Says "Every Little Bit Helps"

As she reminded on the campaign trail last Fall, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin famously listed her office's Westwind II executive jet on eBay when she decided it was overkill for her office's needs. Now, The Associated Press reports Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle wants to sell an under-utilized, 1984 Cessna Citation to raise a million-plus dollars toward his state's budget gap.

In a letter obtained by the AP, Cagle asked state Transportation Board Chairman Bill Kuhlke, "If this is the case considering our state is in need to cut expenses, please move forward in selling this plane."

A million dollars seems like a drop in the bucket against a state deficit of $1.6-billion, but Cagle says every little bit helps. "During these times our state can't afford private jet spending on a minivan budget."

Cagle is seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2010, when Governor Sonny Perdue's second term expires.

Selling the plane for what it's worth could be tricky right now. As ANN reported earlier this week, aviation investment consultant Brian Foley says the glut of small jets in worldwide inventory will reach 20% of the world's active fleet by mid-year.

Even before we were officially in a recession, Alaska's jet didn't find any takers on eBay in 2006. It was eventually sold the next year to an Alaskan businessman for $2.1 million, $400,000 less than the asking price.

FMI: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/