Regarding the June 19 "Cost Cutting Measures" announcement by Sen. Wiggins to cut small parts of her state-issued car allowance and annual per diem: This is just one example of state tax abuse in my opinion.

When I worked for the state in San Francisco and Sacramento (and commuted from Fairfield), no one gave me per diem or a state-issued car of any sort. Nor did I have per diem (per diem meaning per day expenses). I paid for my own food, own gas. I always paid my way to work, had to work all year long, and 40 hours a week.

I got no special retirement or insurance benefits and no workshop weekends out of town. Why? I was simply a legal secretary and a legal analyst (paralegal).

Politicians are not kings and queens! And what about their plump vacations, fancy offices, special furniture and state-issued clerical help? The unimportant people are lucky to get a salary that can equal the "average annual per diem of $35,000" per year for senators who decide their own salary and benefits. That $35,000 per diem for many state employees does not include, of course, their salary and retirement.

I believe that only police, fire or some hospital employees need special consideration.

 

Bette Mueller lives in Kelseyville.