March 24, 2025 • 26 mins
Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including the upcoming resumption of the General Assembly for legislators to consider Gov. Andy Beshear's vetoes. Guests: Sylvia Goodman, Kentucky Public Radio; Phillip Bailey, USA Today; and McKenna Horsley, Kentucky Lantern.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:07):
GOVERNOR BESHEAR ISSUES
VETOES EVEN AS THE LEGISLATURE
IS LIKELY TO OVERRIDE HIS
OBJECTIONS.
SOME OF KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION FACED PROTESTS OVER
THE NEW DIRECTION IN BASH WASH.
THE RACE TO SUCCEED 34EU67 MITCH
TAKE O MITCH McCONNELL TAKES
SHAPE.
(00:28):
THE DISMANTLING OF THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LEADS TO
SCRAMBLING, QUESTIONS AND
CONCERNS IN FRANKFORT.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG AND COMMENT IS
NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
GOOD EVENING I'M BILL
BRYANT AND WE WELCOME YOU TO
(00:49):
"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 MCKENNA HORSLEY
POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE
KENTUCKY LANTERN.
SYLVIA GOODMAN CAPITAL REPORTER
FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO AND
(01:10):
PHILLIP BAILEY POLITICAL SPORE
RESPOND END FOR "USA TODAY".
LET'S BEGIN IN FRANKFORT WHERE
ANDY BESHEAR IS GOING OVER 100
BILLS AND TAKEN OUT HIS VETO PEN
ONE TARGET IS VETOED THE
LEGISLATURE'S ANTI-D.E.I. BILL.
>> WE LOVE AND WE ACCEPT
EVERYONE.
(01:31):
THIS BILL ISN'T ABOUT LOVE.
HOUSE BILL 4 IS ABOUT HATE.
SO I'M GOING TO TRY ACTIVE LOVE
MYSELF AND I'M GOING TO VETO IT
RIGHT NOW.
THAT VIDEO FROM THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE COMPLETE WITH
MUSIC THERE.
ANY CLOSE OBSERVERS, SYLVIA
(01:51):
COULD SEE THIS WAS LIKELY
COMING?
>> YOU COULD SEE THIS A MILE
AWAY.
LAST YEAR WE SAW A SIMILAR
VERSION TO THIS HOUSE BILL 4
COME UP AND IT DIDN'T MAKE IT
ACROSS THE FINISH LINE BUT
BEFORE THAT BILL BESHEAR WAS
SIGNALING HE WOULD LIKELY VETO
IT AND WE'VE SEEN THAT THIS
YEAR.
THE BILL PASSED ON PARTISAN
(02:13):
LINES AND BESHEAR VETOED IT
PROMPTLY AS WE JUST SAW.
AND YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST DURING
BLACK HISTORY MONTH, JUST A
LITTLE WHILE AGO THAT BESHEAR
WAS SAYING DIVERSITY IS AN ASSET
HE MADE A STRONG POINT OF
SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THAT.
I DON'T THINK IT COMES AS A
SURPRISE THAT HE WOULD SIGNAL
THIS ESPECIALLY WITH D.E.I.,
(02:35):
COMING UNDER FIRE FROM THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION, FROM ALL ANGLES
IT'S BECOME A PRIORITY OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY IT SEEMS.
I THINK IT ALSO IS A STRONG
NATIONAL STANCE FOR BESHEAR TO
TAKE RIGHT NOW.
IT WAS QUITE A DEBATE
AND IT GOT HEATED AT TIMES.
>> YES.
IN FACT, SOME OF THE PEOPLE
STANDING BEHIND THE GOVERNOR IN
THAT VIDEO ARE PEOPLE WHO
ADVOCATED AGAINST THE BILL
(02:57):
INCLUDING A U OF L STUDENT
BRADLEY PRICE AMONG STUDENTS
HAVING A SPIRITED DISCUSSION TO
PUT IT MILDLY ARE REPRESENTATIVE
JAMES TIPTON AFTER HIS COMMITTEE
HEARD THE BILL.
BUT THROUGHOUT THE SESSION WE'VE
HEARD REPUBLICANS REPEATEDLY
DEFEND THIS BILL AND HEARD
DEMOCRATS ON THE MINORITY SIDE
VOICE THEIR OPPOSITION AGAINST
(03:18):
THIS BILL OVER IN THE SENATE,
THERE WAS AN EXCHANGE ON THE
FLOOR BEFORE THE SENATE TOOK IT
UP BETWEEN THE FLOOR LEADERS.
SENATOR WISE AND SENATOR NEAL.
THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN ONE
THAT WE'VE SEEN UNFOLD FOR THE
PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AND I
THINK WE'LL SEE IT COME UP IN
THE VETO OVERRIDE IF IT SHOULD
(03:39):
COME UP ON THE FLOOR.
>> ONE OF THE CROPS FOR
DEMOCRATS IN 2028 IS THE
GOVERNOR'S RANKS AND ANDY
BESHEAR IS ON THE LIST AND HE
KNOWS BECAUSE HE DOES NOT HAVE A
DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE SUCH AS
WHITMER HAD IN MICHIGAN HE HAS
TO USE THE VETOES TO SHOW WHERE
(03:59):
HIS STANCES ARE.
THEY GIVE HIM KUDOS FOR VETOING
ANTI-TRANS, AND NOW ANTI-D.E.I.
LEGISLATION.
AND YOU WILL SEE THE GOVERNOR
LEAN IN THIS HE CRITICIZED GAVIN
NEWSOM'S BILL WITH THE ALL-STARS
OF MAGA INCLUDING BANNON.
BEYOND JUST THAT HE WENT FURTHER
(04:20):
HE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW AT THE
EVENT, I THINK THE SPORTS NEED
TO BE FAIR WHEN HE WAS TALKING
ABOUT TRANSPORTS AND CRITICIZING
NEWSOM FOR THROWING TRANS FOLKS
UNDER THE BUS AND ENDED IT WITH
I'M MEAN SURELY WE CAN SEE
HUMANITY AND PERSPECTIVES IN
THIS DEBATE ON WHAT IS GOING ON.
YOU HAD THE GOVERNOR OF
CALIFORNIA THROWING THE TRANS
(04:42):
RIGHTS ISSUE UNDER THE BUS FROM
A PROGRESSIVE STANDPOINT AND THE
GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY DEFENDING
TRANS FOLKS IT'S AN INTERESTING
MIX POLITICAL SITUATION HERE.
THE REASONS FOR THE
VETOES AND THE VETO MESSAGES
COULD BE IMPORTANT TO HIS
LONG-TERM POLITICAL GOALS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I THINK THAT ANDY BESHEAR WANTS
TO USE THE VETOES TO SEND THE
(05:03):
MESSAGE OF HERE ARE MY VALUES
AND MARKING OUT HE IS THINKING
THE TRUMP ERA WILL GET THE
PEOPLE IN THE SENSE OF LOVE AND
HUMANITY MORE THAN FIGHTING
DONALD TRUMP HIMSELF.
IT'S INTERESTING HOW
MANY ISSUES AT THE STATE LEVEL
ARE ALSO FOUGHT OUT AT THE SAME
TIME ON THE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE,
RIGHT.
>> OH, THEY ARE.
I MEAN, I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT
(05:23):
FOR A WHILE NOW IN POLITICS AND
IN STATE POLITICS AND LOCAL
POLITICS WHATEVER IS BEING
TALKED ABOUT ON "FOX NEWS",
MSNBC IS THE TOPIC OF THE DAY IN
OUR LEGISLATURES.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WAS ALWAYS THE
CASE BUT IT HAS BECOME ONE.
MORE AND MORE WE SEE BILLS FILED
ON ISSUES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN
(05:44):
STATE ISSUES BUT HAVE BECOME
THEM.
AND THIS YEAR WE SAW ISSUES LIKE
KY VERSION OF DOGE, BEING
BROUGHT UP IN THE STATE
LEGISLATURE TO MIMIC WHAT IS
HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT IS
HAPPENING AND PROGRESSIVELY
HAPPENING MORE.
THIS IS UNIQUE TO THE
AREA THAT YOU COVER AND THAT YOU
(06:06):
HAVE A NATIONAL LOOK AT THINGS
FROM KENTUCKY.
IS THAT THE CASE?
ARE THINGS COMING DOWN FROM
WASHINGTON AND THEREFORE IT GETS
THE INTEREST GOING HERE?
OR IS IT HERE THAT THINGS HAPPEN
LOCALLY AND THEN RISE UP TO THE
NATIONAL LEVEL?
>> I THINK STATE REPUBLICANS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY UNDERSTAND
(06:27):
HOW POPULAR DONALD TRUMP IS WITH
THIS MAGA POPULOUS BASE.
THE WAY THE PRESIDENT GOES IN A
STATE LIKE KENTUCKY WHERE HE WON
OVERWHELMLY IF HE IS POPULAR
WITH THE PARTY IMAGINE WHAT IT
CAN DO FOR YOU IN KENTUCKY.
THE ISSUE IS THAT DONALD TRUMP
IS A DEAL MAKER.
HE IS NOT SOMEONE A TRADITIONAL
(06:47):
REPUBLICAN OR CONSERVATIVE.
