Democrats reimburse state for Beshear's use of plane

FRANKFORT, KY (AP) - A newspaper's review of Gov. Steve Beshear's flight expenses shows he has not charged the state for political and non-governmental use of a state airplane.

The Democratic Party and Beshear's re-election campaign have picked up the bills, according to flight-expense records reviewed by the Lexington Herald-Leader. Records show the state Democratic Party reimbursed the state about $85,000 and Beshear's re-election campaign paid $5,645.

The newspaper reviewed the expenses after questions arose in March about the governor's use of state aircraft. Beshear used a state plane to attend a political event in Louisa while making stops around the state related to the legislative session.

Beshear's staff initially said the trip wasn't campaign related, but later acknowledged the event in Louisa was political and said Beshear would reimburse the state

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