The Pew Charitable Trusts

Making the state tax system fairer, improving education, protecting the environment and providing more and better mental health services -- these are among Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton's priorities in the coming 12 months.

Patton's year 2000 agenda -- in his own words:

The budget is the major policy document of the administration, and we're currently working on examining both the needs and the availability of resources, to deliver our requests to the 2000 Kentucky General Assembly in January.

We must make our state tax system more fair.

Education will remain a priority over the next four years, as it has been during my first term in office. We expect to fund Early Childhood Development programs and address adult literacy problems.

We'll also protect the environment, through a statewide garbage pickup and recycling program.

We'll increase support for mental health services, to take care of our most vulnerable citizens.

These and other matters are our priorities for the coming legislative session. We look forward to working with the Kentucky General Assembly in a bi-partisan fashion to improve the lives of Kentuckians and continue the progress we've made.