HARRISBURG -- Almost no subject at the Capitol generates as much interest and controversy as the amount of money that legislators make.

People statewide got furious in July 2005, when legislators raised their own pay by up to 33 percent, only to later rescind it because of voters' outrage.

Now state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, wants to limit how much outside income a legislator can earn.

He has introduced a bill to restrict House and Senate members from earning more than 35 percent of their base state salary as outside income.

Rank-and-file legislators now make $78,315 a year, with a cost-of-living-adjustment that took effect Dec. 1. A number of legislators have, however, sent their COLA increase back to the state treasury or donated it to charity.

Legislative leaders can make from $89,000 to $122,000.

A number of legislators have outside jobs. Some are lawyers back home. Some work for law firms that have lobbying divisions, which urge lawmakers to vote certain ways on important issues.

Some people wonder why legislators need an outside income when their taxpayer-provided salaries are far more than most Pennsylvanians make.

"My bill would limit members from working in positions outside the Legislature," Mr. DeLuca said. "In Pennsylvania, lawmakers are paid a full-time salary for full-time work."

One of the reasons to limit outside income, he said, "is because outside jobs tend to create a conflict of interest. Our main job as elected officials is to serve the public ... not private legal, business or other concerns."

He said the limit on outside income mirrors the rules for members of Congress.