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Protest backfires: State bigwigs will get early pay cut
November 20th, 2009, 12:15 pm · 32 Comments · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
Here’s a big one for the “Oops, that sure backfired!” file:
We told you yesterday that the California Legislature quietly tried to block an 18 percent cut to its pay and perks (even as the state budget was hemorrhaging) by raising questions about the legality of such cuts. Legislators appealed to the Attorney Generalfor an opinion on whether the citizens commission that ordered the cuts had the authority to do so - and the AG said yes, yes, most certainly yes!
Those cuts were originally to take effect in December 2010, at the start of a brand new term. But the AG said, essentially, “Why wait?” The cuts can legally take effect midstream in an elected’s term, in his opinion, and so they will - beginning next month. That will save the state some $2.8 million. (A very small drop in the $21 billion bucket, but every little bit helps. See chart of officials’ salaries below.)
“In hindsight, it might have been better to let sleeping dogs lie,” said Chuck Murray, chairman of the California Citizens Compensation Commission, which ordered the cuts, to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the game is over. 
The Legislators could take the issue to court. But it might look mighty bad for them to be whining about their own suffering, while nearly 200,000 state employees are forced to take three furlough days a month to save money.
It’s probably important to put all this in political context. The AG who drafted said salary-slicing opinion is Jerry Brown, a leading Democratic candidate for governor. Brown’s own salary will be sliced thanks to his own opinion - from $184,301 to $151,127 - but it might also propel him on a populist wave to the Big Job now held by one Arnold Schwarzenegger. The gov’s salary has gone from $212,179 to $173,987.
Salaries of elected officials
| Elected Officials | Current | After 18 percent cut |
| Governor | $212,179 | $173,987 |
| Lieutenant Governor | $159,134 | $130,490 |
| Attorney General | $184,301 | $151,127 |
| Secretary of State | $159,134 | $130,490 |
| Controller | $169,743 | $139,189 |
| Treasurer | $169,743 | $139,189 |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction | $184,301 | $151,127 |
| Insurance Commissioner | $169,743 | $139,189 |
| Members, Board of Equalization | $159,134 | $130,490 |
| Speaker of the Assembly | $133,639 | $109,584 |
| President Pro Tem of the Senate | $133,639 | $109,584 |
| Minority Floor Leader | $133,639 | $109,584 |
| Majority Floor Leader | $124,923 | $102,437 |
| Second Ranking Minority Leader | $124,923 | $102,437 |
| All Other Legislators | $116,208 | $95,291 |
Source: California Citizens Compensation Commission
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The worms in these offices will devise a way to work around the pay cut some way or another. Vote to increase per diem or car allowance or some other dishonest shinanigan. Then again, the public employee unions might just pony up the difference.
Thank god Moonbeam is running for governor. Otherwise he would have protected these slimedogs. Now sign the petition and let’s cut them to half-time legislators like most of the other states do! What good are they??? They’ve ruined the state. If we make them part-time legislators they will be be able to damage us more part-time.
As the great “Simpsons” wit Nelson always says, “ha ha!”
I’m cynical. It was a shrewd political move for Brown. But every penny counts. Keep hacking away Jerry.
I totally agree, maybe if we cut more of the unnecessary state and federal salaries then some of the money will be able to help bail out the government. Maybe the state and federal employees working in the state legislature and the federal govenment working in the congress will have a better understanding of what the everyday person is going through without a job.
Not only are the State employees having to take three furlough days a month–in some cases they are having to work on those days–for free.
Just stop your whining. Welcome to the real world. Everybody (with the exception of Goldman-Sachs employees) are work more for less money. But at least I don’t have my tax dollars going toward their retirement fund like I do with state employees. Hey…I’ve got a great idea…let state employees pay for my 401K! Yea that’s it.
Oh poor babies. Might have to work without getting paid. Most salaried professionals I know in the private sector work way more than 40 hours per week and don’t get paid for it. I’ve been doing it my whole career. Why? Because if I don’t, there is a line of people behind me who will. It is called competition. Public sector employees are coddled and don’t have to deal with employment market competition. It is a new thing to them to work after 4:30 PM without getting paid.
Not a big fan of Jerry the lifetime state employee but he suprisingly keeps doing the right thing.Which means squat.
Next, move them to part-time status and and watch these clowns drop these formerly cushy jobs like a hot potato. Without the endless perks, these people will be out looking for the next best thing.
http://www.reformcal.com
“In hindsight, it might have been better to let sleeping dogs lie,” said Chuck Murray, chairman of the California Citizens Compensation Commission, which ordered the cuts.”
==================
Yes, and if you had an IQ over 23 you would have followed that advice trough feeder.
I think Chuck Murray is the Chairman of the commission ordering the cuts, not the one fighting them.
Let look at the different point of view about State / County / city employees.
1. Lazy
2. Lazy
3. Lazy
I have no symphothy for those people.
bell weather of things to come.
Brown is going to clean house as governor.
I have heard his comments on state budget and where the spending needs to be cut.
Said corrections is 10% today and was 2% when he was governor. Start there.
Nothing is sacred.
yeah let’s let 4 out of 5 anchor baby prisoners out of jail regardless of offense. great idea….. wheeeeee.
Brown was against the proposal to release prisoners to reduce costs.
He is referring to exhorbitant union labor costs.
The correctional officers have one of the most powerful unions in the state, with very good contracts. That’s what Brown is looking at, reducing the payroll, without reducing security.
This was some of the best news to me in all of 2009!!!!!! Welcome to everyones world mr. & mrs. officals!!!
At least their salaries are moving in the right direction. I say have a part-time legislation, like Texas does. And greatly reduce those salaries even more.
http://www.reformcal.com/
Nice to see Jerry in action. Legislator pay, poisonous toys, Wells Fargo, fraudsters ripping off churches…keep up the good work, Jerry - it’s nice to see PR stunts that have positive tangible results.
How can they all whine about six digit paychecks? Given some of the extremely stupid things Karen Bass has said over the past year “it’s not a tax, it’s an assessment” I can’t believe we are paying them that much!
Screw all that political gimme-gimme for doing nothing jobs. When I grow up I’m going to take my HS diploma (or GED equivalent) and be a prison guard and make $200,000. a year.
What a racket.
Guess what? It has been a couple of months since the furlough days started, and I haven’t noticed our state services infrastructure collapsing. That tells me they have been stretching 4 days of work into into a 5 day work week.
Why cut only 18%? Cut them more!
These stae idiots should only be employed on “part Time” basis anway.
The Norb (Supervisor Norby) is going to take a hefty pay cut if he gets a ticket to Sacramento. No more stipends from board meetings he attends, but leaves after roll call, no County gas card, and no retirement. But, wait if he retires from the County, he can “DOUBLE DIP”…….
The CA Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger..You are FIRED !!
Finally step in the right direction. Man this state is a mess. Fireman, police and water departments are next.
Every government paid worker should have the same cuts!
Furloughed UC workers are not losing any compensable pension time. I wonder if this applies to their sick and vacation time accruals as well. With reduced income tax they may barely be affected on a two day a month furlough.
Brown has got nothing to lose as governor. He is at the end of his political career. Plus he has the clout to get things done. This silly game in Sacramento is going to end.
I hate it when JB does something I approve of and applaud!
I think it’s more important to give credit to Chuck Murray, who orchestrated the whole cut.
JB only jumped on the bandwagon.
I’m sure he’ll be trumpeting this and milking it for all its worth!