On Tuesday, the California State Senate Government Organization Committee was unable to pass Senator Tony Strickland’s bill that would have suspended the salaries of specific state boards and commissioners. According Senator Strickland’s office, SB 685 targeted those who sit on certain state boards and commissions approximately one or two times per month, yet make over $100,000 per year.

[view:node_ad=5] Strickland says that the bill would have reduced the payment to a $100 per-meeting allowance, similar to other state boards like the Little Hoover Commission and the State Allocation Board. His office had estimated that the bill’s passage would have resulted in a savings for the state of $7,177,442 every year.

The bill failed on a 5-5 vote.

“These board members and commissioners make more than two-and-a-half teachers, firefighters, and police officers who show up to work every day. It is irresponsible for our government to be handing out massive paychecks to board members and commissioners while teachers are being laid off and government employees are being furloughed,” said Strickland.

California is facing another set of budget shortfalls, which could vary in size depending on whether or not California voters pass a series of propositions in a special election on May 19th

Strickland continued, “It’s irresponsible to raise taxes on hard working Californians and to tell them that state spending has already been cut to the bone, when we are handing out $100,000 salaries to boards and commissioners who meet once or twice a month. This should be the first thing on the chopping block.”

Strickland represents a large chunk of Santa Clarita in the state Senate.