Letters: Sacramento’s pay inequality

Re “State gives — and also takes away,” July 20

As a 30-year state employee, I was astounded to read about legislative staff members getting pay increases while their bosses agree to budget cuts to programs for needy Californians, and to pay reductions for other state employees. The Assembly’s chief administrative officer has been quoted as saying, “It’s a policy that’s sound,” and that the raises are “going to people who haven’t had increases in three years.” Not only have regular state employees also not had pay increases, but we also have suffered steep pay cuts followed by permanent reductions in benefits. Yet we have the same needs as legislative staff employees.

I generally applaud workers receiving pay increases, but in this case the inequity is offensive.

Linda Torn

Los Angeles

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