W.Va. Governor to Buy New 2nd State Plane

While Gov. Palin sold Alaska's private jet, posting it at first on Ebay, to save taxpayers money, the democrat Gov. Joe Manchin III (who is a pilot) is buying a brand new and more expensive upgrade for the 2nd plane in West Virginia's state fleet.

Meanwhile West Virginia is one of the few states that has a food sales tax, the Dept of Highways wants to raise turnpike tolls (which it attempted earlier by slight of hand until a court granted an injunction), and the state was just granted $1.4 billion in federal "bailout" funds for states.

Taxpayers will remember this new state toy and luxury item should tolls increase or other taxes. This will also make the comparatively low income citizens a bit perturbed, especially during an economic crisis being played across TV everyday.

clipped from www.controller.com 2009 CESSNA CARAVAN 208B GRAND New Grand Caravan, March 2009, Garmin 1000, TKS deice system, all options clipped from dailymail.com W.Va., with flying governor, looks to buy new plane CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- After just three and a half years with its single-engine Cessna Grand Caravan airplane, West Virginia is looking to trade up. The state plans to buy a 2009 model of the plane, which costs around $2 million, because the latest model has de-icing features that make it more reliable in the winter. The Cessna is one of two planes in the state's fleet, along with a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air 350. Gov. Joe Manchin is certified to fly the Cessna, but not the bigger plane. The state, which will trade in the old plane, has also specified that the color scheme for the new aircraft should be "dark blue" and "Las Vegas gold."