Posted on 07/28/2005 10:14:02 AM PDT by TheOtherOne
Report: Pa. Democrats Lose Posts After Opposing Legislator Pay Raise
Published: Jul 28, 2005 HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state House minority leader demoted 15 fellow Democratic leaders, and two said they were being punished for voting against a raise for lawmakers and other public officials, a newspaper reported Thursday.
The bill increased legislators' base pay from $69,647 to $81,050 and gives an extra $4,050 to subcommittee chairs and committee vice chairs.
"What Democratic leadership said to members was: If you vote for the pay raise you will get ($4,050), if you don't you won't," said Rep. Gregory Vitali, who was bumped from chairman of an energy subcommittee.
Minority Leader H. William DeWeese's office declined to comment on the reason for the changes, which are usually made as a session begins, not in the middle of the summer.
"The leader has discretion to change assignments whenever he wants," Tom Andrews told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "This is just a reshuffling of positions."
Vitali questioned the legality of the changes. The pay raise was signed into law.
"They are using tax dollars to entice a legislator to vote one way or another," Vitali said.
AP-ES-07-28-05 1239EDT
ping
I love seeing those two words together. Hope to see them lots in the future...
Signing up for operation clean sweep. All of these types have got to GO!
I never understood why legislators should be allowed to vote for their own pay raises. That should be left up to the voters to decide whether they deserve a pay raise or not.
Tax payer funds make the best bribes - legal ones.
They were safe seats. Let's kick thme ou too.
What a disgusting criminal conspiracy. I think PA really needs a third party to get these criminals out of office.
Maybe these members will join the Pubbies.
Typical PA politics...
ping
This ain't over!
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