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Governor Hickenlooper Signs Bill With Per Diem Hike

DENVER (AP) -- Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill that authorizes an increase in the daily allowance for expenses for Colorado rural lawmakers.

Hickenlooper signed the bill Thursday. It's an accounting measure for the legislative branch that includes a $33 scheduled increase in daily per diem for lawmakers living 50 miles or more from Denver. Some lawmakers from both parties disapproved of the increase.

Hickenlooper previously said he sympathizes with rural lawmakers who subsidize their expenses to be at the Capitol.

The per diem for rural lawmakers would increase from $150 to $183 effective July 1. Lawmakers delayed the increase in 2010 and its scheduled to return unless lawmakers delay it with a separate bill.

Denver-area lawmakers receive a per diem of $45. All lawmakers are paid $30,000 a year, and the per diem is additional.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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