Last November, Ernie Fletcher won the Kentucky governor's race in a stunning, 10-point victory over Democrat Ben Chandler, becoming the first Republican elected to any statewide office since 1966.

Fletcher's margin of victory was especially striking because Democrats hold a 58.3 percent to 35.2 percent advantage among registered voters in Kentucky.

ABOUT FLETCHER

Born: Mount Sterling, Nov. 12, 1952 Education: B.S. in engineering, University of Kentucky, 1974; M.D., University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 1984 Residence: Lexington Family: Married to Glenna Foster Fletcher; two children Experience: U.S. Air Force, F-4E fighter pilot and NORAD Alert Force Commander; family practice physician for 12 years; CEO, St. Joseph Medical Foundation; ordained minister, served as Baptist pastor in Lexington, 1989-1994. Other offices: State representative, 78th District, 1995-96; U.S. Representative, 6th District, 1999-2003; chair, U.S. House Policy Subcommittee in Health.

But with the establishment reeling from scandals plaguing the administration of Gov. Paul Patton, Fletcher won on a reform platform, promising to "clean up the mess in Frankfort," streamline state government and modernize its policies.

Still, he came to Frankfort facing some huge obstacles: a divided Legislature with Democrats in firm control of the House; a large, entrenched bureaucracy with decades' worth of Democratic loyalty; a $302 million budget deficit that was being projected to grow to as much as $700 million.

That was just for starters. Then, driven by political egos and long-standing antagonisms, a GOP-led Senate traded blows with the House throughout this spring's legislative session, and lawmakers failed to pass a budget as a result.

So after such a tumultuous first six months in office, how's Fletcher doing? It may be too early to give the governor a formal "report card," especially with the budget impasse unresolved, but here's a look at several aspects of the governor's activity.

Government reform

Fletcher acted swiftly to shake up the bloated, bureaucratic status quo in Frankfort, paring the number of state Cabinets from 14 to eight and eliminating some positions. He tightened spending and procurement practices at the Cabinets, cracked down on agency budgeting practices, and has launched fraud investigations in various Cabinet units.

In particular, he's ordered a shake-up in the state's fraud- and waste-plagued Transportation Cabinet, changing the way it does business. That's an item he and opponent Chandler had declared a priority.

Then there's the size of government. When Fletcher took office, Kentucky had 43,365 state employees - more per capita than any bordering state - at an average salary-plus-benefits of $43,219 a year.

Fletcher wants to trim that number, mostly through attrition.

Budget/taxes

The cornerstone of Fletcher's agenda is his "Jobs and Opportunity Bipartisan Solution" (JOBS) tax modernization plan, which he says is essential to expand Kentucky's future economy.

LEGISLATIVE RECORD

While the most important items on Kentucky's agenda this year - the biennial state budget and Gov. Ernie Fletcher's Jobs and Opportunity Bipartisan Solution (JOBS) tax modernization proposal - have yet to pass, Fletcher can point to a substantial list of legislative accomplishments this spring. Among them: • Senate Bill 14 - Upgrades prescription drug system to fight prescription abuse. • Senate Bill 156 - Creates Kentucky Horse Racing Authority to replace a troubled racing commission. • Senate Bill 248 - Provides tax incentives for businesses to move to or stay in Kentucky. • House Bill 108 - Fetal homicide bill making it a crime to harm or kill an unborn baby. • House Bill 116, other bills - Components of Medicaid modernization plan. • House Bill 609 - Gives small business owners increased influence in policymaking process. • House Bill 627 - Deregulates broadband to expand services in rural areas. • House Bill 650 - Health insurance reforms to attract new carriers to the state.

House leaders criticize Fletcher for insisting the state budget be packaged with his tax plan, and say he did not submit his complex proposal early enough in the session. On the surface, that appears a strong argument, but Fletcher was sending data on his tax and budget proposals to lawmakers within weeks after his inauguration - and kept offering compromises on his tax plan as objections were raised.

Fletcher is right to insist that the time is now to fix Kentucky's antiquated, old-economy tax system.

If lawmakers succeed in detaching tax reform from the budget now, they will keep finding reasons to put it off in years to come. Just look across the river to Ohio's legislative follies for proof of that.

The fact is, some don't want this tax modernization, even though most concede it is roughly revenue-neutral. Why? Tax hikes on cigarettes and liquor just don't go down easy in Kentucky.

