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June 26, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels March 3, 2004 Hannon defends wife's payout By Damian Mann For the Tidings Former Sen. Lenn Hannon Tuesday defended paying his wife $11,000 during the last months of his tenure before resigning to take a job on the state Parole Board. "It was agreed upon to do it that way," said Hannon, who began his new position Jan. 2. "Part of the money came out of the president pro tem's budget." Republican leaders have sent Hannon a letter asking for the money back because they say he drained his legislative account down to $4,226, leaving little for his successor. But Hannon said his wife, Dixie, had assumed more responsibilities when he was given the joint leadership role in the Senate last year, justifying her $4,134 a month salary. Hannon said this arrangement was well known by Senate leaders, even though they are now claiming he was spending too much. "Apparently they are trying to renege on that agreement," said Hannon, who will be replaced by Medford City Councilman Sal Esquivel. Dixie Hannon is being paid $1,600 a month during this interim period until Esquivel is sworn in March 10. A typical legislative aide is paid $1,846 a month. Legislators each get $33,228 to spend between sessions as they see fit. As president pro tem, Hannon said he was going to receive an additional amount but did not have the amount available at his parole board office, where he was contacted Tuesday. Hannon, who is living in Salem, said he still hasn't received a copy of a letter from Republican leaders because it was sent to his Ashland home. Stopping short of saying he would give back the money, Hannon said, "I would have to see what they are asking for and what they are basing it on." Still, he said he is committed to helping Esquivel make a smooth transition into office. "Life's too short to nitpick over these things," he said. Esquivel said Hannon hasn't done anything legally wrong and shouldn't be criticized so severely over this issue. "He's given 30 years of service," he said. "He's brought a lot of money into this area." Lisa Sohn, a spokeswoman for Senate President Peter Courtney, said she was unaware of any extra financial arrangement with Hannon. However, some of Courtney's budget had been allocated to Hannon to help pay for an extra staff member, she said. Six legislators have resigned recently, drawing down their accounts and forcing the Senate leadership into creating a new policy that will ensure their replacements have enough money to pay their expenses. Some legislators from Jackson County defended their former colleague. "Lenn Hannon has served his community well for 30 years," said Rep. Alan Bates, D-Ashland. "He sacrificed so much. We should remember the wonderful job he's done for us." Bates, who will run for the Senate seat in November, said Oregon has been known for dredging up scandals about former legislators. "Every time someone leaves office something is dug up on them," he said. "You have to be absolutely perfect at what you do or you're no good." Hannon said this issue is just a minor bump in his long political career. "All I've ever done in life is dust myself off and get up and take another swing at it," he said. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams