Local Elected Officials Super Bowl Bound
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Tens of thousands of Steelers fans would love to go to the Super Bowl, but getting tickets is not easy.
However, one group of fans does have an advantage – elected officials.
This region's two cheerleaders in chief – County Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl – will attend the Super Bowl, but not at taxpayer expense.
Onorato and Ravenstahl along with some other elected officials will fly with the Rooney family on a chartered flight to Dallas this Friday, returning on Monday.
The charge for that airfare is $850 per person. In Dallas, accommodations are made available at the Steelers' hotel for $450 a night.
Through the Steelers organization, some elected officials were given a chance to buy Super Bowl tickets, but nothing is free.
Tickets were purchased at face value, ranging from $800 to $1,200 a ticket.
Both Onorato and Ravenstahl are using a combination of personal and campaign funds to pay for this getaway.
Governor Corbett will also attend the Super Bowl. He's flying with the Rooneys on Friday and he's paying all expenses personally.
As for most state legislators and local council members, if they asked, the Steelers made tickets available at face value, but they're on their own for travel and accommodations.
Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey are also not going to the Super Bowl. They're joining President Obama at the White House for a Super Bowl party.
