THE LEDGER-STAR
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 22, 1994 TAG: 9408220204
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
The Allen administration has fired 200 state workers and eliminated another 245 jobs, according to a Department of Planning and Budget estimate.
It could not be determined from the estimate, however, precisely how many of the positions were filled, scrapped under budget cuts approved by the General Assembly or moved elsewhere.
Ric Brown, deputy director of the budget office, declined comment.
The figures could be revised for Gov. George Allen's report today to the General Assembly money committees. Allen has pledged to cut waste and make state government more efficient.
The reductions represent less than a half-percent of the total state payroll, which was 115,098 as of June 30.
Allen spokesman Ken Stroupe said he did not have a final figure on job cuts, and that one had yet to be added to a draft of the governor's speech.
``We've said hundreds,'' he said. ``I'm going to leave those details for the governor's remarks.''
According to the Planning Department, the health and human resources secretariat has cut 135 jobs; public safety, 117; transportation, 87; education, 41; administration, 33; commerce and trade, 22; natural resources, eight; and finance, two, sources told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Democrats have criticized the governor's changes, charging he is more interested in rewarding political pals with jobs than promoting government professionals. They also contend that reductions in middle management are being offset by growth at the executive level.
The staff of Commerce and Trade Secretary Robert T. Skunda has at least 14 employees, twice as many as his predecessor.
Sources estimated that salaries alone exceed $800,000, and that the money apparently is coming from other areas of the budget. The General Assembly appropriated about $480,000 for Skunda's office.
KEYWORDS: BUDGET CUTS LAY OFFS VIRGINIA STATE EMPLOYEES
by CNB