LAWMAKERS RECEIVING $1K PER MONTH

State Rep. Marty Knollenberg today called for full disclosure of taxpayer dollars provided to lawmakers for expenses.

"Transparency is the key to a better, more efficient government," said Knollenberg, R-Troy. "It would be purely hypocritical for lawmakers to demand transparency everywhere else other than in their own pockets."

Knollenberg noted that state lawmakers receive a reimbursement for expenses incurred for carrying out their duties as a lawmaker - including travel expenses - of $1,000 per month without any accountability.

Knollenberg's legislation requires that lawmakers disclose what they spend their reimbursements on. Under the current system, the State Officers Compensation Commission makes the funding available, and lawmakers spend it at their own discretion.

"This legislation could lead to savings in the state budget at a time when the state needs it most," Knollenberg said. "When priorities such as education and public safety are being cut, it's an easy decision to demand accountability from the lawmakers ourselves."

House Bill 5511 has been introduced and assigned to the House Committee on Government Relations for their consideration.

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