What could you buy for $800 a month?
Residents of Maine’s second congressional district could buy a lot. That could pay the rent for an average sized apartment, groceries, gas and dinner out once a week. It could buy a few new suits or day care for a couple kids.
If you own a small business, it could pay for the health insurance cost for a family plan for one of your employees. You could buy — every month — a decent laptop, or a top-of-the-line iPad. You could even buy a few dozen shares of Facebook. $800 is quite a lot.
Well, if you are Congressman Mike Michaud, it could get you a new, very expensive vehicle. A vehicle provided by the taxpayers of the United States.
The House of Representatives, which Michaud has been a part of since 2003, allows its members to lease vehicles for use in their district, at taxpayer expense. Of the 435 sitting representatives, only 82 are politically tone deaf enough to take advantage of this particular perquisite.
Rolling around your district in a swank new taxpayer funded vehicle while your constituents are struggling isn’t exactly the smartest image to project for a politician. That — along with being a magnificent waste of money — is why the Senate actually does not allow the practice.
Oh, the logic sounds great. It allows members to drive around their district easily to meet with the people. Those who make use of it say it saves money from mileage reimbursements (a dubious claim).
Of course, essentially all lavish benefits congress gives itself can be tied back to some very questionable rationalizations, drawn up by the congressional representatives themselves. Nobody seems to suggest that maybe the taxpayers shouldn’t be the ones on the hook for all of that in the first place.
For Michaud, the spoils of life in Washington give him a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV, for a monthly charge to the taxpayers of $795. There was a time when modest Mike Michaud was famous for driving a forklift, rather than a posh taxpayer funded hybrid SUV, but it seems those days are over.
Naturally, there is more to the story. Michaud’s vehicle is leased from Lee Leasing in Auburn, part of the Lee Auto Malls group of dealerships in Maine. The Lee family has been a major contributor to Michaud’s congressional campaigns for a decade. Adam Lee, Catherine Lee and Shep Lee have collectively contributed roughly $10,000 to Michaud over the years.
The dots here are not hard to connect. Michaud saw an opportunity to obtain a vehicle for his own use funded by the taxpayers, and also saw a chance to pay back a major campaign contributor with that tax money.
I have a problem with this entire program, obviously. Senators, who have much more area — entire states — to travel, are wise enough not to do this. Still, there are those who take advantage of the program who at least attempt to be judicious with the tax dollars they spend.
Democrat Xavier Becerra of California spends only $271.80 a month on his car, and Republican John Sullivan of Oklahoma spends $258.30, both of which are lower than my wife’s payment for her microscopic sized Chevy Cruze.
Michaud could at least try to pretend, and follow the example of Becerra and Sullivan. Personally, I’d prefer if he took a cue from Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts, who drives around the state in a beat-up pickup with more than 200,000 miles on it.
This program simply shouldn’t exist, and if it must than it should be considered unethical to lease a vehicle from a campaign contributor.
Michaud’s 2012 salary is $174,000, which I think we can all agree should be more than enough to own a car and drive it around the district on his own, without needing any reimbursement. It shouldn’t be necessary to give additional benefits when the people of the United States are already being so generous.
Just because something technically is allowed within the rules does not mean that it is ethical, or that it should be done. Mike Michaud should follow the example of 353 of his colleagues, and forego the car.
Matthew Gagnon, a Hampden native, is a Republican political strategist. He previously worked for Sen. Susan Collins and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. You can reach him at matthew.o.gagnon@gmail.com and read his blog at www.pinetreepolitics.com.
sorry made a double post!
I guess it depends on what Political party you are affiliated with Matt. It should come to you as no surprise seeing that Mike’s a good old party boy – BUT – had this been a Republican, the front page of the BDN and PPH would be scouring the story with a fine tooth comb and I’m sure with plenty of acidity.
At $795/mo, the annual repayment is $9,540. It’s good to be the king.
Tilting at windmills.
Wow, I wish the government was paying for me to lease a car–I cant believe no one thinks this is ridiculous?
Well, then, run for office…you too can be a Mike Michaud lookalike.
Wow, when will the Federal government pay for any of us to lease a car for 800.00? He should be ashamed–I guess he’s too good for the fork lift these days!
And like the rest of the legisvermin, he has no shame.
I’m more concerned about Lauren LePage taking home $3,500 / month in taxpayer funds.
Why? The position isn’t new, and the salary is the same as it was under Baldacci.
“Chorus: ‘BUT! LePage’s daughter!'”
I am sure that Ms. LePage has proved to be highly valuable to her father, whose job in Augusta is surrounded by syncophants and self-interested double-dealers. Because he can trust her, he can take the information and advice she shares with him to the bank. In this regard, she has more than earned her paycheck.
Oh, well, if you’re sure.
I am reminded of what manager Tony LaRussa told his players and coaches about the unpredictablility of secure employment in baseball, “Always Rent.” Mike, if anything, is cautious. $795 a month looks like a two-year lease – hence see LaRussa’s bit of advice.
Why would anyone expect different behaviour from a corrupt union hack who the foolish people of Maine reelect.
And the foolish in District 2 will continue to vote for Mike Michaud. Hopefully, there are more smart people waking up. The fact that so few avail themselves of this outrageous program is clue number one. The additional fact that our tax money is being funneled to a campaign supporter: just the way the party works.
This is nothing but political jabs made by Kevin Rayes buddy using 1/2 the facts to inflame the not so smaaat.
What about Governor being driving in an SUV, guess you dont mind that expense. I wonder how much that truck cost….
Unlike Baldacci, he’s using a smaller vehicle.
What a pathetic distinction.
JB, when he was governor, rode around in a nice, black, shiny, gas-guzzling Suburban for four years.
I sent Michaud a polite email, asking him to give up the luxury leased vehicle, and pay for his own transport. It’s time that all levels of Government ditched such programs., and stopped the extravagant spending.
https://michaud.house.gov/contact-me/email-mike
It seems to me that Congress persons make enough money and benefits that they should pay for their own travel and vehicle expenses, like the rest of us have to do.
If a Representative to Congress uses their own vehicle they get to write off the costs to operate that vehicle as a legitimate tax exemption. Either way the tax payer will foot the bill. Its a wonder, since the assasination attempt on Abby Giffords that we aren’t paying for Secret Service coverage for all our representatives.
If average citizens can’t write off their own commute costs, I see no reason that Congresspersons should be able to write off their commute costs. They make enough money, including Cadillac health coverage and pensions for life. They should pay their own way, and the laws should be changed.
Which go to ALL our representatives. Now are the candidates running for Michauds seat all signed up for Grover Norquists pledge? Or are they going to work for the people of Maine.
County and state employees get milage if they have to use their own vehicle for job related functions. I believe the mileage rate is somewhere around 45 cents per mile.
Lobster fisherman and small business owners commonly buy vehicles and register them in the company name and write them off as a business expense.
Indeed, it’s quite normal to have one’s work-related travel costs paid. Professionals who travel for work have their costs covered by their companies. Often they lease cars for them.
The idea that this is some sort of special thing that only goes to House members is simply untrue.
And maybe it shouldn’t be like that. And nothing says that just because they CAN claim special breaks, that they should.
So why aren’t you getting after all members of Congress to cut their benefits packages? That is something that all citizens could get behind. Have you asked the politicians running against Michaud if they are going to give an oath to accept NONE of the benefits offered with the seat? If so what wat their answer?
No, he hasn’t and that’s because this is phony outrage.
I never said I oppose ALL benefits that members of congress get. Just most of them, especially unnecessary, superficial garbage like this. And, my apologies, but I only have one column a week, friend.
With all the important issues that could be discussed in your column, is this the highest priority you could come up with? I agree that $800 a month is high. If they were to make a deal with GM or Ford, I’m quite sure that they could lease a fleet of vehicles for all the members for a hell of a lot less that $800 a month.
Currently the Republican/Tea Party are in control of the House of Representatives. They hold the purse strings and are screaming about cutting costs. Let’s see them put their money where there mouth is.
With all the important issues that could be discussed in your column, is this the highest priority you could come up with?There must not have been any cartoons to comment on this week.
There is a difference between a deduction in the amount of taxes someone pays and the outright gift from the taxpayer. Money that does not come into the treasury is not the same as money that goes out. Politicians constantly treat POTENTIAL income as income.
A deduction lowers the amount of taxable income, but it is not a one-for-one amount. If you are in a 15% bracket you will save 15% of the deduction, not the whole thing. The gift of $800 a month is 100% of $800 out of the tax money WE paid.
Matthew, Senator Brown lives in Mass. Which is not much bigger than Washington/Hancock County. What with the way people drive down there he should be driving a tank.
What is the financial situation of the 82 representatives who take advantage of this benefit? I have been told in the new media that a huge majority of Congress are millionairs. Is Mike a millionair or is he just making a living?
He has made 174k per year for the last ten years, which is almost two million dollars of salary. Being a United States Congressman is not a life that will leave you wanting for much.
His net worth is probably about a half million dollars: http://pinetreepolitics.bangordailynews.com/2010/06/18/olympia-snowe-is-wealthiest-member-of-maine-delegation/
Scott Brown was just a point about a statewide public official and taking care of it himself. The Senate does not do this for anyone, including enormous states like California, Alaska, Texas, etc…
Let us not forget the per diems, the stipends, the Cadillac benefits, and the pension.
