EDITORIAL:

It appears Assemblyman Chuck DeVore is barely making ends meet.

In justifying his acceptance of a $3,000 raise — while some of his colleagues have turned down the hike, citing state budget woes that could lead to service cuts — DeVore said: “I work very hard as a state assemblyman. This raise will go to make ends meet in the DeVore household I work hard for the money.”

Where to start?

Well, how about with leadership?

Could the assemblyman have used more off-putting language to defend his position? How does a family of four living on a household income of, say, $75,000 feel when they read that six-figure Chuck — the average lawmaker makes roughly $116,000 and gets about $34,000 for living expenses — needs another $3,000 to put meat on the table?

In referencing disco singer Donna Summer’s famous line, could he have provided material more suited for comic fodder? Probably not. Thankfully, he didn’t follow “I work hard for the money” with “so you better treat me right.”

Because, on this issue, we’d rather (figuratively, not literally) rough him — and Sen. Tom Harman, who also accepted the raise — up.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has warned of a $10 billion budget deficit next year. Raises went into effect last week, but Schwarzenegger suggested lawmakers consider turning down the 2.75% increase.

Four state senators and nine assemblymen officially turned down the raise.

Meanwhile, representatives from Assemblyman Van Tran’s office said he will donate his raise to charity.

“We are the state with the highest paid legislature in the nation,” said Dave Everett, district director for Tran’s office. “We already have a deficit in the budget and taking a pay raise now simply isn’t appropriate.”

Tran has not decided yet which charities he will donate his pay raise to, but will meet with his accountant to work out the details in January, Everett said.

Donating his raise to charity sends the right message to the citizenry. It’s the right move politically; but, more importantly, it’s the right move ethically and a clear sign of leadership in tough times.

DeVore and Harman could learn a lesson from their colleague.

Speaking of Harman, he refused to address those critical of lawmakers accepting raises while service cuts loom.

“I don’t even think this is particularly newsworthy,” he said.

We disagree. To borrow a time-worn phrase and rewrite it a bit to avoid unnecessary name-calling: It’s the economy, fella.