Evan Smith: Local legislators’ views of special-session ‘per diem’ expenses

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Local legislators have varied views of accepting the per diem living allowance during the special legislative session.

Rep. Ruth Kagi, a 32nd District Democrat, is among legislators not accepting the money.

Kagi told me recently that paying for her own living expenses in Olympia and not taking per diem is a way to help save the State money and “contribute in a small way to helping address the budget problem we face.”

“While we are asking state employees to take furloughs and cuts in pay, state legislators' salaries are set by an independent commission and by law cannot be changed by the legislature,” she added.

Rep. Maralyn Chase, another 32nd District Democrat, told me that she needs to accept per diem to pay extended rent on her Olympia apartment.

“I am accepting partial per diem for the simple reason that I continue to incur costs while the Legislature is in session,” she said. “Landlords and restaurants and other businesses all know what the per diem rate is ($90 per day) and charge accordingly.


“I wish I could absorb these costs in my family budget, but I cannot. As a citizen-legislator, I do not have a large income and have a family budget that cannot absorb significant additional costs. I don't collect per diem to boost my income. I only bill the state for the actual costs of the special session to me personally. I think most lawmakers do the same.


“Washington wisely decided long ago to have a citizen legislature rather than a professional Legislature. It costs money to serve in the Legislature, but we need people from all walks of life to debate issues that are important to people from all walks of life.


“The alternative is to have a plutocracy, where only those who can afford to go without income for weeks at a time can serve.”

Sen. Darlene Fairley, a third 32nd District Democrat. takes a middle path, accepting per diem on the days she is in Olympia but not when she is at home. Fairley said that she, Chase and Kagi need to spend little time in Olympia because they aren’t part of budget negotiations.

Fairley is chairwoman of the Senate government operations committee, Kagi is chairwoman of the House committee on early learning and children’s services, and Chase is vice chairwoman of the House environmental health committee.