. 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: