Jim Waters of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions says that obesity is getting a lot of attention in Kentucky. One form of obesity that should get more attention, he says, is growth in government employment.

Back in 1982, the governor called for an executive branch workforce to never exceed 30,000. At latest count, there were an extra 37,700 beyond that, costing taxpayers, at minimum, another $1.4 billion a year.

Local government, too is growing.

"Next to manufacturing, the commonwealth's state and local governments comprise the second-largest employment sector in the entire state - more than 18 other sectors, including retail trade, health care, construction, mining and agriculture."