Will Lentz Reimburse Taxpayers for his Free Ride?

DREXEL HILL, PA – Two weeks since it was exposed that Bryan Lentz broke his promise to voters to forgo a taxpayer-funded vehicle, the Meehan for Congress campaign called on Lentz to reimburse the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the expenses incurred by Lentz for the use of the car.
 
During Lentz’s 2006 campaign for the State Legislature, Lentz repeatedly voiced his opposition to the practice of representatives using taxpayer-funded vehicles and vowed never to use a government car. Lentz is quoted in a 2006 interview saying “I don’t need a car allowance. I’ll pay for my own car like everybody else in this district… I think I’m supposed to go out there and serve the people.” (Ed Mahon, “Tom Gannon, a 28-year legislator, faces challenger in 161st District,” News of Delaware County, October 16, 2006)
 
The Philadelphia Inquirer characterized it this way, “Rep. Bryan Lentz (D., Delaware), who is driving his own vehicle, said he not only campaigned on changing Harrisburg but also vowed not to take a state car.” (Mario Cattabiani, “Calling for change, taking ‘free’ cars,”The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 19, 2007)
 
But according to a review of Lentz’s vehicle expenditures, the Pennsylvania taxpayers spent more than $5,400 for Lentz’s car between the 12 months of February 2009 and January 2010. 

“Bryan Lentz made his promise to forgo a taxpayer-funded car a central theme of his 2006 campaign, but Lentz chose to break that promise once he was safely in office,” said Bryan Kendro, Meehan for Congress campaign manager. “Lentz’s free ride cost taxpayers more than $5,400, and it’s time for him to come clean and reimburse taxpayers for his broken promise.”