TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Palin Aides Defend 'Per Diem'

ADVERTISEMENT

The New York Times

Published: September 10, 2008

Responding to criticism from Democrats, campaign aides to Gov. Sarah Palin on Tuesday defended her practice of billing Alaska taxpayers for more than 300 nights she spent at home during her first year-and-a-half in office.

Palin received a "per diem" expense allowance for 312 nights she spent at her home in Wasilla, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

The $60-a-day allowance is available for Alaska state employees when traveling on official state business to cover meals and other sundry expenses.

Palin's per diems totaled $17,059, from Dec. 4, 2006, when she took office, through June 30, 2008, the most recent data available, according to Sharon Leighow, a gubernatorial spokeswoman in Alaska.

Palin's salary is $125,000 a year.

Palin was able to receive the allotment while she was at home because her official "duty station" is listed as Juneau, the state capital, aides said. That allowed Palin to file for per diems while she was working out of her Anchorage office, which is about 800 miles from the capital, and commuting there from her home 45 miles away in Wasilla.

The practice of billing for working from home seems to be unusual.

Officials said it would not be allowed in their states, including California, South Carolina and Pennsylvania, as well as other jurisdictions.

On the federal level, officials said members of Congress do not get per diem allowances for routine home visits.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT