Beshear orders pay raise for friend and donor
Gov. Steve Beshear ordered a 25-percent pay raise for a friend and campaign donor who got a state job at the Office of Homeland Security.
Ralph Coldiron started this month as the $100,000-a-year executive director of the Commercial Mobile Radio Service Emergency Telecommunications Board, called the CMRS Board for short. The board collects user fees from wireless phone carriers to pay for improvements at local 911 call centers.
Ralph Coldiron
His predecessor, Kenneth Mitchell, made only $80,538 after about four years in the post. And the CMRS Board advertised the job with a salary range of $60,000 to $80,000.
CMRS Board Chairman David Lucas said he didn’t know that Coldiron was making $100,000 until he read it Wednesday in a Herald-Leader story about Beshear’s political appointees at Homeland Security, some of whom appear to have little relevant experience.
“The governor appointed him and set his salary. He never asked us,” Lucas said. “His new salary will have to be included in our future budgets.”
On Thursday, Coldiron said he knew the job had an $80,000 pay ceiling when he applied. But he believed he was worth $100,000, and he told that to the governor’s office in his application.
Coldiron, a longtime Democratic aide and political activist, has known Beshear for years. He previously worked with Beshear chief of staff Adam Edelen at Thomas & King, a Lexington restaurant franchisee. Coldiron said he quit the company ahead of layoffs that were announced last month because of the weak economy, which put him in the job market.
Among his $12,000 in campaign donations since 1998 was money to Beshear and Edelen, who ran for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council.
“I put that I wanted a salary of $100,000, so you’d have to ask Adam Edelen what happened after that,” said Coldiron, who also has worked for governors Julian Carroll, John Y. Brown Jr. and Wallace Wilkinson and Lexington Mayor Scotty Baesler. “That was something I’m sure was done at the governor’s office.”
Beshear spokesman Jay Blanton said he couldn’t determine who initially authorized Coldiron’s pay raise, although his hiring was approved – as all are political appointments – by the Finance and Personnel cabinets before the governor signed off.
However, Coldiron unquestionably deserves the larger salary, Blanton said.
“We try to pay people commensurate with their experience,” Blanton said. “He was making much more in the private sector.”
Not everyone agreed with the governor’s office. In a worsening economic recession, it’s unreal that Beshear’s political appointees get to name their own six-figure salaries, said Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
“Families across Kentucky are tightening their belts right now,” Thayer said. “Not only are most working people not getting a 25-percent raise at their jobs, they’re probably not getting any raise at all, and they might not get to keep their jobs much longer.”
“I am certain the governor could have found a qualified person to do this job for the $60,000 to $80,000 that was advertised,” Thayer added.
In fact, 19 people applied for the executive director’s job, said Lucas, the CMRS Board chairman.
Eight candidates were found to be qualified, Lucas said. The board sent the names of three top-scoring finalists – Coldiron included – to the governor for his selection. None of the finalists complained to the board about the salary, he said.
“And we were happy with all three of them,” Lucas said.
- John Cheves
Filed Under: Featured • State Government • Steve Beshear
About the Author: John Stamper is the accountability editor for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Monticello, Ky., he has been with the Herald-Leader in a variety of roles since graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2000. Reach him at jstamper@herald-leader.com
If he doesn’t like the salary, crawl back to where ever you were.
What did you expect? Larry Keeling, is this really on a Herald Liberal website?
WOW! I’m a state employee, had 14 years of experience in my field when I was hired in State Govt in 2007, and was started at the BOTTOM of my pay grade because I was told that is how the system works that they could not pay me in the midrange of the pay grade because no one starts more than the bottom if they have not previously been a state employee. However, my 14 years of experience was in another state entity, but not in Frankfort. So, if anyone deserved a 25 percent pay increase this year I would think I would be the one…but I got the same 1 percent that all the rest of state government employees got. Yet Gov Beshear and the legislators have been handing out 20-plus percent increases to their friends (remember the guy at LRC, now this guy?). We the people have got to DEMAND that our government officials stop doing things like this, it’s a slap in the face of the REAL state workers, most of which work hard and do an excellent job where they are at with a short staff…when a crony gets that kind of pay raise. And some people wonder why some state employees do just enough to get by…it’s because of things like this which destroy morale that make others lazy and not really care about their job. The older folks tell me that I will one day be like that too after watching the Gov and Legislature slap you around for 10 years or so.
This has Adam Edelen’s name all over it and note that he contributed to Edelen. As I, and others, have been saying for a while on the blogs, Edelen is building his own empire and doesn’t give a rat’s a– about Beshear and Beshear is apparently too dumb to see it. Notice Edelen was quoted throughout first story on Coldiron and salaries at Homeland Security-now he has sent Blanton out to do it. How long will Blanton blow smoke before he gets wise and moves on!
A Kentucky Governor using his authority to pay off political cronies? Shocked!
The H-L and Cheves refuse to acknowledge that the Mobile Radio Service IS NOT a function of Homeland Security. It is merely attached in that agency for office space.
This is very discouraging to read as a state employee. Morale at the state is at an all time low and it gets lower every day. This kind of move in this kind of economy shows lack of leadership and poor management ability. What is the 25% raise based on? In his position, Coldiron is not generating revenue, only spending tax payer dollars. How can someone receive this type of bonus in a negative economy? Sounds like Beshear should be running GM. This poor leadership reflects all across his Cabinet appointments. Maybe they think they are good managers, but there is no leadership. Someone please step up.
And lets not forget that so the state can afford this 25% pay raise, many State Parks employees will be cut back to 25 hours a week this winter.
As a state employee, this infuriates me. I help with hiring sometimes, and it is very unusual for someone to get hired in above the entry level salary let alone 25% above the higher range. Meanwhile, the rest of us are struggling. While the state struggles to provide basic services, Beshear’s donors are getting big salaries and place in positions for which they are not qualified.
CMRS money comes from cellular 911 calls that are made to communication centers and State Police Posts statewide. When this was implemented several years ago, 911 centers and State Police Posts were promised this would bring them more personnel to handle emergency calls. Since then politicians have used this money more their personal gains. People have got to wake up and somehow stop these people. There are 911 centers that are short of personnel right now because politicians won’t use this money the way it was meant to be used. This is absolutely a sad time for our country. People are struggling to make a living, but these politicians keep on doing things like this. I know for a fact there are 911 communications personnel trying to handle several 911 calls at the same time while working alone while people like this are making huge salaries. More proof that politicians are trying to find every edge to sneak their friends/supporters into high salary positions, hoping citizens won’t notice. 99% of Kentuckians didn’t know what CMRS was until this article was printed. Wake up taxpayers!
When I was Governor this was wrong, and even though I gave everyone the largest raise they had gotten in 8 years, the state employees treated me terrible in many ways. They even went against me in the election stating that things were going to be much better for them if they elected a democrat governor. How is it working out so far? BTW if the Governor can make these kind of raises for jobs that are not even needed to run the state, then the budget crisis is not real. Tell the Governor to live within his means like we all have to do. PS I am not really the Governor but if I was this is what I would say.
You may not be Governor Fletcher, but you sure can tell a lie just like him!
Beshear and The 70′s show continue their same-ole-same-ole.
I love Damon Thayer’s hypocrisy. Wasn’t it David Williams – his senate leader – who advocated and pushed through a $65,000 pay raise for his good friend Bobby Sherman at the LRC? I believe every single Republican House and Senate leader voted for the $65,000 annual pay raise.
Last week we were cutting back because of reduced revenue. Stevie Blunder strikes again.
Governor Fletcher,
You’ve nailed it. There is no budget crisis until political hacks are 1)no longer being hired at large salaries and 2)existing political hires are laid off. Until those two things occur, state agencies shouldn’t cut another cent from their budget.
Damon Thayer is like a good dog sitting at Williams’ feet,Blue Dog. I don’t recall Thayer protesting the remodelling of Williams’ office or purchase of big ticket electronics. And during his campaign he touted his ‘$200 million’ brought to his district as reason for his re-election – don’t recall his concern for the working man then, either.
It appears this little political pay back, for a person to gather FUTURE DONORS, may have backfired on the Governor. He can’t justify the 20 K increase, but then, neither could Wide Screen Williams with his increase for the Director of the LRC.
When we will get enough of Goverment playing games with our money and offering us political hacks that are not qualified, yet get the best jobs?
NEVER.
For someone who ran on a platform of change, it seems Beshear is more of the same old, tired politics with his appointments. Until the electorate wises up and quits sending the same, worn out politicians to Frankfort, nothing will change.
