Kentucky Public Radio reporter Tony McVeigh is reporting that Education Commissioner Jon Draud plans to auction off his controversial state car on eBay. The AP picked up the story:
FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentucky Education Commissioner Jon Draud's expensive new state car will be sold at auction on eBay.
The move is intended to lay to rest a controversy over the purchase of the $31,000 Chrysler 300. The price included about $13,000 worth of upgrades, including a more powerful engine, a hands-free phone system and a global positioning system.
Draud drew criticism by opting for the upgrades at a time when the state is facing a $900 million revenue shortfall. The projected shortfall has triggered widespread cuts to government services.
The education commissioner told Kentucky Public Radio that he plans to enter a $31,000 bid for the car himself to ensure that the state recoups the full price. But he said he will be pleased if someone makes a higher bid.
My question is: Does the state have a price contract for vehicles? Was this car purchased on price contract? If so, what is the legality of Draud bidding and perhaps purchasing a vehicle that the state bought on price contract, especially if the $31k is less than what a regular consumer would pay for the same vehicle with the same options and features? And finally, what happened to Draud just paying the $13k for the features he added?