Your MLA's Comments on the Auditor General's Report on MLA Expenses

Every MLA is given a yearly expense allowance to pay for such things as a constituency office, to assist constituents and local organizations, office supplies, and so on.

In a Report released February 3rd, the Auditor General examined MLA Constituency and Other Expenses http://www.oag-ns.ca/feb2010/full0210.pdf. He noted two categories: 'inappropriate' claims and 'excessive' claims. 'Inappropriate means claims for items 'not in accordance with the regulations'. "Excessive' means 'outside the norm of Member spending'.

Your MLA has not made any inappropriate claims.

One of my expenditure claims was listed as 'excessive': over a three year period, 2006-2009, I purchased books worth $2969.00. Apparently, this expenditure was called “excessive” because I purchased more books over those three years than had the average MLA.

The books I purchased were for two uses: personal education and school book prizes. About 25% of the amount is for book prizes given at school graduation exercises that I attend each year at each school in Halifax Chebucto. Prior to claiming this amount, I sought and received approval from the Speaker's Office. The expenditure is generally to be seen as a form of advertising, and is within the specific guidelines for allowable expenses.

The balance is for political books that better enable me to do my job as MLA. Again, book purchases for political work have been specifically approved by the Speaker's Office. Being an MLA is a knowledge-based profession; it requires learning on a constant basis. Books are a part of that.

Because the Auditor General has questioned whether such an expenditure should be reimbursable, I will not claim for any more books pending the report on revision of the MLA expense claim rules to be made by former Speaker Arthur Donahoe QC.

I do want all residents of Halifax Chebucto to know that every year my total claim for expenses is much lower than the allowable overall amount. *I am careful with the public's dollars, and will continue to be.

Respectfully, Howard