Golden Handshake Embarassment Brought To Light By Assemblyman Hector De La Torre Continues

The Sacramento Bee continues to report on the developing golden handshake imbroglio...In the wake of claims by Assemblyman Hector De La Torre that taxpayers could be ripped off by golden handshakes offered by the Assembly recently, the lower house has decided to keep its data secret.

The Assembly balked at releasing any financial projections or analysis of the offer it made last month to sweeten pensions of up to 222 aides if they retire this year.

Assembly Chief Administrative Officer Jon Waldie, responding to a request by The Bee, said the Legislative Open Records Act does not require release of legislative memos or correspondence to lawmakers.

This year's golden handshakes were identical to an offer made in 2002, which Waldie called successful but had no data on money saved.

Attorney Terry Francke, an expert on public-records law for Californians Aware, which promotes open government, said cities and counties are required to disclose any financial data associated with golden handshakes they propose.

Francke said the Legislature breeds distrust by not imposing the same standard on itself.

"What it means is that those who make the law have made themselves above the law," Francke said.