Calif. budget hawk pockets per diems
Published: March 23, 2008 at 7:25 PM
SACRAMENTO, March 23 (UPI) -- A California state senator who lives near Sacramento has been taking tax-free per diem payments intended for those who reside farther from the state capital.
State Sen. Tom McClintock -- a Republican and a leading hawk on limited spending and taxation -- has received more than $300,000 in per diem money since his election to the assembly in 1996, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. McClintock argues that claiming the $170 daily payments during the legislative session does not contradict his advocacy of cutting government spending since he is legally entitled to the money.
McClintock owns a house in Elk Grove, a Sacramento suburb, and lives there year-round with his wife and children. But his legal address is in his district, a house in Thousand Oaks near Los Angeles occupied by his mother and owned by a family trust.
The payments become an issue when McClintock seeks higher office. He is running for a congressional seat in Northern California.
"For 30 years, Tom McClintock has railed against government spending while living well at taxpayer expense," said Todd Stenhouse, a spokesman for the Democratic congressional candidate, Charlie Brown, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.
State Sen. Tom McClintock -- a Republican and a leading hawk on limited spending and taxation -- has received more than $300,000 in per diem money since his election to the assembly in 1996, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. McClintock argues that claiming the $170 daily payments during the legislative session does not contradict his advocacy of cutting government spending since he is legally entitled to the money.
McClintock owns a house in Elk Grove, a Sacramento suburb, and lives there year-round with his wife and children. But his legal address is in his district, a house in Thousand Oaks near Los Angeles occupied by his mother and owned by a family trust.
The payments become an issue when McClintock seeks higher office. He is running for a congressional seat in Northern California.
"For 30 years, Tom McClintock has railed against government spending while living well at taxpayer expense," said Todd Stenhouse, a spokesman for the Democratic congressional candidate, Charlie Brown, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News:
Obama papers confirm Rezko tie
A Palestinian refugee Mohamad Harb 85 year Old . shows his old house keys from his former village as a symbol of hope that his may return his one day on May 12, 2008 in his Rafah refugee camp which is located within the Gaza Strip. Harb used to live in the village of Hmamh before his family was forced to immigrate to the Gaza Strip in 1948. After sixty years Harb has hope of returning to his old village which is now in Israeli territory and is named Kreat Hmamh. Traditionally Palestinians commemorate May 15th as Nakba Day or Catastrophe Day, the day the Israeli State was created in 1948.(UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
Traditionally Palestinians commemorate May 15th as Catastrophe Day
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
- Slater, GM cars to star in NBC drama
- Bill would benefit vets hurt by chemicals
- India special force to fight Maoists
- FLDS elder complains to Bush about raid
- Tailored minority asthma education works
- Poll: Bush's approval hits all-time low
- Outer Critics Circle honors 'August'
- Poor indoor air quality can trigger asthma
Most Popular
- UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News
- British pet psychic helps find lost dog
- Man cuts car in half to make a point
- Speedo-wearing beach bum sues cops
- Baseballs bombard homes; field shut down
- Pastor says to forgive skull pot smokers
- Commander probed in nude shooting case
- Romantic teen runs afoul of girl's dad