Tesa, 

Many legislators rent a place to live in CBJ and share the expenses. Last session, Chris Tuck and Scott Kawasaki rented a condo in Douglas for $2,400/month (according to Tuck) and then shared it with two staff persons (each paid $600 for lodging). They split the costs four ways in order to lower their individual costs and KEPT THE DIFFERENCE! Legislators are given around $6,000 per month in per diem. What they do not spend in Juneau living expenses they get to keep. Ask Les Gara and Bill Wilechowski about their living arrangements in Juneau; they do something similar. Andy Josephson uses his per diem to pay a mortgage on a home he just bought.

Per diem based on actual expenses is good enough for all other state employees, federal employees, military members, and Conocco Phillips employees. Why do legislators arrange for themselves something much more generous? 

EVERYTHING must be on the table. And legislative per diem should be on the chopping block to actual expenses.