Oops--Changed My Mind : Five lawmakers, post-election, now say they’ll take that pay hike

Candidates saying one thing in public then doing something else in private isn’t new in American politics. But the recent actions of five California incumbents offer new fuel for cynicism in an already angry electorate.

Pointing to the state’s $11-billion budget crisis, the five lawmakers--including Senate President Pro Tem David Roberti (D-Los Angeles)--publicly rejected pay hikes during their recent campaigns only to ask for the money when it was too late to affect election results.

Conveniently, the five have another thing in common: They may never have to face voters again.

At issue was an increase in the per diem payment for expenses that lawmakers receive while the Legislature is in session. The state Board of Control voted to increase the daily payment from $92 to $100 last March. Soon, 73 of 120 senators and Assembly members declined to accept the increased expense check.

Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Bonita) went a step further, insisting that the state cut his pay by 5%. But the day before he lost a tough congressional race, Deddeh asked the state controller’s office to cancel the pay cut. All five lawmakers now want their full per diem restored retroactively.

Deddeh, 71, is widely expected to retire rather than seek reelection when his current term expires. Roberti, who won his new Senate seat in a special election, won’t have to face the voters in November--and perhaps never again. Because of the term-limits law, he is scheduled to leave the Senate when his current term ends.

The others--Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles), Assemblyman Nolan Frizzelle (R-Fountain Valley) and Assemblywoman Carol Bentley (R-El Cajon)--were defeated in June and will be out of office at the end of the year.

“My whole situation has changed,” says Bentley. “I’m going to be out of work very shortly. . . . I’m looking out for my own financial interest.” Quite a change for a person who as a candidate just a few months ago said she couldn’t accept the pay increase “in good conscience.” Truth is, she and the other lawmakers still shouldn’t.