A newly disclosed e-mail from a high-ranking Pennsylvania House Democrat acknowledges an employee's thanks for a bonus that she described as a reward for campaign efforts.

The e-mail exchange between Rep. Bill DeWeese and caucus research analyst Karen E. Steiner is notable because DeWeese has consistently maintained he was unaware that any bonuses had been given out for campaigning.

''I can't thank you enough for the bonus for campaigning,'' Steiner wrote in December 2004 to

DeWeese, at a time when he was the Democrats' floor leader. ''I am speechless, as most of us are.''

DeWeese, D-Greene, replied in computer lingo: ''UR welcome.''