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Administrative Services, Not Change in Technology, Put an End to Stephen Billing Taxpayers for Household Expenses
Stephen Continues Pattern of Not Telling the Truth About His Record to Media, Public
MANCHESTER - Contrary to the Stephen campaign's statements to the Concord Monitor, the Department of Administrative Services - not a change in technology - put a stop to John Stephen's practice of billing taxpayers for "common household" expenses, including his home internet - and even his home cable box.
"John Stephen has established a clear pattern of failing to be honest with the public and the media when confronted with facts about his record," said Pamela Walsh, campaign manager for New Hampshire for John Lynch.
"John Stephen helped create or raise 162 fees in just four of his 20 years as a career bureaucrat. And as health and human services commissioner, John Stephen billed taxpayers for his home internet and home cable box. When confronted with these facts by the media, John Stephen did not tell the truth about his record. We can't trust what John Stephen says about his record or his attacks on Governor Lynch."
The Concord Monitor reported on Sunday that John Stephen billed taxpayers for his home internet and cable box from 2004 through 2006. When confronted about the charges, Stephen's spokesman said the practice ended "when Stephen acquired a broadband card for his state-issued laptop."
But documents obtained through a right-to-know request show that it was the Department of Administrative Services - not a change in technology - that ended Stephen's habit of billing taxpayers for his personal costs.
In May 2007, in response to a new series of bills from Stephen, an Administrative Services business supervisor denied the reimbursement request.
"I still don't think the state pays for these kind of expenses. The fact that it has been paid in the past doesn't indicate to me that is approved, but more likely it was overlooked or not questioned when it should have been," the business supervisor wrote. "High speed internet is a common household expense and, if approved for the commissioner, one could argue that there are hundreds of other state employees that could also justify this cost."
Stephen is establishing a pattern of refusing to be straight about his record.
On Monday, when asked by WMUR about the 162 fees he helped create or raise, Stephen claimed: "Commissioners don't increase ... fees."
But RSA 126-A5, IV says: "Pursuant to RSA 541-A, the commissioner shall have the authority to establish fees, copayments or any other charges for services or assistance provided by or on behalf of the department." Neither the full legislature, nor the governor, was presented with Stephen's fee increases for approval. He submitted his fee increases to the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules.
In addition, while assistant commissioner of Safety, Stephen helped created or raise more than 20 fees in just a two-year period, for example publicly urging lawmakers to pass a bill increasing license plate fees by $1.50 and vehicle title fees by $5. (Associated Press, April 9, 2002)
Read the Administrative Service emails here
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