SACARAMENTO - Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) has voluntarily reduced his pay by 18 percent, following the suggestion of a citizens commission that reviews legislative salaries every year."California's residents, as well as many hard-working, dedicated public servants will be devastated by these cuts. I cannot, in good conscience, ask others to make sacrifices without making sacrifices myself," Lowenthal said in a statement. The California Citizens Compensation Commission recently imposed an 18 percent reduction on legislative salaries. A state proposition approved by voters, however, prohibits the reduction of legislative salaries mid-term. Lowenthal earns an annual salary of $116,208. He is entitled to receive his full salary until he is termed out of the Senate in 2012. The California Citizens Compensation Commission was created in 1990 through the passage of Prop. 112. The proposition created a 7-member commission, appointed by the governor, to review constitutional officer and legislative salaries each year.

********** Published: June 5, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 7