Some New Mexico lawmakers pocketing for every diem income in spite of performing from property: report

Some New Mexico lawmakers have been attending Statehouse periods practically, from dwelling, as an alternative of in human being – but are still pocketing the per diem cash supposed to protect journey expenditures, according to a report.

“I believe it is essential for the taxpayer to know that, frankly,” Jim Dines, a former state lawmaker, advised KRQE-Tv of Albuquerque.

Republican condition Sen. Craig Brandt claimed any lawmaker who doesn’t journey to a Statehouse session must decline that day’s journey dollars.

“It’s essential in the Constitution to pay back the legislators for every diem,” Brandt instructed the station. “It’s not essential that the legislator accepts it.

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“It is a substantial value to the taxpayers,” Brandt ongoing, “that [some lawmakers are] pretty much sitting at household and not getting up below and nonetheless getting compensated to be below.”

For every diem payments to point out lawmakers price New Mexico’s taxpayers about $1.2 million for every 60-working day legislative session, IRS figures demonstrate, according to a report.

IRS details implies that New Mexico’s state lawmakers typical about $10,000 in for each-diem profits for a 60-day legislative session, with the whole cost to taxpayers achieving about $1.2 million, KRQE claimed.

Specifically how lots of lawmakers have been being property was unclear due to the fact no tracking system was place in put for the temporary coronavirus-associated set up, the report reported.

But Democratic point out Rep. Angelica Rubio noted that New Mexico is the only one of the 50 states that does not shell out its lawmakers a income – so the for each diem revenue is the only payment they obtain for their legislative obligations.

Rubio advised KRQE she experienced no reservations about keeping the hard cash in spite of functioning from residence in Las Cruces instead of touring to the cash of Santa Fe.

“I have older mothers and fathers who had been at threat, and I did not want to be everywhere close to the petri dish that is the Roundhouse,” she claimed, applying the common identify for New Mexico’s Statehouse.

Rubio has sponsored a invoice to initiate salaries for lawmakers, the station mentioned, adding that her monthly bill handed in the Residence and in a Senate committee but was not likely to access the Senate ground ahead of the existing session ends Saturday.

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Use of taxpayer income by community officers in New Mexico beforehand arrived less than scrutiny in February, when the Santa Fe New Mexican revealed particulars about discretionary paying by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

The governor spent about $13,500 over a six-month period in 2020 on costs these as dry cleaning, groceries and liquor, the report claimed.

The exact report mentioned that Grisham was web hosting in-person staff members meetings at the governor’s mansion in spite of advising point out inhabitants in opposition to blended gatherings amid the pandemic.