Cutler calls for scrapping ‘Per Diem’ perk

Josh Cutler questions why state legislators get paid just to drive to work

The candidate Josh Culter with his son.

Thousands of tax dollars are pocketed annually by state legislators just for driving to work –– a practice state rep. candidate Josh Cutler said needs to end.

“These are tough times, we need to watch every tax dollar. Regular folks don’t get paid just to drive to work, why should state legislators?” said Cutler, a Duxbury businessman, planning board member and former selectman.

“Here on the South Shore there are thousands of hard-working residents who commute into work every morning to earn a living. They are the ones who deserve a break,” Cutler said.

In 2009, state lawmakers took home a total of $474,383 in tax-payer funded “per diem” payments, which are paid above and beyond the standard legislative salary of $61,439, according to Beacon Hill Roll Call. In addition to free parking, automatic pay raises and an annual office allowance, many legislators also get additional stipends for leadership and committee posts ranging from $7,500 to $15,000 or more each year. Individual “per diem” payments range from $20 up to $14,900.

The amount of the per diem varies and is based on the city or town in which a representative resides and its distance from the State House. Not all representatives elect to accept the “per diem” payments.

Dan K. Webster took home $3,406 in tax-payer funded “per diems” in 2009

Incumbent Representative Dan K. Webster took home $3,406 in tax-payer funded “per diems” in 2009 according to Beacon Hill Roll Call. Since he was elected, Webster has pocketed more than $15,000 in taxpayer funds just for driving to the State House. Cutler, a Democrat, cautioned that this is not a partisan issue.

“This isn’t a Democrat vs. Republican issue. It’s an insider vs. outsider issue. Both parties are guilty and we need to change the practice,” he said. Cutler said he would introduce legislation to abolish the practice of taxpayer funded “per-diems” or at the very least limit the practice to legislators who live over 50 miles away from the State House. He also said that tighter rules need to be in place to govern how and when per-diems are filed and distributed. “There’s no deadline, no oversight and very few rules. We need to change all that." - Josh Cutler.

“There’s no deadline, no oversight and very few rules. We need to change all that." State campaign finance laws already allow lawmakers to reimburse themselves for mileage and travel expenses from their campaign accounts so there’s no need for taxpayers to foot the bill, he said. Cutler, 39, is running for state representative for the Sixth Plymouth district. In addition to running a small business and serving as a selectman and planning board member, Cutler’s experience includes a stint as Legislative Aide in the Mass. House of Representatives, where he worked on regional government, health care reform and land conservation issues.

The Sixth Plymouth district consists of Precincts 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Duxbury, Precinct 2 in Halifax and all of Hanson and Pembroke. For more information visit www.joshcutler.com.