Next Appropriation for Keystone Lawmakers: Lots of Cardboard Boxes

Pennsylvania pols are failing to quiet a voter revolt that won't go away. Lawmakers for a second time voted to repeal a stealth raise that awarded some of them a 34% pay increase before they were constitutionally allowed to receive it. Lawmakers took the money in the form of unvouchered "expense" reimbursements. Judges and some executive-branch employees also received raises.

The repeal came too late for the revolt's first victim, state Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro. Mr. Nigro became the first appellate jurist in state history to lose an election. He ran unopposed and the question before voters was simply yes or no. They chose no.

The fallout continues. A recent poll by Franklin & Marshall College found that 60% of voters are inclined to vote against any and all incumbents because of the pay raise. Challengers are popping up all over the state, and the pay raise inspired Operation Clean Sweep, a throw-the-bums-out movement that's so far recruited 60 challengers to run just for general assembly seats.

The anti-incumbent sentiment is strongest in central and western Pennsylvania, which helps former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann's prospects for getting the GOP nomination for governor. Democratic Governor Ed Rendell has been oddly silent on the pay raise and will be forced by the issue to show that he's engaged in government reform.

As for lawmakers who collected unvouchered expenses, no word yet on if they'll give the money back. The repeal bills they passed do not require them to do so.