Ernie Fletcher
60th Governor of Kentucky
In office December 9, 2003 – December 11, 2007
Lieutenant	Steve Pence
Preceded by	Paul E. Patton
Succeeded by	Steve Beshear
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 6th district
In office January 3, 1999 – December 8, 2003
Preceded by	Scotty Baesler
Succeeded by	Ben Chandler
Born	November 12, 1952 (1952-11-12) (age 55) Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Glenna Foster
Profession	Physician
Religion	Baptist

Ernest Lee Fletcher (born November 12, 1952) is a Republican politician from Kentucky. The Governor of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of the U Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 359 - Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, takes office Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The office of lieutenant governor of Kentucky has existed under the last three of Kentucky's four constitutions beginning in 1797 Stephen B Pence (born in Louisville Kentucky on December 22, 1953) is a former Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Paul E Patton (born May 26, 1937) served as Democratic Governor of Kentucky from 1995 to 2003 Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear (born September 21, 1944) is an American politician of the Democratic Party, and the 61st and The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. The Commonwealth of Kentucky ( is a state located in the East Central United States of America. United States House of Representatives Kentucky District 6 is a district of the United States Congress in central Kentucky. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Henry Scott Baesler (born July 9, 1941 in Lexington Kentucky) is a Democratic politician and former Representative from Albert Benjamin "Ben" Chandler III (born September 12 1959) is an American politician from Kentucky. Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Mount Sterling is a city in Montgomery County, Kentucky, United States. A physician, medical practitioner or medical doctor who practices Medicine, and is concerned with maintaining or restoring human Health Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He served as governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 2003-07. The Commonwealth of Kentucky ( is a state located in the East Central United States of America. He previously served as U. S. Representative of Kentucky's 6th Congressional District and as a state representative from Lexington, Kentucky. United States House of Representatives Kentucky District 6 is a district of the United States Congress in central Kentucky. Lexington (officially Lexington-Fayette Urban County is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 68th largest in the United States.

Biography

Ernie Fletcher served as an Air Force fighter pilot, engineer, family doctor, lay minister, state legislator, and United States Congressman. He was born in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, was a longtime resident of Lexington, Kentucky and currently resides in Frankfort, Kentucky. Mount Sterling is a city in Montgomery County, Kentucky, United States. Lexington (officially Lexington-Fayette Urban County is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 68th largest in the United States. Frankfort is a city in the US commonwealth of Kentucky that serves as the state Capital and the County seat of Franklin County. He received his B. S. degree from the University of Kentucky College of Engineering in 1974 and later graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public, Co-educational, University, and is also the state's land-grant university located The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is a Medical school found in the University of Kentucky 's Chandler Medical Center in Lexington He was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at UK. Delta Tau Delta ( ΔΤΔ, DTD or " Delts " is a US -based international college fraternity.

Fletcher’s career began in the United States Air Force, where he served as an F-4E Aircraft Commander and NORAD Alert Force Commander.

Fletcher worked as a family practice physician in Lexington for 12 years, including two years as CEO of the Saint Joseph Medical Foundation.

Fletcher’s legislative career began in 1995 as a State Representative for Kentucky’s 78th District, during which time he served on the Kentucky Commission on Poverty and the Task Force on Higher Education. The Commonwealth of Kentucky ( is a state located in the East Central United States of America.

After only one term, Fletcher ran for Congress in the Lexington-based 6th District. He was soundly defeated by incumbent Scotty Baesler, who painted him as an extremist. Henry Scott Baesler (born July 9, 1941 in Lexington Kentucky) is a Democratic politician and former Representative from

Two years later, however, Baesler gave up his seat to make an unsuccessful run for the United States Senate. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives Fletcher easily won the Republican nomination and won a narrow victory, largely due to a third-party candidate siphoning off support from the Democratic nominee. He soundly defeated Baesler in 2000 and faced only third-party opposition in 2002. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. In Congress, he served as a member of the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and was selected to chair the Policy Subcommittee on Health.

Fletcher is married to his high school sweetheart, Glenna Foster. Their daughter Rachael and her husband, Daniel, have four children: Callie, Hannah, Joshua and Mason. Their son Ben and his wife Kara live in Munich, Germany.

