Alaska Legislature rejects higher pay, per diem restrictions

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Thursday, January 27th, 2022 12:55pm

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JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Legislature has rejected a proposal that called for higher annual salaries for lawmakers but restrictions on the daily allowance they can receive during sessions.

Action came quickly.

The bill to reject the recommendations was introduced in the Senate Tuesday, passed by that chamber Wednesday, 20-0, and passed 37-0 in the House on Thursday.

The bill next goes to the governor.

Under state law, the recommendations would be adopted unless a bill rejecting them is enacted within 60 days after they are submitted.

Some legislators said the proposal seemed punitive or that keeping and tallying receipts would be burdensome.

Some said it would limit who could afford to serve in the Legislature and create balance of power issues.

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