The State Worker blog and other news sources today report on a study released today that showed state and local government employees are better educated but earn less than their private-sector counterparts. Public-sector benefits narrow the gap somewhat don't close it.

In response to the suggestion that California could dramatically reduce state employment with minimal impact on services, the California Budget Project has published a report detailing the breakdown in the state's workforce. The findings: More than half the state's workforce is employed in public safety and education, primarily universities.

Are furloughs and labor turmoil pushing state workers into retirement? The number of Californians who began retirement in January increased more than 30 percent over January 2009, and in all of 2009, state retirements were up almost 18 percent from 2008. Still, with 21,000 workers starting state jobs last year, the state work force shrank by only 1,666 employees. An audit estimates half the state's supervisors and managers could leave by 2016.

AB790, a bill that would have continued state workers' pay if the budget does not pass by the deadline, was defeated in the Senate today. The vote fell four short of the two-thirds majority needed for the "urgency" measure to pass. The bill had already passed the Assembly.

State Controller John Chiang's monthly report for March showed receipts above projections and expenditures below. The positive result is dampened, however, by the state's jobless rate and the reduced person income tax revenues. "The road to recovery will be long and arduous," Chiang said in his press release.

In the past year, Gov. Schwarzenegger has put up a "no service" sign to California residents by locking state workers out of their jobs despite their willingness to serve the public. Moreover, the furloughs are increasing the general fund deficit. (Viewpoint of Assemblyman Hector De La Torre; published in The Sacramento Bee)

Here is an update on the two bills of concern to ACSS: AB 790, the continuous appropriation bill, is back in committee and may come up for a Senate floor vote next week. Gov. Schwarzenegger is expected to veto it. SBX8 29, exempting some state workers from furloughs, is dead. The governor vetoed it and there is no chance for an override vote.

From The State Worker: The Department of Developmental Services has released its plan for closing Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona. The plan must be approved by the Legislature. ACSS spoke on behalf of its members in support of keeping the facility open and will continue to work toward saving the facility and supporting our members who work there. The DDS press release is here. ACSS welcomes your comment on this blog or by email to lholderness@calcsea.org.

From the Ventura County Star: In what may be a harbinger of the future for state workers, the city of Ventura has approved a two-tier pension plan. Current employees would continue to receive the benefits of the current plan but may have to pay more for them. SEIU Local 721, which represent Ventura city workers, says the new tier will not save the city significant funds for at least 15 years.

Some state workers might like having furlough Fridays off and would continue them if they could, The State Worker column reports today.

The economy isn't rebounding yet, apparently. An Employment Development Department report says the state lost 20,400 jobs in February and the unemployment rate is still 12.5 percent. Read a Sacramento Bee report here.

A Sacramento Bee editorial calls for the end to the furloughs -- not June 30 but now. However, the same piece also urges state worker unions to agree to salary and benefit concessions.

Catching up: Gov. Schwarzenegger has vetoed Senate President Pro Tem Steinberg's bill, SB X8 29, to exempt from furloughs state workers whose jobs are funded no more than 5 percent from the general fund. Read Steinberg's response here. You can call Steinberg's office to support the Legislature's override of this veto at 916-651-4006.

No surprise here: A Sacramento Bee analysis, reported on The State Worker blog this morning, reveals the average pay -- both base pay and total pay -- for state workers fell 5.4 percent last year. The pay for some job classifications fell as much at 6.4 percent.

Here are a few reports Judge Roesch's order that the furloughs end immediately for about 50,000 rank-and-file state workers. ACSS is researching the case to determine if the ruling also applies to supervisory workers. The governor says he will appeal the ruling to require the employees remain furloughed until June. Sacramento Bee: Senate President Pro Tem Steinberg agrees with the ruling. SEIU Local 1000: Ruling validated its position furloughs were illegal. San Diego/NBC: Ruling not a victory yet. Wall Street Journal: New headache for the governor, who helped close a budget shortfall with measures that included the furloughs.