Throughout the month of February 2006, Fletcher was hospitalized for gallstones and complications from the removal of his gallbladder, including pancreatitis. In Medicine, gallstones (choleliths are Crystalline bodies formed within the body by accretion or concretion of normal or abnormal Bile component The gallbladder (or cholecyst sometimes gall bladder is a small organ whose function in the body is to store Bile and aid in the digestive process Pancreatitis is the Inflammation of the Pancreas. See also Acute pancreatitis and Chronic pancreatitis for more details He was readmitted on March 9, 2006 for what his doctors called a "life-threatening blood-clot". Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. The condition was serious enough that he transferred power to Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence before undergoing a procedure to dissolve the clot. A Lieutenant Governor is a high officer of state whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction Stephen B Pence (born in Louisville Kentucky on December 22, 1953) is a former Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky ^[1]

Candidacy and governorship

Fletcher defeated the Democratic Attorney General Ben Chandler 55-45 percent in the 2003 general election. Albert Benjamin "Ben" Chandler III (born September 12 1959) is an American politician from Kentucky. The 2003 Kentucky gubernatorial election took place on 4 November 2003 for the post of Governor of Kentucky. As Governor, he was a member of the National Governors Association, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Republican Governors Association. The National Governors Association (NGA is a primarily taxpayer-funded lobbying Organization of the Governors of the fifty U The Southern Governors' Association (SGA was founded in 1934, and is the oldest and historically the largest of the USA 's regional governors' associations The Republican Governors Association is a Washington DC -based organization founded in 1963 consisting of U

As Governor, Fletcher reorganized parts of state government, condensing the number of cabinets from fourteen to nine, and dissolved the former Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and instead created the new Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, which promotes and regulates Kentucky's signature industry. He has rolled back Medicaid requirements and unveiled a plan to "modernize" Medicaid and focus on improvements in care, benefit management and technology. Medicaid is the United States health program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes and resources Governor Fletcher unveiled "Get Healthy Kentucky!," an initiative to promote healthier lifestyles for Kentuckians. He has also supported the statewide community college system during his tenure. Headquartered in Versailles Kentucky, USA the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS comprises 16 colleges with over 65 campuses and other locations open or

On June 9, 2004, while en route to memorial services for former president Ronald Reagan, the governor's plane inadvertently caused a security scare. Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, died on June 5 2004 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for nearly a decade It caused the Capitol to be evacuated, because the transponder of the plane failed while in restricted airspace. In Telecommunication, the term transponder (short-for Trans mitter-res ponder and sometimes abbreviated to XPDR XPNDR TPDR or TP has the following meanings The security scare happened just moments before the plane with Reagan's body touched down at Andrews Air Force Base. Andrews Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States.

Fletcher had low approval ratings for much of his first year in office. Most controversy focused on increasing costs of health insurance for state employees.

However, during his second year in office, Fletcher achieved the passage of a comprehensive tax reform package. The passage of tax reform was one of Fletcher's key campaign pledges. By March 2005, Fletcher's approval rating reached 52 percent, according to a Louisville Courier-Journal poll; a Survey USA poll around the same time found his approval rating below 40 percent and lower than that of every other governor in the nation at the time save for two. The Courier-Journal, nicknamed the "C-J", is the main Newspaper for the city of Louisville Kentucky, USA

After Fletcher issued pardons to members of his administration for violations of state merit system laws in mid-2005 (see next section), polls indicated his approval rating had decreased even more. Fewer than 20 percent of respondents said that they planned to vote to re-elect Fletcher in 2007, and 73 percent disapproved of the pardons Fletcher issued for members of his administration. A Courier-Journal poll released in mid-September found Fletcher's approval rating at 38 percent, tying the low rating previously reached by his predecessor Paul E. Patton. Paul E Patton (born May 26, 1937) served as Democratic Governor of Kentucky from 1995 to 2003 ^[2] Another poll released by SurveyUSA in February 2006 found his approval rating at 35%, with 57% disapproving. SurveyUSA is a Polling firm in the United States. It conducts Market research for Corporations and interest groups but is best known for conducting

On September 12, 2007 Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo sued Fletcher for appointing too many Republicans to the governing bodies of state universities. Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Gregory D "Greg" Stumbo was the Democratic Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Kentucky State law requires "proportional representation of the two leading political parties" based on voter registration. A majority of registered voters in Kentucky are Democrats, but Fletcher has appointed seven Republicans and two Democrats to the University of Kentucky and eight Republicans and two Democrats to the University of Louisville. The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public, Co-educational, University, and is also the state's land-grant university located The University of Louisville (also known as U of L) is a public University in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. ^[3]

