Thursday, December 2, 2010

State pols waste lots of trees and $$$

From the Daily News:

The state's budget crisis hasn't stopped lawmakers from spending big bucks to promote themselves.

Members of the Senate and Assembly have spent nearly $9 million in taxpayer money this year on constituent mailings, the Daily News has learned.

The spending comes as the state faces a $9 billion budget deficit and is preparing to lay off hundreds of government workers on Dec. 31.

"It's an extraordinary amount of money when the state is broke," said Dick Dadey, executive director of the good government group Citizens Union.

"And the timing of the newsletters is geared to inform voters just before an election, which is doubly inappropriate."

Senators spent $5.3 million on postage, while Assembly members spent $3.6 million. The Senate and Assembly spent a combined $12 million last year, records show.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Taxpayer money?? I'll take my share now and spend it myself.

Anonymous said...

Instead of mailers, the pols should start blogs to announce their latest pet projects.

Anonymous said...

Marge Markey - State Assembly woman - Maspeth - Send me 4-6 mailing about how boring she is not introducing any thing of value 2 weeks before elections.

Where was she the prior 4 years - she refuses to answer a question on the spot and don't you dare email her your note will bounce back to you.

Anonymous said...

Instead of mailers, the pols should start blogs to announce their latest pet projects.

And what about constituents who don't own a computer, genius?