[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

A WEEK AGO, YOU SAW THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR HERE ON KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

TONIGHT, WE’RE JOINED BY THEIR RUNNING MATES, AS WE CONCLUDE OUR MONTH-LONG SERIES OF CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE NOVEMBER SEVENTH ELECTION.

OUR GUESTS THIS EVENING, IN LEXINGTON, ARE: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN, THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

AND STATE SENATOR ROBBY MILLS OF HENDERSON, THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X — FORMERLY TWITTER -- AT K-Y TONIGHT K-E-T.

SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR USE THE WEB FORM AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G SLASH K-Y TONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO OUR CANDIDATES.

WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE THIS EVENING FOR YOUR ONE AND ONLY JOINT APPEARANCE AND WE PRIVILEGED TO OFFER THAT TO THE KENTUCKY VIEWERS AND VOTERS TONIGHT.

LET'S BEGIN.

JUST WITH QUESTIONS.

SINCE THE 1992 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT PUT THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ON THE SAME TICKET, KENTUCKY HAS NOT SEEN A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RISE TO THE TOP SPOT.

IS IT YOUR ASPIRATION TO BE GOVERNOR?

AND IF CIRCUMSTANCES LED TO IT ARE YOU READY AND PREPARED TO STEP INTO THAT ROLE IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND I START WITH YOU LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN.

>> FIRST OF ALL THANKS FOR HAVING ME, RENEE.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

AND WHAT HAS MADE THOSE FOUR YEARS SO WORTHWHILE TO ME IS THE TEAMWORK BETWEEN GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND MYSELF.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO DO OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

AND I'VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO PLAN OUT TOO FAR AHEAD.

I TRY TO DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING AND SEE WHAT COMES.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE FOCUSED ON NOVEMBER 7th AS OUR MOST KENTUCKIANS AND AFTER THAT, IT WILL BE FINISHING THE JOB THAT WE STARTED IN 2019.

>> Renee: DO YOU FEEL THESE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE THREE-AND-A-HALF THAT YOU'RE IN NOW PREPARED YOU TO BE GOVERNOR SHOULD YOU HAVE TO ASSUME THAT ROLE?

>> FIRST, LET'S HOPE THAT NOTHING BAD HAPPENS, RIGHT?

BUT YOU KNOW SITTING BESIDE THE GOVERNOR, MAKING THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS, TALKING BUDGET, FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN SHOW UP FOR KENTUCKIANS EVERY SINGLE DAY, HAS BEEN AN HONOR.

AND IT'S BEEN CERTAINLY A LEARNING PROCESS AS ANY NEW ROLE IS.

BUT I DO FEEL AFTER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WORKING ALONGSIDE THE GOVERNOR, THAT THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE TO IMPROVE KENTUCKY AND TO MOVE THIS COMMONWEALTH FORWARD, IS SOMETHING THAT HAS PREPARED ME SHOULD YOU KNOW THE WORST CASE SCENARIO HAPPEN.

THAT'S WHY ANDY BESHEAR PICKED ME AND THAT'S WHY I'M THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW.

>> Renee: SENATOR MILLS GOOD TO SEE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

SAME QUESTION YOU'VE HAD A STORIED CAREER IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ARE YOU PREPARED TO BE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FIRST AND SHOULD YOU HAVE TO STEP IN THAT ROLE AS GOVERNOR ARE YOU READY AND ABLE TO DO SO?

>> RENEE I WAS FOCUSED ON BEING A SENATOR.

AND GOT A PHONE CALL ABOUT 14 WEEKS AGO FROM DANIEL CAMERON TO ASK ME TO JOIN THE TICKET.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED, I HAVE QUITE A BIT OF LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE.

I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

I BELIEVE I KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THE CALL WHEN THE CALL IS MADE.

AND I FEEL LIKE I'M PREPARED TO SERVE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

AND WOULD BE PREPARED TO BE GOVERNOR AS WELL.

I ENJOY PUBLIC SERVICE.

BEEN DOING IT OVER 25 YEARS.

LOVE KENTUCKY AND LOVE SERVING THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS GREAT STATE.

>> Renee: WHAT DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE, IF YOU ARE ELECTED, TO BE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AS BEING?

WHAT KIND OF CAPACITY WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A WORKING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?

HAVE A CABINET POST?

HOW DO YOU SEE THE ROLE BEING FILLED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PART OF OUR CONVERSATION THAT DANIEL AND I HAD HAD TO DO WITH BRIDGING THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES.

WE'VE HAD EIGHT YEARS OF GOVERNORS THAT IGNORED THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

AND I THINK THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO ALONG WITH DANIEL, TO BRIDGE THAT GAP.

WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND GETTING THINGS DONE FOR KENTUCKY INVOLVES RELATIONSHIPS.

INVOLVING KNOWING PEOPLE.

AND I BELIEVE WE'VE GOT THOSE ESTABLISHED AND WE WILL ESTABLISH THEM MORE AS WE WORK.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE WE PUT OUT SOME PLANS TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION AND CRIME.

WE'VE VETTED THOSE WITH THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ALREADY.

WE ARE READY TO GO ON DAY ONE.

>> Renee: YOU SEE YOURSELF AS BEING A LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, A CABINET POST OR SENIOR ADVISER?

>> MORE OF AN ADVISER BUT WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO THAT POINT AS A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAID WE ARE FOCUSED ON ELECTION DAY.

AND AT THAT POINT WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.

>> Renee: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR YOU SERVED AS SECRETARY OF THE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CABINET BEFORE YOU STEPPED DOWN A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

IF ELECTED HOW DO YOU SEE THE NEXT FOUR YEARS BEING AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR KEY FOCUS SHOULD YOU BE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR A SECOND TERM?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IN MY TIME AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OVER THE LAST ALMOST FOUR YEARS NOW, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH A LOT FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK BEFORE THAT.

WHAT HAS FRAMED MY PERSPECTIVE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND THAT IS SPENDING MY LIFE IN THE CLASSROOM.

SO EVERY CHALLENGE WE FACE, I LOOK AT IT THROUGH THE LENS OF THE KIDS IN MY CLASSROOM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND I KNOW THAT THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY IS IN OUR CLASSROOMS TODAY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE UNDER GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S LEADERSHIP, KENTUCKY IS NUMBER TWO IN THE NATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE ARE NUMBER THREE IN RURAL JOB CREATION.

BUT WE CANNOT STAY THAT WAY.

IF WE CONTINUE TO HAVE TEACHER PAY IN THE MID-40s.

AND WE CONTINUE TO UNDER FUND THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN EVERY RURAL COUNTY AND THAT IS OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND SO THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WILL KEEP WORKING ON AND FIGHTING FOR IS TO MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONLY DO WE BUILD A BETTER ECONOMY IN KENTUCKY, BUT WE HAVE THE FOUNDATION OF THAT ECONOMY AS STRONG AS WE CAN POSSIBLY HAVE IT AND THAT IS OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> Renee: WE'LL TALK ABOUT EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN A LITTLE BIT.

ONE TOPIC WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT IN OUR CANDIDATE CONVERSATIONS IS ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND I WANT TO GO TO YOU SENATOR MILLS.

YOU PUSHED FOR LEGISLATION TO PROTECT COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS FROM BEING RETIRED AND DIVEST STATE FUNDS FROM INVESTMENT FIRMS THAT USE CLIMATE CONSCIOUS POLICIES.

DO YOU BELIEVE THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL AND FOSSIL-FUELS ARE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR?

>> LET ME TOUCH ABOUT ENERGY.

I THINK THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, DESTROY COAL JOBS IN OUR COAL ECONOMY IN THE STATE.

I THINK WE HAVE 10 OR 15 YEARS COMING UP WHERE ELECTRICAL POWER IS GOING TO BE VERY SPARSE IN KENTUCKY IF WE ALLOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BULLY ITS WAY THROUGH AND ALLOW COAL-FIRED PLANTS TO BE RETIRED AND ALLOW THESE UTILITIES TO SHUTDOWN THE COAL-FIRED PLANTS WITHOUT PROOF THAT THEY ARE AT THEIR END OF USAGE.

WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE THAT BASE LOAD GENERATION FOR THE STATE OF KENTUCKY TO RUN BATTERY PLANTS, TO RUN HOMES ALL OF THESE THINGS.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SHORT ON POWER AND I BELIEVE THAT ANDY BESHEAR HAS ALLOWED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO WIPE OUT THE ENERGY SECTOR IN KENTUCKY AND IT'S DANGEROUS NOT ONLY FOR JOBS, BUT ALSO FOR THE FUTURE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

RECENTLY, IN NEBRASKA, THEY KEPT OPEN A COAL-FIRED PLANT JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE OF THEY HAD ENOUGH ENERGY TO RUN THE NEW BATTERY PLANT.

I THINK THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT IS GOING TO COME UP WITH THE FORD BATTERY PLANT AND THE THINGS COMING ON-LINE THAT WILL REQUIRE POWER.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SHORT OF POWER AND I THINK IT WILL BE THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IN KENTUCKY OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS WHETHER WE CAN HAVE RELIABLE ENERGY IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: BECAUSE YOU'VE SPOKEN BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IN AUGUST IN MADISONVILLE WITH COAL MINERS BEHIND YOU.

THEY HAVE A PROPOSAL TO SHUTTER THOSE MULTIPLE COAL-FIRED GENERATING UNITS AND REPLACE THEM WITH NATURAL GAS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY.

THEY SAY THAT RATEPAYERS WILL PAY MORE FOR OUTDATED COAL-FIRED POWER IF THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RETIRE THOSE PLANTS.

ARE YOU SIDING WITH THE COAL COMPANIES OVER THE RATE PAYING CONSUMERS?

>> NO.

I THINK IF YOU ALLOW COAL GENERATION TO OPERATE AS IT HAS OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS, WHERE LONG-TERM CONTRACTS CAN BE PUT IN PLACE, COAL POWERED GENERATION IS ECONOMICAL, THE MOST ECONOMICAL WAY TO POWER OUR STATE AND IT WOULD RESULT IN LOWER UTILITY BILLS.

THE PROBLEM IS, THAT FOSSIL-FUEL COMPANIES ARE WORKING AGAINST THE CURVE AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PURSUES AN IDEOLOGICAL MOVE THAT WE'RE NOT READY FOR.

OR THAT THE FOLKS BACK HOME DO NOT WANT.

>> Renee: BACK TO MY ORIGINAL QUESTION ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

DO YOU BELIEVE THE SCIENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THAT FOSSIL-FUELS ARE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR?

>> I BELIEVE THAT THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT AS BIG AS WHAT IT APPEARS TO BE.

I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE EFFECTS THAT INDUSTRY PUTS FORWARD THAT COULD RAISE THE TEMPERATURE.

BUT IT'S NOT AS LARGE OF A RAISE AS THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND ATTACK THAT ISSUE, BUT WE CAN STILL USE FOSSIL-FUELS AND BURN MORE EFFECTIVELY AND BURN MORE ECONOMICALLY.

>> Renee: SO I WANT TO GO TO YOU 93% OF THE STATE'S ENERGY PORTFOLIO COMES FROM FOSSIL-FUELS.

COAL PROPONENTS BELIEVE Mr. MILLS THE MOST RELIABLE AND COST-EFFECTIVE ENERGY SOURCE.

WHERE DOES THE ADMINISTRATION STAND ON BACKING THE COAL INDUSTRY WHILE ALSO WEIGHING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND INTERESTS?

>> WELL, TWO THINGS CAN BE TRUE.

FIRST, I WILL TELL YOU CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.

AND THE SECOND THING I CAN TELL YOU THE GOVERNOR AND I ARE HONORED TO BE ENDORSED BY THE UNITED MINE WORKERS AND THE COAL OPERATORS.

AND SO OUR APPROACH WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ENERGY, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AN ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY KIND OF ENERGY AVAILABLE TO US IS ON-LINE, ON THE GRID AND AVAILABLE AND READY TO GO.

AND AS MY OPPONENT MENTIONED WE'VE GOT TWO OF THE LARGEST BATTERY PLANTS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD COMING TO KENTUCKY.

AND SO WE'RE DOING OUR PART IN MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE DRIVING THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY COMPANIES.

WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A LITHIUM RECYCLING PLANT IN HOPKINSVILLE.

WE HAVE THE CLEANEST, GREENEST PAPER MILL IN THE WORLD IN HENDERSON, KENTUCKY.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT ONE THING.

WE TALK ABOUT ENERGY AND COAL AND MONEY A WHOLE LOT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DO THAT BACK BREAKING WORK.

WE KNOW COAL POWERED THIS COUNTRY.

AND THE FOLKS WHO HAVE DONE THAT WORK WHO HAVE SACRIFICED THEIR BODIES AND GO INTO THE MINES DAY IN AND DAY OUT AND THEIR FAMILIES, CERTAINLY STRUGGLED WITH THAT AS WELL.

HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE THE BEST HEALTHCARE THAT THEY CAN POSSIBLY HAVE.

AND MY OPPONENT WAS ONE OF THE FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATURE WHO ACTUALLY VOTED TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR COAL MINERS TO HAVE DOCTORS THAT COULD HELP DIAGNOSIS BLACK LUNG.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT INDUSTRY AND ENERGY AND MONEY.

THIS IS ABOUT PEOPLE.

THIS IS ABOUT FAMILIES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF US.

>> Renee: THE QUESTION TO COME NEXT IS WHAT WOULD THE DA HERE IS-COLEMAN ADMINISTRATION NUMBER TWO DO TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS AND ISSUES THAT COAL MINERS WHO SUFFER FROM BLACK LUNG DISEASE FACE?

>> WE BELIEVE THAT HUMAN HEALTHCARE IS A BASIC RIGHT AND WE'VE WORKED TO EXPAND ACCESS TO, IMPROVE QUALITY AND MAKE SURE THAT KENTUCKIANS WHEN THEY ARE SICK CAN SEE A DOCTOR.

I THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM WE'RE WALKING ABOUT RURAL KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW OUT IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

BUT WE EXPANDED MEDICAID AND OUR RURAL HOSPITALS DEPEND ON THAT.

A FEW WEEKS AGO THE GOVERNOR GOT TO ANNOUNCE THE FIRST HOSPITAL IN THE WEST END IN LOUISVILLE IN OVER 150 YEARS.

HE EXPANDED MEDICAID TO INCLUDE DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING SO FOLKS WHO HAVE THOSE CHALLENGES IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS KEEPING THEM OUT OF THE WORKFORCE THEY CAN GET BACK IN THE WORKFORCE.

AND I THINK WE'VE ALREADY SEEN AND HEARD SEVERAL TIMES THAT OUR OPPONENT, DANIEL CAMERON, WHEN HE FILLED OUT ONE OF THE SURVEYS RIGHT TO LIFE HE PROMISED HE WOULD HELP TAKE AWAY PROTECTIONS FOR PREEXISTING CONDITIONS FOR 600,000 KENTUCKIANS.

THAT IS NOT TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF US.

>> Renee: ANSWER THAT Mr. MILLS.

>> LET ME GO BACK TO ENERGY.

I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT WE ARE IN A CRITICAL POINT ON ENERGY IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

ANDY BESHEAR HAS ALLOWED JOE BIDEN TO RUN THE FOSSIL-FUELS AND FOSSIL-FUEL JOBS OUT OF KENTUCKY.

THAT IS A BIG ISSUE MOVING FORWARD.

I DO NOT THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO POWER HOMES AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE BLACKOUTS AND BROWNOUTS MOVING FORWARD.

NOW YOUR QUESTION?

>> Renee: THE NEXT QUESTION AND MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENTS.

WHAT WOULD THE CAMERON-MILLS ADMINISTRATION DO TO HELP COAL MINERS WHO SUFFER FROM BLACK LUNG?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THAT COAL MINERS THAT HAVE INJURIES LONG-TERM INJURIES OBVIOUSLY DESERVE WORKERS COMPENSATION.

WHAT SHE IS REFERRING TO IS A CHANGE IN UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE THAT WE MADE TO SAVE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TIME AND MONEY ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

SO I'M FINE WITH BLACK LUNG PARTICIPANTS RECEIVING THE CARE THAT THEY NEED.

WE'RE FOR THAT AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT.

>> Renee: DID THAT LEGISLATION MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT?

>> I DO NOT THINK SO.

THERE ARE DOCTORS THAT CAN READ THE X-RAYS.

THERE'S ALL THE QUALIFIED STAFF ACROSS THE STATE THAT BLACK LUNG RECIPIENTS NEED TO PROVE THEIR CASE.

>> Renee: FINAL QUESTION ON ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

ENVIRONMENT GROUP RESEARCH SHOWS TOWNS IMPACTED BY LAST SUMMER'S FLOODS WERE LOCATED WHERE STRIP MINING ACTIVITY WAS MOST PROMINENT.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT STRIP MINING HAS LEFT SOME LAND IN EASTERN KENTUCKY VULNERABLE TO FATAL FLOODS AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT?

>> YOU KNOW I'M FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY AND HAVE A LOT MORE EXPERIENCE WITH THE WESTERN KENTUCKY COAL FIELDS AND STRIP MINES THERE.

THEY ARE REQUIRED TO RECLAIM THAT LAND AND PUT IN BOLDERS, ROCKS, BARRIERS THAT HELP HOLD THE LAND.

I BELIEVE THAT'S THE HEAVILY REGULATED INDUSTRY AND THAT THOSE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WHEN THEY ARE CLEARED AND THE BONDS ARE RELEASED I TRUST THAT THAT WORK IS OVERSEEN WELL.

>> Renee: MS. COLEMAN?

>> LET ME GO BACK AND MAKE THIS POINT MY OPPONENT IS ON RECORD VOTING AGAINST PROVIDING BLACK LUNG HEALTHCARE TO FOLKS WHO HAVE DONE THIS WORK THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES AND THEY DESERVE THAT PROTECTION.

AND, AGAIN, WE'VE SEEN THAT OUR OPPONENT HAS ALSO VOWED TO MAKE SURE THAT HE WOULD WORK TO TAKE AWAY HEALTHCARE PROTECTIONS FOR OVER 600,000 KENTUCKIANS THAT IS INDISPUTABLE ON RECORD AND A FACT.

WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY CERTAINLY RECOVERING FROM THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE WORKED HARD TO DO IS TO CREATE MORE HIGH GROUND HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE GOVERNOR WAS OUT IN EASTERN KENTUCKY I THINK IT WAS LAST WEEK, AND THEY ARE BREAKING GROUND AND CELEBRATING HELPING TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE HOMES ARE BUILT IN A WAY THAT WOULD NOT OBVIOUSLY LEAD TO THE DEVASTATING FLOODING WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE.

AND IT'S ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOODS.

MOVING FORWARD MAKING SURE THAT WE LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST AND ARE GIVING PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE ON HIGH GROUND IS SOMETHING WE HAVE COMMITTED TO DO AND THAT WE'RE ON THE WAY TO GETTING DONE RIGHT NOW IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: Mr. MILLS, MS. COLEMAN SAID THERE WAS A ROLE FOR ALL OF THE TYPES OF ENERGY SOURCES TO PLAY.

I'M NOT SURE OF THE PHASOLOGY, SOLAR, RENEWABLE, COAL, DOES THE CAMERON-MILLS ADMINISTRATION ALSO EMBRACE OTHER RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY TO BROADEN THE PORTFOLIO THAT KENTUCKY HAS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS AN ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT WIND AND SOLAR ARE INTERMITTENT.

COAL AND NATURAL GAS WITH CONSTANT ALL THE TIME BASE LOAD.

THAT IS WHAT INDUSTRIES NEED.

THAT IS WHAT KENTUCKY NEEDS TO HAVE RESILIENT AND RELIABLE ELECTRICITY THAT WE NEED TO GROW THE STATE AND TO KEEP OUR STANDARD OF LIVING THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW.

>> Renee: I WENT TO GO BACK TO A POINT MS. COLEMAN MADE ABOUT Y'ALL PROPOSING TO TAKE AWAY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR 600,000 KENTUCKIANS.

YOU ANSWER THAT AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE MEDICAID REQUIREMENT RULES FOR GETTING MEDICAID THAT THE TICKET HAS PUT FORWARD.

>> I'M ASSUMING SHE IS TALKING ABOUT WORK REQUIREMENTS.

WE HAVE A WORKFORCE ISSUE IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

AND I THINK THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE SITTING AT HOME THAT ARE BEING ENCOURAGED BY THE POLICIES OF THIS GOVERNOR TO STAY AT HOME AND STAY OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.

THAT'S WHERE WE WANT IF THEY ARE ABLE-BODIED AND THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK, AND THEY NEED TO GO TO WORK.

AND THAT'S JUST WE'LL HELP OUR ECONOMY AND HELP FIX THE WORKFORCE ISSUE THAT WE HAVE.

>> Renee: GO AHEAD.

>> I HAVE TO JUMP IN HERE THIS DISPARAGES OF KENTUCKY WORKERS HAS GONE ON FAR TOO LONG.

WE HAVE COMPANIES ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY PICKING US AND THEY ARE PICKING US BECAUSE OF OUR PEOPLE.

OVER HALF OF THE MEDICAID RECIPIENTS IN KENTUCKY ARE WORKING.

THESE FOLKS NEED AND DESERVE GOOD-PAYING JOBS WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND I ARE WORKING TO DO IS BRING GOOD-PAYING JOBS TO KENTUCKY TO ALLEVIATE THAT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE WORKFORCE, YOU HAVE TO BE TWO THINGS.

EDUCATED AND TRAINED AND YOU HAVE TO BE HEALTHY.

AND SO WHEN THE GOVERNOR EXPANDED MEDICAID TO COVER DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THAT.

THE OTHER ISSUE IS EDUCATION.

YOU KNOW, MY OPPONENT HAS BEEN IN THE SENATE IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR SIX YEARS.

FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS, THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO FOLKS OBTAINING A GED HAS BEEN THE COST OF THE GED.

I WAS IN OFFICE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR ONE MONTH AND I WAS EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT AND GOT THE FEES FOR GED'S WAVED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AND OVER 8,000 KENTUCKIANS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IT.

THIS IS ABOUT REMOVING BARRIERS AND LIFTING UP KENTUCKIANS AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

THAT'S THE JOB OF LEADERSHIP.

>> RENEE, THE FACT IS FEWER PEOPLE ARE WORKING TODAY THAN WHEN THEY CAME IN OFFICE.

WE HAVE A WORKFORCE ISSUE.

AND THE POLICIES THAT THEY HAVE PUT FORWARD HAVE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO STAY AT HOME.

THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID IS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE NOT TO WORK AND STAY OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.

WE NEED TO SOLVE THAT.

THEY'VE HAD FOUR YEARS TO SOLVE THAT.

THEY HAVE NOT SOLVED THAT.

WE NEED TO SOLVE THAT.

>> OVER 50% OF KENTUCKIANS ON MEDICAID ARE WORKING.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR EXPANDED MEDICAID TO COVER DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING IT WAS FOR WORKFORCE PURPOSES IF YOU CAN'T GET GLASSES YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE.

THESE ARE COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS THAT YOU CAN PUT ON THE TABLE AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE THAT THEY MAKE AND MY OPPONENT VOTED AGAINST THAT.

>> Renee: WHAT Y'ALL ARE PROPOSING WILL REQUIRE A FEDERAL WAIVER WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE PETITIONED IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

SO THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT HAPPENING IS SLIM AND NONE, RIGHT?

THAT REALISTIC TO HAVE THAT GOAL AT THIS JUNCTURE?

>> WE NEED TO ASK.

WE NEED TO PROBE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PUT OUR CASE FORWARD.

WE NEED TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE AND WORK WITH THEM WHICH I MENTIONED EARLIER.

WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WHERE WE CAN WORK TO MAKE THAT -- MAKE OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOP AND DEVELOP OUR WORKFORCE AND MOVE FORWARD AND SOLVE THE WORKFORCE ISSUE.

>> Renee: IN ORDER TO FILL TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VACANT JOBS IN KENTUCKY WHY NOT HAVE SOME RULES FOR MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR ABLED BODY KENTUCKIANS WHO COULD WORK?

