CA Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen Pushes Sacramento Regional Transit Board Pay Raise as Elk Grove Officials Face Past Compensation Criticism
The measure is currently pending in the California Senate
California Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen is sponsoring legislation that would double the compensation paid to members of the Sacramento Regional Transit District Board of Directors for attending board meetings, a proposal that could renew scrutiny over compensation for local elected officials already facing criticism over past pay increases.
Assembly Bill 1625 would increase the per-meeting compensation for Sacramento Regional Transit board members from $100 to $200 for attending noticed meetings, while reducing the maximum number of compensated meetings from four to three per month.
The measure, introduced by Nguyen in January, is currently pending in the California Senate after clearing the Assembly earlier this month.
The Sacramento Regional Transit board is composed of elected officials from Sacramento County jurisdictions, including Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, who currently serves as board chair, and her councilman, Rod Brewer.
If approved, the legislation would raise the maximum monthly compensation for board members from $400 to $600.
The proposal comes amid lingering criticism in Elk Grove over compensation increases approved by the Elk Grove City Council in 2024. At the time, residents and some former elected officials criticized city leaders for approving raises while residents faced rising living costs.
Questions regarding compensation also surfaced involving Brewer after he misled the public during an Elk Grove City Council related to his compensation.
Following their self-approved pay raise, several residents characterized the city council’s pay increase as “self-serving” during a period of economic uncertainty. See video below.
The bill analysis notes the compensation has remained at $100 per meeting under the Sacramento Regional Transit District Act.
