State Employee Salaries Too High?

Sacramento, CA– Some California lawmakers were hoping that the Governor would be the state’s top paid employee.

A bill that would have capped state salaries at $173,987, the Governor’s yearly pay, died in committee yesterday. The legislation was introduced by Republican Senator Joel Anderson. He cited that in 2011 over 9,000 state employees were earning more than the Governor. He pointed out that a surgeon with the Department of Corrections makes over $700,000, a staff psychiatrist makes $566,000, and the UC President takes home $560,000.

Proponents argued that higher salaries are needed to recruit quality state officials.

The vote on SB 1368 was 6-7. Committee member Tom Berryhill, who represents Tuolumne County, was one of the votes in favor of the bill.