Find out which Pennsylvania state lawmakers refuse the perks

8/11/2014

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   Scott Wagner

   
   

   
   

   It’s no secret that state lawmakers enjoy a pretty generous benefits package.

The pension and health-care coverage they’re eligible to receive is unlike what most workers see in the private sector.

But what may come as a surprise is that there are a few who turn away the perks.

Daily News political columnist John Baer reported that there are just 17 Republicans and three Democrats — a total of 20 of 253 — who are refusing at least one taxpayer-provided benefit.

One of them hails from this area.

Rep. Mindy Fee opts out of the health care program. But that’s because she is already covered under her late husband’s taxpayer-funded benefits package.

Fee’s late husband, Tom Fee, was a former mayor of Manheim and district judge. He passed away in August 2011, more than year before she was elected to serve in the Legislature.

Fee wasn't signed up for a pension, either. But after Baer called her office, she found there was a snafu when she tried to enlist in the program and is now correcting it.

Using Right to Know requests, the Daily News got data from the State Employees' Retirement System and the Legislature on lawmakers, the Daily News found that just two lawmakers, Sen. Mike Folmer, a Republican from Lebanon County, and newly elected Sen. Scott Wagner, a Republican from York County, don't take health-care coverage or a pension.

Three others — Fee, Greg Lucas, a Republican from Erie County, and Sen. Scott Hutchinson, a Republican from Venango County — turn down health care.

And 15 are not enrolled in the pension program: Democratic Reps. Brian Sims of Philadelphia County, Brian Barbin of Cambria County and Margo Davidson of Delaware County; GOP Reps. Stephen Bloom of Cumberland County, Matt Gabler of Clearfield County, Warren Kampf of Chester County, Fred Keller of Snyder County, John Lawrence of Chester County, John McGinnis of Blair County and Rick Saccone of Washington County.

Also, GOP Reps. Thomas Sankey of Clearfield County, Justin Simmons of Lehigh County, RoseMarie Swanger of Lebanon County, Jesse Topper of Bedford County and Dan Truitt of Chester County.

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