Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 17, 1991 TAG: 9102180335
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: C/2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Or will it be? Think of all the state workers in the valley who will have to cut back on spending should the furloughs be implemented. Has it occurred to the brain trust at the Roanoke Times & World-News that one of the first luxuries these furloughed state workers will not be able to afford is their subscription to your newspaper?
Your editorial of Feb. 6 is accurate on several accounts. State workers are unhappy with the furlough plan. State workers' salaries lagged behind the private sector even before Wilder took back the promised 2 percent increase. State workers have no hope of raises either earned or given in the foreseeable future. I think this would all be easier to accept if they felt the reports of budget gloom and doom did not appear somewhat inflated.
Your paper has reported that some state agency heads will receive raises in spite of the freeze on wages. Also that in spite of a hiring freeze, state agencies are filling 400 jobs statewide. Still, 600 have been laid off, and 110,000 classified employees are expected to take another pay cut.
I feel that Wilder should spend more time and energy on restoring public confidence in the state economy. He should follow the example being set by Mr. Bush of strong, positive leadership.
Along with the budget cuts, I would like to see the governor do something to stimulate the state economy. It would be a good move for Wilder to add something positive to his political portfolio. Otherwise, the title of "scissorhands" may be all he takes with him to the National Democratic Convention.
JOHN M. YEATTS
BLUE RIDGE
by CNB