State government is in sorry condition when news that a governor actually paid her own way on vacation is, well, news.
The Charlotte Observer reports:
A review of Perdue’s travel since her election shows that she has operated differently than Easley. He took at least 25 flights between 2003 and 2008 aboard aircraft owned by a few influential N.C. businessmen. They provided the trips for free, or their value exceeded campaign contribution limits.
And Easley kept the entire arrangement secret. His lawyer said he would amend Easley’s campaign reports after The News & Observer reported on the flights last month.
The state troopers who provide security for the governor keep flight records of when they travel with the chief executive. Those records, which revealed Easley’s flights, show that Perdue appears to have provided more transparency as governor and governor-elect.