Schaffer renews call for posting all expenses online
Face The State Staff Report
At the Colorado State Board of Education’s monthly meeting Wednesday, members anguished over the recent budget cuts imposed on them after reports of lavish spending became public.
The Joint Budget Committee cut the CSBE’s budget from $276,000 last year to $220,000 for the next fiscal year beginning July 1. They also cut the board’s $60,000 travel budget in half.
As Face The State previously revealed wasteful spending included a $2,028 dinner at Allred’s restaurant in Telluride during a board retreat, $136.67 for a “no show” hotel room and $418 to replace a lost plane ticket.
“I think we have been prudent,” said Chairwoman Pamela Jo Suckla, who has previously said that members stay at posh hotels like the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs because that is where educational conferences are held.
Suckla claimed $26,000 for travel expenses – far more than any other board member. In light of the new cuts Suckla will be forced to slash her spending or risk eating up the board’s entire travel budget.
Evie Hudak, who came in second, spent $11,316, according to documents obtained under the Colorado Open Records Law.
Vice Chairman Bob Schaffer renewed his call for “total transparency” and challenged the board to be the first state agency to disclose all spending online. Shaffer's spending makes him the most frugal Board member - claiming only $521 of expenses.
Karen Mock, a staffer at the Colorado Department of Education, told the board that these records could be easily posted on the Internet.
In what alternate universe
On March 6th, 2008 Socrates says:
do people put their brains when they get elected to office?
Pam, spending 2 grand on a dinner in Telluride is NOT "prudent."