According to state law, their salary is supposed to be set based on three factors:
1) How much time is required to perform official duties, functions, and services
2) The annual salary and benefits for other elected and appointed officials in California with similar responsibilities, including judicial and private-sector officials and
3) The responsibility and scope of authority of the state official.
Also, consider this: In June 2008, I looked up CA government salaries on the database hosted by the SacBee. There were almost 1600 state employees making in excess of $200,000 per year (that is salary only, excluding perks, OT, etc.) There were too many to count if I extended the threshold down to $100,000. When Schwarzenegger took office, only 8 employees made more than $200,000 per year (according to the SF Chron)
Beware of the balance of power here. This appears to me to be a power grab from the Executive Branch whose employees are paid far more than legislators. If they dumb down the legislators enough, they will have unlimited power. Is that the way you want to go?
They should be fined if they don't pass the budget on time.
I want to see a one-house legislature with a two-year budget cycle. The legislature should meet every other year for four months. Stop a lot of the nonsense. 1 six year term.