HARRISBURG -- The state House's top Democrat has stopped paying a driver to transport him to meetings around the state and from his Waynesburg district to the Capitol.

Majority Leader Bill DeWeese's office announced the change Thursday night, nearly two weeks after the Post-Gazette reported he spent $32,000 last year on a part-time driver. That includes about $4,000 for the driver's expenses, including tolls, meals and lodging for long-distance trips.

"Rep. DeWeese recognizes that he is a steward of hard-earned tax dollars and he has canceled the practice of hiring an outside driver," said Tom Andrews, spokesman for the lawmaker.

In one month alone, Michael D. Hertig, of Donna Hertig Enterprises in Amity, was paid $4,765 -- including $405 in expenses -- to drive Mr. DeWeese's own pickup truck. The charges don't include about $1,600 a month in mileage, which Mr. DeWeese recouped separately.

Mr. DeWeese was the company's only client.

"I drove him for 10 years and that's the end of my job," Mr. Hertig said yesterday. "I was a private contractor so I received no benefits. If they hire somebody else, they'll have to pay a pension and benefits."

As a retired state trooper who already collects a pension, Mr. Hertig is not eligible for a House salary, according to the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System.

That's why he was hired as a contractor, Mr. DeWeese said.

It's also why the business was set up under his wife's name, Mr. Hertig said.

That arrangement still could be problematic under pension rules.

"The issue comes up occasionally of whether someone is a bona fide independent contractor or is just trying to avoid being put on the payroll," said Robert Gentzel, spokesman for the state retirement system.

"A person cannot be on the payroll of a SERS employer and collect a pension at the same time. At the other end, a person who goes into private business is not precluded from doing business with the state," Mr. Gentzel said.

Using a driver allowed Mr. DeWeese to safely make phone calls, read and work on legislation during his commute, Mr. Andrews and Mr. Hertig said.

"He worked continuously. He should have a telephone implanted in his head because he was continually on it," Mr. Hertig said.

Now, Mr. DeWeese will drive himself or will be driven by a staffer already on the payroll so he can continue to work while on the road, Mr. Andrews said.

The end of Mr. Hertig's contract came on the heels of another money-saving change: Mr. DeWeese's cancellation of caucus lunches served on session days, when lawmakers also are eligible to collect $146 per diems meant to reimburse them for food and lodging in Harrisburg.

More changes like that are on the way to make government more accountable, transparent and accessible, Mr. DeWeese said.

"The spirit of reform was evident in the November [general election], and over 50 first-term members and a brand-new speaker of the House lend credence to the reform movement," he said. "As leader of the floor among 203 members, I feel it incumbent upon me to lead the charge.

"I was not the engine but I boarded the train, and I'm making my way to the front. There will be 10, 15, 20 tangible reforms and maybe more that will be obvious, transparent and helpful to the legislative process," he said. "Things have changed."