News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, NE; KLKNTV.comFurloughs v. Layoffs
Member Center:
When it comes to slashing the state's budget, it could mean layoffs or furloughs for state agencies.
If the state has to make cuts, Senator Bill Avery says it should come through furloughs. The Lincoln senator says furloughs would save jobs, benefits and money.
He says if the 18, 600 state employees took a five day furlough, the state could save around $15 million. That's the same amount of money if 400 employees were laid off.
He says, "Layoffs or furloughs? We would choose furloughs. It eases the pain, spreads it around. Everybody shares it."
The Nebraska Public Employees Union, which represents more than 10,000 state employees, says it would also choose furloughs over layoffs.
Senator Avery says the idea should at least be debated on the legislature floor.
