Legislators have decided they will bear part of the budget-cutting pain and cut their own salaries by 10 percent -- beginning after this session.

"I think [the salary cut] is significant as we're asking everyone else to tighten the belt," House Speaker Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, told members of the House Republican caucus.

Rep. Kerry Gibson, R-Ogden, said the pay cut could create a situation where only the wealthy can afford to be in the Legislature.

"I'm telling you from personal experience, guys like me can't serve here very much," he said.

Lawmakers receive $130 for each day they're in session and will give up $13 of that. Another $116 per day they get for lodging while they're in session, their $40 a day for meals and mileage reimbursement will not be affected.

Robert Gehrke