Idaho Gov. 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 Department of Environmental Quality cut 10 jobs, and 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, and employees have taken more than 150,000 hours of unpaid furloughs, to ward off further job cuts. (AP)
