So much for the Governor

[nutcase]

He just annouced he was dropping the "no new taxes pledge" and wants to raise cig taxes and drop extended retirement benefits for state employees.
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080306/NEWS0101/80306063
i know that the cig tax alone cant raise the money claimed and am still waiting on info on what other taxes are going up

can someone explain to me how these people can lie to your face then sleep at night.

[quackrstackr]

It's in their genes.

None of them are worth a flip.

[killinmammals]

Because they know once they are in,they are in. You think they give two $^%#s, they are getting paid and thats all they care about

[Clint Daniels]

I got a good laugh when I read this. It only took a couple months to reach a last resort, this State is in trouble.

"He told reporters he has said previously that a tax increase would be a last resort.

"We have arrived at that stage," he said."


This guy is such a crook and the funny part is the script was written before he took office. You dems call us morons, if that is not the pot calling the kettle black.

[keith meador]

he has the idea that he wants casino's in ky. if he cant get the casino's, threaten other things that are near and dear to the publics heart....if enough people call and raise a fuss about the cig tax, the politicians will give in to the governor and he will get his casino's....he is just applying leverage.

[bowhunter08]

he has the idea that he wants casino's in ky. if he cant get the casino's, threaten other things that are near and dear to the publics heart....if enough people call and raise a fuss about the cig tax, the politicians will give in to the governor and he will get his casino's....he is just applying leverage.

Bingo! He is just going to push his weight around and flex his powers till he gets what he wants.

[pentail]

everyone knew it was coming. he has already proven that he will fire/demote anyone that did not agree with his precious casino (bought and paid for by the big money casino owners that spent so heavily to get him elected), threatening to raise taxes is just another of his strong arm tactics. leopards don't change their spots:mad:

[MikeKy]

Remember when we got the lottery? It was supposed to be the answer for education for all time. The very next year, we got stuck with the largest tax increase in the history of the Commonwealth. It's fixin' to happen again. The Dems in the House are already talking about passing the casino thing AND $400 million in annual "new revenue". They think we are so stupid we can't figure out that "new revenue" is a tax hike. Whatever they come up with next is sure to mean more money out of our pockets for them to p--s away.

[raktrakr]

And to think all of those members that were calling Fletcher an a** and saying how bad a job he was doing in office are now eating crow being served by thier beloved Beshear(D)

[CUZZIN]

And to think all of those members that were calling Fletcher an a** and saying how bad a job he was doing in office are now eating crow being served by thier beloved Beshear(D)So what did Fletcher do that made him such a great choice?

[quackrstackr]

Fletcher was no saint, either.

He showed his true colors on his way out the door when he pardoned and commuted sentences for convicted murderers.

Like I said, none of them are worth the powder...

[pentail]

So what did Fletcher do that made him such a great choice?

didn't raise taxes

didn't cut the state education budget by millions...:mad:

[JDMiller]

He just annouced he was dropping the "no new taxes pledge" and wants to raise cig taxes and drop extended retirement benefits for state employees.

Kentucky retirement system has a window option that ends on January 1, 2009. Employees that qualify to retire before that date has their retirement benefits figured on the formulary number of 2.2 . After the date retirees will be figured on 2.0 or less if changed by the legislature. On average ... the difference between the two numbers equals out to several hundred dollars less on their monthly benefit.

There was / is legislation to extend the enhanced benefit window for those that qualify now.... this is what I believe Beshear is talking about. The reasoning to extend ...was to trickle the number of people retiring over a longer time period. Their loosing a lot of expierienced employees at an alarming rate.

In my opinion the legislation introduced this session is a little late. Those retiring have already made up their mind. Factor in theres a pretty good chance state employees wont be recieving much of a raise over the next few years to increase their annual salary ...which is the other factor of their benefit... its a no brainer. Their going to retire if they qualify and eligible to receive the highest beneft they can get.

There will be lots of state jobs opening up this year.

[Clint Daniels]

Among Governor Fletcher's Accomplishments are:

1. Governor Fletcher solved the current deficit in this fiscal year less than a month after being sworn into office. He later went on to present a tight, balanced budget for the next biennium which provides for raises in teacher salaries and funding for important economic development and education projects.
2. Governor Fletcher provided the leadership to present a bipartisan, bicameral plan to modernize the state's antiquated tax code.
3. The Governor reorganized and streamlined state government by condensing cabinets from 14 to 8, thus saving nearly $500,000. At the same time, the Governor assembled the most highly qualified group of cabinet leaders in Kentucky's history.
4. The Governor disassembled the Kentucky Racing Commission and created the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority. He not only gave the new authority a new name, but also a new mission to promote the horse racing industry and ordered an audit of certain personnel, procurement and payment practices of the former Commission.
5. Governor Fletcher signed, as his first piece of legislation, an important fetal homicide bill.
6. The Governor rolled back the unnecessary, burdensome Medicaid requirements that had kicked people out of nursing homes, thereby changing the number of categories a potential nursing home patient must meet from three requirements to two. The Governor also unveiled a plan to modernize Medicaid which will focus on improvements in care, benefit management and technology.
7. Completed Brownfield regulations which establish standards that will allow cities, counties and private businesses to redevelop old, contaminated industrial sites into productive areas.
8. Directed $110,000 in leftover transition funds to be directed to Medicaid (request would mean almost $300,000 in Federal Matching Funds for Medicaid)
9. Directed each Cabinet Secretary to investigate and reduce the use of procurement cards within their agencies.
10. Fulfilled campaign pledge by recommending $14.2 million be spent on "Read to Achieve.�
11. Appointed Tierra Kavanaugh Turner as Director of Governor's Office for Minority Empowerment.
12. Established the Governor's Office of Efficiency, which is identifying and cleaning out waste, fraud, inefficiency and abuse.
13 Produced greater efficiencies by transferring the responsibilities of the Kentucky Appalachian Commission to the Department for Local Government. This was done because of a great deal of duplication between the duties of the commission and those performed by the DLG.
14. The Governor signed important fetal homicide legislation.
15. Created a task force to address blackwater spills in the Commonwealth. The task force is made up of leaders of environmental and coal organizations in Kentucky.
16. Added nearly 3,000 new jobs; including 1,100 at Magna in Bowling Green and 1,600 at Citicorp in Louisville.
17. Initiated the Statewide Drug Control Policy Summit, a group which is currently conducting 16 public forums during a 20-week assessment to get public input about drug issues from citizens across Kentucky.

[KYBOY]

Their politicians...Ive come to expect no less:mad:

[turkeytalker]

Fletcher was no saint, either.

He showed his true colors on his way out the door when he pardoned and commuted sentences for convicted murderers.

Like I said, none of them are worth the powder...


Fletcher was a saint compared to Beshear,keep your thoughts in mind when Beshear exits the office in a few years,im kinda interested who he's gonna pardon.

I hope all the people who voted for Beshear reap what they sow

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fOaNNi_rm1s

[turkeytalker]

Guess you better be on board with the casino bosses?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ne1tRVHscdo

[quackrstackr]

Fletcher was a saint compared to Beshear,keep your thoughts in mind when Beshear exits the office in a few years,im kinda interested who he's gonna pardon.

I hope all the people who voted for Beshear reap what they sow



Like I said, none of them are worth a plugged nickel. They're all a bunch of shysters.

If Beshear pardons people of the same caliber on his way out, I'll be just as ticked off about it as I was when Fletcher left office. I voted Fletcher in so I can complain about him all that I like.

Isn't it time that we started holding all of them to a higher standard instead of worrying about which one was a lesser evil?

[nutcase]

didn't raise taxes

didn't cut the state education budget by millions...:mad:

Let me start by saying i voted for Flecher the first time and our companies raised alot of money for his first term campaign.


i'm not sure where you got your info but FLETCHER DID RAISE TAXES and it would probably be wise if you did alittle research before you post.

His tax modernization plan raised taxes and fees across the board, look it up. cigarette and tobacco taxes. driverlicense, fees boat license fees, and corporate taxes. just to name a few.

[kytrapper]

I was not suprised that the highway work virtually stopped the day after the election and the state workers are traveling in coveys again instead of pairs. This state pooped it's pants on the elction and now all of us have to smell it the next four years. You guys that voted for him just don't blow a bubble on your nose like a possum and get mad. Keep your mind open and learn from it.

[JDMiller]

The trouble the state is experiencing can be spread evenly on both parties. It's not all Beshears or Fletchers fault...it goes back through several administrations.

A lot of things listed as Fletchers accomplishments are a little misleading. Take teachers raises for instance.... its easy to mandate a raise but he did'nt provide funding. School districts had to use their own budgets to give the raises which inturn cut other areas. Restructuring the cabinets really did'nt save any money...extra money was spent on relocation and paperwork changes to their mailings. The state retirement woes is mearly an issue that administrations..including Fletchers and several Dems not providing funding that was necessary. They instead would channel the money to other pet projects instead of putting it into an already underfunded retirement system.

Beshear will be the same as others ...he just stepped into a big hole dug by many. I'm personally not fond of his casino campaign...raising taxes or cutting retirement benefits for state workers. Being realistic...it wouldnt matter if it was a republican or dem...it's at a point now someone has to start dealing with it and its not going to be popular.

[trust me]

Being realistic...it wouldnt matter if it was a republican or dem...it's at a point now someone has to start dealing with it and its not going to be popular.

Bingo. Anybody that decides to tackle the state retirement crisis is a guaranteed one-term governor. Somebody is going to have to grab that tar baby and it will not be pretty.

State employees and teachers too are going to take a hit soon. I can say that because I was married to one. The plan in place is just not feasible and just like Social Security, its days are numbered.

[treedog]

I heard that Beshears was once a republican and changed over to dem,if this is true then maybe he is still a republican at heart and that is the reason he is trying to raise tax.

[buckfever]

The trouble the state is experiencing can be spread evenly on both parties. It's not all Beshears or Fletchers fault...it goes back through several administrations.

Bingo. Anybody that decides to tackle the state retirement crisis is a guaranteed one-term governor. Somebody is going to have to grab that tar baby and it will not be pretty.


I think the point of this thread was to point out that Beshear would flat-out lie and say anything to get elected. He told the people of KY in no uncertain terms that he'd bring gambling to KY, despite not having the ability to get that accomplished. He said he would not raise taxes, and 3 mos. later, he's already making up excuses to explain why he has to.

I fully agree with Keith Meador that Beshear's ratcheting up the pressure to get his casino agenda passed, but I'm equally sure Williams will let him flounder under the weight of unfulfilled and broken campaign promises. The republicans have a political "out" by simply pointing the bony finger of blame at Beshear and his tax and spend democratic principles.

I'm also not saying that Fletcher ain't a liar too, b/c I agree with JDMiller that he's also as guilty as sin when you compare what he claims he accomplished against what he really did accomplish. As a conservative, I was plenty pissed at Fletcher for his free wheeling spending and passing out pork like crazy during this last election cycle. He sold out his party principles for a self-serving purpose (i.e. re-election).

For far too long, Ky's politicians have been pathetically short-sighted. At virtually every turn, they sacrificed the future for immediate political points. Trust Me's allusion to the state retirement system is a prime example, and he's dead-on right that that someday, somebody is gonna have to tackle that tar baby, not necessarily for our generation's benefit but for the benefit of our kids and our kid's kids.

[killinmammals]

Bingo. Anybody that decides to tackle the state retirement crisis is a guaranteed one-term governor. Somebody is going to have to grab that tar baby and it will not be pretty.

State employees and teachers too are going to take a hit soon. I can say that because I was married to one. The plan in place is just not feasible and just like Social Security, its days are numbered.
I know I probably haven't heard about the states employees and teachers retirement like you know, but my mom has friends that teach and people that work for the state, and I have heard them say a few things worrying.

[barney]

Their politicians...Ive come to expect no less:mad:
“If there’s anything a public servant hates to do it’s something for the public.”

[johnnypossum]

Their politicians...Ive come to expect no less:mad:
i completely agree:mad:

[deadaim]

“If there’s anything a public servant hates to do it’s something for the public.”


That may be my new signature line:D

[CUZZIN]

The trouble the state is experiencing can be spread evenly on both parties. It's not all Beshears or Fletchers fault...it goes back through several administrations.

A lot of things listed as Fletchers accomplishments are a little misleading. Take teachers raises for instance.... its easy to mandate a raise but he did'nt provide funding. School districts had to use their own budgets to give the raises which inturn cut other areas. Restructuring the cabinets really did'nt save any money...extra money was spent on relocation and paperwork changes to their mailings. The state retirement woes is mearly an issue that administrations..including Fletchers and several Dems not providing funding that was necessary. They instead would channel the money to other pet projects instead of putting it into an already underfunded retirement system.

Beshear will be the same as others ...he just stepped into a big hole dug by many. I'm personally not fond of his casino campaign...raising taxes or cutting retirement benefits for state workers. Being realistic...it wouldnt matter if it was a republican or dem...it's at a point now someone has to start dealing with it and its not going to be popular.Good post JD,couldnt agree more.

[barney]

That may be my new signature line:D
I'd take $50 bucks for it.....today..........be'in's its you?:D

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

How about Fletchers big surplus? Where did all the surplus he boasted about go to guys? It was a lie, just an attempt to get re-elected and he knew it. Ang BF you know what the worst part about all the pork fletcher gave out to get re-elected, most of those projects never recieved funding because it simply was never there. Fletcher did ground breakings that he KNEW would never be funded, all the while bragging about the surplus he had created. Im not sayin Beshear is a saint, and I do remember watching a debate where Beshear said he wasn't going to tax cigs, but the money has to come from somewhere. Kentucky has got to be one of the toughest states to govern, if you take on that job, prepare to start by digging out of a hole. Please understand that Im not blaming everything currently wrong with ky politics on fletcher, it just amazes that he boasted about this surplus when he new the truth.

[CUZZIN]

How about Fletchers big surplus? Where did all the surplus he boasted about go to guys? It was a lie, just an attempt to get re-elected and he knew it. Ang BF you know what the worst part about all the pork fletcher gave out to get re-elected, most of those projects never recieved funding because it simply was never there. Fletcher did ground breakings that he KNEW would never be funded, all the while bragging about the surplus he had created. Im not sayin Beshear is a saint, and I do remember watching a debate where Beshear said he wasn't going to tax cigs, but the money has to come from somewhere. Kentucky has got to be one of the toughest states to govern, if you take on that job, prepare to start by digging out of a hole. Please understand that Im not blaming everything currently wrong with ky politics on fletcher, it just amazes that he boasted about this surplus when he new the truth.EKY You do not want to bash Fletcher on this forum,even though you are 100% right he has done no wrong:D

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

hey cuz, see my join date, it didn't take me very long to learn the lesson your teaching! Thats for sure. But seriously, Im not trying to "Bash" Fletcher, Im just a little mad at how he left the office.

[slickhead slayer]

How about Fletchers big surplus? Where did all the surplus he boasted about go to guys? It was a lie, just an attempt to get re-elected and he knew it. Ang BF you know what the worst part about all the pork fletcher gave out to get re-elected, most of those projects never recieved funding because it simply was never there. Fletcher did ground breakings that he KNEW would never be funded, all the while bragging about the surplus he had created. Im not sayin Beshear is a saint, and I do remember watching a debate where Beshear said he wasn't going to tax cigs, but the money has to come from somewhere. Kentucky has got to be one of the toughest states to govern, if you take on that job, prepare to start by digging out of a hole. Please understand that Im not blaming everything currently wrong with ky politics on fletcher, it just amazes that he boasted about this surplus when he new the truth.

He left us with a $380 mill surplus. Its not a lie, its a fact. You can't lie about the budget surplus, its an actual number. go look it up.

The budget shortfall that Beshear is talking about is a PROJECTED budget shortfall. We don't have a budget shortfall yet, but will this coming budget year. The reason? We will not be receiving as much tax revenue as previous years. So we will have more expenditures than revenue.
Its nothing Fletcher or Beshear did, we just aren't going to bring in as much. So we either have to cut some spending, or add some revenue.

What is all this pork your referring to?

[maxcam]

How about Fletchers big surplus? Where did all the surplus he boasted about go to guys? It was a lie, just an attempt to get re-elected and he knew it. Ang BF you know what the worst part about all the pork fletcher gave out to get re-elected, most of those projects never recieved funding because it simply was never there. Fletcher did ground breakings that he KNEW would never be funded, all the while bragging about the surplus he had created. Im not sayin Beshear is a saint, and I do remember watching a debate where Beshear said he wasn't going to tax cigs, but the money has to come from somewhere. Kentucky has got to be one of the toughest states to govern, if you take on that job, prepare to start by digging out of a hole. Please understand that Im not blaming everything currently wrong with ky politics on fletcher, it just amazes that he boasted about this surplus when he new the truth.

Dont worry you have the elk to fall back on during these hard times brother!

[turkeytalker]

He left us with a $380 mill surplus. Its not a lie, its a fact. You can't lie about the budget surplus, its an actual number. go look it up.

The budget shortfall that Beshear is talking about is a PROJECTED budget shortfall. We don't have a budget shortfall yet, but will this coming budget year. The reason? We will not be receiving as much tax revenue as previous years. So we will have more expenditures than revenue.
Its nothing Fletcher or Beshear did, we just aren't going to bring in as much. So we either have to cut some spending, or add some revenue.

What is all this pork your referring to?


Come on Slick,Beshear is a genius it only took him two and a half months to see the $250 mil.- 1 bil. shortfall.

$500 MIL. SEEMS TO HAVE DISAPPEEARED in just a little over two months..???????


Beshear really needs to settle on a number so he can use it as a scare tactic to crawfish on all his lies,hard to believe so many can't see this.

[JDMiller]

He left us with a $380 mill surplus. Its not a lie, its a fact. You can't lie about the budget surplus, its an actual number. go look it up.

The budget shortfall that Beshear is talking about is a PROJECTED budget shortfall. We don't have a budget shortfall yet, but will this coming budget year.

Slick.... I've worked at a state university for a long time...so answer this.

If theres was a surplus... why were so many state funded projects haulted during construction phases last fall while Fletcher was in office?? We have a 15 million dollar complex thats a mere shell. The university had to spend 4 million of its own budget just to dry it in. I sit on the construction, design & techinical advisement group for every building MSU has built in the last 15 years and over the last 22 years I've been at MSU... I've never seen the state stop construction completly.

We were not alone in this happening. Many universities across the state had projects stopped. Many road projects that funding was already alocated under Fletcher were also stopped. The key word is alocation... if we had a 380 million surplus... money that was alocated / earmarked under Fletchers administration would be no problem... the state promised / legislatively passed to provide funding. If the money was there ...it would be used to finish these projects... not promise more projects they new they could'nt financially propose. Hence...using the phrase "pork"....and many communities that were promised funding for projects & programs... will never see it materialize. In my opinion it was a futile attempt at re-election to promise things he knew he could'nt produce.

As for Beshear's "projected budget shortfall"... its here and very real. Every state university across Kentucky has been hit with reductions of their budget alocations before June 30, 2008. For us ...this portion of operating money will be about 3.5 million less. After July 1, 2008... a projected reduction which is undecided at this point ..but could be somewhere between 7-12% less.. is what were facing. Public city & county schools are awaiting their hit on their budgets as well. It will be a trickle down effect through all state & local government agencies and will ultimately affect everyone in one way or another.

I'm not praising Beshear or blasting Fletcher .. its just fact that someone has to contend with this mess and whoever is in office will not win a popularity contest with Kentucky residents. If Fletcher had been re-elected.... things would be catching up with him as well.

[ky_bull]

Seems we might have bitten off more than we can chew with the 2010 Horse Games as well. Im glad we got them to come to the state, but are we prepared for it? Seems like a lot of work has to be done in a short time. As far as the tobacco tax, I dont smoke, but seems to me the logic behind it is foolish. Those for say it will help deter future smokers and curb smoking as it is now and will raise millions of dollars for the state. But how you supposed to raise money when the consumers for the product is declining or no longer purchasing.