Gov. Jerry Brown wants to cut state worker pay by 5 percent to help close California’s $16-billion budget gap.
To get the expected $800 million in savings, ($400 million to the general fund) the governor is proposing to shorten the workweek for state employees. But a cut to the state payroll now could drive up state costs later.
For example, in 2008-2009 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered state workers to take off first two and then three days a month without pay.But Ryan Sherman with the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) says prison guards couldn’t take those furlough days because overcrowded prisons were too short staffed.
“Since the facilities never close, all three shifts have to be covered, and especially mandatory posts, the tower, you know, all the different security positions.” Sherman says...
LINK - SCPR.org