Fri, Jan 07, 2011
Has Listed The State's Two Airplanes On Aircraft Shoppers
Florida Governor Rick Scott, who was just inaugurated on
Tuesday, says he is making good on a campaign promise to sell the
state's two airplanes ... a Beech King Air 350 and a Cessna
Citation Bravo. The sale of the airplanes could bring about $6
million, and estimates are that it will save Florida some $2.4
million per year in maintenance and other costs.
But Scott, a businessman who largely financed his own campaign
for Governor, apparently understands the value of aviation to a
chief executive. Media sources including television stations WESH
in Orlando and WJXX in Jacksonville report that he will use his
private corporate jet to travel around the state, and will not bill
taxpayers for its use.
Still, other state officials who had relied on the government
aircraft will be left to drive or fly commercial. "There is plenty
of commercial transportation," Scott said.
While some hail the move as being a real opportunity to save
money, others have called it "shortsighted." Florida TaxWatch
praised Scott for using his own corporate aircraft for official
business. He called the move "more than symbolic." But the owner of
an FBO in Tallahassee called the move "puzzling," saying that it
would be very difficult to serve a state as large as Florida
without airplanes. Some are predicting that it won't be long before
the state is back in the market for airplanes.
The state's planes have been something of a political football.
Gubernatorial candidates Bill McCollum (R-Attorney General) and
Alex Sink (D-CFO) had been accused of misusing the state's aircraft
while in office. Scott beat McCollum in the primary, and Sink in
the general election.
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