The $95-million constitutional convention

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The state’s perpetual budget problems have been a rallying point for backers of a constitutional convention, who would like to gather hundreds of Californians together to work out a plan for reforming the state government.

But in the short term, their plan promises to add to the state’s budget problems. That’s because the 466 delegates who would make up this deliberative body don’t come cheap. According to a legislative analysis of the proposed ballot initiative, their pay rate would be more than $95,000 per year. Not bad for government work. Especially considering the main job qualification for most of the delegates is being lucky enough to get picked out of a hat. No experience in government or anything else is necessary.

Total estimated costs for the convention are $95 million.

The state will pay delegates handsomely, but it will not be providing pitchforks.

--Evan Halper in Sacramento