How’s this for a powerful symbol?

Assemblyman Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) is willing to give up 18% of his salary, starting now.  He made the announcement this week as lawmakers consider ways to cover the gynormous budget deficit, especially after voters rejected the proposed bailout forged mostly by Democrats and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. That 18% amounts to $20,000 annually, Eng told me.

I’d say that’s a powerful symbol of self-sacrifice at a time when the governor and lawmakers are saying the state’s going to have to do a lot of the same now that voters have told them they don’t want their taxes increased to pay the freight.

Only Eng doesn’t consider what he’s done as a symbol. In fact, I’m not really sure, after talking to him, what his point was. I pointed out to him that his pay cut will hardly make a dent in the budget, and he certainly acknowledged that. I mean, how could he not?

“I feel everyone’s entitled” to their salaries, he said of his fellow lawmakers, not wanting to begrudge them. “People work very hard. This is just more of a personal decision… it’s keeping consistent with my policy of being fiscally conservative.”

He also told me how he didn’t draw a salary when he was a Monterey Park City Councilman, saving the city $25,000. He insisted he just considers it an honor to be in public service and that he felt that taking the early pay cut (all state lawmakers are due to receive less salary in 18 months, he said) was called for at this time.

His official statement was this:

“Although members of the Legislature are most deserving of their compensation, I have decided to reduce my salary in light of the severe budget deficit that the state of California is facing.”

So I wondered what would our very Republican, very fiscally conservative local lawmakers think of this. Would they follow suit?

What do you think? Last time this subject came up in 2007, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore said, “I work hard for the money,” (probably not referring to Donna Summer… I think) and caught a bunch of flack for taking a pay raise.

It took us a few days to get Sen. Tom Harman’s opinion on his pay raise in 2007, which he accepted, but then he lectured us. “I don’t even think this is particularly newsworthy.” Well, OK then.

So I asked them if maybe they’ve changed their minds since then and might make the same sacrifice Eng has. And here’s what Harman said:

At this time, my focus is on finding $24 billion worth of budget solutions. The legislature is doing what it is supposed to do – holding budget hearings and making informed decisions that will help us achieve our budget goals. Let’s keep the focus where it belongs on living within our means, eliminating programs that don’t work and consolidating duplicative programs. California is facing serious problems. I think these problems deserve serious answers – not gimmicks. Gimmicks don’t get you very far when it comes to dealing with the big issue of a government that spends more than it takes in and fails to prioritize where its dollars are spent.

DeVore had this to say:

Rather than an ad hoc approach, we need to look at all legislative costs, including the salaries of the many Democratic staffers who are paid more than elected lawmakers.
On a personal note, I am one of a small number of lawmakers who have voluntarily forgone use of a state-provided car for my entire five years in the Assembly, saving the taxpayers about $24,000.

DeVore, by the way, is running for U.S. Senate and hopes to unseat incumbent Barbara Boxer. Harman, meanwhile, is running for state attorney general. Draw your own conclusions.

P.S. I tried contacting Assemblyman Van Tran, who’s running for Congress against Rep. Loretta Sanchez, but have had no luck so far. I should add, though, that in the past he has donated his pay raises to charity.

Bookmark to: