Originally published December 27 2005
Pennsylvania Supreme Court may soon have expense account more tightly controlled
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Recent voter frustration has led to heightened interest in the spending habits of Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices, who are allowed to spend a combined $180,000 annually for travel and meal expenses that are work-related.
Chief Justice Ralph Cappy wants more stringent rules to govern Supreme Court justices' use of expense accounts, but it's unlikely the proposed changes would save taxpayers much money.
In a recent memo to his six colleagues on the bench, Justice Cappy called for stricter accounting plus restrictions on buying alcohol and tipping more than 20 percent.
The seven justices have a combined expense account of $180,000 annually but often spend much less, Mr. Darr said.
Last year, they charged $164,000 -- an average of about $23,400 each -- for expenses including $300 dinners; a conference in the Bahamas; 34 car washes for Justice Thomas Saylor; $375 for membership in US Airways Club; and $1,766 for picture framing, a review by the Harrisburg Patriot-News found.
The proposed changes offer no substance, said Matt Brouillette, president of the Commonwealth Foundation, a Harrisburg think-tank that advocates restricting government spending.
It's appropriate for them to use expense accounts for meals and travel expenses, Mr. Darr said.
Justices also commonly travel for educational conferences and buy meals for court clerks and unpaid members of several judicial committees, he said.
Justice Cappy is responsible for the $375 US Airways membership, which provides use of exclusive airport lounges.
It proposes creating a general expense account for expenses common to all justices, such as meals when court is in session or conferences that all seven attend.
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