|
Published: April 18, 2008 07:17 am
Public isn't happy with things in Frankfort
Many blame both leaders of both parties and branches
By Ronnie Ellis
CNHI News Service
FRANKFORT, Ky. —
After little more than four hours of sleep Wednesday morning following the midnight crash of this year’s General Assembly, my phone rang – at 6 a.m.
“Wake up! I want to know what happened up there last night!” said the exasperated Democrat. “Can’t you people up there do anything right?”
“Hey now, don’t blame me. I don’t have a vote – I just write about it.”
“Well, you know what’s going to happen now, don’t you?” he continued. “Beshear and Richards and Williams will blame each other. And you know what? They’re ALL right! They better wake up. People are getting tired of this crap!”
It was a one-way conversation. He talked – at least when he wasn’t yelling. I listened. Turns out he was right on target about the finger-pointing between Gov. Steve Beshear, House Speaker Jody Richards, and Senate President David Williams.
My friend isn’t happy, and neither are a number of others with whom I’ve talked, Democrats and Republicans. But what struck me was their equal disdain for Beshear, Richards, and Williams – and both parties. Democrats are frustrated with their governor and the Democrats in the House. Republicans are too, but some of them are also annoyed with Williams and the Republican Senate. And it’s not just people out in the state. Several rank and file lawmakers of both parties are grousing about their leaders and their inability to work together.
They all have the same questions about Beshear they had about his predecessor, Ernie Fletcher.
“Who’s advising him? Can’t they do anything right? What’s the plan? IS there a plan?”
A lot of them see Richards as feckless, unable to manage the fractious House and its leadership. Democrats especially – but surprisingly some Republicans too – see Williams as obstructionist and arrogant, more interested in thwarting Beshear and prevailing in negotiations with the House than in dealing with Kentucky’s problems. A few Republicans worry out loud that a public perception of Williams as arrogant creates a negative image for their party and its candidates.
By the end of the week, I realized the fellow who woke me Wednesday was right. Outside of Frankfort, out there in the “real world,” the mood seems to be a pox on all their houses. Folks are fed up and they want things to change.
But my sense is that the top dogs in Frankfort don’t realize it. One of Beshear’s staff blew off my questions about public disaffection with the new governor, saying Beshear is greeted warmly by crowds at appearances out in the state. Richards blew it off, too, saying the session was a success – although not as successful as he wished – because it passed a budget and avoided a government shut down. Williams at first evaded the question but then said if the public mood is sour it’s because of the negative stories reporters write, focusing on controversy rather than accomplishment.
But it’s hard for their critics to discern much accomplishment. Yes, they passed a budget – but it cuts education, services for the vulnerable, and they had to buy lawmakers’ votes with projects. There were no fixes for major issues such as pension reform, ethics, and the costs of jails and prisons. They couldn’t even complete the work on which they’d agreed. The clock ran out on them.
It sounds as if people’s patience might just be running out too.
Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com.
• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
MEDICAL ASSISTANT OR LPN FOR BUSY MEDICAL FAMILY PRACTICE.
Minimum 1 year experience. Send resume to P.O. Box 176, Edmonton, KY 42129. No phone calls....>MORE
TEMP TO PERM INDUSTRIAL JOB OPENINGS IN GLASGOW & HORSE CAVE
Most jobs require you to be able to pass drug screen, criminal background check and have high school diploma or GED. All...>MORE
OTR DRIVERS IT'S SPRING....
Are you missing your family? Call Core Trans LLC Today & Be Home EVERY WEEKEND!! $1,000 sign on BONUS! 2,500-3,000 miles...>MORE
LOCAL PHARMACY SEEKS RELIABLE, RESPONSIBLE
& customer friendly technicians. Experience preferable, not required. Contact Donna 270-651-5133.
...>MORE
OWNER/OPERATORS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!
