<i> Snapshots of life in the Golden State.</i> : Sorry, We Needed Your Application . . . <i> When?</i>

At a time of budget slashing and staggering unemployment, how tough is it to find state government work?

On the bulletin board inside the state office building in downtown Los Angeles, listing after listing is for jobs featuring a February, 1992, application deadline.

What’s more, there has been no one to talk to for more current information since the State Personnel Board, in a cost-cutting move, padlocked its Los Angeles offices more than a year ago.

Call Sacramento, you say? Such persistence will not necessarily pay off.

On the main lobby directory of the building, a Sacramento phone number is listed. But here’s what happens if you dial the Personnel Board, long distance:

“The number you have reached, 322-2530, has been disconnected,” a recorded voice states. “No further information is available about 322-2530.”

POLL-ITICS

Taking the initiative: In the midst of the state’s fiscal crisis, sponsors of Gov. Pete Wilson’s welfare reduction initiative spared no expense to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

The cost for controversial Proposition 165--including the tab for hiring paid signature-gatherers--amounted to $1.59 million, according to an analysis by the secretary of state’s office.

That figure does not include upcoming advertising blitzes for the measure, which would also expand the governor’s power over the state budget and employees.

The second-most costly of seven initiatives on the November ballot--weighing in at $1.37 million--is Proposition 162, which would strengthen the power of Public Employees Retirement Systems boards by giving them sole authority over administration and investment of pension funds.

Proposition 163, calling for the repeal of the state tax on snack foods, cost $975,000 to qualify.

Quake Queries

More than 3,000 calls have been made to the state’s Earthquake Safety Hot Line since it opened Aug. 5. The line, (800) 286-SAFE, is staffed by seismologists and operates weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in several languages. Here are the most frequently asked questions and most often heard rumors: Most Common Questions:

Q: What do continuing aftershocks mean?

Answer: Numerous and strong aftershocks after large quakes are expected and normal.

Q: Where do I have to move to in California to get away from earthquakes?

Answer: A damaging temblor can strike anywhere, but the San Joaquin Valley and northeastern California have had less seismic activity than other parts of the state.

Top Three Rumors:

I heard that a psychic predicted that an 8.3-magnitude quake would strike the Landers-Big Bear region around Aug. 25.

Answer: Neither this nor other quake predictions by psychics have come true.

I heard that this was all started by underground nuclear testing.

Answer: Scientists say there is no relationship between quakes and such testing.

I’ve heard that all the scientists and government workers are fleeing the state.

Answer: Again, untrue. In fact, experts are drawn to earthquakes to study them.

Note: A map showing earthquake faults statewide is available for $15 by writing to the California Department of Conservation, Publications Orders Desk, P.O. Box 2980, Sacramento, Calif. 95812-2980.

Source: California Office of Emergency ServicesCompiled by Times researcher Tracy Thomas

November ballot quirks:

* Remember singer/songwriter Cat Stevens? Then you might be interested in the San Diego-area state Assembly race, which features a Peace-Train battle.

More specifically, Democratic incumbent Steve Peace is running against Libertarian James R. Train, as well as Republican Raul Silva-Martinez and Peace (no relation) and Freedom candidate Edwardo A. Prud-Home.

* Will he be known as a hanging judge? In Solano County, Dist. Atty. Mike Nail is seeking a Superior Court judgeship.

* Is this guy trying to take advantage of the “Year of the Woman” or what? Giovanni Graham, a Peace and Freedom candidate for a state Senate slot from San Francisco, lists himself on the ballot as a “female impersonator.”

* Will the real Truman please stand up? With President Bush drawing barbs for his attempts to claim the legacy of Democrat Harry S. Truman, it might be worth noting that there really is a Republican Truman running for office this fall. That candidate is Nate Truman, a Gardena businessman. He may give Congresswoman Maxine Waters hell, but he is unlikely to best the solidly entrenched South Los Angeles Democrat.

MEDIA WATCH

From the sunlit shores of Southern California comes the latest theory on the death of our 35th President. Oh, and one more potential clue. The last name of the cover model, according to a caption inside the mag, is Oswald .

EXIT LINE

“One of the most controversial state budgets in American history.”

--A description in the Christian Science Monitor of California’s $57.4-billion, recession-racked budget, approved after a 63-day impasse.