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.

FMI: www.myflorida.com