This won't balance the state budget, in fact it won't even
make a dent in it, but a state commission's decision to cut the car allowances,
fringe benefits and expense checks for
The California Citizens Compensation Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to cut all three by 18 percent, effective Dec. 1.
Look for some blow back, however. The commission's lawyer warned the members that they didn't have authority to change legislative per diem, the $173-a-day expense reimbursements paid to state senators and Assembly members every day that the Legislature is in session. Because of the way legislative rules are written, it's also paid many days that the Legislature isn't in session. Some years ago, a reporter caught one Assembly member claiming per diem on Thanksgiving.
The checks, which nominally cover living expenses for a
second home in
It's past time for a hard look at per diem payments for state legislators.
-- Jim Sweeney
You mean the get extra for not doing their job ???? I see why they want to stay in power !!!!
I'm all for making all pay, benefits, and per diem contingent on the legislature and governor passing a balanced budget on time.
They get a check for 10% of their annual salary on the day the legislature convenes and nothing more until the budget is passed and signed.
Additionally if the budget is not passed and signed by July 1st at NOON, the legislature and governor are automatically recalled with the state continuing the last years spending plan until the governor and legislature are replaced with folks who will do their jobs on time.
If we refused to do our jobs we could expect to be fired, so should they.
~Ruff