Schaefer's Very Bold Proposal

I'm a little slow on this, but Sen. Kurt Schaefer last week proposed freezing state legislators' per diems to save a little money for the state (SB 730).  His bill would not impact the 18% raise lawmakers are scheduled to receive, but would just keep the daily allowance provided to legislators at last year's level.  They'd continue to receive $87.20 per day, instead of an increased $103.20 per diem.

I'm all about saving some money, and would never question a politician's motivations in sponsoring legislation (e.g., I would never suggest that his bill is mostly about helping Schaefer get his name in the newspaper, and would do nothing to address the state's rather significant revenue shortfalls).  But if Schaefer really wanted to impress folks, why doesn't he promise to never take per diems again?  The whole purpose of per diems is to help workers afford the increased meal and apartment/lodging expenses that come with working away from their homes.  Considering the fact that Schaefer lives 30 minutes from Jefferson City (like many, many other folks who work in Jefferson City), and considering Sen. Charlie Shield's insistence that lobbyists will keep paying for Senators' meals, why does Schaeffer take a per diem at all? 

Update: I misunderstood the Post-Dispatch story, and incorrectly stated that legislators were in line for a pay raise. A boneheaded mistake on my part. 

Image credit: The Maneater