Thursday, 5 October 2006

Fletcher's Administration Continues to Get the Job Done

The Fletcher Administration's innovations in dealing with the Medicaid problem are being held up as a model for other states.

Advocates for Medicaid also have positive things to say about Fletcher's handling of the issue.

Cathy Allgood Murphy, associate state director of AARP-Kentucky, said she is cautious because many of the details have yet to be filled in, but "overall, I can't complain about the job they've done."
Donovan Fornwalt, director of governmental affairs for Kentucky's Council on Mental Retardation ... praised Fletcher's efforts. "I think this governor has been much more effective," Fornwalt said, "than many folks give him credit for."

I am glad to see the Fletcher team is continuing to get the job done. They have truly brought in fresh ideas for managing this state and we are beginning to see the results.

Posted by elendil at 8:47 AM in Kentucky Politics
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Fletcher is Unelectable

Fletcher is Unelectable! That was the hue and cry a month ago from both Democrats and Republicans. For someone who is so "unelectable" he sure has raised a good bit of money.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher has collected more than $1 million for his re-election bid since having to start his fund-raising over in June with new running mate Robbie Rudolph.

About $722,000 of that has come in the last three months, according to campaign finance reports filed this afternoon with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

What we have seen is an over reaction from both Democrats and Republicans to Fletcher's woes. Someone who is unelectable should not be able to raise one million dollars over the last three months. So what does this mean politically?

He has too much money on hand now to be challenged in the primary. There is no way Pence will run against him now. The money advantage is too great for him to overcome this late in the game. Maybe that is why he decided to wait until after this year's general election. He wanted to see the money situation.

This also has to be a bit daunting for the Democrats as well. Their reluctance to file is putting them further and further behind the money race. Fletcher already has a million dollar head start on them in next year's race. I have a feeling Fletcher may not be as "unelectable" as his opponents have hoped.

Posted by elendil at 8:37 AM in Kentucky Politics
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Give It Back

Lexington's fiscal year ended last June and it appears they had a surplus of around $17.8 million dollars. Mayor Isaac wants to spend $7.3 million for water drainage projects and pay equality for city employees. The article drones on about how the mayor and council want to spend the surplus.

Here is a novel idea they may want to try. Why not give it back to the taxpayers? I know this is crazy, but if you have extra money that means you took too much in the first place. Why not give it back? Just for once I would love to hear a politicians say "Well, we have a surplus and I am going to give it back to the taxpayers who we over taxed."

But that isn't going to happen. Instead they act like kids in a candy store. They can't spend it fast enough.

Posted by elendil at 8:24 AM in Kentucky Politics
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