11/03/09

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Gov. C.L. ``Butch'' Otter's latest order for
state agencies to save money has prompted additional government
layoffs.

Since Otter announced a new round of budget cuts in late
September, the Department of Water Resources trimmed 19 jobs, the
Spokesman-Review reported Tuesday.

The Department of Environmental Quality cut 10 jobs, while the
Department of Lands eliminated four positions.

That's on top of the nearly 350 state workers Idaho had already
reported laying off since July 1, 2008.

In fiscal year 2009, tax revenue fell more than 15 percent
compared with 2008; receipts are lagging further this year,
prompting Otter's budget managers to predict a $151 million budget
shortfall come next July, if agencies don't make further cuts.

Idaho state government is also holding 700 jobs vacant;
employees have taken more than 150,000 hours of unpaid furloughs,
to ward off further job cuts.

___

Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com


(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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