENERAL ASSEMBLY
APPROVAL.
THAT HAS BEEN THE TOP LINE ITEM.
A LOT OF THE STUFF IS VERY
NITTY-GRITTY IN THE WEEDS THINGS
LIKE PROCESS, RECORD KEEPING
PRACTICES, EFFICIENCIES,
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AGENCIES
WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
BUT THERE ARE SOME REALLY
(20:01):
INTERESTING FINDINGS ONE I FOUND
PARTICULARLY INTERESTING WAS
THAT THE KDE AND THE KENTUCKY
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
HAVE NO CENTRALIZED WAY THAT
THEY ARE KEEPING TRACK OF
COACHES WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH STUDENTS.
AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT
AUDITOR BALL WANTS THE
(20:23):
DEPARTMENT OR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
TO TAKE ACTION ON.
SHE IS ALSO AUDITING
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND THE FAYETTE PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM.
JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EXPECTED THIS YEAR AND THOSE
WILL BE COMPREHENSIVE?
>> YES, THE JCPS WILL BE
COMPREHENSIVE SHE HAS SAID THAT
(20:44):
I TALKED TO HER YESTERDAY AND I
KNOW THAT ONE FOCUS OF THAT
AUDIT WILL BE ON SCHOOL SAFETY
THAT WILL BE INTERESTING.
AND THEN THE FAYETTE COUNTY
AUDIT INITIATED OVER SOME
CONCERNS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY
AROUND NEW OCCUPATIONAL TAX THAT
PEOPLE WERE UPSET ABOUT.
16 MILLION SHORTFALL
(21:04):
AND THE PROPOSED TAX.
>> YES.
SO MY INSTINCT IS THAT IT WILL
BE HEAVY ON THE NUMBERS SIDE BUT
SHE TENDS TO LIKE TO DO A BROAD
LOOK AT THINGS.
I WOULD ANTICIPATE A BROAD LOOK.
JCPS SAYS IT'S SHORT
(21:24):
400 TEACHERS?
>> YES.
THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR THE
LAST THREE YEARS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST IF
NOT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN
EDUCATION RIGHT NOW IS THE
EDUCATOR SHORTAGE.
PEOPLE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT
ENTERING THE PROFESSION.
SO OLDER PEOPLE ARE RETIRING.
AND THEN YOU HAVE THIS ALMOST
(21:44):
LIKE I HATE TO CALL IT A DEATH
SPIRAL BUT IT IS AN ISSUE WHERE
BECAUSE THERE ARE SO FEW
TEACHERS WORKING CONDITIONS ARE
REALLY TOUGH YOU HAVE MORE
TEACHERS LEAVING THE PROFESSION.
JCPS I THINK TODAY HAD ONE OF
THE LARGEST HIRING FAIRS THAT
IT'S EVER HAD THEY WILL TRY TO
FILL THE VACANCIES.
IN YEARS PAST SOME OF THE
(22:05):
VACANCIES NEVER GET FILLED SO
KIDS HAVE A STRING OF SUBS FOR A
YEAR AND THE MOST UNFORTUNATE
PART THE VACANCIES ARE
CONCENTRATED IN SCHOOLS THAT
HAVE THE KIDS WITH THE HIGHEST
NEEDS.
LOW INCOME SCHOOLS, KIDS OF
COLOR THAT HAVE THE LEAST ACCESS
TO HIGH QUALITY TEACHING.
SENATE BILL 181
(22:27):
ESTABLISHES REQUIREMENTS HOW
SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS
CAN COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS IT
REQUIRES TRACEABLE
COMMUNICATIONS.
SO IT SETS BOUNDARIES BUT IT
ALSO HAS RAISED A LOT OF
QUESTIONS.
>> THIS HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS LAW WAS SO
THAT ADULTS COULD NOT ENGAGE IN
WHAT IS KNOWN AS GROOMING WITH
(22:49):
KIDS OVER ELECTRONIC
COMMUNICATIONS WHICH DOES
HAPPEN.
AND SO THE WAY OF SOLVING THIS
STATES HAVE DONE THIS IS TO PASS
THE LAW WHERE ADULTS ARE ONLY
ALLOWED TO COMMUNICATE WITH KIDS
ON THE SPECIFIC FORMS OF
COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS.
AND SO THIS IS BEING ROLLED OUT
ACROSS THE STATE.
THE PUSHBACK IS THAT TEACHERS
(23:10):
AND OTHER STAFF ARE SAYING HEY I
CAN'T UM COMMUNICATE WITH MY
NEPHEW OR WE'VE GOT BASEBALL
PRACTICE AND I CANNOT TEXT ALL
THE KIDS THAT MY SON IS FRIENDS
WITH TO DO A CAR-POOL.
SO IT'S CREATED A LOT OF
HEADACHES.
YOU KNOW, TIPTON, THE CHAIR OF
THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
(23:32):
AND HE SAID THERE MAYBE ROOM FOR
IMPROVEMENT OVER THE NEXT
SESSION.
BUT, IT IS BEING IMPLEMENTED
RIGHT NOW.
SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW IT PLAYS OUT.
NEW RULES FOR PHONES IN
CLASSROOMS THIS FALL.
THE SCHOOLS ARE FIGURING THAT
OUT, I GUESS?
>> LOTS OF NEW RULES INVOLVING
(23:52):
TECHNOLOGY.
SO, YES, THERE IS A DISTRICTS
ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A POLICY
BANNING OR RESTRICTING USE OF
CELLPHONES IN SCHOOLS AND
JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
THEY HAVE GONE WITH THE MOST
RESTRICTIVE POLICY WHICH MEANS
STUDENTS CANNOT USE THEIR PHONE
AT ALL THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY
DURING CLASS AND DURING LUNCH,
(24:13):
DURING RECESS IN THE HALLWAYS.
AND SO, YEAH, IT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT
CHANGES SCHOOL CULTURE.
AND IN FRANKFORT THE
LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMISSION
FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE THAT
DEMOCRAT DANIEL GROSSBERG MAY
HAVE CREATED ETHICS VIOLATIONS
SO THE CASE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
(24:33):
>> IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND NOT NEAR
OVER HE PUT OUT A STATEMENT
SAYING HE LOOKS FORWARD TO BEING
CLEARED AT A HEARING AND THAT
HEARING WILL BE OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC THAT WILL BE INTERESTING
TO SEE.
ANOTHER POSSIBLE CUT
WE'RE WATCHING THE APPALACHIAN
REGIONAL COMMISSION COULD BE
FACING CUTS UP TO 93% UNDER THE
(24:54):
DISCRETIONARY BUDGET PROPOSAL
FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
THAT IS A PARTNERSHIP INVOLVING
13 STATES GOES BACK TO 1965.
>> THIS PROPOSAL WILL TAKE THE
BUDGET FROM $200 MILLION DOWN TO
$14 MILLION.
WE SAW A COALITION OF GROUPS
INCLUDING SEVERAL IN KENTUCKY
SIGN LETTERS URGING CONGRESS TO
PLEASE MAINTAIN THIS FUNDING
LEVEL AS IT HAS BEEN BEFORE.
(25:15):
AND HANNAH, STATE
REPRESENTATIVE BILL WESLEY
ANNOUNCED HE IS RUNNING FOR THE
SENATE SEAT AND BRANDON SMITH OF
HAZARD WHO HELD THE SEAT INTENDS
TO RUN FOR REELECTION.
>> IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS WAS A
CURVEBALL ON THE SENATE CAUCUS
SIDE.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE MOVING
FORWARD.
(25:37):
EXOR EXAM --
FOR EXAMPLE WHO WILL HAVE THE
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS' SUPPORT SMITH
HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 2008 HE IS
THE INCUMBENT.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF
LEADERSHIP WILL BACK HIM UP.
I THINK IT'S ALSO INTERESTING WE
HAVE TWO REPUBLICANS BUT THEY
ARE DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER.
FOR EXAMPLE, WESLEY IS FOCUSED
ON THE SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE
(25:57):
ISSUES AND SMITH IS THE CHAIR OF
THE NATURAL RESOURCES SENATE
COMMITTEE VERY DIFFERENT FOCUSES
ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
A COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER
IS PARTNERING WITH KENTUCKY
PROUD ALEX MILLER IS FROM
LANCASTER AND THE NEWEST BRAND
AMBASSADOR FOR KENTUCKY PROUD
PRODUCTS.
JONATHAN SHELL CALLS MILLER AS
(26:19):
KENTUCKY AS IT GETS AND SAYS HE
COULDN'T BE A BETTER MATCH.
THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" WE
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK
AHEAD.
[♪♪]
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