Figures from the Alaska legislature show that some staffers may be paid almost as much as our previous governor.
Legislators themselves are paid a base salary of $50,400 per year based on an Alaska statute.
As of last Saturday, June 6, lawmakers had collected around $154,500 in per diem since the beginning of the special session according to the Legislative Affairs Agency.
That agency also reports staffer salaries, some of which are surprisingly high.
Senior Staff member for House Speaker Mike Chenault, Tom Wright earns $11,199 per month, totalling more than $134,000 per year before taxes.
To put that in perspective, former Governor Sean Parnell was only paid $139,000 for calendar year 2014.
The second highest paid staffer is also with Representative Chenault’s office: Joel Lounsbury is paid $10,794 per month.
Big Lake Representative Mark Neuman’s office has the third highest paid staffer, Peter Ecklund receives $10,404 per month.