PITTSBURGH (100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) - Spotlight PA reported last week that state lawmakers were collectively reimbursed nearly a million dollars for travel expenses in 2020, even though most of their work was conducted remotely.
Pier diems cover expenses like hotels, meals, and gas. But under an old law, they never have to show proof. Senator Jim Brewster says all the expenses in 2020 could be legit.
"There are certain members in leadership and they are required, and should be, in person, and many of them are. There are few others that are going across the state still having to be in certain locations to run certain meetings," Brewster said during the KDKA Radio Morning Show.
He thinks receipts should be required. He's co-sponsoring bills that would change reimbursement policies.
Some lawmakers spent over $24,000 in per diem numbers.
"At least in the senate - I can speak for all 50 members - they are good people, they are hard-working people, they have just chosen a process, in my opinion, that's just easier." Brewster explains.
Listen to the full interview with Brewster above.
