NEW CASTLE —
State Rep. Chris Sainato is again near the top of the list.
But it’s a very dubious achievement in this circumstance.
We referring to per diem receipts, basically the undocumented compensation state lawmakers receive for meals and lodging on days they are working on government business.
While legislators can submit actual expenses for reimbursement, most don’t. Instead, they accept the daily rate of about $160.
And that includes Sainato, who took in $52,278 during the just-ended two-year legislative session. That ranked him third highest in the Legislature in per diem receipts during this time period.
Sainato’s high ranking in per diem expenses is nothing new. Last year, it was noted he was the second-highest in receipts in 2011. So when asked about the matter Monday by the New Castle News, he suggested the two-year data shows somewhat of a decrease in his expenses.
As we have said before, taxpayers should cover the legitimate travel, lodging and related expenses of their elected representatives. The job requires travel to and from Harrisburg and living expenses while there. No one should object to the actual costs.
But we don’t know what those costs are. Per diems may or may not reflect what lawmakers actually spend.
Sainato claims his high per diem rate reflects the amount of legislative sessions and committee hearings he attends around the state. Yet he is not among the upper echelons of legislative leadership. Do the taxpayers receive a benefit from all this travel?
We note that the Pennsylvania Legislature is the body that gave us Bonusgate, a scandal rooted in an arrogant political culture that presumed politicians are above the people. One would expect the lawmakers who experienced Bonusgate firsthand would want to bend over backward and persuade a still-skeptical public they are sensitive to accountability concerns.
Per diems fail in that regard. Instead, as they pile up in uneven fashion, they create questions and raise suspicions. Why would Sainato or any other lawmaker want to put himself through that?
We think Sainato and his fellow legislators need to change this system. Do away with per diems and replace them with a system where specific expenses are submitted. That may create additional paperwork for lawmakers, but it will add a crucial level of transparency to state government.
And absent that, Sainato is free to give up per diems on his own and submit expenses instead. If what’s he collecting is legitimate, he should have no problem with that arrangement.
Editorials
Related Photos
-
Chris Sainato
Discussion
Our Opinion: Lawmakers should do away with system that raises suspicions
- Editorials
-
-
Our Opinion: Lousy voter turnout is a missed opportunity
Tuesday’s primary in Lawrence County had its share of winners and losers. But — based on the numbers — the biggest winner has to be voter apathy. Countywide, voter turnout in the primary was a whopping 17.1 percent. In case you missed it, our use of the term “whopping” is sarcasm.
-
Our Opinion: Pennsylvania’s primary system is controlled by parties
Should Pennsylvania’s primaries be open to independent voters? That’s an interesting question and one we have explored in the past on this page.
-
Our Opinion: State audit says city school district failed to collect from non-residents
Audit information about non-resident students who didn’t pay tuition at New Castle raises more questions than it answers. At least so far. We expect more details when the Pennsylvania auditor general’s office completes its report and the New Castle school district provides its response.
-
Our Opinion: Make the most of your power to vote by casting ballot tomorrow
So what kind of turnout will there be for tomorrow’s primary? Recent history suggests somewhere between low and lousy. This year’s elections are devoted to local races, and there are few major ones being contested in the primary.
-
Our Opinion: Privatization of county jail is worthy of examination
Generally speaking, we support government efforts to seek more efficient ways to provide essential services. So we have no problem with the decision by the Lawrence County commissioners to solicit proposals for the private operation of the county jail.
-
Our Opinion: We endorse candidates for New Castle board
The New Castle school district is often a study in contrasts. There are complaints about the district on everything from taxes to nepotism, from test scores to ethical slights. Yet at the same time, plenty of students within the district excel. It’s a tribute to the hard work of those students, their families and the educators who support them.
-
Our Opinion: You should be frightened, outraged by IRS abuse of power
When people talk about government posing a threat to citizens, a common topic these days is unmanned drones. But a more credible threat may be the Internal Revenue Service. This agency, responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing related rules, has the ability to make life miserable for the average individual.
-
Our Opinion: Our endorsements for City Council race
The city of New Castle needs help. Financially distressed and operating under Pennsylvania’s Act 47, New Castle must find ways to reverse its population loss and fiscal challenges.
-
Our Opinion: Court frowns on gerrymandering, but only slightly
Pennsylvania legislators have received the green light to put their own political interests ahead of yours. That’s a key point in the latest Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on legislative apportionment in the commonwealth.
-
Our Opinion: Study says distracted driving deaths are under reported
Suppose you operated a piece of heavy machinery at your job. And suppose it’s machinery that moves quickly with little effort. What would happen if you decided to take one hand off that equipment — while it was still in motion — and instead focused your attention on a telephone call?
- More Editorials Headlines
-
