The Capitol City hometown newspaper, The Olympian, has the rundown on legislators’ expense reimbursements for last year, before the full clamp-down hit during budget cuts this spring.

Secretary Reed says the list makes for interesting reading, but that folks should remember that many lawmakers, particularly those in Eastern Washington where he grew up, have to travel great distances, by plane or by car, to get to Oly and to various meetings they’re required to attend. 

Also, constituents expect regular contact from their lawmakers, as well as help as ombudsmen, he notes. 

Some legislators are on a wide variety of interim committees and their expenses are a legitimate cost of doing business, he says, adding that the Legislature is sharing in the latest round of spending cuts, including staff, travel, per-diem expenses, publications and other items.