From the LTE

A citizen from Thurston County poses a question in the local media:

"Why should legislators be allowed to use per diem when they go home at night?"

A reader commented that "hey are a bunch of arrogant know-it-alls that look down their collective noses at us while they spend our money and ignore our wishes."

I'm sure our friend will be as direct with "the other side":

"In Palin's case, the state is also paying for at least some meals when she's staying in Wasilla. Like other state officials, she's entitled to $60 a day "per diem" for food and incidentals, such as tips, while traveling on state business. State rules say that if your job stations you in Juneau or Anchorage, but you live in another part of the state, you can still get the meal money when visiting your hometown, said Linda Perez, director of administrative services for the governor."


Note to ThurstonBlog community: I was contacted by The Olympian moderator about the verbatim quotes that I credited to them. I've altered and translated the quotes to appease The Olympian and honor their copyrights. I hope they are as concerned about defamatory remarks made in their comments about myself and other readers.