Legislators living near capital defend billing state for lodging

“I like to be with my wife. I live about 35 minutes away, so most of the time it's really workable.”

Del. Virginia P. Clagett lives a 16-mile drive from Annapolis, in the community of West River in southern Anne Arundel County. For the 90-day annual legislative session in the capital, the Democrat lodges a few yards from the State House, at the historic Governor Calvert House.

Del. Robert A. Costa, a Republican who lives a couple of miles farther down the road, in Deale, spends nights at home and commutes each day.

Clagett spent $10,556 in public money on hotel costs last year, while Costa spent $110.88 according to a list of state travel expenses, part of the nearly $130,000 in reimbursement that Anne Arundel County lawmakers sought for mileage, food, lodging and conventions in 2007. Read more

[unhappy]

They have a licence to steal when they are elected to office.