REGION: State workers could lose pay, jobs
Casualty of budget crisis could lengthen lines at DMV, beach
By DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer | ∞
About 10,000 state employees in San Diego and Riverside counties are in danger of seeing their pay slashed to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour or losing their jobs by week's end as a result of a threat by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger aimed at spurring lawmakers to get off the dime and pass a budget.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday said he planned to issue an executive order as early as Thursday to roll back the salaries of nearly 200,000 state workers statewide and to axe 22,000 temporary and part-time positions because of the impasse between Democratic and Republican lawmakers over a spending plan for the fiscal year that is already four weeks old.
"Thursday marks the first day of the state pay period, and Governor Schwarzenegger will use his executive authority on Thursday to prevent a cash crisis," said Aaron McLear, a spokesman for the governor.
Democrats want to help close an estimated $15.2 billion gap between anticipated revenues and proposed expenditures by raising taxes on the wealthiest Californians to bring in $8.2 billion, while the GOP is refusing to support any new taxes. The Democrats control both houses in Sacramento, but because a two-thirds vote is required for budget adoption, they must win the support of at least a handful of Republicans.
Yvonne Walker, president of Service Employees International Union Local 1000 in Sacramento, which represents 95,000 state workers, said in a telephone interview Monday that pay cuts likely won't hit state workers immediately because state Controller John Chiang has said he will defy the governor. Chiang, who is independently elected by all Californians, has the authority to disburse paychecks to state employees.
However, Walker said a large number of key temporary and part-time employees could lose their positions immediately. That could prove disastrous for some state services, she said. For example, almost half the employees at Department of Motor Vehicles offices are in that category, and people could find themselves in longer lines when they renew their driver's licenses.
Area residents also would notice a difference when visiting already busy state parks and beaches, which are run in part by temporary workers, said Walker, an Oceanside High School graduate.
State employees also work as agriculture inspectors, highway maintenance workers and nurses, and they serve the public at unemployment offices, fish hatcheries and mental hospitals, said Jim Zamora, a spokesman for the employees union in Sacramento.
Walker said, "It's unfortunate that, in the middle of a crisis, they're playing games. ... Why are you going to do that when you're not going to solve the budget crisis ---- when you're not going to come close to making one dent in it?"
University professors, on the other hand, won't be losing jobs or seeing their pay cut because they are not covered by the governor's executive authority, said Claudia Keith, a spokeswoman for the California State University system in Long Beach.
In a statement, California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed said, "We are working to ensure that CSU employees will receive their regular paychecks and can expect their normal compensation until a new budget is signed."
But Keith said the system is trying to do its part to ease the pressure on state coffers by paying salaries out of student fees exclusively until a budget is passed.
As for ordering an across-the-board cut in pay to those who would be covered by an executive order, the governor would be within his legal authority to call for such a rollback, said Arnold Rosenberg, professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego.
Those who work overtime must be paid their full salary and overtime pay immediately under federal law, said Rosenberg, a former labor lawyer. But if they work 40 hours, they can be paid the federal minimum wage now ---- as long as the cumulative additional pay they are owed is delivered to them when a budget is passed.
"And I assume that they have to be paid with interest," he said.
Whatever the details, the prospect doesn't sound good to Mike Byron, a Palomar College political science professor whose wife is a state social worker.
"I think maybe the governor and Legislature should try minimum wage for a while," Byron said. "I understand what he's doing. I just wish he would pick on somebody else."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 745-6611, Ext. 2623, or ddowney@nctimes.com.
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The State wrote on Jul 28, 2008 8:10 PM:has not saved one dime towards a "rainy day" or for an emergency situation and continues hiring persons they cannot support. Cut the jobs, cut spending. Get a budget and stick to it.
Old Timer wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:48 PM:If all of these multi million dollar propositions would stay on hold a few years, maybe there would be a chance to bring the budget back into balance. Also, everybody should begin paying their fair share for property taxes and spread the tax burden fairly. Under prop 13, some businesses are legally stealing by getting away with paying little while some home owners also don't pay their fair share for services used.
Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:26 PM:Maybe this is a perfect opportunity to weed out the deadwood. There are too many lazy government workers who need to go. So this may be a blessing (for the taxpayers) in disguise.
Tommy wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:30 PM:Eliminating the smog test program would save $1 billion and significantly reduce the $15 billion overage.
To Old Timer wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:50 AM:If in fact you are an "old timer", you would remember the very reasons that Proposition 13 was enacted. It was to stop the runaway taxation of residences (and commercial propety) just because its neighbor had improved or sold their property, which triggered reappraisal absurdities. As far as the fairness of Proposition 13, check with our local Tax Assessor, Gregory Smith, and he will explain that most properties have been re-sold anyway. Sounds like you are a wee bit bitter about something or someone.
Bargaining chip maybe wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:56 AM:Isn't minimum wage in California $8.00 an hour ? How could any employer in California pay less than the California minimum wage ? This sounds like a bargaining chip or a power play to force the house and senate to agree on the budget - not an actuality. If the State wanted t reduce its budget deficit, maybe it should look at administration, the automatic COLA's for every employee, and their nice retirement packages, not their actual hourly pay. What about the idea of "borrowing" from all of the redevelopment agencies in the state, which are re-directing tax funds away from vital services to themselves ?
Pravda wrote on Jul 29, 2008 7:32 AM:The point is the GOP is not willing to solve the deficit. To keep the middle class strapped is their primary goal as well as separation of economic wealth. NCT uses Democrats in the article and uses GOP instead of Repukelicans to again spin the blame. Nice propaganda , Is GE the new owners?
bogie wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:05 AM:Pravda, you sound like a dem propaganda machine, open your eyes. The Reps will not raise taxes on anyone including the middle class. The dems want to raise taxes on everyone. It's about time the dems smelled the coffee and cut their pet projects and beauraracy. I know that your kind wants to raise taxes on the rich but what happens if the rich flee California and take their wealth to Nevada or another state that does not charge state income tax? You guessed it, the middle class gets screwed again. By the way, next time the dems say they are going to raise taxes on the rich, ask them where the line is for the rich as far as income. You might be surprised.
Floyd wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:09 AM:The deficit could be eliminated by spending no more than income. Democrats haven't figured this out yet, which is why we have a budget problem. Eliminating the smog test program (a $1 billion budget item) would go a long way towards a balanced budget. Eliminating the DMVs own system of courts (we already have a justice system, no need for a duplicate) would go even further. With an economy on the bring of depression, now is not the time to raise taxes.
Suzie wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:14 AM:As I said before, eliminate all the employees who knowingly certify illegal aliens of any race so they can draw benefits from the state as well as eliminate the thousands of dollars used to print all state materials in a zillion languages when it should only be one-ENGLISH. That might help balance the budget that much quicker. Although the idea of cutting the salaries of top mgmt in government, i.e. House, Senate, to the top would also help out as well. Of course this could work at the national level as well especially since most of those jobs were not paid in the beginning of this country. Besides all of these higher mgmt types have incomes from other sources and don't need to drain the state/federal budget for more.
to Old Timer wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:18 AM:You forget, Seniors were getting forced out of their homes, some paid for, because they couldn't make the escalating property tax payments. Cuts need to happen. Tax and spend Democrats have put this State into a crisis yet they want to continue. Cut Cut Cut!
Ray wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:27 AM:Let's be fair give them $8.00 no overtime and fire them if they do not produce. let them taste the real world.
I hope Arnold is not just threathing them.
Arnys Army wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:35 AM:You GOP nut jobs are blind to who over spends. Two words: Reagan, Bush go sell crazy somewhere else. It is proven the people "inclusive not exclusive" live a better quality of life under Democratic leadership then under Republican.
Randy wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:46 AM:The good news: Thanks to Arnold, no one else will die from ingesting trans-fats!
Kick out the wrote on Jul 29, 2008 9:15 AM:Dems, all we ever get is problems and more problems.
Hey State Workers wrote on Jul 29, 2008 9:16 AM:get in line at the 99 cent stores they fill up fast!
Funny wrote on Jul 29, 2008 9:31 AM:Funny how partisan this type of thing gets. The legislature controls spending, not the executive branch, regardless of who is in office and who is not. The state legislature could balance the budget if they wanted, just like Congress could. But the reality is most of them get elected giving things away, and for that they need cash, and if they have to borrow it, well, then they have to borrow it. If they did raise taxes, how long do you think it would take before we were deficit spending again? I give it 2 to 3 years max. The problem, just as it is with most consumers who don't have a balanced budget, is clearly accounts payable, not accounts receivable.
To Suzie wrote on Jul 29, 2008 9:36 AM:You have it completely right. I would only add that the state congress should only be in session 1-2 weeks per quarter year, and they should not get paid for it. Also, the public employees unions MUST be done away with!
Tom Tancredo has hit it right. . . wrote on Jul 29, 2008 11:12 AM:on the head: stop giving benefits to illegals, and our budget woes will be cured. Period.
I have to agree wrote on Jul 29, 2008 12:39 PM:stop taking care of illegals and deport them, you will have more money and more WATER for everybody else.
Concerned One wrote on Jul 29, 2008 12:50 PM:I'm not a big fan of the Republican party, however, the budget problem in California is definitely the result of Democratics. The Dems (Dums) can't seem to understand basic enconomics. Like someone said they give things away to get elected, and the welfare voters will keep voting for someone who gives them something. It's a massive spiral downwards. And then there's the whole "raise taxes" thing. Two things are sure to happen. First, the Dums will continue to out spend the budget, and two the people being taxed will move out of the state. I love this state, but I think we are pretty much screwed thanks to the liberals. Regards, C-1.
To Funny wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:01 PM:Your lesson on control of the budget is a half truth , and a half truth is still the truth in your world. Veto powers ,2/3 majority, executive emergency appropriations ect... yes the budget will get balanced once the GOP agrees to support legislation required (however unpopular to corporate interests) to doing so.
