My Blind Item for the New York Times

From the New York Times Caucus:

The Early Word: Flying on Another’s Dime

By EMMARIE HUETTEMAN

Today’s Times:

• Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has accepted more than 200 free flights worth $1.3 million on private planes as governor, Mike McIntire reports, including some for trips that involved official duties of interest to the planes’ owners, For instance, the head of a Texas oil refinery paid to transport Mr. Perry to a meeting where he urged Mexican officials to consider more business with Texas oil companies. While his trips do not violate state ethics laws, Mr. Perry stands out for taking private flights to complete activities related to his job as governor.

Gee, that's a great scoop, NYT. Here's another one, my gift to you: there's another government executive who constantly flies all over the place in a jet plane much, much bigger than Governor Perry's, at a cost of about $100,000 an hour, also courtesy of the taxpayer and causing huge disruptions wherever he appears. Unlike Governor Perry, however, this government executive's administration is largely considered to be a failure and his expensive trips, rather than for the furtherance of the people's business, are nothing more than thinly-veiled campaign appearances for his re-election. The executive's name escapes me for the moment but I'm sure the Times, with its renown investigative prowess, can ferret it out in no time. It might even win you another Pulitzer. Run with it (and you're welcome)!