The kings of perks
HARRISBURG --Pennsylvania taxpayers spend about $288 million per year to keep the largest full-time professional General Assembly in the nation -- with 253 members - firing on all cylinders.
All cylinders means about 50 to 60 session days scattered throughout the year, though the Legislature is technically in session year-round with hundreds of committee hearings, thousands of bill introductions, tons of constituent work and a massive incumbency protection program.
The degree of sophistication over the past decade in the increasing professional and/or political direction of the Legislature is downright amazing.
Lawmakers appear on cable TV shows that look just like news talk formats and they get public service announcements on local cable channels, all in addition to a massive PR machine for each caucus cranking out news releases and helping with newsletters, and all of it paid for by taxpayers.
State legislative offices have become miniature versions of U.S. congressional offices.
The staff of the Pennsylvania General Assembly is the second largest in the nation, according to a recent survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures - bigger than California, Texas and Florida, all states which surpass us in population. Pennsylvania's legislative staff grew from 1,430 in 1979 to 2,947 in 2003, according to the survey.
Great wages
State lawmakers' salaries are fourth highest in the nation at $69,645, following an automatic 5.2 percent pay raise on Dec. 1. State lawmakers receive $124 per day in unaccountable expense money when they're at the Capitol. They may lease state cars at up to $650 per month in the House and $600 in the Senate.
Pennsylvania and California have the only two state legislatures that make cars available to all members.
Some lawmakers lease luxury vehicles but many prefer SUVs. Many members get state cars through a fleet leasing program and "save taxpayers' money" by spending only $400 per month or so.
Like all the perks available, from cars to expense accounts, it is true that not all members take all that's allowed.
But you'll be hard-pressed to find any lawmakers who aren't part of the state's Cadillac of a health insurance plan and its generous pension plan.
The rank-and-file members' spending pales in comparison to leaders of both parties who control millions of dollars in leadership accounts that have paid for TV spots for GOP House members in targeted races, bills at swank Philly restaurants for Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia, ranking Democrat on the appropriations panel, and hiring a chauffeur for House Minority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene County.
WAMs or (Walking Around Money) are legendary as a state grant program to pay for lawmakers' pet projects and boost their election prospects.
2-month job
During two decades of covering the Capitol, I've met and interviewed numerous legislators who are, indeed, dedicated public servants.
But taken collectively, as an institution, one must wonder whether the General Assembly's spending is out of control and how much of its activity is self-promotional.
Some who have observed the process closely tell me the entire agenda of the General Assembly - the real must-do agenda, including the state budget - could be handled in about two months of nonstop activity.
But then the question would inevitably become: Why are they paid so much, why do they need so much staff and why so many benefits?
