State Representative Robert W. Godshall (R-Montgomery) recently commented that 18 years ago, when he first arrived in Harrisburg as an elected official, he had only two places to eat dinner. Anyone else remember only two places to eat dinner in 1982? That’s the same year I moved back to the area. I remember The Spot, downtown, and Double Jack’s along North Second Street. I guess we were eating in different places.

Come to think of it, I’m still eating in those places while Rep. Godshall is enjoying all the new fancy places.

True enough, there weren’t many places to eat in 1982, and I’m grateful there are more choices now. I suspect Godshall meant good places (read: upscale) to eat at taxpayer’s expense since we lavish upon the General Assembly a breathtaking list of perks — or should I say the legislators bestow upon themselves a long list of perks that far surpass anything enjoyed by the average Pennsylvania taxpayer? Taxpayers who foot the bill.

The "per diem" or daily allowance for "overnight lodging and food" available to a member of the General Assembly is set at $103 to $124 dollars, according to Alexis Brown in the Chief Clerk’s Office of the House of Representatives. The IRS, she explains, sets allowable per diem rates between $124 and $201, depending on the region of the country. A House member has available a "rules booklet" on making requests for per diem payments. The booklet is available to the public if requested in writing.

The best part of this story is what it took to get someone in the House to confirm that figure. That was a tap dance. First, I called the Speaker of the House Matthew Ryan’s office and was abruptly "told" (not "asked") to call the Chief Clerk of the House. An employee there informed me I’d have to "put it in writing" to "Denise"…and from there the telephone drill went as follows …

"Denise who? May I have her full name and title so I can properly address my request?"

Last name given … "And she normally provides this information?"

"Oh, I don’t know, she’s an AA (administrative assistant) in charge of all that."

"And I can only get the figure if I request it in writing?"

"Well, some things must be put into writing, some not. I’m not really sure. Let me get you to Kim …" No other identification … my call is transferred …

Ringy-Ding-Dingy…Treasurer’s Office…

"Is this Kim?"

"No."

Explanation of the request provided.

"Well, this is the wrong place. You were given this number in error. Can I have Alexis Brown call you?"

"Sure, and …" Didn’t I just do this? "Who’s Alexis?"

"She’s the comptroller, Alexis Brown. May I have her call you back?"

"Yes, of course, my number is 703-5000."

Needless to say, Ms. Brown promptly returned my call. She was forthright and immediately helpful and advised on how to secure a copy of the rules provided by the Chief Clerk to House members on how to make per diem payment requests — send your request to Ted Mazia, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, 129 Main Capitol Bldg., Harrisburg, PA 17120.

Meanwhile, I’m getting hungry for lunch, which I’ll have to pay for myself because, well, you understand. Tenacious as I am, I was tired after that quick volley of calls. Imagine I lived in Beaver Falls and had to make all those calls long distance? It may cost as much as the daily food allowance.