"Fletcher's Flop": How the Courier-Journal Assesses KY Legislative Session}

Louisville, KY, Courier-Journal ^ | 04-15-04 | Editorial Board

[Theodore R.]

A new governor's first legislative session is supposed to be a crowning moment, in which an election mandate is transformed into progress. In Ernie Fletcher's case, it was a flop.

There are plenty of excuses, including the fact that his party hasn't run the executive branch in more than three decades, thus doesn't have much current experience on which to draw. Also, unprecedented ill-will paralyzed the legislative branch, with Senate bullies and House incompetents jockeying for political advantage.

[Theodore R.]

The Courier-Journal is hailing the late Republican Louie B. Nunn for facing up to KY financial problems but assails Republican Fletcher for his "No New Taxes" pledge.

[Renfield]

I'm old enough to remember Louie Nunn, and the revulsion that Kentuckians felt against him for raising the sales tax. "No new taxes" is an idea worth sticking to.

[toddst]

Once in office, Gov. Fletcher couldn't miss that more revenue was essential. . .

This sums up the Courier-Journal's position - ALWAYS more revenue for the state to spend. I'm confident Governor Fletcher will deal with the revenue issue in a special session and take the "cut government" route. This is exactly why the CJ is starting it's attack now.

[GraniteStateConservative]

He has to figure out a way to get what he wants from the legislature. Take it to the people like Schwarzenegger did.