Feb 2, 2006 2:40 pm US/Central
Reality Check: Annual Check On Lawmakers' Per Diem
by Pat Kessler
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
Lawmakers are paid their regular salaries each year, but taxpayers also pay thousands of dollars in extra daily expenses, or per diems.
Unlike most Minnesotans, state lawmakers have not had a pay hike for about six years, but many earn thousands in per diem.
IN FACT, Minnesota lawmakers are entitled to UP TO $66 per day, seven days a week, during the session, or on legislative work days out of the session.
Last year, lawmakers received nearly $2 million in per diem payments, which is an average of about $9,700 per lawmaker. That is on top of their part-time salaries of $30,000 per year.
IN FACT, at the top of the 2005 list is Democrat Sen. Ellen Anderson, who lives in St. Paul. She is the chairwoman of the jobs committee. She received more than $14,000 in per diem for 240 days of work.
"Most of us take pay cuts actually to become legislators," Anderson said. "I really love my job and I take it very seriously."
Here is what you NEED TO KNOW: Nine of the top 10 recipients of legislative per diem are Senators and are Democrats. Each received about $13,000-$14,000 each.
The number 10 recipient of legislative per diem is in the house, Republican Rep. Bob Gunther, who took in about $13,000 for 184 days. He is also a committee chairman, of the Jobs of the Economic Development Committee.
"I really think I'm doing what I am supposed to be doing to serve the people of my district," Gunther said.
That's NOT THE WHOLE STORY. There are a handful of legislators who refuse to take per diem during the government shutdown and a couple who refuse it altogether.
Most accept as much as possible, in part because part of the per diem legislators receive now is added to their pensions later.
That's Reality Check.
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