CLD Class A. Good MVR. 2 years experience. Call Ken: 270-670-6977....>MORE
TURNER HOMES FOR CHILDREN
has two part-time openings for weekend staff. Sat. & Sun. 6am-2pm. Sat. & Sun. nights 10pm - 6pm. $9 per hour. Must have...>MORE
HOW HIRING - HARDEE'S ASST. MANAGER,
Glasgow, KY. Vacations, benefits, insurance, flex. scheduling. Mail resume or letter to 205 W. Cherry, Glasgow....>MORE
NOW HIRING OTR TRUCK DRIVERS
Paid practical miles, good home time & pd. vacation. Call Steven at 270-618-9708....>MORE
FULL-TIME ENTRY LEVEL MAINTENANCE WORKER
needed for East-West Trucking Company in Glasgow. Medical and dental insurance is available after 90 days. For more info...>MORE
WANTED, TRUCK DRIVERS, OWNER/OPERATOR
to haul logs. Be home every night. Competitive wages. 270-428-3644. Dickerson Lumber Co....>MORE
See all ads |
|
1988 F250 FORD TRUCK,
factory rebuilt, 200 engine, 5 speed, new clutch, pressure plate, twin exhaust & tires. $2,000.00. 1983 F150 200 engine....>MORE
1997 GMC 1500 4WD AUTO,
107K, gooseneck, cruise, PW, PDL, $6,000. 427-4314....>MORE
FOR RENT: TWO TRAILER LOTS.
Located at Hollow Rd. in Glasgow. Call 270-651-6786....>MORE
'07 FORD MUSTANG, RED, 2 DR
CP, V-6, 5 speed, auto, cloth, 14K, garage kept, asking $16,000. 270-678-6971....>MORE
LOOKING FOR A GREAT AUTO DEAL?.....
Looking to buy or sell?
Check here for the Premium Auto Section.
You can post an ad with unlimited text and ...>MORE
1996 CHEVY TRUCK, EXT. CAB,
road ready, extra good condition. Call 270-678-2568, leave name & number if no answer....>MORE
'01 HONDA ACCORD, WHITE, 4 CYL.,
2 door, loaded, 90,000 miles, 24/34 mgp. Great car for young driver. $10,500. 270-590-1733....>MORE
2007 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE MODEL,
beautiful blue exterior, 39,000 miles, good gas mileage! Call 270-427-5468....>MORE
2003 CHEVY UTILITY VAN, (SEATS AVAILABLE),
V-6, all power, runs great. $2,500. OBO. 270-786-1102....>MORE
2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING.
6 speed, 96 cu. in., gray, like brand new, 3,500 miles. $16,400. Call 270-579-2874.
...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2 BR, APT. $200 DEP. $450 MO. With electric
& water included. Stove & frig. furnished. Call 270-576-4209....>MORE
MOBILE HOME FOR SALE. 3 BR, 2 BA, DOUBLEWIDE
IN COUNTRY. Low down payment. Owner financing. Call Kevin. 270-646-7102 or 3270-678-2460.
...>MORE
FOR SALE BY OWNER.
Excellent neighborhood, great house, corner lot, full basement w/2 car garage. 270-784-6402 or 270-670-5151....>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA HOUSE, HARDWOOD FLOORS,
all appliances, garage, small pet w/approval. $495 mo. 270-670-9677.
...>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA HOME, SOUTH FORK RD.
$400 mo. + $400 dep. No pets. Call 270-651-2463....>MORE
TWO 1, 2, 3 BR, APARTMENTS,
appliances furnished, excellent location. Call 270-646-7349....>MORE
LARGE 2 BR, 1 BA NEWLY REMODELED, DUPLEX,
appliances furnished, W/D hookup. C/H/A. $460 mo. 270-651-3823....>MORE
LIBERTY SCHOOL APARTMENTS
307 S. Liberty St., Glasgow, KY. A Unique Senior Community for those 55 years and older. 1 bedroom units available. 1st ...>MORE
HOUSE & LOT - 501 COLUMBIA AVENUE
2 BR, 1 BA, 1 car garage, blacktop drive, porch across front of house, plenty of shade. $47,000. 678-4271....>MORE
MEDICAL OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE.
next to hospital. Call 270-646-7143....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Discuss this story
