Sainato's demotion surprises LaGrotta

PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

First, a colleague is demoted. Then, a second committee leadership assignment is awarded.

Frank LaGrotta knows the cynics and watchdogs see a conspiracy in the making.

"The timing of this whole thing was not ideal," the Democratic state representative from Ellwood City observed yesterday. "It caused a lot of people to be suspicious."

Passage of pay raise legislation on July 7 boosted the salaries of state lawmakers, county and state judges, the governor and state row officers.

The base pay for legislators went from $69,647 to $81,050. Subcommittee chairs and committee vice chairs, who previously received the same pay as rank-and-file members, gained an additional $4,050.

"In an area like (Lawrence County), people are upset," state Rep. Chris Sainato said last week after voting against the bill. "They are upset about the percentages. Getting a raise is one thing, but getting 16 to (34) percent is awful high.

"We're not a wealthy area here."

For 15 House Democrats, including Sainato, the negative vote also meant the loss of leadership posts. In Sainato's case, he is no longer minority subcommittee chairman on recreation.

"These things happen every once in a while," Sainato said last week. "I have to vote my district. You can't worry about upsetting leadership."

The loss of $4,050 as subcommittee chairman isn't a concern for him.

"I'm not complaining about my salary," he said. "I make a good salary for where I'm at."

One possible reason for that: According to Associated Press, Sainato has decided to accept the pay raise, despite voting against the bill. The increase is to be paid out in "unvouchered expenses," special pay that effectively allows legislators to begin collecting their raises at least 16 months before the Pennsylvania Constitution permits.

While Sainato expected some type of retribution for his vote, the House Democratic leadership's action caught LaGrotta off guard.

"I was very surprised," he said. "Chris is a very good legislator. He is very effective."

Like Sainato, LaGrotta said he casts votes that are contrary to the wishes of the Democratic leadership.

But in the instance of the pay raise bill, LaGrotta supported the majority. In the midst of the mid-term shake-up, the Ellwood City resident was elevated to vice chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.

LaGrotta rejects suggestions that he received the post in exchange for backing the pay raise.

LaGrotta said he never asked for the post and wonders how he received the vice chairmanship.

"I am not privy to leadership and how they make their decisions," he said.

LaGrotta expects the pay raise vote to become an issue among voters and potential rivals. He wants residents to judge him by his performance and accomplishments.

"That's how I'm going to approach re-election."

Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News