With California facing a looming cash crisis and without a 2008-09 state budget, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued an executive order to make money available to cover the state’s costs.

“Today I am exercising my executive authority to avoid a full-blown crisis and keep our state moving forward,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “This is not an action I take lightly, but we do not have a budget, and as Governor, I have a responsibility to make sure our state has enough money to pay its bills.”

Text of executive order:

EXECUTIVE ORDER S-09-08
WHEREAS the constitutional deadline for enacting a state budget for Fiscal Year 2008-09 has passed without the enactment of a budget; andWHEREAS in the absence of a budget, State government is constitutionally prohibited from making payments that are not compelled by either the State Constitution or federal law; andWHEREAS until there is a state budget, the State has no authority to pay the following payments: (1) Vendors and Contractors for goods and services chargeable to Fiscal Year 2008-09; (2) Payroll for legislative staff, appointees, and exempt employees; (3) Payroll for other state employees beyond that required by federal labor law; (4) Highway User Taxes that are apportioned to the state, cities and counties for highway and road improvement projects; (5) Cal Grants to students in higher education; (6) Transfers to the Trial Courts; (7) Transfers to University of California, California State University, and Community Colleges; (8) Transportation Revolving Fund disbursements; (9) Non-revenue limit school payments; and (10) Payments for non-federally mandated social services programs such as Community Care Licensing, Adult Protective Services, State Only Foster Care; State Only Adoptions Assistance, and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants; and (11) tax relief payments to low income seniors and disabled persons; and

WHEREAS on May 1, 2003, the California Supreme Court, in White v. Davis, issued a decision that, in conjunction with other pre-existing court orders, clarified that during a period that there is no state budget in place, federal labor laws require the State to pay its nonexempt FLSA employees either federal minimum wage or, for those employees that work overtime, their full salaries plus overtime; and

WHEREAS it is not known when a budget will be adopted for Fiscal Year 2008-09; and

WHEREAS as a result of the late budget, there is a real and substantial risk that the State will have insufficient cash to pay for state expenditures; and

WHEREAS since June 2008, the unprecedented number and size of fires in California has created states of emergency that have required additional and substantial expenditures of cash to ensure that there are sufficient resources to effectively fight these fires and save lives and homes; and

WHEREAS it is critical that the State be able to meet any unforeseen emergency such as fire, flood or public health emergency and to continue to make timely payments on constitutionally and federally-mandated obligations and existing obligations to pay holders of state bonds; and

WHEREAS due to the impending cash crisis and budget delay, the State may be forced to consider a Revenue Anticipation Warrant (RAW) at an exorbitant cost to the State, including hundreds of millions of dollars in credit enhancements, in order to make sure there is sufficient cash to pay for state expenditures; and

WHEREAS after the late adoption of a budget, there will be additional cash demands because all of the deferred payments that were not permitted to be made during the budget impasse will become due and payable; and

WHEREAS the late budget has resulted in loss of savings to the State in the amount of $164 million for July, and failure to enact a budget in August will result in additional loss of savings in the amount of $323 million; and

WHEREAS as a result of the late budget, additional mitigation measures must be implemented to offset the loss of savings and to ensure that there is sufficient cash to make the State’s payments; and

WHEREAS the State employs nearly 22,000 retired annuitants, permanent intermittent employees, and seasonal employees and the State hires new employees at the rate of approximately 1,700 per month; and

WHEREAS except for services and functions of state government deemed critical by this Order, additional mitigation measures need to be taken to immediately reduce expenditures and preserve cash, including the following: (1) halting all hiring, transfers and promotions of employees, and contracting for individuals to perform services; (2) prohibition of overtime; (3) termination of the services of retired annuitants, permanent intermittent employees, seasonal employees, temporary help workers and, student assistants; and (4) suspension of personal services contracts.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes of the State of California, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately:

