The CDP sent out a message from Controller John Chiang about the proposed wage cut to state workers:
When I received word that Gov. Schwarzenegger was proposing to use California's state workers as pawns in the budget battle by cutting their pay to the federal minimum wage of $6.55, I said civil servants should not bear the brunt of the budget stalemate.
Since then, thousands of Californians have joined with me to protest the Governor's proposed -- and needless -- order to slash the pay of California's public servants. I want you to know I will stand strong against the Governor's threats.
Show Gov. Schwarzenegger that you stand with me by signing the California Democratic Party's petition at www.cadem.org/supportcaliforniaworkers.
Forcing public servants to involuntarily loan the State cash by foregoing their hard-earned paychecks puts an untenable burden on our teachers, health care workers and those who provide critical public services. That is just wrong.
Excellent. Chiang is really coming out like a hero in this.
Taking another tack, Lt. Governor John Garamendi sent a letter to the Governor (via the SacBee's new state worker blog:
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
I write to you today regarding the proposed executive order to reduce the minimum wage of 200,000 of California's state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour.
As you contemplate signing this executive order, please ask yourself - how would you feed and care for your family on $262 per week ($1,048 per month)? How would your hardworking staff fare on these minimal earnings? Could you and your family do it for one week?
It is our duty, as elected officials of this great State, to find solutions to the many challenging problems that face California, such as the state budget. Those solutions should always look to improve the quality of life for all Californians, not impede it.
Please walk a week in a state worker's shoes before you sign this executive order and imagine yourself and your family surviving on $262 per week.
This is reminiscent of the SEIU's "Walk A Day in My Shoes" program, as well as the challenge taken by members of Congress earlier this year to live on a food stamp budget for a week. It gets replicated because it works. Garamendi is taking the right approach to humanize the budget crisis. |
