Activist, lawmaker spar over pay raise

Activist, lawmaker spar over pay raise

By Mario F. Cattabiani INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

HARRISBURG - After a 2 ½-month summer recess, the Senate returned to the state Capitol today.

The pig was waiting.

Bright pink and all of 25-feet, the giant pork prop was inflated behind the Capitol to greet senators as they returned to work.

A banner hung from its midriff: "Repeal the illegal legislative pay raise."

"They have been in hiding all summer long. We are here to confront them," said Gene Stilp, the pig's creator, who is challenging the pay raises in court. "The greediness of the senators puts pigs to shame."

The last time they were in Harrisburg, senators voted at 2 a.m. July 7 to increase the base salaries of legislators to $81,050, a 16-percent boost. Leaders get as much as 54-percent more.

The pig caught the eye of many in the Capitol's lunchtime crowd, including State Rep. Angel Cruz (D., Phila.), who got into an impromptu sidewalk debate with Stilp, a longtime Harrisburg activist who has staged similar attention-grabbing stunts over the years.

"You're beating a dead horse," Cruz told Stilp.

People care more about other issues of the day, such as eminent domain and terrorism.

Stilp chided Cruz for voting for the raise.

"This is a 24-hour job," said Cruz, explaining that he has constituents knock on his front door for help, even on weekends. "They follow me to the supermarket."

Stilp also tweaked the North Philadelphia lawmaker for taking the raise now, through an expense account, in the middle of the current term. The method, used by more than 100 lawmakers, sidesteps the state's constitutional restriction against accepting raises in the same term as they are approved.

Cruz acknowledged that he has never read the section of the Constitution barring midterm raises.

Stilp asked if Cruz was willing to go head-to-head in a debate in the legislator's district.

Cruz agreed, but only if Stilp speaks Spanish.

"I'll learn," said Stilp, who promised to bring the pig along.

"You are talking to a Hispanic who loves pork," said Cruz. "I'll bring the rice and the potato salad."

The House returns to Harrisburg on Monday, when hundreds of angry taxpayers plan to hold one of the largest rallies the Capitol has seen in years.

Stilp said he will be there - with his pig.

------------------------------------------ Contact staff writer Mario F. Cattabiani at 717-787-5990 or mcattabiani@phillynews.com.

Source: http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/breaking_news/12687525.htm

For a picture see: http://www.grassrootspa.com/

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