If the truth be known, the announcement of two new Japanese suppliers coming to Kentucky, was started under Ernie Fletcher and Beshear and his people engineered a trip to Japan to make it appear this Governor was on top of creating new jobs.
So, where are the new Japanese plants?
When will they begin construction?
What are the tax incentives from the State?
The trip to Japan was not a trip of substance, it was a trip for show and tell.
And wasn’t it Steve Beshear that challenged Toyota’s right to get tax incentives? He and Scotty Basler?
What a difference a few years make.
Toyota has not forgotten they were opposed by these two politicians, who at the time, were looking for voter approval and an ANTI JAPANESE mind set by both.
And, now it is OK to go to Japan spend thousands of dollars and no concrete results.
Give me a break. It’s just a smoke screen.
Mr. Stivers, it is doubtful whether there will be any major construction projects from Japanese companies during Beshear’s term. This is due in part to the overall economic conditions and the reflection of Beshear’s past stances against the Japanese. The last time I checked, Kentucky still has a strong bond rating so I am at a loss why the state is not pushing more economic development with the issue of industrial revenue bonds. KEDFA and the economic development cabinet should be pushing for more jobs creation, either through manufacturing (non-automotive), technology and the bio-pharma opportunties. Maybe the cabinet could make a short trip to Kingsport, TN to see what that area is doing.
JH,
There exist opportunities with the Kentucky School of Pharmacy. Each year new discoveries are made and sold off to major drug companies. The real profit is in the manufacturing and distribution.
I personally sent a letter to Steve Beshear offering to help structure a program where Kentucky would seek a fifty percent partner for the Pharmacy Discoveries, add tax incentives for ten years, and make a distribute the product in Kentucky.
Not only was there resistance from the UK Pharma, and I don’t know why, but . . . the very idea seemed impossible to the people I tried to debate this issue.
There are jobs that can be created, better paying jobs. Kentucky needs to PARTNER with the Pharmacy people, make the product here, create jobs here, and when the ten years tax abatement is over, UK would sell the process to its partner, thus bringing in more money.
Part of that money would go back to UK Pharmacy for more discoveries. And, when new discoveries of popular consumer appeal and worth are created, do the same thing over again.
It’s a different approach, but it is the kind of NEW THINKING this state needs to create more jobs. Especially in a market where a large majority of new constitution is going to third world countries, mostly
CHINA.
Mr. Stivers, you spelled out the reason I stated a visit to Kingsport TN is necessary. It is now a haven for biomedical and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies because of the investment from the state of TN as well as an educated workforce from East TN. The problem with any business dealings with the University of Kentucky is its legal affairs group when dealing with intellectual property. The university fails to recognize the monies coming from the state for the development of such intellectual property and expects to retain 100% ownership of such property.
JH,
I would like for you and others to join in an open letter, on this blog, to educate this administration on how to create a program, such is bringing great benefits and jobs to Kingsport,TN.
This could be an open letter, anyone wishing to add could edit and insert their comments.
What is it, sometimes you have to lead a horse to water , , , , ,
Jim Anderson Stivers
There is plenty of available space to construct a small manufacturing facility at Coldstream. The University must form a partnership or joint venture with a formed company to manufacture the products of the bio-pharma research. The university can even have sitting members on the company’s board of directors or advisory board. The state in turn, must ante up the money for the construction and start-up cost. There is no longer available bank credit to loan monies that would normally be utilized as working capital for new ventures so the investment would be nearly 100%, but could be constructed for an equitable repayment schedule. There would also be a royalty situation allowable for the university to have an income stream for further development projects. While there is a measure of risk, it is somewhat limited when compared to other types of manufacturing. The end result would be the university retains ownership of its developed products and a manufacturing company is formed to create additional jobs.
JH,
You got it. That’s a plan that will work.
And, it is visionary approach to boosting the state economy and providing better paying jobs.
jas
I work for the state and like alot of other employees,only got a 1% raise this year. After over 3 years and learning a new and more involved position, my 1% raise was based on my whopping salary of $24,000. Do the math – that’s a whole $240 per year – how many employees could have received 2% if they just figured this $20k in our budget? This is shameful!
Anonymous, be thankful you have a job. Given the potential impact of the auto downturn, I would expect the number of unemployed to increase by 10K to 20K in Kentucky between now and the end of the year.
