Governor Gets Tough

Written by Benett Kessler

Friday, 01 August 2008

To pressure lawmakers to pass a budget, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger resorted to extreme measures today.  He signed an executive order to lower some state workers' pay and to eliminate as many as 22,000 part-time employees.     Locally, workers at state agencies like Caltrans, Fish and Game and DMV wondered about their jobs and their pay.  News reports said that the Governor's order eliminated jobs for as many as 22,000 temporary state employees and reduced pay for about 200,000 state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour. The Governor's order also includes a strict hiring freeze and eliminates overtime for all but health and safety fields. Schwarzenegger said he will reverse these moves once lawmakers reach a budget compromise.     The shocking move by the Governor could hurt families already struggling financially.  Schwarzenegger was quoted as saying that he does not take this lightly.  He said, "I want to apologize to all the state employees for having to do this.  State employees are working very hard," he said, "but this is the only way out."     California's budget is usually late.  This time, it's 31 days overdue as Democrats and Republicans squabble over how to bridge a $15.2 billion shortfall in the $101 billion general fund budget. The State Controller, John Schiang has threatened to write full pay checks in spite of the Governor's order, but he has no power to keep part-time workers employed.     Since July 1, lawmakers, staff and appointees have received no paychecks.  They will once the budget is signed.  The Governor, whose personal wealth tops $100 million, does not accept his salary as governor.     The heat is now clearly on legislators who have spent time with political posturing and no decision making. Comments (2) Subscribe to this comment's feed RUSS MONROE said:   The ‘Govenator’s’ actions against state employees are sub-human! That makes him a saint against the failures of our elected state representatives! These people have a YEAR to get a budget together, yet every year they wait until the end of June to start the argument. I’m ashamed of my state’s, lack of government, but I am convinced that this IS the same problem that we have at the federal level. Republicrats have spent decades blaming each other for not accomplishing anything, only pass a bunch of legislation just before elections. Gosh, ELECT ME!!! I JUST GAVE YOU BACK money that WE don’t have. Gee I KNOW! I’ll give you back even more.... that your children and grandchildren will have to earn!!!!! Just VOTE FOR ME!!! How stupid are we???? We’ll all find out in November. August 02, 2008 Jeffrey Baker said:   It's about time. I think that we should find a way to permanently eliminate about 200,000 state jobs. Government jobs are just welfare for the middle class. Maybe we could get some things done with some streamlining of the state. August 06, 2008 Write comment Show/Hide comment form Name Email Comment Write the displayed characters Add Comment