Lawmakers Take Pay Cut

Sacramento, CA — California elected officials will see their pay drop by five percent.

That was the decision of the California Citizens Compensation Commission yesterday. The group indicated that it was done to send a message to lawmakers about the severity of the $15 billion budget deficit.

The Commission’s vote was 5-1. The independent panel also reduced salaries for state lawmakers by 18 percent back in 2009. Most members of the Senate and Assembly will now make $90,525. Nearly all members also receive a tax-free per diem payment of $30,000. Party leaders in the legislature will now receive $104,105.

Governor Jerry Brown’s salary will drop to $165K, Attorney General Kamala Harris will receive $144K, and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom will make $124K.