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Lawmaker To Return Per Diem

A Las Cruces lawmaker who missed the recent legislative session while recovering from surgery plans to return several thousand dollars he collected in per-diem payments.

State Rep. Phillip Archuleta says that during the 30-day session, he was recuperating from having his right leg amputated in January.

He's staying in a facility for physical rehabilitation in Albuquerque.

Archuleta faced criticism because he continued to receive the $159 per-diem payments and 56 cents-per-mile travel reimbursement.

Lawmakers are entitled to those payments during the Legislature for costs such as housing and food.

Archuleta says he wasn't aware the payments were continuing to be made to him until a family member alerted him.

The Democrat also says he plans to seek re-election to the District 36 House seat.

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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.