A Wisconsin Democrat tells the Associated Press his party’s campaign committee is funding the fleeing fourteen’s sojourn in Illinois:
Four Democrats who were reached by The Associated Press said none of their daily expenses would be charged to taxpayers, and none will accept any per diem funds. [State Senator Chris] Larson did say his hotel room Monday was paid for by the State Senate Democratic Campaign. He said the group might pay for more nights depending on how long he stays.
Others have donated food, he said, but he declined to name them.
“Let’s just say the senators have friends over here who’ve been more than generous in sharing with us,” Larson said.
Sen. Tim Cullen said he already planned to donate some of his pay to a food pantry in Janesville.
(H/t: Stephen F. Hayes)
Next question, will the SSDC be issuing W-2's or 1099's for this income being paid to the FIB 14? Nothing the Senators in Illinois are doing meets the IRS definition of deductible business travel.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLooks like the FleeBaggers are also FleeLoaders.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo the Dems get a bunch of dough from the teachers union and then pay the expenses of the fleebaggers. So, in essence, the unions are paying for the fleebaggers not to show up to perform their sworn duty. Again, why am I supposed to think public unions are good?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePerhaps Senator Cullen should return his unearned wages to the public coffers rather than getting a tax deduction for a donation he wouldn't have otherwise made. Does he expect his constituents will be appeased because he's donating his unearned wages to a food pantry? If so, he must believe his constituents are stupid and gullible.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCould not a citizen in the fleebagger's district compel his or her senator to vote through a mandamus action? While elected representatives may be immune from such an action, his or her presence may be required to assert such immunity.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLook! There's a white rabbit saying "I'm late! I'm late!" And things just get curiouser and curiouser.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat does a Flee-Border-State feed a FleeBagger? Fleeburgers, chicken soup, whine and cheese (cheese to help with the runs), and finally Bribe-B-Que?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI wonder if Senator Cullen and his ilk will be reporting the cost of their lodgings and donations of food and other expenses as income on their 2011 state and federal income tax returns. Why, what they're doing is almost as bad as sleeping in their offices!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe temper tantrum children of the trough are covering the tab for an "all expense paid vacation" to Illannoyed for the Win-Con-Sinner Senators they own. No graft or corruption here ...
Every penny that comes from public union coffers or public employees is being paid by tax payers.
This is like taking money from American taxpayers and giving it to (fill in the blank) to purchase or manufacture guns and ammunition with which to shoot Americans. There is no moral distinction.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo, what is the Democrat Campaign Committee paying them for? Are they employees? Independent contractor consultants? Paid-protestors?
Whatever the case, it seems to me that they are receiving "pay for service" which means they are choosing that employment over public service in their elected positions. They should be given public notice that they have 24 hours to return to their seats or their seats will be declared abandoned and appointments will be made by the governor to replace them until such time as their Districts can arrange for elections.
And, since their abandonment began on the day they chose to leave town rather than participate in legitimate legislative process, they should not receive payment from taxpayers for any of that time.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseConspiracy to commmit fraud marches on... I think the "donations" will need to be disclosed. The WI state election committed or FEC, whoever has jurisdiction, should take a look at that. These would be in-kind donations to politicians. If they come from campaign committees, then the amounts need to be disclosed too. How do we know they are using this money legally? I don't.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTo be more specific, campaign funds are being used to finance personal expenses. This is not "official business" that would justify taxpayer dollars nor are these campaign events. Seems to me a lot of politicians pay a lot of fines and potential criminal sanctions for mixing pots of money for personal gain. And that's what this is...personal gain.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThese people should be stripped of their jobs and special electiona set to replace them. The Republicans had the health care bill stuffed down their throats but they're ADULTS and stuck it out.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm so ashamed of them I can't even put it into words,and there had better be an honest investigation on where the money is coming from. Whether it's from the Dem committee paidforitor not it's still tax payer money paying fort their vacation which Ibelieve is a water park..
SHAMEFULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cullen's willingness to share this information with the public reveals the problem with politicians. He and his colleagues haven't a clue they've done anything wrong. Not only do they believe they have the right to steal from the taxpayers to make a political point, but they believe they can violate a variety of campaign laws and IRS regulations with impunity.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAt least the Democrats are cravenly hiding for a noble cause: the right of public employees to make almost double the average annual income of the citizens who employ them.
The elitist Democratic Party victimizes working people to enrich the corrupt government class. Let us hope the beleaguered proletariat will finally rise up in righteous indignation to demand social justice.
Taxpayers of the world unite!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOnly in America can a political party (Democrats) be openly paid to stay away. I wonder what the going rate is to sell your soul, since their honor, ethics and morals have already been bought and paid for?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe governor should declare the "Fleebaggers" seats vacant and fill them.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe ranks of the homeless have swelled by 14 but have Republicans upped the funding for the problem? No, they have not!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGood point Jenna! They're only for Democracy when they've got the votes.
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