I do not usually cover state politics, but this is one of the most cynical and heartless political moves that I have seen in politics. And unfortunately I have seen a lot of bad decisions in politics at the federal, state, and local level.
But it’s really unclear what this accomplishes. First, you are punishing a group of people who largely are innocent bystanders in this budget battle. State workers of course come in a large range, but what does the guy who mans the DMV desk, the woman who collects your $4 at a toll booth on the Bay Bridge, or the guy who mans the printing press for the state printer, have to do with the budget? These people get $30,000 maybe at best $40,000 per year, they have mortgage payments, car payments, have to buy gasoline, have to feed their families… what in the hell is the governor thinking? He’s playing politics with people’s lives. People whose lives have nothing to do with his political agenda or his political battle. These people cannot afford to live on $6.55 per hour.
Second, State Controller John Chiang said that the state has plenty of cash to pays its bills through September. And if the budget were not in place then, the bills would go to the private credit market.
As Sacramento Bee Dan Weintraub wrote on Thursday:
“It will make him seem mean-spirited and autocratic, which are traits that helped bring him down in 2005 and, if associated with him again, will undermine his ability to win public support for his point of view.
The logic behind the move is also either faulty or phony. Schwarzenegger says he needs to save cash so the state can operate without borrowing more if there’s no budget into September. If he is sincere in that belief, then what’s the point? Why force state workers to sacrifice just to give the Legislature more time to debate? What they need is pressure, not a way to relieve that pressure by improving the state’s cash flow situation. Which is why the more likely reason behind the move is that Schwarzenegger wants to use state workers to ratchet up the pressure on legislators to get it done.”
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said on Thursday that Schwarzenegger’s proposal caught Democrats by surprise.
“I was with the governor twice yesterday… He didn’t even bring this up. So if he wanted to leverage me, you know, it’s like you put a gun to your head and say hey, I want your attention now.”
…
“I don’t know why he did it. It was certainly unnecessary. It’s incendiary. You know, he is really trying to incite the wrong people. But if he wants a fight, he’s going to have a fight … this is an act of war. It’s a declaration. He is doing war on the people of this state who make California run. So whoever advised him ought to be in an unemployment line right now. If he thought of it himself, shame on him.”
The Senate President became even more indignant making fun of the Governor for his “brigade of 13 armed escorts.” He mocked the Governor for being out of touch with the average Californian.
If there is one thing that the Governor has succeeded in doing, it is giving Democrats in Sacramento an actual backbone.
Democrats like Senator Dean Florez and Controller John Chiang may emerge as heroes in this fight.
Controller John Chiang issued a statement on Thursday:
“[The State Supreme Court] has never addressed the legality of withholding full salaries versus paying minimum wage (and) the governor’s proposed executive order would only invite more extensive and expensive litigation. Worse, should the courts find that withholding full pay is illegal, the state will be liable for treble damages.”
Sen. Dean Florez:
“I don’t think it is wise for the governor to use working men and women as hostages for the state budget… I think it shows weakness on his part as a negotiator. The men and women who do the hard work that keeps our state running deserve their full pay.”
The Controller is refusing to pay state workers minimum wage in defiance of the Governor’s executive order. Controller Chiang got support yesterday from the Legislative Counsel, which said in an opinion requested by Sen. Florez that the governor cannot compel the controller to reduce workers’ pay.
According to Legislative Counsel Diane Boyer-Vine, the exectuive order could not force Chiang to start paying state workers the minimum wage in August. Her opinion citied cases where the courts found that the controller may wield his authority independent of the governor.
It appears then that Controller John Chiang and Senator Dean Florez will force the Governor to go to court to enforce his executive order where Chiang and Florez believe they will prevail.
Florez told the Sacramento Bee yesterday:
“Florez said he hopes the legal opinion will cause Schwarzenegger to “reverse his actions and apologize.”
“We want to avoid any kind of lawsuit between the controller and the governor,” said Florez, who added that such a suit would be a “huge waste of energy, resources and time.”
The paycheck reduction idea was “very repulsive,” said Florez, who said the move showed “the governor at his lowest point.”
“There are a lot of ways to negotiate a better budget, rather than taking hostage state workers and forcing a minimum wage statute on them because he thinks he’s king and he can do it,” Florez said.”
The Governor’s executive order is an utter disgrace motivated by politics and probably malice toward state workers who have rebuked his proposals in the past. There are plenty of ways to resolve the budget dispute. This is hardly one of them. This will end up another black mark on the Governor’s record, reminiscent of what happen in 2005. Back then, the Governor overreached on state ballot initiatives but was able to retreat in the face of weak opposition in the 2006 to prevail in his reelection bid. This time, he faces no reelection big, but his ability to backtrack may be minimal. He may have harmed his chances to seek another office such as Senator.
For the state workers, it appears that for now they will not get $6.55 per hour. The powers that be will fight that order and force a lengthy court battle. In the meantime, the budget will be resolved as it usually is, poorly and late. The state’s system does not work well and there is almost no way to change it.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
“This will end up another black mark on the Governor’s record, reminiscent of what happen in 2005. Back then, the Governor overreached on state ballot initiatives but was able to retreat in the face of weak opposition in the 2006 to prevail in his reelection bid.”
To the contrary, the black mark fell on the voters. We had an opportunity to take some control of wasteful state spending and we let it slip away. We can not afford the amount of money we are spending on overall salaries and benefits at the state level and that largess has filtered down to the County and City level. Many of the Davis budget problems did not start in Davis. We spend a lot of money on a full time Legislature to manage state spending and they can not even pass a budget on time.
I agree the Governor’s action was harsh, but it really is no different than handing out pink slips to teachers every year. The Legislature needs to get on it and do the work it is paid to do. Pass the budget!
“This will end up another black mark on the Governor’s record, reminiscent of what happen in 2005. Back then, the Governor overreached on state ballot initiatives but was able to retreat in the face of weak opposition in the 2006 to prevail in his reelection bid.”
To the contrary, the black mark fell on the voters. We had an opportunity to take some control of wasteful state spending and we let it slip away. We can not afford the amount of money we are spending on overall salaries and benefits at the state level and that largess has filtered down to the County and City level. Many of the Davis budget problems did not start in Davis. We spend a lot of money on a full time Legislature to manage state spending and they can not even pass a budget on time.
I agree the Governor’s action was harsh, but it really is no different than handing out pink slips to teachers every year. The Legislature needs to get on it and do the work it is paid to do. Pass the budget!
“This will end up another black mark on the Governor’s record, reminiscent of what happen in 2005. Back then, the Governor overreached on state ballot initiatives but was able to retreat in the face of weak opposition in the 2006 to prevail in his reelection bid.”
To the contrary, the black mark fell on the voters. We had an opportunity to take some control of wasteful state spending and we let it slip away. We can not afford the amount of money we are spending on overall salaries and benefits at the state level and that largess has filtered down to the County and City level. Many of the Davis budget problems did not start in Davis. We spend a lot of money on a full time Legislature to manage state spending and they can not even pass a budget on time.
I agree the Governor’s action was harsh, but it really is no different than handing out pink slips to teachers every year. The Legislature needs to get on it and do the work it is paid to do. Pass the budget!
“This will end up another black mark on the Governor’s record, reminiscent of what happen in 2005. Back then, the Governor overreached on state ballot initiatives but was able to retreat in the face of weak opposition in the 2006 to prevail in his reelection bid.”
To the contrary, the black mark fell on the voters. We had an opportunity to take some control of wasteful state spending and we let it slip away. We can not afford the amount of money we are spending on overall salaries and benefits at the state level and that largess has filtered down to the County and City level. Many of the Davis budget problems did not start in Davis. We spend a lot of money on a full time Legislature to manage state spending and they can not even pass a budget on time.
I agree the Governor’s action was harsh, but it really is no different than handing out pink slips to teachers every year. The Legislature needs to get on it and do the work it is paid to do. Pass the budget!
“…because he thinks he’s king and he can do it,” Florez said”
The Governator let us know who he REALLY is when, in an interview early in his political career, he wistfully
proclaimed that he wished he could attain the power that HITLER had.
“…because he thinks he’s king and he can do it,” Florez said”
The Governator let us know who he REALLY is when, in an interview early in his political career, he wistfully
proclaimed that he wished he could attain the power that HITLER had.
“…because he thinks he’s king and he can do it,” Florez said”
The Governator let us know who he REALLY is when, in an interview early in his political career, he wistfully
proclaimed that he wished he could attain the power that HITLER had.
“…because he thinks he’s king and he can do it,” Florez said”
The Governator let us know who he REALLY is when, in an interview early in his political career, he wistfully
proclaimed that he wished he could attain the power that HITLER had.
Don:
In the future could you please excerpt and provide a link. I would prefer not to have copyrighted material copied and pasted into here. Thanks.
Don:
In the future could you please excerpt and provide a link. I would prefer not to have copyrighted material copied and pasted into here. Thanks.
Don:
In the future could you please excerpt and provide a link. I would prefer not to have copyrighted material copied and pasted into here. Thanks.
Don:
In the future could you please excerpt and provide a link. I would prefer not to have copyrighted material copied and pasted into here. Thanks.
On a previous posting, I mentioned the potential for the devastating State budget battle to ultimately “bleed through” and negatively impact the economy and politics of Davis. This spectacular “pinching” of state employees (many of which are taxpaying citizens of Davis) will further drive the proposed school bond issue into the negative this fall. This situation will get worse!
On a previous posting, I mentioned the potential for the devastating State budget battle to ultimately “bleed through” and negatively impact the economy and politics of Davis. This spectacular “pinching” of state employees (many of which are taxpaying citizens of Davis) will further drive the proposed school bond issue into the negative this fall. This situation will get worse!
On a previous posting, I mentioned the potential for the devastating State budget battle to ultimately “bleed through” and negatively impact the economy and politics of Davis. This spectacular “pinching” of state employees (many of which are taxpaying citizens of Davis) will further drive the proposed school bond issue into the negative this fall. This situation will get worse!
On a previous posting, I mentioned the potential for the devastating State budget battle to ultimately “bleed through” and negatively impact the economy and politics of Davis. This spectacular “pinching” of state employees (many of which are taxpaying citizens of Davis) will further drive the proposed school bond issue into the negative this fall. This situation will get worse!
