March 7, 2025 - Legislative Session, Tariffs, KY DOGE, U.S. Senate Race

Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including activity in the 2025 General Assembly and discussion about the 2026 U.S. Senate race. Guests: Hannah Pinski, Louisville Courier Journal; Liam Neimeyer, Kentucky Lantern; and Marcus Green, WDRB in Louisville.

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
[♪♪]

>> Bill (00:09):
A BUSY WEEK IN THE
KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE ANTI-D.E.I.
LEGISLATION PASSES THE HOUSE
OTHER ISSUES ARE DEBATED AND ONE
LAWMAKER WANTS TO KILL HIS OWN
BILL.
TARIFFS ARE RAISING CONCERNS
AMONG MANY KENTUCKY BUSINESS
OWNERS THE BOURBON, CONSTRUCTION
AND AUTO INDUSTRIES ARE AMONG
THOSE SPEAKING OUT.
A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE A

(00:29):
KENTUCKY DOGE TO FIND WASTE IN
STATE PASSES THE SENATE AND MORE
SPECULATION ABOUT MEXX YEAR'S
OPEN U.S. SENATE RACE.
ON THE WEEKEND THAT WE SPRING
FORWARD AND IT STARTS TO FEEL
LIKE IT, COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.
[♪♪]

(00:52):
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 BEST
BLEFTS.
OUR WORKING KENTUCKY TURN LISTS
ARE LIAM NIEMEYER, RECORDER
FORKED KENTUCKY LANTERN.
HANNAH PINSKI POLITICS REPORTER

(01:12):
FOR THE COURIER JOURNAL AND
MARCUS GREEN REPORTER FOR WDRB
IN LOUISVILLE.
ALSO TONIGHT A CLASH OVER A
PROPOSAL TO LIMIT STATE
REGULATION OF WATER POLLUTION.
THESE DAYS, THOUGH, WE FIND OUR
EYES DARTING BACK AND FORTH
BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND FRANKFORT
AND OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.
LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE TARIFF
CONCERNS THAT BUBBLED UP WHEN

(01:34):
LEVEES WERE ANNOUNCED AND MOSTLY
PUT ON PAUSE.
PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS THIS TARIFF
STRATEGY WILL MAKE THE COUNTRY
SAFER AND MORE PROSPEROUS.
GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAYS COUNTRIES
TARGETED ARE STRONG ALLIES OF
THE U.S. AND THE UNCERTAINTY
WILL HURT KENTUCKY INDUSTRIES.
>> YOU DON'T MAKE YOUR PRODUCT
IN AMERICA HOWEVER UNDER THE

(01:56):
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION YOU WILL
PAY A TARIFF AND SOME CASES A
RATHER LARGE ONE.
OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE USED
TARIFFS AGAINST US FOR DECADES
AND NOW IT'S OUR TURN TO START
USING THEM AGAINST THOSE OTHER
COUNTRIES.
>> WE NOW HAVE ENOUGH DATA TO
SHOW THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S
TARIFFS ARE HARMING THE AMERICAN
ECONOMY AND THEY ARE CERTAINLY
GOING TO HARM KEN EN KEN'S

(02:19):
KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY.
THESE TARIFFS ARE A BAD IDEA.
IT'S NOT JUT ME THAT IS SAYING
IT.
MITCH McCONNELL IS SAYING IT.
RAND PAUL SAID IT WHEN YOU HAVE
THE TWO REPUBLICAN SENATORS AND
THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR SAYING
SOMETHING IS A BAD IDEA BECAUSE
IT IS A BAD IDEA.
SO HERE WE ARE.
AND THE PRESIDENT PAUSED THE

(02:39):
AUTO TARIFFS SAYING COMPANIES
HAVE AN TOPP TO START BUILDING
MORE CARS IN THE U.S. OR
INDICATING THEY WILL DO THAT,
MARCUS.
THEN HE DECIDED TO HOLD OFF ON
OTHER TARIFFS AND ANNOUNCED SOME
MAY COME IN IN APRIL.
WE KNOW THE PRESIDENT SEES THIS
AS A POWERFUL NEGOTIATING TOOL
AND HE WANTS SOME THINGS OUT OF
THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.

(03:01):
BUT HOW MUCH UNCERTAINTY IS OUT
THERE BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON
WITH TARIFFS?
>> WHATEVER THE LONG-TERM
EFFECTIVENESS MIGHT BE TO THE
TARIFFS IN A COUPLE OF YEARS IF
THEY DO SUCCEED, OBVIOUSLY RIGHT
NOW THERE IS A LOT OF
UNCERTAINTY JUST LOOK NO FURTHER
THAN THE STOCK MARKET AND EBBS
AND FLOWS.
THE DOW FINISHED UP BUT IT HAD

(03:22):
BEEN UP AND DOWN AND STEEP
DROPS.
THERE IS A LOT OF WHIPLASH
BUSINESSES IN PARTICULAR EARLY
KENTUCKY'S AUTO INDUSTRY WHICH
IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT
ECONOMIC DRIVER HAS BEEN TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT HOW THIS IS GOING
TO AFFECT THEM.
YOU NOT ONLY HAVE THE
SIGNIFICANT FORD PLANTS IN
LOUISVILLE AND TOYOTA IN
GEORGETOWN YOU HAVE A NETWORK OF

(03:42):
AUTO SUPPLIERS MORE THAN 500
AUTO SUPPLYING COMPANIES ACROSS
THE COMMONWEALTH MORE THAN
100,000 PEOPLE EMPLOYED AND THE
NETWORK OF AUTO BUILDING IS SO
INTERNATIONALLY CONNECTED.
SO EVERYONE IS TRYING TO FIGURE
OUT WHAT IS THE PATH FORWARD.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO NOT
TAKE A STEEP HIT RIGHT NOW.
WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL BE

(04:03):
SUCCESSFUL LONG-TERM IN THE
SHORT-TERM THERE'S UNCERTAINTY
AND PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS
THE PATH FORWARD AND WE HAVE A
ROUND COMING IN APRIL.
A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY RIGHT NOW
IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
ESPECIALLY IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY.
LIAM WE TALKED TO A
DEALER WHO HAS BEEN HIS FAMILY
HAS BEEN IN THE CAR BUSINESS
OVER 100 YEARS AND HE SAYS HE
AND ORDEALERS WANT TO GET THIS

(04:25):
BEHIND THEM IN SOME WAY?
>> SURE.
AND A LOT OF ANXIETY,
UNCERTAINTY PEOPLE ARE FEELING
IS REMINISCENT OF THE FIRST
TRUMP TERM WITH TARIFFS.
I REMEMBER TALKING WITH FARMERS
IN WESTERN KENTUCKY WHO WERE
NERVOUS ABOUT IMPACTS ON SOYBEAN

(04:45):
PRICES AND INPUTS AND SOME OF
THOSE SAME FARMERS ARE HAVING
THE SAME ANXIETIES.
WHETHER IT'S AGRICULTURE OR CAR
DEALERS SHIPS YOU KNOW, TARIFFS
AFFECT CAN AFFECT A WIDE SLEW OF
KENTUCKY INDUSTRIES.
THERE WAS AN INTERESTING FACTS

(05:07):
THAT WERE SHARED BY THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ON SOCIAL
MEDIA FOR THE STATE ASSOCIATION
OF MANUFACTURERS, CANADA IS THE
NUMBER ONE TRADING PARTNER FOR
KENTUCKY AND MEXICO IS NUMBER
THREE.
I MEAN REGARD BUILDING IF YOU
ARE --
REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE TALKING
ABOUT AUTOS OR AG OR BOURBON
IT'S GOING TO BE FELT IN

(05:27):
KENTUCKY.
AND OBVIOUSLY DEALING WITH THE
UNCERTAINTY AND MOVING THROUGH
THE UNCERTAINTY WE HAVE TO SEE
WHAT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS ARE.
HANNAH THE PRESIDENT
SAYS HE IS APPLYING PRESSURE.
AND SAYS THESE WILL REMAIN IN
PLACE UNTIL U.S. BORDERS ARE

(05:47):
PROTECTED AND FENTANYL IS NO
LONGER COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.
IN ONE CANADIAN PROCESS WE SAW
BOURBON REMOVED FROM THE
SHELVES.
THAT WAS A STARK VISUAL.
>> YES.
INDEED WAS.
SO THIS WEEK TRUMP HAD A PHONE
CALL WITH THE CANADIAN PRIME
MINISTER WHERE HE EXPRESSED HE
WAS HAPPY WITH THE PRIME
MINISTER'S RESPONSE TO ADDRESS
FENTANYL TRAFFICKING.

(06:08):
SO IN ORDER FOR ANY PROGRESS
MADE FORWARD FOR THE TARIFFS TO
BE LIFTED HE WANTS THE PRIME
MINISTER TO ADDRESS THAT
TRAFFICKING BEFORE THOSE
CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN.
AND AS LIAM POINTED OUT,
KENTUCKY HAS A STRONG
RELATIONSHIP WITH CANADA, EXPORT
BILLIONS OF PRODUCTS THERE
INCLUDING BOURBON.
AND AS WE SAW, KENTUCKY'S TWO

(06:30):
REPUBLICAN SENATORS ARE SPEAKING
OUT AGAINST THIS POLICY.
WE HAD SENATOR RAND PAUL WHO
SAID KENTUCKY INDUSTRIES REACHED
OUT TO HIM UNHAPPY WITH THE
UNCERTAINTY AND REITERATED HIS
SUPPORT TO FIGHT DEPENDS THE
TARIFFS.
AND SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL
SAID WHILE IT IS TIME FOR
AMERICA'S NEIGHBORS TO TAKE THE
BORDER CRISIS SERIOUSLY, TARIFFS

(06:51):
ARE A BAD POLICY.
MARCUS WE'LL WATCH
THIS.
>> WE WILL AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO
NOTE, AMONG SIGNATURE INDUSTRIES
BOURBON HAS ELEVATED ITSELF IN
THE LAST DECADE OR TWO DECADES.
AND THERE IS A NATIONAL
NARRATIVE IN SOME CORNERS THAT
BOURBON IS EXPERIENCING A BUST
OR IT'S ABOUT TO TURN A CORNER
AND MEANT PERHAPS DECLINE IT'S

(07:12):
REACHED CAPACITY AND IT IS A
DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR BOURBON.
WE'VE SEEN LAYOFFS IN LOUISVILLE
AND HEADLINES NOT FAVORABLE TO
THE BOURBON.
PRETARIFF.
>> THIS IS ANOTHER HIT AT LEAST
OF PUBLICITY HIT THAT BOURBON IS
TAKING AND TRYING TO WEATHER.
WE WILL BE WATCHING.

(07:32):
TO FRANKFORT, THE KENTUCKY
LEGISLATURE IS HEADING INTO ITS
FINAL REGULAR WEEK BEFORE A
BREAK UNTIL THE VETO PERIOD.
THIS WEEK THERE WAS TENSE DEBATE
AND PROTESTS AT COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES BEFORE THE HOUSE
PASSED ANTI-D.E.I. LEGISLATION.
>> HISTORICALLY, AMERICA HAS
STRIF EN FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

(07:54):
NOT SUBJECTIVE EQUITY.
WHICH D.E.I. NOW PURSUES THROUGH
DISCRIMINATORY ADMISSIONS,
HIRING AND SCHOLARSHIPS
STANDARDS THAT SHIFT WITH
ADMINISTRATION'S WHIMS.
>> WE HAVE D.E.I. IN CIVIL
RIGHTS.
NOT SIMPLY TO PROMOTE EQUALITY

(08:15):
IN THE FUTURE BUT AS A REPAYMENT
AND RESTITUTION OF WHAT HAS
HAPPENED AND WHAT CONTINUES TO
HAPPEN TODAY.
MARCUS, MY
UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOU HAVE
SOME INFORMATION INDICATING THIS
IS LIKELY TO PASS NEXT WEEK?
>> I'M TOLD THAT HOUSE BILL 4

(08:35):
WILL GET THROUGH THE SENATE AND
AVOID THE SORT OF ISSUE THAT
OCCURRED LATE IN THE SESSION
LAST YEAR THAT LED TO THAT
SIMILAR BILL NOT PASSING.
THIS WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE
D.E.I. PROGRAMS AT THE
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES THAT
STILL HAVE THEM.
THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO
ELIMINATE THEM BY THE END OF
JUNE.
IT WILL AFFECT SCHOLARSHIP

(08:55):
CRITERIA.
KENTUCKY IS EXPERIENCING ONE OF
THESE BIG FRONTS IN THE CULTURE
WARS.
THIS HAS BEEN A PROMINENT MOVE
THAT REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURES AND
REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
HAVE PURSUED THEY BELIEVE THE
PEND USE LUMP HAS SWUNG IN THE
WRONG DIRECTION.
MORE MERIT BASED AND DEFENDERS

(09:18):
BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE IN
PLACE.
>> IT WOULD ALSO THE STATE
AUDITOR WOULD BE DOING
COMPLIANCE AUDITS OF
UNIVERSITIES REGARDING D.E.I.
AND I MEAN IN TERMS OF IT NOT
HITTING THE SNAGS OF LAST YEAR,
REPRESENTATIVE DECKER HAD THE
D.E.I. ANTI-D.E.I. BILL LAST

(09:39):
YEAR THAT MORPHED INTO A SENATE
BILL.
IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THAT
WON'T BE THE CASE THIS TIME
AROUND.
IT COULD BE A LIVELY
DEBATE BECAUSE 16 AMENDMENTS
HAVE BEEN ATTACHED.
16 FLOOR AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN
ATTACHED ALL BY DEMOCRATS SO
FAR.
AND THIS IS NOT A NEW IDEA THIS

(10:00):
IS SOMETHING THE HOUSE PITCHED
LAST YEAR THAT THE SENATE NEVER
TOOK UP.
BUT ROBERT STIVERS TOLD
REPORTERS THERE WAS A GROUP OF
SENATORS AND REPUBLICANS
DISCUSSING HOW DO WE WANT TO
TACKLE D.E.I. MOVING FORWARD SO
THAT THERE IS AGREEMENT ON A
SOLUTION TO WHAT THEY SEE AS A
PROBLEM.
WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS ONCE IT
GETS TO THE SENATE THERE WILL BE

(10:21):
A LOT OF DEBATES SINCE IT DID
NOT GET TAKEN UP LAST YEAR.
UNIVERSITY LEADERS ARE
WATCHING THIS TAKE PLACE AND
SORT OF KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING
TO DO IF IT DOES PASS?
>> I BELIEVE SO.
I THINK ONE THING TO POINT OUT
IS THE SENATE EDUCATION
COMMITTEE OR THE EDUCATION
COMMITTEE INVITED LEADERS FROM
KENTUCKY COLLEGES AND

(10:42):
UNIVERSITIES TO TESTIFY ON
D.E.I. INITIATIVES.
AND I BELIEVE IT WAS THE
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN
NORTHERN KENTUCKY HAD A ROLLED
BACK SOME INITIATIVES.
SO THEY COULD CLAIM THEY COULD
BE IN THE CLEAR IF THIS PASSES.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF IT DOES
PASS THIS SESSION.
A BILL THAT WOULD
PROVIDE MORE NTI DAYS FOR

(11:03):
SCHOOLS HAS ALSO ENDED UP BEING
AMENDED THAT HAS LED THE SPONSOR
OF THE BILL TO WITHDRAW HIS
SUPPORT FOR IT.
>> YES.
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TIM
ANY TRUITT'S BILL HE WANTED TO
ADDRESS INSTRUCTIONAL TIME AND
LET THE STATE GRANT FIVE RELIEF
DAYS AND ALLOW THE SCHOOL

(11:25):
DISTRICTS TO EXTEND INSTRUCTION
HOURS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO
THROUGH JUNE.
THAT BILL PASSED THE SENATE
EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON THE OR
ORDERS OF THE DAY FOR SOMETIME.
THIS WEEK IT WAS RECOMMITTED TO
THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE BECAUSE
THEY WANTED TO ATTACH LANGUAGE
FROM A SENATE BILL THAT WOULD
PROTECT VIRTUAL ACADEMY IN
KENTUCKY FROM SHUTTING DOWN
BECAUSE OF A KDE CAP.

(11:49):
REPRESENTATIVE TRUITT WAS NOT
HAPPY.
HE WENT AS FAR DURING THAT
MEETING THAT WILL SAY I WILL TRY
AND KILL THE BILL WHEN IT COMES
TO THE HOUSE.
BECAUSE HE OPPOSED THAT
OR DID NOT WANT TO SEE HIS BILL
WATERED DOWN IN THAT WAY?
>> HE HAS CONCERNS OVER THE
VIRTUAL ACADEMY.
YOU KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS
THAT THE COMPANY BEHIND IT HAS

(12:11):
SOME LAWSUITS IN OTHER STATES AS
WELL AS MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS.
SO HE SAID THIS COULD HARM
PUBLIC SCHOOLS THIS COULD HARM
SCHOOLS IN MY DISTRICT.
AND SO SENATOR STEVE WEST WHAT
IS CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION
COMMITTEE TOLD ME THIS IS A PART
OF THE PROCESS NEGOTIATION.
THERE WERE CONCERNS IN THE
SENATE THAT BOTH BILL WOULDS NOT
BE ABLE TO PASS ON ITS OWN,

(12:33):
HENCE THEY HAD MERGE TO DO
TOGETHER.
HE WANTS A CLEAN BILL
ON NTI WHICH IF NOT PASSED THEY
WILL BE HAVING CLASSES IN JUNE
IN A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
RIGHT?
>> YES.
THAT IS WHERE WE ARE
WITH THAT.
A BILL THAT WOULD LOWER THE AGE
AT WHICH KENTUCKIANS COULD GET A
DRIVER'S PERMIT PASSED THE

(12:54):
SENATE FROM 16 DOWN TO 15.
IT HAS AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE SO
THAT MEANS IT WOULD GO RIGHT
INTO EFFECT.
>> SURE IT'S BEEN VIEWED AS A
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUE.
I MEAN I REMEMBER THAT GROWING
UP OUTSIDE OF KENTUCKY THERE ARE
STATES THAT ALLOW FOLKS MINORS

(13:15):
WHO ARE 15 TO BE ABLE TO GET
THEIR LEARNER'S PERMIT BEING
ABLE TO HAVE A CAR AND DRIVE TO
ONE'S JOB IT JUST IT'S COMMON
SENSE.
BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S BEING SEEN AS
TRYING TO GET MORE YOUNG PEOPLE
OUT IN THE WORKFORCE AND TO
VARIOUS JOBS.

(13:37):
MORE FOCUS ON YOUNG
PEOPLE BILL SPONSORED BY MIKE HE
HAVE MEREDITH PASSED THE HOUSE
THAT WOULD REQUIRE HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS TO COMPLETE A FINANCIAL
LITERACY COURSE BEFORE THEY
COULD GRADUATE.
>> IT IS A BIPARTISAN BILL.
IT WOULD REQUIRE EARLY AS THIS
COMING SCHOOL YEAR STARTING IN
THE 9TH GRADE STUDENTS WOULD

(13:58):
HAVE TO HAVE THESE CLASSES ON
INVESTING AND TAXES AND
BUDGETING AND THINGS I THINK ALL
OF US CAN AGREE ARE IMPORTANT
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEY BEGIN
TO MANAGE MONEY.
PEOPLE WAIT WAY TOO LONG TO
LEARN THE BASIC SKILLS AND THIS
IS AN EFFORT TO CEMENT THAT IN
INSTRUCTION.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A
DEBATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND
HERE IN KENTUCKY AS WELL.

(14:20):
AND HOUSE BILL 18 WOULD EXTEND A
MORATORIUM ON NEW MULTIFAMILY
HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS A CONCEPT
IN LOUISVILLE KNOWN AS THE
MISSING MIDDLE.
SO WHAT IS BEING CONSIDERED?
>> BASICALLY, LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR
A DEMOCRAT, GREG GREENBURG IN
HIS HOUSING STRATEGY HE WANTS TO

(14:41):
HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE
CITY'S LAND RULES ALLOW CERTAIN
TYPES OF DUPLEXES AND HOUSING IN
PLACES THAT ARE SINGLE FAMILY
HOMES WITH BIGGER LOTS.
HE CALLS THAT MIDDLE HOUSING AND
HE WANTS TO CHANGE THOSE RULES.
WELL, THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS
PUSHING BACK AGAINST THAT,
BECAUSE SOME OF THE AREAS
ENVISIONED WOULD BE IN MORE TRA

(15:03):
DISTINCTIONAL SINGLE FAMILY
HOUSES OUTSIDE THE EXPRESSWAY,
THE TWO BIG RINGS IN LOUISVILLE.
SO THE MAYOR WANTS THAT.
THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO EXTEND A
MORATORIUM FOR A TWO MORE YEARS
FIRST AGREED TO LAST YEAR.
PROHIBITING LOUISVILLE FROM
MAKING ANY CHANGES TO THE LAND
RULES.
NOW THERE ARE AMENDMENTS TO THIS
LEGISLATION THAT COULD PROVIDE

(15:25):
CARVE OUTS CLOSER TO THE
TRADITIONALSY OF LOUISVILLE.
CRITICS VIEW IT AS AN EXAMPLE OF
THE WAR ON LOUISVILLE AND VIEW
IT AS REPUBLICANS TRYING TO
GOVERN A DEMOCRATICALLY
CONTROLLED AREA FROM AFAR.
THE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THAT
THIS IS A WISE MOVE BECAUSE IT
IS NOT IN KEEPING WITH SOME OF
THE WAYS THAT LAND SHOULD BE

(15:45):
USED.
IT IS AT ITS FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL,
A STRUGGLE IN HOW TO USE LAND.
ALONG THE SAME LINES A
BILL WOULD REQUIRE CITY ZONING
BOARDS TO CONSIDER MANUFACTURED
HOUSING THE SAME AS CONSTRUCTION
BUILDS?
>> RIGHT THIS BUILD WOULD SAY
THAT LOCAL ZONING BOARDS
GOVERNMENTS CAN DISCRIMINATE
THEY HAVE TO ALLOW MANUFACTURED

(16:07):
HOUSING IN PLACES THAT HAD
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE AND AND IT'S
GOTTEN SUPPORT.
I WAS READING THE LEGISLATIVE
ANALYSIS THE LEAGUE OF CITIES IS
RAISING CONCERNS IT COULD HARM
CITIES BECAUSE YOU ALLOW THESE
TYPES OF HOUSING YOU COULD
REDUCE PROPERTY VALUES THAT
REDUCES PROPERTY TAX REVENUE A
BIG DRIVER OF REVENUES FOR

(16:28):
CITIES ACROSS THE STATE
INCLUDING RURAL AREAS.
WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS SOMETHING
THAT WILL PLAY IS TO BE
DETERMINED.
I DID THINK IT WAS INTERESTING
THEY RAISED THAT OBJECTION.
A COUPLE DECADES AGO
CITY LEADERS MADE NO SECRET THEY
WERE ZONING MANUFACTURED HOUSING
OUT OF TOWNS IN MANY CASES OR
MAKING IT VERY LIMITED AREAS.

(16:50):
>> BUT KENTUCKY LIKE LOUISVILLE
AND THE REST OF THE STATE HAS A
HOUSING SHORTAGE AND A LOT OF
THE BILLS ARE TRYING TO FIND
WAYS TO PUT HOUSING BACK INTO
AREAS SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS
THESE SHORTAGES.
TIMES CHANGE.
LIAM THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION
ABOUT SENATE BILL 39 IT WOULD
LIMIT THE STATE'S ABLE TWO TO
REGULATE WATER INFLUENCE THE
SPONSOR IS SCOTT MADE EN OF

(17:11):
PINEVILLE HE WOULD UNBURDEN COAL
MINING AND HOME CONSTRUCTION AND
OPPONENTS SAY IT WOULD BRING
MORE POLLUTION.
>> SENATE BILL 89, BASICALLY,
IT'S HARKENS BACK TO A 2023
SUPREME COURT U.S. SUPREME COURT

(17:32):
RULING WHERE BASICALLY, THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO
REGULATE WATER POLLUTION WAS
LIMITED AND SENATOR MAIDEN WANTS
TO TAKE THE STATE DEFINITION OF
WATERS THAT ARE REGULATED BY THE
ENERGY ENVIRONMENT CABINET WITH
THAT WEAKENED FEDERAL STANDARD.
A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

(17:53):
ARE OPPOSED TO THIS.
CYLUS HOUSE AND OTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES HAD A
RALLY A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE
KENTUCKY RIVER IN FRANKFORT THIS
WEEK SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE
BILL.
THEY ARE WORRIED IT COULD OPEN
THE DOOR UP TO MORE WATER
POLLUTION, ESPECIALLY OF CONCERN
IS GROUND WATER POLLUTION
POTENTIALLY.
A NUMBER OF KENTUCKIANS IN RURAL

(18:15):
PARTS OF THE STATE EASTERN
KENTUCKY, WEST KENTUCKY IN
PARTICULAR, GET THEIR WATER
THROUGH PRIVATE WATER WELLS.
AND YOU KNOW, GROUND WATER
POLLUTION COULD POTENTIALLY
LEECH INTO THAT.
SO THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION THE
BILL IS IN THE HOUSE NOW IN
POSSESSION OF THE HOUSE NATURAL

(18:36):
RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE.
THE CHAIR SAYS HE'S WORKING ON
THE BILL TO POTENTIALLY CHANGE
IT TO MAYBE PROTECT GROUND
WATER.
THERE'S SOME SKEPTICISM AMONGST
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS THAT ANY
CHANGES WOULD COME GO FAR ENOUGH
TO PROTECT GROUND WATER.
BUT WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

(18:58):
PROBABLY CHANGES IN THE NEXT
WEEK.
A LOT OF EYES ARE ON
IT.
HANNAH GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS
SEEKING MORE MONEY TO DEAL WITH
THE FLOODING WE EXPERIENCED IN
FEBRUARY SAYING IT'S GOING TO
COST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS ON TOP OF THE FEDERAL
MONEY THAT IS COMING IN.
AND HE SAYS IT IS NECESSARY FOR
THE LEGISLATURE TO ACT BECAUSE
THEY PUT A CAP ON WHAT HE CAN

(19:19):
SPEND IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
>> SO HIS ADMINISTRATION
TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF SENATORS
AND REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEEK AT
A JOINT MEETING.
AND THAT $50 MILLION CAP IS PART
OF A PROVISION IN THE STATE
BUDGET THAT THEY PASSED LAST
YEAR.
AND THAT MONEY IS APPROPRIATED
AND LABELED AS A NECESSARY
GOVERNMENT EXPENSE RELATING TO
NATURAL DISASTERS.

(19:40):
STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR JOHN HICKS
SAID THEY ARE CONFIDENT THEY
WILL HIT THAT CAP AND ASKING THE
LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE IT.
LEADERSHIP FROM THE HOUSE AND
SENATE HAVE NOT COMMITTED TO
THIS.
I BELIEVE HOUSE SPEAKER OSBORNE
SAID YOU FOR, WE DON'T WANT TO
START ISSUING BLANK CHECKS WE

(20:00):
DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE INFORMATION.
MEANWHILE, SENATE PRESIDENT
STIVERS HE FEELS CONFIDENCE
THAT --
CONFIDENT THAT SOMETHING WILL
PASS AS TO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WE
DON'T KNOW YET.
THE LEGISLATURE WANTED
TIGHT OVERSIGHT OF EMERGENCY
SPENDING WHEN IT PASSED THAT
LAW, RIGHT?
SO THAT'S WHY HE SAYS NO BLANK

(20:22):
CHECKS.
WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT ONE GOES IN
THAT CASE.
THE LEGISLATURE IS IN THE
PROCESS RIGHT NOW OF TRYING TO
CREATE A KENTUCKY VERSION OF
DOGE.
IT WOULD LOOK FOR WASTE AND
ABUSE.
WE HAD THE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED
STATE AUDITOR IN KENTUCKY WHO IS
CHARGED WITH THAT.
BUT ALLISON BALL SAYS THE GROUP

(20:42):
COULD HELP HER DO HER JOB.
>> SHE TESTIFIED THIS WOULD GIVE
HER OFFICE THE ABILITY TO MORE
CONSISTENTLY MONITOR A LOT OF
THE TOPICS AS OPPOSED TO THE
SORT OF BIG AUDITS ON A SINGLE
ISSUE THAT AUDITORS ARE CHARGED
WITH PRODUCING.
OF COURSE THIS WOULD BE A
KENTUCKY VERSION OF THE VERY

(21:03):
CONTROVERSIAL OR VERY LAUDED
NATIONAL INITIATIVE UNDER THE
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LED BY ELON
MUSK TO CHANGE THE WAY THE
FEDERAL AGENCIES WORK.
NOT ONLY ARE THERE ROLES THAT
THE STATE AUDITOR HAS BUT
AGENCIES HAVE INSPECTORS GENERAL
THAT CREEP INTO THIS TERRITORY
AS WELL.
I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING IN
ONE OF THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

(21:25):
CHRIS McDANIEL REPUBLICAN
SENATOR SAID WE NEED TO MAKE
SURE WE DO THIS PROPERLY.
IF WE DO IT WELL IT WILL BE A
GREAT THING.
IF WE DO IT WRONG WE WILL BE
LAUGHED AT.
AND THAT IS THE TENSION THAT
WHATEVER THEY DO IS NOT
OVERLAPPING WITH OTHER
RESPONSIBILITIES IT'S DONE MORE
SURGICALLY THAN THE FEDERAL DOGE
EFFORT IS BEING DONE.

(21:46):
HEMP DRINKS WOULD BE --
IT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE ON
THEIR WAY TO BEING BANNED
THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE MADE IN
THAT BILL.
>> SURE.
IT IS A BILL THAT EMERGED LATE
THIS SESSION.
THERE'S THESE DRINKS HEMP
DERIVED THC CANNED BEVERAGES
THAT HAVE GAINED POPULARITY

(22:07):
ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND POPPING
UP IN CONVENIENCE STORES AND
OTHER PLACES.
AND MORE AND MORE STATE
LEGISLATURES ARE LOOKING AT
REGULATING THEM SIMILAR TO, SAY,
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR DIFFERENT
STATE LEGISLATURES ARE TAKING
DIFFERENT APPROACHES.
BUT INITIALLY THIS BILL PUT A
MORATORIUM A TEMPORARY BAN ON

(22:28):
THE SALE OF SUCH BEVERAGES WHICH
CREATED AN OUTCRY FROM THE HEMP
INDUSTRY IN THE STATE SAYING
THAT IT WOULD CRIPPLE SMALL
BUSINESSES.
IT'S BEEN CHANGED TO WHERE NOW
THERE IS A SMALL CAP ON A SMALL
AMOUNT OF FIVE MILLIGRAMS OF THC
PER CANNED BEVERAGE AND

(22:49):
REGULATED SIMILAR LIKE ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES WHICH I RECEIVED A
TEXT EARLIER TODAY THAT THE HEMP
ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT FOR THE
STATE STILL ISN'T HAPPY WITH THE
BILL.
THERE IS A LOT OF DISAGREEMENT
HOW THE BEVERAGES SHOULD BE
REGULATED.
THE BILL IS ADVANCING.
ALSO, IN YOU IN THE
SESSION, FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVE

(23:10):
ADAM MOORE IN LEXINGTON IS
SERVING AS A VETERANS CAUCUS AND
REPUBLICAN AARON REED IS THE
CO-CHAIR OF THAT.
LOTS OF MEMBERS IN THE
LEGISLATURE.
ALL RIGHT WE HAVE AN UNUSUAL
U.S. SENATE RACE AN OPEN SEAT
COMING UP IN KENTUCKY NEXT YEAR.
DUE TO SENATOR MITCH
McCONNELL'S DECISION TO STEP
ASIDE AFTER HIS TERM ENDS.

(23:31):
THIS WEEK THERE WAS REPORTING
AND NO DENIAL THAT RODKY ADKINS
COULD BE INTERESTED IN THE
NOMINATION THAT COMES AS
REPUBLICANS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE
A POTENTIALLY COMPETITIVE
PRIMARY.
SO THERE IS CERTAINLY A LOT TO
WATCH IN THAT REGARD, WE KNOW
THAT IN 2019 ADKINS WAS IN THE
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR.
>> I MEAN, ROCKY ADKINS IS A

(23:54):
FASCINATING DEMOCRATIC FIGURE.
HE'S GOT RURAL ROOTS HE HAS DONE
WELL IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.
HE'S HAD SOME ANTIABORTION
STANCES HE IS PERHAPS VIEWED AS
MORE MODERATE COULD DO WELL AND
TAKE VOTES AWAY FROM REPUBLICANS
IN THE AREAS WHERE REPUBLICANS
HAVE DONE TRADITIONALLY WELL.
OBVIOUSLY LONG TIME LEGISLATOR

(24:14):
HE HAS NAME RECOGNITION AND THAT
WOULD ENHANCE IF HE WERE TO RUN
FOR THIS.
PAMELA STEVENSON ALSO EXPRESSED
INTEREST SHE DID NOT FARE WELL
IN THE STATE CAMPAIGN RUNNING
FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.
INTERESTING DYNAMICS FOR THOSE
POTENTIAL CANDIDATES.
>> AND YOU KNOW WHEN YOU ARE
LOOKING AT THE BENCH FOR
DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE-WIDE

(24:38):
RACE, IT'S IN TERMS OF WHO HAS
THE ABILITY HAS SHOWN THE
ABILITY TO WIN AND TO PICK UP
RURAL AREAS ALONG WITH THE BIG
METROS THAT ARE DEMOCRAT
BASTIENS LOUISVILLE, LEXINGTON,
PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY LOOKING AT
ROCKY BECAUSE IF HIS ABILITY TO
PICK UP EASTERN KENTUCKY
COUNTIES.

(24:58):
REPUBLICANS WON EVERY
U.S. SENATE RACE SINCE 1998.
DANIEL CAMERON JUMPED IN MINUTES
AFTER McCONNELL MADE HIS
ANNOUNCE MANY.
CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR TOLD
SUPPORTERS HE WANTS TO RUN.
THOMAS MASSIE, AND NATE MORRIS
GETTING MENTIONED.
WE'RE WATCHING ALL SIDES OF
THAT.
FIVE YEARS SINCE THE FIRST CASE
OF COVID IN KENTUCKY.

(25:21):
BUT KENTUCKY HAS LOST MORE THAN
20,000 PEOPLE.
THAT WAS A DARK TIME.
IT'S TESTED ALL OF US IN MANY,
MANY WAYS.
>> YEAH, DEFINITELY.
I THINK ONE THING COMING OUT OF
COVID AND WHAT PEOPLE SAW IS
GOVERNOR BESHEAR WAS HOSTING
THOSE DAILY PRESS CONFERENCES.
AND I THINK A LOT OF KENTUCKIANS
FELT LIKE THEY WERE IN THIS

(25:41):
TOGETHER GETTING THROUGH IT.
SO IT'S VERY INTERESTING TO SEE
WHERE WE WERE FIVE YEARS AGO VER
VUSE WHERE WE ARE NOW.
SOME WAYS IT SEEMS LIKE
A LONGTIME AGO AND IT SEEMS
ONGOING.
>> I REMEMBER SITTING IN A VERY
CROWDED COMMITTEE ROOM SITTING
ON THE FLOOR WATCHING Dr.
STACK ADDRESS LAWMAKERS ABOUT
THE FIRST CASE OF COVID.

(26:03):
SHORTLY AFTER IT HAPPENED RIGHT
AROUND FIVE YEARS AGO.
AND IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING
TIME, I THINK.
WE STILL HAVEN'T FULLY UNPACKED
EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED.
DIZZYING TIME BUT IT WAS A TIME
IN WHICH THE GOVERNOR ELEVATED
HIS STATUS NOT JUST IN A STATE
ROLE BUT NATIONALLY.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
BEGINS THIS WEEKEND FORMER

(26:24):
KENTUCKY GOVERNOR FORD LONG
OPPOSED IT NOTING THAT SCHOOL
KIDS HAVE TO STAND IN THE DARK
WAITING FOR A BUS BUT IT DOES
BEGIN AT 2:00 A.M. SUNDAY.
THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY".
HAVE A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.
[♪♪]