State Budget & Legislator’s pay

Interesting article in the Sacramento Bee this am regarding what and how we pay our legislators. Currently, legislators make $116,208 per year. They also make $35,000 annually in tax-free per diem for living expenses, plus use of a leased vehicle, with gasoline and maintenance.

It is noted that while the state can cut their salaries, it can not do so in the middle of their terms. So a proposed 18% cut is not constitutional. The earliest cuts could be made is December 2010. The pay commission is exploring whether it can cut their per diem, car allowances, or other benefits in the middle of their terms.

Despite this, three legislators immediately cut their salaries by the 18 percent approved by the pay commission – Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park; Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria; and Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach.
If you want to express your appreciation to Sen. Maldonado, his website is:
click here.

Abel Maldonado represents Monterey County. Only three are doing the right thing. Only three.