Hackett hits Paulsen on spending
The Associated Press is reporting today that GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen's congressional office spent $413,996.12 on mass mailings, teleconferences and other communications. That's third highest among the 54 freshman members of Congress:
"With so many significant issues being discussed in Washington such as health care reform, jobs and the economy, we are constantly being asked what Congress is doing and what is in these bills," Paulsen spokesman Andrew Foxwell told the AP. "It is our job to inform citizens in a timely manner and to ask for their feedback, which is why we are aggressively striving to communicate with constituents."
One of Paulsen's DFL opponents, Maureen Hackett, criticized the spending in a news release:
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"While every representative has an obligation to reach out to his or her constituents, the $413,996 Paulsen spent on mass communications last year-the third-highest total in Congress, according to the Associated Press is beyond excessive.
The people of the 3rd Congressional District would be far better served if Paulsen opted for a few less taxpayer-funded, campaign-style mailings and meetings in front of hand-picked, friendly audiences. Instead, we need a representative who's willing to listen directly to the people and respond to them without the aid of spin-masters, graphic designers and tele-town hall phone operators."
Hackett is seeking the DFL endorsement against Jim Meffert. The 3rd Congressional District's DFL endorsing convention is scheduled for April 10th
Update: Meffert's campaign released this statement:
"For someone who claims to be a fiscal conservative, those numbers just don't add up. While members of Congress need to keep their constituents informed, Paulsen's blatant misuse of taxpayer funds is irresponsible and hypocritical," Meffert said, adding that 'while branding himself a fiscal conservative, Paulsen has overtly abused hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars for his own political gain.'
"This is not leadership, it's sleight-of-hand. The repeated use of taxpayer funds to send out campaign-style mailings shows that Paulsen is not as concerned with representing our district as he is with winning at any cost. Paulsen has been on the government payroll for 20 years - it's time for him to go.'