By Associated Press
Frankfort, KY – Rent, utilities and satellite television for a security building used by Kentucky State Police near Gov. Steve Beshear's private farm has cost the state more than $43,000 in the past 3 1/2 years.
When Beshear stays at his private residence instead of the state-maintained Executive Mansion next door to the Capitol, police assigned to his security detail use the building.
The state Cabinet for Finance and Administration pays $987 a month to rent the building, officials said, and state police pay for electricity, water and satellite TV, according to records the Lexington Herald-Leader obtained under the state Open Records Act.
Kentucky Republican Party Chairman Steve Robertson said in lean times, officials should be frugal with state funds.
Beshear spokeswoman Kerri Richardson said in a statement that most recent governors have spent part of their time at private residences and that the Beshears' home is a working farm that requires their attention regularly.