Former state Rep. Jim Kuehnle once took to the floor of the Washington House of Representatives to argue against a reduction in the per diem allowance that goes to legislators to cover living expenses while they’re in session.

It would be fairer and more effective to let members simply spend what they needed and then submit public, itemized claims for reimbursement, contended Kuehnle (pronounced “keenly,” which is the way he examined most fiscal issues).

The House didn’t go along. It continues to provide a uniform daily stipend to every member, regardless of actual expenses. In essence, it’s an add-on to a legislator’s official salary.

That is the point that Spokane City Councilman Brad Stark tried to make to his colleagues at City Hall this week when they considered a $150 monthly payment to each council member to cover vehicle mileage racked up while doing the public’s business. Stark was no more successful than Kuehnle, however. The monthly allowance was approved 4-3.

Only council members Stark, Al French and Mary Verner voted against this measure that was both unnecessary and unwise.

“Unnecessary” because council members already had the ability to do what Kuehnle had suggested for lawmakers – they could submit a claim to be reimbursed for what they spend on gasoline traveling here and there to attend public events or otherwise carry out their official duties. It’s something they never do, however, according to the council’s executive assistant, Mary Franklin.

Still, the opportunity was there. Why would council members refuse to avail themselves of it, yet turn around and accept a flat $150 a month, ostensibly for the same purpose?

That’s where “unwise” comes in.

Submitting a claim for travel reimbursement constitutes a public record. Citizens could check up on elected officials to see who was claiming reimbursement and for how much. No one is going to get rich on $150 a month, or $1,800 a year, but members of the public could make their own judgment. That’s the beauty of open government.

Now, though, there’s no accountability. Everyone gets the same $150 a month, regardless of whether that much expense was incurred. Or more. Or less.

It has become, as Stark noted, a salary increase.

With its open-ended nature, the proposal Kuehnle made back in the ‘70s had its flaws. But it recognized a couple of fundamental principles.

One was that elected officials tend to show fiscal prudence in proportion to citizens’ ability to know what they’re up to.

The other is that elected officials holding similar offices don’t always incur expenses at identical levels (as a flat monthly or daily allowance implies).

In a legislator’s case, some come from Stevens County and have to rent apartments during a legislative session while others come from Olympia or Tacoma and go home to their families each night. Yet they all receive the same per diem.

The differences among Spokane City Council members will be smaller, but there will be differences.

They just won’t be apparent.