Governor Footed Bill for Pat White Appearance

If one were to judge by the level of applause and the sustained standing ovation, the highlight of Gov. Joe Manchin's State of the State address last week was the surprise appearance by acclaimed West Virginia University quarterback Pat White.

Manchin tells WSAZ-TV that he flew the four-time bowl winner in from California on his dime, then put him up at the Executive Mansion afterward.

"I paid. Joe Manchin wrote a check," the governor is quoted as saying. The item also notes that Manchin's staff put the price tag for White's round-trip commercial ticket at $733.40.