Rep. Bell’s Bill Right On Reimbursement

Here”s a question for you: Is it fair that Arkansas”s state legislators receive a higher mileage reimbursement than Arkansas”s state employees?

In my humble opinion, no.

Currently, Arkansas state legislators receive a mileage reimbursement of 51 cents per mile when traveling to and from legislative meetings, while state employees receive 42 cents per mile when traveling in their personal vehicles for official business.

It”s not fair for one group of public servants to receive better benefits than another group. State employees work just as hard as state legislators, if not harder.

At least one state legislator also believes the current system is unfair: State Representative Nate Bell (R-Mena).

Bell is sponsoring the “Mileage Reimbursement Reimbursement Act” (HB1044) that if enacted into law would require all state elected casino francais en ligne officials to be reimbursed at the exact same rate as state employees.

The bill calls for lowering the mileage reimbursement rate to 42 cents per mile for all state elected officials and has a reasonable way to increase the rate for everyone if, for example, the cost of gas is to rise significantly.

It”s a bill that”s fair and should be passed into law.

During last year”s session, Rep. James McLean (D-Batesville)  but pulled it since it likely wouldn”t have received the two-thirds vote to bring it up during the fiscal session.

I”ve been critical of Representative Bell in the past, and it wouldn”t surprise me if I am again in the future. But today, I applaud Bell for working to bring a little more fairness to state government.