Posted by
Mark on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:10:50 PM
Should we be impressed that Ted “in my pocket” Gaines has decided not to accept the $3,110 pay increase for the California Legislature, which is already the highest paid in the nation? Does Mr. Gaines really think that his constituents will see this as a sacrifice? Does “In My Pocket” think we are that stupid?
If Mr. Gaines really wanted to show us he was making a sacrifice, he should stop accepting the $175 per day, $35,000 a year per diem. I have experience in the private sector and 22 years in the military and per diem is used for travel expenses when away from home. This includes hotel and meal expenses. Mr. Gaines lives 20 miles from the capital. He does not have any travel expenses.
“In My Pocket” is not doing anything illegal. The leaders of our legislature allow members to collect per diem when the Assembly is in session. The $175 a day is not unreasonable for members that live out of town. Last time I looked on the map, I do not think living 20 miles away from the capital is considered out of town.
Liberal Sacramento Democrat State Senator Darrell Steinberg does not accept the per diem. Ted Gaines’s character needs to be called into question. Ted calls himself fiscally conservative. Maybe he is conservative when it comes to his money. But when it comes to our tax dollars he is a liberal with $35,000 a year going straight into his pocket just to drive the 20 miles from his home to the capital.
We all would like to have $35,000 a year just to drive 20 miles to work. Can you think of any job, other than being a member of the California Legislature, which has this benefit? Next time you interview for a job and your office is located 20 miles from home, tell your potential employer that you want the same per diem benefit as California Assemblyman Ted ‘in my pocket” Gaines.