Mary Jo Pitzl
Arizona Republic
To diem or not to diem? That is the question at the Arizona Legislature, as lawmakers wrestle with whether they should opt out of receiving per diem pay while they are on an extended break.
It comes in the wake of increasing scrutiny, with lawmakers collecting pay for not working during numerous long— and unusual — breaks. Gov. Katie Hobbs criticized lawmakers last week for picking up the extra money. And Democrats have called for an end to the legislative session, charging leaders are holding rank and file members “hostage.”
Senate Republican leaders this week advised the 30 senators that they could choose to not take the pay, which is intended to cover the costs of lodging and meals. The rate is $119 a day if the lawmaker lives outside of Maricopa County and $10 for those who live in the county where the Capitol is located.
Meanwhile, House leaders have said if members of that chamber opt out they will forgo their per-diem pay not only in the short term but also all next year.
The conflicting advisories come as attention has focused on the money lawmakers are collecting as they take a seven-week break after returning from a monthlong break on June 12 to do two days of work.
If all lawmakers take the per diem pay for the period of June 12 to July 31 (when they are scheduled to return to do a formal adjournment), it will cost taxpayers $221,605.
The Arizona Capitol Times calculated that if the session adjourns on July 31, this year’s per diem costs would exceed $1.6 million.
