http://wcco.com/local/local_story_287083948.html

(WCCO) St. Paul
"At least four state senators want to know if Minnesota taxpayers paid way
too much for an airplane purchased by the state and if the plane was even
needed.

The 2005 Beechcraft Bonanza cost $727,000, but a Minnesota company said the
state could have bought a better plane for half the price. Now, lawmakers
wonder if the bid to buy the Beechcraft was rigged.

In the depths of a serious budget crisis, the state of Minnesota went
airplane shopping this summer to replace a 1978 Beechcraft.

The Transportation Department said it needs a new plane to better monitor
safety at Minnesota's small airports.

"These are their versions of our MnDOT trucks," said Robert McFarlin,
assistant to Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau. "These are their
working vehicles to get to airports across the state."

For nearly $300,000 less, it could have bought a Minnesota-made Cirrus
SR-22."


The scandal angle was played up by local TV, without a good look at the
state's requirements - for the bids. Anyway, this one might have legs,
.....er, wings.


Montblack