2007 Election

Main article: Kentucky gubernatorial election, 2007

Fletcher sought re-election in 2007. The Kentucky gubernatorial election 2007 was held on November 6, 2007. The Kentucky gubernatorial election 2007 was held on November 6, 2007. He faced former Congresswoman Anne Northup and multi-millionaire businessman Billy Harper in the Republican primary. Anne Meagher Northup (born January 22 1948 is an American Republican politician from the state of Kentucky.

Fletcher did not run with Steve Pence, his current lieutenant governor. In May 2006, Pence announced that he would not run for re-election on the same slate with Fletcher. In February 2007, Pence formally endorsed Northup over Fletcher in the 2007 Republican primary for governor. ^[4]

On May 22, 2007, Fletcher defeated Northup and Harper, and prepared to face Democratic former Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear in the November general election. Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear (born September 21, 1944) is an American politician of the Democratic Party, and the 61st and ^[5]

In the campaign, Fletcher attempted to attract voters' attention by making the negative aspects of casino gambling an issue in the election. Steve Beshear supports putting an expansion of gambling before the voters, while Fletcher, who in his first run for governor (and, for that matter, during the early part of his term as governor) refused to state his position on the issue, but now vociferously opposes it. It should be noted, however, that several casino operators and supporters backed Fletcher in his 2003 bid for the governor's office.

Fletcher trailed Beshear in polls after the primary, by large margins. The last SurveyUSA poll in the race (released October 10, 2007), which was conducted for WCPO-TV in Cincinnati and WHAS-TV in Louisville showed Beshear with a 56-40 percent lead, with 4% of those surveyed reported as "undecided. WCPO-TV, channel 9 is a broadcast television station in Cincinnati Ohio, USA, affiliated with the ABC network WHAS-TV, channel 11 is the ABC affiliated station in Louisville Kentucky. " The poll has a margin of error of 4. 2%. The final results closely mirrored this last poll, with Beshear receiving 619,654 votes (58. 7%) to Fletcher's 435,857 votes (41. 3%).

Merit system investigation

In May 2005, state Attorney General Greg Stumbo began an investigation of the Fletcher administration's practices within the state merit system in hiring, promoting, demoting and firing state employees based on political loyalties. In most Common law jurisdictions the Attorney General, or Attorney-General, is the main legal advisor to the government and in some jurisdictions may in addition Gregory D "Greg" Stumbo was the Democratic Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Kentucky The investigation was based on a 276-page complaint filed by Douglas W. Doerting, the assistant personnel director for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (also mistakenly known as the Kentucky Department of Transportation is Kentucky 's state-funded department charged with building and maintaining Stumbo's motivations have been questioned because of his potential interest in challenging Fletcher in the 2007 gubernatorial race. Fletcher and his defenders also claim that the investigation is politically motivated because previous administrations engaged in similar conduct.

In June, a circuit court judge unsealed a so-called "hit list" of employees appointed during previous administrations whose politically appointed positions were examined. Positions that were evaluated are expected to change with new administrations. ^[6]

On June 14, 2005, a special grand jury that was impaneled by the Attorney General in Franklin County handed down indictments of three Transportation Cabinet officials: Acting Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert, Deputy Secretary Jim Adams and administrative services commissioner Dan Druen. Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Franklin County is a County located in the US state of Kentucky. Bill Nighbert is a Republican government official in the US state of Kentucky. Jim Adams born (James Adams is an American Heavy metal guitarist Dan Druen was a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet official in the administration of Republican Governor of Kentucky Ernie Fletcher. ^[7] On July 7, 2005, more indictments were handed down including Fletcher's deputy chief of staff. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[8] On July 11, 2005, the grand jury struck closer to the Governor's mansion as three more indictments were handed down: against state Republican Party chairman Darrell Brock Jr., who was also the former commissioner of the Governor's Office for Local Development; Basil Turbyfill, the Governor's personnel adviser, and deputy personnel secretary; and Bob Wilson, deputy personnel secretary. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In April 2005 Darrell D Brock Jr received unanimous support from Kentucky's elected leaders including Senator's Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning as well as the Congressional Bob Wilson is the name of Bob Wilson (footballer (born 30 October 1941 in Chesterfield England a former goalkeeper for Arsenal and broadcaster

On August 29, 2005, Fletcher announced he had granted blanket criminal pardons to nine administration officials, including deputy chief of staff Richard Murgatroyd, who were or might have been indicted by the grand jury in this case (he did not pardon himself). Events 708 - Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese date: August 10, 708) Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On August 30, Fletcher invoked his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination before the grand jury and refused to testify.

On September 14, 2005, Fletcher fired^[9] nine employees, including four of the nine he pardoned two weeks earlier. Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[10] Fletcher called for the firing of state Republican Party chair Darrell Brock, Jr. due to Brock's role in the merit scandal. On September 17 GOP leaders voted to retain Brock as state party leader. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec

On October 24, 2005, Fletcher filed a motion asking Franklin Circuit Court Judge William Graham to order the grand jury to stop issuing indictments for offenses that occurred prior to Fletcher’s August 29 blanket pardon and to bar it from writing a final report on its findings. Events 69 - Second Battle of Bedriacum, forces under Antonius Primus the commander of the Danube armies loyal to Vespasian, defeat Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On November 16, Judge Graham denied Fletcher’s motion. The Kentucky Court of Appeals affirmed Graham. The Kentucky Court of Appeals is the lower of Kentucky 's two appellate courts under the Kentucky Supreme Court. On May 18, 2006 the Kentucky Supreme Court reversed the lower court decision in a 4-2 decision holding that the grand jury investigating state hiring practices by the Fletcher administration could not issue any more indictments for offenses covered by Fletcher's blanket pardon for offenses related to the hiring investigation. The Kentucky Supreme Court was created by a 1975 constitutional amendment and is the State supreme court of the U The court also rejected the attorney general's challenge to Fletcher's authority to issue such a blanket pardon. Fletcher's indictment and the indictments of two officials for offenses allegedly to have occurred after the pardons were not affected. The Court as constituted for that decision included a justice appointed by Fletcher as directed by the state constitution in instances in which more than one justice is recused. The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the document that governs the United States Commonwealth of Kentucky. The court also ruled that the grand jury could issue a general report of its findings from the yearlong investigation; a later Court of Appeals decision held that any such grand jury report could not name pardoned individuals.

On July 15, 2006, Judge David E. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Melcher dismissed the indictment against Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert, ruling that part of the alleged offense was covered by Fletcher's blanket pardon. The judge left open the option for prosecutors to seek a new indictment against Nighbert focusing solely on conduct not covered by the pardon. ^[11]

Indictment of Fletcher

On May 11, 2006, Fletcher was indicted by a grand jury for three misdemeanors; conspiracy, official misconduct and political discrimination. Events 330 - Byzantium is renamed ''Nova Roma'' during a dedication ceremony but is more popularly referred to as Constantinople Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. In the Common law legal system an indictment (ɪnˈdaɪtmənt (in-DITE-mint is a formal accusation of having committed a criminal offense In the Common law, a grand jury is a type of Jury which determines whether there is enough evidence for a trial. A misdemeanor, or misdemeanour, in many common law legal systems is a "lesser" criminal act All were related to the merit system investigation. The grand jury has returned a total of 29 indictments in the case — 14 of which remain sealed by the court. ^[12]

The charge of conspiracy states Fletcher "ordered, directed and otherwise approved the development and implementation" of what became known as the governor's personnel initiative. In the second indictment for official misconduct, Fletcher is accused along with other "co-conspirators" of ordering or approving "the appointment, promotion, demotion, transfer or dismissal" of rank-and-file state workers who are supposed to be judged on their qualifications, not political affiliations. The third count charges Fletcher with violating the prohibition against political discrimination because he "willfully ordered, directed or approved" the firing of Michael Duncan, an investigator in the Transportation Cabinet's Office of Inspector General. ^[13] Fletcher's personal attorney, R. Kent Westberry of Louisville, responded to the indictment by filing a motion in Franklin Circuit Court to have Greg Stumbo, his investigators and the prosecutors removed from the case. Gregory D "Greg" Stumbo was the Democratic Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Kentucky The filing claims that Stumbo, a political rival considering running for governor next year, should be disqualified from the proceedings. Responding to filing Fletcher said, "I think there is substantial conflict of interest there. " In August 2006 Stumbo, in conjunction with an appearance at the annual Fancy Farm picnic, stated that he was contemplating a campaign for governor in 2007, but by this time Stumbo himself had been removed from participation in the prosecution of Fletcher. Fletcher himself indicated that he has no plans to step down from office. ^[14]

