TRENTON — A Democratic state lawmaker said today she'll convene a hearing into Gov. Chris Christie's use of a state police helicopter to fly to his son's baseball game. Assemblywoman Annette Quijano told The Associated Press she has concerns over the personal use of a chopper bought to help protect ports and airports and transport people during emergencies and...
TRENTON — A Democratic state lawmaker said today she'll convene a hearing into Gov. Chris Christie's use of a state police helicopter to fly to his son's baseball game.
Assemblywoman Annette Quijano told The Associated Press she has concerns over the personal use of a chopper bought to help protect ports and airports and transport people during emergencies and disasters. Quijano is chairwoman of the Assembly Homeland Security Committee.
"My first reaction was, 'did anyone that needed critical care not get it,'" she said.
Quijano, who was named head of the committee earlier this year, says the hearing will focus on what guidelines, if any, are in place for transporting dignitaries and their families. The hearing will likely be held within two weeks, though no date has been set.
Christie and his wife arrived by chopper and flew off in the fifth inning for the governor's mansion, where a delegation of Iowans couldn't persuade Christie to run for president.
Christie's spokesman says the governor won't reimburse taxpayers.
His spokesman, Michael Drewniak, said the helicopter use was appropriate and the governor "does not reimburse for security and travel."
The governor will face questions today about his helicopter use after a bill signing in Denville.
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