CA Gov. Schwarzenegger Statement Following California Citizens Compensation Commission Vote

05/20/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement in support of the California Citizens Compensation Commission vote to impose an 18 percent pay cut for state elected officials:

“The California Citizens Compensation Commission took the right action today in voting to reduce the salaries of the state’s elected officials by 18 percent. The people of California have spoken loud and clear: they want the state to live within its means and do not want any more government waste or pay raises for California’s elected officials.

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"I completely agree and that is why I have cut back in my own office and ordered layoffs of state employees to save money. The state’s elected officials need to follow suit and cut back just as California families and businesses have in this tough economy.”

In addition to other measures, the Governor has taken the following actions to cut back on state expenses:

* Reduced Governor’s office payroll by 27 positions, dropping to 147 employees from 174 over the past year.
* The Governor’s Office will continue to reduce the number of positions. In conjunction with the furlough order, all Governor’s Office employees are taking a 9.3% reduction in work hours and pay.
* Issued an Executive Order in February 2008 to cut back administrative costs by 1.5% before June 30, 2008, saving $200 million.
* Issued an Executive Order in July 2008 targeting administrative savings of $190 million by June 30, 2009, with current savings at $180 million as of April 2009.

Source: California Governor