Midnight Raise

By OwenBurnham
  • It Begins

    It Begins

    The Pay Raise is first suggested in the General Assembly
  • It's Real

    It's Real

    Pennsylvania General Assembly passed pay increases for state lawmakers judges, and top executive branch officials,
  • Disagreement

    Disagreement

    Outrage over the pay raise was picked up by several influential state blogs like Grassrootspa and PennPatriot Blog.
  • People seek change

    People seek change

    Advocacy groups spawned several grass-roots movements, some geared toward voting out incumbents and some seeking support for a Constitutional Convention or a reduction in the size of the legislature.
  • An Answer

    An Answer

    Governor Rendell signs a repeal of the pay raise after a near unanimmous vote for the repeal.
  • Gene Stilp

    Gene Stilp

    Gene Stilp files a lawsuit against the Midnight Pay Raise
  • First Supreme Court Decision

    First Supreme Court Decision

    The Supreme Court of PA rules that the judges can keep the controversial pay raise.
  • Indirect Consequences

    Indirect Consequences

    Despite the repeal, a total of 17 legislators were defeated in the 2006 primary elections due to attributed to anger over the pay raise.
  • Money Kept

    Money Kept

    Throwing salt into the wound of pay raise critics, the court also declined to require lawmakers to return the additional money they collected before the pay raise was repealed.
  • Legislators Still Getting Slammed

    Legislators Still Getting Slammed

    Those receiving the pay raise continue to benefit, and taxpayers are slamming the legislators.