Solobay, Bartolotta discuss government reform
The candidates in the race to represent the 46th District in the state Senate discussed government reforms in a recent meeting with the Herald-Standard editorial board.
Incumbent Democrat Tim Solobay of Canonsburg is being challenged by Republican business owner Camera Bartolotta of Monongahela in the November election.
The district encompasses all of Greene County, most of Washington County and parts of Allegheny, Beaver and Westmoreland counties.
The candidates expressed different opinions on proposed legislation that would require lawmakers to submit receipts for expense reimbursement instead of allowing them to claim up to $159 in per diem payments, collected without submitting vouchers.
Solobay said per diems are part of the compensation package for legislators and receipts are required for most expenses now.
He doubts any lawmaker would object to turning in receipts, but, currently, there is no system in place to check the receipts. Legislators living close to Harrisburg don’t qualify for per diems, he added.
Bartolotta said receipts should be required. She claimed that Solobay accepted $33,000 in per diem payments during a one-year period.
Both candidates agreed that the 58 days the Sentate is scheduled to be in session this year is not enough time.
Solobay called 58 days an “embarrassment,” but said work can get done as long as senators communicate with each other.
A lot of work needs to be done by the Senate and 58 days is not enough time to do it, Bartolotta said.
On the subject of campaign finance reform, Solobay said candidates should disclose contributions and spending.
He said he supports limiting the amount of contributions that individuals and political action committees can make to candidates.
Bartolotta said the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld contributions from third parties.
Limiting contributions from individuals could result in only multimillionaires running for office, but limits should be considered, she said.
The candidates agreed that the size of the Legislature should be reduced.
Bartolotta said the Legislature is one of the largest in the country and is a burden on taxpayers.
Technology can connect elected officials and their staffs to constituents, she said.
Solobay said he voted for a bill that would have reduced the size of the Legislature.
He agreed that technology could be a help, giving constituents contact with elected officials. However, he said that having fewer legislators would require staff to meet with constituents and staff members do have the same accountability as elected officials do.
Large urban areas already have more representation than small rural areas and having fewer legislators would add to the disparity, he said.