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Jet-Setting Governor Irks Californians

Critics question Schwarzenegger's daily polluting commute

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 7, 2008 7:02 AM CST
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(Newser) – Californians are complaining about a governor who rarely spends a night in the state capital and dirties the air with almost daily commuter flights on a private jet, reports the Los Angeles Times. Arnold Schwarzenegger spends most nights at the family home in Brentwood in southern California. Critics say spending all that time in the air—some three hours a day—undercuts his tough stance on pollution, and suspect it's hurting his focus on politics in Sacramento.

Aides stressed that Arnie buys pollution credits to offset the Gulfstream's emissions and pointed out that he covers much of the $10,000-an-hour flight costs himself. The high-flying governor said he needs to spend time with his family. "That is extremely important, to be with my kids," said Schwarzenegger, who insisted that commuting doesn't affect his job. "I do my work on the airplane instead of in a hotel room. It is all doable."

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger presents his state budget plan during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif.(AP Photo/Steve Yeater)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger presents his state budget plan during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif.(AP Photo/Steve Yeater)   (Associated Press)
Critics say that the vast amount of time Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spends commuting by private jet undermines his tough stance on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Critics say that the vast amount of time Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spends commuting by private jet undermines his tough stance on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.   (Getty Images)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gestures while speaking to the media outside the Commerce Department in Washington, Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 , to discuss his trip to Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gestures while speaking to the media outside the Commerce Department in Washington, Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 , to discuss his trip to Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez...   (Associated Press)
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California • pollution • Arnold Schwarzenegger • Sacramento • commuting • governor • private jet

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