The largest state employee union has been trying to negotiate a new contract with the Governor since summer. They said he had no intention of listening to their demands.
The state engineers union took a different tactic by going to court. Their lawsuit contends the Governor has no authority to force state workers to take 2 days a month of unpaid leave. The move essentially amounts to a 10-percent pay cut.
It is Day 47 of the budget impasse with the deficit now topping more than $7-billion dollars to date. The chambers in Sacramento remain empty; a sure sign a budget solution isn't close.
While criticizing lawmakers for the gridlock, the Governor said he didn't want to order state worker furloughs, but absent a budget compromise he has to keep expenses down.
In another ominous sign of the state's dire financial situation, State Controller John Chiang sent a letter to leaders saying California will run out of money in less than 70 days. In fact, Chiang told them, "We are literally weeks away from a meltdown of State Government".
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