Grapevine: Chunks of change at TSA security checkpoints
How much are travelers leaving behind?
Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...
Fighting Words
Illinois versus Indiana.
It's not just a Big 10 sports rivalry.
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner -- Republican -- is taking aim at the Hoosier State telling the Chicago Tribune -- quote -- "I am going to rip -- try to rip -- the economic guts out of Indiana. We're coming after Indiana big time. But you know what, we're going to do it on our terms, the right way."
Rauner noted this has nothing to do with Indiana's religious freedom law controversy -- saying that was just a headline opportunity.
He says it is about the money.
Fellow Republican Mike Pence's camp in Indiana fired right back -- quote -- "We'll stack Indiana's low taxes, triple-A credit rating and excellent business climate against those of any other state any time."
Sunburned?
More money down the drain for green energy projects -- this time at an Arkansas Veterans Affairs Hospital.
The facility is tearing out a section of solar panels, installed just two years ago and never turned on to make room for a parking garage.
The panels were assembled at a price tag of $8 million.
The VA is not releasing the cost of the parking garage, and panel relocation saying it is procurement sensitive information.
Republican Congressman French Hill tells a Little Rock TV station he will investigate.
Quote -- "Any project that is a rushed and unplanned waste of hardworking taxpayers' dollars is unacceptable. The $8 million solar panel project, which appears to have been changed on a whim, may seem like a drop in the bucket when compared to the staggering $18 trillion federal debt, but every expense must be fully justified."
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Finally, air travelers are a busy and often forgetful bunch, leaving behind loads of nickels and dimes at security checkpoints at the airport.
And it is not chump change.
In fiscal year 2014, the TSA collected almost $675,000 in unclaimed money.
The top two change-grabbing airports -- New York's JFK and Los Angeles -- topped $40,000 each.
In 2005, Congress gave the TSA authority to use those funds for security operations.
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