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The Andrew Cooperrider ShowAuthor: Andrew Cooperrider
A Kentucky focused podcast that covers #Kentucky #politics from a #conservative perspective. New episodes come out multiple times a week. Stay current on what is going on in Kentucky and make a difference. #kentuckypolitics #Kentucky #Republican #GOP #news #political #politics Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Over $133 million in questionable taxpayer spending found in Kentucky State Government.
Monday, 16 February, 2026
I dig into the Kentucky Auditor’s report that found over $133 million in questionable spending by the Beshear administration. The report found issues with:🔎 Advertising / Promo Items$2,488,789.77 — Total to Red7e$249,950 — COVID vaccine ad campaign$83,500 — Unspecified digital media services$339,365.90 — Video/social media vendor work$198,000 — Senior Meals media campaign$17,275 — Promo giveaway items$45,635.20 — Promotional merchandise$300,000 — Postsecondary awareness campaign✈️ Out-of-State Travel (Specific Flags)$398,897.12 — Agency AmEx travel spending$929,947.88 — KDE out-of-state travel$28,179.35 — Flights (possible non-employees)$137,956.05 — CPE travel$13,082.16 — SF conference (10 people)$183,575.87 — KSP security travel$12,519 — DC hotel stays$354.64 — Dinner for four$200 — Traffic tickets$11,786.33 — Flights to Europe$10,953.33 — Eau Palm Beach Resort stay$7,632.07 — Germany limousine$5,491.48 — Japan hotel$1,016.12 — Single dinner$5,192.16 — Switzerland airport services$4,671.46 — Switzerland vehicle rental$3,946.40 — DC/LA car rentals$3,499.50 — Limelight Hotel Aspen$520.73 — Caribou Club meals$3,179.19 — Beverly Hills hotels$3,013.87 — Boar’s Head Resort$2,935.89 — Florida lodging$2,907.62 — Hilton Dallas$2,688.91 — Hyatt Zurich$2,519.23 — San Francisco hotel$2,179.32 — Montage Laguna Beach$1,625.17 — Seattle hotel$1,574.37 — Flight to Boston$1,527.70 — Flight to Palm Springs$1,437.20 — New York hotel$1,376.77 — San Diego meals/lodging$1,351.67 — Flight insurance bundle$678.45 — DNC security meals🚗 In-State Travel FlagsDepartment of Education conferences$360,000 — 75-person conference$222,750 — 450-person conference$168,000 — 35-person conference$165,000 — 300-person conference$107,250 — 325-person conference$59,700 — 100-person conference$41,950 — Galt House conference$33,800 — Louisville seminar$33,500 — Training event$27,561.60 — 80-person seminar$23,061.20 — 80-person seminar$19,693 — 47-person seminarOther agencies$15,339.12 — Natural Bridge meeting$24,659.53 — Unspecified Lexington conference$23,625 — Awards lunch catering$16,965.33 — Derby hotel/catering$16,029.35 — Bowling Green seminar hotels$656.98 — No-show hotel rooms🍽️ Trainings, Conferences, Food$338,452.10 — Derby events nonprofit$17,012.73 — Jeptha Creed dinner$153,377.71 — DPA 2024 conference$189,237.52 — DPA 2025 conference$5,581.60 — Large fajita lunch$4,082 — Catered lunchSpeaker fees (CPE)$30,000 — CoolSpeak speaker$14,120 — Two speakers (“systemness”)$6,200 — Keynote speakers$4,000 — Improvement Science speaker$3,050 — QEP planning speaker$3,000 — Growth mindset speaker$1,800 — Equitable access speakerMedicaid banquet$34,392.04 — Total banquet$8,985 — Breakfast$13,485 — Lunch$4,503.50 — Break food$6,431.04 — Service charges🎓 KDE Event Spending$84,061.75 — Conference (incl. food)$56,763 — Out-of-state conference$56,875.20 — Conference total$46,240 — Food$10,635.20 — Service charge$10,551.93 — Event costs$7,340.64 — 3-person conference$1,232.90 — Awards baked goods$1,019.40 — Catered meeting food🧾 Other Notable Expenditures$69,770,650.13 — Temporary manpower~$8 million — Driver Licensing temps$51,802,056.45 — Services not classified$179,692.80 — 300 chairs installed$70,258.62 — State Fair booth work$10,037.89 — Bristol Bar & Grille$2,410.95 — Panera lunches$1,493.80 — Staxx BBQ lunches$1,037.72 — Qdoba lunch$625 — Event photographer$118,383,223 — “Other” expenses$3,983,338.04 — Travel for non-employees$11,466 — Boone Tavern seminar💻 Subscriptions / Dues / Promo$3,273,091.32 — Subscriptions$4,149 — Shutterstock subscription$478.51 — Facebook spend$10,336,469.39 — Dues total$908,315.06 — Payments to SOVA Solutions🧑⚖️ DCBS-Specific Flags$915,997.89 — Outside legal services$34,307,475.50 — IT services despite internal IT
