Arizona Legislature to consider boosting per-day pay
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona lawmakers are poised to consider tripling the amount of cash they are paid for each day they work in new legislation that emerged as their yearly session nears a close.
Lawmakers in both parties appeared supportive of the change, which was introduced in the Senate on Thursday and approved by the appropriations committee. They said rural lawmakers especially are under-compensated for their costs of traveling to and staying in Phoenix during the session. They also note that federal tax law changes eliminated the ability to write off those expenses.
"Our rural legislators have been particularly hit hard," said Sen. Rick Gray, a Republican from Sun City. "For me, we need to address that for their sake."
Lawmakers earn $24,000 a year, plus a daily expense stipend that currently is $60 for rural lawmakers and $35 for Maricopa County residents. The rate is greatly cut if the session exceeds 120 days.
The Senate bill introduced Thursday raises the daily rate for rural lawmakers to the federal rate of $185 a day and half that for Phoenix-area residents. The rate would adjust yearly.
Read more: https://azdailysun.com/news/state-and-regional/arizona-legislature-to-consider-boosting-per-day-pay/article_3ec1e803-81cf-53eb-bd69-37655c559852.html
I agree that the per diem rate does need to be adjusted, but $185 a day seems excessive. to cover food and lodging.
= new reply since forum marked as read
