The annual report is out on how our local State Assembly men and
women used their office budgets in calendar 2008. Here are some
financial Hits and Misses among those intriguing figures.
(1) Hat Tip to Martin Garrick for REFUSING a “free” State leased
vehicle! On the senate side, Mark Wyland of North County rejects
the State wheels too. Garrick and Wyland also voulntarily took a
3% pay cut in the face of growing State deficits. Thank you for
these efforts Gentlemen!
(2) Shirley HORTON and George PLESCIA had the lowest SD
County Assembly totals for “communications” in 2008. This
title covers letters and other communications sent out to
constituents.
(3) In a DIFFERENT type of achievement, Lori Saldana (D) was
2nd in the entire 80-member State Assembly for spending on
“Furniture and Equipment” ! Ms. Saldana, now term-limited,
says she will challenge GOP County Supervisor Ron Roberts
in 2010. [The Democrat-controlled Assembly Rules committee
disclosed her furniture/equipment total].
Can she “furnish” a good explanation for this distinction? Is
Saldana “equipped” to justify the $2,097 her State Assembly
office was billed for these items in 2008? Stay tuned for that!
Thanks to all those elected officials, Local, State and Federal,
who never forget they are the Stewards of public money, and
then act accordingly.
Source: Report of Rules committee in Assembly Journal,
11/30/2009. Period covered is 12/01/2007 to 11/30/2008.