Posted on 05/25/2005 5:26:10 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO (AP) - A member of the state commission that boosted lawmakers' pay this week said Wednesday that the commission should consider another raise next year to keep the Legislature from becoming a place just for the "rich and famous."
"I want to make sure that the salary remains attractive enough to get good-quality citizens to run for office," said Thomas Dominguez, an Orange County sheriff's investigator who originally was appointed to the Citizens Compensation Commission by former Gov. Pete Wilson. He was reappointed by former Gov. Gray Davis.
The commission voted 5-0 on Monday to approve a 12 percent raise that will boost the annual salaries of rank-and-file legislators to $110,880 - the highest in the nation - starting in December. Pay for the Assembly speaker and Senate president pro tem will jump to $127,512.
The increase cannot be overturned by legislators or the governor, although lawmakers can refuse to accept it.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger criticized the raises Wednesday, blaming lawmakers for the state's budget shortfalls.
"They have spent all of that money and they went and created a $22 billion debt," he told a California Chamber of Commerce breakfast audience. "And they continue to spend more than we have. And they have chased businesses out of the state and jobs out of the state. They took the economy right down into the toilet and almost made the state go into bankruptcy.
"Yes, they deserve a raise! That's fair!" he said, drawing laughs from the crowd. "Under any normal circumstances, they would be fighting to keep their jobs, and keep their salaries."
The governor does not accept his $175,000 annual salary.
But Dominguez said lawmakers hadn't had a raise in more than six years, despite an increase of more than 18 percent in the cost of living.
"What the commission did was just take steps to get the Legislature where they were at one time back in 1999," he said. "And I think the commission will be looking into the future to make any necessary adjustments to ensure that legislators' salaries are fair.
"If we base what we do on our current budget status, we would never take any action," he added, saying the commission needs to consider approving another raise next year.
"Taking no action only ensures that the Legislature becomes a place for the rich and famous, and I am not interested in making it or keeping it a place for the rich and famous."
The pay hike came amid forecasts that the state's 2006-2007 budget would carry a shortfall estimated to be at least $5 billion.
Schwarzenegger could have an impact on next year's decision. The commission has had two vacancies since the start of the year that he hasn't filled.
A spokesman for the governor, Vince Sollitto, said the governor's office is in the process of filling those posts, but he said he couldn't predict when the appointments would be made.
The commission was created by voters in 1990 to set pay levels for the Legislature, governor and other state elected officials. Commission members are appointed by the governor and serve staggered, six-year terms.
Schwarzenegger could have an impact on next year's decision. The commission has had two vacancies since the start of the year that he hasn't filled.
Incredible
It's a simple problem: not enough money. It's always not enough money. Why can't taxpayers understand that?
fyi
Like these bums who have stolen this state blind with giveaways to the unions and trial lawyers, etc, deserve a raise.
Did they cut taxes at all, or even try?
Screw 'em!
So they haven't had a raise in six years! They've been AWOL for more than six years! They need to be explaining why they shouldn't return their salaries for each year they've engaged in spending money the state doesn't have. Tar and feathers and a ride on a rail is too good for them much less a raise in pay.
We need to stop demonizing the whole bunch and start targeting the true enemy: those individual leftists who have hijacked our state government. It's time to start exposing that element for exactly who and what they are. These are not public servants who can be negotiatied with or catered to... they need to be rooted out and OUSTED from office.
I saw someone the other day refer to a named group of California legislators as "known members of the politburo in each chamber." These people need to be exposed. Here's something I haven't found in Jackie Goldberg's official resume, or seen in any news articles. Why not? How many others like her are there?
Thirteenth Report of the Senate Fact-Finding Subcommittee on Un-American Activities--California
Jacqueline Goldberg, the sister of Arthur Goldberg, came from Los Angeles to attend the university at Berkeley. She soon became the head of U.C. Women for Peace, a front organization, and was its delegate to a Moscow meeting in 1963. She was also active in the American-Russian Institute at San Francisco, cited by the Attorney General of the United States as a Communist-dominated organization, and is now a member of the Policy Committee for the next World Communist Youth Festival which is scheduled to be held in Algeria. She was a member of both the executive and steering committees of FSM, and was arrested during the invasion of Sproul Hall.
Arthur Goldberg, who was a member of both the executive and steering committees of the FSM, received his early Communist indoctrination as a member of the Youth Action Union in Los Angeles. At Berkeley he identified himself openly with the more militant Peking line of the Communist movement, proclaimed that he was a follower of the Progressive Labor Movement, and was present to hear Mort Scheer, West Coast Representative for the PLM, deliver a lecture at Stiles Hall Y.M.C.A., across the street from the Berkeley campus, in August, 1964. Scheer then resided at 6929 Acton Street, Berkeley, and Goldberg, who had also been chairman of SLATE at Berkeley, lived at 2536 College Avenue. Listed as residing at the same address were Sandor Fuchs, who was also chairman of SLATE; Mario Savio, Jack Weinberg, and Charles Artman, identified with the Filthy Speech Movement, and David L. Goins. All were arrested with Goldberg at the time of the Sproul Hall invasion.
I agree with you! I think you are profoundly correct!! Your suggestion is a positive one and well received by the Waspman!!! (as if you needed my blessing)
good find!
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