California lawmakers will sue Controller John Chiang for blocking their pay during last year's budget dispute

◼ Lawmakers believe the Democratic controller overstepped his bounds when he said they initially sent Gov. Jerry Brown a flawed budget last June and docked their pay. - Sacramento Bee/Capitol Alert

Chiang's move gave Brown significant leverage in budget negotiations, as the controller essentially suggested that Brown could block legislative pay with his veto pen. Lawmakers have seethed ever since. If their lawsuit succeeds, they would not only have greater pay protection this year, but also greater leverage.