Don't vote for Roebuck

It's not often campaigns revolve around a single issue. But for James Roebuck, that should be the case.

In the early morning hours of July 7, 2005, state legislators in Harrisburg slyly (or so they thought) passed an enormous pay raise for themselves.

The bill increased the base-pay salaries 16 percent, from $69,647 to $81,050. Pay for the Legislature's two spot jobs increased 34 percent, from $108,724 to $145,553.

Only one legislator in all of Harrisburg voted against the pay raise - and it wasn't James Roebuck, who represents the Pennsylvania 188th in the state House of Representatives.

Keep in mind that, since 1995, our legislature has received yearly cost-of-living pay increases. The median income for a family of four in Pennsylvania is $66,130.

Luckily, the raise was finally repealed after almost five months. The issue, however, didn't end with the repeal. Pennsylvanians deserve better from their legislators.

This newspaper has stopped short of endorsing Roebuck's only opponent, Green Party candidate Mike Rosenberg, who has promised to support mandated voter approval of any future pay raises. However, The Daily Pennsylvanian strongly urges voters - by whatever means - not to cast a vote for James Roebuck.

It's your only opportunity on any part of tomorrow's ballot to send a message to Harrisburg that voters will not stand for late-night legislative swindles.

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