Grayson critcizes governor's ethics plan

Secretary of State Trey GraysonSecretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Park Hills) targeted the executive order signed by Gov. Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) yesterday for not including Grayson's own office in the system for making appointments to the Executive Branch's Ethics Commission.

While ethics reform stalled in the state legislature during this year's session, Beshear's order will implement provisions including mandatory ethics training and a ban on Executive Branch employees negotiating for future jobs with employers linked to the duties of their government offices.

Beshear also restructured the way members of the Ethics Commission are appointed. Presently, the governor appoints all five members. Under the new method -- as required by the order -- Kentucky's governor will appoint his choice to the first vacancy on the commission. A second vacancy will be chosen by the governor from a list of three submitted by the attorney general. A third vacancy will be chosen by the governor from a list submitted by the state auditor.

A release dispatched in conjunction with the announcement of the Governor's order said the change was to "allow input into appointments from other Constitutional office holders with investigative and law enforcement power."

Grayson to exception to his office's exemption in the new scheme, and chided the governor for not utilizing a more encompassing selection of constitutional officers.

"While I am encouraged to see Governor Beshear's increased attention to ethics reform, I am disappointed that he did not follow recommendations made in the more comprehensive version of this legislation passed by the Kentucky State Senate," said Grayson. "As it relates to my office, the Governor should have followed the Senate's proposal to include the Secretary of State in the rotation of constitutional officers who make recommendations for appointments to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission."

"Ethics issues extend beyond constitutional offices that have investigative authority and in many cases relates directly to the election of candidates. Therefore, the Chief Elections Official of the Commonwealth should be included in this rotation. Such precedent has been set in the appointment authority for the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance," Grayson continued.

The two officials most directly connected to Beshear's new appointment plan are both Democrats -- Attorney General Jack Conway (D-Louisville) and Auditor Crit Luallen (D-Frankfort). Such a set-up confirms no Republicans will have an influence on the composition of the Executive Branch Ethics Commission.

Grayson is joined by Agricultural Commissioner Richie Farmer (R-Frankfort) as the only Republicans among Kentucky's seven constitutional officers.

A rising star in the state Republican Party, Grayson is a frequent guest at major party events and is often named as a potential candidate for higher office - including a potential run at the Governor's mansion in 2011.

At the 4th Congressional District Lincoln-Reagan Dinner in April, Grayson slammed Beshear, labelling the governor a "miserable failure."

While Grayson continues to speak out against the Governor, Beshear's approval ratings keep dipping.

A Rasmussen Reports poll released yesterday found just 35 percent of respondents rating Beshear's performance as "Excellent" or "Good." 40 percent chose "fair," while 22 percent gave the Governor "poor" marks.