CA: Quirk fattens pensions at the top (Benefit for key state elected officials called 'outrageous')

Sac Bee ^ | 7/19/06 | Jim Sanders

[NormsRevenge]

Top elected officials in California who leave office in January could be eligible for lifetime pension benefits based on a salary they had earned for only about four weeks.

The oddity would apply to Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, for example, if he loses to Republican Steve Poizner in his current campaign to become insurance commissioner.

Claude Parrish, currently a Board of Equalization member, also could benefit from the pension sweetener if he is defeated in the Nov. 7 election for state treasurer, state records show.

--snip--

The potential windfall stems from a little-known provision in state law coupled with a new 18 percent salary boost, effective Dec. 4, for constitutional officers ranging from the governor to Board of Equalization members.

Critics say the situation amounts to a golden parachute for, at most, a handful of the most well-paid politicians in state government.

"Unbelievable," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. "There are days when I think I've seen it all, and I can't be shocked by anything else -- then something like this happens."

Assemblyman Keith Richman, a Northridge Republican who has pushed hard for pension changes, called it "another rip-off of the taxpayers."

"It's outrageous," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "At a time when we're having to assess whether disabled Californians can get basic cost-of-living adjustments, it's outrageous for constitutional officers to take a platinum parachute from the public based on a salary they only had for a couple days."

Specific benefits to constitutional officers vary from person to person.

For pensions to jump immediately, officeholders must accept the new pay hike, be members of the Legislators' Retirement System -- rather than CalPERS -- and leave office when their current terms expire Jan. 8.

[NormsRevenge]

The potential windfall stems from a little-known provision in state law coupled with a new 18 percent salary boost, effective Dec. 4, for constitutional officers ranging from the governor to Board of Equalization members.

--

They work so hard, don'tcha know?

[ladtx]

Imagine that. Why, I'm shocked and dismayed.

No - no, I'm shocked, dismayed and discouraged.

No - wait-- I'm shocked, dismayed, discouraged and saddened, --- yeah, that's it. Who'd a thunk it?

[stephenjohnbanker]

THIEVES

[stylin_geek]

I'm not shocked, dismayed or suprised. After all, this is the same state that elected Barbara Boxer and Maxine Waters. And yes, I live in CA.

[Carry_Okie]

I note Snaders throwing a rock at Claude Parrish, as if he had anything to do with the way the system is constituted.

[goodnesswins]

Needs to be repeated....louder....THIEVES

[LexBaird]

I'm Shocked!

[stephenjohnbanker]

Thanks. I don't know how to do that : )

[Gunny P]

"Californians unite! You have everything to lose, including your paycheck." Better yet, MOVE...
A disgrace...especialmente when such a socialist figure as Bustamante gets such a deal...maybe he'll donate the
"bonus" to some charity. Better yet, refuse acceptance.
..aye Pendejos..

[detsaoT]

California is living proof that direct democracy never works, even with term limits. The crooks in your full-time Legislature (read: meddlers) cover for the creeps in the revolving door of the top "term-limited" offices, and the only result is that the wage-earners in the state merely get soaked with higher taxes...

[Calpernia]

NJ does this with the pensions too. Not only do you retire on the hirer pension; but it is legal to collect multiple pensions. And boy do we have scores of no show jobs to give out!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

"I've got mine..."

[b9]

for constitutional officers ranging from the governor to Board of Equalization members.

Well, since the governor isn't even accepting a salary, I expect he'd forego a pension also...

[NormsRevenge]

A number of officials have already forgone the increase, I would anticipate the gUb has or will also, as if he needs the money. ;-)

[hschliemann]

Elected officials should serve voluntarily.No salary,no pension,no medical,no car allowance,no per diem.This would also eliminate the "term-limits" problem.

[goodnesswins]

Do this....but without the spaces

< b > < font size = 8 > THIEVES

but, don't forget to UNDO the bold and font size if you add something after the word.....do that THIS way without the spaces

< / b > < / font >

[freedumb2003]

You can also do:

<H1>THEIVES</H1>

That tells the browser to use the font for Heading 1, which is usually pretty large. And you get:

THEIVES

[goodnesswins]

Hey...thanks....I didn't know THAT trick.