State Senate to Consider Pay Cut for Selves, Staff

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg sent a letter to staff and senators Tuesday suggesting they cut the Senate’s annual operating budget of $100 million by 10 percent

While most state lawmakers are still collecting full pay, cost of living expenses and car allowance, there’s a move in the state legislature to cut the pay in both the Senate and the Assembly.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg sent a letter to staff and senators Tuesday suggesting they cut the Senate’s annual operating budget of $100 million by 10 percent, according to a report in the Sacramento Bee.

The Senate has 900 staff employees, most of whom make more than $50,000, the paper reports. So the cutbacks, in the form of furloughs, would save about $4 million.

Steinberg is scheduled to make his recommendation to the Senate Rules Committee next week..

The state legislature once again ignored the constitutional deadline for presenting a budget to the governor.

An emerging Democratic plan to address part of California's $24.3 billion deficit appears unlikely to win support from the governor and GOP lawmakers.

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has said Democrats are considering a severance tax on oil production and closing some corporate tax loopholes. They also are discussing another increase in the vehicle license fee -- this time by $15 -- to keep state parks open.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing steep cuts in social services while vowing not to accept any plan that includes higher taxes.

Just Wednesday, a legislative budget committee reportedly rejected the governor’s plan to cut state employee’s paychecks by an additional 5 percent.

At the same time, committee members voted to increase the state’s cigarette tax from 85 cents a pack to $2.37, according to the Bee.

The governor has said he will veto proposed taxes used to balance the budget.

Democratic leaders said they will present their budget plan on Wednesday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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