Another question for those in the Glen Maxey camp

STATEMENT OF GLEN MAXEY ON STATE CHAIR SALARY ISSUE

There has been a long history of this position, Chair of the Texas
Democratic Party, being an unpaid or non-salaried position. I agree
with that position.

Additionally, the budget of the State Party, approved by the SDEC, also
includes a line item for reimbursement of expenses of the State Chair.
That amount currently is $36,000 per year. In the past that has included the
travel of the State Party Chair to events, and back and forth to Austin. Past
chairs have also maintained living arrangements (apartments or hotels) in Austin
and been reimbursed for meals and entertainment expenses.

As Chair, I would hold the line as conservatively as possible also on the
reimbursement issue. Because I reside in Austin, my travel to the state
office and my living expenses (hotels, meals, etc.) while here will not be a
reimbursable matter.


Having said that, I will probably be more "full time" than any recent
Chair. I'm here in Austin and that by itself will make me more available to
staff and the public. Although it's not paid, I do believe the challenges and
the work to be done to rebuild our Party amount to more hours than any full
time job. Because of my retirement status, I'm available to spend
quality
time on the issues of the Party and intend to do so.

The question that is begged by this issue of salary is about how we might
"live" while being State Party Chair.

Fortunately, I am a retired State Representative with over 20 years
experience in the retirement system as a legislator, legislative aide, and
teacher. As you might have heard, retired legislators have a nice retirement income,
including health coverage.

Just as all other past Chairs have done, I will continue working in the
"outside" world. I will continue doing consulting work on issues,
continue my public relations work with private clients, and some of my data work I do
outside the Democratic political arena. I can still work on non-partisan
campaigns and issue campaigns on my own time with my own resources.

Since retiring from the legislature, I have supported myself as a
consultant to and employee of candidates, campaigns, and organizations of
all types. I clearly will not continue any consulting work for any Democratic candidate
running against another Democrat in the Primary. As Chair you shouldnâ??t
> profit from the office by using the State Party apparatus for personal gain
and I certainly would not do so.

During my time as State Representative, I also was a political consultant
and campaign manager to candidates and the Party. I know very clearly
where the ethics lines are on conflict of interest. I was careful to keep a hard
line between state business and political activity. While not a legal
requirement as in the above situation, I would hold the same standard to
what I do as a consultant for personal income and what I should be doing for all
Democrats. There will be no conflicts of interest.