State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, considered one of the most conservative lawmakers in the General Assembly, deserves positive notice for his decision to resign from the Commonwealth Caucus, a group formed to support conservative principles, largely because of the caucus chairman's decision to support the controversial legislative pay raise.

"I cannot be part of an organization that cannot support constitutional and conservative principles," Metcalfe said.

The caucus chairman, Rep. Samuel Rohrer, R-Berks, voted for the pay raise that was crafted by Republican and Democratic leaders. Metcalfe, one of the founders of the caucus in 1998, accused Rohrer of betraying the state constitution by voting for the pay raise.

The caucus comprises some 30 lawmakers, mostly Republicans. The caucus purportedly is dedicated "to preserving and advancing the values of (the nation), constitutional law and the Constitution of the United States and Pennsylvania."

"Even if it was possible for a legislator to justify voting for his or her own pay raise at a time when Pennsylvanians had to pay increasing taxes, the bill was clearly unconstitutional because of the provision for 'unvouchered expenses,' " Metcalfe said. The unvouchered-expenses provision allows lawmakers to receive their raises immediately, rather than wait until the start of their next term in office.

Metcalfe displayed a strong level of courage by way of his caucus move. Too bad there is so much spinelessness filling other legislative seats in the state capitol - those who are fearful of challenging legislative leaders' unconscionable greed.