Panel to review policy on lawmakers’ per diem payments

A state panel that governs legislative pay will review policies that allow lawmakers to receive per diem checks even for days when they are not in Sacramento.

Chuck Murray, chairman of the California Citizens Compensation Commission, called for the inquiry in response to a Los Angeles Times report that Assemblywoman Karen Bass (D- Los Angeles) collected $141.80 per day this year for 29 days she was not in Sacramento.

Four of the six commissioners who attended their annual meeting Wednesday questioned the practice. Because the deadline for action is June 30, any change would not take effect until next year.

“It should be reviewed,” said Commissioner Scott Somers. “At least on the surface, having people paid per diem when they are in their home districts and not in Sacramento seems a violation of the spirit of the policy.”

Murray said he wants the policy to require legislators to be in Sacramento or elsewhere outside their district on state business to be eligible for a tax-free per diem check. The payments are meant to cover their expenses associated with attending legislative sessions.

“If they are within a certain radius of their home and they are going home every night why would they get per diem?” asked Commissioner John Stites.

Bass received more than $4,000 in per diem for days when she was in her district during a campaign for Congress. She said she was doing legislative business in her district on those days. Lawmakers can collect the money for time in their district as long as they are on official legislative business.

The per diem issue came up as the commission voted Wednesday not to cut the pay and benefits for legislators and other statewide elected officials this year. The panel, which is appointed by the governor, had previously slashed pay and benefits for elected officials by double digits just six months ago.

“I think the 18% cut we made last year was plenty,” Commissioner Kathy Sands said. “It was a big hit.”

Somers argued unsuccessfully for a 5% pay reduction, saying that if the Legislature is serious about reducing spending to address a $19-billion budget shortfall, “they need to lead from the top.”

But state schools chief Jack O’Connell warned the panel that another pay cut could be viewed as “punitive and frankly would smack of retribution” for lawmakers standing up to the governor on the budget.

Wednesday’s vote means lawmakers will continue to receive a base pay of $95,291 for another year.

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com