SO I THINK IN A LOT OF WAYS YOU
ARE SEEING AN EXPERIMENTATION OF
IDEOLOGIES ACROSS THE BOARD BUT
THE MAIN TEST FOR REPUBLICANS
NOW AND IS' ARE YOU CONSERVATIVE
OR MODERATE IT'S THE DON.
MITCH McCONNELL HELPED BUILD
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN
(07:07):
KENTUCKY.
AND HE IS COMPLETELY OUT OF
FAVOR WITH MAGA AND PRESIDENT
TRUMP.
LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME
OF THE BILLS THE GOVERNOR IS
VETOING.
HE HAS HAD THAT PEN OUT SEVERAL
TIMES AND WHAT HE IS LIKELY TO
SIGN OR ALLOW TO BECOME LAW.
THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT YOU ARE
WATCHING, RIGHT?
>> AT THIS POINT ON FRIDAY,
BESHEAR HAS ISSUED TWO VETOES TO
(07:29):
TWO BILLS.
THE FIRST VETO WAS FOR HOUSE
BILL 216 WHICH WOULD ALLOW SOME
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN OR
RECEIVE FUNDS OR CONTRACTS
ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT'S
KENTUCKY OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL
POLICY.
IN HIS VETO MESSAGE, BESHEAR
SAID THE BILL WOULD ALLOW
CONDUCT THAT HAS BEEN UNETHICAL
(07:50):
AND UNLAWFUL AND THAT IS WHY HE
VETOED IT.
HE VETOED TODAY SENATE BILL 245.
WHICH RELATES TO BOARD
APPOINTMENTS ON THE FISH AND
WILDLIFE COMMISSION.
THIS BILL WOULD HAVE ALLOWED ANY
APPOINTEES THAT THE SENATE
DECLINED TO REAPPOINT THEY WOULD
HAVE TO VACATE THEIR SEAT BY THE
END OF THAT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
(08:13):
BESHEAR CALLED THAT LEGISLATIVE
GAME PLAYING AND THAT RELATES TO
A LOT OF POLITICS ISSUES AROUND
THE COMMISSION IN THE PAST
COUPLE OF YEARS.
AGAIN IT'S FRIDAY NIGHT
AND HE COULD ISSUE VETOES OVER
THE WEEKEND.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE SEE
THAT MAYBE A TARGET OF THE VETO
PEN?
>> SOME GROUPS ARE CALLING ON
BESHEAR TO ISSUE SOME VETOES
(08:33):
PARTICULARLY PLANNED PARENTHOOD
IS CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR TO
VETO HOUSE BILL 90.
WHICH STARTED OUT AS A BILL THAT
WOULD ALLOW FREE STANDING BIRTH
CENTERS IN KENTUCKY.
BUT LAST WEEK, THERE WERE
CHANGES ADDED THAT REPUBLICANS
SAID WOULD CLARIFY THE STATE'S
EXEMPTIONS TO THE ABORTION BAN.
(08:54):
BUT ADVOCATES ARE SAY TO GO DOES
NOTHING TO IMPROVE PATIENT
SAFETY.
IS HE LIKELY TO SIGN
THE BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW
KENTUCKY TO PERHAPS MORE EASILY
HIT THE TRIGGERS FOR STATE
INCOME TAX REDUCTIONS?
>> HE HAS SIGNED SOME OF THOSE
INCOME TAXES REDUCTIONS INTO LAW
AND VETOED SOME IN THE PAST.
BUT THAT BILL IN PARTICULAR
(09:15):
HOUSE BILL 775, LAST WEEK WAS
AMENDED TO HAVE A SWATH OF
PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS IN IT,
TOO.
SO THAT COULD SWAY HIM ONE WAY
OR THE OTHER.
SOME INCLUDES TAXES ON HEMP
DERIVED BEVERAGES TO TAX
INCENTIVES FOR A PLAN TO HAVE A
PRIVATE RESORT NEAR RED RIVER
GORGE HE WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH
(09:37):
THAT ONE.
BESHEAR VETOED THE
LEGISLATION THAT STARTED THE
INCOME TAX CUTS AND NOW HE
SIGNED CUTS INTO LAW.
>> ANDY BESHEAR KNOWS WHERE THE
WIND IS BLOWING.
WE'RE TAKING MORE EGGS AT
CUSTOMS AND CAPTURING MORE EGGS
ILLEGALLY SHIPPED INTO THIS
(09:58):
COUNTRY THAN FENTANYL.
THAT IS THE ISSUE WITH THE COST
EFFICIENCY, THE ISSUE.
AFFORDABILITY IN THE COUNTRY.
ANDY BESHEAR KNOWS THAT EVERY
MAIN STEAM DEMOCRAT KNOWS YOU DO
NOT WANT TO BE ON THE SIDE OF
RAISES TAXES OR THE COST OF
LIVING.
SYLVIA, WE WERE ON THE
AIR AND THE LEGISLATURE WAS
DEBATING THINGS THERE WERE A
(10:19):
THOUSAND PEEKSES OF LEGISLATION
PROPOSED.
DID SOME LAWMAKERS FEEL THEY
WERE RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND DID
THAT LEAD TO THE NARRATIVE ABOUT
LACK OF TRANSPARENCY THAT BECAME
SOME OF THE CRITICISM LATE IN
THE SESSION?
>> WELL, I WILL SAY AT THAT TIME
TRANSPARENCY AND LACK THEREOF
HAS BEEN A CONSTANT TOPIC OF
CONVERSATION FOR THE LAST FEW
YEARS.
I WOULD SAY.
(10:39):
AND CONCERNS ESPECIALLY FROM THE
MINORITY PARTY THAT LEADERSHIP
DOES NOT ALLOW ENOUGH TIME TO
DISCUSS ISSUES FULLY.
AT THE START OF THE SESSION,
LEADERS OF BOTH HOUSES CHAMBERS,
TOLD REPORTERS THEY EXPECTED
THIS TO BE A LIGHT SESSION THERE
WERE A LOT OF BILLS INTRODUCED
AND A LOT OF BILLS PASSED.
AND MANY OF THEM WERE PASSED ON
(11:00):
THAT LAST DAY OF SESSION BEFORE
THE VETO PERIOD.
SO IN THE PERIOD WHERE THEY
COULD STILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO
OVERRIDE ANY VETOES THAT
GOVERNOR BESHEAR MIGHT DECIDE TO
ISSUE.
SO ON THAT LAST DAY, SOME OF THE
MOST CONTROVERSIAL BILLS OF THE
SESSION CAME UP AT THE END.
THE TAX TRIGGER BILL.
WE SAW SEVERAL ANTI-TRANS BILL.
(11:21):
A BILL THAT WOULD BAN MEDICAID
SPENDING ON GENDER AFFIRMING
HORMONES OR GENDER AFFIRMING
SURGERIES THAT PASSED ATTACHED
TO ANOTHER THING GETTING RID OF
GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S EXECUTIVE
ORDER THAT ATTEMPTS TO LIMIT OR
BAN CONVERSION THERAPY IN THE
STATE.
WE HAVE SEVERAL BILLS THAT WERE
(11:43):
CONTROVERSIAL THAT MADE FINAL
PASSAGE LITERALLY IN THE LAST
HOUR OF THE FLOOR OF THE VETO
PERIOD.
IT WAS A RUSH THERE AT THE END.
A COUPLE OF DAYS IN THE
SESSION LEFT AND SENATE
PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS TALKED
ABOUT WHAT HE EXPECTS TO SEE IN
THOSE LAST TWO DAYS OF THE
SESSION NECK WREAK.
>> --
NEXT WEEK.
>> WE GOT CLOSE TO EVERYTHING WE
(12:04):
WANTED TO GET DONE BY THE CLOSE
OF BUSINESS ON THE 14TH.
NOW, WE WILL GO BACK ON THE 27TH
AND 28TH TO SEE WHAT THE
GOVERNOR HAS VETOED AND SEE HIS
RATIONAL FOR VETOES AND DISCUSS
PASSING MORE BILLS AND WHONT
WE'LL OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S
VETOES.
ALL RIGHT, DO YOU
FORESEE ANY BILLS MAKING IT
(12:25):
THROUGH THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS?
>> ONE FOR SURE THAT I THINK
WILL MAKE IT THROUGH.
THE HOUSE NEEDS TO CONCUR WITH
SENATE CHANGES IS THE FLOOD
RELIEF BILL HOUSE BILL 544.
AND IT INCLUDES THE PROVISIONS
FOR A NEW SAFE FUND TO RESPOND
TO SOME OF THE FLOODS WE SAW IN
MID-FEBRUARY ACROSS THE STATE.
(12:46):
BESHEAR SAID THAT THAT BILL HE
DOESN'T VIEW IT AS BEING ENOUGH.
IT STILL HAS CAPS IN PLACE FOR
MONEY THAT HE CAN SPEND WITHOUT
LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.
BUT GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES HE
WOULD SIGN IT.
THERE WAS TALK ABOUT
WAITING UNTIL THE BUDGET YEARS
DURING THE 30-DAY SESSION.
PHIL, WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR WILL
(13:08):
BE COMING BACK AND CAMPAIGN FROM
THE TIME LEADING UP ABOUT
UNIVERSAL PK IS IT GOOD
POLITICS?
