Earlene Hooper, NY assemblywoman, leads legislators in travel expenses

Assemb. Earlene Hooper (D-Hempstead) again topped all state legislators in travel expenses in 2015 — including Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx).

Hooper received $26,810 in travel reimbursements and per diems, including $2,805 in train tickets and $872 for taxis/car service expenses. That was more than the lawmaker with the actual longest commute, Assemb. Andy Goodell (R-Jamestown), who lives a nearly six-hour drive from Albany, and collected $23,274. Heastie ranked second in the legislature, with $23,786 in reimbursements; after taking over as house leader last year, he spent much of the summer traveling the state.

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-East Northport), who, like Heastie, traveled the state a bit after taking over as leader last year, received $17,512. Lawmakers receive a $172 per diem for each night spent in Albany or traveling in the state on legislative business.

Hooper did not immediately respond to a call for comment.