CORRECTED: Lawmakers spent $470K on meals, munchies
Sometimes including free lunches for constituents on taxpayer dime
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — When state Sen. Shirley Kitchen, D-Philadelphia, hosted dinner for 250 constituents as part of the 2011 Philadelphia Community Service Award, state taxpayers picked up the $5,100 tab.
Taxpayers ponied up another $3,600 to pay for 200 constituents to attend a Mothers and [...]
Read More →PA school districts have been hording cash for years
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — As state funding for education increased in the past 15 years, many school districts set aside a hefty stash of cash in savings accounts.
As of the end of the 2011 budget year, Pennsylvania school districts have more than $3.2 billion in reserve funds. Some cash is earmarked for specific projects but not being used and some is simply sitting in accounts, according to data from the state Department of Education.
Read More →Ohio State considering moving sophomores to campus housing
By Ron Lederman | Ohio Watchdog
COLUMBUS – Ohio State University officials plan to spend at least $354 million to move sophomores to on-campus housing.
PA school districts debate best use of $3.2B in reserve
Some reach into savings to balance budget; others see clouds on the horizon
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — At East Stroudsburg School District, business manager Patricia Bader oversees a reserve fund balance — one of the largest among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania.
Texas candidate O’Rourke pays family, business $22K
By Steve Miller | Texas Watchdog
AUSTIN — The scathing report detailing the payments of U.S. Congress members to families was a gift to Robert “Beto” O’Rourke, a former El Paso city council member and Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes in the far West Texas 16th congressional district.
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