Mid-session recess splits urban and rural lawmakers

Face the State Staff Report

In a nearly unanimous vote Thursday, the House adopted a resolution supporting a four-day recess that also urges legislators to forgo their per diem compensation during the break. Rep. Paul Weissmann, D-Longmont, sponsored the resolution and presented it as a way for legislators to go home and work with constituents. Rural legislators, meanwhile, expressed concerns about personal finances.

"I've thought about doing this for years, but I've never been in a position to do it," said Weissmann. "Somewhere mid-session we need a chance to catchup and [have] time to reconnect with our districts. This will allow us the opportunity to do both."

Weissmann speculated that if every representative were to give up their per diem, total cost savings could be as high as $20,000. He recognized, however, this is not likely to be the case as many rural representatives have already stated they will continue to claim their per diems.

In addition to their annual salary of $30,000, legislators receive a daily sum for each day lawmakers convene in session. For lawmakers residing within the Denver area, the rate is $45 a day. For those with longer commutes, the tab is $150 a day.

Weissmann said his original intention was to propose an entire week off. In Missouri, the legislators enjoy a week long "Spring Break" in March.

In addition to taking a break at the end of February, the resolution "encourages members of the House of Representatives to forgo their per diem reimbursements for the period of adjournment." It is this part of the resolution that struck a raw chord with rural lawmakers.

Rep. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, spoke up on behalf of rural legislators, many of whom she said thanked her for doing so. While Roberts voted for the resolution, saying she supported it "in theory", she indicated she would still request reimbursement for her daily expenses.

"When they ask us to give up our per diem I think it gives people the wrong idea about what a personal sacrifice this job is, especially when you come from rural areas of the state," said Roberts. She rents an apartment in Denver with her per diem. "I can just imagine the look on my landlord's face if I asked him to join me in symbolically giving up my rent for four days."

Should Roberts choose to forfeit her per diem for the break, she would lose $600.

Roberts explained that for rural legislators, four days off to go home isn't a generous amount of time to reconnect with constituents. Durango is more than 230 miles from Denver, a trip that can take more than six hours.

"I don't need a resolution to tell me to go home and have town hall meetings," said Roberts. "I do that already. I would rather have extra days at the end of the session."

When asked about the idea of giving up a mid-session vacation in exchange for ending session ahead of schedule, Weissmann said the end of session "wouldn't be affected by taking [the recess]."