Fulton County News
Town hall meeting scheduled here March 15
03/08/07
STAFF REPORT
Just two months after taking office state Sen. John Eichelberger (R-30th) is already making waves in Harrisburg.
Talking with the “News” last Thursday from his newly opened office in the Antietam Iron Works building, Eichelberger said, “I think I had a mandate to go down there and push for reform measures. “I’ve tried to follow through with that.”
Last week Eichelberger announced his intention to introduce legislation banning staff bonuses given outside of the established payroll system, a bill that would apply to all branches of state government.
“This is an issue the public is obviously very concerned about, and so am I,” Eichelberger said in a press release. “The recently uncovered bonuses were taken from hidden accounts outside of the normal payroll system. We have a payroll system in place to hold people accountable. If someone deserves a bonus paid for with taxpayers’ money, then the taxpayers deserve to know why and how much.” He said he feels that legislation is necessary so that bonuses end forever.
A Blair County Republican, Eichelberger gained wide political recognition following his defeat of Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer in the May 2006 primary election. He represents Fulton County as part of the 30th Senatorial District.
Sen. Eichelberger is also leading reform in the Senate by setting a personal example. He does not take the per diems – the flat, unaccountable $148 daily payments lawmakers can collect for overnight lodging and meals. “I don’t drive a state car. I use my pickup to go back and forth to Harrisburg and I don’t put in for mileage inside the district. I have a hotel room two blocks from the Capitol which is $55 per night, which I do charge for when I stay overnight. I don’t put in for meals,” he said.
Read the full Fulton County Daily News story here.
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