Ben Deci FOX40 News

July 28, 2010
ktxl-news-californiareinstatesfurloughs

Sacramento, CA —
State work just isn't what it used to be. That's because it's going to be just like it was last year. Furloughs are back.

"Oh, I definately have to be mindful of every penny I spend," said Brenley Mckenna, a State employee. But today, McKenna splurged. she got a new top for an importnat meeting tomorrow- a job interview.

"I love my job," she said. "I always wanted to work fo the government since college. Then finding out I could get laid-off."

And while losing bright, young employees like Brenley is a known risk to the furlough plan, it's an acceptable risk for an Administration that wants to see the government work force shrink anyway.

"As soon as the legislature produces a budget, that they're 7 weeks late on delivering, and as soon as the Department of Finance says that budget is going to enable us to pay the bills for the rest of the year... the furloughs go away," said Aaron Mclear, spokesman for the Governor.

But until then, starting August 13th and for every 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Friday of every month, State employees will be locked-out of work. That means an employee making 48-thousand dollas a year will lose about $600 a month.

"You have to cut back a lot," said McKenna. "Even the little things you don;t really expect to."

The Administration figures they'll save 150-million dollars a month with the new furlough policy. State employees invovled in public safety, those who work for CHP and Cal Fire, are exempt from furloughs. So are employees who belong to unions that have made concessions to the State.