[♪♪] >> Bill: 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.

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.

[♪♪] >> 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 FOR THE KENTUCKY LANTERN.

SYLVIA GOODMAN CAPITAL REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO AND 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.

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.

>> Bill: THAT VIDEO FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE COMPLETE WITH MUSIC THERE.

ANY CLOSE OBSERVERS, SYLVIA 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 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., 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.

>> Bill: 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

>> Bill: 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 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.

>> Bill: 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 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 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.

>> Bill: THIS IS UNIQUE TO THE AREA THAT YOU COVER AND THAT YOU 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 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 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 KENTUCKY.

AND HE IS COMPLETELY OUT OF FAVOR WITH MAGA AND PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> Bill: 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 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 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.

BESHEAR CALLED THAT LEGISLATIVE GAME PLAYING AND THAT RELATES TO A LOT OF POLITICS ISSUES AROUND THE COMMISSION IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> Bill: 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 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.

BUT ADVOCATES ARE SAY TO GO DOES NOTHING TO IMPROVE PATIENT SAFETY.

>> Bill: 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 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 THAT ONE.

>> Bill: 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 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.

>> Bill: SYLVIA, WE WERE ON THE AIR AND THE LEGISLATURE WAS DEBATING THINGS THERE WERE A 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.

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 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.

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 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.

>> Bill: 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 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.

>> Bill: ALL RIGHT, DO YOU FORESEE ANY BILLS MAKING IT 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.

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.

>> Bill: THERE WAS TALK ABOUT WAITING UNTIL THE BUDGET YEARS DURING THE 30-DAY SESSION.

PHIL, WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR WILL 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 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 OUR KIDS, HOW THEY ARE GOING THROUGH SCHOOL HE IS A WINNER ON THAT.

>> Bill: 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 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 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 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 KENTUCKY THAT IT WILL IN THE INTERIM PROCESS, THOSE FUNDS WILL NOT GET DISTRIBUTED CORRECTLY AND SCHOOL SYSTEM ALSO SUFFER.

>> Bill: 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

PARTICIPATED IN THE CONFERENCES IN THE PAST.

>> Bill: 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 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 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 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 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 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.

>> Bill: WE'VE HARDLY SEEN THIS IN KENTUCKY SURROUNDING THE 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 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 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.

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.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY HAS A RARE 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 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 STEP.

WE'LL HAVE A DECISION PROBABLY PRETTY SOON.

>> Bill: 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 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 ENDORSEMENT FIRST.

>> Bill: 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 JOB I'M DOING.

>> Bill: 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.

>> Bill: IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE 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 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 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 BESHEAR.

BUT HE TOLD THE HERALD-LEADER HE HAS BEEN ENCOURAGED TO RUN FOR SENATE.

>> Bill: 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 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.

>> Bill: WE DO WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE 2025 INDUCTEES INTO THE KENTUCKY JOURNALISM HALL OF FAME.

INCLUDING ONE OF OUR OWN HERE AT 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 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 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".