By JOSEPH SPECTOR
Gannett Albany Bureau Chief
ALBANY -- State lawmakers spent nearly $2.9 million for travel and expenses during this year's legislative session, records show.
WEB EXTRA: Click here to see what your representative spent on expenses.
But taxpayers may be on the hook for less money than in prior years, when legislative sessions dragged on into the summer and resumed later in the year to deal with midyear budget gaps.
During the same period last year, from January through July 2010, lawmakers spent nearly $3.4 million on travel and expenses, which includes meals and hotel stays. Last year, session carried into August because a budget deal couldn't be reached.
Lawmakers this year extended their session by only four days, ending June 24 in a late-night vote to approve legalizing same-sex marriage. They passed an on-time budget, getting a deal by the April 1 deadline.
The Legislature is not scheduled to return to the Capitol until January, but they are likely to have at least a one-day special session later this year to approve labor agreements being hammered out between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and public-employee unions.
Sen. James Alesi, R-Perinton, Monroe County, narrowly led the Senate in travel costs from January through July, billing taxpayers $20,258 for his daily per diem costs and travel, according to records from the state Comptroller's Office. Alesi was surprised he ranked first, saying he's usually in the middle of the pack.
Alesi explained the higher-than-usual expenses were for about four trips he made to Manhattan this year, mainly in his role as chairman of the Senate Economic Development Committee.
"It's official business as my seniority grows and as my responsibilities start to expand as a significant member of the Senate back in the majority, obviously my travels outside of Albany are more expensive than they would be in Albany," he said.
Alesi has recently taken several trips to New York City to receive praise for being the first Republican senator to back the same-sex marriage bill. But he said those trips hadn't yet been billed to the state.
Lawmakers are reimbursed for their mileage, tolls and other travel expenses to and from the Capitol. They also receive a per diem of $165 a day when they are in town for hotels and meals, a rate set by the federal government. Last year, it was $171 a day, another reason for a likely dip in this year's cost to taxpayers.
The average this year for each lawmaker's expenses was roughly $13,600. Last year, it was $16,000.
A series by Gannett's Albany bureau last year detailed the perks and benefits lawmakers receive in addition to their $79,500 salary, including the per diems as well as stipends for serving on legislative committees.
Some lawmakers have racked up significant sums. Between 2000 and 2010, Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper, D-Nassau County, received $341,330 in per diem and travel expenses, the most of any lawmaker. She has explained that she often works from Albany.
Good-government groups have criticized the process for a lack of oversight. Hooper isn't leading the Assembly so far this year, ranking sixth among Assembly members.
Freshman Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, D-Bronx, was reimbursed the most this year in the Assembly, a total of $26,468. He said perhaps he spent more time in Albany than others because it was his first year.
"As a new legislator, taking time to learn what I have to do to be in Albany and with the overwhelming work and meetings and first budget process, it required me to have time there," he said.
Some lawmakers billed the state for per diems, but not for mileage.
In some cases, they get state-owned vehicles and therefore are not allowed to get mileage reimbursement. Others bill their campaign accounts for their cars.
Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, Otsego County, charges his campaign about $1,100 a month for a leased 2010 Ford Explorer. Spokesman Jeff Bishop said Seward doesn't seek mileage reimbursement as a result.
"He's not taking the mileage through the state so the taxpayers aren't footing that bill," Bishop said.
Russ Haven, counsel for the New York Public Interest Research Group, said it's legal for lawmakers to use campaign funds for costs associated with their office, but the law should be changed.
"If it's a legitimate expense for being an elected official, then taxpayers should pick it up, not campaign contributors, because it could create the appearance of an obligation to the contributors from the elected officials," Haven said.
Some lawmakers keep their travel expenses to a minimum. Some want to go home at night.
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, commutes the one-hour each way to Albany during the legislative session. He gets a portion of the per diem for his daily meals, but only gets reimbursed mileage for one-round trip a week. He was reimbursed $5,900 for travel and expenses this year.
"It's so much better to sleep in my own bed," he said.
JSPECTOR@Gannett.com