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When the banking industry tried to justify their expensive habits they do for employees to President Obama last month, he gave them a stern warning: "Be careful how you make those statements, gentlemen. The public isn't buying that. My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks."Yesterday, news hit that over a half million in state funds was used to give more than 120 employees of the Assembly raises. This comes after months of forced unpaid furloughs for other state employees, higher taxes for Californians and as LA city employees brace for possible pay cuts.
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), who authorized $350,000 for Democratic employees, told the Sacrament Bee that "her legislative house has reduced its personnel and streamlined operations, thus allowing it to reduce spending while offering pay increases to some deserving aides who haven't received them in years."
Minority leader Michael Villines (R-Clovis) shared in Bass' sentiments and gave $201,000 toward Republican employee raises.
