Recently I attended both the California Republican Party and California Democratic Party conventions as a member of the CSLEA Political Action Committee. The PAC committee's attendance at both is imperative, because we must educate both sides of our importance to the State of California.  Playing politics is not fun, it is work and it is not a Monday through Friday, 9-to-5 job. Both conventions took place on Furlough Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Our job, besides just being a presence, is to make sure your voices are heard on issues that pertain solely to your employment. We do not engage in discussions over social issues; we care about your welfare as a state employee.

The results of our efforts are never immediately known but down the road, when some bill that is important to us comes up for a vote, we hopefully will see the fruits of our labor ripen.

Your PAC is a small but dedicated group. There were about ten of us at each convention. So the next time you ask, "what has CSLEA done for me lately?" think of those of us who worked all weekend for no compensation to try and make your life better.

The CSLEA PAC consists of:

• Alan Barcelona - CSLEA President
• Tina Brazil - CHP-PSD President
• Richard Carrillo - AMVIC President
• Bruce Hotchkiss - CARII President
• Mike Lloyd - ASA-DOJ
• Karen Meredith - HPAC
• Ricardo Sanchez - CALEE President
• Jon Spencer - CAFDI
• Francine Toth - COLRE President

How Many State Employees?

Next time someone tells you about the huge number of state employees, send them to the California Budget Project's Web site www.cbp.org where they will find "Budget Backgrounder."  Most departments have seen a reduction, or a very small increase, in the number of employees per 1,000 citizens.

Two very interesting graphs show that

a) salaries and wages account for less than one-fifth of total state spending (so much for those "cost saving furloughs") and

b) more than two-thirds of salaries and wages is spent by UC, CSU, CDCR, and Transportation Departments.

Furlough Lawsuits

Finally a word or two on the furlough lawsuits and our much anticipated 2.5 percent retirement suit.  The main word is wait. The furlough lawsuits may be heard by the California Supreme Court, maybe before Arnold leaves office, but I wouldn't bet on it.

As for the safety retirement case, the wheels of justice are turning slowly.  As soon as I know something you all will know.

For the foreseeable future keep your heads down, stay out of trouble, and stay safe.