Candidate: I won't take perks or lobbyist-paid vacations
Dan LaVallee said Wednesday he will not take taxpayer funded travel perks or lobbyist-paid vacations if he is elected to Congress.
Democrat LaVallee of Cranberry Township is facing incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Kelly of Butler for the 3rd Congressional District seat.
LaVallee held a rally Wednesday afternoon in Diamond Park outside Kelly’s Butler district office.
He said Kelly has taken $37,000 in taxpayer funded travel perks and $40,000 in vacations paid for by lobbyists. LaVallee said he would not do this.
LaVallee and about 20 supporters stood by a cardboard cutout of Kelly, in which the congressman’s head appeared on top of a body dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, carrying a tropical drink and suitcase.
Kelly, who has been in Congress since in 2010, said after the event that traveling is a part of the job, and it is often the best way to see how things worked. He said LaVallee’s characterization of his travel is “naive.”
LaVallee also said Kelly has increased middle class taxes and decreased taxes for the wealthy.
If elected, LaVallee said he would work to develop jobs, lower the corporate tax rate and protect Medicare and Social Security.
The election is Nov. 4.
