Freshman lawmaker asks for 5 percent pay cut
Tuesday December 17, 2002SACRAMENTO (AP) Freshman Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Salinas, asked state officials Tuesday to cut his pay 5 percent because of California's budget problems.
``In business, when times are tough everyone pitches in and everyone sacrifices,'' Denham said in a statement. ``I believe you lead by example and taking a voluntary pay cut is the right thing to do.''
The state is facing a projected budget deficit that could top $21 billion.
Rank-and-file legislators like Denham are paid $99,000 a year plus $121 a day in expense money when the Legislature is in session.
Denham, who owns three Salinas-based businesses, narrowly defeated Democrat Rusty Areias to win a seat that represents Merced and San Benito counties and parts of Stanislaus, Madera and Monterey counties.
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