Rep. Chris Tuck Responds to Questions About Per Diem, Leave

Lawmakers respond to questions about the rules governing per diem pay for attending the special legislative session in Juneau.

Tools

By KTVA CBS 11
Bio

Story Created: May 10, 2011 at 4:14 PM AKDT

Story Updated: May 10, 2011 at 4:14 PM AKDT

Rep. Chris Tuck, Anchorage-D

Thanks for asking, the public deserves to know.  I flew back to Anchorage on legislative business, and had official appointments each day I was back.  I have to pay to maintain my place of residence in Juneau for the remainder of the special session, and did not claim additional travel per diem for this trip.

Additionally, I paid for this trip myself.  My caucus has a policy that only two trips will be paid out of the travel budget for constituent work. However, constituent work is required year-round and requires additional travel during special session.

Because legislators have to maintain two households while serving in Juneau, it seems relatively fair for legislators to claim per diem when going home to take care of personal business.  That way, the cost of hotel or rent due to session is covered.  It should be limited and I agree, the voters should hold their elected officials accountable.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.