From The Sacramento Bee: More details on the governor's proposal to cut state workers' pay while requiring them to work more hours.

I am very sorry that so many of state workers must endure so much economic turmoil and caustic commentary. Many of them made the choice to work for the state for the economic stability and long-term benefits such employment offered; they did this while the private sector was booming. Many of their contemporaries went to work for the private sector when it was booming with dot.com energy, and real-estate fortunes being made; bonuses, vacation perks, and other rewards were reported as being fairly common during those boom years. State workers plodded on at their then lower pay scales and benefit packages while many of their friends touted their successes in the private world. Then the private-sector made a huge "correction" and now many seem angry/envious that state workers made their choices those many years ago... It seems to me that most state workers strive to perform well under near toxic circumstances. While there are always exceptions, I think most are just like most other folk in all sectors who work hard, try to raise their families, serve their communities in a variety of ways, and are decent folk. Proportionally very few receive the excessive retirement benefits that the media has recently reported. There is no doubt that state employment must be examined with a view to increased efficiency and accountability, but let's not beat up an entire group of folk simply for making the decision to work for the State. Respectfully...
-- stephenhoover