RICHMOND
The white minivan pulled up to Commonwealth Passenger Terminal last week and four tired-looking men hopped out.
They grabbed their bags and overcoats from the trunk and paced the few feet to their private turbo-prop plane, avoiding all those layers of time-consuming security found elsewhere at Richmond International Airport.
Within minutes, they were ready for a $985-an-hour flight to Southwest Virginia.
These aren’t CEOs from the state capital. They’re Virginia lawmakers. Two senators and two delegates, to be exact.
Their jaunt home is just another example of the costs of convening a General Assembly session in Capitol Square.
The state pays more than $1 million a year to transport, house and feed the 140 members of the House of Delegates and the Senate each session.
The costs – estimated this session at more than $1.2 million – grow thanks to rising mileage reimbursements and per-diems paid to lawmakers traveling in from the farthest reaches of the commonwealth.
“I’m due south of Detroit, ” said Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, whose 5½-hour drive home takes him through Tennessee. “A lot of people don’t realize that.”
Actually, they do.
“Oh, yeah,” joked Del. Sal Iaquinto, R-Virginia Beach. “We’ve got it much easier.”
The kitty for lawmaker spending isn’t endless, mind you.
Legislators get a set per-diem for the time they spend in Richmond. This year’s session is scheduled for 60 days. Every other year, the session is supposed to last 46 days.
In the House, for the second year in a row, the daily rate was $135 for housing and food, said Bruce Jamerson, the House clerk. In the Senate, where the per-diem has risen each year since 2004, it’s $169 , said Susan Clarke Schaar, clerk of the Senate.
There are no expense accounts and no receipts to submit. Lawmakers get their checks every week during floor sessions, Jamerson said. Mileage reimbursements are handled after the session. The money doesn’t count the roughly $18,000 salaries lawmakers receive, the $1,250 monthly allowance for district offices or any money for aides and staff.
Lawmakers say the money doesn’t go as far as it sounds.
“Even though you get a per-diem, it costs a whole lot more,” said Del. Charles Carrico Sr., R-Grayson. “By the time you rent a motel room, pay for your meals … it just kind of gets into a costly issue.”
Not that anyone would dare complain unless asked about it by a newspaper reporter.
“We volunteer for that,” said John Welch, a former delegate from Virginia Beach. “If anybody’s whining, tell them … go back home and enjoy your retirement.”
Both houses pay mileage for one trip home a week and that only applies to people who live at least 50 miles from the Capitol.
Those closer to Richmond get no mileage pay and – since they might not even need a hotel room – their per-diem check is taxed. Delegates and senators outside the 50-mile circle receive their money tax-free, a system governed by IRS guidelines.
Welch went home more than some others, he said, because he needed to earn a living as a chiropractor.
Del. Robert Marshall, R-Prince William, said he’s driven home every night for about 10 years, preferring to be in his district and with his family. It also means he can spend his weekly check on whatever he wants.
Gas is one option. His commute is 196 miles a day. A thousand miles a week. For nine weeks.
He doesn’t mind that he’s not in town for dinners with Richmond power brokers or the back-room social scene one political blog describes as “where legislators meet to smoke cigars and discuss policy.”
“I’m here to interact with citizens, not lobbyists,” Marshall said. “To the extent I miss that, I don’t miss anything.”
So the Richmond-area legislators have it easiest, right?
“It’s kind of like the grass-is-greener syndrome,” said Del. Dwight Jones, a Richmond Democrat who works as a Baptist minister in the city. “I wish I was away so I could do this job.”
That’s why Del. Jennifer McClellan, another capital city Democrat, took a two-month leave of absence from her job as an attorney for this year’s session. Between upcoming nuptials and the daily grind of the session, she “loves” going home every day.
Not to a rental in Shockoe Bottom – home to Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk – or a room at the Zagat-rated Jefferson Hotel, like Del. Harry R. “Bob” Purkey, R-Virginia Beach, booked.
