Chest Pains Send State Controller to Texas Hospital

SACRAMENTO -- State Controller John Chiang is undergoing tests at a Texas hospital after experiencing chest pains while visiting family for the holidays.

Spokeswoman Hallye Jordan said Chiang (chung) checked himself into Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth on Friday and is resting comfortably. She said she is not aware that the 46-year-old controller has any past medical problems.

Chiang experienced chest pains on Friday while visiting family in Fort Worth and checked into a hospital on the advice of his brother, who is a physician, according to Jordan. She said more information would be forthcoming once the test results are available.

"In the meantime, he is resting comfortably and is in constant contact with staff in his Sacramento and Los Angeles offices," according to a statement released by Jordan. "He continues to direct his office's efforts to meet the state's fiscal obligations while ensuring funds in the State Treasury are preserved for priority payments, such as education and debt service."

Chiang, a Democrat, serves as California's chief fiscal watchdog and has said the state will run out of money in February unless the governor and lawmakers act.

Earlier this year, he challenged Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's order to reduce state workers' pay to the federal minimum wage. That battle is still being fought in state court.

According to his biography, Chiang has a law degree from Georgetown University and began his career as a tax law specialist with the IRS.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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