Fortunato, Stokesbary Collect More Than $20,000 In Per Diem: Report

ENUMCLAW, WA - A Seattle Times review of state records has revealed that 14 state lawmakers collected more than $20,000 in per diem payments during the regular and special sessions in 2017. Lawmakers are allowed to collect an extra $120 per day for expenses when the Legislature is in session, whether they're in Olympia or not.

Two of those $20,000-plus legislators hailed from Senate District 31, which covers Sumner, Enumclaw, and Bonney Lake. State Sen. Phil Fortunato claimed $22,080 and state Rep. Drew Stokesbary claimed $20,640 while state Rep. Morgan Irwin, a Seattle police officer, claimed just over $13,000.

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State Sen. Bob Hasegawa, D-Seattle, who was busy running in the Seattle mayoral primary this summer, collected $22,680. He told the Seattle Times that while he was running for mayor he was still spending time on his legislative duties, as much as eight hours per day every day.

The amount a legislator collects in per diem expenses appears to be up to personal preference, according to the Times report, with some lawmakers not taking any extra money.

Republican State Sen. John Braun, who represents parts of Cowlitz, Lewis, and Thurston counties did not collect any per diem this session.

Image via state Sen. Phil Fortunato