Madison lawmakers max out hometown perk
MADISON - By repeatedly tapping a pot of state tax dollars set aside for travel expenses, a handful of Wisconsin lawmakers have been able to boost their pay without traveling far from home.
The practice relies on a decades-old law that lets lawmakers claim daily allowances when they work in Madison, home of the state Capitol. The law has proven to be a boon for those who live in Madison. Some have boosted their pay by more than 20 percent in a year.
Three state representatives from Madison claimed travel allowances 153 times last year — the maximum allowed under Assembly policies — receiving $10,500 on top of their $51,000 salaries. No other lawmakers claimed the maximum last year. The rules have since been changed to reduce the number of days for which the pay, known as per diems, may be claimed.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in January changed the rules to limit payments to 80 days to control costs. He said the decision stemmed from some legislators submitting per diem claims three or four days per week. He said it stretched the intent of allowances, which are intended as travel reimbursements.
Read more: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/investigations/2016/12/30/madison-lawmakers-max-out-hometown-perk/95110338/
[font color=330099]If anything the legislators that live in or near to Madison should not be allowed to collect per diem pay since they already reside there. The only allowances that should be made are for any travel expense or food expense while conducting state business.[/font]