“It’s a lot easier at the end of the day when you’re going home … instead of going back to a hotel room,” McClellan said . “It’s nice to sleep in your own bed.”
That brings us back to the plane. The commonwealth offers it as a service to legislators representing Southwest Virginia.
“They’re closer to … other state capitals out there than Virginia’s,” said Schaar, the Senate clerk. “If they drive every weekend, you’re barely home before you’re turning around again. They’re so far removed from Richmond.”
Flights home for legislators were grounded from 2004 through 2006, a casualty of tight budgets. They resumed last year, and, including last week’s takeoff , there have been nine in-session flights since, according to the clerks of both chambers.
The plane is a King Air 350, with room for nine people, if they bring luggage. It only flies when at least four delegates or senators request it. And only those Assembly members who live in Roanoke or west are eligible to board.
Lawmakers such as Del. Joseph Johnson Jr., D-Abingdon, who calls flying “the only way to go.” A longtime delegate, he didn’t run for re-election in 1969 because the commute was too much for a man with two young children. He didn’t come back until his children were grown, in 1990. “Then, we didn’t have interstate highways,” Johnson said. “It took me about 12 or 13 hours to drive to Richmond from Abingdon. Through all the small towns. Railroad crossing, you’d have to stop. Traffic lights, you’d have to stop. It was a slow go.”
Now it’s an hour’s flight.
Just not for Kilgore, the General Assembly member who lives farthest from Richmond, but is still more than an hour’s drive from Virginia’s western line.
Kilgore doesn’t use the state plane because he sits on a panel that meets Friday afternoons. So whenever that ends, he drives home in his new Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo – he traded in his old Jeep after two years and 130,000 miles.
Sure, he could get better mileage in something smaller, but …
“Comfort is primary,” he said. “That’s a long drive.”
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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Yes, the same old stuff!
I wonder how the first group of state representatives managed. The job used to be nonpaying. In fact, it used to be as a privilege to represent your community. Today, do you believe these representatives aren’t gaining something from their position in the government beside communal respect? Just take a look at a large portion of the laws and how some of these laws benefit specific industries/individuals. Then look at the background of the legislators who introduced and pushed the legislation. If these individuals were gaining an advantage they wouldn’t put up with the criticism. Follow the money!!!
One thing I have learned about Virginia is that it has been a pioneer with respect to innovate ways to govern. Bicameral Legislature etc…and a large portion of the individuals responsible were uneducated slackers (by your definition), who would have had a difficult time working at Burger King, farmers for example.
Federal representatives, yes…what a scam!
So Sorry, rrc1943
But your analogy is totally wrong, however your subject line was exactly correct. Tobacco money had little or nothing to do with the killing of the smoking ban bills. Small business owners and average citizns, who are the employers of the legislature, had far more to do with the defeat of those property intrusion bills than the tobacco industry. In fact the tobacco industryin general ignores smoking ban bills, they just don't care.
As for the "gun lobby," once again the majority of that is made up of taxpaying citizens.
In short, the legislators listened EXACTLY to who they are supposed to be listening, the average resident of the Commonwealth.
silcnlayc - Thanks for proving my point.
You are criticizing actions of our FEDERAL CONGRESS, not our state legislature. Do you know the difference? Our Congress is a year-round, full-time institution that spends gazillions of dollars. Our state legislature is a part-time institution made up of people who have real jobs and homes back in their districts.
LET THE TRUE EMPLOYERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE PAY
The "representatives" don't represent the ordinary people of Virginia; they represent those who pay the most in bribes (euphemistically called "campaign contributions). Need an example? You need look no further than the recent shenanigans regarding the proposed smoking ban in restaurants. Once the tobacco industry money started to talk, the no-smoking bill died. The legislators showed that they were less concerned with the health of their constituents than they were with the fiscal health of the tobacco industry.
I say that since the tobacco and gun lobbies are the true employers of the state legislature, they should pay all the expenses.
Let's replace the state slogan "Virginia is for lovers" with the more accurate "Welcome to Virginia, owned and operated by the tobacco and gun lobbies."
Regardless of how you think the legislators perform...
That amount is really about on target. I have to travel in my job and I certainly don't expect to pay for it. Why should they? My company pays for the hotel and transportation and gas (either a rental car, company car or mileage) and I get $35 a day per diem. I can assure you that $35 doesn't go very far and often I end up paying out-of-pocket. I certainly can't eat fast food every day. My company's expense for 1 day is at least $200. Mileage reimbursement is regulated by the IRS, not the state. This has nothing to do with greedy lawmakers milking us out of tax dollars.
Jim Dillon, you are so off base..
"If you want a legislature to represent you, you have to pay for it."
When has the public EVER been represented? The only representation given is to the ones that have the big bucks..
Here's a classic example...over 2 million online players of poker and casinos voted no to the UIGEA...now I ask you, how was this passed?
It was "rammed" through (another representaatives words I might add)in the middle of the night attached as a pork bill to the Ports Security act that was a bill that couldn't be voted down by our wonderful senator that was best friends with Bush.
Now, I aks you, because so many citizens were against this, knowing this is an invasion of home (playing online for money in your own home)and passing without a voice for the public..how is this representation? The only time anything is passed during the 2 months is their pet projects.. Yes, I voted and yes, anyone getting into my home and telling me what I can do and can't do there is crossing the line IMO!
Look at their full time jobs
I'd rather see an article about where the legislators work and/or who they work for. Maybe add a paragraph or two about why their ethics policies don't restrict them from taking money from the same companies that then lobby the legislature. Why is it that once someone gets elected around here, they suddenly find employment with a big law firm? Maybe its time for full time legislators with real ethics policies.
What a waste!
This article comes one day after a friend on mine advises that the Virginia Beach Circuit Court's budget was cut approximately 10% for the upcoming fiscal year! Not only does that cut any possibility of a pay raise being added to their meager salaries but a pay cut since they will be "furloughed" 8 hours a month starting July 1, 2008!!! Absolutely garbage!
What a bunch of whiners
If you want the job, then run for it. Nobody will stop you, save the voters. Goes to show you that people will complain about anything.
sounds good but...
Yes the overall cost sounds low but....anytime you pay something and get NOTHING it's no deal...
Get Real!
Most of you are so far removed from reality that it's not even funny and have no idea how your state legislature is set up and operates. If you want a legislature to represent you, you have to pay for it. If you're dissatisfied with your particular delegate or senator, that's your own fault. Most assembly members spend more than their per diem and have to make up the difference out of pocket. And some of you are critical because a member drives a Jeep as his personal vehicle, paid for with his own money? Good grief! And no, most assembly members are NOT lawyers, but represent occupations across the spectrum - and many give up their regular income to serve in the assembly. Who do you want to serve as our representives? A bunch of uneducated slackers who will work for burger king wages?
Please take a few minutes and compare your state taxes with the taxes you pay to our federal govt. And then compare the salaries we pay our U.S. congressman to what we pay our state legislators. Your anger is misdirected.
Well Gunny, it's funny. The
Well Gunny, it's funny. The Northerners leave there high tax liberal states for greener pastures. But hey move here and vote liberal and are making Va. into a high tax liberal state. Go figure.
You Get the Same Old Stuff!
What the VA Congress needs to do is travel like the state National Guard i.e. same kind of travel reimbursement. They, like the National Guard are state employees when they are in session or drill. They can operate under that same restrictions they voted for the National Guardsmen. Heck! What’s good enough for our troops is good enough for our elected officials.
BigMike, you are correct most citizens complain about their politicians but fail to do anything about them. In fact, they continue to vote in the same jokers time after time. I have lived in VA (brought here because of the military) for the past 20 years. What I have noticed is that northerners are moving down here like a huge herd of reindeer looking for a greener grazing lands. They leave NY, NJ; CT, MA… for various reasons mainly to avoid the higher cost of living, unfair taxation laws and more jobs etc… what is so funny about the whole thing is that these people are voting in the same kind of politicians and policies they left to come here.
