What He Did & Should Have Said

From the Kentucky Post:

The portable classrooms at Conner High School are reasonably warm. So is the main school building. Students dodging snowflakes while going to their next class? Not so warm.

Of the 4,560 times each school day a student goes to class in a portable classroom in the Boone County School District, 71 percent are at Conner. Some students go back and forth four times a day, on a rotating schedule. Several of the nine portable rooms are within a few yards of the school. The farthest is exactly 77 footsteps away, across a parking lot and up a ramp. "It's all right, but sometimes it gets kind of cold," sophomore Bryan Shirden said recently as he filed out of his Spanish II class in 28-degree weather. "They have heating, but it's not the best situation."

Three hours earlier, it was snowing. Shirden is one of 17,000 students in the district, by far the fastest-growing in Kentucky. Over the past half-decade, the district has consistently gained 700 to 800 students per year. Given projections based on residential building permits, it will again in August. Superintendent Bryan Blavatt and Conner Principal Michael Blevins liken the use of portable classrooms to a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound, expressing concern over security, safety and adequate education.

They also wonder if it's had an impact on students' rates of weather-related illness, though that's never been documented. Conner's attendance rate of 92 percent is below the district's other two high schools, Boone County and Ryle. A new chapter in this story began to unfold early this month, when the Kentucky General Assembly convened for a short session. Boone school officials hope lawmakers will reserve some of the projected $279 million budget surplus to help the district finance new construction, specifically two new elementary schools.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher told legislators he was looking into that issue but was otherwise non-committal, echoing comments he made to Blavatt and others at a Jan. 9 town-hall meeting at Northern Kentucky University. State Sen. Dick Roeding, a Lakeside Park Republican, said it isn't very likely Boone schools will see help from the surplus. "That would require opening up the budget," Roeding said, "so they're going to be very careful about doing that."

Blavatt's appeal to Fletcher at the NKU session included a half-inch-thick summary of Boone's building needs. "This is the biggest push for school facilities I've seen in the state," the governor responded. "I think it's something to look at."

Blavatt knows he's in line with a lot of other entities asking for money. Suggestions the governor heard on how to spend the surplus included a residential drug-treatment facility for adolescents in Northern Kentucky, billboards in high-crime areas of the state, a credit to nursing home residents, college tuition assistance, and a grant of about $1 million for a new center for victims of child and sexual abuse. "The thing I was trying to convey to the governor, and maybe the legislators," Blavatt said, "is they view Boone as a wealthy area, and to an extent it is, but it's also a cash cow for the rest of the state. And the cow's drying up."

Boone has already spent $215 million in the past 12 years to renovate and build schools, and is currently building a new high school at an estimated price tag of at least $45 million. Conner, off Limaburg Road in Hebron, had 1,050 students 10 years ago. Blevins said that, when the new school year begins in August, he expects to eclipse the 1,700-student mark. There have been three building expansions since Blevins arrived at Conner in 1980. He's been principal since 1996. The school has to use the trailers to make do. "They're a pain," Blevins said from his office at the end of a recent school day.

"Really," he said, "with all the school safety issues, I'm concerned about kids walking across the parking lot."

Blavatt worries about what students are carrying in their oversized winter coats. Blevins worries about how easy it would be for someone to "mingle in with the students" while they're going back and forth.

For comparison, another of the largest school districts in Northern Kentucky, Campbell County, has just two portable classrooms at Highland Heights. They will be eliminated when a new elementary school, Crossroads, opens in August in Cold Spring. Back at Conner, the classroom in which Shirden is taking Spanish II has its downsides. It's air-conditioned with window units. One window screen is ripped. Whenever a student needs to use the restroom, it involves going out.

It's functional, though. Desks are in orderly rows. Maps of Argentina and Mexico grace the walls. The dry-erase board is covered with words in Spanish. Special-education teacher Greg Wingate, who teaches in the other half of that trailer, says the one upside is that students aren't distracted by hallway noise. The more glaring downside is equally inescapable, though. "You have to go outside to go inside."

This situation is horrific. The Governor is “looking into it.”

Governor Fletcher’s response is unacceptable.

Governing is leadership. Governing is prioritizing. Education is critical. A Governor spouting platitudes is useless.

Upon being informed of Conner High School, Governor Fletcher should have acted. He should have committed funds. He should have announced Conner was a priority. However, he said nothing.

Governor Fletcher’s inaction is deplorable. He should be ashamed.