Patriot wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:04 PM:It's a familiar pattern. The Dems pass a massive spending plan that doles out money to the people who financed their election campaigns (largely the various public employees unions) and attempts to raise taxes to pay for them. The GOP refuses to go along, but lack the votes to force the Dems to cut spending. Budgets get frozen, services get suspended, and the unions run commercials blaming the heartless GOP until enough of the GOP caves in and votes for the budget. Each legislator keeps his or her seat in his or her gerrymandered district and the process repeats itself the following year.
Sean wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:04 PM:Stop over paying state workers. The upper pay rates of alot of state workers is ridiculous.( prison guards making 150k, get a grip. How about topping out at 80k.) And slash their excessive pensions. Do any of you receive a pension like state workers do?
C-Nada wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:09 PM:The states with the five largest economies are Dums strong holds. What a coincidence C-1. Screwy liberals? No, progressive politics conforming to equitable distribution.Regards Informed-1
Sean wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:10 PM:By the way. The smart alec comment from the not so intelligent politcal science prof,Mike Byron, quoted in the article about the govenator trying minimum wage. The gov works for free, he does not take his salary. Check your facts prof before you open your uninformed mouth.
calvin wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:15 PM:Patriot hit the nail on the head.
To Tom Tancredo wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:16 PM:FAIR has stated if the current levels of immigration (legal and illegal) and births to the same continue at the present rate, in 70 years we will have 300 additional people in the USA. Do you suppose by then there will be any affordable resources of any kind left? Water, transportation systems, energy, social programs?
Bill wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:20 PM:C-nada, equitable distribution? I believe that is known as socialism, you know take my money and give it to you. Though the Soviet Union is gone you might be a little happier living in Scandinavia.
Time for NEW GOV wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:24 PM:You know, we got rid of Gov Davis for the same stuff. Maybe its time to move old Arnold out of office and back to Hollywood.
Concerned One wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:28 PM:Sorry for all the typos in my last post. Yes Sean I agree, Patriot gets an "A" for nailing the subject. Democracy's Achilles heel!
Arnys Army wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:33 PM:We should all feel so indebted to the Govenator for working for free. How much should we pay a guy who has not done one thing he said he could do? Blame the Unions,State employees, illegal immigrants,prison guards, the GOP had it's shot with all the cards (House and Senate) and showed the World their incompetence.
C-Nada wrote on Jul 29, 2008 1:58 PM:Bill my favorite line out of the GOP Handbook is "IF you don't like it move somewhere else." No Bill, I live here, was born here, and intend to take this country back and return it to the people, for the people, and by the people. The fascism that the GOP supports under the guise of free market capitalism has seen it's better day. I doubt you have any idea what I'm referring to Bill, due to the fact that Rush is your source of truth. Now be a true patriot Bill and join U.S.
Raise Taxes wrote on Jul 29, 2008 3:55 PM:Just raise taxes, why is that so hard? If the State needs more money, take more from the people and businesses; it's not rocket science. If our legislators need more money and don't have enough, they should just take it from the people of California- do what needs to be done! Tough luck-pay up!
California Born wrote on Jul 29, 2008 4:29 PM:It's not the Dems or the Reps...it's the Dems AND the Reps. We have a chance to take back our government every time we go to the voting booth. STOP VOTING FOR THESE GREEDY JERKS! They don't care about you in the slightest, they just want to get elected so they can pass out favors and then collect when they leave office. DUH! Get rid of the unions, their bloated pensions, and about half the state workforce and that should fix things up on the budget. Our next real chance to get rid of these bums will come with the re-districting after the next census. If you really want to get rid of these lifetime do nothing spend all your tax dollars then come looking for more politicians, we must insist that the legislature is COMPLETLEY REMOVED from the process of re-districting. Otherwise, 10 more years of the same garbage.
Bogie wrote on Jul 29, 2008 4:47 PM:C-Nada and Raise taxes,
when all the businesses and "rich people" move to a friendlier state or country then what?
Encinitas wrote on Jul 29, 2008 5:29 PM:I agree with California Born and Patriot. I'm also a native and very saddened to see what's happened to our fine state. Pay attention to the redistricting process! It will be the single most important thing to happen in our state in years!
Man Club wrote on Jul 29, 2008 5:50 PM:Remember that movie, "A Day Without a Mexican?" Imagine "A Day Without a Bureaucrat." Better than porn...
bill wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:19 PM:Gee C-nada, seems like I struck a nerve. Fascism, thats a good one. Do you even know what fascism is? I doubt it.
calvin wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:22 PM:Amen Californian born.
Calvin wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:25 PM:I believe the state should raise taxes. As long as it is only in C-Nada and Raise Taxes tax bracket.
bill wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:29 PM:Oh, C-nada you said be a true patriot. I served my country for 10 years, how about you?
Danny wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:31 PM:This state spends 11 billion dollars a year to serve illegal immigrants. Do something to stop services to illegal immigrants and help the California Budget. Stop giving aid to Sanctuary cities. Wake up citizens because if you don't you are part of the problem. This state cannot afford the millions of illegal immigrants that are in this our state. Anyone visited the emergency rooms at the hospitals lately? Anyone visited our schools lately? Anyone visited the neighborhoods in LA lately, let alone our own. How about our jails and prisons? We have 10 guest worker programs. Isn't that enough?
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