CA Budget Troubles? Not For Lawmakers

Tough times for California taxpayers do not equal tough times for California legislators.

A state commission Monday granted lawmakers a 12 percent pay hike, boosting their annual salaries to $110,880 - the highest compensation in the country for state legislators.

Not all legislators are accepting pay increases however:

Schwarzenegger, elected when the state faced a nearly $20 billion budget deficit, has refused to accept his $175,000 annual governor's salary. The 2006-2007 budget shortfall is estimated to be at least $5 billion.

Gosh, you would think that California legislators are U.S. Congressman, who also vote themselves an above-inflation pay increase every year without fail (maybe they're just better at hiding it from us).