KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares, R-Santa Clarita, recently declined a pay raise after a routine salary reevaluation by the California Citizens Compensation Commission.
The California Compensation Commission recently approved a 4.2 percent salary increase for legislators and constitutional officers in California, which Valladares declined in a display of support for small businesses and those in financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.
A Latina businesswoman and educator who specializes in early childhood education and advocacy, Valladares serves in the assembly of the 38th assembly district of California. Concerned more for the struggling residents of the 38th district than with her own salary, Valladares was inspired to take action.
“With so many of my constituents struggling in the wake of the pandemic, I sent a letter to the State Controller’s office declining this pay increase… I am determined to keep the focus on getting workers and small businesses back on their feet, getting people the services they need and helping our kids recover from being locked out of their classrooms,” Valladares stated.
Passionate about children, education and small business, Valladares has taken on the task of amassing support for small businesses and those struggling in the wake of the pandemic. With these communities in mind, Valladares has rejected this pay increase, hoping this action will bring attention to the persistent needs of small businesses and others still suffering from the effects of the pandemic economic disruption.
In her announcement of this action, the assemblywoman said “I have heard from thousands of constituents who were put out of work and are struggling to receive their unemployment benefits. Two-thirds of California’s restaurants have permanently closed since the lockdown began last year. And constituents just are not receiving the benefits their tax dollars are supposed to be providing.”
To read more about assemblywoman Valladares and her work in the 38th district, click here.
Ed. Note: The California Citizens Resdistricting Commission has been corrected to California Citizens Compensation Commission.
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A 4.2 percent raise for them??? I never, ever got that much of a raise. Good for her.
Politicians always getting raises that we pay for.
This is nice to see but it is sad that it is a headline. None of them should accept a raise at this time. Today for many high-level State and Fed politicians, their salaries are but a small part of their income (every Senator is a documented millionaire). Many Americans still working saw no increase and many saw pay cuts. Public servants were immune and this should not happen. Their compensation needs to be similarly tied to their constituents’ realities.