Mendota Heights Legislators: We'll Reject Special Session Per Diem Payments

Legislators are waiting right now for leadership to negotiate a budget deal that would bring them back to St. Paul for a special session.

A number have come forward to address the question of whether or not to accept their “per diem,” or stipend, for days worked in a special session. During regular session House members may accept up to $77 a day, while senators can receive a payment up to $96. Legislators receive a salary of $31,140.

“I think personally, if we didn’t get our work done, we don’t get paid,” said Sen. Jim Metzen (D-District 39). “I want my constituents to know that if its one day back or 12 days back, I won’t take any of the per diem.”

Law makers predict that a special session will only be called when a resolution is in place, and likely only last a day or two. “It’s a gesture,” said Metzen. “But it’s the right thing to do.”

“I think it may be a mute question,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (D-District 39A). While he is also opposed to taking per diem payments in the case of this summer’s special session, he said that it’s unlikely that the payments will even be available.

Hansen said the Rules Committee must convene to approve any per diem taken during the summer. But under the current political climate, Hansen said it’s unlikely that in the case of a special session that the Rules Committee would be willing to approve additional summer payments.  

Hansen said he does think it’s appropriate to accept per diem in the case of a special session to approve emergency measures, like in the case of a natural disaster, “but this is different.”

 Legislators say they are more concerned about the financial impact on the state in the case of a shutdown, which would be far more costly.

Governor Mark Dayton and Republican leadership have come to an impasse over how to balance the state's budget, which faces a $5 billion shortfall over the next two years.

Contractors and vendors were notified last week of the potential for suspensions starting July 1, and the beginning of the new fiscal year. State workers could be mailed layoff notices at the end of this week, according to the Associated Press.