SACRAMENTO — Unemployment in California may be at its highest since 1983, but there are jobs with the state Legislature for the well-connected.
Yolie Flores Aguilar, a longtime friend and political ally of some powerful California Democrats, last year supplemented her income as vice president of the Los Angeles school board with more than $32,000 as a consultant assigned to a state Senate committee that, during her tenure, did not meet or release any reports.
State Sen. Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) was paid at least $27,900 by the state Senate last year for miscellaneous tasks as he was campaigning for his current job. And Californians pay Marisela Villar, daughter of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, $68,000 annually as a field representative for Democrats.
Lawmakers have broad powers to hire whomever they wish, and those they employ need not go through the Civil Service exam process that requires applicants to compete for jobs on merit. Some are paid as consultants, with vague responsibilities or assignments. Others have titles that bear little relationship to what they actually do.
At least a dozen political allies, relatives and friends of legislators, including political candidates in need of a salaried landing or launch pad between elections, were on the legislative roster last year at a cost of $754,000.
"It looks like nepotism," said Tracy Westen, chief executive of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles. "It's the kind of thing the public doesn't like: people using their power and influence to provide cushy jobs to friends and family."
Aguilar was given a $7,252-per-month salary for more than four months as a consultant to the Senate Select Committee on Urban Economies by Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), who has been an ally on school reform efforts in Los Angeles.
One lawmaker on the committee questioned the benefit to taxpayers.
"If we're not meeting, why do we need a consultant?" asked Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria). Maldonado, a member of the committee, said he did not recall working with Aguilar.
Aguilar, whose school board pay is $2,195 per month, had been consulting for Romero on education issues. Romero is a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction and recently took over as chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee.
Aguilar "was there to advise me and prepare me for assuming the role of chair," Romero said.
