A new Field Poll reports that nearly half of California's registered voters are OK with unions but but an increasing percentage think public pensions are too generous -- 42 percent, up from 32 percent in 2009. Ten percent said public pensions are not generous enough. A Little Hoover Commission report in February recommended public pension reform, including lowering future benefits for current government employees and establishing a salary cap for pension calculations. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and CalSTRS both slammed the report.

State Worker columnist Jon Ortiz asked state workers what they think of Gov. Brown's order to take 48,000 state cell phones out of service. As you might expect, the responses are sharp. Check here for a copy of the governor's executive order (order follows the governor's release).

Gov. Brown has announced he is eliminating the Office of the First Lady and the Office of the Secretary of Education. He also is closing three field offices and will not have a cabinet secretary or deputy cabinet secretaries.

A Sacramento Bee editorial this morning questions Gov. Brown's wisdom in appointing Ronald Yank to head the Department of Personnel Administration and Marty Morgenstern to lead the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Yank is a retired labor lawyer who previously represented labor unions.

Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, is announcing legislation that would cap all public pensions in California at a salary base of $245,000 per year. Hill is promoting the measure after three dozen UC employees, who all earn more than $245,000 a year, threatened to sue over pension payouts.

Gov. Brown has been granted an extra month to review the proposal to sell 11 state properties, delaying a court hearing until at least the second half of February. As Attorney General, he was critical of the plan, and the Legislative Analyst's Office has reported it will be a money-loser in the long term.

Gov. Brown announced the appointment of two attorneys as executive secretaries -- his chiefs of staff -- today: Jim Humes and Nancy McFadden. Humes will cover administration, legal affairs and policy; McFadden will cover litigation, appointments and policy. Brown also appointed his wife, Anne Gust Brown, to be an unpaid special counsel. She held a similar position when Brown was attorney general.

Gov. Brown is proposing to help reduce the budget deficit by shifting some state responsibilities to local agencies. He says he will direct funding to pay for program shifts.

Gov. Jerry Brown announced several new appointments today, but he had not yet revealed who will be his "executive secretary." The executive secretary will replace the traditional chief of staff.

Between his swearing-in and private reception, from noon to 2:30 p.m., the newly sworn-in Gov. Jerry Brown will mingle with the public at the Capitol and lunch on hot dogs and chips.

A state appellate court has effectively blocked the sale of 11 state office properties until Gov.-elect Brown takes office next month. Gov. Schwarzenegger supported the sale, but the Legislative Analyst's Office criticized the deal as "poor fiscal policy."

Gov.-elect Jerry Brown has told California State Lottery Director Joan Borucki that her services are no longer needed. Her last day will be Jan. 2.

The State Worker column reports today that CDCR has issued at least 75 layoff notices, Gov. Schwarzenegger has spent $1.4 million in legal fees on furlough litigation, the LAO goofed in assessing the cost of the new SEIU Local 1000 contract, and more.

Gov.-elect Jerry Brown will be sworn in Jan. 3 at Sacramento's Memorial Auditorium with a reception at the state Railroad Museum that afternoon. Brown staffers report there will be an "emphasis on frugality."

State workers may think of Gov.-elect Jerry Brown as their furlough salvation, but as governor his hands will be tied. For a look at Brown's options legally, see the State Worker blog.