Incumbents bill taxpayers for mailings

Oct. 9, 2010, Bucyrus Telegraph Forum

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

The four Ohio members of Congress tapped as most vulnerable this November also spent the most taxpayer money on mass communications throughout their current term.

It’s called franking — mass mailings or communications at taxpayer expense. U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, has spent $321,863 since the beginning of 2009, behind only Reps. Mary Jo Kilroy, D-Columbus, and Zack Space, D-Dover, who both spent around $400,000.

Rep. Steve Driehaus, D-Cincinnati, spent $309,861. These four members all are in danger of losing their seats, according to Washington political analyst Charlie Cook.

This money comes from the members’ office funds