On the state front, the governor of California, who ran on a platform of "openness in government" is acting like Karl Rove is now on staff. As you see in the second item on minimum wage, he, at least, doesn't stoop to the hypocrisy of trying to appear "compassionate" in his decision that hurts the working poor while keeping the Chamber of Commerce happy. Check out this note from the California Faculty Association newsletter (online):

GOV VETOES BILL, RENEGES ON CAMPAIGN PROMISE

Speaking of Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, the governor recently vetoed a bill she authored, which would have required the CSU to disclose its campus presidents' compensation and benefits.

Goldberg said she was surprised the governor had rejected her bill after he had promised during his recall election campaign that he would "open the books" on California agencies and "audit everything" to "end the crazy deficit spending."

The governor also vetoed a bill Friday that would have increased the minimum wage to $7.75 during the next two years. Currently, the state minimum wage is $6.75.

According to a study released in July by the National Economic Development and Law Center, the current minimum wage is far too low for a single adult with two small children to live in most California communities without being forced to choose among food, housing, health care and child care.

Even the proposed increase by $1 would have been too low. (See https://webmail.saclink.csus.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.nedlc.org/publications.htm). In Fresno, for example, a $16/hour employee could scrape by without entertainment or savings. To do so in Los Angeles or Long Beach, the employee would need to earn $22.10/hour; in Oakland $26.96/hour; or in Salinas $21.74/hour.

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