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Political BLOG |
 March 2008
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Kentucky lawmakers are telling the executive and judicial branches of government to tighten their belts in these tough budgetary times, but they're not doing the same. The House and Senate have both approved a legislative budget that includes five percent funding increases in each of the next two years. Several lawmakers were surprised when I told they'd approved funding increases for themselves and their staff while considering cuts or flat line budgets for the executive and judicial branches of state government. And lobbyists for social service groups and universities are not happy at all with the apparent hypocrisy. House Budget Committee Chairman Harry Moberly says the funding increases are needed to give the legislature it's own "rainy day" fund to cover the unexpected costs of a special session or other items. Governor Steve Beshear told me he had hoped all state agencies would "share the pain" and was disappointed that the legislature won't be. But Beshear wouldn't say if he might veto the legislative budget bill. 6 CommentsLeave a comment |
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WHAS11.com Political Blog
WHAS11 Reporters blog the latest political news from the campaign trail and beyond. 
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well WOO-HOO.....looks like they found a little money somewhere....Funny how that happened!!!
I bet those other branches of state government are
really ticked!! I know I would be. OK Legislators and Senators...what in the world are you thinking of??? Do you think we don't notice what you all are doing up there??
I have some words I wish I could use to explain my disgust, but most are 4 letters and profane. The arrogance and greed is bipartisan, and Mark: if you really believe that some of them didn't notice they increased their own budget, then they showed you a good job of acting. Many haven't questioned or objected to the mass renovation of the Capitol Annex the past few years, but seriously: how much office do these part time legislators neeed. The legislators have more modern, better decorated and more plush offices than nearly all elected officials in Frankfort, and they certainly have nicer offices than all of state government. Time to send a lot of these people home, and perhaps permanently in the upcoming election. Where have all the public servants gone? Why is that I feel in the last 4 or 5 years people quit caring about the people, the taxpayers, the real betterment of society? Wait, the partisanship rancor is what started it but why aren't the people outraged?
Flamecat, the decoration of offices is paid for out of their own pockets (except for Bobby Sherman LRC director) If you want to find waste go to the judicial side of the ledger. It is easy to see.
Mike: I believe the taxpayer is paying for all of that office expansion. And what about the wet bars, t.v.s etc.? And last I checked, my friends who serve in the legislature didn't pay for paint, desks, etc. They put up their own prints and artwork but not anything else. In fact, one asked me who ordered up all the paint and renovation. I told them to go talk to their leadership.
Mike...What were you referring to exactly about the judicial side of the ledger having waste? I
am a judicial employee. My office has 5 employees
and no one is ever caught up..Court sometimes keeps us a few evenings a week. I am not complaining but curious about which part of the judicial system you are referring to. My only problem with LRC getting 10 million each year is that earlier in the session one of the leaders stated in the paper that they would be taking cuts also but now they are finding money and everyone else in state government is getting cut.
and not just little cuts. It just plain right out
don't look right to add money to their budget when they are the ones who are controlling the budget so to speak.
Mike, you are kidding, right? So you're saying Williams' flat-panel TV was paid for by him? lol