Anticipating Budget Cuts, State Agencies Shrink
State government is shrinking. Many attribute the big drop to the $15 billion in budget cuts lawmakers passed in this year's legislative session. They kicked in on Sept. 1. But these cuts didn’t come as a shock to state agencies; they've been preparing for the budget deficit — and dropping employees — for more than a year.
In May, while lawmakers were finalizing the details of the 2012-13 state budget, state agencies turned in their employment reports to the State Auditor’s Office, which keeps track of the number of government employees paid by the state. A Tribune analysis ...
Comments (3)
Robert Domitz
If the State is cutting employees, why are there still so many contractors? The contractors should be let go before part time and full time employees.
d f
Jes more good news for guv goodhair. He can bark about his success in shrinkin Tixshis gummint, jes like he said, Im' onna tell yew fer sure, dadgummit.
Milan Moravec
Lessons learned at University of California for Texas. I love the University of California (UC) having been a student and lecturer. But today I am concerned that at times I do not recognize the UC I love. Like so many I am deeply disappointed by the pervasive failures of Regent Chairwoman Lansing, President Yudof and the ten campus Chancellors from holding the line on rising costs.
Californians are reeling from19% unemployment (includes those forced to work part time, and those no longer searching), mortgage defaults, loss of unemployment benefits. And those who still have jobs are working longer for less. Faculty wages must reflect California's ability to pay, not what others are paid.
Pay increases for generously paid Faculty is arrogance.
UC Berkeley (ranked # 70 Forbes) tuition increases exceed the national average rate of increases. Chancellor Birgeneau has molded Cal. into the most expensive American public university.
President Yudof and Chancellor Birgeneau have dismissed many much needed cost-cutting options. They did not consider freezing vacant faculty positions, increasing class size, requiring faculty to teach more classes, doubling the time between sabbaticals, cutting and freezing pay and benefits for all chancellors and and reforming the pension system.
They said faculty such reforms “would not be healthy for University of California”.
We agree it is far from the ideal situation, but it is in the best interests of the university system and the state to hold the line on cost increases. UC cannot expect to do business as usual: raising tuition; granting pay raises and huge bonuses during a weak economy that has sapped state revenues and individual Californians’ income.
There is no question the necessary realignments with economic reality are painful. Regent Chairwoman Lansing can bridge the public trust gap with reassurances that salaries and costs reflect California’s economic reality. The sky above UC will not fall
Opinions? Email the UC Board of Regents marsha.kelman@ucop.edu