In 96th District House race, pay raise issue won’t go away
By Bernard Harris
Published Oct 28, 2006 13:11
But this time, the city Democrat can’t seem to escape talking about last year’s legislative pay raise.
And his opponent in for the 96th District seat, Republican challenger Patrick Snyder, won’t let it alone.
Snyder, a banker and Lancaster School District board member, has made Sturla’s vote for the controversial salary and pension increase the centerpiece of his campaign.
Sturla and other legislators gave themselves a 16 to 54 percent pay raise in July 2005 with a 2 a.m. vote, without public discussion and just before adjourning for the summer. Under pressure from voters, the raise was subsequently repealed, but not before Sturla and other legislators received additional salary through unvouchered expenses.
“It was wrong. There is nothing else you can say about it,” Snyder said of the pay raise. “To me, it’s a character and integrity issue. And the money that was taken should be returned.”
Sturla, who said he gave the money to charity, wants to move on.
“I think they have sent their message,” he said of angry voters. “I don’t have a pay raise. I’ve been humbled. Now, let me go do my job.”
Sturla — unlike some of his colleagues — did not face the voters’ wrath in the spring primary. He was not challenged within his party. He hopes he is not punished by voters on Nov. 7.
“I don’t think people go out to vote against something,” he said of the issue, “particularly when it is balanced against the other things that have been done for them ... and I hope I’m not wrong on that.”
Snyder has told voters that if elected he will not accept a pay raise or perks such as a state-funded car.
Sturla maintains it is not an issue. Based on the backlash the pay hike received, he doesn’t believe a legislative raise will come before House members again for many years.
Sturla would rather talk about providing health insurance to children through the “Cover All Kids” legislation passed this week, major state-funded economic development efforts such as the $35 million redevelopment of the former Armstrong World Industries floor plant and neighborhood development initiatives, such as grants for street lighting and redoing school playgrounds.
Snyder also wants to talk about issues, specifically, his contention that Sturla has failed in his nearly 16 years in the House to address meaningful property tax reform, increase homeownership or adequately fund schools.
Sturla gives it back to him, by citing Synder’s record on the school board.
“He has voted to raise taxes every year that he has been in office, in spite of the fact that in the past three years I’ve been able to increase the state share to the school district by 25 percent,” Sturla said.
Snyder, the board finance chairman, responds that he was handed a $3.4 million deficit that has been reduced to $700,000 in three years. And Sturla never offered to help the beleaguered district, he said.
Sturla responds that the state government stepped up with an additional $9.4 million a year during those three years, and the school board still raised taxes to collect an additional $10 million from local property owners.
It’s the personal attacks that have made this election campaign different from previous ones in the district.
“He’s attacked me personally instead of what I stand for. That has been particularly toxic,” Sturla said.
It remains to be seen whether the outcome will also be different than in previous years.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
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