Pennsylvania legislators vote to give themselves 36-percent pay raise at 2:00 a.m. with no public debate on the issue

Clarion News
Aug. 20, 2005

CLARION - "I understand people are upset and I think they have a reason to be," state Rep. Fred McIlhattan (R-63) said this week of the July 7 pay raise the state legislature voted for itself.

McIlhattan voted against the 16 to 34 percent pay raise and told the Clarion News he is not using a legal loophole to collect the raise a year and a half early in the form of unvouchered expenses.

"I believe I am adequately compensated," McIlhattan said when asked about his vote on the pay raise. "I didn’t think an increase was needed."

The pay raise was approved around 2 a.m. and without any public debate on the issue, but McIlhattan said there was plenty of debate between Republican Caucus members.

"There was a lot – a lot – of bitter discussion and debate," said McIlhattan. "It almost turned into a fist fight. There was heavy debate, heated debate, in caucus. It was pretty nasty. It probably split the caucus up. I don’t think the caucus will be same again."

McIlhattan said he and his fellow legislators are very aware of the public backlash over the pay raise.

"I made it very clear to my colleagues that they would get stung on this," said McIlhattan.

Despite heavy public outcry, McIlhattan doubts the pay raise will be repealed.

"I don’t see that happening, no," said McIlhattan. "The majority of the legislature voted for it and it would be very difficult for them to come back and repeal it."

McIlhattan said he is a co-sponsor of a bill to block the collection of the pay raise through "unvouchered expenses."

By state law, legislators are barred from collecting any raise they approve until after they have stood for re-election. However, some legislators collect the raise through a loophole in the law which allows for the reimbursement of "unvouchered expenses."

"The pay raise was bad enough, but the unvouchered expenses on top of the pay raise really angered people," said McIlhattan. "It’s one thing to say we’re going to raise our pay a year and half from now – that gives people a chance for the voters to decide if their legislator is worth it, if not they can vote that legislator out – but it’s another thing to collect it early like that.

"They have found a loophole in the law and while it might be legal, we all know it violated the spirit and the intent of the law."

Not only has the pay raise angered voters, but it also has provided ammunition for the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania to make inroads with voters.

The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania issued a statement Aug. 16 blasting the pay increase.

"With their recent pay increase, the Pennsylvania legislature is now arguably the largest and most expensive in the country," said LPP spokesperson Doug Leard. "Salaries range from a minimum of $81,000 to a top salary of over $145,000 with base pay ranking second only to California legislators.

"Pennsylvania also has the largest number of legislators in the nation except for New Hampshire (a ‘citizen legislature’ where legislators are paid $200 per two-year term). As a result, the Pennsylvania legislature now ranks first in total amount of salaries paid to legislators, 22 percent higher than second place New York."

In addition to their salaries, the legislators’ support staff was the second largest in the country in 2003 (the last year 50-state figures are available).

Legislators also receive reimbursements and are entitled to a defined-benefit pension (whose cost is driven by salaries).

One of those benefits is a monthly reimbursement of up to $650 for the lease of a vehicle to use on the job. McIlhattan does not collect the reimbursement but does use a state-owned car for his travel.

According to the Pennsylvania Economy League, the 2005-2006 budget for the state legislature will cost Pennsylvanians more than $460 million.

"I understand a lot of people are put out with the legislature," concluded McIlhattan. "The pay raise was a personal decision each legislator had to make."