The newsletter received by constituents of state Rep. Dick Stevenson, R-8th, in recent days provided a glimpse of the General Assembly's efforts in regard to jobs, support for troops and their families, and a new law authorizing special vehicle license plates for veterans. The newsletter was informative in regard to those and other topics touched upon.

However, considering the mood of state residents in response to lawmakers' big pay raise approved at 2 a.m. July 7, it would have been desirable from constituents' vantage point to discuss his thinking regarding that raise and the long-drawn-out budget process that extended beyond the deadline for budget passage.

Commendably, Stevenson voted against the raise. However, some constituents might be wondering if, how much and in what ways their lawmaker attempted to discourage approval of the pay boost.

Since taxpayers ultimately are paying for publication of the newsletter, they are entitled to relevant information such as that within such a correspondence.

Based on their ongoing reactions since the pay action took place, taxpayers probably will continue discussing the raise in the months ahead. Therefore, it would seem appropriate for Stevenson to discuss the issue in his next newsletter.