BILLS REPEALING UNCONSTITUTIONAL PAY RAISE APPEAR DOOMED!!!

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_379466.html

While the "article link" from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review speaks volumes to the arrogance and greed of our so-called Leaders in Harrisburg, some personal observations are warranted.

Having worked for the Commonwealth for over 3 decades I can recall that the issue of the Legislative pay raise was always a sore topic among my co-workers. We would complain about it for a couple of days, but usually it went away and most folks moved on to other issues. However there are many factors which make this raise a totally different situation.

First of all it was passed in the waning hours of the Legislative Session, in the middle of the night.

Second the range of increase (16% to 54%) places Pennsylvania second only to California as the highest paid Legislature in the Nation. BTW: Effective in December, 2005 the salary of the California State Assembly will go up to $110,000 per year, and according to their website, the California State Assembly had adjourned until January 4, 2006.

Third the Pennsylvania General Assembly is only in Harrisburg, doing Legislative Business 74 days throughout the year . So please tell me how such an exhorbidant salary can be justified for nothing more than a part-time job? Furthermore, the fringe benefits and other "perks" that come with this high position makes this all the more insulting, from a taxpayer's point of view.

Finally, the tactic of House Speaker John Perzel to refer two bills calling for the repeal of the pay raise to the House Rules Committee rather than the House State Government Committee, spells certain doom for any possibility of these pieces of legislation ever seeing a vote on the House Floor.

This issue will have to be settled by the voters at the polls next November when all 203 House Seats and 25 Senate Seats (even numbered districts) are up for re-election.

DON'T LET THESE ARROGANT THIEVES OFF THE HOOK!!!