By Guy Page

Rather than stay overnight in Montpelier during the week, Rep. V.L. Coffin drives 87 miles home to Cavendish most nights after a day’s work in the Legislature.

The first-term Republican representative for Windsor-2 could, according to state law, rent a room or apartment and collect the equivalent of the federal employee hotel reimbursement. 

That’s what many lawmakers living far from Montpelier do, regardless of party. Without this lodging allowance, much of their $945.73 weekly salary would go towards staying sheltered during the session.

A November 21 memo from Legislative Joint Fiscal Office to all legislators confirms the 2026 per diem at $175 for lodging,  $74 daily for meals, and .70/mile for travel. “These are allowances, not reimbursements, and are paid out at the same level regardless of the actual amount of money spent. These allowances are taxable,” the Joint Fiscal memo says.

The subject of weekday lodging only came up because, during a casual late afternoon conversation Tuesday, January 6 in the State House cafeteria, I asked V.L. (short for Voranus Lathrop) if he rented locally. 

Coffin – retired Army/National Guard sergeant, Afghanistan war vet, Bronze Star recipient, and welder/loader operator when he’s not legislating – answered that he prefers to drive home, weather permitting. 

Only when prompted did he explain why.

His decision is rooted in both personal principle and the broader fiscal challenges facing the state.

“That’s the people’s money, not mine,” Coffin said in explaining why he does not want the state to cover hotel costs for him. As lawmakers confront rising expenses and the potential loss of federal funding, he said legislators should be especially careful with taxpayer dollars.

Coffin said many candidates run for office promising to make Vermont more affordable, particularly by reducing pressure on property taxes.

Coffin is among the many first-timers elected in the November 2024 Red Wave, seen by many as voter reaction against double-digit property tax increases.

“When most of us ran, it was to try to lower property taxes and make things more affordable,” he said. “Any money I don’t spend on myself helps the budget, even if it’s a small piece. We should all do our part in some way.”

Though his daily commute is among the longest for members of the Legislature, Coffin noted he is not alone in choosing to travel back and forth rather than stay overnight during the work week in Montpelier. Several lawmakers make similar decisions based on distance, family responsibilities, and personal finances.

To be clear, Coffin isn’t calling out his colleagues who use the lodging per diem. Everyone’s situation is different. The precedent for lodging reimbursement is longstanding, predating likely every current legislator. Most legislators couldn’t afford to buy lodging. Long commutes are stressful for any job.

Weather can also factor into that choice — a reality underscored by slushy roads affecting travel on the Legislature’s opening day — but Coffin said the added burden is one he is willing to shoulder.

“This is an elected job,” he said. “If driving back and forth means the state saves some money, then that’s part of the responsibility.”