ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 23, 1996 TAG: 9609230088
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
In signs of continuing financial trouble, the National Rifle Association has laid off 30 workers and suspended production of its weekly cable television program, according to NRA officials.
Two NRA board members said the gun lobby has furloughed almost 10 percent of its roughly 400 employees in recent weeks.
The group also is relocating staff in its headquarters building, freeing up space to rent to other companies to generate enough rental revenue to help cover payrolls, one board member said.
``There is no other reason for this than money problems,'' said one of the board members. The members spoke on condition their names not be used.
NRA spokesman Bill Powers would not comment on layoffs beyond an Aug. 26 press release that said the NRA was putting renewed emphasis on grass-roots initiatives.
Cancellation of the television show, which cost the NRA at least $310,000 in 1995, is another sign of financial problems at the lobbying group, which has depleted most of its cash reserves and run deficits during much of the 1990s.
While production of new shows has been suspended, National Empowerment Television network's general manager Bob Swanner said both groups ``are exploring future options'' in hopes of a new deal.
The NRA's financial woes stem from a multimillion-dollar campaign aimed at boosting membership.
The plan, which cut into cash reserves, backfired amid negative publicity. Last year, as membership reached 3.5 million, former President Bush quit the NRA after a fund-raising letter referred to federal agents as ``jack-booted government thugs.''
Since then, membership has dropped to about 2.8 million. - Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB