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>> Bill: A BUSY WEEK IN FRANKFORT A PROPOSED STATE BUDGET MOVES FORWARD. A BILL TO BAN PHONE USE IN CLASSROOMS IS PROPOSED AND A BILL ADDRESSING SEXUALLY EXPLICITLY BUSINESSES STIRS DEBATE. NEW BILLS ARE FILED TO RESTORE SOME ABORTION ACCESS. ISSUES CONTINUE WITH KENTUCKY'S NEW AUTO REGISTRATION SYSTEM. ANOTHER CRITICAL REPORT ABOUT KENTUCKY'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. ON THIS GROUND-HOG DAY COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET. [♪♪] >> Bill: 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, McKENNA HORSLEY, POLITICS REPORTER NOT THE KENTUCKY LAND LEARN TERNE. S ESES, FOR THE LEXINGTON BILL ESTEP FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND JESS CLARK FOR LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA. MORE KENTUCKY COMMUNITY PHARMACIES ARE CLOSING THEIR DOORS AND WATER ISSUES CONTINUE IN SEVERAL PARTS OF THE STATE.
SOME HAVING TO CATCH RAIN WATER TO BATHE IN. LET'S BEGIN WITH THE LEGISLATURE WHERE THE ISSUES KEEP POPPING UP IN THE TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET IS UNDER INTENSE DEBATE AND AMENDED SPENDING PROPOSAL FULLY FUNDS SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION AND INCREASES SCHOOL FUNDING. IT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE TEACHERS' RAISES. BUT THAT HAS PASSED THE HOUSE ON THE WAY TO THE SENATE. McKENNA, THE BUDGET PASSED THE CHAMBER WHERE ALL APPROPRIATION BILLS MUST ORIGINATE.
>> THE HOUSE EARLIER THIS WEEK HEARD ITS BUDGET BILLS IN A COMMITTEE AND THEN THAT MOVED TO THE FLOOR ON THURSDAY. AND THERE WAS LENGTHY DEBATE THERE. BUT TODAY THE SENATE RECEIVED THOSE BUDGET BILLS. SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE THE SENATE MOVES FROM THERE. >> Bill: AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AS IT HEADS TO THE SENATE? THEY ASSIGN IT TO A COMMITTEE. >> IT WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE A AND R COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.
AND SO FAR SENATE LEADERSHIP HASN'T COMMENTED ON THE HOUSE PROPOSAL YET. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE THE CHANCE FOR THEM TO DIVE THROUGH THAT BUDGET BILL AND MAKE THEIR OWN COMMENTS AND ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL. >> Bill: AND THAT ALL GETS RECONCILED AND IT GOES BACK AND FORTH BEFORE IT GOES TO THE GOVERNOR WHO THEN HAS LINE ITEM VETO AND OF COURSE THE MAJORITIES BY THE REPUBLICANS ARE VARIOUS SUFFICIENT TO OVERSIDE THE VETOES.
LAWMAKERS ARE DECIDING HOW TO SPEND $29 BILLION OF TAX DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. THEY ADDED 40 MILLION TO FUND SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION THAT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT'S HAPPENED IN A LONGTIME? >> YES, IF IT PASSES IN THAT CURRENT FORM IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME LAWMAKERS HAVE FULLY FUNDED TRANSPORTATION IN TWO DECADES. SO THE STATE UNDER THE 1990 CARA ACT, THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION REFORM ACT THE STATE IS SUPPOSED TO COVER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR DISTRICTS.
AND SINCE 2005 EACH YEAR LAWMAKERS IN THEIR BUDGET HAVE NOT WITHSTOOD THE 1990 STATUTE ESSENTIALLY SUSPENDING AT THAT TIME LAW FOR THE NEXT YEAR. AND FUNDING HOWEVER MUCH THEY WANT TO, AND THE PREVIOUS YEARS, I THINK IT DROPPED AS LOW AS 50% OF WHAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO. FOR SOME DISTRICTS. SO THIS WOULD BE A BIG INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR DISTRICTS WHO HAVE BEEN USING LOCAL FUNDS TO COVER THAT GAP.
AND I THINK THE REASON WHY WE'RE SEEING THIS PROPOSAL THIS YEAR, IS OF COURSE, BECAUSE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE TURMOIL THERE AROUND THEIR TRANSPORTATION ISSUES. THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON LAWMAKERS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND SO THIS MAY BE A STEP THAT THEY ARE TAKING TOWARDS FIXING THAT PROBLEM.
>> Bill: McKENNA, THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SAID THIS WEEK THAT 96% OF SCHOOLS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OFFER RAISES TO TEACHERS THAT COULD RECRUIT AND RETAIN TEACHERS. WITH THE CURRENT PROPOSAL. TENNESSEE AND OHIO NOW OFFERING $50,000 A YEAR FOR STARTING TEACHERS. KENTUCKY'S FAR FROM THAT. >> YES. SO THESE RESPONSES CAME FROM ABOUT 93% OF KENTUCKY'S 171 SCHOOL DISTRICTS. AND ALSO I BELIEVE THAT THESE RESPONSES WERE GATHERED BEFORE THE HOUSE'S BUDGET HAD PASSED.
SO THERE MIGHT BE CHANGES. BUT THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE HOUSE BUDGET DECREASES SEEK FUNDING FROM PREVIOUS BUDGET YEARS. IN RESPONSE TO THIS SURVEY, THOUGH, REPUBLICAN HOUSE SPEAKER OSBORNE SAID IF YOU HAD TAKEN THIS POLL WITHIN THE LAST 50 YEARS YOU WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE SAME EXACT RESULTS. >> Bill: JESS, YOU HAD A THOUGHT ON THAT? >> YEAH, I MEAN SO THE LAWMAKERS HAVE WRITTEN THE BUDGET.
THEY'VE MODESTLY INCREASED THE SEEK WHICH IS THE PER PUPIL SPENDING GUARANTEED BY THE STATE FOR EDUCATION. AND THEY DID THAT BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THEY WANTED TO GIVE DISTRICTS MORE FLEXIBILITY TO USE THAT FUNDING IN WAYS THAT THEY WANTED TO LOCALLY. SO IF THEY WANTED TO FUND CERTAIN TEACHERS PAY HIGHER THAN OTHERS OR CERTIFIED STAFF INSTEAD OF A MANDATED ACROSS THE BOARD 11% RAISE WHICH IS WHAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR PROPOSED.
AND THAT CAME OUT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH SUPERINTENDENTS OVER THE INTERIM WHO SAID THEY DID APPRECIATE THE FLEXIBILITY WHEN THE FUNDS COME THROUGH SEEK. AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO MANDATE RAISES FOR ALL. HOWEVER, McKENNA MENTIONED THAT SAME REPORT, THE SAME SUPERINTENDENTS ARE SAYING THAT THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH EXTRA IN THE SEEK TO DO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE. I THINK THE AMOUNT WOULD COVER MAYBE LIKE 1-3% RAISE FOR EMPLOYEES.
AND THAT IS JUST NOT ENOUGH TO TURN THE TIDE IN TERMS OF EMPLOYEE SHORTAGES. >> Bill: BILL, THE LEGISLATURE IS WILLING TO MAKE A LOT OF RULES IN FRANKFORT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO MANDATE THE RAISES. >> WELL, THEY DON'T. THEY SAY IT'S BECAUSE OF FLEXIBILITY IT IS ALSO A BIG COST. AND. >> 1.4 BILLION IT WOULD BE THE GOVERNOR'S PRICE TAG.
>> AND THERE'S BEEN A FRUSTRATION THAT THE LOCAL LEVEL. JESS TALKED ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION, THERE'S BEEN A FRUSTRATION THEY WERE NOT GETTING ADEQUATE MONEY FOR TRANSPORTATION OR TEACHER RAISES AND YOU SEE FRUSTRATION WITH THIS PROPOSAL ON THE TEACHER RAISES WOULDN'T GET TO WHERE THEY THINK THEY OUGHT TO BE. >> Bill: LOTS OF ISSUES ARE POPPING UP. BILLS THAT WOULD REGULATE ADULT BUSINESSES WERE INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.
THAT RETURNED THE ISSUE OF DRAG SHOWS TO THE SPOTLIGHT AND TOUCHED OFF DEBATE. >> SO THEREFORE IT WOULD LIMIT THOSE TYPES OF PERFORMANCES. AGAIN THIS IS NOT TO LIMIT DRAG, THIS IS NOT TO LIMIT ACCESS TO ADULT CONTENT, IT IS STRICTLY TO KEEP CHILDREN AWAY FROM SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT. >> THAT IS ALREADY ILLEGAL. YOU ALREADY CAN'T EXPOSE CHILDREN TO SEXUALLY GRAPHIC MATERIAL OR PERFORMANCES. WHAT IS THE NEED FOR THIS SPECIFIC BILL?
WHAT IT IS IS TO ATTEMPT TO PUT A CHILLING EFFECT ON DRAG PERFORMANCES AT PRIDE FESTIVALS. >> Bill: THIS ISSUE CAME UP AND NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN THE SESSION LAST YEAR. >> YES. SO THERE ARE GOING TO BE TWIN BILLS FILED BY IN THE HOUSE WE'LL SEE A VERSION OF THIS BILL IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.
IT TARGETS ADULT ORIENTED BUSINESSES AND SAYS THEY CAN BE NO CLOSER THAN A CITY BLOCK TO PLACES WHERE CHILDREN MAY BE, SUCH AS A CHILDCARE FACILITY, AND OTHER RECREATION FACILITIES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP AS WELL. >> THERE'S BEEN A DEBATE IN TENNESSEE AND OTHER STATES IT IS THE LARGER ISSUE OF THE SOME OF THE CULTURE DISAGREEMENTS THAT ARE BEING PLAYED OUT ACROSS THE NATION AND HERE IN KENTUCKY AS WELL.
>> Bill: DEMOCRATS FILED BILLS THAT WOULD RESTORE SOME ABORTION ACCESS OR NOT PUNISH WOMEN WHO GO TO OTHER STATES. >> WE SAW LINDSEY BURKE FILE THREE BILLS THAT WOULD ROLLBACK SOME OF KENTUCKY ABORTION BANS. PROTECT MEDICAL RECORDS FOR KENTUCKIANS WHO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO RECEIVE AN ABORTION IN A PLACE WHERE IT'S LEGAL. AND AS WELL AS EXPAND THE HEALTH ACCESS NURTURING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WHICH HELPS NEW PARENTS IN KENTUCKY.
AND ALSO IN THE SENATE WE'VE SEEN DEMOCRATIC WHIP DAVID YATES FILE A BILL EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT WOULD ADD EXCEPTIONS TO KENTUCKY BAN FOR RAPE AND INCEST BUT THAT HAS NOT GONE TO A COMMITTEE YET. >> Bill: THERE WAS TALK OF THAT EARLY ON AMONG REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP, BUT WE HAVE NOT SEEN MOVEMENT ON THAT.
>> YES, WE HAVE NOT SEEN MOVEMENT ON THIS AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS A HOLD OVER FROM LAST YEAR'S GOVERNOR RACE WHERE WE SAW DANIEL CAMERON AND ANDY BESHEAR DIFFER ON THEIR POSITION ABOUT ADDING EXCEPTIONS TO ABORTION BANS. >> Bill: THE BATTLE OVER THE TEXAS BORDER GOT SOME KENTUCKY ATTENTION THIS WEEK. ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN JOINED OTHER REPUBLICAN ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN CRITICIZING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS BORDER POLICIES.
AND THE STATE HOUSE PASSED A RESOLUTION CALLING ON GOVERNOR BESHEAR TO SUPPORT THE POLICIES OF G.O.P. TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT. THE GOVERNOR REFERRED TO THE HOUSE ACTION AS PICK A SIDE POLITICS. >> THIS WHOLE US VERSUS THEM NEVER GETS SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED. SO I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED CONGRESS TO ACT. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO BE GROWN ADULTS. I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR CONSTITUTION.
>> Bill: SO BESHEAR DOES NOT WANT TO BE LURED INTO THE BORDER ISSUES AND SOME REPUBLICANS OBVIOUSLY THINK IT IS OF SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE AND NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED IN FRANKFORT BECAUSE THERE IS IMPACT ON KENTUCKY. >> WELL, AND YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT THIS IN THE CONTEXT THERE IS IMPACT IN KENTUCKY. THIRD ARGUMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT KANSAS IS A BORDER STATE AND KENTUCKY IS BECAUSE THE DRUGS THAT COME THROUGH THE BORDER AND WINDUP IN ALL THESE STATES.
COLORADO EVERYWHERE. THERE IS AN IMPACT ACROSS THE COUNTRY FROM WHAT HAPPENS AT THE TEXAS BORDER. AND THE ARIZONA BORDER THE SOUTHERN BORDER. BUT THIS IS IN THE CONTEXT OF I THINK AN ELECTION YEAR, A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR. YOU THINK ABOUT RIGHT NOW THEY WERE TRYING TO DO A BIPARTISAN BILL IN CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON TO DEAL WITH THE SOUTHERN WORDER. REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE INCLUDING MITCH McCONNELL WHO SUPPORTED WORKING OUT A DEAL.
BUT YOU HAD DONALD TRUMP WHO IS THE LIKELY REPUBLICAN NOMINEE URGING CONGRESS NOT TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS WHO WANT TO PRESERVE THIS AS AN ISSUE TO RUN ON AGAINST JOE BIDEN IF YOU DO IT NOW BIDEN WILL SAY WE'RE FIXING THIS WITHOUT A DEAL IT REMAINS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE THROUGH THE FALL. >> Bill: A RESOLUTION THAT PUTS THE LEGISLATURE ON RECORD. >> RIGHT. AND WE HAVE SEEN A SIMILAR MEASURE IN THE SENATE.
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 111 AND THAT WAS ASSIGNED TO A COMMITTEE THIS WEEK. >> Bill: ALL RIGHT. LET'S TALK ABOUT MORE OF THESE EDUCATION ISSUES CONTINUE TO COME UP. VERY IMPORTANT THAT STATE GOVERNMENT ADDRESS EDUCATION AND ONE JESS, THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOSH BRAY PROPOSED A BILL THAT WOULD LIMIT CELLPHONE USE IN CLASSROOMS TO BASICALLY ONLY EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
>> WELL, IT WOULD ALLOW CELLPHONE USE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND THEN ALSO IF THE CELLPHONE WAS BEING USED FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES WHICH HAPPENS A LOT IN SCHOOL KIDS USE THEIR PHONES FOR CLASS WORK. BUT THIS BASICALLY MIRRORS A LAW IN FLORIDA THAT PASSED LAST YEAR THAT REQUIRED DISTRICTS TO HAVE POLICIES THAT BAN CELLPHONE USE DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME AND ACTUALLY SURPRISINGLY STUDENTS ENDED UP LIKING IT IN A LOT OF SCHOOLS.
BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD TIME AWAY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WAS DISTRACTING. IT DEPENDED ON THE DISTRICT, OF COURSE. SOME DISTRICTS BANNED IT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY. YOU COULDN'T USE YOUR PHONE IN-BETWEEN CLASSES AND OTHER DISTRICTS THEY HAVE A BOX OR SOME KIND OF AREA WHERE YOU LEAVE YOUR PHONE BEFORE YOU GO INTO THE CLASSROOM AND THAT WAS WAS POPULAR.
SO THIS WOULD DIRECT KENTUCKY SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAKE THEIR OWN RULES ABOUT HOW YOU CAN USE CELLPHONES IN CLASS AND A LOT OF DISTRICTS ALREADY HAVE THESE POLICIES BUT THEY ARE HARD TO ENFORCE. SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THIS PASSES WHAT KINDS OF NEW ARRANGEMENTS SCHOOLS WILL COME UP WITH. >> . >> Bill: HOUSE BILL 300, JESS, IS AIMED AT SPEEDING UP INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING EDUCATORS.
>> YES. SO HOUSE BILL 300 THAT IS AIMED AT THE EDUCATION PRO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BOARD. AND THAT IS THE BOARD THAT GRANTS TEACHER AND EDUCATOR CERTIFICATIONS AND CAN REVOKE THEM IF IT FINDS THAT THE EDUCATOR WAS GUILTY OF SOME KIND OF MISCONDUCT. AND SO THE LAWMAKER WHO SUPPORTS THIS MEASURE AND SOME EDUCATORS WHO SUPPORT IT AS WELL, SAY EPSB TAKES FAR TOO LONG TO COME TO A CONCLUSION WHEN SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS ARE BROUGHT FORWARD.
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE FRIVOLOUS COMPLAINTS OR BEING UNSUBSTANTIATED IT CAN LEAVE EDUCATORS KIND OF IN LIMBO WONDERING IF THEIR LICENSE WILL BE REVOKED FOR MONTHS OR YEARS. AND SO THEY WANT TO SPEED THAT UP. THE BILL WOULD CREATE A MAXIMUM OF 120 DAYS. THAT THE EPSB TO TAKE TO INVESTIGATE AND COME TO A DECISION. THE EPSB IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BILL, BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS WITHIN THE TIMELINE THAT IS GIVEN IN THE BILL.
AND UNDER THE BILL, IF YOU CAN'T COME TO A CONCLUSION WITHIN 120 DAYS THE COMPLAINT IS AUTOMATICALLY DISMISSED. THEY ARE WORRY TO DO WILL LEAD TO VERY SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS LIKE SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BEING JUST DISMISSED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO INVESTIGATE. >> Bill: HAVE TO BE HASHED OUT. THERE IS A MOMENT OF SILENCE BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE, CRITICS SAY IT WALKS A NARROW LINE WITH REGARD TO SCHOOL PRAYER.
SUPPORTERS SAY IT GIVES STUDENTS A CHANCE TO SETTLE IN FOR THE SCHOOL DAY. I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING THAT, JESS? >> YEAH. WELL, SOME SUPPORTERS DO SAY IT IS A CHANCE TO SETTLE IN. AND MENTAL HEALTH BREAK BUT A LOT OF SUPPORTERS ARE EXPLICIT ABOUT THE FACT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A PRAYER. IT CAN'T BE DIRECTED BY THE TEACHER. OR ADMINISTRATOR UNDER THE BILL. SO THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO SKIRT THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.
BUT IT STILL HAS A LOT OF CRITICS, BOTH DEMOCRATS WHO SAY IT'S TOO CLOSE TO ESSENTIALLY REQUIRING PRAYER IN SCHOOLS. AND YOU KNOW IT PASSED MOSTLY ALONG PARTY LINES. I THINK A SIMILAR MEASURE PASSED IN THE HOUSE LAST YEAR BUT DIDN'T GET TAKEN UP IN THE SENATE. WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. >> Bill: JUST AS THE LEGISLATURE CONSIDERS ANTI-DAVMENT MEASURES, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT MAKES KENTUCKY MORE WELCOMING TO COMPANIES AND OTHERS WHO MAY BE LOOKING TO LOCATE HERE.
McKENNA THAT COMMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR CAME DURING A BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION. >> YES. SO KENTUCKY'S BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS ANNUALLY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HOLDS THIS TYPE OF EVENT TO HONOR THE START OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH WHICH IS FEBRUARY. THIS EVENT IS BIPARTISAN IN NATURE. THE CAUCUS IS BIPARTISAN AS WELL.
AND BESHEAR WHEN ADDRESSING THE CROWD HE ECHOED COMMENTS HE PREVIOUSLY MADE ABOUT DEI WHICH IS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND THIS HAS BEEN IN RESPONSE TO ANTI-DEI LEGISLATION FILED IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE PARTICULARLY TARGETING THOSE INITIATIVES IN EDUCATION BOTH AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL AND IN K-12 SCHOOLS. >> Bill: BILL, HOUSE BILL 408 IS BORN OUT OF CONCERN THAT KENTUCKY DRUG RECOVERY FACILITIES RECRUITED OUT OF STATE CLIENTS THAT COME TO KENTUCKY AND SIGNED UP FOR FOR MEDICAID.
>> THE CONCERN IS THIS ADDS TO THE COST THAT KENTUCKY TAXPAYERS WOULD HAVE UNDER THE MEDICAID SYSTEM KENTUCKY COVERS DRUG TREATMENT UNDER MEDICAID IF YOU MOVE INTO ONE OF THESE HOUSES YOU CAN APPLY TO BE COVERED UNDER KENTUCKY MEDICAID AND THIS BILL WOULD BE TO TRY TO BAR THE FOLKS FROM RECRUITING PEOPLE TO COME TO KENTUCKY SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF GETTING ON THE MEDICAID SYSTEM FOR DRUG TREATMENT.
>> Bill: THE FRUSTRATIONS ABOUT THE AUTO REGISTRATION SYSTEM HAVE SPILLED INTO THE LEGISLATURE. THERE WAS A HEARING THIS WEEK. THAT SYSTEM REPLACES ONE PUT INTO SERVICE IN 1979. AND SO THE TRANSITION FROM THAT OLD SYSTEM TO THIS NEW ONE WHICH IS MUCH DIFFERENT, McKENNA HAS NOT BEEN SMOOTH? >> YES. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN SLOWER THAN I THINK OFFICIALS HAD EXPECTED.
AND IT ALSO AFFECTS KENTUCKIANS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH IN THEIR DAILY LIVES AS THEY TRY TO UPDATE THESE RECORDS. >> Bill: STATE AUDITOR BALL RELEASED A CRITICAL AUDIT OF THE STATE JUVENILE DETENTION SYSTEM AND HOW THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION IS HANDLING THE PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES THERE. BILL, IT IS A TOUGH ISSUE. THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE POURED SOME EFFORTS INTO DEALING WITH IT.
>> YEAH, THESE ARE KIDS OBVIOUSLY THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS AND THEY ARE IN THE JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES. THERE WAS SOME RECOMMENDATIONS IN 2017 TO TRY TO IMPROVE THOSE FACILITIES INCLUDING BETTER SECURITY, MORE MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS, TREATMENT ACCESS, LESS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. THIS AUDIT WAS A FOLLOW-UP AND IT FOUND THAT A LOT OF THOSE WEREN'T PUT INTO PLACE AND HADN'T BEEN IMPLEMENTED THAT THERE'S LOTS OF USE-OF-FORCE, PEPPER SPRAYING KIDS. KIDS IN ISOLATION STILL.
THIS IS THERE'S BEEN PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THE LEGISLATURE AND THE ADMINISTRATION ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A SYSTEM WAY TO FIX THIS AT SOME POINT. >> Bill: McKENNA, A LOT TO THIS? >> YES. THIS REPORT IS MORE THAN 200 PAGES. I THINK IT'S TAKING EVEN LAWMAKERS TIME TO GO THROUGH IT. YESTERDAY IN THE SENATE WE HEARD FROM A FEW SENATE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN JUVENILE JUSTICE LEGISLATION PARTICULARLY IN LAST SESSION.
HIGHLIGHT THIS REPORT, AND THE ISSUES THAT IT FOUND I THINK SENATOR DANNY CARROLL SAID THAT HE PLANS TO WORK ON SOME LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES IN THE REPORT. SUCH AS SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE FACILITIES. AND RETROFITTING FACILITIES TO BETTER HOUSE JUVENILES IN THE SYSTEM. >> Bill: AND OF COURSE STAFFING CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE. SEVERAL KENTUCKY COMMUNITIES ARE DEALING WITH SEVERE WATER ISSUES RIGHT NOW.
THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS IN ALBANY, HAZARD, HARLEN AND MANY OTHER PLACES. BILL IN SOME CASES, THERE IS EVEN MORE FRUSTRATION BECAUSE FOLKS IN THOSE LOCAL COMMUNITIES KNOW THAT MONEY HAS BEEN APPROPRIATED TO UPGRADE THEIR SYSTEMS BUT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. >> THERE HAS BEEN THAT IS THE PLACE IN MARTIN COUNTY THEY TRIED TO FIX THAT SYSTEM AND HAD TROUBLE FOR YEARS AND IS NOT UP TO PAR.
OTHER PLACES, PART OF THE PROBLEM A LOST OF THE COMMUNITIES HAVE OLDER WATER PLANTS, I TALKED TO THE MAYOR OF EVERETTS THEY HAD A WATER AREAS THEY SERVE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT WATER FOR EIGHT DAYS OR MORE. AND PART OF THE ISSUE WAS THE WATER PLANT IS 35 YEARS OLD. SOME OF THE PIPES IN THE GROUND THAT SEND THE WATER OUT ARE 60 YEARS OLD SO AT ONE POINT THEY WERE LOSING HALF OF THE WATER THEY TREATED WAS POURING OUT IN THE GROUND. SO THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE A LOT OF UPGRADES IN THE SYSTEMS.
>> Bill: FOLKS IN ALBANY WHERE THEY SAID THEY WERE CATCHING RAIN WATER. >> I HEARD THAT IN MARTIN COUNTY AND IN HARLEN COUNTY AS WELL. I TALKED TO A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER WHO SAID THEY WERE AND CATCHING RAIN WATER AND MELTING SNOW TO HAVE WATER TO FLUSH THEIR TOILET. >> Bill: A TOUGH SITUATION. YOU COVERED TODAY THE VERDICT IN THE FORMER COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY RONNY GOLDIE'S TRIAL WHICH WENT ON THIS WEEK. >> HE WAS THE COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY IN THE MOORHEAD AREA.
HE WAS CHARGED WITH ABUSING HIS OFFICE DOING FAVORS FOR A CRIMINAL DEFENDANT A WOMAN WITH CRIMINAL CHARGES IN HIS COURT IN RETURN SOLICITING NUDE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS FROM HER. THE JURY CONVICTED HIM THIS AFTERNOON ON 14 COUNTS INCLUDING WIRE FRAUD, WHICH IS A MAXIMUM 20 YEAR SENTENCE. HE WILL BE SENTENCED IN MAY. >> Bill: HE AWAITS SENTENCING. >> THE JUDGE LET HIM REMAIN FREE UNTIL THEN. >> Bill: MANY OF KENTUCKY'S INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES ARE CLOSING AND OTHERS ARE STRUGGLING.
THE HERALD LEADER REPORTED 70 LOCAL PHARMACIES HAVE OR ARE SHUTTING DOWN. BILL, MANY OPERATORS SAY THE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS THAT STAND BETWEEN THEM AND INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENTS ARE TO BLAME AND THAT THEY CAN BE OUT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON ONE PRESCRIPTION? >> WHAT THE PROBLEM IS IN PART IS THAT THEY WILL FILL THE PRESCRIPTIONS AND GET PAID AND THEN AT SOME POINT, THE PHARMACY MANAGERS CLAW THAT MONEY BACK.
