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Governor Ernie Fletcher

Prior to becoming Kentucky’s first republican governor in 32 years, Ernie Fletcher was an Air Force fighter pilot, family doctor, engineer, lay minister, state legislator, and U.S. congressman. He become Kentucky’s 60th governor in 2003. His term lasts until 2007; state law allows him to run for a second term.

Fletcher is originally from Montgomery County; he spent much of his life in Fayette County. Fletcher entered public life when he was elected to the Kentucky state legislature from the 78th district. In 1998 he was elected to the U.S. Congress. He left his seat in congress when he was elected governor.

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Related news topic: [2004 Regular Session]


Ernie Fletcher News Items

[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Bid Rigging Charges Revised
Posted: 12-Feb-2009 7:15AM CST

Indictments against former Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert and highway contractor Leonard Lawson have been revised. The indictments stem from payments Lawson allegedly made to Nighbert and Dept. of Highways District 7 Chief Engineer Jim Rummage in order to receive confidential information regarding open highway construction bids.

More information: Louisville Courier-Journal: Highway bid-rig charges revised; Rejected indictment has been rephrased (Feb. 12, 2009) [Outside Link], Associated Press: 2 charges dismissed in bid-rigging case (Feb. 11, 2009 [Outside Link], Associated Press: New indictment issued in bid-rigging case (Feb. 11, 2009) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Marcie Matthews Appointed State Highway Engineer
Posted: 5-Feb-2006 2:30AM CST

Gov. Ernie Fletcher recently appointed Marcie Matthews as the Transportation Cabinet’s State Highway Engineer: Press Release: Governor Ernie Fletcher Appoints New State Highway Engineer (Jan. 26, 2006) [Outside Link]

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[New Route]
Governor Fletcher Hand Delivers Checks for Berea Bypass
Posted: 5-Feb-2006 2:25AM CST

In a recent photo opportunity, Gov. Fletcher delivered checks to pays for the design and construction of a new bypass in Berea: Richmond Register: Berea road projects get $3.4 million from state (Nov. 22, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Fletcher May Suspend State’s Gas Tax
Posted: 3-Oct-2005 12:26AM CDT

Gov. Ernie Fletcher is considering suspending the state’s gas tax. Such a move would result in a huge loss of income to the state’s road fund.

More information: WAVE 3: Governor Fletcher Considers Suspending Gas Tax (Sept. 30, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[US 25E]
US 25E Becomes Daniel Boone-Cumberland Gap Wilderness Trail
Posted: 10-Sep-2005 9:43PM CDT

Gov. Fletcher recently signed documents naming US 25E from Corbin to Middlesboro the Daniel Boone-Cumberland Gap Wilderness Trail. Controversy arose in 2003 when outgoing Gov. Paul Patton (a Democrat) renamed the Daniel Boone Parkway in honor of sitting U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (a Republican).

More information: WKYT: Daniel Boone to get back on the road (Aug. 8, 2005) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Daniel Boone's name to go on Highway U.S. 25E (Aug. 9, 2005) [Outside Link], Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Communication Office: Governor Ernie Fletcher signs Executive Order naming southeastern Kentucky road after Daniel Boone (Aug. 9, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Kentucky's New License Plate]
Smiley Out; Bland In
Posted: 10-Sep-2005 9:36PM CDT

Kentucky’s oft-derided “Mr. Smiley” license plate is being replaced with a much blander plate featuring the “Unbridled Spirit” motto: Hopkinsville Kentucky New Era: Goodbye smiley face...; Fletcher frowns on state's happy plates (June 30, 2005) [Outside Link], (Covington) Kentucky Post: New state motto hitting stride (July 5, 2005) [Outside Link], WAVE 3: Unpopular License Plates Phased Out Early (July 26, 2005) [Outside Link], Ashland Daily-Independent: Governor unveils new 'Unbridled Spirit' plate (July 19, 2005) [Outside Link], Courier-Journal: 'Unbridled Spirit' plates are unveiled; 'Smiley' licenses ride into sunset (July 20, 2005) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Smiley plate exiled early; Governor cites tag's incorrect 'panache' (July 20, 2005) [Outside Link], Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Ernie Fletcher Unveils New Unbridled Spirit License Plate; Sun Sets On “Smiley Face” Plate (July 19, 2005) [Outside Link], Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Communication Office: Governor Ernie Fletcher unveils new Unbridled Spirit license plate (July 19, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Transportation Cabinet Hiring Inquiry
Posted: 1-Jul-2005 3:44AM CDT

On May 20, the state Personnel Board voted to conduct an investigation into hiring practices at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Lexington Herald-Leader: Personnel Board votes to investigate (May 21, 2005) [Outside Link]

Gov. Fletcher has denied having a personal role in hiring: Louisville Courier-Journal: Fletcher denies role in hirings (May 21, 2005) [Outside Link]

See also: Full coverage from the Louisville Courier-Journal [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
More on Alleged Violations of Hiring Practices
Posted: 20-May-2005 1:14AM CDT

Several news reports this week shed more light on the alleged violations of the state’s hiring merit system in the Transportation Cabinet under Gov. Fletcher. Douglas W. Doerting, assistant director of personnel in the cabinet, alleged in a formal complaint that the hiring decisions were made using an “illegal political patronage” system.

On Tuesday a search warrant was served on the Governor’s office.

A letter from the Federal Highway Administration detailing how the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet had failed to meet its Affirmative Action goals has also surfaced. It was reported that he U.S. government might freeze $600 million in Kentucky road projects because the Transportation Cabinet hired almost no minorities in 2004: of 317 merit employees hired during that time 97% were white; however, later reports claimed there was no immediate threat of the freezing of road funds.

More information:

A complete record of the Courier-Journal’s coverage of the hiring investigation can be found here: Courier-Journal: Merit System Investigation [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
More on State Vehicle Study
Posted: 20-May-2005 1:14AM CDT

[State Vehicle Inspection] 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has released a press release concerning the Governor’s state-owned vehicle inspection initiative: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Comprehensive State Vehicle Study Begins (May 16, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
State Government Vehicle Inspections to Take Place This Week
Posted: 16-May-2005 4:05AM CDT

State government vehicles will be inspected at various places across the state this week. This is part of Governor Ernie Fletcher’s comprehensive state vehicle study

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Transportation Cabinet Hiring Practices Probed
Posted: 16-May-2005 12:04AM CDT

The state is investigating allegations that hiring in the Transportation Cabinet has been based on political affiliations instead of qualifications: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: State road department hiring probed (May 15, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[KY 80]
Ground Broken on Next Phase of KY 80 Widening
Posted: 30-Apr-2005 5:55AM CDT

Ground was broken Wednesday on the next phase of the Western Kentucky KY 80 widening project. Gov. Ernie Fletcher and other officials broke ground for a section of the highway between the KY 121 Bypass in Mayfield and KY 1124: Murray Ledger & Times: Ground broken for Mayfield end of Ky. 80 road project (April 28, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[US 119]
US 119 Pine Mountain Celebration Planned for April 22
Posted: 4-Apr-2005 1:23AM CDT

[US 119 Pine Mountain]

Local, state, and federal officials will gather in Letcher County on April 22 to celebrate improvements to US 119’s crossing of Pine Mountain. The improvements include the widening of shoulders and the addition of passing lanes on the climb up the mountain.

The day’s events will include exhibits at the Pine Mountain Grill and a 11:00am ceremony at the new overlook on US 119.

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
“Unbridled Spirit” Welcomes Visitors
Posted: 1-Apr-2005 5:42AM CST

[Welcome to Kentucky]

According to a press release from Gov. Fletcher’s communications office, new welcome signs such as these are being installed near the state’s entries points. Eleven large signs will be installed along the state’s interstates and approximately 60 smaller signs will be installed along secondary roads. The large signs cost $40,000 to produce.