Anatomy of A Calamity

Everyone believes the vast McConnell wing conspiracy.

With that stated, Sabato’s analysis is correct. The persecution of Governor Fletcher is imagined. His intentions were pure. However, his hiring was illegal. Subsequent attacks were not partisan. They were a response to Fletcher’s incompetence.

Northup’s candidacy is ridiculous. Her lone talking point is “Fletcher cant win.” Supposedly, she is a product of Senator Mitch McConnell. Reality states she is a Congressional loser from a Republican district.

Neither should win this election. Given the nomination, neither will win.

By Larry Sabato, published on RealClearPolitics.com. 2 paragraphs of many on the 3 2007 Governor races:

In Kentucky the only question is who is not running for Governor. The genesis of the large field is the deep trouble in which freshman GOP Governor Ernie Fletcher finds himself. Fletcher has been enormously weakened by a prolonged legal and political battle over his patronage hirings. No doubt, the pressure was great in 2003 to hire GOP office-seekers since Fletcher is the first Bluegrass State Republican Governor since Louie Nunn left office in 1971, but his handling of the matter has nearly destroyed his Governorship.

GOP stalwarts insist it is all partisan, a product of the ambitions of Democratic Attorney General Greg Stumbo (now running for lieutenant governor on a ticket in his party's primary). Whatever the truth of that, some of the revelations have been highly embarrassing to Fletcher, and his job approval and re-elect numbers are languishing in the 30s. Almost all Democrats and many key Republicans do not believe that he can be reelected in November.

Enter the Svengali of Kentucky GOP politics, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, who is not about to sit idly and watch the Republican house he has built since 1984 crumble. The Senate Minority Leader also comes up for reelection himself in 2008, and he doesn't want a Democratic Governor recruiting a strong candidate against him. Behind the scenes, McConnell and his allies have promised support to former Congresswoman Anne Northup, who was persuaded to run despite last November's defeat for reelection.

Northup had represented the Democratic Louisville area for ten years, managing to win close victories in a hostile environment until she was finally washed away in the Democratic wave of '06. Northup has already tied Fletcher in at least one survey conducted for her campaign, never a good sign for an incumbent. If her campaign is well run and generously financed, she has a decent chance to win in the May 22nd primary--though we note that Fletcher has started to effectively use the powers of incumbency in an attempt to hold on. He still has a mountain to climb.

Multimillionaire businessman Billy Harper, who led Fletcher's fundraising efforts in 2003, has also filed to challenge the Governor in the GOP primary. His main threat appears to be in forcing a costly runoff, which will occur if no candidate secures at least 40 percent in May--unless the legislature abolishes the run-off, which is a live possibility.

BGRS, Keeling Slam Governor

From Blue Grass, Red State:

Here's the part about Fletcher:

FLETCHER LOOKS WEAK IN PUSHING TO SPEND 'SURPLUS'

Gov. Ernie Fletcher's proposal to spend $200 milllion of a bogus $401 million "surplus" on a variety of initiatives was an all too obvious re-election campaign ploy. And his plan to blame lawmakers for denying Kentuckians these initiatives when they exercise the fiscal restraint he seems incapable of doing is another obvious ploy. But as usual with our Boy Governor and the worthy successors to his original Kiddie Korps, they were a bit shy on anticipating all the possible consequences of their plan. BG and his aides knew legislative leaders were not inclined to open up the budget for wholesale revisions in a non-budget year, particularly when the structural imbalance in the budget greatly exceeds the bogus "surplus."

But he went ahead with his fiscally foolish proposals anyway, thinking it put him in a win-win situation of taking credit if he got what he wanted or blaming lawmakers if his initiatives failed. But there was a third option he obviously didn't consider. A governor who makes all sorts of promises to the public that he can't get the legislature to go along with just looks weak. A weak governor who fires off angry letters and goes into rants at legislative receptions in response to the House exercising some fiscal prudence on the "Boni Bill" looks both weak and whiny. Those are two traits BG has down pat, but why would Kentucky voters want to re-elect a weak and whiny governor?

I'm glad Keeling is just crazy enough to put this out there. All the sensible Democrats are trying to support Fletcher so they can win in the November general.

Sarcasm duly noted. However, Fletcher is vulnerable and the stated point is correct.

Fletcher is the Democratic choice. Given his nomination, they will win.

Anne Northup Has A Health Plan?