IT IS ORDERED that the services and functions of state government directly related to the preservation and protection of human life and safety, including but not limited to emergency and disaster response activities and the provision of 24-hour medical care, shall be deemed critical and exempt from this Order.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that except for services and functions of state government deemed critical and exempt by this Order, all State agencies and departments under my direct executive authority take immediate action effective July 31, 2008 to cease and desist hiring of employees (except in instances in which there is a bona fide offer and acceptance prior to the effective date of this Order), transferring employees between State agencies and departments, promoting employees, and contracting for individuals to perform services.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that except for services and functions of state government deemed critical and exempt by this Order and emergent situations to preserve and protect human life and safety, all State agencies and departments under my direct executive authority take immediate action to cease and desist authorization of all overtime for employees effective July 31, 2008.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that except for services and functions of state government deemed critical and exempt by this Order, all State agencies and departments under my direct executive authority take immediate action to terminate the services of the following five categories of employees and individuals effective July 31, 2008: (1) Retired Annuitants; (2) Permanent Intermittent Employees; (3) Seasonal Employees; (4) Temporary Help Workers; and (5) Student Assistants.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that except for services and functions of state government deemed critical and exempt by this Order and except for services provided pursuant to multi-year contracts for Information Technology systems and services, all State agencies and departments under my direct executive authority take immediate action to suspend all personal services contracts effective July 31, 2008.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all Agency Secretaries and Department Directors shall take immediate action to implement this Order, and any other action that will reduce state expenditures.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Director of the Department of Finance shall establish an exemption process that Agency Secretaries shall utilize to determine if an exemption is justified based on critical services and functions, which may include either cost-reducing or revenue-producing services and functions that will help ensure that there is sufficient cash for the State to make its payments.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Agency Secretaries and Cabinet-level Directors shall report their exemptions to the Cabinet Secretary and the Director of the Department of Finance within 24 hours of approving an exemption.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Director of the Department of Finance and Director of the Department of Personnel Administration shall work with the State Controller to develop and implement the necessary mechanisms, including but not limited to pay letters and computer programs, to comply with the California Supreme Court’s White v. Davis opinion to pay federal minimum wage to those nonexempt FLSA employees who did not work any overtime.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the necessary mechanisms to ensure compliance with the White v. Davis opinion must be in place to be effective for the August 2008 payroll.

IT IS HEREBY REQUESTED that during this budget impasse, the State Treasurer shall take all actions necessary to maintain the State’s ability to pay its bond obligations, including payment of principal and interest with funds in the State Treasury, and shall take all actions that are necessary to protect the State’s funds and investments.

IT IS FURTHER REQUESTED that other entities of State government not under my direct executive authority, including the California Public Utilities Commission, the University of California, the California State University, California Community Colleges, constitutional officers, the legislative branch (including the Legislative Counsel Bureau), and judicial branch, assist in the implementation of this Order and implement similar mitigation measures that will help to preserve the State’s cash supply during this budget impasse.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order shall remain in effect until such time as both a Fiscal Year 2008-09 Budget is adopted and the Director of the Department of Finance confirms an adequate cash balance exists to meet the State’s fiscal obligations.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 31st day of July 2008.

________________________________
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California

ATTEST:

________________________________
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State

50 cent claims his ex-girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins, has kidnapped his son, Marquise.

Reports say that 50 made his claim in a recent interview with Sister 2 Sister Magazine, where he discussed the source of his feud with Tompkins. Allegedly, the feud began with 50  insisting that his son have a better home and education.

“It wasn’t important before the beginning of last year because he (Marquise) was being home schooled… I was paying a teacher $60,000 just to teach him by himself,” says 50 in the interview. “He was learning slower because it was just him and the teacher. So he needed to go to where he had the best possible schooling district and I found a house in the area that was, like, $1.5 million.”

50 alleges that Tompkins began receiving bad advice from friends, who insisted she should receive more child support to be consistent with her new situation. After a court battle, 50 evicted Tompkins out of the home he had bought for her. “Her lawyer decided to present to the public that 50 Cent is kicking his son out of the house,” said Fif.

Since the “suspicious” fire that burned down Tompkins ‘ house 50 says she has fled with his son while she battles for custody and child support. “Now they done kidnapped my first one (son). My son’s mother got him, holding him hostage.“

I knoe i just diddn't see dopehead darryl strawberry, 2:37 into da video?

Plenty of dudes have had their cameo king moment, but when it’s all said and done, it comes right back to Ludacris and Busta Rhymes. Weezy deserves a mention amongst the G.O.A.T.s because, though he’s roughly on a three-year run on the cameo circuit, no one has ever put out so much material. But before crowning a cameo G.O.A.T, I thought it fair to highlight a few cats who gave this trio a run for their money at a point in time.             

Canibus (1997-1999): Never has someone outshined so many lyricists. “4,3,2,1” (Method Man, Redman, DMX), “Beasts From The East” (Redman, Lost Boyz don’t count), “Fantastic Four” (Big Pun, Nore, Cam’Ron), “Gone Til November” RMX (Wyclef Jean), “No Airplay” (Wyclef Jean) “Making A Name For Ourselves” (Common), “Uni-4-Orm” (Ras Kass, Heltah Skeltah), “Hell” (Pharoahe Monch), “Desperados” (AZ, Nature), etc. The man was a beast. Notice, Foxy and Nas in their prime, didn’t jump on The Firm record. Jay-Z introduced Bis to Clef, but he didn’t sign him. He signed Memphis Bleek instead. Dudes were scared to jump on records with Bis.

DMX (1997-1998): Similar to Bis, X had a great cameo run to set up his debut album, It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot. He continued appearing on records once his solo career took off, but not with the same frequency.

Big Pun (1997-1998): I remember thinking X and Bis were the cameo kings at the time until I read [in The Source] that he was the most sought after guest MC in 1998. I believe the number was 28 guest verses for that year.

Jay-Z (Y2K): Hov could easily be one of the G.O.A.T.’s, but he’s a tad more selective than members of our Big 3. Still, he’s had his moments. Outdoing Jadakiss, who is no slouch himself, on “Best Of Me” and “Fiesta” remixes comes to mind.

M.O.P (Y2K): Post-“Ante Up,” Billy Danze and Lil Fame hardened poppier acts like Fabolous, Diddy and even Boy Band L.F.O.

Bun B (2005): Spearheading his “Free Pimp C” campaign with countless cameos, including Beyonce’s “Check On It,” Bun’s buzz eventually lead to his solo album, Trill, earning a gold plaque.

Honorable Mentions: Method Man, Redman and Snoop Dogg have been consistent guest MCs throughout their careers, but they never came close to dethroning the kings. Andre 3000 is currently Hip-Hop’s best guest guest MC, but he just doesn’t do it enough.

Now, Weezy is the current cameo king hands down. Busta himself, never produced so many guest verses in such a short span. But only time will tell if Weezy can keep cranking the collabos for another 13 years. Probably not. As for Luda, he’s going 8 years strong, but it’s still pale in comparison to Bus’ 16-year tenure. Truth be told, Bus, Wayne and Luda have similar resumes. All have outshined a number of established artists, all have destroyed cameos to the point that they’re solo albums have been somewhat questioned. And all have worked with artists ranging from backpackers to pop singers. In the end, Bus has just been doing it for too long with little to no dip. The dungeon dragon destroyed A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario” and never looked back. It’s only right that Bus-A-Bus be crowned the collabo G.O.A.T. Anybody beg to differ?

The future first lady, Michelle Obama tops Vanity Fair’s ‘The International Best-Dressed List’ for 2008 and superstar Kanye West also made the cut. Peep what they wrote about both of the popular figures.

MICHELLE OBAMA, 44, Because she’s our commander in sheath.
Residence: Chicago.
Occupation: Vice president for community and external affairs, University of Chicago Hospitals, on leave.
Notable ensembles of 2008: Maria Pinto purple sheath, with a black Azzedine Alaïa belt, worn when her husband claimed the Democratic presidential nomination; Donna Ricco black-and-white print dress on The View.
Causes: “Youth leadership programs, education, talking with women about work/family life balance.”
 Kanye West, 31, Because, yes, he Kanye.

Residence: SoHo, New York City.

Occupation: “Ripping stages apart!”

Personal style: “I like to have fun and push the boundaries of what everyday outfits should look like.”

Favorite fashion purchase of 2008: “A special-order red Epi leather Christopher backpack from Louis Vuitton.”

Most frequently worn item: “My bape camo boxers.”

Dress up or dress down: “It’s way harder to dress down than to dress up. Casual is the true test of an outfit master. Old men dress the best. They’ll just be sitting in the park with a Missoni sweater, some tonal khakis, and some New Balance sneakers, and you’re like, Damn, that outfit is perfect.”

