Marzilli quits; Wikerson calls for more trash bags for her office

I would imagine since the conference was on a Wed & Thu (plus travel time), he was also paid his salary while there:

"he earns $2,528 biweekly."

Not a bad ~$1000 if you ask me.

My understanding is that this only kicks in 1) when the legislature is in session and 2) after the legislator applies for it.

My NGO organizes a yearly conference, and I had to sign off on all the reimbursements. We paid speakers a stipend plus costs their hotel, airfare, ground transport, and meals when we were not providing them.Some states required that their workers waive the stipend, others did not. Still others directed us to pay their stipends to a charity or non-profit foundation.

This is a common practice because few employers - particularly government employers - will pay for more than a conference a year. If you want people to come, you generally have to pay their way.

I organized a session for some other organization's conference, and I and the speakers were provided with travel, lodging, meals and a small stipend. I did not get a per diem from my organization. Few organizations allow you to "double dip" when your expenses are being covered, either.