Amid speculation that the Beshear administration is already planning to reject Ed Hart’s proposal to reopen Kentucky Kingdom, the Finance and Administration Cabinet just released this statement on their very private evaluation process:

FRANKFORT, Ky. – (Oct. 24, 2012) – Since the call for responses to the Kentucky Kingdom RFP closed on Friday afternoon, there has been an endless stream of speculation and baseless assumptions about the fate of Kentucky Kingdom.

The Finance and Administration Cabinet is reviewing the details of the proposal submitted by the Kentucky Kingdom Redevelopment Company. The Cabinet is carrying out its responsibilities and due diligence to determine if the proposal is a good deal for Louisville and for the taxpayers of the Commonwealth.

The committee members who are evaluating this proposal have the information in hand and will meet early next week. The committee then will determine the next steps in the procurement review process.

While we appreciate the interest in the future of the Kentucky Kingdom property, state law expressly prohibits public discussion of any RFP response. We will not debate the merits or disadvantages of any proposal through the media, nor will we entertain rumors about what may happen next. Kentucky taxpayers expect a fair and well-researched plan for this property, and the confidential review process is an important part of determining the best opportunities for the state.

Garbo talks! With all of this talk about privacy, one might assume that there was actually more than one proposal submitted, because it wouldn’t make much sense otherwise. Then again, they don’t want us to speculate…