Posted on 07/15/2005 9:12:27 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO — A little-known state board sat down this spring to ponder this ticklish question: What does a California legislator deserve to be paid these days?
What the members decided caused more than a few people to scratch their heads, considering that:
• California legislators were already the highest-paid state lawmakers in the land, with an annual salary of $99,000 on top of benefits that include daily expenses, auto rentals, car repairs, gasoline and staff expenses.
• In a Field Poll last month, their job rating hit a low for the year, with only 24% of voters approving and only 5% believing that lawmakers would "do what is right" to resolve the state's chronic budget deficit.
Still, the California Citizens Compensation Commission, autonomous under state law, decided that rank-and-file legislators should be granted a 12% raise, to $110,880.
"Not bad for a job that only meets four days a week for seven months," said Russell J. Hammer, head of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, in a subsequent missive to members. (The lawmakers rarely meet on Fridays.)
The increase won't take effect until December, but at least three legislators — out of 80 in the Assembly and 40 in the Senate — have already said they plan to pass up or donate the extra $11,880, one considering it indecorous at a time of cuts to services for the needy.
--snip--
Since December, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has left unfilled two vacant seats on the commission; the remaining five members were appointed by former Gov. Gray Davis. They are the former head of the Los Angeles Urban League, sheriff's deputies from San Francisco and Orange Counties, a lawyer for a large home-building company and a leader of a textile workers union.
--snip--
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Legislators (both state and federal) are the only folks I know that can just vote themselves a raise--without any job review--and little objection.
They don't even bother trying to hide their theft anymore...
They don't even bother trying to hide their theft anymore...
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They don't have to. The foxes have taken over the hen-house, thanks to the mindless, kool-aid drinkers of the left. I think that panel was nothing but a bunch of kangaroos....
The media lapdogs deserve credit for not calling this to the attention of the hard-working legal and illegal residents of this state too.
The FCC should pull some broadcasting licenses as the question is asked,, who in the public is served best as this charade of having a representative form of gubamint continues?
..who in the public is served best as this charade of having a representative form of gubamint continues?
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I think we know the answer to this question. And until the voters, the one's with at least HALF A BRAIN, stand up and insist on government accountability to the people, it will just get worse, until there is not much left...except a socialist dreamland that Mao-ary would just love to run...
Here in PA our legislators just voted themselves a hefty raise - $80K+, second only to CA. Our local paper had an article today in which those who voted for the raise tried to justify it. What a bunch of lame, lame excuses. It was embarassing, and I can't help but wonder, is it just stupid, greedy people who run for local office these days?
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