SO THEY MAY I THINK WE TALKED ALEX ACQUISTO OUR REPORTER TALKED TO A PHARMACY THAT OWED SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND IN THESE CLAW BACKS AT ONE POINT. SO IT MAKES THE REVENUE UNCERTAIN AND YEAH, THERE IS DOZENS OF THEM SAYING THEY CAN'T STAY OPEN. SO THEY SELLOUT TO WALGREENS AND CVS. >> JESS TELL ME WHAT YOUR WATCHING HERE IN THE DAYS AHEAD IN THE LEGISLATURE? >> WELL, I WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE IF SOME OF THESE MORE CONTROVERSIAL MEASURES COME UP IN COMMITTEE AT SOME POINT SOON.
ESPECIALLY THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSAL THAT WOULD CHANGE THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO FUND PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION. THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL WHEN IT COMES THROUGH COMMITTEE AND IT HAS SUPPORT FROM HOUSE LEADERSHIP AND THERE'S TWO BILLS THAT ARE IN THE HOUSE THAT WOULD DO SIMILAR THINGS THAT IS GOING TO BE, I THINK, THE EDUCATION STORY OF THE SESSION THIS YEAR. >> Bill: ALL RIGHT. McKENNA WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?
>> YES. I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE SENATE DOES WITH HOUSE BILL 5 WHICH IS THE OMNIBUS ANTICRIME ACT FROM HOUSE REPUBLICANS MAINLY FROM LOUISVILLE. IT'S CALLED THE SAFER KENTUCKY ACT. IT HASN'T GONE TO COMMITTEE HEARING IN THE SENATE. BUT IT WAS A PRETTY DEBATED ISSUE IN THE HOUSE.
>> Bill: WELL, AND SOME OF THE OPPONENTS PARTICULARLY ON THE PIECE ABOUT AS THEY SAY CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS, IN OTHER WORDS SLEEPING IN PUBLIC PLACES, ARE APPARENTLY PLANNING TO GET OUT THIS WEEKEND AND GATHER A SURVEY AND PRESENT THAT TO LAWMAKERS NEXT WEEK. THAT WILL BE SOMETHING ELSE TO WATCH. ALWAYS BILL, WHEN WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE THE KENTUCKY DERBY TROPHY ARRIVES IT'S HOPEFUL? >> IT IS. THIS IS DERBY 125. >> 150. >> 150. >> 150. I'M BEHIND THE TIMES.
>> TIME FLIES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN. THE KENTUCKY DERBY TROPHY DID ARRIVE AT CHURCHILL DOWNS AND BY THE WAY, THE DERBY WEEK TICKETS ALSO WENT ON SALE. WELL, 10 YEARS AGO, THIS COMING WEEK, I UNKNOWINGLY BECAME THE HOST OF "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY". I WAS SCHEDULED TO FILL IN FOR TWO WEEKS AND AS I HAD DONE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THAT. BUT AFTER THAT, FAIRLY WHO HAD ALREADY ENJOYED STORIED CAREERS AS A WONDERFUL TV REPORTER AND RESPECTED PROFESSOR DECIDED HE WOULD RETIRE FROM THIS PROGRAM.
I KEPT SHOWING UP AND REALIZED HOW MUCH I ENJOYED PUTTING TOGETHER A WEEKLY DISCUSSION ABOUT KENTUCKY ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PLACES ON EARTH, BY THE WAY. AND IN TIME KET NAMED ME THE PERMANENT HOST AND IT IS AN HONOR THAT I TREASURE TO THIS DAY. THIS PROGRAM IS NOTHING WITHOUT THE TALENTED PANELISTS WHO SHOW UP AFTER A LONG WORK WEEK. BILL IN A TRIAL ALL DAY TODAY AND THE PRODUCTION CREWS THAT PUT UP WITH ALL OF US. SO WE APPRECIATE THAT.
AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU WHO WATCH "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" AS WE TACKLE THE ISSUES AND TRY TO MAKE SOME SENSE OF EACH WEEK IN THE COMMONWEALTH. SOMETIMES IT CAN BE CHALLENGING. THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" FOR THIS WEEK. WE DO WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US AND WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD. [♪♪]