Carpe Per Diem: the “unique daily expenses of being a
legislator”  Share With Friends  On Thursday, PA State
Representative Rob Kauffman said that he claims $52.00 in per
diems because of the “unique daily expenses of being a
legislator.”  This left me wondering what exactly Representative
Kauffman could be talking about when he describes the special
circumstances of the legislative branch that mystically require
extra cash to pay for things that the average worker does not
need.  What is it about General Assemblymen and State Senators
that requires them to carpe per diems?  Could it be that
legislators need per diems for gasoline because, once elected
into public office, the human body begins to be fueled by
internal combustion?  No, I think almost every worker in the
Commonwealth needs gas to get to work, not just Joe
Representative.  Is it the case that legislators, once they get
into office, experience an immediate and immeasurable refining
of the palate—so much so that a brown bag lunch tastes like,
well