California budget 'emergency': bid to recoup $6 billion in pensions - Daniel B. Wood, Christian Science Monitor

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency over California’s finances Wednesday and ordered three days off without pay per month for tens of thousands of state employees. California faces $19 billion budget deficit despite massive cuts Schwarzenegger calls for deep California budget cuts Down to the wire on California's budget crisis The tactic is being seen less as a move to preserve cash than to pressure state legislators to negotiate a state budget that is more than a month overdue and needs to close a $19 billion gap. "Every day of delay brings California closer to a fiscal meltdown," Governor Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "Our cash situation leaves me no choice but to once again furlough state workers until the legislature produces a budget I can sign," he wrote.