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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Furloughs Tied To Holidays
By Barry Massey
The Associated Press
Most state agencies could shut down for four-day holiday weekends under a plan by Gov. Bill Richardson to implement unpaid furloughs for government workers, starting Christmas Eve.
The governor has ordered five unpaid furlough days for workers in executive branch agencies, such as the Taxation and Revenue Department, because of a state budget shortfall. The furloughs do not apply to public schools and colleges, and Richardson does not have the power to require furloughs for other branches of government, such as the courts and Legislature.
There are about 19,800 workers in administration agencies, but it remains uncertain how many will be subject to the furloughs.
Richardson outlined the furlough plan Monday during a meeting with his Cabinet secretaries. Spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said the furlough proposal could be changed before it is submitted to the State Personnel Board for approval at the Dec. 16 meeting.
The governor has estimated the furloughs would save the revenue-strapped state $10.8 million. He ordered them after vetoing portions of deficit-reduction plan adopted by the Legislature during a special session last month.
Richardson planned furloughs around coming holidays to allow most agencies to close for four-day weekends.
However, some government operations, such as prisons and State Police, can't shut down. Gallegos said agency administrators are to submit plans to the governor for exempting employees in critical public safety jobs.
Richardson's plan
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