Dear Friends:
In the wake of our nation’s economic downturn we must realize
that for us to build a successful tomorrow, we must begin with a
proven financial foundation. This is the case in every economic
scenario. If we continue to make bad business decisions, spend
unwisely, and waste time and taxpayer dollars on matters that
are not of state importance, we will fail in our duty as
legislators.
There will always be individuals that plow through their
earnings and waste what they have. But for those of us in
government—servants of the people, stewards of taxpayer
money—there should be no greater shame than to fail our fiscal
obligation to the taxpayer.
Today, I issued the following press release in an effort to
remain watchful of the taxpayer dollar.
Sincerely,
Donna
2010 UPDATE: The National Conference of
State Legislators, an independent, non partisan organization has
determined that each bill in Tennessee costs over $4,700 each.
This legislative session, Tennessee has filed over 2,000
congratulatory and memorializing resolutions.
PRESS RELEASE
Rep.
Rowland fights for fiscal responsibility in Tennessee General
Assembly
(April 30, 2009, NASHVILLE) – Representative Donna Rowland
(R-Murfreesboro) announced today that the State House of
Representatives has spent over $ 300,000 on congratulatory and
memorializing resolutions so far this year. Since the beginning
of session this year, Rowland has chosen to cast a “present not
voting” vote on most of the resolutions to show her disagreement
with the volume of resolutions passing through the House of
Representatives.
“As a steward of taxpayer money, it is important for us to
recognize the tremendous amount of money we are spending on
these resolutions,” said Rep. Rowland. “While I understand that
sometimes we have outstanding individuals in our districts who
deserve to be recognized, this has gotten out of control. These
little things add up,” she added.
Representative Rowland said that preliminary results done in
conjunction with the Fiscal Review Committee show the average
cost is roughly $800 and additional expenses remain to be
factored into the total cost. With almost 400 filed, the cost to
taxpayers is just over $300,000 for the year. And as Rep.
Rowland points out, there will be more resolutions filed.
2010
UPDATE: The National Conference of State Legislators, an
independent, non partisan organization has determined that each
bill in Tennessee costs over $4,700 each. This legislative
session, Tennessee has filed over 2,000 congratulatory and
memorializing resolutions.
“Before the federal government handed down the stimulus money,
each department was told to prepare for reductions. The
legislature was asked to eliminate $1.1 million. Some of these
resolutions, sign namings, and presentations on the floor could
really have put a dent in that amount,” continued Rep. Rowland.
“We hand these resolutions and road signs out like candy, but
this money is not ours to give.”
Representative Rowland sits on the Fiscal Review Committee,
which conducts a continuing review of sole state source
contracts as well as other budget related items. She has always
been an advocate for the taxpayers through her service on the
committee, having identified over $6 million in excess spending
since 2005, and feels that by casting a vote of “present not
voting” she is continuing that tradition.
“While I generally agree with the congratulatory text of
resolutions, I do not agree that taxpayer dollars should be used
for these items,” she said. “ ‘present not voting’ shows my
dissatisfaction with the time and resources used.”
Rowland’s announcement comes on the heels of recent media
reports from the Associated Press that the legislature has spent
one out of every five minutes on the floor of the Tennessee
House this year honoring and congratulating constituents or
greeting visitors. In other words, out of about 37 hours spent
in session on the House floor, nearly 8 hours were devoted to
“personal orders,” in which House members formally present
congratulatory and memorializing resolutions.
“This is also a great cost to the taxpayers, because for every
day we are in Nashville, in session, we are given a per diem,
and other administrative costs accrue as well,” pointed out
Representative Rowland. “I was elected to the State House of
Representatives to conduct state business as it relates to my
constituents: actions that have a positive effect on our future,
that correct injustices, etc. and that’s what I intend to do,”
she concluded.
