by: JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
12/1/2009 3:58:44 AM
Search the new House disbursements Web site for expenses reported by U.S. representatives from Oklahoma and the rest of the nation.
WASHINGTON — For the first time, the U.S. House on Monday posted an electronic version of a document detailing the way its members spend public funds in their individual offices.
Officially known as the Statement of Disbursements, the document has been published previously in printed form. Those books, however, have not been readily available to the general public.
Salaries make up the bulk of the expenses.
Other expenses detailed by the document can range from office supplies and travel reimbursements to the amounts lawmakers have spent on bottled water and pest control.
U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., said he was pleased that greater transparency has been added to the work of the U.S. House of Representatives.
"By shining more light on the process, citizens have greater access to information about how official resources are used to represent them," Boren said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who directed the online posting in June, said it provides a full accounting of members' spending for official congressional business.
"The continued publication of these statements online will expand accountability to taxpayers and the press," said Pelosi, D-Calif.
The statements have been published quarterly since 1964. The Statement of Disbursements electronically posted Monday covers the third quarter of 2009.
Oklahoma delegation expenditures
According to the figures in the newly posted report that covers expenditures from July 1 through Sept. 30:
Rep. John Sullivan, R-Okla., spent $2 0,339 for staff compensation; $33,330 for printing and reproduction; $28,628 for rent, communication and utilities; $10,588 for franked mail; $9, 5 for travel; $5,708 for supplies and materials.
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., spent $215,580 for staff compensation; $27,29 for rent, communication and utilities; $27,281 for franked mail; $20,579 for travel; $3,363 for printing and reproduction; $5,581 for supplies and materials.
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., spent $187,398 for staff compensation; $35, 92 for rent, communication and utilities; $33,092 for travel; $28,236 for franked mail; $25, 18 for printing and reproduction; $5,589 for supplies and materials.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., spent $2 0,189 for staff compensation; $ 3,613 for franked mail; $31,598 for travel; $25,0 6 for printing and reproduction; $2 , 96 for rent, communication and utilities; $ ,595 for supplies and materials.
Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Okla., spent $212,881 for staff compensation; $29,159 for rent, communication and utilities; $18,295 for franked mail; $16, 27 for travel. $1,260 for supplies and materials.
Jim Myers 202-484-1424
Jim.Myers@tulsaworld.com
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