This is happening because no one is minding the store. I seem to recall that a FBX legislator was running up similar bills back 15-20 years ago.

Since Olsen is currently a member of the majority, they're not going to do anything about such excesses.

I looked at the 2015 Special Session per diem expenses in Anchorage. Looks like Cathy Giessel got paid $1,971 tax free to stay at home, and Pete Kelly $3,504 (same as Lesil charged). 

I met Rep.Pat Carney, headed southwest at Eureka Summit, just after the 1992 legislature adjourned. He had a van full of personal belongings. It probably covered his whole move back to his Wasilla district for the year. Working for the state, I  moved my home from Wasilla to Tok, to Anchorage, then to Barrow.  I don't think I charged the state for $500 total, including a one-way air ticket to Barrow.  When I complained about my boss at DFYS (OCS) spending hugely excessive amounts on local, FBX, JUN, ANC and out-of-state transport, she tried to get me fired.