The story behind the scheduled state plane trip before HB 6 vote

“I think the speaker is arranging for the state plane to fly to Chicago to pick up the 3 Reps. who are here. However, I’d rather not spread that around.”

Rep. Bob Cupp, R-Lima, didn’t want it broadcast he might be winging back to Columbus aboard a state plane dispatched at taxpayers’ expense to Chicago only hours before a critical vote on House Bill 6.

The flight, designed to ensure enough “yes” votes were on hand for Tuesday’s House session in which a $1 billion nuclear plant bailout for FirstEnergy Solutions was narrowly approved, ultimately was canceled 10 hours later. The measure was passed with only one vote over a majority.

Records obtained by The Dispatch show the State Highway Patrol flight was in place less than an hour after Cupp sent an email to his legislative aide.

Read more: https://www.ohio.com/news/20190726/story-behind-scheduled-state-plane-trip-before-hb-6-vote/1