Minn. Senate Cuts Daily Expenses $50K In Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A push to curb lawmakers' daily expense payments yielded savings in the Republican-controlled Senate this session.

Minnesota Public Radio reported Wednesday that the Senate spent about $50,000 less on the allowances, called per diem payments, after cutting the daily allowance from $96 to $86. MPR compared this session's numbers with the 2009 budget session.

In the House, per diem payments went up $77,000 compared to 2009. The House didn't cut its allowance of $77 a day.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch predicted the change would save up to $100,000.

Three lawmakers -- Republican Sen. Roger Chamberlain of Lino Lakes and Democratic Reps. Steve Simon of St. Louis Park and Tina Liebling of Rochester -- declined the payments.

Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to call a special session to finish the state budget.

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