Senate panel OKs increase in lawmakers’ per diem for travel to Phoenix
By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Star
State lawmakers are making another bid to more than triple the amount they now get for coming to the Capitol during the session.
Related: I charted out 178 complimentary trips Arizona legislators took last year.
The Senate Government Committee voted 6-1 to set the rate for lawmakers from outside of Maricopa County the same as what the federal government allows for out-of-town travel. At current numbers, that computes to $133.50 a day for lodging and $56 for meals.
By contrast, out-of-county legislators now get a total of $60 a day for the first 120 days of the session, which is supposed to cover all their costs. They do, however, get that $60 even for weekends and days there is no session.
Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, who is sponsoring SB 1461, called the move long overdue.
