Mel Evans/AP
Gov. Chris Christie at press conference in Denville, N.J. on Thursday.
Governor Chris Christie announced today he plans to refund the New Jersey $2,100 for using a state helicopter to attend his son’s baseball game. The Republican remained unapologetic and agreed to pay back money to help minimize the distraction from real problems facing New Jersey.
"I've got a lot of important work to do. And if me writing a check for $2,100 bucks and a $1,200 check from the state committee to pay for these two helicopter rides will allow us to focus on the really important issues to the people of the state of New Jersey, then I'm willing to do it," he told reporters in a press conference.
Christie claims he was originally uninformed that he was responsible for the cost of these personal helicopter trips.
Although just yesterday, the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police said the opposite. Col. Rick Fuentes said Christie's use of the chopper was not costing tax-payers any additional money.
— By Deirdre Kiyonaga
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No, Christie, this isn't about the money, you hypocritical jerk. This is about unfettered, Republican hypocrisy. Do as we say, not as we do. Your critics don't mind if you're using helicopters to fly into your son's baseball game. You deserve scrutiny because of how you, and your party governs, and how you and your party behave.
What about the salaries of the people involved in piloting the helicopter and the limo's? Was all of that considered in the paltry amount he paid? I think not. Times are tough and the leaders need to go by the set of rules that the general public has to.
The helicopters reportedly cost $12M each. It would be nice to know the hourly operating costs for those aircraft including crew, fuel, and support staff. It's nice that Governor Christie paid back some of the expenses for the use of the choppers. However, my guess is that the total operating costs of those helicopters is several times higher than $1,100 per hour.
It is repoprted to be $2,500.00 per hour so he got a pertty good deal, unlike the citizens of N.J.
Cancel
The cost is one thing. Maybe he should miss his kids' games and let his wife do the house fra thing. Christy thinks he has important work to do. What about the father that actually misses all of his son's games because he has to work 2 jobs in order to support his family. He is so out of touch with everyday people issues it is pathetic.
I just saw the clip of Christie saying he'd pay for his transportation. No apology at all. It was more or less "I've got work to do. I'm paying to shut everyone up." I'm wondering if his first name is actually Dick.
Btw, If he runs for President he better take some classes in toning down a bit. He seemed so peeved that if something like this bugged him, I doubt he'd ever make it thru a primary without losing it. What a wuss.
I thought (think) he will still jump in the race and thought he might be the most competition for the Dems. I'm relieved now. After this incident I can see he IS a bully and will never make it.
I fear for Mr. Christie's life. Whosoever's hands those are that keep stuffing food in that mouth are clearly out to get him.
So governor, please take action. Avoid the traffic jams by riding a bicycle. A really heavily reinforced one.
Anyone here think he would have reimbursed the state if he hadn't got caught?
Everyone is missing the point about Gov. Christie use of the NJ State Police helicopter. The biggest problem is not the money, it is the intended use of the aircraft. The helicopter was purchased for public safety functions, not VIP transportation. The helicopter intended purpose is medical transport, search and rescue, homeland security and law enforcement missions. Every time the governor uses (over 30 times) he is taking the troopers and the helicopter away from their intended purpose. The excuse being given by the state police is unacceptable because in a training situation they can clear from the training and respond to an emergency. I do not believe when traveling with Gov. Christie on board they would land in an open field or parking lot and kick the governor out so they could respond to a medevac, search and rescue or law enforcement mission.
Just got done watching the show.. Mr. Christy stated to take care of the state and make it to his kids events he needed a way besides a car to get there on time today at his press conference...
How about all the parents that have to work two or three minimum wage jobs and do not have the "luxury" to even think about attending or can not afford gasoline for the car to set in traffic jams to get from their minimum/low wage job workplace to the venue of the childs event or worse yet do not have a job to be able to pay for their children to be in extra events like the Christy kids. So I do not feel a bit of sympathy for Mr. Christy's situation and definitely agree that he has no clue what it is like to even walk 100 feet in the everyday life of the American citizens. I realize this is only a NJ problem but since he had the "emergency" flight to meet to meet those that want him in a national election he would become a national problem....
Christie's popularity is N J is very low. They know him well Same with many new GOP Gov's including Fla Gov Scott & Wis Gov Walker . Enough said
Wow! MSNBC bashes Gov Christie, but what about President Obama taking trip after trip - family vacation after vacation - at a time when Americans need jobs. Obama plans to reduce discretionary expenses but makes one discretionary trip after another. All at massive cost to the taxpayer. Where is the Obama shared sacrifice. It seems to only apply to those that pay taxes. Under Obama the number of people who do not pay income tax has gone from 35% to 51%. Gas price has doubled. Unemployment has almost doubled. We need jobs, but Obama is off with his family in Hawaii, Rio, Europe, etc. Christie's travel abuse is trivial next to Obama's travel abuse.
NC Bulletin Obama has to travel with lots of security - gets many death threats daily. Christie is a joke Unhealthy unable to even walk 100 yards , he had to take a limo rather than walk a short distance. Too winded I guess
helicopter to a baseball game!!!...nuff said
Bruce, which president set a record spending the most vacation time away from the white house, 499 days? I'll give you a hint...We were fighting two wars at that time.
Libs are threatned by some one not even running for the office! UNBELIEVABLE!
All President's regardless of political party based on Secret Service protocol have to have all of the security and transportation arrangements so this does not compare to Mr. Christy and his cluelessness
How about President Obama reimbursing the country for his date in NYC with his wife to go to a play. Oh thats ok Lawerence you and yor followers are hypocrictes.
Hello ! Going on a date to NYC is Nothing at all like taking a helicopter a few miles and using a limo to go 100 yards to see a game !
No your missing the point, Christie has and probably will always, as long as he is any type of office, spend like their is no tomorrow and not pay for a thing. The only reason he is paying for this is because it was plastered all the national news. He is the hypocrite, talks about cutting and not spending, then he goes and does this.........just one very LARGE JERK.
As for President Obama, how do you know he is not paying for that, or how do you know if he is not conducting business, YOU DON"T KNOW, so unless you have proof your point is worthless.
Folks Please note that Christie could not even walk 100 yards from helicopter to the field. He was driven there ! The man is a heart attack waiting to happen . He can not even control what he puts in his mouth. Yet GOP wants this guy to run for our Pres ? Is this best they can offer - the bottom of the barrel ? How pathetic they are.
Former repub you are right spending taxpayers money to take your wife on a date to NYC is much worse, please don't be a hypocrite. They are both wrong, and if you can't see that then i'm glad you are a former repub.
Christie is just jealous that he isn't Donald Trump, so he tries to travel like him.