Robert Gehrke recently reported that only 20% to 40% of Utah legislators have shown up in person to interim meetings this year due to COVID concerns. Understandable. However, those who attend remotely (even from home) “still get the $45 daily allowance intended to pay for meals when they’re on official business at the Capitol,” according to Gehrke.
Since state regulations indicate the per-diem rates are for “a 24-hour period of travel,” it seems this is not intended. Wouldn’t it be great if those legislators who collected for non-travel donated those payments to the Utah Food Bank?
Renae Richards, Salt Lake City
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