California Professional Firefighters

CPF Calls for Firefighter-Friendly Budget Plan

As state lawmakers and the governor continue to work towards a solution to the state's projected $42 billion budget deficit, CPF expresses concerns over any cost-cutting measures that would bypass the collective bargaining process.

Governor Schwarzenegger last month ordered a 10 percent cut to state workers' salaries through unpaid furloughs. While CAL FIRE employees are not directly affected by this decision, it sets a dangerous precedent as more municipalities face economic hardship and look for ways to cut public safety services.

"It's an attack on collective bargaining," said CPF President Lou Paulson. "Staff wages and working hours should be negotiated at the bargaining table, not dictated by local or state government."

CPF also rejects any budget plan that would include diverting local property taxes, which is the sole source of revenue for the state's fire protection districts.

During last summer's state budget stalemate, a plan was considered that would allow city redevelopment agencies to extend local redevelopment projects scheduled to expire. These projects would be allowed to keep the property taxes that the projects generate and they would be exempt from any new and more stringent regulations. In exchange, the state would benefit from a share of the property taxes from those extensions - to the detriment of all who would normally benefit from those local property taxes including fire protection districts.

"This idea has reared its ugly head once more," said Paulson. "Diverting redevelopment funds would have a devastating effect on fire departments throughout the state and their ability to deliver emergency services."

In addition, CPF warns against cuts that would impact funding to firefighter apprenticeship programs, which provide standardized education and training for California's front-line firefighters.

Governor Schwarzenegger, Democratic and Republican state legislators are currently in an impasse, unable to agree on how to address the massive budget crisis the state is in. The governor vetoed the Democratic budget package on Tuesday as it failed to meet his demands of more cuts and an easing of environmental regulations to spur economic growth. The state treasury is set to run out of cash next month.