The time it is taking for some legislators to pick up on the fact that a large percentage of Pennsylvania voters do not think their recent pay raise and the repeal thereof is in the least humorous is alarming. It goes to show how out of touch some of them were with their constituents. Maybe they are spending too much time with the monied lobbyists at the Pennsylvania Society.
One poor guy who has really been picked on is a state senator from Bucks County, Joe Conti. But he really has been dancing in front of the target on the firing range. First he said he couldn't return the money he took in unvouchered expenses because he had used it to buy a new water heater. Come on, that's just asking for trouble. Of course newspaper columnists and reform organizations offered to stop by the house and disconnect it for him so it could be returned.
Now he's saying it was just a joke. Maybe he and Daylin Leach can form a comedy team. Here's a quote from today's Intelligencer:
“The reporting of my poor attempt at a joke relating to the water heater did not accurately reflect my intentions on the unvouchered expenses,” he said, referring to the method by which lawmakers accepted the interim raise.
He added: “After the repeal vote, it was my intention to pay back the money. It just took time to work out the details with the Senate Chief Clerk's office.”
But the real kicker is here:
“(It) was about much more than the money,” he wrote. “It was a response of frustration to the way we conduct our business in Harrisburg. We must reform the legislative process by opening up to more public inclusion and thoughtful deliberation.”
You think?
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