Lawmakers cash in on way out

Patriot News article on the thousands collected in "per-diems" by local retiring lawmakers; local being emphasized because (particularly in the case of former Senator Chip Brightbill, who collected $17,000 from taxpayers) they lived near enough to the capitol there should be no need for per-diems. Indeed, new Senate rules would preclude local lawmakers (including Brightbill and his replacement, Senator Mike Folmer) from taking per-diems, though no other local senator accepted any.