The "throw the bums out" approach worked well in rural areas, even after some returned the money or gave it to charity, and later in the year, the raises were repealed. But for all the stir, it had no effect on city incumbents. Two Democrats, Tim Kearney and Brendan Boyle , vying for the House seats held by entrenched Northeast Republicans, think the disdain could soon return.

Kearney, who works for a health-care transportation company, is running for the second time against House Speaker John Perzel , a dominant fixture who represents the 172nd District. Perzel has unabashedly said he has no regrets about accepting the raise. If the state wants to attract the best and the brightest (supposedly including himself), proper compensation is essential, he maintains.

First elected in 1978, Perzel is known for constituent services and won re-election handily until 2000. Then, he beat a political unknown, Democrat Mark Chilutti , by just 92 votes amid a surge of Democratic support for presidential candidate Al Gore . Criticized for spending too much time in Harrisburg, Perzel's advisors did some quick re-districting so his territory would be more safely Republican.

In April 2003, he was elected by his peers to be speaker after the death of Matthew Ryan and quickly regained status when he was instrumental in the Republican takeover of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. He has also been generous to his district financially, providing state funding for a large recreation center near Mayfair Elementary School that is named for him.

Kearney admits he has a challenge, but says he is better prepared than two years ago. He thinks he could find help in two issues: the pay raise and a potential conflict of interest for Perzel. As reported by the Inquirer in July, there is a possible ethical issue looming involving Perzel's position on the board of directors of the Geo Group, Inc., which privately runs prisons. Geo Group wants to take over a competitor that has state contracts for several juvenile detention centers.

"When I go door-to-door in the district, I hear from people that they are still mad about the pay raise, upset that Mr. Perzel not only took it, but wouldn't return it after it was repealed," says Kearney. "They also are talking about Mr. Perzel's side deals such as with the Geo Group. They all read the papers."

Phone calls to Perzel's office for comment were not returned by press time.

While Perzel has enjoyed bipartisan support for the past 28 years, the 172nd District is changing. Party registrations are close, but more minorities are moving into the district that could make it lean Democrat.

Meanwhile, Boyle, who is running against state Rep. George Kenney , says that when he goes out canvassing, he still hears pay-raise dissatisfaction. Like Perzel, Kenney is entrenched, having first been elected in 1984. Although not as controversial as Perzel, Kenney sits on the Committee on Committees, Consumer Affairs Committee and is Health and Human Services chair.

Boyle, a consultant with the Delve Group who also works part time for state Sen. Michael Stack , says Kenney took the pay raise and never returned it. But the incumbent doesn't seem worried about the issue.

"The people spoke and it was repealed. Everyone knows I make $72,000 a year and I work very hard," says Kenney, who represents the 170th District in the far Northeast and Montgomery County. "When I go out in the district, I find that residents are not concerned with the pay raise but are concerned about crime, education and rising property taxes.

"My opponent has nothing, so he needs a wedge issue, and here's the hypocrisy: While my opponent is criticizing me about the pay raise, ask him about the $40,000 he makes part time working with Sen. Stack."

Refuting Kenney's accusation, Boyle said, "I only make $26,000 [a year] and my boss, Sen. Stack, did not vote for a pay raise."

(rcpatel@aol.com)