Panel Approves 5 Percent Pay Cut For Jerry Brown, Lawmakers
SACRAMENTO (AP) — A state panel has approved a five percent pay cut for Gov. Jerry Brown, state lawmakers and other statewide elected officials.
The California Citizens Compensation Commission, which sets pay and health benefits, voted 5-1 in favor of the cuts on Thursday. The salary cut will take effect Dec. 3.
Commissioner Charles Murray proposed the reduction. He said while it would not make much of a dent in the state's $15.7 billion deficit, it will send a message about the state's dysfunction.
California lawmakers do not receive pensions, but are the nation's highest paid with a base annual salary of $95,290. Nearly all also receive tax-free per diem payments of about $30,000 a year.
The pay cut would bring their salaries down to $90,525.
Brown's salary would be reduced from a little under $174,000 to about $165,000.
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