Cause: Education—the Dr. Donda West Foundation

Say i aint take it back wit dat?...special ed was also da dude dat picked up rahiem's babymomma in da movie juice starring tupac an omar epps....rememba dat? 

Recording artists Chris Brown, Julianna Hough and Ne-Yo  have partnered with Wrigley’s gum to update the traditional Wrigley’s gum “jingles” for Doublemint®, Juicy Fruit® and Big Red®, and attended an event in NYC on Tuesday night to promote the brand.

Chris updated the Doublemint jingle. Ne-Yo did a song that is an ad on the “kiss a little longer” slogan for Big Red gum while country star Julianne Hough did a song/ad for Juicy Fruit. Commercials for the new jingles are expected to start running next month.

Young Jeezy announced today he’ll release his new album, The Recession, September 2nd via his CTE label through Def Jam Records.

The Atlanta rapper is riding high off his hit single, “Put On,” featuring Kanye West. The song entered the top 5 on urban radio and the video made its premiere recently.

Jeezy is also set to kick of a promotional tour, beginning August 10 in Houston, Texas. The rapper will be in town for the Ozone Awards, where’s he nominated for several awards, including Best Rap Artist.

In addition to his promo run, the Atlanta trap star will also provide brand new content on his Web site, USDA2day.com, every Tuesday beginning today until the release of his album.

Young Jeezy is currently on the cover of the September issue of XXL

July 29, 2008. HOODHOP just got some EXPLOSIVE new details on the whole Alicia Keys-Swizz Beatz drama. One of Mashonda’s EXTREMELY CLOSE pals reached out to HOODHOP to give us details on exactly how foul Alicia is. Here’s what Mashonda’s friend told us:

Mashonda has heard and seen a couple of things to make her feel like [Alicia Keys is carrying on an affair with her husband]. She always believed the rumors that Alicia Keys was gay so it didn’t seem real to her. However unbeknownst to media and press, Mashonda did reach out to Alicia on Swizz’s blackberry in response to a suggestive and totally inappropriate email Alicia Keys sent him.

She very calmly, and maturely made Alicia Keys aware that they are married. Of course Alicia never responded to Mashonda. It’s like she’s ignoring the fact that Swizz has a family.

What’s even worse, is that Mashonda was a fan of Alicia’s and her music and really, as many hated to believe that a revered artist as Alicia Keys would be the cause or attributer to another broken family, especially a family where there is a young black man being raised. There’s no doubt that Alicia knows EXACTLY who Mashonda is having been introduced as his wife a few years back, not to mention both were signed to the same label, J Records.

And there’s more. Mashonda and her husband Swizz Beatz were in the process of working out their marital problems when all of a sudden he picks up and flew half way across the world to join Alicia Keys on her tour.

A member of Alicia’s tour  is furious with Alicia for blatantly flaunting her man-stealing ways. The tour member, who claims that they’re ready to QUIT THE TOUR if Alicia doesn’t behave with dignity.

Swizz Beatz not only showed up in Italy with Alicia Keys, he tagged along to Monaco as well. I’m [a member of the tour], and to see this sickens me. I have a [female family member] who just went through a divorce due to another woman plotting on her husband and going to no end to end their marriage.

She’s now single with 2 kids and he’s living a great life with this new woman. As a woman, Alicia Keys has no regard for another sister. I’ve witnessed her for the past week almost acting as if this is HER man, meanwhile he’s got a family at home.

Ladies and gentlemen this story is about to EXPLODE. If Alicia keeps up what she’s doing - the divorce between Swizz and Mashonda is gonna get EXTRA MESSY. Remember where you heard it first.

 And shouts out 2  MediaTakeOut.com for lacin’ us all da info! Game recognize game!  

 July 28, 2008. Could Kanye be joining his buddy Pharrell into father-dom??? HOODHOP is hearing whispers that Kanye’s ex-fiance Alexis Phifer is telling pals that she may be pregnant. And the story gets more interesting. Word is that if she is pregnant - it’s a result of one of her and Kanye’s post-break up romantic encounters.It’s still to early to tell anything. But HOODHOP got our eye on you Alexis …..