The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Wash., reported Sunday that state officials are talking about laying off civil service workers as part of bridging a budget shortfall pegged at $5.1 billion over the next 2-1/2 years (a quaint sum by California standards).
From the story by Richard Roesler reporting from Olympia:
The largest state workers union, the Washington Federation of State Employees, argues against job cuts. It represents about 40,000 of the state's more than 100,000 employees.
"We believe, as some economists believe, that the worst thing to do during an economic downturn is to lay off, especially public employees," said Tim Welch, the union's spokesman. Demand for state services rises in tough times, he said. And in an economy reliant on consumer spending, he said, keeping people on the job is a good idea.
"The problem with state government is everyone doesn't look at it as comparable to Microsoft or Boeing," Welch said. "They look at it as something that needs to be cut. But a worker is a worker is a worker."
A similar argument is being made by (Washington Gov. Chris) Gregoire, who's one of many governors calling for an influx of federal dollars to pay for construction projects and create jobs.
"We don't want people to lose hope," Welch said. "Government can step up and give hope by creating jobs, and that will help us recover."
You can read the S-R story, "Budget crisis has state workers on edge," by clicking on this link.
IMAGE: City of Olympia, Wash.
The Author
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.