Mr. Stivers, it is a workable and simplistic business plan. The question is whether a simplistic business plan based on common sense would have any buy in from anyone in Frankfort or Lexington.
You are correct, this is pathetic. If the budget is as bad as it is portrayed, then Beshear shouldn’t be hiring ANY non-merits, but instead should be allowing merit employees the chance to do the job (with a little bump in pay). It would still be cheaper than higher non-merits, especially at this kind of money. But then again, Beshear wouldn’t get re-elected, because just like Fletcher, the only people that will contribute to him will be non-merit political hacks.
Governor Fletcher, aside from you paying off a hospital’s Medicaid claim in exchange for them paying you a salary to do nothing, you gove state employees no raises. Governor Patton, for all his flaws, gave five percent as the statutes mandate. You spent highway money like a drunken bribing sailor, and also added a couple of hundred million in nonmerit salary costs, but wouldn’t give career employees anything.
“Pardon me”, Ernie, but you were the best thing to happen to the Democratic party in 50 years.
“The governor appointed him and set his salary. He never asked us,” Lucas said. “His new salary will have to be included in our future budgets.”
“On Thursday, Coldiron said he knew the job had an $80,000 pay ceiling when he applied. But he believed he was worth $100,000, and he told that to the governor’s office in his application.”
He “believed he was worth $100,000, and told that to the governor’s office in his application????
Wow, KY state employees, the education system, social services, our prosecutors, defense attorneys, the backbone services of this State that have PROVEN THEY ARE WORTH IT, are in desperate need of additional funding, not additional cuts, have to sit back and watch this crap and can’t do anything about it.
These folks try to educate your kids, put the criminals in jail, keep kids from abusive homes, and have taken a major, major cut in all departments, the Gov. should be ashamed for approving this guys 25% pay raise “in the next budget” because he believes he’ll earn it!!
I wonder what would happen if all the teachers stopped teaching, prosecutors stopped prosecuting, public defenders refused to defend, judges would uphold thier decisions, the courts stopped processing papers, social services referred everything to the Governor, and the entire State just decided enough was enough? I just wonder if the powers that be would stop and think before approving such unfair, favoritism, ridiculous pay and hiring of the “buddy system” that doesn’t have a clue about the job he’s been appointed to “do”.
$12,000 campaign contributions = $100,000 year job. Who needs the stock market when you got a sure thing…
I’m going to vomit now.
To anonymous state employee. Fletchers non-merit staff did not donate to his re-election campaign. only a small minority did. This is what doomed him within his own staff.
Many good Republicans donated and worked hard for Fletcher during his initial campaign for Governor. You would think he would reward them with some of the 4,000 non-merit jobs or board appointments. But he didn’t.
The people he hired had no loyalty to him because they had nothing invested in him. The young people he hired were just padding their resume. This ultimately led to most of them not being there financially or most importantly “on the ground” when he needed it.
He did not reward the old timers at all. These people who worked hard to bring the Republican Party to power in the state were almost universally ignored by Fletcher. Fletcher bragged about retaining/promoting/hiring Democrats.
Now Beshear has done the same thing, only worse.
He didn’t reward most of the foot and/or financial soldiers who worked for him. Beshear brought back people from the late 1980′s and early 1990′s and their old style ideas. These old style ideas are the same ones that have kept Kentucky as a doormat state to the rest of the U.S.
One day the stupid voters of Kentucky will quit voting for incumbents. As long as Williams, Richards, Stumbo and company keep getting elected bu us, we will get what we deserve… dumb children, higher taxes, and less services.
CSI
I agree, and if Beshear tries to the CASINO AMENDMENT, in lieu of what is going on in the economy, then he is sure out of touch.
Big raises for his political pals\gals and 1% for the employees, I blame the Union that represents the few state workers for not standing up and raising hell.
I’m out of my home state right now, but this is a disgusting story.
Who can stop this pay increase? Truly pathetic leadership in Kentucky, I can see that.
Politics as usual in Frankfort. It’s very discouraging that it doesn’t seem to matter who gets elected. It’s the same stuff with every administration. And Damon’s indignation- I guess that King David clued him in that he could loudly protest this one but don’t dare comment on the self-serving LRC pay raise. What a bunch of losers and jokes. Doesn’t it make you proud to be a Kentuckian?
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