It's not cheap: Lawmakers paid $2M in compensation for food, travel, lodging

Maryland's legislators claimed about $2 million in expenses during the 2015 term of the General Assembly — some more than others.

MarylandReporter.com, quoting a recent story in the Annapolis Capital Gazette, said 10 legislators sought no reimbursement at all.

The Gazette said 150 of the state's 188 lawmakers were compensated more than $8,000 for hotel stays (which is where most of the expense money goes). That includes Western Maryland's delegation — Sen. George C. Edwards and Delegates Michael McKay and Wendell Beitzel, who were reimbursed $9,100 and Delegate Jason Buckel, who claimed $9,000.

The Gazette said Edwards claimed $2,204 for meals and $2,898 for mileage; McKay $2,925 for meals and $2,595.24 for mileage; Buckel $2,880 for meals and $2,451.80 for mileage; and Beitzel $2,429.50 for meals and $1,626.10 for mileage.

Our legislators are entitled to claim $100 a day for lodging, $45 a day for meals (some file for reimbursement based on what they ate) and $0.575 for each mile traveled.

That may seem like a lot of money, but a check of room rates in Annapolis reveals just a few under $100 a night, with some reaching more than $200. Most are in the $110-$170 range.

Besides being the state capital of Maryland, Annapolis is also a college town and tourist haven. One could eat three meals a day there on $45, but it would take some doing and a little local knowledge of where to eat on the cheap.

Buckel and McKay must travel about 160 miles to Annapolis, while Edwards has a trip of about 180 miles, and Beitzel's commute would be about 195 miles ... and this is one way.

Considering that the General Assembly is in session for 90 days each year, nobody should blame them if they don't want to drive home each night for dinner.

Source: It's not cheap: Lawmakers paid $2M in compensation for food, travel, lodging