Denham (CA freshman senator) takes a pay cut

Modesto Bee ^ | 12/18/02 | Jim Miller

[hoosierskypilot]

Calling it "the right thing to do" in light of the state's budget problems, freshman Sen. Jeff Denham has asked the state to reduce his $99,000-a-year salary by 5 percent.

The Salinas Republican was sworn in earlier this month to represent the 12th Senate District, which includes Merced County and part of Stanislaus County. He would be the only legislator to cut his salary, a state controller's office spokeswoman said.

[hoosierskypilot]

What???!!! A CA politician asking for a pay cut? What is he, anyway? A republican?

[blackdog]

One small step for man....One giant leap for California!

[Sergio]

The Dems are gonna hate this. I figure they'll go with a two pronged attack.

1. Attack and demean: "He only gave up 5%? If he really wanted to help, if he really cared, he would have given up much more." Meanwhile the ones attacking and demeaning will give up nothing.

2. Show the move as insignificant: "Great for Denham, but you know that giving up $5000 when we have a debt of 10 billion is nothing. Like taking a cup of water out of the sea." Meanwhile the ones showing the move as insignificant will give up nothing.

At least he's doing something, if I lived in his district, what he has done would be enough for him to get my vote.

Best Regards and Happy Holidays

Sergio

[Mark]

And just to make more smiles here at FR- todays Los Angeles Daily News:

L.A. to dole out raises

Despite a looming budget crunch, the Los Angeles City Council agreed without public discussion Tuesday to award 4 percent pay raises -- nearly twice the rate of inflation -- to top managers and 9,000 other nonunion employees....[MORE]

[Drango]

Every California State employee should take a 5% pay cut. And just like United airlines, if they baulk or if that pay cut is not enough...then a 15% paycut can be arranged.

[xrp]

or a 100% paycut

[Salgak]

Not quite. . . If the State Employee won't accept a 5% pay cut, then give him/her/it (this IS Californicate we're talking about. . .) a 100% pay cut. . . by firing them.