We’re into the fourth week of the Governor’s special session and as lawmakers wrestle with the state’s operating budget, they may be running up a bill of their own.
The State Legislative Affairs Office said if all lawmakers claim per diem expenses during this session, it’ll cost the state $14,753 per day that the session is being held in Juneau. That jumps to $15,476 per day if the session is held in Anchorage, a difference of $722 per day.
Administrators confirmed those numbers include the discounted rate granted to lawmakers who live less than 50 miles away from where the meetings are held.
All 60 lawmakers are entitled to claim the per diem, even if they are not attending a specific meeting. The final cost of this session won’t b e known until individual legislators submit their claims for the session.