32 Senate members max out expenses during legislative session

32 members of the Minnesota Senate took the maximum amount of per diem allowed during the 2011 legislative session. Nearly two thirds of the Senate Republican caucus, 23 in all, took the maximum amount of $12,040 during session. That amounts to $86 a day for the 140 days of the session (including Saturdays and Sundays).

The Minnesota Senate spent $756,556 on per diem payments during the 2011 legislative session.

Nine DFLers took the maximum amount in expenses.

Note: Senate Republicans scaled back the maximum per diem rate in January. The rate was lowered from $96 to $86.

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Per diem is optional. It comes on top of the annual salary of $31,141 for lawmakers.

Democrats taking the maximum amount of per diem:

Linda Berglin, Minneapolis

Barb Goodwin, Columbia Heights

Ron Latz, St. Louis Park

James Metzen, South St. Paul

Sandy Pappas, St. Paul

Roger Reinert, Duluth

Ann Rest, New Hope

Linda Scheid, Brooklyn Park

Patricia Torres-Ray, Minneapolis

Republicans taking the maximum amount of per diem:

David Brown, Becker

Al DeKruif, Madison Lake

Michelle Fischbach, Paynesville

Paul Gazelka, Brainerd

Chris Gerlach, Apple Valley

Joe Gimse, Willmar

Dan Hall, Burnsville

David Hann, Eden Prairie

John Howe, Red Wing

Bill Ingebrigtsen, Alexandria

Mike Jungbauer, East Bethel

Warren Limmer, Maple Grove

Doug Magnus, Slayton

Carla Nelson, Rochester

Scott Newman, Hutchinson

Sean Nienow, Cambridge

Gen Olson, Minnetrista

Mike Parry, Waseca

Claire Robling, Jordan

Dave Senjem, Rochester

Dave Thompson, Lakeville

Ray Vandeveer, Forest Lake

Pam Wolf, Spring Lake Park

Democrats declining to take per diem:

None

Republicans declining to take per diem:

Roger Chamberlain, Lino Lakes

Here's the report from the MN Senate:

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