State – Today, May 19th, Amador County voters have the opportunity to vote on six budget-related propositions in a statewide special election. In a special series here on TSPN, we’ll bring you information on each ballot measure, what it means for California, and more specifically, how it affects Amador County. Today we discuss Proposition 1F, which encourages a balanced state budget “by preventing elected members of the Legislature and statewide constitutional officers, including the Governor, from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit.” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has warned voters that if all six propositions – 1A through 1F- don’t pass, he will recommend severe cuts in education and social services, as well as the release of nearly 20,000 incarcerated illegal immigrants to federal authorities for immediate deportation. The latest polls show 1F as the only proposition likely to pass. Supporters of 1F say that “by stopping Legislative pay raises during State budget deficits, we can save our state millions of dollars when they’re needed most and bring accountability to the Legislature.” Since 2005, legislators have had their pay increased three separate times. Currently, California legislators are paid $116,208 annually, which is the highest among state legislators in the U.S. Opponents are few, but include Pete Stahl, author of “Pete Rates the Propositions,” who submitted a ballot argument against Proposition 1F. Stahl says that compared to the salary earned by executives at large companies, state legislator salaries are a “terrific bargain.” He believes it’s false to believe that legislators are influenced by how much money they make rather than their underlying political beliefs. Be sure to vote today on this and other highly contentious propositions that will decide the immediate future of California’s fiscal situation. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.