HARRISBURG -- Dr. Stilp wants to perform elective surgery on the legislature's pay increase.
Reform-activist Gen Stilp, who never shies from theatrics, donned a doctor's scrubs, stethoscope and green rubber glove to perform what he called a "COLA-oscopy" Monday at a Capitol press conference. The stunt, performed with a group of like-minded citizens in similar costume, was designed to denounce the legislature's cost of living adjustment, which took effect the same day.
"Today, activists and reformers for the legislature, we have adopted a new approach," Stilp said. "We're just going to start cutting the legislature."
The long-time reformer predicted the legislature's 2.8 percent pay increase would suffer the same fate as the 2005 pay raise, which was eventually repealed and led to 50 incumbent lawmakers being washed out of office in 2006.
Even a small incident like a marginal pay increase can spark a statewide outcry for reform, Stilp said, especially during a difficult economic time.
His message already appears to have some resonance in the General Assembly. State Rep. Barb McIlvaine Smith (D-Chester County) has authored legislation that would repeal automatic COLA's for the legislature. And Senate Republicans' spokesman Erik Arneson reiterated in an e-mail to PolitickerPA.com that Senate President Pro Temp Joe Scarnati's (R-Jefferson County) has said COLA's could be removed as the legislature tries to save money in anticipation of a certain budget shortfall.
Bob Caton, spokesman for the likely next Speaker of the House Keith McCall (D-Carbon County), had no comment about the COLA.
Stilp pointed out the impending presence of a bill shows his demand has early momentum.
"We're actually further along now than we were for the pay-raise," he said.
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