Krueger claims $6K in Victoria accommodation expenses

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What does $1,000 a month buy an MLA in Victoria?

In the case of Kevin Krueger, MLA for Kamloops South Thompson, it’s a pad in an RV lot for the fifth wheel trailer that serves as his home base when he’s at the legislature.

Krueger claimed $6,000 in accommodation expenses between April 1 and September 30, 2012, according to the MLA travel expense documents released Oct. 31.

While the last legislative session ended on May 31, Krueger said he’s often in the capital for other reasons — and was on his way there for a function as he spoke to KTW.

“Even when we’re not in session, we have committee meetings, caucus meetings, lots of times when we have to meet,” he said.

There are a few options for MLAs who have to travel to Victoria from other parts of the province, each which has a different maximum amount which can be claimed.

For those who rent or buy a place to stay in the capital, as Krueger does, the monthly maximum is $1,000.

While the rent on his RV pad is more like $1,400 in the summer months, he said it drops in the winter and the amount averages out to about $1,000 a month.

“I just go with that,” he said. “It’s less accounting and hotels are much more expensive for me.”

During the same period, Krueger also claimed $2,498 in per diem expenses. MLAs get a per diem of $61 per day while in Victoria on legislative business.

Krueger also claimed $13,439 in general travel expenses, and $2,376 in in-constituency travel.

According to his expense summary, North Kamloops MLA Terry Lake claimed only $5,959 in total travel expenses for the same six-month period.

However, that amount doesn’t include expenses racked up in his role as Minister of the Environment, which are posted separately on the province’s “open government” website.

The most recent ministerial expense report for Lake, from August 2012, shows he has just under $20,000 in travel expenses for the year at that time.

Neither regular or ministerial expense reports include details of where MLAs traveled, how the got there, or where they dined.