Candidate defends employment

RELATED STORY: Former state rep's employment questioned

WESLACO -- A school board candidate whose name was linked to an investigation of so-called ghost employees of state lawmakers denies he has done anything wrong.

A report in the Austin American-Statesman last week described a crackdown by state Republican leaders on lawmakers who had given full-time designation to part-time staffers.

The story noted that only full-time employees are eligible for some benefits.

Miguel Wise, a former lawmaker himself, has been employed since the fall by State Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, earning a salary of just $100 per month despite his full-time status.

Wise, who has a Weslaco law practice, is running against Jeff Everitt for the Place 7 slot on the Weslaco school board to replace member Felix Guajardo, who is not seeking re-election.

Wise and Dunnam said Thursday that Wise did not try to game the system, since he did not accept the health insurance benefits available to full-time employees.

Dunnam's chief of staff, Kevin Vickers, confirmed Wise does not have state health insurance.

"He's doing this because he's a public service-minded guy," Dunnam said.

Wise and Dunnam said Wise's employment is contributing toward his state pension, but they noted he would still be accruing that pension even if he were designated a part-time employee.

Wise is a former District 39 state representative from Weslaco who served from 1996 to 2005.

Dunnam said he hired Wise last fall because he needed someone with legislative and legal experience. In particular, Dunnam pointed to Wise's familiarity with immigration issues.

Legally, legislators cannot employ staff without paying them, Dunnam said, so he paid Wise a small salary. Dunnam sometimes called Wise often - including on nights and weekends - and sometimes left Wise alone.

"That really was it," the lawmaker said.

Wise said he did not think there was anything wrong with his designation as a full-time staffer, and he even contacted the Employees Retirement System of Texas to verify there was nothing questionable about his employment.

The school board candidate characterized the issue as a "witch hunt" by House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland.

As chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Dunnam is a political foe of Craddick.

Wise, like other Austin insiders, noted that the House's current employment system has been in place for decades.

"I think what's really going on is an attack by the speaker that has totally gone haywire," Dunnam said.

Craddick's spokeswoman told the Dallas Morning News the investigation is not politically motivated.
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Ryan Holeywell covers PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.