April 27, 2010 in News

Gregoire signs furlough bill

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OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law a bill that will order thousands of state workers to take 10 days off without pay through the middle of 2011.

The bill is one of the cost-cutting measures approved by the Legislature this year in the face of a $2.8 billion shortfall in the state’s general fund. The furloughs could cut some $50 million in wage and salary expenses from the general fund.

Nearly 12,500 state workers will be required to take days off without pay unless their management comes up with another way to match the savings from furloughs.

Gregoire vetoed one section of the bill, which required a set amount — $10 million — in savings from managers through the furloughs. Gregoire said that wasn’t equitable, and could have resulted in extra furlough days among managers to reach that specified amount.

“This is about equity,” she said, adding everyone should share the sacrifice.

But some departments are exempt from the furlough law, including the state patrol, prisons, child protective services, academic staff at state colleges and universities, state liquor stores and parks. The first furlough day is July 12. (For the full list of dates and exempt departments, see Spin Control.)

While most bill-signings are attended by sponsors and other people ready to celebrate a new law’s passage, no one showed up to take credit or applaud the enactment of the furlough bill. Gregoire signed it and had no one to accept the ceremonial signing pen.

Marty Brown, the director of the Office of Financial Management, said the state will find ways to notify the public what state offices are closed in advance of the furlough days, just as it does for holidays that are celebrated by the state by not local or federal government.

“We’ll have to start way earlier,” he added, because most furlough days don’t coincide with events most people will recognize as holidays.

Three comments on this story so far. Add yours!

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  Theanticscontinue on April 27 at 8:30 p.m.

  Why only 10 days of furlough when many businesses throughout Washington are taking 1 week/month or greater steps in their company’s furlough process to meet budget shortfalls?

  And why would State offices have to close just to have the furlough? They should be able to having rolling furloughs as the private sector does & keep the doors open for business. Maybe they don’t get it yet.

  Jess, hopefully she will be permanently furloughed soon!

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  misjustice on April 27 at 9:41 p.m.

  Well, you can’t have it both ways.

  All of you that decry state workers and their ‘high’ wages still are going to want the same services provided at the same levels, while also complaining about the budget, and the taxes that fund the budget…like my dad used to say, “you’d _itch if you were hung with a new rope!”

  There’s just no pleasing you people…

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  liarsinnews on April 27 at 10:34 p.m.

  Take away the services, I could care less. The have nothings would have a fit I suppose.