SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement regarding the Executive Order issued by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger concerning the state budget crisis and employee pay.

"I am deeply concerned about the seriousness of the fiscal crisis facing the state that prompted the Governor to issue his Executive Order today. As referenced in the order, constitutional officers are being urged to ‘assist in the implementation … and to implement similar mitigation measures that will help to preserve the State's cash supply during this budget impasse.'

"The California Department of Education (CDE) will be taking steps in the coming days to implement our own cost-reduction measures, as appropriate. However, I do not support the Governor's order to reduce state employees' pay. I commend Controller John Chiang for announcing that he will continue to pay all state employees their full salaries. I am also maintaining the services of retired annuitants, permanent intermittent employees, seasonal employees, temporary help workers, and student assistants. All CDE employees are valued and important assets of this organization, and we all deserve to continue to work and be paid."