Posted on Mon, Jul. 6, 2009
John Baer: ‘Per diem’ is a magic term during budget impasse
By John Baer
Philadelphia Daily News
Daily News Political Columnist
HERE ARE some fun facts related to the state budget impasse.
Lawmakers can get up to $158 a day in expenses for each and every day the budget battle goes on, and most can collect it even in the absence of a budget.
Because per diems can be claimed for weekends, that’s potentially more than $1,000 a week; so, even as lawmakers’ regular salaries are withheld until a budget is in place, their life isn’t likely to be too tough.
This is an especially egregious waste of money, since the vast majority of our 253 legislators have little to do with settling budget disputes; a handful of leaders traditionally do that.
Also, legislative employees (the largest state legislative staff in America, numbering around 3,100) are being paid full salaries even though the state has no authority to spend money and state workers face payless paydays.
Lawmakers’ per diems amount almost to a cash incentive to stretch out the fight. And for staff members, hey, who cares how long it takes?
[Snip]
When I ask Gov. Rendell’s chief of staff, Steve Crawford, what he thinks of lawmakers and aides getting expenses and salaries while others face no pay, he says: “Do a poll and see what you get.”
I think I know what I’d get.
Send e-mail to baerj@phillynews.com.
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