Consumer

State Employees Brace For Furloughs

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ― The economic downturn has state government employees waiting for a decision on mandatory leave without pay.

It was one of the recommendations for filling a $432 million hole in the state budget.

Political reporter Pat Warren reports it wouldn't be the first time state employees had to give up a few days pay.

In 1991, state workers demonstrated against a furlough forced on them by Governor William Schaefer's efforts to work through a drop in projected tax revenues. Janet Addison is bracing for the next one.

"I'd like to keep my job without any furloughs or any days cut. I still need to pay my bills. I really do," said Addison.

And so does the state, but it's $432 million short.

"None of the states have the ability to, as the federal government does, to print money, and so we have to balance our budget. We do it every year, and this is going to be a very difficult time," said Governor O'Malley.

The state may cut $48 million by giving state workers six days unpaid leave. Thirty-eight million more would be saved by reducing the education funding plan. Another $4.5 million would come from public safety cuts. Health might be trimmed by $26 million.

"Being a state worker I don't agree with the budget cuts. I don't think that the staff workers should have to pay the brunt of what large corporations have done," said Dennis Addison.

State workers are, after all, the government's service providers, which the union representing them points out.

"There are people that make sure our streets are safe and clean. They make sure the roads we drive on are in good repair. They make sure the gas you're getting from the pump is actually the amount that's on the pump. They make sure that the water you're drinking is clean," said a union spokesperson.

"It's going to be a very tough balance. It's not an easy time to make these decisions and they're decisions being made by every family as every family in our state has to tighten its belt," said O'Malley.

While some cuts could take effect as early as next week, the furloughs will not.  There will be more extensive discussion on that before a decision is made.

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