TennWatch/Volitics

Lawmakers Pad Accounts with Per Diem

The Commercial Appeal has a rather inflammatory article about our state lawmakers pocketing per diem checks that far outweigh their base salary.

But in my opinion, anyone who is making less than $20K per year doing a job that doesn't stop just because congress is in recess should be able to get reimbursed for continuing their work. Representatives were in session 81 days last year, making them eligible for $13,041 in per diem expenses (at $161/day). The senate sat for 77 days, so they could reasonably collect $12,397.

Add on top of that Friday committee meetings, special hearings, a convention or three, and so on, and I can see that amount approaching $20K, effectively doubling their base salary.

Then again:

Topping the list was House Speaker Pro Tem Lois DeBerry, D-Memphis, who collected $31,967, much of which came as a result of 14 out-of-state trips -- more than any other legislator. . . .

Records of the payments show "legislative office work" as the most common entry. For example, state Rep. Brenda Gilmore, a Democrat who lives in Nashville, collected $4,830 in per diem for 30 days of out-of-session "legislative office work" in 2007, more than any other lawmaker.

Ah, now I see what the Commercial Appeal is upset about. Excessive junkets and "office work". Come one, the chick lives in Nashville. What does she do to with those $161 a day, spend it all on meals?

Two of them -- veteran Sen. Douglas Henry, D-Nashville, and freshman Rep. Bob Bibb, D-Springfield -- reimbursed the state for the per diem payments they received in 2007. Both said their decision was personal and they do not fault others for accepting the payments.

"For me, I just could not in good conscience take money for expenses when I sleep in my own bed every night," said Bibb.

How refreshing. Ethical behavior. From Democrats, no less. Kudos.

Top per diem recipients for 2007: