California government payroll grew by $500 million in 2011 as furloughs eased (Sacramento: university, vehicles)

[TimC2462]

Among large state agencies, the biggest payroll increases came at the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Mental Health's payroll rose almost $50 million in 2011 to about $840 million. The department employed the two highest-paid state workers in California last year, not counting the University of California, which has many highly paid medical specialists.

Mohammad Safi, a senior psychiatrist at the Salinas Valley Prison psychiatric program, earned $803,000 in 2011. Gertrudis Agcaoili, a staff psychiatrist at Napa State Hospital, earned $772,000 last year.

California government payroll grew by $500 million in 2011 as furloughs eased - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Ugh, sickening. I am all for public service, but this an extreme example of system being lopsided in favor of senior employees in certain departments when the focus should be on public education and other services that support the needs of the citizens. This incompetence will never end.

[sequoias]

$772,000 for that? That's beyond ****ed up. $100,000 or less sounds better for that kind of job.

[steel7]

The state workers in ca are the 2nd highest paid public servants in the nation. D.C. is ranked #1.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Bread and circuses!