Calif. Panel Hikes State Lawmakers' Pay
By TOM CHORNEAU, Associated Press Writer
Monday, May 23, 2005
(05-23) 19:39 PDT Sacramento, Calif. (AP) --
A state commission Monday granted lawmakers a 12 percent pay hike, boosting their annual salaries to $110,880 — the highest compensation in the country for state legislators.
The increase, which will take effect in December, is the first raise for most Assembly and Senate offices since 1998.
"Obviously, now is not the time to give politicians in Sacramento more money," said Vince Sollitto, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's deputy press secretary.
Schwarzenegger, elected when the state faced a nearly $20 billion budget deficit, has refused to accept his $175,000 annual governor's salary. The 2006-2007 budget shortfall is estimated to be at least $5 billion.
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