Pennsylvania: Joe Scarnati

Despite saying Wednesday that he will forgo a scheduled 2.8 percent raise to his salary, newly sworn-in Lieutenant Governor Joe Scarnati will be getting a significant pay bump because of his new gig, reports Commonwealth Confidential.

HARRISBURG -- Newly sworn-in Lieutenant Governor Joe Scarnati indicated Wednesday that he will wait a few more days before declaring a vacancy in the 29th Senate District, but he made clear he will do so before the Dec. 10 deadline.

Because declaring a vacancy is the prerogative of the lieutenant governor, Scarnati was unable to do so before he was sworn-in Wednesday.

HARRISBURG -- State Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson County) was officially sworn in Wednesday afternoon as Pennsylvania's 31st lieutenant governor during a brief ceremony in the Senate chamber.

The new lieutenant governor gave a short speech after being sworn in, saying he hoped he and Gov. Ed Rendell, who was in attendance, could work together during the next two years.

HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania's county commissioners are asking the General Assembly members to stick out their collective political necks and maintain the state's already underfunded commitment to county human service programs, even if it means raising taxes.

Tax increases might seem an anathema to lawmakers, particularly Republicans, during the country's financial crisis. But to the commissioners, who gathered in the state Capitol Monday for a press conference, their request is about making sure Harrisburg doesn't pass its responsibilities on to someone else.