Besides, modernization just might work, and Fletcher would get the credit.

Education/health

Fletcher made a campaign issue of strengthening education, particularly higher education, but had to face cold budget reality upon taking office. The austerity cuts he quickly made to higher education were not well-received, to say the least.

To his credit, Fletcher has found ways to restore some funds along the way, and has been a strong advocate to bring greater funding equity to Northern Kentucky University.

Public school educators aren't enthralled with Fletcher, either. He initially proposed virtually no salary increases, while raising teachers' share of health insurance costs to reflect what's happening to employees in private industry.

Later, he worked out a compromise with the House that would provide 1.5 percent raises in the biennium's first year and 3 percent in the second, still less than teachers saw as adequate.

The governor also is planning to promote a major reading initiative for elementary grades.

As a physician, Fletcher concentrated on health issues in Congress, and promised to bring that focus to Frankfort. Already, he's put together several pieces of a Medicaid reform package and signed an insurance reform that could help bring health insurers back to Kentucky.

Economic development

The jury's still out here, because Fletcher argues his tax modernization is critical to generating new commerce and jobs. Still, during his first six months Kentucky has attracted a number of new business developments, such as AK Steel in Ashland. With Fletcher's support, lawmakers enacted new tax incentives to attract and retain businesses and initiatives to boost small businesses.

He has proposed a six-year plan to upgrade the state's transportation infrastructure, which is key to expanding businesses and jobs, and has become a leading advocate for the region's most urgent project, a replacement for the I-71/75 Brent Spence Bridge.

Northern Kentucky

Fletcher's victory was a wake-up call for Kentucky in several ways. One of those was to turn the Bluegrass State's attention toward Northern Kentucky, which during the past several years has developed the political savvy to match its economic clout.

The three Northern Kentucky counties gave Fletcher a 2-1 vote margin over Chandler, a huge boost in a state otherwise dominated by Democrats.

Fletcher's drive to change Kentucky's statehouse culture has offered an opportunity for Northern Kentuckians to bring their perspective - and priorities - to Frankfort.

But the number of "northerners" getting appointments has been less than expected; Assistant Secretary of Transportation (and former Kenton County judge-executive) Dick Murgatroyd is a notable exception - and a key one, given the area's transportation priorities.

But Fetcher has made it clear that Northern Kentucky's needs are high on his list, such as projects for NKU and Gateway Technical and Community College - although the budget impasse has put those on hold.

"It took a Republican governor (Louie Nunn in the late 1960s) to bring Northern Kentucky University up there, and it's going to take a Republican governor to make sure there is some equity in funding as well," Fletcher told the Enquirer.

The governor knows that helping to develop our region is in Kentucky's best interests. With its booming economy, Northern Kentucky has been a huge donor of tax funds to the rest of the state.

As Senate President Pro Tem Dick Roeding, R-Lakeside Park, put it in late November, "Ernie recognizes us as the economic engine behind the state, and that every once in a while an engine has to be primed to keep running. He's going to do all he can for us to keep the economic engine running."

How's he doing? Ky. readers respond

"Fletcher had done his homework and knew exactly where he was going with streamlining and reforming state government ... (but) he was stopped cold by a few top leaders in the House."

Robert L. Williams, Union

MORE LETTERS

• Readers sound off on Ky. governor

"Fletcher receives a failing mark in my book. He ran on improving Kentucky's educational system yet asked our universities to cut $82 million from their budgets. ... I can only hope that Fletcher is a person who learns from his mistakes and grows. He has allowed himself ample opportunity for growth!"

Darlene Goodrich, Newport

"I feel he is doing an adequate job. ... I will, however, expect greater things in the coming months and years. Our governor needs to be a strong, visible leader to move Kentucky forward and upward."

Noelle Higdon Grimes, Union

"The governor's primary responsibility over the last six months has been to work with the Legislature to develop and negotiate a budget for the next biennium. He has thus failed to do so."

Rob Thrun, Covington

"His idealistic mentality and strong work ethic make him the right man for the job. Fletcher's fiscally conservative budget is a happy medium. ... (He) has also shown a continued commitment to Northern Kentucky."

Allison Drummey, Edgewood

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Ray Cooklis is the Enquirer's assistant editorial page editor. E-mail rcooklis@enquirer.com or phone (513) 768-8525.