Friday, 4 July 2008
The Crony Express
« Happy Birthday America | Main | Buying A Car? Don't Buy A Hybrid To Save Money »Ah yes, the crony express continues forward at full steam. The latest example can be found in Beshear's re-organization of the horse racing authority.
Gov. Steve Beshear on Thursday reorganized the state panel that regulates horse racing in Kentucky, adding several new members that are major Democratic party backers.
Beshear said he was making the move because racing is “in crisis and immediate, aggressive action is necessary to preserve its integrity.”
The only crisis I see is that the commission has to many Republicans and not enough friends of Beshear.
Several of the ousted members of the authority, such as Whitfield, who is the wife of Republican Rep. Ed Whitfield of Hopkinsville, had Republican connections.
So who do we get to replace them? If you guessed cronies then you would be right.
The new appointees include Tracy Farmer, who was state Democratic Party chairman as well as head of an independent fund-raising committee that backed Beshear and was heavily supported by tracks and horse connections seeking casino gambling.
Another, former University of Louisville and Tennessee basketball coach Wade Houston, co-chaired Beshear's inaugural committee with Farmer. The basketball connections also include Michael Pitino, son of UofL coach Rick Pitino.
The father of Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway – attorney Thomas Conway – is also among the appointees.
Former commission vice chairman Frank L. Jones, who owns a Louisville pool business, gave to both Jack Conway and Beshear in the last election cycle.
Thoroughbred owner and Fort Mitchell attorney Travis Burr II in the last year gave $3,500 to the state Democratic party and another $3,500 to the Kentucky Victory 2007 fund, which backed Beshear.
I think Beshear could own a cell phone company. He already has the friends and family plan down pat.
