Lial governor says state must eliminate jobs to balance budget
CLOTHEN, Lial--Gov. Todd Pergich (NAT) says a large lay-off of state employees in unavoidable.
The freshman governor was unable to compromise with state house and senate leaders, and has wrangled with legislators over the state budget, which is facing a $3.2 billion deficit.
The only option left is lay-offs, about 600 of them, according to the governor.
"This is our last resort, and we have tried everything we can to prevent lay-offs, but to help balance the budget, we have no choice," Pergich said at a news conference at the capitol Friday.
The almost 600 state employees range from high-paid professionals to custodial staff at the capitol building.
Some of the lay-offs may be temporary, according to Pergich, depending on state tax revenue.
State labor unions are vehemently opposed to the governor's plan.
"This is not a last resort. This is an easy-out," said Ron Blauck, chair of the Lial State Workers Union (LSWU). "It's much easier for the governor to say, 'they've forced my hand, this is the only choice I'm left with,' but in fact, that's the easiest route. That's the lazy route. If the governor would actually go through the budget line by line and find where things can be cut, we could minimize the damage quite a bit."
Some state legislators agree.
"This governor is using state employees as pawns in his battle over the state budget," state Senator Mike Correll (C-Lygwood) told the NPF. "Instead of playing politics with the budget, he should be going through the budget and cutting real waste."
The governor's office responded, saying state leaders have left no choice.
"Without compromise on the budget, there is no other alternative," Dani Childress, spokeswoman for the governor said.
Childress added that lay-offs would probably be "unavoidable anyway," even if a compromise were reached between the governor and legislators.
Barring a last-minute deal between the three parties--state house and senate leaders and the governor--the pink slips will begin going out next week.
Already, labor groups are planning demonstrations. A protest is planned for next Monday at the state capitol in Clothen.
CLOTHEN, Lial--Gov. Todd Pergich (NAT) says a large lay-off of state employees in unavoidable.
The freshman governor was unable to compromise with state house and senate leaders, and has wrangled with legislators over the state budget, which is facing a $3.2 billion deficit.
The only option left is lay-offs, about 600 of them, according to the governor.
"This is our last resort, and we have tried everything we can to prevent lay-offs, but to help balance the budget, we have no choice," Pergich said at a news conference at the capitol Friday.
The almost 600 state employees range from high-paid professionals to custodial staff at the capitol building.
Some of the lay-offs may be temporary, according to Pergich, depending on state tax revenue.
State labor unions are vehemently opposed to the governor's plan.
"This is not a last resort. This is an easy-out," said Ron Blauck, chair of the Lial State Workers Union (LSWU). "It's much easier for the governor to say, 'they've forced my hand, this is the only choice I'm left with,' but in fact, that's the easiest route. That's the lazy route. If the governor would actually go through the budget line by line and find where things can be cut, we could minimize the damage quite a bit."
Some state legislators agree.
"This governor is using state employees as pawns in his battle over the state budget," state Senator Mike Correll (C-Lygwood) told the NPF. "Instead of playing politics with the budget, he should be going through the budget and cutting real waste."
The governor's office responded, saying state leaders have left no choice.
"Without compromise on the budget, there is no other alternative," Dani Childress, spokeswoman for the governor said.
Childress added that lay-offs would probably be "unavoidable anyway," even if a compromise were reached between the governor and legislators.
Barring a last-minute deal between the three parties--state house and senate leaders and the governor--the pink slips will begin going out next week.
Already, labor groups are planning demonstrations. A protest is planned for next Monday at the state capitol in Clothen.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment