Taxpayers foot huge bill to run Pa.’s full-time legislature, but are blocked from many details Today 5:00 AM About $20 million went into Pennsylvania lawmakers’ pockets over four years in the form of reimbursements for meals, mileage subsidies, per diems, and other expenses. Facebook Share . Story by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Mike Wereschagin, Brad Bumsted, and Sam Janesch of The Caucus HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania legislature got to work at 1 p.m. on March 18, 2019. Three and a half hours later on that Monday afternoon, lawmakers had adjourned. They passed eight bills, four of which eventually became law and none of which was controversial or particularly groundbreaking. One established a promotional board for distilled spirits. Two dealt with agricultural conservation easements.