CA ASSEMBLY CANCELS RAISES IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES Schools & Kids, posted by Heads up, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Apr 22, 2009 at 5:32 pm
The California State Assembly canceled the half million dollars they had recently given in raises to assembly aides.
Comments from members of the Assembly:
"When the people say that despite the cuts and the savings we have achieved, they still don't approve of the timing or the appearance of these increases, and I certainly don't want that to detract on the job we have to do," said Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D) Los Angeles.
"For me, what happened was a mistake on our part as managers. We need to acknowledge and recognize, and we do, that in an economy this tough where California are hurting this bad, seeing something like this on our own staff is not the right thing to do," said Minority Leader (R) Mike Villines.
Taxpayers voiced their complaints, and government leaders responded.
Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Apr 22, 2009 at 8:38 pm Stacey is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com
Interesting. Item 1F on the May ballot is also about freezing raises during a California budget deficit. I almost wish there was something on the ballot about freezing automatic raises for public employee unions during a budget deficit too, but I'm not a fan of initiatives.
Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Apr 22, 2009 at 9:39 pm Stacey is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com
What incentive is there for legislators to risk their position and tackle the root of real problems when the initiative process exists? 100 years ago when progressives brought the initiative process into CA in order to break the RR stranglehold on CA politics, I don't think they ever had in mind that it would be used so extensively 100 years later. Not even that bastion of direct democracy Switzerland has such a system as ours.
Posted by Dublinmike, a resident of Dublin, on Apr 22, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Guess I'm becoming cynical just like my parent's generation but these politicos could have passed on the money along time ago. In all fairness to Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, she inherited part of this problem but she is part of the leadership.
With regards to Minority Leader (R) Mike Villines, speaking of "For me, what happened was a mistake on our part as managers. We need…” I do not want managers at his level. I want elected leaders. Managers are individuals the State of California hires to “manage” what Ms. Bass and Mr. Villnes set as policy.
Posted by Dublinmike, a resident of Dublin, on Apr 22, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Stacy, you are correct with regards to “progressives brought the initiative process into CA in order to break the RR stranglehold on CA politics…” It’s unfortunate that their efforts fell within the Murphy’s Law of “unintended consequences.”
But, more importantly, the complaints today from the citizens of California about the failure of Sacramento to be leaders mirror that of what happened 100 years ago. That is, they failed to do their duty.
Posted by AVHS Dad, a resident of the Stoneridge Park neighborhood, on Apr 23, 2009 at 12:14 pm AVHS Dad is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com
I'd like to see an initiative that suspends the pay of ALL elected officials in California if there is no budget in place. See how long it takes to approve a budget THEN!
Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Apr 23, 2009 at 12:50 pm Stacey is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com
Dublinmike,
Looks like the initiative process is a failure then. The progressives voted their people into office to implement change. The solution today remains the same.
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