Absent with per diem

Two Southern California legislators, Sen. Edward Vincent and Assemblywoman Nell Soto, have been away from the Capitol injured or sick for six months of the 2007 legislative session — but still have collected $35,000 in the generous, tax-free $162 daily allowance for living and travel expenses, today's Sacramento Bee reported. Soto, who turned 81 last week, returned to Sacramento last week after suffering from pneumonia for several months, said reporter Shane Goldmacher. More at The Foothill Cities Blog, which also has some more reporting on its nemesis, Pomona city attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman.