After seventeen months of furloughs, state workers continue to carry the load for budget shortfalls. Rather than working to build consensus on a real solution, Schwarzenegger is defending a failed policy to unilaterally and illegally cut state worker wages.

Schwarzenegger’s furloughs hurt all Californians. The Governor is seeking to cut the budget gap on the backs of dedicated public servants who, for years, have accepted less from the state than private sector employers because they want to do the people’s work. Public workers do important work – building roads and bridges, supporting the disabled and elderly and ensuring public safety – and they get paid less than comparable private sector employees – before taking a 14% furlough pay cut.

As a local issue, furloughs have devastated Sacramento’s economy. The State of California is far and away our region’s largest employer, with more than ninety thousand local workers. Three furlough days have directly cut over half a billion dollars in lost wages from our local economy and have indirectly led to thousands of other local non-state workers losing their jobs. (SacBee)

Schwarzenegger talks about ‘sharing the pain’, but focuses on policies that target our region and disproportionately hurt the middle class. Today, in Oakland, the Alameda Superior Court is hearing arguments on the legality of Schwarzenegger’s furloughs. Schwarzenegger’s lawyers claim it is a necessary ‘emergency’ measure. Judge Roesch wondered, “How can you have an emergency that’s seventeen months long?” That is a good question, judge. It is time for our government to craft real, long term solutions to California’s budget issues, instead of gimmicks that hurt Californians but play well in the press.

In case you missed it, CBS 13 News interviewed DPSC Spokesman, Devin Lavelle, in its coverage of the investigation into the city of Sacramento's Community Development Department:

Last week our Executive Director, Evan Hawkins, joined Bob Mulholland (Political Advisor for the California Democratic Party) and Democratic volunteers to deliver mops to the Republican Headquarters in Sacramento. Check out the video footage below:

As Americans, we should feel proud that President Obama has become the fourth U.S. President to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Instead, Republicans have decided to put politics first and use this moment in history to criticize our President and the Nobel Peace Prize to solicit political contributions. Unfortunately, the Republicans have decided once again to take the lowest road possible.

Below is a fundraising letter sent from the RNC Chairman moments after our President was given this prestigious award:

"I'm sure you've heard the news -- Barack Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It's a stunning, if not truly surprising, indication of just how meaningless a once honorable and respected award has become.

What has President Obama actually accomplished? It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights.

Even the normally fawning media have expressed shock at the clearly political and unmerited award. But the Democrats clearly see it differently, with DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse stating "the Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists -- the Taliban and Hamas this morning -- in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize."

Like most Americans, the DNC can't think of one achievement that the president has accomplished, so they resort to their predictable response and standard playbook of demonizing anyone who disagrees with them.

First they call Americans concerned over health care "rabid extremists" and "angry mobs." Now, when challenged to answer the question of what the president has accomplished, Democrats are lashing out calling Republicans terrorists. That type of political rhetoric is shameful.

Re "Top offices cope with cut" (Page A1, Sept. 16) and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's spokesman Aaron McLear's quote that state employees should make "the same sacrifices as everyone else": McLear obviously is unaware of the sacrifices many made before the economic downturn.

Four years ago, when times were good, I was underpaid by 30 percent compared with my counterparts in other public agencies for the same type of work. This is according to the governor's own Department of Personnel Administration's salary survey. Now, I'm cut 14 percent more.

So I'm vastly underpaid during the good times and cut more during bad times. This despite the fact that my salary doesn't come from the general fund, so saves the state nothing. The only reason I stay is due to my dedication to delivering my project (a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project) and that I'm 11 years from retiring. Many good people on the project have left for better pay and benefits at other public agencies, creating a huge "brain drain."

McLear is way off base. Obviously, I and others are willing to sacrifice, given that we stay to serve the public and deliver needed services and projects.

Mike Whiteside
Strategic Development Chair
Democratic Party of Sacramento County