RENACCI IS FOR CUTTING GOV'T SPENDING "EXCEPT" WHEN IT COMES TO HIS OFFICE. HUGE RAISES FOR HIS EMPLOYEES WHILE MOST EVERYBODY ELSE SUFFERS. BUT THE STARK GOP CHAIR JEFF MATTHEWS FAMILY DOES WELL!

This from Jim Renacci's website when he ran for Congress in 2010:

Spending in Washington is dangerously out of control. In the past 12 months, we have witnessed Washington engage in the most fiscally irresponsible policymaking in the history of this country, and in Congress I will work tirelessly to restore conservatism and accountability to our government.

But when he has to put actual fiscal practice in place in his own office, then its "Katie bar the door."

Here is some material from the website LegiStorm (LegiStorm says that it "helps bring transparency to the U.S. Congress by disseminating public documents and non-partisan information over the web") which shows that during the first three quarters of 2011, Congressman Renacci has showered his staff with increases which have had the effect of raising his office operations budget about 21%.

Renacci is out giving raises to his staff at huge rates while Stark County is in the midst of a severe unemployment problem (for the same time period - January through September, 2011 -  that Renacci was handing out large raises) as shown in this tracking by the Federal Reserve Bank data bank maintained at the St. Louis FED.

Here is an Excel spreadsheet of increases compiled by the SCPR to show increases by specific employee (except for employees not on staff for the entire January through September pay period).

Especially noteworthy on the list is the name Heidi Matthews.  She is the wife of Stark County Republican Party Chairman Jeff Matthews (who works is the deputy director at the Stark County Board of Elections at about $100,000 per annum when the value of benefits are included).

Jeff Matthews appears to the SCPR to have been the driving force among the Republican Party chairman which comprise the present 16th congressional district to secure the Republican nomination for Renacci to run against then incumbent Democratic Congressman John Boccieri.

Perhaps 16th District constituents should be grateful to Renacci because he has cut back on Heidi Matthews' pay when compared to what retired Congressman Ralph Regula (who like Renacci billed himself as a fiscal conservative) did for her.

Under Regula, Ms. Matthews earned nearly $100,000 in salary alone (i.e. not including health care and pension benefits).  With Renacci she is on track to make a mere $80,0000.  But who knows.  Perhaps another gigantic pay raise is in the future of Matthews?  After all she does have a title now that she did not have under Regula!

Of late, Congressman Renacci has been casting about to help Stark Countians get jobs.

One has to wonder what chance a politically unconnected person has to get a job on the Renacci congressional staff, which, by the way, is financed by everyday taxpayer money?

Remember the beginning of this blog?

The Renacci quote?

Spending in Washington is dangerously out of control. In the past 12 months, we have witnessed Washington engage in the most fiscally irresponsible policymaking in the history of this country, and in Congress I will work tirelessly to restore conservatism and accountability to our government.

Hmm?

For everybody else?