When it comes to holding down costs in her own office, a new study says Rep. Enid Greene, R-Utah, is among the best.
The National Taxpayers Union also said Wednesday that Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, is a bit better than average. But it says Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah, spends more than average - but still less than legally allowed.The taxpayers group said clearer financial reporting required by the House last year allowed it to compile its first-ever comparative ranking of how frugal members were in 1995.
It said Greene was the 16th most frugal among the 435 House members that year, spending a total of $626,612 - or only 72 percent of what formulas allowed her to spend legally.
The study said that if all members of Congress held their spending to Greene's level, the House would have saved an extra $64.5 million last year.
The study said Hansen was the 125th most frugal among House members, spending $753,523 to run his office - or 87 percent of the amount legally allowed for him. That was $17,497 less than the average member spent.
But Orton was the 115th biggest spender among House members, spending $816,538 - or 95 percent of the amount he could spend legally. That was $48,133 more than average.
The study said that if all members spent at the same level as Hansen, the House would have saved an additional $7.5 million last year. But if they spent at Orton's level, it would have cost another $21.6 million.
The study also said all the Utah members held their mail costs relatively low. Greene spend $13,384 (46th lowest in the House); Orton spent $33,558 (107th lowest); and Hansen spent $39,983 (130th lowest).
The study said the biggest office spender was Rep. Walter Tucker, D-Calif., who spent $883,931, or slightly more than he was legally allowed. The most frugal was Rep. Any Jacobs, D-Ind., who spend $494,041 - or only 58 percent of what he was allowed.
The study also said the average Democrat spent $38,700 more to run his office than the average Republican. Of the 50 biggest office spenders, 33 were Democrats. Of the 50 most frugal members, 38 were Republicans.