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Gov. Brown, lawmakers likely won’t get raises this year

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Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers may have to get by on their current salaries for another year.

A state panel that sets the salaries delayed a vote until June, but a majority of its members said they will likely vote not to provide raises so soon after the state pulled out of a financial crisis.

The California Citizens Compensation Commission put off action until after the state certifies in May that it has a surplus required before raises can be considered.

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But Chairman Thomas Dalzell said the economy is still volatile, and he signaled that it is unlikely there will be four votes on the seven-member panel to fatten paychecks for the state’s elected officials.

“I think it would probably be unseemly to increase one year out on a surplus,’” Dalzell said. “If I were a betting person I suspect the consensus will be status quo for a year and see whether the turnaround continues.”

Dalzell said he would wait to see what the other commissioners decide, but added: “If it came to a tie I don’t think I would vote for an increase.”

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Commissioners Charles Murray, John Stites II and Nancy Miller said in interviews that they plan to oppose any pay raises.

“Given the state of our economy I don’t see the basis for anything but maintaining the status quo at this time,’’ Miller said.

The panel has cut the pay of the governor and other elected officials by 23% during the last four years, citing the state’s budget problems that forced reductions in pay for other government workers. This year, the state expects to have a surplus.

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Dalzell said he does not expect another cut in pay would be approved this year. Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said the commission shouldn’t keep cutting lawmaker pay.

“Enough is enough,” he said.

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patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com

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