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Lawsuit Targets Per Diem To Minn. Lawmakers

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Feb 11, 2008 3:21 pm US/Central

Lawsuit Targets Per Diem To Minn. Lawmakers

ST. PAUL (AP) ― A lawsuit is challenging the validity of daily expense payments for Minnesota legislators.

Four members of a group called Citizens for Rule of Law are seeking a court judgment forcing lawmakers to repay the state for their so-called per diem.

During the legislative session, senators can claim up to $96 per day in living expenses and House members qualify for up to $77.

The maximum payments went up last year.

The lawsuit filed in Ramsey County District Court alleges the payments are covert salary increases that weren't authorized through the proper constitutional channels.

If lawmakers raise their basic salary, they must wait until the next election for the increase to kick in.

This isn't the first challenge to the Legislature's expense payments. In 1969 and 1977, Minnesota courts rebuffed similar cases.

 

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