Schmotzer Saves Local Tax Money

Martin Michael Schmotzer, D-, has carried out in the early days of his time as a state representative that will save thousands of dollars of taxpayer money.

Many of those savings are attributed to cuts to the cost of maintaining his Brookline Boulevard office.

Schmotzer represents Pennsylvania's 22nd House District, which includes Brookline and Beechview.

Schmotzer calculated the savings at around $43,000 on an annual basis.

He detailed the savings as follows:

• Declined state health insurance for himself and his family (savings of $31,000 on an annual basis).
• Declined to take a state car (savings of $650 per month, or $7,800 per year).
• Declined state auto insurance (savings of $150 per month, or $1,800 per year).
• Canceled the cleaning service for  (savings of $173.88 per month, or $2,086.56 per year).
• Canceled the window-washing service for his Brookline office (savings of $20 per month, or $240 per year).
• Reused an existing sign outside of the Brookline office (savings of $706.20).

Schmotzer said that he has also reduced the cost of staffing at that district office, located at 900 Brookline Blvd., resulting in more savings.

"Not bad for the first week in office," he said in a May 16 news release.