By Charles Wolfe
The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - Ernie Fletcher and Ben Chandler were at their most argumentative Monday night, slugging it out over taxes and each other's character in the last statewide television forum of the campaign for governor.

Fletcher, the Republican, said he had signed a "no-tax pledge" - though it would not prevent him from "tax modernization" in which some taxes could go up as long as others went down by the same amount. He flatly ruled out seeking higher property taxes.

Chandler said Fletcher's pledge would be meaningless. He also said Fletcher told the Kentucky League of Cities earlier this month that he would be willing to consider action on property taxes.

"The no-tax pledge means whatever he wants it to mean," Chandler said during the hourlong forum on Kentucky Educational Television.

The no-tax pledge - actually styled a "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" - is promoted by Americans for Tax Reform, a conservative organization based in Washington, D.C. Fletcher touts it in a new radio commercial airing this week.

Chandler said he alone has suggested an alternative for raising state revenues - more forms of legalized gambling. "My proposal will be slots at racetracks," Chandler said, referring to electronic slot machines.

When a panelist pressed him about full casinos, Chandler did not rule it out. "There will be compromises" on anything that goes through the General Assembly, Chandler said.

Fletcher claims Chandler has been "going up and down the Ohio River" holding out prospects of casinos.

Fletcher says he personally opposes expanded gambling but would not try to stop it if voters approved it by constitutional amendment.

Other highlights on KET:

• Chandler accused Fletcher of running an "unethical campaign" based on "false, negative advertising." Fletcher said Chandler had put up "the single most distorted ad that's been run in this campaign" - a television spot in the primary that savaged former Democratic candidate Bruce Lunsford for abuse of a patient in a nursing home Lunsford's company owned.

• Fletcher said Chandler's running mate, Charlie Owen, plans to run for U.S. Senate instead of spending four years as lieutenant governor. "

Chandler said Fletcher should pay more attention to his own running mates. "Last time I checked, you're on your second one," Chandler said, referring to Steve Pence.