POLITICS JIM wriGht, the Fort Worth Democrat and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, is finding retirement profitable. In 1990, he made as many as 20 paid appearances, says his booking agent DON R. EP-STEIN. And at as much as $10,000 a pop, Wright’s speaking tour would appear to beat his old government salary of $115,000.
To be sure, Wright has also made numerous television appearances and speaking engagements gratis. And he has yet to charge for offering pithy sound bites to reporters still curious about his opinion on such issues as the federal budget mess. Still, Wright’s life after politics has its perks, including a three-person, taxpayer-subsidized staff, an honor bestowed to all three living former speakers of the House.
LARRY SHANNON, Wright’s $56,739.60-a-year administrative assistant, says a former speaker is much like a former president whose public duties and government-related demands on his time continue after he leaves office. Wright may have resigned in June 1989 amid an ethics scandal, but who could blame him if he is laughing all the way to the bank?
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