The State Worker

CA: The Buzz: Democrats' duel over pay of legislators goes to court
When Democrats control the state Legislature and all statewide offices, sooner or later they will end up fighting each other in court. One need look no further than the approaching showdown between legislative leaders and state Controller John Chiang. (Sacramento Bee)

Jerry Brown predicts ongoing budget problems, "finger-pointing" if his tax measures fails
Gov. Jerry Brown said Thursday he is racing to clear the November ballot of two rival tax initiatives because failure will lead to severe ongoing budget problems and Democratic blame-trading. "If we get down the road and there are no taxes," he said, "there's going to be a lot of finger-pointing." (Sacramento Bee)

TX: JACQUELINE SHANNON: State's safety net in peril
When I was a teenager growing up in San Antonio, as many teenagers will do, we made fun of that place down on South Presa Street and the people who went there a reference to the San Antonio State Hospital. (San Angelo Standard-Times)

PA:Woman testifies she organized Orie fundraisers on state time
A woman who started working for state Sen. Jane Orie as an intern in 2001 will resume testifying this afternoon on cross-examination in the McCandless Republican's public corruption trial. Christa Meeder told the jury her duties while she was being paid as a state employee involved preparing fundraisers for Ms. Orie when she was up for re-election in 2002. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

LA: State employees advised they can oppose pension changes
The civil service department is advising Louisiana's state employees that they can talk with lawmakers, testify at legislative hearings, attend public rallies and otherwise express their views on Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposals to change their retirement benefits and contributions. (AP / WWL)

CO: Colorado state government goes Google
Colorado officials announced that 26,000 state workers will be switching over to email services provided by web giant Google, Inc. in an effort to help them work more efficiently and save money. (9 News)

MI: Court: Family cannot sue state
An 11-page opinion issued March 1 by the Michigan Court of Appeals says the family of Calista Springer cannot sue the state for her death. Grandmother Suzanne Langdon of Three Rivers, who acted as a representative of Calista's estate, sued the state Department of Human Services and the county's Child Protective Services in October 2010. ... Langdon claimed Calista died because state workers failed to protect her from her parents. (Sturgis Journal)

Maine Labor Board Upholds Part of State Union Complaint
The Maine Labor Relations Board has upheld a complaint by the largest state workers' union that the LePage administration failed to bargain in good faith in the attempt to reach a contract. (Maine Public Broadcasting Network)

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