Monday, May 18, 2009

California Legislature a costly thing.

Little piece’s from Matier and Ross:

According to the state Department of Finance, the 2007-08 operating budget for California's 40 senators and their staff was $107 million.

The budget for the 80 Assembly members and staff was $145 million.

Total cost for both houses: $252 million. Ten years ago, the total budget for both houses was $158 million.

Legislators' salaries - $116,208 a year, the highest in the nation and far outpacing No. 2 Michigan, which pays $79,650.

California lawmakers also get a car allowance, free gas and $173 per day in living expenses during the legislative session if they reside outside Sacramento.

Each lawmaker gets at least eight staff members. Those who serve on committees get more.

Add in all the various policy analysts, number crunchers, lawyers and aides who work for the Legislature's numerous committees, and the support staff for the Senate and Assembly numbers about 1,800 - with an overall payroll of $180 million.

And believe this, if the propositions get turned down, there will be many lawyers getting rich on consulting fees. If you have the time and determination, become a lawyer for the big bucks!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

While this is true. It should be noted that the Minnesota Senate compared to the California has basically the same amount of people for a lot less population. Senators only have about 230,000-260,000 constituents in Michigan. In California its closer to 800,000. If you have a far flung district like Senate District #2 you have to have staff to cover 4 offices.

Anonymous said...

Whatever happens in this bidget you can believe none of them will be involved in the "shared sacrifice". It will be the state workers, schools and blind/elderly/handicapped that will take the hit. This is nothing new, however. They have been doing this crap since the 70's and we continue to fret about whether or not Republicans are evil and Democrats are socialists, taking the focus off of the real culprits.

jmc said...

Get out and vote !

Anonymous said...

"the real culprits."

Who ARE?

Anonymous said...

"the real culprits."

Who ARE?

Anonymous said...

BIG GOVERNMENT. WAY TOO BIG.

Anonymous said...

The real culprits are the people that have been running this state into the ground for decades. It is now all coming home to roost. I have no love for the GOP but the fact is that if not for the Republicans the people would not be able to speak out against this group. Who will be first to suggest that these tax increases be revived now? I can't wait until the redistricting is done by an outside group instead of those power hungry sycophants in Sac. I don't expect wholesale changes the first time but slowly these safe districts will disappear and maybe we will get rid of some of the extremists on both sides and become more pragmatic and less idealistic.