Records show Democrats rejected for jobs: [hiring] for merit jobs based on politics rather than qualifications, which would be illegal.

Records show Democrats rejected for jobs: "LISTS MENTION DONATIONS, BUMPER STICKERS | By John Cheves | HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

FRANKFORT - Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration investigated some applicants for merit jobs to determine their political loyalty, then acted against Democrats, according to internal rec-ords filed in court Friday.

In one case, an applicant had Democratic bumper stickers, which was noted next to his name on a list of job seekers. In another, Fletcher aides dropped the recommended candidate for a job when they uncovered his donations to the campaigns of Democratic Gov. Paul Patton and Ben Chandler, the Democrat who lost to Fletcher in 2003.

'From the very beginning of this administration, they have used party loyalty and campaign donations as criteria for state employment, and unfortunately, this is simply more evidence,' said Charles Wells, executive director of the Kentucky Association of State Employees.

Attorney General Greg Stumbo is investigating reports that the Fletcher administration makes decisions about whom to hire for merit jobs based on politics rather than qualifications, which would be illegal."