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State Senators to Take Unpaid FurloughsStaff reports
iBerkshires
11:40AM / Wednesday, April 29, 2009
BOSTON — State senators will take unpaid days off before the end of the fiscal year to help close a budget gap that could soar into the hundreds of millions.
"Senators are simply doing what small businesses and families across the commonwealth are doing," said Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, in a statement. "Tightening our belts and finding ways to do more with less. I appreciate the leadership of the Senate president and the minority leader on this issue and look forward to working with them to meet the needs of the commonwealth in these challenging times."
In a bipartisan announcement released this morning, Senate President Therese Murray and Minority Leader Richard Tisei said all the senators will take furlough days.
The cost-savings won't amount to much — there are only 40 senators, 35 Democrats and five Republicans. The total savings will amount to approximately $50,000. Still, it's an important gesture, Murray said. "Every little bit counts."
"This isn't just symbolic. We're all feeling the effects of this economic downturn, and we are all sharing in the pain," said the Plymouth Democrat. "As the Senate moves forward with its reform agenda and continues work on its own budget recommendations and revenue options, we must remember that we're in this together."
The state's financial picture is anything but rosy. Gov. Deval L. Patrick has made millions in cuts over the past six months trying to close a budget gap that keeps widening. April's tax revenue figures indicate Massachusetts could be facing an additional shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars in addition to the $2 billion shortfall the state has already experienced this fiscal year.
"Everything is on the table, and every agency, program and line item must be scrutinized," said Murray. "We owe it to the public."
Senators making between $50,000 and $75,000 per year will take three furlough days, while those making $75,000 or more per year will take five furlough days.
"Many Senate members have already decided not to accept their pay raises or have donated the extra money to charity instead," Tisei said. "This is just another way that we as legislators can do our part to help the commonwealth get through these difficult economic times."
Unpaid days have been taken in past fiscal crises by both senators and representatives, as well as state employees.
The furloughs are the latest cost-saving action taken by the Senate. Recent savings include:
■ $25,000 from the reduction of office supplies, including paper and citations;
■ $50,000 from 2008 to 2009 through renegotiation of Xerox lease;
■ $215,000 from a freeze on budgeted wage increases effective Feb. 1 and additional savings from freezes on hiring effective Feb. 1, on all travel as of Oct. 21, 2008, and on future capital improvements to Senate work spaces, except for emergency repairs.
Also, the Senate and House in October 2008 voluntarily reduced the Legislature's collective budget by 10 percent, saving $9.1 million, and made an additional voluntary cut of 2 percent in January, saving another $1.6 million for a total of $10.7 million. |
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