The House Management Committee voted unanimously yesterday to hire a House Clerk, Policy Director for the Speaker, and on a temporary basis a former clerk to assist in the transition.
The committee voted to pay Andrew Ketchings an annual salary of $112,500. Speaker Pro-Tem said the salary would be approximately $30,000 less than the salary of his predecessor, Don Richardson. Speaker Philip Gunn said the compensation was based upon his salary at the Department of Banking and Finance. The committee set the Speaker Pro-Tem's salary at $15,000 per year. The previous Pro-Tem, Representative J.P. Compretta was paid $90,000 per year.
The committee also voted to hire former clerk Ed Perry to assist Mr. Ketchings in the transition at a rate of $2,300 per week for a period up to two months. Speaker Gunn said the sixty day period was a maximum and Mr. Perry's duty could be less than the sixty days. The maximum compensation would be nearly $20,000. The Speaker pointed out the savings from the new comp plan for the clerk was for four years. If the projections are accurate, the House would save $110,000 over four years even with Mr. Perry's employment. The
The committee then voted unanimously to hire Nathan Wells as policy director at an annual salary of $110,000. Representative Bennett said it would "take the partisanship out of the clerk's job". Speaker Gunn said the previous clerk had a dual capacity as he would "assign bills" and then "advise the Speaker" and thus was seen as being "tied in to the Speaker." Speaker Gunn said Mr. Ketchings needed to be a clerk for "everybody...He needs to run the clerk's office and that is part of the justification for reducing the clerk's salary." Mr. Wells duties will include advising the Speaker, formulating policy, and acting as a liaison to Representatives. It was also pointed out by several committee members the Lieutenant Governor and Governor both have policy directors. No Democrats spoke against the employment of Mr. Wells. It was also pointed out the House was paying a consultant in past terms to perform these duties at a rate of $60 per hour.
Relevant points in clip: 7:39: Discussion of clerk's salary. 9:00: Discussion of hiring of Mr. Perry. 17:00: Discussion of hiring of policy director. Its a pretty good discussion and will give you a better idea than what has been reported by the media of why Mr. Wells was hired.
Editorial comment: Over at Democrat mouthpiece Cottonmouth blog, Mr. Cottonmouth curiously omits the fact the Democrats voted for this hire and the House was paying a consultant $60 per hour. he also says Speaker Gunn hired Mr. Wells although it was the Republicans AND Democrats who hired him.The House was also paying the Pro-Tem $90,000 a year for the last term as well. Don't see Cottonmouth saying anything about that. Anyone surprised? Such is par for the course over there.
Friday, January 13, 2012
House hires Policy Director & cuts Pro-Tem's pay. (Video)
Democrats call for shortened session
The newly-formed Democratic Trust sent out the following press release yesterday:
Jackson, MS- Brandon Jones, chairman of the newly formed Mississippi Democratic Trust, is recommending a cost saving proposal for the Mississippi Legislature.
In conferences with legislators, Jones has urged support for shortening the legislative session. Jones said, “During this budget crisis, it is important that lawmakers be more accountable than ever. Shortening the legislative session by ninety days would create an estimated $825,000 in cost savings that Mississippi needs for other critical programs.” Jones continued, “We are calling on the leadership in both chambers to make an immediate declaration to shorten the session and save taxpayer dollars.”
On November 8, 2007, then Lt. Governor Phil Bryant called on colleagues to shorten the 125 day session by 35 days to save an estimated $825,000. On January 10, 2008, Governor Haley Barbour and Senate President Pro Tempore Billy Hewes joined in the call for a shortened session. The resolution that eventually passed the Senate instead shortened the session to 104 days. The savings were estimated to be $500,000, according to Senator Hewes.
In an April 27, 2011 press release, Lt. Gov. Bryant reiterated his pledge as follows:
“In preparation for the next 120-day legislative session, the legislature did receive 9% more to cover the costs of the longer session. Just as I did four years ago, I would recommend to the new Legislature shortening the session to 90 days, thereby saving additional money to the taxpayer."
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The Mississippi Democratic Trust seeks to help elect Democratic candidates who will provide sensible and responsible leadership for Mississippi. The Trust supports effective policies to address legitimate economic, education, healthcare, and public safety issues in our State.
Brandon Jones, Chairman
Mississippi Democratic Trust"
Editorial comment: Hmmm.... I don't recall Mr. Jones calling for shortened sessions when he was drawing a paycheck as a member of the legislature.