This response from http://polwatchers.typepad.com/pol_watchers/ to a question to candidates regarding the importance of health care to Kentuckians: ANNE NORTHUP:

1. A healthier and better educated workforce is vital to individual success and the collective productiveness to make Kentucky competitive in the emergent world economy.

2. There are things Kentucky can do to provide more access to health care without adopting the single-pay system. Many European countries are moving away from the single-payer system in order to provide access to better health care. Tuition rates are too high and we must find ways to stop the upward spiral and, if possible, achieve reductions.

3. Government must provide adequate access to health care and insure its quality including preventative care and information to help individuals make healthier life choices. But personal responsibility must be an equal and vital component of making that system successful. ... We need creative efforts to make sure affordable health insurance choices are available so that low income workers who have access to private insurance have the help they need … . Keeping tuition rates affordable for more Kentuckians will take partnership between the higher education community and the state.

The higher education communities must contain costs and address the inefficiencies in their system ... . The state must make tuition assistance a priority for qualified Kentucky students who deserve and need financial help.

Anne Northup proposing policy? Incredible!

She has talking points? I am stunned. I was told the lone phrase at the campaign’s daily yell practice was “Fletcher can’t win. Fletcher can’t win. Fletcher can’t win.”

Pol Watchers Recognizes Steele’s Kentucky

Blogging the Bluegrass

A WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF KENTUCKY POLITICAL BLOG POSTS

Steele's Kentucky (David Steele) says Gov. Ernie Fletcher's approach to economic development is like "standing on the beach, bailing out the ocean with a teaspoon."

Conservative Edge Online Debate

We sent four questions to each of the three Republican Candidates for Governor. They were not the same four questions, but similar and customized slightly based on each candidates established rhetoric. Now we bring those answers - unfiltered - directly to you. Feel free to post your comments and thoughts as these three candidates give us thier vision for Kentucky's future.

We do ask that you keep the debate civil, and regardless of whether you agree or disagree with any of these three leaders, that you remember that they have taken upon themselves the responsibility to offer to Kentucky their own vision of tomorrow. Being a candidate is a tough job and we appreciate the step toward public service that these two men and one woman are making. We also thank them for taking the time out of their busy campaign schedules to answer these questions. Feel free to comment, but keep it on the issues and debate away.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher

What direction/vision will you establish for the Commonwealth in asecond term?

I intend to continue the progress that the commonwealth has seen in the first term of my administration. My administration has created a culture of life that provides further protection of all children, born and unborn. We confronted a $1 billion deficit and generated an over $700 million surplus through efficient management. We have reduced the number of state workers by over 2,000 through attrition only.

We have dedicated the surplus to building the rainy day fund to its highest level in the history of the commonwealth, sound fiscal management that has been recognized by Wall Street, allowing the state to refinance bonds and generate additional funds to fund state needs. We have cut personal and corporate income taxes. When I came to office the state was in a financial crisis. Education funding had flatlined for the last ten years because a substantial portion of every new dollar generated had to be dedicated to the skyrocketing costs of Medicaid. We have cleaned up this mess by reforming Medicaid, cutting taxes and running government efficiently, and now have the state in a position to build for the future.

There is work to be done to make higher education affordable for Kentuckians and continue to move healthcare in the state to a more transparent and market-based system, which I mentioned in the State of the Commonwealth and will discuss in the coming months.

How can we improve our education system? Are there ways that you plan to make higher education a priority and easier to attain for young people?

Education is a priority of the Fletcher administration. Unlike many politicians that make this claim, we've put our money where our mouth is. Thanks to the more stable financial foundation we have created, we have been able to provide record funding to education.

P-12 education funding is receiving record increases after a decade of flat funding. This revenue has not just gone blindly into the system, but to establish better tools of accountability. We have invested in the technology necessary to create a statewide system of longitudinal tracking, so we track in real time student performance, available on the web, and identify a student that needs intervention before it's too late. I have advocated directing enhanced compensation to teachers that volunteer to teach subjects of critical need or at low-performing schools, and will continue my efforts to make Kentucky a place where good teachers want to work.

Postsecondary education base funding has seen a 20% average annual increase during this administration compared to the previous eight years. Post secondary education capital funding has received a 120% average annual increase over the previous eight years, while maintaining a responsible debt level for the state, below 6% of revenues. Despite these funding increases, tuition continues to rise. In my State of the Commonwealth speech, I called for the creation of a Kentucky Covenant, a pact with Kentucky students that if they work hard, earn good grades and take rigorous courses, that we will guarantee an affordable college education in this state regardless of financial means. Using part of the reserve of the surplus, we can build a program to accomplish this goal.

Will you support an amendment to expand gambling in Kentucky?

As I have consistently stated in the past, I will not advocate an amendment to expand casino gambling. Should the legislature choose to offer the issue to the voters, I would support allowing the voters to decide this issue. I would not vote for the amendment. Further, I do not believe it would have a significant positive economic impact on our state.

Are you open to repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax?

We cut income taxes for 78% of working Kentuckians. We cut the corporate income tax from 8.25% to 6%. We repealed the corporate licensing tax which is a tax on investment. In 2006, we reduced the AMT by $45 million. We are always looking for ways to lower taxes further.

Congresswoman Anne Northup

What is your overall vision for Kentucky’s future?

Our vision is a state government committed to honesty, an administration that does not inflate numbers and facts to cover up the truth. We believe in a state government that tackles the most serious problems, lays out a plan, considers the public’s support, and reaches consensus. Instead of spending our days in office touring the state, and paving new blacktop, Jeff and I want to solve the problems affecting Kentucky. We believe there is a better way to educate our children—because our schools lag behind. We believe there is a better way to bring health care costs down—because costs are out of control. We believe our tax burden is too high—because the current administration has imposed the AMC.

Why should Kentuckians elect Ann Northup?

I can win in May and I can win in November, while Ernie Fletcher cannot. After strong consideration and encouragement from fellow Republicans, I decided to enter the race for Governor of Kentucky. The Republican Party deserves a nominee who will be able to spend the general election talking about the needs of our education system, not raising money for a secretive legal defense fund. The Republican Party deserves a nominee who will be able to address a real solution to the skyrocketing health insurance rates not defending investigations. The Republican Party needs a nominee and Kentucky needs a Governor who can focus the attention of the entire state on our pressing needs, not divert attention from a government besieged by scandal.

What will be your stance on expanded gambling?

Having voted against the lottery, I have said it would be a tough sell for me personally-- but this is an issue for the legislature.

Do you think that Kentucky’s tax system needs further overhaul? (Specifically the AMT, what would you do with it and how can we restructure the tax system to encourage more job creation in Kentucky?)

I have vocally announced my support of House Bill 88 sponsored by my running mate Jeff Hoover. The AMT has provided a disincentive for small business growth and has shrunk entrepreneurial spirit in this state. The role of state government is to spur economic growth and not tax small business only to use the additional revenue to spend on pet projects, no matter how worthy they may seem. The money belongs in the pockets of the people that earn it, not the government.

Businessman Billy Harper

During your campaign you have made it clear that you would eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax – how will that affect the projected surplus for Kentucky’s budget and how would you propose allocating that surplus?

Short term, the Alternative Minimum Tax will bring in less money to a government which is already spending too much. Long term, the repeal of the tax will help create more economic activity in Kentucky, which in turn will generate far more money through additional business taxes and personal income taxes from workers who now have better jobs. I would allocate the surplus only to projects that are vital to Kentucky’s future. Most important will be education and improving the state’s economy. If the program is not vital then the money should be where it belongs – with the hard working taxpayer.

Why is Kentucky’s education system struggling?

It’s not that Kentucky’s education system is so poor as much as its improvements are not happening fast enough. There have been some improvements. But anyone who has read the book "Good to Great" knows that Kentucky is a good state that needs to become a great one. It is no longer acceptable for our state to settle for mediocrity. It’s now time we educate our workforce and create better jobs to keep Kentucky moving forward.

Would you support an amendment to allow expanded gambling?

No. I will veto any legislation and campaign against a constitutional amendment to expand gambling in Kentucky. As a businessman, I can tell you that using gambling to fund our state’s future is like building an economy on quicksand, and I just won’t do it.

What quality do you bring that no other candidate has in this race and how will that quality make Kentucky a better place in four years?

I’m not a politician. I’m a businessman. We have tried the same old thing year after year, and Kentucky has made only small improvements. It’s time we start to think big in Kentucky. It’s time we do things differently. Politics as usual just won’t work anymore I’m the only candidate in this race who has created jobs and met multi-million dollar payrolls right here in Kentucky. I’m the only candidate with decades of hands-on management experience. And I’m the only candidate who has led the fight for education reform. The others in this race have only talked about these things.

Right Sentiment, Wrong Support

This editorial is correct. Supporting Ford is imperative. However, Governor Fletcher’s Fordfare is unnecessary. Simply cease taxing unprofitable businesses.

