Kentucky

How can the state make ends meet in down times?

Here is a new one.  You have read about --

• Property values go down but property valuations at the PVA's remain firm, thus an effective tax increase for those asked to tighten their belts.
• Clerks use a different book to asses car values for tax purposes (the higher value of course).  Again, real value drops, but assessed values remains firm and thus an effective tax increase.
• Medicaid stimulus funds moved to the general fund to give us the appearance of a balanced budget.
• Retired (and unelected) judges sit in lieu of elected judges to save judicial payrolls.
• Legislators become landlords for a judicial center housing family court workers.
• King David or the Bully of Burkesville renders a special session a fiscal nullity with legislative nay saying.
• Mortar, brick, courthouses, and surety issues.

And now, we have --

Sounds like state government is stealing a page out of the insurance industry's playbook of hand outs and boxing gloves - no way, no pay, delay.  Plus cooking the books with post fiscal year stimulus money and short changing victims of crime their due compensation.