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Kentucky

Here's What Kim Davis Is Doing Instead of Working

Here's What Kim Davis Is Doing Instead of Working

Liberty Counsel photo of Kim Davis
Liberty Counsel

Davis, an elected public official, earns $80,000 a year for a job she has refused to do.

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Rowan County, Ky., is bracing for another potential showdown when antigay court clerk Kim Davis returns to work Monday.

Through her attorneys, the right-wing religious law firm of Liberty Counsel, she's confirmed she'll be back on the job on September 14, but won't say if she'll abide by a federal judge's orders to not impede the issuance of marriage licenses bearing her name to same-sex couples.

Judge David Bunning freed Davis on that condition Tuesday, after she spent six days behind bars for contempt of court.

Right now, Davis remains at home in Rowan County, where her lawyers say she and Joe Davis, her fourth husband (who also was her second husband) are spending time together.

"I am deeply moved by all those who prayed for me," Davis said in a statement. "All I can say is that I am amazed and very grateful. I am enjoying spending time with my husband, my family, and my three dogs. I have also been spending time reading boxes of letters expressing support and prayers from people around the country."

On Wednesday, her attorneys released that statement along with a photograph to show the hundreds and hundreds of letters sent to Davis at the jail.

"I haven't even made a dent in the piles of letters," she said.

"I love God, love people, and love my work. I hope we will continue to respect these values and that America remains a place where all three can live in harmony," Davis said through her attorney, adding that she is resting and enjoying time with her family.

America is also a place where our elected leaders are held accountable. So, let's do the math:

Rowan County pays Davis $80,000 a year. That's roughly $38.47 an hour. She's already spent at least three days in August refusing to do her job, for which she earned approximately $923.

Last week, she was jailed six days, three of which were weekdays, and obviously unable to do her job, for which she would have been paid an additional $923, not counting whatever holiday pay she might earn for Labor Day, a federal holiday. And she will not be at work today or tomorrow, nor was she working on Wednesday, for another $923. Those nine days added together, before taxes and other deductions, amount to $2,769.84.

Liberty Counsel has yet to respond to a request emailed by The Advocate for a thorough accounting of Davis's hours away from work, including whether she has called out sick, taken them as paid vacation or is drawing a salary on the county payroll, while sitting at home opening fan mail.

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The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.
The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.