Fletcher was arraigned on June 7, 2006 in Franklin District Court in Frankfort. Arraignment is a Common law term for the formal reading of a criminal Complaint, in the presence of the Defendant, to inform him/her of the charges Frankfort is a city in the US commonwealth of Kentucky that serves as the state Capital and the County seat of Franklin County. Fletcher, who did not appear in court as he was on vacation in Florida, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Executive immunity while in office

On August 11, 2006, Special Judge David E. Events 2492 BC - Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Melcher ruled Fletcher is protected by executive immunity and cannot be prosecuted while in office. This ruling essentially stayed the case until Fletcher was no longer Governor. ^[15]

Dismissal of criminal charges

On August 24, 2006, an agreement was reached between Fletcher and Attorney General Greg Stumbo. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar 's General Gaius Scribonius Curio is defeated in the Second Battle of the Bagradas River Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The agreement resulted in an agreed order dismissing the criminal charges against Fletcher. According to that agreed order, "The governor acknowledges that the evidence strongly indicates wrongdoing by his administration with regard to personnel actions within the merit system. Further, the governor hereby states that these actions were inappropriate and that he regrets their occurrence and accepts responsibility for them as head of the executive branch of state government. " Fletcher also acknowledged that Stumbo’s investigation and prosecution were "necessary and proper exercises of his constitutional duty. " The Office of the Attorney General, in turn, "recognizes and acknowledges that any action taken by the current administration with regard to the state’s classified system were without malice. " The agreement encourages former or current state employees who think they were affected by improper hirings to seek redress through the state Personnel Board. The deal calls for four members of the board who were appointed by Fletcher to resign immediately. The order allows Stumbo to recommend three names for each vacancy and requires Fletcher to choose the new Personnel Board members from those names submitted by Stumbo. Shortly after the agreement was reached and entered, Fletcher claimed he was exonerated, and Stumbo maintained that claim to be untrue. Stumbo was quoted at the Kentucky State Fair as saying it was "highly, highly unlikely that the governor would ever stand trial," indicating that he believed Fletcher would have pardoned himself before leaving office, a charge Fletcher has denied. The Kentucky State Fair is the State fair of Kentucky which takes place at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. While Stumbo acknowledged that the abuses of the merit system may have "stretched back before the Fletcher administration," he said he hopes the ultimate effect of this investigation will be a new respect for the existing state employee regulations. Stumbo also stated that the agreement dismissing the charges would not influence a grand jury report of its investigation of hiring practices in the Fletcher administration. ^[16][17][18]

Grand jury report

On November 16, 2006, the grand jury investigating the Fletcher administration's practices within the state merit system released its report. According to the grand jury, "The report details a widespread and coordinated plan to violate merit hiring laws. This investigation was not about a few people here and there who made some mistakes as Governor Ernie Fletcher has claimed. The Governor's Personnel Initiative was formulated at the highest level of state government and approved by Governor Fletcher. " The report continues by stating, "Entire cabinets and departments were tasked with carrying out various parts of this illegal plan. Senior administration officials were charged with the duty to give periodic reports regarding its status. Those who got in the way of the plan were fired or moved. The long range goal was to implement this plan in all of the Executive Cabinets, and the groundwork had been laid for that to happen. " Fletcher responded to the report by stating, "Given that the prosecutors have dropped all charges, the document reads more like a savvy litany of political sound bites rather than a legal document of purported evidence. " Fletcher added that the grand jury report's allegations are inconsistent with the August settlement between Fletcher and Stumbo that dismissed the three misdemeanor charges against the governor. In the settlement, Stumbo acknowledged that Fletcher's administration acted "without malice. " The grand jury report concluded by acknowledging that the blanket pardon issued by Fletcher, coupled with Fletcher taking the Fifth, made it "difficult to get to the bottom of the facts of this case. . . . As a result, [the grand jury was] in part forced to rely on documentary evidence to piece together the facts of the case. "^[19] Attorney General Greg Stumbo had previously stated that the public would probably never know the full details of Fletcher's involvement in meetings that prosecutors said were crucial in developing state hiring practices. ^[20]

