Don’t bother asking State Rep. Mark Cohen whether he, like each and every one of the other House Democratic leaders, is giving back his cost-of-living-adjustment that kicked in Monday.
He’s not saying. In fact, the Philadelphia Democrat might just walk away if you pursue it.
That’s what I found out yesterday.
After top Democratic leaders in the House announced late Tuesday that they were foregoing the 2.8 percent COLA, I stopped by Cohen’s Capitol office. He’s been in leadership since 1990, and currently served as Caucus Chairman.
He wasn’t there, so I left a message. No response.
I tried calling. Still no response.
Yesterday, in the basement of the Capitol, I ran into Cohen and told him I had reached out twice, unsuccessfully.
“I respect your right to make phone calls,” he told me. I then asked if he was going to give back the COLA. He turned from me, without answering, and walked away.
He is now making $94,949 -- $2,600 of which comes courtesy of the annual COLA.
A source told me that when House Democratic leaders were deciding early this week whether to give the money back, Cohen argued against the move.
Cohen is the odd man out.
The seven others in the House Democratic leadership ranks – from presumptive House Speaker Keith McCall of Carbon County to Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans of Philadelphia -- have publicly announced they will return the extra cash given the struggling economy and ballooning state budget deficit.
Cohen, some might recall, is not shy from spending freely when it comes to public dollars.
He has routinely been among the top lawmakers when it comes to racking up state meal and lodging reimbursements and spent more than $28,000 of tax dollars to buy 800 plus books in 2004 and 2005.
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Another thieving Democrap....— Mike S.- Another thieving politician... anyone who thinks this is about party is ignorant.— Bender
- Another thieving politician... anyone who thinks this is about party is ignorant.— Bender
- Thieves and crooks never return anything.— tonyS
Comment removed.- Maybe he's using the money to buy some shampoo before he gets his picture taken again. And as a Democrat in Philly he has that job for life anyway! Of course he's keeping the money!— bdunf
- Why wouldn't he keep his COLA? If you think he's being paid too much then just say that instead, ... but anyone who gets an income should get a COLA with it.— idempotent
- what a creepy picture!— gobirds556
- Isn't this the same Mark Cohen who charges taxpayers thousands of dollars a year to feed a voracious appetite for reading books that he, 'Uses for legislative research.'? Phlly, Puhlease remove this man from office. He rarely visits his district and now wants to keep the COLA increase? Does he realize that he makes more than twice the average PA Household income?! I'm sorry, but even as a lifelong, bleeding heart, I find this man to be an utter disgrace. Read him the riot act for god's sake!— akefer
- jacksplat, why does he keep getting elected? If the unions/ministers/Democrat ward leaders tell the Philly sheeple that's who they should vote for, that's who they vote for. No thinking - the lemmings do what they're told.— fafafooey
- Comment removed.
- Anti, you've got to be kidding. His constituents will re-elect him if the Democrat party bosses say so.— fafafooey
- First of all, getting a COLA isn't "thieving." Just because the author is spinning his actions as conniving, doesn't mean he's breaking the law by not giving back his raise. Some might deem it the "right" thing to do, and thus think negatively if he doesn't (which you are entitled to think) but let's be realistic.— toph314
- Folks...he ran unappossed last month.— John Law
Maybe he needs the extra money to pay for the 75 cents the stinquire costs or maybe it's to cover his comcast bill increase or his Phillies tickets price boost or all of the other money we are getting ripped off for by corporate billionaire ceo's.
