Gary Pearce posted on June 12, 2012 08:45
Thom Tillis may be a fiscal conservative on education, but he’s happy to spend taxpayers’ money on himself.
First, as I recall, were the big-screen TVs outside the House chamber – featuring none other than Speaker Tillis.
Last week, he told WPTF radio host Bill LuMaye he approved extra pay to staffers fired for having affairs because they otherwise would have “qualified for 99 weeks of unemployment.”
Now we learn about the princely, tax-paid entourage that accompanied him on his town halls across the state. Some cynical reporters, of course, saw the tour at the time as a first step in a statewide campaign.
“His security detail for the 31 forums included two legislative sergeants-at-arms, two General Assembly Special Police officers and numerous local law enforcement agents, all tasked with protection and crowd control.”
They performed vital law-enforcement tasks like “setting up podiums or flags.”
The House sergeant-at-arms, said his assistants also “helped maintain order and decorum,” Frank reported.
When it comes to maintaining decorum, no expense is too great.
Also along were two Tillis staffers. No report on their important duties. Certainly it’s below them to set up podiums and flags.
Senator Phil Berger’s office, by the way, reported that he doesn’t use security when he travels.