81° SUNNY, Pay cut plan angers state workers
Governor's order to trim wages to minimum met with skepticism, dismay
Last Modified: Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
State workers reacted with a mixture of anger and skepticism today to the possibility of their paychecks being slashed to minimum-wage levels if the budget stalemate persists in Sacramento.
“We always get the lousy end of the stick,” said Jennifer Lewis, a tax technician at the state Board of Equalization in downtown Santa Rosa. “Why do we have to be the ones to take it in the shorts?”
Lewis said the fact Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has prepared an order potentially lowering most state workers’ pay to $6.55 an hour is a sign of desperation.
“I don’t think he knows what to do,” she said.
Other state employees said it’s a political ploy, so workers will pressure the Legislature to pass a budget. They doubt a minimum wage would be implemented.
“I don’t think it has a chance,” said Leanne Young, a worker at Santa Rosa’s state building. “If I got paid the minimum wage, I couldn’t afford to come to work.”
Although she has a four-year college degree, she said “I would be out looking for a job waiting tables. It’s ludicrous.”
Under the governor’s proposed executive order, 200,000 state workers would see their pay temporarily reduced to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour to save cash until lawmakers reach a budget deal.
The order would take effect for the August pay period and envisions state workers would get back pay in full after a budget is signed.
But state controller John Chiang, who oversees the disbursement of state funds, has questioned the governor’s legal authority and said he would disregard such an order.
Schwarzenegger’s move would save about $1 billion per month, depending on how many employees are exempt because they work in the health and safety fields, according to to the governor’s office.
Employees of the California Public Utilities Commission, University of California, California State University, California community colleges and legislative and judicial branches are exempt because they are not under the governor’s direct authority.
But other workers in a myriad of agencies, from the Department of Motor Vehicles, to Employment Development Department, and the Contractors License Board would all be apparently be impacted.
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Comments
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July 25, 2008 4:28:00 am
RE: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080724/NEWS/722143212
Good for the Governor! Unfortunately it is the depts he doesnt have full control of that are overpaid. The Dems have for too long been simply raising taxes and fees to keep public employee unions happy.
That well is currently dry as the average citizen simply cant afford more taxes. Does anyone believe we dont overpay our public dole takers?
There should be a mandatory pay cut for all state and municipal employees ranging from 5 to 20% depending on position and current pay level.
The old ways of tax and spend are gone! Sorry the public is tired of having govt pay for votes via concessions to every union.
July 25, 2008 6:19:28 am
My sympathy wanes when I've to hear them whine thru an intertperter.
July 25, 2008 6:36:05 am
Here is an idea...
instead of penalizing the people who show up for work every day and do their jobs, they penalize the state Legislature. Do you know that previous years(and of course this year will be no exception) the is scheduled to take "Summer Session" in a week or so?
Even though they have not fulfilled their job requirements and passed a state budget, they can leave the whole state in limbo and take a vacation?
That is ridiculous! Thousands of state funded agency's and their allotments hang in the breeze with no funding. State funded child care being on of them. People who qualify for state funded child care do not have much money as it is but they are out their working to make ends meet (a requirement to qualify). I own a Child Care Center and I am a Child Advocate. It is a shame that these children (of every race, I know what some of you are thinking) and their parents who work hard to make ends meet are shut out for the summer session. You may say too bad for them, not my problem, they should have went to college or they shouldnâ??t have had kids, but the fact remains that they get up and go to work everyday. If that is jeopardized then they will be your problem Mr. Taxpayer. They will collect unemployment for them and welfare for the kids.
Last time this happened, a lot of child care centers closed. It was financially devastating. Most state $$ stopped flowing as of June 30 when the impasse started, so we aren't talking about one month of no cash flow, with summer session coming it will be 3 before $$ gets back into the stream. So while they are on vacation there is one small side of the impasse that is being hurt in a very big way. What are these people to do? They will lose their jobs. Heck, now days even grandparents as back up isn't always the answer because Granny & Pops had to go back to work. SS is so strapped that they can't live on it and retirement alone.
I think in the midst of a looming recession it is an outcry that the state can not pass a budget and stop vacationing while they hold the financial key to every ones future. There's a bill Gov., no summer session if the work isn't done!!! Don't penalize the people doing their jobs. You can't group everyone and say they are overpaid. Wow, that was long, sorry!
July 25, 2008 8:29:25 am
good for the gov. its about time the dmv sees how it feels to be screwed over agian and agian. Do it Terminator
July 25, 2008 9:12:14 am
I wonder why public safety folks are exempt from this idea?
Oh yeah, that's right, the over paid whiners and their very strong unions would get the gov. recalled so fast he wouldn't know what hit him.
It's an idle threat, a good idea, but an idle threat. Can you imaigne the political fall out for cutting the pay of "workers", and I use that term very losely, but not the pay of the law makers?
Even the terminator would lose that fight...In a heartbeat.
July 25, 2008 10:04:08 am
About time!
What do these state employees expect when we're in a recession... it wasn't going to effect them just because they work for the state.
Now I can't wait to go to any of these departments to see the attitude change of who's God now, you know...the power role.
To bad this is not happening to our city and county officials and employees, who are really taken avantage of our tax money.
July 25, 2008 10:16:07 am
Pay based on proformance, it`s time to start cleaning house.
July 25, 2008 10:38:29 am
Just exactly how much do u think that the majority of front line workers are really making??? These cuts are not affecting anyone in a superior position, only the front line workers. So...If you are tired of the employees at the DMV being rude...imagine how the DMV will be with NO ONE there? Is it financially worth it for you to come to work making $6.55? Really? The cost of gas and shelter, food and child care would put around 70-80% of the state and municpal workers out of a job and in the welfare line.
How about taking the money from those who are NEVER affected by these budget problems? Let's screw the ones who are already feeling the squeeze even more, but let the wealthy just sit on their money... Pathetic...
And for my3cents - It is outrageous that they are stopping payments on all state funded childcare assistance! I have clts crying because their private providers are not being paid, and sadly eventhough when the budget passes (yada yada yada) they will be paid in retro, it does not help them to keep their homes, centers or operating costs paid. It is a sad state(pun intended) that we want to keep hurting those who need the help! Insetad of helping people get out of the welfare system, we are forcing more people to turn to it.
The state and municipal employees do not deserve the wage and benefit cuts many of you spout we do! Do have any idea what costs we have to pay? Are your checks reduced by non-voluntary deductions by 35% per check??? yes, 35%. Get the facts before running your ignorant opinions...
July 25, 2008 10:47:46 am
Employees of the California Public Utilities Commission, University of California, California State University, California community colleges and legislative and judicial branches are exempt because they are not under the governorâ??s direct authority.
It only effects the little people so maybe it`s time the little people walk out and let the big shots go it alone
July 25, 2008 11:26:36 am
I say....States workers angers state with lousy work, receive pay cut. That's the way I see it.
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