Lawmakers want probe of Brown administration official’s compensation (Updated)

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A California lawmaker has called for an investigation into the Brown administration’s decision to pay the head of the state Department of Social Services a compensation package worth $343,000 a year.

William Lightbourne receives a $216,611 salary — tens of thousands more than is earned by Gov. Jerry Brown, the attorney general or the head of the California Highway Patrol, the Times reported Saturday. He will make $51,000 more than his predecessor because his employment agreement skirts a state law that sets wages for the post.

(Updated 1:38 p.m.:) Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, held a press conference Tuesday blasting the Lightbourne hire. Sen. Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) wants the Senate Rules Committee to look into Lightbourne’s compensation. He also had some choice words for Health and Human Service Secretary Diana Dooley, who hired Lightbourne. Anderson said he was having second thoughts about his vote to confirm Dooley this year. ‘Gov. Brown may also want to revisit whether she is a good example of transparency and austerity in his administration,’ Anderson said.

Dooley defended Lightbourne’s higher compensation last week, saying it ‘is is worth it to the people of California’ because he has the ‘skills and expertise for the challenges we face.’

-- Anthony York in Sacramento