The Bully of Burkesville Defends his Title

After about 4 hours of voting this morning, 515 Herald-Leader readers responded to a poll question: "Should the state Senate be renovating its offices?"

So far, 95% of respondents said No.

But history suggests that will have no impact on Senate President David Williams.

The reigning title holder - the bulliest of the bulliest - the great constitutional interpreter - the one who stomps critics - the one who took the Golden Rule out of the anti-bullying bill - King David is still the champ.

In his mind, cuts to education are OK because they could have been worse...and there just wasn't enough money.

In his mind, cuts to child care are OK because they could have been worse...and there just wasn't enough money.

In his mind, cuts to law enforcement are OK because they could have been worse...and there just wasn't enough money.

In his mind, it's OK if you lose you job as long as he gets to keep the 60-inch plasma TV in his oak-paneled office. It makes him feel important. It makes him feel ...like a King. Besides, he says the cuts aren't inflicting any real pain. At least - none that he can feel.

The pain you feel when you child can't go to a high quality school, or afford college tuition, or medical care, or isn't safe on the streets, or can't get a fair trial - It's not real. It's all just in your mind. What a relief!

In his mind, it's a good thing there was just enough money for the third renovation of Senate offices since 2003... "It's nothing very extravagant..." "Each one of the senators will have an appropriate office now. We have at least one senator who has a rather small office."

Anybody wanna guess who gets the small office?

Sen. Ernesto Scorsone, D-Lexington, has challenged Williams previously on Senate office improvements. Scorsone publicly mocked Williams last year for installing a new 60-inch plasma-screen television in his office -- part of an earlier, $639,000-round of renovations -- and Williams ordered Scorsone off the Senate Judiciary Committee.

KSN&C talked to Ernesto and he doesn't know if his office space will change or not, but he says none of the senate offices are very small.

Not yet perhaps. That's all up to you know who.

This from the Herald-Leader:

State Senate offices to be expanded, renovated

BIDS REQUESTED

WHILE OTHER AGENCIES FACE BUDGET CUTS

The Kentucky Senate is renovating its offices at the state Capitol Annex in Frankfort, while public health programs, law enforcement, education and other state services face cuts.

On Tuesday, the state requested bids for construction on the Annex's second floor to build new Senate offices, caucus rooms with kitchens, a press conference room and a Senate lounge. The 5,250 square feet of space previously was used by executive-branch agencies, which are slowly being evicted as the General Assembly claims more space in the Annex. New furniture, appliances and electronics will be purchased.

Senate President David Williams said he won't know the project's cost until bids are opened next week. But lawmakers can afford it. While the legislature this winter told Gov. Steve Beshear to cut $230 million from the executive branch's $9.1 billion
budget, it awarded itself 13 percent more over two years, taking it up to $55.6 million in 2010. It tucked about $1.4 million for capital projects into this year's budget...