For Immediate Release
January 4, 2000
Contact: Mark Pfeiffer (502) 564-2611 

Education, the Environment, Collective Bargaining and Young Children Among a “Full Plate” of Initiatives in Governor’s State of the Commonwealth Address 

Frankfort, Ky. - “I can report to you that in many ways the state of the Commonwealth is good, but we’re not convened here to glory over the things that are good.  We’re assembled in biennial session to address the things that can be made better.  And we certainly have a full plate.” Governor Paul Patton told legislators gathered in the House Chambers to hear the first State of the Commonwealth Address of Patton’s historic second term in office.

In his 30-minute speech that was interrupted by applause 40 times, Governor Patton touched on more than a dozen issues that he will propose as initiatives for lawmakers to consider in the legislative session.

“The four most important issues we’ll talk about this session are education; education; education; and education,” the governor said, emphasizing the importance of continuing the states’ investment in education at all levels begun in his first term.  Specifically, the governor urged members of the General assembly to adopt the recommendations of the Council on Postsecondary Education and said the time is now to insure that the state’s very youngest children are provided with the proper care and development.  He also urged lawmakers to heed the message of the task force on adult education, created in the last legislative session, “to give hope to those in danger of being left behind.”  

The governor also talked about an initiative to give the lowest paid state workers fairer treatment.  “Many state employees have no voice in Frankfort; at least the prison guard from Eddyville doesn’t; the social worker from Covington doesn’t; the grader operator from London doesn’t. And giving these people a voice is the reason I support collective bargaining for public employees,” Patton said.

On the issue of the environment, the governor said, “We have such a beautiful state.  Let’s set aside some of our most unique areas so that future generations of Kentuckians can enjoy what we sometimes take for granted.  And let us make a commitment to keep it clean.”   The governor is working on a statewide garbage collection and recycling initiative.

Patton received a standing ovation when, choking back tears, he pledged his commitment to seek increased funding for mental health and mental retardation.   “I don’t know where we’ll get the money, but I’m determined to do it because I realize that every time I see one of our less fortunate special people with special needs, I think to myself, there but for the grace of God go I.”

In closing his address, Governor Patton called for a continuation of the bipartisan cooperation with lawmakers that was so productive in his first term. “We have a challenging three months ahead of us.  I hope to finish our work here with an even closer relationship than we have now.  And the people expect us to finish this session having made a difference, for the better, in their lives.”

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