Bill Would Trim Appointees’ Salaries by an Average of 43%

Legislation to reduce the salaries of 65 political appointees to 11 state boards and commissions by an average of 43%--to a maximum of $52,500 a year--has been introduced in the Senate.

The bill’s author, Sen. Mike Thompson (D-Vallejo), said the move would save an estimated $3 million annually.

Among the groups affected by SB 82 are the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and the Public Employment Relations Board, whose members are paid $92,465 a year.

The $52,500 yearly salary is equal to the base pay of most state legislators.

“For too many years inflated salaries have been paid to board and commission members who meet on a part-time basis,” Thompson said. “It’s a shameful example of government inefficiency and truly an embarrassment during these tough budget times and severe program cuts.”

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

Welfare Aid: AB 129 by Assemblyman B.T. Collins (R-Carmichael) would eliminate welfare payments--to the extent permitted by federal law--to parents of children who are not attending school or receiving a comparable education through a home teaching program.

Political Mailings: AB 126 by Assemblyman Charles W. Quackenbush (R-San Jose) would prohibit elected officials running for statewide or legislative office from mailing unsolicited material to voters at public expense within 90 days of an election.

Work-Time Credits: AB 113 by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Panorama City) would prohibit prison inmates convicted of violent crimes from using work-time credits to cut their sentences by as much as half.

Crime Victims: AB 106 by Assemblywoman Diane Martinez (D-Rosemead) would increase potential prison penalties for criminals who threaten victims or witnesses of a crime with great bodily harm or death.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

State Regulations: SCA 6 by Sen. Bill Leonard (R-Upland) would allow repeal of state agency regulations by adoption of resolutions by both houses of the Legislature.

Smog Checks: SB 100 by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) would permit new car buyers to purchase a four-year smog check exemption for $50.

Income Taxes: SB 85 by Sen. Alfred E. Alquist (D-San Jose) would increase personal income taxes for individuals who make more than $100,000 and couples who make more than $200,000 in taxable income.

Workers’ Compensation: SB 81 by Sen. Bill Leonard (R-Upland) would require all parties to contested workers’ compensation claims to file a statement of financial interest.

Intercity Rail: SCR 6 by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) seeks the preparation of a long-range statewide plan for the construction of a high-speed intercity rail network to connect major metropolitan areas.

Department of Revenue: SB 87 and SCA 5 by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) would abolish the Franchise Tax Board and the State Board of Equalization, consolidating their functions within a new Department of Revenue. A tax court to hear taxpayers’ appeals would be established.

Miscellaneous

Mayor’s Race: Assemblyman Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) has endorsed Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Panorama City), who is running for mayor of Los Angeles, to replace Tom Bradley, who is retiring. Katz is a member of the Speaker’s inner circle and chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Capital Fact

The average population of a California state Senate district is 745,975, which makes it larger than the population of six U.S. states--Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming.