Latest / The Fiscal Policy Podcast with Fexingo: Government Budgets, Stimulus, and Public Spending
Why Government Travel Per Diems Cost You More Than You Think
Lucas and Luna explore the hidden economics of government travel reimbursement rates, or per diems. Using the US General Services Administration's 2026 figures for Washington DC — $316 per day for lodging and meals — they unpack how these administrative numbers become a massive fiscal drag. They trace how per diems inflate costs for conferences, training, and routine field work, creating a perverse incentive for agencies to spend up to the cap. The episode compares the federal system to private-sector corporate travel policies and examines a 2024 Government Accountability Office report…
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