Taking one for the trip
Mike Dougherty

State Rep. Lamont Cornwell, D-Benton, took one in the ribs when the state paper in Little Rock published a story in its Sunday edition about lawmakers and state payments they receive "above their salary."

These totals included per diem, mileage, office expenses and others.

A list of the 10 legislators receiving the highest totals was compiled, with Senate President Pro Tem Jake Critcher, D-Batesville, leading the way at more than $54,000. Cornwell didn't make that list.

The newspaper used Cornwell, in his freshman term representing District 28 in the Arkansas House of Representatives, in an example of how legislators are paid for mileage when they drive to a conference on state business. According to the newspaper, Cornwell was reimbursed $2,255.25 for mileage on a trip to a conference in Wyoming in September 2007 at the rate of 50.5 cents per mile.

Cornwell said he was surprised by the story and the prominence that the description of his trip reimbursement played in it.

"It was the first trip I had taken since becoming a legislator," Cornwell said. "After I received approval for the trip from the committee chairmen, I went to the legislative support staff and asked them how to handle my mileage.

"I did it exactly like they told me to do, which was 'Mark down your mileage from your odometer at the start of the trip and mark it again when you get back.'

"Tha so that's the way I did it.

"If I need to write a check to pay for the difference between my route and the shortest distance on Google maps, or whatever they choose to use, I will do that. Or, if they want to base my mileage on a shorter distance turned in by other members who attended the same conference.

"In no way would I ever try to take advantage of the people of Arkansas and try to collect more mileage reimbursement than I am supposed to get."

Cornwell said he planned to call the legislative support office to determine what he should do to clear up the matter.

He said he was surprised to see his trip used as anecdotal material in the story after the first part had related the rankings of members who had received the most in reimbursement funds above their salary.

The illustration that accompanied the story on an inside page of the newspaper had a map with part of Cornwell's route shown and a copy of part of his expense listings. That list in the illustration included the notation that he had spent one night with a friend, rather than seek reimbursement for a hotel stay. The story did not make that distinction.

Cornwell said he found the story strange and a bit oddly timed.

The retired Arkla Gas executive and Sears store owner is seeking a second term in the May 20 Democratic primary. Benton teacher Barbara Nix has announced her intention to also seek the nomination. A rumor has floated about that a Republican candidate will emerge for the winner, but one had not filed at press time.

The newspaper's story was a bit odd.

Certainly, part of a paper's purview is to keep on eye on politicians' spending. But I can't see any illegality or intent to defraud proven on the part of anyone mentioned, Democrat or Republican.

Not sure what the intent was, other than to sell newspapers on a Sunday morning. Nothing wrong with that, but it probably should be kept in mind by the reader.

Meanwhile, freshman legislator Cornwell said he is now older and wiser, having learned one of life's lessons.

"Next time I take a trip, I will just tell them to pay me whatever mileage they think I should receive," he said. "I certainly will ask more questions."

Cornwell said he is all for a better system of determining how to pay mileage. Me, too.

What you can anticipate, however, is some sort of over-reaction to the newspaper story. A proposal will be made that calls for mileage to be determined via some route "as the crow flies" that couldn't be covered by Gabby Hayes and a pack mule.

Count on it.

Mike Dougherty is editor of the Saline County Voice. His column appears weekly.