The salaries and benefits for state elected officials are set not by the governor and Legislature but by the California Citizens Compensation Commission, whose members are appointed by the governor. Despite a small increase last year, state elected officials are still making 20 percent less than they did before the budget crisis. So the commission voted to give them a three percent raise. Commission Chair Thomas Dalzell says they probably deserve a larger increase, but that wouldn’t go over well with taxpayers.
“Because of the symbolism. To come in and say 19.6 percent increase will get them back to 2007 – that sounds like a nice idea, but that’s a huge number. How many people in the private sector are getting 19 percent?”
The commission also voted to restore state elected officials’ benefits to the same level as management employees — a 10 percent increase. The pay and benefit increases will take effect in December.
This story was produced by Capital Public Radio