Audit finds Pa. lawmakers’ surplus reaches $161 million

    The Pennsylvania Legislature’s pool of reserve cash grew for a second straight year.

    The Legislative Audit Advisory Commission said Monday that an outside audit of the Legislature’s finances showed that the surplus grew to $161 million, as of last June 30.

    Last year’s audit showed the legislative reserve had swelled to $154 million from $140 million the previous year, reversing a downward trend that began in 2006.

    The Legislature has ignored recommendations by auditors that it adopt a formal policy on the appropriate amount of the reserve.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Top lawmakers justify the reserve as insurance against a budget standoff with the governor. But the Legislature has created no special rules to limit the use of the money, and such a large and unfettered surplus is nearly unheard of in other states.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal