Tennessee Legislators Get a Raise

While faced with a continuing state budget crunch that likely will mean laying off more state employees, Tennessee legislators have received a $14-a-day increase in their compensation for expenses.

Some of them told the Chattanooga Times Free Press they are surprised, that they had no idea the 8.1 increase took effect when the federal government's new fiscal year started.

The newspaper reports the expense payments automatically increased Oct. 1 from $171 to $185.

Lawmakers get the payments for food and lodging costs while away from their home districts on official business.

Legislative Office of Administration director Connie Ridley said the General Assembly's per diem is based on the federal reimbursement rate for the Nashville area and those rates went up in October.