Herz' story is relevant because it shows what seems to be a growing " **** you!" attitude toward average constituents among state politicians, from per diem paid under questionable circumstances to intentionally pushing the state budget so far out of control and accountability that nobody outside of the legislator-lobbyist cabal knows where (or to whom) the money goes.

One expects the situation will change only when "sentiments in Juneau" are provided incentive to change.

Two such incentives may be referenda for moving the capital to Anchorage and conducting an outside, forensic audit of state finaces and management practices.

And maybe a question to the IRS hotline about tax consequences of collecting "per diem" in one's hometown...

It could happen.