The average legislator’s salary will rise to $104,118 annually, although several have refused any increases. Gov. Jerry Brown’s salary will increase to $190,103 annually.

The other officers receiving increases are: Lieutenant governor, attorney general, controller, treasurer, secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction, insurance commissioner and the members of the Board of Equalization. 

The increase will go into effect Dec. 7.

About the CCCC

Pay is determined by a seven-member panel of citizens representing different sections of the community. In fact, one of the positions, which is required to be filled by a representative of the “general population,” is actually filled by a wealthy, well-connected developer from Stockton.

Brown — who is tasked with appointing members of the California Citizens Compensation Commission — has not filled three vacancies in at least a year, which exceeds the 15-day window mandated by the state’s Constitution.

The CCCC had to cancel its May meeting due to lack of quorum. 

Pay Scale History

California has the highest paid state legislators in the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. They are also paid well above the state’s median income of around $61,084.

On the whole, base salary for legislators has increased since 2005. To be more precise, legislators have received six increases, three freezes and two reductions since 2005. To be even more precise, base salary went from $99,000 in 2005 to the $100,113 base salary it is today — after salaries had been frozen between 1999 to 2005.

The two reductions were largely orchestrated by the former chairman Charles Murray, a holdover appointee from the Schwarzenegger administration. Murray stepped down almost a year ago to the day.

The six increases: 2005 – 12 percent increase; 2006 – 2 percent increase; 2007 – 2.75 percent increase; 2013 – 5 percent increase; 2014 – 2 percent increase; 2015 – 3 percent increase.

The two decreases: 2009 – 18 percent reduction; 2012 – 5 percent reduction.

And the three freezes were in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

As readers can probably imagine, the decreases were unpopular in Sacramento. In fact, one former legislator fought a cut — the 18 percent reduction in 2009 that slashed salaries from $116,208 to $95,291 — by appealing to both Brown and the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board.

Neither appeal was successful.

The seven members of the panel are supposed to represent a broad swath of the citizenry, so not having a full commission means not having full representation. But it also threatens the functionality of the CCCC. 

Gov. Jerry Brown has the responsibility to appointment the commissioners. According to the state Constitution, “within 15 days of any vacancy, the governor shall appoint a person to serve the unexpired portion of the term.” The shortest current vacancy stretches longer than a year.

Brown’s office previously argued why the 15-day rule didn’t apply and restated its position on Wednesday. Brown’s office again declined to give “details regarding applicants for appointments,” which would include how many applicants there are and why the vacancies are so challenging to fill.

“It’s not uncommon for meetings to be canceled and rescheduled,” Brown spokesman Evan Westrup said Wednesday. “As you know, this particular commission is required to meet once a year, before June 30, and we expect the meeting will be rescheduled before then.”

Why does it matter?

The CCCC’s duty — which came out of a sweeping ethics reform package, Proposition 112, in 1990 — is to decide the pay and benefits of constitutional officers (like governor and attorney general) and state legislators. That package was aimed at giving regular citizens a measure of influence.

The 15-day window serves multiple functions. It ensures that there’s a functioning commission with a fully represented citizenry. It also prevents a governor from holding nominations until just before he or she leaves office and then packing the commission on the way out the door.

The CCCC’s seven members are appointed to six-year terms, with each representing different areas of expertise: one with expertise in compensation (like an economist); one representing the general population (like a homemaker/retiree/person of median income); one representing the nonprofit world; one who is an executive at a large CA employer; one who represents small business; and two labor representatives.

The general population seat is currently filled by a wealthy and well-connected real estate developer in Stockton. 

Pay scale history

There was backlash against the CCCC over the last decade (under different commissioners), after salaries were reduced twice. One former legislator fought a cut — an 18 percent reduction in salaries in 2009, which was nearly a $21,000 loss for legislators — by appealing to both Brown and the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board. Neither appeal was successful.

California has the highest paid state legislators in the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. They are also paid well above the state’s median income of around $61,084.

Since 2005, legislators have received six increases, three freezes and two reductions. Base salary went from $99,000 in 2005 to the $100,113 it is today — after salaries had been frozen between 1999 to 2005. 

The two reductions were largely orchestrated by the former chairman Charles Murray, a holdover appointee from the Schwarzenegger administration. Murray stepped down almost a year ago to the day.

Constitutional officers have increased/decreased at a different rate and have varied salaries.

The party’s guest list included actors Don Cheadle and George Clooney, two Nobel Laureates and the mayor of Rome.

There at the Barkett’s apartment at the Villa Borghese, a verdant central park of fountains and museums, began a three-day, annual summit started by former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev to honor those who spread peace, reported the Los Angeles Times.

Today, Barkett serves on the state commission that sets pay for top officials, in the seat meant to represent the state’s Average Joes. The commission, which convenes its annual pay-setting meeting next month, also has spots set aside for business, union, nonprofit and compensation professionals.

Barkett told CalWatchdog he was not sure of the criteria for the seat, but said he has “a diverse background in law, real estate, agriculture and general business so I think I am well suited to represent the general public on this commission.”

