The state of California budget is at least $21 billion in the red, according to our governor. Educators are being laid off or put on leave due to the budget shortfall. People are so unhappy in California that many are
moving to other states. Industries are moving to states where taxation is less burdensome.
Our gracious legislators will receive no raises during budget shortfall periods.
If I was one of the 500,000-plus-or-minus state and county wage earners, I would really be concerned with the security of my job. The public has yet to hear a single suggestion from our state employees. State employees should be concerned about their jobs.
With all of the concerns that we’ve heard, I have yet to hear the following: “How about a 10 percent voluntary wage decrease from all state employees?” That might go a long way to balancing the budget.
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 2, 2009.