By Jason Lamb
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Should Tennessee state lawmakers who drive to and from their own homes each night be able to collect a per diem that allows them to stay in a hotel instead? One state senator from Gallatin doesn't think so.
Senator Farrell Haile has introduced a bill to get rid of that per diem for lawmakers who live close to the capitol.
He says it's an issue he campaigned on because some lawmakers make an additional $10,000 or so each year on top of their $20,000 salary because of that per diem.
Last year, that amounted to $173 a day for each lawmaker.
"You've got legislators in east and west Tennessee using this per diem for lodging, whereas legislators in central Tennessee who drive home each evening are not doing that," said Sen. Farrell Haile (R-Gallatin).
Lawmakers would still get credit for the amount of miles they drive to and from work.
