Don't take what you don't use
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em>"To serve in the Legislature is an incredible sacrifice -- for me, for my family, even for my business partner, who must make up for the time I'm not on my (private) job."
-- State Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, speaking to a Salt Lake City media outlet.
The Legislature draws near, and that means it's time for constituents to be reminded by lawmakers of the 45-day gantlet they will soon endure. We recall one earnest Utah pol tearing up while recalling nights stuck in a hotel room away from his wife. Lobbyists are there to help, though, providing free Jazz tickets and expensive lunches to alleviate the stress.
We have no doubt Rep. Hughes is a hard worker and serves his constituents well. But every time we hear these laments, we wonder why he, or other sufferers, don't just retire. The institution will survive the loss of any legislator. And we don't want any of our lawmakers to suffer adverse consequences in the home, office or body due to a 45-day commitment.
And, despite the sacrifices, we suspect there are many eager to take their place in the Legislature.
A state special compensation committee is also working to help lawmakers. It has recommended a 7.7 percent pay raise -- over two years -- beginning in January 2009. That would increase legislators' pay to $140 a day in salary. They currently make $130 per day.
Frankly, $140 a day for legislators is a fair increase. It is hard work during the session, and Utah compares unfavorably in pay to other states with part-time lawmakers.
However, there is always a catch to these pay increases: They come with a lot of extras. When you factor in all the many extras, Utah legislators average far, far more than $140 a day.
Utah lawmakers receive a daily $54 per diem for meals and $90 a day for hotels ... whether they use the money or not. In our opinion, it is not honest to pocket taxpayers' money intended for other uses. (If they don't use the hotel money, they must claim it as income; that's not the case with the meal per diem.)
Lawmakers also receive 48.5 cents per mile for commuting costs. While that number is likely much higher than the private sector, it's fair to reimburse legislators traveling to and from the session.
But it is past time for Utah legislators to stop pocketing money for meals and lodging that they don't use. Even a very young child knows that is wrong. Our suggestion is that legislators accept the pay raise with the condition that, from now on, unused money for meals and lodging be returned to the taxpayers.
Faced with that choice, however, they may keep the official pay at $130 per day.
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