From the Louisville Courier-Journal:

State support for Ford Motor Co. and its Louisville operations continues to move through the General Assembly, with only the occasional whine from a rural legislator who thinks House Bill 536 is just more evidence that the "big city gets everything it wants."

It doesn't. In fact, Jefferson County sends a lot more money to Frankfort than it gets back. And that's as it should be. One of the reasons to have a state government is to help move resources from areas that produce a lot to those that need a lot. This is part of the social and political compact that holds Kentucky together.

On the other hand, when the state's largest city and biggest revenue creator has a real need -- full funding for an urban research university that's crucial to Louisville's economic future; a state school funding formula that doesn't hugely penalize Jefferson County Public Schools; a fair deal on road money; an occasional signature project like the downtown arena -- then state government would be both wise and fair to do something about it. One major need right now is to assure Ford that we're willing to invest in a future for that company, here in Louisville.

Since the first local assembly plant was established in 1913, Ford's presence has survived endless change in the auto industry, and within the company itself: the transition from Model T to Model A, the conversion of assembly lines to wartime use in 1918-19 and 1942-45, successive moves to bigger plant locations, addition of truck assembly, changeover from LTDs to Rangers and Bronco IIs and Explorers.

Ford's presence in Louisville has survived disasters and disappointments, both natural and corporate, like the 1937 flood and the Edsel. It will survive the STAR air toxics reduction program that is necessary to protect local citizens' health.. The point is to preserve Ford's presence, and the enormous employment and tax base it creates. That's what HB 536 is all about. Under its provisions, Kentucky's taxpayers could pick up 75 percent of the tab if Ford spends at least $200 million to improve its Louisville facilities. Those tax-credit incentives could be offered to any existing employer in the state, but the immediate goal is to make sure nearly 8,000 Ford jobs at the two Jefferson County plants stay put.

Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, recently told The Associated Press, "It concerns me that too many people downplay the importance of the homegrown auto industry."

Not here they don't.

Brett Hall Compliments Harper, Questions Fletcher & Northup

Republicans and Democrats these days find themselves engaged in contentious primaries, up and down the ballot.

Before things get out of hand, best advice both parties can follow is to get a grip and think long and hard before going nuclear.

Democrat state party leader Jerry Lundergan got all seven of his party’s gubernatorial campaigns to sign the equivalent of a Ronald Reagan 11th Commandment. Nice work.

Time will tell if it works, but at least everyone’s on notice that they understand the consequences of their actions, IF they do choose to load their guns with live ammo.

On the GOP side, Anne Northup is trying to find 50 ways to say “Ernie can’t win.” The ex-congresswoman from Louisville got a tepid response from party faithful at last week's Franklin County Lincoln Day Dinner as she delivered this message.

Meanwhile, the incumbent governor travels the Great Commonwealth announcing highway projects and cutting ribbons on new projects with the energy of a happy warrior. Fletcher’s apparent strategy is to good naturedly confront his opponents with his record of accomplishment and a challenge for them to propose something better.

Only Billy Harper has stepped forward to offer something, a plan to improve public schools by spending more money with corresponding accountability on the part of educators. Revolutionary? Maybe not, but Harper has his sincerity going for him. Something voters tend to favor over glibness and in-your-face posturing.

The Fourth Horseman?

From Lexington Herald-Leader:

President Bush will visit Kentucky early next month to attend an event raising money for Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell’s re-election campaign, the White House said Friday. The March 2 event at a downtown hotel also will benefit the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Democrats seized control of the Senate by the slimmest of margins after last year’s election, preventing McConnell from becoming Senate majority leader. McConnell, the Senate minority leader, has been an unwavering Bush supporter on the Iraq war and the president’s domestic policies. McConnell has said he’ll seek a fifth term next year. No Democrat has announced plans to challenge him.

McConnell has been the chief architect of the Republican rise to power in Kentucky in recent years. Republicans hold both of Kentucky’s U.S. Senate seats, four of the six U.S. House seats, the governorship and control the state Senate. A recent Bluegrass Poll published in The Courier-Journal of Louisville showed that about half of Kentuckians think McConnell should oppose a plan to send more American troops to Iraq. Bush easily carried Kentucky in winning the White House in 2000 and 2004.

President Bush supports McConnell. Does President Bush support Northup?

Is President Bush part of the Vast McConnell Wing conspiracy?

Fletcher’s Fund… Another Rock In His Ethical Gray Canyon?

