Poor Things

My heart really breaks for the Pennsylvania legislators who had lost their jobs on Tuesday.

They'll relinquish the right to taxpayer-paid vehicles, chauffeurs, meals and lodging.

They'll say hasta la vista to offers from trade groups for free movie tickets and ski passes valued at $6,000.

And they'll kiss goodbye lobbyists' constant courting — often accompanied by meals at the state's finest dining establishments, free trips and hard-to-get tickets to sports, theater and musical events.

In other words, they'll lose their place at the front of the line — all thanks to their loss in Tuesday's primary.

That's terrible. I mean, they're going to starve.

Those who have served eight years or more will carry with them the same health care and long-term health care benefits they had while in office. They also can collect any expenses (including per-diem costs) that are two years old or less and for which they haven't been reimbursed.

And depending on how long they served, they could collect 100 percent of their salary as their pension.

In Jubelirer's case, the senator will be eligible to collect 93 percent of his average salary over the last three years; Brightbill could collect 66 percent of his average salary over the same time period.

And what do they earn?

This year, Jubelirer earned about $150,000 and Brightbill earned about $140,000.

Breaks my heart, these guys.

I'm pretty sure they're going to be hanging around Harrisburg though. There's always jobs for former politicians in lobbying.

Pennsylvania Posted by AlexC at May 21, 2006 9:04 PM