UNION CITY, Tenn. (AP) - State Rep. Judy Barker says she won't accept an increase in the daily expense allowance lawmakers received on Oct. 1.

Barker – a first-term Democratic lawmaker from Union City – told KYTN radio she was unaware the per diem rate for expenses such as food and lodging for legislators on state business was going up 8.1 percent until she learned it from news reports.

Barker said she can't deny the increase, but will send it back.

The increase from $171 to $185 per day is calculated on the federal reimbursement rate for Nashville where the General Assembly meets. It is recalculated each October and takes effect without a vote.

Legislators receive a yearly salary of $19,000 plus $1,000 per month for a home office and the per diem for ancillary expenses.

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Information from: WYVY-FM, http://www.kytnradio.com

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