Leaders get coal, not raise, at offices

Some senators got the 'gift' because they didn't return unvouchered expenses.
HARRISBURG (AP) -- Legislative leaders received coal-filled stockings in their Capitol offices Thursday from citizen activists who contend that all state lawmakers belong on Santa's "naughty" list this year.
The activists said their gesture was motivated partly by some legislators' refusal to reimburse the state for pay raises they got in the form of "unvouchered expenses." That money was collected during the four months that a law authorizing increases of 16 percent to 54 percent was in force.
The General Assembly repealed the law last month, prodded by intense public criticism.
But the activists also cited state lawmakers' failure to pass measures before Christmas that would have reduced homeowners' property taxes or raised the minimum wage.
"The leadership all deserves coal this year, because besides the pay raise, we can't see a whole lot that they've accomplished," said Russ Diamond, chairman of PACleanSweep, a group that is recruiting candidates to challenge incumbent legislators next year.
Several get stockings
They also released a list of 13 senators who have refused to repay the unvouchered expenses, based on information available from the Senate clerk.
Three received the stockings: Senate Minority Leader Robert J. Mellow, D-Lackawanna; Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Thompson, R-Chester; and Sen. Vincent J. Fumo of Philadelphia, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.
Aides to the three senators declined to comment Thursday.
Steve Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Sam Smith, R-Jefferson, accepted a stocking on his boss's behalf from activist Gene Stilp, who was wearing a headband with reindeer antlers attached to it and a blinking red nose. Smith has repaid the unvouchered expenses, Miskin said.
"I'll make sure somebody burns it for heat," Miskin said of the coal.
The House staff has refused to identify the lawmakers who are repaying the money.
Other leaders who received the stockings were House Speaker John M. Perzel, R-Philadelphia; House Minority Leader H. William DeWeese, D-Greene; House Minority Whip Michael R. Veon, D-Beaver; Senate President Pro Tempore Robert C. Jubelirer, R-Blair; and Senate Majority Leader David J. Brightbill, R-Lebanon.
Even after the raises were rescinded, lawmakers received a 3.6 percent boost in their monthly paychecks effective Dec. 1 through a provision in a 1995 law meant to keep legislators' salaries in line with annual inflation.
The inflation adjustment increased salaries to about $72,182 -- less than the $81,050 base salary under the now repealed pay-raise law.
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