Ridiculous!
"This year’s session is scheduled for 60 days. Every other year, the session is supposed to last 46 days."
Thats $10,140 per diem, $18,000 salary, $2500 monthly allowance all for 2 months....where can I get a job like that?
Total in consessions these people receive is $30,640 for 2 MONTHS! This does not include the free airfare either...
Let me see, now thats $15,320 a month = $127.66 an HOUR if they indeed worked a full 40 hour week, which they don't during the 2 months in session, and this 60 days is a long term...geezes...
Nothing is accomplished 90% of this time during the session so what in the world are they being paid for in the first place this huge amount of money?
Rethink Government
Communication technology being what it is today verses what it was 200 years ago, maybe it's time to rethink government. I don't have a problem as a tax payer with travel expenses; however, I do with the 60 day session....too much time for the career politicians to create mischief and commit some outright act of malfeasance.....such as.... The Constitutionally legal, and it doesnt get anymore unlawful then that, HRTA fiasco.....which should be an alarm bell sounding loudly for all citizens throughout our Commonwealth... about the career politicians that we have elected to local and state governments. Norfolk and Portsmouth, it's understandable, but elsewhere....I shouldn't have said that...but everyone knows it.....
Big Mike
Satan is hosting an ice skating party later today. :)
it's an insult...
As a taxpayer and Federal employee I am insulted by what these so-called representatives get away with. I have NO pity for these poor down-trodden men and women. They have chosen to be public servants as have I. When I travel for the government I get a good deal less in per-diem for room and board. I also get to stand in line at the airport to board my coach-based flight on a commercial airplane. What have they done to deserve such perks? The cost of transport is higher than it should be. They know well in advance when the next session is and could book a flight at a much lower rate. As for the hotels and restaurants, well, I don't get shown any favoritism. I pay out of MY pocket for a better hotel and better food so let them do the same. Now, let's address $18,000 for 60 days of 'work'. It breaks down to $9000 a month or $391+ per day. That equates to $108,000 a year or 2.9 times the average income for most Virginians! This may seem small to some but it reflects their overall detachment from reality and inability to get anything done in session at our expense!
A solution (that I'm sure will be ignored)
For businesses, where fiscal responsibility is required and those who waste needed company funds are held accountable, telecommuting has become quite popular. These individuals do not need to all be in the same building to have their sessions. Video conferencing is available and private chatrooms online are available as well. There's also the concept of living near your job like the American peasants have to do. If we need to be at the office frequently, we live nearby. This way our shelter and food are readily available and the commute isn't torture. Of course, our pampered Senate and General Assembly members would surely never consider such frugal, intelligent ideas.
OH NO! MrFab and I are in the same hat on this one!
I didn't think he and I would ever agree on anything, but we are on this one. The cost of doing business does not seem excessive on this one. Now what I do have exception with is these are the same people that SHOULD KNOW our state constitution. Yet they established the now UN-CCONSTITUTIONAL Transportation Authority with taxing power. I think that's sure sign that anyone with INCUMBENT by their name should be considered an nincompoop and too incompetent to hold the seat. Instead, I know we will continue to re-elect these CLOWNS. If we continue to do so, then we can expect to see the same CIRCUS we've had for years. If you want to actually see problems get resolved, don't continue to do the same thing that got no solutions in the past. In other words; VOTE-EM-OUT and once we do that invoke TERM-LIMITS on all elected and appointed seats of public trust to stop us from getting complacent with the those holding the seats in the future. GW said "it's wrong for any man to monopolize a seat of public trust" True words from a GREAT man.
