When it comes to legislative pay and per-member spending, state lawmakers in New York rank near the nation's top, according to the National Conference for State Legislatures.

A state-by-state breakdown shows New York lawmakers in 2007 were paid the third highest annual base salary at $79,500, according to the latest NCSL salary figures. Only lawmakers in California and Michigan were paid more.

New York's legislative budget, meanwhile, was the nation's third largest in 2004 and lawmakers from the Empire State also ranked fourth that year in spending per member, according to the latest NCSL data.

Legislator Compensation, 2007

By state as of March 2007
New York Ranks third of all states in yearly salary

State

Salary

Per Diem (Allowance for Daily Expenses)

Alabama

$10/day (C)

$2,280/month plus $50/day for three days during each week that the legislature actually meets during any session (U).

Alaska

$24,012/year

$163 or $218 /day (depending on the time of year) tied to federal rate. Legislators who reside in the Capitol area receive 75% of the federal rate.

Arizona

$24,000/year

$35/day for the 1st 120 days of regular session and for special session and $10/day thereafter. Members residing outside Maricopa County receive an additional $25/day for the 1st 120 days of reg. session and for special session and an additional $10/day thereafter (V). Set by statute.

Arkansas

$14,765/year

$130/day (V) plus mileage tied to federal rate.

California

$113,098/year

$162/day for each day they are in session.

Colorado

$30,000/year

$45/day for members living in the Denver metro area. $99/day for members living outside Denver (V). Per diem is determined by the legislature.

Connecticut

$28,000/year

No per diem is paid.

Delaware

$42,000/year

No per diem is paid.

Florida

$30,996/year

$126/day (V) tied to federal rate. Based on the number of days in session. Travel vouchers are filed to substantiate.

Georgia

$17,342/year

$173/day (U) set by the Legislative Services Committee.

Hawaii

$35,900/year

$120/day for members living outside Oahu. $10/day for members living on Oahu (V).  Set by the legislature.

Idaho

$16,116/year

$122/day for members establishing second residence in Boise. $49/day if no second residence is established and up to $25/day travel (V) set by Compensation Commission.

Illinois

$57,619.00/year

$125/per session day.

Indiana

$11,600/year

$137/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Iowa

$25,000/year

$118/day (U). $88.50/day for Polk County legislators (U) Set by the legislature to coincide with federal rate. State mileage rates apply.

Kansas

$84.80/day (C)

$99/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Kentucky

$180.54/day (C)

$108.90/day (U) tied to federal rate (110% Federal per diem rate).

Louisiana

$16,800/year

$138/day (U) tied to federal rate (26 U.S.C. Section 162(h)(1)(B)(ii))

Maine

$12,713/year

$38/day housing, or mileage and tolls in lieu of housing (at rate of $0.36/mile up to $38/day) plus $32/day for meals. Per diem limits are set by statute.

Maryland

$43,500/year

Lodging $116/day. Meals $41/day maximum.

Massachusetts

$58,237.15/year

From $10/day-$100/day, depending on distance from State House (V) set by the legislature.

Michigan

$79,650 /year

$12,000 yearly expense allowance for session and interim (V) set by compensation commission.

Minnesota

$31,140.90/year

Senators receive $96/day and Representatives receive $77/legislative day (U) set by the legislature.

Mississippi

$10,000/year

$91/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Missouri

$31,351/year

$79.20/day (U) tied to federal rate. Verification of per diem is by roll call.

Montana

$82.67/day (L)

$98.75/day (U)

Nebraska

$12,000/year

$99/day outside 50-mile radius from Capitol. $39/day if member resides within 50 miles of Capitol (V) tied to federal rate.

Nevada

$137.90/day

Federal rate for Capitol area (V). Legislators who live more than 50 miles from the capitol, if require lodging, will be paid Hud single-room rate for Carson City area for each month of session.

New Hampshire

$200/two-year term

No per diem is paid.

New Jersey

$49,000/year

No per diem is paid.

New Mexico

None

$142/day (V) tied to federal rate and the constitution.

New York

$79,500/year

Varies (V) tied to federal rate.

North Carolina

$13,951/year

$104/day (U) set by statute. $559.00/month expense allowance.

North Dakota

$125/day during legislative sessions (C)

Lodging reimbursement up to $900/month (V).

Ohio

$58,933.56/year

No per diem is paid.

Oklahoma

$38,400/year

$122/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Oregon

$18,408/yr

$99/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Pennsylvania

$73,613/year

$129/day (V) tied to federal rate. Legislators can receive actual expenses or per diem.

Rhode Island

$13,089.44/year

No per diem is paid.

South Carolina

$10,400/year

$119/day for meals and housing for each session day and committee meeting tied to federal rate.

South Dakota

$12,000/two-yr term

$110/legislative day (U) set by the legislature.

Tennessee

$18,123/year

$153/legislative day (U) tied to federal rate.

Texas

$7,200/year

$139/day (U) set by Ethics Commission.

Utah

$130/day (C)

$90/day (U) lodging for each calendar day.  Tied to federal rate.  $54/day meals (U).

Vermont

$600.78/week (session)

Federal per diem rate for Montpelier is $88/day for lodging and $51/day for meals for non-commuters. Commuters receive $51/day for meals plus mileage.

Virgin Islands

$65,000

$30/day (U) set by the legislature.

Virginia

$18,000/year (Senate)$17,640/year (House)

House $135/day (U) tied to federal rate.  Senate $140/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Washington

$36,311/year

$90/day.

West Virginia

$15,000/year

$115/day during session (U) set by compensation commission.

Wisconsin

$47,413/year

$88/day maximum (U) set by compensation commission (90% of federal rate).

Wyoming

$150/day (L)

$85/day (V) set by the legislature, includes travel days for those outside of Cheyenne.