PA legislators collect per-diems of nearly $4 million

(Harrisburg) -- A published report says Pennsylvania legislators collected $3.9 million for work-related expenses for food and lodging in the last two-year session, including one House member who received more than $55,000. 

Rep. Dom Costa received more in per-diem payments than any other legislator.

He says he won't apologize for taking the money.

The Allegheny County Democrat says it's not a perk, but part of the job.

The per-diem rates last year for trips to Harrisburg were about $160 a day.

For overnight travel to Philadelphia, they were $242 a day.

Lawmakers aren't required to show receipts for their expenses and the payments are on top of their nearly $84,000 annual base salary.