I was watching the news the other day and they stated that half a million savings will probably not be enough to keep you in the life style you’ve become accustomed to in retirement.
Instead of nit picking over perks that the Whole of Congress voted in for themselves. How about using your power of the ‘Pen’ to light a fire under all of them to get to the bottom of why cancer patients critical medications are running out? That is something the whole nation should be worried about.
Hmm, shouldn’t that $800 a month go to cancer research instead them? And I am an extremely liberal socialist supporter of the Democratic Party and even I say this is extravagant and unnecessary for any public official; let him pay for his own car like the rest of us, especially at $800 a month at taxpayers’ expense- shameful!!
No. That is exactly WHY I am doing this. Congress votes themselves comfy little perks like this, when that money could be going to deficit reduction, cancer research, or just about anything. That’s my problem with it, and that’s why these people need to be embarrassed, publicly, about their ridiculous priorities.
Well you are a Republican cheer leader, so speak to your party leaders in Congress and have them change the perks of being a member of Congress. I do have a feeling that if Michaud was a Republican you wouldn’t have brought this subject up.
The current problem with the Cancer situation is that there are proven drugs on the market that are in short supply. Hospitals are desperate to get the drugs to treat cancer patients. It seems that rougue hoarders are buying up these drugs and extorting extremely high prices for these drugs. In the mean time both the Senate and Congress are engaged in their ususal circle jerk and running around with their head up their rectums, screaming that the other guy is doing them wrong. While dragging their feet on this crisis.
Oh please, more manufactured outrage coming from Gagnon.
Manufactured, how? You are going to tell me this is okay?
I didn’t say that. But you manufacture outrage when you act like this is the supremely egregious behavior and that it ought most to be highlighted. Republican strategists like to pull out the fainting couch when they talk about stuff like this, but something like 10 billion in Afghanistan a month is like a cool breeze on their face.
You’re only outraged because it’s politically convenient. It’s obvious because you’re upset about pennies wasted here and willing to ignore wasted dollars over there.
Please, enlighten me. What wasted dollars do I not care about? This should be a good one.
Your condescension would offend me if it wasn’t so pathetic and desperate. We all know what your job is and where you get your orders from so quit acting like you’re genuinely appalled by Michaud’s behavior. If you are concerned about wasted dollars, why is this one of the first fishes to fry? Republicans are manufacturing their outrage at a politically convenient moment because they screech about things like this and NPR and very rarely anything real. It’s a joke.
I asked you what wasted dollars I didn’t care about, and you reply with ad hominem (which is pretty much standard operating procedure for you) – once again done from the quiet comfort of anonymity.
This is nowhere near my first commentary on wasted dollars, inside or outside the bounds of my column. See, the trouble with you is that you complain without even knowing who you are complaining about. You just assume.
The real joke, my friend, is your tap dance around the fact that Michaud is wasting a rather obscene amount of money, you know it is wrong, and you are trying very very hard to distract from that fact.
Wow, I’ve never seen a columnist mud wrestle in the comments section before. Surprising.
I think wolfndeer’s point is that there are far more horrible things to be upset about. You may have a legitimate point too, but given the current political climate, this column was forgettable.
You complain about ad hominem attacks and then engage in them yourself. You complain about wasted spending from one party when your party engages in the exact same behavior as well.
It’s hypocrisy and it shows that you’re manufacturing outrage because it’s politically convenient.
I didn’t say what Michaud has done is right or proper, that is so beyond my point though. I’m talking about your obviously questionable motives.
I am ashamed of you Mike Michaud. You continue to show the taxpayers of Maine and this country that you come first.
It seems a classic Democratic credo has been again stood on its head: “Ask not what you can do for your country; ask what your country can do for you.”
Well done, Matt.
This is another reason Mike needs to be replaced by Blaine Richardson.
In an interview by reporter Steve Mistler, a Michaud staff member says the lease saved $7000 per year. See http://www.pressherald.com/blogs/capitolticker/153282315.html
Maine’s second congressional district is the largest east of the Mississippi.
Get real Amy. A staff member says by Mike spending $9,540 that he saved $7,000 and you just believe it as is. And do you really believe that Mr Michaud NEEDS this car or is just taking advantage of one of the many perks he has voted for in his years in Congress. It’s time to send Mike home, he has lost his sense of reality.
Yes it is VERY sad when one like Amy who is also paid by taxpayers, feels this misuse and Gov’t corruption is just fine. Just think what she tells her students.
Unfortunately, I think we know what she teaches her students.
Disgusting response. What are you doing with your life?
Saved $7000 a year over what? Milage reimbursement? Bull****. That math doesn’t even come close to working out. Paying four hundred dollars more per month than that car’s lease should normally be saves nothing, and you know it. If they were so cost conscious, he wouldn’t have insisted on a four wheel drive vehicle (don’t even start with the “it snows” stuff), which wouldn’t have required a hybrid to meet fuel efficiency standards, and wouldn’t have resulted in such an insane payment.
Here’s what would save even more money out of his office budget. Not having a car.
He’s the only one that does this, right?
How does that matter? But no, he is not… though he is one of a very small number… and there is a small number for a reason. Even most congressmen know this is a stupid idea.
How does it matter? You can say “most” all you want, but there are 80+ that do it. So when you complain about one and not another, you’re exposing yourself as an unprincipled person. That’s your job though, so whatever, I guess.
And LOL, love how 1/5 is suddenly a “very small number”. God, what a joke. You might be taken seriously if you were actually consistent in your criticisms and used some perspective in determining which problems you ought to highlight in your columns.
When professionals travel for work-related activities, their costs are covered, according to the rules established by the organizations that employ them. Going to one’s district to see constituents is work-related travel and the costs incurred fit within the rules.
With a very large congressional district that can have snow and ice covered roads, a four-wheel drive vehicle makes sense. They’re certainly quite common up here, Matt.
Or paying for the car himself, out of his yearly $174K salary and additional stipend money.
The Republicans control the House, I say it is up to them to stop this. What do you say Matthew?
I am sure no Republicans are using this little perk. I thought the R’s wanted to cut, cut, cut what is the matter lets cut this.
Don’t forget the 1.2 million he is given to run his office(s). They are all the same.
$795/month for a lease on a Ford Escape? You sure that figure is correct?
Yes. It is on Congressional filings. I’m assuming it is so ridiculously high because he puts a lot of miles on it, which jacks up the price of the vehicle. Makes you wonder, though, if maybe there isn’t a little fluff in there… or why he didn’t just buy a car instead. The payment really should be like 300-400.
Great article!!!!!
You know Matt, if I had a party with a punch bowl, I wouldn’t want you anywhere near it because I would be afraid something that looked like an “Oh Henry” would turn up. I’m voting for Mike.
I don’t understand why he could not have just bought a cheap car like an Aveo with no frills (AC, Standard transmission, etc.,). . . just like the rest of his constituents? After all, that is what we usually can only afford to drive in a new car and plus . . . it would only cost him about $150.00 per month and it would be paid off in three years . . :)
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from the Two big wind Farm development projects Cancelled
http://tinyurl.com/d3svt68
Thomas
H Pritchett · Subscribe
· Works at Cedar
Crest College
Every time there has been talk of
eliminating the various tax breaks and subsidies for the petroleum
industry as one of the means to increase revenues in order to reduce
the deficit, the GOP has thrown a fit and very quickly made it clear
that such eliminations were not a negotiable item. The latest – the
GOP members of the House Armed Services Committee is telling the
military that they cannot buy bio-based fuels unless those fuels are
at or below the costs of the petroleum based fuels. – even though
such practices were actually initiated under President Bush as a
means to ensure that the military would have alternate sources of
fuel in cases of increases in oil prices or major shortfalls in world
oil supplies caused by another war in the Gulf region or a war the
Mid-East itself. The free market purest tend to forget that it takes
years, if not decades, for the free market to adjust to major shifts
in supply and demand. You can not just turn on a switch and expect a
new technology to ramp up and replace major components of our economy
or meet new major demands of the economy.
Reply
· 1
· Like
· May 16 at 11:54pm
Robert
W Baker · Portland,
Maine
“Every time there has been talk of
eliminating the various tax breaks and subsidies for the petroleum
industry as one of the means to increase revenues in order to reduce
the deficit, the GOP has thrown a fit and very quickly made it clear
that such eliminations were not a negotiable item”Each
of us is responsible for our own emotional reactions to the events
going around us. If the GOP throws a fit because they are not getting
their way we must let them have their feelings to work through
without trying to “fix their feelings.” It may be that we have to detach and step over them and move on. Maybe give them a box of
tissues.
The elimination of subsidies and tax
breaks is on the table and the GOP do not get to say it’s not
negotiable. Such eliminations are very clearly inevitable. Some may
put on a uniform with assault gear, drill constantly to be in dippy-top shape and try to make it seem like they’re God and what
they say goes. But, I already have a Higher power and it’s not the
GOP. Beat up and threaten to take or take this 62 year old Maine
hiker’s life. You are not my Higher Power. Thank you, Viktor Frankl.