In 1994, the Republicans swept into office claiming they would change America with the Contract With America.

The list of signers and members of that class may be found here.
You will see that some that class and the signatories certainly made their mark, although not in the way advertised.

Now it turns out that one of the biggest spenders - in terms of staff - is a new representative from a rural district and a man who claims to be an uber-fiscal conservative - Pennsylvania Congressman Glenn Thompson.

According to the Centre Daily Times

Staff members who work for Thompson were paid more in the year’s first quarter than the staff members of any of the other 53 freshman congressmen who began their terms at the start of the year, according to a Web site that tracks the salaries.

Thompson, a Howard Township Republican, was elected in November and was sworn in on Jan. 3. From Jan. 1 until March 31, the latest time for which data is available, Thompson’s staff salaries amounted to $261,602, according to the Capitol Hill Web site Legistorm.com/.

The average first-quarter staff salary total for the 54 freshmen was $177,133, according to the Web site. The freshman with the next highest total after Thompson is Wyoming’s only House member, Republican Cynthia Lummis, at $233,844.

The freshman with the lowest staff salary total is Arizona Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick, whose district covers five times more area than Thompson’s 17-county district. Kirkpatrick spent $115,533.

Thompson’s spending levels rival those of the House Speaker and leaders of the Democrats and Republicans, officials who have greater responsibilities than the average representative.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, of Maryland, and Minority Leader John Boehner, of Ohio, also showed totals smaller than Thompson for first-quarter staff salaries. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s total was about $18,000 more than Thompson’s.

But congressional leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have separate offices, staffs and budgets for their leadership positions, said Thompson spokeswoman Tina Kreisher.

This from a man who ostentatiously opposed “earmarks” and who signed the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) Taxpayer Protection Pledge and was applauded for doing so by Bathtub Guy, Grover Norquist:

“Americans, now more than ever, need leaders committed to fiscal responsibility and pro-growth economic policies,” said Grover Norquist, president of ATR.

“By signing the Pledge, Glenn Thompson demonstrates his allegiance to hard-working taxpayers nationwide, as well as dedication to taxpayers in Pennsylvania. I applaud him for his leadership and dedication to the ideals of limited government.”

“I strongly encourage every candidate for federal and state elective office to sign the Pledge,” Norquist continued.

Here are some of his early announcements on staffing.

Bellefonte – Congressman–Elect Glenn “G.T.” Thompson, R–Howard, announced today that he has hired Jordan Clark to serve as his Chief of Staff and Peter Winkler to serve as his District Director. Jordan will be based in Thompson’s Washington Office, while Peter will run the district operations from offices in Bellefonte, Pa. and Titusville, Pa

“Having worked with Jordan and Peter in various capacities over the years, I have come to respect their judgment, work ethic and extensive knowledge of the Fifth District,” said Thompson. “As a newly elected Member of Congress, I have a clear vision of what I want to accomplish on behalf of the constituents and could not think of two more qualified professionals to assist me in that effort.”

“Representing the largest, most rural district in Pennsylvania, I am committed to working with county, township, and borough governments to legislate and advocate on their behalf in Washington. My district staff, led by Peter Winkler, will be extremely active and visible in all 17 counties that represent the Fifth District. Peter understands this district better than anyone, and has a solid reputation as someone who gets the job done.”

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How’s he doing with all that spending? Too early to tell, given how long he’s been on the job, but here are some interesting tidbits.

Thompson receives bottom of the class marks for protecting the middle class.

And he claimed credit for a program he did not vote for.

We’re beginning to hear just how President Hope’s stimulus package is going to get State College going. C0ngressman Glenn Thompson is trying to brand the projects as his own, but Veblen pointed out a little inconsistency with that: Thompson actually voted against the omnibus bill.

link

Thanks and h/t to anonymous.

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