California jobs go to those with connections. Lawmakers can hire anyone they choose.

[tomm2thumbs]

Source: LA Times

Marisela Villar listens to her father, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, at a City Hall news conference. Californians pay Villar $68,000 annually as a field representative for Democrats.



Yolie Flores Aguilar, a longtime friend and political ally of some powerful California Democrats, last year supplemented her income as vice president of the Los Angeles school board with more than $32,000 as a consultant assigned to a state Senate committee that, during her tenure, did not meet or release any reports.

State Sen. Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) was paid at least $27,900 by the state Senate last year for miscellaneous tasks as he was campaigning for his current job.

<snip>

"It looks like nepotism," said Tracy Westen, chief executive of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles. "It's the kind of thing the public doesn't like: people using their power and influence to provide cushy jobs to friends and family."

Aguilar was given a $7,252-per-month salary for more than four months as a consultant to the Senate Select Committee on Urban Economies by Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), who has been an ally on school reform efforts in Los Angeles.

One lawmaker on the committee questioned the benefit to taxpayers.

"If we're not meeting, why do we need a consultant?" asked Sen. Abel Maldonado

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nepotism27-2009mar27,0,1567133.story

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At least if folks are going to get paid, they should do SOMETHING constructive - scruples?

[KansDem]

1. Man! And I'm currently applying to a job in California...

Wish I knew someone out there!

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. What part of CA?

Am hoping to get another teaching position (am one of the thousands of pink-slip teachers here) and stay for at least another year to get clear credential.

Wish I knew more people, too. :(

[KansDem]

5. Fresno and L.A.

I grew up in Long Beach but moved back here 30 years ago to attend graduate school. I'm ready to move back.

I have an application in for a position just north of L.A. and am applying to another one in Fresno...

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. Just you?

Let me know.
If I get a teaching position and stay here, I have a room (and your own bath, use of house, and a pool!) to rent.
Am about 35 miles south of Fresno. :hi:

[KansDem]

8. Thanks!

Yeah, just me! :D

I'm looking at a position at Fresno Community College...

We'll see; the search closes in April...and thanks again! :hi:

[slackmaster]

2. Absolute power corrupts absolutely

We basically have a single-party system in this state, and I don't mean Democrats. It's a "party" of incumbents and heirs apparent. Even term limits don't stop the dynasties. We have some good people in government, but by and large the system is corrupt as the day is long.

There is hope - Last year CA voters passed Proposition 11, which will take redistring out of the hands of the Legislature. District boundaries for the 2012 elections will be based on 2010 census data. Unless the current corrupt gang subverts the process, district boundaries could look very different, with "safe" seats for both major parties eliminated.

[customerserviceguy]

3. Nepotism - the game the whole family can play!

If they don't get jobs sucking off the taxpayer teat for doing squat, they get them in private firms where the company's interests get placed first in Daddy's administration.

Still doing nothing and getting paid for it, but much less visible.

[musiclawyer]

7. Miost state and local agencies have anti-nepotism policies

Most, not all. If they don't, all kinds of abuses take place and it's perfectly legal.

But even with anti-nepotism polcies, the hiring of friends who are not qualified is rampant in ALL state and local government--everywhere. If you wanted to change that practice, you'd have to come up with some ostensibly simple, but legally very complicated, rules that few in government want to bother with.