It's been ten months since the state started furloughing its workers, eventually forcing most to take three unpaid days off a month. Meanwhile, the number of full-time state employees has continued to increase, mitigating some of the savings from the furloughs.
Here's the breakdown:
· Wages paid by the state have dropped 5 percent.
· The drop in wages was felt immediately after furloughs started.
· The state's payroll would have dropped more but the state is still hiring.
· That said, the number of state part-timers is way down.
Payroll drops 5 percent
Compared to 2008, gross wages paid to state workers have declined about $650 million, or 5 percent, since furloughs began, according to the state Controller's Office. While those savings are significant, there's a deep, ongoing battle about whether indirect costs of the furloughs cancel out their savings. In Sacramento, the lost wages from furloughs have also affected the local economy.Cuts felt immediately
One thing is certain: The effects of the furloughs were felt immediately. The chart below shows month-to-month gross pay to state workers. Notice the plunge in February this year - the month of the first Furlough Fridays.Gross monthly state worker wages, 2006-2009 ... Mouseover for details ...
State still hiring
All of these numbers are affected by the state's hiring practices. As The Bee has reported, the state continues to add employees during tough times. To some extent, that makes sense: People need more government services when they are struggling. Still, many advocate for cutting the size of the state workforce to save money, and a long-simmering debate about layoffs continues.Full-time state workers, 2006-2009 ... Mouseover for details ...
Part-time workers hit hard
The state, though, has cut the number of part-time and intermittent workers.Part-time state workers, 2006-2009 ... Mouseover for details ...
The bottom line: The furloughs have directly reduced the state payroll. Experts continue to debate whether those direct impacts outweigh indirect costs of the furloughs. And the state is still hiring, though it has cut some part-timers.
Related:
Forum: Are Furlough Fridays worth it? What do you think?
State worker blog: What will your paycheck look like?
Calculate the impact of state worker layoffs, furloughs
Source: State Controller's Office. Note: Data shown pertains to employees (State government, California State Universities, and Judicial Council) paid through the State Controller's Office Uniform State Payroll System.
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