Another staunch guardian of the public purse?
California lawmaker collecting per diem allowance is out on medical leave. Â Guess why.
While out on a two-week medical leave, Rodger Hernandez  continues to receive a daily taxpayer-funded allowance intended to cover travel expenses.
Assemblyman and congressional candidate Roger Hernandez is receiving per diem pay
After submitting a doctor’s note about his absence that excuses him from legislative business through Aug. 11, Kevin Liao, a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, said Friday.Hernandez, a West Covina Democrat, did not return to the Capitol after the Legislature’s July recess.
Lawmakers are paid annual salaries of $100,113 and can also receive a daily $176 per diem allowance as reimbursement for the cost of traveling to and staying in Sacramento.
Debra Gravert, chief administrative officer of the legislative committee that oversees lawmakers’ pay, said it’s been a longstanding practice to continue the per diem allowance when a medical reason is claimed.
“If they give the speaker a letter saying they’re out for illness or legislative business, then they can get per diem,” Gravert said of legislators. “But if they would like to be excused for non-attendance for personal reasons, then they waive per diem.”
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Firenze Sage: Â A travel allowance is it? Not another dirty sneaky theft of public funds by honorable public servants. Not!