Evidently emboldened by S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s improper use of taxpayer-funded aircraft, South Carolina lawmakers have decided to use the state’s primary airplane as their personal taxi service to-and-from some boondoggle “legislative conference” in North Carolina this week.
“Palmetto 1″ – which is the name for South Carolina’s Beechcraft King Air 350 – is flying your friendly skies today, making stops on Hilton Head Island and in Charleston after departing from Winston-Salem earlier this morning.
The plane is currently en route to Columbia, S.C., where FITS photographers will be waiting to see who hops off.
These state lawmakers are returning from the completely inconsequential 63rd Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference, which was held this weekend in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Yeah … yawn.
In fact, among the important policy positions discussed at this meeting was a resolution opposing human trafficking – which has obviously been at the forefront (not) of voters’ minds.
Seriously, Southern Legislative Conference. 1870 called. It wants its issue back.
Anyway, we’ll have a detailed flight log for this taxpayer-funded “Legislative Taxi” and other good stuff when the plane lands this afternoon.
Stay tuned …
By Frequent Flier August 18, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Too Late! The people drops were in HHI and CHS…Palmetto 1 just returning home to await the next “fly call”.
By poser August 18, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Here we go! I bet some dems, some republicans…
By Cooter Brown August 18, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Wat! Y’all suprized ’bout dis? Furst dey had deir own hose & chariot, den a hose & buggy, den deir own private railroad boxcar, den day had deir own automobile, now dey gots deir own aeroplane. Where y’all been?
By Abe August 18, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Can we get our legislative leaders to take turns flying out into the Atlantic for up close examinations of all the hurricanes this season ?
By Archer August 18, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Yep, a group of legislators take a flight on a small state-owned plane, taking time off from their jobs and families (and in one case, a father who died during the conference) to Winston-Salem. A real resort location if I ever saw one.
One flight to Winston-Salem hardly seems a problem, especially for people who get paid a paltry $12,000 a year for their service. If they’re willing to attend a legislative conference (it seems a good way for legislators to learn how to be more effective legislators) on their own time, then it seems fair to pick up the tab for their ride.
Will, you might want to be careful, lest we find out how many times you went to events on the taxpayers’ dime while you were employed by the Governor’s office.
Not that we wouldn’t believe the conference may have been justified, but because if you say it’s good for the goose, then it ought to be good for the gander, right?
So while you’re dissing the legislators, why don’t you tell us how many times taxpayers put you on a plane, a train, a bus, a loaner Corvetter, or some other form of transit? We’re getting a little sick and tired of the two-faced hypocrisy coming out of the Governor’s office, so we’d like to know if you’re for real, or just one of “them”. Enquiring minds would love to know!
By Ionu August 18, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Can’t ya drive there?
By ZOOMRU August 18, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Its time all of the CRAP was on-line for all to see….!!!!
Should there not be a 7 day ADVANCED reservation for such flights….!?! At least…!!!
This is BOGUS…FITS…!!!!!
We need big MUG shots of everyone getting off !!!
I do not mind justified FLIGHTS..!! Make no mistake !! But what substanciates a justified flight..!?! WHat is the criteria..??
Fits……get one of your fine reporterettes in Harrell and McConnell and FORD and Gilda’s ….FACE for some firm questions to put on YOUTUBE…!!!
WE ARE …FED…UP !!!!!!
By Kingrichard August 18, 2009 at 8:32 pm
I don’t think you know what you are talking about!!!
By Kingrichard August 18, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I don’t think you know what you are talking about.
By MANNY August 18, 2009 at 9:00 pm
yes…all flights for last 5 years ought to be examined. why not?
catch all the guys wasting tax dollars.
By go jump August 18, 2009 at 9:21 pm
The legislators on this flight deserved to be popped. I believe you find the members to be mainly from Charleston County who claim to be conservative reformers, except for one who drinks under the GOP label.
By Archer August 19, 2009 at 6:43 am
Yep, starting with the biggest RINO of all – Mark Sanfraud
By Dave T, August 19, 2009 at 8:10 am
ZOOMRU-
Philip, is that you?
By Commonman August 19, 2009 at 11:08 am
Legislators are one issue, but lobbyists are another. Legislators can present some justification. Transporting Lobbyists is different. Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees.