The Courier-Journal gave both Steve Beshear AND Jerry Abramson top billing for op-eds this Sunday.

Our Gas Station Governor was given the opportunity to lie about the firing of Ron Mills.

The firing of Ron Mills, Director of the Division of Mine Permits, was about performance, not policy

It was about performance but there was absolutely no record of performance concerns? Not in Mills’ personnel file and no where in the state’s email record?

In the Division of Mine Permits, a severe backlog existed.

So you waited a year to fire someone over a “backlog”? Really?

I do not micromanage my cabinet secretaries, and I did not direct Secretary Peters to fire Mr. Mills. However,

That’s all we need to know. Any time you use “but” or “however” after a declaration, we know you’re lying. Your own staff members say you’re lying. And your own performance within other cabinets (yes, your secretaries are honest about you when off-the-record) and within the mismanagement of the Kentucky Democratic Party, we know this statement is just hogwash.

Mr. Mills and some of his supporters argue that he was fired because over a year ago he disagreed with a policy called the two-thirds rule. This is simply not true.

It’s not true but John Cheves was able to uncover evidence that it was true? Which is it?

Almost a year and a half ago, right after Mr. Mills was hired, he questioned the legality of the policy and recommended that the state no longer follow it. Others within the cabinet, including the cabinet’s chief lawyer, disagreed and argued that the rule be retained.

Thanks for bringing that up. Those cabinet members and leadership have said in the press that they did not object or disagree on legal grounds. But just because it’s how they chose to interpret things. Nice try, though.

Every cabinet and agency of state government is contacted daily by numerous individuals and businesses that have an opinion to express on action they wish state government to take.

Finally he admits that he’s lobbied all day long.

I also place a high priority on the safety of the Kentuckians who work in the mining industry. That’s why I recently announced a plan to add 15 inspectors for the state Office of Mine Safety and Licensing.

Yup. Individuals hand-picked by the coal industry. The very folks who pressured you to fire Ron Mills. Smooth.

I believe that being a conscientious steward of the taxpayers’ money is one of my greatest responsibilities.

And that’s why you fundamentally oppose comprehensive tax reform and are allowing the entirety of the Commonwealth to financially fall apart outside of state government.

Good luck on the re-election attempt.