By Ted Crane
Our household received at least four postcards from Marc Molinaro (R-NY19) during the month of August. These full-color, 11″ x 5.75″ pieces—about the largest size allowed at letter rate—are mailed at taxpayer expense, paid by congressional frank.
These mailings have a veneer of being “job reports”. Absent the frank, we would have assumed they were—because they appear to be—campaign mailings. If use of franking for political campaign purposes is not unethical, or even against the rules, it should be.
“Franking” is derived from colonial-era English Law. It allows authorized officials to use the Postal Service: instead of a stamp, the official “signs” the mail piece (see image below) and taxpayer money is transferred directly from the Treasury to the U.S. Postal Service. Congresspersons must provide quarterly reports on their frank use … but who reads them?
The franking privilege has frequently been misused. Detailed language (1991 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2 U.S.C. §§ 503-506) exists to prevent misuse but, like so many rules and regulations intended to police Congressional behavior, enforcement is subject to political deadlock. The misuse has to be blatant enough to force the offender’s party to agree to an investigation.
We’re used to self-serving “reports” and “push polls” sent by elected officials at all levels of government. So many mailings over such a short period of time makes it hard to believe the statement printed with the franking text: “…provided as a service to the19th District of New York Constituents.” It would not be surprising to conclude that Marc Molinaro is using our tax dollars as a campaign-time slush fund.