Special session per diems

The Pioneer Press says that so far, lawmakers have received $136,000 in per diem money for the special session. 39 out of 67 senators had put in their papers for the money, as well as 63 out of 134 House members, although the latter number may increase, since House members have more time to file. Two thirds of the money has been claimed by DFLers, which I find to be disappointing.

Per diems for leadership was not really a surprise. The only leader who got per diems was House Speaker Steve Sviggum, who has a history of never passing up an opportunity to get a per diem. None of the other leaders (Dean Johnson, Dick Day, or Matt Entenza) got the money. Now, I understand that Sviggum is a farmer and the crops have to be put in and lost revenue and all that, but that doesn't seem to bother anybody else. Dean Johnson is a sower of seeds for the Lord and tries to reap a crop of righteous men and women, and he doesn't seem to need a per diem.

Another person who seems to need the money is Republican Tom Emmer, whom I like less and less. I wouldn't shed a tear if he decided that the financial sacrifices of being a legislator caused him to retire next year.

All in all, I think there needs to be some changes to the per diem system. Metro legislators shouldn't get anything, or should be limited to a small ($10 a session day) meal stipend. Hey, there's a McDonald's just around the corner. Outstate legislators already get a housing allowance in addition to their per diems, but the per diem itself should be based on actual mileage and a higher food stipend to take into account that they have to stock their temporary living quarters with something to live on. Legislators have to get there and eat, but aside from that, not many workers in this state get extra money from their employers just for showing up.