INDReporter

Bonuses belie congressmen's frugality

by Walter Pierce

A pair of Louisiana congressmen, both Republicans, are near the top of the heap among members of the U.S. House of Representatives for dispensing year-end bonuses to staff.

A pair of Louisiana congressmen, both Republicans, are near the top of the heap among members of the U.S. House of Representatives for dispensing year-end bonuses to staff, according to a report by New Orleans television station WDSU.

Based on an investigation by congressional watchdog group LegiStorm, the station is reporting that Reps. Jeff Landry of New Iberia and Rodney Alexander of Monroe doled out hundreds of thousands of dollars in bonuses to staff members at the end of 2011. While year-end bonuses to congressional staff are commonplace and all seven of Louisiana's congressmen handed out cash, both Landry and Alexander, LegiStorm contends, lavished staffers in their respective offices with more than $100,000, placing them in the top 10 among all members of the House.

Landry, who on Monday announced he will run against Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, in the new 3rd Congressional District, declined an interview with the station although he did release a statement touting other acts of fiscal frugality during his first term in office. Because he is a deficit hawk. Because he says so.

Read the full story here.