Quijano on Reintroducing DeCroce Bill Preventing Personal Use of State Helicopters by Governors

Reintroducing 2004 DeCroce Bill; Asks Minority Leader to Join Her in Sponsoring

(Trenton) - Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee Chairwoman Annette Quijano (D-Union) issued a multimedia package Wednesday in which she called on Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris) to join her in sponsoring legislation he championed in 2004 that would prohibit governors from using state helicopters for personal or political purposes.

Quijano announced her intention to reintroduce the DeCroce legislation following a special meeting of her homeland security panel focused on the protocols and procedures governing the usage of State Police helicopters. The hearing was called after it was revealed that Gov. Christie had used State Police helicopters for personal and political purposes.

The multimedia package consists of a video of Assemblywoman Quijano explaining her intention to reintroduce the legislation and audio and a transcript of same.

The video can be accessed directly via the Assembly Democratic Website: www.assemblydems.com

Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union), Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee Chairwoman:

"I convened today the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee. We had concerns whether the governor's use of the State Police helicopter impacted our state's ability to respond to our homeland security responsibilities and whether the use of taxpayers' dollars was appropriate.


The issue of governors using the State Police Helicopter has been ongoing for years. In fact, both Democratic and Republican governors have had issues with the use and been questioned. It's about time that we clarify appropriate use of taxpayers' money in relationship to the helicopters.

"I was doing research and I found that Minority Leader DeCroce, back in 2004, introduced a bill, which I think was appropriate then and it's still appropriate today, which would require a quarterly report to the Legislature regarding the governor's use of the helicopters and also prohibit personal and political use of the helicopters.

"I would be honored if Minority Leader DeCroce would join me in sponsoring this bill. It was right then and it's right now and it's about time we settle this issue."