Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Legal Fight Today

The public employee unions and the Governor are in court today fighting about the two day a month furlough proposal. Personally, I hope the Governor's side is unsuccessful. That may seem strange. The Governor's proposal could reduce the state's huge budget deficit by about a billion dollars. (That is about 1/40 of what is necessary but it is a start.) My problem with the proposal is that it might be significantly disruptive for Californians who need to work with state agencies. DMV open two fewer days a month, for example, makes little sense to me. The better alternative is a reduction in force, layoffs. That is exactly what the Governor has proposed if he is unsuccessful. So let the unions win today and have the Governor follow through on his second proposal. Sounds like a win-win for Californians.

Where I hope the Governor is successful is in his attempt to dump the prison health czar, which is also in court. The federal judge who ordered Californians to spend an estimated $8 billions on prison health care way exceeded his authority. That order should be quashed.

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