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Lawmakers approve bill to exempt 35% of state workers from unpaid days off

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California legislators voted on Monday to exempt about 35% of state employees from having to take three days each month off without pay, a maneuver the lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger imposed to help close the state’s budget deficit.

The Assembly voted 54-7 in favor of the measure, which had already passed the state Senate. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), whose district is home to many state employees, proposed the bill. It would exempt 79,850 workers whose salaries are paid through user fees or federal money, not out of the state’s general fund, which is projected to be $20 billion in the red. Steinberg said it does not make sense to furlough employees whose salaries do not contribute to the deficit.

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Among those exempted would be employees of the state Board of Equalization and the Franchise Tax Board, who are responsible for collecting taxes.

Schwarzenegger did not immediately comment, but Republican lawmakers said they expect him to veto the bill. The measure, if signed, would likely go into effect on June 1. The current budget year ends on June 30. Schwarzenegger has not proposed continuing furloughs into next year.

-- Jack Dolan in Sacramento

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