Ariz. lawmakers shelve idea of raising expense pay
Web Producer: Mekita Rivas
PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona legislators are abandoning the idea of nearly tripling the expense pay that representatives and senators receive each day they're in session.
Democratic Rep. Bruce Wheeler of Tucson was developing the bill with Republican Rep. David Stevens of Sierra Vista.
They hadn't yet introduced a bill, but Wheeler tells The Arizona Republic that the idea is now dead because the contemplated increase was too big.
Under the proposal, the current $60 daily rate for legislators who live at least 50 miles from the Capitol would increase to $164. The $35 daily rate for legislators living closer to the Capitol would have increased to $97.
Legislators who live outside the Phoenix area say the current rates say they don't cover their costs.
Legislators also received $24,000 annual salaries.
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