Arnold is slashing state workers pay, but the late budget isn’t their fault!
Get this – our State Legislators and our Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, have utterly failed to pass a state budget. So who is Schwarzenegger punishing? State workers! Not cool.
“Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday ordered about 200,000 state workers to be paid the federal minimum wage this month because the state Legislature has not passed a budget,” according to the AP.
Apparently Schwarzenegger tried this before but got punked by John Chiang, our State Controller. That matter is still on appeal.
Now I know that for some of us this might at first glance seem fair. I think I took that position last time. But think about it. These workers did not contribute to this mess. They have bills to pay. And now they are going to pay the price for the failure of elected politicians to do their jobs.
Schwarzenegger should pay our Legislators minimum wage instead! This failure is on their heads, not the state workers.
This just seems wrong. What do you want to bet that Meg Whitman will act the same way if she becomes our next Governor?
Art,
I hate it when you are right! While the pay of the workers and pensions may be causing some of the problems, didn’t he already furlough these folks and cut their pay? Now he is cutting it more? THAT IS BS! I seldom “stand up” for the government employees, but they are getting screwed.
I think we need to have a state law statin, the first and only bill that can be passed in each session is the State Budget! Untill they do that NOTHING else is allowed to be brought up,voted on, or passed! How much time do these idiots waste on stupid stuff and regulations we can live without?
Great idea Bigmarkod! Something needs to change. Screwing these workers shouldn’t be the first, or any, option.
Man am I sorry I voted for Arnold!
And even state workers whose pay didn’t come out of the general fund at all, but from for example doctors’ fees or insurance companies’ fees, were ALSO furloughed – just because Arnold said it wouldn’t be “fair” not to.
And weren’t they also paid for a while with IOU’s last year? Arnold is always whacking them first because they’re there and he can, like an abusive husband.
yes big mark these clowns waste lots of times on stupid stuff .. LIKE BOYCOTTS OF LAWS OF OTHER STATES …
Quit
Quit I say, that will fix their boat (The Governments)
The the state can hire the unemployed at a fair (and much lower rate) and then the economy can start moving forward.
I guess this pay order does not apply to the elected? And/or their staff?
Howdy thou Art,
I wonder if Governator waived his salary? He is a millionaire. He do not need to be paid a Governor’s salary.
~BBF
Bigbenfactor,
Arnold takes one dollar a year.
Art,
How profound. How much tax from that one dollar a year? LOL Hope he buys a pen for $1.00 and signs AB 2072 into law. 😉
Thanks for the reply. Have a grrreat 4th of July.
~BBF