HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The commonwealth's Office of Administration today provided details on how the state's workforce will be reduced due to budget cuts and fiscal constraints. The administration will begin furloughing 50 employees today.

"It is with deep regret that we announce these furloughs," Secretary Christian Soura said. "This administration has been cutting costs and improving efficiency for nearly eight years; long before the recession hit. However, the continued decline in state revenues and reduced funding from the federal government left us with no other options."  

The commonwealth's $28 billion budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year anticipated $850 million in federal medical assistance (FMAP) funding. Pennsylvania actually received about $600 million. As a result, further cuts were necessary in order to balance the budget. In addition to the 50 furloughs, the administration has eliminated an estimated 500 vacant positions.

The Governor closed the funding gap using a combination of measures, including a 1.9 percent funding cut for all executive branch agencies, a $50 million reduction in education spending and an anticipated severance tax on natural gas extraction.  

The employees being furloughed starting today will be provided with up to 10 days of paid leave to be taken immediately before the Oct. 8 furlough effective date. Their final day on the job will be Sept. 24.

State employees facing furlough can contact the HR Service Center at 866-377-2672, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. with questions about benefits, final pay, retirement and other issues.  For more information, visit www.oa.state.pa.us.

Media contacts:

Dan Egan, OA; 717-772-4237

Mia DeVane, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: Below is a furlough data sheet including specific agencies affected by furloughs.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Administration

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http://www.oa.state.pa.us