California lawmakers stripped of state cars

[The Northerner]

The valuable perk will be replaced with a $300 monthly transportation allowance under a decision by a state panel that says the change will cut in half what taxpayers now spend on the legislators.

California lawmakers on Thursday were stripped of a valued perk — a state-purchased car that has been replaced with a $300 monthly transportation allowance.

The California Citizens Compensation Commission, responsible for setting state officials' salaries and benefits, said the move would save more than $2.3 million over the next five years, cutting in half what taxpayers spend on lawmakers' transportation.

Not all legislators have state cars, but for those who do, taxpayers spend an average $7,300 a year — more than double the new allowance — on the vehicle purchase, gas, maintenance and insurance. Many lawmakers pay a small share of the purchase price.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lawmakers-pay-20110415,0,4826666.story