Krugman; The Roots of California's Crisis.

[padcrasher]

You can find 250 K salaries for airport director, chief of police, etc. in every major city. My airport director makes 400K.

[mateo45]

Originally Posted by padcrasher

You can find 250 K salaries for airport director, chief of police, etc. in every major city. My airport director makes 400K.

That's true, and you've got the Bay area's cost of living to boot. Although the one that gets me is the fact that the state legislators can not only choose cushy cars at taxpayer expense, they also get to hire and set wages for their office & staff, who are often insider pals (and with no bidding). They're also the only ones with any control over these budgets, as the Guv and voters have no say over it (other than electing them).

"Work hours undefined personal service contracting is nothing new at the Capitol. Four Senate and one Assembly contract are held by retirees supplementing pensions.

Larry Baird, for example, is a former legislative aide and Energy Commission analyst who stretches his $5,673 retirement pay with an additional $2,000 per month for serving as a Senate consultant.

Most of the Legislature's personal service contracts are vague about tasks to be accomplished."

California Legislators Hire Pals, Ex-Colleagues With No Bidding - Consumer Watchdog (http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/politicians/articles/?storyId=27151 - broken link)

[allydriver]

Originally Posted by padcrasher

You can find 250 K salaries for airport director, chief of police, etc. in every major city. My airport director makes 400K.

Yep, you can find overpaid bureaucrats and civil servants in any city.
When your city and state are broke because they squandered taxpayer money, it's time to re-visit the pay plans.
Harsh medicine for sure, but us in the private sector endure it.

[dcashley]

Why is anyone still concerned with the propositions that failed on May 19th. They failed--Californians don't trust the politicians.