The State Worker

In 2010, the state contracted with two firms for furlough litigation for a total $2.25 million. That's not chump change, but it's fairly insignificant when compared to the $839 million cut from the state budget by putting state employees on furlough one day per month for one year.

Even the current litigation, likely the last remnant of the epic furlough fights that started four years ago under former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, would be more expensive for Brown to settle than to fight. The 13,000 state engineers and scientists affected by the case stand to receive about $12 million in back pay.

The greater cost of furloughs has been to morale and productivity that prompted a spike in retirements. It's impossible to know how many state employees left earlier than they would have if their hours and pay hadn't been cut, but the record-setting 2010 retirement numbers indicate that the policy drove some folks to the exits.

The cost of those earlier retirements is impossible to quantify. Retirees entering the retirement system earlier can be a longer drain on its resources. Lost institutional knowledge and experience can further further drain savings from furloughs. It's difficult to quantify these soft costs to government, which will likely be felt for years to come.

Gee I wonder how much that "administration contract attorney" is costing the taxpayers?!? We're hundreds of thousands in the hole for the Governator's contract attorneys ...

Good question. We'll get the latest numbers. Stay tuned ...

Brown took some shots from commenters over his decision to appeal the furlough ruling against his administration:

Brown should just let this one go.

The irony of all of this is Governor Brown signed the Dills Act back in the 1970s and now he is actively violating it.

It is called an illegal lockout and the employees did not do the wrong, the employer did. The voters should vote in better leadership if they want this sort of thing happening.

We wouldn't be surprised if the parties settle this at some point. Brown has settled labor disputes before (see CCPOA's union paid leave case).

And with contract talks looming next year, the unions might see the litigation as leverage at the bargaining table ...

Then there's always the big-picture angle that filters events through a political prism:

He's only doing it cause he knows he'll lose. But he'll look like he's being tough on unions. I don't believe anything Democrats are doing to limit unions until I see it actually happen. Otherwise, it's just posturing.

Hilarious! All you out there that think Brown is the union's friend. Only when it benefits his agenda.

PECG did not contribute their "fair share" to his campaign and to Prop 30.

Professional Engineers in California Government contributed $100,000 to the Yes on 30 campaign, the third-largest donation it made during the last election cycle, according to state campaign finance records.

Brown's committee received $51,800 from the union in 2010, the maximum allowed by state law at the time. PECG also gave $1 million to the California Democratic Party, which in turn kicked in $4.2 million for Brown's successful 2010 gubernatorial run.

For the record, the smaller of the two unions that are party to Brown's furlough appeal, California Association of Professional Scientists, gave $25,000 to the Yes on 30 campaign. Two years ago it contributed the maximum $51,800 to Brown's gubernatorial campaign committee and $287,000 to the California Democratic Party, according to state records.

PHOTO: Gov. Jerry Brown / Sacramento Bee 2010 file, Hector Amezcua