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Dozens of California Senate staffers get little-known pay sweetener
Sacramento Bee ^ | Feb 7, 2009 | Jim Sanders

Posted on 02/07/2009 7:47:38 PM PST by BAW

Dozens of California Senate employees have their pay padded by a combined total of several hundred thousand dollars a year through a little-known method not disclosed publicly as salaries.

Sixty-eight employees receive monthly augmentations, including seven whose salaries are six digits without the sweetener and seven whose base pay is $80,000 to $99,000, Senate records show.

The padding is not new – it has existed with little public knowledge for many years – but the Senate Rules Committee last month ordered that no additional employees participate in light of the state's $40 billion budget shortfall.

Senators traditionally have had discretion to decide whether to award the extra compensation; if so, it is deducted from a $2,000 to $2,500 monthly entitlement each senator receives for office expenses.

Employees' pay is public record, but the Senate does not disclose the augmentations of up to $1,000 per participant per month – $12,000 annually – in responding to requests for a list of salaries and bonuses.

The Bee obtained a detailed accounting of the extra compensation only after submitting a Public Records Act request for "block grant" distribution in response to an anonymous e-mail urging it do so.

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: californiabudget
I wish I could feign surprise at this . . .truth is not much suprises me about the CA state capital anymore!
1 posted on 02/07/2009 7:47:39 PM PST by BAW
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To: BAW

They will be collecting the CA federal tax returns soon.


2 posted on 02/07/2009 7:50:28 PM PST by bmwcyle (I have no President as of Jan 20th 2009. No Congress either.)
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To: BAW

Ethylene glycol would be an excellent sweetner for them.


3 posted on 02/07/2009 7:52:23 PM PST by Paleo Conservative (If the feds can't comptetently handle the DTV transition, why should we trust them with health care?)
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To: BAW

Do the ‘State Workers’ that have been FORCED to take a few days off each month WITHOUT pay to meet Arnold’s budget shortfalls know about this?

You might want to clue them in...

Cat Fight! Meeerrowww! ;)


4 posted on 02/07/2009 7:58:18 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
80K a year for a State Senate staff puke?

Man am I in the wrong line of work...

L

5 posted on 02/07/2009 8:00:58 PM PST by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
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To: Lurker

“Man am I in the wrong line of work...”

Me, too! But at least we have our DIGNITY. And our guns. And dry powder. And what’s left of our 401Ks.

For now, anyway. *SCREAM*


6 posted on 02/07/2009 8:03:46 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: BAW

Interesting that they withhold the income tax refunds due to residents, but have the money for these perks.


7 posted on 02/07/2009 8:15:06 PM PST by Joiseydude (Obama: "Putting my ideals into effect are more important than your safety from terrorist acts")
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To: Lurker

Different perks for them and us. Probably free insurance; etc.


8 posted on 02/07/2009 8:53:56 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote.)
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To: Joiseydude

Yep and is it reported on employees or their tax returns? I doubt it because it’s under office supplies.


9 posted on 02/07/2009 8:55:02 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote.)
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To: Joiseydude

One set of rules for the Lords, another set for the peasants.


10 posted on 02/08/2009 7:27:21 AM PST by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
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