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NS: MLAs “clean house” by re-examining maid expenses and more
[HALIFAX, NS] — MLAs reinstated a series of perks including maid services yesterday after accidentally throwing them out the window in the wake of the expense scandal. In the first-ever public meeting of the Internal Economy Board on March 2 MLAs rushed to push through a series of reforms to open up the secretive system that [...] More
NS: Dexter promises new commission will keep spending in check
[HALIFAX, NS] — A new commission that will bring more transparency and accountability to the finances of the House of Assembly and its members was introduced today by Premier Darrell Dexter. The House of Assembly Management Commission Act establishes a commission to oversee and manage the finances of the House of Assembly, and will replace the [...] More
NS: Estabrooks “damn angry” about donations changes
[HALIFAX, NS] — Bill Estabrooks accepts he has to slash his donations spending, but he isn’t happy about it. “To put it to you candidly it makes me real damn angry,” said the NDP cabinet minister yesterday. Estabrooks was the most generous giver amongst MLAs. He spent $29,750 on donations and gifts over the 12 months before [...] More
NS: Parties rush to cut expenses in wake of scandal
[HALIFAX, NS] — MLAs jumped to cut everything but the kitchen sink from expense accounts yesterday at the first public meeting of the internal economy board. Among the changes, allowances MLAs claimed they used to fund hockey teams, donate to charities and help needy constituents with groceries and rent money were cut to a small fraction [...] More
NS: Former speaker denies “use it or lose it” expense culture
[HALIFAX, NS] — At least one former Tory MLA is backing up Len Goucher. On Tuesday, the former member for Bedford-Birch Cove said MLAs were encouraged to max out their taxpayer-funded expense accounts, saying “we were urged to use it or lose it.” Goucher was the top spender identified in the recently released MLA expense report. Former [...] More
NS: Spending spree over for MLAs with proposed new rules
[HALIFAX, NS] — Premier Darrell Dexter has just released a statement saying he accepts and agrees with the recommendations of Nova Scotia’s 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 Dexter. More
