Turbulence in N.J. over Christie’s trip in police helicopter

Democrats in the New Jersey Legislature are blasting Gov. Chris Christie for using a state police helicopter to go to his son’s high school baseball game.

Assemblyman Paul Moriarty says it’s inappropriate for Christie to use state aircraft for personal reasons.

“I think, symbolically, it’s the wrong message,” said Moriarty Wednesday. “When you ask everyone to share in sacrifice and then you do something like this, you’re really saying to someone that there’s one rule for me and there’s another rule for everyone else.”

In a written statement, State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes said Christie travels with the executive protection unit whether on state or personal business. Fuentes said state police helicopters use flight time for training purposes, and there’s no additional cost to taxpayers by adding the governor to those trips.

Democrats want Christie to reimburse the state for the helicopter trip.

Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle calls it an abusive use of taxpayer money.

“This governor prides himself on being the only one watching out for the taxpayers, and I think it is certainly hypocritical and insulting,” she said. “It’s certainly a classic example of do as I say, not as I do.”