Kentucky Pachyderm labeled this article “Fletcher media bias.” Are they kidding?

This is a relevant voter’s subject. Governor Fletcher is ethically challenged. He could be exchanging future favors for defense fund contributions. The public is entitled to know.

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

In addition to raising money for his re-election bid, Gov. Ernie Fletcher is on a fund-raising drive to help pay his legal bills that remain from the 16-month state hiring investigation.

But any money he raises for the "Governor's Legal Defense Fund" this year won't have to be disclosed to the public until the spring of 2008 -- long after he is either re-elected or defeated. Lt. Gov. Steve Pence said that was too long to wait in an election year. "I think the governor would probably be best served by making a full disclosure, especially during the campaign year," said Pence, who got elected with Fletcher but whose relationship with the governor has grown chilly over the past year.

Bill Stone, president of Louisville Plate Glass and an ardent Fletcher supporter, said he intended to contribute to Fletcher's legal defense fund but has not yet decided how much. He added that he hoped "the hundreds and thousands of Kentuckians, who believe like I do, that when you go into public offices we don't expect you to give up everything," decide to contribute as well. Fletcher and dozens of other administration officials incurred legal costs during the investigation into state hiring practices. A special grand jury indicted 15 former or current officials, including the governor.

Stone said Attorney General Greg Stumbo -- a Democrat who is running for lieutenant governor with Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford -- forced Fletcher and his aides who appeared before the grand jury to have to pay high legal bills. "As a general philosophical matter, whether it's those kids who were subpoenaed by Stumbo ... or whether it's the governor who exposed his entire net worth to a political witch hunt, I see nothing wrong with it," Stone said, of the fund.

Fletcher earns a salary of $116,520. In addition, Fletcher said last year he had made a real estate investment in Florida of between $160,000 and $170,000, using the proceeds from the sale of his home and a rental property. R. Kent Westberry, one of Fletcher's personal attorneys, declined to discuss Fletcher's legal bills. Stone also was among several Republicans who tried to set up a legal defense fund in 2005 for some of Fletcher's aides.

That account received so few donations after Fletcher pardoned everyone in his administration on Aug. 29, 2005, that the fund was disbanded and the contributions were returned, Stone said yesterday. Fletcher did not pardon himself but agreed to a deal with Stumbo last August that ended the investigation. The governor's general counsel, Jim Deckard, issued a statement last night saying Fletcher would adhere to the law with the fund. "Disclosure of any gifts to the governor, including those made to defer legal expenses, will be disclosed pursuant to each and every legal requirement," Deckard said.

Showing donors

Such a fund would be loosely watched by the Executive Branch Ethics Commission, which has released several advisory opinions on the issue over the past two years. In August, the commission gave Fletcher permission to accept donations for a defense trust as long he didn't take checks from companies or individuals who have business with the state -- specifically not those "with which the governor has had or will have direct involvement or participation in such issues."

An earlier opinion from Sept. 2, 2005, said any executive branch official who receives money from such a defense trust must "disclose the source of the gift, including the source's name and address" on an annual financial disclosure report. Those reports -- which are due to the ethics commission by Feb. 15 each year -- require officials to list gifts they received in the previous calendar year that are worth more than $200. Those reports are then released to the public by the end of April.

That would mean donations to the legal fund made in 2007 wouldn't show up on Fletcher's report until next spring. Stone said he didn't believe waiting until next year was too long. "I think he should disclose it in a timely manner, which is a year after it's done, just like any other gift," he said.

Seeking funds

Scott Bucher, owner of S&B Cattle in Lexington, said he has been approached to contribute to Fletcher's legal fund but couldn't remember whether he has written a check yet. He said he also couldn't recall who asked him to give -- whether it was Fletcher or Mira Ball, one of the governor's chief supporters who has been working with the defense fund.

"I know the Balls fairly well. And I know the governor on a personal basis," Bucher said.He said it was a cause he could support.

"I think he was mistreated and abused, and I think he is a good governor," said Bucher, a co-owner of Blue Grass Stockyards. "I will help him and do anything as long as it's legal."

Ball did not return a call to her office. A woman answering the phone at her home said she was "on holiday." The August ethics commission opinion gave Fletcher the go-ahead to allow the chairperson or trustee of a defense fund to be "an individual who serves on a board or commission affiliated with state government" as long as that person doesn't have another conflict, such as serving as a government lobbyist. Fletcher has appointed Ball to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees as well as the state Historic Properties Advisory Commission.