Posted on 01/10/2009 1:15:33 PM PST by BenLurkin
Some were furious. Others were sad, even tearful. Many more accepted the news with graceful resignation, trying to hide their worries.
At the end of a week that brought nothing but more grim economic news, that's how dozens of state workers greeted the state personnel department's announcement that thousands of California public servants will be furloughed two Fridays a month and lose 10 percent in pay, starting Feb. 6.
None found the prospect of two three-day weekends a month appealing in the current economy.
"Sweet Jesus, help me God," sighed Jolene Deaton, a vital records staffer at the Department of Public Health who lives in West Sacramento.
Deaton fought back tears outside her downtown office building as she clutched a state memo announcing the furloughs in one hand and a sacbee.com news report about the plan in the other.
"I'm a single parent. I'm barely making it as it is," Deaton said. "It's just devastating to me. It's awful."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's furloughs aim to save the state more than $1 billion in an effort to cut a $40 billion budget deficit and avoid running out of cash. State employee unions argue that the Republican governor's plan is unconstitutional, and their lawyers have taken the governor and the state to court.
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Patrick Marlette agreed Friday to hear arguments in the case on Jan. 29.
Susan Mattson, 51, said she and her husband, Mike, who work for different offices of the Department of Employment Development's disability insurance branch, will suffer if furloughs proceed.
"We get hit twice," she complained during a walk around the state Capitol. "We didn't think it would happen."
Mattson was commiserating with two office colleagues, including Margo Hattin, 36, who was horrified by the news. Hattin just bought a home on her own.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
It will get much worse for government workers in California and other states. These workers should demand reductions in pension benefits for their retired brethen. The future pension liabilities will crush the state even if everything else is under control.
Looks like it is time for these government workers to request some of their union dues back in the form of relief funds.
This depression will be a lot worse than the 30’s. There was no giant government entitlements to pay or overstuffed government jobs to keep going. As the economy grinds to a halt and the job losses mount there is no way to save it. Face it this will be a total collapse. This is a death spiral with no way out. We will all be hit. As the economy fails the goose laying the golden eggs dies. And it is failing. In six months unemployment will be 20% and climbing. No way out.
At the risk of sounding heartless.
There are far too many government employee who have never experienced the downturn of the economy. Their benefits have expanded exponentially for years.
They, and their liberal cohorts, have voted for increased socialism.
They now have to experience the fruit of their (lack of) labor.
How have these workers voted in the last 10 years?
I am hoping you are wrong but dreading finding out that you are right.
She can spend that extra day to do her own lawn and do other things she pays other people to do ... she might come out even.
California brought this on ourselves.
In our gravy days, the stupid legislator said “more never-ending social programs!” instead of saving for a rainy day.
Well, folks it is Monsoon season — and many of us are leaving the flooded basement.
How have these workers voted in the last 10 years?
Well if they voted for Arnold than they were voting Republican. If they voted for the President than they were Republican too (President Bush is STILL the President whether people believe it here or not). Not a good question to ask that you might not want the answer...lol.
Gee, you think Cali might have a little more dough, if they weren’t shoveling out $billion$ to feed, house, educate medicate and incarcerate millions of illegal invaders?
Ms. Hattin does not appear to be very future oriented. No doubt she was caught flatfooted by forced government cutbacks affecting her paycheck, since she bought a home in Sacramento right in the middle of the worst collapse in houseing values there on record.
I have some sympathy for her plight, but stupid should be painful, otherwise we'll just get more stupidity.
Did you read the comments by useless goverment employees? Totally in la-la land. There are big shocks coming to these useless idiots.
What? And take away a job from a deserving illegal (criminal!) immigrant?
Plan on it. I am realizing this death spiral can not be stopped. No way No how. It is a domino effect. I am trying to figure out a survival plan.
I take it you’re a bit bearish on the markets, then?
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