Panel Considers Raising California Officials' Pay

SACRAMENTO (AP) - The commission that decides the pay and benefits of lawmakers and statewide officials, including the governor and attorney general, is meeting to decide whether to grant a second consecutive pay raise.

A year ago, the California Citizens Compensation Commission voted to give raises of about 5 percent.

That decision increased the pay of rank-and-file lawmakers to $95,291, the highest in the nation. Legislators also are eligible for a $163 daily cost-of-living allowance, but do not get pensions.

Commissioners are meeting Friday in Sacramento to consider whether to raise it again.

During the recession, the commission cut lawmakers' pay by 18 percent and eliminated their state-owned vehicles. Now the state's finances are improving.

The seven commissioners are appointed by the governor, who currently is paid nearly $174,000 a year.