Day: November 23, 2010

Musto Indicted For Bribery

Musto Indicted For Bribery — A federal grand jury, this morning,  indicated Pennsylvania State Sen. Raphael “Ray” Musto for taking thousands of dollars in money and services in bribes and kickbacks.

Musto , a Democrat, has represented the 14th District since 1982. He did not seek re-election this year.  Musto is facing six charges including  bribery and making false statements to the FBI.

The bribery occurred between 2005 and 2010.

At a  2 p.m. press conference, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Peter J. Smith said Musto purposefully concealed money and gifts failing to report them on appropriate statements of financial interest.

Musto served in congress in 1980 replacing the legendary Dan Flood to represent the 11th Congressional District winning a special election caused by Flood’s resignation after being censured for bribery.  Musto, however, later that year narrowly lost  to Republican James Nelligan for an election to a full term.

Musto Indicted For Bribery

Sacrifice, Leadership And Pa COLAs

Sacrifice, Leadership And Pa COLAs — Pennsylvania legislators, judges and other top officials are getting a 1.7 percent cost-of-living-allowance raise. This means that the salary for our state legislators will rise from $78,315 to $79,623, while salaries for the four legislative floor leaders increase from $113,468 to $115,364.

The cost of living allowance (COLA) raise did not require a vote. A1995 law  bestows such raises automatically based on changes in the
federal government’s Consumer Price Index for the mid-Atlantic states.

Do you think that given the economic suffering and the state’s financial difficulties they might have voted to forgo the raise this year? I know, stupid question.

For some irony the extra $1,300 a state legislator will be getting next year is about what the average Pennsylvania household will soon be paying in extra taxes due to the “Gen Theft” legislative pension bailout bill that was just passed.

Basically, we have to make allowances for the cost of their living.

Sacrifice, Leadership And Pa COLAs