RICHLAND, Wash. - According to the Associated Press, Washington state Sen. Jerome Delvin racked up a cell phone bill of $309.21 in one month alone during last year's legislative session that focused on budget troubles.
The Associated Press obtained public records laws that show a variety of lawmakers have consistently submitted large cellphone bills that stretched beyond the normal cost of even some of the most generous wireless plans. Delvin regularly posted cellphone bills surpassing $180 per month over the past two years, with some bills jumping much higher and one topping out at $382.75.
NBC Right Now spoke with the Senator that has already begun his duties as Benton County Commissioner. He said lawmakers are reimbursed up to $7,800 per year for business related spending.
Delvin said he gets reimbursed for his work cell phone bill, car miles used for business travel and Internet for his state issued computer.
He estimated he typically spends about $180 dollars a month for his cell phone bill, but had three instances over the last few years where he traveled abroad for trade missions to Taiwan, China and Mexico which caused the higher charges.
"I don't know what's expected if I'm traveling and returning phone calls from constituents and doing emails. That's the price of doing business," said Delvin.
Delvin says he may need to reassess his plan to see if there is a cheaper option. However, he says as Benton County Commissioner phone bills will be handled by someone else in the county.
