In brief: Most state agencies on furlough Monday

The next widespread closure of several state agencies will occur Monday as a result of budget shortfalls.

Most state agencies are scheduled to close their offices. Certain public safety, public health and revenue-generating activities will continue. Services provided by child protection workers, community correction officers, emergency public health and patient safety workers and the Washington State Patrol will be in full operation.

Institutes of higher education and most offices headed by separately elected officials – including the secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction, state auditor, attorney general and commissioner of public lands – submitted compensation reduction plans to avoid office closures.

The closure will save more than $70 million in all funds in the 2010-’11 fiscal year, according to the state Office of Financial Management. The temporary layoff law was passed as part of a series of measures to address a nearly $12 billion shortfall for the 2009-’11 budget period, which ends in June.

The next temporary layoff will occur April 22.

For more information visit http://ofm.wa.gov/layoff/.

Chelsea Bannach

Alaska, Horizon cancel, delay flights

SEATTLE – Multiple Alaska Airlines and Horizon flights were canceled or delayed Saturday due to a computer system outage.

Airline officials said a central computer system used to prepare flight plans and other information went down when a transformer blew around 3 a.m. Saturday.

Alaska Airlines said 15 percent of its flights had been canceled nationwide. Many morning departing flights were delayed by two hours or more. By midday, Alaska and Horizon had canceled about 140 flights affecting some 11,700 passengers.

Twenty of Alaska Airlines’ 58 canceled flights were departing Seattle while another 10 were flying in the state of Alaska. The remaining cancellations affected departures throughout the airline’s route system, including six in Southern California, five in Portland and four in the Bay Area. Horizon had canceled 81 flights, including 30 departing from Seattle, 13 in Portland and eight in Spokane.

By Saturday afternoon, airline officials reported that their system was partially back up and running.

Passengers were still advised to check the status of their flight or call (800) ALASKAAIR before heading to the airport.

Associated Press