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| Economy |
| Governor backs 10% salary cuts for legislators |
| 2009-04-30 |
| Reporting from Sacramento -- Legislators and other elected state officials appeared to be headed for a pay cut after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday endorsed a reduction and appointed new members, who he said were like-minded, to a panel that sets the salaries. The California Citizens Compensation Commission, which determines the pay for legislators, the governor and other officers, moved Wednesday to slice 10% from the salaries, noting that they are higher than in many other states and that the Golden State is in poor financial shape. "Given the economy, the budget . . . to vote for a decrease across the board is the only way we should go," said commission Chairman Charles Murray, who owns an insurance business in Los Angeles. A decrease would apply to officials elected next year. Current officeholders would have their pay frozen through December 2010. The commission on Wednesday voted 3 to 1 for the pay cut, then learned from its attorney that four "yes" votes would be required. There were three vacancies on the board when it met. But Schwarzenegger quickly named people to fill them who "share my belief that state government needs to cut back just like every California family and business is doing," he said in a statement. Schwarzenegger appointed Glendale business executive Scott Somers, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. John Stites and AT&T Vice President Denita Willoughby of Los Angeles. The three new commissioners, who do not require confirmation, did not return calls seeking comment. Meanwhile, Murray said he would schedule another vote by June 1. The 10% pay cut was proposed by Commissioner Kathy Sands, who noted that most state employees had their pay reduced by 9.2% starting in February, when Schwarzenegger ordered them on twice-monthly unpaid furloughs. "So many people have already had salary decreases. . . . I think we are in a terrible fiscal challenge," Sands said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #10 Forget legislators, Arnie. Is there any reason that government workers are seemingly exempt from layoffs? How about a permanently smaller civil service, Gov. Terminator? |
| Posted by: kcs 2009-04-30 22:30 |
| #9 Hey, or like here in Tejas, our legislature meets for 188 days every 2 yrs. And that is still too often! |
| Posted by: texhooey 2009-04-30 21:01 |
| #8 "How about a part-time Legislature?" Mojo, Virginia has one - and it works just fine. 60 days in even-numbered years, 30 days in odd-numbered years. I can heartily recommend it. There's only so much mischief you can do in that time. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2009-04-30 18:44 |
| #7 I'd recall the whole lot of them, seriously, especially if they can't pass a balanced budget. Just plain can their asses. They are worse than worthless. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2009-04-30 16:47 |
| #6 If Deval pulled this in Massachusetts, all they'd do to make up for it is steal everything that wasn't nailed down. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2009-04-30 15:25 |
| #5 Makes a living off people's taxes. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2009-04-30 15:24 |
| #4 I think he should pay 'em with IOU's. If it's good enough for the citizens' tax refunds, it's good enough for them. |
| Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie 2009-04-30 15:23 |
| #3 How a bout a part-time Legislature? 3 months a year ought to be plenty of time to take care of legitimate State business, without all the claptrap and folderol. One month on, three months off. Go get a real job. |
| Posted by: mojo 2009-04-30 15:09 |
| #2 I think the U.S. congress should follow suit and take a 20% pay cut & never show up to work again. |
| Posted by: Andy Ulusoque aka Broadhead6 2009-04-30 12:53 |
| #1 How about a 'salary cap' wherein every dollar above revenue income of the government is subtracted from the projected pay of the legislators. If they run a deficit and print bonds obligations that consume their pay and allowances, tough luck. Well, luck wouldn't have anything to do with it since it would be a self inflicted wound. I'm sure many are already making up the difference with pay-for-play schemes. At least that way we know who really does own the legislature. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-04-30 11:50 |