{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Kentucky Wildlife Commissioner Jonathan Gassett spent more than $71,000 to attend meetings across the country, running up more expenses for out-of-state trips than the governor's chief industrial recruiter, whose job requires extensive travel. Gassett took more than 20 trips to Washington and excursions to more than 20 other states since 2008. Gassett's travels included stops in a handful of resort areas, including Saratoga Springs, New York and Monterey California. He's eaten meals at Hooters in Richmond and at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. State bureaucrats have spent more than $128 million on travel since 2008, while the recession led to a $1 billion state budget shortfall and forced deep spending cuts on government services and programs.
