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Governor plans to slash state workers' payBy John Wildermuth and Matthew Yi, San Francisco Chronicle Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans next week to slash the pay of more than 200,000 state workers to the federal minimum of $6.55 per hour to help ease the state's budget crisis, according to a draft executive order obtained by The Chronicle on Wednesday. The governor also will order an end to overtime pay for all but critical services, a freeze on state hiring and the immediate layoff of nearly 22,000 temporary, seasonal and student workers. "As a result of the late state budget, there is a real and substantial risk that the state will have insufficient cash to pay for state expenditures," the executive order states. Schwarzenegger's staff would neither confirm nor deny that the governor plans to issue the executive order, but sources said he could take action as early as Monday. The state, facing a projected $17.2 billion budget deficit for the fiscal year that began July 1, has not approved a budget. |
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Suspect pleads not guilty to killing dad, sons By Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle An alleged gang member accused of triple murder in the slayings of a San Francisco father and two sons pleaded not guilty Wednesday at a hearing in which the judge refused to issue a blanket gag order in the high-profile case. The defense sought the gag order after The Chronicle revealed that Ramos was an illegal immigrant who was found to have committed two felonies at age 17 - a gang-related assault of a Muni passenger and the attempted robbery of a pregnant woman - but was not surrendered by San Francisco juvenile justice authorities to federal officials for possible deportation. Killings turn focus on San Francisco sanctuary law By PAUL ELIAS, San Francisco Chronicle The heinousness of the deaths has put pressure on San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris to seek the death penalty against Ramos. Harris, who campaigned on an anti-death penalty platform and has never pursued capital punishment during her more than four years in office, has declined to say exactly how she intends to proceed. "This case has been charged as a special circumstance case," making it eligible for the death penalty, spokeswoman Erica Derryck said. "No additional announcement has been made about this aspect of the charging." In the Governor's office: Governor set to slash state workers' pay By Kevin Yamamura and Jon Ortiz, Sacramento Bee Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to sign an executive order next week intended to temporarily reduce pay for 200,000 state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 per hour to preserve cash until lawmakers reach a budget deal, according to a draft copy of the order obtained by The Bee. The governor's order also would terminate about 22,000 retired annuitants, temporary workers and seasonal employees, as well as impose a hard freeze that blocks the hiring of roughly 1,700 new employees per month. Administration officials said the Republican governor expects to take the action Monday, when the budget will be four weeks late as Democrats and Republicans continue to spar over how to resolve a $15.2 billion shortfall. Schwarzenegger seeks to slash state workers' pay till budget passes
State controller vows not to sign the order, and the matter could end up in court By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times State Controller John Chiang, asserting that the state has enough money on hand, said through a spokesman that he would not implement such an order. Chiang's office handles payroll for government workers. The Republican governor's controversial plan, likely to be challenged in court by public-employee unions if carried out, would allow the state to defer paying about $1 billion a month, administration officials said. Workers would be repaid their lost earnings once a budget was in place. Budget crossfire: Schwarzenegger considers temporary pay cut for state workers By Mike Zapler, San Jose Mercury News Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is considering an order that would slash the paychecks of hundreds of thousands of state workers to the federal minimum wage until the state budget impasse is resolved. Schwarzenegger signaled he may sign the executive order as soon as Monday, citing a 2003 state Supreme Court decision. But it is unclear whether the governor will follow through or is hoping that the threat of the order will inject urgency into legislative budget talks. L.A. fears fund raid by state By Rick Orlov and Kerry Cavanaugh, Los Angeles Daily News As the stalemate over California's long-overdue budget continues, Los Angeles officials are alarmed that some lawmakers want to borrow local government funds to close the deficit, a move that could sap $150million from city coffers this year and cut funds for street paving, parks and other city services. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa already has sent a letter to the governor, pleading with him to protect local funds even as the city grapples with its own budget squeeze amid a faltering economy. The Los Angeles City Council adopted a resolution Wednesday calling on the state to avoid borrowing from funds that will impact the city's budget. And several members said they need more than resolutions - they need to intensify lobbying quickly - before the state adopts any final plan. In the Legislature: Rally demands state face up to water crisis By E.J. Schultz, Sacramento Bee Chanting "agua, agua, agua," busloads of farmworkers joined politicians at the Capitol Wednesday to demand that lawmakers spend state money on dams and canals to ease a growing water crisis. