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Post by drewsmom595 on Jan 11, 2009 3:09:16 GMT
Congressman sleeps on cot to save cash
I don't know how I feel about this. He's saving rent money by sleeping in his office...but who's paying the extra utilities (lights, water). The US taxpayer, I guess.
By Emily Sherman and Jim Acosta CNN WASHINGTON (CNN) -- 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. Watch more on the thrifty congressman »
The building also has a gym with a shower room, where Chaffetz starts his day about 5:45 each morning.
"My home is in Utah. My wife and kids are there," he said. "I'm here to work."
Cutting out travel to and from the office allows Chaffetz more time to serve his constituents and return more of their e-mail and phone calls, he said.
The savings are certainly a plus for the congressman, who has three children to provide for, car payments and a mortgage to pay. But Chaffetz said his decision had a larger meaning.
"We are now $10 trillion in debt. $10 trillion. Those are expenses that have to be paid at some point," he said.
If he can tighten his belt in these tough economic times, Chaffetz said, Congress should be able to as well.
"Our country has to learn to do more with less," he added.
Although he is a relatively unknown freshman in the House, word of Chaffetz's sleeping arrangement is spreading.
Republican Rep. Judy Biggert of Illinois, whose office is adjacent to Chaffetz's, said he isn't the first to sleep in his office, and he won't be the last.
"This is a job that you have to have, really, two homes. One in your district where you're there on the weekends and then one here during the week, and it's expensive," Rep. Biggert said.
"I'm really glad we have a neighbor here to make sure that the neighborhood is safe at night when we're not here," she joked, adding that Chaffetz is actually projecting the right image of the Republican Party by being a "fiscal conservative."
Chaffetz said he is finally getting used to sleeping on his not-so-comfortable cot, but that doesn't mean he rests easy at night.
"My biggest challenge is what goes on in the hallway at night," Chaffetz said. "There's this cleaning machine that comes down the hall at night. And it's got that obnoxious beep, beep, beep."
Despite the din, Chaffetz has no plans to search for another form of housing -- unless his back gives out.
"I've got to keep my back in check, but so far, so good," Chaffetz joked. "But look, our troops are sleeping on a lot worse than this."
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Post by iamjumbo on Jan 11, 2009 15:44:13 GMT
a true public servant who realizes that he is there todo a job
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Post by Big Lin on Jan 15, 2009 12:40:16 GMT
With some politicians it would be better if they DID carry on sleeping on the job!
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Post by chefmate51 on Jan 18, 2009 21:02:01 GMT
I get pizzed because judges in our county get over $120000 a year yet get a car allowance while we have to make do on our salaries to maintain our cars.....I keep asking the representatives what gives?
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Post by agaveman on Jan 19, 2009 0:21:03 GMT
I get pizzed because judges in our county get over $120000 a year yet get a car allowance while we have to make do on our salaries to maintain our cars.....I keep asking the representatives what gives? Lack of judges is a problem in the judiciary in both the state and federal levels. Judges tend to be older, experienced lawyers, and they often could make more money in private practice. Compensating judges is important.
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Post by chefmate51 on Jan 19, 2009 2:44:34 GMT
I get pizzed because judges in our county get over $120000 a year yet get a car allowance while we have to make do on our salaries to maintain our cars.....I keep asking the representatives what gives? Lack of judges is a problem in the judiciary in both the state and federal levels. Judges tend to be older, experienced lawyers, and they often could make more money in private practice. Compensating judges is important. Over $120000 a year is more than enough compensation...plus all the health and dental benefits....there are many who will jump at a judgeship so there are no lack of qualified applicants and they can take care of their own cars and quit expecting us to foot their bills this is why so many states and counties are broke; to much pigs at the trough I will laugh when the CO's union in California is finally busted and they get realistic paychecks for once as they lie to the public about conditions
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Post by agaveman on Jan 19, 2009 3:08:38 GMT
Lack of judges is a problem in the judiciary in both the state and federal levels. Judges tend to be older, experienced lawyers, and they often could make more money in private practice. Compensating judges is important. Over $120000 a year is more than enough compensation...plus all the health and dental benefits....there are many who will jump at a judgeship so there are no lack of qualified applicants and they can take care of their own cars and quit expecting us to foot their bills this is why so many states and counties are broke; to much pigs at the trough I will laugh when the CO's union in California is finally busted and they get realistic paychecks for once as they lie to the public about conditions Well, there are still judgeships that are unfilled. It is better at the federal level, but at the state level, judges tend not to make all that much. A 50-year old lawyer with 25 years of experience is probably going to make more as a private practitioner than he would a judge.
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Post by chefmate51 on Jan 19, 2009 5:46:03 GMT
the average base salary for a state judge in California is $180000; if they cannot live on that well then poo poo on them.
I would think I was living in hog heaven with a salary like that!!!! and I damn well could afford my own car expenses and dental and health insurance
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Post by cammie on Jan 19, 2009 6:38:31 GMT
If anyone wants a bigger salary- get an eduation. Chaffect is thinking about his family expences, and that's why he sleeps in his office. Unless it's illegal, more power to him!
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Post by trubble on Jan 19, 2009 7:15:27 GMT
If anyone wants a bigger salary- get an eduation. Chaffect is thinking about his family expences, and that's why he sleeps in his office. Unless it's illegal, more power to him! Did he continue to claim expenses for accomodation at the same time though? is that illegal?
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Post by chefmate51 on Jan 19, 2009 16:30:12 GMT
If anyone wants a bigger salary- get an eduation. Chaffect is thinking about his family expences, and that's why he sleeps in his office. Unless it's illegal, more power to him! Did he continue to claim expenses for accomodation at the same time though? is that illegal? The article isn't clear about that part but I would hope he is not taking the money but giving it back to the taxpayers. As far as an education, I don't think anyone in here complains of the salaries government officials receive it's just all the unnecessary perks and benefits regular workers don't get nor do the officials need.
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