May 20, 2009: Legislative Report #65

Per Diem Restraint or Reckless

Prior to the beginning of each legislative session, each legislator establishes his or her personal Per Diem for the coming session. This is done within the basement of the State Office Building in Saint Paul at the House Administrative Services Office.

Each elected official sets up a payment calendar based on personal preferences. Per Diem payment choices range from zero to seven days a week, including other options of selecting specific days or compensation for holidays. The state issues some type of payment on the first of each month to each legislator based on parameters set by the legislator's payment calendar.

Carolyn Laine had her 2009 Per Diem payment calendar set for 7 days a week. Carolyn excluded several holiday days for the 2009 session, including Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This year the Minnesota House adjourned Tuesday April 7, 2009, until Tuesday April 14, 2009, for Easter break. Per Diem paid to Carolyn included Wednesday, April 8, Thursday, April 9, Saturday, April
11, and Monday, April 13, based on her payment calendar. For those days the House did not meet over Easter break, Carolyn received a total of $308.00 for the holiday weekend.

While $308.00 is not a lot of money for one weekend in comparison to the annual state budget which exceeds $16,000,000,000.00, the bigger issue is attitude of privilege.  Such is the privilege expressed by our legislative representative who claims to do the people's business and "governance." Then during the worst Minnesota recession in decades, she orders a $77.00 a day Per Diem every day of the session while living 13 miles from work. Do you receive $77.00 a day tax exempt Per Diem for attending work 13 miles from home? Do you receive Per Diem on weekend and holidays? Carolyn Laine did, and for her Per Diem compensation during the 2009 legislative session she received $10,318.00.

Back in January 2009, on the first day of session, Representative Tom Emmer (R) District: 19B introduced an amendment to reduce Per Diem payments to House members, as a gesture to the citizens of Minnesota. This first vote of the 2009 House body set the tone for the balance of the session, as Carolyn Laine voted with the majority of members: NOT to reduce their Per Diem for the year.

Carolyn Laine appears not willing to set an example, cut back, and show restraint of expending state funds in regard to herself. When easy choices are available and not made, one has to wonder what is to follow. The result might be just like the very first vote of the 2009 session, in which Carolyn consistently voted against the public good by expanding government and taxes at the Capitol. The 2009 voting record of Carolyn Laine indicates she disregards the public trust set in place to restrain government in
accordance with the Constitution. Our Constitution helps hold back tyranny and supports monetary discipline.

Footnote: Per Diem payment information is not available online. You can contact the House Administrative Services Office by calling 651-296-2146.