Morris News Service
ATHENS, Ga. --- A recent series of legislative updates mailed to northeast Georgia residents are simply a routine way to keep constituents informed and are not politically motivated, says U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Athens.
Morris News Service
Paul Broun sends mail to residents in his district to outline views on issues.
Mr. Broun has sent nine letters and other mail, including full-color fliers, to households in the 10th Congressional District, six of them over the past two months. They outlined his views on immigration, taxes and other issues, annoying some residents and drawing attacks from an opponent.
Congressmen are allowed to send issue-based mail to constituents without paying for postage, a privilege known as franking.
"This is my way of letting people know what's going on in Washington, as well as letting people know what legislation I've introduced as congressman," Mr. Broun said.
The Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards, a bipartisan panel of six congressmen also known as the franking commission, vets the mail before it's sent. Franked mail cannot solicit funds, use the word "I" more than eight times a page, contain too much biographical information or make reference to a political campaign, among other rules in a 72-page federal handbook on franking.
Mr. Broun's mailings come close to crossing the line, according his Republican opponent, state Rep. Barry Fleming. Mr. Fleming's campaign has accused Mr. Broun of wasting taxpayer money by sending out thinly veiled campaign ads to make up for his relatively small campaign war chest. With almost $600,000 in his campaign chest, Mr. Fleming had about four times as much cash on hand as Mr. Broun at the end of March.
Mr. Fleming might also send out franked mail to keep constituents updated but would hew more closely to the rules, campaign manager Cam Kirbo said.
"You're not going to find any letters out of here touting Barry's bio," Mr. Kirbo said.
Opponents frequently accuse incumbents of abusing franking privileges, and two Republicans running against U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Savannah, recently criticized mail Mr. Barrow sent to constituents.
Mr. Broun dismissed Mr. Fleming's criticism. Reaction to his letters and telephone town hall meetings has been overwhelmingly positive, he said.
Mr. Broun calls every district household with a listed telephone number once a month to talk about issues and give listeners a chance to ask questions. About once every two weeks between 6 and 9 p.m., a computer dials thousands of residents and plays a recorded message before Mr. Broun comes on the line live.
Such tele-town hall meetings are governed by the same rules as franked mail. They must be informational, not political.
Anyone who does not want to receive letters or calls can contact Mr. Broun's office and ask to be taken off the list.
