State plane could be sold on eBay

The Clarion-Ledger, 1/30/9

A taxpayer-funded jet used to fly Gov. Haley Barbour and other elected officials in and out of Mississippi could soon be for sale on the Internet.

House Bill 1065 cleared the state House on Thursday. It requires Mississippi to sell its Cessna Citation by competitive bids, public auction or on eBay, the online auction.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. If it survives, it eventually would end up on Barbour’s desk. His spokesman had no comment on the measure.

Supporters say selling the jet could provide the state much-needed revenue in a shaky economy that has prompted $200 million in budget cuts. Many state agencies are reducing travel to make the cuts.