Iowa legislators get daily expense money from state taxpayers while they meet in Des Moines, but that expense money’s about to run out. In addition to a salary, most legislators get paid 85 dollars per day to cover expenses; lawmakers who live near the capitol — the Polk County contingent — get paid 65 dollars a day. Today is the last day that expense money will be paid, It’s a hit in lawmakers’ own pocketbook that may put more pressure on them to make final decisions on state spending and gambling. Today, the House is set to consider the gambling deal that Senators endorsed early Wednesday morning, and key G-O-P lawmakers are trying to appease some of democrat Governor Tom Vilsack’s complaints about education spending. Some legislative leaders hope to adjourn the 2004 Iowa Legislature today. Others say it may be Friday, perhaps Saturday or even next week before final decisions are made.
