Reynolds defends use of Iowa State Patrol plane amid criticism
Gov. Kim Reynolds is detailing her use of an Iowa State Patrol plane after reports saying she had been flying on a state-owned aircraft.“I don’t ever use it for personal use. It’s always for official use,” Reynolds said Thursday during a press availability when asked about the plane.Reynolds said the plane was purchased after Iowa received federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act and state agencies were asked how the money could help. She said the Iowa Department of Public Safety commissioner explained the department had an aging fleet and said a larger plane could help support law enforcement operations.“We can search for missing people, for fugitives, and for drug interdiction on I-35 and I-80,” Reynolds said. “There are so many additional uses. It has an incredible camera that’s a part of it that they’ve already utilized multiple times.” Reynolds said she uses the plane sparingly. “When you look at the 20 to 25 hours flown, I was less than 3% of that,” she said.When asked, Reynolds said she has never put a non-state employee on the plane. She also shared that she does not have her own pilot or a dedicated maintenance crew.Reynolds also emphasized multiple times that she only uses the plane for her official duties. “I don’t feel bad about doing it. It’s how I get out and get into the state and actually accomplish more, as well as doing my job here, so I can work all morning sometimes and have back-to-back meetings and get to an event in northwest Iowa,” Reynolds said.Iowa House and Senate Democratic leaders also spoke Thursday during a press availability where they were asked about the governor’s use of the plane. “It is outrageous that she is using that airplane for political purposes,” said House Minority Leader Brian Meyer. “Again, we will be offering the opportunity for Republicans to do the right thing and get rid of the airplane.”Meyer says the plane needs to be sold and — if sold — says Democrats will have a proposal to use that money in certain ways. “We could all imagine a whole host of things on which they could be better spent, whether it’s plussing unemployment,” said Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner. “How about a little bit more money to our schools? How about feeding our kids in schools?” » Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
Gov. Kim Reynolds is detailing her use of an Iowa State Patrol plane after reports saying she had been flying on a state-owned aircraft.
“I don’t ever use it for personal use. It’s always for official use,” Reynolds said Thursday during a press availability when asked about the plane.
Reynolds said the plane was purchased after Iowa received federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act and state agencies were asked how the money could help. She said the Iowa Department of Public Safety commissioner explained the department had an aging fleet and said a larger plane could help support law enforcement operations.
“We can search for missing people, for fugitives, and for drug interdiction on I-35 and I-80,” Reynolds said. “There are so many additional uses. It has an incredible camera that’s a part of it that they’ve already utilized multiple times.”
Reynolds said she uses the plane sparingly.
“When you look at the 20 to 25 hours flown, I was less than 3% of that,” she said.
When asked, Reynolds said she has never put a non-state employee on the plane. She also shared that she does not have her own pilot or a dedicated maintenance crew.
Reynolds also emphasized multiple times that she only uses the plane for her official duties.
“I don’t feel bad about doing it. It’s how I get out and get into the state and actually accomplish more, as well as doing my job here, so I can work all morning sometimes and have back-to-back meetings and get to an event in northwest Iowa,” Reynolds said.
Iowa House and Senate Democratic leaders also spoke Thursday during a press availability where they were asked about the governor’s use of the plane.
“It is outrageous that she is using that airplane for political purposes,” said House Minority Leader Brian Meyer. “Again, we will be offering the opportunity for Republicans to do the right thing and get rid of the airplane.”
Meyer says the plane needs to be sold and — if sold — says Democrats will have a proposal to use that money in certain ways.
“We could all imagine a whole host of things on which they could be better spent, whether it’s plussing unemployment,” said Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner. “How about a little bit more money to our schools? How about feeding our kids in schools?”
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» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play