Local lawmaker leader in higher state per diem

By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 11:02 AM MST


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.

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Harland Sexton wrote on Feb 18, 2013 12:33 AM:

    " I hope other people out here in Arizona land are looking at this not so little gold mine these guys are figuring to tap the public for ... Just generally here, they are floating a 275% increase for travel expences to, what? ... off set any "potentially embarrassing future issues again" Something is wrong ... If memory serves me right I believe the article contained the name of the Democrate of the Senate that republican David Stevens aparently worked with on the project but the effort (fell through?) but now Stevens is coming around the bend in the House (as it were) trying to get the bill to the Senate ... yet, the article reports Stevens has gone out to solicit Senators, too? Somebody put a leash on this guy! I am simply trying to say the article from which this was modified per above on Feb. 13,2013 had a different bent to the developement of the proposal ... If I am wrong about the seeming difference/s between the original and this modification of it I welcome the DD to put this post in the trash ... Respectfully, H ... "

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