Most senators who opposed expense increase seek reimbursements — but not higher rate

02/27/2007

BY RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER
Pioneer Press


All but one of the seven Minnesota Senators who voted against an increase in lawmakers expense payments last week have since requested some payments for their expenses, according to Senate Fiscal Services.

On Wednesday, the Senate ratified the payment increase from $66 per day to $96 per day. In a twist, those who voted against the increase were barred from getting any daily payments, unless they specifically asked for the cash.

Republican Senators Ray Vandeveer, of Forest Lake; Dick Day, of Owatonna; David Hann, of Eden Prairie; Bill Ingebrigtsen, of Alexandria; Amy Koch, of Buffalo; Geoff Michel, of Edina; and Pat Pariseau, of Farmington, voted against the measure.

Since then, all but Hann requested a daily payment, known as per diem. The other five Senators who voted no requested a $66 per diem payment. Other Senators have also requested less than the allowed $96 a day.

Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, will get $60 a day; Sen. Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, requested $66; Sen. Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, requested $85 a day; Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, said he wanted no payments on weekends on holidays, Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, said she didn't want to be paid for Sundays.