Too Much Too Soon

State legislators have been known to show zealous interest in their own welfare, and members of California's legislature can feather their nests with the best of them. In 1965 and 1970, the law makers enacted bills giving any legislator from a reapportioned district who was defeated -- or simply decided to quit -- a full retirement pension. There were no age restrictions: boy wonder and withered sage alike would be eligible.

This year, when all California was reapportioned, 61 state senators and assemblymen became eligible for pension relief. If all 61 decided to retire or were defeated, California's taxpayers would have to pay about $5.7 million for the extra benefits. Retiring Assembly Speaker Bob Moretti, 38, stood to receive $8,742 a year from 1975 on, or $186,384 by the time he reached 60.

When irate letters and editorials greeted the handout, the legislature hastily went into a special session and voted to repeal the law. Angered by the sight of their own blood, the reluctant reform ers decided to gore a few executive oxen.

Among other things, they voted to slash retiring Republican Governor Ronald Reagan's pension from $32,800 to less than $20,000.

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