HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A published report says Pennsylvania legislators collected $3.9 million for work-related expenses for food and lodging in the last two-year session, including one House member who received more than $55,000.
Rep. Dom Costa, who received more in per-diem payments than any other legislator, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in a story published Sunday that he won't apologize for taking the money. The Allegheny County Democrat says it's not a perk, but part of the job.
The per-diem rates last year for trips to Harrisburg were about $160 a day. For overnight travel to Philadelphia, they were $242 a day. Lawmakers aren't required to show receipts for their expenses and the payments are on top of their nearly $84,000 annual base salary.