By Gary Weckselblatt
Mike Fitzpatrick’s spending habits may not solve the country’s debt problem, but the 8th District Republican saved $160,000 on his office’s operating budget in fiscal year 2011.
The savings is in addition to the 5 percent cut the House agreed to in January 2011, in House Resolution 22.
“While in Washington I’m asking every federal agency to examine spending and cut waste,” Fitzpatrick said. “And I want my constituents to know I take that seriously, and I start with my own office.”
Fitzpatrick was appropriated $1,374,851 for his office in 2011 and spent $160,000 less, returning that money to the Treasury, according to disbursements.house.gov.
The funds come from the Members’ Representational Allowance, calculated on personnel, office expenses, and mail. The personnel allowance is the same for each member while office expenses and mail vary due to variations in the distance between a representative’s district and Washington.
The 2011 allowances ranged from $1,356,975 to $1,671,596, with an average MRA of $1,446,009 for the 435 House members.
“He runs a no-frills office,” said Athan Koutsiouroumbas, Fitzpatrick’s chief of staff, to explain how the savings were achieved.
Fitzpatrick said instead of purchasing new office furniture, he sought out used tables, desk and chairs. He did the same with computers and phones, using refurbished technology “to stretch our budget.”
He said telephone town halls enable him to speak to thousands of constituents in real-time at a fraction of the cost of other engagements.
Steve Ellis, vice president for Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group that tracks government spending, said “We have always viewed lawmakers’ management of their office funds as a window into their budgetary soul. If they are profligate with those funds, then how could we expect them to be good stewards of the taxpayer’s money.
“Obviously there is a balance here, the office has to function and it’s important for the congressman to pay a competitive salary to attract and retain qualified staff, but overall, not spending every dime given to you demonstrates that there is a shared sacrifice with the taxpayers.”
By comparison, former 8th District Congressman Patrick Murphy was appropriated $1,448,264 in 2010 and returned $909 to the Treasury.
Fitzpatrick saves $160,000 on office expenses (Philly Courier Times)
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