In the midst of rising scrutiny over the earnings of the city’s elected officials, candidates for the Los Angeles City Council have vowed to take a pay cut if elected. The pledges have been made by former Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, who is challenging Jose Huizar in District 14; nonprofit director Tomas O’Grady and businesswoman Sheila Irani, who are hoping to replace District 4 Council Member Tom LaBonge; and Eric Preven, who is challenging Paul Krekorian in Council District 2.
"There is a huge gap between the median income of constituents and the salaries of their elected representatives," said O'Grady. "I believe the smaller that gap is, the better the decision-making will be."
Challenger Teddy Davis, however, took issue with that contention during an interview on Thursday. Running for office, he said, should not be a decision limited to wealthy people.
Huizar also criticized Molina’s shots at council member salaries, instead taking aim at her budding pension.
“She’s being disingenuous,” Huizar said.
Los Angeles City Council members are currently earning $184,610 annually, among the highest in the nation. The figure has tripled since 1990 and is higher than the earnings of most members of U.S. Congress. Their salaries are currently tied to those of Superior Court judges.
Read more about the debate over council members’ pay here.