Kelley Wastes No Time Getting To Work

New DES Governor Isn't Waiting To Get Things Done

NORTH BERIVIAN, DES--Newly-elected governor Sharon Kelley (CON) isn't wasting any time getting to work in her new role. Since taking office last week, the governor has made several staff changes, laid out a transportation plan, has called a special session and urged the legislature to reduce property taxes, and has called for smaller classroom sizes in public schools, although she did not give specific details of how she would solve over-crowded classrooms.

According to sources within the administration, Kelley fired 14 members of the governor's office and cabinet that had previously served under former governor Jim Schiffer. She has also reshuffled some staff, sending them to different departments and cities.

Last Tuesday, she laid out a transporation plan that calls for more attention on the roadways north of Berivian, the state's largest metropolitan area. Kelley says she will pay for the road improvements and construction projects using money that is currently funding state parks, welfare programs, and the state energy department. Kelley says too much money is being spent on these programs, and some of it could be taken out those budgets and used for much-needed transporation projects.

On Thursday, Kelley convened a special session for the state legislature, asking lawmakers to pass a vote lowering property taxes across the state. The legislature has not voted on the measure yet, but many nationalists have pledged to join Kelley and the minority conservatives in voting for the measure.

"We need to ensure that Deschirean families are not being taxed out of their homes," Kelley said. "The only way we can do that is by passing a property tax measure that would reduce those taxes and reduce the burden on our citizens."

Though early in her term, Kelley is moderately popular. In a poll released last week, 51% they "liked" her, while 64% said they "approved" of what she was doing as governor.

"There are some people who don't like her, because they're bitter about the election, but most people still agree that she is focusing on the right issues and that she's doing an okay job," said Rick Miller, political analyst for WBER-TV in Berivian.

Kelley spokeswoman Amy Hanes said the governor is "going to work and getting things done right away."

"Getting things accomplished is especially important, because in this state, we have had two years of Jane Sonda doing nothing; nothing legal, that is; and we've had one year of Jim Schiffer doing nothing," Hanes said, attacking Kelley's predecssors.

The state NAT party responded by saying, "Sharon Kelley is ultimately another broken promise of Conservative change. She is a radical, far-right conservative disguised as a champion of bipartisanship. In the end, however, Deschireans will realize her only strategy as governor is attacking nationalists."