JUSTICE CABINET PLAN IN PLACE

Pence Says Drug Crimes Are Priority

LOUISVILLE - Lt. Gov. Steve Pence said he plans to run the Justice Cabinet
the same way he ran the U.S. attorney's office for Kentucky's western district.

"You put good people in positions around you, and you give them authority,
hold them accountable and don't interfere," Pence said.

Pence left his position as U.S. attorney in April to become Republican Gov.
Ernie Fletcher's running mate. After the election, Fletcher appointed Pence
as secretary of the Justice Cabinet, overseeing prisons, state police and
juvenile justice.

Pence said his focus will be on fighting illegal drug crime, and he plans
to pull together law enforcement, education and rehabilitation efforts
statewide -- although he needs time to work out specifics.

"I think we're going to make a difference -- not only in the Justice
Cabinet, but in this war on drugs," he said.

As part of that effort, he plans to try to reduce a backlog of work at the
Kentucky crime laboratories, which are struggling with a caseload that
doubled from 20,000 in 1989 to 40,000 in 2001. Delays in testing drugs, DNA
and other substances have stalled prosecution of some criminal cases.

Pence said he is familiar with the problem and is working with state
police, who operate six forensic laboratories around the state, to see what
can be done.

Pence's goal of fighting drug crime also is the top priority of Attorney
General-elect Greg Stumbo, a Democrat who takes office Jan. 5. Pence said
he doesn't foresee any conflicts, although the two are from opposite
political parties and both are viewed as possible candidates for higher
office someday.

"I think he wants to solve these issues, too," Pence said. "He'll have a
seat at the table."

Stumbo said he doesn't expect partisan conflict to get in the way.

Lawyer Steve Reed, a former U.S. attorney in Louisville who served as
general counsel for Jones, said Pence has assembled a strong team.

"I think he'll do well," Reed said of Pence. "It's important that he have a
way to serve beyond just the figurehead post of lieutenant governor."

Pence said he thinks the justice job gives him a chance to attack
Kentucky's illegal drug problems, including cocaine trafficking,
clandestine methamphetamine labs and abuse of prescription drugs.