The California Citizens Compensation Commission usually determines pay raises for state lawmakers and top elected officials. But given the multi-billion dollar budget deficit, Commission Chairman Charles Murray says this is the time when cuts should be considered. “There’s been a lot of jobs in the state itself – a lot of jobs have gone away, a lot of people have retired and haven’t been replaced. This is just one more step in the same vein…” The commission asked for a legal opinion on cutting salaries. Murray says it found a reduction could not be imposed on lawmakers in the middle of their term. That means only half the state Senators and all the Assembly members could see the pay adjustment-- after they’re either elected or re-elected in November. None of the current statewide officers—like the Governor-- would be eligible for the cut. And Governor Schwarzenegger wouldn’t be affected anyway—as he does not accept his 212-thousand dollar annual salary.