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Gov. Brown Cuts the Cord on Nearly 30K State-Funded Cellphones
There are 29,398 fewer state-issued cellphones in use today thanks to a massive cut implemented by Governor Jerry Brown. The removal of the state employees' state-funded phones is part of cost-cutting plan to save the taxpayers at least $13 million.
The cellphones cut today represent 44 percent of the phones issued to state employees in state agencies and departments that fall under the Governor’s direct authority, according to the Governor's office. The ultimate goal is to cut a total of 33,559 cellphones, which would be the realization of the 50 percent reduction detailed in a January 2011 Executive Order.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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