Bulldogs get Capitol parting gifts
Assembly resolutions: $800.
Winning a championship: priceless.
Assembly GOP Leader Mike Villines spared no expense as he recognized the championship-winning Fresno State Bulldog baseball team at the Capitol today. Only coach Mike Batesole and pitcher Jason Breckley made the trip for the ceremonies on the Senate and Assembly floors.
But, thanks to Villines, a 1990 Fresno State grad, each player on the team will get a framed and personalized resolution honoring the achievement. That's about 40 resolutions at a cost of about $20 each.
The $800 charge comes out of Villines' office operating budget -- taxpayer money that pays for such things as his staff and office supplies, said Assembly Chief Administrative Officer Jon Waldie. Each lawmaker gets at least $292,000 a year for such expenses, but as leader, Villines probably gets more than that, Waldie said.
