Assemblywoman Buchanan cuts her pay 10 percent

What a gal.

Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, is voluntarily cutting her pay 10 percent or nearly $12,000 a year.

A press release from her office says the newly elected lawmaker sent a letter to Controller John Chiang requesting the salary adjustment. State legislators earn $116,098 a year plus $170 in per diem for each day they are in session.

“Recognizing that we must lead by example, the Assembly has reduced its budget 10 percent and has directed the savings to the Employment Development Department (EDD) to support California’s families,” Buchanan said in a press release. “Further, I will direct the State Controller to reduce my salary 10 percent. I cannot, in good conscience, ask others to sacrifice if I am not willing to do the same.”

Read more for Buchanan’s full press release.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo) made the following statement regarding the budget votes this morning. Additionally, upon conclusion of legislative business, Buchanan contacted State Controller, John Chiang, with a letter directing him to reduce her annual salary by ten percent.

“I appreciate the efforts of the Democratic and Republican leaders to reach a bi-partisan solution to California’s unprecedented budget crisis. The steps we took today have prevented the eighth largest economy in the world from going bankrupt. The exhaustive efforts on the part of my Democratic colleagues and several of my Republican colleagues will allow California to begin the long process of rebuilding our State’s financial infrastructure and putting our people back to work.

This budget reflects extremely difficult choices for all of us. It is impossible to close a $40 billion deficit without reducing the budget for virtually every program. And, it is impossible to preserve the core elements of the programs we value – pubic safety, education, and health care – without increasing revenue. The budget recognizes this reality and calls for shared sacrifice by all Californians.

We now must focus all our efforts on creating jobs and putting Californians back to work. The budget will do that by allowing us to accelerate the sale of our infrastructure bonds and by putting us in a position to maximize the impact of the federal stimulus dollars.

Recognizing that we must lead by example, the Assembly has reduced its budget ten percent and has directed the savings to the Employment Development Department (EDD) to support California’s families. Further, I will direct the State Controller to reduce my salary ten percent. I cannot, in good conscience, ask others to sacrifice if I am not willing to do the same.

Despite the uncertain times all of us face, I still believe in California’s promise. It is critically important that we continue to work together to rebuild our state.”

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo) made the following statement regarding the budget votes this morning. Additionally, upon conclusion of legislative business, Buchanan contacted State Controller, John Chiang, with a letter directing him to reduce her annual salary by ten percent.

“I appreciate the efforts of the Democratic and Republican leaders to reach a bi-partisan solution to California’s unprecedented budget crisis. The steps we took today have prevented the eighth largest economy in the world from going bankrupt. The exhaustive efforts on the part of my Democratic colleagues and several of my Republican colleagues will allow California to begin the long process of rebuilding our State’s financial infrastructure and putting our people back to work.

This budget reflects extremely difficult choices for all of us. It is impossible to close a $40 billion deficit without reducing the budget for virtually every program. And, it is impossible to preserve the core elements of the programs we value – pubic safety, education, and health care – without increasing revenue. The budget recognizes this reality and calls for shared sacrifice by all Californians.

We now must focus all our efforts on creating jobs and putting Californians back to work. The budget will do that by allowing us to accelerate the sale of our infrastructure bonds and by putting us in a position to maximize the impact of the federal stimulus dollars.

Recognizing that we must lead by example, the Assembly has reduced its budget ten percent and has directed the savings to the Employment Development Department (EDD) to support California’s families. Further, I will direct the State Controller to reduce my salary ten percent. I cannot, in good conscience, ask others to sacrifice if I am not willing to do the same.

Despite the uncertain times all of us face, I still believe in California’s promise. It is critically important that we continue to work together to rebuild our state.”

Excerpted from www.ibabuzz.com.