The COLA oaths were administered quickly and in the clank din of the press corps. Remember the stampede to give COLAs back to the people? Remember the House Democratic un-COLA battle cry, "We were first, baby?"

That was back on Dec. 3.

New Speaker and old pay-jacker Keith McCall bragged, "With so many working families facing difficult decisions this winter, we will lead by example and make deep cuts to our operation, and encourage all members to say 'no' to this COLA."

Apparently McCall can't squeeze bye on $118,895 and free health care.

New majority leader and old pay-jacker Todd Eachus joined the un-COLA chorus. Mr. New Management is up to his old tricks, and is struggling to make ends meet on $110,350 and free health care.

Neither leaders of the New Management team could find their way across the street to give the COLAs back to the Treasury Department.

Perhaps Lancaster County Republicans are smarter than the House Democratic leadership based on their ability to cross Commonwealth Avenue and return the COLA to the Treasury, a department housed in a building within spitting shot of the Capitol.

Looks like the "We did it first, baby" crew apparently has changed its team chant to: "Gotcha! We ain't returning the loot, baby."

Somehow, most Lancaster County Republicans were able to navigate the refund process or just gave their COLA to charity.

Lancaster Sens. Mike Brubaker, Mike Folmer and Lloyd Smucker and Reps. Gordon Denlinger and Scott Boyd returned their COLAs. State Reps. Katie True and Tom Creighton gave the money to local charities.

Reps. John Bear, Bryan Cutler and Dave Hickernell said they may donate their pay hikes to charity or return them to the Treasury, but their still straddling the reform fence.

Mike Sturla, the new chair man of policy and the House Democratic Campaign Committee, is just confused.

"Was there a deadline on this I missed? Did I go back on that (promise)?" He added, "It's not going to end up in my pocket, but how and when has not yet been determined."

Remember Lancaster, Mike? Kept the pay raise in 2005, garnered infamy for having a golf tournament on the very day 24,000 state workers were laid off in 2007 and joined Bill DeWeese on a junket to Taiwan in 2008.

Some things never change. But at last there's a small pocket of hope in Lancaster County.

Eric Epstein is a watchdog and advocate for consumers, good government and safe energy. For more about Epstein, click here.