County Executives Give Themselves Pay Raises During County Economic Collaspe.

 What a surprise.  Government officials and high ranking employees give themselves a huge pay raise prior to revealing to the public the huge budget deficits and massive cuts to public services.  See Santa Cruz Sentinel, by Kurtis Alexander and complete 2009 Santa Cruz County salary database.  http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_14817734

Waste and fraud are so commonplace in all aspects of government, no one should be surprised that executives are receiving step and pay increases prior to announcing a severe cut in services to the community and elimination of lower level jobs. These are the decision makers who approved the increases for themselves, allowed them to occur, then waited to announce catastrophic budget deficits. Their pay increase costs were skillfully hidden in the balance sheets where the Sentinel didn't find them.
Not one of these highly overpaid individuals refused to take the increases or stopped the bleeding. Further, they cannot get paid more to work less hours since government services were cut and government buildings were closed.
More importantly, not a single government service employee, elected or otherwise reported the wrongdoing. Government employees at all levels have a duty to the people.
A forensic look at the books is called for. A public demand to get the State District Attorney to have a good look at the books for fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement. A case could be made for subjecting the public to a substantial and specific danger by eliminating services because government employees put their personal gain above their duty. Qui tam.

Tim Morgan, of the Republican Party, file suit on behalf of the people.  This liberal Democrat would support an investigation.