The total cost of the trips was about $49,000, according to Fletcher's campaign. The $18,000 represented a pro-rated share of the trip that was political in nature. Fletcher listed 34 political events since June 2006 that involved state aircraft transportation. Usually, as the Lexington Herald-Leader first reported, Fletcher would couple official events like handing out state checks to local officials, with a fundraiser in the same community. Fletcher initially declined to reimburse the state saying he's governor 24/7. But public pressure provoked the current governor to change positions.

When Fletcher showed up at a campaign-related taping at KET last week, three vehicles showed up. Two were state vehicles, the other was driven by a campaign staffer. Fletcher has not said, and I'm not sure anyone has asked, whether he will reimburse the state for a share of the mileage in state cars that are driven to private political events. That would a tougher number to figure. His state police protection is required round-the-clock because Fletcher is correct, he's still governor 24/7, no matter where he is or what he's doing.