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Published April 23, 2011, 07:26 AM

Lawmaker lodging increase killed

A push by some North Dakota lawmakers for an immediate increase in their housing allowance has been defeated.

BISMARCK (AP) — A push by some North Dakota lawmakers for an immediate increase in their housing allowance has been defeated.

North Dakota House members wanted to raise their monthly allowance by 18 percent, from $1,040 a month to $1,229. They wanted the increase to cover the entire 2011 session.

The allowance is meant to pay for lawmakers’ housing when the Legislature is in session. Some legislators say the current stipend isn’t covering their motel bills.

However, the Senate wouldn’t accept the retroactive payment provision. On Friday senators voted 44-3 to kill the higher lodging allowance entirely.

Fargo Sen. Ron Sorvaag says legislators knew what the housing allowance was before the session started. He says they have to live with the housing deals they made.

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