Unapologetic, Christie reimburses state and explains Coptergate
DENVILLE, N.J. - Gov Christie has reimbursed the state for two helicopter rides that he took to his son's baseball games, but in addressing the controversy head-on this afternoon he said the rides were still justified, appropriate and legal.
Unapologetic, Christie reimburses state and explains Coptergate
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
DENVILLE, N.J. — Gov. Christie has reimbursed the state for two helicopter rides that he took to his son’s baseball games, but in addressing the controversy head-on this afternoon he said the rides were still justified, appropriate and legal.
"I don't use it to joy ride around New Jersey," Christie said of the brand-new $12.5 million state police helicopter. "I use it when I absolutely need to do it, when my schedule puts so many demands on me theres no other way."
For the first time since the story — and pictures — of Christie arrival from the sky at the baseball game surfaced on Tuesday, Christie held a press conference attended by more than two dozen journalists. He answered questions for more than a half-hour, calmly and sometimes humorously, and never apologized.
He also detailed his demanding schedule, saying he had three pressing engagements on Tuesday. First, he wanted to watch the first hearing for his nominee for the Supreme Court, Anne Patterson, whom he had nominated more than a year earlier. That hearing began after 2 pm.
Secondly, he wanted to see what might have been the last playoff game for his son, who had become starting catcher of his high school baseball team after starting the season on the bench.
And finally, he wanted to keep an engagement he had with a group of Republican Iowa fundraisers, whom he had scheduled dinner for at the governor's mansion in Princeton in the early evening.
Afterward, he said, his son, Andrew, said: "Dad, thanks for coming."
In a sign of how quickly this story buzzed through the national and social media, CNN carried part of the press conference live.
Christie’s office also released Thursday a log of the 35 helicopter trips the governor has taken since he came to office in 2010, including a second baseball game last week. That trip had not been reported before.
The Republican governor acknowledged that the pictures of him getting out of the chopper and reports of him taking a black vehicle with tinted windows the final 300 feet to the baseball field reflected poorly on the cost-cutting fiscal conservative.
“Perception matters,” he said. “So if by writing this check today people feel better...great, that’s fine by me. But I don’t want them to be confused by the fact that this cost them anything additional, because it didn’t.”
As the superintendent of the state police noted yesterday, the helicopters are flown every day anyway — so there is no additional expense for taxpayers, he said.
Christie said he wrote a check to the state for $2,151.50 for the trips to Tuesday's games, and one last Friday. The state Republican Committee will pay $1,232 to cover teh cost of the final leg on Tuesday, which took him and his wife to meet with the Iowans.
the liberals just want to tax and spend and critize the only Gov who has tried to stop the out of contols spending in NJ do not allow the press take the eye off the important job cut spending and attract employers to Nj to help job and economic growth.It costs NJ 2 million for each mile of new roads and $200,000 1/10th in Florida and other non union states.Our spending has place NJ in the top 1 % of debt and we have the highest taxes in USA.Stop the insanity . we employ 1 our 7 Nj for NJ state jobs.Out source and reduce spending ,pension and health benefits we need to stop the out flow of tax dollars .Do not allow our non quailfied NJ judges tell us where to spend money.They have no idea as salary employees how to contol spending— hannigan- Welcome to our world, Gov. Christie where being a conscientious full time employee often results in missing the important events in a child's life. If I were to have a helicopter at my disposal, multi-tasking would be a cinch. Another example where Gov. Christie demonstrates a double standard andhow out of touch he is with most New Jerseyans.— cpecdr
- Wheres Barack and Michelle flying Air Force One to on their anniversary this year?— Mags37
- Dam, no wonder taxes are on the rise. we are paying for ball game helicopter rides !!!! Just what whould my boss say if i was caught using my company tractor trailer truck to go shopping???? or on a picnic????? why in the sam he*%^(^( should any goverment officer or worker be using any goverment owned equipment like this???? Hey can i use it too?????— remicadekid
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
