Per-diem dustup could prompt legislation

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press:  BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho legislator says he’ll introduce a measure in 2012 to prevent Boise-area lawmakers from boosting their state retirements with per diem payments. Rep. Dennis Lake of Blackfoot says it’s unfair that local lawmakers can get more-generous pensions compared to out-of-town legislators for identical work. Three weeks ago, The Associated Press reported Canyon County Sens. John McGee and Curt McKenzie banked daily $122 payments for a second residence — even though McGee lived with his parents and McKenzie slept on an office couch. The AP also reported these payments count toward McGee’s and McKenzie’s pensions because their primary residences are within 50 miles of the Capitol. Meanwhile, Idaho’s government payroll system doesn’t count per diem toward retirement for lawmakers like Lake whose primary residences are more than 50 miles away.