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: