Candidate for State Rep Proposes Curbing Legislator Travel Expenses

Candidate for State Representative, Aidan Yeaw, today announced a proposal that would limit Massachusetts legislators travel expenses, also called per diem expenses. The proposal would limit the amount of days allowed for travel expenses to days the General Court is in session. The current system allows legislators to receive per diem expenses for any day State government is open for business and would annually save the state over one hundred thousand dollars. Legislator per diem expenses can amount to one hundred dollars per day for some legislators under Chapter 3 section 9B of the General Laws of Massachusetts.

Candidate for State Representative, Aidan Yeaw, today announced a proposal that would limit Massachusetts legislators travel expenses, also called per diem expenses. The proposal would limit the amount of days allowed for travel expenses to days the General Court is in session. The current system allows legislators to receive per diem expenses for any day State government is open for business and would annually save the state over one hundred thousand dollars. Legislator per diem expenses can amount to one hundred dollars per day for some legislators under Chapter 3 section 9B of the General Laws of Massachusetts.

Mr. Yeaw stated, This action would send a powerful message to the taxpayers that the legislature is sensitive to the current economic crisis and is willing to reduce state expenses incurred by lawmakers." Mr. Yeaw added, It would also encourage lawmakers to spend more time in their districts and available to constituents instead of being cooped up on Beacon Hill."

Mr. Yeaw goes on to say, Considering that the General Court is in session for approximately half of the days the state is open for business, this can amount to a significant amount of money. Also, when you consider that this is a job perk many Massachusetts workers do not have, this proposal to curb per diem expenses seems all the more reasonable."

Mr. Yeaw is an unenrolled candidate for State Representative in the 16th Worcester district running against two-term incumbent Democrat John Fresolo.