Ed Dept.: DeVos Uses Private Jet To Tour Schools At 'Zero Cost To Taxpayers'
Source: Associated Press
By Maria Danilova Published SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 10:53 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) Education Secretary Betsy DeVos uses a private jet to fly around the country to tour schools and attend other work events on her own dime, according to her office.
Education Department Press Secretary Liz Hill said in a statement to The Associated Press that DeVos travels on personally-owned aircraft at zero cost to taxpayers. Speaking with the AP on Thursday, Hill would not disclose details about the model or any other characteristics of the aircraft.
The secretary neither seeks, nor accepts, any reimbursement for her flights, nor for any additional official travel-related expenses, such as lodging and per diem, even though she is entitled to such reimbursement under government travel regulations, Hill said. Secretary DeVos accepted her position to serve the public and is fully committed to being a faithful steward of taxpayer dollars.
The issue of Cabinet secretaries travel came under scrutiny on Wednesday when Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price faced an outcry over chartering five private flights last week for official business when other cheaper travel options were available. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said Democrats would seek a full accounting of Prices travel from his departments inspector general. Taxpayer funds are not meant to be used as a jet-setting slush fund, Pallone said.
Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/devos-uses-private-jet-for-work-travel
Thomas Hurt
(13,903 posts)truthisfreedom
(23,148 posts)Instead of an ignorant one.
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,492 posts)Speaking with the AP on Thursday, Hill would not disclose details about the model or any other characteristics of the aircraft.
I guess we're stuck then. No one will ever be able to figure that one out.
Mr.Bill
(24,303 posts)See post #8.
procon
(15,805 posts)The DeVos family has a net worth of $5.5 billion, so the cost of her own plane is chump change. The issue is this obscenely rich woman jets around the country on a mission to undermine public education and replace it with a for profit business venture that will make her even richer. She doing everything she can to cut funding for schools, marginalize teachers and eliminate collective bargaining for workers.
Sure, she has a nice plane and doesn't bill her expenses to the US treasury, but that does little to mitigate the money cut she's cut the Departments budget.
DK504
(3,847 posts)Liz doesn't get the fact her companies and family companies and their personal fortunes are all taken out of our taxes. Along with the constant strain on our public intrastructure, which they refuse to pay their far share, is still taking money out of tapayers hands.
Of course the rubes will believe the bullshit blurb/bumper sticker comments.
otchmoson
(68 posts)Does she take off and land at private airports? Does she get to her plane on private roads? Does she employ private air traffic controllers to be sure she is safe in the air? I know, I know . . . she (and her family) did it ALL themselves. (None of those little Amway "entrepreneurs" contributed at all to her success story. Their participation in the pyramid that IS Amway got her to the glorious, private heights she enjoys today.)
Solly Mack
(90,773 posts)gilligan
(194 posts)benld74
(9,904 posts)i.e. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10141870533#post12
a DU poster included a image of PROOF planes either were in same airport at same time or in the general vicinity of same airport.
Mr.Bill
(24,303 posts)write off the cost of that airplane on her taxes? As in, not just the fuel burned on the trips, but depreciation and the salaries of crew, etc. who may also be used on personal flights? And does the line blur at all on what's government business and personal business or pleasure use? Does she write off the plane for personal trips by simply visiting a school in the area? Easy to do since schools are pretty much everywhere.
Hekate
(90,714 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)groundloop
(11,519 posts)TeamPooka
(24,229 posts)harun
(11,348 posts)They_Live
(3,236 posts)I'm pretty sure we're paying for that, and it's never been needed before for this position.
jmowreader
(50,560 posts)I kinda doubt she's opening her own checkbook for these planes and hotel rooms. If she's getting her travel paid for by people in the private school or charter school industry, that would be an illegal inducement.
Could someone find the N-numbers of the planes she's using? We can bounce them off the FAA registration database and go from there.
But it's just like the Trump Bund to praise people committing felonies.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,202 posts)I'm too good to fly commercial.
Fuck her.