Idaho lawmakers are looking to give state agencies more choices in responding to shrinking spending by closing offices due to furloughs.
A proposal approved by the Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday would allow offices to close due to mandatory unpaid days off for workers.
Furloughs for state workers have been one way state agencies have met mid-year spending reductions ordered by the governor and the Idaho Legislature.
State law currently says that offices must be open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for holidays. The change would allow offices to close due to furloughs.
The Department of Health and Welfare has recently closed its offices every other Friday, meeting state requirements by keeping the office of department director Dick Armstrong open on Fridays.
The flexibility measure now heads to the full Senate. It has already passed the House. (IdahoReporter.com)