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants $9.3 billion for water supply and conservation projects. But the proposed bond has gotten a lukewarm response from Democratic leaders who say lawmakers should focus on negotiating a state budget, now 24 days late. Education news: Testing group reveals why it voided AP exams of about 400 students at O.C. high school Educational Testing Service said Trabuco Hills High students were allowed to talk, use study aids and send text messages By Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times As a south Orange County high school made plans Wednesday for a mass retesting, the nonprofit group that administers the Advanced Placement exams offered a disturbing picture of the proctoring environment in May that led it to void the tests of nearly 400 students. Students at Trabuco Hills High School were allowed to talk, consult study aids, send text messages to friends and leave the room in groups during the exam, the Educational Testing Service said. Meanwhile, an attorney representing many of the students sued ETS on Wednesday, arguing that the Princeton, N.J.-based nonprofit failed to conduct even the most cursory investigation before voiding the students' exams. Enviro-scam report: Attorneys: Projects don't threaten fish By John Ellis, Sacramento Bee Attorneys representing state and federal water projects said Wednesday they could prove the massive system of pumps, dams and canals isn't harming three threatened fish species. U.S. District Judge Oliver W. Wanger gave them until Aug. 29 to submit reports showing that's true. Wednesday's action was the latest in a long-running fight between environmental groups and the state and federal governments over the projects' effect on winter-run chinook salmon, spring-run chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead, all of which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. California joins big carbon-trade partnership By Matthew Yi, San Francisco Chronicle California, six other Western states and four Canadian provinces launched plans on Wednesday for one of the world's largest carbon-trading systems, a sweeping effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The North American program, like a similar market-based system in Europe, focuses on heavy polluters such as electric utilities, oil refineries and large industrial and commercial facilities. Environmental groups immediately questioned whether the plan will be tough enough on polluters, while industry groups said the program lacks details. California officials said the proposal will be an integral part of the Golden State's ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020, as required by the landmark legislation AB32 that the Legislature approved and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed in 2006. Campaignn and election news: Badges issued by former O.C. sheriff will be collected Taking steps to distance herself from Michael S. Carona By Stuart Pfeifer and Christine Hanley, Los Angeles Times Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens said Wednesday that she plans to recall all the badges that her indicted predecessor handed out to a group of more than 400 civilian volunteers, many the county's most wealthy and influential residents. Hutchens said she was uncomfortable with the volunteers carrying badges, even though they are not exact replicas of those issued to the department's 1,800 sworn deputies. She said she wants to ensure that the so-called professional service responders are volunteering for the right reason -- public service -- and that the program is no longer tainted by allegations that badges were issued as political favors. Prominent Los Angeles attorney faces possible federal campaign charges Attorneys for Pierce O'Donnell believe he is being targeted for political reasons By Scott Glover, Los Angeles Times In a high-stakes legal drama that stretches from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., federal prosecutors are poised to file criminal campaign finance charges against a prominent L.A. attorney, but his lawyers are fighting back, questioning whether his outspoken criticism of the Bush administration has made him the target of a political prosecution. A federal grand jury has been secretly probing whether attorney Pierce O'Donnell violated federal campaign laws by asking employees of his law firm to contribute to the 2004 presidential campaign of John Edwards and then reimbursing those who did, according to several sources, including a member of O'Donnell's legal team. Attorney general urges union vote for health workers Jerry Brown asks St. Joseph Health System management and union officials to allow workers to vote on forming a union By EUGENE W. FIELDS, Orange County Register California Attorney General Jerry Brown lent his voice and support Wednesday to efforts to unionize St. Joseph Health System workers. At an interfaith service and rally outside the gates of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, the corporation's administrative headquarters, Brown called for an election so the workers in the system's 14 hospitals in Texas and California can decide if they want to unionize. Schools bond to be on ballot this fall By Maureen Magee, San Diego Union-Tribune After weeks of disagreement over what its massive fix-it list should include, the San Diego school board voted unanimously yesterday to put a $2.1 billion bond measure on the November ballot. Without the fanfare that surrounded the vote to initiate Proposition MM a decade ago, trustees approved the sweeping ballot proposal that would repair and upgrade campuses throughout the San Diego Unified School District. During the brief meeting, trustees and administrators expressed relief, not celebration, about the decision. Around the state: State freezes Medi-Cal payments to thousands of healthcare facilities By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times Thousands of medical providers who care for low-income Californians are scrambling to find funds to keep their doors open, as the failure of lawmakers to pass a budget forces the state to halt payments to them. State officials put the healthcare facilities on notice that starting today, payments from the Medi-Cal insurance program for the poor will be frozen until a budget is approved. An emergency pot of cash officials had set aside to pay the healthcare clinics, nursing homes and adult day care centers in the event of a delayed budget has run dry. Tech rigged S.F. computer meltdown, prosecutors say By Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle Terry Childs envisioned the ultimate revenge on his bosses, prosecutors say - the meltdown of the city's computer network at the flick of a switch. And it would come not directly at the hands of Childs, but during routine system maintenance at the building that houses the city's Technology Department. The alleged plot was discovered before the computer network that handles law enforcement documents, payroll records, officials' e-mail and other sensitive city records was shut down for scheduled maintenance last Saturday, an action that would have vaporized numerous files because of a booby-trap Childs had installed, prosecutors said in court documents filed Wednesday. Childs, 43, has been jailed since July 13 on four felony counts of computer tampering after he allegedly locked his bosses at the Technology Department out of the system and refused to hand over the password he had created. SEDC board fires embattled president By Helen Gao and Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune Trustees of the Southeastern Economic Development Corp. fired longtime President Carolyn Smith last night, despite an outpouring of support from people who appreciated the agency's work in an underserved community. The announcement came after SEDC directors convened in private for more than two hours to discuss a demand last Friday from Mayor Jerry Sanders and half the City Council that Smith be immediately terminated. The mayor's accountants have found large discrepancies in budget and compensation at the agency, which is responsible for economic development in 7.2 square miles east of downtown. Postmus goes on medical leave Assessor to be out of office for 10 weeks By Lauren McSherry, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Nearly one month after his office was enmeshed in scandal, County Assessor Bill Postmus announced Wednesday he is taking a 10-week medical leave from his job. Starting today, acting Assistant Assessor Harlow Cameron, a 35-year veteran of the office, will handle all responsibilities associated with the elected position, according to a statement from Postmus. "Harlow Cameron is an invaluable and longtime member of this department," Postmus said in the statement. "Under Harlow Cameron's stewardship, I know the office will be in outstanding hands while I am away from the office." Postmus did not specify what sort of medical condition he suffered from. But multiple sources said he has a drug addiction that likely stems from a prior back injury. Dellums orders fiscal review By Kelly Rayburn, Oakland Tribune Mayor Ron Dellums acknowledged Wednesday that the 2008-09 spending plan he presented to the City Council in May was based on faulty figures and said he has ordered a "total review" of Oakland's financial situation, as officials brace for massive cutbacks and possible layoffs at City Hall. Dellums' remarks on the budget came at an afternoon news conference during which he also announced that former Oakland City Manager Robert Bobb had been hired as a consultant to help the mayor examine not only the budget, but also the city government's organizational structure, and its hiring practices, as well as to recommend changes to fully implement a strong-mayor form of government. Bobb will also aid in finding a new city administrator after Dellums fired former City Administrator Deborah Edgerly on July 1. |
S.F.'s system for chronic offenders broken By C.W. Nevius, San Francisco Chronicle How is it possible that chronic behavioral malcontent George Miley assaulted a female police officer three weeks ago, but only ended up spending four days in jail? After all, his July 6 attack on Officer Lisa Frazer was followed by his 106th arrest since 2001. Most everyone says the system for punishing quality-of-life crimes like public drunkenness and aggressive panhandling is broken in San Francisco, but Miley seems like an extraordinary case. How can he be on the streets today? FPPC now a political smokescreen By the San Jose Mercury News Since former legislator Ross Johnson took over last year, a disturbing change has taken place as to how the commission is dealing with campaign finance law. Gang tax? Council should put first things first By the Sacramento Bee Sacramento, and the wider region, needs a more effective strategy to help keep kids out of gangs and stem violent crime. To date, supporters have spent more time lining up votes for a tax increase than they've spent laying out a coordinated plan of attack. State's kids win right to be at hearings By the Sacramento Bee Kids who have been removed from their families because of abuse or neglect should be seen and heard when courts are making decisions about their lives. Do the math: Algebra mandate's a formula for failure By Jack Stewart and Bob Balgenorth, Sacramento Bee We're spending money we don't have on a program that's not even proven to succeed. An investment of this magnitude should be based on data, not blind hope. Keeping judicial elections nonpartisan By the Los Angeles Times Political parties and special-interest groups know that they can spice up otherwise boring judicial elections -- and at the same time stock the bench with jurists they believe will be more favorable to their causes -- by eliciting and relaying information aimed at voters' emotions. Still nipping at pet owners' heels By the Orange County Register The state Legislature earlier this summer halted its first big pet sterilization effort after public outrage, but legislators aren't about to give up without another fight. Proposed fast-food restaurant ban is insulting By the Los Angeles Daily News Were the City Council to ban the development of new fast-food restaurants throughout Los Angeles, it would be overly intrusive. But at least it wouldn't be insulting, as is the council's current plan to ban such establishments only in South Los Angeles. |
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