Thursday, August 15, 2013

Sometimes you can brag a little too much.

Here is an interesting quote about the Governor's travel expenses that appeared in Sunday's Clarion-Ledger:


The first-term governor’s spending on travel in his first full budget year was about $130,000 less than that of his predecessor, former Gov. Haley Barbour, in his last full budget year as he made many out-of-state trips while exploring the possibility of a 2012 presidential run.

In addition to selling the state’s jet for $2 million, Bryant has taken approximately five commercial flights as a means to cut back on travel expenses since taking office in January 2012.

“Not only has he ridden commercial, but he has raised private dollars to pay for the travel and not at the expense of the taxpayers,” Bryant’s spokesman Mick Bullock said.Article

Oh really, Mick? From who? A shame the reporter didn't bother to question that little statement. So again we will ask. Who? Barksdale? Southern Company? Entergy? The CIA?  The taxpayers have a right to know who or what is paying for the Governor to fly. Probably above-board but one expects the reporter to ask the question. All barbing aside, the taxpayers do have a right to know who foots the bill for flying their Governor.

15 comments:

Bill Dees said...

If Mississippi law doesn't require disclosure of all gifts to elected officials, then changes are due.

Anonymous said...

Disclosure is required - plane trips are in-kind contributions. That's why selling the state jet was such a stupid symbolic gesture. Our governor needs to fly places, and I'd rather him do it on the taxpayer dime than bum rides with billionaires.

Lloyd said...

C'mon, I'm sure politicians would never shower favoritism on companies or people who give them money or gifts.
BTW--who paid for Kenny Stokes bus debt?

Anonymous said...

BTW--who paid for Kenny Stokes bus debt?

Also, the money Kenny begged from the churches to put toward the bus bill.....he said it was used for other things. Where did the church money go?

Kingfish said...

I'm criticizing the reporters more for not asking the question than I am the Governor's office.

Anonymous said...

It would be great if someone(s) would get the ball rolling on the impeachments of snooker and booboo.
They will never be voted out of office.

Anonymous said...

You can criticize the reporters. I will criticize the Governor. We need to know who he is indebted to.

Anonymous said...

I want to know if we foot the bill for Haley's " presidential" aspirations or campaign tv appearance trips.

Anonymous said...

Does the politician have to pay the commercial fare equivalent for that Gulfstream ride? Or can the rich guy just give the gov a free ride?

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with disclosure. The reporter should have asked that question on not just used the press release he/she was given. The citizens of Mississippi have a right to know who is making decisions for them via the Governor's office - one thing we know for sure, it's not Bryant
Bryant's "puppet strings" are so tight he's not allowed to make a move on his own - not that he would know the right direction to move!

Anonymous said...

Wife and I were on the flight back from Paris (we were on vacation, they were at the Air Show) last month with the Bryants. Sat in first class on the domestic leg, I'm guessing business class for the jump across the pond (didn't see them in there but BC is huge on that flight, maybe 40 seats).

About $7k for a round trip ticket for two.

Anonymous said...

In a related subject, I'd love to know who paid the portion of money that former Mayor Greg Davis of Southaven repaid so far? The news reports said it was "supporters". And (here's a loaded question), what did they get in return for their donations?

Anonymous said...

Phil bryant started running for gov at age 16. Who knows what people have paĆ­d for¿. Barney Fife goes to Jackson. Is there a better description anywhere¿

Anonymous said...

11:13. ... The extra cost to the taxpayers (minimal) when haley thought about running for president was the travel cost for his security. He had a highway patrolman with him as is customary. Security is necessary for a governor - regardless of party, typically the only elected official in the state with near-100% name ID and there are lots of people who may be upset about something the government did (lock a loved one up in prison, deny a Medicaid claim, etc.) that threaten to take it out on who they perceive as being in charge of the government that did them wrong.

As for who paid for the political travel, his campaign fund paid for that and those donors are publicly disclosed.

Anonymous said...

6:38 am If the Governor's travel is a TV or campaign or fund raising appearance on behalf of himself or his party's candidate or party outside of the state, the MS taxpayers should not pay for his security, he should or his party should...regardless of party.

And, frankly, I'm old enough to remember being able to hear elected officials speak without having to pay to do so. I heard Presidents, Vice Presidents, Senators, Congressman, Governors etc and even heard them in times of war. It was first come, first to get a good place to sit or stand.

All of these sorts of things are part and parcel of why our politicians are now filled with such a sense of self-importance.



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In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


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There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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