04/17/2009 Print Version |
WHEREAS the people of California, like people throughout the nation and the world,
continue to suffer from the current severe economic downturn; and
WHEREAS Californians have been hit hard by the mortgage and foreclosure crisis and the
downturn in the housing market; and
WHEREAS in my prior Emergency Proclamation issued on February 27, 2009 in response to
the drought, I noted that agricultural revenue losses exceed $300 million to
date and could exceed $2 billion in the coming season, with a total economic
loss of nearly $3 billion in 2009; and
WHEREAS many businesses are shutting their doors in this difficult economy, and other
employers are laying off workers, eliminating jobs or reducing employee hours
and income in an effort to stay in business; and
WHEREAS the income and job losses have adversely impacted entire communities and
diverse sectors of the economy supported by those jobs and income; and
WHEREAS these conditions are causing a loss of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of
people, an inability to provide for families, and increased harm to the
communities that depend on them; and
WHEREAS this loss of income and jobs continues to lead to defaults, foreclosures,
bankruptcies, loss of businesses and loss of property; and
WHEREAS when jobs, property and businesses are lost, some families will move away from
their communities, causing further harm to local economies, lower enrollments
in local schools and reduced funding for schools; and
WHEREAS the economic downturn has provided graphic examples of how people are
struggling, including the growth of homeless tent cities around the country;
and
WHEREAS on April 17, 2009, the State Employment Development Department
(EDD) reported that the unemployment rate in California increased to 11.2
percent in March, that nonfarm payroll jobs declined by 62,100, that the
year-over-change (from March 2008 to March 2009) showed a decrease of 637,400
jobs, and that the number of people unemployed in California was 2,080,000, up
over 119,000 for the month, and up by 913,000 compared with March of 2008; and
WHEREAS in that same report, EDD indicated that there were 79,979 new
claims for unemployment insurance in March 2009, compared with 76,303 in
February 2009, and 48,282 in February 2008; and
WHEREAS EDD and the
California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB) have made significant
efforts to expand its operations in response to the exponential increase in
demand for their services, but more resources are needed to effectively
serve the needs of Californians struggling in this economic downturn;
and the services are of such an urgent nature that the delay
incumbent in their implementation under state civil service and contracting
rules would frustrate the very purpose of unemployment compensation under state
law, and the federal stimulus payments under federal law; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of the economic downturn, and the circumstances
of the resulting unemployment in California, by reason of their magnitude, are
beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any
single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a
mutual aid region or regions to combat; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I
find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property
exist in California caused by the current and continuing economic downturn and
resulting unemployment in California.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, in
accordance with the authority vested in me by the California Constitution and
the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular California Government
Code sections 8625 and 8571, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to
exist in California.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel,
equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all activities
consistent with the direction of the California Emergency Management Agency
(CalEMA) and the State Emergency Plan.
I FURTHER DIRECT THAT:
1. EDD and the CUIAB shall, as deemed appropriate by the Labor and
Workforce Development Agency, contract for facility space, the services of
qualified personnel, and/or for the supplies, materials, equipment, and other
services needed to immediately and effectively increase EDD’s and CUIAB’s
ability to assist the people making unemployment claims, contacting EDD, or appealing
their claims. Because strict compliance with the provisions of the
Government Code, the Unemployment Insurance Code, and the Public Contract Code
applicable to the state hiring process and state contracts would prevent,
hinder, or delay the mitigation of this emergency, applicable provisions of
these statutes, including, but not limited to, advertising and competitive
bidding requirements, are suspended to the extent necessary to enable EDD and
CUIAB to enter into such contracts as expeditiously as possible. This
suspension is limited to the scope and duration of this emergency.
2. State agencies and departments within my
administration shall provide assistance and resources to EDD and CUIAB, as
needed, including the use of state personnel, facilities, equipment, resources
and state contractors to respond to this emergency.
3. State agencies including but not limited to the State Office of the
Chief Information Officer (OCIO), the Department of General Services, the Department
of Personnel Administration, and the Department of Finance shall expedite
project, contracting, budget, and personnel action review and approval
processes so as to expedite the hiring of EDD and CUIAB staff and the
implementation of EDD and CUIAB information technology projects designed
to expand and enhance unemployment insurance services, and personnel to support
these efforts.
4. To the extent allowed by applicable law, state agencies within my
administration shall prioritize and streamline permitting and regulatory
compliance actions to provide for relief from the economic downturn and
unemployment in California.
I FURTHER DIRECT that
as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the
Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this
proclamation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 17th day of April, 2009.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
