Fletcher Turns KY Government Into “Make-Work For Friends” Opportunity
Fletcher Turns KY Government Into “Make-Work For Friends” Opportunity
In his 2003 campaign for Kentucky governor, Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) promised to make government more efficient [2003]:
A Fletcher/Pence Administration will not treat state government as a “make-work for friends” opportunity. I will find ways to reduce the bureaucracy, particularly in areas like principal assistants.
While Fletcher has cut his number of politically-appointed “principal assistants” to seven, today’s Courier-Journal reveals that he hasn’t really reduced the number of political appointees. Instead, he has simply taken 159 principal assistant positions and given them new titles. (See full list here.)
Kentucky taxpayers are paying $42,420 annually to one of the new well-connected political appointees, Jimmy Holiday in the Transportation Cabinet. Holiday was originally appointed to a post answering phones, but refused to do his job [Kentucky Post, 6/29/05]:
“So do we have another place to put him where he will work?” [then-Deputy Transportation Dick] Murgatroyd asked in an e-mail to a policy adviser in the Transportation Cabinet… “Otherwise, put him in a corner and we’ll ignore him.”
Instead of being fired, he was promoted. Not exactly the way to “reduce the bureaucracy.”
(HT: BluegrassReport.org)
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Oops! Guess he forgot he’s a Republican. It’s instinctual to pay people to be friends when you don’t really have friends.
November 28th, 2005 at 11:06 amWhat do you expect? Their neighbors to the north have been stealing from the treasury for years. If they can get away with it in Ohio, why not Kentucky?
November 28th, 2005 at 11:16 amDisgusting. Sounds a lot like Brownie to me. Maybe the Bush administration is advicing Fletcher. Seems that this White House hasn’t learned anything since the FEMA disaster.
November 28th, 2005 at 11:45 amBet there’s lots of corruption going on in the states that don’t hit the big headlines. Definitely in my little NYS, there’s plenty.
November 28th, 2005 at 11:48 amHeaven’s to Murgatroyd! Sounds like someone’s pullin’ a “Brownie” on us taxpayers. . . Wonder if they’ll ever get around to being honest. . .I won’t be holding my breath tho.
November 28th, 2005 at 12:10 pmIn many states the Republicans have been abusing power just like they are in the federal government. I say it’s time for a Democratic Revolution all around the country! Throw the bums out, not just in Washington, but in Louisville, Columbus, Albany and all around the USA. And great job Think Progress for bringing these issues to light and keeping the government honest.
November 28th, 2005 at 12:36 pmeveryone knows KY is slippery…
November 28th, 2005 at 4:14 pmDemocratic Revolution! Right now! Storm in and tell him to give the job of answering phones to someone who needs the money and actually wants to work!
And then to the white house!
November 28th, 2005 at 7:41 pm“Instead of being fired, he was promoted.” Sounds like the modus operandi of republicans.
November 28th, 2005 at 7:53 pm#7
Yep!
November 28th, 2005 at 8:33 pm#7 At least the KY we all know and love has. . .well, practical uses. . .
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