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| Mon, Oct. 13, 2008 |  |
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Report: Beebe received free flights, no personal gifts Friday, Feb 1, 2008 Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A financial report filed by Gov. Mike Beebe in advance of Thursday's deadline shows the governor received four free airplane flights in his first year as governor but accepted no personal gifts. The governor filed his statement of financial interest with the secretary of state on Jan. 24. Thursday was the deadline for state elected officials to file their financial reports, which cover not only gifts, but also all income and business interests. According to the report, the governor, who has said he would not use the state-owned airplane for personal or political trips, accepted four free flights last year. The report did not include the value of the flights. On March 15, he flew to Washington for a House committee meeting on a jet owned by Tom Schueck, owner of Lexicon Inc. On March 23, the Arkansas Democratic Party paid for his plane trip to the Democratic Governors Association spring conference in Phoenix. Alltel Corp. paid for an April 30 plane trip to Arlington, Va., for the 48th annual salute to the state's congressional delegation. On May 10, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville flew the governor to Fayetteville to speak to the Northwest Arkansas Political Animals Club and meet with Chancellor John White. He also attended a ribbon cutting at a hospital in Northwest Arkansas during that trip and a graduation ceremony at Northwest Arkansas Community College. The governor, who checked a box indicating his state salary is more than $12,500, also listed several personal investments, including bonds, certificates of deposit and money market accounts. In a separate report filed with the state Ethics Commission, the governor reported receiving just over $9,000 in gifts for his office and the governor's mansion. Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's statement of financial interest report filed Thursday included not only his state salary being more than $12,500, but income of more than $12,500 from three companies where he served as director. He also listed more than $12,500 in income from his Hot Springs farm, and investments in numerous companies and funds. |