>> WHAT HE LEARNED IS WHEN IT
COMES TO KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES HE
KNOWS HOW TO LEAN INTO THAT MORE
THAN DEMOCRATS WHO WERE
SHELLSHOCKED BY TRUMP 2.0
(13:33):
RETURNING, ANDY BESHEAR TALKS
ABOUT ENTITLEMENTS AND TARIFFS
AND THE COST OF LIVING HOW
THINGS ARE FOR AVERAGE
KENTUCKIANS.
WE'LL SEE IF WITH THE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION CUTS AND EVERYTHING
ELSE, HOW HE CAN LEAN INTO THAT
FURTHER.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ANDY
BESHEAR WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT HOW
AVERAGE KENTUCKIANS LIVE,
CHILDCARE, HOW WE TAKE CARE OF
(13:54):
OUR KIDS, HOW THEY ARE GOING
THROUGH SCHOOL HE IS A WINNER ON
THAT.
WE KEEP SPILTING OUR
ATTENTION BETWEEN FRANKFORT AND
WASHINGTON THE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S
EXECUTIVE ORDER DISMANTLING THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CREATES
A NEW LANDSCAPE THERE IS LITTLE
DOUBT ABOUT THAT.
AND THIS WAS A CAMPAIGN PROMISE
BY TRUMP WHO GOT 65% OF THE VOTE
(14:15):
HERE IN KENTUCKY.
AND, YET, THERE'S SIGNIFICANT
PUSHBACK HERE IN KENTUCKY NOW
THAT THIS DECISION SEEMS TO BE
PLAYING OUT.
>> THERE DEFINITELY IS.
IT WAS A CAMPAIGN PROMISE NO ONE
SHOULD BE SURPRISED THAT TRUMP
IS MOVING FORWARD ON HIS PLAN TO
DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE NOW THAT
(14:37):
CONGRESS CREATED THE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION HE DOES NOT HAVE
THE AUTHORITY TO DISMANTLE IT
BUT HE CAN TAKE STEPS TO WEAKEN
IT.
BUT, YES, WE'VE SEEN PUSHBACK.
OBVIOUSLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN
KENTUCKY ARE STRONG.
WE SAW THAT LAST YEAR WITH THE
FAILURE OF AMENDMENT 2 WHICH
WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR WHAT
SUPPORTERS CALLED SCHOOL CHOICE
(15:00):
USING STATE DOLLARS ON PRIVATE
EDUCATION.
SO WE HAVE SEEN THE POWER OF
PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATORS IN THE
STATE AND THEY HAVE STARTED
RALLYING AGAINST THIS PROPOSED
DISMANTLING.
THEY ARE AFRAID IT WILL LEAD TO
FUNDING CUTS AND AFRAID IN THE
PERIOD WHERE THIS AGENCY THAT
DISTRIBUTES MILLIONS HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDS TO
(15:21):
KENTUCKY THAT IT WILL IN THE
INTERIM PROCESS, THOSE FUNDS
WILL NOT GET DISTRIBUTED
CORRECTLY AND SCHOOL SYSTEM ALSO
SUFFER.
THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION SAYS THEY ARE
GOING TO WRITE CHECKS FOR THE
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT KENTUCKY
WOULD BE GETTING ANYWAY AND
THOSE DECISIONS WILL NOW BE MADE
AT THE STATE LEVEL.
>> RIGHT.
AND TRUMP HAS SAID NOT ONLY JUST
(15:43):
WITH THIS POLICY BUT OTHER
POLICY POINTS THAT HE WANTS TO
RETURN AUTHORITY OVER PROGRAMS
BACK TO THE STATES AND SOME OF
THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES.
SO WHILE WE DON'T KNOW THE FINE
DETAILS YET OF WHAT THAT MAY
LOOK LIKE AT THE STATE LEVEL,
SOME EDUCATORS HAVE SPOKEN UP
ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS OVER THIS.
KEA HELD A FEW PROTESTS AT
(16:05):
SCHOOLS SUCH AS WEARING RED TO
SCHOOL, RED FOR ED.
OR HAVING A WALK IN BEFORE
SCHOOL STARTED WITH TEACHERS.
AND ALSO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
COLEMAN, THE DEMOCRATIC
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND FORMER
EDUCATOR HERSELF, HELD A PRESS
CONFERENCE WORRY BEING HOW
GETTING FEDERAL EDUCATION
FUNDING COULD IMPACT KENTUCKY'S
(16:26):
LOW INCOME STUDENTS AND STUDENTS
WHO HAVE DISABILITIES AND
BENEFIT FROM FEDERALLY FUNDED
PROGRAMS.
>> THIS IS PART OF WHAT IS
FUELING THE TOWN HALLS AND THE
ANGER.
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT
KNOW THE BASIC ANSWERS TO SOME
OF THESE QUESTIONS OF WHAT DO
THE CHANGES MEAN?
YES, IT'S CREATED BY CONGRESS
AND HE CAN DISMANTLE AND FIRE
(16:48):
PEOPLE AS HE SEES FIT.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT TRUMP IS
REALLY DOING HE IS GETTING RID
OF THE DEPARTMENT IN NAME ONLY
BUT KEEPING IT AND PARSING OUT
THE OTHER AGENCIES.
THE PRESIDENT SAID STUDENT LOANS
THEY ARE NOW GOING TO BE HAMMED
BY THE SMALL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION.
WE ARE GOING TO KEEP COMPONENTS
SOME OF THIS IS SHOWMANSHIP.
(17:08):
WHEN THE POLITICS GO BAD FOR
DONALD TRUMP THE SHOWMANSHIP
WILL GO UP.
I'M GETTING RID OF A DEPARTMENT
THE REAL QUESTION COMES TO
PEOPLE LIKE JAMES COMER AND HAL
ROGERS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHAT
IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR
AGENCIES AND WHAT IS GOING TO
HAPPEN WITH OUR LOCAL SCHOOL
SYSTEMS.
>> U.K. PRESIDENT SEVERED THE
(17:32):
UNIVERSITY'S TIES TO AN
ORGANIZATION THAT IT BELIEVES
CAUSED A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION
OF D.E.I. ISSUES THERE?
>> RIGHT AND THIS TIES INTO THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
CONVERSATION, THE D.E.I. VETO AT
THE BEGINNING.
BUT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
IS CUTTING TIES WITH THE PH.D.
PROJECT IN RESPONSE TO A FEDERAL
CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION.
(17:55):
U.K. WAS FLAGGED BY THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S OFFICE
FOR CIVIL RIGHTS BECAUSE OF
THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH THE
GROUP.
WHICH WORKS WITH THE
UNIVERSITIES TO INCREASE RACIAL
DIVERSITY AND BUSINESS FACULTY.
CAP LAWSUIT TOW SAID CAPILOUTO
SAID NO DOCK FOR ARTICLE
STUDENTS WERE ENGAGED BUT U.K.
(18:15):
PARTICIPATED IN THE CONFERENCES
IN THE PAST.
MEMBERS OF KENTUCKY'S
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION FACED
PROTESTS AT THEIR OFFICES AND
EVENTS.
SOME HAVE CALLED FOR TOWN HALL
MEETINGS AS WE'VE SEEN THOSE GET
CONTENTIOUS AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THERE WERE PROTESTORS AT HAL
ROGERS' OFFICE IN SOMERSET AN
(18:38):
EVENTED IN LEXINGTON ATTENDED BY
ANDY BARR AND CONGRESSMAN COMER
HAD AN INTERESTING PROTEST
AGAINST?
>> AGAINST.
SOME PEOPLE DRESSED UP AS
CHICKENS OUTSIDE OF
CONGRESSMAN'S OFFICE IN PADUCAH
TO CALL HIM CHICKEN FOR NOT
(18:58):
HAVING A TOWN HALL TO FACE
CONSTITUENTS.
ALSO WITH CONGRESSMAN BARR
THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A EMPTY
SEAT TOWN HALL IS WHAT THE GROUP
IS CALLING IT, TOMORROW,
SATURDAY.
HOPING THAT HE ARRIVES BUT SO
FAR IT SOUNDS LIKE HE IS NOT
GOING TO GO TO THAT.
>> JOHN YARMOUTH, THE FORM
CONGRESSMAN FROM LOUISVILLE IS
(19:19):
COMING TO HOLD A TOWN HALL IN A
REPUBLICAN HELD DISTRICT.
HE IS A DEMOCRAT.
>> I THINK YOU WILL SEE MORE OF
THAT.
TALKING TO ADAM GREEN, THE
COFOUNDER OF PROGRESSIVE CHANGE
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WHICH HAS A
MILLION MEMBERS HE WAS TELLING
ME WE'RE GOING TO TELL DEMOCRATS
GET IN HERE AND GO INTO THE
REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS, ANDY KIM
(19:41):
WAS MAKING THE POINT I'M GOING
INTO REPUBLICAN AREAS OF MY
STATE TO HOLD THE TOWN HALLS.
A LARGE BRUNT IS FOCUSED ON
REPUBLICANS AND WHEN YOU WATCH
THE VIDEOS DEMOCRATS ARE GETTING
ANKERFUL FROM THEIR --
AN EARFUL AS WELL.
SCHUMER WAS RAGGED THROUGH THE
COALS BY DEMOCRATS SAYING YOU
(20:02):
SHOULD HAVE FOUGHT HARDER AND
USED THE CR AGAINST TRUMP.
A SHUT DOWN WAS WAY WORSE THAN
WHAT THE CR BILL HAD IN IT.
THE TOWN HALLS COULD BE THE
SPILLS ON REPUBLICAN LAPS AND
DEMOCRAT LAPS, TOO.
WE'VE HARDLY SEEN THIS
IN KENTUCKY SURROUNDING THE
(20:24):
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ON A
SINGLE ISSUE SOMETHING WOULD
COME UP FROM TIME TO TIME.
THIS SEEMS BROAD-BASED?
>> IT DOES SEEM BROAD-BASED
WE'LL SEE IF IT'S ABLE TO
MAINTAIN MOMENTUM.
SO FAR IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S
PRETTY COLLECTED GROUPS WORKING
TO MAKE SURE SHE IS PROTESTS ARE
SUSTAINED.
BUT IT IS BROAD-BASED AND ON
(20:45):
FAIRLY BROAD ISSUES,
ENTITLEMENTS LIKE GENERAL
FEDERAL SPENDING AND GENERAL
FEDERAL CUTS IT IS NOT ON
SPECIFIC ISSUES.
ON THE STATE OF OUR GOVERNMENT
AND WHETHER IT'S FUNCTIONING AS
WE WANT IT TO ON A BROAD LEVEL.
IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THAT
THERE IS ENOUGH SUPPORT, THERE
IS ENOUGH FRUSTRATION WITH
WHAT'S HAPPENING.
NOW, IS IT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN
(21:07):
ITSELF A YEAR FROM NOW?
WE'LL SEE.
AND IS IT ENOUGH TO SPUR SOME
REPUBLICANS TO COME TO SOME TOWN
HALLS WE'LL ON THAT TOO, BUT
IT'S INTERESTING TO WATCH.
>> LARGELY WHAT IS FUELING THIS
IS NOT JUST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S
UNPOPULAR ON THE DEMOCRATIC
SIDE, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE
NEW POLLING COMING OUT.
(21:27):
ELON MUSK THE WORLD'S RICHEST
MAN WORKING WITH THE PRESIDENT
ON THESE ISSUES WHEN HE CALLS
SOCIAL SECURITY A PONZI SCHEME
IS WHERE DEMOCRATS KNOW THEY
HAVE THE BEST BET WORKING ON
ELON MUSK AND EN ENTITLEMENTS TT
IS WHERE YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF
ISSUES BROUGHT TO THE TOWN
HALLS.
KENTUCKY HAS A RARE
(21:48):
U.S. OPEN SENATE RACE.
MITCH McCONNELL IS NOT RUNNING
AND PLANS TO LEAVE AFTER 42
YEARS IN THE SEAT IN WASHINGTON
ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE DANIEL
CAMERON QUICKLY GOT IN FOR
WEEKS, CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR
SAID HE IS CONSIDERING THE RACE.
NOW INDICATES THAT A DECISION IS
CLOSE AT HAND.
>> WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS WE'VE
RECEIVED VERY POSITIVE FEEDBACK
(22:10):
FROM ALL PARTS OF KENTUCKY NOT
JUST CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND NOT
JUST MY DISTRICTS IT'S
ENCOURAGING TO SEE THOUGH I'VE
ONLY REPRESENTED ONE SIXTH OF
THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
THAT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE
STATE SOME OF THEM KNOW ME AND
SOME DON'T, BUT THEY ARE
ENCOURAGING ME TO TAKE THIS NEXT
(22:31):
STEP.
WE'LL HAVE A DECISION PROBABLY
PRETTY SOON.
HOW HIGH ARE THE STAKES
FOR BARR LEAVING A SAFE HOUSE
SEAT FOR THE UNKNOWN OF A SENATE
CAMPAIGN?
>> FOR HIM IT IS HIS DEBUT FOR
NATIONAL POLITICS.
MANY DONORS OF ANDY BARR'S ARE
READY AND PLAN ON HIM RUNNING
(22:52):
FOR U.S. SENATE THEY BELIEVE HE
IS GOING TO RUN.
EVERYTHING IS LINED UP.
THE REAL QUESTION IN THIS
PRIMARY, IS GOING TO BE WHAT IS
THE FIRST ISSUE BETWEEN THE
CAMERON AND BARR AND MORRIS,
DOES PULL THE TRIGGER AND GET
IN.
THE MAIN QUESTION IS THE FUELTY
TO DONALD TRUMP THE FIRST ISSUE.
ALL ARE GOING TO RUN TO GET HIS
(23:13):
ENDORSEMENT FIRST.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE
G.O.P. LINEUP WILL FILL OUT.
STATE AUDITOR ALLISON BALL SAYS
SHE IS HAPPY WHERE SHE IS IS AND
DID NOT CLOSE THE DOOR ON A
SENATE RUN.
>> I'M NOT SAYING NO, BECAUSE
YOU THINK ABOUT THAT BUT
CANDIDATES WILL BE JUMPING IN
AND SEE HOW THE FIELD LAYS OUT
AND IN THE MEANTIME I LOVE THE
(23:34):
JOB I'M DOING.
YOU WOULD BE OPEN TO A
DISCUSSION?
>> I WOULD ALWAYS BE OPEN TO A
DISCUSSION I'VE HAD SEVERAL
PEOPLE REACH OUT AND ASK ME WE
WOULD LOVE TO SUPPORT YOU AND
SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK IT IS A
GREAT TO HAVE A WOMAN IN THE
RACE.
RIGHT NOW AT THIS MOMENT AND IT
IS A WAYS OFF, I LOVE THE JOB
I'M DOING.
IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE
(23:55):
SHE IS JUMPING IN BUT SHE DID
NOT CLOSE DOWN THE CHANCE.
>> WITH THE LOUISVILLE CANDIDATE
IN DANIEL CAMERON AND A
LEXINGTON CANDIDATE WITH ANDY
BARR, EASTERN KENTUCKY CANDIDATE
RUN UP THE MIDDLE WITH THESE TWO
BATTLE IT OUT, ALLISON COULD BE
(24:15):
A SPOILER IN A RACE.
>> MITCH McCONNELL'S POLITICAL
STRATEGIST HE MAYBE A FOOTBALL
IN THE PRIMARY RACE?
>> WHAT I HEAR THE SENATOR IS
GOING TO STAY OUT OF THE RACE IN
MONEY AND ENDORSEMENTS I DO NOT
EXPECT HIM TO BE A VOICE IN THIS
RACE.
FOR REPUBLICANS WHO WANT A
(24:35):
WORKHORSE SENATOR, ANDY BARR OR
DANIEL CAMERON THERE IS THE
IDEAL OF MITCH McCONNELL
LEGACY OF BRINGING RESOURCES
BACK TO THE STATE.
>> PAMELA STEVENSON FILED PAPERS
TO RAISE MONEY AND NEED $20
MILLION.
AND WE KEEP HEARING TALK THAT
ROCKY ATKINS IS BEING STRONGLY
ENCOURAGED.
>> YES.
SO IN THE PAST FEW YEARS HE HAS
BEEN SERVING AS A ADVISER TO
(24:57):
BESHEAR.
BUT HE TOLD THE HERALD-LEADER HE
HAS BEEN ENCOURAGED TO RUN FOR
SENATE.
DO THE BESHEAR
DEMOCRATS HAVE AN INTEREST IN
HOPING TO AVOID A SITUATION OF A
POTENTIAL LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
JACQUELINE COLEMAN VERSUS ATKINS
PRIMARY?
>> NOW THAT HE IS OUT OF THE
RUNNING FOR THE SENATE ANDY
(25:19):
BESHEAR WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO
PLAY NICE.
>> THE QUESTION IS THE
DEMOCRATIC BENCH DEEP ENOUGH TO
HAVE A LOT OF INFIGHTING GOING
ON?
I'M GUESSING SOME STRATEGISTS
WOULD SAY NO.
WE DO WANT TO
CONGRATULATE THE 2025 INDUCTEES
INTO THE KENTUCKY JOURNALISM
HALL OF FAME.
INCLUDING ONE OF OUR OWN HERE AT
(25:39):
KET.
RENEE SHAW DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
AFFAIRS HERE AT KET AND
MODERATOR OF SOME OF KENTUCKY
MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAMS
INCLUDING THE NIGHTLY KENTUCKY
EDITION AND LEADS THE INSIGHTFUL
PUBLIC POLICY DISCUSSIONS ON
"KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AND HAS DONE
MANY, MANY IMPORTANT INTERVIEWS.
DICK GABRIEL HAS BEEN A
(26:00):
BROADCAST JOURNALIST INCLUDING
40 WRERS AS A REPORTER, HOST AND
ANNOUNCER.
JAMIE LUKE IS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF
THE KENTUCKY LANTERN AND FORMER
EDITORIAL WRITER FOR THE
LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER AND IS
CALLED A VOICE FOR EASTERN
KENTUCKY.
RON GARRISON AT THE LEXINGTON
(26:20):
HERALD-LEADER AND STEVEN J. FORD
MORE THAN 40 YEARS AT THE
COURIER JOURNAL AS REPORTER,
EDITOR AND EDITORIAL WRITER.
THEIR INDUCTIONS WILL COME NEXT
MONTH.
AND WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US
FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".
[♪♪]
>> Bill (00:07):
GOVERNOR BESHEAR ISSUES
VETOES EVEN AS THE LEGISLATURE
IS LIKELY TO OVERRIDE HIS
OBJECTIONS.
SOME OF KENTUCKY'S CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION FACED PROTESTS OVER
THE NEW DIRECTION IN BASH WASH.
THE RACE TO SUCCEED 34EU67 MITCH
TAKE O MITCH McCONNELL TAKES
SHAPE.
(00:28):
THE DISMANTLING OF THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LEADS TO
SCRAMBLING, QUESTIONS AND
CONCERNS IN FRANKFORT.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG AND COMMENT IS
NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]
GOOD EVENING I'M BILL
BRYANT AND WE WELCOME YOU TO
(00:49):
"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 MCKENNA HORSLEY
POLITICS REPORTER FOR THE
KENTUCKY LANTERN.
SYLVIA GOODMAN CAPITAL REPORTER
FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO AND
(01:10):
PHILLIP BAILEY POLITICAL SPORE
RESPOND END FOR "USA TODAY".
LET'S BEGIN IN FRANKFORT WHERE
ANDY BESHEAR IS GOING OVER 100
BILLS AND TAKEN OUT HIS VETO PEN
ONE TARGET IS VETOED THE
LEGISLATURE'S ANTI-D.E.I. BILL.
>> WE LOVE AND WE ACCEPT
EVERYONE.
(01:31):
THIS BILL ISN'T ABOUT LOVE.
HOUSE BILL 4 IS ABOUT HATE.
SO I'M GOING TO TRY ACTIVE LOVE
MYSELF AND I'M GOING TO VETO IT
RIGHT NOW.
THAT VIDEO FROM THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE COMPLETE WITH
MUSIC THERE.
ANY CLOSE OBSERVERS, SYLVIA
(01:51):
COULD SEE THIS WAS LIKELY
COMING?
>> YOU COULD SEE THIS A MILE
AWAY.
LAST YEAR WE SAW A SIMILAR
VERSION TO THIS HOUSE BILL 4
COME UP AND IT DIDN'T MAKE IT
ACROSS THE FINISH LINE BUT
BEFORE THAT BILL BESHEAR WAS
SIGNALING HE WOULD LIKELY VETO
IT AND WE'VE SEEN THAT THIS
YEAR.
THE BILL PASSED ON PARTISAN
(02:13):
LINES AND BESHEAR VETOED IT
PROMPTLY AS WE JUST SAW.
AND YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST DURING
BLACK HISTORY MONTH, JUST A
LITTLE WHILE AGO THAT BESHEAR
WAS SAYING DIVERSITY IS AN ASSET
HE MADE A STRONG POINT OF
SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THAT.
I DON'T THINK IT COMES AS A
SURPRISE THAT HE WOULD SIGNAL
THIS ESPECIALLY WITH D.E.I.,
(02:35):
COMING UNDER FIRE FROM THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION, FROM ALL ANGLES
IT'S BECOME A PRIORITY OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY IT SEEMS.
I THINK IT ALSO IS A STRONG
NATIONAL STANCE FOR BESHEAR TO
TAKE RIGHT NOW.
IT WAS QUITE A DEBATE
AND IT GOT HEATED AT TIMES.
>> YES.
IN FACT, SOME OF THE PEOPLE
STANDING BEHIND THE GOVERNOR IN
THAT VIDEO ARE PEOPLE WHO
ADVOCATED AGAINST THE BILL
(02:57):
INCLUDING A U OF L STUDENT
BRADLEY PRICE AMONG STUDENTS
HAVING A SPIRITED DISCUSSION TO
PUT IT MILDLY ARE REPRESENTATIVE
JAMES TIPTON AFTER HIS COMMITTEE
HEARD THE BILL.
BUT THROUGHOUT THE SESSION WE'VE
HEARD REPUBLICANS REPEATEDLY
DEFEND THIS BILL AND HEARD
DEMOCRATS ON THE MINORITY SIDE
VOICE THEIR OPPOSITION AGAINST
(03:18):
THIS BILL OVER IN THE SENATE,
THERE WAS AN EXCHANGE ON THE
FLOOR BEFORE THE SENATE TOOK IT
UP BETWEEN THE FLOOR LEADERS.
SENATOR WISE AND SENATOR NEAL.
THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN ONE
THAT WE'VE SEEN UNFOLD FOR THE
PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AND I
THINK WE'LL SEE IT COME UP IN
THE VETO OVERRIDE IF IT SHOULD
(03:39):
COME UP ON THE FLOOR.
>> ONE OF THE CROPS FOR
DEMOCRATS IN 2028 IS THE
GOVERNOR'S RANKS AND ANDY
BESHEAR IS ON THE LIST AND HE
KNOWS BECAUSE HE DOES NOT HAVE A
DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE SUCH AS
WHITMER HAD IN MICHIGAN HE HAS
TO USE THE VETOES TO SHOW WHERE
(03:59):
HIS STANCES ARE.
THEY GIVE HIM KUDOS FOR VETOING
ANTI-TRANS, AND NOW ANTI-D.E.I.
LEGISLATION.
AND YOU WILL SEE THE GOVERNOR
LEAN IN THIS HE CRITICIZED GAVIN
NEWSOM'S BILL WITH THE ALL-STARS
OF MAGA INCLUDING BANNON.
BEYOND JUST THAT HE WENT FURTHER
(04:20):
HE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW AT THE
EVENT, I THINK THE SPORTS NEED
TO BE FAIR WHEN HE WAS TALKING
ABOUT TRANSPORTS AND CRITICIZING
NEWSOM FOR THROWING TRANS FOLKS
UNDER THE BUS AND ENDED IT WITH
I'M MEAN SURELY WE CAN SEE
HUMANITY AND PERSPECTIVES IN
THIS DEBATE ON WHAT IS GOING ON.
YOU HAD THE GOVERNOR OF
CALIFORNIA THROWING THE TRANS
(04:42):
RIGHTS ISSUE UNDER THE BUS FROM
A PROGRESSIVE STANDPOINT AND THE
GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY DEFENDING
TRANS FOLKS IT'S AN INTERESTING
MIX POLITICAL SITUATION HERE.
THE REASONS FOR THE
VETOES AND THE VETO MESSAGES
COULD BE IMPORTANT TO HIS
LONG-TERM POLITICAL GOALS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I THINK THAT ANDY BESHEAR WANTS
TO USE THE VETOES TO SEND THE
(05:03):
MESSAGE OF HERE ARE MY VALUES
AND MARKING OUT HE IS THINKING
THE TRUMP ERA WILL GET THE
PEOPLE IN THE SENSE OF LOVE AND
HUMANITY MORE THAN FIGHTING
DONALD TRUMP HIMSELF.
IT'S INTERESTING HOW
MANY ISSUES AT THE STATE LEVEL
ARE ALSO FOUGHT OUT AT THE SAME
TIME ON THE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE,
RIGHT.
>> OH, THEY ARE.
I MEAN, I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT
(05:23):
FOR A WHILE NOW IN POLITICS AND
IN STATE POLITICS AND LOCAL
POLITICS WHATEVER IS BEING
TALKED ABOUT ON "FOX NEWS",
MSNBC IS THE TOPIC OF THE DAY IN
OUR LEGISLATURES.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WAS ALWAYS THE
CASE BUT IT HAS BECOME ONE.
MORE AND MORE WE SEE BILLS FILED
ON ISSUES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN
(05:44):
STATE ISSUES BUT HAVE BECOME
THEM.
AND THIS YEAR WE SAW ISSUES LIKE
KY VERSION OF DOGE, BEING
BROUGHT UP IN THE STATE
LEGISLATURE TO MIMIC WHAT IS
HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT IS
HAPPENING AND PROGRESSIVELY
HAPPENING MORE.
THIS IS UNIQUE TO THE
AREA THAT YOU COVER AND THAT YOU
(06:06):
HAVE A NATIONAL LOOK AT THINGS
FROM KENTUCKY.
IS THAT THE CASE?
ARE THINGS COMING DOWN FROM
WASHINGTON AND THEREFORE IT GETS
THE INTEREST GOING HERE?
OR IS IT HERE THAT THINGS HAPPEN
LOCALLY AND THEN RISE UP TO THE
NATIONAL LEVEL?
>> I THINK STATE REPUBLICANS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY UNDERSTAND
(06:27):
HOW POPULAR DONALD TRUMP IS WITH
THIS MAGA POPULOUS BASE.
THE WAY THE PRESIDENT GOES IN A
STATE LIKE KENTUCKY WHERE HE WON
OVERWHELMLY IF HE IS POPULAR
WITH THE PARTY IMAGINE WHAT IT
CAN DO FOR YOU IN KENTUCKY.
THE ISSUE IS THAT DONALD TRUMP
IS A DEAL MAKER.
HE IS NOT SOMEONE A TRADITIONAL
(06:47):
REPUBLICAN OR CONSERVATIVE.
SO I THINK IN A LOT OF WAYS YOU
ARE SEEING AN EXPERIMENTATION OF
IDEOLOGIES ACROSS THE BOARD BUT
THE MAIN TEST FOR REPUBLICANS
NOW AND IS' ARE YOU CONSERVATIVE
OR MODERATE IT'S THE DON.
MITCH McCONNELL HELPED BUILD
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN
(07:07):
KENTUCKY.
AND HE IS COMPLETELY OUT OF
FAVOR WITH MAGA AND PRESIDENT
TRUMP.
LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME
OF THE BILLS THE GOVERNOR IS
VETOING.
HE HAS HAD THAT PEN OUT SEVERAL
TIMES AND WHAT HE IS LIKELY TO
SIGN OR ALLOW TO BECOME LAW.
THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT YOU ARE
WATCHING, RIGHT?
>> AT THIS POINT ON FRIDAY,
BESHEAR HAS ISSUED TWO VETOES TO
(07:29):
TWO BILLS.
THE FIRST VETO WAS FOR HOUSE
BILL 216 WHICH WOULD ALLOW SOME
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN OR
RECEIVE FUNDS OR CONTRACTS
ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT'S
KENTUCKY OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL
POLICY.
IN HIS VETO MESSAGE, BESHEAR
SAID THE BILL WOULD ALLOW
CONDUCT THAT HAS BEEN UNETHICAL
(07:50):
AND UNLAWFUL AND THAT IS WHY HE
VETOED IT.
HE VETOED TODAY SENATE BILL 245.
WHICH RELATES TO BOARD
APPOINTMENTS ON THE FISH AND
WILDLIFE COMMISSION.
THIS BILL WOULD HAVE ALLOWED ANY
APPOINTEES THAT THE SENATE
DECLINED TO REAPPOINT THEY WOULD
HAVE TO VACATE THEIR SEAT BY THE
END OF THAT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
(08:13):
BESHEAR CALLED THAT LEGISLATIVE
GAME PLAYING AND THAT RELATES TO
A LOT OF POLITICS ISSUES AROUND
THE COMMISSION IN THE PAST
COUPLE OF YEARS.
AGAIN IT'S FRIDAY NIGHT
AND HE COULD ISSUE VETOES OVER
THE WEEKEND.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE SEE
THAT MAYBE A TARGET OF THE VETO
PEN?
>> SOME GROUPS ARE CALLING ON
BESHEAR TO ISSUE SOME VETOES
(08:33):
PARTICULARLY PLANNED PARENTHOOD
IS CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR TO
VETO HOUSE BILL 90.
WHICH STARTED OUT AS A BILL THAT
WOULD ALLOW FREE STANDING BIRTH
CENTERS IN KENTUCKY.
BUT LAST WEEK, THERE WERE
CHANGES ADDED THAT REPUBLICANS
SAID WOULD CLARIFY THE STATE'S
EXEMPTIONS TO THE ABORTION BAN.
(08:54):
BUT ADVOCATES ARE SAY TO GO DOES
NOTHING TO IMPROVE PATIENT
SAFETY.
IS HE LIKELY TO SIGN
THE BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW
KENTUCKY TO PERHAPS MORE EASILY
HIT THE TRIGGERS FOR STATE
INCOME TAX REDUCTIONS?
>> HE HAS SIGNED SOME OF THOSE
INCOME TAXES REDUCTIONS INTO LAW
AND VETOED SOME IN THE PAST.
BUT THAT BILL IN PARTICULAR
(09:15):
HOUSE BILL 775, LAST WEEK WAS
AMENDED TO HAVE A SWATH OF
PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS IN IT,
TOO.
SO THAT COULD SWAY HIM ONE WAY
OR THE OTHER.
SOME INCLUDES TAXES ON HEMP
DERIVED BEVERAGES TO TAX
INCENTIVES FOR A PLAN TO HAVE A
PRIVATE RESORT NEAR RED RIVER
GORGE HE WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH
(09:37):
THAT ONE.
BESHEAR VETOED THE
LEGISLATION THAT STARTED THE
INCOME TAX CUTS AND NOW HE
SIGNED CUTS INTO LAW.
>> ANDY BESHEAR KNOWS WHERE THE
WIND IS BLOWING.
WE'RE TAKING MORE EGGS AT
CUSTOMS AND CAPTURING MORE EGGS
ILLEGALLY SHIPPED INTO THIS
(09:58):
COUNTRY THAN FENTANYL.
THAT IS THE ISSUE WITH THE COST
EFFICIENCY, THE ISSUE.
AFFORDABILITY IN THE COUNTRY.
ANDY BESHEAR KNOWS THAT EVERY
MAIN STEAM DEMOCRAT KNOWS YOU DO
NOT WANT TO BE ON THE SIDE OF
RAISES TAXES OR THE COST OF
LIVING.
SYLVIA, WE WERE ON THE
AIR AND THE LEGISLATURE WAS
DEBATING THINGS THERE WERE A
(10:19):
THOUSAND PEEKSES OF LEGISLATION
PROPOSED.
DID SOME LAWMAKERS FEEL THEY
WERE RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND DID
THAT LEAD TO THE NARRATIVE ABOUT
LACK OF TRANSPARENCY THAT BECAME
SOME OF THE CRITICISM LATE IN
THE SESSION?
>> WELL, I WILL SAY AT THAT TIME
TRANSPARENCY AND LACK THEREOF
HAS BEEN A CONSTANT TOPIC OF
CONVERSATION FOR THE LAST FEW
YEARS.
I WOULD SAY.
(10:39):
AND CONCERNS ESPECIALLY FROM THE
MINORITY PARTY THAT LEADERSHIP
DOES NOT ALLOW ENOUGH TIME TO
DISCUSS ISSUES FULLY.
AT THE START OF THE SESSION,
LEADERS OF BOTH HOUSES CHAMBERS,
TOLD REPORTERS THEY EXPECTED
THIS TO BE A LIGHT SESSION THERE
WERE A LOT OF BILLS INTRODUCED
AND A LOT OF BILLS PASSED.
AND MANY OF THEM WERE PASSED ON
(11:00):
THAT LAST DAY OF SESSION BEFORE
THE VETO PERIOD.
SO IN THE PERIOD WHERE THEY
COULD STILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO
OVERRIDE ANY VETOES THAT
GOVERNOR BESHEAR MIGHT DECIDE TO
ISSUE.
SO ON THAT LAST DAY, SOME OF THE
MOST CONTROVERSIAL BILLS OF THE
SESSION CAME UP AT THE END.
THE TAX TRIGGER BILL.
WE SAW SEVERAL ANTI-TRANS BILL.
(11:21):
A BILL THAT WOULD BAN MEDICAID
SPENDING ON GENDER AFFIRMING
HORMONES OR GENDER AFFIRMING
SURGERIES THAT PASSED ATTACHED
TO ANOTHER THING GETTING RID OF
GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S EXECUTIVE
ORDER THAT ATTEMPTS TO LIMIT OR
BAN CONVERSION THERAPY IN THE
STATE.
WE HAVE SEVERAL BILLS THAT WERE
(11:43):
CONTROVERSIAL THAT MADE FINAL
PASSAGE LITERALLY IN THE LAST
HOUR OF THE FLOOR OF THE VETO
PERIOD.
IT WAS A RUSH THERE AT THE END.
A COUPLE OF DAYS IN THE
SESSION LEFT AND SENATE
PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS TALKED
ABOUT WHAT HE EXPECTS TO SEE IN
THOSE LAST TWO DAYS OF THE
SESSION NECK WREAK.
>> --
NEXT WEEK.
>> WE GOT CLOSE TO EVERYTHING WE
(12:04):
WANTED TO GET DONE BY THE CLOSE
OF BUSINESS ON THE 14TH.
NOW, WE WILL GO BACK ON THE 27TH
AND 28TH TO SEE WHAT THE
GOVERNOR HAS VETOED AND SEE HIS
RATIONAL FOR VETOES AND DISCUSS
PASSING MORE BILLS AND WHONT
WE'LL OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S
VETOES.
ALL RIGHT, DO YOU
FORESEE ANY BILLS MAKING IT
(12:25):
THROUGH THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS?
>> ONE FOR SURE THAT I THINK
WILL MAKE IT THROUGH.
THE HOUSE NEEDS TO CONCUR WITH
SENATE CHANGES IS THE FLOOD
RELIEF BILL HOUSE BILL 544.
AND IT INCLUDES THE PROVISIONS
FOR A NEW SAFE FUND TO RESPOND
TO SOME OF THE FLOODS WE SAW IN
MID-FEBRUARY ACROSS THE STATE.
(12:46):
BESHEAR SAID THAT THAT BILL HE
DOESN'T VIEW IT AS BEING ENOUGH.
IT STILL HAS CAPS IN PLACE FOR
MONEY THAT HE CAN SPEND WITHOUT
LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.
BUT GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES HE
WOULD SIGN IT.
THERE WAS TALK ABOUT
WAITING UNTIL THE BUDGET YEARS
DURING THE 30-DAY SESSION.
PHIL, WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR WILL
(13:08):
BE COMING BACK AND CAMPAIGN FROM
THE TIME LEADING UP ABOUT
UNIVERSAL PK IS IT GOOD
POLITICS?
>> WHAT HE LEARNED IS WHEN IT
COMES TO KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES HE
KNOWS HOW TO LEAN INTO THAT MORE
THAN DEMOCRATS WHO WERE
SHELLSHOCKED BY TRUMP 2.0
(13:33):
RETURNING, ANDY BESHEAR TALKS
ABOUT ENTITLEMENTS AND TARIFFS
AND THE COST OF LIVING HOW
THINGS ARE FOR AVERAGE
KENTUCKIANS.
WE'LL SEE IF WITH THE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION CUTS AND EVERYTHING
ELSE, HOW HE CAN LEAN INTO THAT
FURTHER.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ANDY
BESHEAR WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT HOW
AVERAGE KENTUCKIANS LIVE,
CHILDCARE, HOW WE TAKE CARE OF
(13:54):
OUR KIDS, HOW THEY ARE GOING
THROUGH SCHOOL HE IS A WINNER ON
THAT.
WE KEEP SPILTING OUR
ATTENTION BETWEEN FRANKFORT AND
WASHINGTON THE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S
EXECUTIVE ORDER DISMANTLING THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CREATES
A NEW LANDSCAPE THERE IS LITTLE
DOUBT ABOUT THAT.
AND THIS WAS A CAMPAIGN PROMISE
BY TRUMP WHO GOT 65% OF THE VOTE
(14:15):
HERE IN KENTUCKY.
AND, YET, THERE'S SIGNIFICANT
PUSHBACK HERE IN KENTUCKY NOW
THAT THIS DECISION SEEMS TO BE
PLAYING OUT.
>> THERE DEFINITELY IS.
IT WAS A CAMPAIGN PROMISE NO ONE
SHOULD BE SURPRISED THAT TRUMP
IS MOVING FORWARD ON HIS PLAN TO
DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE NOW THAT
(14:37):
CONGRESS CREATED THE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION HE DOES NOT HAVE
THE AUTHORITY TO DISMANTLE IT
BUT HE CAN TAKE STEPS TO WEAKEN
IT.
BUT, YES, WE'VE SEEN PUSHBACK.
OBVIOUSLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN
KENTUCKY ARE STRONG.
WE SAW THAT LAST YEAR WITH THE
FAILURE OF AMENDMENT 2 WHICH
WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR WHAT
SUPPORTERS CALLED SCHOOL CHOICE
(15:00):
USING STATE DOLLARS ON PRIVATE
EDUCATION.
SO WE HAVE SEEN THE POWER OF
PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATORS IN THE
STATE AND THEY HAVE STARTED
RALLYING AGAINST THIS PROPOSED
DISMANTLING.
THEY ARE AFRAID IT WILL LEAD TO
FUNDING CUTS AND AFRAID IN THE
PERIOD WHERE THIS AGENCY THAT
DISTRIBUTES MILLIONS HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDS TO
(15:21):
KENTUCKY THAT IT WILL IN THE
INTERIM PROCESS, THOSE FUNDS
WILL NOT GET DISTRIBUTED
CORRECTLY AND SCHOOL SYSTEM ALSO
SUFFER.
THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION SAYS THEY ARE
GOING TO WRITE CHECKS FOR THE
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT KENTUCKY
WOULD BE GETTING ANYWAY AND
THOSE DECISIONS WILL NOW BE MADE
AT THE STATE LEVEL.
>> RIGHT.
AND TRUMP HAS SAID NOT ONLY JUST
(15:43):
WITH THIS POLICY BUT OTHER
POLICY POINTS THAT HE WANTS TO
RETURN AUTHORITY OVER PROGRAMS
BACK TO THE STATES AND SOME OF
THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES.
SO WHILE WE DON'T KNOW THE FINE
DETAILS YET OF WHAT THAT MAY
LOOK LIKE AT THE STATE LEVEL,
SOME EDUCATORS HAVE SPOKEN UP
ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS OVER THIS.
KEA HELD A FEW PROTESTS AT
(16:05):
SCHOOLS SUCH AS WEARING RED TO
SCHOOL, RED FOR ED.
OR HAVING A WALK IN BEFORE
SCHOOL STARTED WITH TEACHERS.
AND ALSO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
COLEMAN, THE DEMOCRATIC
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND FORMER
EDUCATOR HERSELF, HELD A PRESS
CONFERENCE WORRY BEING HOW
GETTING FEDERAL EDUCATION
FUNDING COULD IMPACT KENTUCKY'S
(16:26):
LOW INCOME STUDENTS AND STUDENTS
WHO HAVE DISABILITIES AND
BENEFIT FROM FEDERALLY FUNDED
PROGRAMS.
>> THIS IS PART OF WHAT IS
FUELING THE TOWN HALLS AND THE
ANGER.
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT
KNOW THE BASIC ANSWERS TO SOME
OF THESE QUESTIONS OF WHAT DO
THE CHANGES MEAN?
YES, IT'S CREATED BY CONGRESS
AND HE CAN DISMANTLE AND FIRE
(16:48):
PEOPLE AS HE SEES FIT.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT TRUMP IS
REALLY DOING HE IS GETTING RID
OF THE DEPARTMENT IN NAME ONLY
BUT KEEPING IT AND PARSING OUT
THE OTHER AGENCIES.
THE PRESIDENT SAID STUDENT LOANS
THEY ARE NOW GOING TO BE HAMMED
BY THE SMALL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION.
WE ARE GOING TO KEEP COMPONENTS
SOME OF THIS IS SHOWMANSHIP.
(17:08):
WHEN THE POLITICS GO BAD FOR
DONALD TRUMP THE SHOWMANSHIP
WILL GO UP.
I'M GETTING RID OF A DEPARTMENT
THE REAL QUESTION COMES TO
PEOPLE LIKE JAMES COMER AND HAL
ROGERS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHAT
IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR
AGENCIES AND WHAT IS GOING TO
HAPPEN WITH OUR LOCAL SCHOOL
SYSTEMS.
>> U.K. PRESIDENT SEVERED THE
(17:32):
UNIVERSITY'S TIES TO AN
ORGANIZATION THAT IT BELIEVES
CAUSED A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION
OF D.E.I. ISSUES THERE?
>> RIGHT AND THIS TIES INTO THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
CONVERSATION, THE D.E.I. VETO AT
THE BEGINNING.
BUT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
IS CUTTING TIES WITH THE PH.D.
PROJECT IN RESPONSE TO A FEDERAL
CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION.
(17:55):
U.K. WAS FLAGGED BY THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S OFFICE
FOR CIVIL RIGHTS BECAUSE OF
THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH THE
GROUP.
WHICH WORKS WITH THE
UNIVERSITIES TO INCREASE RACIAL
DIVERSITY AND BUSINESS FACULTY.
CAP LAWSUIT TOW SAID CAPILOUTO
SAID NO DOCK FOR ARTICLE
STUDENTS WERE ENGAGED BUT U.K.
(18:15):
PARTICIPATED IN THE CONFERENCES
IN THE PAST.
MEMBERS OF KENTUCKY'S
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION FACED
PROTESTS AT THEIR OFFICES AND
EVENTS.
SOME HAVE CALLED FOR TOWN HALL
MEETINGS AS WE'VE SEEN THOSE GET
CONTENTIOUS AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THERE WERE PROTESTORS AT HAL
ROGERS' OFFICE IN SOMERSET AN
(18:38):
EVENTED IN LEXINGTON ATTENDED BY
ANDY BARR AND CONGRESSMAN COMER
HAD AN INTERESTING PROTEST
AGAINST?
>> AGAINST.
SOME PEOPLE DRESSED UP AS
CHICKENS OUTSIDE OF
CONGRESSMAN'S OFFICE IN PADUCAH
TO CALL HIM CHICKEN FOR NOT
(18:58):
HAVING A TOWN HALL TO FACE
CONSTITUENTS.
ALSO WITH CONGRESSMAN BARR
THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A EMPTY
SEAT TOWN HALL IS WHAT THE GROUP
IS CALLING IT, TOMORROW,
SATURDAY.
HOPING THAT HE ARRIVES BUT SO
FAR IT SOUNDS LIKE HE IS NOT
GOING TO GO TO THAT.
>> JOHN YARMOUTH, THE FORM
CONGRESSMAN FROM LOUISVILLE IS
(19:19):
COMING TO HOLD A TOWN HALL IN A
REPUBLICAN HELD DISTRICT.
HE IS A DEMOCRAT.
>> I THINK YOU WILL SEE MORE OF
THAT.
TALKING TO ADAM GREEN, THE
COFOUNDER OF PROGRESSIVE CHANGE
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WHICH HAS A
MILLION MEMBERS HE WAS TELLING
ME WE'RE GOING TO TELL DEMOCRATS
GET IN HERE AND GO INTO THE
REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS, ANDY KIM
(19:41):
WAS MAKING THE POINT I'M GOING
INTO REPUBLICAN AREAS OF MY
STATE TO HOLD THE TOWN HALLS.
A LARGE BRUNT IS FOCUSED ON
REPUBLICANS AND WHEN YOU WATCH
THE VIDEOS DEMOCRATS ARE GETTING
ANKERFUL FROM THEIR --
AN EARFUL AS WELL.
SCHUMER WAS RAGGED THROUGH THE
COALS BY DEMOCRATS SAYING YOU
(20:02):
SHOULD HAVE FOUGHT HARDER AND
USED THE CR AGAINST TRUMP.
A SHUT DOWN WAS WAY WORSE THAN
WHAT THE CR BILL HAD IN IT.
THE TOWN HALLS COULD BE THE
SPILLS ON REPUBLICAN LAPS AND
DEMOCRAT LAPS, TOO.
WE'VE HARDLY SEEN THIS
IN KENTUCKY SURROUNDING THE
(20:24):
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ON A
SINGLE ISSUE SOMETHING WOULD
COME UP FROM TIME TO TIME.
THIS SEEMS BROAD-BASED?
>> IT DOES SEEM BROAD-BASED
WE'LL SEE IF IT'S ABLE TO
MAINTAIN MOMENTUM.
SO FAR IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S
PRETTY COLLECTED GROUPS WORKING
TO MAKE SURE SHE IS PROTESTS ARE
SUSTAINED.
BUT IT IS BROAD-BASED AND ON
(20:45):
FAIRLY BROAD ISSUES,
ENTITLEMENTS LIKE GENERAL
FEDERAL SPENDING AND GENERAL
FEDERAL CUTS IT IS NOT ON
SPECIFIC ISSUES.
ON THE STATE OF OUR GOVERNMENT
AND WHETHER IT'S FUNCTIONING AS
WE WANT IT TO ON A BROAD LEVEL.
IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THAT
THERE IS ENOUGH SUPPORT, THERE
IS ENOUGH FRUSTRATION WITH
WHAT'S HAPPENING.
NOW, IS IT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN
(21:07):
ITSELF A YEAR FROM NOW?
WE'LL SEE.
AND IS IT ENOUGH TO SPUR SOME
REPUBLICANS TO COME TO SOME TOWN
HALLS WE'LL ON THAT TOO, BUT
IT'S INTERESTING TO WATCH.
>> LARGELY WHAT IS FUELING THIS
IS NOT JUST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S
UNPOPULAR ON THE DEMOCRATIC
SIDE, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE
NEW POLLING COMING OUT.
(21:27):
ELON MUSK THE WORLD'S RICHEST
MAN WORKING WITH THE PRESIDENT
ON THESE ISSUES WHEN HE CALLS
SOCIAL SECURITY A PONZI SCHEME
IS WHERE DEMOCRATS KNOW THEY
HAVE THE BEST BET WORKING ON
ELON MUSK AND EN ENTITLEMENTS TT
IS WHERE YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF
ISSUES BROUGHT TO THE TOWN
HALLS.
KENTUCKY HAS A RARE
(21:48):
U.S. OPEN SENATE RACE.
MITCH McCONNELL IS NOT RUNNING
AND PLANS TO LEAVE AFTER 42
YEARS IN THE SEAT IN WASHINGTON
ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE DANIEL
CAMERON QUICKLY GOT IN FOR
WEEKS, CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR
SAID HE IS CONSIDERING THE RACE.
NOW INDICATES THAT A DECISION IS
CLOSE AT HAND.
>> WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS WE'VE
RECEIVED VERY POSITIVE FEEDBACK
(22:10):
FROM ALL PARTS OF KENTUCKY NOT
JUST CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND NOT
JUST MY DISTRICTS IT'S
ENCOURAGING TO SEE THOUGH I'VE
ONLY REPRESENTED ONE SIXTH OF
THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
THAT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE
STATE SOME OF THEM KNOW ME AND
SOME DON'T, BUT THEY ARE
ENCOURAGING ME TO TAKE THIS NEXT
(22:31):
STEP.
WE'LL HAVE A DECISION PROBABLY
PRETTY SOON.
HOW HIGH ARE THE STAKES
FOR BARR LEAVING A SAFE HOUSE
SEAT FOR THE UNKNOWN OF A SENATE
CAMPAIGN?
>> FOR HIM IT IS HIS DEBUT FOR
NATIONAL POLITICS.
MANY DONORS OF ANDY BARR'S ARE
READY AND PLAN ON HIM RUNNING
(22:52):
FOR U.S. SENATE THEY BELIEVE HE
IS GOING TO RUN.
EVERYTHING IS LINED UP.
THE REAL QUESTION IN THIS
PRIMARY, IS GOING TO BE WHAT IS
THE FIRST ISSUE BETWEEN THE
CAMERON AND BARR AND MORRIS,
DOES PULL THE TRIGGER AND GET
IN.
THE MAIN QUESTION IS THE FUELTY
TO DONALD TRUMP THE FIRST ISSUE.
ALL ARE GOING TO RUN TO GET HIS
(23:13):
ENDORSEMENT FIRST.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE
G.O.P. LINEUP WILL FILL OUT.
STATE AUDITOR ALLISON BALL SAYS
SHE IS HAPPY WHERE SHE IS IS AND
DID NOT CLOSE THE DOOR ON A
SENATE RUN.
>> I'M NOT SAYING NO, BECAUSE
YOU THINK ABOUT THAT BUT
CANDIDATES WILL BE JUMPING IN
AND SEE HOW THE FIELD LAYS OUT
AND IN THE MEANTIME I LOVE THE
(23:34):
JOB I'M DOING.
YOU WOULD BE OPEN TO A
DISCUSSION?
>> I WOULD ALWAYS BE OPEN TO A
DISCUSSION I'VE HAD SEVERAL
PEOPLE REACH OUT AND ASK ME WE
WOULD LOVE TO SUPPORT YOU AND
SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK IT IS A
GREAT TO HAVE A WOMAN IN THE
RACE.
RIGHT NOW AT THIS MOMENT AND IT
IS A WAYS OFF, I LOVE THE JOB
I'M DOING.
IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE
(23:55):
SHE IS JUMPING IN BUT SHE DID
NOT CLOSE DOWN THE CHANCE.
>> WITH THE LOUISVILLE CANDIDATE
IN DANIEL CAMERON AND A
LEXINGTON CANDIDATE WITH ANDY
BARR, EASTERN KENTUCKY CANDIDATE
RUN UP THE MIDDLE WITH THESE TWO
BATTLE IT OUT, ALLISON COULD BE
(24:15):
A SPOILER IN A RACE.
>> MITCH McCONNELL'S POLITICAL
STRATEGIST HE MAYBE A FOOTBALL
IN THE PRIMARY RACE?
>> WHAT I HEAR THE SENATOR IS
GOING TO STAY OUT OF THE RACE IN
MONEY AND ENDORSEMENTS I DO NOT
EXPECT HIM TO BE A VOICE IN THIS
RACE.
FOR REPUBLICANS WHO WANT A
(24:35):
WORKHORSE SENATOR, ANDY BARR OR
DANIEL CAMERON THERE IS THE
IDEAL OF MITCH McCONNELL
LEGACY OF BRINGING RESOURCES
BACK TO THE STATE.
>> PAMELA STEVENSON FILED PAPERS
TO RAISE MONEY AND NEED $20
MILLION.
AND WE KEEP HEARING TALK THAT
ROCKY ATKINS IS BEING STRONGLY
ENCOURAGED.
>> YES.
SO IN THE PAST FEW YEARS HE HAS
BEEN SERVING AS A ADVISER TO
(24:57):
BESHEAR.
BUT HE TOLD THE HERALD-LEADER HE
HAS BEEN ENCOURAGED TO RUN FOR
SENATE.
DO THE BESHEAR
DEMOCRATS HAVE AN INTEREST IN
HOPING TO AVOID A SITUATION OF A
POTENTIAL LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
JACQUELINE COLEMAN VERSUS ATKINS
PRIMARY?
>> NOW THAT HE IS OUT OF THE
RUNNING FOR THE SENATE ANDY
(25:19):
BESHEAR WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO
PLAY NICE.
>> THE QUESTION IS THE
DEMOCRATIC BENCH DEEP ENOUGH TO
HAVE A LOT OF INFIGHTING GOING
ON?
I'M GUESSING SOME STRATEGISTS
WOULD SAY NO.
WE DO WANT TO
CONGRATULATE THE 2025 INDUCTEES
INTO THE KENTUCKY JOURNALISM
HALL OF FAME.
INCLUDING ONE OF OUR OWN HERE AT
(25:39):
KET.
RENEE SHAW DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
AFFAIRS HERE AT KET AND
MODERATOR OF SOME OF KENTUCKY
MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAMS
INCLUDING THE NIGHTLY KENTUCKY
EDITION AND LEADS THE INSIGHTFUL
PUBLIC POLICY DISCUSSIONS ON
"KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AND HAS DONE
MANY, MANY IMPORTANT INTERVIEWS.
DICK GABRIEL HAS BEEN A
(26:00):
BROADCAST JOURNALIST INCLUDING
40 WRERS AS A REPORTER, HOST AND
ANNOUNCER.
JAMIE LUKE IS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF
THE KENTUCKY LANTERN AND FORMER
EDITORIAL WRITER FOR THE
LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER AND IS
CALLED A VOICE FOR EASTERN
KENTUCKY.
RON GARRISON AT THE LEXINGTON
(26:20):
HERALD-LEADER AND STEVEN J. FORD
MORE THAN 40 YEARS AT THE
COURIER JOURNAL AS REPORTER,
EDITOR AND EDITORIAL WRITER.
THEIR INDUCTIONS WILL COME NEXT
MONTH.
AND WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US
FOR "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com