Of course, taxpayers pick up the tab.

Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert is not so lucky, but with the help of a donor he hasn't had it too bad, either.

Herbert, who lives in Orem, gets no state-offered accommodations. So on those long nights when he shudders at the idea of the 45-minute drive home, he takes shelter in a swank condo at the mouth of Emigration Canyon provided free of charge.

"It's not costing anybody any real money," Herbert said, "and it allows me to be more efficient in the use of my time."

The donated condo was logged on the financial disclosure form for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s political action committee (PAC) released last week. The form showed Preston Miller waived the monthly rent of $1,750 starting on Jan. 1 and he provided a furnished condo for a total in-kind donation of $18,637.

Miller is the developer of The Presidential Club, which includes 75 secure condos, that he is selling for $250,000 to $350,000 each.

The Presidential Club housed Secret Service agents during the 2002 Olympics. Miller has also used vacant units to house new University of Utah football coaches still looking for their own Salt Lake-area homes.

He agreed to give Herbert access to one of the vacant condos after being approached by Jerry Higginson, a mutual friend who met Miller while fundraising for the Republican Party in the 1980s and who met Herbert fundraising for Republicans in the late 1990s.

Higginson said he was concerned about the long commute facing Herbert at the end of each workday.

"I thought this guy was going to kill himself trying to be all the places he needs to be," he said.

Herbert said he stays in the condo just a few nights each week, keeping a closet full of clothes in case he needs to make a quick change.

"I am kind of the invisible guest," Herbert said. "I usually get there late at night and leave early in the morning."

Former Lt. Gov. Gayle McKeachnie didn't have access to a free condo. Instead he rented a downtown apartment, splitting time between his home in Vernal and the Capitol building.

"I figured that was part of the price you paid for not being a Salt Lake City resident," he joked.

McKeachnie, though, didn't like the idea of staying in donated space.

"I had some questions about, you know, public perception," he said. "I'm not sure where the Ethics Act comes in there. If somebody helps you, you might be expected to return a favor or something."

Neither Higginson nor Miller have any business with the state and are not seeking political favors, according to Higginson. They are not registered lobbyists and are not big campaign donors. Higginson did recently participate on a team that created Huntsman's plan for economic revitalization.

"For this, Preston gets invited to the governor's gala and no more than that," Higginson said.

Herbert also downplayed any sort of political motives, rather saying friends are simply helping friends.

"Jerry took pity on me," he said. "He knew I was driving back and forth."

But Herbert won't have access to his hideaway condo for much longer. Miller accepted an offer to buy the space, giving the lieutenant governor just a few more weeks in his home away from home.

For his part, Herbert plans to see if anyone is willing to donate housing or money for rent for another place. Though he hasn't ruled out following McKeachnie's lead and paying for part-time living quarters out of his own wallet.

mcanham@sltrib.com