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Hardest Working Bronx Democrat Leads In Travel Expenditures
ALBANY — Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper and Senator Efrain González Jr. recorded more travel expenditures last year than any other lawmakers in their respective houses, according to records obtained from the state comptroller’s office.
Ms. Hooper, a Long Island Democrat and the deputy majority leader, billed the state $36,452 in 2007, more than any of the other 211 legislators. Only four lawmakers billed more than $30,000 in per diem payments, mileage, train tickets and taxi fare; totals in the $15,000-to-$25,000 range were typical.
Ms. Hooper charged the state the per diem for working in Albany on dozens of Saturdays and Sundays. She charged the full per diem for 18 consecutive days in February and, after the session ended, for 12 consecutive days in July, according to her travel vouchers, which were obtained through a Freedom of Information request.
The per diem is an allowance for lodging and food on working days. The rate was $152 early last year and was raised to $154 later in the year. Lawmakers can keep whatever they do not spend.
Ms. Hooper said she was not profiting beyond the cost of renting her Albany apartment.
Mr. González, a Bronx Democrat, filed the highest travel expenses in the Senate, billing $34,268.
“That makes me the hardest worker,” he said in an interview, adding that he frequently traveled to Albany, even in the legislative off-season, to meet with state officials in different agencies.
“The real stuff is done here,” said Mr. González, whose expenditures also included reimbursement for working on many weekend days. “It changes the dynamic if you do things personally and build working relationships. That’s the way real life is.”
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