From a new column by Brad Bumsted on the "stealth" pay raise Pennsylvania politicians get every year.

Many Pennsylvanians haven't seen a raise in years. Others can't find jobs. Seniors haven't had a Social Security increase in two years.

A COLA "is an annual stealth pay raise, which has no relation to merit or quality of work product," said Eric Epstein, of Harrisburg, an opponent of the 2005 raise.

If legislators want a raise they should have to vote on it. It would be difficult for years, given the 2005 pay fiasco. But if a few years from now they want a raise? Justify it. Hold public hearings. Put your name behind it and pay the consequences or not.

It then effectively would be up to voters to approve the raise, by casting a vote for or against the legislator. It's what a republic is all about.

Read the full column at The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review website.