>> HALF OF THE FOLKS ON MEDICAID ARE WORKING.

LET ME GO BACK TO THE POINT I MADE ABOUT HOW THESE COMPANIES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY ARE PICKING US.

FORD CHOSE KENTUCKY TO MAKE THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IT'S EVER MADE AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT IF THEY DON'T HAVE FAITH IN KENTUCKIANS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND I DO, TOO.

WE LIFT UP THIS WORKFORCE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE'RE TRYING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO HELP FOLKS GET BACK IN THE WORKFORCE AND THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED HE IS PUTTING IN THE BUDGET, $15 MILLION TO WORK WITH THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER, BUT REGIONAL CHAMBERS FOR SPECIFIC ADVERTISEMENTS AND MARKETING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE TO PULL PEOPLE TO KENTUCKY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONGTIME, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT HOW WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH JOBS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR BROUGHT IN 50,000 JOBS OVER THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP.

AND SO NOW IT IS A MATTER OF MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE HEALTHY ENOUGH, WHO ARE EDUCATED ENOUGH, AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE RECRUITING PEOPLE TO THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: THAT WOULD BE RECRUITING PEOPLE OUT OF STATE TO RELOCATE TO KENTUCKY?

LET'S STICK WITH JOBS AND WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.

THE BLUE OVAL BATTERY PLANT PROMISED 5,000 JOBS AND THERE COULD BE A DELAY WITH THE SECOND PLANT.

I'VE HEARD THAT THERE ARE SOME SMALL BUSINESSES WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING THEIR WORKERS TO HIGHER PAYING JOBS AT THE NEW PLANT.

HOW WOULD THE ADMINISTRATION ADDRESS THAT STRAIN THAT THE COMPANIES MAY BE FEELING ONCE THOSE PLANTS ARE OPERATIONAL?

>> SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT OUR WORKFORCE IS PREPARED, ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE IS CREATED A PIPELINE FROM ECTC FOR THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE FOLKS ARE BEING TRAINED FOR SPECIFIC JOBS AS THEY MOVE FORWARD.

WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY, I JUST DID A WORKFORCE SUMMIT DOWN IN THAT AREA WITH OTHER COMPANIES, TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS ARE READY.

AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE ON THESE JOBS.

THEY ARE THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE AND THEY ARE HERE.

ONE OF THE PLANS THAT THE GOVERNOR PUT INTO PLACE IS AN EVERYBODY COUNTS PLAN.

AND THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT LOSING ONE SINGLE SENIOR AS THEY WALK ACROSS THAT GRADUATION STAGE.

SOME MIGHT WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE TO A DEGREE.

BUT FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A PLAN WE WANT TO GET THEM INTO A JOB THAT CAN BECOME A CAREER THAT CAN CHANGE THE LIFE OF THEIR LIFE AND THEIR FUTURE FAMILY'S LIFE.

AND AS WE EXPAND THAT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT WE SUPPORT WHETHER IT IS A BIG BUSINESS THAT IS HIRING 5,000 PEOPLE OR THE SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE LOCAL AREAS AS WELL.

>> RENEE, YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.

SMALL BUSINESSES AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING IN KENTUCKY.

WHY ARE THEY STRUGGLING?

IT'S INFLATION.

IT'S TAKEN A BITE OUT OF EVERYBODY'S POCKET.

INFLATION IS COSTING 700 MORE FOR A FAMILY FOR THE ESSENTIALS THAT ARE THERE.

THAT INFLATION HAS BROUGHT ON BY FEDERAL POLICIES AND STATE POLICIES.

JOE BIDEN AND THE INFLATION THAT IS COMING DOWN ON US, ANDY BESHEAR HAS ENDORSED JOE BIDEN FOR FOUR MORE YEARS AND INFLATION IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IN RURAL AND MIDDLE KENTUCKY.

IT'S AN ISSUE FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ALIKE.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE OF THE BIG BARRIERS FOR MANY TO REENTER OR STAY IN THE WORKFORCE AND THAT IS CHILDCARE.

ACCORDING TO THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER FOUNDATION REPORT MORE THAN 45,000 KENTUCKIANS TO GET AND REMAIN IN THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE OF ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY TO CHILDCARE.

FOR FAMILIES WHO NEED CHILDCARE FOR FIVE DAYS A WEEK THIS IS ONE KID, 50 WEEKS A YEAR THAT IS NEARLY $9,000 A YEAR MORE THAN FULL-TIME TUITION AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO EASE PARENTS' CHILDCARE BURDEN SENATOR MILLS?

>> CHILDCARE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WAS AN ISSUE.

IT WAS HALVED TO FIND -- HARD TO FIND PLACES.

WHEN THEY SHUTDOWN THE ECONOMY, ANDY BESHEAR AND JACQUELINE COLEMAN SHUTDOWN THE ECONOMY THOSE CHILDCARE BUSINESSES WENT AWAY MANY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS.

AND WE STILL RECEIVE E-MAILS WEEKLY FROM THE CHILDCARE BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRYING TO GET BACK IN THE FLOW THE ECONOMIC FLOW.

AND THERE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS AND STATE FUNDS THAT THESE CHILDCARE BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THAT ARE ABOUT TO RUN OWVMENT AND WE HAVE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET CHILDCARE BACK OPEN, LESS REGULATION, AND ALLOW THEM TO GET BACK UP IN BUSINESS.

SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN CAN GET BACK TO WORK.

>> Renee: IT MEANS WHAT?

CAN YOU TRANSLATE THAT INTO SOMETHING SPECIFIC?

>> YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN OWNER OR MANAGER OF A CHILDCARE FACILITY SPENDING 30, 40 HOURS A WEEK ON BUREAUCRACY AND PAPERWORK AND INSPECTIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

THEY NEED TO BE SAFE FOR THE CHILDREN.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH TO QUALIFY TO BE A CHILDCARE FACILITY.

>> Renee: MS. COLEMAN.

>> UNIVERSAL PRE-K FOR EVERY FOUR-YEAR-OLD IN KENTUCKY.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE LARGEST RAINY DAY FUND AND SURPLUS THAT WE'VE HAD AND THE EXCUSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY WE CAN'T FUND IT.

FRANKLY I DON'T THINK WE CAN AFFORD NOT TO.

NOT JUST BECAUSE IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY'S COMMONWEALTH BUT BECAUSE IT IS A WORKFORCE SOLUTION.

WASHINGTON D.C.

IMPLEMENTED UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND THEIR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IMPROVED BY 10%.

THAT HUGE.

I KNOW WE'RE NOT WASHINGTON D.C.

BUT THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF IMPACT SOMETHING LIKE THAT CAN HAVE.

AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THE INVESTMENT THAT THAT MAKES OVER THE COURSE OF A CHILD'S LIFE.

WE HAVE TWO-THIRDS OF KENTUCKY'S KIDS WALKING IN THE DOOR ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN ILL PREPARED.

MAKING SURE THAT EVERY CHILD NO MATTER THE ZIP CODE HAS ACCESS TO ONE YEAR OF UNIVERSAL PRE-K AS A FOUR-YEAR-OLD WILL IMPROVE THOSE NUMBERS.

WE NOT THAT PRISON POPULATIONS ARE PROJECTED BY THIRD GRADE LITERACY RATES.

WE CANNOT WAIT TO TRY TO CATCH KIDS UP WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO UNIVERSAL PRE-K LIKE OTHER KIDS IN OTHER AREAS DID.

UNIVERSAL PRE-K FOR EVERY FOUR-YEAR-OLD IN KENTUCKY IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK OUR FAMILIES ARE CRYING OUT FOR.

I'VE SEEN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WHO SPEAKS FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SUPPORTS AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND I MADE SURE TO BUDGET IT BOTH LAST YEAR AND IT WILL BE AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> Renee: HOW MUCH IS IT?

THE COST?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW WHEN WE LOOK AT THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD THE RATES WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT ENOUGH FUNDING MORE THAN ENOUGH FUNDING BECAUSE OF THE RAINY DAY FUND AND THE BUDGET SURPLUS TO COVER BOTH THAT AND AN 11% RAISE FOR EVERY PERSON THAT WORKS IN A SCHOOL.

