State Asks For Bids Despite Protests

Just days after New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was able to order his new Cessna Citation Bravo, another US governor is in the market for new wings. This time, it's Alaska's Frank Murkowski.

As with Richardson, Murkowski's bid for a new aircraft has met with stiff resistance from both citizens and lawmakers. But just as Richardson was determined to get his wings, so is Alaska's governor.

"I think it's been clear that we're interested in the performance a jet can get us," Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Bill Tandeske told reporters.

Tandeske's DPS is taking bids for the aircraft, hoping to award a sales contract by July 19th.

Murkowski last year tried to use Homeland Security funds -- about $1.4 million altogether, to purchase a new jet. Earlier this year, according to the Empire, the Legislature excised a line in the budget for $1.4 million intended to purchase a new aircraft.

But Murkowski is undeterred.

"The governor has been pretty clear that this is the right decision," spokeswoman Becky Hultberg said Thursday.

Turboprop owners are welcome to reply to the request for proposal -- but the bid specifies it must have been built after 1990. It must also have a flush toilet -- a private flush toilet (something the state's current fleet of King Airs currently don't have).

In the case of a jet or turboprop, the bid calls for an aircraft with a wingspan of 55 feet, total length of 60 feet and a range of 1,500 nautical miles. Jets to be considered must have built after 1980.

But some lawmakers, like Rep. Eric Croft (D-Anchorage), say a jet is an unwieldy luxury in these austere times -- especially given the number of Alaska runways that are unpaved or too short to handle a bizjet. Earlier this year, Croft actually tried to write a line in the budget that would prohibit the state from buying a jet aircraft.

But the governor is pressing onward and upward. DPS plans to completely evaluate all proposals by July 7th and announce its intent to award a contract the next day.

FMI: www.dps.state.ak.us