California senators are profiting this week from the state's budget misery, earning an extra $170 per day at the Capitol while the state's multibillion-dollar standoff drags on.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger targeted the extra per diem Wednesday in blasting a system that does not punish lawmakers for violating their constitutional duty to pass a budget by June 15.
"There are absolutely no consequences to legislators," Schwarzenegger said at a news conference at Marshall Medical Center in Placerville. "Absolutely none. They go on vacation, they go on recess, they go home on the weekends and have their two days off – because God forbid they have to work through the weekend.
"As a matter of fact, they are even collecting per diem every day when they go to the Capitol, of $1,000 a week tax-free," he added.
The governor's comments came on the day the Assembly Budget Committee held a two-hour hearing on a Republican plan for bridging the state's $15.2 billion deficit.
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, characterized the governor's criticism as unfair and unwarranted, but understandable.
"I understand the governor's frustration," Perata said. "I've probably popped off once or twice myself about the governor. But it's just not helpful to accuse us of not working hard. We have people who have been working weekend after weekend after weekend."
The prospect of receiving extra per diem arose last Sunday, when the legislative session was scheduled to end for the year – but no budget had been passed for the fiscal year that began July 1.
Perata ordered senators to meet daily in Sacramento until a budget deal is struck. He did not indicate whether the sessions are to be held indefinitely or only this week during the Republican National Convention. Senators have met only briefly each day this week, with no visible budget progress.
Perata's decision will cost taxpayers an extra $46,410 a week in per diem living expenses – or $1,190 per senator, supplementing annual compensation of $116,208 in salary and about $35,000 in per diem. Lawmakers will not be paid immediately, however. Their salary and other compensation has been suspended until passage of a state budget, after which they will receive all money owed them.
Only one senator, Sacramento Democrat Darrell Steinberg, rejects per diem year round. Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, has requested that his per diem be withheld during the budget standoff.
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, unlike Perata, is allowing legislators to go home unless they are needed for budget negotiations, a decision that is saving taxpayers money this week.
Bass plans floor sessions on budget issues next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, however, which would entitle members to extra per diem.
Three Assembly members accept no per diem throughout the year: Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento; Assemblyman Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks; and Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis. Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, has rejected per diem during the budget crisis, beginning July 1.
Bass bristled Wednesday at the governor's criticism of legislative inaction, saying her members work hard in their districts when not in Sacramento.
"His low blows are just not very helpful – and we communicated that to him," Bass said.
Wednesday's Assembly Budget Committee hearing spotlighted a proposal that Republicans claim would solve the state's deficit without raising taxes or borrowing local government or transportation funds.
The plan would replace $4 billion in proposed tax increases, partly by making $1.6 billion more in budget cuts, mostly from health and human services programs.
Republicans also would borrow $2 billion from lottery revenues – a proposal opponents say might not withstand legal challenge – and would take $349 million from a fund that cities and counties tap for low- and middle-income housing.
Many budget cuts in the Republican plan were taken from an earlier proposal by Schwarzenegger, which he has since abandoned.
The GOP cuts would affect dozens of programs. They call for eliminating eligibility for thousands of poor people in the Medi-Cal health program.
Cash grants intended for the children of needy families, in-home care for the elderly and disabled, and financial aid for college students all would be reduced.
Programs to protect the environment, provide treatment to AIDS patients and offer new immigrants access to health care would be scaled back.
Though no vote has been taken, Democrats strongly oppose the proposal.
Call Jim Sanders, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5538. Staff writer Peter Hecht contributed to this report.
