Gov. Kathy Hochul is facing criticism for her use of state aircrafts from Republicans, who are accusing the governor of using the state’s helicopter and airplane for personal use. This issue has been raised about previous governors.
As the election season heats up, critics say the governor frequently takes advantage of the state plane and helicopter with flights that are funded by taxpayers. But Hochul counters that she uses state aircrafts only when appropriate.
What You Need To Know
- Republicans say Hochul is misusing state aircrafts for personal business
- A New York Post analysis found that Hochul used the state plane and helicopter 140 times over seven months at a cost to taxpayers of $170,000
- Hochul says she needs to be all over New York, including Buffalo, where she lives
"We are using the state plane to allow me to connect with constituents, voters all across the state, as well as citizens," Hochul said Tuesday. "So, our objective is to be a different kind of governor. One that is not locked into Albany or New York City, but there is an entire state out there."
According to an analysis by the New York Post, Hochul used the aircrafts 140 times between last August and March 31 of this year at a cost to taxpayers of upwards of $170,000.
By comparison, Hochul’s predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, was criticized in 2018 for taking the state plane 460 times over five years, which averages out to less than Hochul per year.
"It’s great to be Kathy Hochul," said New York State Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy. "You and I are paying almost five bucks a gallon for gas, and have to navigate the unsafe, unreliable subway. But Kathy Hochul gets to take private aircraft paid for by you: the taxpayer.”
.@GovKathyHochul defends use of state aircraft. She has been criticized for overusing the helicopter and plane, even for non-governmental travel.
— Zack Fink (@ZackFinkNews) July 19, 2022
Hochul disputes this. Says New York is a big state, and she needs to see all of it. Won’t get locked into just being in Albany and NYC pic.twitter.com/GReV2EEGXD
Hochul is the first governor of the modern era to reside in Buffalo, which is about a seven-hour drive from New York City.
"I spent time in Buffalo. Yes, I did. I spent time in Syracuse. I’ll be there in a couple of days making an announcement. I was just on Long Island. So, it is a state that I intend to continue to see as governor, but also to listen to people,” Hochul said.
In 2007, then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer accused state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno of misusing state aircrafts. But Cuomo, who was then the state's attorney general, ended up clearing Bruno with a report saying he did in fact use them for official state business.