Pa. senators are giving up a few perks

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, July, 2006 | by Mario F. Cattabiani

Stung by public criticism over their large package of perks, state senators will begin paying a small portion of their generous health-care premiums when they return from their three-month summer recess.

And, starting next month, they no longer will be allowed to privately lease cars at taxpayer expense - a perk that in some cases cost the state $600 a month per vehicle.

News of the changes comes on the year anniversary of the passage of the unpopular legislative pay raises, which focused public attention on the range of lawmaker fringe benefits, from per diems to large pensions.

Tim Potts, cofounder of Democracy Rising PA, a Harrisburg public-interest group, said yesterday that he was stunned by the news.

"I don't remember the last time legislators...