Does ANYONE really work for the state of Ca.?

Well, both my mother and my grandmother (my mom's mom) are state employees here in the golden state. So technically people DO go in and "work" (do things they are told to do). It's how valuable the work is that is in question...

Where my grandmother works there are some days there is no work so she will shred paper or have to find something on her own to do-she gets $17 per hour :) Plus, she's also receiving retirement from her 20+ years at CA DMV and her pensions, let's not forget those. :) THAT is where our money is going... like she's told me, she is only working to have "play money", she can easily/comfortably live off of the "benefits" she receives.

ADD: I'm being VERY cynical, and I have gotten into many "discussions" with my grandmother about state "work"... I personally think it's a joke that they get pain soooo much, have such amazing benefits (health care for one thing) and don't do squate.

Yes, we have lots of state employees on the job right now, but we only pay them to walk around the cube farm and drink coffee.

If you would provide more information, such as what department you are trying to contact, perhaps someone could help you.

Phone trees are the bane of our existence, and it's not just the State that has them.

For specific department phone numbers, try this list:

http://www.cold.ca.gov/agency_lookup.asp