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Chris Christie Can't Say No To A Helicopter Ride
By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 13, 2012
Modified Apr 13, 2012
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 13, 2012
Modified Apr 13, 2012
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Here we go again. Last June, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie took heat for using a government helicopter to attend his son't sports game and eventually, after much pressure, he offered to pay for the ride—but Bloomberg Businessweek reports that the fiscally conservative Governor's chopper time has only increased since then.
In his first 16 months in office, Christie took 33 flights, or one every two weeks. In the nine months after through February, he took 64 flights, or one every four days, according to logs. In all, since he took office Christie's rides have cost taxpayers at least $217,700. Yes, it would still cost taxpayers if he drove (gas is expensive, especially when you have to pay to have someone pump it) but that is a lot of dough. (Too bad he isn't a billionaire like Bloomberg Businessweek owner Mayor Bloomberg.)
Asked about the rides earlier this week, Christie responded: "I’m not going to be with four children driving around the state at 90 miles an hour trying to make stuff. I put my life at risk and I put the lives of other people at risk. When it’s appropriate to use the helicopter I will. We’ve only used it for business purposes. When I have to use it for political purposes, we make sure we pay it back."
Some of Christie's claims are dubious (are five trips to the governor's vacation house at Island Beach State Park, about 50 miles from the statehouse, business?) but he is being truthy about the political trips: "$1,741 was reimbursed by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Republican state committees for two political trips, and an undetermined amount for a third flight was paid for by Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney’s campaign."
Tagged
choppergate
Chris Christie
helicopter
new jersey
Garth Johnston
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