Gov. Jan Brewer has called a Special Session of the legislature to again attempt to balance the 2009-10 and 2010-11 state budgets.  The session, which began March 8, will address "employee compensation and workforce reduction," according to her March 5 proclamation.

The governor's budget plan is expected to call for further pay cuts to state employees' salaries, an additional furlough day, elimination of the 2.75 percent in performance pay, as well as further layoffs in addition to the 4,000-plus state workers who have already been let go.

Arizona's state workforce are already among the lowest-paid in the nation and many have already seen their paychecks reduced through mandatory furlough days.  Proposed salary cuts this year and next will not only have an immediate effect on income, but will also affect retirement pensions in the future.

Employees of the state of Arizona should contact their state senator and representatives and let them know that Enough is Enough.

This latest budget plan by the governor and Republican legislative leaders was developed without any input from the public or any Democratic legislators, according to this story in the Arizona Republic.