Democrats calls on Farmer to repay hotel expense

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Political opponents are calling on
Republican Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer to repay the
state $1,576 for a four-night stay in a Lexington hotel during the
Sweet Sixteen boys' basketball tournament.
Democratic Party Chairman Dan Logsdon said in a news release
Monday that many taxpayers are "tightening their belts" and
shouldn't have to pay the bill, according to the Lexington
Herald-Leader and The Courier-Journal.
Farmer spokesman Bill Clary has said it was more efficient for
Farmer to stay at the hotel since he spent "an enormous amount of
time" promoting the Agriculture Department's Kentucky Proud
program at the tournament.
On Monday, Farmer didn't directly respond to Logsdon's call, but
release a statement saying Kentucky Proud is "cost effective and
useful" and the Sweet 16 is one way to market it statewide.