FRANKFORT, Ky, (February 10, 2026) – Today, Auditor Ball presented to the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee regarding executive branch spending.
“It is clear that some executive branch agencies are spending tax dollars extravagantly and this needs to stop,”
Auditor Ball said. “Public servants should be safeguarding money as if it was coming from their own pockets, rather than doling it out on extravagant travel and other unnecessary expenses.”
The Auditor’s Office reviewed executive branch spending data contained in the state’s eMARS system, focusing on categories where wasteful and excessive spending are rampant, such as out of state travel and advertising.
Concerning expenditures include:
- Kentucky State Police spent $183,575.87 on out-of-state travel costs while providing security to Governor Beshear or other members of his staff, including $7,632.07 for a limousine in Germany.
- Kentucky Department of Education paid $360,000 for 75 people to attend a two-day conference in Kentucky.
- Kentucky Tourism Cabinet and Governor’s Office paid a combined $338,452.10 for Derby Events to a non-profit company called First Saturday in May, including a $17,012.73 dinner at Jeptha Creed.
- Kentucky Department of Community Based Services paid $539,145 to a vendor that agreed to pay a civil settlement for claims of improper billing to Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid.
Attached is a copy of the Auditor’s PowerPoint presentation. The committee hearing was broadcast by Kentucky Educational Television (KET) at 12pm and will be available for public viewing.
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