MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A liberal advocacy group says Republican Gov. Scott Walker used the state airplane to make 869 flights since he dropped out of the presidential race in September 2015, including 11 trips of less than 64 miles.
One Wisconsin Now compiled public records on flight data to release the findings Monday. The flights between September 2015 and April cost taxpayers about $818,000.
During his first term, Walker and members of his cabinet spent a little more than $250,000 a year to travel on state planes. Over the 32 months examined, the annual average is about $308,000.
When the issue was raised in 2014, the Walker administration released records from former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle’s last two years in office. Those years, 2009 and 2010, he averaged $240,000 a year on state planes.
Gov. Walker's Press Secretary sent the following statement to TODAY'S TMJ4 on this report:
"This attack is a gross mischaracterization of Governor Walker’s dedication to visiting with the people of Wisconsin. Governor Walker has shown an unparalleled level of commitment in supporting, listening to, and meeting with hard-working families in every corner of the state. From visiting communities recovering from disasters, to attending funerals of fallen officers and public officials, to discussing the positive things getting done throughout the state, Governor Walker has shown he stands ready to support Wisconsin and our citizens at any time." -- Amy Hasenberg, Gov. Walker Press Secretary