Photograph courtesy Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

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[I-66]
“Future I-66 Corridor”
Posted: 1-Apr-2005 5:19AM CST

[Future I-66 Corridor]

On Wednesday, March 23, 2005, Gov. Ernie Fletcher unveiled signs to mark the proposed corridor of I-66 through Southern Kentucky at events in Glasgow and Columbia. As of Friday, March 25, 2005 at least two of these signs had been installed along the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway: one along the parkway’s eastbound lanes at its western terminus and one along the westbound lanes at exit 11.

See also: Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway route marker and Future I-66 Corridor marker.

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Transportation Cabinet Secretary Resigns to Take New Post
Posted: 1-Apr-2005 3:51AM CST

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Maxwell Clay Bailey resigned Monday to become head of the Kentucky Department of Emergency Management. The retired Air Force general was appointed as head of the transportation cabinet by Gov. Ernie Fletcher in December 2003.

Bailey will be replaced by Bill Nighbert on an interim basis.

More information: Courier-Journal: Transportation secretary quits to take new post (March 22, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Opinions: For and Against Highway Bonds
Posted: 21-Feb-2005 4:43PM CST

The Courier-Journal has printed several letters both for and against the governor’s plan to sell $500 million in bonds to finance highway projects: Courier-Journal: Funding for highway construction and maintenance (Feb. 21, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Governor Releases Road Funds Early
Posted: 7-Feb-2005 2:14AM CST

In January, Gov. Fletcher announced the early release of $33 million in state road maintenance funds to city and county road agencies: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Fletcher announces early release of $33 million in County Road Aid and Municipal Road Aid funds; Money given out early to help local governments hit by snow storms, flooding (Jan. 26, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Former CSX Official Appointed as Transportation Cabinet Chief of Staff
Posted: 19-Jan-2005 2:49AM CST

Gov. Ernie Fletcher recently appointed former CSX Louisville Vice President Jim Adams as Chief of Staff at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor appoints Louisville businessman to new position in Transportation (Jan. 10, 2005) [Outside Link], Business First of Louisville: Former CSX official joins Transportation Cabinet (Jan. 11, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[I-24]
More Snow and Ice Information
Posted: 24-Dec-2004 1:47AM CST
Topics: Topic listing supressed. [33 topics related to this item]

Wrecks caused backups on I-71 and I-24 and summary of snow response statewide: Associated Press: Winter storm coats parts of Kentucky with snow, ice (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Winter Storm Coats Much Of Kentucky With Snow, Ice (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link]

Summary of snow response in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Kentucky and Ohio counties declare weather emergencies (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link], Cincinnati Enquirer: Now, time to dig out (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link]

Snow response in the Glasgow area: Glasgow Daily Times: Winter storm hits Kentucky (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link]

Motorists became stranded on part of the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway near Hopkinsville: (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: Storm paralyzes region (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link]

Gov. Fletcher has declared a state of emergency in the following counties and cities: McLean, Hancock, Livingston, Hopkins, City of Providence, City of Owensboro, City of Falmouth, City of Butler, Todd, Daviess, Crittenden, Carlisle, Shelby, Muhlenberg, Pendleton, Bullitt and Grayson: WAVE 3: Governor Ernie Fletcher's Office Declares State of Emergency (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link]

I-64 in Indiana remains closed between Evansville and the Illinois state line. The National Guard has been rescuing stranded motorists along the interstate: Associated Press: Guardsmen Rescuing Travelers Stranded On Southern Indiana Highway (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Stranded travelers recall cold night on snowbound highway (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Snow Storm Snarls Much Of Southern, Central Indiana (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link], Evansville Courier & Press: Indiana National Guardsmen rescue stranded motorists from Interstate 64 (Dec. 23, 2004) [Outside Link]

Current Conditions

Information regarding conditions on Kentucky’s highway can be obtained by calling 1-800-RDREPORT, by calling 511 from an in-state telephone, or by visiting ww.511.ky.gov [Outside Link].