Possible Justice Department referral

On November 28, 2006, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Attorney General Greg Stumbo was considering referring information uncovered during the grand jury's investigation of hiring practices to the U.S. Department of Justice. The Lexington Herald-Leader is a Newspaper owned by The McClatchy Company and based in the U For animal rights group see Justice Department (JD The United States Department of Justice ( DOJ) is a Cabinet department ^[21]

Views on teaching intelligent design and scientific creationism

In 2005 members of the Kentucky Academy of Science voted unanimously to oppose any attempt by legislative bodies to mandate specific content of science courses, and specifically to attempts to equate scientific creationism or intelligent design as scientific theories equal, or superior to, evolution. Creation science or scientific creationism is a movement within Creationism which attempts to use scientific means to disprove the accepted scientific theories on Intelligent ^[22]

In response, in a February 13, 2006 letter to the Kentucky Academy of Science, Fletcher, an outspoken intelligent design advocate,^[23][24] argues that evolution conflicts with the Declaration of Independence. Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

My educational background provided me with thorough understanding of science and the theory of evolution. Our nation, however, was founded on self-evident truths. Among these truths are inalienable rights 'endowed by their Creator. ' From my perspective, it is not a matter of faith, or religion, or theory. It is similar to basic self-evident objective truths that are the basis of knowledge. For example, 2 + 2 = 4. It disappoints and astounds me that the so-called intellectual elite are so concerned about accepting self-evident truths that nearly 90 percent of the population understands. ^[25]

Executive orders

In April 2006, Fletcher signed an executive order removing language from the state's affirmative action plan specifically protecting state workers based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Fletcher handed down his executive order on Kentucky's ninth annual "Diversity Day," reversing an order signed by former Governor Paul Patton two years earlier that protected state employees from bias including their sexual orientations or gender identities. ^[26]

University of the Cumberlands pharmacy school

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance and the Kentucky Equality Federation asked Governor Ernie Fletcher to veto $11 million that state lawmakers approved for a planned pharmacy school at the University of the Cumberlands. The Kentucky Fairness Alliance (KFA is an American Gay rights organization formed in 1993 and based in Kentucky. Kentucky Equality Federation is an umbrella gay lesbian bisexual and transgender civil rights organization in the Commonwealth of Kentucky consisting of Federation for Kentucky This institution is unrelated other than by similarity of name to Cumberland University in Lebanon Tennessee or Cumberland School of Law in ^[27] The Kentucky state budget, passed by the 2006 Kentucky legislature, includes $10 million of state debt to construct a pharmacy building on the school's Whitley County campus. Pharmacy (from the Greek φάρμακον 'pharmakon' = drug is the Health profession that links the Health sciences with the chemical sciences Additionally, one million dollars for scholarships for the pharmacy program are included. The $10 million building is to be funded out of a $100 million pool of money titled the "infrastructure for economic development fund for coal-producing counties. " Money to repay the bond issuance would come from coal severance taxes. Ecotax, short for Ecological taxation, can refer to A policy that introduces taxes intended to promote ecologically sustainable activities via economic incentives On April 21, 2006, Brett Hall, the governor's director of communications reported that "Fletcher's office has received 421 calls and e-mails urging him to veto, compared to 115 who want it kept in the state budget. Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. "^[28]

On April 24, 2006 Governor Fletcher made a special television address announcing his budget cuts, which did not include the University of the Cumberlands. In response, members of the Kentucky Equality Federation protested outside the Governor’s Mansion on May 06, 2006 during the Governor’s Annual Derby Breakfast Celebration. Kentucky Equality Federation is an umbrella gay lesbian bisexual and transgender civil rights organization in the Commonwealth of Kentucky consisting of Federation for Kentucky

Electoral history

See also

• BluegrassReport.org — Democratic Party-oriented political blog notable for its heavy criticism of Fletcher

References

External links

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• National Governors Association — Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher biography
• Follow the Money — Ernie Fletcher & Stephen B Pence 2006 campaign contributions
• Fletcher & Rudolph official campaign site
• Kentucky Equality Association