WHICH IS WHAT WE NEED TO MOVE OUR ECONOMY FORWARD.

>> THE TRUTH IS THAT SHE DOESN'T KNOW HOW MUCH PRE-K IS GOING TO BE.

AND DANIEL AND I HAVE COMMITTED TO LOOKING AT THAT.

WE WOULD LIKE TO STUDY UNIVERSAL PRE-K BUT I THINK WE NEED TO DO K-12 RIGHT AND FUND IT RIGHT, FIRST BEFORE WE START SPENDING IF WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MONEY LET'S SPEND MONEY WHERE WE HAVE K-12 EDUCATION AND WHERE WE CAN CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THAT.

>> Renee: SENATOR MILLS BY THE STATEMENT YOU MADE IT APPEARED TO SAY WE WERE NOT FUNDING K-12 ADEQUATELY.

ALTHOUGH REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TOUTING THAT THE FUNDING FORMULA HAD SEEN RECORD LEVELS IN THE PAST COUPLE BIENNIUMS WHAT IS THE TRUTH IS IT BEING FUNDED ADEQUATELY?

>> IT'S BEING FUNDED BUT WE CAPITAL ALWAYS DO BETTER IN K-12 EDUCATION.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DANIEL AND I PUT FORWARD IS THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN.

OUR KIDS ARE WAY BEHIND THEY NEED TUTORING AND INDIVIDUAL TUTORING TO CATCH THEM UP FROM THE TWO YEARS THAT THEY WERE OUT OF SCHOOL.

THAT THEY WERE HAVING THE ZOOM CLASSES.

THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN WOULD HAVE RAISES FOR TEACHERS, IMPROVE DISCIPLINE IN THE CLASSROOM AND CUT A LOT OF BUREAUCRACY THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE CAUGHT UP IN SO THEY CAN TEACH AND NOT BE ADMINISTRATORS IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE PRICE TAG OF THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN?

>> WE BELIEVE IT'S AROUND 90 MILLION TO 100 MILLION.

AND MOST OF WHAT THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN IS ONE-TIME COSTS TO CATCH OUR KIDS UP.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE'RE INVESTING THIS WAS A GREAT PLACE TO INVEST IN EDUCATION, WHEN WE'RE INVESTING THAT THEY ARE ONE-TIME COSTS AND WE KNOW WHAT THE ONE-TIME COSTS ARE.

THAT'S THE WAY TO CONSERVATIVELY BUDGET OUR MONEY LIKE WE'VE BEEN DOING IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS.

AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE BALANCE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR RAINY DAY FUND, IS BECAUSE OF CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING AND TAX CHANGES THAT WE'VE MADE.

>> Renee: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT LEARNING LOSS.

WE KNOW THAT MANY KIDS STRUGGLED AND WE KNOW THAT ACADEMIC OUTCOMES WERE ON THE SLIDE BEFORE COVID, EXACERBATED MORE AFTER COVID.

HAS THE BESHEAR-COLEMAN DONE ENOUGH TO ADDRESS LEARNING LOSS NOT BY PROMOSSING TO HAVE MORE TEACHERS NOT THAT.

BUT A DIRECT PLAN TO GET AND TO MITIGATE LEARNING LOSS AND TO CATCH KIDS UP.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ON THAT?

>> I WAS IN A CLASSROOM WHEN MY OPPONENT TRIED TO CUT MY PENSIONS THROUGH THE SEWER BILL AND THE DARK OF NIGHT.

TO HEAR SOMEONE WHO LITERALLY TRIED TO TAKE THE ONLY SAFETY THAT MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE IN OUR PENSION AWAY TALK ABOUT THE KEY IS TO ADEQUATELY FUND EDUCATION, I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST HEARD.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT KIDS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.

IT IS NOT A ONE AND DONE.

YOU CANNOT SAY THIS IS A ONE-TIME INVESTMENT AND IT'S TAKEN CARE OF THAT IS NOT HOW EDUCATION WORKS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MAKING SURE OUR KIDS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED, FOR YEARS AND YEARS WE HAVE HAD NUMBERS LIKE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ZEROED OUT IN THE BUDGET.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS ZEROED OUT IN THE BUDGET.

THOSE ARE TANGIBLE THINGS, TECHNOLOGY THOSE ARE THINGS YOU CAN INVEST IN TO MAKE SURE SCHOOLS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Renee: TO GET TO THAT POINT WE KNOW THOSE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS HAVE NOT BEEN FUNDED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SENATOR MILLS YOU WERE PART OF VOTING FOR THOSE BUDGETS.

IS IT DISINGENUOUS TO SAY YOU WILL CATCH KIDS UP WHEN YOU DIDN'T SUPPORT KEEPING THEM IN PROGRESS WHEN YOU COULD HAVE?

>> YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WE GAVE FLEXIBLE SPENDING MONEY DOLLARS BACK TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO FUND AND HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY ON HOW THEY SPEND THEIR MONEY IF THEY WANT TO SPEND IT ON THE PROGRAMS THAT THE 12 PROGRAMS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT WERE ELIMINATED.

WE INCREASED FUNDING $100 PER STUDENT THE FIRST YEAR.

ANOTHER $100 THE SECOND YEAR.

WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY AND WE'RE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION FUNDING THAN WE'VE EVER BEEN AT AND WE'VE ADDED TO TRANSPORTATION, WE'VE DONE THINGS CONSERVATIVELY, AND IN A MEASURED WAY AS WE FUND EDUCATION.

>> LET ME SAY THAT IF YOU SAY THAT YOU HAVE FUNDED EDUCATION AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS EVER AND IT IS HOLY INADEQUATE AND COMPLETELY INEQUITABLE THAT IS HOW BAD OF A JOB YOU HAVE BEEN DOING AT FUNDING EDUCATION.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

WE KNOW THERE WAS A REPORT BY KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY SAID THE GAPS BETWEEN THE WEALTHY AND THE POOR DISTRICTS WIDENED TO LEVELS THAT WERE BACK WHEN IT WAS DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN 1989.

Mr. MILLS, YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO MAKE FUNDING MORE EQUITABLE BETWEEN THE POOR DISTRIBUTES AND THE WEALTHIER DISTRICTS?

>> I THINK OUR FUNDING MECHANISM IS FINE.

WE ARE FUNDING SIKH DOLLARS AND TRANSPORTATION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL EVER.

I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO SEE IF A STUDY SAID IT'S INEQUITABLE AND IF IT IS WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT.

DANIEL CAMERON AND I ARE COMMITTED TO FUNDING EDUCATION AND BEING A PART OF THIS COMMONWEALTH AND RAISING THE STANDARD OF EDUCATION EVEN BETTER THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.

>> Renee: WHEN JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAD THE BUS DEBACLE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WE LEARNED THEY HAD BEEN SLIGHTED SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS THAT EQUALED $104 MILLION WORTH OF SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS WAS THAT A NEGLECT AND OVERSIGHT THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED SOME OF THE SITUATIONS WE SAW IN THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

THEY ARE MEASURING TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSPORTATION AT 100%.

EVER SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE AND SINCE I'VE LOOKED BACK, TRANSPORTATION HAS NOT BEEN 100% FUNDED.

IT'S BEEN FUNDED AT A PERCENTAGE OF WHAT TRANSPORTATION IS SAID TO COST.

AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE PICKED THAT UP AND CONTINUE ON WITH THE FUNDING THAT WAY.

>> THE LAW SAYS TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE FUNDED AT 100%.

IT'S BEEN FUNDED AT 50% FOR YEARS.

I DON'T THINK IT'S BEEN FULLY FUNDED SINCE 2005.

>> YOU CANNOT SAY THAT YOU ARE FOR FULLY FUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GIVING OUR SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS AND GIVE OF KID WHAT IS THEY NEED IF YOU TRY TO TAKE AWAY THE PENSIONS OF THOSE TEACHERS AND THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR EDUCATION PLAN IS SCHOOL VOUCHERS THAT WE KNOW IS A SCHEME THAT WILL TAKE FUNDING FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HIDE IT IN UNACCOUNTABLE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

NOT ONLY IS THAT A BAD DECISION FOR SCHOOLS, IT IS A BAD DEAL FOR TAXPAYERS.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO WHAT MS. COLEMAN REFERRED TO AS THE SEWER BILL.

