Legislative Expense Settlement Proposed

Max Brantley at the Arkansas Times reports on a proposed settlement of a lawsuit by the Arkansas Public Law Center and the state regarding legislative expense payments.

The case involves a long-running practice whereby state lawmakers are paid for office expenses, rent, and other items related to their elective offices. It has been problematic in that many lawmakers do not well-document the expenses, much less prove the need for them.

For instance, a lawmaker may set up a “legislative office” in his home, then bill the state for “office rent,” when in actuality taxpayers are supplementing (or exceeding) a mortgage payment.

When totaled, state legislators benefit by tens of thousands of dollars in addition to their legislative salary.

Lawmakers have never been able or willing to reform the system internally, thus the Law Center lawsuit.

Brantley says the settlement, which must be signed off by a judge next month, will end flat payments and require more thorough documentation.

Link here for more on the story as well as copies of the procedures that will be required for House and Senate members if the settlement is approved.