Judge Blocks Furloughs in California

N.Y. Times ^ | 12/31/09

[hole_n_one]

SACRAMENTO (AP) — A California judge on Thursday ruled that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger abused his discretion in ordering furloughs of state workers, dealing a blow to his administration’s efforts to cope with California’s fiscal crisis.

The judge, Frank Roesch of Alameda County Superior Court, said the administration must halt the furloughs for workers represented by three unions, including Service Employees International Union Local 1000, which represents 95,000 state employees.

Judge Roesch ruled against Mr. Schwarzenegger’s furlough orders on two fronts: He said the administration could not take the action against employees in so-called special fund agencies, or those that receive money from sources other than the state general fund. He also said Mr. Schwarzenegger had overstepped his authority by claiming the furloughs were necessary to deal with a budget emergency.

[freedumb2003]

Pyrrhic victory. The layoffs will now begin.

[muawiyah]

That's the deal ~ if you don't have the money ya' gots to lay 'em off.

Boy will that be a surprise.

[truthguy]

Pyrrhic victory. The layoffs will now begin.

Yes, I thought the same thing myself. But is it possible that the same type of lunatic judge will overrule the layoffs? I cannot remember the last time state employees were laid off with the exception of teachers or course.

Get rid of the California Air Resources Board and we can save billions. They are simply a duplication of EPA.

[Wallop the Cat]

Unfortunately, once reinstated they are entitled to all of their back pay, plus interest. So, not only does the State have to pay them, it didn’t even get a fair day’s work out of them (if ever it did in the past). I gotta get out of this liberal hellhole.

[stboz]

I vas chust tring to sav der yobs.

[hole_n_one]

Stopping needless $700,000 office renovations wouldn’t hurt either.

[Repeat Offender]

If Ahnuld had any balls he’d tell the judge “you made your desicion now you pay ‘em”

[freedumb2003]

>>Yes, I thought the same thing myself. But is it possible that the same type of lunatic judge will overrule the layoffs? <<

They did it in the 90s (I was there) and there was no legal issue. The Governor has 100% authority to initiate layoffs and there is nothing the unions can do.

The furlough was something new in an attempt to keep people employed.

Oh well.

[Cicero]

Liberal politicians have been promoting liberal judges for decades. Now they’re going to find themselves stuck with them.

In an ordinary downturn, you can deal with a cash shortage by simply not replacing workers who retire or die. But the politicians have been pumping things up come sunshine or come rain, and now it’s much too late for that kind of simple solution.

[padre35]

Jiggle the handle on the toilet before you pull stakes out of KraziFornia, that way the whole thing will flush...

[djf]

There is NO WAY anybody can honestly conclude that a judge who gets PAID BY THE GOVERNMENT will be fair in any cases involving the government.

Period.

Ain’t gonna happen.

[submarinerswife]

Judges are necessary. Unions aren't.

[blueplum]

Ban government employee unions - they are a conflict of interest

[EVO X]

The furlough was something new in an attempt to keep people employed.

Besides not being in the contract, they don't want furloughs because is it messes with the retirement formula of people about ready to retire. Since contracts don't mean anything anymore, Arnold should be able to appeal it to the Supreme Court /s

[TaxPayer2000]

The layoffs will now begin.

The way I see it, the only way out of these union contracts is for California to declare bankruptcy.

[freedumb2003]

>>The way I see it, the only way out of these union contracts is for California to declare bankruptcy.<<

Works for me.