Today, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger followed through on his threat to fire all of California’s temporary workers and withhold all but $6.55/hr of the wages of state employees until a new state budget is signed, thereby forcing them to involuntarily loan the state money when a lot of them are already feeling the pinch of the bad economy. Schwarzenegger signed the executive order just a few hours ago.

In response, the California Controller, Democrat John Chiang, sent a formal letter to the governor stating that he will not comply with the executive order. In addition to laying out the legal arguments in his favor, Controller Chiang laid out the practical and moral arguments against Schwarzenegger’s willingness to play games with the lives of 200,000 working Californians.

I also am compelled, as the State’s chief fiscal officer, to remind you that such a drastic cut in pay would cause huge fiscal harm to the families of more than 200,000 devoted civil servants. The loss of spending dollars will increase the loss in consumer confidence, and further deteriorate California’s fragile economy. The Sacramento Bee on Thursday published an article noting that the pay cuts to the 112,500 state workers in the region would cost the area $15 million a day.

For these many reasons, I have no intention of complying with the Order and encourage you to continue to work with the Legislature on passing a budget and with my office to ensure we have sufficient funds to meet the State’s financial obligations and pay for the education, health and public safety programs Californians expect and deserve.

The polar opposite positions taken by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Controller Chiang clearly demonstrate the stark contrast between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans, time and again, have shown themselves to be indifferent, even callous, to the problems of regular people. Democrats, in the meantime, have always been willing to stand up and fight for working families across the spectrum.

California's state employees work hard, and they deserve to be treated with basic respect. Gov. Schwarzenegger is treating them like pawns because it's just a game to him. He either doesn't understand or doesn't care about the hardship his political brinkmanship wreaks on state employees. How does he expect our state workers to live on $6.55 an hour (that’s $262 a week or $1,048 a month) even for a short time with gas and food prices going through the roof? Do you think your family could live on $262 a week?

Gov. Schwarzenegger is just demonstrating how out of touch he is with the lives of regular people. With his fleet of Hummers and the private jet he uses to travel between his estate in Southern California and his expensive hotel room at the capitol, the governor has never had to worry about his mortgage or the rising cost of gas and food. Democrats, on the other hand, keenly sympathize with the realities that face working folks who are doing their best to provide for their families. That’s why we are so proud to have leaders like Controller John Chiang standing up for us and all Californians.

Comments

[Jack]

I am a long time democrat and have never voted republican. Ever. However, I am recently dismayed at both parties. NOBODY wants to admit fiscal responsibility. Well, I am standing up and saying enough is enough. Not to cutting state payrolls, I am saying no to deficit spending.

Our great state's beloved budget deficit is at nightmare proportions. We are leverage to the hilt like some poor 3rd world country. And people say don't cut our state workers pay? Okay fine, you win. Let's just cut 20% of the workforce instead. I'll bet if you give me the keys to the state, I could do it. And guess want? Our commitments to our state citizens won't drop.

The other option is raise taxes. Even though I am a democrat, I am TIRED of taxes. No more taxes. Thus, we can either cut everyone's take home pay, trim 20% of the workforce or raise taxes. Take your pick. What do you chose?