NO!  In no uncertain terms do State employees make what these folks make.  Of course it depends on the union, but in General Gov't the lodging is directly reimbursed (not flat daily rate) and we get $60/day meal allowance which drops to around $30 after 30 days.  And we DEFINITELY do not get any per diem if we're living at home, or even with 50 miles of our duty station.

Why are these Juneau folks that are living at home getting ANY per diem?