Thorns, Darts and Jack

From Tony Phyrillas and the Merc:

THORNS to Pennsylvania lawmakers for racking up a tab for food and lodging during their shameful 101-day budget stalemate — and giving themselves a raise in their per-diem rates to make matters worse. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the amount lawmakers get reimbursed for food and lodging expense while in Harrisburg recently increased to $163 a day. The Tribune-Review reported that House and Senate members of both parties collected $532,000 in per diems in July and August, the first two months of the stalemate. It's money that taxpayers would not have paid if lawmakers had done their job by the July 1 deadline. Legislators can collect $111 a day for lodging and $52 for food for days in Harrisburg if their home district is some distance away. Perhaps the system should be changed to charge lawmakers per day instead of reimburse them. That could speed up the process.

We give Darts and Laurels. The Merc gives Thorns and Roses. Our State Legislators give us Jack and Squat.