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51 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, April 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 17, 2004 Hannon will return portion of staff pay In a letter to Senate Republican leaders, he agrees to refund $3,600 By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Making no apologies for spending money on his legislative staff, former Ashland Sen. Lenn Hannon has agreed to repay $3,600 of his wife’s salary. Republican Senate leaders sent Hannon a letter last month asking for $11,000 back, saying he had drained his legislative account down to $4,226, not leaving enough for the rest of the year for his successor, Sal Esquivel. On March 7, Hannon responded with a letter to Sen. Roger Beyer, R-Mollala, and Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, stating he makes no apologies for the salaries of both his former staff members. "Let me state first and foremost, the allegations are false," wrote Hannon, who resigned from the Senate to take a job with the Oregon Parole Board Jan. 2. He could not be reached by telephone Tuesday, when the Mail Tribune received a copy of the letter. Hannon stated he increased his staff last year after he was selected Senate president pro tem, a role that gave him extra duties. Advertisement He pointed out that for years he had relied solely on his wife, Dixie, to staff his legislative offices. "While most legislative offices have more than one paid staff person, my Senate district had one, performing the work of two who, by the way, opted out of health benefits for many years so as not to ‘double dip,’ " he wrote. His wife received a salary of $4,134 a month, but during the month of February, after Hannon left office, she received a partial salary of $1,600. A typical legislative aide is paid $1,846 a month. "Although I do not feel the need to defend myself, I will gladly repay one-half of Dixie’s January salary and all of February totaling $3,600 to legislative administration," he wrote. He said the money would be given back over a two-month period. Six other 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. Ferrioli referred any questions about Hannon’s letter to Beyer. "He’s the best person to talk about it," he said. Beyer could not be reached for comment. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times