There’s plenty of blame to go around on the current state budget mess. I think Arnold was just trying to get everyone’s attention, since the legislative leaders are dithering and have made no progress. It seems that the lack of experience of the new leaders is causing considerable delay.
Anyone who remembers the mess we had in 1990 (91?) when the budget stalemate caused the state to stop issuing checks will understand that this can become a serious issue. At least he got people talking.
The Sac Bee had a useful editorial on this yesterday:
http://www.sacbee.com/editorials/story/1108227.html
“All that said, it’s a bit hypocritical for Democrats and Republicans to be describing the governor’s proposal as “reckless” and “drastic.”
What’s reckless is Democrats constantly supporting ever-higher salaries and benefits for state employees, regardless of the state’s financial situation.
What’s drastic among Republicans is their apparent willingness to slash core social services and education programs, just so they can keep their promise not to not raise taxes.
Whether or not Schwarzenegger follows through with his order, the state faces a cash crunch. His Finance Department fears reserves could drop so low by late September that “checks could bounce” and the state’s credit rating would suffer.”
There’s plenty of blame to go around on the current state budget mess. I think Arnold was just trying to get everyone’s attention, since the legislative leaders are dithering and have made no progress. It seems that the lack of experience of the new leaders is causing considerable delay.
Anyone who remembers the mess we had in 1990 (91?) when the budget stalemate caused the state to stop issuing checks will understand that this can become a serious issue. At least he got people talking.
The Sac Bee had a useful editorial on this yesterday:
http://www.sacbee.com/editorials/story/1108227.html
“All that said, it’s a bit hypocritical for Democrats and Republicans to be describing the governor’s proposal as “reckless” and “drastic.”
What’s reckless is Democrats constantly supporting ever-higher salaries and benefits for state employees, regardless of the state’s financial situation.
What’s drastic among Republicans is their apparent willingness to slash core social services and education programs, just so they can keep their promise not to not raise taxes.
Whether or not Schwarzenegger follows through with his order, the state faces a cash crunch. His Finance Department fears reserves could drop so low by late September that “checks could bounce” and the state’s credit rating would suffer.”
There’s plenty of blame to go around on the current state budget mess. I think Arnold was just trying to get everyone’s attention, since the legislative leaders are dithering and have made no progress. It seems that the lack of experience of the new leaders is causing considerable delay.
Anyone who remembers the mess we had in 1990 (91?) when the budget stalemate caused the state to stop issuing checks will understand that this can become a serious issue. At least he got people talking.
The Sac Bee had a useful editorial on this yesterday:
http://www.sacbee.com/editorials/story/1108227.html
“All that said, it’s a bit hypocritical for Democrats and Republicans to be describing the governor’s proposal as “reckless” and “drastic.”
What’s reckless is Democrats constantly supporting ever-higher salaries and benefits for state employees, regardless of the state’s financial situation.
What’s drastic among Republicans is their apparent willingness to slash core social services and education programs, just so they can keep their promise not to not raise taxes.
Whether or not Schwarzenegger follows through with his order, the state faces a cash crunch. His Finance Department fears reserves could drop so low by late September that “checks could bounce” and the state’s credit rating would suffer.”
There’s plenty of blame to go around on the current state budget mess. I think Arnold was just trying to get everyone’s attention, since the legislative leaders are dithering and have made no progress. It seems that the lack of experience of the new leaders is causing considerable delay.
Anyone who remembers the mess we had in 1990 (91?) when the budget stalemate caused the state to stop issuing checks will understand that this can become a serious issue. At least he got people talking.
The Sac Bee had a useful editorial on this yesterday:
http://www.sacbee.com/editorials/story/1108227.html
“All that said, it’s a bit hypocritical for Democrats and Republicans to be describing the governor’s proposal as “reckless” and “drastic.”
What’s reckless is Democrats constantly supporting ever-higher salaries and benefits for state employees, regardless of the state’s financial situation.
What’s drastic among Republicans is their apparent willingness to slash core social services and education programs, just so they can keep their promise not to not raise taxes.
Whether or not Schwarzenegger follows through with his order, the state faces a cash crunch. His Finance Department fears reserves could drop so low by late September that “checks could bounce” and the state’s credit rating would suffer.”
“What’s reckless is Democrats constantly supporting ever-higher salaries and benefits for state employees, regardless of the state’s financial situation.”
If what Arnold did does not violate the terms of the contracts of the state workers, then this is roughly equal to firing them. Once fired, those workers can go out in the real world of private employment and find out if they are really worth the money they are being paid by the state.
Doug said they get $40,000 a year. How much does that cost the government? I would guess because of all of the overtime, vacation pay, pensions, sick leave, medical insurance and other things these workers get, it costs at least $80,000 a year for a $40,000 employee. Maybe they really could make $40,000 in the private sector. If so, go for it, and try to get a profitable business to pay you double-time for working on Columbus Day and all the 15 other state holidays.
“What’s reckless is Democrats constantly supporting ever-higher salaries and benefits for state employees, regardless of the state’s financial situation.”
If what Arnold did does not violate the terms of the contracts of the state workers, then this is roughly equal to firing them. Once fired, those workers can go out in the real world of private employment and find out if they are really worth the money they are being paid by the state.
Doug said they get $40,000 a year. How much does that cost the government? I would guess because of all of the overtime, vacation pay, pensions, sick leave, medical insurance and other things these workers get, it costs at least $80,000 a year for a $40,000 employee. Maybe they really could make $40,000 in the private sector. If so, go for it, and try to get a profitable business to pay you double-time for working on Columbus Day and all the 15 other state holidays.
“What’s reckless is Democrats constantly supporting ever-higher salaries and benefits for state employees, regardless of the state’s financial situation.”
If what Arnold did does not violate the terms of the contracts of the state workers, then this is roughly equal to firing them. Once fired, those workers can go out in the real world of private employment and find out if they are really worth the money they are being paid by the state.
Doug said they get $40,000 a year. How much does that cost the government? I would guess because of all of the overtime, vacation pay, pensions, sick leave, medical insurance and other things these workers get, it costs at least $80,000 a year for a $40,000 employee. Maybe they really could make $40,000 in the private sector. If so, go for it, and try to get a profitable business to pay you double-time for working on Columbus Day and all the 15 other state holidays.
“What’s reckless is Democrats constantly supporting ever-higher salaries and benefits for state employees, regardless of the state’s financial situation.”
If what Arnold did does not violate the terms of the contracts of the state workers, then this is roughly equal to firing them. Once fired, those workers can go out in the real world of private employment and find out if they are really worth the money they are being paid by the state.
Doug said they get $40,000 a year. How much does that cost the government? I would guess because of all of the overtime, vacation pay, pensions, sick leave, medical insurance and other things these workers get, it costs at least $80,000 a year for a $40,000 employee. Maybe they really could make $40,000 in the private sector. If so, go for it, and try to get a profitable business to pay you double-time for working on Columbus Day and all the 15 other state holidays.
The Governor has done a great job. Wientraub and the SacBee, in general, blame the Governor for everything. The Bee has become a dumbed down paper, just like this blog.
Even with the cutting of salaries I’ll bet the union pigs still get their share. I guess that the attorneys who allegedly work for the State also get $6.55 an hour? That’s about what they are worth.
The Governor has done a great job. Wientraub and the SacBee, in general, blame the Governor for everything. The Bee has become a dumbed down paper, just like this blog.
Even with the cutting of salaries I’ll bet the union pigs still get their share. I guess that the attorneys who allegedly work for the State also get $6.55 an hour? That’s about what they are worth.
The Governor has done a great job. Wientraub and the SacBee, in general, blame the Governor for everything. The Bee has become a dumbed down paper, just like this blog.
Even with the cutting of salaries I’ll bet the union pigs still get their share. I guess that the attorneys who allegedly work for the State also get $6.55 an hour? That’s about what they are worth.
The Governor has done a great job. Wientraub and the SacBee, in general, blame the Governor for everything. The Bee has become a dumbed down paper, just like this blog.
Even with the cutting of salaries I’ll bet the union pigs still get their share. I guess that the attorneys who allegedly work for the State also get $6.55 an hour? That’s about what they are worth.
Arnold has done a terrible job as governor of CA. He is a damn actor and he is “acting” as governor and failing. He is as bad as former governor Pete Wilson. Oh wait, Isn’t Pete Wilson the puppeteer for this puppet Arnold.
Arnold has done a terrible job as governor of CA. He is a damn actor and he is “acting” as governor and failing. He is as bad as former governor Pete Wilson. Oh wait, Isn’t Pete Wilson the puppeteer for this puppet Arnold.
Arnold has done a terrible job as governor of CA. He is a damn actor and he is “acting” as governor and failing. He is as bad as former governor Pete Wilson. Oh wait, Isn’t Pete Wilson the puppeteer for this puppet Arnold.
Arnold has done a terrible job as governor of CA. He is a damn actor and he is “acting” as governor and failing. He is as bad as former governor Pete Wilson. Oh wait, Isn’t Pete Wilson the puppeteer for this puppet Arnold.
Without the valuable work that state workers do the state of CA would not be one of the top states in the nation.
Those who attack them because they get benefits, holidays, a pension and reasonable pay (that is not the greatest compared to the private sector) are simply envious that they chose to not work in the arena of public service.
Just face it, this governor is a nut that should have never been elected to office. It’s about as funny as the former wrestler Jesse Ventura being elected governor of Minnesota.
Without the valuable work that state workers do the state of CA would not be one of the top states in the nation.
Those who attack them because they get benefits, holidays, a pension and reasonable pay (that is not the greatest compared to the private sector) are simply envious that they chose to not work in the arena of public service.
Just face it, this governor is a nut that should have never been elected to office. It’s about as funny as the former wrestler Jesse Ventura being elected governor of Minnesota.
Without the valuable work that state workers do the state of CA would not be one of the top states in the nation.
Those who attack them because they get benefits, holidays, a pension and reasonable pay (that is not the greatest compared to the private sector) are simply envious that they chose to not work in the arena of public service.
Just face it, this governor is a nut that should have never been elected to office. It’s about as funny as the former wrestler Jesse Ventura being elected governor of Minnesota.
Without the valuable work that state workers do the state of CA would not be one of the top states in the nation.
Those who attack them because they get benefits, holidays, a pension and reasonable pay (that is not the greatest compared to the private sector) are simply envious that they chose to not work in the arena of public service.
Just face it, this governor is a nut that should have never been elected to office. It’s about as funny as the former wrestler Jesse Ventura being elected governor of Minnesota.
“Those who attack them because they get benefits, holidays, a pension and reasonable pay (that is not the greatest compared to the private sector) are simply envious.”
An admin asst with 5-10 years of exp. who works in the private sector in San Francisco (according to the Federal Reserve Bank study of labor) costs $48,500/year including all benefits. That is the highest of all cities studied in California.
An admin asst with the same exp who works in the public sector in California (the study included a sample of large cities, rural and urban counties, 24 school districts, UC and CSU and the state government) costs on average $94,200 a year including salary and benefits.
Bottom line, public servants are overpaid, largely due to much higher benefits.
“Those who attack them because they get benefits, holidays, a pension and reasonable pay (that is not the greatest compared to the private sector) are simply envious.”
An admin asst with 5-10 years of exp. who works in the private sector in San Francisco (according to the Federal Reserve Bank study of labor) costs $48,500/year including all benefits. That is the highest of all cities studied in California.
An admin asst with the same exp who works in the public sector in California (the study included a sample of large cities, rural and urban counties, 24 school districts, UC and CSU and the state government) costs on average $94,200 a year including salary and benefits.
Bottom line, public servants are overpaid, largely due to much higher benefits.
“Those who attack them because they get benefits, holidays, a pension and reasonable pay (that is not the greatest compared to the private sector) are simply envious.”
An admin asst with 5-10 years of exp. who works in the private sector in San Francisco (according to the Federal Reserve Bank study of labor) costs $48,500/year including all benefits. That is the highest of all cities studied in California.
An admin asst with the same exp who works in the public sector in California (the study included a sample of large cities, rural and urban counties, 24 school districts, UC and CSU and the state government) costs on average $94,200 a year including salary and benefits.
Bottom line, public servants are overpaid, largely due to much higher benefits.
“Those who attack them because they get benefits, holidays, a pension and reasonable pay (that is not the greatest compared to the private sector) are simply envious.”
An admin asst with 5-10 years of exp. who works in the private sector in San Francisco (according to the Federal Reserve Bank study of labor) costs $48,500/year including all benefits. That is the highest of all cities studied in California.
An admin asst with the same exp who works in the public sector in California (the study included a sample of large cities, rural and urban counties, 24 school districts, UC and CSU and the state government) costs on average $94,200 a year including salary and benefits.
Bottom line, public servants are overpaid, largely due to much higher benefits.
The media, including this blog, have missed the most immediate, most outrageous aspect of this proposed executive order. The draft order states that approximately 22,000, or about 10% of the total state workforce, will be fired once the governor signs it.
This group constitutes student assistants and retired annuitants, people that the state departments have increasingly relied upon to fulfill their tasks. Students assistants are usually young, lowly paid people who are frequently asked to work out of classification to perform secretarial and legal secretarial duties. They get no pension and health benefits, and do not qualify for unemployment.
And, now the governor, and his well paid staff, several of whom that make over $200,000, are going to fire these people and force them to look for new jobs during a severe economic downturn. And, not only that, as morally reprehensible as that is, they are going to discharge these people with no understanding as to the consequences for the day to day operation of state government. Quite a number of branches and divisions will find it difficult to function, if they can do so at all.
The governor, and many of aides, ironically enough, quite a number from Gray Davis days, like Susan Kennedy, see student assistants are merely pawns, people who are expendable towards the achievement of their political goals, although on the budget, they haven’t even really given us one, so they are planning to fire student assistants and retired annuitants for the bizarre purpose of pressuring the legislature to pass a state budget proposal that the governor is refusing to share with anyone.
Such conduct is beyond contempt. The people around the governor are the Tony Snows of state government, because just as Tony Snow used the Iraqi people, and advocated their deaths as a form of career advancement, the governor’s aides are willing to sacrifice anyone who is powerless to promote themselves and their boss.
Despicable. Truly despicable.
–Richard Estes
The media, including this blog, have missed the most immediate, most outrageous aspect of this proposed executive order. The draft order states that approximately 22,000, or about 10% of the total state workforce, will be fired once the governor signs it.
This group constitutes student assistants and retired annuitants, people that the state departments have increasingly relied upon to fulfill their tasks. Students assistants are usually young, lowly paid people who are frequently asked to work out of classification to perform secretarial and legal secretarial duties. They get no pension and health benefits, and do not qualify for unemployment.
And, now the governor, and his well paid staff, several of whom that make over $200,000, are going to fire these people and force them to look for new jobs during a severe economic downturn. And, not only that, as morally reprehensible as that is, they are going to discharge these people with no understanding as to the consequences for the day to day operation of state government. Quite a number of branches and divisions will find it difficult to function, if they can do so at all.
The governor, and many of aides, ironically enough, quite a number from Gray Davis days, like Susan Kennedy, see student assistants are merely pawns, people who are expendable towards the achievement of their political goals, although on the budget, they haven’t even really given us one, so they are planning to fire student assistants and retired annuitants for the bizarre purpose of pressuring the legislature to pass a state budget proposal that the governor is refusing to share with anyone.
Such conduct is beyond contempt. The people around the governor are the Tony Snows of state government, because just as Tony Snow used the Iraqi people, and advocated their deaths as a form of career advancement, the governor’s aides are willing to sacrifice anyone who is powerless to promote themselves and their boss.
Despicable. Truly despicable.
–Richard Estes
The media, including this blog, have missed the most immediate, most outrageous aspect of this proposed executive order. The draft order states that approximately 22,000, or about 10% of the total state workforce, will be fired once the governor signs it.
This group constitutes student assistants and retired annuitants, people that the state departments have increasingly relied upon to fulfill their tasks. Students assistants are usually young, lowly paid people who are frequently asked to work out of classification to perform secretarial and legal secretarial duties. They get no pension and health benefits, and do not qualify for unemployment.
And, now the governor, and his well paid staff, several of whom that make over $200,000, are going to fire these people and force them to look for new jobs during a severe economic downturn. And, not only that, as morally reprehensible as that is, they are going to discharge these people with no understanding as to the consequences for the day to day operation of state government. Quite a number of branches and divisions will find it difficult to function, if they can do so at all.
The governor, and many of aides, ironically enough, quite a number from Gray Davis days, like Susan Kennedy, see student assistants are merely pawns, people who are expendable towards the achievement of their political goals, although on the budget, they haven’t even really given us one, so they are planning to fire student assistants and retired annuitants for the bizarre purpose of pressuring the legislature to pass a state budget proposal that the governor is refusing to share with anyone.
Such conduct is beyond contempt. The people around the governor are the Tony Snows of state government, because just as Tony Snow used the Iraqi people, and advocated their deaths as a form of career advancement, the governor’s aides are willing to sacrifice anyone who is powerless to promote themselves and their boss.
Despicable. Truly despicable.
–Richard Estes
The media, including this blog, have missed the most immediate, most outrageous aspect of this proposed executive order. The draft order states that approximately 22,000, or about 10% of the total state workforce, will be fired once the governor signs it.
This group constitutes student assistants and retired annuitants, people that the state departments have increasingly relied upon to fulfill their tasks. Students assistants are usually young, lowly paid people who are frequently asked to work out of classification to perform secretarial and legal secretarial duties. They get no pension and health benefits, and do not qualify for unemployment.
And, now the governor, and his well paid staff, several of whom that make over $200,000, are going to fire these people and force them to look for new jobs during a severe economic downturn. And, not only that, as morally reprehensible as that is, they are going to discharge these people with no understanding as to the consequences for the day to day operation of state government. Quite a number of branches and divisions will find it difficult to function, if they can do so at all.
The governor, and many of aides, ironically enough, quite a number from Gray Davis days, like Susan Kennedy, see student assistants are merely pawns, people who are expendable towards the achievement of their political goals, although on the budget, they haven’t even really given us one, so they are planning to fire student assistants and retired annuitants for the bizarre purpose of pressuring the legislature to pass a state budget proposal that the governor is refusing to share with anyone.
Such conduct is beyond contempt. The people around the governor are the Tony Snows of state government, because just as Tony Snow used the Iraqi people, and advocated their deaths as a form of career advancement, the governor’s aides are willing to sacrifice anyone who is powerless to promote themselves and their boss.
Despicable. Truly despicable.
–Richard Estes
Richard,
To compare a really good governor like Schwarzenegger to Tony Snow is downright stupid. But people who write and speak like you are always trying to make their point by over-dramatizing and making ridicoulous statements comparisons.
Get in touch with reality.
Richard,
To compare a really good governor like Schwarzenegger to Tony Snow is downright stupid. But people who write and speak like you are always trying to make their point by over-dramatizing and making ridicoulous statements comparisons.
Get in touch with reality.
Richard,
To compare a really good governor like Schwarzenegger to Tony Snow is downright stupid. But people who write and speak like you are always trying to make their point by over-dramatizing and making ridicoulous statements comparisons.
Get in touch with reality.
Richard,
To compare a really good governor like Schwarzenegger to Tony Snow is downright stupid. But people who write and speak like you are always trying to make their point by over-dramatizing and making ridicoulous statements comparisons.
Get in touch with reality.
To anonymous:
We have requested that people refrain from calling people things like “stupid” and to be respectful in their posting. I am going to start cracking down on these kinds of posts. I am leaving it up for now as an example, but in the future, all posts that call names or are otherwise disrespectful will be immediately removed without explanation.
To anonymous:
We have requested that people refrain from calling people things like “stupid” and to be respectful in their posting. I am going to start cracking down on these kinds of posts. I am leaving it up for now as an example, but in the future, all posts that call names or are otherwise disrespectful will be immediately removed without explanation.
