Gov. Tim Pawlenty was criticized for using a state plane to fly around the state Tuesday to give the good news about road and bridge building that will come from the federal stimulus bill -- a federal bailout he has strongly criticized.

House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, called it  “hypocrisy,” said the Mesabi Daily News.

“It’s ironic that the governor is taking a state tax-funded plane around to seemingly take credit for federal tax dollars that he did not support even in the first place,” Sertich said.

The governor’s spokesman, Alex Carey, countered that Pawlenty’s tour was an attempt to explain to the public the state’s role in these projects.

“It's important that the criteria and process by which they were selected is communicated to the public to ensure accountability and transparency,” Carey said. “The governor takes seriously the responsibility to be available to the whole state, not just the people inside the Capitol building.”