Representative Eric Croft (D-Anchorage) immediately sent a memo to the Legislative Budget & Audit committee requesting an audit of Alaska's use of federal homeland security money. The memo detailed certain questions such as:

* How much state money would be used to support the purchase of the jet?
* What homeland security purpose will this jet fulfill?
* Was the current aircraft insufficient for expected homeland security needs?
* How much of the federal money for homeland security reaches frontline homeland security agencies?
* Is there a ranking of currently unmet homeland security needs?

House Democratic Leader Ethan Berkowitz (D-Anchorage) noted that lack of proper radio equipment was one of the main frustrations of emergency first responders in New York City on September 11th.

"The Governor's jet doesn't make Alaskans safer," said Berkowitz.

Berkowitz and Croft noted that Anchorage alone is in need of a thorough security assessment, first responder equipment such as emergency vehicles and bomb detection devices, and critical hospital equipment and supplies.

"This is money that was supposed to protect our families from terrorism, not make the governor's travel more comfortable," said Croft. "This jet makes up roughly ten percent of the entire state's allocation. It's about the same amount the entire city of Anchorage has received to date."