YOU WERE BEHIND THIS MEASURE THOUGH YOU WERE NOT THE SPONSOR TO REDUCE THE PENSIONS FOR TEACHERS.

YOU AEMPTY ITED TO PASS A VERSION OF THAT BILL ONCE THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT VOIDED WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE SEWER BILL.

WOULD YOU PUSH AGAIN FOR MORE REFORMS TO THE PUBLIC PENSION SYSTEM AS IT COMES TO KTRS?

>> LET'S PUT HISTORY BEHIND THAT.

THE IN 2016 THE PENSIONS WERE A MESS THE WORST IN THE NATION FROM DEMOCRAT-CONTROL UNDER FUNDING, MISMANAGING THOSE PENSION FUNDS.

WE HAD A MESS IN FRONT OF US.

NOW, SENATE BILL 151 WAS DEEMED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AND WE WENT BACK TO WORK.

AND WE SOLVED IT.

WE MADE SMART PENSION CHANGES AND WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?

RECORD FUNDING.

RECORD UNFUNDED LEVELS WHERE THE TEACHERS PENSION IS 60% FUNDED.

WE'RE HAVING REGULARLY MONTHLY MEETINGS TO TALK ABOUT OUR PENSIONS.

DANIEL CAMERON AND I ARE COMMITTED TO FUNDING THE PENSIONS AND CONTINUING TO STAY DISCIPLINED LIKE THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE TO GET OUR PENSIONS BACK IN ORDER.

I HAVE A LETTER RIGHT HERE THAT ACTUALLY COMES TO US EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS FROM KTRS SAYING THANK YOU FROM THE RETIRED TEACHERS SAYING THANK YOU FOR FUNDING OUR PENSIONS.

SO ULTIMATELY, TEACHERS PENSIONS ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF AND BEING FUNDED AND NO CURRENT TEACHERS HAD BENEFITS IN THEIR CONTRACT CHANGED.

THE CHANGES WERE MADE TO NEW TEACHERS COMING IN.

>> THIS IS WHAT I KNOW.

I AM A TEACHER MY HUSBAND IS A TEACHER.

AND AS BAD AS THE SEWER BILL WAS, THE DISHONEST WAY THAT THEY TRIED TO SNEAK IT INTO LAW WAS PROBABLY WORSE.

AND WHAT FOLKS NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS TEACHERS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO SOCIAL SECURITY.

THE ONLY THING WE HAVE AS OUR SAFETY NET IS OUR PENSIONS.

AND LET ME SAY THIS... WE MADE EVERY PAYMENT IN FULL AND ON TIME OVER THE COURSE OF OUR CAREERS.

SO TO TRY TO SNEAK AND HIDE THE FACT THAT YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM PEOPLE AGAIN WHO DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DEPEND ON, IS ONE OF THE MOST DISHONEST THINGS I THINK I HAVE EVER SEEN IN KENTUCKY STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> NEITHER OF THE PENSION BILLS SHE IS TALKING ABOUT CHANGED THE VIABLE CONTRACT FOR A TEACHER, RENEE.

>> THAT IS BECAUSE GOVERNOR BESHEAR AS ATTORNEY GENERAL WENT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND GOT A 7-0 DECISION THAT IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED IT.

>> I'M TALKING ABOUT SENATE BILL 151 DID NOT CHANGE THE CONTRACT AT ALL.

ONLY NEW TEACHERS.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE HOUSE COMMITTEE HAD ACTED ON A SCHOOL CHOICE BILL THAT WOULD LET KENTUCKY VOTERS DECIDE IN 2024 IN A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT DID NOT ADVANCE.

ARE YOU FOR OUR AGAINST PUTTING THAT ON THE BALLOT FOR KENTUCKY VOTERS?

>> RENEE, THE CAMERON-MILLS TICKET WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN WE'VE TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN IS ABOUT HELPING PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS GET A RAISE, IT'S ABOUT BRINGING PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS HELPING THEM GET DISCIPLINE BACK IN THEIR CLASSROOM.

AND TAKE AWAY THE BUREAUCRACY THAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH WITH PAPERWORK.

IT HAS TO DO WITH GIVING PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS THE TUTORING THEY NEED TO CATCH UP.

NOW, THEY ARE USING THIS VOUCHER AS A RED HERRING.

IF I HAD TEST SCORES LIKE THEY HAVE, IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND THEY CALL THEMSELVES AN EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION, I'D BE LOOKING FOR A RED HERRING TOO.

WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT VOUCHERS IN THIS CAMPAIGN AT ALL.

BUT I THINK WE CAN ACTUALLY OFFER OPPORTUNITY AND CHOICES IN EDUCATION AS WELL AS TAKE CARE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> Renee: SO THE GOVERNOR CAN'T VETO A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT IS NOT HOW THAT WORKS.

BUT DO YOU SUPPORT THAT GOING ON THE BALLOT IN 2024?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S GOING TOCK TO BE TALKED ABOUT.

I HAVE NOT SEEN THE BILL I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE BILL FIRST IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS, VOUCHERS, CHAFORTERS, OPEN BORDERS.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF CHOICE LEGISLATION AND I WOULD LIKE -- >> Renee: THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT STRUCK THAT DOWN.

MY POINT IS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BILL BEFORE I TALK ABOUT.

>> Renee: DO YOU ON A GENERAL PRINCIPLE SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS?

>> I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO OFFER OUR KIDS THE BEST CHOICE THAT THEY CAN HAVE FOR THEIR EDUCATION WHETHER IT'S VOUCHERS OR OPEN BORDERS WHICH WE HAVE NOW.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

KIDS GET TRAPPED IN SCHOOLS THAT THEY CAN'T LEARN IN AND THEY NEED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE AROUND AND FIND THE EDUCATION THAT'S BEST FOR THEM.

>> Renee: WE KNOW THAT YOU AND THE GOVERNOR ARE PRO PUBLIC EDUCATION, BUT SHOULD THE VOTERS HAVE A CHOICE IN DECIDING ABOUT IF DOLLARS THAT ARE THEIR TAX-PAYING DOLLARS SHOULD GO TO SUPPORT PRIVATE SCHOOLS?

>> VOTERS DESERVE TO KNOW THAT THE SCHOOLS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES ARE THE BEST THEY CAN POSSIBLY BE.

SO THE WAY THAT YOU DO THAT IS YOU PUT STUDENTS FIRST.

YOU SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS.

AND YOU MAKE SURE OUR SCHOOLS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WHAT WE NEED THEM TO DO.

THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE FOR A VERY LONG TIME IN KENTUCKY.

AND OUR VOTERS DESERVE TO KNOW WHEN THEY SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL IT SHOULDN'T MATTER THE ZIP CODE AND THEY HAVE TO MOVE AROUND.

IT SHOULD BE EVERY SCHOOL IS THE BEST IT CAN BE OTHERWISE YOUR ZIP CODE DETERMINES YOUR OPPORTUNITY.

AND I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION VERY SIMPLY.

I DON'T AGREE WITH THE CHARTER SCHOOL AMENDMENT BEING ON THE BALLOT.

I DON'T SUPPORT CHARTER SCHOOLS AND SUPPORT VOUCHER SCHEMES BECAUSE AGAIN YOU ARE TAKING PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS AND SENDING THEM TO UNACCOUNTABLE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THAT IS NOT JUST A BAD DECISION FOR OUR SCHOOLS THAT WOULD DECIMATE, BY THE WAY, RURAL COMMUNITIES.

IT IS A BAD DEAL FOR OUR TAXPAYERS TO NOT KNOW HOW THEIR TAXES ARE BEING SPENT.

>> Renee: WHEN IT COMES TO HIGHER EDUCATION, WHAT WOULD BE THE CAMERON-MILLS ADMINISTRATION PLAN FOR HELPING TO BOLSTER AND APPRECIATE HAVE A GREATER VALUE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND WHAT SHOULD HIGHER EDUCATION LOOK LIKE IN KENTUCKY?

>> I THINK WHAT YOU SAID THERE LAST IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I THINK HIGHER EDUCATION IS CHANGING NOT AS MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HIGHER-ED THEY ARE GOING INTO TRADES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A ROBUST HIGHER EDUCATION PLAN OR MENU IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY THAT MEETS THE KIDS AND CHILDREN AND ADULTS NEEDS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

I THINK THAT'S NUMBER ONE IN LOOKING AT HIGHER-ED.

I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS, ONCE AGAIN I SAID THIS EARLIER, WE NEED TO FOCUS ON K-12 AND DO IT WELL AS A PART OF A MENU THAT WE ARE OFFERING.

>> Renee: SAME QUESTION TO YOU?

>> STILL NOT OVER THE K-12 FUNDING AND DO IT WELL FROM SOMEONE WHO FAILED TO DO IT EVERY YEAR HE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE.

WHEN IT COMES TO HIGHER EDUCATION THAT IS OUR KIDS' OPPORTUNITY AND GATEWAY TO A CAREER.

IT CAN LOOK DIFFERENT FOR EVERY KID AND IT SHOULD.

WHETHER IT'S A POST-SECONDARY CERTIFICATION.

A TWO-YEAR DEGREE AN APPRENTICESHIP.

A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE.

IT CAN TAKE ON A LOT OF SHAPES.

OUR JOB IS NOT TO TELL THESE KIDS AND THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM.

OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY DOOR IS OPEN SO THEY CAN FIND THEIR WAY.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO THAT AND WE NEED MORE OF EVERYTHING.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT UNDER GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S LEADERSHIP THE INVESTMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION WENT UP AND INCREASED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A VERY LONG TIME.

>> Renee: WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RECORD SURPLUS THAT KENTUCKY HAS IF YOU COUNT IT ALL UP, CASH IS $3.7 BILLION.

WHAT WOULD A CAMERON-MILLS ADMINISTRATION DO WITH THAT MONEY?

>> WHAT WE WOULD DO THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN.

TARGETED PLACES TO INVEST ONE-TIME MONIES THAT WOULD GET THE BIGGEST BOON OUT OF OUR INVESTMENT.

AND I THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS LOOKING AT THOSE.

WE WILL BE COMING FORWARD WITH PLANS LIKE THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN AND OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN.

THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

>> Renee: SO WHEN YOU SAY THE CAMERON CATCH UP PLAN YOU SAID WAS $90 MILLION, HOW MUCH OR $100 MILLION.

HOW MUCH WOULD THE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN COST?

>> WELL, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF THERE'S 12 POINTS IN THAT.

BUT THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS GIVING RETENTION BONUSES AND RECRUITMENT BOW NUNSES TO POLICE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC SAFELY OF SAFETY OFFICIALS.

WE NEED TO BOLSTER AND TALK UP POLICING AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN KENTUCKY.

THAT'S A BIG PART OF THE 12-POINT SAFETY PLAN.

I DO NOT HAVE AN EXACT DOLLAR FOR ALL 12 POINTS.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING MAXIMUM EFFORT INTO MAKING KENTUCKY SAFE.

ANDY BESHEAR HAS BEEN SOFT ON CRIME.

WE ALL KNOW HE LET OUT 1700 CRIMINALS EARLY AND A LOT HAVE RECOMMITTED IN KENTUCKY.

SO KENTUCKY IS NOT AS SAFE AS IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO.

WE WANT TO BRING BACK PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE WANT TO INVEST ONE-TIME DOLLARS ARE LOCAL AGENCIES AND POLICE AGENCIES THAT WILL BRING BACK THE BIGGEST RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT.

>> Renee: MS. COLEMAN?

>> TURNABOUT IS FAIR PAY AND THEY HAVE TOUTED THIS 12-POINT PLAN THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THE PRICE TAG IS FOR THAT.

LET ME GO GO BACK IT WAS A HISTORY FROM EDUCATION.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE'VE DONE IS TO INVEST $240 MILLION IN CTE PROGRAMS ACROSS KENTUCKY.

WE'VE PARTNERED -- AN EXAMPLE OF A SPECIFIC FIELD WE HAVE A NURSING SHORTAGE.

WE HAVE WORKED DIRECTLY WITH SCHOOLS, NURSING SCHOOLS AND EMPLOYERS TO FIND MATCHES AND TO HELP BUILD THAT PIPELINE.

WE ALSO JOINED THE COUNCIL FOR POST SECOND -- COUNCIL FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION ON THE HEALTHCARE COLLABORATIVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BOOSTING THE NUMBER OF NURSES IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

SO WORKING WITH EDUCATION AND HELPING TO CREATE THAT CONNECTION WITH EMPLOYERS AND FILL THOSE WORKFORCE NEEDS ARE TRULY THE BEST WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE INVESTING IN OUR EDUCATION, BUILDING THE WORKFORCE, BUT WE'RE MAKING IT SURE WE'RE HELPING BUSINESSES WITH WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Renee: ANSWER, IF YOU WILL, SENATOR MILLS' COMMENT ABOUT THE EARLY RELEASE OF PRISONERS DURING COVID, 1600 OR SO?

>> WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHERE WE WERE.

WE WERE AT THE BEGINNING A GLOBAL HEALTH PANDEMIC.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PPE, WE DIDN'T HAVE VACCINES AND DEALING WITH AN AIRBORNE VIRUS.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR COMMUTED THE SENTENCES OF FOLKS WHO WERE INCARCERATED DAYS AWAY FROM BEING RELEASED.

AND SO HE DID THAT BECAUSE THE FOLKS IN OUR CORRECTIONS WORK WHO GO INTO THOSE PLACES EVERYDAY THEY DESERVE TO BE SAFE AND GO HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES AND NOT WORRIED THEY WILL TAKE HOME A DEADLY VIRUS TO THEM THAT IS THE REASON HE DID WHAT HE DID.

>> Renee: WERE THEY VIOLENT OFFENDERS?

>> THEY WERE NONVIOLENT.

>> I BELIEVE SOME WERE VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND THEY WERE LET OUT AND THEY DID HAVE VIOLENT OFFENSES THE NEXT TIME THEY RECOMMITTED.

AND LET ME SAY THIS -- >> Renee: THOSE OFFENSES WERE DONE PAST THE POINT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED EARLY?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS TRUE.

DANIEL CAMERON AND I WILL NOT LET PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL.

WE DON'T GIVE OUT GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARDS.

>> Renee: QUESTIONS ABOUT STATE WORKER ISSUES AND SOME OF THESE ARE CARRY OVERS FROM THE PREVIOUS WEEK AND THEN SOME HAVE COME BACK AGAIN TONIGHT.

MANY RETIRED WORKERS HAVE THIS QUESTION.

RETIREES IN PUBLIC PENSIONS AUTHORITY HAVE NOT RECEIVED A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT SINCE 2011 WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON SEEKING AN INCREASE IN THE 2024 BUDGET?

>> I SIT ON THE PUBLIC PENSION OVERSIGHT BOARD AND THAT QUESTION IS ASKED MONTHLY AND YEARLY WE LOOK AT THAT AND WE'LL LOOK AT IT AGAIN.

THERE ARE COST OF LIVING INCREASES THAT ARE GIVEN TO RETIRED TEACHERS THAT HAVE COST OF LIVING.

BUT THE OTHER PENSION FUNDS DO NOT HAVE A BUILT IN COST OF LIVING.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THAT EVEN MORE SO RIGHT NOW.

BUT ONCE AGAIN I WANT TO GO BACK TO DISCIPLINE BUDGETING AND YOU MADE A POINT THAT WE DO HAVE A HEALTHY RAINY DAY FUND AND THAT MAYBE SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD AND CAN LOOK AT.

>> Renee: MS. COLEMAN?

>> WHEN FOLKS ENTER THE FIELD OF PUBLIC SERVICE, WHETHER IT IS A STATE EMPLOYEE, FIRST RESPONDER, EDUCATOR THOSE ARE CAREERS WHERE WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE GETTING PAID LESS THAN THEY WOULD FOR AN EQUAL POSITION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

AND THE BENEFIT FOR THEM AND SACRIFICING FOR A LIFE OF SERVICE IS OBVIOUSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A GOOD, STRONG PENSION.

AS YEARS GO ON, ABSOLUTELY FOLKS WHO COMMIT THEIR LIVES TO PUBLIC SERVICE DESERVE A COST OF LIVING INCREASE.

