Gov. Jerry Brown's wants to eliminate 43 boards, commissions, offices and task forces while cutting some 5,500 positions from state government, he said during this morning's press conference to announce his May state budget revision.
The "bulk" of employee cuts would be in Corrections, Finance Director Ana Matosantos said in remarks after Brown presented his budget. She didn't specify how many positions would be axed there or in other departments.
If the restructuring took effect Jan.1, 2012, the consolidations would save the state $82.7 million, about half of that from the general fund. Click here to download the section of the budget that contains a list of state entities that Brown wants to ax.
Some other cuts of particular interest to state employees:
Elimination of Office of the Inspector General duties and roughly 46 positions. The OIG would continue to oversee employee discipline and use-of-force matters for Corrections. State audits and "improved internal controls" at CDCR have made it "less critical" for OIG's oversight. Some of OIG's jobs, such as medical care inspections, would be transferred to other state entities. (Savings: $6.4 million general fund.)
Elimination of the Human Resources Modernization Project. This program, launched under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, was intended to streamline the state's civil service program. Its key functions would be absorbed by the new California Department of Human Resources. (Savings: $5.5 million all funds / $2.3 million general fund.)
Reduction of the Workforce and Labor Agency: The downsizing of this small cabinet office cuts 4 jobs and moves the office from leased space to existing state facilities in the Employment Development Department. (Savings: $677,000.)
Brown's plan also calls for "consolidation of underutilized space" brought on by department downsizing or unrealized expectations for staff expansion.
The budget proposal also notes that the state has cut building rental costs by $26.6 million ($5.4 million general fund) by renegoiating leases and another $20 million ($11 million general fund) by eliminating state-issued cell phones. The budget proposal also references savings from Brown's order to cut the state vehicle fleet, but provides no specifics because the fleet is being reviewed to figure out which properties the state should sell.
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