True fiscal conservative walks the walk on reducing government spending

NASHVILLE, TN. – Dr. Steve Dickerson, the Republican candidate for the State Senate in District 20, has announced that while serving as State Senator he will not accept a per diem.

“We are in an economic crisis. Millions of Americans are out of work and still more are struggling to make ends meet. Tennesseans are cutting back on many essentials and I believe that taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for my lunch and housing when I live in the city where I work. Its time to end the free lunch program for politicians in Nashville,” said Dickerson.

The current law allows for Tennessee lawmakers to receive $171/day per diem to cover the cost of lodging and meals. The per diem is money paid in addition to salary and mileage reimbursement.  According to the National Conference of State Legislators,

Tennessee currently ranks 8th for the highest per diem amount paid.

“We need more ‘conservatives’ who walk the walk not just talk the talk,” commented Dickerson. “America’s economy is on the brink of collapse and we must end the politicians’ spending spree. In Tennessee, that means putting an end to the financial ‘perks’ of being a politician. It is just nonsense that I would ask taxpayers to buy my lunch and pay for my housing when I live in Middle Tennessee where the Capitol is located. Paying for my own meals and sleeping in my own bed is a small step in restoring fiscal sanity to government but is really what we should demand of our elected officials.”

Steve Dickerson is a practicing physician and founding partner of Anesthesia Services

Associates. Dickerson attended the University of the South in Sewanee graduating with

a B.A. in History. He then received his medical degree at the Bowman Gray School of

Medicine of Wake Forest University. Steve Dickerson has been married to his wife

Katrina for 19 years and they have three sons, Reid, Evan, and Bennett.

For more information about the Steve Dickerson campaign or to schedule an interview

with Dr. Dickerson contact: 615-519-1896 or visit www.votestevedickerson.com

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