Local lawmaker leader in higher state per diem

Rep. David Stevens expected to join Tucson Democrat in filing bipartisan bill for current session

State lawmakers are moving to pave the way to more than double their living allowance — and do it in the way to avoid ever having to vote on the potentially embarrassing issue again.

A measure being crafted by two Southern Arizona legislators would scrap the current per diem payment of $35 a day for lawmakers living within 50 miles of the Capitol and $60 for everyone else. Various efforts over the past two decades to vote to boost that have fallen short.

In its place would be a formula tied to the rate the Internal Revenue Service allows.

Out-of-area legislators would get the full rate, about $163 a day now. Those closer to the Capitol would automatically be entitled to 60 percent of that figure, or close to $98.

And they would get that seven days a week for every day the Legislature is in session, even though lawmakers usually only meet four days a week at the beginning of every year. Lawmakers also could get allowances for coming to the Capitol for special meetings or other official business.

Barring any last-minute hitches, the measure should sail through the House. Rep. David Stevens, R-Sierra Vista, claims to already have 45 of the 60 House members, all of whom would be affected, signed on in support.

Stevens now is lining up votes among senators.