Red-state auditor's report flags Democratic gov's 'concerning' spending on 'luxury' expenditures
Kentucky’s Republican auditor Allison Ball spoke to Fox News Digital this week about a report she put out flagging concerns about lavish spending in the state's executive branch headed up...
By Fox News · Fox News
Kentucky’s Republican auditor Allison Ball spoke to Fox News Digital this week about a report she put out flagging concerns about lavish spending in the state's executive branch headed up by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who is widely believed to have presidential ambitions down the road. Ball issued a report earlier this month outlining spending by the executive branch in fiscal year 2025 entered into the state’s system and flagging issues she believes demonstrate extravagant spending of tax dollars that "needs to stop." The "concerning expenditures" listed include $183,575.87 in out-of-state travel costs — involving $7,632.07 for a limousine in Germany — a $17,012.73 dinner at Kentucky distillery, and $360,000 for 75 people to attend a two-day conference within the Commonwealth. "We saw some really excessive, really worrying and questionable expenditures," Ball told Fox News Digital. "For example, one of the things we saw is that the governor and the tourism cabinet spent about $338,000 on a nonprofit called First Saturday in May. So for people who are not from Kentucky, the first Saturday in May is when the [Kentucky] Derby happens. So that money actually went to events for VIPs to come in and celebrate and observe the Derby." DEM GOVERNOR IN DEEP-RED STATE CALLS FOR ICE PULLOUT, TRIGGERING CLASH OVER ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY Ball says the spending data was all entered by the executive branch into the Commonwealth's eMARS system, and while she understands elected officials need to spend more on security than typical citizens, she categorized much of the spending she flagged as "luxury items." " I absolutely think the governor needs security. We want people to be safe, we don't want anything to happen to our elected officials," Ball explained. "But this is the time when you look at, OK, are you spending an excessive amount? And I think $7,000 for limo services in Germany, $5,000 to navigate the airport in Switzerland, hotels like in Beverly Hills, Aspen. We even fou…