"These folks don't want to govern," Mr. Barrientos, a former chairman of the Senate Democratic caucus, said. "They want to ruleOn the Lam, Texas Democrats Rough It: "He and the other senators, who earn $600 a month for what is basically a part-time job, are paying their own way in Albuquerque, where their hotel rooms average $115. All said that while in New Mexico they were refusing per diem payments, which run $1,700 a month."