4th Democrat Candidate Copies and Pastes “Anti-Perks” Pledge
Patrick Henry Hays came out today with “his plan” of ending congressional perks if sent to Washington. A few problems here – first: Hays is the 4th Democrat congressional candidate to copy and paste this perks idea from Nancy Pelosi’s DCCC. Check out the story here – “Multiple Democrats Come Up With The Same ‘Surprising’ Proposals.”
Second issue with Pat Hays putting out this copy and paste release is that HE has enjoyed a ton of perks while he was the North Little Rock Mayor for 24 years.
A few examples of Hays’ mayoral perks:
- While Arkansas families were losing their jobs, Hays’ was giving $350k to city employees including HIMSELF as mayor: Rather than return increased tax collections back to the taxpayers, North Little Rock proposed giving $350,000 in across the board bonuses to city employees including the mayor. (North Little Rock employees could get bonuses,” Associated Press, 11/17/10)
- Hays got a boost to his retirement just days before retiring when the city voted to increase pay retroactively: Under state law, City Attorney Jason Carter said in an email before Monday’s council meeting, Hays is entitled a retirement benefit equal to half of his salary “payable to the mayor at the time of retirement.” “So, whatever Mayor Hays’ pay might be on the day he retires will dictate his retirement benefits,” Carter wrote.” (Jake Sandlin, “NLR aldermen OK pay increases Raises retroactive to mid-’12, will boost Hays’ retirement benefit,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/11/12)
- From 2000 to 2012 Hays received 10 pay raises, increasing his salary by $30,000, and overall compensation by nearly $40,000:
NRCC Statement: “Pat Hays is being dishonest with voters. As Mayor, Hays abused the taxpayers’ trust by giving himself pay raises and a lucrative retirement package instead of doing what’s right and giving the taxpayer funds back to the taxpayers. Arkansas families can rest assured that if sent to Washington, Pat Hays will continue to abuse the perks of office just like he did as Mayor of North Little Rock.” – Katie Prill, NRCC Spokeswoman