California Minimum Wage for State Employee's.

Okay Everyone, I recently had seen an e-article on www.yahoo.com on the main page. It touched on the California Appellate Court siding with Governor Schwarzenegger, stating it was perfectly acceptable to mandate the lowering of all un-unioned state employee's (roughly 213,000 American's) in California to minimum wage of $7.45 per hour to assist in compensating for the state budget crisis. There are three issues with this.

1. Did he HIMSELF take pay cut to minimum wage? Yahoo stated he did; however, there are several outside sources, as well as, some media sources whom claim he did NOT.

2. The lowering of state employee salaries is to assist in leveling out the budget and placing California back on the right track. The issue here is simple. Will California be able to utilize this correctly, and snowball the difference back into the budget; or, will the state simply use this money in attempts to do something else stupid with OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY?

3. Did he stop to think about those whom he hit with the wage cut? Although this "might" overall, help the California Economy (if done correctly), the con's of this idea FAR out-weigh the chance of success. What about the state workers and their families who have just taken MASSIVE cut's in their pay? How will they pay their bills? Feed their family? Pay their mortgages? The housing market in California is currently FLOODED with foreclosures. Imagine the number of foreclosures that will be on the market in 6 months after these cuts.

In our country, there are three ways to make it to the top. 1. Go to college, get a degree, and work the professional life; 2. start at the ground floor and work your way up without a degree, OR, 3. get a government job. Those in California have a high cost of living, as is. This is only going to make things worse as it cut's one of those positions right off the board. It is a sad, sad day when the hard working American's who make this country work are given the stiff arm, as if it is the poor economy is THEIR fault. Why are these hard working American's being punished for Governor SchwarzeFAILURE's inability to lead and maintain his state and political position.

DON'T TREAD ON US!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100702/ap_on_bi_ge/us_california_budget_minimum_wage

I agree with that. I do believe government employee's make way to much for the most part; however, I believe it would have been wise for a slow downward slope in pay, not something so drastic. I do understand that the government employees in California were aware this could happen, yet at the same time, California needs these people to work hard to keep their state from hitting a double dip recession. My biggest problem with these cuts is simple. California has a larger leak in funds than just government salaries. What about the funds spent on illegal immigration? Last year the United States spent $113 BILLION on illegal immigration, California claiming $21.8 BILLION alone. That is just over 19% of the overall total. Decrease the overall government employee's pay 20%, utilize that 20% to increase boarder control/patrol agents [creating much needed jobs], and cut that $21.8 BILLION down enough to cover a large chunk of unaccounted for change. This will help take care of two birds with one stone. Heightened boarder safety, and less government funds spent on 'said' aliens.

All I am saying with this, is there are still other sectors to recover funds from, before we take funds from hard working American's. Once we get back on track, THEN is the time to cut government wages, not before.

You need to be a member of Command Center to add comments!

Join Command Center

Comments

Joseph Whitworth Smith July 7, 2010 at 1:57pm

You didn't mention government union workers.
Thomas E. Hamilton July 7, 2010 at 9:45am

I agree with that. I do believe government employee's make way to much for the most part; however, I believe it would have been wise for a slow downward slope in pay, not something so drastic. I do understand that the government employees in California were aware this could happen, yet at the same time, California needs these people to work hard to keep their state from hitting a double dip recession. My biggest problem with these cuts is simple. California has a larger leak in funds than just government salaries. What about the funds spent on illegal immigration? Last year the United States spent $113 BILLION on illegal immigration, California claiming $21.8 BILLION alone. That is just over 19% of the overall total. Decrease the overall government employee's pay 20%, utilize that 20% to increase boarder control/patrol agents [creating much needed jobs], and cut that $21.8 BILLION down enough to cover a large chunk of unaccounted for change. This will help take care of two birds with one stone. Heightened boarder safety, and less government funds spent on 'said' aliens.

All I am saying with this, is there are still other sectors to recover funds from, before we take funds from hard working American's. Once we get back on track, THEN is the time to cut government wages, not before.
Thomas E. Hamilton July 6, 2010 at 11:33pm

I am well aware that this is ONE of the Tea Parties Goals; however, there is a difference between needed cut's and outwardly slashing hard working citizen's pay exponentially; the SAME citizen's who are trying to keep California afloat. I am an active Tea Party Member, with a definite understanding of this parties beliefs and goals. Yet, I must mention two things. Number 1. No one works for free. Whether he get's paid underhandedly, or through "gift's of gratitude", he receives a paycheck... Number 2. Cutting the pay of these workers is fine in my book; however, to take families and shove them into financial crisis, as well, only makes it more difficult for the state to get back on track. I made no intention of hurting the Party with this blog. I apologize if you have taken it, as such.

This reply was deleted.