GOV. JERRY BROWN ORDERS 48,000 CELLPHONES CONFISCATED.

New Gov. Jerry Brown today ordered the collection and return of 48,000 state government-paid cell phones – half of those now in use – by June 1.

The Democratic governor estimated that cutting the use of cellphones by state employees in half will save the state $20 million a year.

“It is difficult for me to believe that 40 percent of all state employees must be equipped with taxpayer-funded cell phones,” Brown said in a written statement.

$28 million saved. Only a couple thousand more things like this, and California’s budget will be under control! Still it’s useful symbolism — but symbolism is only useful if it leads to substance.