Gregoire OKs state employee furloughs
Governor Gregoire has signed legislation ordering many state employees to take 10 unpaid days off during the coming fiscal year – possibly starting on July 12. The furlough bill, Senate Bill 6503, gives agencies some latitude for avoiding the “temporary layoffs” mandate. Many agencies are exempt, such as parks, highways and ferries, pris0ns, social and health programs, and workers who make money for the state, such as liquor store and lottery employees. Employees who make under $30k a year are exempt. …