FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Governor Ernie Fletcher and his Democratic opponent in the November sixth election are split regarding the Kentucky chief executive's pardoning powers.
Fletcher, a Republican seeking re-election, feels the governor's pardoning power should stay as-is. Steve Beshear, a former lieutenant governor, feels there should be new limits.
Fletcher pardoned his entire administration to head off an investigation into his administration's hiring practices. He believes Kentucky's chief executive must maintain that power to protect people from prosecutorial misconduct.
Beshear says Fletcher abused his constitutional authority and thinks the General Assembly should pass a constitutional amendment letting voters decide.
Fletcher has called the investigation by Attorney General Greg
Stumbo's office a "political witch hunt." His administration was
investigated on allegations that supporters were hired in protected
state jobs based on political connections instead of qualifications. Fletcher was later indicted on three misdemeanors that were eventually dropped.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-08-12-07 1424EDT
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