By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Democratic challenger Lucy Baxley accused Republican Governor Bob Riley of hypocrisy Monday. During a news conference at the Statehouse, she said Riley takes credits for improvements in education even though he vetoed the last two education budgets passed by the Legislature, and the Legislature had to override his veto. She said Riley talks about improvements in the state troopers, even though there are only a few more state troopers than when he took office. A spokesman for Riley said he vetoed the budgets because, at the time, they appeared fiscally irresponsible and because they spent one-time money on recurring expenses. The spokesman said Riley has taken steps to improve retention at the state troopers, including signing a ten percent pay raise into law.