What state workers can pay for meals

State workers can typically spend up to $19 on dinner.

Under the state's official travel policy in 2007, employees on official business are "expected to exercise the same care in incurring expenses that a prudent person would exercise if traveling on personal business."

The policy includes a schedule of expenses that will be reimbursed for out-of-state trips: $7.50 for breakfast, $9.75 for lunch, $19 for dinner and $75.50 for lodging per day.

In addition, it notes that "excessive tips" will not be reimbursed, though it does not give specific guidelines for tipping.

For overseas trips, the policy allows for business-class tickets and more spending on meals, although it does not give exact guidelines on the latter.

"No excess reimbursement will be allowed for meals unless there are predetermined charges, or the meals were for out-of-country travel," it says.

The travel policy begins on page 129.