Pay increases for them

Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era (Pa.): The decision by leaders of state House Republicans and Senate Democrats to lift a pay freeze and start doling out pay increases to their legislative employees underscores the huge disconnect between Harrisburg and the rest of the state.

While Pennsylvanians of all stripes continue to be saddled with wage freezes, pay cuts or job uncertainty — and with the state’s economy not yet out of the economic doldrums — politicians are selfishly taking care of their own, apparently without fear of reprisal from taxpayers who are required to foot the bill.

So much for the call for “shared sacrifice,” by Gov. Tom Corbett, whose state budget includes steep cuts to education and the elimination of some state jobs.

House GOP leaders say they’re lifting the freeze now because staffers haven’t had a pay increase in three years.

To this, many struggling Pennsylvanians would say, “Welcome to the club.” They haven’t been getting any pay raises either, and that’s not likely to change in the foreseeable future.

House Republicans and Senate Democrats say their caucuses have cut back significantly in recent years to save money.

But how is that any different than what many Pennsylvanians have had to do to cope with the recession?

The move by the two caucuses is hypocritical on its face, with dire implications for crucial areas of state governance.