CONCERNING EXPENDITURE: Eye-popping use of taxpayer dollars has Dem WH hopeful in hot seat

February 20, 2026

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 $183,576 in out-of-state travel costs, including $7,632 for a limousine in Germany; a $17,013 dinner at a 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 said.

“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.”

Ball categorized much of the flagged spending as “luxury items,” despite understanding the need for increased security spending.

“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 said. “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 found an expenditure in the hundreds of dollars for something called the Caribou Club, which is a private club in Aspen. So, these expenses are essentially luxury items when you’re looking at where they’re at and the amount of money that’s being paid.”

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is trying to present an image of a “moderate” even as he takes progressive positions and engages in hypocritical luxury spending using public funds. Today there’s no such thing as a moderate Democrat. https://t.co/i9GmaT0jzg

— James Hutton (@JEHutton) February 20, 2026