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Replogle Answers Questions About Mo. Hwy. Patrol's $5.6M Airplane

The superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrolis defending the agency’s purchase of a new airplane.

Marshall Griffin/St. Louis Public Radio /

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 him 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 King Air 250 will be used for drug interdiction and other law enforcement operations, as well as for flying the Governor and other state officials to public appearances. State Representative Jeff Grisamore (R, Lee's Summit) asked Replogle which would happen more often – law enforcement missions, or executive use.

“I don’t have that in front of me," Replogle said.  "I would estimate it to be probably 70-30, somewhere in that vicinity.”  “70 percent Patrol use?” Grisamore asked.  Replogle answered, “No, the reverse...for that particular aircraft."

Replogle also told the House Budget Committee that the new airplane cannot be used for political trips.  Committee members also want to question Acting Office of Administration Commissioner Doug Nelson, who signed off on the Patrol’s request to buy the plane.  His confirmation to head the office full-time has been delayed by State Senator Kurt Schaefer (R, Columbia) over the plane's purchase.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.
Marshall Griffin
St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.