A little extra to get by on
Lawmakers from outside the Denver area could get an extra $50 a day for meals and living expenses under a bipartisan bill unveiled Wednesday.
The measure comes just weeks after lawmakers began to feel the squeeze of a strict voter-passed ethics law that bans them from accepting free meals from lobbyists.
The proposal would raise the per diem allowance for out-of-town lawmakers to $149, from $99. It is sponsored by Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, and Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison.
Two ways to spend $150
Sleep cheap, eat well
Room at Valli Hi Motel, 7320 Pecos St.: $34
Breakfast value meal: $3.99
Lunch salad and drink at the Red Room: $10.75
Pan-seared foie gras, salad of seasonal greens, roasted Maine lobster and sorbet at the Palace Arms: $100
Eat cheap, sleep well
Room at the Loews Denver Hotel, 4150 E. Mississippi Ave.: $143
Five packs of ramen noodles: $5
Sources: Hotels.com; the Palace Arms; King Soopers
Can we quote you on that?
“He won’t be able to plea-bargain this one down to agricultural trespassing.”
– House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, left, taking a shot at Gov. Bill Ritter over his support of legislation that business leaders claim would make it easier for labor groups to establish union shops. As Denver district attorney, Ritter allowed plea bargains with some immigrants to unrelated charges of agricultural trespassing.
