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Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Expense reimbursements boosted for state senators

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Minnesota senators will soon see a boost in their monthly expense reimbursements.

Language approved Monday by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration would allow each senator $200 per month for telecommunication expenses, up from the current $125.

Senators living more than 50 miles from the Capitol would also be able to claim as much as $1,500 a month for lodging -- a $300 increase.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said he heard a lot of complaints that the current lodging allowance was inadequate and asked Senate staff to look into it.

“It turns out that over half of the members are actually taking money out of their pocket to cover their costs of their lease agreement, utilities and parking,” he said.

Bakk stressed that the reimbursements are for actual costs and senators must submit documentation of the lodging expenses. Lawmakers also receive a base salary and daily per diem payments.