Barkett’s seat

The seat on the California Citizens Compensation Commission for the “general population” could include a “retiree, homemaker, or person of median income,” according to the state constitutional provision put in place by the voters.

Barkett was appointed in 2013. He succeeded a former mayor and bank vice-president as well as a roofing contractor who had contributed almost $150,000 since 1997 to federal campaigns.

The CCCC

The commission’s duty — which came out of a sweeping ethics reform package, Proposition 112, in 1990 — is to decide the pay and benefits of constitutional officers, like governor, attorney general and state legislators.

That package was aimed at giving regular citizens a measure of influence.

“When voters passed Proposition 112, there was a clear interest in creating a California Citizens Compensation Commission that would not be dominated by wealthy donors with personal connections to elected officials,” said Kathay Feng, the executive director of the good government group California Common Cause, which lobbied for Prop. 112 at the time of its creation and passage.

“The spirit of the law was to create a commission that would represent average Californians from different walks of life who could assess what would be reasonable compensation for our lawmakers,” Feng said.

However, because for the 12 months prior to being appointed Barkett hadn’t been a lobbyist, held elected or appointive office or been a candidate for elected office (a blanket requirement for three of the commission members), Brown’s office contends there’s nothing to see here.

“The appointment is consistent with statute,” said Brown spokesman Evan Westrup.

Wealth

Barkett and his cousin Edward, described in local reports as being from “one of the city’s most prominent families,” are commercial real estate developers. The two own an office building in Sacramento with a $4.2 million value for taxing purposes and a city center development in Lodi worth $6.8 million. They developed downtown Stockton’s reported $15 million City Centre Cinemas 16.

The median household income in California is $61,489. In Stockton it is $45,347.

The value of Barkett’s home in Stockton is estimated around four times the average local home value, according to data gathered from public disclosures and real estate websites.

Holdings

He’s listed as legal counsel for a company called 3 Leaf Holdings. Along with another business partner, Chris Flaherty, chairman and CEO of 3 Leaf Holdings, Barkett owns or manages a few development companies, a renewable energy company, a 160-acre walnut and olive orchard in Linden and a 110-acre cherry orchard in Salida. Flaherty is also a Brown appointee, to the 2nd District Agricultural Association, San Joaquin County Fair Board.

Since 1999, Barkett has given about $45,000 to federal candidates, mostly Democrats. He contributed another $81,000 to state candidates since 2002. And Rima, his wife, also a Brown appointee, gave another $5,900 at the federal level.

For years, Barkett has served as a political consultant for the Stockton East Water District.

Barkett’s father was Dr. Joseph Barkett, a family physician who, like Barkett, owned commercial properties and orchards. He was chairman of the San Joaquin County Democratic Club and raised money for two Democratic presidents: John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He was appointed to two terms on the World Trade Center Authority by then-Gov. Jerry Brown (during his first stint as governor).

His predecessors

Barkett replaced on the commission Kathy Sands, an appointee of former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had been on the Auburn City Council for eight years, with two terms as mayor — but not for 12 months prior to her appointment (as required by law).

Sands had held other notable positions in Auburn city government as well. She had served as the vice president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and had, by the time she left after 40 years, worked her way up to vice president and senior loan officer of Placer Savings and Loan.

Johnny Zamrzla, an appointee of Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, held the seat before Sands. A roofing contractor in Palmdale, Zamrzla had been active in industry groups like the Western States Roofing Contractors Association — there’s even an annual roofing award given in his honor. He has given to $145,000 to federal candidates over the years.

Read more:

Some legislators proudly refuse pay increases
Vacancies plague commission on state lawmaker’s pay

But as it stands now, the California Citizens Compensation Commission will be woefully underrepresented when it meets on April 27, with only four of the seven constitutionally-required seats having been filled, leaving the possibility that the citizenship will have a muted voice, the same as last year.

The CCCC in 2015 approved a 3 percent increase in base pay for state legislators and constitutional officers (like governor, attorney general, etc.), with the same four of seven seats filled.

“We’re certainly aware of these vacancies,” said Evan Westrup, a spokesman for Gov. Jerry Brown. “Our aim when filling any vacancy in the administration is to select the best possible candidate from a broad and diverse pool of applicants. That ultimately dictates timing.”

Brown’s office would not comment on how many applications have been received for each vacancy or how many people are being considered, because it does “not disclose details regarding applicants for appointments.” CalWatchdog argued that these are raw numbers, not details regarding the applicants themselves, but did not receive a response.

Why does it matter?

The CCCC is a seven-member panel, appointed by the governor to six-year terms, with different areas of expertise: one with expertise in compensation (like an economist); one representing the general population (like a homemaker/retiree/person of median income); one representing the nonprofit world; one who is an executive at a large CA employer; one who represents small business; and two labor representatives.

The state’s constitutional language on filling these vacancies states: “Within 15 days of any vacancy, the Governor shall appoint a person to serve the unexpired portion of the term.”

The 15-day window serves multiple functions. It ensures that there’s a functioning commission with a fully represented citizenry to decide on pay, but it also prevents a governor from holding nominations off until just before they leave office and then packing the commission on his or her way out the door.

Timing

As CalWatchdog understands it, “any vacancy” means any vacancy, which means a governor has 15 days to fill the vacancy. The shortest current vacancy on the commission dates back to March 2015, prior to the last meeting on May 11.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s office argues that the language on vacancies applies to seats vacated before the expiration of the term. By that logic, the clock wouldn’t reset until the next appointment, whenever that is, meaning Brown could in theory wait until the end of his term to fill the appointments, pushing them six years into the future (which could even outlive the next governor if he or she only lasts one term).

But that reasoning would only apply to two of the vacancies, where the commissioners left as their terms expired. The third was created when Charles Murray stepped down mid-term in 2015, after being reappointed in 2011. The data on timing was provided by commission staff. Brown’s office did not respond to this third vacancy.

Since the CCCC meets usually once a year and there is really no business in between, there is no immediate need for the seats to be filled until meeting time, besides of course to comply with the Constitution (as CalWatchdog understands it).

Read more: Some Legislators Proudly Refuse Pay Increases

But Richard Roth, a Riverside Democrat, has refused every pay increase since being elected to the state Senate in 2012, making $90,526 per year in base salary.

Most members of the California Legislature make $100,113 per year, with leadership drawing checks for as much as $115,129. In fact, Roth is the only senator currently paid below the going rate, although there are several like-minded members of the Assembly.

Roth spokesperson Shrujal Joseph told CalWatchdog that Roth believes he has an obligation to perform his duties at the pay rate voters agreed to when he was elected.

“If fortunate enough to be re-elected, Senator Roth will accept the pay that is in effect then, whether it be higher or lower,” said Joseph.

Members of the Assembly

Fullerton Republican Young Kim is the lowest paid member of the Assembly, earning $95,291 annually. Like Roth, she’s refused every pay increase since being elected in 2014 — including one that passed right before she was elected but came into effect afterwards.

Six other members of the Assembly refused one pay increase, earning $97,197. Four are Republicans: Catharine Baker of San Ramon, Shannon Grove of Bakersfield, David Hadley of Torrance and Tom Lackey of Palmdale. Two are Democrats: Ken Cooley of Rancho Cordova and Jacqui Irwin of Thousand Oaks.

California Citizens Compensation Commission

Pay for legislators, and constitutional officers like governor and attorney general, is determined annually by the California Citizens Compensation Commission, which will meet again on April 27. The CCCC also determines benefits.

The CCCC is a seven-member panel, appointed by the governor, which is supposed to represent different segments of the community and different areas of expertise, including one member with expertise in compensation (like an economist); one representing the general public (like a homemaker/retiree/person of median income); one representing the nonprofit world; one who is an executive at a large CA employer; one who represents small business; and two labor representatives.

According to Tom Dalzell, the CCCC chairman, it’s unclear if another raise will be in order as he hasn’t “begun to think about it,” but noted the sacrifice many legislators make by leaving lucrative careers for public office. And in general, pay is considered one of the biggest lures of top talent.

Dalzell, who is a business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245 and occupies one of the CCCC’s labor seats, said that in determining whether to increase, freeze or reduce pay, the CCCC considers the state budget, the consumer price index and survey data on local elected officials.

Pay Scale History

California has the highest paid state legislators in the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. They are also paid well above the state’s median income of around $61,084.

On the whole, base salary for legislators has increased since 2005. To be more precise, legislators have received six increases, three freezes and two reductions since 2005. To be even more precise, base salary went from $99,000 in 2005 to the $100,113 base salary it is today — after salaries had been frozen between 1999 to 2005.

The two reductions were largely orchestrated by the former chairman Charles Murray, a holdover appointee from the Schwarzenegger administration. Murray stepped down almost a year ago to the day.

The six increases: 2005 – 12 percent increase; 2006 – 2 percent increase; 2007 – 2.75 percent increase; 2013 – 5 percent increase; 2014 – 2 percent increase; 2015 – 3 percent increase.

The two decreases: 2009 – 18 percent reduction; 2012 – 5 percent reduction.

And the three freezes were in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

As readers can probably imagine, the decreases were unpopular in Sacramento. In fact, one former legislator fought a cut — the 18 percent reduction in 2009 that slashed salaries from $116,208 to $95,291 — by appealing to both Brown and the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board.

Neither appeal was successful.

By John Seiler

The California Citizens Compensation Commission just cut our wonderful state officials’ pay by 5 percent.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s salary will drop to “only” $165,288 a year. But don’t cry for Brown, California.

As Laer Pearce details in his new book, “Crazifornia,” Jerry actually is one of the wealthiest Californians. After leaving the governor’s office in 1967, Pat Brown, Jerry’s father, worked out oil deals with the blood-drenched dictatorship of Indonesia. Jerry inherited much of that blood money.

Given how Brown and the other “officials” have run the state into the ground, they shouldn’t be paid anything. If they were in the private sector, they would be fired and taken to court for misfeasance and malfeasance.