State Workers

Ten state workers to lose jobs next month

Ten painters and other trade workers received notices Thursday that they will be laid off by the Department of General Administration effective March 8.

Furlough bill leaves committee

House budget writers amended a mandatory furlough bill for state employees, passing the $50 million savings measure out of the Ways and Means Committee on a partisan vote of 12-to-10 early Monday evening.

Stimulus kept state from 'falling off cliff'

The latest official estimate of work created by the federal stimulus reflects a more modest position for Washington than the one released last fall.

Workplace glass half-full

State workers' wages are frozen, their health care benefits cost more out of pocket and their workloads are up in agencies slimmed down by layoffs.

State furloughs pass Senate

The state Senate voted Friday to require state agencies to place workers on mandatory furloughs one day a month or offer alternative plans saving $69 million.

New superintendent for Cedar Creek

The state Department of Corrections has appointed Eleanor Vernell as the superintendent at Cedar Creek Corrections Center, a minimum-security prison near Littlerock. She will remain the superintendent at Larch Corrections Center near Vancouver until it closes this summer.

Furlough vote readied

A move to shut down state agencies one day a month and give state workers furloughs to save money is on its way to an expected quick passage in the state Senate as soon as today.

Critics seek changes to agency reorganization

Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposal to revamp the state Commerce Department is running into concerns from housing advocates and other community advocates, and a reform bill now is likely to be amended before it is voted on in a House committee next week.

Labor at odds with state plans

Labor groups took shots Tuesday at a Senate proposal to shutter many state agencies and functions one day a month to save state payroll costs over a 16-month period.

State Library faces cuts

A big round of spending cuts is coming to the Washington State Library, and agency leaders said it means 31 lost jobs and elimination of work to preserve many of the state's oldest historic documents.