Former Westmoreland County Republican Committee Chairwoman Jill Cooper unseated first-term incumbent Rep. Jason Silvis in the GOP primary for the redrawn 55th state House district. Two years ago, Silvis, 47, defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Petrarca in 2020 to win the legislative seat that was previously based in Derry. A redistricting
The popular Vandergrift Pool in Allegheny Township will open this season with new leadership. Michelle Terry of Vandergrift has taken over from longtime pool manager Daisha Clayton, who stepped down after being appointed to Vandergrift Council in December. Clayton described Terry as a “great fit” for the pool. “I’ve spent
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The payments, known as “per diems,” have long been criticized as an unnecessary largesse for the country’s largest full-time legislature, which pays the third-highest salaries for state lawmakers in the country.
A Spotlight PA analysis of legislative records found lawmakers requested and received $726,877 from the beginning of March as the pandemic emerged through the end of 2020 as reimbursement for lodging and meals while traveling to and from the Capitol or other meetings across the state.
Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer County, pocketed the most per-diem money at $24,115, followed by Rep. Chris Sainato, D-Lawrence County.
Southwestern Pennsylvania lawmakers requested and received about $145,000 combined. Here’s a rundown of who got how much: