Judge: Schwarzengger can furlough more workers
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger can cut pay for an additional 15,000 state workers who don't directly report to him, a judge ruled Thursday.
Sacramento County Judge Patrick Marlette allowed the governor to furlough union and nonunion employees who work for other constitutional officers and the Board of Equalization. The judge adopted a tentative decision as his final ruling.
"Today's decision maintains the governor's authority to control spending in tough economic times," said Schwarzenegger's spokesman Aaron McLear. "While every California business and family is tightening their belts, it's important for government to do the same."
Sacramento County Judge Patrick Marlette allowed the governor to furlough union and nonunion employees who work for other constitutional officers and the Board of Equalization. The judge adopted a tentative decision as his final ruling.
"Today's decision maintains the governor's authority to control spending in tough economic times," said Schwarzenegger's spokesman Aaron McLear. "While every California business and family is tightening their belts, it's important for government to do the same."
The governor had sued state Controller John Chiang after Chiang refused to reduce salaries of those state workers.
"This ruling is not only a loss for the independent, statewide-elected constitutional officers, but also the California constitution and the checks and balances it provides to protect all Californians," Chiang's spokeswoman Hallye Jordan said in a statement.
Jordan said the controller plans to appeal.
Chiang's office did not immediately return a call for comment Thursday.
It's the second time the judge has sided with Schwarzenegger. Marlette has previously given the governor the right to furlough more than 200,000 state workers during the state's budget crisis.
The move is projected to save the state an estimated $1.3 billion through June 2010.
"This ruling is not only a loss for the independent, statewide-elected constitutional officers, but also the California constitution and the checks and balances it provides to protect all Californians," Chiang's spokeswoman Hallye Jordan said in a statement.
Jordan said the controller plans to appeal.
Chiang's office did not immediately return a call for comment Thursday.
It's the second time the judge has sided with Schwarzenegger. Marlette has previously given the governor the right to furlough more than 200,000 state workers during the state's budget crisis.
The move is projected to save the state an estimated $1.3 billion through June 2010.
When will he "fire" the conroller, Chiangs for not following Arnolds orders?!
Like soon!
goodwork Gov.
It's better to have your salary reduced than to lose your job all together, as many of us in California have.