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Minimum Wage for California State Employees? Arnie Says Yes |
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California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) wants to terminate the pay of more than 200,000 state workers. Schwarzenegger, according to news reports, could sign an executive order as early as today cutting workers’ pay to the $6.55 an hour federal minimum wage.
But state Controller John Chiang, who issues the paychecks, says he won’t go along with what he calls a “cynical ploy” to win passage of a state budget with deep cuts to working family programs. Schwarzenegger says state workers would receive any lost pay after a budget is approved.
Schwarzenegger claims that without an approved budget, the state would face a cash crisis and the only way to avoid that is to slash workers’ pay. He also says a 2003 court decision gives him the authority to cut workers’ pay through an executive order, a draft of which was uncovered last week, which also called for laying off 20,000 part-time, temporary and intern state workers.
Chiang and others say the governor does not have that authority and Chiang reports the state has enough money on hand to pay all of its bills through September.
Schwarzenegger’s pay cut threat is part of the battle between the legislature and the governor over enacting a state budget that would close a $15.2 billion budget deficit. Schwarzenegger and Republican legislators want to close the gap by deep cuts in public services, including education, child care, public safety and other working family programs.
Democratic lawmakers and others, including the California Labor Federation, say closing tax loopholes—better enforcement and collection of existing taxes and new sources of revenue like the one that allows wealthy Californians to buy yachts tax-free—can help close the deficit and protect services.
A California Labor Federation’s report, California’s Budget Gap: The Impact of the State’s Budget Deficit on Working Families, notes that in the 1990s, the state cut taxes for corporations and individuals.
Since then, the legislature has also piled on a number of tax breaks and loopholes that often benefit those who need it least. According to the California Budget Project, the combined tax cuts enacted since 1993 will cost the state $12 billion this year alone. It’s time to take another look at who gets tax breaks and whether the state can really afford them.
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simular type deal tried in Missouri. Missouri leglislature attempted to roll back “voter” passed raise in min pay. My understanding, this has been attempted elsewhere.
perhaps Mr terminator would like to tried to live on minimum pay for a month he might change his mind as well as the hillbillies in the Missouri leglislature.
California would not have a problem with its budget if it were noy for the billions they spend on illegal immigrants.Taxpayers in California have been footing the bill for non citizens for far to long.Perhaps this kind of thing will let the general public understand that no matter how you feel about illegal immigration the taxpayer can no longer pay for services to people that have not contributed to the tax base.I know they pay taxes too,sounds good except when they first get here they are eligible for all welfare programs and free school and have paid in nothing.Dear Mr. Swarzenegger cut off these funds and you will have your budget.Public employees sould not have to shoulder the load on this.The state of California is to blame,you wanted millions of non citizens you’ve gotem.
Why does it not surprise me that the “Governator” targets workers and their families for punishment? The Legislature has to do whatever it must to keep our state running—Californians expect nothing less. But we need to pay our support staffs, teachers, fire-fighters,police,nurses and doctors, researchers and all other state workers paid nothing less than what they are contracted for.
Working people pay the taxes in our great state—we should not suffer the penalties when the Capitol fails to fulfill their executive and fiduciary duties. What good is a contract if it isn’t honored?
I would like to say I agree with every persons comment they have left.
Why are hard workers being punished? Let’s turn the tables and punish the rich and start with the people who get tons of money making movies or TV shows… You know it’s an even messed up world when Movie stars and the like get paid more than our men and women in the armed forces risking their lives for us! and it doesn’t stop there, firemen, policemen,nurses, teachers, comeon it makes me sick!
Im a US citizen and I dont and cant even get medical coverage. I can’t even afford it. I also have family that would be so affected by this bill. Catbear said it best…. “But we need to pay our support staffs, teachers, fire-fighters,police,nurses and doctors, researchers and all other state workers paid nothing less than what they are contracted for.”
I know people that even though work for the state, they still dont make enough to survive.
It’s an outrage. I can’t even afford to survive. retro active checks will not help people live their entire lives on it. ugh!
it was just like that whole stimulus check, no one can even save it, most people used it on bills and gas for that matter.
And here I thought Arnie was relatively intelligent. Does he not realize that if he cuts workers pay it also cuts the tax base? In this case less outgo also means means less income.