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Replogle Defends Airplane Purchase

Missouri State Highway Patrol

The superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol is defending the agency’s purchase of a new airplane. Colonel Ron Replogle told House budget writers that it was his idea to buy the $5.6 million aircraft.

More than one committee member asked Replogle about the quick timetable on the plane’s purchase, as the bid went out around December 6th and was awarded on the 17th.  Replogle says Beechcraft was offering a discount on that particular King Air 250 because it was a year-old model.

“And that price for that year-old model was only available for a certain period of time, in fact, I think we were given that through the end of the year,” Replogle said. “That price for that aircraft would have changed, probably after January 1st.”

Replogle says the aircraft will be used for drug interdiction and other law enforcement operations, as well as for flying the Governor to public appearances.  

When asked by GOP House Member Jeff Grisamore which would happen more often, law enforcement missions, or executive use, Replogle replied with a 70% for executive use and only a 30% for Patrol.

House budget writers also want to question Acting OA chief Doug Nelson, who signed off on the Patrol’s request to buy the plane.

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