A state report released earlier this month revealed Wisconsin legislators claimed about $1.25 million in food and lodging reimbursements in 2005. These compensations are awarded to legislators for travel costs and other expenses incurred when traveling from their homes to Madison for session.
Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids; Sens. Roger Breske, D-Eland, and Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire, topped the per diem ranking list, claiming the most money in their respective chambers.
"Per diem spending is essential when we have legislators who live and represent various areas of the state coming to Madison for hearings and legislative sessions," University of Wisconsin political science professor Dennis Dresang said in an e-mail.
Dresang added the ranking report did not disclose any spending that seemed out of the ordinary.
"It is not reasonable to expect people to represent their districts and then criticize them for collecting per diems for their expenses," he said.
During legislative session, lawmakers from districts outside Dane County can be reimbursed a per diem of $88 per day, while those within the Madison area are allotted $44.
In addition to these reimbursements, each lawmaker earns $45,569 per year.
Claiming less than any of his counterparts from outside Dane County, Sen. Tom Reynolds, R-West Allis, was reimbursed just $4,752 in 2005.
According to Reynolds, legislators from outside Dane County are required to sign a particular form in order to confirm their "temporary residence" in Madison and claim the maximum available amount.
While per diem reimbursements are meant to offset the personal cost of traveling, Reynolds expressed concern the program rules may not be clear to some legislators, who could be claiming more money than allowed.
In accordance with the State Ethics Board, Reynolds said he is not allowed to claim the $88 per day because he does not spend the night in Madison. He added other senators may be signing this form even though they do not set up a temporary residence in Madison.
"I am trying to do all I can to save taxpayer money," Reynolds said, adding he plans to propose legislation requiring lawmakers to contribute to their own pension and health care.
According to Dresang, if reimbursements are in fact being misused, investigations should be conducted.
"If — as in the case of former Senator Brian Burke, who pled guilty to his misconduct — someone is collecting a per diem but not doing legislative business, that is something that deserves attention and sanctions," Dresang said, noting such allegations have not been formally raised.
Schneider claimed the maximum amount allowed by the Assembly and more than any other state lawmaker, receiving $13,464 for 153 days of work. In the Senate, Breske and Zien logged in the most days, each claiming just over $13,000.
Schneider refused to comment directly to the Badger Herald, but in a report published by WISC-TV, Schneider said he actually works for about fifty more days than he is able to claim per diem. Neither Breske nor Zien returned phone calls for comment.
Rep. Eugene Hahn, R-Cambria, collected the least among those in the Assembly, claiming just over $4,000.
"In my case, coming from a farm, the amount we get paid is pretty darn big," Hahn said. "This took care of my costs."
