The Nation: Too Much Too Soon

State legislators have been known to show zealous interest in their own welfare, and members of California's legislature can feather their nests with the best of them. In 1965 and 1970, the law makers enacted bills giving any legislator from a reapportioned district who was defeated — or simply decided to quit — a full retirement pension. There were no age restrictions: boy wonder and withered sage alike would be eligible.

This year, when all California was reapportioned, 61 state senators and assemblymen became eligible for pension relief. If all 61 decided to retire or were defeated, California's taxpayers would have to...

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