Lawmaker illusions

Regarding a comment made by Rep. Joseph Petrarca, D-Vandergrift, ( "3 more House members turn back raise," Aug. 10, and TribLIVE.com):

After Mr. Petrarca decided against accepting money from the recent pay raise through "unvouchered expenses," he claimed that he "regrets the loss to the senior centers, libraries, fire companies and other groups that would have benefited" from money he planned to donate.

The true regret is his and the loss of a nice chunk of free campaign funds while still being able to maintain the illusion of taking the "high road."

If Petrarca still wanted to make sure that these groups didn't lose out, maybe he could use some of his election committee funds. His last campaign finance report shows he has more than $60,000.

Any other Pennsylvanian can see how much his legislator has by going to the Pennsylvania Department of State Web site elections page.

It might just surprise you how much of a political war chest some of these "underpaid" people are sitting on.

Stephen Nemmer
Brookline