New budget cuts will cause the city’s popular 311 call service to shut down for all requests except emergencies for two Fridays per month, according to city officials. The budget cuts result from the new contract for union employees represented by Stationary Engineers Local 39. As part of the union’s deal with the city, each member of Local 39 must take 88 hours of furlough time in the 2010/2011 fiscal year, and 96 furlough hours in the following fiscal year. Some of the union’s members work for 311, and they will be on furlough the two Fridays each month, according to city spokeswoman Amy Williams.  The call center’s new schedule with furloughs starts Sept. 17. “We are unfortunately as

At first glance, it appears that Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel is raking in the money this year. In just the last three months, he garnered an 8 percent salary increase and a new retirement perk. However, Braziel’s salary and benefit gains are not as simple as meets the eye. There’s a back story that involves the timing of Braziel’s raise. Police Department spokeswoman Laura Peck and city spokeswoman Amy Williams both emphasized that Braziel’s raise is not a new development, because the city has owed him the extra money for years. Peck said she could respond to questions without the need for the chief to comment directly to The Sacramento Press. To make sense of the information,

Times are tough for college students in California. State grants are being cut drastically due to budget cuts and Furloughs are closing down entire campuses on non-holidays. It is looking grim for the future of higher education. Assembly Bill 656, introduced by Majority Leader Alberto Torrico, proposes a gas and oil severance tax in California that could make for a brighter future.  AB 656 was introduced on Feb. 25 and had minor alterations since, the last being on July 7.  Currently states with oil supplies, such as Alaska and Texas, have oil severance taxes that help fund higher education and proponents of AB 656 are looking to do the same. "Fees have increased in eight out of the la

The Democratic Party of Sacramento County (DPSC) will hold its monthly meeting today (July 14) at 6 p.m. in room 127 of the State Capitol Building. The DPSC will discuss furloughs for Sacramento County and State workers and their impact on families and the local economy. DPSC Treasurer, Guy Crouch will present Assembly Bill 138, which would enact a mandatory peer review requirement for California accounting firms that provide any audit, review or compilation services. The DPSC will consider taking a position on the legislation. Elk Grove City Councilmember and Congressional candidate Gary Davis will be at the meeting to discuss the Elk Grove City Charter. Finally, California Attorney Gen

Mayor Kevin Johnson told media outlets earlier this week that possible layoffs of state workers may harm the city’s economy. Layoffs for about 5,000 state workers have been proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to address the state’s $24.3 billion deficit. Local governments throughout the state may be impacted by state budget cuts, Johnson said. But because many Sacramento residents are state workers, the city faces “a double whammy.” Sacramento is “very uniquely positioned as a state capital city to get hit twice,” Johnson said Tuesday. Johnson went on to say that if these workers are laid off, they may not be able to make their mortgage payments. In turn, these residents may foreclos

If you're one of the approximately 100,000 Sacramentans who may have two extra free days a month, thanks to likely furloughs of state workers this month, you're in luck. No, you're not going to get that 10 percent of your income back. But with snow on the way this week, you have another option: Ski Squaw. The Squaw Valley Ski Resort announced today that it is offering furloughed state workers a deal on ski lift tickets - alliteratively known as Furlough Fridays - the first and third Fridays of the month. And the first one is this Friday, Feb. 6. All California State employees affected by the furloughs will be able to ski or snowboard at Squaw Valley for only $30. To purchase the tickets

In a ruling that will have immediate impact on the economy of Sacramento, Superior Court Judge Patrick Marlette ruled Thursday that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is within his legal rights to furlough state workers. The governor issued an executive order in December proposing to reduce state workers' hours by two days per month. Workers unions immediately sued in response, and today's hearing was meant to resolve the issue. "I cannot help but recognize the huge impact this will have on state workers," Judge Marlette said. Judge Marlette also noted that it was not his job to rule on whether the furloughs were the right solution to the problem, but only that the governor had the legal au