Maps of roads that will be cleared by the state government can be found at: www.kytc.state.ky.us/maintenance/Snow_Ice.htm [Outside Link].

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Beverage Did Not Report Job with Contractor
Posted: 22-Dec-2004 9:06PM CST

Governor Fletcher’s new pick for State Highway Engineer, Sam Beverage, failed to report a month-long job for a contractor on a state job application: Cincinnati Enquirer: State official didn't list job with contractor (Dec. 21, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Fletcher appointee in Highway Dept. didn't list contractor job (Dec. 21, 2004) [Outside Link], Courier-Journal: Official didn't list job with contractor (Dec. 21, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
“Cleaning up State Government”
Posted: 22-Dec-2004 9:05PM CST

The Union County Advocate printed this editorial written by Transportation Cabinet Secretary Maxwell Clay Bailey: Union County Advocate: Cleaning Up State Government (Dec. 15, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Beverage Replaces Yowell as State Highway Engineer
Posted: 11-Dec-2004 12:21AM CST

Today, Gov. Ernie Fletcher appointed Sam Beverage, PE as State Highway Engineer. The State Highway Engineer works with the Commissioner of Highways to administer the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the more than 27,000 miles of state maintained roads in Kentucky. Beverage has previously served the transportation cabinet as Chief District Engineer for District 6, District 10, and District 11. Earlier this year, Gov. Fletcher appointed Beverage as Chief District Engineer for both Districts 10 and 11. Beverage also previously served as Commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Highways.

Beverage will replace J.M. “Mac” Yowell. Since becoming State Highway Engineer in 1992, Yowell has served under three governors: Jones, Patton, and Fletcher. At twelve years, he was the longest serving state highway engineer in the nation. Yowell will continue to serve the cabinet in the capacity of an executive advisor.

Among the transportation cabinet’s accomplishments during Yowell’s tenure was the completion of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel. Yowell was a driving force behind the completion of that project.

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Chief Highway Engineers Appointed in Nine Districts
Posted: 30-Jun-2004 1:07AM CDT
Topics: Topic listing supressed. [73 topics related to this item]

Gov. Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Bailey have appointed chief highway engineers for nine of the Division of Highways' twelve districts.

  • Edward “Ted” Merryman has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 1 and 2. Previously, Merryman was chief highway engineer for district 2. [more information [Outside Link]]
  • Greg Meredith has been reappointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 2. [more information [Outside Link]]
  • Gary M. Raymer, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 4. [more information [Outside Link]]
  • David Jones, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 6. [more information [Outside Link]]
  • Jim Rummage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 7. [more information [Outside Link]]
  • Katrina O. Bradley, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 9. [more information [Outside Link]]
  • Samuel H. Beverage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 10 and 11. [ more information [Outside Link]]

More information: WKYT: Gov. Fletcher Hires New Highway Engineers (June 29, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Fletcher appoints top highway engineers (June 30, 2004) [Outside Link], Hardin County News-Enterprise: Highway engineer appointed in E'town (June 30, 2004) [Outside Link], Maysville Ledger-Independent: New KTC Engineer Sees District as Unique (July 2, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Mike Goins Appointed as Transportation Cabinet Public Affairs Director
Posted: 30-Jun-2004 12:07AM CDT

Mike Goins has been appointed to the position of Executive Director of the Office of Public Affairs for the Transportation Cabinet. Goins, a native of Cumberland, has previously worked for the Ashland Alliance and in television news for WSAZ-TV in Huntington, WV and WYMT-TV in Hazard.

More information: Office of Gov. Fletcher: Office of the Governor Announces Transportation Cabinet Executive Director of the Office of Public Affairs (June 24, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
New Chief Engineer Appointed to Louisville Highway District
Posted: 23-Jun-2004 7:56AM CDT

Gov. Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Bailey have appointed Barry Sanders to serve as chief district engineer for the Transportation Cabinet’s District 5 which is based in Louisville.

