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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A business trip for most of us means turning in receipts to show the company how we're spending its money, but that's not how it's done when Tennessee legislators head to Nashville each year.

WREG found out they're given a set amount of money and paid the same whether they work one hour or eight hours.

The business of making laws is a part-time job for Tennessee lawmakers, but some of them bring home more money in a few months than most of you make all year. Justin Owen is one of the watchdogs watching government spending.

"I don't think it's abused in any massive sense right now but there is obviously the opportunity there," Owen, who's with Beacon Center of Tennessee, said.

WREG did the math and found most lawmakers are paid around $45,000 for about four months of continuous work. There are no receipts to turn in and the payday comes just for showing up.

Legislative staff say keeping up on receipts might be too time consuming and end up costing more, but here's where the opportunity for abuse comes in: lawmakers are paid the same if they work for one hour or a whole day.

"I think more reforms like giving legislators hourly per diem or half day per diem when they don't actually work a full day will be fair," Owen said.

Lawmakers are paid a salary of $20,000. They get a home allowance of $1,000 a month. Food and lodging averages $750 a week. Most Memphis-area legislators receive about $200 a week for mileage reimbursement.

"I think the policy they have right now is reasonable but is there some room to be a little bit more frugal and a little bit more careful with taxpayer money, sure there is," Memphis' newest state senator Lee Harris said.

Harris represents District 29 and plans to drive his 10-year-old Toyota sometimes, but says he's looking for ways to save taxpayers money.

Harris said, "I'm going to try to take the Megabus at least from time to time. The Megabus stops downtown. I live downtown. The Megabus stops downtown. My understanding if you book it early enough, you can get a Megabus fair to Nashville for a dollar. "

Harris says riding the bus will allow him to read through bills and other material, but we questioned him if it will it really make a difference in savings to taxpayers. Harris says in the scheme of things maybe, maybe not.

"It is symbolically very meaningful. People want to see legislators who are going to put their best foot forward and not live this life of extravagance," Harris said.

Lawmakers are paid at the same travel and per diem rates for any extra trips to the hill when they're not in session. Again, whether they're just dropping off paperwork or staying for a three-hour committee meeting, they're eligible for a full day's pay.

"There's always room for abuse when you're talking about taxpayer's money. That's why it's important not to just rely on politicians to abide by the laws or work within those constraints but to put systems in place that make it difficult for that abuse," Owen said.

Lawmakers head back to Nashville in January for their next regular session. WREG will be watching how they spend your money and if anyone else joins Harris on the Megabus ride to Nashville.

Lawmakers have policed themselves when it comes to out of state travel. Those serving in the Tennessee House of Representatives can attend one all-expense-paid conference a year. State senators can make more than that, but they must be approved first.