File under Promises Kept

The Associated Press reports:

Gov's plane use lower than predecessors'

By Ryan J. Foley
Associated Press

Gov. Jim Doyle has used state airplanes to travel far less than his predecessors during his first three years in office, records show.

Doyle, who during the 2002 campaign repeatedly criticized Gov. Scott McCallum's use of state planes, logged 28,900 miles in the year that ended June 30, 2005, according to records obtained by The Associated Press in an open records request.

That was slightly higher than Doyle's previous two years but less than the two Republicans who preceded him in the east wing, records show. McCallum flew almost twice as many miles in 2002, and Tommy Thompson traveled almost three times as much in 2000.

"I'm happy to see that's happening," Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, who has called for efficiencies in the state plane fleet, said of Doyle's reduced use...

Doyle wanted to limit plane use after criticizing McCallum on the issue, including McCallum's trip to take his son to a soccer tournament in Colorado, spokesman Dan Leistikow said...

Thompson and McCallum have defended their frequent flying.

"I viewed a large part of the job to represent people throughout the state," McCallum said. "It wasn't to be captive of what was going on inside the Capitol."

Leistikow said Doyle visits all parts of the state, but he has "spent a lot more time in the car and less time in the air."