More information: KYTC: Governor Ernie Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Clay Bailey Appoint Chief District Engineer for Highway District 5 in Louisville (June 1, 2004) [Outside Link], Business First: State Names Head of Louisville-area Transportation Operation (June 1, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Summary of Transportation Related Bills Passed During the 2004 Regular Session
Posted: 1-Jun-2004 6:01AM CDT

The 60-day regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly ended on April 13. Thirteen bills relating to transportation were passed into law during the 2004 regular session. Click “read full text” below for summaries of each bill.

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[US 119]
Gov. Fletcher Tours U.S. 119 Pine Mountain
Posted: 24-May-2004 5:38PM CDT

Gov. Fletcher recently visited the spot improvement project along US 119 over Pine Mountain: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 12: Governor tours Pine Mountain road project (May 14, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Former Television News Executive Will Head Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Public Affairs; Information about Adopt-a-Highway and New Building
Posted: 29-Mar-2004 12:17AM CST

“Governor Ernie Fletcher has appointed a former television news executive, Doug Hogan, as Executive Director of the Office of Public Affairs in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.”

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Fletcher Selects Former Television News Executive (March 12, 2004) [Outside Link]

Other recent Transportation Cabinet news releases include information about the Adopt-a-Highway Program [Outside Link] and information about the dedication of the new transportation building [Outside Link].

Several photographs of the new building have been posted here [Outside Link] and here [Outside Link].

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Political Will Lacking to Fund to Transportation Projects
Posted: 11-Mar-2004 2:06AM CST

Gov. Ernie Fletcher says that there is no political will for increase in the gasoline tax that would fund upcoming transportation projects. Kentucky’s gasoline tax stands at 16.4-cents and is the lowest amount 10 neighboring and nearby states. The current tax rate is expected to generate revenue far short of what would be required to complete projects currently listed in the six year highway plan.

When asked about the situation, State Representative Rob Wilkey (D-Scottsville), chairman of the House budget subcommittee on transportation, said that there is only a one-in-seven chance of any particular project being funded.

More information: Associated Press: Highway Engineers Are Told 'Political Will' Is Lacking (Mar. 2, 2004) [Outside Link], Bowling Green Daily News: Road delays loom as gas tax increase unlikely to happen (Mar. 2, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Transportation Leader Hopes Tax Reforms Will Raise Money for Road Projects
Posted: 29-Feb-2004 9:41AM CST

Speaking to the House Transportation Committee, Deputy Secretary Dick Murgatroyd said this week that the transportation cabinet needs more revenue in order to fund all of the projects in the current six year plan. Funding options which have been discussed include a 1333% increased in the cigarette tax (from 3 cents to 40 cents) or an increase in the state gasoline tax. Of ten bordering and nearby states, Kentucky has the lowest gasoline tax at 16.4-cents per gallon.

At a bill signing ceremony on Wednesday, Gov. Fletcher refused to comment on proposed tax plans.

More information: Kentucky Post: Road money sought in tax overhaul (Feb. 26, 2005) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Lexington-area Civil Engineer Named State Highway Commissioner
Posted: 26-Feb-2004 11:50PM CST

The vice-president of the Lexington branch of the multi-state engineering firm Wilber Smith Associates has been named State Highway Commissioner. Marc D. Williams will head the transportation cabinet’s Division of Highways. Williams is a native of Texas and holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Texas A&M University. He has been responsible for a number projects across Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.

Records show that Wilber Smith Associates was awarded nearly $1 million in state contracts last year. Williams donated $1,250 to the Fletcher gubernatorial campaign.

Under the Patton administration, the State Highway Commissioner Post was held by the then-Transportation Cabinet Secretary James C. Codell III.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Lexington civil engineer named highways chief (Feb. 26, 2004) [Outside Link], Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Civil engineer named highway commissioner (Feb. 26, 2004) [Outside Link], Courier-Journal: Lexington engineer named chief of highways (Feb. 26, 2004) [Outside Link]

Update (Mar. 10, 2004): Official press release: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Ernie Fletcher Appoints Marc Williams Commissioner Of Highways (Feb. 25, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Frankfort Office Space Comes with a High Price
Posted: 3-Feb-2004 1:45AM CST

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported about the high price of office space in the state.s capital in a couple of weekend articles. It seems that many land deals are to the benefit of real estate investor Rodney Ratliff who is a major contributor to political campaigns; the state spends $2 million in rent each year on properties owned by Ratliff's company. Additionally, the state spent $1.2 million to buy three lots owned by Ratliff for the new transportation cabinet office building. The land was appraised by Franklin County at $92,000.

In other office space related news, Gov. Fletcher's budget proposes spending $46 million to renovate the office building which was formerly home to the transportation cabinet: leaving the building empty for years to come while hundreds of state workers are in rented office space.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Most Frankfort land deals seem to help one man (Feb. 1, 2004) [Outside Link], Associated Press: Fletcher's budget includes $46 million for state office building renovation (Feb. 1, 2004) [Outside Link]

Update (Feb. 3, 2004): More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: 7 floors of luxury for the low price of $113 million (Feb. 1, 2004) [Outside Link], Lexington Herald-Leader: Plans have state spending millions on rent (Feb. 1, 2004) [Outside Link]

Update (Feb. 7, 2004): More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Lawmakers suggest cheaper renovations (Feb. 5, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Gov. Fletcher Says Revised Tax Code Could Help Road Projects
Posted: 30-Jan-2004 10:04PM CST

Gov. Fletcher told 300 attendees of a transportation conference in Frankfort that he believes a revised state tax code would help fund road projects. He also said that road construction in Kentucky should focus on economic development.

More information: Associated Press: Fletcher: Tax overhaul could help airports (Jan. 30, 2004) [Outside Link], WAVE-3: Business Leaders Tell Governor Transportation Needs Must Be Met (Jan. 30, 2004) [Outside Link]

Update (Feb. 7, 2004): More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: 26th Annual Kentucky Transportation Conference is a Huge Success (Feb. 4, 2004) [Outside Link]

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[William H. Natcher Parkway]
Fletcher Promises to Remove Tolls from Natcher and Audubon Parkways
Posted: 26-Jan-2004 2:37AM CST

In a recent speech to the Owensboro Chamber Commerce, Gov. Ernie Fletcher reiterated a campaign process to remove tolls from the Natcher and Audubon Parkways.

More information: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer: Fletcher pushes tech center (Jan. 23m 2004) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Retired Air Force General Maxwell Clay Bailey Appointed New Transportation Cabinet Secretary
Posted: 6-Jan-2004 6:47AM CST

Newly elected Governor Ernie Fletcher has appointed retired Air Force General Maxwell Clay Bailey as the new secretary of the Transportation Cabinet. Bailey, who currently lives in Paris, is a 1965 graduate of Paintsville High School and a 1969 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

More information: Herald-Leader: Transportation head announced (Dec. 4, 2003) [Outside Link], Courier-Journal: Ex-general likely to lead state road operations (Dec. 4, 2003) [Outside Link], Courier-Journal: General will lead Transportation Cabinet (Dec. 5, 2003) [Outside Link]

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[Commonwealth of Kentucky]
Governor-Elect Fletcher Names Fred Mudge Transportation Cabinet Transitional Chair
Posted: 12-Nov-2003 3:49PM CST

Governor-Elect Ernie Fletcher, who will become Kentucky's first republican governor in 32 years, has named former Transportation Cabinet secretary Fred Mudge to head the transportation cabinet transition. Mudge was Gov. Patton's first transportation secretary.

More information: Courier-Journal: Fletcher announces 22 cabinet leaders for transition period (Nov. 12, 2003) [Outside Link]

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