California jobs go to those with connections
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.
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“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.” […]