[Ellesu]

These legislators get a lot of extra perks too, on the taxpayer's dime. Wooley's truck, Mitch's new million dollar digs, Blanco's new bathroom, Foti's new hummers, Odom's sugar mill, bond commission's lawn mower races, etc. These legislators have and will continue to spend what they want with no regard for the taxpayers. Shame on them and shame on the voters who continue to vote for them and defend them. At a time when they are asking citizens of this state to tighten their belts, when they are begging the feds for money, they should do the same.

[Lokibob]

Thats fine, go after them for bathrooms, hummers, lawn mower races etc, but the per diem is a non starter.

When I was in business and traveling for the company, I expected that the company pay the expenses. There were expenses that the company would not pay, for example, long distance calls to home (gotta keep momma and the kids happy), or tips to bellmen, taxi drivers, red caps. These are things that you HAVE to do, and can't put on an expense report. I used my per diem for these items and never looked back.

$16k salary is $307 a week (assuming 52 weeks a year they are working). Thats damn cheap wages, almost 3rd world country wages.