Reporting from Sacramento -- Legislators and other elected state officials appeared to be headed for a pay cut after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday endorsed a reduction and appointed new members, who he said were like-minded, to a panel that sets the salaries.
The California Citizens Compensation Commission, which determines the pay for legislators, the governor and other officers, moved Wednesday to slice 10% from the salaries, noting that they are higher than in many other states and that the Golden State is in poor financial shape. "Given the economy, the budget . . . to vote for a decrease across the board is the only way we should go," said commission Chairman Charles Murray, who owns an insurance business in Los Angeles.
A decrease would apply to officials elected next year. Current officeholders would have their pay frozen through December 2010.
The commission on Wednesday voted 3 to 1 for the pay cut, then learned from its attorney that four "yes" votes would be required. There were three vacancies on the board when it met. But Schwarzenegger quickly named people to fill them who "share my belief that state government needs to cut back just like every California family and business is doing," he said in a statement.
Schwarzenegger appointed Glendale business executive Scott Somers, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. John Stites and AT&T Vice President Denita Willoughby of Los Angeles.
The three new commissioners, who do not require confirmation, did not return calls seeking comment. Meanwhile, Murray said he would schedule another vote by June 1.
The 10% pay cut was proposed by Commissioner Kathy Sands, who noted that most state employees had their pay reduced by 9.2% starting in February, when Schwarzenegger ordered them on twice-monthly unpaid furloughs. "So many people have already had salary decreases. . . . I think we are in a terrible fiscal challenge," Sands said. |