It's been a rough year for everyone. Even those who still have jobs after the economic apocolypse that has taken place have felt repercussions -- furloughs, wage freezes or cuts, just to name a couple.
In today's editorial, we state our position that state lawmakers should share in sacrifice, and give up some of their perks.
In addition to their six-figure salaries, lawmakers get a $173-per-day, tax-free living allowance, state-paid health care and car allowances of up to $400 per month.Are these perks really necessary, especially in times as tough as these?
What do you think? Can -- and should -- California taxpayers afford to continue to pay for all of this?
I Think as of today all lawmakers are working for free or considered removed from office. In other words you have not deserved a paycheck so Your fired.I don't mean its ok when they pass a budget to get paid. There is no retroactive pay for them any longer. They should get no benny's until we all do. There is no excuse for this other than political grid lock from both sides and that sick. We are dying as a state an this is the best they can do.
They can not give up enough to regain my trust.I for one am wondering why I still live here we are killing ourselves for political gain.Our leaders must lead or go away . The Governor is a joke he thinks he can scare us into anything he wants . Fire him. If this money in question is not taken away I think its time for a revolution. Its in the air.
$173 per day living allowance, state paid health care and car allowance is never necessary with a six figure income. But for that, quite a few had themselves elected in the first place. Bicameral welfare. Ha! But who is going to change it. The payees won't, and the payers can't. Any viable suggestions out there?
The question of legislative pay takes the electorate's eye off of the ball. The issue is not whether they get "extravagant" benefits, but whether they do their job. If they don't do their job, then replace them. I've had the opportunity to meet with many in the legislature over the years and I wouldn't take their jobs for twice the pay. Keep in mind that even with these "extravagant" compensation packages there aren't a lot of candidates for these offices, so reducing the compensation package will further narrow the field. By the way, this is an adverse result of term limits- another cathartic response by the voting public.
My suggestion- if you dislike the job that the legislature is doing, vote them out, launch a campaign against them, or continually remind them that you are unhappy with their performance. Better yet, end term limits.
"I've had the opportunity to meet with many in the legislature over the years and I wouldn't take their jobs for twice the pay.
I too would not have their jobs. And I too met with some of them. The where and how in itself was indication of not doing their jobs. Doing the jobs they have been elected to do is not fun. But anything else they do is not worth a wooden nickel.