Rep. Lee brochure on new tax law
BUFFALO, NY - It's a four page, fold out, glossy colored brochure about the recently passed bi partisan tax law.
It was mailed to 103,000 Western New York homes by Rep. Chris Lee (R- NY) who tells 2 On Your Side the total costs to produce and send it to his constituents in the 26th Congressional District was $51,600.
Lee says the expense of taxpayer dollars was well worth it.
"I definitely think so," Lee told WGRZ-TV. "This is landmark legislation that effects all taxpayers throughout the seven counties I represent...I've really tried to craft out pieces to make them very informative and I think this one is," Lee said.
The cost to taxpayers (including production and postage) to get his message to his constituents in this fashion breaks down to 50 cents per brochure.
However, Lee says he is reaching out in different ways in order to reduce costs.
"We've got over 20,000 people on our electronic weekly news letter we send out, so that is obviously the most efficient. And even in this piece of mail, we try and urge people to sign up because the more people I can communicate by e-mail obviously that's the most cost effective," Lee said.
Noting that many constituents, particularly the elderly, aren't using computers, Lee believes mailers continue to provide a vital service despite their comparative high cost.
"If people don't know what's going on then that's a disservice from me. My job is to communicate as often and as frequently and as efficiently as possible," Lee said.
Lee, who ran his own successful business before being elected to Congress, told WGRZ-TV: "coming from the private sector I've always learned in life the best thing you can do is over-communicate."
A skeptic might conclude that it's evident Lee learned that lesson well, ...as his "informational" brochure on the new tax law contains 31 separate references to him, either by name, photo, or mention of his congressional office.
The brochure even invites recipients to mail a response back to the Congressman, ...although they would have to pay for their own stamp to do so.
Click on the video icon to watch the story from 2 On Your Side Reporter Dave McKinley and Photojournalist Andy Golebiowski.
WGRZ-TV, wgrz.com