It's not good!

as a Californian, it is that bad. I myself was unemployed for 8 months following graduating from college.

I believe the state handed out IOUs for tax refunds. My mom works for the state and it is pretty depressing from her point of view. People getting laid off/potential for getting laid off.

I am a southern California native...love it here

Have weathered several recessions over the years...

California always came through...no better place to be in construction than here, I feel...

Because of the blatant abuse of our resources and "giving a more than helping hand" to anyone that asked for it...

well...I don't think things will be good here (other than the weather) for many years to come!

But I am not leaving!

Michigan isn't any better

I fled about 6 years ago and never looked back I couldn't be happier.

California has my heart and you know it is what it is, good and bad.

I used to fly out to CA for business and still regret not spending at least a year or two there (came THISCLOSE to cashing in my plane ticket and renting an apt).

There are pockets of jobs in CT but overall our state is losing jobs left right and sideways. The cost of living is high but I do like the school system. I would like to move - I toy with VA, MD, or NC. I'd like to be near a beach and a university. MA and RI are close seconds.

I would like to live somewhere similar in climate and culture but lower in cost of living.

Honestly, yes it is. It's a very stressful time to be working at a state agency. I can say this because I work at one. 15% pay cut, 3 furlough days and agencies closing. Everyone is being affected.

I'm also a student...my grants were delayed and now I'm hearing rumors it won't come until October. October?! I need my financial aid now. Pretty much the state government is doing nothing to help us, besides making budget cuts, and insisting on furlough days.

Also wanted to add that I work for the state retirement system, the largest pension agency in the world, and even we're being affected by furloughs.

The result, people are getting a delayed retirement fund, and there's nothing we can do about it.

Around 25,000 teachers were laid off in CA and my husband is losing his job at the end of the month because the state is forfeiting on state contracts. My boss told me that CA relies heavily on income tax for revenue and so when the US economy goes bad then CA eats it big time. I don't know if it's that simple but it's not a good time to be looking for a job.

Let me start by saying I feel very badly for those having a hard time right now. My husband and I are blessed to be doing well. His job is secure with great benefits, his college is paid for and then some. We can afford for me not to work, and to go to college with no assistance.

We live in a little bubble as we call it, jobs are secure, the housing market is not as strong but still going, there's lots of new businesses coming to town, providing new jobs for entry level positions.

We do have friends who have suffered badly in other parts of the state, and I know its not good most places. Its not horrible everywhere, but its definitely not good as a whole.