Congratulations to Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith for pointing out the abuses of power in the Pennsylvania Legislature, and for recommending fair and impartial changes. The legislators who authorized bonuses for their staffs for after-hours work on their campaigns should be billed for the costs; these wasted dollars should not be borne by the taxpayers.

Rep. McIlvaine Smith is also correct that state representatives should be elected to four-year terms, thereby avoiding the constant fundraising and politicking necessary for re-election. I'm not sure about term limits, as this can place too much power in the hands of lobbyists and staff who become the masters of complicated legislation.

Here's an elected official who takes no state money for her travel expense and who has turned down any increase in salary. As a first-term legislator, McIlvaine Smith is setting an exceptional example of what public service can be.

The Rev. Ralph Mero, West Chester