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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday officially ordered most state workers’ paychecks slashed to the federal minimum wage -- $7.25 per hour -- now that California has entered a new budget year without a spending plan.
State Controller John Chiang, who issues the paychecks, has said he would not obey the order.
I understand the need to cut spending, but I think this is unfair to state employees. It's not their fault that the state government is in fiscal disarray. Wouldn't it make more sense to slash the paychecks of the State Senate and Assembly?
They should have just cut hours. Playing with someones wages is a bit too personal.
I really hate to say it but the federal government needs to start following suit and perhaps privatize a few sectors reassuring current employees a job.
We have already seen talks of privatizing police and fire depts here in CA.
I read the article..seems more like an empty threat. Those workers will get the back money as soon as a budget is passed. There's no real cuts or savings here.
It's a gimmick to get the state to pass a budget..nothing more.
They needed to start somewhere and he thinks thats the place to start. He started with them for a reason, we will see if he gets the reaction he's looking for.
I understand the need to cut spending, but I think this is unfair to state employees. It's not their fault that the state government is in fiscal disarray. Wouldn't it make more sense to slash the paychecks of the State Senate and Assembly?
I agree with you. State Employees, while part of the problem, they're not the reason for the problem. The reason is a micro-level view of what's happening nationally: Big Government, Big Spending, Jobs To Illegals, and Entitlment Mentality sucking tax coffers dry. State Employees are apart of the Big Government apparatus, but no one can blame them for wanting a stable, good paying job.
I voted not sure because I am not sure what other benefits the workers get. I lean more towards not liking it because if someone is hired for a certain wage a company any company should not be able to just change it whenever they want and that includes the state government. I think a cut in hours would have been better. Go to a four day work week.
They should have just cut hours. Playing with someones wages is a bit too personal.
I really hate to say it but the federal government needs to start following suit and perhaps privatize a few sectors reassuring current employees a job.
We have already seen talks of privatizing police and fire depts here in CA.
The feds are getting rid of the contractors who end up costing up to 3 times what a federal employee costs. Check out A-76.
Do you really think Halliburton is less expensive than the federal workforce?
You funny.
In times like these where a private sector failure, the mortgage bubble, has strangled the cash flow in an economy paying the government workers their full salary benefits the entire economy by maintaining some cash flow. Even if the workers are paid with borrowed money it is better than no cash flow at all. If the cash stops flowing, and the butcher, baker, candlestick maker, as well as the utilities, gas stations and communication companies are not paid something they will close as well.
That is a disaster waiting to happen so I suggest paying the government employees as well as the income less unemployed. We have to keep some money flowing or this recession will crash into a depression.
I believe Arnold the Mighty is just grandstanding. Time for the legislature to call his bluff.
I'm sure most of California State workers are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Governator can't unilaterally change their salaries.
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