Flying on the taxpayers dime: who uses the state helicopters?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution took at look at who is flying in the state helicopters, thanks to Georgia's open records laws, and found these numbers.
The AJC is helping you keep an eye on how state tax dollars are spent.
Two agencies, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), offer the flights. It can cost up to $450 an hour to use one.
Office of the Governor (DPS) — 56.4 hours*
Department of Economic Development (DNR) — 57.3 hours*
Department of Education (DNR) — 37.9 hours*
Office of the House Speaker (DPS) — 10.2 hours*
Office of the Lieutenant Governor (DPS) — 8.1 hours*
Office of Planning and Budget (DPS) — 4.1 hours
Aviation Authority (DNR) — 3.9 hours
Judicial Qualifications Commission (DPS) — 3.8 hours
Ports Authority (DNR) — 2.4 hours
Department of Public Safety board members (DPS) — 2.3 hours
Forestry Commission (DNR) — 2.2 hours
*Gov. Nathan Deal flew 53.4 hours; Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr flew 0.8 hours; Superintendent Richard Woods flew 37.6 hours (DoE had one 0.3-hour flight with no passengers listed); Speaker David Ralston flew 10.2 hours; and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle flew 8.1 hours.
About the Author
Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.
