Pension sweetener for lawmakers goes to governor

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Pension sweetener for lawmakers goes to governor .

A lawmaker who retired last year after 20 years of service, for example, would have been eligible for an annual pension of $19,008, based on the per diem rate of $144 in effect then.If the proposed change in law had been in effect, that lawmaker with 20 years would have been eligible for a pension of $22,308, based on the three highest per diem rates during his or her service: $181, $164 and $163.That's an increase of about 17 percent in the pension the lawmaker would have received.The bill the retirement sweetener was inserted into ties the mileage reimbursement rate for public officials and employees who use their private vehicles _ or private airplanes _ to IRS mileage rates.