6-day furlough for state workers; cut top staff salaries 10%
Talking about shrinking government is easy. Actually doing it requires courage and commitment. Faced with crushing shortfalls, we have balanced Kentucky's budget eight times in three years, slashing over a billion dollars in spending.
We have reduced
the executive branch to its smallest size in decades, including a reduction in the so-called non-merit work force by an additional $5 million, starting at the highest levels. In my own office, six of the most important jobs--including budget director and
chief of staff--are being performed by three people. Perks like take-home cars are a thing of the past. And when we made the tough decision to save $24 million by furloughing most state workers for 6 days, we included my entire staff. I'm taking the 6
days without pay myself, & I also voluntarily cut my own salary an additional 10%--as have my top staff and cabinet secretaries. My message to the people of the state is this: We are in this together. We will share your sacrifice because we work for you.
It is critical that trust and credibility be restored if we’re to accomplish anything else. That’s why I announced just last week a comprehensive ethics package that includes a Constitutional amendment to limit a Governor’s power to pardon. It reduces th
Governor’s influence in making appointments to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission and requires more disclosure of donations to a public official’s legal defense fund while banning lobbyists and those doing business with the State from contributing.
Source: Kentucky 2008 State of the State Address
, Jan 14, 2008
Campaign spending limits with reduced TV rates
Beshear supports the following principles concerning campaign finance reform:
Pass legislation that would encourage full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information.
Beshear adds, “Spending limits with reduced TV rates for complying candidates.”
Source: Congressional 1996 National Political Awareness Test
, Nov 1, 1996
