Ten of Wisconsin’s 132 legislators each claimed over $10,000 in expense reimbursements for the time they spent in Madison last year. Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) claimed the most in per diem payments with $14,600, while Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) was next at just over $13,000.
Lawmakers can claim $88 a day for expenses, except for nearby Dane County lawmakers who get $44.
Former Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) and Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) also made the top 10, along with Senate Republican Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn), Senate Democrats Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and Tim Cullen (D-Janesville), and Assembly Democrats Elizabeth Coggs (D-Milwaukee), Leon Young (D-Milwaukee), and Andy Jorgenson (D-Fort Atkinson).
Assembly Independent Bob Ziegelbauer of Manitowoc claimed the smallest reimbursement at $1,360.
Assembly leaders recently considered an increase in their daily allowances for their food and lodging while they work in Madison, but they later decided against the move.
