House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

Posted:	January 22, 2018 11:04 AM
From:	Representative Jason Ortitay
To:	All House members
Subject:	Prohibition Against Per Diem Reimbursement of Expenses Legislation

It is an accepted practice in both the public and private sectors to provide reimbursement for job-related expenses. There is a difference, however, between how this practice is carried out in the General Assembly and how it is applied in most business settings. I believe that it is time for the General Assembly to take another step toward modeling policies and practices that are working in the private sector. We have taken a significant step toward bringing our public pension systems in line with the private sector. It is now time to prohibit per diem reimbursements and move toward the reimbursement of actual expenses. The public is asking for this more transparent and accountable approach to expense reimbursement. That is why I intend to introduce legislation, which will amend the Public Official Compensation Law to prohibit the payment of per diems to members of the General Assembly and permit only the reimbursement of actual expenses, upon receipt of documentation of the expense. I hope you will join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation.
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