State’s Pricey Part-Timers

Down through the years, several obscure state boards and commissions have become soft landing spots for out-of-work former legislators and needy old political cronies. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board has been one. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board is another.

But the cushiest of them all undoubtedly is the seven-member California Medical Assistance Commission, which meets twice a month for perhaps two or three hours each time to rubber-stamp Medi-Cal contracts. Four members are former state legislators. A fifth is an old pol buddy of the late Gov. Edmund G. (Pat) Brown. Another is a onetime girlfriend of former state Assembly Speaker Willie L. Brown Jr.

One member actually has some professional medical experience. He is a retired radiologist. More important probably is that he was an early political supporter of Gov. Pete Wilson.

What makes service on this very, very part-time commission so sweet is the unique manner in which members’ salaries are determined. They are linked directly to the salaries of state legislators. Thus members have been receiving the same $78,624 a year as the lawmakers.

But the Citizens Compensation Commission recently raised legislators’ salaries to $99,000, effective in December. That means the pay of the very, very part-time Medical Assistance Commission will jump to $99,000 as well. Nice work if you can get it. The major qualification is knowing the right people.

The Legislature should act immediately to set a new pay scale for commission members that is in line with similar part-time positions. While the lawmakers are at it, they should seriously consider whether California needs this commission at all.