Joe Mathews for Lieutenant Governor

It’s sad to hear reports that, despite the huge popular groundswell behind my bid to be appointed lieutenant governor, Abel Maldonado may be the governor’s choice. Before any final decisions are made, I urge you to read my argument for myself in today’s Los Angeles Times. That story is here.

Here’s one issue I didn’t raise in the piece: It’s important that I be appointed and confirmed quickly. If the governor and the senate delay, I could lose $29,000.

Here’s why. The California Citizens Compensation Commission has mandated 18 percent cuts in the salaries of elected officials, but those cuts do not go into effect until Dec. 7.

So, if my term as lieutenant begins on or before Dec. 6, my salary will be the current higher number, $159,134. If I’m not confirmed until Dec. 7 or later, my salary will be only $130,490.

Even if, by some strange chance, I’m not the appointee, it will be interesting to watch and see how quickly the governor names someone, and how quickly the senate acts on confirmation.