Raleigh, N.C. — It's not unusual for top legislative leaders to lose staffers during the fallow period between the end of a legislative session and Election Day. 

Two recent departures of note: 

• Cody Hand, Senate President Pro Temp Phil Berger's deputy chief of staff for policy will leave at the end of this week. He is going to work for the N.C. Hospital Association. Berger's acting chief of staff, Tracy Kimbrell, is taking on his responsibilities. Kimbrell became acting chief of staff when Jim Blaine left his government post to work for the N.C. Senate Republican Caucus's re-election efforts as a contractor.
   
• Jason Kay, House Speaker Thom Tillis' legal counsel, resigned on Aug. 8 to start his own law firm.

However, Kay isn't quite done working for his old boss. On Aug. 10, he signed an engagement letter to work as a private legal counsel to the Speaker. Under the contract, Kay is to be paid a flat fee of $14,500 per month in August and September. As described by the letter, Kay is to provide "available legal consultation and representation all day, every day, on a 24/7/365-basis, which shall be assessable to you at any time, with reasonable prior notice." 

From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, Kay's flat fee decreases to $5,000 with the note that Kay's "availability for legal services will also be adjusted proportionately." 

Kay had been paid $141,680 per year as a state employee.