a "per diem" allowance

The Los Angeles Times leads with New Hampshire's decision to halt all civil and criminal jury trials in its state courts for a month next year to save on jurors' per diems. This may be an extreme example, but could become a reality elsewhere as at least 19 states have slashed court budgets to deal with budget shortfalls.

Palin Billed State for Nights Spent at Home
ANCHORAGE, Sept. 8 -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a "per diem" allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.
(By James V. Grimaldi and Karl Vick, The Washington Post)

per diem

(pər dē'əm, dī'əm) (Abbr. p.d.)

adv.

By the day; per day.

adj.

1. Reckoned on a daily basis; daily.
2. Paid by the day.

n., pl. per diems.

An allowance for daily expenses.

[Latin : per, per + diem, accusative of diēs, day.]