Crago Defends Per Diem Increase, But More for Volunteer Boards

State Representative Barry Crago (R-Johnson, Sheridan Counties), in this week’s update with Sheridan Media on the current legislative session, discussed the legislature’s vote to increase the per diem rate from roughly $109 per day to just under $160 per day.

The bill is intended to help lawmakers pay for lodging, meals, and travel costs associated with the legislative session and other required meetings they may attend throughout the year.

Crago said the rate has not increased in over a decade and the current rate doesn’t cover their costs, so they are subsidizing their expenses to serve.

He supported the bill, but more for volunteer boards and commissions.

Crago was asked if lawmakers could justify increasing their per diem while failing to pass property tax relief, and if citizens should be angry about that.

We will have more form Representative Crago in upcoming stories.