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| Date: | January 11, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Chris Van Guilder | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-1388 | | Contact Email: | christopher.vanguilder@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATOR JEREMY MILLER AND SENATE REPUBLICANS CUT PER DIEM |
(ST. PAUL) – A proposal by Republican leaders in the Minnesota Senate to cut legislators’ daily per diem passed unanimously in Monday’s Senate Rules Committee. The measure reduces the daily per diem amount per Senator from $96 to $86, with an estimated annual savings of $100,000. Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) supported the decision, and took the cut a step further.
“As a caucus, we felt it important that budget reductions start with us first,” remarked Senator Jeremy Miller. Committing to a campaign promise from last fall, Senator Miller voluntarily reduced his per diem by 25%, down to $72 per day and will not collect payments for Sundays and holidays. “Representing the citizens of District 31 is about public service and I am deeply committed to that. At a time when businesses and families are struggling, it is important that we as public servants tighten our own belts and remain focused on the tough tasks ahead of us.”
The Senate Rules Committee also voted to eliminate out of state travel reimbursements for Senators and staff in Monday’s meeting. This is the first per diem reduction in the Minnesota State Senate in 24 years.
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State Senator Jeremy Miller encourages and appreciates constituent input, and can be reached at 651-296-5649, by mail at 320 Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, or via email at sen.jeremy.miller@senate.mn.
