[img_assist|nid=1631|title=Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at Tuesday's press conference|desc=Governor's Office Photo|link=none|align=none|width=420|height=280]SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said California avoided a serious disaster with a 5.4 earthquake Tuesday morning southeast of Los Angeles that caused some minor damage but apparently no deaths or injuries.

At a brief press conference at the State Capitol, Schwarzenegger said the quake was a reminder for state residents that California has its share of natural disasters.

"The earthquake reminds us, yet again, that in California we have to be ready for anything and everything," Schwarzenegger said. He reminded people that they should have both an emergency and evacuation plan for such situations.

The earthquake, centered in Chino Hills, registered 5.4 on the Richter scale and hit at 11:42 a.m. Schwarzenegger said there were as yet no reports of deaths or injuries, and only minor damage. Television footage showed a few power outages and some water and cell phone service disruptions in Southern California.

Schwarzenegger said he'd been in contact with city officials in Los Angeles and Chino Hills, Los Angeles County officials and his wife and family, who live in Southern California.

State emergency teams are touring the area looking for additional damage, added Henry Renteria, director of the governor's Office of Emergency Services. "We want to stress to people to remain calm," he said.

The governor described the quake as less severe than the wildfires that have plagued the state in recent months.

Asked about the delayed state budget, Schwarzenegger said he had no news to report on negotiations with state legislators. "Everyone knows there is no time to waste, and they are working hard," he said.

He said he also still plans to sign an executive order on Thursday that would cut salaries for 200,000 state workers to federal minimum wage until a budget is approved.

State Controller John Chiang has said he will not enforce the order. Schwarzenegger said at the press conference that the need to keep paying the state's bills outweighed Chiang's concern.

"The Controller has his opinion, and he runs his office his way," Schwarzenegger said. "I think the law is very clear."