In a move that will no doubt inspire Americans in other states, all 120 members of the California legislature will be denied their paychecks after the state’s controller decided lawmakers did not pass a balanced budget on time, as required under a voter-approved law.

 

Controller John Chiang reviewed the nearly $90 billion budget approved last week by Democrats, who control both legislative houses, and determined the plan was at least $1.85 billion off because portions were “miscalculated, miscounted or unfinished.” Consequently, Chiang said lawmakers failed to meet the requirement for getting paid under Proposition 25, which voters approved in November. Democratic Governor Jerry Brown had already vetoed the budget after stating similar objections.

 

Lawmakers will begin receiving their salaries and expenses again once they pass a balanced budget. But they will not be retroactively paid for the days the budget was late. Until then, they will lose about $400 a day and California taxpayers will save $48,603.50 a day.

 

Democratic lawmakers may go to court to challenge Chiang’s decision.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Controller Halts Pay for California Lawmakers (by Judy Lin, Associated Press)

Controller Chiang Halts Pay for Lawmakers (Capitol Alert, Sacramento Bee)