California's economy, jobs, revenues and budget are taking a nosedive, but one thing is on the rise -- legislative per diem, if only slightly.
Beginning immediately, the state will increase from $170 to $173 the amount it pays lawmakers to offset their expenses during the legislative session in Sacramento. Per diem supplements salaries of $116,208.
For the state's 120 Assembly and Senate members, today's vote will add about $600 per year to their checkbook -- maybe more, maybe less, depending upon the duration of a legislative year. For taxpayers, the hike amounts to about $72,000 annually.
The per diem increase was approved today by the state Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, which is required by state law to set per diem no lower than the rate paid to federal employees traveling to Sacramento, currently $173.
The hike in per diem is retroactive to Oct. 1, so lawmakers will receive the extra $3 per day if they are called into special session, as expected, by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger next month.
Rosario Marin, who chairs the compensation board and is secretary of California's State and Consumer Services Agency, said it is unfortunate that per diem must rise, even modestly, during a time of economic distress. The board has little discretion, she noted.
Marin and Les Kleinberg, representing state Controller John Chiang, voted to approve the $3-a-day increase. The third board member, Michael Ramos, did not attend the meeting.
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