New Mexico Gets Rid of Their State Jet

It was a bit much. Our former Gov. wanted to look cool getting out of a jet when he hobnobbed with Hollywood. Instead he looked like a turd when he squeezed out of the little Bravo. He should have purchased a Be350 or 200. The dude from Alaska got a sweet deal.

When utilized correctly, state owned, as well as corporate aircraft; are useful tools in bringing new companies and much needed work the local economy. The new Gov could have been educated a little more and "right sized" the flight department instead of just unloading a valuable asset.

We will see more of this, at least from the new generation of populist governors intent on balancing their budgets and breaking dependence on Washington.

Florida put its King Air and its Citation Bravo on the market when Scott took the governorship. Florida is somewhat unique as its capital has few direct and/or affordable flights between its major cities with JAX, RSW, GNV and Orlando completely shut out. As a Board chair of a health care system, it was far cheaper to charter a King Air to move our Board members and Administration to Tallahassee than fly to Atlanta and then back to Tallahassee during the legislative season.

Our state is the 5th largest with hardly any airline service except for a handful of cities. I think the Gov is using the Be90 a lot more than she thought she would. Aviation is critical for getting around.

Scott put the King and Bravo on the market(campaign promise) but of course he not knowing Florida law(he is an attorney)violated the state constitution and Florida Statutes. It was a "pesky" little detail.

Some state like Massachusetts, use the state police helicopter to fly around the governor. Makes sense as the state already has a need for the helos and its much cheaper for states this size, less than 200 miles end to end

@kadiver It had nothing to do with looking cool. Because if that were the case, he would have gotten a Gulfstream jet. Richardson was an ambassador for the state of New Mexico and for the US. He traveled quite often and state's King Air and Turbo Commander didn't cut it when he needed speed and distance. Martinez will figure out, that the state had spent money on an invaluable business tool and will regret the sale in the long run, if she's still around.