
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 4, 1994                   TAG: 9404040128
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

HOUSE MEMBERS MAIL MORE AS ELECTIONS NEAR

Members of the House of Representatives stepped up their taxpayer-financed mass mailings as the 1994 election year approached, according to a new study.

In November and December 1993, House members spent about $10 million to mail newsletters, cards and letters to constituents, the National Taxpayers Union Foundation said. That was nearly one-third of $33.5 million spent for the entire year.

Recent restrictions, however, have cut the mail costs significantly. In 1991, the last nonelection year, mass mailings in the House totaled $44.8 million.

Despite the drop, foundation president David Keating said, "The House once again has begun a pre-election franking frenzy." He said mass mail sent at taxpayer expense - known as franked mail - is a subsidy for incumbents and "self-promoting propaganda sent to citizens who never asked for it."

- Associated Press

by CNB