May 21, 2012
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A flight to Destin, Florida is being called a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Two of Governor Bredesen's cabinet members flew to the panhandle resort town, to speak to a group of Tennessee Chamber of Commerce leaders in the state's private plane.
The commissioners say it's all about economic development, but some wonder if it's worth the round trip flight when money is extremely tight.
Tennessee Economic Development Commissioner Matt Kisber, and Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr were asked to speak at the Tennessee Economic Development Council's spring conference.
"I mean we were down there because that's where they were meeting. We went down, did our meeting, came back," Matt Kisber said.
But Tennessee is facing what could be a $1.2 Billion budget shortfall.
"It's just ridiculous on so many levels," taxpayer advocate Ben Cunningham said.
Cunningham said he sees no reason to go to Florida to speak to other Tennesseans about economic development.
"These guys are paid directly by the taxpayer. They don't need to be hopping on an airplane and running down to Destin, Florida when they could hold whatever event it is here," Cunningham continued.
"Ultimately, investments like this pay off," Regan Farr said, defending his decision to go.
Farr says the trip will promote new jobs for Tennessee.
"If you think flying in that state plane in this weather is pleasant for anybody, than you've never been up in it. It's part of our job, and it's something we do," Farr said.
While state leaders call the trip an investment in the future, others wonder if it's the right choice for today.
"They ought to be watching every penny. Not taking what is in essence a taxpayer funded private plane to Destin, Florida," Cunningham said.
Kisber and Farr weren't the only ones on the plane. They had two other staff members with them.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation says just the fuel for Friday's flight to Florida cost about $2400.
Their other options: fly commercial, drive, or even use video-conferencing.
Volunteer TV spoke to Senator Tim Burchett about what he thinks about the trip.
He said, he plans to have a meeting on Monday to find out more about why they went. "I always wonder why they don't have those things in places like Knoxville or maybe even Nashville," Burchett said. "They always seem to go to some touristy place. You know, right now with the budget situation, we're about a billion-two in debt."
