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Colorado is firmly in the middle on pay scale compared to other states, according to CSG's research.
While Sen. Taylor seems to be suffering foot-in-mouth syndrome I think once you strip away the whininess there is a valid point about the reasonableness of a $99/day per diem. It's a bit of a strawman to compare the average wage of a Colorado resident to legislators when very few common folk have to maintain two residences, as some elected officials must during the session.
Denver is also not an inexpensive town for temporary housing. The thought of Dave Schultheis conducting panty raids is frightening enough to convince anyone that a Senate hostel is simply not an option.
Also, your constituents could be spread over hundreds of miles and several mountain passes.
We are fortunate that for the most part, our Western Slope legislators are "average folk." Those positions could easily be for only the rich and self-employed.
Some of you may be against any raises for rural legislators. But think of commuting to Grand Junction or Trinidad as part of your job for a couple of months and I think you will appreciate and support their request.
(I doubt that Democrat Rep. Kathleen Curry frequents the same establishments as Republican Sen. Jack Taylor.)
I noted in the comments above that most cannot understand why our rural legislators need more money. I will tell you that I have walked a few miles in their shoes, following them around during a normal day.
To answer Mr. Egnor: They eat in restaurants because their schedules are crazy. Your legislators (most of them, anyway) are engaged in a "full tilt boogie" during the session. Even during the off session months, your rural legislators (most of them, anyway) travel a great deal to meet with constituents and attend functions of all sorts ( at their own expense ). Ask your legislator if you can hang out with him/her at work for a couple of days; you may change your mind. Better still, run for office and then give us a report.
It is true, there are some fat cats in the legislature who don't need nor deserve another penny. Representative Curry is not one of them. I have worked with her on oil and gas legislation for the last three years and I think she earns every penny she gets, and then some.
I know it is frustrating and difficult for hard working people who are struggling to get by to accept the notion that these folks need better compensation. You must understand that theirs is not a regular job. I have been asked by many of my friends and neighbors to run for the legislature and I have steadfastly refused. Why? Well, for one thing, it doesn't pay enough for the unbelievable pressure and hassle that goes with the job, particularly if your home is three or four hours from Denver. " Fun and payoffs" is not the reality of life of a rural legislator. Give them your understanding and support; not your anger. Thanks.
People who spend 8 years in the legislature are basically interrupting their careers, not enhancing them That's why so many of them use their service as a springboard to other jobs-and that's why they're careful & timid, so they won't alienate possible future employers. Pay 'em $100 G's, so that ordinary people can serve, and not worry about their financial future, and so that they can stop sucking up to private sector power players.