>> Renee: AND THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE IN A BUDGET RECOMMENDATION SHOULD YOU BE REELECTED?

20-YEAR STATE EMPLOYEE HAS THIS QUESTION.

NEWER EMPLOYEES WITH PERHAPS LOWER EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT ARE STARTING AT SALARIES THAT IS TAKING MANY PEOPLE YEARS TO ACHIEVE.

CONSIDERING THE RECORD BUDGET SURPLUSES WILL YOUR ADMINISTRATION ADDRESS THOSE PAY DISPARITIES?

>> I CAN TELL YOU OUR ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW.

OUR PERSONNEL CABINET IS LEADING THIS CHARGE THEY ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF THE DIFFERENCES IN PAY AND THEY ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE IT'S STAIR STEPPED AND THINGS ARE EQUAL THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE.

THIS WORK HAS BEEN GOING ON.

IT WILL CONTINUE AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING.

>> Renee: AS I RECALL, THIS WAS A REQUEST OF THE PERSONNEL CABINET SOME WHILE AGO EVEN BEFORE WE GOT TO THE LAST BUDGET OR THE LAST SESSION IN 2023.

WHY HASN'T THAT REPORT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE YET?

>> WELL, THERE ARE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF STATE EMPLOYEES.

SO AS THEY WORK THROUGH THIS, YOU HAVE DIFFERENT LEVELS.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT TITLES.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT BRANCHES ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE VERY COMPLEX.

I TRUST OUR PERSONNEL CABINET IS WORKING THROUGH THIS.

I KNOW THEY ARE WORKING EVERYDAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A PAY SCALE THAT IS FAIR.

AND I TRUST THEM WHEN THEY'RE READY TO RELEASE THAT REPORT AND THAT WORK IS DONE IT WILL BE RELEASED.

>> Renee: AND THAT WOULD BE HAPPENING BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR TO PREPARE FOR THE 2024 BUDGET SESSION?

>> IT SHOULD BE.

>> LET ME MAKE A POINT HERE.

GOVERNMENTS WORK ON PAY PLANS AND WHEN YOU MAKE POLITICAL PROMISES LIKE AN 11% PAY INCREASE OR PROMISE SOMEBODY ELSE A PAY INCREASE THAT BLOWS UP PAY PLANS AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSES THIS COMPRESSION IN THE PAY PLANS.

AND YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFUL.

THE GOVERNOR HERE HAS PROMISED THIS 11% PAY INCREASE.

IT'S GOING TO BLOWUP THAT PAY PLAN.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE LOOK AT PAY PLANS AND PAY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES IN A UNIVERSAL WAY.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WITH INFLATION AS HIGH AS IT IS, WE HAVE TO KEEP WAGES AT A REGIONABLE LEVEL.

BUT AT A LEVEL WHERE WE'RE COMPETITIVE.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK THE THAT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PAYING OUR PEOPLE WELL.

>> AND LET ME SAY IF THAT'S THE CASE, OUR OPPONENTS NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE LOOKING AT THEIR OWN PLAN.

THEY PROPOSED A RAISE FOR NEW TEACHERS AND THE EXACT CHALLENGE THAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT RIGHT HERE IS SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE CREATED IN EDUCATION AND LET ME TALK ABOUT THAT 11% RAISE FOR A SECOND.

THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED RAISES AND SUCCEEDED WE WORKED WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND GOT IT THROUGH.

IT WAS A RAISE OF 14% FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, SOCIAL WORKERS GOT A RAISE, LAW ENFORCEMENT GOT A RAISE.

THE ONLY GROUP THAT GOT TAKEN OUT OF THAT RAISE WAS TEACHERS.

AND IT WAS TAKEN OUT BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHO REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE WORTHY OF A RAISE AND TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE TO MAKE A COMMITMENT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

WE SURVEYED ACROSS THE DISTRICTS.

THERE WAS AN AVERAGE OF A 3% RAISE FOR TEACHERS ACROSS KENTUCKY.

NOW, THAT MEANS SOME MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN MORE AND SOME GOT NOTHING.

THAT 11% RAISE IS INTENDED TO BRING TEACHERS BACK UP TO THE SAME LEVELS AS STATE EMPLOYEES, AS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL WORKERS BECAUSE TEACHERS GOT LEFT OUT OF THAT PLAN INTENTIONALLY BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> RENEE LET ME JUST SAY THIS.

THIS IS ANOTHER EMPTY PROMISE ON TEACHER RAISES.

THIS MAKES THEIR THIRD PROMISE THAT THEY ARE MAKING TO TEACHERS THAT HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED AT ALL.

NOW -- >> .

>> EVERY SINGLE BUDGET HAS RAISES FOR TEACHERS.

>> BUT DIDN'T GET THEM.

>> THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T BELIEVE TEACHERS ARE WORTHY OF A RAISE IS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> Renee: YOU CAN MAKE THE PROPOSAL BUT IT'S UP TO THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ENDORSE IT.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO GET YOUR PROPOSED RAISES THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE CAN DO THAT [INAUDIBLE].

>> HOW DID LAW ENFORCEMENT AND STATE EMPLOYEES AND SOCIAL WORKERS MAKE IT THROUGH AND THE ONLY GROUP THAT DID NOT MAKE IT THROUGH WAS TEACHERS?

IT'S THE SAME RELATIONSHIP.

YOU ARE PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

>> THE INCREASE IN FUNDING WAS MEANT TO GIVE TEACHERS RAISES AND I BELIEVE TEACHERS RECEIVED A 2-5% RAISE ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE GAVE THE SEERK FUNDING INCREASES.

>> Renee: FINAL QUESTION FROM A VIEWER AND WE MIGHT BE OUT OF TIME.

FROM DIANA, THE TIME DOES FLY.

ASK MS. COLEMAN IF BUSINESSES ARE CHOOSING KENTUCKY BECAUSE KENTUCKY IS A RIGHT TO WORK STATE AND DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME ATMOSPHERE AS BLUE STATES?

>> BUSINESSES ARE CHOOSING KENTUCKY BECAUSE WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO SITS DOWN WITH THEM WHO NEGOTIATES AND LEADS AND SHOWS THIS IS A PROMISING PLACE THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE GOOD.

A LOT OF THE BUSINESSES WE TALK TO TUNED IN AFTER THE FLOODING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

THE TORNADOES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

AND THEY SAW WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE HERE.

THEY SAW GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S LEADERSHIP THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF TEAM KENTUCKY.

>> BUSINESS RECRUITMENT IS LONG-TERMS OF FOUR OR FIVE YEAR VIEW FOR A BUSINESS.

BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS ARE LOOKING TO KENTUCKY BECAUSE OF THE RIGHT TO WORK AND PREVAILING WAGE CHANGES THAT WE MADE AND UNEMPLOYMENT CHANGES THAT WE MADE.

WE HAVE IMPROVED 12 POSITIONS IN COMPETITIVENESS ON TAX FROM THE TAX FOUNDATION.

KENTUCKY HAS.

THAT'S WHY THOSE MOSTLY WHY THOSE CORPORATIONS ARE LOOKING AT KENTUCKY.

WE ARE MORE COMPETITIVE BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE IN REDUCING THE INCOME TAX.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING OUR INCOME TAX TO ZERO THAT WILL GET MORE PEOPLE LOOKING AT KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: FOLLOWING THE RULES OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY SELF IMPOSED OR WOULD YOU ACCELERATE THAT?

>> I WILL GO BACK TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Renee: YES OR NO.

>> WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON THAT.

>> Renee: OK. ALL RIGHT THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

GOOD DISCUSSION WE APPRECIATE YOU AND THAT ENDS OUR CANDIDATE CONVERSATION SERIES.

YOU CAN WATCH WHAT YOU MISSED OR SEE IT AGAIN ON-LINE AT JOIN US MONDAY ON KENTUCKY TONIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION AS VETERAN KENTUCKY POLITICAL OBSERVERS PREVIEW THE RACES AND WE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ALL CAMPAIGN DEVELOPMENTS AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL ON KENTUCKY EDITION.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING I'M RENEE SHAW AND I WILL SEE YOU REAL SOON MANY TAKE GOOD CARE.

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