I believe that transparency in state spending is crucial to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent as wisely and efficiently as possible. In 2007, I was the first legislator to put my expenses online.  This page also is designed to help make basic spending information easily accessible.

More information about state government is available at my website, on Facebook, and by signing up for my email list.

Salary

As of December 1, 2011, my current salary is $82,026.11. I have introduced legislation to repeal the automatic Cost of Living Adjustment.

Mileage and Expense Reimbursement                         

In September 2011, I turned in my state-leased vehicle. Each month, I submit a statement of miles traveled on House of Representatives business to the Chief Clerk, requesting reimbursement. The current mileage reimbursement rate, established by the Internal Revenue Service, is 55.5 cents per mile. I do not collect a per diem for my time in Harrisburg.

District Offices

I have one district office, located at One Marketway West, York.  As of Jan. 1, 2012, the monthly rent for this offices will be $975. I include the rate, as well as my other office expenses, on my quarterly expense report on my legislative website since 2007.

House of Representatives Budget

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Since I was elected, one of my primary goals has been to make information about state government -- particularly government spending -- more easily accessible. To further that goal, I wrote, sponsored or supported all of the following:

Live House Video Feeds (2007)

House sessions can be viewed from any computer with an Internet connection using the House Session Live feed at the state House of Representatives website. A similar feed is available on the House Democratic Caucus website.

Open Records Law (2008)

Pennsylvania's new Open Records Law (Act 3 of 2008), which I voted for, makes many government records easily available to interested residents. Information about how to request records from any state executive branch office or local government office is available from the Office of Open Records. Information about requesting records from the Senate, the House, and the state Judiciary is also available.

Online Contract Database (2008)

Pennsylvania's new Open Records Law also created an online contract database. State contracts valued at $5,000 or more are included in this database, which can be searched by agency, contracting party, contract amount, date, and subject matter.

Online Bill Room: Fiscal Notes (2009) and Roll Call Votes (2007)

The General Assembly's website now includes links to fiscal notes for those bills that have been considered by the Senate or House Appropriations Committee. You can also access the roll call votes for every bill considered in a Senate committee, in a House committee, on the Senate floor, or the House floor.

Independent Fiscal Office (2010)

Pennsylvania's new Independent Fiscal Office, created by Act 120 of 2010, will improve the state budget process. The office's responsibilities include preparing annual revenue estimates, providing an annual assessment of the state's fiscal condition, developing performance measures for state programs, and analyzing tax and revenue proposals made by the Governor or the Office of the Budget. The IFO's website is expected to be available soon.

Rules of Ethical Conduct (2011)

On Jan. 4, 2011, the House adopted a set of Rules of Ethical Conduct to make the division between legislative and campaign work clear, to provide annual ethics training, and to establish strong penalties for violations.

Website for Mobile Devices (2010)

The General Assembly has a website for mobile devices designed specifically for users of the iPhone, iPad, Android-based devices, and the BlackBerry. Visitors can use the site to search for bills by number or keyword, to read bill text, to access information about legislative committees, to watch or listen to Senate and House sessions, and to contact members of the General Assembly.

Online Budget Database (2011)

Act 18 of 2011, which I cosponsored, requires the creation of a complete online budget database. This database, designed to make details of state spending easily and freely accessible, is scheduled to be available by the end of 2012.

Sunshine Law (2011)

Act 56 of 2011 strengthens penalties for violating Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law, which requires public access to open meetings and the opportunity for public comment.

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION

In addition to those listed above, the following resources provide additional information designed to make the operation of state government more transparent and accountable.

Lobbyist Disclosure Reports (2006)

Pennsylvania's Lobbying Disclosure Law, Act 134 of 2006, requires lobbyists and principals (the companies and individuals who hire lobbyists) to file quarterly reports. The Department of State maintains an online database of lobbyists, principals and the required reports.

Statements of Financial Interest

The Governor, members of the General Assembly, and other public officials are required to file Statements of Financial Interest with the State Ethics Commission. The Statements of Financial Interest are all available on the Commission's website.