Taxpayers Subsidizing Barbershop for Senate Members

by Stephan Tawney on February 13, 2012

Two words: Sports Clips.

Two more words: Presumptuous assholes.

America’s most distinguished leaders get their hair cut at the Senate barbershop, but taxpayers are the ones really getting clipped.

The barbershop ran almost $300,000 in the red last year but received an infusion from Senate coffers that is keeping it in business, the Senate sergeant at arms, Terrance Gainer, told The Daily.

A federal bailout isn’t that unusual since the economic downturn, but some senators didn’t even know their salon was in hot water — and don’t think it should be, considering what they pay for a little off the ears.

A shampoo, cut and blow dry is $27 and highlights are $105, according to the barbershop’s website. A trim costs $20, more than double what Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., gets charged when he goes to his barber back home.

What’s going on? The shop uses federal employees. Unionized federal employees. Far, far more expensive than their private sector counterparts.

Which would seem to explain why the shop is still losing $300,000 annually while charging $27 for a basic haircut and $105 for highlights.

Capitol’s four barbers and stylists made $22,000 to $30,000 last year with no benefits, manager Lynn Dang said. At the Senate barbershop, formally called Senate Hair Care Services, the top four barbers and stylists made more than twice that — $54,761; $70,349; $73,658; and $81,641 — plus they have a generous 401(k) plan, health care and paid vacation.

Unbelievable. Actually, strike that. Totally believable.

 



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