SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The Legislature's 30-day session could cost taxpayers almost $163,000 a day.

The House unanimously approved a bill Wednesday providing nearly $4.9 million for the legislative session.

The measure covers staff salaries, printing, mail room and switchboard operations and the $159-a-day that legislators receive as an expense reimbursement.

The session money is up 27 percent from what the Legislature spent in 2008 for the last 30-day session.

The increase is for salaries and benefits for House and Senate employees and higher per-day expense payments to legislators, which were $144 in 2008. The payments to legislators are based on a business expense rate set by the Internal Revenue Service.

The measure goes to the Senate for consideration.

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