The layoffs begin

Schwarzenegger sends out 10,000 layoff notices

(CNN) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued 10,000 layoff notices Tuesday, affecting a wide spectrum of state employees and aimed at dealing with the state's budget crisis, a spokesman said.

California lawmakers resumed negotiations late Tuesday after the longest legislative session in state history over the weekend resulted in a budget impasse.

"Every state employee who receives a salary under the general fund is affected, and the governor began issuing layoff notices for the least-senior employees in various agencies," said Aaron McLear, the governor's press secretary.

The layoffs would begin on July 1, which marks the fiscal year, and includes jobs in the Departments of Health and Human Services and Corrections, among others, McLear said. Another 10,000 layoff notices could be issued on Wednesday in other departments, he said.

The governor, facing a $42 billion deficit, was prompted to move on the layoff notices after lawmakers missed a Monday night deadline to reach a budget deal, McLear told CNN late Monday.

Some states have already begun this process. Alot of countries and municipalities in California and Nevada are cutting jobs and funding from things like police, firefighters, public schools and higher education, road projects and a multitude of other things, including putting people's pensions on the block. Things are going to get a lot worse when state and city employees are the ones collecting unemployment. This first 10,000 is only the beginning. With the kind of money California and other states owe, the chances of this inflating into the millions are quite high.

I wonder if the message would have been stronger if the layoffs hit family and friends of the legislation?

Too bad he didn't opt for voicemail, it would be killer to hear "Yew've been Term-ma-nated"