Party leaders ask for prison guards to be left out of pay cut

State Senate leaders called on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Monday to exempt state corrections officers from his executive order cutting pay for about 180,000 state workers to federal minimum wage.

In a joint statement, State Senate Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) said cutting prison guard pay would put public safety at risk.

"If your executive order is not amended to exempt all corrections personnel, our four house leaders have agreed to hold a public hearing on Wednesday," the senators wrote in their statement. "We would like to avoid that spectacle; however, please recognize we believe you have inadvertently placed our communities at risk and in danger."

The number of workers affected by the executive order issued Aug. 1 was already reduced because of exemptions ordered for some departments, such as the one federal receiver J. Clark Kelso ordered for those working in the prison health system he oversees.

Schwarzenegger issued the order because without a state budget, he said, the state would be in danger of being unable to meet its financial obligations.

The standoff between legislative Republicans and Democrats on the budget continued Monday, with Assembly Democratic leaders cancelling a planned floor session where a vote on a budget proposal might have happened.

In response, Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines (R-Clovis) issued a statement criticizing the cancellation.

"Today, Assembly Republicans were again prepared to debate the Democrats on their budget plan, which will hurt families, kill jobs and hinder our economic growth," Villines said in the statement. "Unfortunately Democrats, who control this house, are refusing to even call the Assembly into session."

Another Assembly floor session is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow morning.

The Democratic legislators' proposal, which has yet to come up for a vote, is likely to fail; few expect Republicans to support it because it includes tax increases.

Some Republicans must cross party lines to vote for a budget, which requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

The state budget is 42 days overdue.

EARLIER on PolitickerCA.com:

• Chiang: Need more time, info to comply with governor's order