Deukmejian Signs Bill Giving Legislators 10% Salary Increase

Gov. George Deukmejian on Thursday signed into law a bill giving state legislators a 10% pay raise--from $37,105 to $40,816 a year--that will take effect after next year’s general election.

The Assembly and Senate voted to boost their salaries with little debate before they departed on a four-week summer recess. The measure passed each house by margins of 57 to 17 and 36 to 0, respectively.

The pay raise will cost state taxpayers an estimated $571,000 yearly.

Assemblyman Tom Bane (D-Tarzana), chairman of the Rules Committee, sponsored the bill.

A 1966 ballot proposition approved by the voters gave the lawmakers the right to increase their own salaries by up to 5% annually. The Bane bill amounts to two years’ salary increase because the lawmakers’ previous raise took effect in 1986.

Some lawmakers complain that their salaries have not kept pace with the rising cost of living because of the limit.

Last week, the governor also signed a companion measure by Sen. William Craven (R-Oceanside) to increase legislative daily tax-free living allowances by at least another $1,000 per year.

That legislation hiked the per diem from $82 to $87 a day by tying the rate to the amount of money paid to federal employees sent to Sacramento on official government business. The Legislature normally is in session at least 200 days a year.

The Craven bill cleared the Senate and Assembly by votes of 31 to 0 and 56 to 0, respectively, and will take effect next Jan. 1.

In addition to their salary and per diem, legislators are entitled to state-leased automobiles and gasoline credit cards, and are enrolled in a generous pension plan.

They also can collect other income from speaking engagements. Some maintain lucrative outside businesses in addition to their elective posts.