Most state employees to go on furlough Friday

Most of the state workforce won’t be reporting to work tomorrow, as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger begins forcing employees to take two Fridays off per month without pay.

But one group of state employees -– those who work for the attorney general, the treasurer and other statewide officials -– may have escaped the order.

Judge Patrick Marlette, who last month upheld the governor’s furlough order, said today that his decision did not address some 15,600 employees of a dozen offices.

The furlough plan, aimed at helping to trim a budget shortfall that could reach $42 billion in 17 months, still affects 238,000 other state workers.

Many state agencies, including all Department of Motor Vehicles offices, will be closed tomorrow to comply with the furlough.

"We applaud the court's finding and we look forward to working with the constitutional officers to find cost savings that do not disrupt state services," said Jim Herron Zamora, a spokesman for Service Employees International Union, Local 1000, which represents about 70% of the workers given the reprieve today.

-- Patrick McGreevy

Comments

[Hooray for the State!]

I'm glad the State gets to implement furloughs! People are complaining about having to take two days off per month to help the State budget, but at least they keep their jobs and their benefits. Personally, I would rather take a temporary cut in pay than watch my friends and co-workers get laid off or be at risk of being laid of myself. Quit fighting a more humanistic and economically viable solution Union zealots.

[Markoman]

I was laid off at the beginning of November as the result of a merger. I wanted some information about training benefits available through the EDD. After trying to reach someone for nearly two weeks, I contacted the offices of my two elected state officials, Anthony Portantino and Carol Liu.

To say their response was disappointing would be an understatement. Mr. Portatino's staff was rude, unhelpful and arrogant. Mrs. Liu's staff simply didn't respond. These people could all be furloughed permanently under the Governors plan and it wouldn't make one ounce of difference to anybody living in their district. While were at it, why don't we furlough Mr. Portantino and Mrs. Liu? Surely the money that they suck up doing absolutely nothing could go to better use.

These people simply don't understand. They work for us and their job performance is lousy. Don't furlough them....FIRE THEM!

[mensaReject]

I trust that the Governor and legislators--as pseudo-sages of the state-- have exempted those employees who bring in lots of money to the state.

Folks like FTB and BofEqualization auditors and collectors...

But maybe that's too logical. ??

[David S]

DMV offices closed? How can you tell?