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news
State employees
may not receive paychecks
By Larry W.
Brunson, Jr.
Summer Forty-Niner
After several weeks
of not having a proposed budget, the state assembly finally
passed a new state budget in a vote of 54 to 26, however state
employees may not receive their paychecks if Gov. Gray Davis
does not approve of the budget passed by the California Assembly.
The state's new
budget, which was supposed to be decided upon before the fiscal
year ended June 30, was finally passed by the Assembly on
July 16. Now, the Senate and Gov. Davis must approve it so
that funds can be allocated for the state budget.
In an ongoing battle
with parliamentary procedure, the Assembly was able to override
the procedures so that the state could have a budget since
it was the parliamentary procedures of the state legislature
that were delaying the vote.
The vote was being
delayed partially because of a disagreement between the Democrats
and Republicans over a 25-cent sales tax increase that has
expired. Democrats want to extend this tax increase, but the
Republicans want it to expire. This tax increase was originally
applied to bring in more money for the state budget, however
because of the energy crisis, many state programs will have
to be cut and state employees may not be receiving a paycheck
this month.
According to Ken
Swisher, a spokesperson for the Chancellor's Office, the governor's
proposed budget is in tact, however there were some cuts that
will hurt state employees.
"We were disappointed
that Gov. Davis cut the employee compensation increases in
half, but we were happy that he included full funding for
student enrollment growth," Swisher said.
Because state employees
are paid under the state budget, many state employees will
not be paid if Gov. Davis doesn't pass the budget in order
to allocate the funds so that state employees can receive
a paycheck, according to Armando Contreras, executive assistant
to Cal State Long Beach President Robert Maxson.
"All state
employees including Cal Trans, legislative, and all other
government employees will be affected," Contreras said.
However, as of
now all teachers and professors are not going to be affected
by the budget.
Many state funded
businesses, organizations, and educational institutions are
holding their breath while they wait for Gov. Davis to make
his decision. Several Cal State Long Beach employees are optimistic
that they will receive their paychecks on July 30.
"We don't
know what our budget will be until the governor allocates
the funds," Contreras said. "We are used to it,
and that's a part of the legislative process, and we hope
it's resolved soon."
The state legislature
is scheduled to go on a recess at the end of the week, so
state employees are hopeful that everything will be taken
care of.
"I'm optimistic
that it will all work out before the week's end since the
legislature will be going on a recess," Contreras said.
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