By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Governor Jay Nixon has been charging the cost of airplane trips around Missouri to various state agencies, instead of to his own office.
An analysis of flight records by the Associated Press shows that Nixon has been billing other state offices for his flights since February.
House Budget Chairman Allen Icet (R, Wildwood) says it was assumed that the governor's flights would be paid for out of his own office.
Nixon spokesman Scott Holste defends the practice.
"He has gone (to) different places, promoting economic development around the state, which is a part of the governor's job, and having the Department of Economic Development bear those costs, for example, is certainly very appropriate," Holste said.
Holste added that the practice would be appropriate even if the state were not experiencing economic hard times.