On Thursday July 23, the city of Bell, California (population 37,000) accepted the resignations of three top officials due to public outcry over their high salaries. The city manager salary was the highest at $787,000 annually, the police chief at $457,000 per year and the assistant city manager at $376,000 per year (see article at http://tinyurl.com/27deo2k).
The debate at all levels of government over how to control spending is beginning to pick up as taxpayers are struggling with their personal finances. There is also much discussion over what to do with income taxes and other taxes on the revenue side of the equation. One wonders how many situations of excessive government spending exist across our country like in Bell, California. Taking steps to control spending first would certainly make any revenue increases easier to accept for those who work hard, earn good incomes and create investment and wealth.
