Despite budget woes, San Jose council votes 6-4 to give itself fat raise

The San Jose Mercury reports:

A divided San Jose City Council voted this afternoon to raise its own pay by 20 percent despite a $16 million deficit in next year's budget and concerns about ongoing deficits in future years.

The council also voted unanimously to seek voter support next year for a charter amendment that would make future raises easier by eliminating the need for council approval.

Mayor Chuck Reed, Vice Mayor Dave Cortese and Councilmen Sam Liccardo and Pierluigi Oliverio opposed the salary increases, citing concerns about the city's budget troubles. Reed and Cortese have said they would personally not accept a pay increase even if the council approved one.

"Council members deserve a raise," Reed said during the meeting, "but unfortunately, this comes at a difficult time. The structural budget deficit plagues us as far as the eye can see."

Theft through majority voting:what a scam.