Released on: February 29, 2008, 3:15 am

Press Release Author: Charles Gallagher

Industry: Government

Press Release Summary: Steve Francis, candidate for Mayor of San Diego, comments
upon pay raises for the office of Mayor, outlining his reasons for opposing salary
changes at City Hall based on figures discussed by the Salary Setting Commission.

Press Release Body: San Diego, CA - Steve Francis, a candidate for Mayor of San
Diego, released this statement today regarding new salary figures for city
officials, in line with his former announcement regarding fiscal transparency at
City Hall.

“I stand in strong opposition to pay raises for the Office of Mayor, and the members
of the San Diego City Council,” Francis stated. “Under new figures discussed by
members of the Salary Setting Commission, Jerry Sanders could be receiving a higher
salary than U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and higher than the paycheck former
President Bill Clinton received when he held office. Over four years, all nine
elected officials could be collectively receiving more than $4 million in additional
taxpayer compensation. These city officials already are well compensated, and
receive tens of thousands of dollars in fringe benefits, including a car allowance,
retirement package and medical coverage.”

“Advancing new salary hikes is inappropriate at a time of financial crisis and city
service cuts for hard working families,” Francis continued. “Officeholders should be
motivated to serve the people, not a monetary reward. Until the public can tell the
Sanders Administration and the City Council ‘job well done,’ salary increases should
be off the table. I call upon Mayor Sanders and the members of the City Council to
join me in standing up for the interests of taxpayers,” Francis concluded.


About Steve Francis
Steve Francis, businessman and entrepreneur, is a candidate for Mayor of San Diego.
At the heart of his independent mayoral campaign is the desire to free San Diego
from the grip of special interests and to restore fiscal integrity, ethics and
transparency in city government. Francis, best known as co-founder and Chairman of
AMN Healthcare (NYSE:AHS), has pledged that he will remain free from the influences
of special interests by not accepting any political contributions from lobbyists,
thus ensuring that the voices of everyday San Diegans will be heard.



Web Site: http://www.steveformayor.com

Contact Details: Charles Gallagher
10531 4S Commons Drive, Suite 166 - PMB 117
San Diego, California 92127-9212
United States
858-320-7506
stevefrancisformayor@momentumws.co.uk
www.steveformayor.com