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Pennsylvania legislators didn't publicly debate their hefty pay raise before voting, and most either won't talk about it now or aren't happy doing so.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review contacted 54 Western Pennsylvania legislators to ask why they voted yes or no, and whether they intend to accept the money immediately as payment for unvouchered expenses or wait until it becomes salary in 2007. In an early morning vote July 7, members of the House and Senate raised their base salaries 16 percent, from $69,647 to $81,050.

Thirteen lawmakers did not return calls after repeated attempts to reach them. Five refused to discuss the issue. Eleven said they'll accept the money; 16 said they'll waive the increase for 18 months. Of those who said they will take the money, eight said they'll donate it to charities or scholarships, or use it to hire another staffer.

Four claimed they're undecided about what to do, and two -- Rep. Lawrence Roberts, D-Uniontown, and Rep. Marc Gergely, D-White Oak -- simply wouldn't say.

"It was the right thing to do," said Roberts, who voted for the raise. "I'm not gonna give you any more."

As chair of the subcommittee on railroads for the House transportation committee, Roberts will make $85,103 -- a 22 percent raise. A majority of lawmakers such as Roberts will get more than the base salary because they chair committees or hold other leadership positions. The average senator will make $98,542 and the average representative, $87,894.

Do they deserve it? Some legislators think so.

"I don't think it's an egregious violation of the public trust," said House Minority Leader H. William DeWeese, D-Waynesburg. DeWeese voted yes, citing the need for a "family-sustaining level" of compensation, and will take his money now.

"I put in every bit as much time and effort, if not more, as anyone who has a 9-to-5 job," said state Rep. John Pallone, D-New Kensington. But Pallone voted against the pay raise, and won't take the money during this term in office.

"It is fair compensation for my 75- to 80-hour work weeks," said state Rep. Frank LaGrotta, D-Ellwood City, who chairs the House committee on tourism and recreational development. LaGrotta voted yes, and is accepting the raise.

Pennsylvania's General Assembly averaged 77 session days each year during the past five years. It's now on a two-and-a-half month recess.

"If my constituents are angry with me, I wish they would have the chance to walk in my shoes," said Rep. Paul Costa, D-Wilkins, a subcommittee chair on travel promotion. Costa also voted yes and is taking the money now. "It's not a 9-to-5 job, or even a Monday-through-Friday job."

"I work 65 to 68 hours a week, every single week," said Rep. Joseph Preston, D-East Liberty, who chairs the committee on consumer affairs. He voted for the raise and wants the money. "This weekend, I was sitting down with policemen and bus drivers who make more than me."

"I have no further comment now or in the future, regarding the pay raise," said Sen. Gerald LaValle, D-Rochester, who voted yes. LaValle's secretary later called to say that her boss intends to take the money.

LaValle is one of four local senators who voted yes and are taking the money now. The others are Democrats Jay Costa of Forest Hills, Barry Stout of Eighty-Four and John Wozniak of Johnstown. Costa said he'll give some of the money to school districts for scholarships.

More than 100 constituents have called his office to complain about the raises, Costa said. "Some have been pretty nasty," he said. "I can understand where people come from. We agree to disagree."

Several legislators said they felt pressured to vote for the bill because Democrat and Republican leaders cut a deal with Gov. Ed Rendell as part of the budget negotiations. The bill also increased salaries for state judges and the governor's cabinet.

Although 23 senators and 79 House members voted no, the bill passed without public debate on either floor.

"The leadership on both sides of the aisle ... wanted the pay raise and they knew how many votes they needed to get," said Rep. Don Walko, D-North Side, who voted yes and is taking the money.

"It wasn't my choice. It was the leaders' choice," said Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, adding that he won't take the money immediately. "I voted no. I made my views known to my leadership and caucus."

"What I felt, and what most others felt, was that it was a done deal," said Sen. Bob Regola, R-Hempfield, who also voted no.

"As far as I'm concerned, it was thoroughly debated," said Rep. Fred McIlhattan, R-Knox, who voted no. "There was an awful lot of heated discussion in caucus."

Rep. John Maher, R-Upper St. Clair, said bills revised in a conference committee are subject to a strict up-or-down vote, without amendment.

"This bill was such a bill," said Maher, who voted yes because he supported higher salaries for judges and cabinet posts. He said he has declined the unvouchered expense payments.

Most who voted no adamantly were against raising their salaries.

"When I went into this, I knew what the salary was. I'm not taking it," said Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, who chairs the Senate committee on aging and youth. She is vice chair of the public health and welfare committee. "I'm in it for public service," she said.

"I don't want to see it, I don't want to know about it," said Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park. "My no vote speaks for itself."

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, voted no and believes legislative salaries should be determined by public referendum.

"I think the voters would come back with a fair assessment," Metcalfe said.

Rep. Brian Ellis, R-Lyndora, said constituents have encouraged him to take the money. He voted against the bill, and is undecided about getting the money before the next election.

"The likelihood of there being a good time for a pay raise, if you want me to absolutely answer the question, in the minds of voters, is never," Ellis said.

Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, who voted no, plans to donate the money to charities. Seven House members said they'll do the same, including Rep. Tom Petrone, D-Crafton Heights, who intends to open a bank account in his mother's name for that purpose.

"It's not for myself at all," Petrone said.

Rep. James Shaner, D-Lemont Furnace, is the only legislator contacted by the Tribune-Review who voted against the pay raise, but said he'll accept the money right away.

"Am I going to take it? Oh yeah. Why shouldn't I take it?" Shaner said. He'll give some money to students needing financial aid, he said.

Sen. Don White, R-Indiana, said he represents a district where the average income is $26,000, and he promised constituents he wouldn't vote for his pay raise. That's not to say legislators don't deserve the raise, he said.

"I don't agree with how the process was worked through, but they work hard," White said. "I work real hard. I think I deserve it."

Staff writers Rochelle Hentges, Jonathan Rick and Tim Wright contributed to this report.

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