Arizona Republican Representative Makes Argument For Increasing Legislative Per Diem
Download mp3 (9.12 MB)Lawmakers at the state Capitol are on a two-week break right now after failing to reach an agreement on a nearly $13 billion budget last week. But when they return next week to continue debating that massive budget package, one sticking point for some lawmakers will be increasing their own pay by increasing their per diem payments.
Lawmakers, especially rural lawmakers, say it’s necessary because their base pay of $24,000 a year doesn’t cover the bills. But Gov. Doug Ducey vetoed another attempt to increase legislative per diem in 2019.
To hear the benefits of increasing legislative per diem, The Show spoke with Rep. David Cook, a Republican from Globe and a chief proponent of increasing per diem.
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
David Cook
