$8,000 generator and $2,500 TV were both Hurlburt's expense claims

By Tina Comeau

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

Turns out a generator valued at nearly $8,000 wasn’t the only expense claimed by Yarmouth MLA Richard Hurlburt that was flagged in the recent auditor general reporter.

Up until Monday the public was still wondering who had submitted an expense claim for a $2,499 40-inch LCD television. Now the public knows that was Hurlburt too.

The information was contained in a list of MLA “excessive expenditures” that was released Monday afternoon. Earlier in the day Premier Darrell Dexter told the media he had asked to have the list released.

Not only did Hurlburt claim the $2,499 TV, but there was also a $579 installation charge included with it.

Last week Hurlburt was at the centre of a controversy over MLA spending for a generator that he had purchased, which was installed in his home. That purchase shows up on the auditor general’s list in the category of “inappropriate expenditures.”

Hurlburt said he had bought the generator to be used by search and rescue and other local groups in the event of a power failure or disaster. He also said residents from a nearby seniors complex could come to his home during a power outage. He was unapologetic at first about the generator, which was installed in his home, but then issued an apology last Friday saying it was an expense claim judgment error. He has paid back the generator expense claim, and a hook up fee, to the Speaker’s Office.

Hurlburt made no mention last week about also submitting an expense claim for the 40-inch television, even though the media and the public were questioning who had purchased it.

Monday afternoon a news release was issued in which Progressive Conservative Leader Karen Casey addressed the issue of the television, purchased by Hurlburt and installed in his constituency office. “First, I want to acknowledge that I encouraged all of our Members, past and present, to contact the Speaker’s Office regarding expenses identified in the Auditor General’s report,” said Casey, who confirmed that Hurlburt contacted the Speaker’s Office and has reimbursed the television claim.

Casey also confirmed that she became aware of all Progressive Conservative items identified in the letter from the auditor general on Wednesday, Feb. 3. “At no time was there any intent on my part to mislead the media or public,” said Casey, who had also called for the public release of the list of expenses. "The premier said he supports releasing the names of the MLAs cited in the letter, and we are now asking that letter be made public," Casey had said earlier in the day, saying Nova Scotia taxpayers have a right to know how their taxpayers dollars are spent.

Late Monday morning Premier Dexter met with reporters to discuss the issue of MLA expenses. He said he accepts and agrees with the recommendations of the Auditor General with regards to MLA expenses. "I believe that the regulations need to be updated to reflect a contemporary office or working environment and that clear, adequate, guidelines are required," said Premier Dexter.

Premier Dexter also announced that he contacted the Speaker and the leaders of the opposition parties to inform them of his desire that the Internal Economy Board be disbanded. That is an all-party committee that sets MLA expenses and meets behind closed doors. Dexter wants to see it replaced with a new commission that will meet in public.

The premier said he will work with the opposition leaders to craft new legislation to set limits on what can be expensed by MLAs and why. Premier Dexter also asked the Speaker to seek an immediate change in the regulations so that members are now required to deduct their own meals from any expense claim they submit on a day they qualify for a per diem.

Dexter himself was also flagged on the auditor general’s list for a $2,150 camera he purchased four years ago and two laptops totaling more than $5,000. When pressed by reporters on Monday, Dexter didn’t say what kind of camera he had purchased, but he said it was to replace other less expensive cameras he had owned that had broken and had to be repaired. He said he was looking for something more robust and reliable. He said the camera was used for constituency business, not personal use. He said has paid back the amount for the camera and the laptops. He also said he regretted the camera purchase.

THE FOLLOWING LIST OF MLA EXPENSES WAS RELEASED MONDAY, FEB. 8:

Inappropriate expenditures •R. Hurlburt claimed $7,995 for the supply and installation of a generator; •H.D. Wilson claimed $400 for furniture used in his residence; •L. Preyra claimed $373 for airfare for his son for a trip to Ottawa; and •L. Goucher claimed $150 for the purchase of 3 MP3 players on the same day.

Telephone or internet services claims above monthly allowances… •M. Samson claimed $1,540 for service from June 2006 to July 2009; and •R. Chisholm claimed $1,274 for service from February 2007 to July 2008.

Claims for expenses paid to a relative disallowed by the regulations •W. Gaudet claimed a total of $1,260 for parking lot sanding from a company owned by his brother (Gaudet Mini Excavator Limited); and •K. Colwell claimed $252 for pictures purchased from his brother’s company (3-D Art & Crafts).

Excessive expenditures: • J. MacDonell claimed $13,445 for custom-made office furniture and $2,600 for a printer; • B. Dooks claimed $6,234 for website design and programming; • D. Dexter claimed $5,501 for a laptop computer and $2,150 for a digital camera; • R. MacDonald claimed $3,250 for a projector screen and dress kit; • H. Epstein claimed $2,969 for various books; • K. Colwell claimed $2,665 for a projector and $1,763 for a video camera; • R. Hurlburt claimed $2,499 for a 40-inch LCD television and $579 for installation charges; • C. Parker claimed $790 for a model boat office display; • J. Streatch claimed $738 for an expresso coffee maker; • R. Chisholm claimed $750 for a GPS unit.