Page 5 - Eric Davanzo News Today

. 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 acr...

TribLIVEs Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. Local lawmakers’ early reactions to Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget fell along party lines Wednesday, with Republicans condemning the proposed personal income tax increase, while Democrats praised the increase in school funding and proposed minimum wage hike. Here’s what they had to say : Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny): “I’m happy that today the governor prioritized...

“Just open.” The words, spoken by Joe Tambellini, resonated with dozens of restaurant and tavern owners who gathered in a parking lot outside of Al’s Cafe, a restaurant in Bethel Park, on Monday. They were there for a “Rights for Restaurants” rally organized by the restaurant’s owner, Rod Ambrogi, and politicians. Tambellini, vice president of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Restaurant and Tavern Association, encouraged his peers to reopen their restaurants and bars. “We’re allowe...

“Next week will be one of the hardest for us, our first Christmas without Matt,” she said. One of Smelser’s longtime co-workers, Jeffrey Pesarsick, now a flight paramedic with STAT MedEvac, recalled how Smelser was always ready. He talked about a conference he and Smelser attended in Washington, D.C., and, while the pair relaxed in a restaurant during a conference break, Smelser interrupted Pesarsick. “Man, that guy over there does not look well,” Pesarsick recalled Smelser saying. �...