PA Congressional

PA Congressional Pay Hike Raises Eyebrows
By Thomas Clouser

While many Pennsylvanians are struggling to figure out how they can pay their real estate taxes before the end-of-the-year deadline, the PA congress not only votes an extra $11,403 onto their base pay, but those on committee chairs receive an additional $4,050. Speaking in terms of percentage, the pay hikes ranged from 16% - 34%, while most of their constituents are lucky to see a 3% raise. At least the past congressional bodies, in their wisdom, made a congressman’s pay increase not take affect until the following election term. But like any enterprising citizen would attempt, lawmakers looked for---and found---loopholes in the law that allows them to take “unvouchered expenses” and thus have access to the piles of tax dollars being shoveled into their waiting accounts.

No one would argue that being a state legislator is a huge responsibility. Nor would many argue that pay raises are acceptable. As a matter of fact, according to columnist John Grogan of the Philadelphia Inquirer, lawmakers have received a cost of living pay raise every year for the past decade. It is just difficult to swallow when their latest raise exceeds some citizen’s gross annual salary. It is really sticky business when a governing body is responsible for approving its own raises. Rather an awkward position, don’t you think? But cheer up. Many of these legislators have businesses or investments back home bringing in plenty of cash for the family. For those individuals, you might call the legislative salary “pin money”.

Grogan reported that the salary deal was “hammered out behind closed doors without public airing or input and passed without discussion at 2 a.m., moments before lawmakers fled the Capitol for summer recess.”

Supreme Court Justice Ralph J. Cappy, the state’s top jurist, called the raises “reasonable and responsible” as part of a spirited public defense he led against the public outcry. Oh yeah, he forgot to mention that he benefited an additional $22,300 out of the deal cut by congressional leaders. Most of us could get a little spirited if our boss offered that kind of pay jump!

Mr. H. William DeWeese, (D) PA House Minority Leader defended the move by saying it would attract “high minded and intelligent” young people into politics. That almost sounds plausible. But the aftermath of this midnight move will resonate with even the most stupid citizen and remind them that politics is a dirty game; anyone who doesn’t conform to the lead players are stripped of power and hung out to dry. Read on.