The week in politics: Andy Ogles spends $30K in new congressional reimbursement program

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, expensed more on lodging and and meals than 94% of his House colleagues in 2023, according to congressional expenses filed in a new receipt-free reimbursement program that some critics say lacks accountability and transparency.

Ogles ranked 25th in spending out of the 328 House members who spent a total $5.8 million in 2023, per a report on the reimbursement program from The Washington Post. The total reflects member expenses filed as of June 2024 for lodging and meals/incidentals expenses during official business in 2023, and members have until December to file any outstanding expenses from 2022 and 2023.

Ogles' recouped spending also far outpaced the rest of the Tennessee delegation, as the lawmaker continues to avail himself of taxpayer-funded Congressional programs in his first term in office. The Tennessean previously reported Ogles has spent more than $335,000 on taxpayer-funded communications since 2023. Ogles has increased spending on these ads as he faces a competitive primary race later this summer.

More: Analysis: Ogles spends $335K on tax-funded mailers, far outpacing Tennessee colleagues

Out of 435 House members, 107 members did not file for any reimbursements under the new receipt-free program, including U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville. The other Tennessee members expensed less than $19,000 each on lodging and meals.

The reimbursement program, finalized last year, was intended to help lawmakers cover the out-of-pocket costs they shoulder by living part-time in D.C. and their home districts.

Members earn a salary of $174,000 and haven't seen a cost of living raise in 15 years. Though the annual salary is well above that of the average American, some have argued the costs of being a D.C. lawmaker can be a barrier to entry for candidates who aren't independently wealthy.

The Washington Post reports government accountability and transparency experts have criticized the new program as ripe for abuse as lawmakers can now file for reimbursements without providing any paper trail.

The few rules of the new program block lawmakers from reimbursing themselves for principal or interest payments on their mortgage, but it doesn't require members to keep a record of their expenses.

The program's biggest spender in 2023 was U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, who was reimbursed $44,079, a 25% value compared to the congressional salary of $175,000, per the Post database.

At 25th on the list, Ogles received $30,264 in reimbursements, including more than $21,000 for lodging costs and more than $8,500 for food.

Ogles' reimbursement total far outpaced the rest of the Tennessee delegation, as:

• U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Kingsport, received $18,035 in lodging/meal reimbursements;

• U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, received $17,271;

• U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, received $14,600;

• U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, received $8,561;

• U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Murfreesboro, received $4,989;

• U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown, received $2,377;

• Rose filed for zero lodging/meal reimbursements;

• and Burchett filed for zero lodging/meal reimbursements.

Fall-out continues from Sexton's DA ouster threat

House Speaker Cameron Sexton's threat last week to seek the removal of Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy reverberated around the state, even as Mulroy walked back plans for a diversion program that sparked some GOP officials' ire.

Mulroy on Monday told The Commercial Appeal he won't pursue a diversion program for people with non-violent felonies charged with possession of a weapon. Mulroy initially said the program was intended only for defendants without a history of violent offenses, and they would be charged but face less severe punishments focusing on rehabilitation over incarceration.

Meanwhile, two Democratic Senate leaders from Shelby County sharply criticized Sexton over the dust-up.

"This unconstitutional attack on Shelby County’s district attorney sets a dangerous precedent. It looks like every local official is now on notice not to cross powerful, state politicians — or else."Memphians are sick and tired of seeing their local elected officials run over by state politics just for doing the job they promised to do," Senate Minority Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, and Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, said in a joint statement. "Crime did not start with the new Shelby County district attorney and it is beneath the legislature to threaten local officials over a policy debate. It’s going to take all of us working together to prevent crime and make our neighborhoods safe, but we can assure you this: attacking local voters and the leaders they elect is not the way forward."

Senate Democrats point out Tennessee law already authorizes diversion programs for some criminal defendants, despite Sexton's claim that Mulroy's diversion effort would amount to a “dereliction of his office."

Under a new state law passed in 2021, the Tennessee attorney general can ask the state Supreme Court to Tennessee Supreme Court to replace local district attorneys if they “peremptorily and categorically” refuse to prosecute charges under certain criminal offenses regardless of the facts.

Despite Sexton's comments to the contrary, Mulroy said last week he had no plans to decline to prosecute anyone but rather was open to "an alternative to prison time" for some defendants without a criminal history.

When asked about Sexton’s comments about removing Mulroy, Gov. Bill Lee said he couldn’t speak to the “particulars” of what Sexton said.

"I can’t speak to the particulars of what Speaker Sexton said but I agree with him generally, which is we can be smart on crime, but we have to be tough on crime. We can’t be soft on crime," Lee said.

Lee has at times clashed with legislative Republicans over criminal justice reforms, as GOP leaders last year rolled back some of Lee’s previous reforms and have aimed to send more people to prison for longer sentences.

The governor, who spent years volunteering as a mentor in prison ministries, backed two signature efforts in 2021 to divert more people away from state prisons and expand supports for people leaving incarceration. The mood has since shifted in the supermajority-held legislature as Republicans hammer away at a "tough on crime" message.

“Being soft on crime in the wrong circumstances is a really bad strategy for public safety,” Lee said Tuesday. “Rehabilitation is a part of being smart on crime. It’s about determining the right conditions where we should assert rehabilitative efforts instead of prison. Violent criminals, those with aggravated charges, should be prosecuted. They should be taken off the streets to make sure that they don’t commit more crimes."

Revenues continue to fall under budgeted estimate

State revenues continue to fall well below budgeted estimates, with May revenues bringing the fiscal year total to $523 million less than estimated.

Still, tax revenues have continued to increase year-over-year, despite falling short of the budgeted estimate.

Finance officials said tax revenues in May were $1.65 billion, $52.4 million more than collected in May 2023.

"Total tax revenues in May showed strong growth compared to the same time last year," Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson said. "Sales tax collections, which reflect taxable sales activity in April, were lower than original estimates but still increased significantly from May 2023.

Bryson noted "notable declines" in fuel and tobacco taxes.

The General Assembly in April passed a budget revising the 2024 fiscal year's estimated revenues and setting the projected growth rate to zero.

Catch up on the week

New Tennessee law requires one-year suspension for students who assault teachers at school

Tennessee Republican leaders tout Trump, set sights on November during annual fundraiser

Nashville tourism leaders unveil bold plan to manage rapid growth with safety

TN Comptroller questions Rutherford improved properties left off appraisals

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: US Rep. Andy Ogles files for $30K in congressional reimbursements