Metzen Rejects Per Diem Payments During Special Session

District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen (DFL) will be working without pay during the legislature's special session this summer.

Metzen announced last week that he would refuse to take his $96 per diem—Latin for "per day"—payment for the length of the special session, which will likely begin later this summer.  During regular session House members may accept up to $77 a day, while senators can receive a payment up to $96. Legislators receive a salary of $31,140.

“I think personally, if we didn’t get our work done, we don’t get paid,” said Metzen. “I want my constituents to know that if its one day back or 12 days back, I won’t take any of the per diem.”

The regular session ended on May 23 without an agreement to resolve the $5 billion budget shortfall. Only Gov. Mark Dayton can a special session. The legislature, though, determines the length and purpose of any such session. Legislators are currently waiting for leadership to negotiate a budget deal that would bring them back to St. Paul for the special session.

Lawmakers predict that a special session will only be called when a resolution is in place, and likely only last a day or two. Because of the expected length of the session, any per diem lawmakers receive will likely be minimal. Metzen isn't the only one who has chosen to forgo the legislative stipend; a number of other lawmakers have expressed a similar sentiment. District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins was unavailable for comment on the subject.

“It’s a gesture,” Metzen said of his refusal to take the per diem payments. “But it’s the right thing to do.”