I didn't know
a job had to be "comfy". Well, Lets see there is elderly without needed medications and not being able to afford heat part in because of the more than double on the assessments,gas,food and other things. Sitting in a cold house to conserve or just because they don't have it at all. But lets make sure they are comfy in their traveling. I agree they could go a LOT LOT cheaper. They have luxuries that US Virginias who are footing the bill does not have. I don't feel sympathy for someone who might have to make a 12 hour trip in uncomfortable seats. Us here in the real world have to do what we have to do. Do you think the Military who sleep on 4 inch mattress bunks are comfy. Sleeping on a cot in the middle of nowhere is comfy. Or those who live on a steel ship for months at a time are comfy. And they don't get paid nearly what these folks do. Puhleaseeeee. Hand me the barf bag now. We the average folks here sacrafice things in life to make things better. I do believe they should be doing the same.
breal4real, be real
You won't catch me in some fleabag motel or riding on some urine-soaked bus. I wouldn't expect our legislators to do so either. And so what if they stay in nice hotels? Their per diem only covers a portion anyway. They pay the rest out of pocket. I suspect that if the legislators rode the bus you people would be complaining about the time they would spend traveling.
Do they need to meet once a year?
Why not just convene every other year. Each year it seems they accomplish about the same thing.
Correction....
That is $1mil for nine weeks...not a year. And we're not paying part...we are paying for all. And that is just to house, feed, and transport. Not including aides/secretaries, salaries, incentives and whatever else they may be receiving. Not that I am against paying for their work (if thats what they consider it)...but staying at The Jefferson, Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, plane at your disposal? Have they not heard of Econo Lodge, Ford Tempo, and Greyhound? No way....why try to save money when we have all these taxpayers forking over theirs. How about...no travel home while in session? Bunk with a fellow legislator at a cheap hotel. Eat somewhere cheap. Naw...that would be acting too much like the average Virginian.
Gate City is a hike!
I've been to Gate City a few times when I was attached to the National Guard unit out there. That is a hike! I couldn't do it. That was the longest ride I've ever been in and NOT leave the state of Virginia LOL. Luckily the last time I had to go, which was in 2004, we went by plane. That 6 hour trip turned into a one hour trip. Where was the plane before?! LOL
budnbarb
I hope that when I get old I don't start whining about every little dollar spent in the Commonwealth that isn't related to a bingo parlor.
The per diem should be raised. $169 per day just doesn't cut it anymore. You can't stay in a decent hotel for less than $100 per night anymore. I know I wouldn't.
One million per year is a bargain. What folks don't realize is just how wide VA is. Try driving to Wise, VA some time. It is 8 long hours with the last hour over winding mountain roads. Fly these guys. They deserve it.
Okay...so what?
Living away from home on $169 per day is decent but hardly anything excessive. The air cost featured at the top of the article is tiny. There's plenty of things to complain about with the state legislature but this isn't one of them.
$1 mil ????
what kind of kick back are you getting airport burn ? Thats a hidious amount of $$. But then again this is the same people who vote themselves outlandish raises, million dollar rest stops with designer tiles in it and useless gates on the on and off ramps of interstate. Let them brown bag it like I do because I can hardly afford to put gas in my car to get to work and pay mt taxes and their salaries.
Huh?
I do object. When the commonwealth is being asked to forego some projects, when transportation is a mess, when the economy is lousy, we can't afford to pay these people this money. Let their campaign warchests pay for it. They asked us for the jobs, we didn't ask them, or even beg them, to serve. If they don't like the expenses don't run.
$18000 for two months work, and then asking for per diem, can you tell they're mostly lawyers, bleeding us dry? Time to tie they're reimbursements to the budget. If it needs balancing then their money is the first to go.
House of Delegates and the Senate
They're not worth $1,000,000. of my tax money.
What a deal
Truly...that's a pretty good deal for the citizens of Virginia. $1 mil is a drop in the bucket for a years worth of expenses to cover all 140 lesgislators. I have no problem with paying for part of their travel, lodging, food, etc. This particular news organization paints this "news" in a bad light, but it really is a bargain for Virginians.