Budget impasse: State workers hit by Legislature loggerheads

WHO: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

WHAT: Schwarzenegger signed an executive order that eliminated thousands of part-time and temporary state jobs. It also ordered that up to 200,000 state workers be paid the federal minimum wage.

WHY THEY’RE DOING IT: The governor made the move to help close the $15.2 billion deficit the state is facing. The order is his way of trying to pressure state lawmakers into passing a budget, which already is one month overdue.

WHY IT’S A BAD IDEA: The state does need to have a budget and the Legislature needs to overcome partisan bickering, but attempting to solve the problem by hurting workers across the state is not the right answer.

WHERE TO VENT: You can call the governor’s office at (916) 445-2841, or look up your state lawmaker at www.legislature.ca.gov.