Posted on 01/09/2009 1:48:40 PM PST by Pyro7480
In a time of economic turmoil, most Americans are being frugal with their money, but one freshman congressman is taking cost-cutting to a new level.
Newly elected Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, opted out of renting an apartment in Washington, instead deciding on a cot in his office every night.
"I will save $1,500 a month doing this," Chaffetz said. "I get paid a very handsome salary, no doubt about it, but you know, I've got expenses and a future for my kids and my family, too."
In a stroke of luck, Chaffetz was one of the few freshmen members of Congress to have the chance at an office with a window when he drew number six out of 55 in the office lottery.
His office in the Longworth House Building comes with a half-bathroom, a closet that fits a cot, and what he calls his "breakfast nook" where he stores Fig Newtons, granola bars and mixed nuts.
The building also has a gym with a shower room, where Chaffetz starts his day about 5:45 each morning....
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
“they aren’t expected to fly home 2000 miles or so every weekend to meet with constituents.”
Cry me an effin’ river.
He lives in Alpine, Utah with the likes of Merlin Olsen- Pro Football Hall of Fame Dale Murphy two-time MVP winning and Todd Christensen- five-time Pro Bowl tight. It’s SUCH a struggle for him.
Cheap b*stard.
I saw an article in the GR Press last year re. our Congressman Pete Hoekstra, which told how he sleeps on a couch in his office and flys home on the weekend to keep up with kis’s activities. He also does a yearly bike tour of his district.
If you want the job, you deal with the pay. In fact, it's not supposed to be about the money.
When did we all lose sight of that?
“costing taxpayers more because he sleeps in his office rather than rent and commute”
As I, and other have said earlier, the office is a place of business not a place for him to “save$1,500 a month” by not getting a room.
It’s not the $2 utility cost. It’s the arrogance of thinking that he can use his...a public building, as a place to sleep.
Spend $500 a month a get a room, you cheap b*astard.
Nothing new.
Once he gets to know the other freshman congressmen they’ll work out an apartment share. Tip O’Neal and a few other congress critters used to rent an apartment. It’s been going on at least that long, maybe longer.
I hear people are renting out their houses to insisting Obama-loving fools who want to stand in the cold in hopes of catching a glimpse of his historically ugly face.
Yea I’m glad Cannon lost. And very glad the rat got blown out in the GE, a rat did hold this seat.
Yeah they used to do this a lot. Mark Sanford did it. Surely some do it as a gimmick, or to save money like he said, it’s expensive in DC.
Many, if not most, Congressmen take a pay cut when elected. The costs of maintaining a household back in their home state plus one in DC is going to impose a financial burden on anyone other than someone who is independently wealthy to begin with.
A Member of the House makes less than a 2nd or 3rd year associate at a large DC law firm, to give you a point of comparison when it comes to incomes here. Low pay for Congressment ensures that people like Ted Kennedy and John Corzine will always be more likely to become Congressmen than a small business owner from rural Idaho.
‘$174,000 a year is a substantial pay for someone who is doing something that should be done for the good of the people and out of a sense of patriotic duty.’
Sorry, it simply isn’t given the cost of living in DC, and the cost of living wherever the rep is from.
Its why we keep getting wealth ‘lawyers’ as House reps and Senators. Their the only ones that can afford it, because they are already wealthy/rich/very well off...call it what you want.
Yes, in ‘theory’ $174k should be enough. Problem is, we live in the real world, with all of its bills.
‘If you want the job, you deal with the pay. In fact, it’s not supposed to be about the money.
When did we all lose sight of that? ‘
When incoming House and Senate freshman show up for the first day, and realize they don’t have enough money in the checking account to pay for the mortgage back home, and the apartment in the DC area.
“But his accomodations are not the most comfortable or peaceful - especially when the cleaning crews come in later in the evening”
Where does it say you have to admit some cleaning crew into your private office, I’d either do it myself or with the help of the office staff.
If the staff didn’t like it they could go find another job.
I had offices with 7 people for over 40 years and wouldn’t thinl od hiring some outside person to clean them.
If they’re that poor at planning, why would we want them running the country.
Its not about poor planning...but I suspect you know that.
Again, this is why we get mega wealthy types, rather than average citizens, with the average citizen viewpoint.
Of that, there is no doubt.
this guy lives in utah and works in dc. your comparisons do not apply.
‘I will say this.....I could easily support myself and my family on 145+K per year.
Of that, there is no doubt. ‘
Uh huh, and your willing to spend 450,000 to get the job?
Like I’ve said a couple of times here, this is how it is we get wealthy lawyers for House Reps, and Senators.
Yep, you can live quite well on 145k per year, in most parts of the country.
But supporting two homes, or a home and an apartment in Washington DC?
Its a near thing for most.
Makes no difference where his home district is. He’s using a public building as a bedroom.
What about the Geo-bachelors who move to DC and and leave their families back at their previous duty station? I guess they should be able to move in with that cheap b*stard, too.
As for a home and apartment, it can easily be done. Just don't live (and spend) like a demoncrat.
Publicity stunt, or genuine?
Let’s see where he’s sleeping when he runs for re-election in 2 yrs and then where he’s sleeping after his 3rd yr in office should he win. At some point I’d guess he’d opt out of this arrangement and at least find a shared arrangement.
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