The General Assembly?s three-week special session last month cost taxpayers $360,873, an average of $17,184 a day, said Karl Aro, executive director of the Department of Legislative Services.
“This is just about it,” said Aro, referring to most of the bills and expense forms submitted.
Initial estimates were that the session would cost $24,000 to $26,000 a day, he said.
The costs could be paid out of contingency and unencumbered funds in the General Assembly’s $72 million budget, said Aro, whose department handles administrative functions of the legislature.
Legislators during a special or regular session might be reimbursed $41 a day for meals, without submitting receipts, and can charge up to $116 per day for lodging expenses, under standard state travel regulations.
Overall, the Legislative Services staff ? 268 people based in Annapolis ? logged 6,000 additional hours, including 3,000 hours not compensated.
Salaried staff are paid only for eight hours of work on weekends or holidays, no matter how many hours they put in, Aro said.
BY THE NUMBERS
Cost of General Assembly special session
» Total: $360,873
» Daily average: $17,184
» Length: 21 days, Oct. 29 to Nov. 19.
» Legislative staffs? salary and wages: $141,241, including printers, proofreaders, bill drafters, clerical and professional staff
(Senators and delegates did not receive additional salary on top of their $43,500 annual pay, and neither did the Senate president and House speaker, both at $56,500.)
» Legislators? lodging and meals: $173,445
» Legislative staffs? lodging and meals: $9,000
» Copier rental: $37,100