To anonymous:
We have requested that people refrain from calling people things like “stupid” and to be respectful in their posting. I am going to start cracking down on these kinds of posts. I am leaving it up for now as an example, but in the future, all posts that call names or are otherwise disrespectful will be immediately removed without explanation.
To anonymous:
We have requested that people refrain from calling people things like “stupid” and to be respectful in their posting. I am going to start cracking down on these kinds of posts. I am leaving it up for now as an example, but in the future, all posts that call names or are otherwise disrespectful will be immediately removed without explanation.
To compare a really good governor like Schwarzenegger to Tony Snow is downright stupid. But people who write and speak like you are always trying to make their point by over-dramatizing and making ridicoulous statements comparisons.
actually, I didn’t compare the governor to Tony Snow, I compared his staff to him, as both are/were careerists who would, as they said about Chuck Colson during Watergate, “run over their grandmother” if they thought it would help their cause
–Richard Estes
To compare a really good governor like Schwarzenegger to Tony Snow is downright stupid. But people who write and speak like you are always trying to make their point by over-dramatizing and making ridicoulous statements comparisons.
actually, I didn’t compare the governor to Tony Snow, I compared his staff to him, as both are/were careerists who would, as they said about Chuck Colson during Watergate, “run over their grandmother” if they thought it would help their cause
–Richard Estes
To compare a really good governor like Schwarzenegger to Tony Snow is downright stupid. But people who write and speak like you are always trying to make their point by over-dramatizing and making ridicoulous statements comparisons.
actually, I didn’t compare the governor to Tony Snow, I compared his staff to him, as both are/were careerists who would, as they said about Chuck Colson during Watergate, “run over their grandmother” if they thought it would help their cause
–Richard Estes
To compare a really good governor like Schwarzenegger to Tony Snow is downright stupid. But people who write and speak like you are always trying to make their point by over-dramatizing and making ridicoulous statements comparisons.
actually, I didn’t compare the governor to Tony Snow, I compared his staff to him, as both are/were careerists who would, as they said about Chuck Colson during Watergate, “run over their grandmother” if they thought it would help their cause
–Richard Estes
Will the minimum wage apply to UCD staff and faculty?
Will the minimum wage apply to UCD staff and faculty?
Will the minimum wage apply to UCD staff and faculty?
Will the minimum wage apply to UCD staff and faculty?
Here we go again, Republican bashing. All Republicans are evil, while the Democrats are trying to do the right thing. Hogwash. Both sides of the aisle are at fault here.
Is Shwartzeneger a good governor? He is only as good as his ability to control the legislature. If his bluff to pay state workers minimum wage ultimately breaks the budget stalemate, he will be hailed a hero. If his bluff results in expensive litigation and things being drawn out even longer, he will be labled a doofus.
Bottom line – it is the responsibility of the legislature to pass the budget – by both sides of the aisle. A pox on all politicians, who don’t seem to have a clue on how to govern.
Here we go again, Republican bashing. All Republicans are evil, while the Democrats are trying to do the right thing. Hogwash. Both sides of the aisle are at fault here.
Is Shwartzeneger a good governor? He is only as good as his ability to control the legislature. If his bluff to pay state workers minimum wage ultimately breaks the budget stalemate, he will be hailed a hero. If his bluff results in expensive litigation and things being drawn out even longer, he will be labled a doofus.
Bottom line – it is the responsibility of the legislature to pass the budget – by both sides of the aisle. A pox on all politicians, who don’t seem to have a clue on how to govern.
Here we go again, Republican bashing. All Republicans are evil, while the Democrats are trying to do the right thing. Hogwash. Both sides of the aisle are at fault here.
Is Shwartzeneger a good governor? He is only as good as his ability to control the legislature. If his bluff to pay state workers minimum wage ultimately breaks the budget stalemate, he will be hailed a hero. If his bluff results in expensive litigation and things being drawn out even longer, he will be labled a doofus.
Bottom line – it is the responsibility of the legislature to pass the budget – by both sides of the aisle. A pox on all politicians, who don’t seem to have a clue on how to govern.
Here we go again, Republican bashing. All Republicans are evil, while the Democrats are trying to do the right thing. Hogwash. Both sides of the aisle are at fault here.
Is Shwartzeneger a good governor? He is only as good as his ability to control the legislature. If his bluff to pay state workers minimum wage ultimately breaks the budget stalemate, he will be hailed a hero. If his bluff results in expensive litigation and things being drawn out even longer, he will be labled a doofus.
Bottom line – it is the responsibility of the legislature to pass the budget – by both sides of the aisle. A pox on all politicians, who don’t seem to have a clue on how to govern.
I wonder if the governator told his 13 armed escorts that their pay was being reduced to the Federal minimum wage. Oh wait, no doubt they are from Blackwater who is billing the state 10 or 20 times their actual salaries.
I wonder if the governator told his 13 armed escorts that their pay was being reduced to the Federal minimum wage. Oh wait, no doubt they are from Blackwater who is billing the state 10 or 20 times their actual salaries.
I wonder if the governator told his 13 armed escorts that their pay was being reduced to the Federal minimum wage. Oh wait, no doubt they are from Blackwater who is billing the state 10 or 20 times their actual salaries.
I wonder if the governator told his 13 armed escorts that their pay was being reduced to the Federal minimum wage. Oh wait, no doubt they are from Blackwater who is billing the state 10 or 20 times their actual salaries.
Anonymous A Pox on Politicians said…
Here we go again, Republican bashing. All Republicans are evil, while the Democrats are trying to do the right thing. Hogwash. Both sides of the aisle are at fault here.
Is Shwartzeneger a good governor? He is only as good as his ability to control the legislature. If his bluff to pay state workers minimum wage ultimately breaks the budget stalemate, he will be hailed a hero. If his bluff results in expensive litigation and things being drawn out even longer, he will be labled a doofus.
Bottom line – it is the responsibility of the legislature to pass the budget – by both sides of the aisle. A pox on all politicians, who don’t seem to have a clue on how to govern.
There are two obvious problems with this analysis, the kind that invariably gets trotted out when a political figure does something reprehensible.
First, it’s not a Republican/Democrat thing, because many of the Schwarzenegger staffers behind this proposal are Democrats, not Republicans, as Schwarzenegger has purged a lot of the Republicans who came to Sacramento after the recall.
Second, regardless of the outcome, Schwarzenegger isn’t going to look like a hero for threatening to fire an economically vulnerable, powerless group of people like student assistants. It just exposes him and his staffers for what they are, bullies.
–Richard Estes
Anonymous A Pox on Politicians said…
Here we go again, Republican bashing. All Republicans are evil, while the Democrats are trying to do the right thing. Hogwash. Both sides of the aisle are at fault here.
Is Shwartzeneger a good governor? He is only as good as his ability to control the legislature. If his bluff to pay state workers minimum wage ultimately breaks the budget stalemate, he will be hailed a hero. If his bluff results in expensive litigation and things being drawn out even longer, he will be labled a doofus.
Bottom line – it is the responsibility of the legislature to pass the budget – by both sides of the aisle. A pox on all politicians, who don’t seem to have a clue on how to govern.
There are two obvious problems with this analysis, the kind that invariably gets trotted out when a political figure does something reprehensible.
First, it’s not a Republican/Democrat thing, because many of the Schwarzenegger staffers behind this proposal are Democrats, not Republicans, as Schwarzenegger has purged a lot of the Republicans who came to Sacramento after the recall.
Second, regardless of the outcome, Schwarzenegger isn’t going to look like a hero for threatening to fire an economically vulnerable, powerless group of people like student assistants. It just exposes him and his staffers for what they are, bullies.
–Richard Estes
Anonymous A Pox on Politicians said…
Here we go again, Republican bashing. All Republicans are evil, while the Democrats are trying to do the right thing. Hogwash. Both sides of the aisle are at fault here.
Is Shwartzeneger a good governor? He is only as good as his ability to control the legislature. If his bluff to pay state workers minimum wage ultimately breaks the budget stalemate, he will be hailed a hero. If his bluff results in expensive litigation and things being drawn out even longer, he will be labled a doofus.
Bottom line – it is the responsibility of the legislature to pass the budget – by both sides of the aisle. A pox on all politicians, who don’t seem to have a clue on how to govern.
There are two obvious problems with this analysis, the kind that invariably gets trotted out when a political figure does something reprehensible.
First, it’s not a Republican/Democrat thing, because many of the Schwarzenegger staffers behind this proposal are Democrats, not Republicans, as Schwarzenegger has purged a lot of the Republicans who came to Sacramento after the recall.
Second, regardless of the outcome, Schwarzenegger isn’t going to look like a hero for threatening to fire an economically vulnerable, powerless group of people like student assistants. It just exposes him and his staffers for what they are, bullies.
–Richard Estes
Anonymous A Pox on Politicians said…
Here we go again, Republican bashing. All Republicans are evil, while the Democrats are trying to do the right thing. Hogwash. Both sides of the aisle are at fault here.
Is Shwartzeneger a good governor? He is only as good as his ability to control the legislature. If his bluff to pay state workers minimum wage ultimately breaks the budget stalemate, he will be hailed a hero. If his bluff results in expensive litigation and things being drawn out even longer, he will be labled a doofus.
Bottom line – it is the responsibility of the legislature to pass the budget – by both sides of the aisle. A pox on all politicians, who don’t seem to have a clue on how to govern.
There are two obvious problems with this analysis, the kind that invariably gets trotted out when a political figure does something reprehensible.
First, it’s not a Republican/Democrat thing, because many of the Schwarzenegger staffers behind this proposal are Democrats, not Republicans, as Schwarzenegger has purged a lot of the Republicans who came to Sacramento after the recall.
Second, regardless of the outcome, Schwarzenegger isn’t going to look like a hero for threatening to fire an economically vulnerable, powerless group of people like student assistants. It just exposes him and his staffers for what they are, bullies.
–Richard Estes
Richard,
I enjoy your responses on this blog so much that I don’t bother to read them…….
Richard,
I enjoy your responses on this blog so much that I don’t bother to read them…….
Richard,
I enjoy your responses on this blog so much that I don’t bother to read them…….
Richard,
I enjoy your responses on this blog so much that I don’t bother to read them…….