Glidewell’s 2009 legislative compensation tops $63,000

It turns out Rep. Frank Glidewell did collect more than $47,000 from the state in per diem and expenses during 2009, although the Glidewell campaign disputes the description of $18,000 of that amount.

Questions about Glidewell’s non-salary compensation as a legislator in 2009 was first raised by Jim Medley during a May 13 debate with Jake Files.

Files, Glidewell and Medley faced each other in the GOP primary for the Arkansas Senate District 13 seat. Files unofficially ended the primary election with 2,553 votes (39.81%), Glidewell ended with 2,391 votes (37.28%), and Medley with 1,469 votes (36.73%). Files and Glidewell will face each other in a June 8 runoff election. Medley has since endorsed Files, and is asking his supporters to get behind Files in the runoff.

The GOP runoff winner will be the next Arkansas Senator representing Fort Smith because no Democrat filed for the seat.

During the May 13 debate that Glidewell declined to attend, Medley referred to a report by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette that showed Glidewell collecting $47,797 in per diem, mileage and other allowable expenses during 2009. Medley and Files said the amount was excessive.

“There is no justification for that amount,” Medley said of Glidewell’s reimbursement. “You have to be pretty creative to come up with almost $50,000 in travel and per diem expenses.”

Glidewell later disputed the figures, saying the most he collected in per diem in 2009 was $11,787. Glidewell sent a statement to The City Wire suggesting Files and Medley owed him an apology.

“Mr. Medley and Mr. Files have yet to apologize for the lies they told at a recent debate, stating that I was paid $47,000 in per diem during 2009. The only per diem I was paid in 2009 amounted to $11,787, not the $47,000 that Files and Medley spent 90 minutes discussing,” Glidewell noted in the statement.

However, research conducted by The City Wire shows Glidewell collected $48,271 in per diem, mileage and allowable expenses and reimbursements in 2009. Adding that to his salary, Glidewell’s total legislative compensation in 2009 was $63,971. The 2009 Arkansas average per capita income was $31,946.

Legislators are paid from three separate funds/divisions: The Legislature (Arkansas House or Arkansas Senate), the Bureau of Legislative Research and the Division of Legislative Audit. Following are the per diem and expense reports received from each of the three sources.
• Arkansas House of Representatives
Monthly reimbursement for office expenses: $18,000 ($1,500 per month in “office expenses”)
Per diem during the 2009 legislative session: $12,354
Mileage during the 2009 legislative session: $2,288
Per diem for September committee meetings: $142
Reimbursement for National Conference of State Legislatures conference: $2,001.48

• Payments from the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research
Total 2009 per diem: $5,280
Total 2009 mileage: $3,991.90
Total 2009 meals reimbursement: $204
Total 2009 lodging reimbursement: $1,625.90
Miscellaneous reimbursements: $686

• Payments from the Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit
Total 2009 reimbursements: $1,698

The City Wire sent the following questions/requests to the Glidewell campaign.
• Do you accept as accurate the per diem figures noted above as provided by the respective groups? If not, please explain why you believe the numbers are in error.
• If you do accept the figures, please explain how you may have forgotten about the sizeable per diem collections from the House and Legislative Audit?
• Please feel free to provide comments or information you believe would provide the voters/citizens with context/perspective related to the 2009 per diem figures.

Glidewell responded with this statement: “I’ve always been a public official that has fought to ensure that government is accountable to the people. I’m proud of my conservative record as a quorum court member, county judge, and state representative. While my opponents have been trying to tear me down, I’ve been busy running a positive campaign to ensure that I can continue to work on behalf of the good people of Sebastian County.

“Over the years, I’ve made it a priority to work hard for my constituents. In turn, that has required me to be in Little Rock attending meetings and ensuring that our state government is being a good steward of tax dollars. Would I have rather been at home with my wife, kids, and grand kids? You bet! However, my philosophy has always been that if you are going to serve the needs of the people, you must be involved. I make no apologies for my service and traveling to Little Rock to ensure that our government is accountable. As the next state senator, will I work just as hard for my constituents? You bet I will.”

Robert Glidewell, Rep. Glidewell’s son and campaign advisor, questioned the state’s labeling of the $1,500 monthly payment as an “office expense.” He said the monthly payment comes with having a leadership position. He said if Fort Smith voters want people in legislative leadership positions then the compensation goes along with that.

“There’s no way to take it back,” Glidewell said of the $18,000 in compensation related to his father’s term as vice chairman of the House Revenue & Taxation Committee.

Files had no comment about Glidewell’s 2009 compensation, but he did agree to provide details on his 2001 compensation when he served as a legislator in Arkansas’ 83rd General Assembly.

• Arkansas House of Representatives
Monthly reimbursement for office expenses: $10,800 ($900 per month in “office expenses”)
Per diem during the 2001 legislative session: $9,120
Mileage during the 2001 legislative session: $1,462.40
Per diem for Legislative interim preview: $95
Mileage for Legislative interim preview: $110.40
Per diem for House caucus meeting: $106
Mileage for House caucus meeting: $110.40

• Payments from the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research
Total 2001 per diem: $205

• Payments from the Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit
Total 2009 reimbursements: $0

Files’ total non-salary compensation was $22,009. Add to that his 2001 salary of $13,101, and his total legislative compensation in 2001 was $35,110.

The compensation issue may come up in two debates Files and Glidewell have agreed to attend.

Progressive Arkansas will sponsor a debate at 7 p.m., June 1 at Second Street Live! (101 N. Second St., in downtown Fort Smith). The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a debate between Files and Glidewell for Noon, June 1, at the Fort Smith Holiday Inn City Center.