eBay: Cars, boats and, just maybe, Miss.'s jet

[January 30, 2009]  JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- Mississippi is the latest state trying to unload pricey property because of the economic meltdown.

The state House voted Thursday to sell an eight-seat jet valued at $3.7 million that's used to haul Gov. Haley Barbour and other officials around. The plan needs Senate approval.

The jet can be sold by competitive bid or on eBay. It costs about $1,600 an hour to operate.

House Appropriations Chairman Johnny Stringer says selling the jet would provide another revenue source for the cash-strapped state. Officials would still have three taxpayer-funded planes to use.

Stringer says he got the idea from Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who made headlines when she tried unsuccessfully to sell her state's jet on eBay. Other states have sold desks, police cruisers and armored personnel carriers.

[Associated Press; By SHELIA BYRD]

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