Frankfort, KY: Governor Ernie Fletcher signed today an executive order authorizing the reorganization of state government. The executive order puts into effect the primary modifications proposed by the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Governmental Organization and Efficiency. The signing of this order signals the initial implementation phase of reorganization, a merger and formation of various cabinets within the Executive Branch.

"I would like to thank the Blue Ribbon Commission for their hard work and dedication towards building a proposal that will allow us to streamline and enhance the services provided by state government," stated Governor Fletcher. "I am proud to sign this executive order for reorganization because Kentuckians deserve the most efficient and effective state government possible. We will continue our work to ensure greater efficiencies and productivity in state government."

Members of the Commission include: Bruce Lunsford, the Honorable Richard Murgatroyd, Virginia G. Fox, Don Bowles, Bob Ramsey, John Hall, Alois Moore, Margaret Handmaker, Bill Street, Cathy Bailey, the Honorable Mike Buchanan, Dr. Lee Todd, ex officio, Dr. Jim Ramsey, ex officio, Dr. Michael McCall, ex officio, John David Preston, ex officio, General Counsel, John McCarthy's Staff and Andrew V. McNeill's Staff.

The Executive Order authorizes the following organizational units to be attached to the Governor's Office and their respective Cabinets:

• Office of the Governor
  The following organizational units are attached to the Office of the Governor: Department for Local Government, Department of Military Affairs, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Kentucky Commission on Women, Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, Office of the State Budget Director, Department of Veterans' Affairs, and the Department of Personnel. 
• Education Cabinet
  The following organizational units are attached to the Education Cabinet: Department of Education, Department for Libraries and Archives, KET, Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Governor's Scholars Program, Operations and Development Office, Board of Directors for the Center for School Safety, Department for Technical Education, Department Vocational Rehabilitation, Department for the Blind, Department for Employment Services, Kentucky Technical Education Personnel Board, Department for Training and Reemployment, Office of General Counsel, Office of Communication Services, Office of Workforce Partnerships, Office of Workforce Analysis and Research, Office of Budget and Administrative Services, Office of Quality and Human Resources, Council on Postsecondary Education, and Education Professionals Standards Board.
• Finance and Administration Cabinet
  The following organizational units are attached to the Finance and Administration Cabinet: Office of Financial Management, Office of the Controller, Department for Administration, Department of Facilities Management, State Property and Buildings Commission, Kentucky Pollution Abatement Authority, Kentucky Savings Bond Authority, Deferred Compensation Systems, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Contract Compliance, Office of Capital Plaza Tower Operations, County Officials Compensation Board, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, Commonwealth Credit Union, State Investment Commission, Kentucky Housing Corporation, Governmental Services Center, Kentucky Local Correctional Facilities Construction Authority, Kentucky Turnpike Authority, Historic Properties Advisory Commission, Kentucky Tobacco Settlement Trust Corporation, Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center Corporation, State Board for Proprietary Education, the Governor's Office of Technology, Department of Property Valuation, Department of Tax Administration, Office of Financial and Administrative Services, Department of Law, and Department of Information Ombudsmen.
• Health and Family Services Cabinet
  The following organizational units are attached to the Health and Family Services Cabinet: Department for Community Based Services, Department for Disability Determination Services, Public Assistance Appeals Board, Office of the Secretary, Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service, Office of the General Counsel, Office of Program Support, Office of Family Resource and Youth Services Centers, Office of Technology Services, Office of the Ombudsmen, Office of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Services, Department for Public Health, Department for Medicaid Services, Department for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services, Kentucky Commission on Children with Special Health Care Needs, Office of Certificate of Need, Office of the Secretary, Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, and Office of Aging Services.
• Transportation Cabinet
  The following organizational units are attached to the Transportation Cabinet:
  Department of Highways, Department of Vehicle Regulation (with the exemption of the Vehicle Enforcement Division), Department of Administrative Services, Department of Fiscal Department, Department of Rural and Municipal Aid, Department of Human Resources Management, Office of the Secretary, Office of the General Counsel and Legislative Affairs, Office of Public Affairs, Office of Policy and Budget, Office of Technology, Office of Quality, and Office of the Transportation Operations Center.
• Commerce Cabinet
  The following organizational units are attached to the Commerce Cabinet:
  Department of Travel, Department of Parks, Department of Fish and Wildlife
  Resources, Kentucky Horse Park Commission, State Fair Board, Office of Administrative Services, Office of General Counsel, Tourism Development Finance Authority, Kentucky Arts Council, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, Governor's School for the Arts, Kentucky African-American Heritage Commission, Commission on Small Business Advocacy, and Kentucky Council and Office of Coal Marketing and Export.
• Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
  The following organizational units are attached to the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet: Environmental Quality Commission, Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Department for Environmental Protection, Department for Natural Resources, Department for Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Office of Legal Services, Office of Information Services, Office of Inspector General, Public Service Commission, Department of Insurance, Department of Housing, Building, and Construction, Department of Financial Institutions, Department of Mines and Minerals, Department of Public Advocacy, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kentucky Racing Commission, Board of Claims, Crime Victims Compensation Board, Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals, Office of Petroleum Storage Tank Environmental Assurance Fund, Department of Charitable Gaming, Mine Safety Review Commission, Kentucky Athletic Commission, Department of Workplace Standards, Department of Workers' Claims, Kentucky Labor-Management Advisory Council, Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, Prevailing Wage Review Board, Worker's Compensation Board, Kentucky Employees Insurance Association, Apprenticeship and Training Council, State Labor Relations Board, Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, Office of Administrative Services, Office of Information Technology, Office of Labor-Management Relations and Mediation, Office of General Counsel, Workers Compensation Funding Commission, Employers Mutual Insurance Authority.
• Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
  The following organizational units are attached to the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet: Office of the General Counsel, Division of Kentucky State Medical Examiners Office, Parole Board, Kentucky State Corrections Commission, Commission on Correction and Community Service, Division of Vehicle Enforcement, and the Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy.
• Economic Development
  The Economic Development Cabinet is not affected by this reorganization.

# # #