San Diego Mayoral Candidate Steve Francis Opposes a “Four Million Dollar Bonus” for City Leaders

Steve Francis, candidate for Mayor of San Diego, comments upon pay raises for the office of Mayor, outlining his reasons for opposing salary changes at City Hall based on figures discussed by the Salary Setting Commission.

[ClickPress, Fri Feb 29 2008] Steve Francis, a candidate for Mayor of San Diego, released this statement today regarding new salary figures for city officials, in line with his former announcement regarding fiscal transparency at City Hall.

“I stand in strong opposition to pay raises for the Office of Mayor, and the members of the San Diego City Council,” Francis stated. “Under new figures discussed by members of the Salary Setting Commission, Jerry Sanders could be receiving a higher salary than U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and higher than the paycheck former President Bill Clinton received when he held office. Over four years, all nine elected officials could be collectively receiving more than $4 million in additional taxpayer compensation. These city officials already are well compensated, and receive tens of thousands of dollars in fringe benefits, including a car allowance, retirement package and medical coverage.”

“Advancing new salary hikes is inappropriate at a time of financial crisis and city service cuts for hard working families,” Francis continued. “Officeholders should be motivated to serve the people, not a monetary reward. Until the public can tell the Sanders Administration and the City Council ‘job well done,’ salary increases should be off the table. I call upon Mayor Sanders and the members of the City Council to join me in standing up for the interests of taxpayers,” Francis concluded.


About Steve Francis
Steve Francis, businessman and entrepreneur, is a candidate for Mayor of San Diego. At the heart of his independent mayoral campaign is the desire to free San Diego from the grip of special interests and to restore fiscal integrity, ethics and transparency in city government. Francis, best known as co-founder and Chairman of AMN Healthcare (NYSE:AHS), has pledged that he will remain free from the influences of special interests by not accepting any political contributions from lobbyists, thus ensuring that the voices of everyday San Diegans will be heard.

Bookmark this release: Del.icio.us - Digg - Furl - Blinklist - Reddit