While the state of Colorado certainly needs every penny it can save in these tough fiscal times, saving money through symbolic gamesmanship is not the way forward.
State Sen.-elect Cheri Jahn recently floated a proposal to trim the amount rural lawmakers receive for expenses while serving the state.
Though we appreciate the wit in the proposal — Jahn was attacked in this fall’s campaign for voting as a state representative to raise the per diem amount — the vast distances some lawmakers have to travel to conduct state business in Denver illustrate the need for the present expense rate, which already has been constrained.
A little history: During the 2007 General Assembly, Democrats and Republicans approved an increase in the amount of daily, or per diem, expenses lawmakers outside the metro area could recoup from state coffers.
But in the recent election cycle, some Democrats were unfairly attacked by political opponents for increasing the per diem rate. Jahn was among them, as The Denver Post’s Lynn Bartels has reported.
Despite the fact that the Wheat Ridge Democrat did not benefit from the increase — as she represents metro-area constituents — attack ads claimed she put pay raises for politicians above the needs of school children and workers.
So we understand that Jahn might take offense. And though she insists she isn’t trying to settle scores, she admits the attack ads were her inspiration.
“I had completely forgotten about this pot of money until they came after me about per diem,” Jahn told Bartels.
Legislators are paid a $30,000 salary in Colorado, which is in keeping with other states. In addition, metro-area lawmakers can claim up to $45 a day during the 120 days the General Assembly is in session for expenses. Rural lawmakers can claim up to 85 percent of the federal per diem rate, or $150 as of 2007. Prior to 2007, they could claim $99.
Jahn suggested capping the per diem rate for rural lawmakers at $120 — which amounts to $3,600 less a year per lawmaker.
Such a cut, while significant for lawmakers, is mostly symbolic in the face of a multibillion-dollar budget.
And the per diem already is symbolically low. During these difficult times, lawmakers have frozen the rate at $150 — even though the federal allowance has gone up. Had they not done so, the rate last year would have been $191 per day, according to the Legislative Council.
The reality is that Colorado is a large state and its elected officials need to be able to travel and address constituents’ concerns.
Given the challenges of the weather and the terrain in Colorado, and the many miles between the capital city and many parts of the state, a large number of rural lawmakers also rent apartments in Denver during the session.
Even though they’re paid for a 120-day session, being a lawmaker is often a year-round job as they correspond with constituents.
If lawmakers decide to cut the per diem, it’s understandable, given the gravity of the budget situation.
But trimming the budget should be based on policy — not politics.
