Coker Keeps Heat on Haile

From the campaign's press release:

Jeff Coker, the conservative Republican candidate for state senate in the 18th District, was pleased to hear of Ferrell Haile’s announcement today that he would not accept per diem money if elected to the state senate.
Said Jeff, “I’m glad to see my opponent has finally joined me in pledging not accept per diem money. One has to wonder, though, why he changed his mind. Less than a week ago, he said he was ‘not ashamed’ to have accepted per diem during his time as appointed state senator. Ten days prior, he said he “didn’t even pay attention” to having received money intended for lawmakers from outside the Nashville area to compensate for their hotel and meal costs while the legislature is in session.”

Coker added, “Regardless of his motivation, I’m happy Mr. Haile now realizes it was wrong to accept over $170 per day in travel money simply for commuting to Nashville. I hope this also means he intends to repay the thousands of dollars in taxpayer money he now admits was wrong of him to take. As someone who is committed to ending wasteful spending, I would have never accepted this money in the first place.”

The per diem issue is not new to Ferrell Haile. As a failed candidate for state senate 12 years ago, he attacked his opponent over this very issue, questioning the circumstances under which she received per diem money. Jeff Coker believes it is wrong for any state legislator who lives within one hour of Nashville to accept extra money for commuting when they return to their own home and sleep in their own bed every night.