When I was on active duty, I went TDY (temporary duty) away from my duty location a lot. At those times I was expected to pay for my standard costs of living (mortgage, electricity, telephone, etc.) at my primary residence as usual. The Army reimbursed me for actual expenses incurred at the temporary location (hotel or a short-term lease, laundry, etc.). If a meal was provided for me on TDY, I was not reimbursed for that meal (think lobbyist). If I decided to return to my duty station during TDY, I did not get reimbursed for the period of time I was away from the TDY location.

With the Alaska legislature, the three-month "temporary duty" expenses in Juneau cost less than they receive in per diem. John Coghill told me his monthly pet diem is around $6,000 and that he rents a condo for $500/month (I assume his wife lives there too as she works for the legislature). Coghill is comfortable pocketing the remaining $5,500 in per diem, so he can live during his unemployment.