To some soon-to-be-departing state lawmakers, Pennsylvanians can say, "good riddance... and don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Some recent public comments from defeated or retiring lawmakers were gracious, personal, even humorous. Others, however, reveal more of the arrogance and sense of entitlement that was highlighted in the wake of the pay-raise scandal in the summer of 2005.

Rep. Robert Flick, R-Chester, lashed out at reporters, telling them to "get a life" and find a "real job." Flick, who announced his retirement after 24 years in the legislature, was not alone in blaming the media for his political woes.

Rep. Matthew Wright, R-Bucks, lost his re-election bid and blamed the media for focusing on scandals and blowing things out of proportion. He lamented press coverage of scandals and "little stuff,"and added that "they don't take us seriously."

Rep. Stephen Maitland, R-Adams, defended his vote for the controversial pay raise package, adding "we are grossly underpaid."

Adams went on to say, "Each and every member is worth what a public school superintendent is worth."

Adams, who is nearly finished with law school, went on to boast, "In a very short period of time, I'll be making two to three times what a state representative makes."He then scolded voters in his district, saying, "You passed up a bargain."

These and other departing lawmakers still don't seem to understand that voters want a process that is open, and officials who are accountable and more interested in serving the needs of others than their own interests. The middle-of-the-night votes and backroom deal- making that shuts out public input is what bothered voters as much as the money involved in the pay-raise vote.

While some people might disagree, most observers would not suggest that lawmakers have an easy job. The issues they deal with can be complicated, and they are pressured from many sides. But the culture that allows lawmakers to file bogus expense reports to get the extra pay that they voted themselves months before the state constitution would allow tainted much of what the legislature does.

The arrogance of those actions was so extreme that the public finally awakened and is paying attention to what happens in Harrisburg.

The parting shots from these lawmakers reveal an attitude that many of them viewed the job as a means for self-enrichment rather than public service. The pay grab and the earlier (and much costlier) pension grab revealed a group of men and women much more concerned with their own fortunes than issues facing their constituents.

The 2 a.m. pay raise vote with no public notice or open debate, followed by adjournment for summer recess, revealed a disregard for the law as well as voters' concerns. Lawmakers assumed, wrongly, as it turns out, that the voters would be upset for a little while, then accept the illegal and improper actions of the legislature as normal — just the way Harrisburg does business.

But the retirement of 30 incumbents and the defeat of another 20 lawmakers suggests that voters want to see changes in the way Harrisburg does business.

The bitter tone of the speeches from departing lawmakers are little more than a verbal version of thumbing of their noses at voters and the media one more time for daring to expect honesty, accountability and transparency in state government.

There will be many new faces in the state legislature beginning next year. Voters should expect that a new attitude will accompany the new lawmakers and that the culture in Harrisburg will change. If not, voters should give more lawmakers the opportunity to make speeches on their way out of the legislature.