State airplane not a personal perk, party bus

Much as general aviation serves businesses, the state-owned and Wichita-manufactured Raytheon King Air 350 is an efficiency tool that enables the executive branch to be more productive, flexible and responsive. But the airplane should be used judiciously, preferably in ways that benefit all Kansans.

As the Kansas Highway Patrol website puts it, the 2001 model “King Air supports the protective services detail to the governor and other public officials.” Surely most voters would rather it not be treated like a personal perk or a party bus.

Recent reporting by the Associated Press provided reasons for concern and legislative action.

Using daily logs, e-mails and other materials obtained through open-records requests covering Jan. 1, 2015, through March 24, 2016, the AP reported that Secretary of State Kris Kobach frequently has used the plane to promote voter ID efforts outside the state and to speak at GOP political events in Kansas.

Sometimes he takes his family along, and schedules state business to coincide with the party activities. On one 2,193-mile, $3,290 trip, Kobach attended a former employee’s funeral and an archery banquet.

If Kobach’s predecessor Ron Thornburgh logged more miles, often with relatives aboard, that only underscores the overdue need for lawmakers to update state law. It currently calls for the governor to reimburse the state if he uses the plane for personal or political travel, but doesn’t address other state agencies’ use of the aircraft.

According to AP’s reporting, Gov. Sam Brownback’s use of the King Air 350 over the 15-month period seems consistent with that of his predecessors, including for bowl games and other sporting events involving Kansas teams. Much of his 17,348 miles of travel helped him perform the ceremonial duties of his job. Brownback usually flies commercial for personal and political business, according to his spokeswoman.

The two Cabinet members mentioned by AP, Agriculture Secretary Jackie McClaskey and then-Transportation Secretary Mike King, also used the plane to get to meetings and other job-related events across the state.

But recall that the governor let one lawmaker use the nine-seat plane as a private shuttle in March 2015 when the House was scrambling to find enough votes to pass the block-grant schools bill. And the stunt proved pointless, as two other “yes” voters showed up sooner. How did that help Kansans?

Users of the twin-engine turboprop should ensure that the plane is the most cost-effective way to do the state’s business. And as rules for its use fall short and invite abuse, the Legislature should pass more.

This story was originally published July 7, 2016 at 12:07 AM with the headline "State airplane not a personal perk, party bus."