Free Republic

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Editorial writers and columnists have called it a mugging of state taxpayers, the Great Harrisburg Caper of 2005, an act of legislative thievery. ''Greed gone wild," one angry voter wrote. Public outrage over a hefty pay raise Pennsylvania lawmakers voted themselves in the dead of night a month ago has nagged them throughout their summer vacation and shows no signs of going away. Not only did legislators increase their salaries 16 percent to 34 percent -- reaching at least $81,050, more than in any state except California -- but they also crafted the package in secret without...