Friday, January 13, 2012

Rand Paul gives treasury $500,000 saved from office expenses

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul announced Thursday that he will return to the federal treasury $500,000 of his office budget that was not used.

Paul, a Republican from Bowling Green, is a staunch proponent of federal spending cuts, but he said many of his efforts to reduce spending through legislation have failed to pass Congress.

“This is the one thing I have control over,” Paul said during a news conference at the St. Matthews Community Center on Ten Pin Lane off of Shelbyville Road.

This month, Paul intends to propose legislation that would offer incentives to civil servants, such as bonuses, for doing something similar — leaving a portion of their budgets unspent, he said.

Such a plan could save federal money without cutting the services provided, Paul contends.

He said the savings came through judicious spending for office equipment, such as computers, and the hiring of his Senate staff.

He has 12 staff members in Kentucky and about 15 in Washington, D.C., which is similar to other U.S. senators, he said. Paul said his staff’s pay is also commensurate with the offices of other senators, but that his office has been frugal in making job and salary offers.

Paul said his staff has still managed to be active in preparing legislation and other tasks, despite his self-imposed spending limits.

“We are doing our job, but still saving money,” Paul said.

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