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Rep. Keahey continues to question governor's use of state aircraft A freshman Grove Hill legislator continues to lob missiles at Gov. Bob Riley's use of state aircraft. Rep. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, introduced a bill last week that would ban the use of sate aircraft for personal and political use. While the governor isn't specifically named, he is clearly Keahey's target. Keahey earlier sponsored a resolution in the House that sought an official audit of the Republican governor's use of state aircraft. Since introducing the bill, he said he would drop his resolution. State law gives the governor broad authority to use state aircraft and other state property as long as it isn't for personal gain or political purposes. Reimbursements are required for political use. Keahey earlier criticized two flights that the governor and staff members made to attend out-of-state weddings of a former staffer and of a member of his security detail. Keahey told the Huntsville Times that taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for flights t weddings and for political fundraising. "The governor's use of the state plane may be technically legal undr current law, but it certainly violates the spirit of his own promise to the people," Keahey said. That was in reference to a remark by Riley in 2003 that the state jet was to be used only "for official business" and that flights would originate from the state hangar in Montgomery. Riley has said he welcomed an audit of the records of his flights. His office noted that he goes beyond current law by disclosing on his website when state aircraft is used and by whom. The flights that Keahey have questioned are detailed on the website. Riley has asked that the Legislature make the disclosure of state jet use a requirement of law. Previous governors have gotten in trouble by using state aircraft for private and political purposes. Former Gov. Don Siegelman refused to make records of flights and passengers public during his term in office.
Keahey was elected last year to the District 65 House seat that includes portions of Choctaw and Clarke counties and all of Washington County.
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