Today’s Omaha World-Herald was all about airplanes. More specifically, it was about perceived traveling abuses involving airplanes.
The World-Herald wrote two front page stories about jets.
Heineman gets a free ride with campaign, rival says – Omaha World-Herald
ConAgra says jets needed – Omaha World-Herald
King Air B200 – similar to the aircraft Governor Heineman travels in
This must have been the World-Herald’s yearly Aviation Edition. I’m going to briefly comment on the article about Governor Heineman because this is a political blog (although, I do encourage you to read the Conagra story because it’s very interesting).
After reading the first couple sentences of the article, I had a hunch Dave Nabity was the person raising a flag on this issue (and I was correct).
Omaha businessman Dave Nabity, who is seeking the GOP nomination in the May 2006 primary, said some of the travel constitutes political campaigning. He said the governor’s campaign should reimburse the state.
“I’m sure there is probably no end to the ribbon cuttings and the chili feeds he could go to,” Nabity said. “The question is: Is the chili feed a business of state government?”
Nabity brings up a good point, but he fails to show us how to distinguish between an official visit and campaign stop.
Nabity questioned whether it was necessary for the governor to use the state airplane to make a 10-city tour of Nebraska after the Legislature passed an economic development bill.
Nabity said if he had been governor, he would have left it up to his economic development staff to explain the new bill. He said that if elected governor, he will spend the bulk of his first year working on his agenda at the State Capitol.
“The fact that he can get on an airplane and fly to five cities a day and hand out grants, that gives him an advantage,” Nabity said.
In a perfect world, the line between a campaign stop and an official visit would be easy to identify. This is a legitimate issue to bring up, but I don’t see Nabity gaining any ground from it. Heineman can spin this issue in a variety of ways… “I’m a hands-on governor, and a hands-on governor needs to visit his constituent’s across the state to know what’s going on.” He could also explain the increase in travel by calling Mike Johanns a home-body that didn’t like to leave Lincoln very much.
In conclusion, I really don’t know what to make of this issue. Each side has a legitimate argument. The only complaint I would have is Governor Heineman is getting all the perks of an elected official and he isn’t one.
Also, I wrote about this issue so I could post a picture of an airplane on the blog for my buddy Daniel.
For how big Nebraska is, i think it is important for the Gov to be able access any part of his state at any time with out using an extensive amount of time.
I would really rather question the type of plane that he is flying in.
The King Air 200 is best of the best when it comes to turboprops for distance comfort and speed. The problem is, Nebraska has a lack of airports that can handle it safely. For the governor or any paying passenger, the safe runways need to be at least 5000 feet (yes one mile). You could count the number of Runways in Nebraska with over 5000 feet on two hands.
I think i am going to stick up for conAgra even though I don’t like them.
They are based in smaller cities where major airline service is not the best (I.E. Epply). I am sure they didn’t sit around one day and decided to order 11 jets. I am sure they were added on a need bases.
It all comes down to the fact the King Air 200 is a sexy beast.
This is an issue that I guarantee you, could be brought by the challenger of every incumbent governor in America. When elections role around, the stops get more numerous, and more pointed.
OK- saying Dave Heineman isn’t an elected official is pure crap. Heineman has bee elected in statewide elections three times- treasureer in 1994, 1998, and lieutenant governor in 2002. His only fault is that Johanns is a good agriculture man and his party actually gets someone elected to President.
Frank, don’t forget the part about Senator Ben Nelson turning down the job as agriculture secretary.
Frank – Heineman wasn’t “elected” to shit. He was appointed Treasurer and ran on a ticket with Mike Johanns, not on his own like LG candidates used to. He’s been flying around the state cutting ribbons his entire elected, or shall I say, appointed, career…
so i guess nobody wants to talk about planes
I will. I’m leaving on a jet plane don’t know if I’ll becoming back again. Oh, baby I hate to go. Who remembers that song?