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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > May > 30
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Congressman Turner slams paper after story on $1,435 camera purchase
By Jessica Wehrman Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — The Wall Street Journal’s Saturday edition raised questions about a $1,435 digital camera purchased by U.S. Rep. Mike Turner’s office for official purposes.
The example was part of a larger story on how U.S. House members spend their office allowances, and found other lawmakers using their office accounts for everything from leasing Lexus sedans to purchasing $22 cell phone holders. The expenditures are all legal, but described by the newspaper as “eye-catching.” The newspaper did the investigation after British lawmakers have come under increasing scrutiny for how they use taxpayer money.
Turner, R-Centerville, released a statement calling the report “misleading and factually incorrect.”
“The camera the Journal references is not for the personal use of Congressman Turner, but for official use,” the statement said. Turner also took exception to the Journal’s claim that the camera was “expensed,” saying that the camera was purchased through the U.S. House of Representatives system and is government property.
“The camera is no different than other equipment purchased through the U.S. House for the congressional office and is part of the effort to expand our web and internet-based communications, which includes video, computer and camera equipment,” the statement read.
U.S. House offices receive a government allowance of $1.3 million to $1.9 million a year, while Senate offices get anywhere from $2.9 million to $4.5 million. The Journal reported that some members don’t spend their full allocation. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, for example, had $228,000 left in his account at the end of 2008.
